The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke by Arthur C. Clarke Page B

past year, and no reference to it in broadcasts from the planet.
    Ranthe.
    From: C.B.E.P.S.
    To: President.
    You will have seen my yearly reports to your respected father on this subject. There have been no developments of interest for the past fifteen years, but the following message has just been received from our base on the Moon:
    Rocket projectile, apparently atomically propelled, left Earth’s atmosphere today from northern landmass, travelling into space for one-quarter diameter of planet before returning under control.
    Ranthe.
    From: President.
    To: Chief of State.
    Your comments, please.
    K.K. V.
    From: Chief of State.
    To: President.
    This means the end of our traditional policy.
    The only hope of security lies in preventing the Terrestrials from making further advances in this direction. From what we know of them, this will require some overwhelming threat.
    Since its high gravity makes it impossible for us to land on the planet, our sphere of action is restricted. The problem was discussed nearly a century ago by Anvar, and I agree with his conclusions. We must act immediately along those lines.
    F.K.S.
    From: President.
    To: Secretary of State.
    Inform the Council that an emergency meeting is convened for noon tomorrow.
    K.K. V.
    From: President.
    To: C.B.E.P.S.
    Twenty battleships should be sufficient to put Anvar’s plan into operation. Fortunately there is no need to arm them—yet. Report progress of construction to me weekly.
    K.K. V.
    From: C.B.E.P.S.
    To: President.
    Nineteen ships are now completed. The twentieth is still delayed owing to hull failure and will not be ready for at least a month.
    Ranthe.
    From: President.
    To: C.B.E.P.S.
    Nineteen will be sufficient. I will check the operational plan with you tomorrow. Is the draft of our broadcast ready yet?
    K.K. V.
    From: C.B.E.P.S.
    To: President.
    Draft herewith:
    People of Earth!
    We, the inhabitants of the planet you call Mars, have for many years observed your experiments towards achieving interplanetary travel. These experiments must cease . Our study of your race has convinced us that you are not fitted to leave your planet in the present state of your civilisation. The ships you now see floating above your cities are capable of destroying them utterly, and will do so unless you discontinue your attempts to cross space.
    We have set up an observatory on your Moon and can immediately detect any violation of these orders. If you obey them, we will not interfere with you again. Otherwise, one of your cities will be destroyed every time we observe a rocket leaving the Earth’s atmosphere.
    By order of the President and Council of Mars.
    Ranthe.
    From: President.
    To: C.B.E.P.S.
    I approve. The translation can go ahead.
    I will not be sailing with the fleet, after all. Report to me in detail immediately on your return.
    K.K. V.
    From: C.B.E.P.S.
    To: President.
    I have the honour to report the successful completion of our mission. The voyage to Earth was uneventful: radio messages from the planet indicated that we were detected at a considerable distance and great excitement had been aroused before our arrival. The fleet was dispersed according to plan and I broadcast the ultimatum. We left immediately and no hostile weapons were brought to bear against us.
    I will report in detail within two days.
    Ranthe.
    From: Secretary, Council of Scientists.
    To: President.
    The psychologists have completed their report, which is attached herewith.
    As might be expected, our demands at first infuriated this stubborn and high-spirited race. The shock to their pride must have been considerable, for they believed themselves to be the only intelligent beings in the Universe.
    However, within a few weeks there was a rather unexpected change in the tone of their statements. They had begun to realise that we were intercepting all their radio transmissions, and some messages have been broadcast directly to us. They state that they have agreed to ban all rocket