None of this was impossible for us.
We? Have I said that we're not human? We've existed for a long time on earth beside Homo Sapiens, and he has only dimly guessed that we are here. The ordinary limitations of men don't apply to us.
A few of us working together could create an illusionary spaceship, and an intriguing drive to go with it. This was something flying saucers couldn't resist. They'd come down when they found they couldn't investigate from their customary high level flights.
I nodded at the fellow I couldn't see. "Excellent. However, when the saucer lands you'll have to maintain the illusion. Logistics are involved too."
"That's easy," he said. "But what if it isn't manned by robots as you've assumed? You can get inside all right, but a living creature will discover you."
I looked at the blank spot where I thought he might be. "Really now. It has to be a robot. No living creature, except us, can stand the accelerations we've observed."
"But what if we're wrong?" he persisted.
"In that case we'll have time for one quick look," I said. "If it is living and we're no match for it, we'll run like hell."
There was general laughter and the fellow raised no further objections. For all I know, he went home. The meeting broke up and everyone except a few volunteers left. We continued to discuss ways and means.
When the plans seemed fool-proof, I got up. "Just a minute." Another fellow I didn't recognize interposed. "Suppose everything works the way you say it will. The saucer lands, and you succeed in getting inside. What makes you think it will go back to the home planet?"