I fluffed up on that tricky ski jump.

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.

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.