Scott Foshee
Scott Foshee asked Dennis E. Taylor:

This question contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

Dennis E. Taylor They didn't have the hardware. Think about Hugh taking a week to transport himself over a relay that was at least intended for large-volume comms. The SCUT relays in the mannies are just big enough for the job they're doing, which is an order of magnitude too small.
And Bender didn't have any SCUT hardware on him, which is why Bob had to wire into the microphone and speakers to talk to him.

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