Does anyone have any thoughts on merging the two careers between AoR and EotE as a band aid until a Tech book is released?
The biggest reason I'm thinking about it is how much cheaper XP wise it is to invent things via Scientist than Outlaw Tech and all the combat talents aren't in the way, replaced with research instead, and neatly off to the side and optional. But is that just me trying to skimp on XP, or is there a legitimate argument to merge them temporarily? They do share the Mechanic already, but Slicer is also shared with the Spy. Should it just be left to my GM based on what would fit my character best rather than being a blanket decision?

Speaking of which, the character is currently a Mechanic who will likely branch into one of the above, and eventually into Entrepreneur and open a repair/custom shop for ships. The idea is to create custom attachments/mods to fit a client's needs on a case by case basis, and let the shop's employees do general repair jobs while we adventure to keep the place self sufficient. The shop wouldn't happen until after the character has gotten good at creating those custom bits for the party, proving he know's what he's doing. I'm also assuming he'd be based out of a shadowport's shipyard somehow, but I'll work on that when I get there. Maybe someday own his own shipyard, eventually found a corporation.

I'm also trying to figure out how to handle the fact that he's a droid. Just be blatant about it? Go the G0-T0 route and make up a fake holo-master? Put the party's Face Man up to manage the company for me? If I do that do I even need to branch into Entrepreneur at all?

How would you guys handle this?

I'd handle it by not changing anything and sit tight and wait for the Technician book. Why combine the two specs? The different specs have some great overlaps, so why take that away? The trees that are identical between the two game lines (Mechanic, for example) can't be bought twice anyway. If you want the stuff that's in both trees just pay the XP and take them; the "extra" XP cost is what you pay to get really, really good at something.

As for the droid disguising himself, why bother? I don't think most people would have problems dealing with a droid, especially if he's working out of a shadowport. As long as he delivers quality goods no one will care.

Has there been any more word on a Technician book? I check the FFG Star Wars RPG pages regularly and Leads by Example seemed to suddenly appear At the Printers with going through development. Not that I mind, but there hasn't been a new Career book for EotE in some time so I was wondering if there were any reliable rumors.