"I translated some of their broadcasts and learned that this was their great current project. Naturally, however, I was unconcerned, and contented myself with obtaining specimens for my researches by brief, discreet trips here and there."
Ullo snapped his tentacle tip quietly in assent. He remembered from his history the dreadfully long period of his own race's expansion throughout the system of Zillor. These Earthmen, however, seemed from Zoya's report to possess certain advantages. Their requirements of air and water were moderate and more easily stored in a space vessel. If they had discovered a form of subspace drive, they might be energetic enough to pop up in the vicinity of Zillor some fine day.
"You will imagine my amazement," continued Zoya, "when I heard one of their broadcasts announce that a ship had reached their fourth planet, and another the second—"
Ahnu blew out a long, bubbling breath.
"All this is doubtless interesting," he snorted, "but what is the immediate emergency?"
The image of Zoya aimed both eyestalks rather deliberately at the Supervisor.
"They reached and passed this group of satellites," he hissed out. "Do I make clear my dilemma, Great One?"
He waited while Ahnu's neck swelled dangerously. Just before the explosion, he continued:
"Should they discover me, they will also find the specimens I have collected, except the choicer ones stored on my subspace vessel for transport home. This is what I mean—"