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!"
Viri manipulated his keys and knobs. The brief delay before an answering image appeared on the screen irritated Ahnu. The loose, coppery scales around his thick neck glinted with iridescent highlights as he puffed out his air-sacs.
"Dessication!" he snarled. "We bridge all those light-years with subspace waves for his benefit, and he can't be alert enough to—Got him now, Viri?"
The technician snapped the tip of a gripping tentacle in assent. Another Yaradirian looked out at them from the screen.