"Give it the information," the captain said hastily. "We feed it all
the information it asks for."
"How?" Starbuck blurted. "Is there a keyboard or something?"
"Yes, yes, but it has audio scanners. Just talk. Or move your lips.
Send signals. Tap out Morse. Anything."
"I'm Benjamin Starbuck," he said.
The screen rearranged. MEANINGLESS COMMUNICATION. INSUFFICIENT DATA.
"Quick," Birdsel said, "do you have your IDQ file on you?"
Starbuck fished in his pocket for the microfilm slide. "Yes--aye, aye,
sir. I had it ready to give to you, sir."
"Never mind me. Give it to the brain!"
Starbuck approached the machine, saw a likely looking slot and shoved.
The brain ruminated with some theatrical racket. INSUFFICIENT DATA.
"What do you want to know?" Starbuck swallowed, saying.