[ Matt's mouth quirks in a rueful moue--if it weren't some all or nothing setup, it'd be too easy. Nobody would need him to crash in here asking can't we all just get along. But his expression sharpens with interest as Yuri goes on.

Matt had assumed that scarce records meant no information whatsoever. This tidbit opens up a whole bunch of potentialities. ]

I think I see what you're saying, [ he says. ] You mean like, if the last time wasn't successful, how can they be so sure that any attempt would be? [ A thought comes on the heels of his own question: ] Have Cyrus or Yima indicated they've gone through a successful cycle before?