diff --git a/piker/_ems.py b/piker/_ems.py
index 8ede8f31..aa1bdac5 100644
--- a/piker/_ems.py
+++ b/piker/_ems.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 In suit parlance: "Execution management systems"
 
 """
-import time
+# import time
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
 from typing import (
     AsyncIterator, Dict, Callable, Tuple,
@@ -174,6 +174,9 @@ def mk_check(trigger_price, known_last) -> Callable[[float, float], bool]:
 
         return check_lt, 'up'
 
+    else:
+        return None, None
+
 
 @dataclass
 class _ExecBook:
@@ -236,7 +239,7 @@ async def exec_orders(
         book = get_book()
         book.lasts[(broker, symbol)] = first_quote[symbol]['last']
 
-        task_status.started(first_quote)
+        task_status.started((first_quote, feed))
 
         # shield this field so the remote brokerd does not get cancelled
         stream = feed.stream
@@ -249,7 +252,7 @@ async def exec_orders(
                 # XXX: optimize this for speed
                 ##############################
 
-                start = time.time()
+                # start = time.time()
                 for sym, quote in quotes.items():
 
                     execs = book.orders.get((broker, sym))
@@ -288,10 +291,20 @@ async def exec_orders(
 
                                 print(f'execs are {execs}')
 
-                print(f'execs scan took: {time.time() - start}')
+                # print(f'execs scan took: {time.time() - start}')
         # feed teardown
 
 
+async def receive_trade_updates(
+    ctx: tractor.Context,
+    feed: 'Feed',  # noqa
+) -> AsyncIterator[dict]:
+    # await tractor.breakpoint()
+    print("TRADESZ")
+    async for update in await feed.recv_trades_data():
+        log.info(update)
+
+
 @tractor.stream
 async def stream_and_route(ctx, ui_name):
     """Order router (sub)actor entrypoint.
@@ -338,7 +351,7 @@ async def stream_and_route(ctx, ui_name):
 
                     if last is None:  # spawn new brokerd feed task
 
-                        quote = await n.start(
+                        quote, feed = await n.start(
                             exec_orders,
                             ctx,
                             # TODO: eventually support N-brokers
@@ -346,7 +359,14 @@ async def stream_and_route(ctx, ui_name):
                             sym,
                             trigger_price,
                         )
-                        print(f"received first quote {quote}")
+
+                        n.start_soon(
+                            receive_trade_updates,
+                            ctx,
+                            # TODO: eventually support N-brokers
+                            feed,
+                        )
+
 
                     last = book.lasts[(broker, sym)]
                     print(f'Known last is {last}')
@@ -359,6 +379,7 @@ async def stream_and_route(ctx, ui_name):
                     # the user choose the predicate operator.
                     pred, name = mk_check(trigger_price, last)
 
+
                     # create list of executions on first entry
                     book.orders.setdefault(
                         (broker, sym), {})[oid] = (pred, name, cmd)