'Project Spacetown' as Fastolfe and Sarton named it, was now established. The Aurorans chose a spot just outside New York City. Giskard did not go, however, Fastolfe and Sarton both visited Aurora periodically. Other Aurorans had also joined the project.
Upon arriving on Earth, Fastolfe and Sarton found it difficult to think that this planet was actually the home planet of humanity. The sun was brighter than Aurora's, and all Aurorans had to wear dark glasses at first. They had found references to such things in a historic book film. Being larger that Aurora's sun, it looked smaller, however, gave much more light and heat. Added to the fact that the bright light seemed to make even hotter. However, they grew used to it relatively quickly. There were also many more species of plants, animals, insects than they had ever encountered, seen in a book film, or even imagined. And of course, there was Earth's huge satellite. The Aurorans would sometimes stare at it. Such a huge object in the night sky. And it changed, as well. Sometimes it was a complete circle, other a crescent, and still others completely absent.
"We have finally established the base, despite those riots! I never would have thought such a thing!"exclaimed Fastolfe. "I simply refuse to believe that human beings could come together in such crowds, and simply…"he held out his hands palms up, not knowing what to say.
Sarton sighed, nodding.
"I know what you mean."he answered. "You know, it seems to me that for this, we must become Earthmen. If we want to help Earthmen out of their wombs, we must in a sense become Earthmen ourselves."
Fastolfe looked bewildered.
"Really, I don't understand you, Roj."he said.
"We must understand the Earthman. We must know what drives them, what…how else are we to know to get out of these Caves?!"
Fastolfe looked thoughtful.
"I think you're quite right."he said. "But how?"
Sarton stood up, and paced.
"Han, we have been on Earth for some months. At least according to some Terrestrial calendar or something. And we haven't gotten any disease."
"We've taken precautions."
"Yes. We have."
"We couldn't enter the City. There would be much more disease there."
Sarton nodded.
"And the crowds. The riots were disturbing enough, and from what I know, that wasn't a very big crowd. The effect of them on ourselves…I think we should send robots to observe the Terrestrial psyche."
"Robots? But Earthmen dislike robots."
"Yes. It should, however, be robots that cannot be distinguished from a human being. In any way."
Fastolfe stared.
"I think I see what you're getting at."he said, slowly.
"Yes. We should design and construct humaniform robots. So humaniform they can not be distinguished from human beings. They will be programmed to observe the Earthman and report back to ourselves!"