I fluffed up on that tricky ski jump.

Mer-mouse? he said, in a low, hoarse voice.

Brassboards generally represent a more serious attempt to mimic the behavior of the final product, particularly in terms of component placing, connector lengths, and packaging. Portions of brassboards that involve high-risk areas may be constructed as near replicas of the envisioned final product and may be of sufficient integrity to undergo considerable testing.

The alien beings desire to know mankind more fully, and to have a few of mankind’s philosophic and scientific leaders know more about them. With such an exchange of knowledge all perils will pass, and a satisfactory modus vivendi be established.