Klythe looked thoughtful. "It'll depend on the breakdown, of course; these things take time. Five thousand units. Hmmmm. Assuming increasing complexity—figure twice the time for a regular model and extra time for analysis—mmmm." He appeared to be figuring deeply.
Five days, thought Crayley contemptuously.
"It'll take all of a week to set up for it," Klythe said. "If we get three tunnels running, you can have your five thousand units in—say twelve weeks."
"Fine," said Stratford. "I am also informed that our own technicians will be on hand for the recording. I have no idea what that may mean, but—"
"I see. Very well, tell them we'll expect them to be here with the original!" Klythe said sharply.
The major raised his eyebrows at Klythe's voice. "Is there something wrong, Mr. Klythe?"
"There is," Klythe said blandly. "But I'm not blaming you, of course. A question of the specialty."
"I see," said the major. One did not question another's work too closely. Get nosy with other people, and they get nosy with you.
"It's rather as though I hired you to take a cargo to Sirius for me and then insisted that you use my crew instead of your own," Klythe explained. "Perhaps the parallel isn't too good—I know nothing of interstellar commerce—but that may get the idea across."