Consequently, I knew that these men were not in-habitants of Earth. Nevertheless, I felt entirely at ease as we shook hands and the younger man said, “We were to meet you. Have you time to come with us?”

Without a question in my mind, nor the slightest apprehension, I said, “I place myself entirely in your hands.”

Together we left the lobby, I walking between them. About a block north of the hotel, they turned into a parking lot where they had a car waiting. They had not spoken during this short time, yet inwardly I knew that these men were true friends. I felt no urge to ask where they proposed to take me, nor did it seem odd that they had volunteered no information.

An attendant brought the car around, and the younger man slid into the driver’s seat, motioning me to get in beside him. Our other companion also sat with us on the front seat. The car was a four-door black Pontiac sedan.

The man who had taken the wheel seemed to know exactly where he was going and drove skillfully. I am not familiar with all the new highways leading out of Los Angeles, so I had no idea in which direction we were headed. We rode in silence and I remained entirely content to wait for my companions to identify themselves and explain the reason for our meeting.

I realize that such a trusting attitude ordinarily would seem foolhardy in the light of the lawlessness rampant in our world today. But it was an attitude followed by men of other civilizations in the presence of men recognized to possess greater wisdom than they. This custom has also been practiced by the American Indians to show respect and humility, patience and faith. I understood this well and conducted myself accordingly, since in the presence of these men I sensed a power which made me feel like a child in the company of beings of vast wisdom and compassion.

Lights and dwellings thinned as we left the outskirts of the city. The taller man spoke for the first time as he said, “You have been very patient. We know how much you are wondering who we are and where we are taking you.

I acknowledged that of course I had been wondering, but added that I was entirely content to wait for this information until they chose to give it to me.

The speaker smiled and indicated the driver. “He is from the planet you call Mars. I am from the one you call Saturn.”

His voice was soft and pleasant and his English perfect. I had noticed that the younger man also spoke softly, although his voice was pitched higher. I found myself wondering how and where they had learned to speak our language so well.

As the thought passed through my mind, it was immediately recognized. The Martian now spoke for the first time since our meeting in the hotel. “We are what you on Earth might call ‘Contact men.’ We live and work here, because, as you know, it is necessary on Earth to earn money with which to buy clothing, food, and the many things that people must have. We have lived on your planet now for several years. At first we did have a slight accent. But that has been overcome and, as you can see, we are unrecognized as other than Earth men.

“At our work and in our leisure time we mingle with people here on Earth, never betraying the secret that we are inhabitants of other worlds. That would be dangerous, as you well know. We understand you people better than most of you know yourselves and can plainly see the reasons for many of the unhappy conditions that surround you.

“We are aware that you yourself have faced ridicule and criticism because of your persistence in proclaiming the reality of human life on other planets, which your scientists say are incapable of maintaining life. So you can well imagine what would happen to us if we so much as hinted that our homes are on other planets! If we stated the simple truth—that we have come to your Earth to work and to learn, just as some of you go to other nations to live and to study—we would be labeled insane.

“We are permitted to make brief visits to our home planets. Just as you long for a change of scene or to see old friends, so it is with us. It is necessary, of course, to arrange such absences during official holidays, or even over a week end, so that we will not be missed by our associates here on Earth.”

I did not ask whether my companions were married and had families here on our planet, but I had an impression that this was not the case. For a few minutes silence again remained unbroken as I thought over the information they had given me. I found myself wondering why I had been singled out to receive their friendship and been given this knowledge by men from other worlds. Whatever the reason, I felt very humble, and very grateful.

As I was thinking about all this, the Saturnian gently said, “You are neither the first nor the only man on this world with whom we have talked. There are many others living in different parts of the Earth to whom we have come. Some who have dared to speak of their experiences have been persecuted—a few even unto what you call ‘death.’ Consequently, many have kept silent. But when the book on which you are now working reaches the public, the story of your first contact out on the desert with our Brother from the planet which you call Venus will encourage others from many countries to write you of their experiences.” (After the book, "Flying Saucers Have Landed", was published, the truth of this prediction was proven)

I felt not only a strong confidence in these new friends, but an overwhelming sense that we were not actually strangers to one another. I also had a deep conviction that these men could answer all questions and solve all problems concerning our world; even to performing feats impossible to Earth men if they deemed such necessary and in keeping with the mission they had come to perform.

We drove on smooth highways for a long time, possibly an hour and a half. I still had no idea in what direction we were traveling, except to sense that we were entering desert country. It was too dark to observe details of the surroundings. My mind continued to be absorbed in reviewing what they had told me and, as I have said before, there was little conversation.

I was jarred out of my musings when, suddenly, we turned off the smooth highway into a rough, narrow, corrugated road. The Martian said, “We have a surprise for you!”

We passed no cars on this road, along which we drove for about fifteen minutes. Then, with mounting excitement, I saw in the distance a soft-white glowing object on the ground. We stopped within about fifty feet of it. I estimated it to be some fifteen to twenty feet in height and I recognized its close resemblance to the Saucer, or Scout, of my first meeting almost three months earlier.

As we came to a stop, I noticed that a man was standing on the ground beside the glowing craft. After we had stepped out of the car my companions called out a greeting. The man by the Scout appeared to be working on something connected with it. The thee of us walked toward him and, to my great joy, I recognized my friend of the first contact—the man from Venus!

He was dressed in the same ski-type flying suit that he had worn on the first occasion, but this suit was light brown in color with orange stripes at top and bottom of the waistband.

His radiant smile made it clear that he shared my happiness over this reunion. After greetings were exchanged, he said, “As we were coming down a small part of this little ship broke, so I have been making a new one while waiting for you to arrive.”

I watched curiously as he emptied the contents of a small crucible onto the sand. “The timing was perfect,” he said. “I was just completing the installation as you drove up.”

It suddenly struck me that he was speaking English with only a slight trace of accent, whereas on our first meeting he seemed unable to speak our language at all. I hoped that he might explain this, but as he did not, I refrained from questioning.

Instead, I stooped and cautiously touched what appeared to be a very small amount of molten metal which he had thrown out. Although still quite warm, it was not too hot to be handled, and I carefully wrapped it in my handkerchief, which I placed safely in an inner pocket of my coat. I still have this bit of metal in my possession.

Although my companions were laughing at my antics, there was no trace of ridicule in their merriment. The Venusian asked, although he must have known the answer, “Why do you want that?”

I explained that I hoped it might furnish proof of the reality of their visit and told him that people usually demanded what they called “concrete evidence” to prove that I was not just “making it all up” when I told of my first meeting with him.

Still smiling, he answered, “Yes, and you are a race of souvenir hunters, aren’t you! However, you will find that this alloy contains the same metals found on your Earth, since they are much the same on all planets.”

Here, I believe, is as good a moment as any to say to my readers that no names, as we know them, were given to me for any of the people I met from other worlds. The reason for this was explained to me but cannot be given here in full. Suffice it to state that there is no involved mystery connected with this but rather an entirely different concept of names as we use them.

While this no-name state created no awkwardness in my actual encounters with these new friends, I realize that it certainly would do so for the reader, especially in the latter part of this book as contacts mount. Therefore, since we of this world are dependent on our own kind of names for one another, I shall provide them.

While I want to make it very clear that the names I am introducing for these new friends are not their correct names, I wish to add that I have my own good reasons for choosing them, and that they are not without meaning in relation to those who will bear them throughout these pages.

The Martian I shall call Firkon. The Saturnian is Ramu. My name for the Venusian will be Orthon.

2: INSIDE A VENUSIAN SCOUT SHIP

Shortly after our arrival, Orthon turned and entered the ship, motioning for me to join him. Firkon and Ramu immediately followed. As I have stated, the Scout rested solidly on the ground and only a small step up was required to enter the craft.

Although when we had first reached the waiting Scout, I must have anticipated something of this kind, now that I was actually aboard, my joy can only be imagined. As I took a first quick glance around, I wondered if their purpose was merely to show me what one of these Scouts looked like inside, or — I hardly dared let the hope live — perhaps actually to take me on a journey though space. …?

We went directly into the one-room cabin compartment through a door high enough to permit Ramu, the tall Saturnian, to enter without stooping. As he, the last to go in, placed his foot on the cabin floor, the door silently closed. I was aware of a very slight hum that seemed to come equally from beneath the floor and from a heavy coil that appeared to be built into the top of the circular wall. The moment the hum started, this coil began to glow bright red but emitted no heat. I recalled that I had noticed just such a bright coil on the Scout of my first contact. But on that occasion it had thrown off various colors—red, blue and green—like a flashing prism in the Sun.

I scarcely knew where to look first. I marveled anew at the unbelievable way in which they were able to fit parts together so that joinings were imperceptible. Just as I had been unable to find any trace of an entrance door into the Scout of my first encounter, now there was no sign of the door that had closed behind us; only what looked like solid wall.

Everything had seemed to take place simultaneously— the door closing, the soft hum as of a swarm of bees, the glow of the upper coil and the increase of light within the craft.

It was all so exciting that I was obliged to take myself firmly in hand in order to concentrate on any one thing. I wanted to leave this ship with a clear picture of everything in order to give a lucid account of what I was seeing.

I estimated the inside diameter of the cabin to be approximately eighteen feet. A pillar about two feet thick extended downward from the very top of the dome to the center of the floor. Later I was told that this was the magnetic pole of the ship, by means of which they drew on Nature’s forces for propulsion purposes, but they did not explain how this was done.

“The top of the pole,” Firkon pointed out, “is normally positive, while the bottom, which you will notice goes down through the floor, is negative. But, when necessary, these poles can be reversed merely by pushing a button.”

I noticed that a good six feet of the central floor was occupied by a clear, round lens through which the magnetic pole was centered. On opposite sides of this huge lens, close to the edge, were two small but comfortable benches curved to follow the circumference. I was invited to sit on one of these and Firkon sat beside me to explain what was going on. Ramu took a place on the opposite bench, while Orthon went to the control panels. These were located against the outer wall between the two benches, directly opposite the now invisible door though which we had entered the Scout.

When we were seated, a small flexible bar fell into place across our middles. This bar was either composed of, or merely covered with, a kind of soft rubberized material.

Its purpose was obvious—a simple safety device to prevent falling forward or losing balance.

Firkon explained, “Sometimes, when a ship is thoroughly grounded, a sharp jerk is experienced when breaking contact with Earth. Although this does not very often happen, we are always prepared.” He smiled and added, “The same principle exactly as the safety belts in your own planes.”

It was still difficult to believe that anything so wonderful was actually happening to me. Ever since my first meeting with the Venusian, after he had gone and I was left with an unutterable sense of loss and a longing to go with him, I had hoped and dreamed that one day such a privilege might be mine. Now that it seemed certain we were preparing for a journey into space, I could scarcely contain my joy. Again and again I reminded myself that I must memorize all that I would see and learn, that I might share my experience with others, however inadequately.

“This ship,” Firkon continued, “was built for a two-man crew, or three at the most. But in an emergency a great many more can be safely crowded into it. However, this is not often necessary.

