"And then Pierre Duclos formed his Society of Racial Preservation whose
first requisite for membership was a refusal to become one of the
colonists. The purpose of the organization was to find the thousand
most suitable colonists without regard to race, nationality, creed,
color, education, class, wealth or any other grouping.
* * * * *
"At first, the growth of membership was slow, but, after a time, man
saw that his chance of survival as an individual was practically
nil, that his chance of being chosen was at best less than one in
two million. When he realized this, his next desire was to make sure
that, even though he as an individual was doomed, the race survived.
Membership in the society grew rapidly and internationally. The
members, you might say, were fanatical. Why not? They knew that they
had less than five years to live. Why not sacrifice those last years of
life to such a noble cause?
"As the society grew in strength, nothing could stand before it.
Governments that stood in the way were overthrown, social systems
abolished, prejudices and institutions that had stood for centuries
were wiped out. It became necessary to institute world government, to
guarantee to all equal opportunity. Step by step, the society took the
measures necessary to insure the selection of the best specimens earth
had to offer.
"And scientific development was pushed to the utmost. We wished to
send our colonists off with as much as earth could possibly give them.
We eliminated a dozen diseases that have plagued us for centuries; we
devised a thousand new tools and techniques."
"In short," said the alien, "because of this stimulus, man has
progressed as much in this past few years as he could have expected in
the next fifty."
"That is correct," Pierre Duclos said. "It is unfortunate that now we
have on our threshold a world really worth living in, that it is fated
to be destroyed."
"I see," said the alien, what would have been a smile on a human
face flickered on his. "I am glad to report that the danger which
confronted the earth has been removed and the need to populate the new
planet with colonists in order to preserve your race is now eliminated.
"Gentlemen, the earth is safe. Man may go on with his plans without
fear of destruction."
Monsieur Duclos fingered his cane thoughtfully while the other two
earthmen jumped to their feet, thumped each other's backs, shouted, and
otherwise demonstrated their joy. They finally dashed from the room and
from the space craft to give the news to the world.