IsaacAsimov

PreludetoFoundation

Foundation–1

PRELUDETOFOUNDATION

MATHEMATICIAN

CLEONI–…ThelastGalacticEmperoroftheEntundynasty.Hewasbornintheyear11,988oftheGalacticEra,thesameyearinwhichHariSeldonwasborn.(ItisthoughtthatSeldon'sbirthdate,whichsomeconsiderdoubtful,mayhavebeenadjustedtomatchthatofCleon,whomSeldon,soonafterhisarrivalonTrantor,issupposedtohaveencountered.)HavingsucceededtotheImperialthronein12,010attheageoftwenty-two,CleonI'sreignrepresentedacuriousintervalofquietinthosetroubledtimes.ThisisundoubtedlyduetotheskillsofhisChiefofStaff,EtoDemerzel,whosocarefullyobscuredhimselffrompublicrecordthatlittleisknownabouthim.Cleonhimself…

ENCYLOPEDIAGALACTICA

(AllquotationsfromtheEncyclopediaGalacticaherereproducedaretakenfromthe116thEdition,published1,020FEbytheEncyclopediaGalacticaPublishingCo.,Terminus,withpermissionofthepublishers.)

1

Suppressingasmallyawn,Cleonsaid,“Demerzel,haveyoubyanychanceeverheardofamannamedHariSeldon?”

CleonhadbeenEmperorforjustovertenyearsandthereweretimesatstateoccasionswhen,dressedinthenecessaryrobesandregalia,hecouldmanagetolookstately.Hedidso,forinstance,intheholographofhimselfthatstoodinthenicheinthewallbehindhim.Itwasplacedsothatitclearlydominatedtheothernichesholdingtheholographsofseveralofhisancestors.Theholographwasnotatotallyhonestone,forthoughCleon'shairwaslightbrowninhologramandrealityalike,itwasabitthickerintheholograph.Therewasacertainasymmetrytohisrealface,fortheleftsideofhisupperlipraiseditselfabithigherthantherightside,andthiswassomehownotevidentintheholograph.Andifhehadstoodupandplacedhimselfbesidetheholograph,hewouldhavebeenseentobe2centimetersunderthe1.83-meterheightthattheimageportrayed–andperhapsabitstouter.Ofcourse,theholographwastheofficialcoronationportraitandhehadbeenyoungerthen.Hestilllookedyoungandrather

handsome,too,andwhenhewasnotinthepitilessgripofofficialceremony,therewasakindofvaguegoodnatureabouthisface.

Demerzelsaid,withthetoneofrespectthathecarefullycultivated,“HariSeldon?Itisanunfamiliarnametome,Sire.OughtItoknowofhim?”

“TheMinisterofSciencementionedhimtomelastnight.Ithoughtyoumight.”

Demerzelfrownedslightly,butonlyveryslightly,foronedoesnotfrownintheImperialpresence.“TheMinisterofScience,Sire,shouldhavespokenofthismantomeasChiefofStaff.Ifyouaretobebombardedfromeveryside–”

CleonraisedhishandandDemerzelstoppedatonce.

“Please,Demerzel,onecan'tstandonformalityatalltimes.WhenIpassedtheMinisteratlastnight'sreceptionandexchangedafewwordswithhim,hebubbledover.IcouldnotrefusetolistenandIwasgladIhad,foritwasinteresting.”

“Inwhatwayinteresting,Sire?”

“Well,thesearenottheolddayswhenscienceandmathematicswerealltherage.Thatsortofthingseemstohavedieddownsomehow,perhapsbecauseallthediscoverieshavebeenmade,don'tyouthink?Apparently,however,interestingthingscanstillhappen.AtleastIwastolditwasinteresting.”

“BytheMinisterofScience,Sire?”

“Yes.HesaidthatthisHariSeldonhadattendedaconventionofmathematiciansheldhereinTrantor–theydothiseverytenyears,forsomereason–andhesaidthathehadprovedthatonecouldforetellthefuturemathematically.”

Demerzelpermittedhimselfasmallsmile.

“EithertheMinisterofScience,amanoflittleacumen,ismistakenorthemathematicianis.

Surely,thematterofforetellingthefutureisachildren'sdreamofmagic.”

“Isit,Demerzel?Peoplebelieveinsuchthings.”

“Peoplebelieveinmanythings,Sire.”

“Buttheybelieveinsuchthings.Therefore,itdoesn'tmatterwhethertheforecastofthefutureistrueornot.Ifamathematicianshouldpredictalongandhappyreignforme,atimeofpeaceandprosperityfortheEmpire–Eh,wouldthatnotbewell?”

“Itwouldbepleasanttohear,certainly,butwhatwoulditaccomplish,Sire?”

“Butsurelyifpeoplebelievethis,theywouldactonthatbelief.Manyaprophecy,bythemereforceofitsbeingbelieved,istransmutedtofact.Theseare'self-fulfillingprophecies.'Indeed,nowthatIthinkofit,itwasyouwhoonceexplainedthistome.”

Demerzelsaid,“IbelieveIdid,Sire.”HiseyeswerewatchingtheEmperorcarefully,asthoughtoseehowfarhemightgoonhisown.“Still,ifthatbeso,onecouldhaveanypersonmaketheprophecy.”

“Notallpersonswouldbeequallybelieved,Demerzel.Amathematician,however,whocouldbackhisprophecywithmathematicalformulasandterminology,mightbeunderstoodbynooneandyetbelievedbyeveryone.”

Demerzelsaid,“Asusual,Sire,youmakegoodsense.Weliveintroubledtimesanditwouldbeworthwhiletocalmtheminawaythatwouldrequireneithermoneynormilitaryeffort–which,inrecenthistory,havedonelittlegoodandmuchharm.”

“Exactly,Demerzel,”saidtheEmperorwithexcitement.“ReelinthisHariSeldon.Youtellmeyouhaveyourstringsstretchingtoeverypartofthisturbulentworld,evenwheremyforcesdarenotgo.Pullononeofthosestrings,then,andbringinthismathematician.Letmeseehim.”

“Iwilldoso,Sire,”saidDemerzel,whohadalreadylocatedSeldonandwhomadeamentalnotetocommendtheMinisterofScienceforajobwelldone.

2

HariSeldondidnotmakeanimpressiveappearanceatthistime.LiketheEmperorCleonI,hewasthirty-twoyearsold,buthewasonly1.73meterstall.Hisfacewassmoothandcheerful,hishairdarkbrown,almostblack,andhisclothinghadtheunmistakabletouchofprovincialityaboutit.

ToanyoneinlatertimeswhoknewofHariSeldononlyasalegendarydemigod,itwouldseemalmostsacrilegiousforhimnottohavewhitehair,nottohaveanoldlinedface,aquietsmileradiatingwisdom,nottobeseatedinawheelchair.Eventhen,inadvancedoldage,hiseyeshadbeencheerful,however.Therewasthat.

Andhiseyeswereparticularlycheerfulnow,forhispaperhadbeengivenattheDecennialConvention.IthadevenarousedsomeinterestinadistantsortofwayandoldOsterfithhadnoddedhisheadathimandhadsaid,“Ingenious,youngman.Mostingenious.”Which,comingfromOsterfith,wassatisfactory.Mostsatisfactory.

Butnowtherewasanew–andquiteunexpected–developmentandSeldonwasn'tsurewhetheritshouldincreasehischeerandintensifyhissatisfactionornot.HestaredatthetallyoungmaninuniformtheSpaceship-and-Sunneatlyplacedontheleftsideofhistunic.

“LieutenantAlbanWellis,”saidtheofficeroftheEmperor'sGuardbeforeputtingawayhisidentification.“Willyoucomewithmenow,sir?”

Welliswasarmed,ofcourse.ThereweretwootherGuardsmenwaitingoutsidehisdoor.

Seldonknewhehadnochoice,foralltheother'scarefulpoliteness,buttherewasnoreasonhecouldnotseekinformation.Hesaid,“ToseetheEmperor?”

“TobebroughttothePalace,sir.That'stheextentofmyinstructions.”

“Butwhy?”

“Iwasnottoldwhy,sir.AndIhavemystrictinstructionsthatyoumustcomewithme–onewayoranother.”

“ButthisseemsasthoughIambeingarrested.Ihavedonenothingtowarrant

that.”

“Say,rather,thatitseemsyouarebeinggivenanescortofhonor–ifyoudelaymenofurther.”

Seldondelayednofurther.Hepressedhislipstogether,asthoughtoblockoffurtherquestions,noddedhishead,andsteppedforward.EvenifhewasgoingtomeettheEmperorandtoreceiveImperialcommendation,hefoundnojoyinit.HewasfortheEmpire–thatis,fortheworldsofhumanityinpeaceandunionbuthewasnotfortheEmperor.

Thelieutenantwalkedahead,theothertwobehind.Seldonsmiledatthosehepassedandmanagedtolookunconcerned.Outsidethehoteltheyclimbedintoanofficialground-car.(Seldonranhishandovertheupholstery;hehadneverbeeninanythingsoornate.)TheywereinoneofthewealthiestsectionsofTrantor.Thedomewashighenoughheretogiveasensationofbeingintheopenandonecouldswear–evenonesuchasHariSeldon,whohadbeenbornandbroughtuponanopenworld–thattheywereinsunlight.Youcouldseenosunandnoshadows,buttheairwaslightandfragrant.

Andthenitpassedandthedomecurveddownandthewallsnarrowedinandsoontheyweremovingalonganenclosedtunnel,markedperiodicallywiththeSpaceship-and-Sunandsoclearlyreserved(Seldonthought)forofficialvehicles.

Adooropenedandtheground-carspedthrough.Whenthedoorclosedbehindthem,theywereintheopen–thetrue,therealopen.Therewere250squarekilometersoftheonlystretchofopenlandonTrantorandonitstoodtheImperialPalace.Seldonwouldhavelikedachancetowanderthroughthatopenland–notbecauseofthePalace,butbecauseitalsocontainedtheGalacticUniversityand,mostintriguingofall,theGalacticLibrary.

Andyet,inpassingfromtheenclosedworldofTrantorintotheopenpatchofwoodandparkland,hehadpassedintoaworldinwhichcloudsdimmedtheskyandachillwindruedhisshirt.Hepressedthecontactthatclosedtheground-car'swindow.

Itwasadismaldayoutside.

3

SeldonwasnotatallsurehewouldmeettheEmperor.Atbest,hewouldmeetsomeofficialinthefourthorfifthechelonwhowouldclaimtospeakfortheEmperor.HowmanypeopleeverdidseetheEmperor?Inperson,ratherthanonholovision?Howmanypeoplesawthereal,tangibleEmperor,anEmperorwhoneverlefttheImperialgroundsthathe,Seldon,wasnowrollingover.

Thenumberwasvanishinglysmall.Twenty-fivemillioninhabitedworlds,eachwithitscargoofabillionhumanbeingsormore–andamongallthosequadrillionsofhumanbeings,howmanyhad,orwouldever,layeyesonthelivingEmperor.Athousand?Anddidanyonecare?TheEmperorwasnomorethanasymbolofEmpire,liketheSpaceship-and-Sunbutfarlesspervasive,farlessreal.Itwashissoldiersandhisofficials,crawlingeverywhere,thatnowrepresentedanEmpirethathadbecomeadeadweightuponitspeople–nottheEmperor.

SoitwasthatwhenSeldonwasusheredintoamoderatelysized,lavishlyfurnishedroomandfoundayoung-lookingmansittingontheedgeofatableinawindowedalcove,onefootonthegroundandoneswingingovertheedge,hefoundhimselfwonderingthatanyofficialshouldbelookingathiminsoblandlygood-naturedaway.Hehadalreadyexperiencedthefact,overandover,thatgovernmentofficials–andparticularlythoseintheImperialservice–lookedgraveatalltimes,asthoughbearingtheweightoftheentireGalaxyontheirshoulders.Anditseemedthelowerinimportancetheywere,thegraverandmorethreateningtheirexpression.

This,then,mightbeanofficialsohighinthescale,withthesunofpowersobrightuponhim,thathefeltnoneedofcounteringitwithcloudsoffrowning.Seldonwasn'tsurehowimpressedheoughttobe,buthefeltthatitwouldbebesttoremainsilentandlettheotherspeakfirst.Theofficialsaid,“YouareHariSeldon,Ibelieve.Themathematician.”

Seldonrespondedwithaminimal“Yes,sir,”andwaitedagain.

Theyoungmanwavedanarm.“Itshouldbe'Sire,'butIhateceremony.It'sallIgetandIwearyofit.Wearealone,soIwillpampermyselfandeschewceremony.Sitdown,professor.”

Halfwaythroughthespeech,SeldonrealizedthathewasspeakingtotheEmperorCleon,FirstofthatName,andhefeltthewindgooutofhim.Therewasafaintresemblance(nowthathelooked)totheofficialholographthatappearedconstantlyinthenews,butinthatholograph,Cleonwasalwaysdressedimposingly,seemedtaller,nobler,frozen-faced.Andherehewas,theoriginaloftheholograph,andsomehowheappearedtobequiteordinary.

Seldondidnotbudge.TheEmperorfrownedslightlyand,withthehabitofcommandpresentevenintheattempttoabolishit,atleasttemporarily,saidperemptorily,“Isaid,'Sitdown,'man.

Thatchair.Quickly.”

Seldonsatdown,quitespeechless.Hecouldnotevenbringhimselftosay,“Yes,Sire.”

Cleonsmiled.“That'sbetter.Nowwecantalkliketwofellowhumanbeings,which,afterall,iswhatweareonceceremonyisremoved.Eh,myman?”

Seldonsaidcautiously,“IfYourImperialMajestyiscontenttosayso,thenitisso.”

“Oh,come,whyareyousocautious?Iwanttotalktoyouonequalterms.Itismypleasuretodoso.Humorme.”

“Yes,Sire.”

“Asimple'Yes,'man.IstherenowayIcanreachyou?”

CleonstaredatSeldonandSeldonthoughtitwasalivelyandinterestedstare.FinallytheEmperorsaid,“Youdon'tlooklikeamathematician.”

Atlast,Seldonfoundhimselfabletosmile.“Idon'tknowwhatamathematicianissupposetolooklike,YourImp–”

CleonraisedacautioninghandandSeldonchokedoffthehonorific.Cleonsaid,

“White-haired,Isuppose.Bearded,perhaps.Old,certainly.”

“Yetevenmathematiciansmustbeyoungtobeginwith.”

“Buttheyarethenwithoutreputation.BythetimetheyobtrudethemselvesonthenoticeoftheGalaxy,theyareasIhavedescribed.”

“Iamwithoutreputation,I'mafraid.”

“Yetyouspokeatthisconventiontheyheldhere.”

“Agreatmanyofusdid.Somewereyoungerthanmyself.Fewofusweregrantedanyattentionwhatever.”

“Yourtalkapparentlyattractedtheattentionofsomeofmyofficials.Iamgiventounderstandthatyoubelieveitpossibletopredictthefuture.”

Seldonsuddenlyfeltweary.Itseemedasthoughthismisinterpretationofhistheorywasconstantlygoingtooccur.Perhapsheshouldnothavepresentedhispaper.

Hesaid,“Notquite,actually.WhatIhavedoneismuchmorelimitedthanthat.Inmanysystems,thesituationissuchthatundersomeconditionschaoticeventstakeplace.Thatmeansthat,givenaparticularstartingpoint,itisimpossibletopredictoutcomes.Thisistrueeveninsomequitesimplesystems,butthemorecomplexasystem,themorelikelyitistobecomechaotic.Ithasalwaysbeenassumedthatanythingascomplicatedashumansocietywouldquicklybecomechaoticand,therefore,unpredictable.WhatIhavedone,however,istoshowthat,instudyinghumansociety,itispossibletochooseastartingpointandtomakeappropriateassumptionsthatwillsuppressthechaos.Thatwillmakeitpossibletopredictthefuture,notinfulldetail,ofcourse,butinbroadsweeps;notwithcertainty,butwithcalculableprobabilities.”

TheEmperor,whohadlistenedcarefully,said,“Butdoesn'tthatmeanthatyouhaveshownhowtopredictthefuture?”

“Again,notquite.Ihaveshowedthatitistheoreticallypossible,butnomore.Todomore,wewouldactuallyhavetochooseacorrectstartingpoint,makecorrectassumptions,andthenfindwaysofcarryingthroughcalculationsinafinitetime.Nothinginmymathematicalargumenttellsushowtodoanyofthis.Andevenifwecoulddoitall,wewould,atbest,onlyassessprobabilities.

Thatisnotthesameaspredictingthefuture;itismerelyaguessatwhatislikelytohappen.Everysuccessfulpolitician,businessman,orhumanbeingofanycallingmustmaketheseestimatesofthefutureanddoitfairlywellorheorshewouldnotbesuccessful.”

“Theydoitwithoutmathematics.”

“True.Theydoitbyintuition.”

“Withthepropermathematics,anyonewouldbeabletoassesstheprobabilities.Itwouldn'ttaketherarehumanbeingwhoissuccessfulbecauseofaremarkableintuitivesense.”

“Trueagain,butIhavemerelyshownthatmathematicalanalysisispossible;Ihavenotshownittobepractical.”

“Howcansomethingbepossible,yetnotpractical?”

“ItistheoreticallypossibleformetovisiteachworldoftheGalaxyandgreeteachpersononeachworld.However,itwouldtakefarlongertodothisthanIhaveyearstoliveand,evenifIwasimmortal,therateatwhichnewhumanbeingsarebeingbornisgreaterthantherateatwhichIcouldinterviewtheoldand,evenmoretothepoint,oldhumanbeingswoulddieingreatnumbersbeforeIcouldevergettothem.”

“Andisthissortofthingtrueofyourmathematicsofthefuture?”

Seldonhesitated,thenwenton.“Itmightbethatthemathematicswouldtaketoolongtoworkout,evenifonehadacomputerthesizeoftheUniverseworkingathyperspatialvelocities.Bythetimeanyanswerhadbeenreceived,enoughyearswouldhaveelapsedtoalterthesituationsogrosslyastomaketheanswermeaningless.”

“Whycannottheprocessbesimplified?”Cleonaskedsharply.

“YourImperialMajesty”–SeldonfelttheEmperorgrowingmoreformalastheanswersgrewlesstohislikingandrespondedwithgreaterformalityofhisown,“considerthemannerinwhichscientistshavedealtwithsubatomicparticles.

Thereareenormousnumbersofthese,eachmovingorvibratinginrandomandunpredictablemanner,butthischaosturnsouttohaveanunderlyingorder,sothatwecanworkoutaquantummechanicsthatanswersallthequestionsweknowhowtoask.Instudyingsociety,weplacehumanbeingsintheplaceofsubatomicparticles,butnowthereistheaddedfactorofthehumanmind.Particlesmovemindlessly;humanbeingsdonot.Totakeintoaccountthevariousattitudesandimpulsesofmindaddssomuchcomplexitythattherelackstimetotakecareofallofit.”

“Couldnotmind,aswellasmindlessmotion,haveanunderlyingorder?”

“Perhaps.Mymathematicalanalysisimpliesthatordermustunderlieeverything,howeverdisorderlyitmayappeartobe,butitdoesnotgiveanyhintastohowthisunderlyingordermaybefound.Consider–twenty-fivemillionworlds,eachwithitsoverallcharacteristicsandculture,eachbeingsignificantlydifferentfromalltherest,eachcontainingabillionormorehumanbeingswhoeachhaveanindividualmind,andalltheworldsinteractingininnumerablewaysandcombinations!Howevertheoreticallypossibleapsychohistoricalanalysismaybe,itisnotlikelythatitcanbedoneinanypracticalsense.”

“Whatdoyoumean'psychohistorical'?”

“Irefertothetheoreticalassessmentofprobabilitiesconcerningthefutureas'psychohistory.'”

TheEmperorrosetohisfeetsuddenly,strodetotheotherendoftheroom,turned,strodeback,andstoppedbeforethestill-sittingSeldon.

“Standup!”hecommanded.

SeldonroseandlookedupatthesomewhattallerEmperor.Hestrovetokeephisgazesteady.

Cleonfinallysaid,“Thispsychohistoryofyours…ifitcouldbemadepractical,itwouldbeofgreatuse,woulditnot?”

“Ofenormoususe,obviously.Toknowwhatthefutureholds,ineventhemostgeneralandprobabilisticway,wouldserveasanewandmarvelousguideforouractions,onethathumanityhasneverbeforehad.But,ofcourse–”Hepaused.

“Well?”saidCleonimpatiently.

“Well,itwouldseemthat,exceptforafewdecision-makers,theresultsofpsychohistoricalanalysiswouldhavetoremainunknowntothepublic.”

“Unknown!”exclaimedCleonwithsurprise.

“It'sclear.Letmetrytoexplain.Ifapsychohistoricalanalysisismadeandtheresultsarethengiventothepublic,thevariousemotionsandreactionsofhumanitywouldatoncebedistorted.Thepsychohistoricalanalysis,basedonemotionsandreactionsthattakeplacewithoutknowledgeofthefuture,becomemeaningless.Doyouunderstand?”

TheEmperor'seyesbrightenedandhelaughedaloud.“Wonderful!”

HeclappedhishandonSeldon'sshoulderandSeldonstaggeredslightlyundertheblow.

“Don'tyousee,man?”saidCleon.“Don'tyousee?There'syouruse.Youdon'tneedtopredictthefuture.Justchooseafuture–agoodfuture,ausefulfuture–andmakethekindofpredictionthatwillalterhumanemotionsandreactionsinsuchawaythatthefutureyoupredictedwillbebroughtabout.Bettertomakeagoodfuturethanpredictabadone.”

Seldonfrowned.“Iseewhatyoumean,Sire,butthatisequallyimpossible.”

“Impossible?”

“Well,atanyrate,impractical.Don'tyousee?Ifyoucan'tstartwithhumanemotionsandreactionsandpredictthefuturetheywillbringabout,youcan'tdothereverseeither.Youcan'tstartwithafutureandpredictthehumanemotionsandreactionsthatwillbringitabout.”

Cleonlookedfrustrated.Hislipstightened.“Andyourpaper,then?…Isthatwhatyoucallit,apaper?…Ofwhatuseisit?”

“Itwasmerelyamathematicaldemonstration.Itmadeapointofinteresttomathematicians,buttherewasnothoughtinmymindofitsbeingusefulinany

way.”

“Ifindthatdisgusting,”saidCleonangrily.

Seldonshruggedslightly.Morethanever,heknewheshouldneverhavegiventhepaper.

WhatwouldbecomeofhimiftheEmperortookitintohisheadthathehadbeenmadetoplaythefool?

Andindeed,Cleondidnotlookasthoughhewasveryfarfrombelievingthat.

“Nevertheless,”hesaid,“whatifyouweretomakepredictionsofthefuture,mathematicallyjustifiedornot;predictionsthatgovernmentofficials,humanbeingswhoseexpertiseitistoknowwhatthepublicislikelytodo,willjudgetobethekindthatwillbringaboutusefulreactions?”

“Whywouldyouneedmetodothat?Thegovernmentofficialscouldmakethosepredictionsthemselvesandsparethemiddleman.”

“Thegovernmentofficialscouldnotdosoaseffectively.Governmentofficialsdomakestatementsofthesortnowandthen.Theyarenotnecessarilybelieved.”

“WhywouldIbe?”

“Youareamathematician.Youwouldhavecalculatedthefuture,not…notintuitedit–ifthatisaword.”

“ButIwouldnothavedoneso.”

“Whowouldknowthat?”Cleonwatchedhimoutofnarrowedeyes.

Therewasapause.Seldonfelttrapped.IfgivenadirectorderbytheEmperor,woulditbesafetorefuse?Ifherefused,hemightbeimprisonedorexecuted.Notwithouttrial,ofcourse,butitisonlywithgreatdifficultythatatrialcanbemadetogoagainstthewishesofaheavy-handedofficialdom,particularlyoneunderthecommandoftheEmperorofthevastGalacticEmpire.

Hesaidfinally,“Itwouldn'twork.”

“Whynot?”

“IfIwereaskedtopredictvaguegeneralitiesthatcouldnotpossiblycometopassuntillongafterthisgenerationand,perhaps,thenextweredead,wemightgetawaywithit,but,ontheotherhand,thepublicwouldpaylittleattention.Theywouldnotcareaboutaglowingeventualityacenturyortwointhefuture.

“Toattainresults,”Seldonwenton,“Iwouldhavetopredictmattersofsharperconsequence,moreimmediateeventualities.Onlytothesewouldthepublicrespond.Soonerorlater,though–andprobablysooner–oneoftheeventualitieswouldnotcometopassandmyusefulnesswouldbeendedatonce.Withthat,yourpopularitymightbegone,too,and,worstofall,therewouldbenofurthersupportforthedevelopmentofpsychohistorysothattherewouldbenochanceforanygoodtocomeofitiffutureimprovementsinmathematicalinsightshelptomakeitmoveclosertotherealmofpracticality.”

CleonthrewhimselfintoachairandfrownedatSeldon.“Isthatallyoumathematicianscando?Insistonimpossibilities?”

Seldonsaidwithdesperatesoftness,“Itisyou,Sire,whoinsistonimpossibilities.”

“Letmetestyou,man.SupposeIaskedyoutouseyourmathematicstotellmewhetherIwouldsomedaybeassassinated?Whatwouldyousay?”

“Mymathematicalsystemwouldnotgiveananswertosospecificaquestion,evenifpsychohistoryworkedatitsbest.Allthequantummechanicsintheworldcannotmakeitpossibletopredictthebehaviorofoneloneelectron,onlytheaveragebehaviorofmany.”

“YouknowyourmathematicsbetterthanIdo.Makeaneducatedguessbasedonit.WillIsomedaybeassassinated?”

Seldonsaidsoftly,“Youlayatrapforme,Sire.EithertellmewhatansweryouwishandIwillgiveittoyouorelsegivemefreerighttomakewhatanswerIwishwithoutpunishment.”

“Speakasyouwill.”

“Yourwordofhonor?”

“Doyouwantitanwriting?”Cleonwassarcastic.

“Yourspokenwordofhonorwillbesufficient,”saidSeldon,hisheartsinking,forhewasnotcertainitwouldbe.

“Youhavemywordofhonor.”

“ThenIcantellyouthatinthepastfourcenturiesnearlyhalftheEmperorshavebeenassassinated,fromwhichIconcludethatthechancesofyourassassinationareroughlyoneintwo.”

“Anyfoolcangivethatanswer,”saidCleonwithcontempt.“Ittakesnomathematician.”

“YetIhavetoldyouseveraltimesthatmymathematicsisuselessforpracticalproblems.”

“Can'tyouevensupposethatIlearnthelessonsthathavebeengivenmebymyunfortunatepredecessors?”

Seldontookadeepbreathandplungedin.“No,Sire.Allhistoryshowsthatwedonotlearnfromthelessonsofthepast.Forinstance,youhaveallowedmehereinaprivateaudience.Whatifitwereinmymindtoassassinateyou?–Whichitisn't,Sire,”headdedhastily.

Cleonsmiledwithouthumor.“Myman,youdon'ttakeintoaccountourthoroughness–oradvancesintechnology.Wehavestudiedyourhistory,yourcompleterecord.Whenyouarrived,youwerescanned.Yourexpressionandvoiceprintswereanalyzed.Weknewyouremotionalstateindetail;wepracticallyknewyourthoughts.Hadtherebeentheslightestdoubtofyourharmlessness,youwouldnothavebeenallowednearme.Infact,youwouldnotnowbealive.”

AwaveofnauseasweptthroughSeldon,buthecontinued.“OutsidershavealwaysfounditdifficulttogetatEmperors,evenwithtechnologylessadvanced.However,almosteveryassassinationhasbeenapalacecoup.ItisthosenearesttheEmperorwhoarethegreatestdangertohim.Againstthatdanger,thecareful

screeningofoutsidersisirrelevant.Andasforyourownofficials,yourownGuardsmen,yourownintimates,youcannottreatthemasyoutreatme.”

Cleonsaid,“Iknowthat,too,andatleastaswellasyoudo.TheansweristhatItreatthoseaboutmefairlyandIgivethemnocauseforresentment.”

“Afoolish–”beganSeldon,whothenstoppedinconfusion.

“Goon,”saidCleonangrily.“Ihavegivenyoupermissiontospeakfreely.HowamIfoolish?”

“Thewordslippedout,Sire.Imeant'irrelevant.'Yourtreatmentofyourintimatesisirrelevant.Youmustbesuspicious;itwouldbeinhumannottobe.Acarelessword,suchastheoneIused,acarelessgesture,adoubtfulexpressionandyoumustwithdrawabitwithnarrowedeyes.

Andanytouchofsuspicionsetsinmotionaviciouscycle.Theintimatewillsenseandresentthesuspicionandwilldevelopachangedbehavior,tryashemighttoavoidit.Yousensethatandgrowmoresuspiciousand,intheend,eitherheisexecutedoryouareassassinated.ItisaprocessthathasprovedunavoidablefortheEmperorsofthepastfourcenturiesanditisbutonesignoftheincreasingdifficultyofconductingtheaffairsoftheEmpire.”

“ThennothingIcandowillavoidassassination.”

“No,Sire,”saidSeldon,“but,ontheotherhand,youmayprovefortunate.”

Cleon'sfingersweredrummingonthearmofhischair.Hesaidharshly,“Youareuseless,man,andsoisyourpsychohistory.Leaveme.”Andwiththosewords,theEmperorlookedaway,suddenlyseemingmucholderthanhisthirty-twoyears.

“Ihavesaidmymathematicswouldbeuselesstoyou,Sire.Myprofoundapologies.”

Seldontriedtobowbutatsomesignalhedidnotsee,twoguardsenteredandtookhimaway.

Cleon'svoicecameafterhimfromtheroyalchamber.“Returnthatmantothe

placefromwhichhewasbroughtearlier.”

4

EtoDemerzelemergedandglancedattheEmperorwithahintofproperdeference.

Hesaid,“Sire,youhavealmostlostyourtemper.”

Cleonlookedupand,withanobviouseffort,managedtosmile.“Well,soIdid.Themanwasverydisappointing.”

“Andyethepromisednomorethanheoffered.”

“Heofferednothing.”

“Andpromisednothing,Sire.”

“Itwasdisappointing.”Demerzelsaid,“Morethandisappointing,perhaps.Themanisaloosecannon,Sire.”

“Aloosewhat,Demerzel?Youarealwayssofullofstrangeexpressions.Whatisacannon?”

Demerzelsaidgravely,“ItissimplyanexpressionIheardinmyyouth,Sire.TheEmpireisfullofstrangeexpressionsandsomeareunknownonTrantor,asthoseofTrantoraresometimesunknownelsewhere.”

“DoyoucometoteachmetheEmpireislarge?Whatdoyoumeanbysayingthatthemanisaloosecannon?”

“Onlythathecandomuchharmwithoutnecessarilyintendingit.Hedoesnotknowhisownstrength.Orimportance.”

“Youdeducethat,doyou,Demerzel?”

“Yes,Sire.Heisaprovincial.HedoesnotknowTrantororitsways.Hehasneverbeenonourplanetbeforeandhecannotbehavelikeamanofbreeding,likeacourtier.Yethestoodupto–”

“Andwhynot?Igavehimpermissiontospeak.Ileftoffceremony.Itreatedhimasanequal.”

“Notentirely,Sire.Youdon'thaveitwithinyoutotreatothersasequals.Youhavethehabitofcommand.Andevenifyoutriedtoputapersonathisease,therewouldbefewwhocouldmanageit.Mostwouldbespeechlessor,worse,subservientandsycophantic.Thismanstooduptoyou.”

“Well,youmayadmirethat,Demerzel,butIdidn'tlikehim.”Cleonlookedthoughtfullydiscontented.“Didyounoticethathemadenoefforttoexplainhismathematicstome?ItwasasthoughheknewIwouldnotunderstandawordofit.”

“Norwouldyouhave,Sire.Youarenotamathematician,norascientistofanykind,noranartist.Therearemanyfieldsofknowledgeinwhichothersknowmorethanyou.Itistheirtasktousetheirknowledgetoserveyou.YouaretheEmperor,whichisworthalltheirspecializationsputtogether.”

“Isit?Iwouldnotmindbeingmadetofeelignorantbyanoldmanwhohadaccumulatedknowledgeovermanyyears.Butthisman,Seldon,isjustmyage.Howdoesheknowsomuch?”

“Hehasnothadtolearnthehabitofcommand,theartofreachingadecisionthatwillaffectthelivesofothers.”

“Sometimes,Demerzel,Iwonderifyouarelaughingatme.”

“Sire?”saidDemerzelreproachfully.

“Butnevermind.Backtothatloosecannonofyours.Whyshouldyouconsiderhimdangerous?Heseemsanaiveprovincialtome.”

“Heis.Buthehasthismathematicaldevelopmentofhis.”

“Hesaysitisuseless.”

“Youthoughtitmightbeuseful.Ithoughtso,afteryouhadexplainedittome.Othersmight.

Themathematicianmaycometothinksohimself,nowthathismindhasbeenfocusedonit.Andwhoknows,hemayyetworkoutsomewayofmakinguseofit.Ifhedoes,thentoforetellthefuture,howevermistily,istobeinapositionofgreatpower.Evenifhedoesnotwishpowerforhimself,akindofself–denialthatalwaysseemstometobeunlikely,hemightbeusedbyothers.”

“Itriedtousehim.Hewouldnot.”

“Hehadnotgivenitthought.Perhapsnowhewill.Andifhewasnotinterestedinbeingusedbyyou,mighthenotbepersuadedby–letussay–theMayorofWye?”

“WhyshouldhebewillingtohelpWyeandnotus?”

“Asheexplained,itishardtopredicttheemotionsandbehaviorofindividuals.”

Cleonscowledandsatinthought.“Doyoureallythinkhemightdevelopthispsychohistoryofhistothepointwhereitistrulyuseful?Heissocertainhecannot.”

“Hemay,withtime,decidehewaswrongindenyingthepossibility.”

Cleonsaid,“ThenIsupposeIoughttohavekepthim.”

Demerzelsaid,“No,Sire.Yourinstinctwascorrectwhenyoulethimgo.Imprisonment,howeverdisguised,wouldcauseresentmentanddespair,whichwouldnothelphimeithertodevelophisideasfurtherormakehimeagertohelpus.Bettertolethimgoasyouhavedone,buttokeephimforeveronaninvisibleleash.Inthisway,wecanseethatheisnotusedbyanenemyofyourself,Sire,andwecanseethatwhenthetimecomesandhehasfullydevelopedhisscience,wecanpullonourleashandbringhimin.Thenwecouldbe…morepersuasive.”

“Butwhatifheitpickedupbyanenemyofmineor,better,oftheEmpire,forIamtheEmpireafterall,orif,ofhisownaccord,hewishestoserveanenemy–Idon'tconsiderthatoutofthequestion,yousee.”

“Norshouldyou.Iwillseetoitthatthisdoesn'thappen,butif,againstallstriving,itdoeshappen,itwouldbebetterifnoonehashimthanifthewrong

persondoes.”

Cleonlookeduneasy.“I'llleavethatallinyourhands,Demerzel,butIhopewe'renottoohasty.Hecouldbe,afterall,nothingbutthepurveyorofatheoreticalsciencethatdoesnotandcannotwork.”

“Quitepossibly,Sire,butitwouldbesafertoassumethemanis–ormightbe–important.Weloseonlyalittletimeandnothingmoreifwefindthatwehaveconcernedourselveswithanon-entity.WemayloseaGalaxyifwefindwehaveignoredsomeoneofgreatimportance.”

“Verywell,then,”saidCleon,“butItrustIwon'thavetoknowthedetails–iftheyproveunpleasant.”

Demerzelsaid,“Letushopethatwillnotbethecase.”

5

Seldonhadhadanevening,anight,andpartofamorningtogetoverhismeetingwiththeEmperor.Atleast,thechangingqualityoflightwithinthewalkways,movingcorridors,squares,andparksoftheImperialSectorofTrantormadeitseemthatanevening,anight,andpartofamorninghadpassed.Hesatnowinasmallparkonasmallplasticseatthatmoldeditselfneatlytohisbodyandhewascomfortable.Judgingfromthelight,itseemedtobemidmorningandtheairwasjustcoolenoughtoseemfreshwithoutpossessingeventhesmallestbite.

Wasitlikethisallthetime?HethoughtofthegraydayoutsidewhenhewenttoseetheEmperor.AndhethoughtofallthegraydaysandcolddaysandhotdaysandrainydaysandsnowydaysonHelicon,hishome,andhewonderedifonecouldmissthem.WasitpossibletositinaparkonTrantor,havingidealweatherdayafterday,sothatitfeltasthoughyouweresurroundedbynothingatall–andcomingtomissahowlingwindorabitingcoldorabreathlesshumidity?

Perhaps.Butnotonthefirstdayorthesecondortheseventh.Hewouldhaveonlythisonedayandhewouldleavetomorrow.Hemeanttoenjoyitwhilehecould.Hemight,afterall,neverreturntoTrantor.

Still,hecontinuedtofeeluneasyathavingspokenasindependentlyashehadto

amanwhocould,atwill,orderone'simprisonmentorexecution–or,attheveryleast,theeconomicandsocialdeathoflossofpositionandstatus.

Beforegoingtobed,SeldonhadlookedupCleonIintheencyclopedicportionofhishotelroomcomputer.TheEmperorhadbeenhighlypraisedas,nodoubt,hadallEmperorsintheirownlifetime,regardlessoftheirdeeds.Seldonhaddismissedthat,buthewasinterestedinthefactthatCleonhadbeenborninthePalaceandhadneverleftitsgrounds.HehadneverbeeninTrantoritself,inanypartofthemulti-domedworld.Itwasamatterofsecurity,perhaps,butwhatitmeantwasthattheEmperorwasinprison,whetherheadmittedthemattertohimselfornot.ItmightbethemostluxuriousprisonintheGalaxy,butitwasaprisonjustthesame.

AndthoughtheEmperorhadseemedmild-manneredandhadshownnosignofbeingabloody-mindedautocratassomanyofhispredecessorshadbeen,itwasnotgoodtohaveattractedhisattention.SeldonwelcomedthethoughtofleavingtomorrowforHelicon,eventhoughitwouldbewinter(andarathernastyone,sofar)backhome.

Helookedupatthebrightdiffuselight.Althoughitcouldneverraininhere,theatmospherewasfarfromdry.Afountainplayednotfarfromhim;theplantsweregreenandhadprobablyneverfeltdrought.Occasionally,theshrubberyrustledasthoughasmallanimalortwowashiddenthere.

Heheardthehumofbees.

Really,thoughTrantorwasspokenofthroughouttheGalaxyasanartificialworldofmetalandceramic,inthissmallpatchitfeltpositivelyrustic.Therewereafewotherpersonstakingadvantageoftheparkallwearinglighthats,somequitesmall.Therewasoneratherprettyyoungwomannotfaraway,butshewasbentoveraviewerandhecouldnotseeherfaceclearly.Amanwalkedpast,lookedathimbrieflyandincuriously,thensatdowninaseatfacinghimandburiedhimselfinasheafofteleprints,crossingoneleg,initstightpinktrouserleg,overtheother.

Therewasatendencytopastelshadesamongthemen,oddlyenough,whilethewomenmostlyworewhite.Beingacleanenvironment,itmadesensetowearlightcolors.HelookeddowninamusementathisownHeliconiancostume,

whichwaspredominantlydullbrown.IfheweretostayonTrantorashewasnothewouldneedtopurchasesuitableclothingorhewouldbecomeanobjectofcuriosityorlaughterorrepulsion.Themanwiththeteleprintshad,forinstance,lookedupathimmorecuriouslythistime–nodoubtintriguedbyhisOutworldishclothing.Seldonwasrelievedthathedidnotsmile.Hecouldbephilosophicaloverbeingafigureoffun,but,surely,hecouldnotbeexpectedtoenjoyit.

Seldonwatchedthemanratherunobtrusively,forheseemedtobeengagedinsomesortofinternaldebate.Atthemomenthelookedasifhewasabouttospeak,thenseemedtothinkbetterofit,thenseemedtowishtospeakagain.Seldonwonderedwhattheoutcomewouldbe.

Hestudiedtheman.Hewastall,withbroadshouldersandnosignofapaunch,darkishhairwithaglintofblond,smooth-shaven,agraveexpression,anairofstrengththoughtherewerenobulgingmuscles,afacethatwasatouchrugged–pleasant,butwithnothing“pretty”aboutit.

Bythetimethemanhadlosttheinternalfightwithhimself(orwon,perhaps)andleanedtowardhim,Seldonhaddecidedhelikedhim.

Themansaid,“Pardonme,weren'tyouattheDecennialConvention?Mathematics?”

“Yes,Iwas,”saidSeldonagreeably.

“Ah,IthoughtIsawyouthere.Itwas–excuseme–thatmomentofrecognitionthatledmetosithere.IfIamintrudingonyourprivacy–”

“Notatall.I'mjustenjoyinganidlemoment.”

“Let'sseehowcloseIcanget.You'reProfessorSeldom.”

“Seldon.HariSeldon.Quiteclose.Andyou?”

“ChetterHummin.”Themanseemedslightlyembarrassed.“Ratherahomespunname,I'mafraid.”

“I'venevercomeacrossanyChettersbefore,”saidSeldon.“OrHummins.So

thatmakesyousomewhatunique,Ishouldthink.ItmightbeviewedasbeingbetterthanbeingmixedupwithallthecountlessHaristhereare.OrSeldons,forthatmatter.”

SeldonmovedhischairclosertoHummin,scrapingitagainsttheslightlyelasticceramoidtiles.“Talkabouthomespun,”hesaid,“WhataboutthisOutworldishclothingI'mwearing?ItneveroccurredtomethatIoughttogetTrantoriangarb.”

“Youcouldbuysome,”saidHummin,eyeingSeldonwithsuppresseddisapproval.

“I'llbeleavingtomorrowand,besides,Icouldn'taffordit.Mathematiciansdealwithlargenumberssometimes,butneverintheirincome.–Ipresumeyou'reamathematician,Hummin.”

“No.Zerotalentthere.”

“Oh.”Seldonwasdisappointed.“YousaidyousawmeattheDecennialConvention.”

“Iwasthereasanonlooker.I'majournalist.”Hewavedhisteleprints,seemedsuddenlyawarethathewasholdingthemandshovedthemintohisjacketpouch.“Isupplythematerialforthenewsholocasts.”Then,thoughtfully,“Actually,I'mrathertiredofit.”

“Thejob?”Humminnodded.“I'msickofgatheringtogetherallthenonsensefromeveryworld.Ihatethedownwardspiral.”

HeglancedspeculativelyatSeldon.“Sometimessomethinginterestingturnsup,though.I'veheardyouwereseeninthecompanyofanImperialGuardandmakingforthePalacegate.Youweren'tbyanychanceseenbytheEmperor,wereyou?”

ThesmilevanishedfromSeldon'sface.Hesaidslowly,“IfIwas,itwouldscarcelybesomethingIcouldtalkaboutforpublication.”

“Nono,notforpublication.Ifyoudon'tknowthis,Seldon,letmebethefirsttotellyou–Thefirstruleofthenewsgameisthatnothingiseversaidaboutthe

Emperororhispersonalentourageexceptwhatisofficiallygivenout.It'samistake,ofcourse,becauserumorsflythataremuchworsethanthetruth,butthat'sthewayitis.”

“Butifyoucan'treportit,friend,whydoyouask?”

“Privatecuriosity.Believeme,inmyjobIknowagreatdealmorethanevergetsontheair.–Letmeguess.Ididn'tfollowyourpaper,butIgatheredthatyouweretalkingaboutthepossibilityofpredictingthefuture.”

Seldonshookhisheadandmuttered,“Itwasamistake.”

“Pardonme?”

“Nothing.”

“Well,prediction–accurateprediction–wouldinteresttheEmperor,oranymaningovernment,soI'mguessingthatCleon,FirstofthatName,askedyouaboutitandwouldn'tyoupleasegivehimafewpredictions.”

Seldonsaidstiffly,“Idon'tintendtodiscussthematter.”

Humminshruggedslightly.“EtoDemerzelwasthere,Isuppose.”

“Who?”

“You'veneverheardofEtoDemerzel?”

“Never.”

“Cleon'salterego–Cleon'sbrain–Cleon'sevilspirit.He'sbeencalledallthosethings–ifweconfineourselvestothenon-vituperative.Hemusthavebeenthere.”

SeldonlookedconfusedandHumminsaid,“Well,youmaynothaveseenhim,buthewasthere.Andifhethinksyoucanpredictthefuture”

“Ican'tpredictthefuture,”saidSeldon,shakinghisheadvigorously.“Ifyoulistenedtomypaper,you'llknowthatIonlyspokeofatheoreticalpossibility.”

“Justthesame,ifhethinksyoucanpredictthefuture,hewillnotletyougo.”

“Hemusthave.HereIam.”

“Thatmeansnothing.Heknowswhereyouareandhe'llcontinuetoknow.Andwhenhewantsyou,he'llgetyou,whereveryouare.Andifhedecidesyou'reuseful,he'llsqueezetheuseoutofyou.Andifhedecidesyou'redangerous,he'llsqueezethelifeoutofyou.”

Seldonstared.“Whatareyoutryingtodo.Frightenme?”

“I'mtryingtowarnyou.”

“Idon'tbelievewhatyou'resaying.”

“Don'tyou?Awhileagoyousaidsomethingwasamistake.Wereyouthinkingthatpresentingthepaperwasamistakeandthatitwasgettingyouintothekindoftroubleyoudon'twanttobein?”

Seldonbithislowerlipuneasily.Thatwasaguessthatcameentirelytooclosetothetruth–anditwasatthismomentthatSeldonfeltthepresenceofintruders.

Theydidnotcastashadow,forthelightwastoosoftandwidespread.Itwasasimplyamovementthatcaughtthecornerofhiseye–andthenitstopped.

FLIGHT

TRANTOR–…ThecapitaloftheFirstGalacticEmpire…UnderCleonI,ithadits“twilightglow.”Toallappearances,itwasthenatitspeak.Itslandsurfaceof200millionsquarekilometerswasentirelydomed(exceptfortheImperialPalacearea)andunderlaidwithanendlesscitythatextendedbeneaththecontinentalshelves.Thepopulationwas40billionandalthoughthesignswereplentiful(andclearlyvisibleinhindsight)thatthereweregatheringproblems,thosewholivedonTrantorundoubtedlyfounditstilltheEternalWorldoflegendanddidnotexpectitwouldever…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

6

Seldonlookedup.Ayoungmanwasstandingbeforehim,lookingdownathimwithanexpressionofamusedcontempt.Nexttohimwasanotheryoungman–abityounger,perhaps.Bothwerelargeandappearedtobestrong.TheyweredressedinanextremeofTrantorianfashion,Seldonjudged–boldlyclashingcolors,broadfringedbelts,roundhatswithwidebrimsallaboutandthetwoendsofabrightpinkribbonextendingfromthebrimtothebackoftheneck.

InSeldon'seyes,itwasamusingandhesmiled.

Theyoungmanbeforehimsnapped,“What'reyougrinningat,misfit?”

Seldonignoredthemannerofaddressandsaidgently,“Pleasepardonmysmile.Iwasmerelyenjoyingyourcostume.”

“Mycostume?So?Andwhatareyouwearing?What'sthatawfuloffalyoucallclothes?”HishandwentoutandhisfingerflickedatthelapelofSeldon'sjacket–disgracefullyheavyanddull,Seldonhimselfthought,incomparisontotheother'slightheartedcolors.

Seldonsaid,“I'mafraidit'smyOutworlderclothes.They'reallIhave.”

Hecouldn'thelpnoticethatthefewotherswhoweresittinginthesmallparkwererisingtotheirfeetandwalkingoff.Itwasasthoughtheywereexpectingtroubleandhadnodesiretoremaininthevicinity.Seldonwonderedifhisnewfriend,Hummin,wasleavingtoo,buthefeltitinjudicioustotakehiseyesawayfromtheyoungmanwhowasconfrontinghim.Heteeteredbackonhischairslightly.

Theyoungmansaid,“YouanOutworlder?”

“That'sright.Hencemyclothes.”

“Hence?Whatkindofword'sthat?Outworldword?”

“WhatImeantwas,thatwaswhymyclothesseempeculiartoyou.I'mavisitorhere.”

“Fromwhatplanet?”

“Helicon.”

Theyoungman'seyebrowsdrewtogether.“Neverheardofit.”

“It'snotalargeplanet.”

“Whydon'tyougobackthere?”

“Iintendto.I'mleavingtomorrow.”

“Sooner!Now!”

Theyoungmanlookedathispartner.SeldonfollowedthelookandcaughtaglimpseofHummin.Hehadnotleft,buttheparkwasnowemptyexceptforhimself,Hummin,andthetwoyoungmen.

Seldonsaid,“I'dthoughtI'dspendtodaysight-seeing.”

“No.Youdon'twanttodothat.Yougohomenow.”

Seldonsmiled.“Sorry.Iwon't.”

Theyoungmansaidtohispartner.“Youlikehisclothes,Marbie?”

Marbiespokeforthefirsttime.“No.Disgusting.Turnsthestomach.”

“Can'tlethimgoaroundturningstomachs,Marbie.Notgoodforpeople'shealth.”

“No,notbynomeans,Alem,”saidMarbie.

Alemgrinned.“Wellnow.YouheardwhatMarbiesaid.”

AndnowHumminspoke.Hesaid,“Look,youtwo,Alem,Marbie,whateveryournamesare.

You'vehadyourfun.Whydon'tyougoaway?”

Alem,whohadbeenleaningslightlytowardSeldon,straightenedandturned.“Whoareyou?”

“That'snotyourbusiness,”snappedHummin.

“You'reTrantorian?”askedAlem.

“Alsonotyourbusiness.”

Alemfrownedandsaid,“You'redressedTrantorian.We'renotinterestedinyou,sodon'tgolookingforproblems.”

“Iintendtostay.Thatmeanstherearetwoofus.Twoagainsttwodoesn'tsoundlikeyourkindoffight.Whydon'tyougoawayandgetsomefriendssoyoucanhandletwopeople?”

Seldonsaid,“Ireallythinkyououghttogetawayifyoucan,Hummin.It'skindofyoutotrytoprotectme,butIdon'twantyouharmed.”

“Thesearenotdangerouspeople,Seldon.Justhalf-creditlackeys.”

“Lackeys!”ThewordseemedtoinfuriateAlem,sothatSeldonthoughtitmusthaveamoreinsultingmeaningonTrantorthanithadonHelicon.

“Here,Marbie,”saidAlemwithagrowl.“YoutakecareofthatothermotherlackeyandI'llriptheclothesoffthisSeldon.He'stheonewewant.Now–”

HishandscamedownsharplytoseizeSeldon'slapelsandjerkhimupright.Seldonpushedaway,instinctivelyitwouldseem,andhischairtippedbackward.Heseizedthehandsstretchedtowardhim,hisfootwentup,andhischairwentdown.

SomehowAlemstreakedoverhead,turningashedidso,andcamedownhardonhisneckandbackbehindSeldon.

Seldontwistedashischairwentdownandwasquicklyonhisfeet,staringdownatAlem,thenlookingsharplytoonesideforMarbie.

Alemlayunmoving,hisfacetwistedinagony.Hehadtwobadlysprainedthumbs,excruciatingpaininhisgroin,andabackbonethathadbeenbadlyjarred.Hummin'sleftarmhadgrabbedMarbie'sneckfrombehindandhisright

armhadpulledtheother'srightarmbackwardataviciousangle.Marbie'sfacewasredashelaboreduselesslyforbreath.Aknife,glitteringwithasmalllaserinset,layonthegroundbesidethem.

Hummineasedhisgripslightlyandsaid,withanairofhonestconcern,“You'vehurtthatonebadly.”

Seldonsaid,“I'mafraidso.Ifhehadfallenalittledifferently,hewouldhavesnappedhisneck.”

Humminsaid,“Whatkindofamathematicianareyou?”

“AHeliconianone.”Hestoopedtopickuptheknifeand,afterexaminingit,said,

“Disgusting–anddeadly.”

Humminsaid,“Anordinarybladewoulddothejobwithoutrequiringapowersource.–Butlet'sletthesetwogo.Idoubttheywanttocontinueanyfurther.”

HereleasedMarbie,whorubbedfirsthisshoulderthenhisneck.Gaspingforair,heturnedhate-filledeyesonthetwomen.

Humminsaidsharply,“Youtwohadbettergetoutofhere.Otherwisewe'llhavetogiveevidenceagainstyouforassaultandattemptedmurder.Thisknifecansurelybetracedtoyou.”

SeldonandHumminwatchedwhileMarbiedraggedAlemtohisfeetandthenhelpedhimstaggeraway,stillbentinpain.Theylookedbackonceortwice,butSeldonandHumminwatchedimpassively.

Seldonheldouthishand.“HowdoIthankyouforcomingtotheaidofastrangeragainsttwoattackers?IdoubtIwouldhavebeenabletohandlethembothonmyown.”

Humminraisedhishandinadeprecatorymanner.“Iwasn'tafraidofthem.They'rejuststreet-brawlinglackeys.AllIhadtodowasgetmyhandsonthem–andyours,too,ofcourse.”

“That'saprettydeadlygripyouhave,”Seldonmused.

Humminshrugged.“Youtoo.”Then,withoutchanginghistoneofvoice,hesaid,“Comeon,we'dbettergetoutofhere.We'rewastingtime.”

Seldonsaid,“Whydowehavetogetaway?Areyouafraidthosetwowillcomeback?”

“Notintheirlifetime.Butsomeofthosebravepeoplewhoclearedoutoftheparksoquicklyintheireagernesstosparethemselvesadisagreeablesightmayhavealertedthepolice.”

“Fine.Wehavethehoodlums'names.Andwecandescribethemfairlywell.”

“Describethem?Whywouldthepolicewantthem?”

“Theycommittedanassault–”

“Don'tbefoolish.Wedon'thaveascratch.They'revirtuallyhospitalbait,especiallyAlem.

We'retheoneswhowillbecharged.”

“Butthat'simpossible.Thosepeoplewitnessedthefactthat–”

“Nopeoplewillbecalled–Seldon,getthisintoyourhead.Thosetwocametofindyou–specificallyyou.TheyweretoldyouwerewearingHeliconianclothesandyoumusthavebeendescribedprecisely.Perhapstheywereevenshownaholograph.Isuspecttheyweresentbythepeoplewhohappentocontrolthepolice,solet'snotwaitanylonger.”

Humminhurriedoff,hishandgrippingSeldon'supperarm.Seldonfoundthegripimpossibletoshakeand,feelinglikeachildinthehandsofanimpetuousnurse,followed.

Theyplungedintoanarcadeand,beforeSeldon'seyesgrewaccustomedtothedimmerlight,theyheardtheburringsoundofaground-car'sbrakes.

“Theretheyare,”mutteredHummin.“Faster,Seldon.”Theyhoppedontoa

movingcorridorandlostthemselvesinthecrowd.

7

SeldonhadtriedtopersuadeHummintotakehimtohishotelroom,butHumminwouldhavenoneofthat.

“Areyoumad?”hehalf-whispered.“They'llbewaitingforyouthere.”

“Butallmybelongingsarewaitingformetheretoo.”

“They'lljusthavetowait.”

AndnowtheywereinasmallroominapleasantapartmentstructurethatmightbeanywhereforallthatSeldoncouldtell.Helookedabouttheone-roomunit.Mostofitwastakenupbyadeskandchair,abed,andacomputeroutlet.Therewerenodiningfacilitiesorwashstandofanykind,thoughHumminhaddirectedhimtoacommunalwashroomdownthehall.SomeonehadenteredbeforeSeldonwasquitethrough.HehadcastonebriefandcuriouslookatSeldon'sclothes,ratherthanatSeldonhimself,andhadthenlookedaway.

SeldonmentionedthistoHummin,whoshookhisheadandsaid,“We'llhavetogetridofyourclothes.ToobadHeliconissofaroutoffashion–”

Seldonsaidimpatiently,“Howmuchofthismightjustbeyourimagination,Hummin?You'vegotmehalf-convincedandyetitmaybemerelyakindof…of–”

“Areyougropingfortheword'paranoia'?”

“Allright,Iam.Thismaybesomestrangeparanoidnotionofyours.”

Humminsaid,“Thinkaboutit,willyou?Ican'targueitoutmathematically,butyou'veseentheEmperor.Don'tdenyit.Hewantedsomethingfromyouandyoudidn'tgiveittohim.Don'tdenythateither.Isuspectthatdetailsofthefuturearewhathewantsandyourefused.PerhapsDemerzelthinksyou'reonlypretendingnottohavethedetails–thatyou'reholdingoutforahigherpriceorthatsomeoneelseisbiddingforittoo.Whoknows?ItoldyouthatifDemerzelwantsyou,he'llgetyouwhereveryouare.Itoldyouthatbeforethosetwosplitheadsever

appearedonthescene.I'majournalistandaTrantorian.Iknowhowthesethingsgo.Atonepoint,Alemsaid,'He'stheonewewant.'Doyourememberthat?”

