Orson Scott Card, Xenocide. Modified to make sense without reading the rest of the book:
(In case you were wondering, the humans were trying to move a spacecraft through space by sheer willpower. I haven't finished the book yet, but it seems they have a chance. He's built up all the physics for it to happen)Alien: Why did you manage to manufacture the humans space-craft before ours? We requested ours a long time before they did.
Other Alien: All the humans wanted was a box with a door, no propulsion, no life support, no cargo space. Heck, we don't even know what they want it for.
Alan Dean Foster, Lost and Found. As per original.
Marcus (human): You're a real son of a ★■◆●, you know that?
George (enhanced dog): I should certainly hope so