[ Stealing the designs of something that they've already used can only get them so far. And Cassian understands that. He may never have spent any time rubbing shoulders with government officials - nor does he have any intention to - but he knows that there has to be something to be done. ]

It would help if you knew how far along they were. Is there anyone in their research and development department that would know?

[ He's not suggesting that they just straight up destroy all of it but...well. ]

You need some sort of bargaining chip to go up against them though, don't you? Offering to build a shielding system is still offering to help them. I get the feeling you don't want them to have any more of your work than they already do.