He did not explain further and I wondered if by “emergency” he could mean a rescue mission should another Scout find itself in trouble. So impressed was I by this firsthand viewing of the amazing results of their scientific knowledge that it was almost impossible to visualize failure of any description. I had to remind myself that, after all, they too were human beings and, no matter how far advanced beyond us, must still be subject to error and vicissitude.

I turned my attention to the graphs and charts that covered the walls for about three feet on either side of the door that I could not see, and which stretched from floor to ceiling. They were fascinating, entirely different from anything I had seen on Earth, and I tried to guess their purposes. There were no needles or dials, but flashes of changing colors and intensities. Some of these were like colored lines moving across the face of a particular chart. Some moved up and down, others crisscross, while still others took the forms of different geometric figures.

The meanings and functions were not explained to me, and I doubt if I could have understood it all, but I noticed that all three of my companions were alert to the changes taking place. I received the impression that the instruments indicated, among other things, direction of travel, the approach of any other object, as well as atmospheric or space conditions.

The wall for a distance of about ten feet directly behind the benches on which we sat appeared to be solid and blank, while on those beyond, opposite our point of entry, were other charts somewhat similar, yet differing in certain ways from those I have described. The pilot’s instrument board was unlike anything I could have imagined. The best comparison I can think of is that it looked rather like an organ. But instead of keys and stops there were rows of buttons. Small lights shone directly on these, so placed that each illuminated five buttons at a time. As far as I can remember, there were six rows of these buttons, each row about six feet long.

In front of this board was a pilot’s seat, very similar to the benches on which the rest of us were sitting. Close beside this bench, conveniently placed for easy use by the pilot, was a peculiar instrument connected directly to the central magnetic pole.

Firkon corroborated my unspoken guess as to its use by saying, “Yes, that is a periscope, something like those used on your submarines.”

As I watched the various lights flashing across the faces of the charts and wall graphs, now increasing, now diminishing in intensity, it became quite clear why these translucent ships are so often reported as changing color as they move through our skies. But there are other contributing factors. Many of the color changes and the glowing coronas which often surround the Saucers are the result of differing intensities of energy radiating out into the atmosphere and making it luminous directly surrounding the ships, due to a process somewhat similar to ionization.

Within the craft there was not a single dark corner. I could not make out where the light was coming from. It seemed to permeate every cavity and corner with a soft pleasing glow. There is no way of describing that light exactly. It was not white, nor was it blue, nor was it exactly any other color that I could name. Instead, it seemed to consist of a mellow blend of all colors, though at times I fancied one or another seemed to predominate.

I was so engrossed in trying to solve this mystery, and at the same time to see and absorb every detail of this amazing little craft that I was quite unaware we had taken off, although I did suddenly register a slight feeling of movement. But there was no sensation of enormous acceleration, nor of changes in pressure and altitude as would be the case in one of our planes going at half the speed. Nor had we experienced any jerk as we broke contact with the ground. I had an impression of tremendous solidity and smoothness, with little more realization of movement than of the unnoticeable journey of the Earth itself as it revolves around the Sun at eighteen and one-half miles per second. Others who have been privileged to ride in these Saucers also have been struck by the same sensation of movement—or rather, the almost total lack of it. But the fact is, with so many wonders crowding my consciousness, it was only later, after I was back on Earth reviewing the night’s experiences in my own mind, that I could begin to sort them out.

My attention was now called to the big lens at my feet. An amazing sight met my eyes! We appeared to be skimming the rooftops of a small town; I could identify objects as though we were no more than a hundred feet above the ground. It was explained to me that actually we were a good two miles up and still rising, but this optical device had such magnifying power that single persons could be picked out and studied, if so desired, even when the craft was many miles high and out of sight.

“The central pillar or magnetic pole serves a double purpose,” explained my bench companion. “Besides providing most of the power for flight, it also serves as a powerful telescope with one end pointing up through the dome to view the sky, and the other pointing down through the floor to inspect the land below. Images are projected through it into the two big lenses in the floor and ceiling, as you can see.”

He did not explain whether this was done electronically or by some other means. Its magnifications could be varied at will, and I suspect that there was more to it than a simple optical system such as we know on Earth.

I looked up into the translucent dome. The stars had always looked near enough to touch in the clear air of my mountain home, but viewed through this ceiling lens they seemed to be actually on top of us. As I alternated between watching the wonders of the sky and the swift Earth flashing beneath us, I noticed four cables which appeared to run through the floor lens (or immediately below it), joining the central pole in the form of a cross.

The Martian, noting my change of interest, explained, “Three of those cables carry power from the magnetic pole to the three balls under the ship which, as you have seen, are sometimes used as landing-gear. These balls are hollow and, although they can be lowered for emergency landing and retracted when in flight, their most important purpose is as condensers for the static electricity sent to them from the magnetic pole. This power is present everywhere in the Universe. One of its natural but concentrated manifestations is seen displayed as lightning.

“The fourth cable,” he continued, “extends from the pole to the two periscope-like instruments, the one beside the pilot’s seat and the other directly behind his seat but close to the edge of the center lens, as you can see. These instruments are really extensions of the main optical system and enable the pilot to see everything that is going on without leaving his seat. They can be switched on and off, or adjusted at will, so that both members of the usual crew can have full use of the telescope without interfering with each other.”

All the machinery was beneath the floor of this compartment, and under the outer flange, as clearly shown in the photograph of this Scout. I did not actually see any of it, but I was shown into a very small room which served both as an entrance to the compartment which contained the machinery, and as a workshop for emergency repairs. Here there was a tiny forge and a few storage cupboards in which, I surmised, necessary tools and materials would be kept.

It was while I was looking through the door into this room that our pilot said, “Be prepared for landing. We are near our mother ship.”

I could not believe it. It seemed that only a few minutes had sped by since we had entered the Scout.

Just a moment earlier the wall behind the bench on which we had been sitting had appeared solid. Now a round hole began to appear! I watched in astonishment while it continued to open, rather like the iris of a camera. Shortly, a porthole about eighteen inches wide appeared. This, then, explained the portholes in my Saucer photographs, of which till now I had seen no sign.

Like the door by which we had entered, their coverings fitted so closely as to be undetectable when closed. Recalling what my photos had shown, I reasoned that there must be four portholes on each side, making a total of eight.

“That is correct,” Orthon nodded in corroboration, “and the touch of a button can open them all or singly — and of course they are closed in the same manner.

As the pilot alerted us to our impending landing, the Martian said, “You will be interested to watch this!”

At the prospect of actually landing on a mother ship, my emotion rose to a point impossible to describe. Fighting for composure, my mind framed the question as to where the mother ship was waiting, and in what manner we would make the landing.

Instantly Orthon answered both unspoken questions. “This is the same large mother ship that alerted you and your party on the desert last year at our first meeting. She has been waiting for us up here and is at the moment about forty thousand feet above your Earth. Watch and you will see how these small ships land and enter into their carriers.”

Fascinated, I peered out through the portholes. There, below, I was able to make out a gigantic black shadow motionless beneath us. As we came nearer, its huge bulk seemed to stretch away almost out of sight, and I could see its vast sides curving outward and downward. Slowly, very slowly, we drew nearer until we were almost on top of the great carrier. I was not astonished when my companion told me that she was about one hundred and fifty feet in diameter and close to two thousand feet in length.

The spectacle of that gigantic cigar-shaped carrier ship hanging there motionless in the stratosphere will never dim in my memory.

3: THE VENUSIAN MOTHER SHIP

Our little craft glided down toward the top of the mother ship, very much like an aircraft coming in to land on the deck of an aircraft carrier. As I watched, a curved hatch or opening appeared, reminding me of a great gaping whale. Those who have seen the photographs of this ship will recall that it has a blunt nose sloping slightly downward. This hatch was situated at the far end of the main cylindrical body just before the slope of the nose became perceptible. As we touched down, the Scout moved forward into the hatch, tilting downward as it began its journey into the interior of this mighty ship. Here for the first time I had a feeling of dropping in the pit of my stomach. I imagine this was due to the fact that the Saucer was no longer using its own power but was now subject to the gravity of the mother ship.

We traveled on down at not too steep an angle, the flange of the Scout running on two rails slowly and smoothly, its rate of descent controlled by friction and the magnetism in the flange. Orthon had complete control over this, I found, for once I nearly lost my balance and he stopped the craft momentarily while I regained it. Then the slow, smooth glide continued until we had reached what I judged to be the halfway position between the top and the bottom of the mother ship. Here the Scout stopped, and the door instantly slid open.

I saw a man standing outside on a platform about fifteen feet long and six feet wide. He was holding something that looked like a metal clamp attached to a cable. He was not very tall—I should guess about five feet, five inches—and I noticed that he was of a darker complexion than any of the space people I had seen. He was dressed in a brown flying suit similar in color and style to the one worn by Orthon at our first meeting. Black hair showed from under a dark, beret-type cap.

I followed Firkon out of the Scout and Ramu came after me. Orthon was the last to leave. The man in the beret smiled and nodded to each of us as we stepped off the platform, but no words were exchanged.

From this platform a flight of about a dozen steps led down to one of the decks of the huge craft. As I was guided down them, I had time to notice that our Scout had stopped just before reaching a junction in the rails down which we had come. One pair of rails continued through the ship, curving downward out of sight. Between them was a dark space which prevented any view of what lay below. The other pair of rails continued straight on from the junction before which the craft was halted, and ran astern to a huge hangar or storage deck in which I could see several identical Scout ships lined up on the rails.

“This is the storage hangar in which the small craft are carried during interplanetary flight,” explained Firkon, stopping momentarily on the step beside me. “Had we been going on to another planet, our Scout would have stopped at the platform only long enough to let us out. Then it would have passed over the junction and been switched to its place in this large hangar. But because we shall be returning to Earth later, the Scout must be recharged at this platform.”

I glanced back and saw that the man on the platform had already slipped the clamp attached to the cable over the flange of the Scout so that it contacted both the flange and the rail beneath.

I have no idea how this recharging operation was performed; to me the clamp looked much like a machinist’s large clamp used on Earth. Nor could I see to what the other end of the cable was connected. Perhaps contact between clamp and rail was necessary to complete the circuit or for all I know, it may even have fitted into an unseen connection directly below the rim of the Scout. I did not wish to cause further delay by asking.

Although not answering the question in my mind, Firkon did volunteer, “These smaller craft are incapable of generating their own power to any great extent and make only relatively short trips from their carriers before returning for recharge. They are used for a kind of shuttle service between the large ships and any point of contact or observation, and are always dependent on full recharging from the power plant of the mother ship.”

At the bottom of the steps we entered a large control room, rectangular in shape but with rounded corners. This room, I should say, was about thirty-five by forty-five feet, and something like forty feet in height. Except for two door openings, the walls were entirely covered with colored graphs and charts like those in the Scout, but on a larger scale and more numerous.

Extending along all four sides of the room were three tiers of platforms from which the many instruments could be observed and studied. A master telescope stood on the top platform, and another on the bottom platform. From both of these were electronic extensions to many instruments in other parts of the ship, making it possible, I was told, for these two telescopes to be used from many locations on the ship.

Also in this room was a robot instrument which I was cautioned not to describe. I had noticed a miniature version of this robot in the Scout. There were also several pieces of machinery in this control room, none of which, so far as I could see, had any moving parts.