“Asithappens,”saidSeldon,“Ido.”

“TohimIwasonlythe'othermotherlackey'tobekeptoff,whilehewentabouttherealjobofassaultingyou.”

Humminsatdowninthechairandpointedtothebed.“Stretchout,Seldon.Makeyourselfcomfortable.Whoeversentthosetwo–itmusthavebeenDemerzel,inmyopinion–cansendothers,sowe'llhavetogetridofthoseclothesofyours.IthinkanyotherHeliconianinthissectorcaughtinhisownworld'sgarbisgoingtohavetroubleuntilhecanproveheisn'tyou.”

“Ohcomeon.”

“Imeanit.You'llhavetotakeofftheclothesandwe'llhavetoatomizethem–ifwecangetcloseenoughtoadisposalunitwithoutbeingseen.AndbeforewecandothatI'llhavetogetyouaTrantorianoutfit.You'resmallerthanIamandI'lltakethatintoaccount.Itwon'tmatterifitdoesn'tfitexactly–”

Seldonshookhishead.“Idon'thavethecreditstopayforit.Notonme.WhatcreditsIhave–andtheyaren'tmuch–aminmyhotelsafe.”

“We'llworryaboutthatanothertime.You'llhavetostayhereforanhourortwowhileIgooutinsearchofthenecessaryclothing.”

Seldonspreadhishandsandsighedresignedly.“Allright.Ifit'sthatimportant,I'llstay.”

“Youwon'ttrytogetbacktoyourhotel?Wordofhonor?”

“Mywordasamathematician.ButI'mreallyembarrassedbyallthetroubleyou'retakingforme.Andexpensetoo.Afterall,despiteallthistalkaboutDemerzel,theyweren'treallyouttohurtmeorcarrymeoff.AllIwasthreatenedwithwastheremovalofmyclothes.”

“Notall.TheywerealsogoingtotakeyoutothespaceportandputyouonahypershiptoHelicon.”

“Thatwasasillythreat–nottobetakenseriously.”

“Whynot?”

“I'mgoingtoHelicon.Itoldthemso.I'mgoingtomorrow.”

“Andyoustillplantogotomorrow?”askedHummin.

“Certainly.Whynot?”

“Thereareenormousreasonswhynot.”

Seldonsuddenlyfeltangry.“Comeon,Hummin,Ican'tplaythisgameanyfurther.I'mfinishedhereandIwanttogohome.Myticketsareinthehotelroom.OtherwiseI'dtrytoexchangethemforatriptoday.Imeanit.”

“Youcan'tgobacktoHelicon.”

Seldonflushed.“Whynot?Aretheywaitingformetheretoo?”

Humminnodded.“Don'tfireup,Seldon.Theywouldbewaitingforyoutheretoo.Listentome.IfyougotoHelicon,youareasgoodasinDemerzel'shands.Heliconisgood,safeImperialterritory.HasHeliconeverrebelled,everfallenintostepbehindthebannerofananti-Emperor?”

“No,ithasn't–andforgoodreason.It'ssurroundedbylargerworlds.ItdependsontheImperialpeaceforsecurity.”

“Exactly!ImperialforcesonHeliconcanthereforecountonthefullcooperationofthelocalgovernment.Youwouldbeunderconstantsurveillanceatalltimes.AnytimeDemerzelwantsyou,hewillbeabletohaveyou.And,exceptforthefactthatIamnowwarningyou,youwouldhavenoknowledgeofthisandyouwouldbeworkingintheopen,filledwithafalsesecurity.”

“That'sridiculous.IfhewantedmeinHelicon,whydidn'thesimplyleavemetomyself?Iwasgoingtheretomorrow.Whywouldhesendthosetwohoodlumssimplytohastenthematterbyafewhoursandriskputtingmeonmyguard?”

“Whyshouldhethinkyouwouldbeputonyourguard?Hedidn'tknowI'dbe

withyou,immersingyouinwhatyoucallmyparanoia.”

“Evenwithoutthequestionofwarningme,whyallthefusstohurrymebyafewhours?”

“Perhapsbecausehewasafraidyouwouldchangeyourmind.”

“Andgowhere,ifnothome?IfhecouldpickmeuponHelicon,hecouldpickmeupanywhere.Hecouldpickmeupon…onAnacreon,agoodtenthousandparsecsaway–ifitshouldfallintomyheadtogothere.What'sdistancetohyperspatialships?EvenifIfindaworldthat'snotquiteassubservienttotheImperialforcesasHeliconis,whatworldisinactualrebellion?TheEmpireisatpeace.Evenifsomeworldsarestillresentfulofinjusticesinthepast,nonearegoingtodefytheImperialarmedforcestoprotectme.Moreover,anywherebutonHeliconIwon'tbealocalcitizenandtherewon'tevenbethatmatterofprincipletohelpkeeptheEmpireatbay.”

Humminlistenedpatiently,noddingslightly,butlookingasgraveandasimperturbableasever.Hesaid,“You'reright,asfarasyougo,butthere'soneworldthatisnotreallyundertheEmperor'scontrol.That,Ithink,iswhatmustbedisturbingDemerzel.”

Seldonthoughtawhile,reviewingrecenthistoryandfindinghimselfunabletochooseaworldonwhichtheImperialforcesmightbehelpless.Hesaidatlast,“Whatworldisthat?”

Humminsaid,“You'reonit,whichiswhatmakesthemattersodangerousinDemerzel'seyes,Iimagine.ItisnotsomuchthatheisanxioustohaveyougotoHelicon,asthatheisanxioustohaveyouleaveTrantorbeforeitoccurstoyou,foranyreason–evenifonlytourist'smania–tostay.”

ThetwomensatinsilenceuntilSeldonfinallysaidsardonically,“Trantor!ThecapitaloftheEmpire,withthehomebaseofthefleetonaspacestationinorbitaboutit,withthebestunitsofthearmyquarteredhere.IfyoubelievethatitisTrantorthatisthesafeworld,you'reprogressingfromparanoiatooutrightfantasy.”

“No!You'reanOutworlder,Seldon.Youdon'tknowwhatTrantorislike.It's

fortybillionpeopleandtherearefewotherworldswithevenatenthofitspopulation.Itisofunimaginabletechnologicalandculturalcomplexity.WherewearenowistheImperialSector–withthehigheststandardoflivingintheGalaxyandpopulatedentirelybyImperialfunctionaries.Elsewhereontheplanet,however,areovereighthundredothersectors,someofthemwithsubculturestotallydifferentfromwhatwehavehereandmostofthemuntouchablebyImperialforces.”

“Whyuntouchable?”

“TheEmpirecannotseriouslyexertforceagainstTrantor.Todosowouldbeboundtoshakesomefacetorotherofthetechnologyonwhichthewholeplanetdepends.Thetechnologyissointerrelatedthattosnaponeoftheinterconnectionsistocripplethewhole.Believeme,Seldon,weonTrantorobservewhathappenswhenthereisanearthquakethatmanagestoescapebeingdampedout,avolcaniceruptionthatisnotventedintime,astormthatisnotdefused,orjustsomehumanerrorthatescapesnotice.Theplanettottersandeveryeffortmustbemadetorestorethebalanceatonce.”

“Ihaveneverheardofsuchathing.”

AsmallsmileflickereditswayacrossHummin'sface.“Ofcoursenot.DoyouwanttheEmpiretoadvertisetheweaknessatitscore?However,asajournalist,IknowwhathappensevenwhentheOutworldsdon't,evenwhenmuchofTrantoritselfdoesn't,evenwhentheImperialpressureisinterestedinconcealingevents.Believeme!TheEmperorknows–andEtoDemerzelknows–evenifyoudon't,thattodisturbTrantormaydestroytheEmpire.”

“ThenareyousuggestingIstayonTrantorforthatreason?”

“Yes.IcantakeyoutoaplaceonTrantorwhereyouwillbeabsolutelysafefromDemerzel.

Youwon'thavetochangeyournameandyouwillbeabletooperateentirelyintheopenandhewon'tbeabletotouchyou.That'swhyhewantedtoforceyouoffTrantoratonceandifithadn'tbeenforthequirkoffatethatbroughtustogetherandforyoursurprisingabilitytodefendyourself,hewouldhavesucceededindoingso.”

“ButhowlongwillIhavetoremainonTrantor?'”

“Foraslongasyoursafetyrequiresit,Seldon.Fortherestofyourlife,perhaps.”

8

HariSeldonlookedattheholographofhimselfcastbyHummin'sprojector.Itwasmoredramaticandusefulthanamirrorwouldhavebeen.Infact,itseemedasthoughthereweretwoofhimintheroom.

Seldonstudiedthesleeveofhisnewtunic.HisHeliconianattitudesmadehimwishthecolorswerelessvibrant,buthewasthankfulthat,asitwas,Humminhadchosensoftercolorsthanwerecustomaryhereonthisworld.(Seldonthoughtoftheclothingwornbytheirtwoassailantsandshudderedinwardly.)

Hesaid,“AndIsupposeImustwearthishat.”

“IntheImperialSector,yes.Togobareheadedhereisasignoflowbreeding.Elsewhere,therulesaredifferent.”

Seldonsighed.Theroundhatwasmadeofsoftmaterialandmoldeditselftohisheadwhenheputiton.Thebrimwasevenlywideallaround,butitwasnarrowerthanonthehatshisattackershadworn.Seldonconsoledhimselfbynoticingthatwhenheworethehatthebrimcurvedrathergracefully.

“Itdoesn'thaveastrapunderthechin.”

“Ofcoursenot.That'sadvancedfashionforyounglanks.”

“Foryoungwhat?”

“Alankissomeonewhowearsthingsfortheirshockvalue.I'msureyouhavesuchpeopleonHelicon.”

Seldonsnorted.“Therearethosewhoweartheirhairshoulder-lengthononesideandshavetheother.”Helaughedatthememory.

Hummin'smouthtwistedslightly.“Iimagineitlooksuncommonlyugly.”

“Worse.Thereareleftiesandrighties,apparently,andeachfindstheotherversionhighlyoffensive.Thetwogroupsoftenengageinstreetbrawls.”

“ThenIthinkyoucanstandthehat,especiallywithoutthestrap.”

Seldonsaid,“I'llgetusedtoit.”

“Itwillattractsomeattention.It'ssubduedforonethingandmakesyoulookasifyou'reinmourning.Anditdoesn'tquitefit.Then,too,youwearitwithobviousdiscomfort.However,wewon'tbeintheImperialSectorlong.–Seenenough?”Andtheholographflickeredout.

Seldonsaid,“Howmuchdidthiscostyou?”

“What'sthedifference?”

“Itbothersmetobeinyourdebt.”

“Don'tworryaboutit.Thisismychoice.Butwe'vebeenherelongenough.Iwillhavebeendescribed,I'mquitecertain.They'lltrackmedownandthey'llcomehere.”

“Inthatcase,”saidSeldon,“thecreditsyou'respendingareaminormatter.You'reputtingyourselfintopersonaldangeronmyaccount.Personaldanger!”

“Iknowthat.Butit'smyfreechoiceandIcantakecareofmyself.”

“Butwhy–”

“We'lldiscussthephilosophyofitlater.–I'veatomizedyourclothes,bytheway,andIdon'tthinkIwasseen.Therewasanenergysurge,ofcourse,andthatwouldberecorded.Someonemightguesswhathappenedfromthat-it'shardtoobscureanyactionwhenprobingeyesandmindaresharpenough.However,letushopewe'llbesafelyawaybeforetheyputitalltogether.”

9

Theytraveledalongwalkwayswherethelightwassoftandyellow.Hummin'seyesmovedthiswayandthat,watchful,andhekepttheirpaceatcrowdspeed,

neitherpassingnorbeingpassed.

Hekeptupamildbutsteadyconversationonindifferenttopics.

Seldon,edgyandunabletodothesame,said,“Thereseemstobeagreatdealofwalkinghere.Thereareendlesslinesinbothdirectionsandalongthecrossovers.”

“Whynot?”saidHummin.“Walkingisstillthebestformofshort-distancetransportation.It'sthemostconvenient,thecheapest,andthemosthealthful.Countlessyearsoftechnologicaladvancehavenotchangedthat.–Areyouacrophobic,Seldon?”

Seldonlookedovertherailingonhisrightintoadeepdeclivitythatseparatedthetwowalkinglanes–eachinanoppositedirectionbetweentheregularlyspacedcrossovers.Heshudderedslightly.

“Ifyoumeanfearofheights,notordinarily.Still,lookingdownisn'tpleasant.Howfardoesitgodown?”

“Fortyorfiftylevelsatthispoint,Ithink.ThissortofthingiscommonintheImperialSectorandafewotherhighlydevelopedregions.Inmostplaces,onewalksatwhatmightbeconsideredgroundlevel.”

“Ishouldimaginethiswouldencouragesuicideattempts.”

“Notoften.Therearefareasiermethods.Besides,suicideisnotamatterofsocialobloquyonTrantor.Onecanendone'slifebyvariousrecognizedmethodsincentersthatexistforthepurpose–ifoneiswillingtogothroughsomepsychotherapyatfirst.Thereare,occasionalaccidents,forthatmatter,butthat'snotwhyIwasaskingaboutacrophobia.We'reheadingforataxirentalwheretheyknowmeasajournalist.I'vedonefavorsforthemoccasionallyandsometimestheydofavorsformeinreturn.They'llforgettorecordmeandwon'tnoticethatIhaveacompanion.Ofcourse,I'llhavetopayapremiumand,againofcourse,ifDemerzel'speopleleanonthemhardenough,they'llhavetotellthetruthandputitdowntoslovenlyaccounting,butthatmaytakeconsiderabletime.”

“Wheredoestheacrophobiacomein?”

“Well,wecangettherealotfasterifweuseagraviticlift.NotmanypeopleuseitandImusttellyouthatI'mnotoverjoyedattheideamyself,butifyouthinkyoucanhandleit,wehadbetter.”

“What'sagraviticlift?”

“It'sexperimental.ThetimemaycomewhenitwillbewidespreadoverTrantor,provideditbecomespsychologicallyacceptable–orcanbemadesotoenoughpeople.Then,maybe,itwillspreadtootherworldstoo.It'sanelevatorshaftwithoutanelevatorcab,sotospeak.Wejuststepintoemptyspaceanddropslowly–orriseslowly–undertheinfluenceofantigravity.It'sabouttheonlyapplicationofantigravitythat'sbeenestablishedsofar,largelybecauseit'sthesimplestpossibleapplication.”

“Whathappensifthepowerblinksoutwhilewe'reintransit?”

“Exactlywhatyouwouldthink.Wefalland–unlesswe'requitenearthebottomtobeginwith–wedie.Ihaven'theardofithappeningyetand,believeme,ifithadhappenedIwouldknow.

Wemightnotbeabletogiveoutthenewsforsecurityreasons–that'stheexcusetheyalwaysadvanceforhidingbadnews–butIwouldknow.It'sjustupahead.Ifyoucan'tmanageit,wewon'tdoit,butthecorridorsareslowandtediousandmanyfindthemnauseatingafterawhile.”

Humminturneddownacrossoverandintoalargerecesswherealineofmenandwomenwerewaiting,oneortwowithchildren.

Seldonsaidinalowvoice,“Iheardnothingofthisbackhome.Ofcourse,ourownnewsmediaareterriblylocal,butyou'dthinkthere'dbesomementionthatthissortofthingexists.”

Humminsaid,“It'sstrictlyexperimentalandisconfinedtotheImperialSector.Itusesmoreenergythanit'sworth,sothegovernmentisnotreallyanxioustopushitrightnowbygivingitpublicity.TheoldEmperor,StanelVI,theonebeforeCleonwhoamazedeveryonebydyinginhisbed,insistedonhavingitinstalledinafewplaces.Hewantedhisnameassociatedwithantigravity,theysay,becausehewasconcernedwithhisplaceinhistory,asoldmenofnogreat

attainmentsfrequentlyare.AsIsaid,thetechniquemayspread,but,ontheotherhand,itispossiblethatnothingmuchmorethanthegraviticliftwillevercomeofit.”

“Whatdotheywanttocomeofit?”askedSeldon.

“Antigravspaceflight.That,however,willrequiremanybreakthroughsandmostphysicists,asfarasIknow,arefirmlyconvinceditisoutofthequestion.–But,then,mostthoughtthatevengraviticliftswereoutofthequestion.”

ThelineaheadwasrapidlygrowingshorterandSeldonfoundhimselfstandingwithHumminattheedgeofthefloorwithanopengapbeforehim.Theairaheadfaintlyglittered.Automatically,hereachedouthishandandfeltalightshock.Itdidn'thurt,buthesnatchedhishandbackquickly.

Hummingrunted.“Anelementaryprecautiontopreventanyonewalkingovertheedgebeforeactivatingthecontrols.”Hepunchedsomenumbersonthecontrolboardandtheglittervanished.

Seldonpeeredovertheedge,downthedeepshaft.“Youmightfinditbetter–oreasier,”saidHummin,“ifwelinkarmsandifyoucloseyoureyes.Itwon'ttakemorethanafewseconds.”

HegaveSeldonnochoice,actually.Hetookhisarmandonceagaintherewasnohangingbackinthatfirmgrip.HumminsteppedintonothingnessandSeldon(whoheardhimself,tohisownembarrassment,emitasmallsqueak)shuffledoffwithalurch.

Heclosedhiseyestightlyandexperiencednosenseoffalling,nofeelingofairmovement.Afewsecondspassedandhewaspulledforward.Hetrippedslightly,caughthisbalance,andfoundhimselfonsolidground.

Heopenedhiseyes,“Didwemakeit?”

Humminsaiddryly,“We'renotdead,”thenwalkedaway,hisgripforcingSeldontofollow.

“Imean,didwegettotherightlevel?”

“Ofcourse.”

“Whatwouldhavehappenedifweweredroppingdownandsomeoneelsewasmovingupward?”

“Therearetwoseparatelanes.Inonelaneeveryonedropsatthesamespeed;intheothereveryonerisesatthesamespeed.Theshaftclearsonlywhentherearenopeoplewithintenmetersofeachother.Thereisnochanceofacollisionifallworkswell.”

“Ididn'tfeelathing.”

“Whyshouldyou?Therewasnoacceleration.Afterthefirsttenthofasecond,youwereatconstantspeedandtheairinyourimmediatevicinitywasmovingdownwithyouatthesamespeed.”

“Marvelous.”

“Absolutely.Butuneconomic.Andthereseemsnogreatpressuretoincreasetheefficiencyoftheprocedureandmakeitworthwhile.Everywhereonehearsthesamerefrain.'Wecan'tdoit.Itcan'tbedone.'Itappliestoeverything.”

Humminshruggedinobviousangerandsaid,“Butwe'rehereatthetaxirental.Let'sgetonwithit.”

10

Seldontriedtolookinconspicuousattheair-taxirentalterminus,whichhefounddifficult.Tolookostentatiouslyinconspicuous–toslinkabout,toturnhisfaceawayfromallwhopassed,tostudyoneofthevehiclesoverintently–wassurelythewaytoinviteattention.Thewaytobehavewasmerelytoassumeaninnocentnormality.

Butwhatwasnormality?Hefeltuncomfortableinhisclothes.Therewerenopockets,sohehadnoplacetoputhishands.Thetwopouches,whichdangledfromhisbeltoneitherside,distractedhimbyhittingagainsthimashemoved,sothathewascontinuallythinkingsomeonehadnudgedhim.

Hetriedlookingatwomenastheypassed.Theyhadnopouches,atleastnone

dangling,buttheycarriedlittlebox-likeaffairsthattheyoccasionallyclippedtoonehiporanotherbysomedevicehecouldnotmakeout.Itwasprobablypseudomagnetic,hedecided.Theirclotheswerenotparticularlyrevealing,henotedregretfully,andnotonehadanysignofdecolletage,althoughsomedressesseemedtobedesignedtoemphasizethebuttocks.

Meanwhile,Humminhadbeenverybusiness-like,havingpresentedthenecessarycreditsandreturnedwiththesuperconductiveceramictilethatwouldactivateaspecificair-taxi.

Humminsaid,“Getin,Seldon,”gesturingtoasmalltwo-seatedvehicle.

Seldonasked,“Didyouhavetosignyourname,Hummin?”

“Ofcoursenot.Theyknowmehereanddon'tstandonceremony.”

“Whatdotheythinkyou'redoing?”

“Theydidn'taskandIvolunteerednoinformation.”HeinsertedthetileandSeldonfeltaslightvibrationastheair-taxicametolife.

“We'reheadedforD-7,”saidHummin,makingconversation.

Seldondidn'tknowwhatD-7was,butheassumeditmeantsomerouteorother.Theair-taxifounditswaypastandaroundotherground-carsandfinallymovedontoasmoothupward-slantingtrackandgainedspeed.Thenitliftedupwardwithaslightjolt.

Seldon,whohadbeenautomaticallystrappedinbyawebbedrestraint,felthimselfpusheddownintohisseatandthenupagainstthewebbing.Hesaid,“Thatdidn'tfeellikeantigravity.”

“Itwasn't,”saidHummin.“Thatwasasmalljetreaction.Justenoughtotakeusuptothetubes.”

Whatappearedbeforethemnowlookedlikeacliffpatternedwithcaveopenings,muchlikeacheckerboard.HumminmaneuveredtowardtheD-7opening,avoidingotherair-taxisthatwereheadingforothertunnels.

“Youcouldcrasheasily,”saidSeldon,clearinghisthroat.

“SoIprobablywouldifeverythingdependedonmysensesandreactions,butthetaxiiscomputerizedandthecomputercanoverrulemewithouttrouble.Thesameistruefortheothertaxis.–Herewego.”

TheyslidintoD-7asiftheyhadbeensuckedinandthebrightlightoftheopenplazaoutsidemellowed,turningawarmeryellowhue.

Humminreleasedthecontrolsandsatback.Hedrewadeepbreathandsaid,“Well,that'sonestagesuccessfullycarriedthrough.Wemighthavebeenstoppedatthestation.Inhere,we'refairlysafe.”

Theridewassmoothandthewallsofthetunnelslippedbyrapidly.Therewasalmostnosound,justasteadyvelvetywhirrasthetaxispedalong.

“Howfastarewegoing?”askedSeldon.

Hummincastaneyebrieflyatthecontrols.“Threehundredandfiftykilometersperhour.”

“Magneticpropulsion?”

“Yes.YouhaveitonHelicon,Iimagine.”

“Yes.Oneline.I'veneverbeenonitmyself,thoughI'vealwaysmeantto.Idon'tthinkit'sanythinglikethis.”

“I'msureitisn't.Trantorhasmanythousandsofkilometersofthesetunnelshoneycombingthelandsubsurfaceandanumberthatsnakeundertheshallowerextensionsoftheocean.It'sthechiefmethodoflong-distancetravel.”

“Howlongwillittakeus?”

“Toreachourimmediatedestination?Alittleoverfivehours.”

“Fivehours!”Seldonwasdismayed.

“Don'tbedisturbed.Wepassrestareaseverytwentyminutesorsowherewecan

stop,pulloutofthetunnel,stretchourfeet,cat,orrelieveourselves.I'dliketodothatasfewtimesaspossible,ofcourse.”

TheycontinuedoninsilenceforawhileandthenSeldonstartedwhenablazeoflightflaredattheirrightforafewsecondsand,intheflash,hethoughthesawtwoair-taxis.

“Thatwasarestarea,”saidHummininanswertotheunspokenquestion.

Seldonsaid,“AmIreallygoingtobesafewhereveritisyouaretakingme?”

Humminsaid,“QuitesafefromanyopenmovementonthepartoftheImperialforces.Ofcourse,whenitcomestotheindividualoperator–thespy,theagent,thehiredassassin–onemustalwaysbecareful.Naturally,Iwillsupplyyouwithabodyguard.”

Seldonfeltuneasy.“Thehiredassassin?Areyouserious?Wouldtheyreallywanttokillme?”

Humminsaid,“I'msureDemerzeldoesn't.Isuspecthewantstouseyouratherthankillyou.

Still,otherenemiesmayturnuportheremaybeunfortunateconcatenationsofevents.Youcan'tgothroughlifesleepwalking.”

Seldonshookhisheadandturnedhisfaceaway.Tothink,onlyforty-eighthoursagohehadbeenjustaninsignificant,virtuallyunknownOutworldmathematician,contentonlytospendhisremainingtimeonTrantorsight-seeing,gazingattheenormityofthegreatworldwithhisprovincialeye.Andnow,itwasfinallysinkingin:Hewasawantedman,huntedbyImperialforces.Theenormityofthesituationseizedhimandheshuddered.

“Andwhataboutyouandwhatyou'redoingrightnow?”

Humminsaidthoughtfully,“Well,theywon'tfeelkindlytowardme,Isuppose.Imighthavemyheadlaidopenormychestexplodedbysomemysteriousandnever-foundassailant.”

Humminsaiditwithoutatremorinhisvoiceorachangeinhiscalmappearance,

butSeldonwinced.

Seldonsaid,“Iratherthoughtyouwouldassumethatmightbeinstoreforyou.Youdon'tseemtobe…botheredbyit.”

“I'manoldTrantorian.Iknowtheplanetaswellasanybodycan.Iknowmanypeopleandmanyofthemareunderobligationtome.IliketothinkthatIamshrewdandnoteasytooutwit.Inshort,Seldon,IamquiteconfidentthatIcantakecareofmyself.”

“I'mgladyoufeelthatwayandIhopeyou'rejustifiedinthinkingso,Hummin,butIcan'tgetitthroughmyheadwhyyou'retakingthischanceatall.WhatamItoyou?Whyshouldyoutakeeventhesmallestriskforsomeonewhoisastrangertoyou?”

HummincheckedthecontrolsinapreoccupiedmannerandthenhefacedSeldonsquarely,eyessteadyandserious.

“IwanttosaveyouforthesamereasonthattheEmperorwantstouseyou–foryourpredictivepowers.”

Seldonfeltadeeppangofdisappointment.Thiswasnotafterallaquestionofbeingsaved.

Hewasmerelythehelplessanddisputedpreyofcompetingpredators.Hesaidangrily,“IwillneverlivedownthatpresentationattheDecennialConvention.Ihaveruinedmylife.”

“No.Don'trushtoconclusions,mathematician.TheEmperorandhisofficerswantyouforonereasononly,tomaketheirownlivesmoresecure.TheyareinterestedinyourabilitiesonlysofarastheymightbeusedtosavetheEmperor'srule,preservethatruleforhisyoungson,maintainthepositions,status,andpowerofhisofficials.I,ontheotherhand,wantyourpowersforthegoodoftheGalaxy.”

“Isthereadistinction?”spatSeldonacidly.

AndHumminrepliedwiththesternbeginningofafrown,“Ifyoudonotseethedistinction,thenthatistoyourshame.ThehumanoccupantsoftheGalaxy

existedbeforethisEmperorwhonowrules,beforethedynastyherepresents,beforetheEmpireitself.HumanityisfarolderthantheEmpire.Itmayevenbefarolderthanthetwenty-fivemillionworldsoftheGalaxy.Therearelegendsofatimewhenhumanityinhabitedasingleworld.”

“Legends!”saidSeldon,shrugginghisshoulders.

“Yes,legends,butIseenoreasonwhythatmaynothavebeensoinfact,twentythousandyearsagoormore.Ipresumethathumanitydidnotcomeintoexistencecompletewithknowledgeofhyperspatialtravel.Surely,theremusthavebeenatimewhenpeoplecouldnottravelatsuperluminalvelocitiesandtheymustthenhavebeenimprisonedinasingleplanetarysystem.Andifwelookforwardintime,thehumanbeingsoftheworldsoftheGalaxywillsurelycontinuetoexistafteryouandtheEmperoraredead,afterhiswholelinecomestoanend,andaftertheinstitutionsoftheEmpireitselfunravel.Inthatcase,itisnotimportanttoworryovermuchaboutindividuals,abouttheEmperorandtheyoungPrinceImperial.ItisnotimportanttoworryevenaboutthemechanicsofEmpire.WhatofthequadrillionsofpeoplethatexistintheGalaxy?Whatofthem?”

Seldonsaid,“Worldsandpeoplewouldcontinue,Ipresume.”

“Don'tyoufeelanyseriousneedofprobingthepossibleconditionsunderwhichtheywouldcontinuetoexist.”

“Onewouldassumetheywouldexistmuchastheydonow.”

“Onewouldassume.Butcouldoneknowbythisartofpredictionthatyouspeakof?”

“PsychohistoryiswhatIcallit.Intheory,onecould.”

“Andyoufeelnopressuretoturnthattheoryintopractice.”

“Iwouldloveto,Hummin,butthedesiretodosodoesn'tautomaticallymanufacturetheabilitytodoso.ItoldtheEmperorthatpsychohistorycouldnotbeturnedintoapracticaltechniqueandIamforcedtotellyouthesamething.”

“Andyouhavenointentionofeventryingtofindthetechnique?”

“No,Idon't,anymorethanIwouldfeelIoughttotrytotackleapileofpebblesthesizeofTrantor,countthemonebyone,andarrangetheminorderofdecreasingmass.IwouldknowitwasnotsomethingIcouldaccomplishinalifetimeandIwouldnotbefoolenoughtomakeapretenseoftrying.”

“Wouldyoutryifyouknewthetruthabouthumanity'ssituation?”

“That'sanimpossiblequestion.Whatitthetruthabouthumanity'ssituation?Doyouclaimtoknowit?”

“Yes,Ido.Andinfivewords.”Hummin'seyesfacedforwardagain,turningbrieflytowardtheblankchangelessnessofthetunnelasitpushedtowardthem,expandinguntilitpassedandthendwindlingasitslippedaway.Hethenspokethosefivewordsgrimly.

Hesaid,“TheGalacticEmpireisdying.”

UNIVERSITY

STREELINGUNIVERSITY–…AninstitutionofhigherlearningintheStreelingSectorofancientTrantor…Despitealltheseclaimstofameinthefieldsofthehumanitiesandsilencesalike,itisnotforthosethattheUniversityloomslargeintoday'sconsciousness.ItwouldprobablyhavecomeasacoralsurprisetothegenerationsofscholarsattheUniversitytoknowthatinlacertimesStreelingUniversitywouldbemostrememberedbecauseacertainHariSeldon,duringtheperiodofTheFlight,hadbeeninresidencethereforashoretime.

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

11

HariSeldonremaineduncomfortablysilentforawhileafterHummin'squietstatement.Heshrankwithinhimselfinsuddenrecognitionofhisowndeficiencies.

Hehadinventedanewscience:psychohistory.Hehadextendedthelawsofprobabilityinaverysubtlemannertotakeintoaccountnewcomplexitiesanduncertaintiesandhadendedupwithelegantequationsininnumerableunknowns.–Possiblyaninfinitenumber;hecouldn'ttell.

Butitwasamathematicalgameandnothingmore.

Hehadpsychohistory–oratleastthebasisofpsychohistorybutonlyasamathematicalcuriosity.Wherewasthehistoricalknowledgethatcouldperhapsgivesomemeaningtotheemptyequations?

Hehadnone.Hehadneverbeeninterestedinhistory.HeknewtheoutlineofHeliconianhistory.Coursesinthatsmallfragmentofthehumanstoryhad,ofcourse,beencompulsoryintheHeliconianschools.Butwhatwastherebeyondthat?Surelywhatelsehehadpickedupwasmerelythebareskeletonsthateveryonegathered–halflegend,theotherhalfsurelydistorted.

Still,howcouldonesaythattheGalacticEmpirewasdying?IthadexistedfortenthousandyearsasanacceptedEmpireandevenbeforethat,Trantor,asthecapitalofthedominatingkingdom,hadheldwhatwasavirtualempirefortwothousandyears.TheEmpirehadsurvivedtheearlycenturieswhenwholesectionsoftheGalaxywouldnowandthenrefusetoaccepttheendoftheirlocalindependence.Ithadsurvivedthevicissitudesthatwentwiththeoccasionalrebellions,thedynasticwars,someseriousperiodsofbreakdown.MostworldshadscarcelybeentroubledbysuchthingsandTrantoritselfhadgrownsteadilyuntilitwastheworldwidehumanhabitationthatnowcalleditselftheEternalWorld.

Tobesure,inthelastfourcenturies,turmoilhadincreasedsomehowandtherehadbeenarashofImperialassassinationsandtakeovers.ButeventhatwascalmingdownandrightnowtheGalaxywasasquietasithadeverbeen.UnderCleonIandbeforehimunderhisfather,StanelVI,theworldswereprosperous–andCleonhimselfwasnotconsideredatyrant.EventhosewhodislikedtheImperiumasaninstitutionrarelyhadanythingtrulybadtosayaboutCleon,muchastheymightinveighagainstEtoDemerzel.

Why,then,shouldHumminsaythattheGalacticEmpirewasdyingandwithsuchconviction?

Humminwasajournalist.HeprobablyknewGalactichistoryinsomedetailandhehadtounderstandthecurrentsituationingreatdetail.Wasitthisthatsuppliedhimwiththeknowledgethatlaybehindhisstatement?Inthatcase,justwhatwastheknowledge?

SeveraltimesSeldonwasonthepointofasking,ofdemandingananswer,buttherewassomethinginHummin'ssolemnfacethatstoppedhim.AndtherewassomethinginhisowningrainedbeliefthattheGalacticEmpirewasagiven,anaxiom,thefoundationstoneonwhichallargumentrestedthatpreventedhimtoo.Afterall,ifthatwaswrong,hedidn'twanttoknow.

No,hecouldn'tbelievethathewaswrong.TheGalacticEmpirecouldnomorecometoanendthantheUniverseitselfcould.Or,iftheUniversedidend,then–andonlythen–wouldtheEmpireend.

Seldonclosedhiseyes,attemptingtosleepbut,ofcourse,hecouldnot.WouldhehavetostudythehistoryoftheUniverseinordertoadvancehistheoryofpsychohistory?

Howcouldhe?Twenty-fivemillionworldsexisted,eachwithitsownendlesslycomplexhistory.Howcouldhestudyallthat?Therewerebook-filmsinmanyvolumes,heknew,thatdealtwithGalactichistory.Hehadevenskimmedoneonceforsomenow-forgottenreasonandhadfoundittoodulltoviewevenhalfwaythrough.

Thebook-filmshaddealtwithimportantworlds.Withsome,itdealtthroughalloralmostalltheirhistory;withothers,onlyastheygainedimportanceforatimeandonlytilltheyfadedaway.

HerememberedhavinglookedupHeliconintheindexandhavingfoundonlyonecitation.HehadpunchedthekeysthatwouldturnupthatcitationandfoundHeliconincludedinalistingofworldswhich,ononeoccasion,hadtemporarilylinedupbehindacertainclaimanttotheImperialthronewhohadfailedtomakegoodhisclaim.Heliconhadescapedretributiononthatoccasion,probablybecauseitwasnotevensufficientlyimportanttobepunished.

Whatgoodwassuchahistory?Surely,psychohistorywouldhavetotakeintoaccounttheactionsandreactionsandinteractionsofeachworld–eachandeveryworld.Howcouldonestudythehistoryoftwenty-fivemillionworldsandconsideralltheirpossibleinteractions?Itwouldsurelybeanimpossibletaskandthiswasjustonemorereinforcementofthegeneralconclusionthatpsychohistorywasoftheoreticalinterestbutcouldneverbeputtoanypracticaluse.

Seldonfeltagentlepushforwardanddecidedthattheair-taximustbedecelerating.“What'sup?”heasked.

“Ithinkwe'vecomefarenough,”saidHummin,“toriskasmallstopoverforabitetoeat,aglassofsomethingorother,andavisittoawashroom.”

And,inthecourseofthenextfifteenminutes,duringwhichtheair-taxislowedsteadily,theycametoalightedrecess.Thetaxiswervedinwardandfoundaparkingspotamongfiveorsixothervehicles.

12

Hummin'spracticedeyeseemedtotakeintherecess,theothertaxis,thediner,thewalkways,andthemenandwomenallataglance.Seldon,tryingtolookinconspicuousandagainnotknowinghow,watchedhim,tryingnottodosotoointently.

Whentheysatdownatasmalltableandpunchedintheirorders,Seldon,attemptingtosoundindifferent,said,“Everythingokay?”

“Seemsso,”saidHummin.

“Howcanyoutell?”

HumminlethisdarkeyesrestonSeldonforamoment.“Instinct,”hesaid.“Yearsofnewsgathering.Youlookandknow,'Nonewshere.'”

Seldonnoddedandfeltrelieved.Humminmighthavesaiditsardonically,buttheremustbeacertainamountoftruthtoit.

Hissatisfactiondidnotlastthroughthefirstbiteofhissandwich.HelookedupatHumminwithhismouthfullandwithalookofhurtsurpriseonhisface.

Humminsaid,“Thisisawaysidediner,myfriend.Cheap,fast,andnotverygood.Thefood'shomegrownandhasaninfusionofrathersharpyeast.Trantorianpalatesareusedtoit.”

Seldonswallowedwithdifficulty.“Butbackinthehotel–”

“YouwereintheImperialSector,Seldon.Foodisimportedthereandwheremicrofoodisuseditishigh-quality.Itisalsoexpensive.”

Seldonwonderedwhethertotakeanotherbite.“YoumeanthataslongasIstayonTrantor–”

Humminmadeahushingmotionwithhislips.“Don'tgiveanyonetheimpressionthatyou'reusedtobetter.ThereareplacesonTrantorwheretobeidentifiedasanaristocratisworsethanbeingidentifiedasanOutworlder.Thefoodwon'tbesobadeverywhere,Iassureyou.Thesewaysideplaceshaveareputationforlowquality.Ifyoucanstomachthatsandwich,you'llbeabletoeatanywhereonTrantor.Anditwon'thurtyou.It'snotdecayedorbadoranythinglikethat.Itjusthasaharsh,strongtasteand,honestly,youmaygrowaccustomedtoit.I'vemetTrantorianswhospitouthonestfoodandsayitlacksthathomegrowntang.”

“DotheygrowmuchfoodonTrantor?”askedSeldon.Aquicksideglanceshowedhimtherewasnooneseatedintheimmediatevicinityandhespokequietly.“I'vealwaysheardittakestwentysurroundingworldstosupplythehundredsoffreightshipsrequiredtofeedTrantoreveryday.”

“Iknow.Andhundredstocarryofftheloadofwastes.Andifyouwanttomakethestoryreallygood,yousaythatthesamefreightshipscarryfoodonewayandwastetheother.It'struethatweimportconsiderablequantitiesoffood,butthat'smostlyluxuryitems.Andweexportconsiderablewaste,carefullytreatedintoinoffensiveness,asimportantorganicfertilizer–everybitasimportanttootherworldsasthefoodistous.Butthat'sonlyasmallfractionofthewhole.”

“Itis?”

“Yes.Inadditiontofishinthesea,therearegardensandtruckfarmseverywhere.Andfruittreesandpoultryandrabbitsandvastmicroorganismfarms–usuallycalledyeastfarms,thoughtheyeastmakesupaminorityofthegrowths.Andourwastesaremostlyusedrighthereathometomaintainallthatgrowth.Infact,inmanywaysTrantorisverymuchlikeanenormousandovergrownspacesettlement.Haveyouevervisitedoneofthose?”

“IndeedIhave.”

“Spacesettlementsareessentiallyenclosedcities,witheverythingartificiallycycled,withartificialventilation,artificialdayandnight,andsoon.TrantorisdifferentonlyinthateventhelargestspacesettlementhasapopulationofonlytenmillionandTrantorhasfourthousandtimesthat.Ofcourse,wehaverealgravity.Andnospacesettlementcanmatchusinourmicrofoods.Wehaveyeastvats,fungalmats,andalgaepondsvastbeyondtheimagination.Andwearestrongonartificialflavoring,addedwithnolighthand.That'swhatgivesthetastetowhatyou'reeating.”

Seldonhadgottenthroughmostofhissandwichandfounditnotasoffensiveasthefirstbitehadbeen.“Anditwon'taffectme?”

“ItdoeshittheintestinalfloraandeveryonceinawhileitafflictssomepoorOutworlderwithdiarrhea,butthat'srare,andyouhardeneventothatquickly.Still,drinkyourmilkshake,whichyouprobablywon'tlike.Itcontainsanantidiarrheticthatshouldkeepyousafe,evenifyoutendtobesensitivetosuchthings.”

Seldonsaidquerulously,“Don'ttalkaboutit,Hummin.Apersoncanbesuggestibletosuchthings.”

“Finishthemilkshakeandforgetthesuggestibility.”

Theyfinishedtherestoftheirmealinsilenceandsoonwereontheirwayagain.

13

Theywerenowracingrapidlythroughthetunneloncemore.Seldondecidedtogivevoicetothequestionthathadbeennaggingathimforthelasthourorso.

“WhydoyousaytheGalacticEmpireisdying?”

HumminturnedtolookatSeldonagain.“Asajournalist,Ihavestatisticspouredintomefromallsidestillthey'resqueezingoutofmyears.AndI'mallowedtopublishverylittleofit.Trantor'spopulationisdecreasing.Twenty-fiveyearsago,itstoodatalmostforty-fivebillion.

“Partly,thisdecreaseisbecauseofadeclineinthebirthrate.Tobesure,Trantorneverhashadahighbirthrate.Ifyou'lllookaboutyouwhenyou'retravelingon

Trantor,youwon'tencounterverymanychildren,consideringtheenormouspopulation.Butjustthesameit'sdeclining.Thentoothereisemigration.PeopleareleavingTrantoringreaternumbersthanarearriving.”

“Consideringitslargepopulation,”saidSeldon,“that'snotsurprising.”

“Butit'sunusualjustthesamebecauseithasn'thappenedbefore.Again,allovertheGalaxytradeisstagnating.Peoplethinkthatbecausetherearenorebellionsatthemomentandbecausethingsarequietthatalliswellandthatthedifficultiesofthepastfewcenturiesareover.However,politicalinfighting,rebellions,andunrestareallsignsofacertainvitalitytoo.Butnowthere'sageneralweariness.It'squiet,notbecausepeoplearesatisfiedandprosperous,butbecausethey'retiredandhavegivenup.”

“Oh,Idon'tknow,”saidSeldondubiously.

“Ido.Andtheantigravphenomenonwe'vetalkedaboutisanothercaseinpoint.Wehaveafewgraviticliftsinoperation,butnewonesaren'tbeingconstructed.It'sanunprofitableventureandthereseemsnointerestintryingtomakeitprofitable.Therateoftechnologicaladvancehasbeenslowingforcenturiesandisdowntoacrawlnow.Insomecases,ithasstoppedaltogether.Isn'tthissomethingyou'venoticed?Afterall,you'reamathematician.”

“Ican'tsayI'vegiventhematteranythought.”

“Noonedoes.It'saccepted.Scientistsareverygoodthesedaysatsayingthatthingsareimpossible,impractical,useless.Theycondemnanyspeculationatonce.You,forinstance–Whatdoyouthinkofpsychohistory?Itistheoreticallyinteresting,butitisuselessinanypracticalsense.AmIright?”

“Yesandno,”saidSeldon,annoyed.“Itisuselessinanypracticalsense,butnotbecausemysenseofadventurehasdecayed,Iassureyou.Itreallyituseless.”

“That,atleast,”saidHumminwithatraceofsarcasm,“isyourimpressioninthisatmosphereofdecayinwhichalltheEmpirelives.”

“Thisatmosphereofdecay,”saidSeldonangrily,“isyourimpression.Isitpossiblethatyouarewrong?”

Humminstoppedandforamomentappearedthoughtful.Thenhesaid,“Yes,Imightbewrong.Iamspeakingonlyfromintuition,fromguesses.WhatIneedisaworkingtechniqueofpsychohistory.”

Seldonshruggedanddidnottakethebait.Hesaid,“Idon'thavesuchatechniquetogiveyou.–Butsupposeyou'reright.SupposetheEmpireitrunningdownandwilleventuallystopandfallapart.Thehumanspecieswillstillexist.”

“Underwhatconditions,man?Fornearlytwelvethousandyears,Trantor,understrongrulers,haslargelykeptthepeace.There'vebeeninterruptionstothat–rebellions,localizedcivilwars,tragedyinplenty–but,onthewholeandoverlargeareas,therehasbeenpeace.WhyisHeliconsopro-Imperium?Yourworld,Imean.BecauseitissmallandwouldbedevouredbyitsneighborswereitnotthattheEmpirekeepsitsecure.”

“AreyoupredictinguniversalwarandanarchyiftheEmpirefails?”

“Ofcourse.I'mnotfondoftheEmperororoftheImperialinstitutionsingeneral,butIdon'thaveanysubstituteforit.Idon'tknowwhatelsewillkeepthepeaceandI'mnotreadytoletgountilIhavesomethingelseinhand.”

Seldonsaid,“YoutalkasthoughyouareincontroloftheGalaxy.Youarenotreadytoletgo?Youmusthavesomethingelseinhand?Whoareyoutotalkso?”

“I'mspeakinggenerally,figuratively,”saidHummin.“I'mnotworriedaboutChetterHumminpersonally.ItmightbesaidthattheEmpirewilllastmytime;itmightevenshowsignsofimprovementinmytime.Declinesdon'tfollowastraight-linepath.ItmaybeathousandyearsbeforethefinalcrashandyoumightwellimagineIwouldbedeadthenand,certainly,Iwillleavenodescendants.Asfaraswomenareconcerned,IhavenothingbuttheoccasionalcasualattachmentandIhavenochildrenandintendtohavenone.Ihavegivennohostagestofortune.–Ilookedyouupafteryourtalk,Seldon.Youhavenochildreneither.”

“Ihaveparentsandtwobrothers,butnochildren.”Hesmiledratherweakly.“Iwasveryattachedtoawomanatonetime,butitseemedtoherthatIwasattachedmoretomymathematics.”

“Wereyou?”

“Itdidn'tseemsotome,butitseemedsotoher.Sosheleft.”

“Andyouhavehadnoonesince?”

“No.Irememberthepaintooclearlyasyet.”

“Wellthen,itmightseemwecouldbothwaitoutthematterandleaveittootherpeople,wellafterourtime,tosuffer.Imighthavebeenwillingtoacceptthatearlier,butnolonger.FornowIhaveatool;Iamincommand.”

“What'syourtool?”askedSeldon,alreadyknowingtheanswer.

“You!”saidHummin.

AndbecauseSeldonhadknownwhatHumminwouldsay,hewastednotimeinbeingshockedorastonished.Hesimplyshookhisheadandsaid,“Youarequitewrong.Iamnotoolfitforuse.”

“Whynot?”

Seldonsighed.“HowoftenmustIrepeatit?Psychohistoryisnotapracticalstudy.Thedifficultyisfundamental.AllthespaceandtimeoftheUniversewouldnotsufficetoworkoutthenecessaryproblems.”

“Areyoucertainofthat?”

“Unfortunately,yes.”

“There'snoquestionofyourworkingouttheentirefutureoftheGalacticEmpire,youknow.

Youneedn'ttraceoutindetailtheworkingsofeveryhumanbeingorevenofeveryworld.Therearemerelyterrainquestionsyoumustanswer:WilltheGalacticEmpirecrashand,ifso,when?Whatwillbetheconditionofhumanityafterward?Cananythingbedonetopreventthecrashortoameliorateconditionsafterward?Thesearecomparativelysimplequestions,itseemstome.”

Seldonshookhisheadandsmiledsadly.“Thehistoryofmathematicsisfullofsimplequestionsthathadonlythemostcomplicatedofanswers–ornoneatall.”

“Istherenothingtobedone?IcanseethattheEmpireisfalling,butIcan'tproveit.AllmyconclusionsaresubjectiveandIcannotshowthatIamnotmistaken.Becausetheviewisaseriouslyunsettlingone,peoplewouldprefernottobelievemysubjectiveconclusionandnothingwillbedonetopreventtheFalloreventocushionit.YoucouldprovethecomingFallor,forthatmatter,disproveit.”

“ButthatisexactlywhatIcannotdo.Ican'tfindyouproofwherenoneexists.Ican'tmakeamathematicalsystempracticalwhenitisn't.Ican'tfindyoutwoevennumbersthatwillyieldanoddnumberasasum,nomatterhowvitallyyouralltheGalaxy–mayneedthatoddnumber.”

Humminsaid,“Wellthen,you'repareofthedecay.You'rereadytoacceptfailure.”

“WhatchoicehaveI?”

“Can'tyoutry?Howeveruselesstheeffortmayseemtoyoutobe,haveyouanythingbettertodowithyourlife?Haveyousomeworthiergoal?Haveyouapurposethatwilljustifyyouinyourowneyestosomegreaterextent?”

Seldon'seyesblinkedrapidly.“Millionsofworlds.Billionsofcultures.Quadrillionsofpeople.Decillionsofinterrelationships.–Andyouwantmetoreduceittoorder.”

“No,Iwantyoutotry.Forthesakeofthosemillionsofworlds,billionsofcultures,andquadrillionsofpeople.NotfortheEmperor.NotforDemerzel.Forhumanity.”

“Iwillfail,”saidSeldon.

“Thenwewillbenoworseoff.Willyoutry?”

Andagainsthiswillandnotknowingwhy,Seldonheardhimselfsay,“Iwilltry.”Andthecourseofhislifewasset.

14

Thejourneycametoitsendandtheair-taximovedintoamuchlargerlotthantheoneatwhichtheyhadeaten.(Seldomstillrememberedthetasteofthesandwichandmadeawryface.)Humminturnedinhistaxiandcameback,placinghiscreditslipinasmallpocketontheinnersurfaceofhisshirt.Hesaid,“You'recompletelysafeherefromanythingoutrightandopen.

ThisistheStreelingSector.”

“Streeling?”

“It'snamedforsomeonewhofirstopeneduptheareatosettlement,Iimagine.Mostofthesectorsarenamedforsomeoneorother,whichmeansthatmostofthenamesareuglyandsomearehardtopronounce.Justthesame,ifyoutrytohavetheinhabitantsherechangeStreelingtoSweetsmellorsomethinglikethat,you'llhaveafightonyourhands.”

“Ofcourse,”saidSeldon,sniffingloudly,“itisn'texactlySweetsmell.”

“HardlyanywhereinTrantoris,butyou'llgetusedtoit.”

“I'mgladwe'rehere,”saidSeldon.“NotthatIlikeit,butIgotquitetiredsittinginthetaxi.

GettingaroundTrantormustbeahorror.BackonHelicon,wecangetfromanyoneplacetoanyotherbyair,infarlesstimethanittookustotravellessthantwothousandkilometershere.”

“Wehaveair-jetstoo.”

“Butinthatcase–”

“Icouldarrangeanair-taxiridemoreorlessanonymously.Itwouldhavebeenmuchmoredifficultwithanair-jet.Andregardlessofhowsafeitishere,I'dfeelbetterifDemerzeldidn'tknowexactlywhereyouwere.–Asamatteroffact,we'renotdoneyet.We'regoingtotaketheExpresswayforthefinalstage.”

Seldonknewtheexpression.“Oneofthoseopenmonorailsmovingonan

electromagneticfield,right?”

“Right.”

“Wedon'thavethemonHelicon.Actually,wedon'tneedthemthere.IrodeonanExpresswaythefirstdayIwasonTrantor.Ittookmefromtheairporttothehotel.Itwasratheranovelty,butifIweretouseitallthetime,Iimaginethenoiseandcrowdswouldbecomeoverpowering.”

Humminlookedamused.“Didyougetlost?”

“No,thesignswereuseful.Therewastroublegettingonandoff,butIwashelped.EveryonecouldtellIwasanOutworlderbymyclothes,Inowrealize.Theyseemedeagertohelp,though;Iguessbecauseitwasamusingtowatchingmehesitateandstumble.”

“AsanexpertinExpresswaytravelbynow,youwillneitherhesitatenorstumble.”Humminsaiditpleasantlyenough,thoughtherewasaslighttwitchtothecornersofhismouth.“Comeon,then.”

Theysaunteredleisurelyalongthewalkway,whichwaslittotheextentonemightexpectofanovercastdayandthatbrightenednowandthenasthoughthesunoccasionallybrokethroughtheclouds.Automatically,Seldonlookedupwardtoseeifthatwereindeedthecase,butthe“sky”

abovewasblanklyluminous.

Humminsawthisandsaid,“Thischangeinbrightnessseemstoosuitthehumanpsyche.

Therearedayswhenthestreetseemstobeinbrightsunlightanddayswhenitisratherdarkerthanitisnow.”

“Butnorainorsnow?”

“Orhailorsleet.No.Norhighhumiditynorbittercold.Trantorhasitspoints,Seldon,evennow.”

Therewerepeoplewalkinginbothdirectionsandtherewereaconsiderable

numberofyoungpeopleandalsosomechildrenaccompanyingtheadults,despitewhatHumminhadsaidaboutthebirthrate.Allseemedreasonablyprosperousandreputable.ThetwosexeswereequallyrepresentedandtheclothingwasdistinctlymoresubduedthanithadbeenintheImperialSector.Hisowncostume,aschosenbyHummin,fitrightin.VeryfewwerewearinghatsandSeldonthankfullyremovedhisownandswungitathisside.

TherewasnodeepabyssseparatingthetwosidesofthewalkwayandasHumminhadpredictedintheImperialSector,theywerewalkingatwhatseemedtobegroundlevel.TherewerenovehicleseitherandSeldonpointedthisouttoHummin.

Humminsaid,“TherearequiteanumberofthemintheImperialSectorbecausethey'reusedbyofficials.Elsewhere,privatevehiclesarerareandthosethatareusedhaveseparatetunnelsreservedforthem.Theiruseisnotreallynecessary,sincewehaveExpresswaysand,forshorterdistances,movingcorridors.Forstillshorterdistances,wehavewalkwaysandwecanuseourlegs.”

Seldonheardoccasionalmutedsighsandcreaksandsaw,somedistanceoff,theendlesspassingofExpresswaycars.

“Thereitis,”hesaid,pointing.

“Iknow,butletusmoveontoaboardingstation.Therearemorecarsthereanditiseasiertogeton.”

OncetheyweresafelyensconcedinanExpresswaycar,SeldonturnedtoHumminandsaid,

“WhatamazesmeishowquiettheExpresswaysare.Irealizethattheyaremass-propelledbyanelectromagneticfield,butitseemsquietevenforthat.”Helistenedtotheoccasionalmetallicgroanasthecartheywereonshiftedagainstitsneighbors.

“Yes,it'samarvelousnetwork,”saidHummin,“butyoudon'tseeisatitspeak.WhenIwasyounger,itwasquieterthanitisnowandtherearethosewhosaythattherewasn'tasmuchasawhisperfiftyyearsago–thoughIsupposewemightmakeallowancefortheidealizationofnostalgia.”

“Whyisn'titthatwaynow?”

“Becauseitisn'tmaintainedproperly.Itoldyouaboutdecay.”

Seldonfrowned.“Surely,peopledon'tsitaroundandsay,'We'redecaying.Let'slettheExpresswaysfallapart.'”

“No,theydon't.It'snotapurposefulthing.Badspotsarepatched,decrepitcoachesrefurbished,magnetsreplaced.However,it'sdoneinmoreslapdashfashion,morecarelessly,andatgreaterintervals.Therejustaren'tenoughcreditsavailable.”

“Wherehavethecreditsgone?”

“Intootherthings.We'vehadcenturiesofunrest.Thenavyismuchlargerandmanytimesmoreexpensivethanitoncewas.Thearmedforcesaremuchbetter-paid,inordertokeepthemquiet.Unrest,revolts,andminorblazesofcivilwaralltaketheirtoll.”

“Butit'sbeenquietunderCleon.Andwe'vehadfiftyyearsofpeace.”

“Yes,butsoldierswhoarewell-paidwouldresenthavingthatpayreducedjustbecausethereispeace.Admiralsresistmothballingshipsandhavingthemselvesreducedinranksimplybecausethereislessforthemtodo.Sothecreditsstillgo–unproductively–tothearmedforcesandvitalareasofthesocialgoodareallowedtodeteriorate.That'swhatIcalldecay.Don'tyou?Don'tyouchinkthateventuallyyouwouldfitthatsortofviewintoyourpsychohistoricalnotions?”

Seldonstirreduneasily.Thenhesaid,“Wherearewegoing,bytheway?”

“StreelingUniversity.”

“Ah,that'swhythesector'snamewasfamiliar.I'veheardoftheUniversity.”

“I'mnotsurprised.TrantorhasnearlyahundredthousandinstitutionsofhigherlearningandStreelingisoneofthethousandorsoatthetopoftheheap.”

“WillIbestayingthere?”

“Forawhile.Universitycampusesareunbreathablesanctuaries,byandlarge.Youwillbesafethere.”

“ButwillIbewelcomethere?”

“Whynot?It'shardtofindagoodmathematicianthesedays.Theymightbeabletouseyou.

Andyoumightbeabletousethemcool–tendformorethanjustahidingplace.”

“Youmean,itwillbeaplacewhereIcandevelopmynotions.”

“Youhavepromised,”saidHummingravely.

“Ihavepromisedtotry,”saidSeldonandthoughttohimselfthatitwasaboutlikepromisingtotrytomakearopeoutofsand.

