Norman Arkawy

“ We realized, however, that in time the Earth race would accomplish space travel and thus force a contact with us. Therefore, we devised highly potent weapons for our defense in the event that the people of Earth ever stopped quarreling among themselves and attempted an attack on our world.
High officials in our government were appalled at the thought of war with its chaotic and indiscriminate killing. There were those who deemed it an actual act of aggression on our part to arm ourselves in preparation for a war. The opposition to our defense program was strong. ”

“ In government circles on Venus, it was felt that no further delay could be permitted in establishing contact with the people of Earth. They were already too close to space flight maturity to forego any opportunity for formulating an understanding. Therefore, The Morning Star, whose flight had been observed constantly, was allowed to pass through our ionic barrier and land unharmed on our planet. ”

“ The aliens from Earth, nevertheless, were startled enough by our appearance. They stared wide-eyed at what appeared to be four child-like specimens of human beings. This resemblance which Venusians bear to humans, and which should have impressed the crew of the Morning Star with the possibilities of intelligent negotiations, did not deter them from jumping to irrational conclusions. ”

“ Space scientists of Venus have been observing Earth for hundreds of years. The first space ship to reach your planet and return to Venus made its voyage in the Earth year, 1891. From that time on, explorations were made sporadically until the 1950's, when revolutionary improvements in the design of our ships made possible more economical and faster trips. ”

“ The duties of a citizen vary, depending upon the individual's classification and the location in which he lives. In addition to his special duties, however, every citizen is required to know and observe the five GENERAL DUTIES of a citizen, listed below. ”

“ Our ship and our men were attacked before they had fired a shot. Therefore, your action cannot be deemed to have taken place in self-defense.
Ser Alaga: Your reasoning confounds me, sir. If the prevention of aggressive action is termed aggression, then we are guilty of it. I bow to your logic.
Naturally our government wishes to express its regrets over the impulsive act of its representatives. We want to meet with you in peace and friendship. We want to prevent any future incidents such as the one which has brought us here today. ”

“ GENERAL DUTIES OF A CITIZEN
1. Every citizen will work at his appointed task one-third of each day.
2. Every citizen will perform those duties necessary to maintain his sleeping area in such a manner as to comply with the directives posted in his barracks.
3. Every citizen (male) will father/ (female) will bear a child once every alternate cycle.
4. Every citizen will report promptly when notified of special duty (e.g. waste disposal detail, sewer maintenance crew, restorative squad) .
5. Every citizen will report to his extermination center immediately upon notification. ”

“ An immediate meeting was held between our delegation and the leaders of your government. After the formalities of greeting were over, the spokesman for the Earth government reviewed the facts of the Morning Star incident as they had been related by Captain Daniels and his crew. Venusian forces, they claimed, had been guilty of an unprovoked attack against the ship. We had barbarously murdered all of the ship's complement, save for the eleven "hostages" whom we had brought to Earth aboard the Tunn.
The government of Earth demanded an explanation. Ser Alaga spoke the truth. ”

“ On September 14, 2048, a fleet of four hundred Federation war-ships took off for Venus.
The battle in defense of our planet was carried out exactly according to the strategy of the Supreme Council. The first wave of one hundred attacking ships was completely demolished in our ionic barrier. ”

“ Certain measures are necessary to prevent the over-population of a peaceful world. In addition to the obvious elimination of the incurably sick, the insane, the feeble-minded, the disabled, the dishonest, and the aged, periodic exterminations must be held among the general citizenry. ”