ould have periodic conferences," Plekhanov said. "Say
once every decade to compare notes and make further plans, if
necessary."

Natt Roberts was worried. "We had no such instructions from the
Co-ordinator. Dividing our forces like that."

Mayer cut him short. "My dear Roberts, we were given _carte blanche_. It
is up to us to decide procedure. Actually, this system realizes twice
the information such expeditions as ours might ordinarily offer."

"Texcoco for me," Plekhanov grumbled, accepting the plan in its whole.
"The more backward of the two, but under my guidance in half a century
it will be the more advanced, mark me."

"Look here," Martin Gunther said. "Do we have two of each of the basic
specialists, so that we can divide the party in such a way that neither
planet will miss out in any one field?"

Amschel Mayer was beaming at the reception of his scheme. "The point is
well taken, my dear Martin, however you'll recall that our training was
deliberately made such that each man spreads over several fields. This
in case, during our half century without contact, one or more of us
meets with accident. Besides, the _Pedagogue's_ library is such that any
literate can soon become effective in any field to the extent needed on
the Rigel planets."

III.

Joe Chessman was at the controls of the space lighter. At his side sat
Leonid Plekhanov and behind them the other six members of their team.
They had circled Texcoco twice at great altitude, four times at a lesser
one. Now they were low enough to spot man-made works.

"Nomadic," Plekhanov muttered. "Nomadic and village cultures."

"A few dozen urbanized cultures," Chessman said. "Whoever compared the
most advanced nation to the Aztecs was accurate, except for the fact
that they base themselves along a river rather than on a mountain
plateau."

Plekhanov said, "Similarities to the Egyptians and Sumerians." He looked
over his beefy shoulder at the technician who was photographing the
areas over which they passed. "How does our geographer progress,
Roberts?"

Natt Roberts brought his eyes up from his camera viewer. "I've got most
of what we'll need for a while, sir."

[Illustration]

Plekhanov turned back to Chessman. "We might as well head for their
principal city, the one with the pyramids. We'll make initial contact
there. I like the suggestion of surplus labor available."

"Surplus labor?" Chessman said, setting the controls. "How do you know?"