"Depends," replied Viggon Sarri, with a grin. "Poorly, if you mean that their success looks imminent. But excellently, if you mean their technique. They're really covering space like a blanket, slice by slice. But they started on the wrong slice."
Viggon's armlet buzzed tinnily and he said, "Yes? Go ahead."
"This is Linus Brein. We have more of their language analogued."
"I'll be right over." To his second officers Viggon said, "Want to come along? This may be interesting."
Naylo shook his head. "We've a bit of a problem to haggle over. We'll be over to Brein's bailiwick later."
"You might be missing something, but it's your decision."
As soon as the door was closed behind Viggon, Naylo said, "I wonder if he is getting chicken."
"Don't let him hear you say that."
"I won't. But haven't you wondered?"