I have two questions about designing ships with spinal mount weapons
against Book 5 / High Guard. The questions are:

* *Are lower tech spinal mounts available when building at higher tech levels?*
  Specifically, if I'm designing a ship at TL10 and I want a spinal mount particle
  accelerator, Can I install a factor "A" or factor "B" weapon. _Please ignore the gorilla in
  the room for the moment._

* *Should I decide to upgrade factors and if so, what are the criteria?* In my example
   above, the best choice is actually a factor "C" weapon. It costs less, takes up less
   space, uses the same energy, and packs a little more punch. In this case the answer is
   obvious, install the factor "C" weapon. Should the decision always be based on EP
   consumption?

Assuming that factor "A" weapons are available an any tech above their introduction, the
second question is actually pretty simple to answer but can you procure a factor "A" meson
gun when you are building at TL14?

Thanks in advance,

--
Chris

      __o          "All I was trying to do was get home from work."
    _`\<,_           -Rosa Parks
___(*)/_(*)____.___o____..___..o...________ooO..._____________________
Christopher Sean Hilton                    [chris/at/vindaloo/dot/com]