[Ari shivers a little at the thought of cracking lobsters. Of course there would be people here who ate the flesh of other creatures, it was all so very pre-Lorentzen. It bothers her more than the void does.]

Generally speaking, wormholes don't want anything. You can't negotiate with them. Your choices are to go around, and stay safe, or to take a chance on sending something through. [She has to say that, but Ari can also see his real meaning, very clearly.] But you're right, in a way. If you don't know which to do, because the data's insufficient, then you stay at a distance, and observe, and carefully experiment.

What sort of contract would you be interested in?