"We have one," Shura said. The councilmen murmured. "Here is the shape we recommend, after careful study. It is the shape of Man, but Man in the dawn of his innocence. The only shape in which all of the inhabitants of this planet give their complete faith and trust." He flicked the switch again. Athra, the chairman, stared at the bloated, pink, ugly thing on the Screen, and looked disgusted. "What in Nahrla's name is _that_?" "That," Shura said, "is what the Earth-race calls a Baby. Unlike ourselves, the Earth-creatures are mammals, bearing their young within the womb and expelling it after nine months of gestation. The creature that emerges is called a Baby, or Infant, and it undergoes a process of cell growth until it becomes an Earth-adult. But at no point in this entire growth process is the Earth-creature more adored, more pampered, and most important--more _trusted_--than the time when it bears the name of Baby." * * * * * "And this is your recommendation?" "Yes, sir. There are drawbacks, of course. The Baby is a helpless thing at first, dependent upon human care. But it is this very helplessness which makes the Baby so acceptable to the Earth-race. Our agent would have to suffer a period of helplessness before he is able to perform his scouting duties, but the few lost years will be well worth the outcome. He will be completely accepted into Earth-society. He will be one of them--not an alien stranger, unused to their ways and customs and mores. He will grow up as a normal member of the Earth-race. Then, when the proper moment comes, he will be in the best of positions to blueprint our new battlefield, in astonishing detail." From the corner of the room, Lotha, the ex-chairman of the Nahrla War Council, twisted his features bitterly and said: "And just how does Shura propose to introduce this agent to the planet? Can we place him in the very womb of some Earth-creature?" "No," Shura said. "That cannot be done. But infiltrating an agent in the form of a human Baby will be no problem. The Earth-creatures readily accept Babies, without question as to parentage or identity. There are thousands of such Babies born every day on the planet, and special institutions have been created for their care." Lotha growled. "It's ridiculous. Too elaborate. I prefer the direct approach." "That is our recommendation," Shura said stiffly. "I suggest we put it up to a council vote." The chairman nodded in assent. "Shura is right. The Council will vote on the proposal. All those in favor, will please raise their fourth hand." * * * * * Mrs. Purdy, of the Delafield Adoption Agency, smiled toothily at the young couple seated in front of her desk. "I'm always happy to deliver such good news," she said. "I know how long you two have been waiting, but now I think your prayers have been answered." Jane Bryan caught her breath sharply. "Oh, Mrs. Purdy! You mean--"