Open Invitation

The problem was simple—or rather, simply stated: Zoya Lar-Tul must keep those nasty, aggressive little Earthmen from discovering the location of his home-star....
As Ullo Dah-Gow waddled into the section communications chamber on Yaradir, second planet of Zillor, two of his four walking tentacles stuck slightly on a nearly dry spot.
Fire and dry sand! he swore at the technicians. Can't you two even keep the footing decently moist?
Without waiting for an answer, he made his way to the row of shallow mud tubs before the television screen. The operators aimed eyestalks at each other. Finally, Yado Nol-Moz, as junior, rose and went to the wall controls of the conditioner.
The assistant supervisor was relieved to see a thin sheet of water creep across the floor. He never knew when Yado or Viri Nol-Rin might choose to ignore him.
Which comes of old Ahnu loading this section with his nephews , he thought bitterly, forgetting that in his own office he already had a list of his own relatives prepared against the day when he should succeed to the post of Supervisor of Colonial Scouting for Sector 63.
The slap-slap of tentacles in the corridor announced the arrival of his superior. Ahnu Nol-Yev entered and lowered his thick body into the choicest of the mud tubs, which Ullo had prudently left free.
Now, what's this urgent message? he demanded, pointing one eyestalk at Ullo and fixing the other upon the screen above Viri's broad, bony head.
A request for orders from scout Zoya Lar-Tul, answered Viri. Assigned to ... let me see ... system LL-255-13.
Did we have any report on that system? asked Ahnu.
Yado produced the tape of a preliminary report and placed it on the speaker. The list of facts rolled out: number of planets ... number with sufficient water for colonization ... number of intelligent species—one, on third planet ... native nomenclature—star, Sol ; own planet, Earth ; others ... and so on.
All right, wheezed Ahnu. I remember now. Get hold of ... whatsisname ... Zoya!