“I don’t think,” continued Karellen, “that the Freedom League and its associates will be very satisfied, but it should help to reduce the tension. We won’t record this, by the way.
“You’ve often told me, Rikki, that no matter how unlike you we are physically, the human race would soon grow accustomed to us. That shows a lack of imagination on your part. It would probably be true in your case, but you must remember that most of the world is still uneducated by any reasonable standards, and is riddled with prejudices and superstitions that may take decades to eradicate.
“You will grant that we know something of human psychology. We know rather accurately what would happen if we revealed ourselves to the world in its present state of development. I can’t go into details, even with you, so you must accept my analysis on trust. We can, however, make this definite promise, which should give you some satisfaction. In fifty years — two generations from now — we will come down from our ships and humanity will at last see us as we are.”
Stormgren was silent for a while, absorbing the Supervisor’s words. He felt little of the satisfaction that Karellen’s statement would once have given him. Indeed, he was somewhat confused by his partial success, and for a moment his resolution faltered. The truth would come with the passage of time: all his plotting was unnecessary and perhaps unwise. If he still went ahead, it would be only for the selfish reason that he would not be alive in fifty years. Karellen must have seen his irresolution, for he continued:
“I’m sorry if this disappoints you, but at least the political problems of the near future won’t be your responsibility. Perhaps you will think that our fears are unfounded, but believe me we’ve had convincing proofs of the danger of any other course.”
Stormgren leaned forward, breathing heavily.
“So you have been seen by Man!”
“I didn’t say that,” Karellen answered promptly. “Your world isn’t the only planet we’ve supervised.”
Stormgren was not to be shaken off so easily.
“There have been many legends suggesting that Earth has been visited in the past by other races.”