"Since what is happening on your earth has become intolerable to us, we have decided on action. We see only total annihilation for your good people if the others are allowed to continue in their present behavior patterns. You now are able to understand our objectives are not aggressive but humanitarian. We would like to act as advisors to those people of earth who are capable of change, feel the need of change but are at a loss where to start.
"But, you must be hungry. We have an insulated room, adjoining this one. Here no one can read your thoughts or hear your conversation. That is where we hold our own secret conferences, there you may adjourn for an hour for food, refreshment, and consultation among yourselves. When you have finished, I will be waiting for you."
I had been taking down his comments. I knew then I was entering into a new world.
We were led into an adjoining room of about 30′ by 60′, where a table was placed and set for us. In front of each of our eleven chairs was a place card with the name of each of us. An attendant served us all kinds of tasty foods from heavy, solid gold and silver tureens and platters. Food and service were of the best. When we had finished our excellent meal, the attendant told us that he was leaving, and that we could shut the door and safely converse among ourselves.
You can imagine our feelings. Our senses were overcome. It was unbelievable.
Our conference was brief. Confident that for the time being we were the friendly guest-prisoners of these strange people of another planet, we decided to conduct ourselves as correctly as possible and to gain information which might benefit our own people.
When we opened the door, the attendant, who was waiting for us, led us back to the assembly room. All the men present rose from their chairs and greeted us as we passed, with deep bows. We again stood in front of their leader. He also bowed, and begged us to sit down, and said, "I hope you gentlemen have confidence in us now, and believe in our sincerity, and fully understand the purpose of our action."
Addressing himself to me, he continued, "I am aware that you wish to ask me many questions. I know them as I read your thoughts; I shall endeavor to anticipate a few of them.
"You are surprised that our airship which is traveling so fast, or rather I should say falling or being attracted towards our planet Mars, is going so smoothly that it seems as if we were motionless. As a matter of fact, we are traveling at the rate of 20,000 miles per minute in the ether of vacuum of space where all atmosphere is totally absent. We are in a void without air pressure or friction. Our speed has no effect on our motion nor does it cause damage to our ship. Flying time from your atmosphere to ours is nearly forty-eight hours. We expect to land on Mars tomorrow night.
"You are also wondering at our appearance. Because we have the reputation among you of being warlike, you Earth people were led to think that we were of abnormal physical size. You are surprised to find us not very much unlike yourselves in looks and stature. What is your opinion of our appearance?"