15

ConversationhadrunoutafterthatandSeldonwatchedthestructuresoftheStreelingSectorastheypassed.Somewerequitelow,whilesomeseemedtobrushthe“sky.”Widecross-passagesbroketheprogressionandfrequentalleyscouldbeseen.

Atonepoint,itstruckhimthatthoughthebuildingsroseupwardtheyalsosweptdownwardandthatperhapstheyweredeeperthantheywerehigh.Assoonasthethoughtoccurredtohim,hewasconvinceditwastrue.

Occasionally,hesawpatchesofgreeninthebackground,fartherbackfromtheExpressway,andevensmalltrees.

Hewatchedforquiteawhileandthenbecameawarethatthelightwasgrowingdimmer.HesquintedaboutandturnedtoHummin,whoguessedthequestion.

“Theafternooniswaning,”hesaid,“andnightiscomingon.”

Seldon'seyebrowsraisedandthecornersofhismouthturneddownward.“That'simpressive.Ihaveapictureoftheentireplanetdarkeningandthen,somehoursfromnow,lightingupagain.”

Humminsmiledhissmall,carefulsmile.“Notquite,Seldon.Theplanetisneverturnedoffaltogether–orturnedoneither.Theshadowoftwilightsweepsacrosstheplanetgradually,followedhalfadaylaterbytheslowbrighteningofdawn.Infact,theeffectfollowstheactualdayandnightabovethedomesquiteclosely,sothatinhigheraltitudesdayandnightchangelengthwiththeseasons.”

Seldonshookhishead,“Butwhycloseintheplanetandthenmimicwhatwouldbeintheopen?”

“Ipresumebecausepeoplelikeitbetterthatway.Trantoriansliketheadvantagesofbeingenclosed,buttheydon'tliketoberemindedofitunduly,justthesame.YouknowverylittleaboutTrantorianpsychology,Seldon.”

Seldonflushedslightly.HewasonlyaHeliconianandheknewverylittleaboutthemillionsofworldsoutsideHelicon.HisignorancewasnotconfinedtoTrantor.How,then,couldhehopetocomeupwithanypracticalapplicationsforhistheoryofpsychohistory?

Howcouldanynumberofpeople–alltogether–knowenough?ItremindedSeldonofapuzzlethathadbeenpresentedtohimwhenhewasyoung:Canyouhavearelativelysmallpieceofplatinum,withhandholdsaffixed,thatcouldnotbeliftedbythebare,unaidedstrengthofanynumberofpeople,nomatterhowmany?

Theanswerwasyes.Acubicmeterofplatinumweighs22,420kilogramsunderstandardgravitationalpull.Ifitisassumedthateachpersoncouldheave120kilogramsupfromtheground,then188peoplewouldsufficetolifttheplatinum.–Butyoucouldnotsqueeze188peoplearoundthecubicmetersothateachonecouldgetagriponit.Youcouldperhapsnotsqueezemorethan9

peoplearoundit.Andleversorothersuchdeviceswerenotallowed.Ithadtobe“bare,unaidedstrength.”

Inthesameway,itcouldbethattherewasnowayofgettingenoughpeopletohandlethetotalamountofknowledgerequiredforpsychohistory,evenifthefactswerestoredincomputersratherthaninindividualhumanbrains.Onlysomanypeoplecouldgatherroundtheknowledge,sotospeak,andcommunicateit.

Humminsaid,“Youseemtobeinabrownstudy,Seldon.”

“I'mconsideringmyownignorance.”

“Ausefultask.Quadrillionscouldprofitablyjoinyou.–Butit'stimetogetoff.”

Seldonlookedup.“Howcanyoutell?”

“JustasyoucouldtellwhenyouwereontheExpresswayyourfirstdayonTrantor.Igobythesigns.”

Seldoncaughtonejustasitwentby:STREELINGUNIVERSITY–3MINUTES.

“Wegetoffatthenextboardingstation.Watchyourstep.”

SeldonfollowedHumminoffthecoach,notingthattheskywasdeeppurplenowandthatthewalkwaysandcorridorsandbuildingswerealllightingup,suffusedwithayellowglow.

ItmighthavebeenthegatheringofaHeliconiannight.Hadhebeenplacedhereblindfoldedandhadtheblindfoldbeenremoved,hemighthavebeenconvincedthathewasinsomeparticularlywell-built-upinnerregionofoneofHelicon'slargercities.

“HowlongdoyousupposeIwillremainatStreelingUniversity,Hummin?”heasked.

Humminsaidinhisusualcalmfashion,“Thatwouldbehardtosay,Seldon.Perhapsyourwholelife.”

“What!”

“Perhapsnot.Butyourlifestoppedbeingyourownonceyougavethatpaperonpsychohistory.TheEmperorandDemerzelrecognizedyourimportanceatonce.SodidI.ForallIknow,sodidmanyothers.Yousee,thatmeansyoudon'tbelongtoyourselfanymore.”

LIBRARY

VENABILI,DORS–…Historian,borninCinna…Herlifemightwellhavecontinuedonitsuneventfulcoursewereitnotforthefacethat,aftershehadspenttwoyearsonthefacultyofStreelingUniversity,shebecameinvolvedwiththeyoungHariSeldonduringTheFlight…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

16

TheroomthatHariSeldonfoundhimselfinwaslargerthanHummin'sroomintheImperialSector.Itwasabedroomwithonecomerservingasawashroomandwithnosignofanycookingordiningfacilities.Therewasnowindow,thoughsetintheceilingwasagrilledventilatorthatmadeasteadysighingnoise.

Seldonlookedaboutabitruefully.

Hummininterpretedthatlookwithhisusualassuredmannerandsaid,“It'sonlyfortonight,Seldon.TomorrowmorningsomeonewillcometoinstallyouattheUniversityandyouwillbemorecomfortable.”

“Pardonme,Hummin,buthowdoyouknowthat?”

“Iwillmakearrangements.Iknowoneortwopeoplehere”–hesmiledbrieflywithouthumor–“andIhaveafavorortwoIcanaskrepaymentfor.Nowlet'sgointosomedetails.”

HegazedsteadilyatSeldonandsaid,“Whateveryouhaveleftinyourhotelroomislost.

Doesthatincludeanythingirreplaceable?”

“Nothingreallyirreplaceable.IhavesomepersonalitemsIvaluefortheirassociationwithmypastlife,butiftheyaregone,theyaregone.Thereare,ofcourse,somenotesonmypaper.Somecalculations.Thepaperitself.”

“Whichisnowpublicknowledgeuntilsuchtimeasitisremovedfromcirculationasdangerous–whichitprobablywillbe.Still,I'llbeabletogetmyhandsonacopy,I'msure.

Inanycase,youcanreconstructit,can'tyou?”

“Ican.That'swhyIsaidtherewasnothingreallyirreplaceable.Also,I'velostnearlyathousandcredits,somebooks,clothing,myticketsbacktoHelicon,thingslikethat.”

“Allreplaceable.–NowIwillarrangeforyoutohaveacredittileinmyname,chargedtome.

Thatwilltakecareofordinaryexpenses.”

“That'sunusuallygenerousofyou.Ican'tacceptit.”

“It'snotgenerousatall,sinceI'mhopingtosavetheEmpireinthatfashion.Youmustacceptit.”

“Buthowmuchcanyouafford,Hummin?I'llbeusingit,atbest,withanuneasyconscience.”

“WhateveryouneedforsurvivalorreasonablecomfortIcanafford,Seldon.Naturally,Iwouldn'twantyoutotrytobuytheUniversitygymnasiumorhandoutamillioncreditsinlargess.”

“Youneedn'tworry,butwithmynameonrecord–”

“Itmightaswellbe.ItisabsolutelyforbiddenfortheImperialgovernmenttoexerciseanysecuritycontrolovertheUniversityoritsmembers.Thereiscompletefreedom.Anythingcanbediscussedhere,anythingcanbesaidhere.”

“Whataboutviolentcrime?”

“ThentheUniversityauthoritiesthemselveshandleit,withreasonandcare–andtherearevirtuallynocrimesofviolence.Thestudentsandfacultyappreciatetheirfreedomandunderstanditsterms.Toomuchrowdiness,thebeginningofriotandbloodshed,andthegovernmentmayfeelithasarighttobreaktheunwrittenagreementandsendinthetroops.Noonewantsthat,noteventhegovernment,soadelicatebalanceismaintained.Inotherwords,DemerzelhimselfcannothaveyoupluckedoutoftheUniversitywithoutagreatdealmorecausethananyoneintheUniversityhasgiventhegovernmentinatleasta

centuryandahalf.Ontheotherhand,ifyouareluredoffthegroundsbyastudent-agent–”

“Aretherestudent-agents?”

“HowcanIsay?Theremaybe.Anyordinaryindividualcanbethreatenedormaneuveredorsimplybought–andmayremainthereafterintheserviceofDemerzelorofsomeoneelse,forthatmatter.SoImustemphasizethis:Youaresafeinanyreasonablesense,butnooneisabsolutelysafe.Youwillhavetobecareful.ButthoughIgiveyouthatwarning,Idon'twantyoutocowerthroughlife.Onthewhole,youwillbefarmoresecureherethanyouwouldhavebeenifyouhadreturnedtoHeliconorgonetoanyworldoftheGalaxyoutsideTrantor.”

“Ihopeso,”saidSeldondrearily.

“Iknowso,”saidHummin,“OrIwouldnotfeelitwisetoleaveyou.”

“Leaveme?”Seldonlookedupsharply.“Youcan'tdothat.Youknowthisworld.Idon't.”

“Youwillbewithotherswhoknowthisworld,whoknowthispartofit,infact,evenbetterthanIdo.Asformyself,Imustgo.IhavebeenwithyouallthisdayandIdarenotabandonmyownlifeanylonger.Imustnotattracttoomuchattentiontomyself.RememberthatIhavemyowninsecurities,justasyouhaveyours.”

Seldonblushed.“You'reright.Ican'texpectyoutoendangeryourselfindefinitelyonmybehalf.Ihopeyouarenotalreadyruined.”

Humminsaidcoolly,“Whocantell?Weliveindangeroustimes.Justrememberthatifanyonecanmakethetimessafe–ifnotforourselves,thenforthosewhofollowafterus–itisyou.

Letthatthoughtbeyourdrivingforce,Seldon.”

17

SleepeludedSeldon.Hetossedandturnedinthedark,thinking.HehadhaveneverfeltquitesoaloneorquitesohelplessashedidafterHumminhadnodded,

pressedhishandbriefly,andlefthimbehind.Nowhewasonastrangeworld–andinastrangepartofthatworld.Hewaswithouttheonlypersonhecouldconsiderafriend(andthatoflessthanaday'sduration)andhehadnoideaofwherehewasgoingorwhathewouldbedoing,eithertomorroworatanytimeinthefuture.

Noneofthatwasconducivetosleepso,ofcourse,ataboutthetimehedecided,hopelessly,thathewouldnotsleepthatnightor,possibly,everagain,exhaustionovertookhim…

Whenhewokeupitwasstilldark–ornotquite,foracrosstheroomhesawaredlightflashingbrightlyandrapidly,accompaniedbyaharsh,intermittentbuzz.Undoubtedly,itwasthatwhichhadawakenedhim.

Ashetriedtorememberwherehewasandtomakesomesortofsenseoutofthelimitedmessageshissenseswerereceiving,theflashingandbuzzingceasedandhebecameawareofaperemptoryrapping.

Presumably,therappingwasatthedoor,buthedidn'trememberwherethedoorwas.

Presumably,also,therewasacontactthatwouldfloodtheroomwithlight,buthedidn'trememberwherethatwaseither.

Hesatupinbedandfeltalongthewalltohisleftratherdesperatelywhilecallingout,“Onemoment,please.”

Hefoundthenecessarycontactandtheroomsuddenlybloomedwithasoftlight.Hescrambledoutofbed,blinking,stillsearchingforthedoor,findingit,reachingouttoopenit,rememberingcautionatthelastmoment,andsayinginasuddenlystern,no-nonsensevoice,“Who'sthere?”

Arathergentlewoman'svoicesaid,“MydameisDorsVenabiliandIhavecometoseeDr.

HariSeldon.”

Evenasthatwassaid,awomanwasstandingjustinfrontofthedoor,withoutthatdooreverhavingbeenopened.

Foramoment,HariSeldonstaredatherinsurprise,thenrealizedthathewaswearingonlyaone-pieceundergarment.Heletoutastrangledgaspanddashedforthebedandonlythenrealizedthathewasstaringataholograph.Itlackedthehardedgeofrealityanditbecameapparentthewomanwasn'tlookingathim.Shewasmerelyshowingherselfforidentification.

Hepaused,breathinghard,thensaid,raisinghisvoicetobeheardthroughthedoor,“Ifyou'llwait,I'llbewithyou.Giveme…maybehalfanhour.”

Thewoman–ortheholograph,atanyrate–said,“I'llwait,”anddisappeared.Therewasnoshower,sohespongedhimself,makingararemessonthetiledfloorinthewashroomcorner.Therewastoothpastebutnotoothbrush,soheusedhisfinger.Hehadnochoicebuttoputontheclotheshehadbeenwearingthedaybefore.Hefinallyopenedthedoor.

Herealized,evenashedidso,thatshehadnotreallyidentifiedherself.ShehadmerelygivenanameandHumminhadnottoldhimwhomtoexpect,whetheritwastobethisDorsSomebodyoranyoneelse.Hehadfeltsecurebecausetheholographwasthatofapersonableyoungwoman,butforallheknewtheremightbehalfadozenhostileyoungmenwithher.

Hepeeredoutcautiously,sawonlythewoman,thenopenedthedoorsufficientlytoallowhertoenter.Heimmediatelyclosedandlockedthedoorbehindher.

“Pardonme,”hesaid,“Whattimeisit?”

“Nine,”shesaid,“Thedayhaslongsincebegun.”

Asfarasofficialtimewasconcerned,TrantorheldtoGalacticStandard,sinceonlysocouldsensebemadeoutofinterstellarcommerceandgovernmentaldealings.Eachworld,however,alsohadalocaltimesystemandSeldonhadnotyetcometothepointwherehefeltathomewithcasualTrantorianreferencestothehour.

“Midmorning?”hesaid.

“Ofcourse.”

“Therearenowindowsinthisroom,”hesaiddefensively.

Dorswalkedtohisbed,reachedout,andtouchedasmalldarkspotonthewall.Rednumbersappearedontheceilingjustoverhispillow.Theyread:0903.

Shesmiledwithoutsuperiority.“I'msorry,”shesaid.“ButIratherassumedChetterHumminwouldhavetoldyouI'dbecomingforyouatnine.Thetroublewithhimishe'ssousedtoknowing,hesometimesforgetsthatothersoccasionallydon'tknow.–AndIshouldn'thaveusedradio-holographicidentification.Iimagineyoudon'thaveitonHeliconandI'mafraidImusthavealarmedyou.”

Seldonfelthimselfrelax.SheseemednaturalandfriendlyandthecasualreferencetoHumminreassuredhim.Hesaid,“You'requitewrongaboutHelicon,Miss–”

“PleasecallmeDors.”

“You'restillwrongaboutHelicon,Dors.Wedohaveradioholography,butI'veneverbeenabletoaffordtheequipment.Norcouldanyoneinmycircle,soIhaven'tactuallyhadtheexperience.ButIunderstoodwhathadhappenedsoonenough.”

Hestudiedher.Shewasnotverytall,averageheightforawoman,hejudged.Herhairwasareddish-gold,thoughnotverybright,andwasarrangedinshorecurlsaboutherhead.(HehadseenanumberofwomeninTrantorwiththeirhairsoarranged.ItwasapparentlyalocalfashionthatwouldhavebeenlaughedatinHelicon.)Shewasnotamazinglybeautiful,butwasquirepleasanttolookat,thisbeinghelpedbyfulllipsthatseemedtohaveaslighthumorouscurltothem.Shewasslim,well-built,andlookedquiteyoung.(Tooyoung,hethoughtuneasily,tobeofuseperhaps.)

“DoIpassinspection?”sheasked.(SheseemedtohaveHummin'strickofguessinghisthoughts,Seldonthought,orperhapshehimselflackedthetrickofhidingthem.)Hesaid,“I'msorry.Iseemtohavebeenstaring,butI'veonlybeentryingtoevaluateyou.I'minastrangeplace.Iknownooneandhavenofriends.”

“Please,Dr.Seldon,countmeasafriend.Mr.Humminhasaskedmetotakecareofyou.”

Seldonsmiledruefully.“Youmaybealittleyoungforthejob.”

“You'llfindIamnot.”

“Well,I'lltrytobeaslittletroubleaspossible.Couldyoupleaserepeatyourname?”

“DorsVenabili.”Shespelledthelastnameandemphasizedthestressonthesecondsyllable.

“AsIsaid,pleasecallmeDorsandifyoudon'tobjecttoostrenuouslyIwillcallyouHari.We'requiteinformalhereattheUniversityandthereisanalmostself-consciousefforttoshownosignsofstatus,eitherinheritedorprofessional.”

“Please,byallmeans,callmeHari.”

“Good.Ishallremaininformalthen.Forinstance,theinstinctforformality,ifthereissuchathing,wouldcausemetoaskpermissiontositdown.Informally,however,Ishalljustsit.”Shethensatdownontheonechairintheroom.

Seldonclearedhisthroat.“Clearly,I'mnotatallinpossessionofmyordinaryfaculties.Ishouldhaveaskedyoutosit.”Hesatdownontheaideofhiscrumpledbedandwishedhehadthoughttostraightenitoutsomewhat–buthehadbeencaughtbysurprise.

Shesaidpleasantly,“Thisishowit'sgoingtowork,Hari.First,we'llgotobreakfastatoneoftheUniversitycafes.ThenI'llgetyouaroominoneofthedomiciles–abetterroomthanthis.You'llhaveawindow.Humminhasinstructedmetogetyouacredittileinhisname,butitwilltakemeadayortwotoextortoneoutoftheUniversitybureaucracy.Untilthat'sdone,I'llberesponsibleforyourexpensesandyoucanpaymebacklater.–Andwecanuseyou.ChetterHummintoldmeyou'reamathematicianandforsomereasonthere'saseriouslackofgoodonesattheUniversity.”

“DidHummintellyouthatIwasagoodmathematician?”

“Asamatterofface,hedid.Hesaidyouwerearemarkableman–”

“Well.”Seldonlookeddownathisfingernails.“Iwouldliketobeconsideredso,

butHumminknewmeforlessthanadayand,beforethat,hehadheardmepresentapaper,thequalityofwhichhehasnowayofjudging.Ithinkhewasjustbeingpolite.”

“Idon'tthinkso,”saidDors.“Heisaremarkablepersonhimselfandhashadagreatdealofexperiencewithpeople.I'llgobyhisjudgment.Inanycase,Iimagineyou'llhaveachancetoproveyourself.Youcanprogramcomputers,Isuppose.”

“Ofcourse.”

“I'mtalkingaboutteachingcomputers,youunderstand,andI'maskingifyoucandeviseprogramstoteachvariousphasesofcontemporarymathematics.”

“Yes,that'spartofmyprofession.I'massistantprofessorofmathematicsattheUniversityofHelicon.”

Shesaid,“Yes,Iknow.Hummintoldmethat.Itmeans,ofcourse,thateveryonewillknowyouareanon-Trantorian,butthatwillpresentnoseriousproblems.We'remainlyTrantorianhereattheUniversity,butthere'sasubstantialminorityofOutworldersfromanynumberofdifferentworldsandthat'saccepted.Iwon'tsaythatyou'llneverhearaplanetaryslurbutactuallytheOutworldersaremorelikelytousethemthantheTrantorians.I'manOutworldermyself,bytheway.”

“Oh?”Hehesitatedandthendecideditwouldbeonlypolitetoask.“Whatworldareyoufrom?”

“I'mfromCinna.Haveyoueverheardofit?”

He'dbecaughtoutifhewaspoliteenoughtolie,Seldondecided,sohesaid,“No.”

“I'mnotsurprised.It'sprobablyofevenlessaccountthanHeliconis.Anyway,togetbacktotheprogrammingofmathematicalteachingcomputers,Isupposethatthatcanbedoneeitherproficientlyorpoorly.”

“Absolutely.”

“Andyouwoulddoitproficiently.”

“Iwouldliketothinkso.”

“Thereyouare,then.TheUniversitywillpayyouforthat,solee'sgooutandeat.Didyousleepwell,bytheway?”

“Surprisingly,Idid.”

“Andareyouhungry?”

“Yes,but–”Hehesitated.

Shesaidcheerfully,“Butyou'reworriedaboutthequalityofthefood,isthatit?Well,don'tbe.BeinganOutworldermyself,Icanunderstandyourfeelingsaboutthestronginfusionofmicrofoodintoeverything,buttheUniversitymenusaren'tbad.Inthefacultydiningroom,atleast.

Thestudentssufferabit,butthatservestohardenthem.”

Sheroseandturnedtothedoor,butstoppedwhenSeldoncouldnotkeephimselffromsaying,

“Areyouamemberofthefaculty?”

Sheturnedandsmiledathimimpishly.“Don'tIlookoldenough?IgotmydoctoratetwoyearsagoatCinnaandI'vebeenhereeversince.Intwoweeks,I'llbethirty.”

“Sorry,”saidSeldon,smilinginhisturn,“butyoucan'texpecttolooktwenty-fourandnotraisedoubtsastoyouracademicstatus.”

“Aren'tyounice?”saidDorsandSeldonfeltacertainpleasurewashoverhim.Afterall,hethought,youcan'texchangepleasantrieswithanattractivewomanandfeelentirelylikeastranger.

18

Dorswasright.Breakfastwasbynomeansbad.Therewassomethingthatwasunmistakablyeggyandthemeatwaspleasantlysmoked.Thechocolatedrink(TrantorwasstrongonchocolateandSeldondidnotmindthat)wasprobably

synthetic,butitwastastyandthebreakfastrollsweregood.

Hefeltisonlyrighttosayasmuch.“Thishasbeenaverypleasantbreakfast.Food.

Surroundings.Everything.”

“I'mdelightedyouthinkso,”saidDors.

Seldonlookedabout.Therewereabankofwindowsinonewallandwhileactualsunlightdidnotenter(hewonderedif,afterawhile,hewouldlearntobesatisfiedwithdiffusedaylightandwouldceasetolookforpatchesofsunlightinaroom),theplacewaslightenough.Inface,itwasquitebright,forthelocalweathercomputerhadapparentlydecidediswastimeforasharp,clearday.

Thecableswerearrangedforfourapieceandmostwereoccupiedbythefullnumber,butDorsandSeldonremainedaloneattheirs.Dorshadcalledoversomeofthemenandwomenandhadintroducedthem.Allhadbeenpolice,butnonehadjoinedthem.Undoubtedly,Dorsintendedthattobeso,butSeldondidnotseehowshemanagedtoarrangeit.

Hesaid,“Youhaven'tintroducedmetoanymathematicians,Dors.”

“Ihaven'tseenanythatIknow.Mostmathematiciansstartthedayearlyandhaveclassesbyeight.Myownfeelingisthatanystudentsofoolhardyastotakemathematicswantstogetthatpartofthecourseoverwithassoonaspossible.”

“Itakeisyou'renotamathematicianyourself.”

“Anythingbut,”saidDorswithashortlaugh.“Anything.Historyismyfield.I'vealreadypublishedsomestudiesontheriseofTrantor–Imeantheprimitivekingdom,notthisworld.Isupposethatwillendupasmyfieldofspecialization–RoyalTrantor.”

“Wonderful,”saidSeldon.

“Wonderful?”Dorslookedathimquizzically.“AreyouinterestedinRoyalTrantortoo?”

“Inaway,yes.Thatandotherthingslikethat.I'veneverreallystudiedhistoryandIshouldhave.”

“Shouldyou?Ifyouhadstudiedhistory,you'dscarcelyhavehadtimetostudymathematicsandmathematiciansareverymuchneeded–especiallyatthisUniversity.We'refulltoherewithhistorians,”shesaid,raisingherhandtohereyebrows,“andeconomistsandpoliticalscientists,butwe'reshortonscienceandmathematics.ChetterHumminpointedthatouttomeonce.Hecalleditthedeclineofscienceandseemedtothinkitwasageneralphenomenon.”

Seldonsaid,“Ofcourse,whenIsayIshouldhavestudiedhistory,Idon'tmeanthatIshouldhavemadeitalifework.ImeantIshouldhavestudiedenoughtohelpmeinmymathematics.Myfieldofspecializationisthemathematicalanalysisofsocialstructure.”

“Soundshorrible.”

“Inaway,itis.It'sverycomplicatedandwithoutmyknowingagreatdealmoreabouthowsocietiesevolvedit'shopeless.Mypictureistoostatic,yousee.”

“Ican'tseebecauseIknownothingaboutit.Chettertoldmeyouweredevelopingsomethingcalledpsychohistoryandthatitwasimportant.HaveIgotitright?Psychohistory?”

“That'sright.Ishouldhavecalledit'psychsociology,'butitseemedtomethatwastoouglyaword.OrperhapsIknewinstinctivelythataknowledgeofhistorywasnecessaryandthendidn'tpaysufficientattentiontomythoughts.”

“Psychohistorydoessoundbetter,butIdon'tknowwhatitis.”

“Iscarcelydomyself.”Hebroodedafewminutes,lookingatthewomanontheothersideofthetableandfeelingthatshemightmakethisexileofhisseemalittlelesslikeanexile.Hethoughtoftheotherwomanhehadknownafewyearsago,butblockeditoffwithadeterminedeffort.Ifheeverfoundanothercompanion,itwouldhavetobeonewhounderstoodscholarshipandwhatitdemandedofaperson.

Togethismindontoanewtrack,hesaid,“ChetterHummintoldmethattheUniversityisinnowaytroubledbythegovernment.”

“He'sright.”

Seldonshookhishead.“ThatseemsratherunbelievablyforbearingoftheImperialgovernment.TheeducationalinstitutionsonHeliconarebynomeanssoindependentofgovernmentalpressures.”

“NoronCinna.NoronanyOutworld,exceptperhapsforoneortwoofthelargest.Trantorisanothermatter.”

“Yes,butwhy?”

“Becauseit'sthecenteroftheEmpire.Theuniversitiesherehaveenormousprestige.

Professionalsareturnedoutbyanyuniversityanywhere,buttheadministratorsoftheEmpire–thehighofficials,thecountlessmillionsofpeoplewhorepresentthetentaclesofEmpirereachingintoeverycorneroftheGalaxy–areeducatedrighthereonTrantor.”

“I'veneverseenthestatistics–”beganSeldon.

“Takemywordforit.ItisimportantthattheofficialsoftheEmpirehavesomecommonground,somespecialfeelingfortheEmpire.Andtheycan'tallbenativeTrantoriansorelsetheOutworldswouldgrowrestless.Forthatreason,TrantormustattractmillionsofOutworldersforeducationhere.Itdoesn'tmatterwheretheycomefromorwhattheirhomeaccentorculturemaybe,aslongastheypickuptheTrantorianpatinaandidentifythemselveswithaTrantorianeducationalbackground.That'swhatholdstheEmpiretogether.TheOutworldsarealsolessrestivewhenanoticeableportionoftheadministratorswhorepresenttheImperialgovernmentaretheirownpeoplebybirthandupbringing.”

Seldonfeltembarrassedagain.Thiswassomethinghehadnevergivenanythoughtto.Hewonderedifanyonecouldbeatrulygreatmathematicianifmathematicswasallheknew.Hesaid,

“Isthiscommonknowledge?”

“Isupposeitisn't,”saidDorsaftersomethought.“There'ssomuchknowledgetobehadthatspecialistsclingtotheirspecialtiesasashieldagainsthavingtoknowanythingaboutanythingelse.Theyavoidbeingdrowned.”

“Yetyouknowit.”

“Butthat'smyspecialty.I'mahistorianwhodealswiththeriseofRoyalTrantorandthisadministrativetechniquewasoneofthewaysinwhichTrantorspreaditsinfluenceandmanagedthetransitionfromRoyalTrantortoImperialTrantor.”

Seldonsaid,almostasthoughmutteringtohimself,“Howharmfuloverspecializationis.Itcutsknowledgeatamillionpointsandleavesitbleeding.”

Dorsshrugged.“Whatcanonedo?–Butyousee,ifTrantorisgoingtoattractOutworlderstoTrantorianuniversities,ithastogivethemsomethinginreturnforuprootingthemselvesandgoingtoastrangeworldwithanincrediblyartificialstructureandunusualways.I'vebeenheretwoyearsandI'mstillnotusedtoit.Imaynevergetusedtoit.Butthen,ofcourse,Idon'tintendtobeanadministrator,soI'mnotforcingmyselftobeaTrantorian.

“AndwhatTrantoroffersinexchangeisnotonlythepromiseofapositionwithhighstatus,considerablepower,andmoney,ofcourse,butalsofreedom.Whilestudentsarehavingtheir–education,theyarefreetodenouncethegovernment,demonstrateagainstitpeacefully,workouttheirowntheoriesandpointsofview.Theyenjoythatandmanycomeheresothattheycanexperiencethesensationofliberty.”

“Iimagine,”saidSeldon,“thatithelpsrelievepressureaswell.Theyworkoffalltheirresentments,enjoyallthesmugself-satisfactionayoungrevolutionarywouldhave,andbythetimetheytaketheirplaceintheImperialhierarchy,theyarereadytosettledownintoconformityandobedience.”

Dorsnodded.“Youmayberight.Inanycase,thegovernment,forallthesereasons,carefullypreservesthefreedomoftheuniversities.It'snotamatteroftheirbeingforbearingatall–onlyclever.”

“Andifyou'renotgoingtobeanadministrator,Dors,whatareyougoingtobe?”

“Ahistorian.I'llteach,putbook-filmsofmyownintotheprogramming.”

“Notmuchstatus,perhaps.”

“Notmuchmoney,Hari,whichismoreimportant.Asforstatus,that'sthesortofpushandpullI'djustassoonavoid.I'veseenmanypeoplewithstatus,butI'mstilllookingforahappyone.

Statuswon'tsitstillunderyou;youhavetocontinuallyfighttokeepfromsinking.EvenEmperorsmanagetocometobadendsmostofthetime.SomedayImayjustgobacktoCinnaandbeaprofessor.”

“AndaTrantorianeducationwillgiveyoustatus.”

Dorslaughed.“Isupposeso,butonCinnawhowouldcare?It'sadullworld,fulloffarmsandwithlotsofcattle,bothfour-leggedandtwo-legged.”

“Won'tyoufinditdullafterTrantor?”

“Yes,that'swhatI'mcountingon.Andifitgetscoodull,Icanalwayswangleagranttogohereortheretodoalittlehistoricalresearch.That'stheadvantageofmyfield.”

“Amathematician,ontheotherhand,”saidSeldonwithatraceofbitternessatsomethingthathadneverbeforebotheredhim,“isexpectedtositathiscomputerandthink.Andspeakingofcomputers–”Hehesitated.Breakfastwasdoneanditseemedtohimmorethanlikelyshehadsomedutiesofherowntoattendto.

Butshedidnotseemtobeinanygreathurrytoleave.“Yes?Speakingofcomputers?”

“WouldIbeabletogetpermissiontousethehistorylibrary?”

Nowiswasshewhohesitated.“Ithinkthatcanbearranged.Ifyouworkonmathematicsprogramming,you'llprobablybeviewedasaquasimemberofthefacultyandIcouldaskforyoutobegivenpermission.Only–”

“Only?”

“Idon'twanttohurtyourfeelings,butyou'reamathematicianandyousayyouknownothingabouthistory.Wouldyouknowhowtomakeuseofahistorylibrary?”

Seldonsmiled.“Isupposeyouusecomputersverymuchlikethoseinamathematicslibrary.”

“Wedo,buttheprogrammingforeachspecialtyhasquirksofitsown.Youdon'tknowthestandardreferencebook-films,thequickmethodsofwinnowingandskipping.Youmaybeabletofindahyperbolicintervalinthedark…”

“Youmeanhyperbolicintegral,”interruptedSeldonsoftly.Dorsignoredhim.“Butyouprobablywon'tknowhowtogetthetermsoftheTreatyofPoldarkinlessthanadayandahalf.”

“IsupposeIcouldlearn.”

“If…if…”Shelookedalittletroubled.“Ifyouwantto,Icanmakeasuggestion.Igiveaweek'scourse–onehoureachday,nocredit–onlibraryuse.It'sforundergraduates.Wouldyoufeelitbeneathyourdignitytositinonsuchacourse–withundergraduates,Imean?Itstartsinthreeweeks.”

“Youcouldgivemeprivatelessons.”Seldomfeltalittlesurprisedatthesuggestivetonethathadenteredhisvoice.

Shedidnotmissit.“IdaresayIcould,butIthinkyou'dbebetteroffwithmoreformalinstruction.We'llbeusingthelibrary,youunderstand,andattheendoftheweekyouwillbeaskedtolocateinformationonparticularitemsofhistoricalinterest.Youwillbecompetingwiththeotherstudentsallthroughandthatwillhelpyoulearn.Privatetutoringwillbefarlessefficient,Iassureyou.However,Iunderstandthedifficultyofcompetingwithundergraduates.Ifyoudon'tdoaswellasthey,youmayfeelhumiliated.Youmustremember,though,thattheyhavealreadystudiedelementaryhistoryandyou,perhaps,maynothave.”

“Ihaven't.No'may'aboutit.ButIwon'tbeafraidtocompeteandIwon'tmindanyhumiliationthatmaycomealong–ifImanagetolearnthecricksofthehistoricalreferencetrade.”

ItwascleartoSeldomthathewasbeginningtolikethisyoungwomanandthathewasgladlyseizingonthechancetobeeducatedbyher.Hewasalsoawareofthefacethathehadreachedaturningpointinhismind.

HehadpromisedHummintoattempttoworkoutapracticalpsychohistory,butthathadbeenapromiseofthemindandnottheemotions.Nowhewasdeterminedtoseizepsychohistorybythethroatifhehadto–inordertomakeitpractical.That,perhaps,wastheinfluenceofDorsVenabili.

OrhadHummincountedonthat?Hummin,Seldomdecided,mightwellbeamostformidableperson.

19

CleonIhadfinisheddinner,which,unfortunately,hadbeenaformalstateaffair.Itmeanthehadtospendtimetalkingtovariousofficials–notoneofwhomhekneworrecognized–insetphrasesdesignedtogiveeachonehisstrokeandsoactivatehisloyaltytothecrown.Italsomeantthathisfoodreachedhimbutlukewarmandhadcooledstillfurtherbeforehecouldeatit.Therehadtobesomewayofavoidingthat.Batfirst,perhaps,onhisownorwithoneortwocloseintimateswithwhomhecouldrelaxandthenattendaformaldinneratwhichhecouldmerelybeservedanimportedpear.Helovedpears.ButwouldthatoffendtheguestswhowouldtaketheEmperor'srefusaltosacwiththemasastudiedinsult.

Hiswife,ofcourse,wasuselessinthisrespect,forherpresencewouldbutfurtherexacerbatehisunhappiness.Hehadmarriedherbecauseshewasamemberofapowerfuldissidentfamilywhocouldbeexpectedtomutetheirdissidenceasaresultoftheunion,thoughCleondevoutlyhopedthatshe,atleast,wouldnotdoso.Hewasperfectlycontenttohaveherliveherownlifeinherownquartersexceptforthenecessaryeffortstoinitiateanheir,for,tocellthetruth,hedidn'tlikeher.

Andnowthatanheirhadcome,hecouldignorehercompletely.

Hechewedatoneofahandfulofnutshehadpocketedfromthetableonleavingandsaid,

“Demerzel!”

“Sire?”

DemerzelalwaysappearedatoncewhenCleoncalled.Whetherhehoveredconstantlyinearshotatthedoororhedrewclosebecausetheinstinctofsubserviencesomehowalertedhimtoapossiblecallinafewminutes,hedidappearandthat,Cleonthoughtidly,wastheimportantthing.

Ofcourse,therewerethosetimeswhenDemerzelhadtobeawayonImperialbusiness.Cleonalwayshatedthoseabsences.Theymadehimuneasy.

“Whathappenedtothatmathematician?Iforgethisname.”

Demerzel,whosurelyknewthemantheEmperorhadinmind,butwhoperhapswantedtostudyhowmuchtheEmperorremembered,said,“Whatmathematicianisitthatyouhaveinmind,Sire?”

Cleonwavedanimpatienthand.“Thefortune-teller.Theonewhocametoseeme.”

“Theonewesentfor?”

“Well,sentfor,then.Hedidcometoseeme.Youweregoingtotakecareofthematter,asIrecall.Haveyou?”

Demerzelclearedhisthroat.“Sire,Ihavecriedto.”

“Ah!Thatmeansyouhavefailed,doesn'tit?”Inaway,Cleonfeltpleased.DemerzelwastheonlyoneofhisMinisterswhomadenobonesoffailure.Theothersneveradmittedfailure,andsincefailurewasneverthelesscommon,itbecamedifficulttocorrect.PerhapsDemerzelcouldaffordtobemorehonest

becausehefailedsorarely.Ifitweren'tforDemerzel,Cleonthoughtsadly,hemightneverknowwhathonestysoundedlike.PerhapsnoEmperoreverknewandperhapsthatwasoneofthereasonsthattheEmpire–

Hepulledhisthoughtsawayand,suddenlynettledattheother'ssilenceandwantinganadmission,sincehehadjustadmiredDemerzel'shonestyinhismind,

saidsharply,“Well,youhavefailed,haven'tyou?”

Demerzeldidnotflinch.“Sire,Ihavefailedinpart.IfeltthattohavehimhereonTrantorwherethingsare–difficultmightpresentuswithproblems.Itwaseasytoconsiderthathemightbemoreconvenientlyplacedonhishomeplanet.Hewasplanningtoreturntothathomeplanetthenextday,buttherewasalwaysthechanceofcomplications–ofhisdecidingtoremainonTrantor–soIarrangedtohavetwoyoungalleymenplacehimonhisplanethatveryday.”

“Doyouknowalleymen,Demerzel?”Cleonwasamused.

“Itisimportant,Sire,tobeabletoreachmanykindsofpeople,foreachtypehasitsownvarietyofuse–alleymennottheleast.Asithappens,theydidnotsucceed.”

“Andwhywasthat?”

“Oddlyenough,Seldonwasabletofightthemoff.”

“Themathematiciancouldfight?”

“Apparently,mathematicsandthemartialartsarenotnecessarilymutuallyexclusive.Ifoundout,notsoonenough,thathisworld,Helicon,isnotedforit–martialarts,notmathematics.ThefactthatIdidnotlearnthisearlierwasindeedafailure,Sire,andIcanonlycraveyourpardon.”

“Butthen,Isupposethemathematicianleftforhishomeplanetthenextdayashehadplanned.”

“Unfortunately,theepisodebackfired.Takenabackbytheevent,hedecidednottoreturntoHelicon,butremainedonTrantor.Hemayhavebeenadvisedtothiseffectbyapasserbywhohappenedtobepresentontheoccasionofthefight.Thatwasanotherunlooked–forcomplication.”

TheEmperorCleonfrowned.“Thenourmathematician–whatithisname?”

“Seldon,Sire.HariSeldon.”

“ThenthisSeldonisoutofreach.”

“Inasense,Sire.WehavetracedhismovementsandheisnowatStreelingUniversity.Whilethere,heisuntouchable.”TheEmperorscowledandreddenedslightly.“Iamannoyedatthatword–'untouchable.'ThereshouldbenowhereintheEmpiremyhandcannotreach.Yethere,onmyownworld,youtellmesomeonecanbeuntouchable.Insufferable!”

“YourhandcanreachtotheUniversity,Sire.YoucansendinyourarmyandpluckoutthisSeldonatanymomentyoudesire.Todoso,however,is…undesirable.”

“Whydon'tyousay'impractical,'Demerzel.Yousoundlikethemathematicianspeakingofhisfortune-telling.Itispossible,butimpractical.IamanEmperorwhofindseverythingpossible,butverylittlepractical.Remember,Demerzel,ifreachingSeldonisnotpractical,reachingyouisentirelyso.”

EtoDemerzelletthislastcommentpass.The“manbehindthethrone”knewhisimportancetotheEmperor,hehadheardsuchthreatsbefore.HewaitedinsilencewhiletheEmperorglowered.

Drumminghisfingersagainstthearmofhischair,Cleonasked,“Wellthen,whatgoodisthismathematiciantousifheisatStreelingUniversity?”

“Itmayperhapsbepossible,Sire,tosnatchuseoutofadversity.AttheUniversity,hemaydecidetoworkonhispsychohistory.”

“Eventhoughheinsistsit'simpractical?”

“Hemaybewrongandhemayfindoutthatheiswrong.Andifhefindsoutthatheiswrong,wewouldfindsomewayofgettinghimoutoftheUniversity.Itisevenpossiblehewouldjoinusvoluntarilyunderthosecircumstances.”

TheEmperorremainedlostinthoughtforawhile,thensaid,“Andwhatifsomeoneelsepluckshimoutbeforewedo?”

“Whowouldwanttodothat,Sire?”askedDemerzelsofty.

“TheMayorofWye,forone,”saidCleon,suddenlyshouting.“HedreamsstilloftakingovertheEmpire.”

“Oldagehasdrawnhisfangs,Sire.”

“Don'tyoubelieveit,Demerzel.”

“AndwehavenoreasonforsupposinghehasanyinterestinSeldonorevenknowsofhim,Sire.”

“Comeon,Demerzel.Ifweheardofthepaper,socouldWye.IfweseethepossibleimportanceofSeldon,socouldWye.”

“Ifthatshouldhappen,”saidDemerzel,“orevenifthereshouldbeareasonablechanceofitshappening,thenwewouldbejustifiedintakingstrongmeasures.”

“Howstrong?”

Demerzelsaidcautiously,“ItmightbearguedthatratherthanhaveSeldoninWye'shands,wemightprefertohavehiminnoone'shands.Tohavehimceasetoexist,Sire.”

“Tohavehimkilled,youmean,”saidCleon.

“Ifyouwishtoputitthatway,Sire,”saidDemerzel.

20

HariSeldonsatbackinhischairinthealcovethathadbeenassignedtohimthroughDorsVenabili'sintervention.Hewasdissatisfied.

Asamatteroffact,althoughthatwastheexpressionheusedinhismind,heknewthatitwasagrossunderestimationofhisfeelings.Hewasnotsimplydissatisfied,hewasfurious–allthemoresobecausehewasn'tsurewhatitwashewasfuriousabout.Wasitaboutthehistories?Thewritersandcompilersofhistories?Theworldsandpeoplethatmadethehistories?

Whateverthetargetofhisfury,itdidn'treallymatter.Whatcountedwasthathisnoteswereuseless,hisnewknowledgewasuseless,everythingwasuseless.

HehadbeenattheUniversitynowforalmostsixweeks.Hehadmanagedtofindacomputeroutletattheverystartandwithithadbegunwork–without

instruction,butusingtheinstinctshehaddevelopedoveranumberofyearsofmathematicallabors.Ithadbeenslowandhalting,buttherewasacertainpleasureingraduallydeterminingtheroutesbywhichhecouldgethisquestionsanswered.

ThencametheweekofinstructionwithDors,whichhadtaughthimseveraldozenshortcutsandhadbroughtwithittwosetsofembarrassments.Thefirstsetincludedthesidelongglanceshereceivedfromtheundergraduates,whoseemedcontemptuouslyawareofhisgreaterageandwhoweredisposedtofrownabitatDors'sconstantuseofthehonorific“Doctor”inaddressinghim.

“Idon'twantthemtothink,”shesaid,“thatyou'resomebackwardperpetualstudenttakingremedialhistory.”

“Butsurelyyou'veestablishedthepoint.Surely,amere'Seldon'issufficientnow.”

“No,”Dorssaidandsmiledsuddenly.“Besides,Iliketocallyou'Dr.Seldon.'Ilikethewayyoulookuncomfortableeachtime.”

“Youhaveapeculiarsenseofsadistichumor.”

“Wouldyoudepriveme?”

Forsomereason,thatmadehimlaugh.Surely,thenaturalreactionwouldhavebeentodenysadism.Somehowhefounditpleasantthatsheacceptedtheballofconversationandfireditback.

Thethoughtledtoanaturalquestion.“DoyouplaytennishereattheUniversity?”

“Wehavecourts,butIdon'tplay.”

“Good.I'llteachyou.AndwhenIdo,I'llcallyouProfessorVenabili.”

“That'swhatyoucallmeinclassanyway.”

“You'llbesurprisedhowridiculousitwillsoundonthetenniscourt.”

“Imaygettolikeit.”

“Inthatcase,Iwilltrytofindwhatelseyoumightgettolike.”

“Iseeyouhaveapeculiarsenseofsalacioushumor.”

Shehadputthatballinthatspotdeliberatelyandhesaid,“Wouldyoudepriveme?”

Shesmiledandlaterdidsurprisinglywellonthetenniscourt.

“Areyousureyouneverplayedtennis?”hesaid,puffing,afteronesession.

“Positive,”shesaid.

Theothersetofembarrassmentswasmoreprivate.Helearnedthenecessarytechniquesofhistoricalresearchandthenburned–inprivateathisearlierattemptstomakeuseofthecomputer'smemory.Itwassimplyanentirelydifferentmind–setfromthatusedinmathematics.Itwasequallylogical,hesupposed,sinceitcouldbeused,consistentlyandwithouterror,tomoveinwhateverdirectionhewantedto,butitwasasubstantiallydifferentbrandoflogicfromthattowhichhewasaccustomed.

Butwithorwithoutinstructions,whetherhestumbledormovedinswiftly,hesimplydidn'tgetanyresults.

Hisannoyancemadeitselffeltonthetenniscourt.Dorsquicklyreachedthestagewhereitwasnolongernecessarytolobeasyballsathertogivehertimetojudgedirectionanddistance.

Thatmadeiteasytoforgetthatshewasjustabeginnerandheexpressedhisangerinhisswing,firingtheballbackatherasthoughitwerealaserbeammadesolid.

Shecametrottinguptothenetandsaid,“Icanunderstandyourwantingtokillme,sinceitmustannoyyoutowatchmemisstheshotssooften.Howisit,though,thatyoumanagedtomissmyheadbyaboutthreecentimetersthattime?Imean,youdidn'tevennickme.Can'tyoudobetterthanthat?”

Seldon,horrified,triedtoexplain,butonlymanagedtosoundincoherent.

Shesaid,“Look.I'mnotgoingtofaceanyotherreturnsofyourstoday,sowhydon'tweshowerandthengettogetherforsometeaandwhateverandyoucantellmejustwhatyouweretryingtokill.Ifitwasn'tmypoorheadandifyoudon'tgettherealvictimoffyourchest,you'llbeentirelytoodangerousontheothersideofthenetformetowanttoserveasatarget.”

Overteahesaid,“Dors,I'vescannedhistoryafterhistory;justscanned,browsed.Ihaven'thadtimefordeepstudyyet.Evenso,it'sbecomeobvious.Allthebook-filmsconcentrateonthesamefewevents.”

“Crucialones.History-makingones.”

“That'sjustanexcuse.They'recopyingeachother.Therearetwenty-fivemillionworldsoutthereandthere'ssignificantmentionofperhapstwenty-five.”

Dorssaid,“You'rereadinggeneralGalactichistoriesonly.Lookupthespecialhistoriesofsomeoftheminorworlds.Oneveryworld,howeversmall,thechildrenaretaughtlocalhistoriesbeforetheyeverfindoutthere'sagreatbigGalaxyoutside.Don'tyouyourselfknowmoreaboutHelicon,rightnow,thanyouknowabouttheriseofTrantororoftheGreatInterstellarWar?”

“Thatsortofknowledgeislimitedtoo,”saidSeldongloomily.“IknowHeliconiangeographyandthestoriesofitssettlementandofthemalfeasanceandmisfeasanceoftheplanetJennisek–that'sourtraditionalenemy,thoughourteacherscarefullytoldusthatweoughttosay

'traditionalrival.'ButIneverlearnedanythingaboutthecontributionsofHelicontogeneralGalactichistory.”

“Maybethereweren'tany.”

“Don'tbesilly.Ofcoursetherewere.Theremaynothavebeengreat,hugespacebattlesinvolvingHeliconorcrucialrebellionsorpeacetreaties.TheremaynothavebeensomeImperialcompetitormakinghisbaseonHelicon.Buttheremusthavebeensubtleinfluences.Surely,nothingcanhappenanywherewithoutaffectingeverywhereelse.Yetthere'snothingIcanfind'tohelpme.

weehere,Dors.Inmathematics,allcanbefoundinthecomputer;everythingweknoworhavefoundoutintwentythousandyears.Inhistory,that'snotso.Historianspickandchooseandeveryoneofthempicksandchoosesthesamething.”

“But,Hari,”saidDors,“mathematicsisanorderlythingofhumaninvention.Onethingfollowsfromanother.Therearedefinitionsandaxioms,allofwhichareknown.Itis…itis…allonepiece.Historyisdifferent.Itistheunconsciousworkingoutofthedeedsandthoughtsofquadrillionsofhumanbeings.Historiansmustpickandchoose.”

“Exactly,”saidSeldon,“butImustknowallofhistoryifIamtoworkoutthelawsofpsychohistory.”

“Inthatcase,youwon'teverformulatethelawsofpsychohistory.”

Thatwasyesterday.NowSeldonsatinhischairinhisalcove,havingspentanotherdayofutterfailure,andhecouldhearDors'svoicesaying,“Inthatcase,youwon'teverformulatethelawsofpsychohistory.”

Itwaswhathehadthoughttobeginwithandifithadn'tbeenforHummin'sconvictiontothecontraryandhisoddabilitytofireSeldonwithhisownblazeofconviction,Seldonwouldhavecontinuedtothinkso.

Andyetneithercouldhequiteletgo.Mighttherenotbesomewayout?Hecouldn'tthinkofany.

UPPERSIDE

TRANTOR–…Itisalmostneverpicturedasaworldseenfromspace.

Ithaslongsincecapturedthegeneralmindofhumanityasaworldoftheinteriorandtheimageisthatofthehumanhivethatexistedunderthedomes.Yettherewasanexterioraswellandthereareholographsthatstillremainthatweretakenfromapaceandshowvaryingdegreesofdevil(seeFigures14andl5).Notethatthesurfaceofthedomes,theinterfaceofthevastcityandtheoverlyingatmosphere,asurfacereferredtoinitstimeas

“Upperside,”is…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

21

YetthefollowingdayfoundHariSeldonbackinthelibrary.Foronething,therewashispromisetoHummin.Hehadpromisedtotryandhecouldn'tverywellmakeitahalfheartedprocess.Foranother,heowedsomethingtohimselftoo.Heresentedhavingtoadmitfailure.Notyet,atleast.Notwhilehecouldplausiblytellhimselfhewasfollowingupleads.

Sohestaredatthelistofreferencebook-filmshehadnotyetcheckedthroughandtriedtodecidewhichoftheunappetizingnumberhadtheslightestchanceofbeingusefultohim.Hehadaboutdecidedthattheanswerwas“noneoftheabove”andsawnowayoutbuttolookatsamplesofeachwhenhewasstartledbyagentletapagainstthealcovewall.

SeldonlookedupandfoundtheembarrassedfaceofLisungRandapeeringathimaroundtheedgeofthealcoveopening.SeldonknewRanda,hadbeenintroducedtohimbyDors,andhaddinedwithhim(andwithothers)onseveraloccasions.Randa,aninstructorinpsychology,wasalittleman,shortandplump,witharoundcheerfulfaceandanalmostperpetualsmile.Hehadasallowcomplexionandthenarrowedeyessocharacteristicofpeopleonmillionsofworlds.Seldonknewthatappearancewell,forthereweremanyofthegreatmathematicianswhohadborneit,andhehadfrequentlyseentheirholograms.YetonHeliconhehadneverseenoneoftheseEasterners.

(Bytraditiontheywerecalledthat,thoughnooneknewwhy;andtheEasternersthemselvesweresaidtoresentthetermtosomedegree,butagainnooneknewwhy.)

“There'smillionsofushereonTrantor,”Randahadsaid,smilingwithnotraceofself-consciousness,whenSeldon,onfirstmeetinghim,hadnotbeenabletorepressalltraceofstartledsurprise.“You'llalsofindlotofSoutherners–darkskins,tightlycurledhair.Didyoueverseeone?”

“NotonHelicon,”mutteredSeldon.

“AllWesternersonHelicon,eh?Howdull!Butitdoesn'tmatter.Takesall

kinds.”(HeleftSeldonwonderingatthefactthattherewereEasterners,Southerners,andWesterners,butnoNortherners.Hehadtriedfindingananswertowhythatmightbeinhisreferencesearchesandhadnotsucceeded.)

AndnowRanda'sgood-naturedfacewaslookingathimwithanalmostludicrouslookofconcern.Hesaid,“Areyouallright,Seldon?”

Seldonstared.“Yes,ofcourse.Whyshouldn'tIbe?”

“I'mjustgoingbysounds,myfriend.Youwerescreaming.”

“Screaming?”Seldonlookedathimwithoffendeddisbelief.

“Notloud.Likethis.”Ranchgrittedhisteethandemittedastrangledhigh-pitchedsoundfromthebackofhisthroat.“IfI'mwrong,Iapologizeforthisunwarrantedintrusiononyou.Pleaseforgiveme.”

Seldonhunghishead.“You'reforgiven,Lisung.Idomakethatsoundsometimes,I'mtold.Iassureyouit'sunconscious.I'mneverawareofit.”

“Areyouawarewhyyoumakeit?”

“Yes.Frustration.Frustration.”

RandabeckonedSeldoncloserandloweredhisvoicefurther.“We'redisturbingpeople.Let'scomeouttotheloungebeforewe'rethrownout.”

Inthelounge,overapairofmilddrinks,Randasaid,“MayIaskyou,asamatterofprofessionalinterest,whyyouarefeelingfrustration?”

Seldonshrugged.“Whydoesoneusuallyfeelfrustration?I'mtacklingsomethinginwhichIammakingnoprogress.”

“Butyou'reamathematician,Hari.Whyshouldanythinginthehistorylibraryfrustrateyou?”

“Whatwereyoudoinghere?”

“PassingthroughaspartofashortcuttowhereIwasgoingwhenIheardyou…

moaning.

Nowyousee”–andhesmiled–“it'snolongerashortcut,butaseriousdelay–onethatIwelcome,however.”

“IwishIwerejustpassingthroughthehistorylibrary,butI'mtryingtosolveamathematicalproblemthatrequiressomeknowledgeofhistoryandI'mafraidI'mnothandlingitwell.”

RandastaredatSeldonwithanunusuallysolemnexpressiononhisface,thenhesaid,

“Pardonme,butImustruntheriskofoffendingyounow.I'vebeencomputeringyou.”

“Computeringme!”Seldon'seyeswidened.Hefeltdistinctlyangry.

“Ihaveoffendedyou.But,youknow,Ihadanunclewhowasamathematician.Youmightevenhaveheardofhim:KiangtowRanda.”

Seldondrewinhisbreath.“AreyouarelativeofthatRanda?”

“Yes.Heismyfather'solderbrotherandhewasquitedispleasedwithmefornotfollowinginhisfootsteps–hehasnochildrenofhisown.IthoughtsomehowthatitmightpleasehimthatIhadmetamathematicianandIwantedtoboastofyou–ifIcould–soIcheckedwhatinformationthemathematicslibrarymighthave.”

“Isee.Andthat'swhatyouwerereallydoingthere.Well–I'msorry.Idon'tsupposeyoucoulddomuchboasting.”

“Yousupposewrong.Iwasimpressed.Icouldn'tmakeheadsortailsofthesubjectmatterofyourpapers,butsomehowtheinformationseemedtobeveryfavorable.AndwhenIcheckedthenewsfiles,IfoundyouwereattheDecennialConventionearlierthisyear.So…what's

'psychohistory,'anyway?Obviously,thefirsttwosyllablesstirmycuriosity.”

“Iseeyougotthatwordoutofit.”

“UnlessI'mtotallymisled,itseemedtomethatyoucanworkoutthefuturecourseofhistory.”

Seldonnoddedwearily,“That,moreorless,iswhatpsychohistoryisor,rather,whatitisintendedtobe.”

“Butisitaseriousstudy?”Randawassmiling.“Youdon'tjustthrowsticks?”

“Throwsticks?”

“That'sjustareferencetoagameplayedbychildrenonmyhomeplanetofHopara.Thegameissupposedtotellthefutureandifyou'reasmartkid,youcanmakeagoodthingoutofit.Tellamotherthatherchildwillgrowupbeautifulandmarryarichmanandit'sgoodforapieceofcakeorahalf-creditpieceonthespot.Sheisn'tgoingtowaitandseeifitcomestrue;youarerewardedjustforsayingit.”

“Isee.No,Idon'tthrowsticks.Psychohistoryisjustanabstractstudy.Strictlyabstract.Ithasnopracticalapplicationatall,except–”

“Nowwe'regettingtoit.Exceptionsarewhatareinteresting.”

“ExceptthatIwouldliketoworkoutsuchanapplication.PerhapsifIknewmoreabouthistory–”

“Ah,thatiswhyyouarereadinghistory?”

