Brein thought, then said, "Very little, actually. They use atomic
power. They have discovered interstellar flight. They seem to have some
interstellar commerce. They use the infrawave bands for communication
across space. I would say, off-hand, that they may have colonized
no more than a dozen planets, and are exploring perhaps a dozen
more. I would also guess that their exploration is done by sheer
go-out-and-look techniques."
"Why do you suggest that?" asked Viggon.
"Analogy. Their use of the infrawave is not highly developed. I doubt
that they have planet-finding equipment. I have not noticed any attempt
to use the infrawave as a detecting and locating means. Only for
communication is the infrawave employed by them."
"I see. Any more?"
"Not at present," said Linus Brein. "We will collect more as our men
pick up information and our analyzers compile data."
"Keep me posted," ordered Viggon Sarri.
He sat there in silence, a tall man with a thin face that looked
wolfish. His ears were flat and distorted, to the human point of view.
His eyes were glittery bright, having that shiny cornea characteristic
of the nocturnal animal of Terra. He had six stubby strong fingers on
each hand and a long double-jointed thumb. Each hand had two palms,
fore and back so that the fingers could curl either inward or outward.
His elbows were double, one bent in or locked straight, the other bent
out or locked straight, as he moved.
* * * * *
Viggon stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. His eyes, roaming
independently gave his features a bizarre look which his own race
thought quite natural.