I would have liked to stop in this room for closer observation of all these graphs, charts, colors, machinery and instruments, and to have been permitted to ask questions concerning their operation, but this privilege was not granted. Instead, we went directly through this control room and through a second door which led into the most beautiful living room or lounge that I have ever seen. Its simplicity and splendor took my breath and I gasped as I stood momentarily in the doorway, not only marveling at the richness of its furnishings, but held in the wonderful emanation of harmony that came from it.

I do not know how long it took me to recover from this unexpected experience but eventually I was able to look about me with more interest for detail.

The ceiling, I judged, was about fifteen feet high, and the room could not have been less than forty feet square. A soft, mysterious blue-white light filled it, and yet I saw no lighting fixtures, and nowhere any inequality in brightness.

Then, as I stepped through the doorway into this luxurious lounge, my attention instantly was absorbed by two incredibly lovely young women who arose from one of the divans and came toward us as we entered.

This was indeed a tremendous surprise as, for some reason, I had never visualized women as space travelers. Their very presence and extraordinary beauty, the friendliness that was so apparent as they approached to greet us, together with the luxurious background in the out-of-this-world craft, were overwhelming.

The shorter of the two women touched my hand in the recognized greeting, then immediately turned away to walk over to another part of the room. Then the taller and seemingly younger girl leaned forward and touched my cheek lightly with her lips. The first lovely lady returned holding a small glass of colorless liquid which she held out to me.

Stirred deeply by the warm friendliness of these people, I thanked her and took the glass. The water (for that is what it proved to be) tasted like our own pure spring water. It seemed, however, a little denser, with a consistency something like a very thin oil. As I sipped it, I strove to regain my composure and to impress the images of these gracious and beautiful young women indelibly on my mind.

The one who had brought me the water was about five feet, three inches in height. Her skin was very fair and her golden hair hung in waves to just below her shoulders in a beautiful symmetry. Her eyes, too, were more golden than any other color and held an expression that was both gentle and merry. I had the feeling that she was reading my every thought. Her almost transparent skin was without blemish of any kind, exquisitely delicate, though firm and possessed of a warm radiance. Her features were finely chiseled, the ears small, the white teeth beautifully even. She looked very young. I judged that she could not be much over twenty years of age. Her hands were slender, with long, tapering fingers. I noticed that neither she nor her companion wore make-up of any kind on their faces or fingernails. The lips of both were a natural deep red. They wore no jewelry of any description. Indeed, such adornment would have served only to detract from their own natural beauty.

Both women wore draped garments of a veil-like material which fell to their ankles, and both robes were bound at the waist by a striking girdle of contrasting color, into which jewels seemed actually to be woven.

The garment of the little blonde was of a pure light blue, and her tiny sandals were golden in color. Later, I learned that she was a citizen of the planet we know as Venus. Kalna is the name I shall give her.

Ilmuth, my name for the other woman, was taller and a rich brunette in coloring. She also wore her hair in a cascade that fell to just below her shoulders, and it was a beautiful wavy black with highlights of reddish brown. Her large eyes were black, luminous, with flashes of brown. They held the same merry expression as those of her companion, and I felt that she, too, could read my innermost thoughts. In fact, this is an impression I have received from every person that I have met from worlds beyond our own. The color of this lovely brunette’s robe was a pale, rich green, and her sandals of a copper hue. Ilmuth, like Firkon, was an inhabitant of the planet Mars.

I realize that in trying to describe these ladies from other worlds than ours I am attempting the impossible. Perhaps, using my inadequate description as a stepping stone, the reader will search his own imagination for an image of perfect beauty—and then know that it must certainly fall short of the reality.

As I finished drinking from the small goblet of water, I was asked to be seated, an invitation I gladly accepted.

On the wall exactly opposite the door through which we had entered hung a portrait which I was certain must represent Deity. The emotion which the beauty of the two young women had aroused in me was momentarily forgotten as the wonderful radiance emanating from the portrait enveloped me. It showed the head and shoulders of a Being who could have been eighteen to twenty-five years of age, in whose face was embodied the perfect blended balance of male and female, and whose eyes held a wisdom and compassion beyond description.

I do not know how long I was enrapt by this beauty. There was no interruption until I myself returned to an awareness of my surroundings.

I did not need to ask who this Being was. Kalna broke the silence by saying, “That is our symbol of Ageless Life.

You will find it in every one of our ships as well as in our homes. It is because we keep this symbol always before us that you will find no age amongst our people.”

On one side of the room was a long table surrounded by many chairs. I had the impression that this table was used by the ship’s company for meals, and perhaps also as a council table. I had an idea that the number of crew members ran into three figures, although I had seen only a few on this occasion. I received no verification of this latter impression, but my feeling about the table was substantiated by Firkon. I also learned that the greater part of the room was used as a lounge by the crew and their guests when crew members were not at their various posts during flight. The rest of the salon was casually strewn with divans, settees and chairs of different designs and sizes, very much in the manner of Earth. But in every case these were lower and more comfortable than ours, and more graceful in design and appearance. They were covered in a material of a deep soft nap with a brocade effect. The colors varied and were most attractive to look at—rich, warm and subdued.

Beside the chairs were low glass or crystal-topped tables with interesting decorative centerpieces. But I saw nothing the least like an ash tray. I suppose I knew instinctively that these people were not addicted to the nicotine habit and I left my cigarettes in my pocket. Once, however, through sheer force of habit, I reached for them. Observing this, the little lady from Venus smiled and said, “You may smoke if you like. I will get you a receptacle for your ashes. You see, only Earth people indulge in that odd habit!”

I thanked her and returned the package to my pocket without taking a cigarette.

To continue with my description—the whole floor was covered by a single luxurious rug which reached to the walls. Medium brown and perfectly plain, with a deep, soft nap, it was delightful to walk upon.

When we were asked to sit down, I found myself on one of the longer divans between Firkon and Ramu. Directly opposite, at a comfortable conversational distance, was another divan of the same shape and size. Here the two ladies seated themselves with Orthon between them. I still held the empty water glass in my hand, and now set it down on the low table in front of us.

The material of this goblet interested me. It was crystal-clear, without etching of any kind. It did not feel like our glass, nor like plastic. I had no idea of what material it was made, but I received the definite impression that it was unbreakable.

After noting the most outstanding features of the furnishings, I let my eyes roam around the walls. To my right, I noticed a large and beautiful door, slightly ajar, with no knob or lock that I could see. Kalna told me that this led into a storage room, adding, “Our ship often is long absent from our home planet as we travel and study space. Nor do we always stop on other planets during such trips. Consequently, large storage facilities are needed for supplies and equipment.

“The door you see over there in the opposite wall, like the one serving the supply room, leads into a kitchen.”

This door gave onto the portion of the room I supposed was used for dining purposes. I was not taken into either of these rooms.

I studied with interest a large picture near the door on the wall to my right. It showed a city which at first glance seemed little different from those on our Earth, except that it was laid out in circular form instead of the series of hard rectangles usual with us. But the architecture was very different. I hardly know how to describe it, for not one of our many architectural styles approximates it in any way. Here was perfection of the graceful lightness and delicacy for which many of our better modern architects are striving but have never quite achieved. It was the kind of city of which men dream, but never see on our Earth. I had guessed, before I was told, that the city depicted here was on Venus, this ship’s home planet.

On the other side of the door was yet another painting, a pastoral scene of hills and mountains with a stream running through the farmland. This might have passed even more easily for an earthly scene except that the farmhouses were not scattered around the countryside, but also followed a circular plan. I was told that this arrangement had been found more practical in enabling these farm groups to become small, self-sufficient communities, containing everything necessary to supply all essential commodities for the country folk. On Venus there is true equality in all respects, including allocation of commodities. Trips to the cities, then, need be undertaken only for pleasure or for personal reasons.

On the opposite wall, behind the long table, I noticed a picture of a large mother ship, and I wondered whether it represented the one we were in. But as this thought passed through my mind, the little lady from Venus corrected it by saying, “No, our ship is really very small in comparison. That one is more like a traveling city than a ship, since its length is several miles, while ours is only two thousand feet.”

I realize that my readers are likely to consider such dimensions incredible, and I readily admit that I myself was unprepared for anything so fantastic. However, it is necessary to remember that, once we have learned to harness the great natural energies instead of depending on mechanical force, it should be no more difficult to build cities within the walls of gigantic ships than on the ground. London and Los Angeles are cities nearly forty miles wide which were built largely by crude machines and manpower—a prodigious achievement in itself. Once gravity is mastered, cities in the air for us, too, can become a reality.

“Many such ships have been built,” Kalna explained, “not only on Venus but also on Mars and Saturn and many other planets. However, they are not intended for the exclusive use of any particular planet, but for the purpose of contributing to the education and pleasure of all citizens in the whole brotherhood of the Universe. People naturally are great explorers. Therefore, travel in our worlds is not the privilege of the few, but of all. Every three months a fourth of the inhabitants of our planets embark on these gigantic ships and set out for a cruise through space, stopping at other planets just as your cruise liners stop at foreign ports. In this way our people learn about the mighty Universe and are enabled to see, firsthand, a little more of the ‘many mansions’ in the Father’s house to which your Bible refers.

“In the temples of wisdom on our planets we have many mechanical devices by means of which our citizens also can study conditions in other worlds and systems, and space itself. But with us as with you, nothing can quite take the place of actual experience. So we have built fleets of gigantic ships like the one you see pictured there, which might also be described literally as small artificial planets. They contain everything necessary for the welfare and pleasure of thousands of people over a three-month period. Apart from size, the main difference is that planets are spherical in shape, are divinely made, and move in elliptical orbits around a central Sun, while these little man-made planets are cylindrical and can move through space at will.”

An ever-increasing concept of our star-studded heavens unfolded before my mind’s eye as I contemplated the information just given me. I wondered to what “other planets” Kalna referred.

Replying to my mental question, Orthon volunteered, “Our ships have not only visited all other planets in our system, but those in systems close to ours. However, there still are planets without number in the infinite systems within the Universe which we have not yet reached.”

Here again a wondering thought slipped in as I mentally questioned what they had found on the “other planets” they had visited.

The Venusian’s eyes sparkled and a tiny smile flitted across his mouth as he caught my thought. He continued without interruption. “With the sole exception of inhabitants on Earth, we have found the peoples of other worlds to be very friendly. They, too, have gigantic space cruisers for the pleasure and education of their fellowmen. As we visit their planets and are welcomed, they also visit ours as friends. It is to the Earth alone that these passenger cruisers never approach. Nor will they be permitted to do so until your people have a greater understanding of fellowship as well as of the Universe beyond the limiting confines of your own little planet.

“During flights of this kind, those on the cruise have much leisure time, as well as definite hours devoted to learning. When they land on other planets mutually interesting social gatherings are held. In short,” and he made this very clear, “peoples of other worlds are not strangers to one another, but all are friends and are welcomed wherever they go.

“We consider planets throughout the Universe as being in one vast sea of life. The far distant planets by the billions which we have not yet visited will be explored when we have further improved our space ships. There are some planets so far out from any in our system that it would take us two or three years to reach them. Whereas, within our system, the distance between planets can be covered within a few hours to a few days.”