“Yes,butitdoesmenogood,”saidSeldonsadly.“Thereistoomuchhistoryandthereistoolittleofitthatistold.”

“Andthat'swhat'sfrustratingyou?”

Seldonnodded.Randasaid,“But,Hari,you'veonlybeenhereamatterofweeks.”

“True,butalreadyIcansee–”

“Youcan'tseeanythinginafewweeks.Youmayhavetospendyourwholelifetimemakingonelittleadvance.Itmaytakemanygenerationsofworkby

manymathematicianstomakearealinroadontheproblem.”

“Iknowthat,Lisung,butthatdoesn'tmakemefeelbetter.Iwanttomakesomevisibleprogressmyself.”

“Well,drivingyourselftodistractionwon'thelpeither.Ifitwillmakeyoufeelbetter,IcangiveyouanexampleofasubjectmuchlesscomplexthanhumanhistorythatpeoplehavebeenworkingforIdon'tknowhowlongwithoutmakingmuchprogress.IknowbecauseagroupisworkingonitrighthereattheUniversityandoneofmygoodfriendsisinvolved.Talkaboutfrustration!Youdon'tknowwhatfrustrationis!”

“What'sthesubject?”Seldonfeltasmallcuriositystirringwithinhim.

“Meteorology.”

“Meteorology!”Seldonfeltrevoltedattheanticlimax.

“Don'tmakefaces.Look.Everyinhabitedworldhasanatmosphere.Everyworldhasitsownatmosphericcomposition,itsowntemperaturerange,itsownrotationandrevolutionrate,itsownaxialtipping,it'sownland-waterdistribution.We'vegottwentyfivemilliondifferentproblemsandnoonehassucceededinfindingageneralization.”

“…that'sbecauseatmosphericbehavioreasilyentersachaoticphase.Everyoneknowsthat.”

“SomyfriendJenarrLeggensays.You'vemethim.”

Seldonconsidered.“Tallfellow?Longnose?Doesn'tspeakmuch?”

“That'stheone.–AndTrantoritselfisabiggerpuzzlethanalmostanyworld.Accordingtotherecords,ithadafairlynormalweatherpatternwhenitwasfirstsettled.Then,asthepopulationgrewandurbanizationspread,moreenergywasusedandmoreheatwasdischargedintotheatmosphere.Theicecovercontracted,thecloudlayerthickened,andtheweathergotlousier.Thatencouragedthemovementundergroundandsetoffaviciouscycle.Theworsetheweathergot,themoreeagerlythelandwasdugintoandthedomesbuiltandtheweathergotstillworse.Nowtheplanethasbecomeaworldofalmost

incessantcloudinessandfrequentrains–orsnowswhenit'scoldenough.Theonlythingisthatnoonecanworkitoutproperly.Noonehasworkedoutananalysisthatcanexplainwhytheweatherhasdeterioratedquireasithasorhowonecanreasonablypredictthedetailsofitsday–todaychanges.”

Seldonshrugged.“Isthatsortofthingimportant?”

“Toameteorologistitis.Whycan'ttheybeasfrustratedovertheirproblemsasyouareoveryours?Don'tbeaprojectchauvinist.”

SeldonrememberedthecloudinessandthedankchillonthewaytotheEmperor'sPalace.

Hesaid,“Sowhat'sbeingdoneaboutit?”

“Well,there'sabigprojectonthematterhereattheUniversityendJenarrLeggenispartofit.

TheyfeelthatiftheycanunderstandtheweatherchangeonTrantor,theywilllearnagreatdealaboutthebasiclawsofgeneralmeteorology.Leggenwantsthatasmuchasyouwantyourlawsofpsychohistory.SohehassetupanincrediblearrayofinstrumentsofallkindsUpperside…youknow,abovethedomes.Ithasn'thelpedthemsofar.Andifthere'ssomuchworkbeingdoneformanygenerationsontheatmosphere,withoutresults,howcanyoucomplainthatyouhaven'tgottenanythingoutofhumanhistoryinafewweeks?”

Randawasright,Seldonthought,andhehimselfwasbeingunreasonableandwrong.Andyet…andyet…Humminwouldsaythatthisfailureinthescientificattackonproblemswasanothersignofthedegenerationofthetimes.Perhapshewasright,also,exceptthathewasspeakingofageneraldegenerationandaverageeffect.Seldonfeltnodegenerationofabilityandmentalityinhimself.

Hesaidwithsomeinterestthen,“Youmeanthatpeopleclimbupoutofthedomesandintotheopenairabove?”

“Yes.Upperside.It'safunnything,though.MostnativeTrantorianswon'tdoit.Theydon'tliketogoUpperside.Theideagivesthemvertigoorsomething.MostofthoseworkingonthemeteorologyprojectareOutworlders.”

SeldonlookedoutofthewindowandthelawnsandsmallgardenoftheUniversitycampus,brilliantlylitwithoutshadowsoroppressiveheat,andsaidthoughtfully,“Idon'tknowthatIcanblameTrantoriansforlikingthecomfortofbeingwithin,butIshouldthinkcuriositywoulddrivecomeUpperside.Itwoulddriveme.”

“Doyoumeanthatyouwouldliketoseemeteorologyinaction?”

“IthinkIwould.HowdoesonegetUpperside?”

“Nothingtoit.Anelevatorrakesyouup,adooropens,andthereyouare.I'vebeenupthere.

It's…novel.”

“Itwouldgetmymindoffpsychohistoryforawhile.”Seldonsighed.“I'dwelcomethat.”

“Ontheotherhand,”saidRandy,“myuncleusedtosay,'Allknowledgeisone,'andhemayberight.Youmaylearnsomethingfrommeteorologythatwillhelpyouwithyourpsychohistory.

Isn'tthatpossible?.”

Seldonsmiledweakly.“Agreatmanythingsarepossible.”Andtohimselfheadded:Butnotpractical.

22

Dorsseemedamused.“Meteorology?”

Seldonsaid,“Yes.There'sworkscheduledfortomorrowandI'llgoupwiththem.”

“Areyoutiredofhistory?”

Seldonnoddedhisheadsomberly.“Yes,Iam.I'llwelcomethechange.Besides,Randysaysit'sanotherproblemthat'stoomassiveformathematicstohandleanditwilldomegoodtoseethatmysituationisn'tunique.”

“Ihopeyou'renotagoraphobic.”

Seldonsmiled.“No,I'mnot,butIseewhyyouask.RandysaysthatTrantoriansarefrequentlyagoraphobicandwon'tgoUpperside.Iimaginetheyfeeluncomfortablewithoutaprotectiveenclosure…”

Dorsnodded.“Youcanseewherethatwouldbenatural,buttherearealsomanyTrantorianswhoaretobefoundamongtheplanetsoftheGalaxy–tourists,administrators,soldiers.Andagoraphobiaisn'tparticularlyrareintheOutworldseither.”

“Thatmaybe,Dors,butI'mnotagoraphobic.IamcuriousandIwelcomethechange,soI'llbejoiningthemtomorrow.”

Doeshesitated.“Ishouldgoupwithyou,butIhaveaheavyscheduletomorrow.gill,ifyou'renotagoraphobic,you'llhavenotroubleandyou'llprobablyenjoyyourself.Oh,andstayclosetothemeteorologists.I'veheardofpeoplegettinglostupthere.”

“I'llbecareful.It'salongtimesinceI'vegottentrulylostanywhere.”

23

JenarrLeggenhadadarklookabouthim.Itwasnotsomuchhiscomplexion,whichwasfairenough.Itwasnotevenhiseyebrows,whichwerethickanddarkenough.Itwas,rather,thatthoseeyebrowswerehunchedoverdeep-seteyesandalongandratherprominentnose.Hehad,asaresult,amostunmerrylook.Hiseyesdidnotsmileandwhenhespoke,whichwasn'toften,hehadadeep,strongvoice,surprisinglyresonantforhisratherthinbody.

Hesaid,“You'llneedwarmerclothingthanthat,Seldon.”

Seldonsaid,“Oh?”andlookedabout.

ThereweretwomenandtwowomenwhoweremakingreadytogoupwithLeggenandSeldonAnd,asinLeggen'sowncase,theirrathersatinyTrantorianclothingwascoveredbythicksweatersthat,notsurprisingly,werebrightlycoloredinbolddesigns.Notwowereevenfaintlyalike,ofcourse.

Seldonlookeddownathimselfandsaid,“Sorry,Ididn'tknowbutIdon'thaveanysuitableoutergarment.”

“Icangiveyouone.Ithinkthere'saspareheresomewhere.–Yes,hereitis.Alittlethreadbare,butit'sbetterthannothing.”

“Wearingsweaterslikethesecanmakeyouunpleasantlywarm,”saidSeldon.

“Heretheywould,”saidLeggen.“OtherconditionsexistUpperside.Coldandwindy.ToobadIdon'thavespareleggingsandbootsforyoutoo.You'llwantthemlater.”

Theyweretakingwiththematartofinstruments,whichtheyweretestingonebyonewithwhatSeldonthoughtwasunnecessaryslowness.

“Yourhomeplanetcold?”askedLeggen.

Seldonsaid,“Partsofit,ofcourse.ThepartofHeliconIcomefromismildandoftenrainy.”

“Toobad.Youwon'tliketheweatherUpperside.”

“IthinkIcanmanagetoendureitforthetimewe'llbeupthere.”

Whentheywereready,thegroupfiledintoanelevatorthatwasmarked:OFFICIALUSE

ONLY.

“That'sbecauseitgoesUpperside,”saidoneoftheyoungwomen,“andpeoplearen'tsupposedtobeuptherewithoutgoodreason.”

Seldonhadnotmettheyoungwomanbefore,buthehadheardheraddressedasClowzia.Hedidn'tknowifthatwasafirstname,alastname,oranickname.TheelevatorseemednodifferentfromothersthatSeldonhadbeenon,eitherhereonTrantororathomeinHelicon(barring,ofcourse,thegraviticliftheandHumminhadused),buttherewassomethingaboutknowingthatitwasgoingtotakehimoutoftheconfinesoftheplanetandintoemptinessabovethatmadeitfeellikeaspaceship.

Seldonsmiledinternally.Afoolishfantasy.

Theelevatorquiveredslightly,whichremindSeldonofHummin'sforebodingsofGalacticdecay.Leggen,alongwiththeothermenandoneofthewomen,seemedfrozenandwaiting,asthoughtheyhadsuspendedthoughtaswellasactivityuntiltheycouldgetout,butClowziakeptglancingathimasthoughshefoundhimterriblyimpressive.

Seldonleanedcloseandwhisperedtoher(hehesitatedtodisturbtheothers),“Arewegoingupveryhigh?”

“High?”sherepeated.Shespokeinanormalvoice,apparentlynotfeelingthattheothersrequiredsilence.SheseemedveryyounganditoccurredtoSeldonthatshewasprobablyanundergraduate.Anapprentice,perhaps.

“We'retakingalongtime.Uppersidemustbemanystorieshighintheair.”

Foramoment,shelookedpuzzled.Then,“Ohno.Nothighatall.Westartedverydeep.TheUniversityisatalowlevel.Weuseagreatdealofenergyandifwe'requiredeep,theenergycostsarelower.”

Leggensaid,“Allright.We'rehere.Leisgettheequipmentout.”

Theelevatorstoppedwithasmallshudderandthewidedoorslidopenrapidly.

ThetemperaturedroppedatonceandSeldonthrusthishandsintohispocketsandwasverygladhehadasweateron.Acoldwindstirredhishairanditoccurredtohimthathewouldhavefoundahatusefuland,evenashethoughtthat,Leggenpulledsomethingoutofafoldinhissweater,snappeditopen,andputitonhishead.Theothersdidthesame.

OnlyClowziahesitated.Shepausedjustbeforesheputherson,thenofferedittoSeldon.

Seldonshookhishead.“Ican'ttakeyourhat,Clowzia.”

“Goahead.Ihavelonghairandit'sprettythick.Yoursisshortandalittle…thin.”

Seldonwouldhavelikedtodenythatfirmlyandatanothertimehewouldhave.Now,however,hetookthehatandmumbled,“Thankyou.Ifyourheadgetscold,I'llgiveitback.”

Maybeshewasn'tsoyoung.Itwasherroundface,almostababyface.Andnowthatshehadcalledattentiontoherhair,hecouldseethatitwasacharmingrussetshade.HehadneverseenhairquitelikethatonHelicon.

Outsideitwascloudy,asithadbeenthetimehewastakenacrossopencountrytothePalace.

Itwasconsiderablycolderthanithadbeenthen,butheassumedthatwasbecausetheyweresixweeksfartherintowinter.Thecloudswerethickerthantheyhadbeenontheearlieroccasionandthedaywasdistinctlydarkerandthreatening–orwasitjustclosertonight?Surely,theywouldn'tcomeuptodoimportantworkwithoutleavingthemselvesanampleperiodofdaylighttodoitin.

Ordidtheyexpecttotakeverylittletime?

Hewouldhavelikedtohaveasked,butitoccurredtohimthattheymightnotlikequestionsatthistime.Allofthemseemedtobeinstatesvaryingfromexcitementtoanger.

Seldoninspectedhissurroundings.

Hewasstandingonsomethingthathethoughtmightbedullmetalfromthesounditmadewhenhesurreptitiouslythumpedhisfootdownonit.Itwasnotbaremetal,however.Whenhewalked,heleftfootprints.Thesurfacewasclearlycoveredbydustorfinesandorclay.

Well,whynot?Therecouldscarcelybeanyonecomingupheretodusttheplace.Hebentdowntopinchupsomeofthematteroutofcuriosity.

Clowziahadcomeuptohim.Shenoticedwhathewasdoingandsaid,withtheairofahousewifecaughtatanembarrassingnegligence,“Wedosweephereaboutsforthesakeoftheinstruments.It'smuchworsemostplacesUpperside,butitreallydoesn'tmatter.Itmakesforinsulation,youknow.”

Seldongruntedandcontinuedtolookabout.Therewasnochanceofunderstandingtheinstrumentsthatlookedasthoughtheyweregrowingoutofthethinsoil(ifonecouldcallitthat).

Hehadn'tthefaintestideaofwhattheywereorwhattheymeasured.

Leggenwaswalkingtowardhim.HewaspickinguphisfeetandputtingthemdowngingerlyanditoccurredtoSeldonthathewasdoingsotoavoidjarringtheinstruments.Hemadeamentalnotetowalkthatwayhimself.

“You!Seldon!”

Seldondidn'tquitelikethetoneofvoice.Herepliedcoolly,“Yes,Dr.Leggen?”

“Well,Dr.Seldon,then.”Hesaiditimpatiently.“ThatlittlefellowRandatoldmeyouareamathematician.”

“That'sWit.”

“Agoodone?”

“I'dliketothinkso,butit'sahardthingtoguarantee.”

“Andyou'reinterestedinintractableproblems?”

Seldonsaidfeelingly,“I'mstuckwithone.”

“I'mstuckwithanother.You'refreetolookabout.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,ourintern,Clowzia,willhelpout.Youmightbeabletohelpus.”

“Iwouldbedelightedto,butIknownothingaboutmeteorology.”

“That'sallright,Seldon.IjustwantyoutogetafeelforthisthingandthenI'dliketodiscussmymathematics,suchasitis.”

“I'matyourservice.”

Leggenturnedaway,hislongscowlingfarelookinggrim.Thenheturnedback.

“Ifyougetcold–toocold–theelevatordoorisopen.Youjuststepinandtouch

thespotmarkedUNIVERSITYBASE.Itwilltakeyoudownandtheelevatorwillthenreturntousautomatically.Clowziawillshowyou–ifyouforget.”

“Iwon'tforget.”

ThistimehedidleaveandSeldonlookedafterhim,feelingthecoldwindknifethroughhissweater.Clowziacamebackovertohim,herfaceslightlyreddenedbythatwind.

Seldonsaid,“Dr.Leggenseemsannoyed.Oristhatjusthisordinaryoutlookonlife?”

Shegiggled.“Hedoeslookannoyedmostofthetime,butrightnowhereallyis.”

Seldonsaidverynaturally,“Why?”

Clowzialookedoverhershoulder,herlonghairswirling.Thenshesaid,“I'mnotsupposedtoknow,butIdojustthesame.Dr.Leggenhaditallfiguredoutthattoday,justatthistime,therewasgoingtobeabreakinthecloudsandhe'dbeenplanningtomakespecialmeasurementsinsunlight.

Only…well,lookattheweather.”

Seldonnodded.

“Wehaveholovisionreceiversuphere,soheknewitwascloudyworsethanusual–andIguesshewashopingtherewouldbesomethingwrongwiththeinstrumentssothatitwouldbetheirfaultandnotthatofhistheory.Sofar,though,theyhaven'tfoundanythingoutoftheway.”

“Andthat'swhyhelookssounhappy.”

“Well,heneverlookshappy.”

Seldonlookedabout,squinting.Despitetheclouds,thelightwasharsh.Hebecameawarethatthesurfaceunderhisfeetwasnotquirehorizontal.Hewasstandingonashallowdomeandashelookedoutwardtherewereotherdomesinalldirections,withdifferentwidthsandheights.

“Uppersideseemstobeirregular,”hesaid.

“Mostly,Ithink.Thaisthewayitworkedout.”

“Anyreasonforit?”

“Notreally.ThewayI'vehearditexplained–Ilookedaroundandasked,justasyoudid,youknow–wasthatoriginallythepeopleonTrantordomedinplaces,shoppingmalls,sportsarenas,thingslikethat,thenwholetowns,sothat(herewerelotsofdomeshereandthere,withdifferentheightsanddifferentwidths.

Whentheyallcametogether,itwasalluneven,butbythattime,peopledecidedthat'sthewayitoughttobe.”

“Youmeanthatsomethingquiteaccidentalcametobeviewedasatradition?”

“Isupposeso–ifyouwanttoputitthatway.”

(Ifsomethingquiteaccidentalcaneasilybecomeviewedasatraditionandhemadeunbreakableornearlyso,thoughtSeldon,wouldthatbealawofpsychohistory?Itsoundedtrivial,buthowmanyotherlaws,equallytrivial,mighttherebe?Amillion?Abillion?Weretherearelativelyfewgenerallawsfromwhichthesetrivialonescouldbederivedascorollaries?Howcouldhesay?Forawhile,lostinthought,healmostforgotthebitingwind.)Clowziawasawareofthatwind,however,forsheshudderedandsaid,“It'sverynasty.It'smuchbetterunderthedome.”

“AreyouaTrantorian?”askedSeldon.

“That'sright.”

SeldonrememberedRanch'sdismissalofTrantoriansasagoraphobicandsaid,“Doyoumindbeinguphere?”

“Ihateit,”saidClowzia,“butIwantmydegreeandmyspecialtyandstatusandDr.LeggensaysIcan'tgetitwithoutsomefieldwork.SohereIam,hatingit,especiallywhenit'ssocold.

Whenit'sthiscold,bytheway,youwouldn'tdreamthatvegetationactuallygrowsonthesedomes,wouldyou?”

“Itdoes?”HelookedatClowziasharply,suspectingsomesortofpracticaljokedesignedtomakehimlookfoolish.Shelookedtotallyinnocent,buthowmuchofthatwasrealandhowmuchwasjustherbabyface?

“Ohsure.Evenhere,whenit'swarmer.Younoticethesoilhere?Wekeepitsweptawaybecauseofourwork,asIsaid,butinotherplacesitaccumulateshereandthereandisespeciallydeepinthelowplaceswherethedomesmeet.Plantsgrowinit.”

“Butwheredoesthesoilcomefrom?”

“Whenthedomecoveredjustpartoftheplanet,thewinddepositedsoilonthem,littlebylittle.Then,whenTrantorwasallcoveredandthelivinglevelsweredugdeeperanddeeper,someofthematerialdugup,ifsuitable,wouldbespreadoverthetop.”

“Surely,itwouldbreakdownthedomes.”

“Ohno.Thedomesareverystrongandthey'resupportedalmosteverywhere.Theideawas,accordingtoabook-filmIviewed,thattheyweregoingtogrowcropsUpperside,butitturnedouttobemuchmorepracticaltodoitinsidethedome.Yeastandalgaecouldbecultivatedwithinthedomestoo,takingthepressureofftheusualcrops,soitwasdecidedtoletUppersidegowild.ThereareanimalsonUppersidetoo–butterflies,bees,mice,rabbits.Lotsofthem.”

“Won'ttheplantrootsdamagethedomes?”

“Inthousandsofyearstheyhaven't.Thedomesaretreatedsothattheyrepeltheroots.Mostofthegrowthisgrass,buttherearetreestoo.You'dbeabletoseeforyourselfifthiswerethewarmseasonorifwewerefarthersouthorifyouwereupinaspaceship.”Shelookedathimwithasidewiseflickofhereyes,“DidyouseeTrantorwhenyouwerecomingdownfromspace?”

“No,Clowzia,ImustconfessIdidn't.Thehypershipwasneverwellplacedforviewing.HaveyoueverseenTrantorfromspace?”

Shesmiledweakly.“I'veneverbeeninspare.”

Seldonlookedabout.Grayeverywhere.

“Ican'tmakemyselfbelieveit,”hesaid.“AboutvegetationUpperside,Imean.”

“It'strue,though.I'veheardpeoplesay–Otherworlders,likeyourself,whodidseeTrantorfromspace–thattheplanetlooksgreen,likealawn,becauseit'smostlygrassandunderbrush.Therearetreestoo,actually.There'sacopsenotveryfarfromhere.I'veseenit.They'reevergreensandthey'reuptosixmetershigh.”

“Where?”

“Youcan'tseeitfromhere.Itsontheothersideofadome.It's–”

Thecallcameoutthinly.(Seldonrealizedtheyhadbeenwalkingwhiletheyhadbeentalkingandhadmovedawayfromtheimmediatevicinityoftheothers.)

“Clowzia.Getbackhere.Weneedyou.”

Clowziasaid,“Uh-oh.Coming.–Sorry,Dr.Seldon,Ihavetogo.”Sheranoff,managingtosteplightlydespiteherlinedboors.

Hadshebeenplayingwithhim?Hadshebeenfillingthegullibleforeignerwithamessofliesforamusement'ssake?Suchthingshadbeenknowntohappenoneveryworldandineverytime.

Anairoftransparenthonestywasnoguideeither;infact,successfulWetellerswoulddeliberatelycultivatejustsuchanair.

Socouldtherereallybesix-metertreesUpperside?Withoutthinkingmuchaboutit,hemovedinthedirectionofthehighestdomeonthehorizon.Heswunghisarmsinanattempttowarmhimself.Andhisfeetweregettingcold.

Clowziahadn'tpointed.Shemighthave,togivehimahintofthedirectionofthetrees,butshedidn't.Whydidn'tshe?Tobesure,shehadbeencalledaway.

Thedomeswerebroadratherthanhigh,whichwasagoodthing,sinceotherwisethegoingwouldhavebeenconsiderablymoredifficult.Ontheotherhand,thegentlegrademeanttrudgingadistancebeforehecouldtopadomeandlookdowntheotherside.

Eventually,hecouldseetheothersideofthedomehehadclimbed.Helookedbacktomakesurehecouldstillseethemeteorologistsandtheirinstruments.Theywereagoodwayoff,inadistantvalley,buthecouldseethemclearlyenough.Good.

Hesawnocopse,notrees,buttherewasadepressionthatsnakedaboutbetweentwodomes.

Alongeachsideofthatcrease,thesoilwasthickerandtherewereoccasionalgreensmearsofwhatmightbemoss.Ifhefollowedthecreaseandifitgotlowenoughandthesoilwasthickenough,theremightbetrees.

Helookedback,tryingtofixlandmarksinhismind,buttherewerejusttheriseandfallofdomes.ItmadehimhesitateandDors'swarningagainsthisbeinglost,whichhadseemedaratherunnecessarypieceofadvicethen,mademoresensenow.Still,itseemedcleartohimthatthecreasewasakindofroad.Ifhefolloweditforsomedistance,heonlyhadtoturnaboutandfollowitbacktoreturntothisspot.

Hestrodeoffpurposefully,followingtheroundedcreasedownward.Therewasasoftrumblingnoiseabove,buthedidn'tgiveitanythought.Hehadmadeuphismindthathewantedtoseetreesandthatwasallthatoccupiedhimatthemoment.

Themossgrewthickerandspreadoutlikeacarpetandhereandtheregrassytuftshadsprungup.DespitethedesolationUpperside,themosswasbrightgreenanditoccurredtoSeldonthatonacloudy,overcastplanettherewaslikelytobeconsiderablerain.

Thecreasecontinuedtocurveandthere,justaboveanotherdome,wasadarksmudgeagainstthegrayskyandheknewhehadfoundthetrees.

Then,asthoughhismind,havingbeenliberatedbythesightofthosetrees,couldturntootherthings,Seldontooknoteoftherumblehehadheardbeforeandhad,withoutthinking,dismissedasthesoundofmachinery.Nowheconsideredthatpossibility:Wasit,indeed,thesoundofmachinery?

Whynot?Hewasstandingononeofthemyriaddomesthatcoveredhundredsofmillionsofsquarekilometersoftheworldcity.Theremustbemachineryofallkindshiddenunderthosedomes–ventilationmotors,foronething.Maybeitcouldbeheard,whereandwhenalltheothersoundsoftheworld-citywereabsent.Exceptthatitdidnotseemtocomefromtheground.Helookedupatthedrearyfeaturelesssky.Nothing.

Hecontinuedtoscanthesky,verticalcreasesappearingbetweenhiseyesandthen,faroffItwasasmalldarkspot,showingupagainstthegray.Andwhatever

itwasitseemedtobemovingaboutasthoughgettingitsbearingsbeforeitwasobscuredbythecloudsagain.

Then,withoutknowingwhy,hethought,They'reafterme.

Andalmostbeforehecouldworkoutalineofaction,hehadtakenone.Herandesperatelyalongthecreasetowardthetreesandthen,toreachthemmorequickly,heturnedleftandhurtledupandoveralowdome,treadingthroughbrownanddyingfern-likeovergrowth,includingthornysprigswithbrightredberries.

24

Seldonpanted,facingatree,holdingitclosely,embracingit.Hewatchedfortheflyingobjecttomakeitsappearanceagainsothathecouldbackaboutthetreeandhideonthefarside,likeasquirrel.

Thetreewascold,itsbarkwasrough,itgavenocomfort–butitofferedcover.Ofcourse,thatmightbeinsufficient,ifhewasbeingsearchedforwithaheat-seeker,but,ontheotherhand,thecoldtrunkofatreemightblureventhat.

Belowhimwashard-peckedsoil.Eveninthismomentofhiding,ofattemptingtoseehispursuerwhileremainingunseen,hecouldnothelpwonderinghowthickthesoilmightbe,howlongithadtakentoaccumulate,manydomesinthewarmerareasofTrantortarriedforestsontheirback,andwhetherthetreeswerealwaysconfinedtothecreasesbetweendomes,leavingthehigherregionstomoss,grass,andunderbrush.

Hesawitagain.Itwasnotahypership,norevenanordinaryairjet.Itwasajet-down.Hecouldseethefaintglowoftheiontrailscorningoutattheverticesofahexagon,neutralizingthegravitationalpullandallowingthewingstokeepitaloftlikealargesoaringbird.Itwasavehiclethatcouldhoverandexploreaplanetaryterrain.

Itwasonlythecloudsthanhadsavedhim.Eveniftheywereusingheat-seekers,thatwouldonlyindicatetherewerepeoplebelow.Thejetdownwouldhavemmakeatentativedivebelowthebankedceilingbeforeitcouldhopetoknowhowmanyhumanbeingstherewereandwhetheranyofthemmightbethe

particularpersonthepattiesaboardwereseeking.

Thejet-downwasclosernow,butitcouldn'thidefromhimeither.Therumbleoftheenginegaveitawayandtheycouldn'trumthatoff,notaslongastheywishedtocontinuetheirsearch.

Seldonknewthejetdowns,foronHeliconoronanyundomedworldwithskiesthatclearednowandthen,theywerecommon,withmanyinprivatehands.

Ofwhatpossibleusewouldjet-downsbeonTrantor,withallthehumanlifeoftheworldunderdomes,withlowcloudceilingsallbutperpetual–exceptforafewgovernmentvehiclesdesignedforjustthispurpose,thatofpickingupawantedpersonwhohadbeenluredabovethedomes?

Whynot?GovernmentforcescouldnorenterthegroundsoftheUniversity,butperhapsSeldonwasnolongeronthegrounds.Hewasontopofthedomeswhichmightbeoutsidethejurisdictionofanylocalgovernment.AnImperialvehiclemighthaveeveryrighttolandonanypartofthedomeandquestionorremoveanypersonfounduponisHumminhadnotwarnedhimofthis,butperhapshehadmerelynotthoughtofdoingso.

Thejet-downwasevenclosernow,nosingaboutlikeablindbeastsniffingoutitsprey.

Woulditoccurtothemtosearchthisgroupoftrees?Wouldtheylandandsendoutanarmedsoldierortwotobeatthroughthecopse?

Andifso,whatcouldhedo?Hewasunarmedandallhisquicktwistagilitywouldbeuselessagainsttheagonizingpainofaneuronicwhip.

Itwasnotattemptingtoland.EithertheymissedthesignificanceofthetreesOr–

Anewthoughtsuddenlyhithim.Whatifthiswasn'tapursuitvesselatall?Whatifitwaspartofthemeteorologicaltesting?Surely,meteorologistswouldwanttotesttheupperreachesoftheatmosphere.

Washeafooltohidefromit?

Theskywasgettingdarker.Thecloudsweregettingthickeror,muchmore

likely,nightwasfalling.

Anditwasgettingcolderandwouldgetcolderstill.Washegoingtostayoutherefreezingbecauseaperfectlyharmlessjetdownhadmadeanappearanceandhadactivatedasenseofparanoiathathehadneverfeltbefore?Hehadastrongimpulsetoleavethecopseandgetbacktothemeteorologicalstation.

Afterall,howwouldthemanHumminfearedsomuch–Demerzel–knowthatSeldonwould,atthisparticulartime,beUppersideandreadytobetaken?

Foramoment,thatseemedconclusiveand,shiveringwiththecold,hemovedoutfrombehindthetree.

Andthenhescurriedbackasthevesselreappearedevencloserthanbefore.Hehadn'tseenitdoanythingthatwouldseemtobemeteorological.Itdidnothingthatmightbeconsideredsampling,measuring,ortesting.Wouldheseesuchthingsiftheytookplace?Hedidnotknowtheprecisesortofinstrumentsthejet-downcarriedorhowtheyworked.Iftheyweredoingmeteorologicalwork,hemightnotbeabletotell.–Still,couldhetakethechanceofcomingintotheopen?

Afterall,whatifDemerzeldidknowofhispresenceUpperside,simplybecauseanagentofhis,workingintheUniversity,knewaboutitandhadreportedthematter.ListingRanda,thatcheerful,smilinglittleEasterner,hadsuggestedhegoUpperside.Hehadsuggesteditquiteforcefullyandthesubjecthadnotarisennaturallyoutoftheconversation;atleast,notnaturallyenough.WasitpossiblethathewasagovernmentagentandhadalertedDemerzelsomehow?ThentherewasLeggen,whohadgivenhimthesweater.Thesweaterwasuseful,butwhyhadn'tLeggentoldhimhewouldneedoneearliersohecouldgethisown?Wastheresomethingspecialabouttheonehewaswearing?Itwasuniformlypurple,whilealltheothers'indulgedintheTrantorianfashionofbrightpatterns.Anyonelookingdownfromaheightwouldseeamovingdullblotchinamongothersthatwerebrightandknowimmediatelywhomtheywanted.

AndClowzia?ShewassupposedlyUppersidetolearnmeteorologyandhelpthemeteorologists.Howwasitpossiblethatshecouldcometohim,talktohimatease,andquietlywalkhimawayfromtheothersandisolatehimsothathecouldeasilybepickedup?

Forthatmatter,whataboutDorsVenabili?SheknewhewasgoingUpperside.Shedidnotstopit.Shemighthavegonewithhim,butshewasconvenientlybusy.Itwasaconspiracy.Surely,itwasaconspiracy.

Hehadconvincedhimselfnowandtherewasnofurtherthoughtofgettingoutfromtheshelterofthetrees.(Hisfeetfeltlikelumpsoficeandstampingthemagainstthegroundseemedtodonogood.)Wouldthejet-downneverleave?

Andevenashethoughtthat,thepitchoftheengine'srumbleheightenedandthejet-downroseintothecloudsandfadedaway.

Seldonlistenedeagerly,alerttothesmallestsound,makingsureitwasfinallygone.Andthen,evenafterhewassureitwasgone,hewonderedifthatwasjustadevicetoflushhimoutofhiding.

Heremainedwherehewaswhiletheminutesslowlycrawledonandnightcontinuedtofall.

Andfinally,whenhefeltthatthetruealternativetotakingthechanceofcomingoutintheopenwasthatoffreezingintoinsensibility,hesteppedoutandmovedcautiouslybeyondtheshelterofthetrees.

Itwasduskytwilight,afterall.Theycouldn'tdetecthimexceptbyahear-seeker,but,ifso,hewouldheardiejet-downreturn.Hewaitedjustbeyondthetrees,countingtohimself,readytohideinthecopseagainatthesmallestsound–thoughwhatgoodthatwoulddohimoncehewasspotted,hecouldn'timagine.

Seldonlookedabout.Ifhecouldfindthemeteorologists,theywouldsurelyhaveartificiallight,butexceptforthat,therewouldbenothing.

Hecouldstilljustmakeouthissurroundings,butinamatterofaquarterofanhour,halfanhourattheoutside,hewouldnot.Withnolightsandacloudyskyabove,itwouldbedark–completelydark.

Desperateattheprospectofbeingenvelopedintotaldarkness,Seldonrealizedthathewouldhavetofindhiswaybacktothecreasethathadbroughthimthereasquicklyaspossibleandretracehissteps.Foldinghisarmstightlyaroundhimselfforwarmth,hesetoffinwhathethoughtwasthedirectionofthecreasebetweenthedomes.

Theremight,ofcourse,bemorethanonecreaseleadingawayfromthecopse,buthedimlymadeoutsomeofthesprigsofberrieshehadseencomingin,whichnowlookedalmostblackratherthanbrightred.Hecouldnotdelay.Hehadtoassumehewasright.Hemovedupthecreaseasfastashemight,guidedbyfailingsightandbythevegetationunderfoot.

Buthecouldn'tstayinthecreaseforever.Hehadcomeoverwhathadseemedtohimtobethetallestdomeinsightandhadfoundacreasethatcutatrightanglesacrosshislineofapproach.Byhisreckoning,heshouldnowturnright,thensharpleft,andthatwouldputhimonthepathtowardthemeteorologists'dome.

Seldonmadetheleftturnand,liftinghishead,hecouldjustmakeoutthecurveofadomeagainstthefractionallylightersky.Thathadtobeit!Orwasthatonlywishfulthinking?

Hehadnochoicebuttoassumeitwasn't.Keepinghiseyeonthepeaksothathecouldmoveinareasonablystraightline,heheadedforitasquicklyashecould.Ashegotcloser,hecouldmakeoutthelineofdomeagainstskywithlessandlesscertaintyasitloomedlargerandlarger.

Soon,ifhewascorrect,hewouldbegoingupagentleslopeandwhenthatslopebecamelevelhewouldbeabletolookdowntheothersideandseethelightsofthemeteorologists.

Intheinkydark,hecouldnottellwhatlayinhispath.Wishingtherewereatleastafewsortstoshedsomelight,hewonderedifthiswashowitfelttobeblind.Hewavedhisarmsbeforehimasiftheywereantennae.

Itwasgrowingcolderbytheminuteandhepausedoccasionallytoblowonhishandsandholdthemunderhisarmpits.Hewishedearnestlyhecoulddothesameforhisfeet.Bynow,hethought,ifitstartedtoprecipitate,itwouldbesnow–or,worseyet,sleet.

On…on.Therewasnothingelsetodo.

Eventually,itseemedtohimthathewasmovingdownward.Thatwaseitherwishfulthinkingorhehadtoppedthedome.

Hestopped.Ifhehadtoppedthedome,heshouldbeabletoseetheartificiallightofthemeteorologicalstation.Hewouldseethelightscarriedbythemeteorologiststhemselves,sparklingordancinglikefireflies.

Seldonclosedhiseyesasthoughtoaccustomthemtodarkandthentryagain,butthatwasafoolisheffort.Itwasnodarkerwithhiseyesclosedthanwiththemopenandwhenheopenedthemitwasnolighterthanwhenhehadhadthemclosed.

PossiblyLeggenandtheothersweregone,hadtakentheirlightswiththemandhadturnedoffanylightsontheinstruments.OrpossiblySeldonhadclimbedthewrongdome.Orhehadfollowedacurvedpathalongthedomesothathewasnowfacinginthewrongdirection.Orhehadfollowedthewrongcreaseandhadmovedawayfromthecopseinthewrongdirectionaltogether.

Whatshouldhedo?

Ifhewasfacingthewrongdirection,therewasachancethatlightwouldbevisiblerightorleft–anditwasn't.Ifhehadfollowedthewrongcrease,therewasnopossiblewayhecouldreturntothecopseandlocateadifferentcrease.

Hisonlychancelayintheassumptionthathewasfacingtherightdirectionandthatthemeteorologicalstationwasmoreorlessdirectlyaheadofhim,butthatthemeteorologistshadgoneandhadleftitindarkness.

Moveforward,then.Thechancesofsuccessmightbesmall,butitwastheonlychancehehad.

Heestimatedthatithadtakenhimhalfanhourtomovefromthemeteorologicalstationtothetopofthedome,havinggonepartwaywithClowziaandsaunteringwithherratherthanstriding.Hewasmovingatlittlebetterthanasaunternowinthedauntingdarkness.

Seldoncontinuedtoslogforward.Itwouldhavebeennicetoknowthetimeandhehadatimeband,ofcourse,butinthedark–

Hestopped.HeworeaTrantoriantimeband,whichgaveGalacticStandardtime(asalltimebandsdid)andwhichalsogaveTrantorianlocaltime.Timebandswereusuallyvisibleinthedark,phosphorescingsothatonecouldtelltimeinthe

quietdarkofabedchamber.AHeliconiantimebandcertainlywould;whynotaTrantorianone?

Helookedathistimebandwithreluctantapprehensionandtouchedthecontactthatwoulddrawuponthepowersourceforlight.Thetimebandgleamedfeeblyandtoldhimthetimewas18:47.Forittobenighttimealready,Seldonknewthatitmustbethewinterseason.–Howfarpastthesolsticewasit?Whatwasthedegreeofaxialtipping?Howlongwastheyear?Howfarfromtheequatorwasheatthismoment?Therewasnohintofananswertoanyofthesethings,butwhatcountedwasthatthesparkoflightwasvisible.

Hewasnotblind!Somehowthefeebleglowofhistimebandgavehimrenewedhope.

Hisspiritsrose.Hewouldmoveoninthedirectionhewasgoing.Hewouldmoveforhalfanhour.Ifheencounterednothing,hewouldmoveonfiveminutesmore–nofurther–justfiveminutes.

Ifhestillencounterednothing,hewouldstopandthink.That,however,wouldbethirty-fiveminutesfromnow.Tillthen,hewouldconcentrateonlyonwalkingandonwillinghimselftofeelwarmer(Hewiggledhistoes,vigorously.Hecouldstillfeelthem.)Seldontrudgedonwardandthehalfhourpassed.Hepaused,thenhesitantly,hemovedonforfivemoreminutes.

Nowhehadtodecide.Therewasnothing.Hemightbenowhere,farremovedfromanyopeningintothedome.Hemight,ontheotherhand,bestandingthreemeterstotheleft–orright–orshort–ofthemeteorologicalstation.Hemightbetwoarms'lengthsfromtheopeningintothedome,whichwouldnot,however,beopen.

Nowwhat?

Wasthereanypointinshouting?Hewasenvelopedbyuttersilencebutforthewhistlingofthewind.Iftherewerebirds,beasts,orinsectsinamongthevegetationonthedomes,theywerenothereduringthisseasonoratthistimeofnightoratthisparticularplace.Thewindcontinuedtochillhim.

Perhapsheshouldhavebeenshoutingalldueway.Thesoundmighthavecarried

agooddistanceinthecoldair.Butwouldtherehavebeenanyonetohearhim?Wouldtheyhearhiminsidethedome?Werethereinstrumentstodetectsoundormovementfromabove?Mighttherenotbesentinelsjustinside?

Thatseemedridiculous.Theywouldhaveheardhisfootsteps,wouldn'tthey?Still–

Hecalledout.“Help!Help!Cansomeonehearme?”

Hiscrywasstrangled,half-embarrassed.Itseemedsillyshoutingintovastblacknothingness.

Butthen,hefeltitwasevensilliertohesitateinsuchasituationasthis.Panicwaswellingupinhim.Hetookinadeep,coldbreathandscreamedforaslongashecould.Anotherbreathandanotherscream,changingpitch.Andanother.

Seldonpaused,breathless,turninghisheadeverywhichway,eventhoughtherewasnothingtosee.Hecouldnotevendetectanecho.Therewasnothinglefttodobutwaitforthedawn.Buthowlongwasthenightatthisseasonoftheyear?Andhowcoldwoulditget?

Hefeltatinycoldtouchstinghisface.Afterawhile,another.Itwassleetinginvisiblyinthepitchblackness.Andtherewasnowaytofindshelter.

Hethought:Itwouldhavebeenbetterifthatjet-downhadseenmeandpickedmeup.Iwouldbeaprisoneratthismoment,perhaps,butI'dbewarmandcomfortable,atleast.

Or,ifHumminhadneverinterfered,ImighthavebeenbackinHeliconlongago.Undersurveillance,butwarmandcomfortable.Rightnowthatwasallhewanted–tobewarmandcomfortable.

Butatthemomenthecouldonlywait.Hehuddleddown,knowingthathoweverlongthenight,hedarednotsleep.Heslippedoffhisshoesandrubbedhisicyfeet.Quickly,heputhisshoesbackon.

Heknewhewouldhavetorepeatthis,aswellasrubbinghishandsandearsallnightlongtokeephiscirculationflowing.Butmostimportanttorememberwasthathemustnotlethimselffallasleep.Thatwouldmeancertaindeath.

And,havingcarefullythoughtallthisout,hiseyesclosedandhenoddedofftosleepwiththesleetcomingdown.

RESCUE

LEGGEN,JENARR–…Hiscontributionstometeorology,however,althoughconsiderable,palebeforewhathaseversincebeenknownastheLeggenControversy.ThathisactionshelpedtoplaceHariSeldoninjeopardyisundisputable,butargumentrages–andhasalwaysraged–astowhetherthoseactionsweretheresultofunintentionalcircumstanceorpartofadeliberateconspiracy.Passionshavebeenraisedonbothsidesandeventhemostelaboratestudieshavecometonodefiniteconclusions.

Nevertheless,thesuspicionsthatwereraisedhelpedpoisonLeggen'scareerandprivatelifeintheyearsthatfollowed…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

25

ItwasnotquitetheendofdaylightwhenDorsVenabilisoughtoutJenarrLeggen.Heansweredherratheranxiousgreetingwithagruntandabriefnod.

“Well,”shesaidatrifleimpatiently.“Howwashe?”

Leggen,whowasenteringdataintohiscomputer,said,“Howwaswho?”

“MylibrarystudentHari.Dr.HariSeldon.Hewentupwithyou.Washeanyhelptoyou?”

Leggenremovedhishandsfromthekeysofhiscomputerandswiveledabout.

“ThatHeliconianfellow?Hewasofnouseatall.Showednointerestwhatever.Hekeptlookingatthescenerywhentherewasnoscenerytolookat.Arealoddball.Whydidyouwanttosendhimup?”

“Itwasn'tmyidea.Hewantedto.Ican'tunderstandit.Hewasveryinterested.–Whereishenow?”

Leggenshrugged.“HowwouldIknow?Somewherearound.”

“Wheredidhegoafterhecamedownwithyou?Didhesay?”

“Hedidn'tcomedownwithus.Itoldyouhewasn'tinterested.”

“Thenwhendidhecomedown?”

“Idon'tknow.Iwasn'twatchinghim.Ihadanenormousamountofworktodo.Theremusthavebeenawindstormandsomesortofdownpourabouttwodaysagoandneitherwasexpected.

Nothingourinstrumentsshowedofferedagoodexplanationforitorforthefactthatsomesunshinewewereexpectingtodaydidn'tappear.NowI'mtryingtomakesenseofitandyou'rebotheringme.”

“Youmeanyoudidn'tseehimgodown?”

“Look.Hewasn'tonmymind.Theidiotwasn'tcorrectlydressedandIcouldseethatinsideofhalfanhourhewasn'tgoingtobeabletotakethecold.Igavehimasweater,butthatwasn'tgoingtohelpmuchforhislegsandfeet.SoIlefttheelevatoropenforhimandItoldhimhowtouseitandexplainedthatitwouldtakehimdownandthenreturnautomatically.ItwasallverysimpleandI'msurehedidgetcoldandhedidgodownandtheelevatordidcomebackandtheneventuallyweallwentdown.”

“Butyoudon'tknowexactlywhenhewentdown?”

“No,Idon't.Itoldyou.Iwasbusy.Hecertainlywasn'tuptherewhenweleft,though,andbythattimetwilightwascomingonanditlookedasthoughitmightsleet.Sohehadtohavegonedown.”

“Didanyoneelseseehimgodown?”

“Idon'tknow.Clowziamayhave.Shewaswithhimforawhile.Whydon'tyouaskher?”

DorsfoundClowziainherquarters,justemergingfromahotshower.“Itwascoldupthere,”

shesaid.

Dorssaid,“WereyouwithHariSeldonUpperside?”

Clowziasaid,eyebrowslifting,“Yes,forawhile.Hewantedtowanderaboutandaskquestionsaboutthevegetationupthere.He'sasharpfellow,Dors.Everythingseemedtointeresthim,soItoldhimwhatIcouldtillLeggencalledmeback.Hewasinoneofhisknock-your-head-offtempers.Theweatherwasn'tworkingandhe–”

Dorsinterrupted.“Thenyoudidn'tseeHarigodownintheelevator?”

“Ididn'tseehimatallafterLeggencalledmeover.–Buthebastobedownhere.Hewasn'tuptherewhenweleft.”

“ButIcan'tfindhimanywhere.”

Clowzialookedperturbed.“Really?–Buthe'sgottobesomewheredownhere.”

“No,hedoesn'thavetobesomewheredownhere,”saidDors,heranxietygrowing.“Whatifhe'sstillupthere?”

“That'simpossible.Hewasn't.Naturally,welookedaboutforhimbeforeweleft.Leggenhadshownhimhowtogodown.Hewasn'tproperlydressedanditwasrottenweather.Leggentoldhimifhegotcoldnottowaitforus.Hewasgettingcold.Iknow!Sowhatelsecouldhedobutgodown?”

“Butnoonesawhimgodown.–Didanythinggowrongwithhimupthere?”

“Nothing.NotwhileIwaswithhim.Hewasperfectlyfineexceptthathehadtobecold,ofcourse.”

Dors,bynowquiteunsettled,said,“Sincenoonesawhimgodown,hemightstillbeupthere.

Shouldn'twegoupandlook?”

Clowziasaidnervously,“Itoldyouwelookedaroundbeforewewentdown.Itwasstillquitelightandhewasnowhereinsight.”

“Let'slookanyway.”

“ButIcan'ttakeyouupthere.I'mjustaninternandIdon'thavethecombinationfortheUppersidedomeopening.You'llhavetoaskDr.Leggen.”

26

DorsVenabiliknewthatLeggenwouldnotwillinglygoUppersidenow.Hewouldhavetobeforced.

First,shecheckedthelibraryandthediningareasagain.ThenshecalledSeldon'sroomFinally,shewentupthereandsignaledatthedoor.WhenSeldondidnotrespond,shehadthefloormanageropenit.Hewasn'tthere.Shequestionedsomeofthosewho,overthelastfewweeks,hadcometoknowhim.Noonehadseenhim.

Well,then,shewouldmakeLeggentakeherUpperside.Bynow,though,itwasnight.HewouldobjectstrenuouslyandhowlongcouldshespendarguingifHariSeldonwastrappedupthereonafreezingnightwithsleetturningtosnow?

AthoughtoccurredtoherandsherushedtothesmallUniversitycomputer,whichkepttrackofthedoingsofthestudents,faculty,andservicestaff.

Herfingersflewoverthekeysandshesoonhadwhatshewanted.

Therewerethreeoftheminanotherpartofthecampus.Shesignedoutforasmallglidecarttotakeheroverandfoundthedomicileshewaslookingfor.Surely,oneofthemwouldbeavailable–orfindable.

Fortunewaswithher.Thefirstdooratwhichshesignaledwasansweredbyaquerylight.Shepunchedinheridentificationnumber,whichincludedherdepartmentaffiliation.Thedooropenedandaplumpmiddle-agedmanstaredoutather.Hehadobviouslybeenwashingupbeforedinner.

Hisdarkblondhairwasaskewandhewasnotwearinganyuppergarment.

Hesaid,“Sorry.Youcatchmeatadisadvantage.WhatcanIdoforyou,Dr.Venabili?”

Shesaidabitbreathlessly,“You'reRogenBenastra,theChiefSeismologist,aren'tyou?”

“Yes.”

“Thisisanemergency.ImustseetheseismologicalrecordsforUppersideforthelastfewhours.”

Benastrastaredather.“Why?Nothing'shappened.I'dknowifithad.Theseismographwouldinformus.”

“I'mnottalkingaboutameteoricimpact.”

“NeitheramI.Wedon'tneedaseismographforthat.I'mtalkingaboutgravel,pinpointfractures.Nothingtoday.”

“Notthateither.Please.Takemetotheseismographandreaditforme.Thisislifeordeath.”

“Ihaveadinnerappointment–”

“IsaidlifeordeathandImeanit.”

Benastrasaid,“Idon'tsee–”buthefadedoutunderDors'sglare.Hewipedhisface,leftquickwordonhismessagerelay,endstruggledintoashirt.

Theyhalf-ran(underDors'spitilessurging)tothesmallsquatSeismologyBuilding.Dors,whoknewnothingaboutseismology,said,“Down?We'regoingdown?”

“Belowtheinhabitedlevels.Ofcourse.Theseismographhastobefixedtobedrockandberemovedfromtheconstantclamorandvibrationofthecitylevels.”

“Buthowcanyoutellwhat'shappeningUppersidefromdownhere?”

“Theseismographiswiredtoasetofpressuretransducerslocatedwithinthethicknessofthedome.Theimpactofaspeckofgritwillsendtheindicatorskitteringoffthescreed.Wecandetecttheflatteningeffectonthedomeofa

highwind.Wecan–”

“Yes,yes,”saidDorsimpatiently.Shewasnothereforalectureonthevirtuesandrefinementsoftheinstruments.“Canyoudetecthumanfootsteps?”

“Humanfootsteps?”Benastralookedconfused.“That'snotlikelyUpperside.”

“Ofcourseit'slikely.TherewereagroupofmeteorologistsUppersidethisafternoon.”

“Oh.Well,footstepswouldscarcelybenoticeable.”

“Itwouldbenoticeableifyoulookedhardenoughandthat'swhatIwantyoutodo.”

Benastramighthaveresentedthefirmnoteofcommandinhervoice,but,ifso,hesaidnothing.Hetouchedacontactandthecomputerscreenjumpedtolife.Attheextremerightcenter,therewasafatspotoflight,fromwhichathinhorizontallinestretchedtotheleftlimitofthescreen.Therewasatinywriggletoit,arandomnon-repetitivesederoflittlehiccupsandthesemovedsteadilyleftward.ItwasalmosthypnoticinitseffectonDors.

Benastrasaid,“That'sasquietasitcanpossiblybe.Anythingyouseeistheresultofchangingairpressureabove,raindropsmaybe,thedistantwhirrofmachinery.There'snothingupthere.”

“Allright,butwhataboutafewhoursago?Checkontherecordsatfifteenhundredtoday,forinstance.Surely,youhavesomerecordings.”

Benastragavethecomputeritsnecessaryinstructionsandforasecondortwotherewaswildchaosonthescreen.Thenitsettleddownandagainthehorizontallineappeared.

“I'llsensitizeittomaximum,”mutteredBenastra.Therewerenowpronouncedhiccupsandastheystaggeredleftwardtheychangedinpatternmarkedly.

“What'sthat?”saidDors.“Tellme.”

“Sinceyousaytherewerepeopleupthere,Venabili,Iwouldguesstheywere

footsteps–theshiftingofweight,theimpactofshoes.Idon'tknowthatIwouldhaveguesseditifIhadn'tknownaboutthepeopleupthere.Itswhatwecallabenignvibration,notassociatedwithanythingweknowtobedangerous.”

“Canyoutellhowmanypeoplearepresent?”

“Certainlynotbyeye.Yousee,we'regettingaresultantofalltheimpacts.”

“Yousay'notbyeye.'Cantheresultantbeanalyzedintoitscomponentsbythecomputer?”

“Idoubtit.Theseareminimaleffectsandyouhavetoallowfortheinevitablenoise.Theresultswouldbeuntrustworthy.”

“Wellthen.Movethetimeforwardtillthefootstepindicationsstop.Canyoumakeitfast-forward,sotospeak?”

“IfIdo–thekindoffast-forwardyou'respeakingof–thenitwillalljustblurintoastraightlinewithaslighthazeaboveandbelow.WhatIcandoismoveitforwardinfifteen-minutestagesandstudyitquicklybeforemovingon.”

“Good.Dothat!”BothwatchedthescreenuntilBenastrasaid,“There'snothingtherenow.

See?”

Therewasagainafinewithnothingbuttinyunevenhiccupsofnoise.

“Whendidthefootstepsstop?”

“Twohoursago.Atriflemore.”

“Andwhentheystoppedweretherefewerthantherewereearlier?”

Benastralookedmildlyoutraged.“Icouldn'ttell.Idon'tthinkthefinestanalysiscouldmakeacertaindecision.”

Dorspressedherlipstogether.Thenshesaid,“Areyoutestingatransducer–isthatwhatyoucalledit–nearthemeteorologicaloutlet?”

“Yes,that'swheretheinstrumentsareandthat'swherethemeteorologistswouldhavebeen.”

Then,unbelievingly,“Doyouwantthetotryothersinthevicinity?Oneatatime?”

“No.Stayonthisone.Butkeepongoingforwardatfifteen-minuteintervals.Onepersontrayhavebeenleftbehindandmayhavemadehiswaybacktotheinstruments.”

Benastrashookhisheadandmutteredsomethingunderhisbreath.

ThescreenshiftedagainandDorssaidsharply,“What'sthat?”Shewaspointing.

“Idon'tknow.Noise.”

“No.Itsperiodic.Coulditbeasingleperson'sfootsteps?”

“Sure,butitcouldbeadozenotherthingstoo.”

“It'scomingalongataboutthetimeoffootsteps,isn'tit?”Then,afterawhile,shesaid,“Pushitforwardalittle.”

Hedidandwhenthescreensettleddownshesaid,“Aren'tthoseunevennessesgettingbigger?”

“Possibly.Wecanmeasurethem.”

“Wedon'thaveto.Youcanseethey'regettingbigger.Thefootstepsareapproachingthetransducer.Goforwardagain.Seewhentheystop.”

AfterawhileBenastrasaid,“Theystoppedtwentyortwenty-fiveminutesago.”

Thencautiously,“Whatevertheyare.”

“They'refootsteps,”saidDorswithmountain-movingconviction.“There'samanupthereandwhileyouandIhavebeenfoolingaroundhere,he'scollapsedandhe'sgoingtofreezeanddie.Nowdon'tsay,'Whatevertheyare!'JustcallMeteorologyandgetmeJenarrLeggen.Lifeordeath,Itellyou.Sayso!”

Benastra,lipsquivering,hadpassedthestagewherehecouldpossiblyresistanythingthisstrangeandpassionatewomandemanded.

IttooknomorethanthreeminutestogetLeggen'shologramonthemessageplatform.Hehadbeenpulledawayfromhisdinnertable.Therewasanapkininhishandandasuspiciousgreasinessunderhislowerlip.

Hislongfacewassetinafearfulscowl.“'Lifeordeath?'Whatisthis?Whoareyou?”ThenhiseyecaughtDors,whohadmovedclosertoBenastrasothatherimagewouldbeseenonJenarr'ssscreen.Hesaid,“Youagain.Thisissimpleharassment.”

Dorssaid,“Itisnot.IhaveconsultedRogenBenastra,whoisChiefSeismologistattheUniversity.AfteryouandyourpartyhadleftUpperside,theseismographshowsclearfootstepsofonepersonstillthere.It'smystudentHariSeldon,whowentupthereinyourcareandwhoisnow,quitecertainly,lyinginacollapsedstuporandmaynotlivelong.

“Youwill,therefore,takemeupthererightnowwithwhateverequipmentmaybenecessary.

