would not have been able to comprehend the principles behind the finger ring weapons.

Captain Daniels, the leader of the Earth expedition, was interrogated at great length, but he remained hostile and uncooperative. The only information that he offered was his name, rank and serial number, which he repeated over and over again. Jensen and the remaining crew members refused to answer our questions also, insisting that their captain was the spokesman for all of them. This action increased our fears that the intellectual and emotional make-up of Earth was incompatible with that of Venus.

We accomplished nothing in four days of questioning. It seemed impossible to determine the means whereby we could arrive at some workable line of reasoning. It was equally impossible for us to ascertain whether the hostile actions of the Morning Star represented the attitude of the Earth government or if they were merely the impulsive results of the emotional strain endured by Captain Daniels and his crew on their voyage.

The Supreme Council decided it was necessary to visit Earth now, make our presence known, and see if friendly relations could be established with that planet. We had hopes that this might be done, for there had been no war on Earth for almost fifty years. It was hoped that the people had finally achieved a civilization capable of friendly interplanetary exchange.

The Council ordered a delegation to leave immediately on the first diplomatic mission from Venus to Earth. Ser Madi had justifiable doubts about the possibility of success, but the Council overruled his objections.

The delegation, led by the elder statesman, Ser Alaga, left for Earth aboard the light cruiser, Tunn. The date was December 9, 2042. Returning to Earth aboard the Tunn, were the eleven survivors of the Morning Star, treated not as prisoners, but as survivors of a space wreck.

The Tunn landed on Earth two miles out of Abilene, on December 15, 2042. A few hours after touching down, the Venusian delegation arrived in the Earth capital and presented themselves at the Ministry of State.

The office worker who stood between them and the Secretary of the Minister of Foreign Affairs was amused by the delegates' story. "Why don't you kids go home and stop annoying us?" he said. "And stop watching those TD shows!"

Ser Buldi indignantly repeated his request to see the Foreign Minister.

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