Reviewing our concept of distance, I exclaimed, “That is staggering to me! How fast do you travel that you can cover such vast distances in so short a time?”

“Speed to us,” was the reply, “does not mean what it does to you. For once a ship is launched into outer space, the speed of the ship is equal to the activity in space! Instead of being artificially propelled, as are your planes, ours travel on the currents of space.”

I derived some small hope for our eventual progress on Earth when they freely admitted that, in the earliest attempts to conquer space, the inhabitants of Venus and those of other worlds had been faced with exactly the same problems as those that are holding us back today. Once again they stressed that gravity must be overcome as a first principle on the way to space travel.

4: MY FIRST LOOK AT OUTER SPACE

At this point, a man who appeared to be about my age entered from a door in the left corner of the room, smiling in a friendly way. Although I had noticed a ladder in that corner which I presumed must lead to an upper deck of the ship, I had seen no door until be entered through it.

Upon his appearance the two girls excused themselves and left through the doorway leading into the control room. Shortly, Ilmuth, the Martian, returned. She had changed from her lovely gown to a pilot’s suit of the same style as that worn by the men. The color was light tan with bands of darker brown at top and bottom of the waist belt. I was delighted when she asked if I would like to accompany her to the pilot’s compartment.

Firkon joined us and as we three climbed the ladder to the next deck, I noticed Orthon leave through the control room where we had first entered after landing on the mother ship. The elder man and Ramu, the Saturnian, remained in the lounge.

As we walked along the upper deck corridor, Firkon said, “Each of these large ships carries many pilots, who work in shifts of four, two men and two women. Kalna and Ilmuth are pilots on this Venusian ship.”

The corridor, like all parts of the craft I had seen, was pleasantly lighted from some invisible source, and led upward and forward into a small room at the end of the large ship.

As we entered this room, a young man who was bent over a chart of some sort looked up, nodded and smiled, but no introductions were made. I presumed he must be Ilmuth’s pilot companion.

“This seems a good moment,” said Firkon, “to explain a little more about this ship. It is a carrier for twelve Scouts such as the one in which we arrived. Actually, the interior is not nearly as large as one would guess from its outward size. This is due to much of our mechanical devices being installed between walls.”

“This particular ship,” Ilmuth added, “has four walls or skins. Some have more and some less, depending on their size and the purpose for which they are built.”

As I looked at the number of strange instruments within this room, I was curious to know what “mechanical devices” lay between the walls. Firkon said, “I will explain as fully as possible in the few moments available. The entire section of the ship through which we first entered is given over to storage space for the Scouts, except for a large machine shop in which any necessary repairs can be made. In spite of the great skill and care that go into the original construction, parts do break and materials do wear. Much is required of any craft that travels space.

“The pressurizing equipment which maintains a comfortable temperature throughout the ship is installed between the walls, and much else which would require more time to explain than we have just now. Entrance doors leading into the various walls in all parts of the ship make access easy. Each craft èarries several mechanics who, working in shifts, are on constant duty to inspect and check all parts. Therefore, it is seldom that any defect remains undiscovered to the point of giving real trouble.”

In this pilot room I could look up or out or down, in whatever direction I turned my head. As Firkon finished speaking, the young man reached out and touched a button. Immediately, further openings like portholes began to appear in what I had thought was solid wall. Then both pilots took their places in small seats on opposite sides of the room. I felt a slight movement and the ship seemed to nose upward.

My heart beat violently as I wondered if perhaps they planned to take me to their planet. The hope was short-lived. It seemed but a moment before the ship stopped and again hovered. Ilmuth smiled up at me and said, “We are now about fifty thousand miles from your Earth.”

Firkon motioned me to come to one of the portholes as he said, “Perhaps you would like to see what space really looks like.”

I soon forgot my disappointment as I looked out. I was amazed to see that the background of space is totally dark. Yet there were manifestations taking place all around us, as though billions upon billions of fireflies were flickering everywhere, moving in all directions, as fireflies do. However, these were of many colors, a gigantic celestial fireworks display that was beautiful to the point of being awesome.

As I exclaimed at this vast splendor, Firkon suggested that I now look back to Earth and see what our own little globe looks like from that distance out.

I did. And to my surprise, our planet was giving off a white light, very similar to that from the Moon, only not so pure as moonlight in a clear night on Earth. The white glow surrounding the Earth’s body was hazy, and its size was comparable to the Sun as we watch this body rise above the horizon in the early morning. There were no identifying markings whatsoever to be seen on our planet. It looked merely like a large ball of light beneath us. From here, one could never have guessed that it was swarming with myriad forms of life.

At the fifty thousand mile altitude, the pilots had set their robot control and Ilmuth joined us, explaining to me, “Each pilot room has a robot. These, working singly or together, can fully govern the course of the ship, as well as warn us of any approaching danger.”

The male pilot remained at his post and Ilmuth remarked, in explanation, “One pilot in each control room must always be on duty.”

She then asked if I would like to have a closer look at the pilot’s instruments.

At one side of each seat there was a small instrument which looked something like a tube set in the floor and standing high enough so that the pilot could easily look into it. “This,” Ilmuth explained, “is connected with the telescope you probably noticed in the large control or chart room through which you first entered the ship.”

At this moment, however, the telescope was not in operation, and I gathered that it was used only when the ship was in actual interplanetary flight, or perhaps also while hovering for observation and study purposes.

The entire floor in this section of the room was composed of magnifying glass like that in the floor of the Scout. But the angle of the ship at this particular moment was such that I would have had to kneel to look through it.

Space and its activity held me transfixed as I strained my eyes in an attempt to see everything that was going on out there. Apart from the firefly effects, I saw a good many large luminous objects passing through space. The larger bodies, so far as I could tell, were not burning, but merely glowing. One in particular seemed to give out three distinct colors—red, purple and blue. I asked if it could be another space ship.

“No,” Ilmuth said with a smile, but did not explain further.

Also I noticed that now and then dark objects of various sizes, darker than space itself, would pass. But none of these moving objects seemed to touch the ship. At times, even the dark objects would become partially luminous. These, I was told, were what we call meteorites, which become visible to us on Earth only as they create friction in passing through our atmosphere.

I asked what prevented them from striking the ship when seemingly they were headed straight for it.

“The ship itself,” Firkon explained, “is utilizing the power of nature—’electromagnetic,’ I think you call it— and has excess power at all times. Some of this excess is dissipated through its skin out into space for a certain distance, sometimes only a short way, although at times its influence can extend for several miles outward. This acts as a shield against any particles, or ‘space debris,’ as you on Earth term it, repelling such things by this constantly radiating force.”

He went on to explain that all bodies in space are negative to space and are actually moving in a sea of electromagnetic force. Therefore, a negative radiation repels all negative bodies while at the same time it prevents the ship from heating through friction.

I could have stayed for hours enjoying this beautiful sight, but only a short time was allotted before the pilots resumed their seats and we returned to the forty thousand-foot altitude where the ship had been hovering when first we arrived.

There was no perceptible dip nor turn in the ship’s motion. The craft’s movement was so gentle as to be scarcely noticeable, and the only audible sound was something as slight as an electric fan in operation.

None of us had been provided with special headgear or any device for breathing or balance, but my mind was clearly alert in every way at all times.

I was struck by the fact that all the instruments I had so far seen throughout the ship appeared to be operated by push-buttons. And nowhere did I see anything that even faintly resembled a weapon of destruction. But, after watching the repelling force of nature in space as controlled by radiations from the ship, I had a strong feeling that this force could very effectively be used for self-protection, should such a need ever arise.

Firkon answered this thought by saying, “Yes, that is so. As yet, the need has not arisen. Moreover, if the issue is merely our lives as against the lives of our brothers— even those belligerent ones of your Earth—we would allow ourselves to be destroyed rather than to slay a fellow being.”

The implications of this simple statement affected me deeply. I could not help but reflect sorrowfully on the so different viewpoint of my fellow men on Earth; of the divided peoples, the nations even now engaged in a race to produce more dreadful weapons of destruction which would bring death, affliction and sickness to ever-increasing millions of their fellow beings throughout the world. I thought of the credo of hatred for the enemy instilled in the minds of young men as a necessary part of preparing them for killing. For it is not inherent in natural man who understands even a little of his place in Creation to want to kill. I thought of the indescribable blasphemy of prayers addressed to the loving Eternal Father of all, asking Him to bless them in thus betraying the very humanity of their heritage.

Both Ilmuth and Firkon were silent while these thoughts went through my mind. Although I had many times before reflected on just these things, they had never penetrated my consciousness with such poignancy, and I knew that it would remain with me always.

In a moment, Firkon called my attention to an instrument no larger than an ordinary cabinet radio, with a screen similar to a TV set. “With this,” he explained, we can picture and register anything taking place on the Earth, or on any planet over which we either pass or hover. Not only do we hear the spoken words, but pictures are picked up and shown on the screen. An internal mechanism breaks these down into sound vibrations, which are simultaneously translated into words of our own language, all of which are recorded in a manner similar to your own tape-recordings.”

To further clear this for me, he explained that all words are made up of vibrations or scales similar to a musical octave, just as all melodies are composed of certain notes. By knowing this law one can learn a heretofore unknown language in a short time. When strange vibrations become apparent, these are transposed into picture form, showing exactly what the strange words or their vibrations mean. Needless to say, the tape he showed me was different from any I had ever seen on Earth.

It all sounded to me like a jigsaw puzzle, and my mystification no doubt showed plainly on my face. In any case, Ilmuth laughed merrily and asked, “Would you be surprised to learn that races of people who lived on your Earth many centuries ago thoroughly understood and used the universal laws of sound and vibration?”

I stated that I had long suspected the truth of this.

“Although this knowledge is utterly lost to your present-day civilizations,” Ilmuth continued, “a few individuals here and there are awakening to a slight conception of its possibilities. On other planets, these laws are a fundamental teaching in the educational systems. With these as a basis, pupils are able to learn very rapidly in all fields of knowledge and expression.”

At this point, Firkon said, “Now we must return to the lounge,” and as I stepped back to let Ilmuth precede me, I asked why it was that practically no movement was felt inside this large craft when she had risen from the forty thousand-foot level to fifty thousand miles.

“Quite simply because the ship is built to take care of all that,” Firkon answered, and added, “as is done with your own submarines.”

Again I was amazed to find how much these people knew about us and our developments on Earth.

“Your submarines,” he went on, “move under the surface of the water at great depths, yet the crew feel relatively little of the movement registered by their instruments. And the men are quite comfortable, too, for your ships have been carefully planned. Actually, there is not so much difference between a ship that goes under water and one that travels through outer space, except that our ships are propelled by natural power, while yours are dependent on artificial forms of power.”

It seemed to me that the difference he mentioned was quite a tremendous one, but I did not say so, and Firkon continued. “When you learn how to use the natural source of power that is everywhere in the Universe, you too will be able to build submarines which, like some of our craft, can rise to the ocean’s surface and continue on up through the atmosphere out into space.”

