Two observations: 1. If you keep it very strictly hidden, development will be slow and based on the zietgiest comment above, you are at risk of your enemy disc

Two observations: 1. If you keep it very strictly hidden, development will be slow and based on the zietgiest comment above, you are at risk of your enemy discovering the same technology by chance and completing it one unit of time before you. So you must work as fast as possible even if this risks some leakage. 2. If you have worked in secret and somehow perfected a technology, it will manifest itself in your negotiations as your negotiation style or forcefulness will likely change given your perception of comparative position or bargaining power. We have not observed a drastic change in global geopolitical order to support this claim so it is unlikely someone has an ace up their sleeve. Not saying it is impossible, sometimes people do show discipline just saying it is unlikely based on the other comments on this thread.