THE SURVIVORS
During this same lengthy communication in April 1954, Alan described what had happened to the survivors of the devastating conflict that had destroyed an entire civilization tens of thousands of years ago. On a high plateau in what is now Tibet, six of the surviving aerial craft were landed by their crews, to determine the fate of the survivors: It was suggested that an attempt be made to reach another planet. The aerial craft then in use were capable of traveling in space, and had frequently been used to reach elevations of hundreds of miles, but no attempt had yet been made to leap the vast gulf between the planets, and the crew members were far from certain that such an attempt could succeed.
The planet which you now know as Mars was then in conjunction with the Earth, and preliminary estimates seemed to indicate that the crossing could be made. At that time, the surface conditions of temperature, atmosphere, water, etc. were somewhat better suited for human survival than the conditions your astronomers report to exist today. A vote was taken, and the members of the crews of four of the craft elected to take the huge gamble in the hope of preserving, thereby, at least a portion of the culture of the race. The remaining crews decided to remain on Earth. They believed that, because of the elevation of the plateau on which they were gathered, and the relatively low level of radiation at that point, they could continue to live in this area without suffering complete physical or mental degeneration in themselves or their descendants.
I can see the question forming in your mind, so I will explain that this race had achieved perfect equality of the sexes, and both were equally represented in this council, and in the crews of the ships. Of the four craft which essayed the great leap, three arrived safely at their destination. There is no record in our history as to the fate of the fourth. For many generations the grim struggle for survival demanded the entire time and energy of the people . . .
As the battle for survival against the harsh environment was gradually won, the development of the material science resumed its normal pattern, and technology spurted ahead. With the lessons of the past constantly before the people, however, the material values were carefully maintained in their proper relationship to the social and spiritual values. ‘The greatest need of your race, your civilization and your society today,’ concluded Alan, ‘is simple, basic understanding between man and his fellow man, between nation and nation, and between all men and that greater power and intelligence that pervades and controls all nature. Understanding is the key to survival for your race . . .