Annotated edition of written by Harry Bates in 1940. The humanoid Klaatu and the giant robot Gnut suddenly materialize in Washington, D.C. in a time-travel space ship. Two unfathonable beings from somewhere else in the universe. The murder of Klaatu ruins Earth's attempt to peacefully welcome the first interstellar visitors. And one person tries to solve the mystery of why Gnut remains silent, imperious, and unassailable.