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We need to shut down the new tram line - is what you intend to say. It is the simplest way to communicate both the problem and the solution in a single, direct sentence.
What stops you is Kou's earlier warning. The trams have been Command's grand project for these past couple years. A way to make Barter easier to traverse and more accessible to visitors, inhabitants, and crew alike. And, at the same time, a way to break the monopoly of the shuttle services after the last few companies got consolidated under a single banner and became an actual, bona fide monopoly. There was a lot of support for the project, both popular and among Command crew, which is why they've been able to push things forward much more quickly than usual, bulldozing over any opposition and reacting poorly to criticism and safety concerns.
What you're saying is that with that kasath from Command standing right there, this might call for a softer, more diplomatic approach.
"The new tram line is overloading the power grid," you inform him and Kou.
There: diplomacy. Let no one say you can't use it when called for.
"Impossible," comes the immediate, curt reply, the kasath staring down his flat nose at you with lidless eyes. "It has to be something else."
"Maths don't lie," you jerk your thumb back at the screen, carefully ignoring Kou's warning look. "Tram network is drawing two to two point three and grid's spiking to one point seven over. We do one subtraction and the problem disappears."
"And I will tell you again, technician, that this is impossible," he sneers. "There has been a thorough live test of the tram system performed before it was open to public use and power consumption was well under the grid's limit. Which you would know if you were actually part of this section - or had proper authorization to even be here."
"Please hold on sir, I already told you-" Kou tries to interject, but you cut him off.
"Live test? You mean the one from sixteen cycles ago?" you briefly turn to one of the desks to highlight a particular graph. "The one right here?"
"That is the one, yes. As you can plainly see, the grid load at the time only reached seventy three percent. So clearly the problem has to-"
"Barter was still in transit back then," you interrupt.
"So what?"
There are fewer than ten people in the generally quiet room, but the sudden silence is absolutely palpable as everyone present simply turns and stares at the guy - no, the <span class="mu-i">idiot</span> from Command.
A moment later Kou's eyes dart back to you. His expression is begging, pleading, <span class="mu-i">beseeching</span> you.
"And it's sir."
"What?" you ask reflexively.
"You will address me as 'sir' when speaking to me, []technician."
>Explain things to him
>Explain things to him. But diplomatically.
>write-in
