Speaking of secrets, how are your negotiations with the Obin going?
Both Mattson and Robbins looked at Szilard warily. There are no negotiations with the Obin, Robbins said.
Of course not, Szilard said. You're not negotiating with the Obin to continue Boutin's consciousness program for them. And the Obin are not negotiating with us to knock down whichever of the Rraey or Eneshans is still left standing after their upcoming little war. No one's negotiating with anyone about anything. And how are these non-negotiations not going?
Robbins looked at Mattson, who nodded. They're not going surprisingly well, Robbins said. We probably won't reach an agreement in the next couple of days.
How not wonderful, Szilard said.

Chapter 15 (pp. 335-336) - The Ghost Brigades (2006)