The universe grows smaller every day, and the
threat of aggression by any group, anywhere, can
no longer be tolerated. There must be security
for all, or no one is secure. Now, this does not
mean giving up any freedom, except the freedom to
act irresponsibly. Your ancestors knew this when
they made laws to govern themselves and hired
policemen to enforce them. We, of the other
planets, have long accepted this principle. We
have an organization for the mutual protection of
all planets and for the complete elimination of
aggression. The test of any such higher authority
is, of course, the police force that supports it.
For our policemen, we created a race of robots.
Their function is to patrol the planets in
spaceships like this one and preserve the peace.
In matters of aggression, we have given them
absolute power over us. This power cannot be
revoked. At the first sign of violence, they act
automatically against the aggressor. The penalty
for provoking their action is too terrible to
risk. The result is, we live in peace, without
arms or armies, secure in the knowledge that we
are free from aggression and war. Free to pursue
more... profitable enterprises. Now, we do not
pretend to have achieved perfection, but we do
have a system, and it works. I came here to give
you these facts. It is no concern of ours how you
run your own planet, but if you threaten to
extend your violence, this Earth of yours will be
reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is
simple: join us and live in peace, or pursue your
present course and face obliteration. We shall be
waiting for your answer. The decision rests with
you. - Klaatu