This reminded me of two incidents reported early in 1951. In the first, two “missiles” dropped out of a perfectly clear sky into the waters of Inchon Bay, off the western coast of Korea. The missiles fell close to an anchored seaplane tender, the Gardiner’s Bay, and caused columns of water to rise to an estimated height of one hundred feet. Later, the report said, the “missiles” were seen to rise again from the water and soar on up until lost to sight. The second incident happened off the coast of Scotland and was almost identical with the first.

Firkon, obviously getting my thought, said, “You were quite correct in naming the photograph you were able to take of this kind of ship ‘the submarine type.”

At this point we entered the large salon in which we had left Ramu sitting with the older man. They were still there and speaking in their own tongue. As we approached, they rose, walked toward a small table around which were a number of chairs and motioned us to join them.

These chairs were rather like dining room or office chairs, but proved far more comfortable. As we seated ourselves, Kalna and Orthon joined our group.

On the table were crystal goblets filled with a clear liquid which I found very refreshing. The flavor was delicately sweet with an elusiveness that was tantalizing. The consistency was slightly heavy, of a type to be sipped. I was told the name of the fruit from which this juice was extracted, but could think of no comparable Earthly flavor.

The entire time that had elapsed since leaving the Earth to this moment probably was not much more than an hour. But in that little space of time my whole life and understanding had opened to a far greater concept of the Universe than I had gained during the sixty-one years of my total life on Earth.

Now, as we sat around the table, all eyes turned to the older space man as he began to speak. Although it was only later that his stature on all planets was explained to me, it was impossible not to realize that I was in the presence of a greatly evolved being, and the attitude of all present clearly indicated that they, as well as I, felt very humble before him. I learned that his age, in his present body, was close to one thousand years.

The following hour or so, during which he talked to us, seemed as a minute. All listened with complete attention and without interruption to this man of great wisdom.

5: MEETING WITH A MASTER

“My son,” said the great teacher, “you have been brought here and shown what lies within our smaller craft and this large carrier. You have traveled in each for a short distance only, but far enough to give you much knowledge to pass on to your fellow men on planet Earth. You have seen what outer space is like and that it is indeed constantly active, filled with moving particles from out of which all forms are finally brought into being. There is neither a beginning nor an ending.

“In the vastness of space there are innumerable bodies which you on Earth call planets. These vary in size, as do all forms, but they are very much like your own world and ours, and most of them are peopled and governed by forms like yourselves and like us. While some are just reaching a point where they are capable of supporting such forms as ours, others have not yet reached that stage of development in their growth.

For you must understand that worlds are but forms, and they too go through the long period of growth which all forms experience, from the smallest to the largest.

“Each planet moves in co-ordination with a number of other planets around a central Sun, in perfect timing, forming a unit or what you would call a system. In each case, so far as we have learned from our travels, there are twelve planets in a system. Beyond that, twelve such systems are united around a central core comparable to our Sun. These make up what some of your scientists call a ‘constellation.’ Further constellations make up a Galaxy, and many galaxies make up a Universe, and such island universes comprise a vast unit in the Father’s house of many mansions . . . and so on, without end.

“On our planet, and on other planets within our system, the form which you call ‘man’ has grown and advanced intellectually and socially through various stages of development to a point which is inconceivable to the people of your Earth. This development has been accomplished only by adhering to what you would term the laws of Nature. In our worlds it is known as growth through following the laws of the All Supreme Intelligence which governs all time and space.

“As you have seen, we travel space as easily as you cross a room. The traversing of space is not difficult to those who have mastered the laws within which all bodies live and move—planets and men alike. It is then understood that distance between two such bodies in space, or that between worlds, is no distance at all as you conceive of distance in your world.

“Remember, at one time the distance between the bodies of land on your Earth, which you call continents, was considered great, and much time was required to travel from one to another. Now your aircraft have shortened this distance to a relative fraction of the time required in days past. Yet the distances are the same. And so it will be as you extend your knowledge and learn the laws operating in infinite space.

“Another aspect of which as yet you have no conception is that the body of any human being can be as comfortable on one planet as on another. While there are some differences in atmospheric conditions, depending y upon the size and age of the planet, these are little greater than those which you experience on your Earth between sea level and on a mountain several thousand feet high. Certain people are affected by such changes, more than others, but all can become acclimated in time."

Recalling the popular conception of ponderous headgear plus tubes and gadgets, as depicted all the way from the “comics” to serious theories of supposed experts, I wondered if our world was the lowest in development throughout the Universe.

Reading my thought and continuing without interruption, this great teacher said, “No, my son, your world is not the lowest in development in the Universe. Yours is the least developed of those in our own solar system, but out beyond there are some worlds whose peoples have not yet grown to your standard, either socially or scientifically. Also, there are worlds where development has gone far in the field of science and remained low in the field of personal and social understanding, even though space has been conquered.

“In our solar system, the peoples of all planets except your Earth are traveling space freely; some for short distances only, while others achieve great distances that take them to systems beyond our own.

“Your understanding of life and the Universe is very limited. As a result, you have many false concepts about other worlds and the composition of the Universe; and so little knowledge of yourselves! But it also is true that there is a growing desire on the part of many on Earth who seek sincerely for greater understanding. We who have traveled the path you now are treading are willing to help and to give of our knowledge to all who will accept it.

“The first fact your people must realize is that the inhabitants of other worlds are not fundamentally different from Earth men. The purpose of life on other worlds is basically the same as yours. Inherent in all mankind, however deeply buried it may be, is the yearning to rise to something higher. Your school system on Earth is, in a sense, patterned after the universal progress of life. For in your schools you progress from grade to grade and from school to school, toward a higher and fuller education. In the same way, man progresses from planet to planet, and from system to system toward an ever higher understanding and evolvement in universal growth and service.”

As he gave this illustration, I understood him to mean that individuals on Earth would, when ready, advance to a planet of higher development. I wondered if, one day while still living on this Earth, we would learn the laws that govern space and be able to visit these other worlds as they now could.

The master gave no specific answer to my mental question, but continued, “You on Earth are bound by what you call ‘time.’ But even according to your estimations of time, when you achieve space travel you will be astonished at the swiftness with which you can reach other planets.

“For this adventure you will have to find new words. You speak of our craft — you call them Saucers — as flying, a term which applies to the operation of your own planes. But we do not ‘fly’ as you mean it. We nullify the atmosphere by a electro-magnetic procedure. You express it as ‘suspending gravity.’ In this way we are not hindered by atmospheric interference or resistance. This is why our craft are able to make the sharp changes in direction of travel and to move at the speeds that have so mystified your airmen and your scientists.

“We could tell you much about the control of gravity, knowledge that is necessary both for safe leaving or approaching any planet. We would gladly give you this knowledge which has served us so well, except that you have not yet learned to live with one another in peace and brotherhood, for the welfare of all men alike, as we have on other worlds. If we revealed this power to you or to any Earth man and it became public knowledge, some of your people would quickly build ships for space traveling, mount guns upon them and go on a shooting spree in an attempt to conquer and take possession of other worlds.

“You know that there are certain groups in your world who have already made claim for property rights and possession of your Moon for the purpose of using it as a military base. Many Earth scientists are hoping that, in the not too distant future, they will succeed in building space ships like ours for interplanetary travel. It is entirely possible that this will be done. But Earth men will not be allowed to come in numbers or to remain, until they have learned to embrace the all-inclusive life as lived by people of other worlds, rather than the selfish personal life as found on Earth today. And there will be much for you to learn about outer space, for it is on space itself that you will move."

I recalled a simile I had often used, comparing space to a vast ocean in constant motion. And I thought now that, as our ocean liners move on or through the waves of the ocean, so these interplanetary ships move on the waves of the activity in space.

“Yes,” the master said, “it is very much like that, and as your scientists work on this principle, more understanding will come to them. For Nature herself will reveal her secrets to all who seek with an open mind.

“As you have been told, we travel space in order to learn. Within our ships are many instruments, some of which you have seen, and many others which you have not yet seen. Although on your Earth you have thrown all our craft into the category of Saucers, we have many kinds, many sizes, for many purposes. The largest have never come within the atmosphere of your world. In fact, they have never come within millions of miles of Earth. We cannot risk the lives of the thousands of people traveling in these gigantic ships, for if anything should happen to force a landing on Earth before your people have grown to greater understanding, ours would be in peril.

“My son, our main purpose in coming to you at this time is to warn you of the grave danger which threatens men of Earth today. Knowing more than any amongst you can yet realize, we feel it our duty to enlighten you if we can. Your people may accept the knowledge we hope to give them through you and through others, or they can turn deaf ears and destroy themselves. The choice is with the Earth’s inhabitants. We cannot dictate.

“In your first meeting with our Brother here, he indicated to you that the exploding of bombs on Earth was of interest to us. This is why. Even though the power and radiation from the test explosions have not yet gone out beyond your Earth’s sphere of influence, these radiations are endangering the life of men on Earth. A decomposition will set in that, in time, will fill your atmosphere with the deadly elements which your scientists and your military men have confined into what you term ‘bombs.’

“The radiations released from those bombs are now going out only so far, since they are lighter than your own atmosphere and heavier than space itself. If, however, mankind on Earth should release such power against one another in full warfare, a large part of Earth’s population could be annihilated, your soil rendered sterile, your waters poisoned and barren to life for many years to come. It is possible that the body of your planet itself could be mutilated to an extent that would destroy her balance in our galaxy.

“These would be the effects directly concerning your world. For us, traveling through space could be made difficult and dangerous for a long time to come, since the energies released in such multiple explosions would then penetrate through your atmosphere into outer space."

I wondered whether, and to what extent, if war should actually come to us, they would feel justified in stopping us.

The master answered my mental question by saying, “As you know, with our knowledge of the use and control over energies far more powerful than any our brothers on Earth have as yet learned to use, we could, if we wished, nullify your force with our greater force. But remember what you have been told. We do not kill our fellow man, even in self-defense. We are trying, and shall continue to try, to prevent such a war by bringing to Earth men the knowledge of what they would be doing. For no man wages war except in ignorance.”

A light came into his face and his eyes seemed to be looking at some inward vision of beauty as he continued softly, “And no man lives who has never once dreamed of what you call Utopia, or the nearly perfect world. There is nothing which man has ever imagined which is not, somewhere, a reality. And, therefore, nothing that is not possible of achievement. For you too, on Earth, this is possible. For us on the other planets of our galaxy, it is so now. There are those on your Earth who have exclaimed, ‘But how monotonous perfection must be!’ It is not so, my son, for there are degrees of perfection just as there are degrees of all things. In our worlds, we are happy, but we do not stagnate. Just as when one reaches the top of a hill seen from below, a further hill comes into view, so it is always with progress. The valley that lies between must be crossed before the next height can be scaled.

“Understanding of the universal laws both uplifts and restricts. As it is now with us, so it could be on your Earth. Lifted up by your knowledge, this same understanding would make it impossible for you to move in violence against your brothers. You would know that the same conviction, inherent in every individual being, which makes him feel that be has the divine privilege of directing his own life and shaping his own destiny, even though it be by the path of trial and error, applies equally to any group, nation or race of mankind.