Ifyoudonotdosoimmediately,IshallproceedtoUniversitysecurity–tothePresidenthimself,ifnecessary.OnewayoranotherI'llgetupthereandifanythinghashappenedtoHaribecauseyoudelayoneminute,Iwillseetoitthatyouarehauledinfornegligence,incompetence–whateverIcanmakestick–andwillhaveyouloseallstatusandbethrownoutofacademiclife.Andifhe'sdead,ofcourse,that'smanslaughterbynegligence.Orworse,sinceI'venowwarnedyouhe'sdying.”

Jenarr,furious,turnedtoBenastra.“Didyoudetect–”

ButDorscutin.“HetoldmewhathedetectedandI'vetoldyou.Idonotintendtoallowyoutobulldozehimintoconfusion.Areyoucoming?Now?”

“Hasitoccurredtoyouthatyoutraybemistaken?”saidJenarr,thin-lipped.

“DoyouknowwhatIcandotoyouifthisisamischievousfalsealarm?Lossofstatusworksbothways.”

“Murderdoesn't,”saidDors.“I'mreadytochanceatrialformaliciousmischief.Areyoureadytochanceatrialformurder?”

Jenarrreddened,perhapsmoreatthenecessityofgivinginthanatthethreat.

“I'llcome,butI'llhavenomerryonyou,youngwoman,ifyourstudenteventuallyturnsouttohavebeensafewithinthedomethesepastthreehours.”

27

Thethreewentuptheelevatorinaninimicalsilence.Leggenhadeatenonlypartofhisdinnerandhadlefthiswifeatthediningareawithoutadequateexplanation.Benastrahadeatennodinneratdlandhadpossiblydisappointedsomewomancompanion,alsowithoutadequateexplanation.

DorsVenabilihadnoteateneitherandsheseemedthemosttenseandunhappyofthethree.Shecarriedathermalblanketandtwophotonicfounts.

WhentheyreachedtheentrancetoUpperside,Leggen,jawmusclestightening,enteredhisidentificationnumberandthedooropened.AcoldwindrushedatthemandBenastragrunted.Noneofthethreewasadequatelydressed,butthetwomenhadnointentionofremaininguptherelong.

Dorssaidtightly,“It'ssnowing.”

Leggensaid,“It'swetsnow.Thetemperature'sjustaboutatthefreezingpoint.It'snotakillingfrost.”

“Itdependsonhowlongoneremainsinit,doesn'tit?”saidDors.“Andbeingsoakedinmeltingsnowwon'thelp.”

Leggengrunted.“Well,whereishe?”Hestaredresentfullyoutintoutterblackness,madeevenworsebythelightfromtheentrancebehindhim.

Dorssaid,“Here,Dr.Benastra,holdthisblanketforme.Andyou,Dr.Leggen,closethedoorbehindyouwithoutlockingit.”

“There'snoautomaticlockonit.Doyouthinkwe'refoolish?”

“Perhapsnot,butyoucanlockitfromtheinsideandleaveanyoneoutsideunabletogetintothedome.”

“Ifsomeone'soutside,pointhimout.Showhimtome,”saidLeggen.

“Hecouldbeanywhere.”Dorsliftedherarmswithaphotonicfountcirclingeachwrist.

“Wecan'tlookeverywhere,”mumbledBenastramiserably.

Thefountsblazedintolight,sprayingineverydirection.ThesnowflakesglitteredlikeavastmobOffireflies,makingitevenmoredifficulttosee.

“Thefootstepsweregettingsteadilylouder,”saidDors.“Fiehadtobeapproachingthetransducer.Wherewoulditbelocated?”

“Ihaven'tanyidea,”snappedLeggen.“That'soutsidemyfieldandmyresponsibility.”

“Dr.Benastra?”

Benastra'sreplywashesitant.“Idon'treallyknow.Totellyouthetruth,I'veneverbeenupherebefore.Itwasinstalledbeforemytime.Thecomputerknows,butweneverthoughttoaskitthat.–I'mcoldandIdon'tseewhatuseIamuphere.”

“You'llhavetostayuphereforawhile,”saidDomfirmly.“Followme.I'mgoingtocircletheentranceinanoutwardspiral.”

“Wecan'tseemuchthroughthesnow,”saidLeggen.

“Iknowthat.Ifitwasn'tsnowing,we'dhaveseenhimbynow.I'msureofit.Asitis,itmaytakeafewminutes.Wecanstandthat.”Shewasbynomeansasconfidentasherwordsmadeitappear.

Shebegantowalk,swingingherarms,playingthelightoveraslargeafieldasshecould,straininghereyesforadarkblotchagainstthesnow.

And,asithappened,itwasBenastrawhofirstsaid,“What'sthat?”andpointed.

Domoverlappedthetwofounts,makingabrightconeoflightintheindicateddirection.Sherantowardit,asdidtheothertwo.

Theyhadfoundhim,huddledandwet,abouttenmetersfromthedoor,fivefromthenearestmeteorologicaldevice.Dorsfeltforhisheartbeat,butitwasnotnecessaryfor,respondingtohertouch,Seldonstirredandwhimpered.

“Givemetheblanket,Dr.Benastra,”saidDorsinavoicethatwasfaintwithrelief.Sheflappeditopenandspreaditoutinthesnow.“LifthimontoitcarefullyandI'llwraphim.Thenwe'llcarryhimdown.”

Intheelevator,vaporswererisingfromthewrappedSeldonastheblanketwarmedtobloodtemperature.

Dorssaid,“Oncewehavehiminhisroom,Dr.Leggen,yougetadoctor–agoodone–andseethathecomesatonce.IfDr.Seldongetsthroughthiswithoutharm,Iwon'tsayanything,butonlyifhedoes.Remember–”

“Youneedn'tlectureme,”saidLeggencoldly.“IregretthisandIwilldowhatIcan,butmyonlyfaultwasinallowingthismantocomeUppersideinthefirstplace.”

Theblanketstirredandalow,weakvoicemadeitselfheard.

Benastrastarted,forSeldon'sheadwascradledinthecrookofhiselbow.Hesaid,“He'stryingtosaysomething.”

Dorssaid,“Iknow.Hesaid,'What'sgoingon?'”

Shecouldn'thelpbutlaughjustalittle.Itseemedsuchanormalthingtosay.

28

Thedoctorwasdelighted.

“I'veneverseenacaseofexposure,”heexplained.“Onedoesn'tgetexposedonTrantor.”

“Thatmaybe,”saidDorscoldly,“andI'mhappyyouhavethechanceto

experiencethisnovelty,butdoesitmeanthatyoudonotknowhowtotreatDr.Seldon?”

Thedoctor,anelderlymanwithabaldheadandasmallgraymustache,bristled.

“Ofcourse,Ido.ExposurecasesontheOuterWorldsarecommonenough–aneverydayaffair–andI'vereadagreatdealaboutthem.”

Treatmentconsistedinpartofanantiviralserumandtheuseofamicrowavewrapping.

“Thisoughttotakecareofit,”thedoctorsaid.“OntheOuterWorlds,theymakeuseofmuchmoreelaborateequipmentinhospitals,butwedon'thavethat,ofcourse,onTrantor.ThisisatreatmentformildcasesandI'msureitwilldothejob.”

Dorsthoughtlater,asSeldonwasrecoveringwithoutparticularinjury,thatitwasperhapsbecausehewasanOutworlderthathehadsurvivedsowell.Dark,cold,evensnowwerenotutterlystrangetohim.ATrantorianprobablywouldhavediedinasimilarcase,notsomuchfromphysicaltraumaasfrompsychicshock.

Shewasnotsureofthis,ofcourse,sincesheherselfwasnotaTrantorianeither.

And,turninghermindawayfromthesethoughts,shepulledupachairneartoHari'sbedandsettleddowntowait.

29

OnthesecondmorningSeldonstirredawakeandlookedupatDors,whosatathisbedside,viewingabook-filmandtakingnotes.

Inavoicethatwasalmostnormal,Seldonsaid,“Stillhere,Dors?”

Sheputdownthebook-film.“Ican'tleaveyoualone,tartI?AndIdon'ttrustanyoneelse.”

“ItseemstomethateverytimeIwakeup,Iseeyou.Haveyoubeenhereallthetime?”

“Sleepingorwaking,yes.”

“Butyourclasses?”

“Ihaveanassistantwhohastakenoverforawhile.”

DorsleanedoverandgraspedHari'shand.Noticinghisembarrassment(hewas,afterall,inbed),sheremovedit.

“Hari,whathappened?Iwassofrightened.”

Seldonsaid,“Ihaveaconfessiontomake.”

“Whatisit,Hari?”

“Ithoughtperhapsyouwerepartofaconspiracy–”

“Aconspiracy?”shesaidvehemently.

“Imean,mmaneuvermeUppersidewhereI'dbeoutsideUniversityjurisdictionandthereforesubjecttobeingpickedupbyImperialforces.”

“ButUppersideisn'toutsideUniversityjurisdiction.SectorjurisdictiononTrantorisfromtheplanetarycentertothesky.”

“Ah,Ididn'tknowthat.Butyoudidn'tcomewithmebecauseyousaidyouhadabusyscheduleand,whenIwasgettingparanoid,Ithoughtyouweredeliberatelyabandoningme.Pleaseforgiveme.Obviously,itwasyouwhogotmedownfromthere.Didanyoneelsecare?”

“…theywerebusymen,”saidDorscarefully.“Theythoughtyouhadcomedownearlier.Imean,itwasalegitimatethought.”

“Clowziathoughtsotoo?”

“Theyoungintern?Yes,shedid.”

“Well,itmaystillhavebeenaconspiracy.Withoutyou,Imean.”

“No,Hari,itismyfault.IhadabsolutelynorighttoletyougoUppersidealone.

Itwasmyjobtoprotectyou.Ican'tstopblamingmyselfforwhathappened,foryougettinglost.”

“Now,waitaminute,”saidSeldon,suddenlyirritated.“Ididn'tgetlost.WhatdoyouthinkIam?”

“I'dliketoknowwhatyoucallit.Youwerenowherearoundwhentheothersleftandyoudidn'tgetbacktotheentrance–ortotheneighborhoodoftheentranceanyway–tillwellafterdark.”

“Butthat'snotwhathappened.Ididn'tgetlostjustbecauseIwanderedawayandcouldn'tfindmywayback.ItoldyouIwassuspectingaconspiracyandIhadcausetodoso.I'mnottotallyparanoid.”

“Wellthen,whatdidhappen?”

Seldontoldher.Hehadnotroublerememberingitinfulldetail;hehadlivedwithitinnightmareformostoftheprecedingday.

Dorslistenedwithafrown.“Butthat'simpossible.Ajet-down?Areyousure?”

“OfcourseI'msure.DoyouthinkIwashallucinating?”

“ButtheImperialforcescouldnothavebeensearchingforyou.TheycouldnothavearrestedyouUppersidewithoutcreatingthesameferociousrumpustheywouldhaveiftheyhadsentinapoliceforcetoarrestyouoncampus.”

“Thenhowdoyouexplainit?”

“I'mnotsure,”saidDors,“butit'spossiblethattheconsequencesofmyfailuretogoUppersidewithyoumighthavebeenworsethantheywereandthatHumminwillbeseriouslyangrywithme.”

“Thenlet'snottellhim,”saidSeldon.“Itendedwell.”

“Wemusttellhim,”saidDorsgrimly.“Thismaynotbetheend.”

30

ThateveningJenarrLeggencametovisit.ItwasafterdinnerandhelookedfromDorstoSeldonseveraltimes,asthoughwonderingwhattosay.Neitherofferedmhelphim,butbothwaitedpatiently.

Hehadnotimpressedeitherofthemasbeingamasterofsmalltalk.

FinallyhesaidtoSeldon,“I'vecometoseehowyouare.”

“Perfectlywell,”saidSeldon,“exceptthatI'malittlesleepy.Dr.Venabilitellsmethatthetreatmentwillkeepmetiredforafewdays,presumablysoI'msureofgettingneededrest.”Hesmiled.“Frankly,Idon'tmind.”

Leggenbreathedindeeply,letitout,hesitated,andthen,almostasthoughhewasforcingthewordsoutofhimself,said,“Iwon'tkeepyoulong.Iperfectlyunderstandyouneedtotest.Idowanttosay,though,thatIamsorryitallhappened.Ishouldnothaveassumed–socasually–thatyouhadgonedownbyyourself.Sinceyouwereatyro,Ishouldhavefeltmoreresponsibleforyou.Afterall,Ihadagreedtoletyoucomeup.Ihopeyoucanfinditinyourheartto…forgiveme.That'sreallyallIwishtosay.”

Seldonyawned,purringhishandoverhismouth.“Pardonme.–Sinceitseemstohaveturnedoutwell,thereneedbenohardfeelings.Insomeways,itwasnotyourfault.Ishouldnothavewanderedawayand,besides,whathappenedwas–”

Dorsinterrupted.“Now,Hari,please,noconversation.Justrelax.Now,IwanttotalktoDr.

Leggenjustabitbeforehegoes.Inthefirstplace,Dr.Leggen,Iquiteunderstandyouareconcernedabouthowrepercussionsfromthisaffairwillaffectyou.Itoldyoutherewouldbenofollow-upifDr.Seldonrecoveredwithoutilleffects.Thatseemstobetakingplace,soyoumayrelax–fornow.IwouldliketoaskyouaboutsomethingelseandIhopethatthistimeIwillhaveyourfreecooperation.”

“Iwilltry,Dr.Venabili,”saidLeggenstiffly.“DidanythingunusualhappenduringyourstayUpperside?”

“Youknowitdid.IlostDr.Seldon,somethingforwhichIhavejustapologized.”

“ObviouslyI'mnotreferringtothat.Didanythingelseunusualhappen?”

“No,nothing.Nothingatall.”

DorslookedatSeldonandSeldonfrowned.ItseemedtohimthatDorswastryingtocheckonhisstoryandgetanindependentaccount.Didshethinkhewasimaginingthesearchvessel?Hewouldhavelikedtoobjectheatedly,butshehadraisedaquietinghandathim,asthoughshewaspreventingthatveryeventuality.Hesubsided,partlybecauseofthisandpartlybecausehereallywantedtosleep.HehopedthatLeggenwouldnotstaylong.

“Areyoucertain?”saidDors.“Weretherenointrusionsfromoutside?”

“No,ofcoursenot.Oh–”

“Yes,Dr.Leggen?”

“Therewasajet-down.”

“Didthatstrikeyouaspeculiar?”

“No,ofcoursenot.”

“Whynot?”

“ThissoundsverymuchasthoughI'mbeingcross-examined,Dr.Venabili.Idon'tmuchlikeit.”

“Icanappreciatethat,Dr.Leggen,butthesequestionshavesomethingtodowithDr.Seldon'smisadventure.ItmaybethatthiswholeaffairismorecomplicatedthanIhadthought.”

“Inwhatway?”Anewedgeenteredhisvoice.“Doyouintendtoraisenewquestions,requiringnewapologies?Inthatcase,Itrayfinditnecessarytowithdraw.”

“Not,perhaps,beforeyouexplainhowitisyoudonotfindahoveringjet-downabitpeculiar.”

“Because,mydearwoman,anumberofmeteorologicalstationsonTrantorpossessjet-downsforthedirectstudyofcloudsandtheupperatmosphere.Ourownmeteorologicalstationdoesnot.”

“Whynot?Itwouldbeuseful.”

“Ofcourse.Butwe'renotcompetingandwe'renotkeepingsecrets.Wewillreportonourfindings;theywillreportontheirs.Itmakessense,therefore,tohaveascatteringofdifferencesandspecializations.Itwouldbefoolishtoduplicateeffortscompletely.Themoneyandmanpowerwemightspendonjet-downscanbespentonmesonicrefractometers,whileotherswillspendonthefirstandsaveonthelatter.Afterall,theremaybeagreatdealofcompetitivenessandillfeelingamongthesectors,butscienceisonething–onlything–thatholdsustogether.Youknowthat,Ipresume,”headdedironically.

“Ido,butisn'titrathercoincidentalthatsomeoneshouldbesendingajet-downrighttoyourstationondieverydayyouweregoingtousethestation?”

“Nocoincidenceatall.Weannouncedthatweweregoingtomakemeasurementsonthatdayend,consequently,someotherstationthought,veryproperly,thattheymightmakesimultaneousnephelometricmeasurements–clouds,youknow.Theresults,takentogether,wouldmakemoresenseandbemoreusefulthaneithertakenseparately.”

Seldonsaidsuddenlyinaratherblurredvoice,“Theywerejustmeasuring,then?”Heyawnedagain.

“Yes,”saidLeggen.“Whatelsemoldtheypossiblybedoing?”

Donsblinkedhereyes,asshesometimesdidwhenshewastryingtothinkrapidly.“Thatallmakessense.Towhichstationdidthisparticularjet-downbelong?”

Leggenshookhishead.“Dr.Venabili,howcanyoupossiblyexpectmetotell?”

“Ithoughtthateachmeteorologicaljet-downmightpossiblyhaveitsstation'smarkingsonit.”

“Surely,butIwasn'tlookingupandstudyingit,youknow.Ihadmyownwork

todoandIletthemdotheirs.Whentheyreport,I'llknowwhosejet-downitwas.”

“Whatiftheydon'treport?”

“ThenIwouldsupposetheirinstrumentsfailed.Thathappenssometimes.”Hisrightfistwasclenched.“Isthatall,then?”

“Waitamoment.Wheredoyousupposethejet-downmighthavecomefrom?”

“Itmightbeanystationwithjet-downs.Onaday'snotice–andtheygotmorethanthat–oneofthosevesselscanreachushandilyfromanyplaceontheplanet.”

“Butwhomostlikely?”

“Hardtosay:Hestelonia,Wye,Ziggoreth,NorthDamiano.I'dsayoneofthesefourwasthemostlikely,butitmightbeanyoffortyothersatleast.”

“Justonemorequestion,then.Justone.Dr.Leggen,whenyouannouncedthatyourgroupwouldbeUpperside,didyoubyanychancesaythatamathematician,Dr.HariSeldon,wouldbewithyou?”

AlookofapparentlydeepandhonestsurprisecrossedLeggen'sface,alookthatquicklyturnedcontemptuous.“WhyshouldIliarnames?Ofwhatinterestwouldthatbetoanyone?”

“Verywell,”saidDors.“Thetruthofthematter,then,isthatDr.Seldonsawthejet-downanditdisturbedhim.Iamnotcertainwhyandapparentlyhismemoryisabitfuzzyonthematter.Hemoreorlessranawayfromthejet-down,gothimselflost,didn'tthinkoftryingtoreturn–ordidn'tdareto–tillitwaswellintotwilight,anddidn'tquitemakeitbackinthedark.Youcan'tbeblamedforthat,solet'sforgetthewholeincidentonbothsides.”

“Agreed,”saidLeggen.“Good-bye!”Heturnedonhisheelandleft.

Whenhewasgone,Dorsrose,pulledoffSeldon'sslippersgently,straightenedhiminhisbed,andcoveredhim.Hewassleeping,ofcourse.

Thenshesatdownandthought.HowmuchofwhatLeggenhadsaidwastrue

andwhatmightpossiblyexistunderthecoverofhiswords?Shedidnotknow.

MYCOGEN

MYCOGEN–…AsectorofancientTrantorBuriedinthepastofitsownlegendsMycogenmadelittleimpactontheplanet.Self-satisfiedandself-separatedtoadegree…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

31

WhenSeldonwoke,hefoundanewfacelookingathimsolemnly.Foramomenthefrownedowlishlyandthenhesaid,“Hummin?”

Humminsmiledveryslightly.“Yourememberme,then?”

“Itwasonlyforaday,nearlytwomonthsago,butIremember.Youwerenotarrested,then,orinanyway–”

“Asyousee,Iamhere,quitesafeandwhole,but–andheglancedatDors,whostoodtooneside–“itwasnotveryeasyformetocomehere.”

Seldonsaid,“I'mgladtoseeyou.–Doyoumind,bytheway?”Hejerkedhisthumbinthedirectionofthebathroom.

Humminsaid,“Takeyourtime.Havebreakfast.”

Hummindidn'tjoinhimatbreakfast.NeitherdidDors.Nordidtheyspeak.

Humminscannedabook-filmwithanattitudeofeasyabsorption.Dorsinspectedhernailscriticallyandthen,takingoutamicrocomputer,beganmakingnoteswithastylus.

Seldonwatchedthemthoughtfullyanddidnottrytostartaconversation.ThesilencenowmightbeinresponsetosomeTrantorianreservecustomaryatasickbed.Tobesure,henowfeltperfectlynormal,butperhapstheydidnotrealizethat.

Itwasonlywhenhewasdonewithhislastmorselandwiththefinaldropofmilk(whichhewasobviouslygettingusedto,foritnolongertastedodd)thatHumminspoke.

Hesaid,“Howareyou,Seldon?”

“Perfectlywell,Hummin.Sufficientlywell,certainly,formetobeupandabout.”

“I'mgladtohearit,”saidHummindryly.“DonsVenabiliwasmuchtoblameinallowingthistohappen.”

Seldonfrowned.“No.IinsistedongoingUpperside.”

“I'msure,butsheshould,atallcosts,havegonewithyou.”

“ItoldherIdidn'twanthertogowithme.”

Dorssaid,“That'snotso,Hari.Don'tdefendmewithgallantlies.”

Seldonsaidangrily,“Butdon'tforgetthatDorsalsocameUppersideafterme,againststrongresistance,andundoubtedlysavedmylife.That'snotbendingthetruthatall.Haveyouaddedthattoyourevaluation,Hummin?”

Dorsinterruptedagain,obviouslyembarrassed.“Please,Hari.ChetterHumminisperfectlycorrectinfeelingthatIshouldeitherhavekeptyoufromgoingUppersideorhavegoneupwithyou.Asformysubsequentactions,hehaspraisedthem.”

“Nevertheless,”saidHummin,“thatispastandwecanletitgo.LetustalkaboutwhathappenedUpperside,Seldon.”

Seldonlookedaboutandsaidguardedly,“Isitsafetodoso?”

Humminsmiledslightly.“DonshasplacedthisroominaDistortionField.IcanbeprettysurethatnoImperialagentattheUniversity–ifthereisone–hastheexpensetopenetrateit.Youareasuspiciousperson,Seldon.”

“Notbynature,”saidSeldon.“Listeningtoyouintheparkandafterward–You

areapersuasiveperson,Hummin.Bythetimeyouwerethrough,IwasreadytofearthatEtoDemerzelwaslurkingineveryshadow.”

“Isometimesthinkhemightbe,”saidHummingravely.

“Ifhewas,”saidSeldon,“Iwouldn'tknowitwashe.Whatdoeshelooklike?”

“Thatscarcelymatters.Youwouldn'tseehimunlesshewantedyoutoandbythenitwouldallbeover,Iimagine–whichiswhatwemustprevent.Leistalkaboutthatjet-downyousaw.”

Seldonsaid,“AsItoldyou,Hummin,youfilledmewithfearsofDemerzel.AssoonasIsawthejet-down,Iassumedhewasafterme,thatIhadfoolishlysteppedoutsidetheprotectionofStreelingUniversitybygoingUpperside,thatIhadbeenluredupthereforthespecificpurposeofbeingpickedupwithoutdifficulty.”

Dorssaid,“Ontheotherhand,Leggen–”

Seldonsaidquickly,“Washeherelastnight?”

“Yes,don'tyouremember?”

“Vaguely.Iwasdeadtired.It'sallablurinmymemory.”

“Well,whenhewasherelastnight,Leggensaidthatthejetdownwasmerelyameteorologicalvesselfromanotherstation.Perfectlyordinary.Perfectlyharmless.”

“What?”Seldonwastakenaback.“Idon'tbelievethat.”

Humminsaid,“Nowthequestionis:Whydon'tyoubelievethat?Wasthereanythingaboutthejet-downthatmadeyouthinkitwasdangerous?Somethingspecific,thatis,andnotjustapervasivesuspicionplacedinyourheadbyme.”

Seldonthoughtback,bitinghislowerlip.Hesaid,“Itsanions.Itseemedtopushitsforepartbelowtheclouddeck,asthoughitwerelookingforsomething,thenitwouldappearinanotherspotjustthesameway,theninanotherspot,andsoon.ItseemedtobesearchingUppersidemethodically,sectionbysection,and

hominginonme.”

Humminsaid,“Perhapsyouwerepersonifying,Seldon.Youmayhavebeentreatingthejet-downasthoughitwasastrangeanimallookingforyou.Itwasn't,ofcourse.Itwassimplyajetdownandifitwarameteorologicalvessel,itsactionswereperfectlynormal…andharmless.”

Seldonsaid,“Itdidn'tseemthatwaytome.”

Humminsaid,“I'msureitdidn't,butwedon'tactuallyknowanything.Yourconvictionthatyouwereindangerissimplyanassumption.Leggen'sdecisionthatitwasameteorologicalvesselisalsoonlyanassumption.”

Seldonsaidstubbornly,“Ican'tbelievethatitwasanentirelyinnocentevent.”

“Wellthen,”saidHummin,“supposeweassumetheworst–thatthevesseltootlookingforyou.Howwouldwhoeversentthatvesselknowyouwouldbetheretoseek?”

Dorsinterjected,“IaskedDr.Leggenifhehad,inhisreportoftheforthcomingmeteorologicalwork,includedtheinformationthatHariwouldbewiththegroup.Therewasnoreasonheshouldintheordinarycourseofeventsandhedeniedthathehad,withconsiderablesurpriseatthequestion.Ibelievedhim.”

Humminsaidthoughtfully,“Don'tbelievehimtooreadily.Wouldn'thedenyit,inanycase?

NowaskyourselfwhyheallowedSeldontocomealonginthefirstplace.Weknowheobjectedinitially,buthedidrelent,withoutmuchfight.Andthat,tome,seemsratheroutofcharacterforLeggen.”

Dorsfrownedandsaid,“Isupposethatdoesmakeitabitmorelikelythathedidarrangetheentireaffair.PerhapshepermittedHari'scompanyonlyinordertoputhiminthepositionofbeingtaken.Hemighthavereceivedorderstothateffect.Wemightfurtherarguethatheencouragedhisyoungintern,Clowzia,toengageHari'sattentionanddrawhimawayfromthegroup,isolatinghim.

ThatwouldaccountforLeggen'soddlackofconcernoverHari'sabsencewhenitcametimetogobelow.HewouldinsistthatHarihadleftearlier,somethinghe

wouldhavelaidthegroundworkfor,sincehehadcarefullyshowedhimhowtogodownbyhimself.Itwouldalsoaccountforhisreluctancetogobackupinsearchofhim,sincehewouldnotwanttowastetimelookingforsomeoneheassumedwouldnotbefound.”

Hummin,whohadlistenedcarefully,said,“Youmakeaninterestingcaseagainsthim,butleisnotacceptthattooreadilyeither.Afterall,hedidcomeUppersidewithyouintheend.”

“Becausefootstepshadbeendetected.TheChiefSeismologisthadhomewitnesstothat.”

“Well,didLeggenshowshockandsurprisewhenSeldonwasfound?Imean,beyondthatoffindingsomeonewhohadbeenbroughtintoextremeperilthroughLeggen'sownnegligence.DidheactasthoughSeldonwasn'tsupposedtobethere?Didhebehaveasthoughhewereaskinghimself:Howisittheydidn'tpickhimup?”

Dorsthoughtcarefully,thensaid,“HewasobviouslyshockedbythesightofHarilyingthere,butIcouldn'tpossiblytelliftherewasanythingtohisfeelingsbeyondtheverynaturalhorrorofthesituation.”

“No,Isupposeyoucouldn't.”

ButnowSeldon,whohadbeenlookingfromonetotheotherastheyspokeandwhohadbeenlisteningintently,said,“Idon'tthinkitwasLeggen.”

HummintransferredhisattentiontoSeldon.“Whydoyousaythat?”

“Foronething,asyounoted,hewasclearlyunwillingtohavemecomealong.IttookawholedayofargumentandIthinkheagreedonlybecausehehadtheimpressionthatIwasaclevermathematicianwhocouldhelphimoutwithmeteorologicaltheory.Iwasanxioustogoupthereand,ifhehadbeenunderorderstoseetoitthatIwastakenUpperside,therewouldhavebeennoneedtobesoreluctantaboutit.”

“Isitreasonabletosupposehewantedyouonlyforyourmathematics?Didhediscussthemathematicswithyou?Didhemakeanattempttoexplainhistheorytoyou?”

“No,”saidSeldon,“hedidn't.Hedidsaysomethingaboutgoingintoitlateron,though.Thetroublewas,hewastotallyinvolvedwithhisinstruments.Igatheredhehadexpectedsunshinethathadn'tshowedupandhewascountingonhisinstrumentshavingbeenatfault,buttheywereapparentlyworkingperfectly,whichfrustratedhim.Ithinkthiswasanunexpecteddevelopmentthatbothsouredhistemperandturnedhisattentionawayfromme.AsforClowzia,theyoungwomanwhopreoccupiedmeforafewminutes,Idonotgetthefeeling,asIlookbackonit,thatshedeliberatelyledmeawayfromthescene.Theinitiativewasmine.IwascuriousaboutthevegetationonUppersideanditwasIwhodrewheraway,ratherthanviceversa.FarfromLeggenencouragingheraction,hecalledherbackwhileIwasstillinsightandImovedfartherawayandoutofsightentirelyonmyown.”

“Andyet,”saidHummin,whoseemedintentonobjectingtoeverysuggestionthatwasmade,

“ifthatshipwaslookingforyou,thoseonboardmusthaveknownyou'dbethere.Howwouldtheyknow–ifnotfromLeggen?”

“ThemanIsuspect,”saidSeldon,“isayoungpsychologistnamedListingRanda.”

“Randa?”saidDors.“Ican'tbelievethat.Iknowhim.HesimplywouldnotbeworkingfortheEmperor.He'santi-Imperialisttothecore.”

“Hemightpretendtobe,”saidSeldon.“Infact,hewouldhavetobeopenly,violently,andextremelyanti-ImperialistifhewastryingtomaskthefactthatheisanImperialagent.”

“Butthat'sexactlywhathe'snotlike,”saidDors.“Heisnotviolentandextremeinanything.

He'squietandgood-naturedandhisviewsarealwaysexpressedmildly,almosttimidly.I'mconvincedthey'regenuine.”

“Andyet,Dors,”saidSeldonearnestly,“itwashewhofirsttoldmeofthemeteorologicalproject,itwashewhourgedmetogoUpperside,anditwashewhopersuadedLeggentoallowmetojoinhim,ratherexaggeratingmy

mathematicalprowessintheprocess.Onemustwonderwhyhewassoanxioustogetmeupthere,whyheshouldlaborsohard.”

“Foryourgood,perhaps.Hewasinterestedinyou,Hari,andmusthavethoughtthatmeteorologymighthavebeenusefulinpsychohistory.Isn'tthatpossible?”

Humminsaidquietly,“Leisconsideranotherpoint.TherewasaconsiderablelapseoftimebetweenthemomentwhenRandatoldyouaboutthemeteorologyprojectandthemomentyouactuallywentUpperside.IfRandaisinnocentofanythingunderhanded,hewouldhavenoparticularreasontokeepquietaboutit.Ifheisafriendlyandgregariousperson–”

“Heis,”saidDors.

“–thenhemightverylikelytellanumberoffriendsaboutit.Inthatcase,wecouldn'treallytellwhotheinformermightbe.Infact,justtomakeanotherpoint,supposeRandaisanti-Imperialist.Thatwouldnotnecessarilymeanheisnotanagent.Wewouldhavetoask:Whomisheanagentfor?Onwhosebehalfdoeshework?”

Seldonwasastonished.“WhoelseistheretoworkforbuttheEmpire?WhoelsebutDemerzel?”

Humminraisedhishand.“YouarefarfromunderstandingthewholecomplexityofTrantorianpolitics,Seldon.”

HeturnedtowardDors.“Tellmeagain:WhichwerethefoursectorsthatDr.Leggennamedaslikelysourcesforameteorologicalvessel?”

“Hestelonia,Wye,Ziggoreth,andNorthDamiano.”

“Andyoudidnotaskthequestioninanyleadingway?Youdidn'taskifaparticularsectormightbethesource?”

“No,definitelynot.Isimplyaskedifhecouldspeculateastothesourceofthejet-down.”

“Andyou”–HumminturnedtoSeldon“mayperhapshaveseensomemarking,someinsigne,onthejet-down?”

Seldonwantedtoretortheatedlythatthevesselcouldhardlybeseenthroughtheclouds,thatitemergedonlybriefly,thathehimselfwasnotlookingformarkings,butonlyforescape–butheheldback.Surely,Humminknewallthat.

Instead,hesaidsimply,“I'mafraidnot.”

Dorssaid,“Ifthejet-downwasonakidnappingmission,mightnottheinsignehavebeenmasked?”

“Thatistherationalassumption,”saidHummin,“andittraywellhavebeen,butinthisGalaxyrationalitydoesnotalwaystriumph.However,sinceSeldonseemstohavetakennonoteofanydetailsconcerningthevessel,wecanonlyspeculate.WhatI'mthinkingis:Wye.”

“Why?”echoedSeldon.“Ipresumetheywantedtotakemebecausewhoeverwasontheshipwantedmeformyknowledgeofpsychohistory.”

“Nono.”Humminliftedhisrightforefingerasiflecturingayoungstudent.“W-y-e.ItisthenameofasectoronTrantor.Averyspecialsector.IthasbeenruledbyalineofMayorsforsomethreethousandyears.Ithasbeenacontinuousline,asingledynasty.Therewasatime,somefivehundredyearsago,whentwoEmperorsandanEmpressoftheHouseofWyesatontheImperialthrone.ItwasacomparativelyshortperiodandnoneoftheWyerulerswereparticularlydistinguishedorsuccessful,buttheMayorsofWyehaveneverforgottenthisImperialpast.

“Theyhavenotbeenactivelydisloyaltotherulinghousesthathavesucceededthem,butneitherhavetheybeenknowntovolunteermuchonbehalfofthosehouses.Duringtheoccasionalperiodsofcivilwar,theymaintainedakindofneutrality,makingmovesthatseemedbestcalculatedtoprolongthecivilwarandmakeitseemnecessarytoturntoWyeasacompromisesolution.Thatneverworkedout,buttheyneverstoppedtryingeither.

“ThepresentMayorofWyeisparticularlycapable.Heisoldnow,buthisambitionhasn'tcooled.IfanythinghappenstoCleon–evenanaturaldeath–theMayorwillhaveachanceatthesuccessionoverCleon'sowntoo-youngson.TheGalacticpublicwillalwaysbealittlemorepartialtowardaclaimantwithanImperialpast.

“Therefore,iftheMayorofWyehasheardofyou,youmightserveasausefulscientificprophetonbehalfofhishouse.TherewouldbeatraditionalmotiveforWyetotrytoarrangesomeconvenientendforCleon,useyoutopredicttheinevitablesuccessionofWyeandthecomingofpeaceandprosperityforathousandyearsafter.Ofcourse,oncetheMayorofWyeisonthethroneandhasnofurtheruseforyou,youmightwellfollowCleontothegrave.”

Seldonbrokethegrimsilencethatfollowedbysaying,“Butwedon'tknowthatitisthisMayorofWyewhoisafterme.”

“No,wedon't.Orthatanyoneatallisafteryou,atthemoment.Thejet-downmight,afterall,havebeenanordinarymeteorologicaltestingvesselasLeggenhassuggested.Still,asthenewsconcerningpsychohistoryanditspotentialspreads–anditsurelymust–moreandmoreofthepowerfulandsemi-powerfulonTrantoror,forthatmatter,elsewherewillwanttomakeuseofyourservices.”

“What,then,”saidDors,“shallwedo?”

“Thatisthequestion,indeed.”Humminruminatedforawhile,thensaid,“Perhapsitwasamistaketocomehere.Foraprofessor,itisalltoolikelythatthehidingplacechosenwouldbeaUniversity.Streelingisoneofmany,butitisamongthelargestandmostfree,soitwouldn'tbelongbeforetendrilsfromhereandtherewouldbeginfeelingtheirsoft,blindwaytowardthisplace.

Ithinkthatassoonaspossible–today,perhaps–Seldonshouldbemovedtoanotherandbetterhidingplace.But–”

“But?”saidSeldon.

“ButIdon'tknowwhere.”

Seldonsaid,“Callupagazetteeronthecomputerscreenandchooseaplaceatrandom.”

“Certainlynot,”saidHummin.“Ifwedothat,weareaslikelytofindaplacethatislesssecurethanaverage,asonethatismoresecure.No,thismustbereasonedout.–Somehow.”

32

ThethreeremainedhuddledinSeldon'squarterstillpastlunch.Duringthattime,HariandDorsspokeoccasionallyandquietlyonindifferentsubjects,butHumminmaintainedanalmostcompletesilence.Hesatuptight,atelittle,andhisgravecountenance(which,Seldonthought,madehimlookolderthanhisyears)remainedquietandwithdrawn.

SeldonimaginedhimtobereviewingtheimmensegeographyofTrantorinhismind,searchingforacomerthatwouldbeideal.Surely,itcouldn'tbeeasy.

Seldon'sownHeliconwassomewhatlargerbyapercentortwothanTrantorwasandhadasmallerocean.TheHeliconianlandsurfacewasperhaps10percentlargerthantheTrantorian.ButHeliconwassparselypopulated,itssurfaceonlysprinkledwithscatteredcities;Trantorwasallcity.

WhereHeliconwasdividedintotwentyadministrativesectors;Trantorhadovereighthundredandeveryoneofthosehundredswasitselfacomplexofsubdivisions.

FinallySeldonsaidinsomedespair,“Perhapsitmightbebest,Hummin,tochoosewhichcandidateformysupposedabilitiesismostnearlybenign,handmeovertothatone,andcountonhimtodefendmeagainsttherest.”

Humminlookedupandsaidinutmostseriousness,“Thatisnotnecessary.Iknowthecandidatewhoismostnearlybenignandhealreadyhasyou.”

Seldonsmiled.“DoyouplaceyourselfonthesamelevelwiththeMayorofWyeandtheEmperorofalltheGalaxy?”

“Inpointofviewofposition,no.Butasfarasthedesiretocontrolyouisconcerned,Irivalthem.They,however,andanyoneelseIcanthinkofwantyouinordertostrengthentheirownwealthandpower,whileIhavenoambitionsatall,exceptforthegoodoftheGalaxy.”

“Isuspect,”saidSeldondryly,“thateachofyourcompetitors–ifasked–wouldinsistthathetoowasthinkingonlyofthegoodoftheGalaxy.”

“Iamsuretheywould,”saidHummin,“butsofar,theonlyoneofmycompetitors,asyoucallthem,whomyouhavemetistheEmperorandhewasinterestedinhavingyouadvancefictionalizedpredictionsthatmightstabilizehis

dynasty.Idonotaskyouforanythinglikethat.Iaskonlythatyouperfectyourpsychohistoricaltechniquesothatmathematicallyvalidpredictions,evenifonlystatisticalinnature,canbemade.”

“True.Sofar,atleast,”saidSeldonwithahalf-smile.

“Therefore,Imightaswellask:Howareyoucomingalongwiththattask?Anyprogress?”

Seldonwasuncertainwhethertolaughorcage.Afterapause,hedidneither,butmanagedtospeakcalmly.“Progress?Inlessthantwomonths?Hummin,thisissomethingthatmighteasilytakememywholelifeandthelivesofthenextdozenwhofollowme.–Andeventhenendinfailure.”

“I'mnottalkingaboutanythingasfinalasasolutionorevenashopefulasthebeginningofasolution.You'vesaidflatlyanumberoftimesthatausefulpsychohistoryispossiblebutimpractical.AllIamaskingiswhethertherenowseemsanyhopethatitcanbemadepractical.”

“Frankly,no.”

Dorssaid,“Pleaseexcuseme.Iamnotamathematician,soIhopethisisnotafoolishquestion.Howcanyouknowsomethingisbothpossibleandimpractical?I'veheardyousaythat,intheory,youmightpersonallymeetandgreetallthepeopleintheEmpire,butthatitisnotapracticalfeatbecauseyoucouldn'tlivelongenoughtodoit.Buthowcanyoutellthatpsychohistoryissomethingofthissort?”

SeldonlookedatDorswithsomeincredulity.“Doyouwantthatexplained?”

“Yes,”shesaid,noddingherheadvigorouslysothathercurledhairvibrated.

“Asamatteroffact,”saidHummin,“sowouldI”

“Withoutmathematics?”saidSeldonwithjustatraceofasmile.

“Please,”saidHummin.

“Well–”Heretiredintohimselftochooseamethodofpresentation.Thenhe

said,“–IfyouwanttounderstandsomeaspectoftheUniverse,ithelpsifyousimplifyitasmuchaspossibleandincludeonlythosepropertiesandcharacteristicsthatareessentialtounderstanding.Ifyouwanttodeterminehowanobjectdrops,youdon'tconcernyourselfwithwhetheritisneworold,isredorgreen,orhasanodorornot.Youeliminatethosethingsandthusdotrotneedlesslycomplicatematters.Thesimplificationyoucancallamodelorasimulationandyoucanpresentiteitherasanactualrepresentationonacomputerscreenorasamathematicalrelationship.Ifyouconsidertheprimitivetheoryofnon-relativisticgravitation–”

Donsaidatonce,“Youpromisedtherewouldbenomathematics.Don'ttrytoslipitinbycallingit'primitive.'”

“Nono.Imean'primitive'onlyinthatithasbeenknownaslongasourrecordsgoback,thatitsdiscoveryisshroudedinthemistsofantiquityasisthatoffireorthewheel.Inanycase,theequationsforsuchgravitationaltheorycontainwithinthemselvesadescriptionofthemotionsofaplanetarysystem,ofadoublestar,oftides,andofmanyotherthings.Makinguseofsuchequations,wecanevensetupapictorialsimulationandhaveaplanetcirclingastarortwostarscirclingeachotheronatwo-dimensionalscreenorsetupmorecomplicatedsystemsinathree-dimensionalholograph.Suchsimplifiedsimulationsmakeitfareasiertograspaphenomenonthanitwouldbeifwehadtostudythephenomenonitself.Infact,withoutthegravitationalequations,ourknowledgeofplanetarymotionsandofcelestialmechanicsgenerallywouldbesparseindeed.

“Now,asyouwishtoknowmoreandmoreaboutanyphenomenonorasaphenomenonbecomesmorecomplex,youneedmoreandmoreelaborateequations,moreandmoredetailedprogramming,andyouendwithacomputerizedsimulationthatisharderandhardertograsp.”

“Can'tyouformasimulationofthesimulation?”askedHummin.“Youwouldgodownanotherdegree.”

“Inthatcase,youwouldhavetoeliminatesomecharacteristicofthephenomenonwhichyouwanttoincludeandyoursimulationbecomesuseless.TheLPS–thatis,'theleastpossiblesimulation'gainsincomplexityfasterthantheobjectbeingsimulateddoesandeventuallythesimulationcatchesupwiththephenomenon.Thus,itwasestablishedthousandsofyearsagothatthe

Universeasawhole,initsfallcomplexity,cannotberepresentedbyanysimulationsmallerthanitself.

“Inotherwords,youcan'tgetanypictureoftheUniverseasawholeexceptbystudyingtheentireUniverse.IthasbeenshownalsothatifoneattemptstosubstitutesimulationsofasmallpanoftheUniverse,thenanothersmallpart,thenanothersmallpart,andsoon,intendingtoputthemalltogethertoformatotalpictureoftheUniverse,onewouldfindthatthereareaninfinitenumberofsuchpartsimulations.ItwouldthereforetakeaninfinitetimetounderstandtheUniverseinfullandthatisjustanotherwayofsayingthatitisimpossibletogainalltheknowledgethereis.”

“Iunderstandyousofar,”saidDors,soundingalittlesurprised.

“Wellthen,weknowthatsomecomparativelysimplethingsareeasytosimulateandasthingsgrowmoreandmorecomplextheybecomehardertosimulateuntilfinallytheybecomeimpossibletosimulate.Butatwhatlevelofcomplexitydoessimulationceasetobepossible?Well,whatIhaveshown,makinguseofamathematicaltechniquefirstinventedinthispastcenturyandbarelyusableevenifoneemploysalargeandveryfastcomputer,ourGalacticsocietyfallsshortofthatmark.Itcanberepresentedbyasimulationsimplerthanitself.AndIwentontoshowthatthiswouldresultintheabilitytopredictfutureeventsinastatisticalfashion–thatis,bystatingtheprobabilityforalternatesetsofevents,ratherthanflatlypredictingthatonesetwilltakeplace.”

“Inthatcase,”saidHummin,“sinceyoucanprofitablysimulateGalacticsociety,it'sonlyamatterofdoingso.Whyisitimpractical?”

“AllIhaveprovedisthatitwillnottakeaninfinitetimetounderstandGalacticsociety,butifittakesabillionyearsitwillstillbeimpractical.Thatwillbeessentiallythesameasinfinitetimetous.”

“Isthathowlongitwouldtake?Abillionyears?”

“Ihaven'tbeenabletoworkouthowlongitwouldtake,butIstronglysuspectthatitwilltakeatleastabillionyears,whichiswhyIsuggestedthatnumber.”

“Butyoudon'treallyknow.”

“I'vebeentryingtoworkitout.”

“Withoutsuccess?”

“Withoutsuccess.”

“TheUniversitylibrarydoesnothelp?”HummincastalookatDorsasheaskedthequestion.

Seldonshookhisheadslowly.“Notatall.”

“Dorscan'thelp?”

Dorssighed.“Iknownothingaboutthesubject,Chetter.Icanonlysuggestwaysoflooking.

IfHarilooksanddoesn'tfind,Iamhelpless.”

Humminrosetohisfeet.“Inthatcase,thereisnogreatuseinstayinghereattheUniversityandImustchinkofsomewhereelsetoplaceyou.”

Seldonreachedoutandtouchedhissleeve.“Still,Ihaveanidea.”

Humminstaredathimwithafaintnarrowingofeyesthatmighthavebeliedsurprise–orsuspicion.“Whendidyougettheidea?Justnow?”

“No.It'sbeenbuzzinginmyheadforafewdaysbeforeIwentUpperside.Thatlittleexperienceeclipseditforawhile,butaskingaboutthelibraryremindedmeofit.”

Humminseatedhimselfagain.“Tellmeyouridea–ifit'snotsomethingthat'stotallymarinatedinmathematics.”

“Nomathematicsatall.It'sjustthatreadinghistoryinthelibraryremindedmethatGalacticsocietywaslesscomplicatedinthepast.Twelvethousandyearsago,whentheEmpirewasonthewaytobeingestablished,theGalaxycontainedonlyabouttenmillioninhabitedworlds.Twentythousandyearsago,thepre-Imperialkingdomsincludedonlyabouttenthousandworldsaltogether.

Stilldeeperinthepast,whoknowshowsocietyshrinksdown?Perhapseventoasingleworldasinthelegendsyouyourselfoncementioned,Hummin.”

Humminsaid,“AndyouthinkyoumightbeabletoworkoutpsychohistoryifyoudealtwithamuchsimplerGalacticsociety?”

“Yes,itseemstomethatImightbeabletodoso.”

“Thentoo,”saidDorswithsuddenenthusiasm,“supposeyouworkoutpsychohistoryforasmallersocietyofthepastandsupposeyoucanmakepredictionsfromastudyofthepre-ImperialsituationastowhatmighthappenathousandyearsaftertheformationoftheEmpire–youcouldthenchecktheactualsituationatthattimeandseehownearthemarkyouwere.”

Humminsaidcoldly,“Consideringthatyouwouldknowinadvancethesituationoftheyear1,000oftheGalacticEra,itwouldscarcelybeafairtest.Youwouldbeunconsciouslyswayedbyyourpriorknowledgeandyouwouldbeboundtochoosevaluesforyourequationinsuchawayastogiveyouwhatyouwouldknowtobethesolution.”

“Idon'tthinkso,”saidDors.“Wedon'tknowthesituationin1,000G.E.verywellandwewouldhavetodig.Afterall,thatwaselevenmillenniaago.”

Seldon'sfaceturnedintoapictureofdismay.“Whatdoyoumeanwedon'tknowthesituationin1,000G.B.verywell?Therewerecomputersthen,weren'tthere,Dors?”

“Ofcourse.”

“Andmemorystorageunitsandrecordingsofearandeye?Weshouldhavealltherecordsof1,000G.E.aswehaveofthepresentyearof12,020G.E.”

“Intheory,yes,butinactualpractice–Well,youknow,Hari,it'swhatyoukeepsaying.It'spossibletohavefullrecordsof1,000G.E.,butit'snotpracticaltoexpecttohaveit.”

“Yes,butwhatIkeepsaying,Dors,referstomathematicaldemonstrations.Idon'tseetheapplicationstohistoricalrecords.”

Dorssaiddefensively,“Recordsdon'tlastforever,Hari.Memorybankscanbedestroyedordefacedasaresultofconflictorcansimplydeterioratewithtime.Anymemorybit,anyrecordthatisnotreferredtoforalongtime,eventuallydrownsinaccumulatednoise.TheysaythatfullyonethirdoftherecordsintheImperialLibraryaresimplygibberish,but,ofcourse,customwillnotallowthoserecordstoberemoved.Otherlibrariesarelesstradition-bound.IntheStreelingUniversitylibrary,wediscardworthlessitemseverytenyears.

“Naturally,recordsfrequentlyreferredtoandfrequentlyduplicatedonvariousworldsandinvariouslibraries–governmentalandprivate–remainclearenoughforthousandsofyears,sothatmanyoftheessentialpointsofGalactichistoryremainknowneveniftheytookplaceinpre-Imperialtimes.However,thefartherbackyougo,thelessthereispreserved.”

“Ican'tbelievethat,”saidSeldon.“Ishouldthinkthatnewcopieswouldbemadeofanyrecordindangerofwithering.Howcouldyouletknowledgedisappear?”

“Undesiredknowledgeisuselessknowledge,”saidDors.“Canyouimagineallthetime,effort,andenergyexpendedinacontinualrefurbishingofunuseddata?Andthatwastagewouldgrowsteadilymoreextremewithtime.”

“Surely,youwouldhavetoallowforthefactthatsomeoneatsometimemightneedthedatabeingsocarelesslydisposedof.”

“Aparticularitemmightbewantedonceinathousandyears.Tosaveitalljustincaseofsuchaneedisn'tcost-effective.Eveninscience.Youspokeoftheprimitiveequationsofgravitationandsayitisprimitivebecauseitsdiscoveryislostinthemistsofantiquity.Whyshouldthatbe?

Didn'tyoumathematiciansandscientistssavealldata,allinformation,backandbacktothemistyprimevaltimewhenthoseequationswerediscovered?”

Seldongroanedandmadenoattempttoanswer.Hesaid,“Well,Hummin,somuchformyidea.Aswelookbackintothepastandassocietygrowssmaller,ausefulpsychohistorybecomesmorelikely.Butknowledgedwindlesevenmorerapidlythansize,sopsychohistorybecomeslesslikely–andthelessoutweighsthemore.”

“Tobesure,thereistheMycogenSector,”saidDors,musing.

Humminlookedupquickly.“SothereisandthatwouldbetheperfectplacetoputSeldon.Ishouldhavethoughtofitmyself.”

“MycogenSector,”repeatedHari,lookingfromonetotheother.“WhatandwhereisMycogenSector?”

“Hari,please,I'lltellyoulater.Rightnow,Ihavepreparationstomake.You'llleavetonight.”

33

DorshadurgedSeldontosleepabit.Theywouldbeleavinghalfwaybetweenlightsoutandlightson,undercoverof“night,”whiletherestoftheUniversityslept.Sheinsistedhecouldstillusealittlerest.

“Andhaveyousleepontheflooragain?”Seldonasked.

Sheshrugged.“Thebedwillonlyholdoneandifwebothtrytocrowdintoit,neitherofuswillgetmuchsleep.”

Helookedatherhungrilyforamomentandsaid,“ThenI'llsleeponthefloorthistime.”

“No,youwon't.Iwasn'ttheonewholayinacomainthesleet.”

Asithappened,neitherslept.ThoughtheydarkenedtheroomandthoughtheperpetualhumofTrantorwasonlyadrowsysoundintherelativelyquietconfinesoftheUniversity,Seldonfoundthathehadtotalk.

Hesaid,“I'vebeensomuchtroubletoyou,Dors,hereattheUniversity.I'veevenbeenkeepingyoufromyourwork.Still,I'msorryI'llhavetoleaveyou.”

Dorssaid,“Youwon'tleaveme.I'mcomingwithyou.Humminisarrangingaleaveofabsenceforme.”

Seldonsaid,dismayed,“Ican'taskyoutodothat.”

“You'renot.Humminsaskingit.Imustguardyou.Afterall,IfadedinconnectionwithUppersideandshouldmakeupforit.”

“Itoldyou.Pleasedon'tfeelguiltyaboutthat.–Still,ImustadmitIwouldfeelmorecomfortablewithyouatmyside.IfIcouldonlybesureIwasn'tinterferingwithyourlife…”

Dorssaidsoftly,“You'renot,Hari.Pleasegotosleep.”

Seldonlaysilentforawhile,thenwhispered,“AreyousureHummincanreallyarrangeeverything,Dors?”

Dorssaid,“He'saremarkableman.He'sgotinfluencehereattheUniversityandeverywhereelse,Ithink.Ifhesayshecanarrangeforanindefiniteleaveforme,I'msurehecan.Heisamoatpersuasiveman.”

“Iknow,”saidSeldon.“SometimesIwonderwhathereallywantsofme.”

“Whathesays,”saidDors.“He'samanofstrongandidealisticideasanddreams.”

“Yousoundasthoughyouknowhimwell,Dors.”

“Ohyes,Iknowhimwell.”

“Intimately?”

Dorsmadeanoddnoise.“I'mnotsurewhatyou'reimplying,Hari,but,assumingthemostinsolentinterpretation–No,Idon'tknowhimintimately.Whatbusinesswouldthatbeofyoursanyway?”

“I'msorry”saidSeIdon.“Ijustdidn'twant,inadvertently,tobeinvadingsomeoneelse's–”

“Property?That'sevenmoreinsulting.Ithinkyouhadbettergotosleep.”

“I'msorryagain,Dors,butIcan'tsleep.Letmeatleastchangethesubject.Youhaven'texplainedwhattheMycogenSectoris.Whywillitbegoodformetogothere?What'sitlike?”

“It'sasmallsectorwithapopulationofonlyabouttwomillion–ifIremembercorrectly.ThethingisthattheMycogeniansclingrightlytoasetoftraditionsaboutearlyhistoryandaresupposedtohaveveryancientrecordsnotavailabletoanyoneelse.It'sjustpossibletheywouldbeofmoreusetoyouinyourattemptedexaminationofpre-Imperialtimesthanorthodoxhistoriansmightbe.

Allourtalkaboutearlyhistorybroughtthesectortomind.”

“Haveyoueverseentheirrecords?”

“No.Idon'tknowanyonewhohas.”

“Canyoubesurethattherecordsreallyexist,then?”

“Actually,Ican'tsay.Theassumptionamongnon-Mycogeniansisthatthey'reabunchofmadcaps,butthatmaybequiteunfair.Theycertainlyraytheyhaverecords,soperhapstheydo.Inanycase,wewouldbeoutofsightthere.TheMycogenianskeepstrictlytothemselves.–Andnowpleasedogotosleep.”

AndsomehowSeldonfinallydid.

34

HariSeldonandDorsVenabililefttheUniversitygroundsat03:00.SeldonrealizedthatDorshadtobetheleader.SheknewTrantorbetterthanhedid–twoyearsbetter.ShewasobviouslyaclosefriendofHummin(howclose?thequestionkeptnaggingathim)andsheunderstoodhisinstructions.

BothsheandSeldonwereswathedinlightswirlingdockswithtight-fittinghoods.Thestylehadbeenashort-livedclothingfadattheUniversity(andamongyoungintellectuals,generally)someyearsbackandthoughrightnowitmightprovokelaughter,ithadthesavinggraceofcoveringthemwellandofmakingthemunrecognizable–atleastatacursoryglance.

Humminhadsaid,“There'sapossibilitythattheeventUppersidewascompletelyinnocentandthattherearenoagentsafteryou,Seldon,butleishepreparedfortheworst.”

Seldonhadaskedanxiously,“Won'tyoucomewithus?”

“Iwouldliketo,”saidHummin,“butImustlimitmyabsencefromworkifIamnottobecomeatargetmyself.Youunderstand?”

Seldonsighed.Heunderstood.

TheyenteredanExpresswaycarandfoundaseatasfaraspossiblefromthefewwhohadalreadyboarded.(SeldomwonderedwhyanyoneshouldbeontheExpresswaysatthreeinthemorning–andthenthoughtthatitwasluckysomewereorheandDorswouldbeentirelytooconspicuous.)

Seldonfelltowatchingtheendlesspanoramathatpassedinreviewastheequallyendlesslineofcoachesmovedalongtheendlessmonorailonanendlesselectromagneticfield.

