"Yes, if it contained but one memory-pattern," laughed Toralen Ki.
"They'd have done better to have sent a plumber and an electrician than we two failures."
"At this point, we must attempt to convey the idea of a search for the master machine."
"It will not be hard. This race will search rather than return home with an incomplete mission. The rivalry that exists between the leaders insures the success of our plan despite any set-back."
Toralen Ki and Hotang Lu faced Lane and Downing. All four shook their heads in complete misunderstanding. Then Hotang Lu sketched a crude diagram of the catmen's star-system. He indicated the master machine and also indicated their search for it and its ultimate destruction.
Lane gritted his teeth. "How big?" he asked aloud, and pointed from the machine to several bits of equipment in the ship.
Toralen Ki said: "Don't know."
Hotang Lu nodded in agreement and tried to convey their ignorance of the size.
"I gather that they've never seen it."