“Just as there are many downward paths, leading away from progress, so there are many that lead upward. Though one man may choose one and a second man another, this need not divide them as brothers. Indeed, one may learn much from the other, if he will. For in the vastness of the infinite creation, there is no one way that is the only way.

“On your Earth we have heard many times the phrase ‘the road to happiness.’ It is a good phrase, for progress is happiness and lies all along the upward pathway from its beginning. And happiness makes men brothers in tolerance toward another man’s efforts, even though of a different nature from their own.

“There is nothing wrong with your Earth, nor with its people, except that in their lack of understanding they are young children in the universal life of the One Supreme Being. You have been told that in our worlds we live the Creator’s laws, while as yet on Earth you only talk of them. If you would live by the precepts of even what you now know, the peoples of Earth would not go out to slaughter one another. They would work within themselves, their own groups, their own nations, to achieve good and happiness in that section of your world wherein they were born and therefore call ‘home.’

“I think the peoples of Earth would be amazed to find how swiftly a change could come throughout the planet. Now that you have the medium for world-wide broadcasting, messages urging love and tolerance for all, instead of suspicion and censure, would find receptive hearts. For the great part of the Earth’s population is weary of strife and its aftermath of woe. We know that, as never before, they hunger for knowledge of a way of life that will deliver them. We know that there is fear and confusion in their minds because they have seen and felt the results of two great wars that have served only to foster the seeds of another.

“So, with receptive minds and hearts everywhere on your planet, it is not too late. But there is urgency, my son! So go forth with the blessing of the Infinite Father on your mission, and add your voice to those of others who also carry this message of hope.”

6: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITHIN THE SHIP

After a moment of silence during which no one stirred, the master rose, and all present with him. He stood for an instant his hands resting on the back of his chair, and looked deeply into my eyes. I shall never forget the expression of great kindness and compassion in his gaze. It was like a benediction, and at the same time I felt a new Strength rise within me.

With a gesture of farewell which embraced all present, he turned then and left the room. The silence remained unbroken for several moments after his departure.

I still could find no words. It was Kalna who broke the stillness by saying softly, “For us, too, it is always a privilege to listen to this great being speak.”

Ramu, the Saturnian, deliberately, I am sure, broke the tension. “Now, before we return you to Earth, an interval has been allowed for you to ask questions that may be in your mind. These need not be confined to the serious subject on which the Master has just spoken,” he added with a smile, “since nothing that interests you will seem trivial to us.”

I looked at him gratefully as we all resumed our seats. It seemed to me that Ramu had meant that I could put my questions orally now, in what was likely to be a general conversation, and not rely on mental telepathy. I voiced the one uppermost in my mind.

“Could the drastic changes in our atmospheric conditions, in many places since the bomb tests, have anything to do with the release of that energy?”

“They have, indeed!” Ramu replied, “and we are not guessing. Our instruments have registered those results. We KNOW!”

“I wonder,” I said slowly, “if you would care to comment a little further on the reason why, even though war on our Earth would endanger the traveling through space of millions who live on other planets, you still feel it wrong to hurt the few in order to benefit the many."

“We will try to explain,” Orthon answered. “To all of us who have from birth been instilled with a vision of the whole, it is unthinkable to disobey what we know to be the Universal Laws. These laws are made by no man. They were in the beginning, and will endure throughout eternity. Under these laws each individual, each group of mankind, all intelligent life on each world, must decide its own destiny without interference from another. Counsel, yes. Instruction, yes. But interference to the point of destruction, never.”

His questioning look seemed to ask if he had made the principle clearer.

Firkon, the Martian, spoke for the first time. “You understand the power of thought forms. Apart from our physical missions on Earth, all of us must hold firmly to the belief that the peoples of your Earth will themselves awaken to the disaster toward which they are moving.”

“I see,” I said slowly, as the issue did indeed clarify itself in my mind.

“We know that the power of this thought continually sent out to all our Earth brothers has changed the hearts of many,” Ramu stated.

“We also are aware,” Ilmuth pointed out, “as are you and many other people on your Earth, that your air forces and your governments know that our ships seen in your skies are coming from outer space, and that they can be made and piloted only by intelligent beings from other planets. Men high in the governments of your world have been contacted by us. Some are good men and do not want war. But even the good men on your Earth cannot entirely free themselves from the fear which has been fostered by man himself on your planet throughout the centuries.”

“The same is true of your fliers everywhere on Earth,” Kalna said quietly, “many have seen our ships again and again. But they have been muzzled and warned, and few dare speak out.”

“It is the same with your scientists,” Firkon added.

Again I marveled at their knowledge of our world and its peoples. “Then it would seem,” I said, “that the answer lies largely with the ordinary man in the street, multiplied by his millions the world over.”

“They would be your strength,” Firkon quickly agreed, “and if they would speak against war in sufficient numbers everywhere, some leaders in different parts of your world would listen gladly.”

I felt that this conversation had contributed much to my understanding and I was filled with hope. Almost without realizing that I was going to do so, I changed the subject by saying, “I wonder if you would explain a little further to me about the mechanism I saw in the pilot’s room — the one that registers sounds that are translated into pictures on the screen."

“Of course,” Orthon said. “One of its most important uses is to enable us to learn readily any language. Naturally, those of us who actually live and work on your Earth for a while speak with better accents. Although, with us, as with you, some have a greater aptitude for languages than others and learn to speak flawlessly without any direct contact with the people.” Here he smiled and reminded me of the pantomimic conversation without words carried on at the time of our first meeting in the desert, adding, “It was of the utmost importance that I test your ability to send out and to receive telepathic messages. As an outcome of that, you are here now!

“We know well the skepticism of the Earth people in all directions outside of the narrow ruts of personal experience. It was for this reason that the messages I gave you were of a universal character. We knew that, although the understanding of such writings was buried with civilizations that were lost long ago, there are a few people scattered about your present world who would be able to translate them. With such translations, only the determinedly incredulous can still refuse to believe.”

“It is fortunate,” Kalna said, with her merry smile, “that at least mental telepathy has been accepted as an established fact by the scientists of your world!”

“You know,” Orthon said, “we had you under observation for some years before I finally contacted you, and we felt sure that your knowledge of telepathy would be adequate. This was proven in the final test at our first meeting.”

“Did you test me in other ways as well?” I asked.

“Indeed we did! You see, inasmuch as you had been photographing our craft for several years, your thoughts were inevitably coming our way. We felt the sincerity of your interest. It remained to be seen if and how you would translate this interest into action, how well you could stand up under the ridicule and skepticism bound to come your way, and whether you would be tempted to use your contacts with us for self-aggrandizement or commercialism.”

“You have passed all the tests with flying colors,” Ilmuth said warmly. “In the face of all the derision, disbelief — even when the validity of your photographs was challenged — we saw how staunch you remained to that which, within yourself, you knew to be true.”

This encouragement filled me with happiness and I knew that, with such friends, any faltering would be impossible.

“There was another thing, too, which we had to know,” said Ramu, “in regard to your discretion and judgment. For example, there were certain things which the Master revealed to you tonight which, as he made clear, must not yet be told to your people. In a world like yours, it is a great temptation for most men to make themselves important by indulging in attention-getting statements. Moreover, the whole of what is now permissible for you to tell cannot, with wisdom, be told to all. This is where your good judgment enters. After all, you have devoted the better part of your life to teaching Universal Law insofar as you knew it. In doing so, you learned well that it is not only useless, but often dangerous, to give more knowledge than can be absorbed or understood. We know that you will apply this principle to the information you receive from us.”

“In regard to telepathy,” I said, voicing a question which had been in my mind, “although I am able to use it, I cannot claim really to understand its operation. Could you explain it a little?”

They glanced from one to another, and then laughed. I realized that all present could answer my question and that they had been amused at the courtesy which had prompted each to give the other the opportunity. In fact, as I look back on the entire discussion, I realize how different it was throughout from what happens in our world when two or more people are gathered together. Where we jump in, talk at cross-purposes and constantly interrupt the speaker (who should at least be permitted to come to an occasional full stop), these men and women had, in all cases, spoken without interruption from the others. And none had held the floor by sheer force of verbosity.

As if by common consent it was Orthon who answered. “In your world you have what you call radio, and there are many amateur radio operators whom you call ‘hams.’ These have certain channels on which they are allowed to operate. These channels, which you refer to as ‘ether waves,’ enable a person in one location to send a message to a person at another instrument in some far distant place. The two can hear one another as clearly as if they were in the same room. At one time such communication would have been considered fantastic by people of the type of mind which now derides an interplanetary origin for our ships. To this kind of mentality, little that has not already been proven to the point of being sold over a counter is conceivable.

“Thoughts are received and transmitted in exactly the same way as by radio, along certain wave lengths, but minus any instrument. We work directly from brain to brain, and here again distance is no barrier.

"However, an open and receptive mind is needed for success. Through all the years that you have been sending thoughts to us, we have answered. This has established a solid cable-like connection between us by maintaining the thought waves in a single channel. Whenever your mind is open, we can send you the information you require, exactly as you could receive a message over a telephone.

“You were chosen to meet with me in the presence of witnesses to confirm your experience. We wanted the truth of this meeting to reach as far as possible. And we commend the staff of one of your nation’s newspapers which proved brave enough to publish the first account.

“But one thing which we want you to make clear to all is that mental contacts we have been discussing are definitely not what your people call ‘psychic’ or ‘spiritualistic,’ but direct messages from one mind to another. Explanation of what you call ‘psychic’ will be given you at another time.

“We call this mental telepathy a unified state of consciousness between two points, the sender and the receiver, and it is the method of communication most commonly used on our planets, especially on planet Venus.

Messages can be conveyed between individuals on our planet, from our planet to our space craft wherever they may be, and from planet to planet. As I said before — and let me make this firm in your memory — space or ‘distance,’ as you call it, is no barrier whatsoever.”

While Orthon was talking, Ilmuth had unobtrusively gone out of the room. Now she returned with a tray on which were goblets holding what proved to be the same refreshing drink I have described before. After she had distributed the glasses, I said, “About these people from other planets who are living amongst us … has that been going on for long?”

It was Kalna who answered, “Since time immemorial!

Or at least,” she corrected herself, “for the past two thousand years. After the crucifixion of Jesus, who was sent to be incarnated on your world to help your people, as had others before him, we decided to carry on our mission in a way less perilous to those concerned than actual birth on your planet. This was made possible by the great advance in our space traveling ships. We were able to bring volunteers in their physical bodies. These men are carefully trained for their mission and receive instructions in regard to their personal safety. Their identity is never revealed except, rarely, to one or another individual for a definite purpose, as with you.

“They mingle with their Earthly brothers to learn their languages and their ways. Then they return to their home planets where they pass on to us what knowledge they have gathered of your world. We have a history of Earth and the happenings thereon dating back seventy-eight million years. Similar histories which were made by men on Earth have been lost with the civilizations that destroyed themselves — the same pattern of destruction that threatens you today.

“The thing you call ‘war’ has not existed anywhere else in our system for millions of years. Of course, all planets and their people must pass through the orderly stages of evolvement from lower to higher. But yours has not been an orderly or natural progress; rather, an endless repetition of growth and destruction, growth and destruction.