TheExpresswaypassedrowuponrowofdwellingunits,fewofthemverytall,butsome,forallheknew,verydeep.Still,iftensofmillionsofsquarekilometersformedanurbanizedtotal,evenfortybillionpeoplewouldnotrequireverytallstructuresorverycloselypackedones.Theydidpassopenareas,inmostofwhichcropsseemedtobegrowing–butsomeofwhichwereclearlypark-like.Andtherewerenumerousstructureswhosenaturehecouldn'tguess.Factories?Officebuildings?Whoknew?Onelargefeaturelesscylinderstruckhimasthoughitmightbeawatertank.

Afterall,Trantorhadtohaveafreshwatersupply.DidtheysluicerainfromUpperside,filterandtreatit,thenstoreit?Itseemedinevitablethattheyshould.

Seldondidnothaveverylongtostudytheview,however.

Dorsmuttered,“Thisisaboutwhereweshouldbegettingoff.”Shestoodupandherstrongfingersgrippedhisarm.

TheywereofftheExpresswaynow,standingonsolidflooringwhileDorsstudiedthedirectionalsigns.

Thesignswereunobtrusiveandthereweremanyofthem.Seldon'sheartsank.Mostofthemwereinpictographsandinitials,whichwereundoubtedlyunderstandabletonativeTrantorians,butwhichwerealientohim.

“Thisway,”saidDors.“Whichway?Howdoyouknow?”

“Seethat?Twowingsandanarrow.”

“Twowings?Oh.”Hehadthoughtofitasanupside-down“w,”wideandshallow,buthecouldseewhereitmightbethestylizedwingsofabird.

“Whydon'ttheyusewords?”hesaidsullenly.“Becausewordsvaryfromworldtoworld.

Whatan'air-jet'isherecouldbea'soar'onCinnaora'swoop'onotherworlds.ThetwowingsandanarrowareaGalacticsymbolforansirvesselandthesymbolisunderstoodeverywhere.–Don'tyouusethemonHelicon?”

“Notmuch.Heliconisafairlyhomogeneousworld,culturallyspeaking,andwetendtoclingtoourprivatewaysfirmlybecausewe'reovershadowedbyourneighbors.”

“See?”saidDors.“There'swhereyourpsychohistorymightcomein.Youcouldshowthatevenwithdifferentdialectstheuseofsetsymbols,Galaxy-wide,isaunifyingforce.”

“Thatwon'thelp.”HewasfollowingherthroughemptydimalleywaysandpartofhismindwonderedwhatthecrimeratemightbeonTrantorandwhetherthiswasahigh-crimearea.“Youcanhaveabillionrules,eachcoveringasinglephenomenon,andyoucanderivenogeneralizationsfromthat.That'swhatonemeanswhenonesaysthatasystemmightbeinterpretedonlybyamodelascomplexasitself.–Dors,areweheadingforanair-jet?”

Shestoppedandturnedtolookathimwithanamusedfrown.“Ifwe'refollowingthesymbolsforair-jets,doyousupposewe'retryingtoreachagolfcourse?–Areyouafraidofair-jetsinthewaysomanyTrantoriansare?”

“Nono.WeflyfreelyonHeliconandImakeuseofair-jetsfrequently.It'sjustthatwhenHummintookmetotheUniversity,heavoidedcommercialairtravelbecausehethoughtwewouldleavetooclearatrail.”

“That'sbecausetheyknewwhereyouweretobeginwith,Hari,andwereafteryoualready.

Rightnow,itmaybethattheydon'tknowwhereyouareandwe'reusingan

obscureportandaprivateairjet.”

“Andwho'llbedoingtheflying?”

“AfriendofHummin's,Ipresume.”

“Canhebetrusted,doyousuppose?”

“Ifhe'safriendofHummin's,hesurelycan.”

“YoucertainlythinkhighlyofHummin,”saidSeldonwithatwingeofdiscontent.

“Withreason,”saidDorswithnoattemptatcoyness.“He'sthebest.”

Seldon'sdiscontentdidnotdwindle.

“There'stheair-jet,”shesaid.Itwasasmallonewithoddlyshapedwings.Standingbesideitwasasmallman,dressedintheusualglaringTrantoriancolors.

Dorssaid,“We'repsycho.”Thepilotsaid,“AndI'mhistory.”

Theyfollowedhimintotheair-jetandSeldonsaid,“Whoseideawerethepasswords?”

“Hummin's,”saidDors.

Seldonsnorted.“SomehowIdidn'tthinkHumminwouldhaveasenseofhumor.He'ssosolemn.”

Dorssmiled.

SUNMASTER

SUNMASTERFOURTEEN–…AleaderoftheMycogenSectorofancientTrantor…Asistrueofalltheleadersofthisingrownsector,littleisknownofhim.ThatheplaysanyroleatallinhistoryisdueentirelytohisinterrelationshipwithHariSeldoninthecourseofTheFlight…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

35

TherewerejusttwoseatsbehindthecompactpilotcompartmentandwhenSeldonsatdownonpaddingthatgaveslowlybeneathhimmeshedfabriccameforwardtoencirclehislegs,waist,andchestandahoodcamedownoverhisforeheadandears.Hefeltimprisonedandwhenheturnedtohisleftwithdifficulty–andonlyslightly–hecouldseethatDorswassimilarlyenclosed.

Thepilottookhisownseatandcheckedthecontrols.Thenhesaid,“I'mEndorLevanian,atyourservice.You'reenmeshedbecausetherewillbeaconsiderableaccelerationatliftoff.Oncewe'reintheopenandflying,you'llbereleased.Youneedn'ttellmeyournames.It'snoneofmybusiness.”

Heturnedinhisseatandsmiledatthemoutofagnome-likefacethatwrinkledashislipsspreadoutward.“Anypsychologicaldifficulties,youngsters?”

Dorssaidlightly,“I'manOutworlderandI'musedtoflying.”

“Thatisalsotrueformyself,”saidSeldonwithabitofhauteur.

“Excellent,youngsters.Ofcourse,thisisn'tyourordinaryair-jetandyoumaynothavedoneanynightflying,butI'llcountonyoutobearup.”

Hewasenmeshedtoo,butSeldoncouldseethathisarmswereentirelyfree.Adullhumsoundedinsidethejet,growinginintensityandrisinginpitch.Withoutactuallybecomingunpleasant,itthreatenedtodosoandSeldonmadeagestureasthoughtoshakehisheadandgetthesoundoutofhisears,buttheattempttodosomerelyseemedtostiffentheholdofthehead-mesh.

Thejetthensprang(itwastheonlyverbSeldoncouldfindtodescribetheevent)intothesirandhefoundhimselfpushedhardagainstthebackandbottomofhisseat.

Throughthewindshieldinfrontofthepilot,Seldonsaw,withatwingeofhorror,theflatriseofawall–andthenaroundopeningappearinthatwall.Itwassimilartotheholeintowhichtheair-taxihadplungedthedayheandHumminhadlefttheImperialSector,butthoughthisonewaslargeenoughforthebody

ofthejet,itcertainlydidnotleaveroomforthewings.

Seldon'sheadturnedasfartotherightashecouldmanageanddidsojustintimetoseethewingonhissidewitherandcollapse.

Thejetplungedintotheopeningandwasseizedbytheelectromagneticfieldandhurtledalongalightedrunnel.TheaccelerationwasconstantandtherewereoccasionalclickingnoisesthatSeldonimaginedmightbethepassingofindividualmagnets.

Andthen,inlessthantenminutes,thejetwasspewedoutintotheatmosphere,headlongintothesuddenpervasivedarknessofnight.

ThejetdeceleratedasitpassedbeyondtheelectromagneticfieldandSeldonfelthimselfflungagainstthemeshandplasteredthereforafewbreathlessmoments.

Thenthepressureceasedandthemeshdisappearedaltogether.

“Howareyou,youngsters?”camethecheerfulvoiceofthepilot.

“I'mnotsure,”saidSeldon.HeturnedtoDors.“Areyouallright?”

“Certainly,”sheanswered.“IthinkMr.LevanianwasputtingusthroughhispacestoseeifwewerereallyOutworlders.Isthatso,Mr.Levanian?”

“Somepeoplelikeexcitement,”saidLevanian.“Doyou?”

“Withinlimits,”saidDors.

ThenSeldonaddedapprovingly,“Asanyreasonablepersonwouldadmit.”Seldonwenton.

“Itmighthaveseemedlesshumoroustoyou,sir,ifyouhadrippedthewingsoffthejet.”

“Impossible,sir.Itoldyouthisisnotyourordinaryair-jet.Thewingsarethoroughlycomputerized.Theychangetheirlength,width,curvature,andoverallshapetomatchthespeedofthejet,thespeedanddirectionofthewind,thetemperature,andhalfadozenothervariables.Thewingswouldn'ttearoff

unlessthejetitselfwassubjectedtostressesthatwouldsplinterit.”

TherewasaspatteragainstSeldon'swindow.Hesaid,“It'sraining.”

“Itoftenis,”saidthepilot.

Seldonpeeredoutthewindow.OnHeliconoronanyotherworld,therewouldhavebeenlightsvisible–theilluminatedworksofman.OnlyonTrantorwoulditbedark.

“Well,notentirely.Atonepointhesawtheflashofabeaconlight.PerhapsthehigherreachesofUppersidehadwarninglights.

Asusual,DorstooknoteofSeldon'suneasiness.Partinghishand,shesaid,“I'msurethepilotknowswhathe'sdoing,Hari.”

“I'lltrytobesureofit,too,Dors,butIwishhe'dsharesomeofthatknowledgewithus,”

Seldonsaidinavoiceloudenoughtobeoverheard.

“Idon'tmindsharing,”saidthepilot.“Tobeginwith,we'reheadingupandwe'llbeabovetheclouddeckinafewminutes.Thentherewon'tbeanyrainandwe'llevenseethestars.”

Hehadtimedtheremarkbeautifully,forafewstarsbegantoglitterthroughthefeatherycloudremnantsandthenalltherestsprangintobrightnessasthepilotflickedoffthelightsinsidethecabin.Onlythedimilluminationofhisowninstrumentpanelremainedtocompeteandoutsidethewindowtheskysparkledbrightly.

Dorssaid,“That'sthefirsttimeinovertwoyearsthatI'veseenthestars.Aren'ttheymarvelous?They'resobright–andtherearesomanyofthem.”

Thepilotsaid,“TrantorisnearerthecenteroftheGalaxythanmostoftheOutworlds.”

SinceHeliconwasinasparsecomeroftheGalaxyanditsstarfieldwasdimandunimpressive,Seldonfoundhimselfspeechless.

Dorssaid,“Howquietthisflighthasbecome.”

“Soitis,”saidSeldon.“Whatpowersthejet,Mr.Levanian?”

“Amicrofusionmotorandathinstreamofhotgas.”

“Ididn'tknowwehadworkingmicrofusionair-jets.Theytalkaboutit,but–”

“Thereareafewsmalloneslikethis.SofartheyexistonlyonTrantorandareusedentirelybyhighgovernmentofficials.”

Seldonsaid,“Thefeesforsuchtravelmustcomehigh.”

“Veryhigh,sir.”

“HowmuchisMr.Humminbeingcharged,then?”

“There'snochargeforthisflight.Mr.Humminisagoodfriendofthecompanywhoownsthesejets.”

Seldongrunted.Thenheasked,“Whyaren'ttheremoreofthesemicrofusionair-jets?”

“Tooexpensiveforonething,sir.Thosethatexistfulfillallthedemand.”

“Youcouldcreatemoredemandwithlargerjets.”

“Maybeso,butthecompanyhasnevermanagedtomakemicrofusionenginesstrongenoughforlargeair-jets.”

SeldonthoughtofHummin'scomplaintthattechnologicalinnovationhaddeclinedtoalowlevel.“Decadent,”hemurmured.

“What?”saidDors.

“Nothing,”saidSeldon.“IwasjustthinkingofsomethingHumminoncesaidtome.”

Helookedoutatthestarsandsaid,“Arewemovingwestward,Mr.Caveman?”

“Yes,weare.Howdidyouknow?”

“BecauseIthoughtthatwewouldseethedawnbynowifwewereheadingeasttomeetit.”

Butdawn,pursuingtheplanet,finallycaughtupwiththemandsunlight–real–sunlightbrightenedthecabinwalls.Itdidn'tlastlong,however,forthejetcurveddownwardandintotheclouds.BlueandgoldvanishedandwerereplacedbydingygrayandbothSeldonandDorsemitteddisappointedcriesatbeingdeprivedofevenafewmoremomentsoftruesunlight.

Whentheysankbeneaththeclouds,Uppersidewasimmediatelybelowthemanditssurface–atleastatthisspot–wasarollingmixtureofwoodedgrottosandinterveninggrassland.ItwasthesortofthingClowziahadtoldSeldonexistedonUpperside.

Againtherewaslittletimeforobservation,however.Anopeningappearedbelowthem,rimmedbyletteringthatspelledMYCOGEN.

Theyplungedin.

36

TheylandedatajetportthatseemeddesertedtoSeldon'swonderingeyes.Thepilot,havingcompletedhistask,shookhandswithbothHariandDorsandtookhisjetupintothesirwitharush,plungingitintoanopeningthatappearedforhisbenefit.

Thereseemed,then,nothingtodobutwait.Therewerebenchesthatcouldseatperhapsahundredpeople,butSeldonandDorsVenabiliweretheonlytwopeoplearound.Theportwasrectangular,surroundedbywallsinwhichtheremustbemanytunnelsthatcouldopentoreceiveordeliverjets,buttherewerenojetspresentaftertheirownhaddepartedandnonearrivedwhiletheywaited.

Therewerenopeoplearrivingoranyindicationsofhabitation;theverylifehumofTrantorwasmuted.

Seldonfeltthisalonenesstobeoppressive.HeturnedtoDorsandsaid,“Whatisitthatwemustdohere?Haveyouanyidea?”

Dorsshookherhead.“HummintoldmewewouldbemetbySunmasterFourteen.Idon'tknowanythingbeyondthat.”

“SunmasterFourteen?Whatwouldthatbe?”

“Ahumanbeing,Ipresume.FromthenameIcan'tbecertainwhetheritwouldbeamanorawoman.”

“Anoddname.”

“Oddityisinthemindofthereceiver.Iamsometimestakentobeamanbythosewhohavenevermetme.”

“Whatfoolstheymustbe,”saidSeldon,smiling.

“Notatall.Judgingfrommyname,theyarejustified.I'mtolditisapopularmasculinenameonvariousworlds.”

“I'veneverencountereditbefore.”

“That'sbecauseyouaren'tmuchofaGalactictraveler.Thename'Hari'iscommonenougheverywhere,althoughIonceknewawomannamed'Hare,'pronouncedlikeyournamebutspelledwithan'e.'InMycogen,asIrecall,particularnamesareconfinedtofamilies–andnumbered.”

“ButSunmasterseemssounrestrainedaname.”

“What'salittlebraggadocio?BackonCinna,'Dors'isfromanOldlocalexpressionmeaning

'springgift.'”

“Becauseyouwereborninthespring?”

“No.IfirstsawthelightofdayattheheightofCinna'ssummer,butthenamestruckmypeopleaspleasantregardlessofitstraditional–andlargelyforgotten–meaning.”

“Inthatcase,perhapsSunmaster–”

Andadeep,severevoicesaid,“Thatismyname,tribesman.”

Seldon,startled,lookedtohisleft.Anopenground-carhadsomehowdrawnclose.Itwasboxyandarchaic,lookingalmostlikeadeliverywagon.Init,atthecontrols,wasatalloldmanwholookedvigorousdespitehisage.Withstatelymajesty,hegotoutoftheground-car.

Heworealongwhitegownwithvoluminoussleeves,pinchedinatthewrists.Beneaththegownweresoftsandalsfromwhichthebigtoeprotruded,whilehishead,beautifullyshaped,wascompletelyhairless.Heregardedthetwocalmlywithhisdeepblueeyes.

Hesaid,“Igreetyou,tribesman.”

Seldonsaidwithautomaticpoliteness,“Greetings,sir.”Then,honestlypuzzled,heasked,

“Howdidyougetin?”

“Throughtheentrance,whichclosedbehindme.Youpaidlittleheed.”

“Isupposewedidn't.Butthenwedidn'tknowwhattoexpect.Nordowenow.”

“TribesmanChetterHummininformedtheBrethrenthattherewouldbemembersfromtwoofthetribesarriving.Heaskedthatyoubecaredfor.”

“ThenyouknowHummin.”

“Wedo.Hehasbeenofservicetous.Andbecausehe,aworthytribesman,hasbeenofservicetous,somustwebenowtohim.TherearefewwhocometoMycogenandfewwholeave.Iamtomakeyousecure,giveyouhouseroom,seethatyouareundisturbed.Youwillbesafehere.”

Dorsbentherhead.“Wearegrateful,SunmasterFourteen.”

Sunmasterturnedtolookatherwithansirofdispassionatecontempt.“Iamnotunawareofthecustomsofthetribes,”hesaid.“Iknowthatamongthemawomanmaywellspeakbeforebeingspokento.Iamthereforenotoffended.IwouldaskhertohaveacareamongothersoftheBrethrenwhomaybeoflesser

knowledgeinthematter.”

“Ohreally?”saidDors,whowasclearlyoffended,evenifSunmasterwasnot.

“Intruth,”agreedSunmaster.“NorisitneedfultousemynumericalidentifierwhenIaloneofmycohortamwithyou.'Sunmaster'willbesufficient.–NowIwillaskyoutocomewithmesothatwemayleavethisplacewhichisoftootribalanaturetocomfortme.”

“Comfortisforallofus,”saidSeldon,perhapsalittlemoreloudlythanwasnecessary,“andwewillnotbudgefromthisplaceunlessweareassuredthatwewillnotbeforciblybenttoyourlikingagainstourownnatures.Itisourcustomthatawomanmayspeakwhenevershehassomethingtosay.Ifyouhaveagreedtokeepussecure,thatsecuritymustbepsychologicalaswellasphysical.”

SunmastergazedatSeldonlevellyandsaid,“Youarebold,youngtribesman.Yourname?”

“IamHariSeldonofHelicon.MycompanionisDorsVenabiliofCinna.”

SunmasterbowedslightlyasSeldonpronouncedhisownname,didnotmoveatthementionofDors'sname.Hesaid,“IhavesworntoTribesmanHumminthatwewillkeepyousafe,soIwilldowhatIcantoprotectyourwomancompanioninthis.Ifshewishestoexerciseherimpudence,Iwilldomybesttoseethatsheisheldguiltless.–Yetinonerespectyoumustconform.”

Andhepointed,withinfinitescorn,firsttoSeldon'sheadandthentoDors's.

“Whatdoyoumean?”saidSeldon.

“Yourcephalichair.”

“Whataboutit?”

“Itmustnotbeseen.”

“Doyoumeanwe'retoshaveourheadslikeyou?Certainlynot.”

“Myheadisnotshaven,TribesmanSeldon.IwasdepilatedwhenIentered

puberty,asarealltheBrethrenandtheirwomen.”

“Ifwe'retalkingaboutdepilation,thenmorethanevertheanswerisno–never.”

“Tribesman,weaskneithershavingnordepilation.Weaskonlythatyourhairbecoveredwhenyouareamongus.”

“How?”

“Ihavebroughtskincapsthatwillmoldthemselvestoyourskulls,togetherwithstripsthatwillhidethesuperopticalpatchestheeyebrows.Youwillwearthemwhilewithus.Andofcourse,TribesmanSeldon,youwillshavedaily–oroftenerifthatbecomesnecessary.”

“Butwhymustwedothis?”

“Becausetous,hairontheheadisrepulsiveandobscene.”

“Surely,youandallyourpeopleknowthatitiscustomaryforothers,inalltheworldsoftheGalaxy,toretaintheircephalichair.”

“Weknow.Andthoseamongus,likemyself,whomustdealwithtribesmennowandthen,mustwitnessthishair.Wemanage,butitisunfairtoasktheBrethrengenerallytosufferthesight.”

Seldonsaid,“Verywell,then,Sunmaster–buttellme.Sinceyouarebornwithcephalichair,asallofusareandasyouallretainitvisiblytillpuberty,whyisitsonecessarytoremoveit?Isitjustamatterofcustomoristheresomerationalebehindit?”

AndtheoldMycogeniansaidproudly,“Bydepilation,wedemonstratetotheyoungsterthatheorshehasbecomeanadultandthroughdepilationadultswillalwaysrememberwhotheyareandneverforgetthatallothersarebuttribesmen.”

Hewaitedfornoresponse(and,intruth,Seldoncouldthinkofnone)butbroughtoutfromsomehiddencompartmentinhisrobeahandfulofthinbitsofplasticofvaryingcolor,staredkeenlyatthetwofacesbeforehim,holdingfirstonestrip,thenanother,againsteachface.

“Thecolorsmustthatchreasonably,”hesaid.“Noonewillbefooledintothinkingyouarenotwearingaskincap,butitmustnotberepulsivelyobvious.”

Finally,SunmastergaveaparticularstriptoSeldonandshowedhimhowitcouldbepulledoutintoacap.“Pleaseputiton,TribesmanSeldom”hesaid.“Youwillfindtheprocessclumsyatfirst,butyouwillgrowaccustomedtoit.”

Seldonputiton,butthefirsttwotimesitslippedoffwhenhetriedtopullitbackwardoverhishair.

“Beginjustaboveyoureyebrows,”saidSunmaster.Hisfingersseemedtotwitch,asthougheagertohelp.

Seldonsaid,suppressingasmile,“Wouldyoudoitforme?”

AndSunmasterdrewback,saying,almostinagitation,“Icouldn't.Iwouldbetouchingyourhair.”

SeldonmanagedtohookitonandfollowedSunmaster'sadvice,inpullingithereandthereuntilallhishairwascovered.Theeyebrowpatchesfittedoneasily.Dors,whohadwatchedcarefully,puthersonwithouttrouble.

“Howdoesitcomeoff?”askedSeldon.

“Youhavebuttofindanendanditwillpeeloffwithouttrouble.Youwillfinditeasierbothtoputonandtakeoffifyoucutyourhairshorter.”

“I'dratherstruggleabit,”saidSeldon.Then,turningtoDors,hesaidinalowvoice,“You'restillpretty,Dors,butitdoestendtoremovesomeofthecharacterfromyourface.”

“Thecharacteristhereunderneathjustthesame,”sheanswered.“AndIdaresayyou'llgrowaccustomedtothehairlessme.”

Inastilllowerwhisper,Seldonsaid,“Idon'twanttostayherelongenoughtogetaccustomedtothis.”

Sunmaster,whoignored,withvisiblehaughtiness,themumblingsamongmeretribesmen,said,“Ifyouwillentermyground-car,Iwillnowtakeyouinto

Mycogen.”

37

“Frankly,”whisperedDors,“IcanscarcelybelieveI'monTrantor.”

“Itakeit,then,you'veneverseenanythinglikethisbefore?”saidSeldon.

“I'veonlybeenonTrantorfortwoyearsandI'vespentmuchofmytimeattheUniversity,soI'mnotexactlyaworldtraveler.Still,I'vebeenhereandthereandI'veheardofthisandthat,butI'veneverseenorheardofanythinglikethis.Thesameness.”

Sunmasterdrovealongmethodicallyandwithoutunduehaste.Therewereotherwagon-likevehiclesintheroadway,allwithhairlessmenatthecontrols,theirbaldpatesgleaminginthelight.

Oneithersidetherewerethree-storystructures,unornamented,alllinesmeetingatrightangles,everythinggrayincolor.

“Dreary,”mouthedDors.“Sodreary.”

“Egalitarian,”whisperedSeldon.“IsuspectnoBrothercanlayclaimtoprecedenceofanyobviouskindoveranyother.”

Thereweremanypedestriansonthewalkwaysastheypassed.TherewerenosignsofanymovingcorridorsandnosoundofanynearbyExpressway.

Dorssaid,“I'mguessingthegraysarewomen.”

“It'shardmtell,”saidSeldon.“Thegownshideeverythingandonehairlessheadislikeanother.”

“Thegraysarealwaysinpairsorwithawhite.ThewhinestartwalkaloneandSunmasterisawhite.”

“Youmayberight.”Seldonraisedhisvoice.“Sunmaster,Iamcurious”

“Ifyouare,thenaskwhatyouwish,althoughIambynomeansrequiredto

answer.”

“Weseemtobepassingthrougharesidentialarea.Therearenosignsofbusinessestablishments,industrialareas–”

“Weareafarmingcommunityentirely.Whereareyoufromthatyoudonotknowthis?”

“YouknowIamanOutworlder,”Seldonsaidstiffly.“IhavebeenonTrantorforonlytwomonths.”

“Evenso.”

“Butifyouareafarmingcommunity,Sunmaster,howisitthatwehavepassednofarmseither?”

“Onlowerlevels,”saidSunmasterbriefly.

“IsMycogenonthislevelentirelyresidential,then?”

“Andonafewothers.Wearewhatyousee.EveryBrotherandhisfamilylivesinequivalentquarters;everycohortinitsownequivalentcommunity;allhavethesameground–canandallBrothersdrivetheirown.Therearenoservantsandnoneareateasethroughthelaborofothers.Nonemaygloryoveranother.”

SeldonliftedhisshieldedeyebrowsatDorsandsaid,“Butsomeofthepeoplewearwhite,whilesomeweargray.”

“ThatisbecausesomeofthepeopleareBrothersandsomeareSisters.”

“Andwe?”

“Youareatribesmanandaguest.Youandyour”–hepausedandthensaid–“companionwillnotbeboundbyallaspectsofMycogenianlife.Nevertheless,youwillwearawhitegownandyourcompanionwillwearagrayoneandyouwillliveinspecialguestquarterslikeourown.”

“Equalityforallseemsapleasantideal,butwhathappensasyournumbersincrease?Isthepie,then,cutintosmallerpieces?”

“Thereisnoincreaseinnumbers.Thatwouldnecessitateanincreaseinarea,whichthesurroundingtribesmenwouldnotallow,orachangefortheworseinourwayoflife.”

“Butif–”beganSeldon.

Sunmastercuthimoff.“Itisenough,TribesmanSeldon.AsIwarnedyou,Iamnotcompelledtoanswer.Ourtask,whichwehavepromisedourfriendTribesmanHummin,istokeepyousecureaslongasyoudonotviolateourwayoflife.Thatwewilldo,butthereitends.Curiosityispermitted,butitwearsoutourpatiencequicklyifpersistedin.”

SomethingabouthistoneallowednomorembesaidandSeldonchafed.Hummin,forallhishelp,hadclearlymis-stressedthematter.

ItwasnotsecuritythatSeldonsought.Atleast,notsecurityalone.Heneededinformationtooandwithoutthathecouldnot–andwouldnot–stayhere.

38

Seldonlookedwithsomedistressattheirquarters.Ithadasmallbutindividualkitchenandasmallbutindividualbathroom.Thereweretwonarrowbeds,twoclothesclosets,atable,andtwochairs.Inshorttherewaseverythingthatwasnecessaryfortwopeoplewhowerewillingtoliveundercrampedconditions.

“WehadanindividualkitchenandbathroomatCinna,”saidDorswithanairofresignation.

“NotI,”saidSeldon.“Heliconmaybeasmallworld,butIlivedinamoderncity.Communitykitchensandbathrooms.–Whatawastethisis.Youmightexpectitinahotel,whereoneiscompelledtomakeatemporarystay,butifthewholesectorislikethis,imaginetheenormousnumberandduplicationsofkitchensandbathrooms.”

“Partoftheegalitarianism,Isuppose,”saidDors.“Nofightingforfavoredstallsorforfasterservice.Thesameforeveryone.”

“Noprivacyeither.NotthatImindterribly,Dors,butyoumightandIdon'twanttogivetheappearanceoftakingadvantage.Weoughttomakeitcleartothem

thatwemusthaveseparaterooms–adjoiningbutseparate.”

Dorssaid,“I'msureitwon'twork.SpaceisatapremiumandIthinktheyareamazedbytheirowngenerosityingivingusthismuch.We'lljustmakedo,Hari.We'reeacholdenoughtomanage.

I'mnotablushingmaidenandyou'llneverconvincemethatyou'reacallowyouth.”

“Youwouldn'tbehere,wereitnotforme.”

“Whatofit?It'sanadventure.”

“Allright,then.Whichbedwillyoutake?Whydon'tyoutaketheonenearerthebathroom?”

Hesatdownontheother.“There'ssomethingelsethatbothersme.Aslongaswe'rehere,we'retribespeople,youandI,asisevenHummin.We'reoftheochertribes,nottheirowncohorts,andmostthingsarenoneofourbusiness.–Butmostthingsaremybusiness.That'swhatI'vecomeherefor.Iwanttoknowsomeofthethingstheyknow.”

“Orthinktheyknow,”saidDorswithahistorian'sskepticism.“Iunderstandtheyhavelegendsthataresupposedtodatebacktoprimordialtimes,butIcan'tbelievetheycanbetakenseriously.”

“Wecan'tknowthatuntilwefindoutwhatthoselegendsare.Aretherenooutsiderecordsofthem?”

“NotthatIknowof.Thesepeopleareterriblyingrown.They'realmostpsychoticintheirinwardclinging.ThatHummincanbreakdowntheirbarrierssomewhatandevengetthemtotakeusinisremarkable–reallyremarkable.”

Seldonbrooded.“Therehastobeanopeningsomewhere.Sunmasterwassurprised–angry,infact–thatIdidn'tknowMycogenwasanagriculturalcommunity.Thatseemstobesomethingtheydon'twantkeptasecret.”

“Thepointis,itisn'tasecret.'Mycogen'issupposedtobefromarchaicwordsmeaning'yeastproducer.'Atleast,that'swhatI'vebeentold.I'mnota

paleolinguist.Inanycase,theycultureallvarietiesofmicrofood–yeast,ofcourse,alongwithalgae,bacteria,multicellularfungi,andsoon.”

“Thaisnotuncommon,”saidSeldon.“Mostworldshavethismicroculture.WehavesomeevenonHelicon.”

“NotlikeMycogen.It'stheirspecialty.Theyusemethodsasarchaicasthenameoftheirsection–secretfertilizingformulas,secretenvironmentalinfluences.Whoknowswhat?Allissecret.”

“Ingrown…”

“Withavengeance.Whatitamountstoisthattheyproduceproteinandsubtleflavoring,sothattheirmicrofoodisn'tlikeanyotherintheworld.Theykeepthevolumecomparativelylowandthepriceissky-high.I'venevertastedanyandI'msureyouhaven't,butitsellsingreatquantitiestotheImperialbureaucracyandtotheupperclassesonotherworlds.Mycogendependsonsuchsalesforitseconomichealth,sotheywanteveryonetoknowthattheyarethesourceofthisvaluablefood.That,atleast,isnosecret.”

“Mycogenmustberich,then.”

“They'renotpoor,butIsuspectthatit'snotwealththey'reafter.It'sprotection.TheImperialgovernmentprotectsthembecause,withoutthem,therewouldn'tbethesemicrofoodsthataddthesubtlestflavors,thetangiestspices,toeverydish.ThatmeansthatMycogencanmaintainitsoddwayoflifeandbehaughtytowarditsneighbors,whoprobablyfindtheminsupportable.”

Dorslookedabout.“Theyliveanausterelife.There'snoholovision,Inotice,andnobook-films.”

“Inoticedoneintheclosetupontheshelf.”Seldonreachedforit,staredatthelabel,andthensaidincleardisgust,“Acookbook.”

Dorsheldoutherhandforitandmanipulatedthekeys.Ittookawhile,forthearrangementwasnotquiteorthodox,butshefinallymanagedtolightthescreenandinspectthepages.Shesaid,

“Thereareafewrecipes,butforthemostpartthisseemstoconsistof

philosophicalessaysongastronomy.”

Sheshutitoffandturneditroundandabout.“Itseemstobeasingleunit.Idon'tseehowonewouldejectthemicrocardandinsertanother.Aone-bookscanner.Nowthat'sawaste.”

“Maybetheythinkthisonebook-filmisallanyoneneeds.”Hereachedtowardtheendtablethatwasbetweenthetwobedsandpickedupanotherobject.“Thiscouldbeaspeaker,exceptthatthere'snoscreen.”

“Perhapstheyconsiderthevoicesufficient.”

“Howdoesitwork,Iwonder?”Seldonlifteditandlookedatitfromdifferentsides.“Didyoueverseeanythinglikethis?”

“Inamuseumonce–ifthisisthesamething.Mycogenseemstokeepitselfdeliberatelyarchaic.Isupposetheyconsiderthatanotherwayofseparatingthemselvesfromtheso-calledtribesmenthatsurroundtheminoverwhelmingnumbers.Theirarchaismandoddcustomsmakethemindigestible,sotospeak.There'sakindofperverselogictoallthat.”

Seldon,stillplayingwiththedevice,said,“Whoops!Itwenton.Orsomethingwenton.ButIdon'thearanything.”

Dorsfrownedandpickedupasmallfelt-linedcylinderthatremainedbehindontheendtable.

Sheputittoherear.“There'savoicecomingoutofthis,”shesaid.“Here,tryit.”Shehandedittohim.

Seldondidsoandsaid,“Ouch!Itclipson.”Helistenedandsaid,“Yes,ithurtmyear.Youcanhearme,Itakeit.–Yes,thisisourroom.No,Idon'tknowitsnumber.Dors,haveyouanyideaofthenumber?”

Dorssaid,“There'sanumberonthespeaker.Maybethatwilldo.”

“Maybe,”saidSeldondoubtfully.Thenhesaidintothespeaker,“Thenumberonthisdeviceis6LT-3648A.Willthatdo?–Well,wheredoIfindouthowtousethisdeviceproperlyandhowtousethekitchen,forthatmatter?–Whatdoyou

mean,'Itallworkstheusualway?'Thatdoesn'tdomeanygood.Seehere,I'ma…atribesman,anhonoredguest.Idon'tknowtheusualway.–Yes,I'msorryaboutmyaccentandI'mgladyoucanrecognizeatribesmanwhenyouhearone.–MynameisHariSeldon.”

TherewasapauseandSeldonlookedupatDorswithalongsufferingexpressiononhisface.

“Hehastolookmeup.AndIsupposehe'lltellmehecan'tfindme.–Oh,youhaveme?Good!Inthatcase,canyougivemetheinformation?–Yes.–Yes.–Yes.–AndhowcanIcallsomeoneoutsideMycogen?–Oh,thenwhataboutcontactingSunmasterFourteen,forinstance?–Well,hisassistantthen,hisaide,whatever?–Uhhuh.–Thankyou.”

Heputthespeakerdown,unhookedthehearingdevicefromhisearwithalittledifficulty,turnedthewholethingoff,andsaid,“They'llarrangetohavesomeoneshowusanythingweneedtoknow,buthecan'tpromisewhenthatmightbe.Youcan'tcalloutsideMycogen–notonthisthinganyway–sowecouldn'tgetHumminifweneededhim.AndifIwantSunmasterFourteen,I'vegottogothroughatremendousrigmarole.Thistraybeanegalitariansociety,butthereseemtobeexceptionsthatIbetnoonewillopenlyadmit.”

Helookedathiswatch.“Inanycase,Dors,I'mnotgoingtoviewacookbookandstilllessamIgoingtoviewlearnedessays.MywatchisstilltellingUniversitytime,soIdon'tknowifit'sofficiallybedtimeandatthemomentIdon'tcare.We'vebeenawakemostofthenightandIwouldliketosleep.”

“That'sallrightwithme.I'mtiredtoo.”

“Thanks.Andwheneveranewdaystartsafterwe'vecaughtuponoursleep,I'mgoingtoaskforatouroftheirmicrofoodplantations.”

Dorslookedstartled.“Areyouinterested?”

“Notreally,butifthat'stheonethingthey'reproudof,theyshouldbewillingtotalkaboutitandonceIgetthemintoatalkingmoodthen,byexertingallmycharm,Imaygetthemtotalkabouttheirlegendstoo.Personally,Ithinkthat'sacleverstrategy.”

“Ihopeso,”saidDorsdubiously,“butIthinkthattheMycogenianswillnotbesoeasilytrapped.”

“We'llsee,”saidSeldongrimly.“Imeantogetthoselegends.”

39

ThenextmorningfoundHariusingthecallingdeviceagain.Hewasangrybecause,foronething,hewashungry.

HisattempttoreachSunmasterFourteenwasdeflectedbysomeonewhoinsistedthatSunmastercouldnotbedisturbed.

“Whynot?”Seldonhadaskedwaspishly.“Obviously,thereisnoneedtoanswerthatquestion,”camebackacoldvoice.

“Wewerenotbroughtheretobeprisoners,”saidSeldonwithequalcoldness.“Nortostarve.”

“I'msureyouhaveakitchenandamplesuppliesoffood.”

“Yes,wedo,”saidSeldon.“AndIdonotknowhowtousethekitchendevices,nordoIknowhowtopreparethefood.Doyoueatitraw,fryit,boilit,roastit?…”

“Ican'tbelieveyouareignorantinsuchmatters.”

Dors,whohadbeenpacingupanddownduringthiscolloquy,reachedforthedeviceandSeldonfendedheroff,whispering,“He'llbreaktheconnectionifawomantriestospeaktohim.”

Then,intothedevice,hesaidmorefirmlythanever,“Whatyoubelieveordon'tbelievedoesn'tmattertomeintheleast.Yousendsomeonehere–someonewhocandosomethingaboutoursituation–orwhenIreachSunmasterFourteen,asIwilleventually,youwillpayforthis.”

Nevertheless,itwastwohoursbeforesomeonearrived(bywhichtimeSeldonwasinastateofsavageryandDorshadgrownratherdesperateinherattempttosoothehim).

Thenewcomerwasayoungmanwhosebaldpatewasslightlyfreckledandwhoprobablywouldhavebeenaredheadotherwise.

HewasbearingseveralpotsandheseethedabouttoexplainthemwhenhesuddenlylookeduneasyandturnedhisbackonSeldoninalarm.“Tribesman,”hesaid,obviouslyagitated.“Yourskincapisnotwelladjusted.”

Seldon,whoseimpatiencehadreachedthebreakingpoint,said,“Thatdoesn'tbotherme.”

Dors,however,said,“Letmeadjustit,Hari.It'sjustabittoohighhereontheleftside.”

Seldonthengrowled,“Youcanturnnow,youngman.Whatisyourname?”

“IamGraycloudFive,”saidtheMycogenianuncertainlyasheturnedandlookedcautiouslyatSeldon.“Iamanovitiate.Ihavebroughtamealforyou.”Hehesitated.“Frommyownkitchen,wheremywomanpreparedit,tribesman.”

HeputthepotsdownonthetableandSeldonraisedonelidandsniffedthecontentssuspiciously.HelookedupatDorsinsurprise.“Youknow,itdoesn'tsmellbad.”

Dorsnodded.“You'reright.Icansmellittoo.”

Graycloudsaid,“It'snotashotasitoughttobe.Itcooledoffintransport.Youmusthavecrockeryandcutleryinyourkitchen.”

Dorsgotwhatwasneeded,andaftertheyhadeaten,largelyandabitgreedily,Seldonfeltcivilizedoncemore.

Dors,whorealizedthattheyoungmanwouldfeelunhappyatbeingalonewithawomanandevenunhappierifshespoketohim,foundthat,bydefault,itfelltohertocarrythepotsanddishesintothekitchenandwashthem–onceshedecipheredthecontrolsofthewashingdevice.

Meanwhile,Seldonaskedthelocaltimeandsaid,somewhatabashed,“Youmeanit'sthemiddleofthenight?”

“Indeed,tribesman,”saidGraycloud.“That'swhyittookawhiletosatisfyyourneed.”

SeldonunderstoodsuddenlywhySunmastercouldnotbedisturbedandthoughtofGraycloud'swomanhavingtobeawakenedtopreparehimamealandfelthisconsciencegnawathim.“I'msorry,”hesaid.“Weareonlytribespeopleandwedidn'tknowhowtousethekitchenorhowtopreparethefood.Inthemorning,couldyouhavesomeonearrivetoinstructusproperly?”

“ThebestIcando,tribesmen,”saidGraycloudplacatingly,“istohavetwoSisterssentin.Iaskyourpardonforinconveniencingyouwithfemininepresence,butitistheywhoknowthesethings.”

Dors,whohademergedfromthekitchen,said(beforerememberingherplaceinthemasculineMycogeniansociety),“That'sfine,Graycloud.We'dlovetomeettheSisters.”

Graycloudlookedatheruneasilyandfleetingly,butsaidnothing.Seldon,convincedthattheyoungMycogenianwould,onprinciple,refusetohaveheardwhatawomansaidtohim,repeatedtheremark.“That'sfine,Graycloud.We'dlovetomeettheSisters.”

Hisexpressionclearedatonce.“Iwillhavethemhereassoonasitisday.”

WhenGraycloudhadleft,Seldonsaidwithsomesatisfaction,“TheSistersarelikelytobeexactlywhatweneed.”

“Indeed?Andinwhatway,Hari?”askedDors.

“Well,surelyifwetreatthemasthoughtheyarehumanbeings,theywillbegratefulenoughtospeakoftheirlegends.”

“Iftheyknowthem,”saidDorsskeptically.“SomehowIhavenofaiththattheMycogeniansbothertoeducatetheirwomenverywell.”

40

TheSistersarrivedsomesixhourslaterafterSeldonandDorshadsleptsomemore,hopingtoreadjusttheirbiologicalclocks.

TheSistersenteredtheapartmentshyly,almostontiptoe.Theirgowns(which,itturnedout,weretermed“kirtles”intheMycogeniandialect)weresoftvelvetygray,eachuniquelydecoratedbyasubtlepatternoffine,darkergraywebbing.Thekirtleswerenotentirelyunattractive,buttheywerecertainlymostefficientatcoveringupanyhumanfeature.

And,ofcourse,theirheadswerebaldandtheirfacesweredevoidofanyornamentation.TheydartedspeculativeglancesatthetouchofblueatthecomersofDors'seyesandattheslightredstainatthecomersofherlips.

Forafewmoments,SeldonwonderedhowonecouldbecertainthattheSistersweretrulySisters.

TheanswercameatoncewiththeSisters'politelyformalgreetings.Bothtwitteredandchirped.Seldon,rememberingthegravetonesofSunmasterandthenervousbaritoneofGraycloud,suspectedthatwomen,indefaultofobvioussexualidentification,wereforcedtocultivatedistinctivevoicesandsocialmannerisms.

“I'mRaindropForty-Three,”twitteredone,“andthisismyyoungersister.”

“RaindropForty-Five,”chirpedtheother.“We'reverystrongon'Raindrops'inourcohort.”

Shegiggled.

“Iampleasedtomeetyouboth,”saidDorsgravely,“butnowImustknowhowtoaddressyou.Ican'tjustsay'Raindrop,'canI?”

“No,”saidRaindropForty-Three.“Youmustusethefullnameifwearebothhere.”

Seldonsaid,“HowaboutjustForty-ThreeandForty-Five,ladies?”

Theybothstoleaquickglanceathim,butsaidnotaword.

Dorssaidsoftly,“I'lldealwiththem,Hari.”

Seldonsteppedback.Presumably,theyweresingleyoungwomenand,very

likely,theywerenotsupposedtospeaktomen.Theolderoneseemedthegraverofthetwoandwasperhapsthemorepuritanical.Itwashardtotellfromafewwordsandaquickglance,buthehadthefeelingandwaswillingtogobythat.

Dorssaid,“Thethingis,Sisters,thatwetribespeopledon'tknowhowtousethekitchen.”

“Youmeanyoucan'tcook?”RaindropForty-Threelookedshockedandcensorious.

RaindropForty-Fivesmotheredalaugh.(Seldondecidedthathisinitialestimateofthetwowascorrect.)

Dorssaid,“Ioncehadakitchenofmyown,butitwasn'tlikethisoneandIdon'tknowwhatthefoodsareorhowtopreparethem.”

“It'sreallyquitesimple,”saidRaindropForty-Five.“Wecanshowyou.”

“We'llmakeyouagoodnourishinglunch,”saidRaindropForty-Three.“We'llmakeitfor…

bothofyou.”Shehesitatedbeforeaddingthefinalwords.Itclearlytookanefforttoacknowledgetheexistenceofaman.

“Ifyoudon'tmind,”saidDors,“IwouldliketobeinthekitchenwithyouandIwouldappreciateitifyou'dexplaineverythingexactly.Afterall,Sisters,Ican'texpectyoutocomeherethreetimesadaytocookforus.”

“Wewillshowyoueverything,”saidRaindropForty-Three,noddingherheadstiffly.“Itmaybedifficultforatribeswomantolearn,however.Youwouldn'thavethe…feelingforit.”

“Ishalltry,”saidDorswithapleasantsmile.

Theydisappearedintothekitchen.Seldonstaredafterthemandtriedtoworkoutthestrategyheintendedtouse.

MICROFARM

MYCOGEN–…ThemicrofarmsofMycogenarelegendary,thoughtheysurvivetodayonlyinsuchoft-usedsimilesas“richasthemicrofarmsofMycogen”or“tastyasMycogenianyeast.”Suchencomiumstendtointensifywithtime,tobesure,butHariSeldonvisitedthosemicrofarmsinthecourseofTheFlightandtherearereferencesinhismemoirsthatwouldtendtosupportthepopularopinion…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

41

“Thatwasgood.”saidSeldonexplosively.“ItwasconsiderablybetterthanthefoodGraycloudbrought–”

Dorssaidreasonably,“YouhavetorememberthatGraycloud'swomanhadtoprepareitonshortnoticeinthemiddleofthenight.”Shepausedandsaid,“Iwishtheywouldsay`wife.'Theymake'woman'soundlikesuchanappanage,like'myhouse'ormyrobe.'Itisabsolutelydemeaning.”

“Iknow.It'sinfuriating.Buttheymightwellmake'wife'soundlikeanappanageaswell.It'sthewaytheyliveandtheSistersdon'tseemtomind.YouandIaren'tgoingtochangeitbylecturing.Anyway,didyouseehowtheSistersdidit?”

“Yes,Ididandtheymadeeverythingseemverysimple.IdoubtedIcouldremembereverythingtheydid,buttheyinsistedIwouldn'thaveto.Icouldgetawaywithmereheating.Igatheredthebreadhadsomesortofmicroderivativeaddedtoitinthebakingthatbothraisedthedoughandlentitthatcrunchyconsistencyandwarmflavor.Justahintofpepper,didn'tyouthink?”

“Icouldn'ttell,butwhateveritwas,Ididn'tgetenough.Andthesoup.Didyourecognizeanyofthevegetables?”

“No.”

“Andwhatwastheslicedmeat?Couldyoutell?”

“Idon'tthinkitwasslicedmeat,actually.WedidhavealambdishbackonCinnathatitremindedmeof.”

“Itwascertainlynotlamb.”

“IsaidthatIdoubteditwasmeatatall.–Idon'tthinkanyoneoutsideMycogeneatslikethiseither.NoteventheEmperor,I'msure.WhatevertheMycogenianssellis,I'mwillingtobet,nearthebottomoftheline.Theysavethebestforthemselves.Wehadbetternotstayheretoolong,Hari.Ifwegetusedtoeatinglikethis,we'llneverbeabletoacclimatizeourselvestothemiserablestufftheyhaveoutside.”Shelaughed.

Seldonlaughedtoo.Hetookanothersipatthefruitjuice,whichtastedfarmoretantalizingthananyfruitjuicehehadeversippedbefore,andsaid,“Listen,whenHummintookmetotheUniversity,westoppedataroadsidedinerandhadsomefoodthatwasheavilyyeasted.Ittastedlike–No,nevermindwhatittastedlike,butIwouldn'thavethoughtitconceivable,then,thatmicrofoodcouldcastelikethis.IwishtheSisterswerestillhere.Itwouldhavebeenpolitetothankthem.”

“Ithinktheywerequiteawareofhowwewouldfeel.Iremarkedonthewonderfulsmellwhileeverythingwaswarmingandtheysaid,quirecomplacently,thatitwouldtasteevenbetter.”

“Theolderonesaidthat,Iimagine.”

“Yes.Theyoungeronegiggled.–Andthey'llbeback.They'regoingtobringmeakirtle,sothatIcangoouttoseetheshopswiththem.AndtheymadeitclearIwouldhavetowashmyfaceifIwastobeseeninpublic.Theywillshowmewheretobuysomegood-qualitykirtlesofmyownandwhereIcanbuyready-mademealsofallkinds.AllI'llhavetodoisheatthemup.TheyexplainedthatdecentSisterswouldn'tdothat,butwouldstartfromscratch.Infact,someofthemealtheypreparedforuswassimplyheatedandtheyapologizedforthat.Theymanagedtoimply,though,thattribespeoplecouldn'tbeexpectedtoappreciatetrueartistryincooking,sothatsimplyheatingpreparedfoodwoulddoforus.–Theyseemtotakeitforgranted,bytheway,thatIwillbedoingalltheshoppingandcooking.”

“Aswesayathome,'WheninTrantor,doastheTrantoriansdo.'”

“Yes,Iwassurethatwouldbeyourattitudeinthiscase.”

“I'monlyhuman,”saidSeldon.

“Theusualexcuse,”saidDorswithasmallsmile.

Seldonleanedbackwithasatisfactorywell-filledfeelingandsaid,“You'vebeenonTrantorfortwoyears,Dors,soyoumightunderstandafewthingsthatIdon't.IsityouropinionthatthisoddsocialsystemtheMycogenianshaveispartofasupernaturalisticviewtheyhave?”

“Supernaturalistic?”

“Yes.Wouldyouhaveheardthatthiswasso?”

“Whatdoyoumeanby'supernaturalistic'?”

“Theobvious.Abeliefinentitiesthatareindependentofnaturallaw,thatarenotboundbytheconservationofenergy,forinstance,orbytheexistenceofaconstantofaction.”

“Isee.You'reaskingifMycogenisareligiouscommunity.”ItwasSeldon'sturn.

“Religious?”

“Yes.It'sanarchaicterm,butwehistoriansuseit–ourstudyisriddledwitharchaicterms.

'Religious'isnotpreciselyequivalentto'supernaturalistic,'thoughitcontainsrichlysupernaturalisticelements.Ican'tansweryourspecificquestion,however,becauseI'venevermadeanyspecialinvestigationofMycogen.Still,fromwhatlittleI'veseenoftheplaceandfrommyknowledgeofreligionsinhistory,Iwouldn'tbesurprisediftheMycogeniansocietywasreligiousincharacter.”

“Inthatcase,woulditsurpriseyouifMycogenianlegendswerealsoreligiousincharacter?”

“No,itwouldn't.”

“Andthereforenotbasedonhistoricalmatter?”

“Thatwouldn'tnecessarilyfollow.Thecoreofthelegendsmightstillbeauthenticallyhistoric,allowingfordistortionandsupernaturalisticintermixture.”

“Ah,”saidSeldonandseemedtoretireintohisthoughts.

FinallyDorsbrokethesilencethatfollowedandsaid,“It'snotsouncommon,youknow.

Thereisaconsiderablereligiouselementonmanyworlds.It'sgrownstrongerinthelastfewcenturiesastheEmpirehasgrownmoreturbulent.OnmyworldofCinna,atleastaquarterofthepopulationistritheistic.”

Seldonwasagainpainfullyandregretfullyconsciousofhisignoranceofhistory.Hesaid,

“Weretheretimesinpasthistorywhenreligionwasmoreprominentthanitistoday?”

“Certainly.Inaddition,therearenewvarietiesspringingupconstantly.TheMycogenianreligion,whateveritmightbe,couldberelativelynewandmayberestrictedtoMycogenitself.Icouldn'treallytellwithoutconsiderablestudy.”

“Butnowwegettothepointofit,Dors.Isityouropinionthatwomenaremoreapttobereligiousthanmenare?”

DorsVenabiliraisedhereyebrows.“I'mnotsureifwecanassumeanythingassimpleasthat.”Shethoughtabit.“Isuspectthatthoseelementsofapopulationthathaveasmallerstakeinthematerialnaturalworldaremoreapttofindsolaceinwhatyoucallsupernaturalism–thepoor,thedisinherited,thedowntrodden.Insofarassupernaturalismoverlapsreligion,theymayalsobemorereligious.Thereareobviouslymanyexceptionsinbothdirections.Manyofthedowntroddenmaylackreligion;manyoftherich,powerful,andsatisfiedmaypossessit.”

“ButinMycogen,”saidSeldon,“wherethewomenseemtobetreatedassubhuman–wouldIberightinassumingtheywouldbemorereligiousthanthemen,moreinvolvedinthelegendsthatthesocietyhasbeenpreserving?”

“Iwouldn'triskmylifeonit,Hari,butI'dbewillingtoriskaweek'sincomeon

it.”

“Good,”saidSeldonthoughtfully.

Dorssmiledathim.“There'sabitofyourpsychohistory,Hari.Rulenumber47,854:Thedowntroddenaremorereligiousthanthesatisfied.”

Seldonshookhishead.“Don'tjokeaboutpsychohistory,Dors.YouknowI'mnotlookingfortinyrulesbutforvastgeneralizationsandformeansofmanipulation.Idon'twantcomparativereligiosityastheresultofahundredspecificrules.IwantsomethingfromwhichIcan,aftermanipulationthroughsomesystemofmathematicizedlogic,say,'Aha,thisgroupofpeoplewilltendtobemorereligiousthanthatgroup,providedthatthefollowingcriteriaaremet,andthat,therefore,whenhumanitymeetswiththesestimuli,itwillreactwiththeseresponses.”

“Howhorrible,”saidDors.“Youarepicturinghumanbeingsassimplemechanicaldevices.

Pressthisbuttonandyouwillgetthattwitch.”

“No,becausetherewillbemanybuttonspushingsimultaneouslytovaryingdegreesandelicitingsomanyresponsesofdifferentsortsthatoverallthepredictionsofthefuturewillbestatisticalinnature,sothattheindividualhumanbeingwillremainafreeagent.”

“Howcanyouknowthis?”

“Ican't,”saidSeldon.“Atleast,Idon'tknowit.Ifeelittobeso.ItiswhatIconsidertobethewaythingsoughttobe.IfIcanfindtheaxioms,thefundamentalLawsofHumanics,sotospeak,andthenecessarymathematicaltreatment,thenIwillhavemypsychohistory.Ihaveprovedthat,intheory,thisispossible–”

“Butimpractical,right?”

“Ikeepsayingso.”

AsmallsmilecurvedDors'slips,“Isthatwhatyouaredoing,Hari,lookingfor

somesortofsolutiontothisproblem?”

“Idon'tknow.IsweartoyouIdon'tknow.ButChetterHumminissoanxioustofindasolutionand,forsomereason,Iamanxioustopleasehim.Heissopersuasiveaman.”

“Yes,Iknow.”Seldonletthatcommentpass,althoughasmallfrownflittedacrosshisface.

Seldoncontinued.“HummininsiststheEmpireisdecaying,thatitwillcollapse,thatpsychohistoryistheonlyhopeforsavingit–orcushioningitoramelioratingit–andthatwithoutithumanitywillbedestroyedor,attheveryleast,gothroughprolongedmisery.Heseemstoplacetheresponsibilityforpreventingthatonme.Now,theEmpirewillcertainlylastmytime,butifI'mtoliveatease,Imustliftthatresponsibilityfrommyshoulders.Imustconvincemyself–andevenconvinceHummin–thatpsychohistoryisnotapracticalwayourthat,despitetheory,itcannotbedeveloped.SoImustfollowupasmanyleadsasIcanandshowthateachonemustfail.”

“Leads?Likegoingbackinhistorytoatimewhenhumansocietywassmallerthanitisnow?”

“Muchsmaller.Andfarlesscomplex.”

“Andshowingthatasolutionisstillimpractical?”

“Yes.”

“Butwhoisgoingtodescribetheearlyworldforyou?IftheMycogenianshavesomecoherentpictureoftheprimordialGalaxy,Sunmastercertainlywon'trevealittoatribesman.NoMycogenianwill.Thisisaningrownsociety–howmanytimeshavewealreadysaidit?–anditsmembersaresuspiciousoftribesmentothepointofparanoia.They'lltellusnothing.”

“IwillhavetothinkofawaytopersuadesomeMycogenianstotalk.ThoseSisters,forinstance.”

“Theywon'tevenbearyou,malethatyouare,anymorethanSunmasterhearsme.Andeveniftheydotalktoyou,whatwouldtheyknowbutafewcatch

phrases?”

“Imuststartsomewhere.”

Dorssaid,“Well,letmethink.HumminsaysImustprotectyouandIinterpretthatasmeaningImusthelpyouwhenIcan.WhatdoIknowaboutreligion?That'snowherenearmyspecialty,youknow.Ihavealwaysdealtwitheconomicforces,ratherthanphilosophicforces,butyoucan'tsplithistoryintoneatlittlenon-overlappingdivisions.Forinstance,religionstendtoaccumulatewealthwhensuccessfulandthateventuallytendstodistorttheeconomicdevelopmentofasociety.There,incidentally,isoneofthenumerousrulesofhumanhistorythatyou'llhavetoderivefromyourbasicLawsofHumanicsorwhateveryoucalledthem.But…”

Andhere,Dors'svoicefadedawayasshelapsedintothought.SeldonwatchedhercautiouslyandDors'seyesglazedasthoughshewaslookingdeepwithinherself.

