The Mission - Part A

Keywords: UFO, unidentified flying objects, Bible, flying saucers, prophecy, Paleo-SETI, ancient astronauts, Erich von Däniken, Josef F. Blumrich, Zecharia Sitchin, Ezekiel, biblical prophecy, spacecraft, spaceship, NASA, Roswell, aircraft, propellant, extraterrestrial hypothesis, Jacques Vallee, interdimensional hypothesis, Project Blue Book, Condon Report, ancient history, Jesus, Judaism, Christianity, Middle East, end times, engines, rockets, helicopters, space travel, aliens, abductions, alien abductions, crop circles, extraterrestrials, astronomy, economics, biology, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Space Shuttle, Apollo, stars, planets, solar system, scriptures, design, fuel tank, aerodynamics, fuels, hydrogen, oxygen, wheels

Chapter 8

    The question of what was the purpose, the task of those visits, is both natural and legitimate. To attempt an answer, we are using the information developed thus far which contains indications that can be helpful in shedding some light on the background of the encounters, treated here under the general designation of the "mission."  [p.125] 

    It lies in the nature of things that in so doing we are leaving the realm of the provable. We merely want to afford a glimpse of what emerges as a possibility, out of the knowledge acquired, and at the same time delineate a broad outline along which correction, denial, or confirmation are required.

    Since we—meaning mankind—are today relatively close to a comparable situation, there exists, on the one hand, a certain danger of the answer being influenced by our own opinions; on the other hand, however, increased familiarity with relevant problems makes an improved understanding possible. To eliminate subjective influences as much as possible we will first define the points of reference directly connected with and arising out of the investigation carried out so far. Following that, we will discuss such points as may either be deduced therefrom or inferred from the knowledge we have today. We can describe the two latter groups as indirect points of reference. The joint scrutiny of all these indications will then enable us to draw certain conclusions.

    Of the four direct points of reference the one most easily perceived is the clearly peaceful manner of making contacts with humans. Nowhere can even the slightest sign of any hostility or reckless attitude be detected. On the contrary, at the outset of the two first encounters—which means during the very first contacts—we see how much care the commander shows for Ezekiel. During the fourth encounter the peaceful intent is clearly emphasized by the fact that the purpose of the tour is informative and educational. We learn this from the very words of Ezekiel's companion on that tour:

    Neither compulsion nor violence are felt in this speech, but only an urgent admonition and the setting of a task.

    The order to kill and its execution during the third encounter have already been discussed at length; there is no doubt at all that this episode in its present form lies outside the course of actual events and should therefore not be taken into account in an evaluation of the attitude of the visitors.

    The next direct point of reference can be best expressed by the use of the word "precaution." This precaution is reflected in multiple ways in the basic layout of the spacecraft. We find it, for example, in the use and the arrangement of the helicopters. They not only make unlimited terrestrial flights possible but are also used in the landing after the descent from orbit. This enables the commander to choose landing sites at will, including sites far removed from the point at which the flight from the mothership to the earth is directly aimed.

    Moreover the fire danger incident upon a landing by rocket engine on land areas covered by grass or bushes is entirely eliminated through the use of helicopters. Here we are touching again upon the already discussed theme of peaceful intentions. A landing made with the aid of a rocket engine—which was of course possible—could cause damage to vegetation and possibly to livestock in settled areas. Even people could be injured or killed. A spacecraft which is about to fly from the earth back into orbit may—as can well be expected—be surrounded by onlookers who could be seriously injured should rocket engines be used. Just a few such incidents would suffice to turn the initial wonder of the people into hostility. Such a reaction is most undesirable in a peaceful undertaking the program of which includes contacts with humans, and must therefore be avoided. The use of helicopters is an excellent solution to this problem.

    Two other technical features fall within this concept of precaution. They are, on the one hand, the wheels—of which the best justification so far was related to a precise positioning of the spaceship for telecommunication purposes. On the other hand the arrangement allowed the helicopters to be jettisoned. The radical reduction in the weight of the spacecraft thus made possible could be decisive in an emergency.

    A further direct point of reference is supplied by the presence of a ground crew during the third encounter. It gives us an indication of an action going beyond simple encounters with Ezekiel. The latter, consequently, loses his central position in the mission (without thereby losing it for us) and we get the impression of an undertaking planned on a larger scale.

    Finally the men and their relationship to the commander as well as the presence of a guide during the fourth encounter give us a clear indication pointing to an organization. Such a conclusion could already be drawn from the assumption—which has just been substantiated—of planning on a larger scale. But in addition to this we find a definite relationship of subordination between the ground crew and the commander as well as a suggestion of a difference in rank between commander and guide. Differences of rank can thus be detected and such differences are a characteristic of any organization.

    All indirect indications hinge on the already briefly mentioned economic feasibility of an undertaking. . . .  [p.128]