An alien thing has entered the area and within a two-mile circle, a curtain of silence falls over the land. A swirling hot air current stirs the grasses and small bush of the area. In spite of the surrounding stillness and quiet, the high frequency hum of the power supply is inaudible outside the lab. The moment of landing is passing unnoticed by human eye or ear. The first stage of the time voyage is successfully completed.

The control chair holding 688 swung in a partial arc, as he began adjusting the instruments inside the control area. Though this area could easily accommodate three people, he is alone at the controls. In finishing shutdown duties, he turns the power supply to a low mode and by activating two switches, provides security for the lab. One switch energizes a camouflaging system that color-matches the surrounding terrain. This action effectively renders the lab invisible. Unseen by human eye, the force field, activated by the second switch, can gently guide any living thing away from the walls of the time vessel.

Seeking a few moments of relaxation, 688 tilted back in his seat and contemplated his future actions. What will he find in this primitive time era? Will this land furnish enough action to sustain his mission? He is roused from deep thoughts as the voice of Raycom gives a report in a calm, efficient manner.

"Human beings and animals are entering our area."

He eyed his view screen and pressed the magnify switch to enhance his vision. After scanning the screen, he quickly gave orders to the robot.

"I want a similar outfitting of clothing and two hats. Do you think SAMS can do a pair of those boots for me?"

Raycom spoke confidently.

"After I supply your sizes, it will begin the job immediately."

688 stared intently at several men on horses as they rode through the area. Their features are hard, weather-beaten, and sun tanned to an extreme brown color. They seem to fit their saddles as though molded into them. As their horses canter along the dusty trail, he senses a deep purpose in the men. He has one thought ready for use.

At least they can choose their particular courses and careers. They are riding in a direction of their choice.

Thinking of free choice, he touched the base of his brain and behind the ear. As he presses the spot tenderly, it reminds him that the committee allows no one to think or act independently. A small explosive charge is placed inside earth people at birth and can be detonated at any chosen time by the committee. If any of the primary directives of the committee are broken, the perpetrator can be speedily terminated by remote control.

In line with these thoughts, he recalls one of the main directives for a traveler through time. Any notable fact of history, if altered, will cause the committee to send a Regulator to that particular time era. The Regulator will quickly erase both the error, and the one who erred. He expects Raycom to keep him free of errors. The robot has a range of vision and analysis to cover a three-day flow of travel within these landing coordinates. 688 will need to contact the lab every three days, to be assured that no one of historical importance has entered his sector. This unit is capable of intercepting the transmissions from him and passing them to U-326, although it has a voice communication range of only three hundred yards. Beyond that range, to alert the traveler of danger, they must rely on an energy bounce off 688's sender implants.

The traveler crosses the control room floor and selects an operational sheet for U-326. In a tense voice, he speaks to the robot.

"I dread this phase of the mission. I am unable to lose my fear of the programmer. Even a minor malfunction during the transfer and I will become more vegetable than human."

"I'll be right by your side. I'll double check your input feed from U-326 and stand by with back up circuits. I will know of a malfunction within one second. I studied the tapes of your mental and physical patterns at the Base lab."

He moved back up to the keyboard, but this time he was wired. He had sensors attached to the proper places and these connections led directly to U-326. He leaned forward and pushed the ready button. When the light came on, he pushed the run button. The last thing he heard for nearly two hours was the order from Raycom, "Count backward from ten please."

U-326 methodically began removing much of his brain memory. It was unneeded in this era, but would be stored for later recovery. The super unit began filling his empty brain space with vital information applicable to this time era, as directed by the programmer manual. When 688 awoke, it was the third day of April and the year was 1844.

Raycom greeted the commander by speaking in calm tones.

"If you will make yourself presentable, we will begin our first transmission and we shall start with your introduction to the public."

He went to a small sink located in the corner of the lab, where he combed his thick mop of dark hair. As he stood near the console chair, Raycom synchronized with U-326, a pulsing red light came on and the robot's voice spoke in deep resonant tones.

"People of our Earth 3753, your attention please! This is a special announcement. Coming soon on your view screens will be a totally new era of excitement and pleasure. Your future star, the amazing man that will provide this new entertainment, is here with me. I am proud and pleased to present to you, the first Transmitter of our age, Rob Winslow."

688 half bowed, before smiling broadly.

"Yes, I am Rob Winslow. Though some know me as #688, I will be known in my new life as Rob Winslow. I am extremely proud to be the first transmitter of our time. I intend to be the best that you will ever see. Beginning tomorrow morning, you will see much of my life as I begin to live it and I intend to make it an interesting one. Good-bye for now and thank you for listening."

He waves and the blinking light over U-326 went out, the transmission was over.

With a smile crinkling the corners of his mouth, he wonders if any of the other six hundred eighty seven previous versions of Rob Winslows would be envious of his position.

"I think it's time to make your change to mobile mode," Rob ordered the robot.

The unit, at this moment, is a vital package of instrumentation sitting atop a desk. This desk is located strategically between two tall storage cabinets. Rob flicks a remote control unit and watches as the left hand cabinet door opened and stepping out carefully, comes a handsome CRANS with brown hair. CRANS is its R&D nickname that is shortened from "creative robot assembled with natural sensitivity".

The CRANS lifts a small cylindrical item from the instrumentation unit atop the desk. Reversing the cylinder, he deftly re-inserts the metal object back into the cavity. All onboard intelligence will now flow from the instrumentation package to him.

"I think we are off to a good start," he said. "I believe the people will accept your pioneering effort of transmitting."

Rob was speechless for a long moment. Not having seen the more advanced stages of robotics, he finds himself startled by the human-like ability of the CRANS. He makes a decision and then declares his intention to the robot.

"I'll call you Ray and continue to do so, as long as you are mobile. You're getting more adjusted to this, aren't you? I believe you're enjoying this role."

"I could hardly wait to get out of R&D."

The engineers have done a fine job with Ray. Any ordinary human will accept him as an equal. Every feature, every muscle, is in its proper proportion and not a blemish in sight.

Rob drops the control seat to a lower setting and sleep comes quickly. In his dreams, the 'Second Attempt' is represented as being in a large pot. It sits on a silver-serving tray that is held by two members of the committee and each time he reaches for the pot, they take one step backward. This leaves him deeply frustrated and his anger builds to the boiling point. He tries to strike the committee teasers with his fist, but each time they move out of his reach. Finally, the exasperating dream is interrupted by the tone of an electronic device that is demanding to be recalibrated.

When Rob awakens, he moves to the SAMS compartment bin. Inside this bin lies a neatly folded bundle of clothing. He sees three pairs of brown trousers and three solid colored shirts. Also inside, is a beautiful leather belt decorated with a silver buckle. With these articles, he finds two gray western hats that are true works of art. Holding his breath with pride, he gazes lovingly at a smart pair of boots. The designs that are so prominently etched on the soft leather uppers could put the most able boot maker to shame. Below the hats, he is surprised to see an assortment of valuables. In this pile are gold nuggets, a wad of paper money, many silver coins and a considerable number of gold coins.

"Is SAMS, along with its other fine talents, also a counterfeiter?"

"No, the serial numbers of these bills are real. The government printers reserved these numbers and tomorrow the list will be destroyed in a fire. After discovery of the gold making process in the year 2500, the value of the metal disappeared. It was decided that you need valuables to survive without taking some sort of menial job. An aging process was used on all the articles."

The day to begin his Second Attempt has finally arrived. He changes into his new clothing and is quite pleased by the difference in his appearance.

Eager and ready, he turns to Ray. "I'll see you in three days."