Finallyshesaid,“Thisisnotaninvariablerule,butitseemstomethatonmanyoccasions,areligionhasabook–orbooks–ofsignificance;booksthatgivetheirritual,theirviewofhistory,theirsacredpoetry,andwhoknowswhatelse.Usually,thosebooksareopentoallandareameansofproselytization.Sometimestheyaresecret.”

“DoyouthinkMycogenhasbooksofthatsort?”

“Tobetruthful,”saidDorsthoughtfully,“Ihaveneverheardofany.Imighthaveiftheyexistedopenly–whichmeanstheyeitherdon'texistorarekeptsecret.Ineithercase,itseemstomeyouarenotgoingtoseethem.”

“Atleastit'sastartingpoint,”saidSeldongrimly.

42

TheSistersreturnedabouttwohoursafterHariandDorshadfinishedlunch.Theyweresmiling,bothofthem,andRaindropForty-Three,thegraverone,heldupagraykirtleforDors'sinspection.

“Itisveryattractive,”saidDors,smilingwidelyandnoddingherheadwitha

certainsincerity.

“Ilikethecleverembroideryhere.”

“Itisnothing,”twitteredRaindropForty-Five.“Itisoneofmyoldthingsanditwon'tfitverywell,foryouaretallerthanIam.Butitwilldoforawhileandwewilltakeyououttotheverybestkirtlerytogetafewthatwillfityouandyourtastesperfectly.Youwillsee.”

RaindropForty-Three,smilingalittlenervouslybutsayingnothingandkeepinghereyesfixedontheground,handedawhitekirtletoDors.Itwasfoldedneatly.Dorsdidnotattempttounfoldit,butpasseditontoSeldon.“FromthecolorIshouldsayit'syours,Hari.”

“Presumably,”saidSeldon,“butgiveitback.Shedidnotgiveittome.”

“Oh,Hari,”mouthedDors,shakingherheadslightly.

“No,”saidSeldonfirmly.“Shedidnotgiveittome.GiveitbacktoherandI'llwaitforhertogiveittome.”

Dorshesitated,thenmadeahalfheartedattempttopassthekirtlebacktoRaindropForty-Three.

TheSisterputherhandsbehindherbackandmovedaway,alllifeseemingtodrainfromherface.RaindropForty-FivestoleaglanceatSeldon,averyquickone,thentookaquicksteptowardRaindropForty-Threeandputherarmsabouther.

Dorssaid,“Come,Hari,I'msurethatSistersarenotpermittedtotalktomenwhoarenotrelatedtothem.What'stheuseofmakinghermiserable?Shecan'thelpit.”

“Idon'tbelieveit,”saidSeldonharshly.“Ifthereissucharule,isappliesonlytoBrothers.Idoubtverymuchthatshe'severmetatribesmanbefore.”

DorssaidtoRaindropForty-Threeinasoftvoice,“Haveyouevermetatribesmanbefore,Sister,oratribeswoman?”

Alonghesitationandthenaslownegativeshakeofthehead.

Seldonthrewouthisarms.“Well,thereyouare.Ifthereisaruleofsilence,itappliesonlytotheBrothers.Wouldtheyhavesenttheseyoungwomen–theseSisters–todealwithusiftherewasanyruleagainstspeakingtotribesmen?”

“Itmightbe,Hari,thattheyweremeanttospeakonlytomeandItoyou.”

“Nonsense.Idon'tbelieveitandIwon'tbelieveit.Iamnotmerelyatribesman,IamanhonoredguestinMycogen,askedtobetreatedassuchbyChetterHumminandescortedherebySunmasterFourteenhimself.IwillnotbetreatedasthoughIdonotexist.IwillbeincommunicationwithSunmasterFourteenandIwillcomplainbitterly.”

RaindropForty-FivebegantosobandRaindropForty-Three,retaininghercomparativeimpassivity,neverthelessflushedfaintly.

DorsmadeasthoughtoappealtoSeldononceagain,buthestoppedherwithabriefandangryoutwardthrustofhisrightarmandthenstaredToweringlyatRaindropForty-Three.

Andfinallyshespokeanddidnottwitter.Rather,hervoicetrembledhoarsely,asthoughshehadtoforceittosoundinthedirectionofamalebeingandwasdoingsoagainstallherinstinctsanddesires.

“Youmustnotcomplainofus,tribesman.Thatwouldbeunjust.Youforcemetobreakthecustomofourpeople.Whatdoyouwantofme?”

Seldonsmileddisarminglyatonceandheldouthishand.“Thegarmentyoubroughtme.Thekirtle.”

Silently,shestretchedoutherarmanddepositedthekirtleinhishand.Hebowedslightlyandsaidinasoftwarmvoice,“Thankyou,Sister.”HethencastaverybrieflookinDors'sdirection,asthoughtosay:Yousee?ButDorslookedawayangrily.

Thekirtlewasfeatureless,Seldonsawasheunfoldedit(embroideryanddecorativenesswereforwomen,apparently),butitcamewithatasseledbeltthatprobablyhadsomeparticularwayofbeingworn.Nodoubthecouldworkitout.

Hesaid,“I'llstepintothebathroomandputthisthingon.Itwon'ttakebutaminute,Isuppose.”

HesteppedintothesmallchamberandfoundthedoorwouldnotdosebehindhimbecauseDorswasforcingherwayinaswell.Onlywhenthetwoofthemwereinthebathroomtogetherdidthedoorclose.

“Whatwereyoudoing?”Dorshissedangrily.“Youwereanabsolutebrute,Hari.Whydidyoutreatthepoorwomanthatway?”

Seldonsaidimpatiently,“Ihadtomakehertalktome.I'mcountingonherforinformation.

Youknowthat.I'msorryIhadtobecruel,buthowelsecouldIhavebrokendownherinhibitions?”

Andhemotionedherout.

Whenheemerged,hefoundDorsinherkirtletoo.

Dors,despitethebaldheadtheskincapgaveherandtheinherentdowdinessofthekirtle,managedtolookquiteattractive.Thestitchingontherobesomehowsuggestedafigurewithoutrevealingitintheleast.Herbeltwaswiderthanhisownandwasaslightlydifferentshadeofgrayfromherkirtle.What'smore,itwasheldinfrontbytwoglitteringbluestonesnaps.(Womendidmanagetobeautifythemselvesevenunderthegreatestdifficulty,Seldonthought.)LookingoveratHari,Dorssaid,“YoulookquitetheMycogeniannow.ThetwoofusarefittobetakentothestoresbytheSisters.”

“Yes,”saidSeldon,“butafterwardIwantRaindropForty-Threetotakemeonatourofthemicrofarms.”

RaindropForty-Three'seyeswidenedandshetookarapidstepbackward.

“I'dliketoseethem,”saidSeldoncalmly.RaindropForty-ThreelookedquicklyatDors.

“Tribeswoman–”

Seldonsaid,“Perhapsyouknownothingofthefarms,Sister.”

Thatseemedtotouchanerve.SheliftedherchinhaughtilyasshestillcarefullyaddressedDors.“Ihaveworkedonthemicrofarms.AllBrothersandSistersdoatsomepointintheirlives.”

“Wellthen,takemeonthetour,”saidSeldon,“andletsnotgothroughtheargumentagain.IamnotaBrothertowhomyouareforbiddentospeakandwithwhomyoumayhavenodealings.Iamatribesmanandanhonoredguest.Iwearthisskincapandthiskirtlesoasnottoattractundueattention,butIamascholarandwhileIamhereImustlearn.Icannotsitinthisroomandstareatthewall.IwanttoseetheonethingyouhavethattherestoftheGalaxydoesnothave…yourmicrofarms.Ishouldthinkyou'dbeproudtoshowthem.”

“Weareproud,”saidRaindropForty-Three,finallyfacingSeldonasshespoke,“andIwillshowyouanddon'tthinkyouwilllearnanyofoursecretsifthatiswhatyouareafter.Iwillshowyouthemicrofarmstomorrowmorning.Itwilltaketimetoarrangeatour.”

Seldonsaid,“Iwillwaittilltomorrowmorning.Butdoyoupromise?DoIhaveyourwordofhonor?”

RaindropForty-Threesaidwithclearcontempt,“IamaSisterandIwilldoasIsay.Iwillkeepmyword,eventoatribesman.”

Hervoicegrewicyatthelastwords,whilehereyeswidenedandseemedtoglitter.Seldonwonderedwhatwaspassingthroughhermindandfeltuneasy.

43

Seldonpassedarestlessnight.Tobeginwith,Dorshadannouncedthatshemustaccompanyhimonthetourofthemicrofarmandhehadobjectedstrenuously.

“Thewholepurpose,”hesaid,“istomakehertalkfreely,topresentherwithanunusualenvironment–alonewithamale,evenifatribesman.Havingbrokencustomsofar,itwillbeeasiertobreakitfurther.Ifyou'realong,shewilltalktoyouandIwillonlygettheleavings.”

“Andifsomethinghappenstoyouinmyabsence,asitdidUpperside?”

“Nothingwillhappen.Please!Ifyouwanttohelpme,stayaway.Ifnot,Iwillhavenothingfurthertodowithyou.Imeanit,Dors.Thisisimportanttome.MuchasI'vegrownfondofyou,youcannotcomeaheadofthis.”

Sheagreedwithenormousreluctanceandsaidonly,“Promisemeyou'llatleastbenicetoher,then.”

AndSeldonsaid,“Isitmeyoumustprotectorher?IassureyouthatIdidn'ttreatherharshlyforpleasureandIwon'tdosointhefuture.”

ThememoryofthisargumentwithDors–theirfirsthelpedkeephimawakealargepartofthenight;that,togetherwiththenaggingthoughtthatthetwoSistersmightnotarriveinthemorning,despiteRaindropForty-Three'spromise.

Theydidarrive,however,notlongafterSeldonhadcompletedasparebreakfast(hewasdeterminednottogrowfatthroughoverindulgence)andhadputonakirtlethatfittedhimprecisely.

Hehadcarefullyorganizedthebeltsothatithungperfectly.

RaindropForty-Three,stillwithatouchoficeinhereye,said,“Ifyouareready,TribesmanSeldon,mysisterwillremainwithTribeswomanVenabili.”Hervoicewasneithertwitterynorhoarse.Itwasasthoughshehadsteadiedherselfthroughthenight,practicing,inhermind,howtospeaktoonewhowasamalebutnotaBrother.

Seldonwonderedifshehadlostsleepandsaid,“Iamquiteready.”

Together,halfanhourlater,RaindropForty-ThreeandHariSeldonweredescendingleveluponlevel.Thoughitwasdaytimebytheclock,thelightwasduskyanddimmerthanithadbeenelsewhereonTrantor.

Therewasnoobviousreasonforthis.Surely,theartificialdaylightthatslowlyprogressedaroundtheTrantorianspherecouldincludetheMycogenSector.TheMycogeniansmustwantitthatway,Seldonthought,clingingtosomeprimitivehabit.SlowlySeldon'seyesadjustedtothedimsurroundings.

Seldontriedtomeettheeyesofpassersby,whetherBrothersorSisters,calmly.HeassumedheandRaindropForty-ThreewouldbetakenasaBrotherandhis

womanandthattheywouldbegivennonoticeaslongashedidnothingtoattractattention.

Unfortunately,itseemedasifRaindropForty-Threewantedtobenoticed.Shetalkedtohiminfewwordsandinlowtonesoutofaclenchedmouth.Itwasclearthatthecompanyofanunauthorizedmale,eventhoughonlysheknewthisfact,ravedherself-confidence.Seldonwasquitesurethatifheaskedhertorelax,hewouldmerelymakeherthatmuchmoreuneasy.(Seldonwonderedwhatshewoulddoifshemetsomeonewhoknewher.Hefeltmorerelaxedoncetheyreachedthelowerlevels,wherehumanbeingswerefewer.)

Thedescentwasnotbyelevatorseither,butbymovingstairedrampsthatexistedinpairs,onegoingupandonegoingdown.RaindropForty-Threereferredtothemas“escalators.”Seldonwasn'tsurehehadcaughtthewordcorrectly,neverhavinghearditbefore.

Astheysanktolowerandlowerlevels,Seldon'sapprehensiongrew.Mostworldspossessedmicrofarmsandmostworldsproducedtheirownvarietiesofmicroproducts.Seldon,backonHelicon,hadoccasionallyshoppedforseasoningsinthemicrofarmsandwasalwaysawareofanunpleasantstomach–turningstench.Thepeoplewhoworkedatthemicrofarmsdidn'tseemtomind.

Evenwhencasualvisitorswrinkledtheirnoses,theyseemedtoacclimatethemselvestoit.

Seldon,however,wasalwayspeculiarlysusceptibletothesmell.Hesufferedandheexpectedtosuffernow.Hetriedsoothinghimselfwiththethoughtthathewasnoblysacrificinghiscomforttohisneedforinformation,butthatdidn'tkeephisstomachfromturningitselfintoknotsinapprehension.

Afterhehadlosttrackofthenumberoflevelstheyhaddescended,withtheairstillseemingreasonablyfresh,heasked,“Whendowegettothemicrofarmlevels?”

“We'retherenow.”

Seldonbreatheddeeply.“Itdoesn'tsmellasthoughweare.”

“Smell?Whatdoyoumean?”RaindropForty-ThreewasOffendedenoughto

speakquiteloudly.

“Therewasalwaysaputridodorassociatedwithmicrofarms,inmyexperience.Youknow,fromthefertilizerthatbacteria,yeast,fungi,andsaprophytesgenerallyneed.”

“Inyourexperience?”Hervoiceloweredagain.“Wherewasthat?”

“Onmyhomeworld.”

TheSistertwistedherfaceintowildrepugnance.“Andyourpeoplewallowingabelle?”

Seldonhadneverheardthewordbefore,butfromthelookandtheintonation,heknewwhatitmeant.

Hesaid,“Itdoesn'tsmelllikethat,youunderstand,onceitisreadyforconsumption.”

“Oursdoesn'tsmelllikethatatanytime.Ourbiotechnicianshaveworkedoutperfectstrains.

Thealgaegrowinthepurestlightandthemostcarefullybalancedelectrolytesolutions.Thesaprophytesarefedonbeautifullycombinedorganics.Theformulasandrecipesaresomethingnotribespeoplewilleverknow.–Comeon,hereweare.Sniffallyouwant.You'llfindnothingoffensive.ThatisonereasonwhyourfoodisindemandthroughouttheGalaxyandwhytheEmperor,wearetold,eatsnothingelse,thoughitisfartoogoodforatribesmanifyouaskme,evenifhecallshimselfEmperor.”

ShesaiditwithanangerthatseemeddirectlyaimedatSeldon.Then,asthoughafraidhemightmissthat,sheadded,“Orevenifbecallshimselfanhonoredguest.”

Theysteppedoutintoanarrowcorridor,oneachsideofwhichwerelargethickglasstanksinwhichroiledcloudygreenwaterfullofswirling,growingalgae,movingaboutthroughtheforceofthegasbubblesthatstreamedupthroughit.Theywouldberichincarbondioxide,hedecided.

Rich,rosylightshonedownintothetanks,lightthatwasmuchbrighterthanthatinthecorridors.Hecommentedthoughtfullyonthat.

“Ofcourse,”shesaid.“Thesealgaeworkbestattheredendofthespectrum.”

“Ipresume,”saidSeldon,“thateverythingisautomated.”

Sheshrugged,butdidnotrespond.

“Idon'tseequantitiesofBrothersandSistersinevidence,”Seldonsaid,persisting.

“Nevertheless,thereisworktobedoneandtheydoit,evenifyoudon'tseethematwork.Thedetailsarenotforyou.Don'twasteyourtimebyaskingaboutit.”

“Wait.Don'tbeangrywithme.Idon'texpecttobetoldstatesecrets.Comeon,dear.”(Thewordslippedout.)

Hetookherarmassheseemedonthepointofhurryingaway.Sheremainedinplace,buthefelthershudderslightlyandhereleasedherinembarrassment.Hesaid,“It'sjustthatisseemsautomated.”

“Makewhatyouwishoftheseeming.Nevertheless,thereisroomhereforhumanbrainsandhumanjudgment.EveryBrotherandSisterhasoccasiontoworkhereatsometime.Somemakeaprofessionofit.”

Shewasspeakingmorefreelynowbut,tohiscontinuingembarrassment,henoticedherlefthandmovestealthilytowardherrightarmandgentlyrubthespotwherehehadtouchedher,asthoughhehadstungher.

“Itgoesonforkilometersandkilometers,”shesaid,“butifweturnherethere'llheaportionofthefungalsectionyoucansee.”

Theymovedalong.Seldonnotedhowcleaneverythingwas.Theglasssparkled.Thetiledfloorseemedmoist,thoughwhenheseizedamomenttobendandtouchit,itwasn't.Norwasitslippery–unlesshissandals(withhisbigtoeprotrudinginapprovedMycogenianfashion)hadnon-slipsoles.

RaindropForty-Threewasrightinonerespect.HereandthereaBrotherora

Sisterworkedsilently,studyinggauges,adjustingcontrols,sometimesengagedinsomethingasunskilledaspolishingequipment–alwaysabsorbedinwhatevertheyweredoing.

Seldonwascarefulnottoaskwhattheyweredoing,sincehedidnotwanttocausetheSisterhumiliationinhavingtoanswerthatshedidnotknoworangerinherhavingtoremindhimtherewerethingshemustnotknow.

TheypassedthroughalightlyswingingdoorandSeldonsuddenlynoticedthefaintesttouchoftheodorheremembered.HelookedatRaindropForty-Three,butsheseemedunconsciousofitandsoonhetoobecameusedtoit.

Thecharacterofthelightchangedsuddenly.Therosinesswasgoneandthebrightnesstoo.

AllseemedtobeinatwilightexceptwhereequipmentwasspotlightedandwherevertherewasaspotlightthereseemedtobeaBrotheroraSister.Someworelightedheadbandsthatgleamedwithapearlyglowand,inthemiddledistance,Seldoncouldsee,hereandthere,smallsparksoflightmovingerratically.

Astheywalked,hecaseaquickeyeonherprofile.Itwasallhemoldreallyjudgeby.Atallothertimes,hecouldnotceasebeingconsciousofherbulgingbaldhead,herbareeyes,hercolorlessface.Theydrownedherindividualityandseemedtomakeherinvisible.Hereinprofile,however,hecouldseesomething.Nose,chin,fulllips,regularity,beauty.Thedimlightsomehowsmoothedoutandsoftenedthegreatupperdesert.

Hethoughtwithsurprise:Shecouldbeverybeautifulifshegrewherhairandarrangeditnicely.

Andthenhethoughtthatshecouldn'tgrowherhair.Shewouldbebaldherwholelife.

Why?Whydidtheyhavetodothattoher?SunmastersaiditwassothataMycogenianwouldknowhimself(orherself)foraMycogenianallhis(orher)life.Whywasthatsoimportantthatthecurseofhairlessnesshadtobeacceptedasabadgeormarkofidentity?

Andthen,becausehewasusedtoarguingbothsidesinhismind,hethought:Customissecondnature.Beaccustomedtoabaldhead,sufficientlyaccustomed,andhaironitwouldseemmonstrous,wouldevokenausea.Hehimselfhadshavedhisfaceeverymorning,removingallthefacialhair,uncomfortableatthemereststubble,andyethedidnotthinkofhisfaceasbaldorasbeinginanywayunnatural.Ofcourse,hecouldgrowhisfacialhairatanytimehewished–buthedidn'twishtodoso.

Heknewthattherewereworldsonwhichthemendidnotshave;insome,theydidnotevencliporshapethefacialhairbutletitgrowwild.Whatwouldtheysayiftheycouldseehisownbaldface,hisownhairlesschin,cheek,andlips?Andmeanwhile,hewalkedwithRaindropForty-Three–endlessly,itseemed–andeveryonceinawhilesheguidedhimbytheelbowanditseemedtohimthatshehadgrownaccustomedtothat,forshedidnotwithdrawherhandhastily.

Sometimesitremainedfornearlyaminute.

Shesaid,“Here!Comehere!”

“Whatisthat?”askedSeldon.

Theywerestandingbeforeasmalltrayfilledwithlittlespheres,eachabouttwocentimetersindiameter.ABrotherwhowastendingtheareaandwhohadjustplacedthetraywhereitwaslookedupinmildinquiry.

RaindropForty-ThreesaidtoSeldoninalowvoice,“Askforafew.”

SeldonrealizedshecouldnotspeaktoaBrotheruntilspokentoandsaiduncertainly,“Maywehaveafew,B-brother?”

“Haveahandful,Brother,”saidtheotherheartily.

SeldonpluckedoutoneofthespheresandwasonthepointofhandingittoRaindropForty-Threewhenhenoticedthatshehadacceptedtheinvitationasapplyingtoherselfandreachedinfortwohandfuls.

Thespherefeltglossy,smooth.SeldonsaidtoRaindropForty-ThreeastheymovedawayfromthevatandfromtheBrotherwhowasinattendance,“Arethesesupposedtobeeaten?”Heliftedthespherecautiouslytohisnose.

“Theydon'tsmell,”shesaidsharply.

“Whatarethey?”

“Dainties.Rawdainties.Fortheoutsidemarketthey'reflavoredindifferentways,buthereinMycogenweeatthemunflavored–theonlyway.”

Sheputoneinhermouthandsaid,“Ineverhaveenough.”

Seldonputhissphereintohismouthandfeltitdissolveanddisappearrapidly.Hismouth,foramoment,ranliquidandthenitslid,almostofitsownaccord,downhisthroat.

Hestoodforamoment,amazed.Itwasslightlysweetand,forthatmatter,hadanevenfainterbitteraftertaste,butthetrainsensationeludedhim.

“MayIhaveanother?”hesaid.

“Havehalfadozen,”saidRaindropForty-Three,holdingoutherhand.“Theyneverhavequitethesametastetwiceandhavepracticallynocalories.Justtaste.”

Shewasright.Hetriedtohavethedaintylingerinhismouth;hetriedlickingitcarefully;triedbitingoffapiece.However,themostcarefullickdestroyedit.Whenabitwascrunchedoffapiece,therestofitdisappearedatonce.Andeachtastewasundefinableandnotquiteliketheonebefore.

“Theonlytroubleis,”saidtheSisterhappily,“thateveryonceinawhileyouhaveaveryunusualoneandyouneverforgetit,butyouneverhaveitagaineither.IhadonewhenIwasnine–”

Herexpressionsuddenlylostitsexcitementandshesaid,“It'sagoodthing.Itteachesyoutheevanescenceofthingsoftheworld.”

Itwasasignal,Seldonthought.Theyhadwanderedaboutaimlesslylongenough.Shehadgrownusedtohimandwastalkingtohim.Andnowtheconversationhadtocometoitspoint.

Now!

44

Seldonsaid,“Icomefromaworldwhichliesoutintheopen,Sister,asallworldsdobutTrantor.Raincomesordoesn'tcome,theriverstrickleorareinflood,temperatureishighorlow.

Thatmeansharvestsaregoodorbad.Here,however,theenvironmentistrulycontrolled.Harvestshavenochoicebuttobegood.HowfortunateMycogenis.”

Hewaited.Thereweredifferentpossibleanswersandhiscourseofactionwoulddependonwhichanswercame.

Shewasspeakingquitefreelynowandseemedtohavenoinhibitionsconcerninghismasculinity,sothislongtourhadserveditspurpose.RaindropForty-Threesaid,“Theenvironmentisnotthateasytocontrol.Thereare,occasionally,viralinfectionsandtherearesometimesunexpectedandundesirablemutations.Therearetimeswhenwholevastbatcheswitherorareworthless.”

“Youastonishme.Andwhathappensthen?”

“Thereisusuallynorecoursebuttodestroythespoiledbatches,eventhosethataremerelysuspectedofspoilage.Traysandtanksmustbetotallysterilized,sometimesdisposedofaltogether.”

“Itamountstosurgery,then,”saidSeldon.“Youcutoutthediseasedtissue.”

“Yes.”

“Andwhatdoyoudotopreventsuchthingsfromhappening?”

“Whatcanwedo?Wetestconstantlyforanymutationsthatmayspringup,anynewvirusesthatmayappear,anyaccidentalcontaminationoralterationoftheenvironment.Itrarelyhappensthatwedetectanythingwrong,butifwedo,wetakedrasticaction.Theresultisthatbadyearsareveryfewandevenbadyearsaffectonlyfractionalbitshereandthere.Theworstyearwe'veeverhadfellshortoftheaveragebyonly12percent–thoughthatwasenoughtoproducehardship.Thetroubleisthateventhemostcarefulforethoughtandthemostcleverlydesignedcomputerprogramscan'talwayspredictwhatisessentiallyunpredictable.”

(Seldonfeltaninvoluntaryshuddergothroughhim.Itwasasthoughshewasspeakingofpsychohistory–butshewasonlyspeakingofthemicrofarmproduceofatinyfractionofhumanity,whilehehimselfwasconsideringallthemightyGalacticEmpireineveryoneofallitsactivities.)Unavoidablydisheartened,hesaid,“Surely,it'snotallunpredictable.Thereareforcesthatguideandthatcareforusall.”

TheSisterstiffened.Sheturnedaroundtowardhim,seemingtostudyhimwithherpenetratingeyes.

Butallshesaidwas“What?”

Seldonfeltuneasy.“Itseemstomethatinspeakingofvirusesandmutations,we'retalkingaboutthenatural,aboutphenomenathataresubjecttonaturallaw.Thatleavesoutofaccountthesupernatural,doesn'tit?Itleavesoutthatwhichisnotsubjecttonaturallawandcan,therefore,controlnaturallaw.”

Shecontinuedtostareathim,asthoughhehadsuddenlybegunspeakingsomedistant,unknowndialectofGalacticStandard.Againshesaid,inhalfawhisperthistime,“What?”

Hecontinued,stumblingoverunfamiliarwordsthathalf-embarrassedhim.“Youmustappealtosomegreatessence,somegreatspirit,some…Idon'tknowwhattocallit.”

RaindropForty-Threesaidinavoicethatroseintohigherregistersbutremainedlow,“Ithoughtso.Ithoughtthatwaswhatyoumeant,butIcouldn'tbelieveit.You'reaccusingusofhavingreligion.Whydidn'tyousayso?Whydidn'tyouusetheword?”

ShewaitedforananswerandSeldon,alittleconfusedattheonslaught,said,“Becausethat'snotawordIuse.Icallit'supernaturalism.'”

“Callitwhatyouwill.It'sreligionandwedon'thaveit.Religionisforthetribesmen,fortheswarmingsc–”

TheSisterpausedtoswallowasthoughshehadcomeneartochokingandSeldonwascertainthewordshehadchokedoverwas…

Shewasincontrolagain.Speakingslowlyandsomewhatbelowhernormalsoprano,shesaid,

“Wearenotareligiouspeople.OurkingdomisofthisGalaxyandalwayshasbeen.Ifyouhaveareligion–”

Seldonfelttrapped.Somehowhehadnotcountedonthis.Heraisedahanddefensively.“Notreally.I'mamathematicianandmykingdomisalsoofthisGalaxy.It'sjustthatIthought,fromtherigidityofyourcustoms,thatyourkingdom–”

“Don'tthinkit,tribesman.Ifourcustomsarerigid,itisbecausewearemeremillionssurroundedbybillions.Somehowwemustmarkourselvesoffsothatwepreciousfewarenotlostamongyourswarmsandhordes.Wemustbemarkedoffbyourhairlessness,ourclothing,ourbehavior,ourwayoflife.Wemustknowwhoweareandwemustbesurethatyoutribesmenknowwhoweare.Welaborinourfarmssothatwecanmakeourselvesvaluableinyoureyesandthusmakecertainthatyouleaveusalone.That'sallweaskofyou…toleaveusalone.”

“Ihavenointentionofharmingyouoranyofyourpeople.Iseekonlyknowledge,hereaseverywhere.”

“Soyouinsultusbyaskingaboutourreligion,asthoughwehaveevercalledonamysterious,insubstantialspirittodoforuswhatwecannotdoforourselves.”

“Therearemanypeople,manyworldswhobelieveinsupernaturalisminoneformoranother…religion,ifyoulikethewordbetter.Wemaydisagreewiththeminonewayoranother,butweareaslikelytobewronginourdisbeliefastheyintheirbelief.Inanycase,thereisnodisgraceinsuchbeliefandmyquestionswerenotintendedasinsults.”

Butshewasnotreconciled.“Religion!”shesaidangrily.“Wehavenoneedofit.”

Seldon'sspirits,havingsunksteadilyinthecourseofthisexchange,reachedbottom.Thiswholething,thisexpeditionwithRaindropForty-Three,hadcometonothing.

Butshewentontosay,“Wehavesomethingfarbetter.Wehavehistory.”

AndSeldon'sfeelingsreboundedatonceandhesmiled.

BOOK

HAND-ON-THIGHSTORY–…AnoccasioncitedbyHariSeldonasthefirstturningpointinhissearchforamethodtodeveloppsychohistory.

Unfortunately,hispublishedwritingsgivenoindicationastowhatthat

“story”wasandspeculationsconcerningit(therehavebeenmany)arefutile.ItremainsoneofthemanyintriguingmysteriesconcerningSeldon'scareer.

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

45

RaindropForty-ThreestaredatSeldon,wild-eyedandbreathingheavily.

“Ican'tstayhere,”shesaid.

Seldonlookedabout.“Nooneisbotheringus.EventheBrotherfromwhomwegotthedaintiessaidnothingaboutus.Heseemedtotakeusasaperfectlynormalpair.”

“That'sbecausethereisnothingunusualaboutus–whenthelightisdim,whenyoukeepyourvoicelowsothetribesmanaccentislessnoticeable,andwhenIseemcalm.Butnow–”Hervoicewasgrowinghoarse.

“Whatofnow?”

“Iamnervousandtense.Iam…inaperspiration.”

“Whoistonotice?Relax.Calmdown.”

“Ican'trelaxhere.Ican'tcalmdownwhileImaybenoticed.”

“Wherearewetogo,then?”

“Therearelittleshedsforresting.Ihaveworkedhere.Iknowaboutthem.”

ShewaswalkingrapidlynowandSeldonfollowed.Upasmallramp,whichhewouldnothavenoticedinthetwilightwithouther,therewasalineofdoors,wellspreadapart.

“Theoneattheend,”shemuttered.“Ifit'sfree.”

Itwasunoccupied.AsmallglowingrectanglesaidNOTINUSEandthedoorwasajar.

RaindropForty-Threelookedaboutrapidly,motionedSeldonin,thensteppedinsideherself.

Sheclosedthedoorand,asshedidso,asmallceilinglightbrightenedtheinterior.

Seldonsaid,“Isthereanywaythesignonthedoorcanindicatethisshedisinuse?”

“Thathappenedautomaticallywhenthedoorclosedandthelightwenton,”saidtheSister.

Seldoncouldfeelairsoftlycirculatingwithasmallsighingsound,butwhereonTrantorwasthatever-presentsoundandfeelnotapparent?

Theroomwasnotlarge,butithadacotwithafirm,efficientmattress,andwhatwereobviouslycleansheets.Therewasachairandtable,asmallrefrigerator,andsomethingthatlookedlikeanenclosedhotplate,probablyatinyfood-heater.

RaindropForty-Threesatdownonthechair,sittingstifflyupright,visiblyattemptingtoforceherselfintorelaxation.

Seldon,uncertainastowhatheoughttodo,remainedstandingtillshegestured–abitimpatiently–forhimtositonthecot.Hedidso.

RaindropForty-Threesaidsoftly,asthoughtalkingtoherself,“IfitiseverknownthatIhavebeenherewithaman–evenifonlyatribesman–Ishallindeedbeanoutcast.”

Seldonrosequickly.“Thenlet'snotstayhere.”

“Sitdown.Ican'tgooutwhenI'minthismood.You'vebeenaskingaboutreligion.Whatareyouafter?”

ItseemedtoSeldonthatshehadchangedcompletely.Gonewasthepassivity,thesubservience.Therewasnoneoftheshyness,thebackwardnessinthepresenceofamale.Shewasglaringathimthroughnarrowedeyes.

“Itoldyou.Knowledge.I'mascholar.Itismyprofessionandmydesiretoknow,Iwanttounderstandpeopleinparticular,soIwanttolearnhistory.Formanyworlds,theancienthistoricalrecords–thetrulyancienthistoricalrecords–havedecayedintomythsandlegends,oftenbecomingpartofasetofreligiousbeliefsorofsupernaturalism.ButifMycogendoesnothaveareligion,then–”

“Isaidwehavehistory.”

Seldonsaid,“Twiceyou'vesaidyouhavehistory.Howold?”

“Itgoesbacktwentythousandyears.”

“Truly?Letusspeakfrankly.Isitrealhistoryorisitsomethingthathasdegeneratedintolegend?”

“Itisrealhistory,ofcourse.”

Seldonwasonthepointofaskinghowshecouldtell,butthoughtbetterofit.Wastherereallyachancethathistorymightreachbacktwentythousandyearsandbeauthentic?Hewasnotahistorianhimself,sohewouldhavetocheckwithDors.

Butitseemedsolikelytohimthatoneveryworldtheearliesthistoriesweremedleysofself-servingheroismsandmini-dramasthatweremeantasmoralityplaysandwerenottobetakenliterally.ItwassurelytrueofHelicon,yetyouwouldfindscarcelyaHeliconianwhowouldnotswearbyallthetalestoldandinsistitwasalltruehistory.Theywouldsupport,assuch,eventhatperfectlyridiculoustaleofthefirstexplorationofHeliconandtheencounterswithlargeanddangerousflyingreptiles–eventhoughnothinglikeflyingreptileshadbeenfoundtobenativetoanyworldexploredandsettledbyhumanbeings.

Hesaidinstead,“Howdoesthishistorybegin?”

TherewasafarawaylookintheSister'seyes,alookthatdidnotfocusonSeldonoronanythingintheroom.Shesaid,“Itbeginswithaworld–ourworld.Oneworld.”

“Oneworld?”(SeldonrememberedthatHumminhadspokenoflegendsofasingle,originalworldofhumanity.)

“Oneworld.Therewereotherslater,butourswasthefirst.Oneworld,withspace,withopenair,withroomforeveryone,withfertilefields,withfriendlyhomes,withwarmpeople.ForthousandsofyearswelivedthereandthenwehadtoleaveandskulkinoneplaceoranotheruntilsomeofusfoundacornerofTrantorwherewelearnedtogrowfoodthatbroughtusalittlefreedom.AndhereinMycogen,wenowhaveourownways–andourowndreams.”

“Andyourhistoriesgivethefulldetailsconcerningtheoriginalworld?Theoneworld?”

“Ohyes,itisallinabookandweallhaveit.Everyoneofus.Wecarryitatalltimessothatthereisneveramomentwhenanyoneofuscannotopenitandreaditandrememberwhoweareandwhowewereandresolvethatsomedaywewillhaveourworldback.”

“Doyouknowwherethisworldisandwholivesonitnow?”

RaindropForty-Threehesitated,thenshookherheadfiercely.“Wedonot,butsomedaywewillfindit.”

“Andyouhavethisbookinyourpossessionnow?”

“Ofcourse.”

“MayIseethatbook?”

NowaslowsmilecrossedthefaceoftheSister.Shesaid,“Sothat'swhatyouwant.Iknewyouwantedsomethingwhenyouaskedtobeguidedthroughthemicrofarmsbymealone.”Sheseemedalittleembarrassed.“Ididn'tthinkitwastheBook.”

“ItisallIwant,”saidSeldonearnestly.“Ireallydidnothavemymindonanythingelse.Ifyoubroughtmeherebecauseyouthought–”

Shedidnotallowhimtofinish.“Buthereweare.Doyouordon'tyouwanttheBook?”

“Areyouofferingtoletmeseeit?”

“Ononecondition.”

Seldonpaused,weighingthepossibilityofserioustroubleifhehadovercometheSister'sinhibitionstoagreaterextentthanhehadeverintended.“Whatcondition?”hesaid.

RaindropForty-Three'stongueemergedlightlyandlickedquicklyatherlips.Thenshesaidwithadistincttremorinhervoice,“Thatyouremoveyourskincap.”

46

HariSeldonstaredblanklyatRaindropForty-Three.Therewasaperceptiblemomentinwhichhedidnotknowwhatshewastalkingabout.Hehadforgottenhewaswearingaskincap.

Thenheputhishandtohisheadand,forthefirsttime,consciouslyfelttheskincaphewaswearing.Itwassmooth,buthefeltthetinyresilienceofthehairbeneath.Notmuch.Hishair,afterall,wasfineandwithoutmuchbody.Hesaid,stillfeelingit,“Why?”

Shesaid,“BecauseIwantyouto.Becausethat'stheconditionifyouwanttoseetheBook.”

Hesaid,“Well,ifyoureallywantmeto.”Hishandprobedfortheedge,sothathecouldpeelitoff.

Butshesaid,“No,letmedoit.I'lldoit.”Shewaslookingathimhungrily.

Seldondroppedhishandstohislap.“Goahead,then.”

TheSisterrosequicklyandsatdownnexttohimonthecot.Slowly,carefully,shedetachedtheskincapfromhisheadjustinfrontofhisear.Againshelickedherlipsandshewaspantingassheloosenedtheskincapabouthisforeheadandturneditup.ThenitcameawayandwasgoneandSeldon'shair,released,seemedtostirabitingladfreedom.

Hesaid,troubled,“Keepingmyhairundertheskincaphasprobablymademyscalpsweat.Ifso,myhairwillberatherdamp.”

Heraisedhishand,asthoughtocheckthematter,butshecaughtitandhelditback.“Iwanttodothat,”shesaid.“It'spartofthecondition.”

Herfingers,slowlyandhesitantly,touchedhishairandthenwithdrew.Shetoucheditagainand,verygently,strokedit.

“It'sdry,”shesaid.“Itfeels…good.”

“Haveyoueverfeltcephalichairbefore?”

“Onlyonchildrensometimes.This…isdifferent.”Shewasstrokingagain.

“Inwhatway?”Seldon,evenamidhisembarrassment,founditpossibletobecurious.

“Ican'tsay.Itsjust…different.”

Afterawhilehesaid,“Haveyouhadenough?”

“No.Don'trushme.Canyoumakeitlieanywayyouwantitto?”

“Notreally.Ithasanaturalwayoffalling,butIneedacombforthatandIdon'thaveonewithme.”

“Acomb?”

“Anobjectwithprongs…uh,likeafork…buttheprongsaremorenumerousandsomewhatsofter.”

“Canyouuseyourfingers?”Shewasrunninghersthroughhishair.

Hesaid,“Afterafashion.Itdoesn'tworkverywell.”

“Itsbristlybehind.”

“Thehairisshorterthere.”RaindropForty-Threeseemedtorecallsomething.“Theeyebrows,”shesaid.“Isn'tthatwhatthey'recalled?”Shestrippedofftheshields,thenranherfingersthroughthegentlearcofhair,againstthegrain.

“That'snice,”shesaid,thenlaughedinahigh-pitchedwaythatwasalmostlikeheryoungersister'sgiggle.“They'recute.”

Seldonsaidalittleimpatiently,“Isthereanythingelsethat'spartofthecondition?”

Intheratherdimlight,RaindropForty-Threelookedasthoughshemightbeconsideringanaffirmative,butsaidnothing.Instead,shesuddenlywithdrewherhandsandliftedthemtohernose.

Seldonwonderedwhatshemightbesmelling.

“Howodd,”shesaid.“MayI…mayIdoitagainanothertime?”

Seldonsaiduneasily,“IfyouwillletmehavetheBooklongenoughtostudyit,thenperhaps.”

RaindropForty-ThreereachedintoherkirtlethroughaslitthatSeldonhadnotnoticedbeforeand,fromsomehiddeninnerpocket,removedabookboundinsometough,flexiblematerial.Hetookit,tryingtocontrolhisexcitement.

WhileSeldonreadjustedhisskincaptocoverhishair,RaindropForty-Threeraisedherhandstohernoseagainandthen,gentlyandquickly,lickedonefinger.

47

“Feltyourhair?”saidDorsVenabili.ShelookedatSeldon'shairasthoughshewasofamindtofeelitherself.

Seldonmovedawayslightly.“Pleasedon't.Thewomanmadeitseemlikea

perversion.”

“Isupposeitwas–fromherstandpoint.Didyouderivenopleasurefromityourself?”

“Pleasure?Itgavemegooseflesh.Whenshefinallystopped,Iwasabletobreatheagain.Ikeptthinking:Whatotherconditionswillshemake?”

Dorslaughed.“Wereyouafraidthatshewouldforcesexuponyou?Orhopeful?”

“IassureyouIdidn'tdarethink.IjustwantedtheBook.”

TheywereintheirroomnowandDorsturnedonherfielddistortertomakesuretheywouldnotbeoverheard.

TheMycogeniannightwasabouttobegin.Seldonhadremovedhisskincapandkirtleandhadbathed,payingparticularattentiontohishair,whichhehadfoamedandrinsedtwice.Hewasnowsittingonhiscot,wearingalightnightgownthathadbeenhanginginthecloset.

Dorssaid,eyesdancing,“Didsheknowyouhavehaironyourchest?”

“Iwashopingearnestlyshewouldn'tthinkofthat.”

“PoorHari.Itwasallperfectlynatural,youknow.IwouldprobablyhavehadsimilartroubleifIwasalonewithaBrother.Worse,I'msure,sincehewouldbelieve–Mycogeniansocietybeingwhatitis–thatasawomanIwouldbeboundtoobeyhisorderswithoutdelayordemur.”

“No,Dors.Youmaythinkitwasperfectlynatural,butyoudidn'texperienceit.Thepoorwomanwasinahighstateofsexualexcitement.Sheengagedallhersenses…smelledherfingers,lickedthem.Ifshecouldhaveheardhairgrow,shewouldhavelistenedavidly.”

“Butthat'swhatImeanby'natural.'Anythingyoumakeforbiddengainssexualattractiveness.

Wouldyoubeparticularlyinterestedinwomen'sbreastsifyoulivedinasociety

inwhichtheyweredisplayedatalltimes?”

“IthinkImight.”

“Wouldn'tyoubemoreinterestediftheywerealwayshidden,asinmostsocietiestheyare?–Listen,letmetellyousomethingthathappenedtome.IwasatalakeresortbackhomeonCinna…IpresumeyouhaveresortsonHelicon,beaches,thatsortofthing?”

“Ofcourse,”saidSeldon,slightlyannoyed.“WhatdoyouthinkHeliconis,aworldofrocksandmountains,withonlywellwatertodrink?”

“Nooffense,Hari.Ijustwanttomakesureyou'llgetthepointofthestory.OnourbeachesatCinna,we'reprettylightheartedaboutwhatwewear…ordon'twear.”

“Nudebeaches?”

“Notactually,thoughIsupposeifsomeoneremovedallofhisorherclothingitwouldn'tbemuchremarkedon.Thecustomistowearadecentminimum,butImustadmitthatwhatweconsiderdecentleavesverylittletotheimagination.”

Seldonsaid,“WehavesomewhathigherstandardsofdecencyonHelicon.”

“Yes,Icouldtellthatbyyourcarefultreatmentofme,buttoeachitsown.Inanycase,IwassittingatthesmallbeachbythelakeandayoungmanapproachedtowhomIhadspokenearlierintheday.HewasadecentfellowIfoundnothingparticularlywrongwith.Hesatonthearmofmychairandplacedhisrighthandonmyleftthigh,whichwasbare,ofcourse,inordertosteadyhimself.

“Afterwehadspokenforaminuteandahalforso,hesaid,impishly.'HereIam.YouknowmehardlyatallandyetitseemsperfectlynaturaltomethatIplacemyhandonyourthigh.What'smore,itseemsperfectlynaturaltoyou,sinceyoudon'tseemtomindthatitremainsthere.'

“ItwasonlythenthatIactuallynoticedthathishandwasonmythigh.Bareskininpublicsomehowlosessomeofitssexualquality.AsIsaid,itsthehidingfromviewthatiscrucial.

“Andtheyoungmanfeltthistoo,forhewentontosay,'YetifIweretomeetyouundermoreformalconditionsandyouwerewearingagown,youwouldn'tdreamoflettingmeliftyourgownandplacemyhandonyourthighontheprecisespotitnowoccupies.'

“Ilaughedandwecontinuedtotalkofthisandthat.Ofcourse,theyoungman,nowthatmyattentionhadbeencalledtothepositionofhishand,feltitnolongerappropriatetokeepitthereandremovedit.

“ThatnightIdressedfordinnerwithmorethanusualcareandappearedinclothingthatwasconsiderablymoreformalthanwasrequiredorthanotherwomeninthediningroomwerewearing.

Ifoundtheyoungmaninquestion.Hewassittingatoneofthetables.Iapproached,greetedhim,andsaid,'HereIaminagown,butunderitmyleftthighisbare.Igiveyoupermission.Justliftthegownandplaceyourhandonmyleftthighwhereyouhaditearlier.'

“Hetried.I'llgivehimcreditforthat,buteveryonewasstaring.Iwouldn'thavestoppedhimandI'msurenooneelsewouldhavestoppedhimeither,buthecouldn'tbringhimselftodoit.Itwasnomorepublicthenthanithadbeenearlierandthesamepeoplewerepresentinbothcases.ItwasclearthatIhadtakentheinitiativeandthatIhadnoobjections,buthecouldnotbringhimselftoviolatetheproprieties.Theconditions,whichhadbeenhand-on-thighintheafternoon,werenothand-on-thighintheeveningandthatmeantmorethananythinglogiccouldsay.”

Seldonsaid,“Iwouldhaveputmyhandonyourthigh.”

“Areyousure?”

“Positive.”

“Eventhoughyourstandardsofdecencyonthebeacharehigherthanoursare?”

“Yes.”

Dorssatdownonherowncot,thenlaydownwithherhandsbehindherhead.“Sothatyou'renotparticularlydisturbedthatI'mwearinganightgownwithvery

littleunderneathit.”

“I'mnotparticularlyshocked.Asforbeingdisturbed,thatdependsonthedefinitionoftheword.I'mcertainlyawareofhowyou'redressed.”

“Well,ifwe'regoingtobecoopeduphereforaperiodoftime,we'llhavetolearntoignoresuchthings.”

“Ortakeadvantageofthem,”saidSeldon,grinning.“AndIlikeyourhair.Afterseeingyoubaldallday,Ilikeyourhair.”

“Well,don'ttouchit.Ihaven'twashedityet.”Shehalf-closedhereyes.“It'sinteresting.

You'vedetachedtheinformalandformallevelofrespectability.Whatyou'resayingisthatHeliconismorerespectableattheinformallevelthanCinnaisandlessrespectableattheformallevel.Isthatright?”

“Actually,I'mjusttalkingabouttheyoungmanwhoplacedhishandonyourthighandmyself.HowrepresentativeweareasCinniansandHeliconians,respectively,Ican'tsay.Icaneasilyimaginesomeperfectlyproperindividualsonbothworlds–andsomemadcapstoo.”

“We'retalkingaboutsocialpressures.I'mnotexactlyaGalactictraveler,butI'vehadtoinvolvemyselfinagreatdealofsocialhistory.OntheplanetofDerowd,therewasatimewhenpremaritalsexwasabsolutelyfree.Multiplesexwasallowedfortheunmarriedandpublicsexwasfrownedupononlywhentrafficwasblocked:Andyet,aftermarriage,monogamywasabsoluteandunbroken.Thetheorywasthatbyworkingoffallone'sfantasiesfirst,onecouldsettledowntotheseriousbusinessoflife.”

“Diditwork?”

“Aboutthreehundredyearsagothatstopped,butsomeofmycolleaguessayitstoppedthroughexternalpressurefromotherworldswhowerelosingtoomuchtouristbusinesstoDerowd.

ThereissuchathingasoverallGalacticsocialpressuretoo.”

“Orperhapseconomicpressure,inthiscase.”

“Perhaps.AndbeingattheUniversity,bytheway,Igetachancetostudysocialpressures,evenwithoutbeingaGalactictraveler.ImeetpeoplefromscoresofplacesinsideandoutsideofTrantorandoneofthepetamusementsinthesocialsciencedepartmentsisthecomparisonofsocialpressures.

“HereinMycogen,forinstance,Ihavetheimpressionthatsexisstrictlycontrolledandispermittedunderonlythemoststringentrules,allthemoretightlyenforcedbecauseitisneverdiscussed.IntheStreelingSector,sexisneverdiscussedeither,butitisn'tcondemned.IntheJennatSector,whereIspentaweekoncedoingresearch,sexisdiscussedendlessly,butonlyforthepurposeofcondemningit.Idon'tsupposethereareanytwosectorsinTrantor–oranytwoworldsoutsideTrantor–inwhichattitudestowardsexarecompletelyduplicated.”

Seldonsaid,“Youknowwhatyoumakeitsoundlike?Itwouldappear”

Dorssaid,“I'lltellyouhowitappears.Allthistalkofsexmakesonethingcleartome.I'msimplynotgoingtoletyououtofmysightanymore.”

“What?”

“TwiceIletyougo,thefirsttimethroughmyownmisjudgmentandthesecondbecauseyoubulliedmeintoit.Bothtimesitwasclearlyamistake.Youknowwhathappenedtoyouthefirsttime.”

Seldonsaidindignantly,“Yes,butnothinghappenedtomethesecondtime.”

“Younearlygotintoalotoftrouble.SupposeyouhadbeencaughtindulginginsexualescapadeswithaSister?”

“Itwasn'tasexual–”

“Youyourselfsaidshewasinahighstateofsexualexcitement.”

“But–”

“Itwaswrong.Pleasegetitthroughyourhead,Hari.Fromnowon,yougo

nowherewithoutme.”

“Look,”saidSeldonfreezingly,“myobjectwastofindoutaboutMycogenianhistoryandasaresultoftheso-calledsexualescapadewithaSister,Ihaveabook–theBook.”

“TheBook!True,there'stheBook.Let'sseeit.”

SeldonproduceditandDorsthoughtfullyheftedit.

Shesaid,“Itmightnotdousanygood,Hari.Thisdoesn'tlookasthoughitwillfitanyprojectorI'veeverencountered.Thatmeansyou'llhavetogetaMycogenianprojectorandthey'llwanttoknowwhyyouwantit.They'llthenfindoutyouhavethisBookandthey'lltakeitawayfromyou.”

Seldonsmiled.“Ifyourassumptionswerecorrect,Dors,yourconclusionswouldbeinescapable,butithappensthatthisisnotthekindofbookyouthinkitis.It'snotmeanttobeprojected.Thematerialisprintedonvariouspagesandthepagesareturned.RaindropForty-Threeexplainedthatmuchtome.”

“Aprint-book!”ItwashardtotellwhetherDorswasshockedoramused.“That'sfromtheStoneAge.”

“It'scertainlypre-Empire,”saidSeldon,“butnotentirelyso.Haveyoueverseenaprint-book?”

“ConsideringthatI'mahistorian?Ofcourse,Hari.”

“Ah,butlikethisone?”

HehandedovertheBookandDors,smiling,openedit–thenturnedtoanotherpage–thenflippedthepages.“Itsblank,”shesaid.

“Itappearstobeblank.TheMycogeniansarestubbornlyprimitivistic,butnotentirelyso.

Theywillkeeptotheessenceoftheprimitive,buthavenoobjectiontousingmoderntechnologytomodifyitforconvenience'ssake.Whoknows?”

“Maybeso,Hari,butIdon'tunderstandwhatyou'resaying.”

“Thepagesaren'tblank,they'recoveredwithmicroprint.Here,giveitback.IfIpressthislittlenubbinontheinneredgeofthecover–Look!”

Thepagetowhichthebooklayopenwassuddenlycoveredwithlinesofprintthatrolledslowlyupward.

Seldonsaid,“Youcanadjusttherateofupwardmovementtomatchyourreadingspeedbyslightlytwistingthenubbinonewayortheother.Whenthelinesofprintreachtheirupwardlimitwhenyoureachthebottomline,thatis–theysnapdownwardandturnoff.Youturntothenextpageandcontinue.”

“Wheredoestheenergycomefromthatdoesallthis?”

“Ithasanenclosedmicrofusionbatterythatlaststhelifeofthebook.”

“Thenwhenitrunsdown–”

“Youdiscardthebook,whichyoumayberequiredtodoevenbeforeitrunsdown,givenwearandtear,andgetanothercopy.Youneverreplacethebattery.”

DorstooktheBookasecondtimeandlookedatitfromallsides.Shesaid,“ImustadmitIneverheardofabooklikethis.”

“NorI.TheGalaxy,generally,hasmovedintovisualtechnologysorapidly,itskippedoverthispossibility.”

“Thisisvisual.”

“Yes,butnotwiththeorthodoxeffects.Thistypeofbookhasitsadvantages.Itholdsfarmorethananordinaryvisualbookdoes.”

Dorssaid,“Where'stheturn-on?–Ah,letmeseeifIcanworkit.”Shehadopenedtoapageatrandomandsetthelinesofprintmarchingupward.Thenshesaid,“I'mafraidthiswon'tdoyouanygood,Hari.It'spre-Galactic.Idon'tmeanthebook.Imeantheprint…thelanguage.”

“Canyoureadit,Dors?Asahistorian–”

“Asahistorian,I'musedtodealingwitharchaiclanguage–butwithinlimits.Thisisfartooancientforme.Iranmakeoutafewwordshereandthere,butnotenoughtobeuseful.”

“Good,”saidSeldon.“Ifit'sreallyancient,itwillbeuseful.”

“Notifyoucan'treadit.”

“Icanreadit,”saidSeldon.“It'sbilingual.Youdon'tsupposethatRaindropForty-Threecanreadtheancientscript,doyou?”

“Ifshe'seducatedproperly,whynot?”

“BecauseIsuspectthatwomeninMycogenarenoteducatedpasthouseholdduties.Someofthemorelearnedmencanreadthis,buteveryoneelsewouldneedatranslationtoGalactic.”Hepushedanothernubbin.“Andthissuppliesit.”

ThelinesofprintchangedtoGalacticStandard.

“Delightful,”saidDorsinadmiration.“WecouldlearnfromtheseMycogenians,butwedon't.”

“Wehaven'tknownaboutit.”

“Ican'tbelievethat.Iknowaboutitnow.Andyouknowaboutit.TheremustbeoutsiderscomingintoMycogennowandthen,forcommercialorpoliticalreasons,ortherewouldn'tbeskincapssoreadyforuse.Soeveryonceinawhilesomeonemusthavecaughtaglimpseofthissortofprint-bookandseenhowitworks,butit'sprobablydismissedassomethingcuriousbutnotworthfurtherstudy,simplybecauseit'sMycogenian.”

“Butisitworthstudy?”

“Ofcourse.Everythingis.Orshouldbe.HumminwouldprobablypointtothislackofconcernaboutthesebooksasasignofdegenerationintheEmpire.”

HeliftedtheBookandsaidwithagushofexcitement,“ButIamcuriousandIwillreadthisanditmaypushmeinthedirectionofpsychohistory.”

“Ihopeso,”saidDors,“butifyoutakemyadvice,you'llsleepfirstandapproachitfreshinthemorning.Youwon'tlearnmuchifyounodoverit.”

Seldonhesitated,thensaid,“Howmaternalyouare!”

“I'mwatchingoveryou.”

“ButIhaveamotheraliveonHelicon.Iwouldratheryouweremyfriend.”

“Asforthat,IhavebeenyourfriendsincefirstImetyou.”

ShesmiledathimandSeldonhesitatedasthoughhewerenotcertainastotheappropriaterejoinder.Finallyhesaid,“ThenI'lltakeyouradvice–asafriend–mindsleepbeforereading.”

HemadeasthoughtoputtheBookonasmalltablebetweenthetwocots,hesitated,turned,andputitunderhispillow.

DorsVenabililaughedsoftly.“Ithinkyou'reafraidIwillwakeduringthenightandreadpartsoftheBookbeforeyouhaveachanceto.Isthatit?”

“Well,”saidSeldon,tryingnottolookashamed,“thatmaybeit.Evenfriendshiponlygoessofarandthisismybookandit'smypsychohistory.”

“Iagree,”saidDors,“andIpromiseyouthatwewon'tquarreloverthat.Bytheway,youwereabouttosaysomethingearlierwhenIinterruptedyou.Remember?”

Seldonthoughtbriefly.“No.”

Inthedark,hethoughtonlyoftheBook.Hegavenothoughttothehand-on-thighstory.Infact,hehadalreadyquiteforgottenit,consciouslyatleast.

48

Venabiliwokeupandcouldtellbyhertimebandthatthenightperiodwasonlyhalfover.NothearingHari'ssnore,shecouldtellthathiscotwasempty.Ifhehadnotlefttheapartment,thenhewasinthebathroom.

Shetappedlightlyonthedoorandsaidsoftly,“Hari?”

Hesaid,“Comein,”inanabstractedwayandshedid.

ThetoiletlidwasdownandSeldon,seateduponit,heldtheBookopenonhislap.Hesaid,quiteunnecessarily,“I'mreading.”

“Yes,Iseethat.Butwhy?”

“Icouldn'tsleep.I'msorry.”