“There have been Earth men who have left your planet with our help, in order that they might learn from us and, in time, return to their Earthly home and pass their knowledge on to you. But under the conditions existing on your planet today, it is no longer possible to do this, since none could be returned. They could not explain where they had been without being branded as lunatics and confined in a mental institution. Nor, in your present world of multiple identification papers, would the sudden return of someone who had mysteriously disappeared long before be unchallenged by the authorities.

"We cannot subject fellow beings to a persecution beyond their endurance. This may give you an even clearer understanding of how, in so many ways, we find ourselves blocked by those we so long to help.”

All the natural gaiety of Kalna’s expression had been obliterated by one of sadness as she told me these things. Now, as she took her goblet from the low table and sipped from it, she smiled. As she set the glass back, she said, “It is a great pity that we must talk of such sorrowful things — and still sadder that such woe exists anywhere in the Universe. In ourselves, we of other planets are not sad people. We are very joyous. We laugh a great deal.”

I found myself deeply moved by this little apology. They were joyful people on their planets. Yet they were willing to share the sadness of our Earth, and to strive ceaselessly through the centuries to bring us light.

“We still have one hope left,” Ilmuth said, as though trying to cheer me. “We can still come amongst you, and now and again we can make the kind of contact as with you. While your airmen make our landings difficult at present, we are hoping that, when more and more of your people have seen our ships, become accustomed to them and accepted the truth of living beings on other planets, personal meetings with Earth people can be increased.”

“I cannot see how it could be otherwise,” I agreed.

We all drank from our glasses. As I looked at my friends, I saw that all signs of the concern they felt about conditions on planet Earth had been banished from their faces. I knew that this was wise and right and, trying to follow their example, I asked, “Do you dance and sing on other planets, and have parties as we do?”

“We dance a great deal — all of us,” Kalna answered. “We consider training the body in a co-ordination of rhythmic movement an essential part of our education. Moreover, this expression is a part of what you would call our religious ritual. As the poetic form in words can suggest deep feeling not possible to the prose form, so it is with the perfect rhythm expressed in the movement of a body dedicated in a dance of worship.

“We also dance sheerly for pleasure as do you, although not exactly in the manner of your present-day dancing,” she added with a laugh. “We could derive no joy from the kick, wiggle and hop we have observed on your Earth, during which a man and a woman clutch each other ferociously one moment and fling each other off the next. Our social dancing is usually of a group pattern, although often one or more persons, inspired by the moment or the music, will dance for the rest of us. You have seen fine interpretive dancers on your Earth and therefore know the pleasure it is to watch beautiful movement of a body that is inspired by the spirit within.”

“We also have parties,” Ilmuth said, “although we do not think of them in such terms. With us it is quite simply a matter of inviting our friends to our homes that we may talk or relax together. Many of these are outdoor affairs — on our beaches or in our gardens. Like yours, many of our homes have grounds that are planned with swimming pools and large terraces.”

I wished that I need never leave these wonderful people. But at just this point, Ramu rose and said, “It’s bad news, but I fear that I must now return you to Earth.”

I stood up and tried to bury my regret under the thought of a “next time.”

Farewells were said amidst an atmosphere of gaiety and references to another meeting for us all.

No one reminded me to remember all I had been told, nor to apply it properly in my activities on Earth. I was left only with a last impression of beauty and warmth and friendliness, and with the knowledge that once ignorance was lifted from them, the people of my world, too, could grow into the natural heritage of all mankind.

As we reached the door leading out into the control room, I paused to look back that I might again imprint on my mind every detail of this lovely room, my friends and, above all, the radiant portrait of Ageless Life.

The little Scout had been charged while we were visiting and was now in readiness for our return to Earth. The door was open and together we entered, Ramu, Firkon and I. Raniu went to the controls. The clamp and cable had been removed as we climbed the stairs and, as before, the door silently closed after the last man had entered.

Slowly, we slid down the sloping rail, through two air locks and out again into space through the bottom of the ship. As we descended on the rail, I felt again that sensation of dropping in the pit of my stomach, though it was less intense and of shorter duration than when we entered.

It seemed an impossibly short time before the door slid open and Firkon said, “Here we are again — back to Earth!”

This time the craft was not set down upon the ground, but remained hovering about six inches above it.

Ramu came forward and extended his hand in farewell, saying, “I shall not be driving in with you as I must remain with the Scout. I am glad of this evening with you and look forward to another soon."

I echoed his sentiments!

The drive back to the hotel was a silent one, full of feeling and deep thoughts on my part. Firkon undoubtedly knew this.

He stopped the car in front of my hotel but did not get out. We shook hands and he said, “We shall be meeting again before long”

I was wondering when and where and he answered the unspoken question by saying, “Do not doubt that you will be alerted at the right time, and find yourself in the right place.”

I stepped out of the car. Raising his hand in farewell, Firkon drove away, leaving me standing there on the sidewalk alone.

Entering the hotel, I went to my room. For the first time since leaving with my friends, I looked at my watch. It was 5:10A.M.!

I was not in the least sleepy, nor was I aware of any fatigue. I sat on the edge of the bed for a full hour reviewing the experiences of the night. And even as they went through my mind I could not help but reflect on how fantastic the whole thing would seem to my fellow man.

Nevertheless, I felt that I must tell of it. . . .

Actually, I myself could scarcely believe in the reality of all that had happened in the past few hours. Yet I knew what my eyes had seen and my ears had heard, and that without doubt it had been a completely physical experience.

Finally slipping out of my clothes, I stretched out and must have fallen into a light sleep. It was close to eight o’clock when I awakened. I dressed hastily for there was little time left in which to eat breakfast and catch the bus on which I was to return home.

Riding along in the bus, my physical eyes saw the Earthly scenery through which we were passing, and some of the people seated in my immediate vicinity. But my mind, absorbed in the experiences of the previous night, was still traveling in space, or with my companions in the giant carrier ship.

The feeling of being in two places simultaneously persisted for several weeks. I found it very difficult to return to the bondage of Earthly ways. Although the time in which I had been privileged to view the vastness of space and the beauty of its constant action had been short, I carried the wonder of it with me. All that I had learned from these friends of other worlds was not given to me alone, but for the sharing with all on Earth willing to receive it.

7: THE SCOUT FROM SATURN

Time slipped by with no more meetings with my friends from other worlds. Yet often I felt that they were near.

It was two months later, on April 21st, that I again felt a sudden urge to go to the city. Accordingly, the next day I arranged to be driven to Oceanside, where I caught an early afternoon bus for Los Angeles, which brought me into that city a little more than two hours later.

I registered in the same hotel as before and went to my room to freshen up after my trip. Then I returned downstairs and went into the cocktail lounge for a little chat with my friend, the bar attendant. Shortly after, I returned to the lobby, bought a weekly news magazine and settled down to wait.

This time, the feeling of uncertainty and inner restlessness which had plagued me on the first occasion was entirely absent. I knew the meaning of the urge which had brought me down from the mountains!

So I read with interest the reports on both home and foreign events as printed, plus a bit of what is called “reading between the lines” on my own. Except for the entrance of two men whom I knew slightly, and who came over to exchange a few words, there were no interruptions.

Suddenly I looked up, and there stood my Martian friend, Firkon!

I jumped to my feet with what probably could be described only as a broad grin. Firkon too wore a wide smile, and we exchanged the customary greeting. Then he said a certain word, stressing it in a way which clearly gave to it some particular significance.

As we left the hotel together, he said, “The handclasp has been described to a certain extent and we thought it best to add the word you have just heard as a further identification between you and those of our worlds who are contacting you here. This will be particularly useful in case you are approached by someone strange to you, as will sometimes be the case."

“An excellent precaution,” I agreed. Then, glancing at my wrist watch and noting that it was already 7:15, I said, “If your plans permit, and you would like something to eat, I know of a little café close by where we can sit in a booth and talk undisturbed.”

“That will fit in perfectly,” he said, adding with a smile, “after all, the body too has to be nourished!”

As we walked along I asked about Ramu. Firkon told me that he would not be with us tonight.

The café was full but we were fortunate in arriving just in time to slip into a booth as the former occupants were leaving. We exchanged greetings with the waitress who came to clear the table. Firkon glanced briefly at the menu she had given him, then laid it aside and ordered a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread, black coffee and a piece of apple pie.

“I’ll take the same,” I said.

When we were left alone, he began speaking quietly. “I see that, reading along in that magazine, you were struck by the volume of suspicion, antagonism and hatred which groups of men on your Earth are continuously fostering against other groups."

Since I had not been consciously thinking of this after Firkon’s arrival, I was somewhat amazed that he was aware of my reaction.

“Quite simple,” he explained, “it is still a very powerful thought picture in what you might call the ‘back of your mind.’ Few people,” he went on, “recognize those destructive emotions within themselves for what they are — even those who pride themselves on possessing mild dispositions. Yet notice what a small incident is necessary to cause a man to lose his temper. In a while, with a little more aggravation, he enters the fighting stage and becomes aggressive in what he calls ‘self-protection.’

“Actually, this is nothing but a state of emotional unbalance that carries with it a force of fury that sheds all reason. Once recognized, such habit patterns can be curbed, or even broken entirely.”

At this point our food was brought. As we were left alone again he continued, “Responsibility for the state of affairs existing on Earth today cannot be blamed on only a few in any nation. In my business and social contacts with my Earth brothers I have encountered many saturated with these destructive emotions and encased in egotism. Naturally, fear and confusion are prevalent. A few have succeeded in developing a higher consideration for their fellow men by seeking to learn more of the universal laws.

Some have chosen the channels of what you call ‘metaphysics,’ ‘occultism’ and other similar names. But amongst these there is often a selfish motive toward self-promotion and personal gain rather than the universal motive of service to others and mutual welfare.

“As a result of such general self-seeking, it makes little difference whom the people may choose as leaders, even if selected from their own ranks. Leaders are subject to the habits of the majority where the majority is in power.

“We of other worlds who have been living unrecognized amongst you can see clearly how identity with Divine origin has been lost. People of Earth have become separate entities which are no longer truly Human in expression as in the beginning they were. Now they are but slaves of habit. Nonetheless, imprisoned within these habits is still the original soul that yearns for expression according to its Divine inheritance. This smothered urge is bound to disturb deeply the man chained to his ruts by the mechanism of habit. And this is why, desiring finer and greater expression, more often than men realize, something stirring within the depths of their beings leaves the habit-bound self uneasy and restless. Yet the habit is so powerful in its accumulation that while man wants to listen to this kind, wise voice, he fears to yield, not knowing where it might lead him. However, until man can cast off the shackles of his personal self-pride and allow this voice to guide him, he will continue to live as a warrior against the laws of his own being.

“As you know, so long as men do not desire to change their way of living, none can help them. Those few on Earth who do sincerely desire to learn the laws of the Infinite One must try to lead the others. And we of other worlds will help them.”

We had lingered over our meal while Firkon talked. Now he rose from the booth. Outside again, we walked about two blocks to where the same Pontiac was parked at the curb.

It was a blustery night, but I scarcely noticed the storm. During the first part of our journey, my mind was revolving around what Firkon had been saying. Toward the end, I could think only of what new adventures might be mine tonight. The drive from the city seemed shorter this time to the point where, as before, we suddenly turned off the main highway. This time we drove only a short distance before the car stopped.

At first I could make out nothing except the outline of a few low hills to my right and, as far as I could see in the darkness, level terrain in all other directions. Although I felt certain that it was intended we should meet the Scout again, I could see no sign of it nor any light that might reveal its presence. However, my companion seemed sure of his direction and we walked along for quite some time before the low hills came to a sudden end. There, in the distance, I could make out a gentle glow. My anticipation increased as we set off toward this light and, after about a quarter of a mile or so, the familiar outline of the Scout became visible.

But something was different. This was much larger than the little craft I had in my memory. This one must have been over one hundred feet in diameter, with larger portholes and a much flatter dome.

A figure was standing silhouetted against the glow of the ship whom at first I took to be my Venusian friend, wearing the now familiar ski-type pilot’s suit. But this pilot proved to be a stranger, a handsome man about six feet tall. He came forward a few steps and greeted us in a warm and friendly manner while giving the usual handclasp. I shall call him Zuhl.

I was wondering if this enormous Saucer was a Martian craft when the pilot corrected my thought by saying, “This Scout is from Saturn, and it too is carried in a large carrier or mother ship such as the one you have lready been in.”

He turned, led us to the waiting Saucer, whose door was already open, and entered. I followed, Firkon behind me.

This ship was at least four times the diameter of the Venusian Scout and about twice as high — possibly a little more. The door closed in the same silent way behind Firkon. Instantly the light within increased and the low humming became audible as the machinery started. I felt a slight tug or jerk, not enough to unbalance me, and I guessed that we had left the Earth. As I gazed around, trying to take stock of my new surroundings, the Saturnian pilot explained that this ship was not only larger than the little Scout, but differed in other respects. It had not been hovering above the ground, but was set down firmly on its huge three-ball undercarriage. What I had felt was the jerk necessary to make the break with Earth. Zuhl gave, as an analogy, a piece of iron clinging to a magnet. A jerk takes place at the instant of separation.

As I looked around, I saw the familiar bluish-white diffused light and the same kind of glassy translucent metal walls. On either side was a curved passage about four feet wide, which appeared to encircle the ship. On the outer wall of this passage I noticed a group of portholes, considerably larger than those in the small ship and, from what I could see, I judged there must be four such groups in all, one group in each quadrant.

Ahead, a corridor of the same apparent width, with high walls that reached up into the dome, ran straight forward for about one-third of the ship’s diameter. Beyond this there seemed to be a central chamber in which I could see a large magnetic pole placed through the center of the ship.

The pilot then asked me if I would care to go on a tour of the Scout while it was in flight. Needless to say, I would! Leading the way, Zulu took me into the central chamber — an amazing sight! It is difficult to describe anything so unfamiliar and complicated after seeing it for the first time. However, I shall do my best.

In plan, the ship resembled a wheel. The four corridors were like four spokes leading to the hub or central chamber in which we now stood. The walls ranged twenty to thirty feet from floor to ceiling. They were covered almost entirely by illuminated graphs and charts, over which lines and geometric shapes wove the intricate patterns in continually changing colors that had fascinated me in the Venusian Scout. Beautiful to watch, these held me equally enthralled, although I could understand them no better.

About halfway up around the circular walls ran a delicate metal balcony, reached by a ladder. Above the walls was the translucent dome itself, surmounted by an enormous telescopic lens. Almost the entire floor space was taken up by an equally gigantic lens, at least twice the diameter of the one in the Venusian ship. Around this were four curved benches on which observers could sit and gaze down through space at the planet beneath. But the central magnetic pole, running from floor to dome, dominated the entire chamber. This huge silent rod of power, passing through the two great lenses, contained the secrets we yearn for — the secrets of interplanetary fight.

As I have indicated, the ship was divided into four quadrants by the four radial corridors. These corridors entered the central chamber by four openings. Turning to our left, we now walked along one of the corridors.

About halfway down its length we came upon two large archways opposite each other in the corridor walls. The pilot led me through the right-hand arch into a part of the ship which he described as the crew’s sleeping quarters. This whole quadrant was divided in an interesting manner. In front of us were about a dozen small private rooms or cubicles where each member of the crew had his private sleeping place. I did not go into any of them, but as all the doors were open, I was able to see how perfectly and compactly they were equipped — in a manner our Pullman train engineers might envy!

A kind of ship’s ladder with handrails ran up to a section immediately over the sleeping quarters. This, I believe, was the only part of the ship to contain two complete decks within one quadrant. Up here was a kind of dormitory or restroom, equipped with couches and deep comfortable chairs where the crew could rest or converse. The ceiling of this apartment was formed entirely by the slope of the translucent dome, and it reminded me of a dream-like solarium. Certainly it must have been a lovely way of relaxing, under the huge curved glassy dome with stars and space out beyond.

While taking all this in, I wondered how many crew members there were. “Normally twelve men comprise a full crew,” said Zulu, “but at the moment there are only two men on board beside myself, since no more are necessary for a short trip like this.”

Then I wondered whether all the members of this particular crew were Saturnians, since it was a Saturnian ship. This thought was corrected when Zulu said, “Although this Scout was built on Saturn, no particular planet owns it. Instead, we share it. Consequently, its crew has members from all planets.

“As you can see, this is a large Scout and designed for long-range travel. It can remain away from its mother ship for a week or more without having to return for recharge, as it carries generating equipment on board which serves this purpose. In case of emergency, additional power for a recharge can also be beamed direct to any Saucer from the Mother Ship.”

When we stood in the hallway near the sleeping quarters, I fancied I noticed a faint vibration under my feet. I understood why when Zulu explained, “Most of the machinery is installed directly under the floor in this section. There is also a machine shop that can be entered directly from the sleeping quarters.” I looked for a door but saw none, which did not surprise me.

As we again came out into the corridor, I glanced through the arch that led into the next quadrant. I saw a soft blaze of colored lights and strange instruments — the control room itself. There were two young men sitting at control panels. We continued along until we had reached the outer circular corridor.

We turned right and Zuhl said, “In this room is a compartment where we keep two small, remotely controlled, ‘registering disks.’ These are what we send out for close observation work. Highly sensitive instruments, they transmit their findings not only to the Scout, but also direct to the Mother Ship so that duplicate records can be made. One set goes into the permanent records on one of the planets for the use of anyone requiring that particular information. These little disks have contributed much to our knowledge of the conditions on Earth, throughout the whole solar system and even in systems beyond.”

Walking along the outer corridor as our tour continued, we passed a group of four large portholes but did not stop to look out.

When we arrived at the next radial corridor, we again turned right and began making our way back to the ship’s center between two solid-looking walls of the same translucent material. These walls were very thick and strong, and formed an integral structural feature, as do the spokes of a wheel. I could see that the wall on my right must be the rear wall of the sleeping quarters. And Zuhl explained that the opposite wall contained the entrance to a rather large storage compartment stocked with food and other supplies for an extended trip.

As the pilot mentioned the words “extended trip” I wondered if this ship could travel between planets without the aid of a carrier ship. This he disproved, stating that the Scouts are not built for traveling in outer space.

Once more we entered the central chamber with its flashing, mobile wall graphs. We skirted the central lens and left by the third radial corridor, the last still to be explored. As in its counterpart opposite, this corridor also had two large arches leading off from its midway point. First we turned and went through the left-hand arch into a room which I was told was their kitchen. But I would never have guessed this, for it bore very little resemblance to anything we know as a kitchen. It appeared as an almost bare room with plain walls. But the appearance proved deceptive. Zuhl told me that these walls were lined from top to bottom with cupboards and compartments which, like all doors in these amazingly constructed craft, were invisible until opened. In these cupboards food and everything necessary for its preparation were stored.

A small glass-like door was set into one of the walls leading into what he said was an oven. When I looked in and saw no burners of any description, Zulu explained, “We do not cook our food in the same way as you. Ours is done quickly by means of rays or high frequencies, a method with which you are now experimenting on Earth. However, we prefer most of our food in the state in which it is grown, and live chiefly on the delicious fruits and vegetables which abound on our planets. To all intents and purposes we are what you call ‘vegetarians,’ but only in emergencies, if no other food is available, we do eat meat.”

I realized later that I had seen no sinks, garbage or plumbing arrangements but, since I am no housewife, I did not register their absence at the time. But undoubtedly such facilities must have existed, probably as mysteriously superior to ours as was everything else. Nor did I see any chairs, tables or benches. No doubt, whatever was necessary was tucked away between the walls.

We left this kitchen and entered a lounge fully as luxurious as the beautiful one in the Venusian carrier, where couches and single seats in several styles were scattered about. In comfortable proximity were the same kind of occasional tables with transparent tops. On these were beautiful little ornaments. Zulu said that the crew members whiled away many hours in this room during observation trips through the atmosphere of whatever planet they might be studying. He also explained that, even as Earth men, they played many games, which they thoroughly enjoyed, and also entertained guests here.

I saw no books, papers or reading matter of any kind, nor did I see any shelves or cases in which something of this kind might be kept. But I do not question that such things were present.

The floor-covering in this room, as well as throughout the ship, was yellow-gray in color. There was no particu1ar design in it and although the surface appeared very firm, it felt similar to thick sponge rubber as I walked on it.

We stopped only a moment in this inviting lounge. Returning to the center corridor, we continued on to the first one by which we had entered the Scout.

Although so much had been shown and explained to me in this fascinating craft, I was not allowed more than a quick glance into the control room, and no explanation was given concerning the power that operated any of the mechanical equipment. While I knew that they traveled by utilizing the natural forces in space, transformed into motivating power, I did not understand the how, and admit I was hoping for information.

But with an almost apologetic smile, Zulu told me that they still could not fully trust any Earth man to the extent of revealing certain things. “For,” he said, “you on Earth have not yet learned control of your emotions.. which often causes you to speak before you think. In so doing, you could be led into giving information unwisely to an unworthy mind who might pervert its use."

I could not deny the truth of this.

Our journey through the Scout had been a rapid one, and explanations were given en route. In spite of this, we had scarcely completed our tour when Zulu announced, “We have reached our carrier and are ready to enter.”

Although they did not tell me how far out we were, I had a definite feeling that this carrier was much farther from Earth than the Venusian ship had been. Neither could I watch the entrance of our craft into the larger one, as we were close to the center of the Scout with no view out. Yet in many ways there was a feeling of likeness to the former experience, although at the same time a difference which I was unable to explain.

As we lowered into the interior of the waiting craft there was again the sensation of dropping in an elevator, but no feeling of losing balance.

When the Scout came to a standstill on its rails and the door was opened onto a platform as in the other carrier, no one was there to meet us and attach clamps over the flange and the rail as had been done on the Venusian ship for the smaller Scout.

Stepping out of this Scout and onto the platform within this carrier from Saturn, I immediately sensed that this ship was different in almost every respect from the Venusian carrier. I wondered what adventures awaited me here, but at no time had I the least sense of fear.

Indeed, each fresh m