“Butwhyreadinhere?”

“IfIhadturnedontheroomlight,Iwouldhavewokenyouup.”

“AreyousuretheBookcan'tbeilluminated?”

“Prettysure.WhenRaindropForty-Threedescribeditsworkings,shenevermentionedillumination.Besides,Isupposethatwoulduseupsomuchenergythatthebatterywouldn'tlastthelifeoftheBook.”Hesoundeddissatisfied.

Dorssaid,“Youcanstepout,then.Iwanttousethisplace,aslongasI'mhere.”

Whensheemerged,shefoundhimsittingcross-leggedonhiscot,stillreading,withtheroomwelllighted.

Shesaid,“Youdon'tlookhappy.DoestheBookdisappointyou?”

Helookedupather,blinking.“Yes,itdoes.I'vesampledithereandthere.ItsallI'vehadtimetodo.Thethingisavirtualencyclopediaandtheindexisalmostentirelyalistingofpeopleandplacesthatareoflittleuseformypurposes.IthasnothingtodowiththeGalacticEmpireorthepre-ImperialKingdomseither.Itdealsalmostentirelywithasingleworldand,asnearlyasIcanmakeoutfromwhatIhaveread,itisanendlessdissertationoninternalpolitics.”

“Perhapsyouunderestimateitsage.Itmaydealwithaperiodwhentherewasindeedonlyoneworld…oneinhabitedworld.”

“Yes,Iknow,”saidSeldonalittleimpatiently.“That'sactuallywhatIwant–

providedIcanbesureitshistory,notlegend.Iwonder.Idon'twanttobelieveitjustbecauseIwanttobelieveit.”

Dorssaid,“Well,thismatterofasingle-worldoriginismuchintheairthesedays.HumanbeingsareasinglespeciesspreadallovertheGalaxy,sotheymusthaveoriginatedsomewhere.Atleastthat'sthepopularviewatpresent.Youcan'thaveindependentoriginsproducingthesamespeciesondifferentworlds.”

“ButI'veneverseentheinevitabilityofthatargument,”saidSeldon.“Ifhumanbeingsaroseonanumberofworldsasanumberofdifferentspecies,whycouldn'ttheyhaveinterbredintosomesingleintermediatespecies?”

“Becausespeciescan'tinterbreed.That'swhatmakesthemspecies.”

Seldonthoughtaboutitamoment,thendismisseditwithashrug.“Well,I'llleaveittothebiologists.”

“They'repreciselytheoneswhoarekeenestontheEarthhypothesis.”

“Earth?Isthatwhattheycallthesupposedworldoforigin?”

“That'sapopularnameforit,thoughthere'snowayoftellingwhatitwascalled,assumingtherewasone.Andnoonehasanycluetowhatitslocationmightbe.”

“Earth!”saidSeldon,curlinghislips.“Itsoundslikeabelchtome.Inanycase,ifthebookdealswiththeoriginalworld,Ididn'tcomeacrossit.Howdoyouspelltheword?”

ShetoldhimandhecheckedtheBookquickly.“Thereyouare.Thenameisnotlistedintheindex,eitherbythatspellingoranyreasonablealternative.”

“Really?”

“Andtheydomentionotherworldsinpassing.Namesaren'tgivenandthereseemsnointerestinthoseotherworldsexceptinsofarastheydirectlyimpingeonthelocalworldtheyspeakof…atleastasfarasIcanseefromwhatI'veread.Inoneplace,theytalkedabout'TheFifty.'Idon'tknowwhattheymeant.Fiftyleaders?Fiftycities?Itseemedtometobefiftyworlds.”

“Didtheygiveanametotheirownworld,thisworldthatseemstopre-occupythementirely?”askedDors.“Iftheydon'tcallitEarth,whatdotheycallit?”

“Asyou'dexpect,theycallit'theworld'or'theplanet.'Sometimestheycallit'theOldest'or

'theWorldoftheDawn,'whichhasapoeticsignificance,Ipresume,thatisn'tcleartome.IsupposeoneoughttoreadtheBookentirelythroughandsomematterswillthengrowtomakemoresense.”

HelookeddownattheBookinhishandwithsomedistaste.“Itwouldtakeaverylongtime,though,andI'mnotsurethatI'dendupanythewiser.”

Dorssighed.“I'msorry,Hari.Yousoundsodisappointed.”

“That'sbecauseIamdisappointed.It'smyfault,though.Ishouldnothaveallowedmyselftoexpecttoomuch.–Atonepoint,cometothinkofit,theyreferredtotheirworldas'Aurora.'”

“Aurora?”saidDors,liftinghereyebrows.

“Itsoundslikeapropername.Itdoesn'tmakeanysenseotherwise,asfarasIcansee.Doesitmeananythingtoyou,Dors?”

“Aurora.”Dorsthoughtaboutitwithaslightfrownonherfare.“Ican'tsayI'veeverheardofaplanetwiththatnameinthecourseofthehistoryoftheGalacticEmpireorduringtheperiodofitsgrowth,forthatmatter,butIwon'tpretendtoknowthenameofeveryoneofthetwenty-fivemillionworlds.WecouldlookitupintheUniversitylibrary–ifweevergetbacktoStreeling.

There'snousetryingtofindalibraryhereinMycogen.SomehowIhaveafeelingthatalltheirknowledgeisintheBook.Ifanythingisn'tthere,theyaren'tinterested.”

Seldonyawnedandsaid,“Ithinkyou'reright.Inanycase,there'snousereadinganymoreandIdoubtthatIcankeepmyeyesopenanylonger.IsitallrightifIputoutthelight?”

“Iwouldwelcomeit,Hari.Andlet'ssleepalittlelaterinthemorning.”

Then,inthedark,Seldonsaidsoftly,“Ofcourse,someofwhattheysayisridiculous.Forinstance,theyrefertoalifeexpectancyontheirworldofbetweenthreeandfourcenturies.”

“Centuries?”

“Yes,theycounttheiragesbydecadesratherthanbyyears.Itgivesyouaqueerfeeling,becausesomuchofwhattheysayisperfectlymatter-of-factthatwhentheycomeoutwithsomethingthatodd,youalmostfindyourselftrappedintobelievingit.”

“Ifyoufeelyourselfbeginningtobelievethat,thenyoushouldrealizethatmanylegendsofprimitiveoriginsassumeextendedlifespansforearlyleaders.Ifthey'repicturedasunbelievablyheroic,yousee,itseemsnaturalthattheyhavelifespanstosuit.”

“Isthatso?”saidSeldon,yawningagain.

“Itis.Andthecureforadvancedgullibilityistogotosleepandconsidermattersagainthenextday.”

AndSeldon,pausingonlylongenoughtothinkthatanextendedlifespanmightwellbeasimplenecessityforanyonetryingtounderstandaGalaxyofpeople,slept.

49

Thenextmorning,feelingrelaxedandrefreshedandeagertobeginhisstudyoftheBookagain,HariaskedDors,“HowoldwouldyousaytheRaindropsistersare?”

“Idon'tknow.Twenty…twenty-two?”

“Well,supposetheydolivethreeorfourcenturies.”

“Hari.That'sridiculous.”

“I'msayingsuppose.Inmathematics,wesay'suppose'allthetimeandseeifwecanendupwithsomethingpatentlyuntrueorself-contradictory.Anextended

lifespanwouldalmostsurelymeananextendedperiodofdevelopment.Theymightseemintheirearlytwentiesandactuallybeintheirsixties.”

“Youcantryaskingthemhowoldtheyare.”

“Wecanassumethey'dlie.”

“Lookuptheirbirthcertificates.”

Seldonsmiledwryly.“I'llbetyouanythingyoulike–arollinthehay,ifyou'rewilling–thatthey'llclaimtheydon'tkeeprecordsorthat,iftheydo,theywillinsistthoserecordsareclosedtotribespeople.”

“Nobet,”saidDors.“Andifthat'strue,thenit'suselesstryingtosupposeanythingabouttheirage.”

“Ohno.Thinkofitthisway.IftheMycogeniansarelivingextendedlifespansthatarefourorfivetimesthatofordinaryhumanbeings,theycan'tverywellgivebirthtoverymanychildrenwithoutexpandingtheirpopulationtremendously.YourememberthatSunmastersaidsomethingaboutnothavingthepopulationexpandandbitoffhisremarksangrilyatthattime.”

Dorssaid,“Whatareyougettingat?”

“WhenIwaswithRaindropForty-Three,Isawnochildren.”

“Onthemicrofarms?”

“Yes.”

“Didyouexpectchildrenthere?IwaswithRaindropForty-FiveintheshopsandontheresidentiallevelsandIassureyouIsawanumberofchildrenofallages,includinginfants.Quiteafewofthem.”

“Ah.”Seldonlookedchagrined.“Thenthatwouldmeantheycan'tbeenjoyingextendedlifespans.”

Dorssaid,“Byyourlineofargument,Ishouldsaydefinitelynot.Didyoureallythinktheydid?”

“No,notreally.Butthenyoucan'tcloseyourmindeitherandmakeassumptionswithouttestingthemonewayoranother.”

“Youcanwastealotoftimethatwaytoo,ifyoustoptochewawayatthingsthatareridiculousonthefaceofit.”

“Somethingsthatseemridiculousonthefaceofitaren't.That'sall.Whichremindsme.

You'rethehistorian.Inyourwork,haveyouevercomeacrossobjectsorphenomenacalled

'robots'?”

“Ah!Nowyou'reswitchingtoanotherlegendandaverypopularone.Thereareanynumberofworldsthatimaginetheexistenceofmachinesinhumanforminprehistorictimes.Thesearecalled'robots.'

“Thetalesofrobotsprobablyoriginatefromonemasterlegend,forthegeneralthemeisthesame.Robotsweredevised,thengrewinnumbersandabilitiestothestatusofthealmostsuperhuman.Theythreatenedhumanityandweredestroyed.Ineverycase,thedestructiontookplacebeforetheactualreliablehistoricrecordsavailabletoustodayexisted.TheusualfeelingisthatthestoryisasymbolicpictureoftherisksanddangersofexploringtheGalaxy,whenhumanbeingsexpandedoutwardfromtheworldorworldsthatweretheiroriginalhomes.Theremustalwayshavebeenthefearofencounteringother–andsuperior–intelligences.”

“Perhapstheydidatleastonceandthatgaverisetothelegend.”

“Exceptthatonnohuman-occupiedworldhastherebeenanyrecordortraceofanypre-humanornon-humanintelligence.”

“Butwhy'robots'?Doesthewordhavemeaning?”

“NotthatIknowof,butit'stheequivalentofthefamiliar'automata.'”

“Automata!Well,whydon'ttheysayso?”

“Becausepeopledousearchaictermsforflavorwhentheytellanancientlegend.Whydoyouaskallthis,bytheway?”

“BecauseinthisancientMycogenianbook,theytalkofrobots.Andveryfavorably,bytheway.–Listen,Dors,aren'tyougoingoutwithRaindropForty-Fiveagainthisafternoon?”

“Supposedly–ifsheshowsup.”

“Wouldyouaskhersomequestionsandtrytogettheanswersoutofher?”

“Icantry.Whatarethequestions?”

“Iwouldliketofindout,astactfullyaspossible,ifthereissomestructureinMycogenthatisparticularlysignificant,thatistiedinwiththepast,thathasasortofmythicvalue,thatcan–”

Dorsinterrupted,tryingnottosmile.“IthinkthatwhatyouaretryingtoaskiswhetherMycogenhasatemple.”

And,inevitably,Seldonlookedblankandsaid,“What'satemple?”

“Anotherarchaictermofuncertainorigin.Itmeansallthethingsyouaskedabout–significance,past,myth.Verywell,I'llask.It'sthesortofthing,however,thattheymightfinddifficulttospeakof.Totribespeople,certainly.”

“Nevertheless,dotry.”

SACRATORIUM

AURORA–…Amythicalworld,supposedlyinhabitedinprimordialtimes,duringthedawnofinterstellartravel.Itisthoughtbysometohetheperhapsequallymythical“worldoforigin”ofhumanityandtobeanothernamefor“Earth.”ThepeopleoftheMycogen(q.v.)SectorofancientTrantorreportedlyheldthemselvestobedescendedfromtheinhabitantsofAuroraandmadethattenetcentraltotheirsystemofbeliefs,concerningwhichalmostnothingelseisknown…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

50

ThetwoRaindropsarrivedatmidmorning.RaindropForty-Fiveseemedascheerfulasever,butRaindropForty-Threepausedjustinsidethedoor,lookingdrawnandcircumspect.ShekepthereyesdownanddidnotasmuchasglanceatSeldon.

SeldonlookeduncertainandgesturedtoDors,whosaidinacheerfulbusiness-liketoneofvoice,“Onemoment,Sisters.Imustgiveinstructionstomymanorhewon'tknowwhattodowithhimselftoday.”

TheymovedintothebathroomandDorswhispered,“Issomethingwrong?”

“Yes.RaindropForty-Threeisobviouslyshattered.PleasetellherthatIwillreturntheBookassoonaspossible.”

DorsfavoredSeldonwithalongsurprisedlook.“Hari,”shesaid,“you'reasweet,caringperson,butyouhaven'tthegoodsenseofanamoeba.IfIasmuchasmentiontheBooktothepoorwoman,she'llbecertainthatyoutoldmeallaboutwhathappenedyesterdayandthenshe'llreallybeshattered.TheonlyhopeistotreatherexactlyasIwouldordinarily.”

Seldonnoddedhisheadandsaiddispiritedly,“Isupposeyou'reright.”

DorsreturnedintimefordinnerandfoundSeldononhiscot,stillleafingthroughtheBook,butwithintensifiedimpatience.

Helookedupwithascowlandsaid,“Ifwe'regoingtobestayinghereanylengthoftime,we'regoingtoneedacommunicationdeviceofsomesortbetweenus.Ihadnoideawhenyou'dgetbackandIwasalittleconcerned.”

“Well,hereIam,”shesaid,removingherskincapgingerlyandlookingatitwithmorethanalittledistaste.“I'mreallypleasedatyourconcern.Iratherthoughtyou'dbesolostintheBook,youwouldn'tevenrealizeIwasgone.”

Seldonsnorted.

Dorssaid,“Asforcommunicationsdevices,IdoubtthattheyareeasytocomebyinMycogen.Itwouldmeaneasingcommunicationwithtribespeopleoutside

andIsuspecttheleadersofMycogenareboundanddeterminedtocutdownonanypossibleinteractionwiththegreatbeyond.”

“Yes,”saidSeldon,tossingtheBooktooneside,“IwouldexpectthatfromwhatIseeintheBook.Didyoufindoutaboutthewhateveryoucalledit…thetemple?”

“Yes,”shesaid,removinghereyebrowpatches.“Itexists.Thereareanumberofthemovertheareaofthesector,butthere'sacentralbuildingthatseemstobetheimportantone.–WouldyoubelievethatonewomannoticedmyeyelashesandtoldmethatIshouldn'tletmyselfbeseeninpublic?Ihaveafeelingsheintendedtoreportmeforindecentexposure.”

“Nevermindthat,”saidSeldonimpatiently.“Doyouknowwherethecentraltempleislocated?”

“Ihavedirections,butRaindropForty-Fivewarnedmethatwomenwerenotallowedinsideexceptonspecialoccasions,noneofwhicharecomingupsoon.It'scalledtheSacratorium.”

“Thewhat?”

“TheSacratorium.”

“Whatanuglyword.Whatdoesitmean?”

Dorsshookherhead.“It'snewtome.AndneitherRaindropknewwhatitmeanteither.Tothem,Sacratoriumisn'twhatthebuildingiscalled,it'swhatitis.Askingthemwhytheycalleditthatprobablysoundedlikeaskingthemwhyawalliscalledawall.”

“Isthereanythingaboutittheydoknow?”

“Ofcourse,Hari.Theyknowwhatit'sfor.It'saplacethat'sdevotedtosomethingotherthanthelifehereinMycogen.It'sdevotedtoanotherworld,aformerandbetterone.”

“Theworldtheyoncelivedon,youmean?”

“Exactly.RaindropForty-Fiveallbutsaidso,butnotquite.Shecouldn'tbringherselftosaytheword.”

“Aurora?”

“That'stheword,butIsuspectthatifyouweretosayitoutloudtoagroupofMycogenians,theywouldbeshockedandhorrified.RaindropForty-Five,whenshesaid,'TheSacratoriumisdedicatedto–',stoppedatthatpointandcarefullywroteoutthelettersonebyonewithherfingeronthepalmofherhand.Andsheblushed,asthoughshewasdoingsomethingobscene.”

“Strange,”saidSeldon.“IftheBookisanaccurateguide,Auroraistheirdearestmemory,theirchiefpointofunification,thecenteraboutwhicheverythinginMycogenrevolves.Whyshoulditsmentionbeconsideredobscene?–Areyousureyoudidn'tmisinterpretwhattheSistermeant?”

“I'mpositive.Andperhapsit'snomystery.Toomuchtalkaboutitwouldgettotribespeople.

Thebestwayofkeepingitsecretuntothemselvesistomakeitsverymentiontaboo.”

“…taboo?”

“Aspecializedanthropologicalterm.It'sareferencetoseriousandeffectivesocialpressureforbiddingsomesortofaction.ThefactthatwomenarenotallowedintheSacratoriumprobablyhastheforceofataboo.I'msurethataSisterwouldbehorrifiedifitwassuggestedthatsheinvadeitsprecincts.”

“ArethedirectionsyouhavegoodenoughformetogettotheSacratoriumonmyown?”

“Inthefirstplace,Hari,you'renotgoingalone.I'mgoingwithyou.IthoughtwehaddiscussedthematterandthatIhadmadeitclearthatIcannotprotectyouatlongdistance–notfromsleetstormsandnotfromferalwomen.Inthesecondplace,it'simpracticaltothinkofwalkingthere.Mycogenmaybeasmallsector,assectorsgo,butitsimplyisn'tthatsmall.”

“AnExpressway,then.”

“TherearenoExpresswayspassingthroughMycogenianterritory.ItwouldmakecontactbetweenMycogeniansandtribespeopletooeasy.Still,therearepublicconveyancesofthekindthatarefoundonlessdevelopedplanets.Infact,that'swhatMycogenis,apieceofanundevelopedplanet,embeddedlikeasplinterinthebodyofTrantor,whichisotherwiseapatchworkofdevelopedsocieties.–AndHari,finishwiththeBookassoonaspossible.It'sapparentthatRainbowForty-Threeisintroubleaslongasyouhaveitandsowillwebeiftheyfindout.”

“Doyoumeanatribespersonreadingitistaboo?”

“I'msureofit.”

“Well,itwouldbenogreatlosstogiveitback.Ishouldsaythat95percentofitisincrediblydull;endlessin-fightingamongpoliticalgroups,endlessjustificationofpolicieswhosewisdomIcannotpossiblyjudge,endlesshomiliesonethicalmatterswhich,evenwhenenlightened,andtheyusuallyaren't,arecouchedwithsuchinfuriatingself-righteousnessastoalmostenforceviolation.”

“YousoundasthoughIwouldbedoingyouagreatfavoritItookthethingawayfromyou.”

“Exceptthatthere'salwaystheother5percentthatdiscussesthenever-to-be-mentionedAurora.Ikeepthinkingthattheremaybesomethingthereandthatitmaybehelpfultome.That'swhyIwantedtoknowabouttheSacratorium.”

“DoyouhopetofindsupportfortheBook'sconceptofAuroraintheSacratorium?”

“Inaway.AndI'malsoterriblycaughtupinwhattheBookhastosayaboutautomata,orrobots,tousetheirterm.Ifindmyselfattractedtotheconcept.”

“Surely,youdon'ttakeitseriously?”

“Almost.IfyouacceptsomepassagesoftheBookliterally,thenthereisanimplicationthatsomerobotswereinhumanshape.”

“Naturally.Ifyou'regoingtoconstructasimulacrumofahumanbeing,youwillmakeitlooklikeahumanbeing.”

“Yes,simulacrummeans'likeness,'butalikenesscanbecrudeindeed.Anartistcandrawastickfigureandyoumightknowheisrepresentingahumanbeingandrecognizeit.Acircleforthehead,astalkforthebody,andfourbentlinesforarmsandlegsandyouhaveit.ButImeanrobotsthatreallylooklikeahumanbeing,ineverydetail.”

“Ridiculous,Hari.Imaginethetimeitwouldtaketofashionthemetalofthebodyintoperfectproportions,withthesmoothcurveofunderlyingmuscles.”

“Whosaid'metal,'Dors?TheimpressionIgotisthatsuchrobotswereorganicorpseudo-organic,thattheywerecoveredwithskin,thatyoucouldnoteasilydrawadistinctionbetweenthemandhumanbeingsinanyway.”

“DoestheBooksaythat?”

“Notinsomanywords.Theinference,however–”

“Isyourinference,Hari.Youcan'ttakeitseriously.”

“Letmetry.IfindfourthingsthatIcandeducefromwhattheBooksaysaboutrobots–andIfollowedupeveryreferencetheindexgave.First,asIsay,they–orsomeofthem–exactlyresembledhumanbeings;second,theyhadveryextendedlifespans–ifyouwanttocallitthat.”

“Bettersay'effectiveness,'”saidDors,“oryou'llbeginthinkingofthemashumanaltogether.”

“Third,”saidSeldon,ignoringher,“thatsome–or,atanyrate,atleastone–continuestoliveontothisday.”

“Hari,that'soneofthemostwidespreadlegendswehave.Theancientherodoesnotdiebutremainsinsuspendedanimation,readytoreturntosavehispeopleatsometimeofgreatneed.

Really,Hari.”

“Fourth,”saidSeldon,stillnotrisingtothebait,“therearesomelinesthatseemtoindicatethatthecentraltemple–ortheSacratorium,ifthat'swhatitis,thoughIhaven'tfoundthatwordintheBook,actuallycontainsarobot.”Hepaused,then

said,“Doyousee?”

Dorssaid,“No.WhatshouldIsee?”

“Ifwecombinethefourpoints,perhapsarobotthatlooksexactlylikeahumanbeingandthatisstillalive,havingbeenalivefor,say,thelasttwentythousandyears,isintheSacratorium.”

“Comeon,Hari,youcan'tbelievethat.”

“Idon'tactuallybelieveit,butIcan'tentirelyletgoeither.Whatifitstrue?Whatif–itsonlyonechanceoutofamillion,Iadmitit'strue?Don'tyouseehowusefulhecouldbetome?HecouldremembertheGalaxyasitwaslongbeforeanyreliablehistoricalrecordsexisted.Hemighthelpmakepsychohistorypossible.”

“Evenifitwastrue,doyousupposetheMycogenianswouldletyouseeandinterviewtherobot?”

“Idon'tintendtoaskpermission.IcanatleastgototheSacratoriumandseeifthere'ssomethingtointerviewfirst.”

“Notnow.Tomorrowattheearliest.Andifyoudon'tthinkbetterofitbymorning,wego.”

“Youtoldmeyourselftheydon'tallowwomen–”

“Theyallowwomentolookatitfromoutside,I'msure,andIsuspectthatisallwe'llgettodo.”

Andthereshewasadamant.

51

HariSeldonwasperfectlywillingtoletDorstakethelead.ShehadbeenoutinthemainroadwaysofMycogenandwasmoreathomewiththemthanhewas.DorsVenabili,browsknitted,waslessdelightedwiththeprospect.Shesaid,“Wecaneasilygetlost,youknow.”

“Notwiththatbooklet,”saidSeldon.

Shelookedupathimimpatiently.“FixyourmindonMycogen,Hari.WhatIshouldhaveisacomputomap,somethingIcanaskquestionsof.ThisMycogenianversionisjustapieceoffoldedplastic.Ican'ttellthisthingwhereIam.Ican'ttellitbywordofmouthandIcan'teventellitbypushingthenecessarycontacts.Itcan'ttellmeanythingeitherway.It'saprintthing.”

“Thenreadwhatitsays.”

“That'swhatI'mtryingtodo,butit'swrittenforpeoplewhoarefamiliarwiththesystemtobeginwith.We'llhavetoask.”

“No,Dors.Thatwouldbealastresort.Idon'twanttoattractattention.Iwouldratherwetakeourchancesandtrytofindourownway,evenifitmeansmakingoneortwowrongturns.”

Dorsleafedthroughthebookletwithgreatattentionandthensaidgrudgingly,“Well,itgivestheSacratoriumimportantmention.Isupposethat'sonlynatural.IpresumeeveryoneinMycogenwouldwanttogetthereatonetimeoranother.”Then,afteradditionalconcentration,shesaid,“I'lltellyouwhat.There'snowayoftakingaconveyancefromheretothere.”

“What?”

“Don'tgetexcited.Apparently,there'sawayofgettingfromheretoanotherconveyancethatwilltakeusthere.We'llhavetochangefromonetoanother.”Seldonrelaxed.“Well,ofcourse.Youcan'ttakeanExpresswaytohalftheplacesonTrantorwithoutchanging.”

DorscastanimpatientglanceatSeldon.“Iknowthattoo.It'sjustthatI'musedtohavingthesethingstellmeso.Whentheyexpectyoutofindoutforyourself,thesimplestthingscanescapeyouforawhile.”

“Allright,dear.Don'tsnap.Ifyouknowthewaynow,lead.Iwillfollowhumbly.”

Andfollowherhedid,untiltheycametoanintersection,wheretheystopped.Threewhite-kirtledmalesandapairofgray-kirtledfemaleswereatthesame

intersection.Seldontriedauniversalandgeneralsmileintheirdirection,buttheyrespondedwithablankstareandlookedaway.

Andthentheconveyancecame.ItwasanoutmodedversionofwhatSeldon,backonHelicon,wouldhavecalledagravi-bus.Thereweresometwentyupholsteredbenchesinside,eachcapableofholdingfourpeople.Eachbenchhaditsowndoorsonbothsidesofthebus.Whenitstopped,passengersemergedoneitherside.(Foramoment,Seldonwasconcernedforthosewhogotoutonthetrafficsideofthegravi-bus,butthenhenoticedthateveryvehicleapproachingfromeitherdirectionstoppedasitnearedthebus.Nonepasseditwhileitwasnotmoving.)DorspushedSeldonimpatientlyandhemovedontoabenchwheretwoadjoiningseatswereavailable.Dorsfollowedafter.(Themenalwaysgotonandgotofffirst,henoticed.)Дорcтихозаворчала:

“Перестаньглазетьпосторонам!Ведисебяестественно.”

“I'lltry…”

“Forinstance,”shesaidandpointedtoasmoothboxed-offareaonthebackofthebenchdirectlybeforeeachofthem.Assoonastheconveyancehadbeguntomove,wordslitup,namingthenextstopandthenotablestructuresorcrosswaysthatwerenearby.

“Now,thatwillprobablytelluswhenwe'reapproachingthechangeoverwewant.Atleastthesectorisn'tcompletelybarbaric.”

“Good,”saidSeldon.Then,afterawhile,leaningtowardDors,hewhispered,“Nooneislookingatus.Itseemsthatartificialboundariesaresetuptopreserveindividualprivacyinanycrowdedplace.Haveyounoticedthat?”

“I'vealwaystakenitforgranted.Ifthat'sgoingtobearuleofyourpsychohistory,noonewillbeveryimpressedbyit.”

AsDorshadguessed,thedirectionplaqueinfrontofthemeventuallyannouncedtheapproachtothechangeoverforthedirectlinetotheSacratorium.

Theyexitedandagainhadtowait.Somebusesaheadhadalreadyleftthisintersection,butanothergravi-buswasalreadyapproaching.Theywereonawell-traveledroute,whichwasnotsurprising;theSacratoriumwasboundtobe

thecenterandheartbeatofthesector.

Theygotonthegravi-busandSeldonwhispered,“We'renotpaying…”

“Accordingtothemap,publictransportationisafreeservice.”

Seldonthrustouthislowerlip.“Howcivilized.Isupposethatnothingisallofapiece,notbackwardness,notbarbarism,nothing.”

ButDorsnudgedhimandwhispered,“Yourruleisbroken.We'rebeingwatched.Themanonyourright.”

52

Seldon'seyesshiftedbriefly.Themantohisrightwasratherthinandseemedquiteold.Hehaddarkbrowneyesandaswarthycomplexion,andSeldonwassurethathewouldhavehadblackhairifhehadnotbeendepilated.

Hefacedfrontagain,thinking.ThisBrotherwasratheratypical.ThefewBrothershehadpaidanyattentiontohadbeenrathertall,light-skinned,andwithblueorgrayeyes.Ofcourse,hehadnotseenenoughofthemtomakeageneralrule.

Thentherewasalighttouchontherightsleeveofhiskirtle.Seldonturnedhesitantlyandfoundhimselflookingatacardonwhichwaswrittenlightly,CAREFUL,TRIBESMAN!

Seldonstartedandputahandtohisskincapautomatically.Themannexttohimsilentlymouthed,“Hair.”

Seldon'shandfoundit,atinyexposureofbristlesathistemple.Hemusthavedisturbedtheskincapatsomepointoranother.Quicklyandasunobtrusivelyaspossible,hetuggedtheskincap,thenmadesurethatitwassnugunderthepretenceofstrokinghishead.

Heturnedtohisneighboronhisright,noddedslightly,andmouthed,“Thankyou.”

Hisneighborsmiledandsaidinanormalspeakingvoice,“Goingtothe

Sacratorium?”

Seldonnodded.“Yes,Iam.”

“Easyguess.SoamI.Shallwegetofftogether?”Hissmilewasfriendly.

“I'mwithmy–my–”

“Withyourwoman.Ofcourse.Allthreetogether,then?”

Seldonwasnotsurehowtoreact.AquicklookintheotherdirectionshowedhimthatDors'seyeswereturnedstraightahead.Shewasshowingnointerestinmasculineconversation–anattitudeappropriateforaSister.However,Seldonfeltasoftpatonhisleftknee,whichhetook(withperhapslittlejustification)tomean:“It'sallright.”

Inanycase,hisnaturalsenseofcourtesywasonthatsideandhesaid,“Yes,certainly.”

TherewasnofurtherconversationuntilthedirectionplaquetoldthemtheywerearrivingattheSacratoriumandSeldon'sMycogenianfriendwasrisingtogetoff.

Thegravi-busmadeawideturnabouttheperimeterofalargeareaoftheSacratoriumgroundsandtherewasageneralexoduswhenitcametoahalt,themenslidinginfrontofthewomentoexitfirst.Thewomenfollowed.

TheMycogenian'svoicecrackledabitwithage,butitwascheerful.Hesaid,“It'salittleearlyforlunchmy…friends,buttakemywordforitthatthingswillbecrowdedinnottoolongatime.

Wouldyoubewillingtobuysomethingsimplenowandeatitoutside?IamveryfamiliarwiththisareaandIknowagoodplace.”

Seldonwonderedifthiswasadevicetomaneuverinnocenttribespeopleintosomethingorotherdisreputableorcostly,yetdecidedtochanceit.

“You'reverykind,”hesaid.“Sincewearenotatallfamiliarwiththeplace,wewillbegladtoletyoutakethelead.”

Theyboughtlunch–sandwichesandabeveragethatlookedlikemilkatanopen-airstand.

Sinceitwasabeautifuldayandtheywerevisitors,theoldMycogeniansaid,theywouldgototheSacratoriumgroundsandeatoutofdoors,thebettertobecomeacquaintedwiththeirsurroundings.

Duringtheirwalk,carryingtheirlunch,Seldonnotedthat,onaverysmallscale,theSacratoriumresembledtheImperialPalaceandthatthegroundsarounditresembled,onaminutescale,theImperialgrounds.HecouldscarcelybelievethattheMycogenianpeopleadmiredtheImperialinstitutionor,indeed,didanythingbuthateanddespiseit,yettheculturalattractionwasapparentlynottobewithstood.

“It'sbeautiful,”saidtheMycogenianwithobviouspride.

“Quite,”saidSeldon.“Howitglistensinthedaylight.”

“Thegroundsaroundit,”hesaid,“areconstructedinimitationofthegovernmentgroundsonourDawnWorld…inminiature,tobesure.”

“DidyoueverseethegroundsoftheImperialPalace?”askedSeldoncautiously.TheMycogeniancaughttheimplicationandseemedinnowayputoutbyit.“TheyCopiedtheDawnWorldasbesttheycouldtoo.”

Seldondoubtedthatintheextreme,buthesaidnothing.

Theycametoasemicircularseatofwhitestonite,sparklinginthelightastheSacratoriumdid.

“Good,”saidtheMycogenian,hisdarkeyesgleamingwithpleasure.“Noone'stakenmyplace.Icallitmineonlybecauseit'smyfavoriteseat.ItaffordsabeautifulviewofthesidewalloftheSacratoriumpastthetrees.Pleasesitdown.It'snotcold,Iassureyou.Andyourcompanion.Sheiswelcometosittoo.Sheisatribeswoman,Iknow,andhasdifferentcustoms.She…shemayspeakifshewishes.”

Dorsgavehimahardlookandsatdown.

Seldon,recognizingthefactthattheymightremainwiththisoldMycogenianawhile,thrustouthishandandsaid,“IamHariandmyfemalecompanionisDors.Wedon'tusenumbers,I'mafraid.”

“Toeachhis…orher…own,”saidtheotherexpansively.“IamMyceliumSeventy-Two.Wearealargecohort.”

“Mycelium?”saidSeldonabithesitantly.“Youseemsurprised,”saidMycelium.“Itakeit,then,you'veonlymetmembersofourElderfamilies.NameslikeCloudandSunshineandStarlight–allastronomical.”

“Imustadmit–”beganSeldon.

“Well,meetoneofthelowerclasses.Wetakeournamesfromthegroundandfromthemicro-organismswegrow.Perfectlyrespectable.”

“I'mquitecertain,”saidSeldon,“andthankyouagainforhelpingmewithmy…probleminthegravi-bus.”

“Listen,”saidMyceliumSeventy-Two,“Isavedyoualotoftrouble.IfaSisterhadseenyoubeforeIdid,shewouldundoubtedlyhavescreamedandthenearestBrotherswouldhavebustledyouoffthebusmaybenotevenwaitingforittostopmoving.”

DorsleanedforwardsoastoseeacrossSeldon.“Howisityoudidnotactinthiswayyourself?”

“I?Ihavenoanimosityagainsttribespeople.I'mascholar.”

“Ascholar?”

“Firstoneinmycohort.IstudiedattheSacratoriumSchoolanddidverywell.I'mlearnedinalltheancientartsandIhavealicensetoenterthetriballibrary,wheretheykeepbook-filmsandbooksbytribespeople.Icanviewanybook-filmorreadanybookIwishto.WeevenhaveacomputerizedreferencelibraryandIcanhandlethattoo.Thatsortofthingbroadensyourmind.Idon'tmindalittlehairshowing.I'veseenpicturesofmenwithhairmanyatime.Andwomentoo.”

HeglancedquicklyatDors.

TheyateinsilenceforawhileandthenSeldonsaid,“InoticethateveryBrotherwhoentersorleavestheSacratoriumiswearingaredsash.”

“Ohyes,”saidMyceliumSeventy-Two.“Overtheleftshoulderandaroundtherightsideofthewaist–usuallyveryfancilyembroidered.”

“Whyisthat?”

“It'scalledan'obiah.'ItsymbolizesthejoyfeltatenteringtheSacratoriumandthebloodonewouldspilltopreserveit.”

“Blood?”saidDors,frowning.

“Justasymbol.IneveractuallyheardofanyonespillingbloodovertheSacratorium.Forthatmatter,thereisn'tthatmuchjoy.it'smostlywailingandmourningandprostratingone'sselfovertheLostWorld.”Hisvoicedroppedandbecamesoft.“Verysilly.”

Dorssaid,“You'renota…abeliever?”

“I'mascholar,”saidMyceliumwithobviouspride.Hisfacewrinkledashegrinnedandtookonanevenmorepronouncedappearanceofage.Seldonfoundhimselfwonderinghowoldthemanwas.Severalcenturies?–No,they'ddisposedofthat.Itcouldn'tbeandyet–

“Howoldareyou?”Seldonaskedsuddenly,involuntarily.

MyceliumSeventy-Twoshowednosignsoftakingoffenseatthequestion,nordidhedisplayanyhesitationatanswering,“Sixty-seven.”

Seldonhadtoknow.“Iwastoldthatyourpeoplebelievethatinveryearlytimeseveryonelivedforseveralcenturies.”

MyceliumSeventy-TwolookedatSeldonquizzically.“Nowhowdidyoufindthatout?

Someonemusthavebeentalkingoutofturn…butitstrue.Thereisthatbelief.

Onlytheunsophisticatedbelieveit,buttheEldersencourageitbecauseitshowsoursuperiority.Actually,ourlifeexpectancyishigherthanelsewherebecauseweeatmorenutritionally,butlivingevenonecenturyisrare.”

“Itakeityoudon'tconsiderMycogenianssuperior,”saidSeldon.

MyceliumSeventy-Twosaid,“There'snothingwrongwithMycogenians.They'recertainlynotinferior.Still,Ithinkthatallmenareequal.–Evenwomen,”headded,lookingacrossatDors.

“Idon'tsuppose,”saidSeldon,“thatmanyofyourpeoplewouldagreewiththat.”

“Ormanyofyourpeople,”saidMyceliumSeventy-Twowithafaintresentment.“Ibelieveit,though.Ascholarhasto.I'veviewedandevenreadallthegreatliteratureofthetribespeople.Iunderstandyourculture.I'vewrittenarticlesonit.Icansitherejustascomfortablywithyouasthoughyouwere…tit.”

Dorssaidalittlesharply,“Yousoundproudofunderstandingtribespeople'sways.HaveyouevertraveledoutsideMycogen?”

MyceliumSeventy-Twoseemedtomoveawayalittle.“No.”

“Whynot?Youwouldgettoknowusbetter.”

“Iwouldn'tfeelright.I'dhavetowearawig.I'dbeashamed.”

Dorssaid,“Whyawig?Youcouldstaybald.”

“No,”saidMyceliumSeventy-Two,“Iwouldn'tbethatkindoffool.I'dbemistreatedbyallthehairyones.”

“Mistreated?Why?”saidDors.“WehaveagreatmanynaturallybaldpeopleeverywhereonTrantorandoneveryotherworldtoo.”

“Myfatherisquitebald,”saidSeldonwithasigh,“andIpresumethatinthedecadestocomeIwillbebaldtoo.Myhairisn'tallthatthicknow.”

“That'snotbald,”saidMyceliumSeventy-Two.“Youkeephairaroundtheedges

andoveryoureyes.Imeanbald–nohairatall.”

“Anywhereonyourbody?”saidDors,interested.

AndnowMyceliumSeventy-Twolookedoffendedandsaidnothing.

Seldon,anxioustogettheconversationbackontrack,said,“Tellme,MyceliumSeventy-Two,cantribespeopleentertheSacratoriumasspectators?”

MyceliumSeventy-Twoshookhisheadvigorously.“Never.It'sfortheSonsoftheDawnonly.”

Dorssaid,“OnlytheSons?”

MyceliumSeventy-Twolookedshockedforamoment,thensaidforgivingly,“Well,you'retribespeople.DaughtersoftheDawnenteronlyoncertaindaysandtimes.That'sjustthewayitis.Idon'tsayIapprove.Ifitwasuptome,I'dsay,'Goin.Enjoyifyoucan.'Soonerothersthanme,infact.”

“Don'tyouevergoin?”

“WhenIwasyoung,myparentstookme,but”–heshookhishead–“itwasjustpeoplestaringattheBookandreadingfromitandsighingandweepingfortheolddays.It'sverydepressing.Youcan'ttalktoeachother.Youcan'tlaugh.Youcan'tevenlookateachother.YourmindhastobetotallyontheLostWorld.Totally.”Hewavedahandinrejection.“Notforme.I'mascholarandIwantthewholeworldopentome.”

“Good,”saidSeldon,seeinganopening.“Wefeelthatwaytoo.Wearescholarsalso,Dorsandmyself.”

“Iknow,”saidMyceliumSeventy-Two.“Youknow?Howdoyouknow?”

“You'dhavetobe.TheonlytribespeopleallowedinMycogenareImperialofficialsanddiplomats,importanttraders,andscholars–andtomeyouhavethelookofscholars.That'swhatinterestedmeinyou.Scholarstogether.”Hesmileddelightedly.

“Soweare.Iamamathematician.Dorsisahistorian.Andyou?”

“Ispecializein…culture.I'vereadallthegreatworksofliteratureofthetribespeople:Lissauer,Mentone,Novigor–”

“Andwehavereadthegreatworksofyourpeople.I'vereadtheBook,forinstance.–AbouttheLostWorld.”

MyceliumSeventy-Two'seyesopenedwideinsurprise.Hisolivecomplexionseemedtofadealittle.“Youhave?How?Where?”

“AtourUniversitywehavecopiesthatwecanreadifwehavepermission.”

“CopiesoftheBook?”

“Yes.”

“IwonderiftheEldersknowthis?”

Seldonsaid,“AndI'vereadaboutrobots.”

“Robots?”

“Yes.ThatiswhyIwouldliketobeabletoentertheSacratorium.Iwouldliketoseetherobot.”(DorskickedlightlyatSeldon'sankle,butheignoredher.)MyceliumSeventy-Twosaiduneasily,“Idon'tbelieveinsuchthings.Scholarlypeopledon't.”

Buthelookedaboutasthoughhewasafraidofbeingoverheard.

Seldonsaid,“I'vereadthatarobotstillexistsintheSacratorium.”

MyceliumSeventy-Twosaid,“Idon'twanttotalkaboutsuchnonsense.”

Seldonpersisted.“WherewoulditbeifitwasintheSacratorium?”

“Evenifonewasthere,Icouldn'ttellyou.Ihaven'tbeenintheresinceIwasachild.”

“Wouldyouknowiftherewasaspecialplace,ahiddenplace?”

“There'stheElders'aerie.OnlyEldersgothere,butthere'snothingthere.”

“Haveyoueverbeenthere?”

“No,ofcoursenot.”

“Thenhowdoyouknow?”

“Idon'tknowthatthere'snopomegranatetreethere.Idon'tknowthatthere'snolaser-organthere.Idon'tknowthatthere'snoitemofamilliondifferentkindsthere.Doesmylackofknowledgeoftheirabsenceshowtheyareallpresent?”

Forthemoment,Seldonhadnothingtosay.

AghostofasmilebrokethroughMyceliumSeventy-Two'slookofconcern.Hesaid,“That'sscholars'reasoning.I'mnotaneasymantotackle,yousee.Justthesame,Iwouldn'tadviseyoutotrytogetupintotheElders'aerie.Idon'tthinkyou'dlikewhatwouldhappeniftheyfoundatribesmaninside.–Well.BestoftheDawntoyou.”Andherosesuddenly–withoutwarning–andhurriedaway.

Seldonlookedafterhim,rathersurprised.“Whatmadehimrushofflikethat?”

“Ithink,”saidDors,“it'sbecausesomeoneisapproaching.”

Andsomeonewas.Atallmaninanelaboratewhitekirtle,crossedbyanevenmoreelaborateandsubtlyglitteringredsash,glidedsolemnlytowardthem.Hehadtheunmistakablelookofamanwithauthorityandtheevenmoreunmistakablelookofonewhoisnotpleased.

53

HariSeldonroseasthenewMycogenianapproached.Hehadn'ttheslightestideawhetherthatwastheappropriatepolitebehavior,buthehadthedistinctfeelingitwoulddonoharm.DorsVenabilirosewithhimandcarefullykepthereyeslowered.

Theotherstoodbeforethem.Hetoowasanoldman,butmoresubtlyagedthanMyceliumSeventy-Two.Ageseemedtolenddistinctiontohisstill-handsomeface.Hisbaldheadwasbeautifullyroundandhiseyeswereastartlingblue,contrastingsharplywiththebrightall–butglowingredofhissash.

Thenewcomersaid,“Iseeyouaretribespeople.”Hisvoicewasmorehigh-pitchedthanSeldonhadexpected,buthespokeslowly,asthoughconsciousoftheweightofauthorityineverywordheuttered.

“Soweare,”saidSeldonpolitelybutfirmly.Hesawnoreasonnottodefertotheother'sposition,buthedidnotintendtoabandonhisown.

“Yournames?”

“IamHariSeldonofHelicon.MycompanionisDorsVenabiliofCinna.Andyours,manofMycogen?”

Theeyesnarrowedindispleasure,buthetoocouldrecognizeanairofauthoritywhenhefeltit.

“IamSkystripTwo,”hesaid,liftinghisheadhigher,“anElderoftheSacratorium.Andyourposition,tribesman?”

“We,“saidSeldon,emphasizingthepronoun,“arescholarsofStreelingUniversity.IamamathematicianandmycompanionisahistorianandweareheretostudythewaysofMycogen.”

“Bywhoseauthority?”

“BythatofSunmasterFourteen,whogreetedusonourarrival.”

SkystripTwofellsilentforamomentandthenasmallsmileappearedonhisfaceandhetookonanairthatwasalmostbenign.Hesaid,“TheHighElder.Iknowhimwell.”

“Andsoyoushould,”saidSeldonblandly.“Isthereanythingelse,Elder?”

“Yes.”TheElderstrovetoregainthehighground.“WhowasthemanwhowaswithyouandwhohurriedawaywhenIapproached?”

Seldonshookhishead,“Weneversawhimbefore,Elder,andknownothingabouthim.WeencounteredhimpurelybyaccidentandaskedabouttheSacratorium.”

“Whatdidyouaskhim?”

“Twoquestions,Elder.WeaskedifthatbuildingwastheSacratoriumandiftribespeoplewereallowedtoenterit.Heansweredintheaffirmativetothefirstquestionandinthenegativetothesecond.”

“Quiteso.AndwhatisyourinterestintheSacratorium?”

“Sir,weareheretostudythewaysofMycogenandisnottheSacratoriumtheheartandbrainofMycogen?”

“Itisentirelyoursandreservedforus.”

“EvenifanElder–theHighElder–wouldarrangeforpermissioninviewofourscholarlyfunction?”

“HaveyouindeedtheHighElder'spermission?”SeldonhesitatedtheslightestmomentwhileDors'seyesliftedbrieflytolookathimsideways.Hedecidedhecouldnotcarryoffalieofthismagnitude.

“No,”hesaid,“notyet.”

“Orever,”saidtheElder.“YouarehereinMycogenbyauthority,buteventhehighestauthoritycannotexerttotalcontroloverthepublic.WevalueourSacratoriumandthepopulacecaneasilygrowexcitedoverthepresenceofatribespersonanywhereinMycogenbut,mostparticularly,inthevicinityoftheSacratorium.Itwouldtakeoneexcitablepersontoraiseacryof

'Invasion!'andapeacefulcrowdsuchasthisonewouldbeturnedintoonethatwouldbethirstingtotearyouapart.Imeanthatquiteliterally.Foryourowngood,eveniftheHighElderhasshownyoukindness,leave.Now!”

“ButtheSacratorium–”saidSeldonstubbornly,thoughDorswaspullinggentlyathiskirtle.

“WhatisthereintheSacratoriumthatcanpossiblyinterestyou?”saidtheElder.“Youseeitnow.Thereisnothingforyoutoseeintheinterior.”

“Thereistherobot,”saidSeldon.

TheElderstaredatSeldoninshockedsurpriseandthen,bendingtobringhislipsclosetoSeldon'sear,whisperedharshly,“LeavenoworIwillraisethecryof'Invasion!'myself.Nor,wereitnotfortheHighElder,wouldIgiveyoueventhisonechancetoleave.”

AndDors,withsurprisingstrength,nearlypulledSeldonoffhisfeetasshesteppedhastilyaway,dragginghimalonguntilhecaughthisbalanceandsteppedquicklyafterher.

54

Itwasoverbreakfastthenextmorning,notsooner,thatDorstookupthesubject–andinawaythatSeldonfoundmostwounding.

Shesaid,“Well,thatwasaprettyfiascoyesterday.”

Seldon,whohadhonestlythoughthehadgottenawaywithitwithoutcomment,lookedsullen.“Whatmadeitafiasco?”

“Drivenoutiswhatwewere.Andforwhat?Whatdidwegain?”

“Onlytheknowledgethatthereisarobotinthere.”

“MyceliumSeventy-Twosaidtherewasn't.”

“Ofcoursehesaidthat.He'sascholar–orthinksheis–endwhathedoesn'tknowabouttheSacratoriumwouldprobablyfillthatlibraryhegoesto.YousawtheElder'sreaction.”

“Icertainlydid.”

“Hewouldnothavereactedlikethatiftherewasnorobotinside.Hewashorrifiedweknew.”

“That'sjustyourguess,Hari.Andeveniftherewas,wecouldn'tgetin.”

“Wecouldcertainlytry.Afterbreakfast,wegooutandbuyasashforme,oneofthoseobiahs.Iputiton,keepmyeyesdevoutlydownward,andwalkrightin.”

“Skincapandall?They'llspotyouinamicrosecond.”

“No,theywon't.We'llgointothelibrarywhereallthetribespeopledataiskept.I'dliketoseeitanyway.Fromthelibrary,whichisaSacratoriumannex,Igather,therewillprobablybeanentranceintotheSacratorium–”

“Whereyouwillbepickedupatonce.”

“Notatall.YouheardwhatMyceliumSeventy-Twohadtosay.EveryonekeepshiseyesdownandmeditatesontheirgreatLostWorld,Aurora.Noonelooksatanyoneelse.Itwouldprobablybeagrievousbreachofdisciplinetodoso.ThenI'llfindtheElders'aerie–”

“Justlikethat?”

“Atonepoint,MyceliumSeventy-TwosaidhewouldadvisemenottotrytogetupintotheElders'aerie.Up.ItmustbesomewhereinthattoweroftheSacratorium,thecentraltower.”

Dorsshookherhead.“Idon'trecalltheman'sexactwordsandIdon'tthinkyoudoeither.

That'saterriblyweakfoundationtowait.”Shestoppedsuddenlyandfrowned.

“Well?”saidSeldon.

“Thereisanarchaicword'aerie'thatmeans'adwellingplaceonhigh.'”

“Ah!Thereyouare.Yousee,we'velearnedsomevitalthingsastheresultofwhatyoutallafiasco.AndifIcanfindalivingrobotthat'stwentythousandyearsoldandifitcantellme–”

“Supposethatsuchathingexists,whichpassesbelief,andthatyoufindit,whichisnotverylikely,howlongdoyouthinkyouwillbeabletotalktoitbeforeyourpresenceisdiscovered?”

“Idon'tknow,butifIcanproveitexistsandifIcanfindit,thenI'llthinkofsomewaytotalktoit.It'stoolateformetobackoutnowunderanycircumstances.HumminshouldhaveleftmealonewhenIthoughttherewasno

wayofachievingpsychohistory.Nowthatitseemstheremaybe,Iwon'tletanythingstopme–shortofbeingkilled.”

“TheMycogeniansmayoblige,Hari,andyoucan'trunthatrisk.”

“Yes,Ican.I'mgoingtotry.”

“No,Hari.ImustlookafteryouandIcan'tletyou.”

“Youmustletme.Findingawaytoworkoutpsychohistoryismoreimportantthanmysafety.

MysafetyisonlyimportantbecauseImayworkoutpsychohistory.Preventmefromdoingsoandyourtasklosesitsmeaning.–Thinkaboutit.”

Harifelthimselfinfusedwitharenewedsenseofpurpose.Psychohistory–hisnebuloustheorythathehad,suchashortwhileago,despairedeverofproving–loomedlarger,morereal.Nowhehadtobelievethatitwaspossible;hecouldfeelitinhisgut.Thepiecesseemedtobefallingtogetherandalthoughhecouldn'tseethewholepatternyet,hewassuretheSacratoriumwouldyieldanotherpiecetothepuzzle.

“ThenI'llgoinwithyousoIcanpullyouout,youidiot,whenthetimecomes.”

“Womencan'tenter.”

“Whatmakesmeawoman?Onlythisgraykirtle.Youcan'tseemybreastsunderit.Idon'thaveawoman'sstylehairdowiththeskincapon.Ihavethesamewashed,unmarkedfaceamanhas.Themenheredon'thavestubble.AllIneedisawhitekirtleandasashandIcanenter.AnySistercoulddoitifshewasn'theldbackbyataboo.Iamnotheldbackbyone.”

“You'reheldbackbyme.Iwon'tletyou.It'stoodangerous.”

“Nomoredangerousformethanforyou.”

“ButImusttaketherisk.”

“ThensomustI.Whyisyourimperativegreaterthanmine?”

“Because–”Seldonpausedinthought.

“Justtellyourselfthis,”saidDors,hervoicehardasrock.“Iwon'tletyougotherewithoutme.Ifyoutry,Iwillknockyouunconsciousandtieyouup.Ifyoudon'tlikethat,thengiveupanythoughtofgoingalone.”

Seldonhesitatedandmuttereddarkly.Hegaveuptheargument,atleastfornow.

55

Theskywasalmostcloudless,butitwasapaleblue,asthoughwrappedinahighthinmist.

That,thoughtSeldon,wasagoodtouch,butsuddenlyhemissedthesunitself.NooneonTrantorsawtheplanet'ssununlessheorshewentUppersideandeventhenonlywhenthenaturalcloudlayerbroke.

DidnativeTrantoriansmissthesun?Didtheygiveitanythought?Whenoneofthemvisitedanotherworldwhereanaturalsunwasinview,didheorshestare,half-blinded,atitwithawe?

Why,hewondered,didsomanypeoplespendtheirlivesnottryingtofindanswerstoquestions–noteventhinkingofquestionstobeginwith?Wasthereanythingmoreexcitinginlifethanseekinganswers?

Hisglanceshiftedtogroundlevel.Thewideroadwaywaslinedwithlowbuildings,mostofthemshops.Numerousindividualground-carsmovedinbothdirections,eachhuggingtherightside.Theyseemedlikeacollectionofantiques,buttheywereelectricallydrivenandquitesoundless.Seldonwonderedif“antique”wasalwaysawordtosneerat.Coulditbethatsilencemadeupforslowness?Wasthereanyparticularhurrytolife,afterall?

TherewereanumberofchildrenonthewalkwaysandSeldon'slipspressedtogetherinannoyance.Clearly,anextendedlifespanfortheMycogenianswasimpossibleunlesstheywerewillingtoindulgeininfanticide.Thechildrenofbothsexes(thoughitwashardtotelltheboysfromthegirls)worekirtlesthatcameonlyafewinchesbelowtheknee,makingthewildactivityofchildhoodeasier.

Thechildrenalsostillhadhair,reducedtoaninchinlengthatmost,butevensotheolderonesamongthemhadhoodsattachedtotheirkirtlesandworethemraised,hidingthetopoftheheadaltogether.Itwasasthoughtheyweregettingoldenoughtomakethehairseematrifleobscene–oroldenoughtobewishingtohideit,inlongingforthedayofriteofpassagewhentheyweredepilated.

AthoughtoccurredtoSeldon.Hesaid,“Dors,whenyou'vebeenoutshopping,whopaid,youortheRaindropwomen?”

“Ididofcourse.TheRaindropsneverproducedacredittile.Butwhyshouldthey?Whatwasbeingboughtwasforus,notforthem.”

“ButyouhaveaTrantoriancredittile–atribeswomancredittile.”

“Ofcourse,Hari,buttherewasnoproblem.ThepeopleofMycogenmaykeeptheirowncultureandwaysofthoughtandhabitsoflifeastheywish.Theycandestroytheircephalichairandwearkirtles.Nevertheless,theymustusetheworld'scredits.Iftheydon't,thatwouldchokeoffcommerceandnosensiblepersonwouldwanttodothat.Thecreditsnerve,Hari.”Sheheldupherhandasthoughshewasholdinganinvisiblecredittile.

“Andtheyacceptedyourcredittile?”

“Neverapeepoutofthem.Andneverawordaboutmyskincap.Creditssanitizeeverything.”

“Well,that'sgood.SoIcanbuy–”

“No,I'lldothebuying.Creditsmaysanitizeeverything,buttheymoreeasilysanitizeatribeswoman.They'resousedtopayingwomenlittleornoattentionthattheyautomaticallypaymethesame.–Andhere'stheclothingstoreI'vebeenusing.”

“I'llwaitouthere.Getmeaniceredsash–onethatlooksimpressive.”

“Don'tpretendyou'veforgottenourdecision.I'llgettwo.Andanotherwhitekirtlealso…tomymeasurements.”

“Won'ttheythinkitoddthatawomanwouldbebuyingawhitekirtle?”

“Ofcoursenot.They'llassumeI'mbuyingitforamalecompanionwhohappenstobemysize.Actually,Idon'tthinkthey'llbotherwithanyassumptionsatallaslongasmycredittileisgood.”

Seldonwaited,half-expectingsomeonetocomeupandgreethimasatribesmanordenouncehimasone–morelikely–butnoonedid.Thosewhopassedhimdidsowithoutaglanceandeventhosewhoglancedinhisdirectionmovedonseeminglyuntouched.Hewasespeciallynervousaboutthegraykirtles–thewomen–walkingbyinpairsor,evenworse,withaman.Theyweredowntrodden,unnoticed,snubbed.Howbettertogainabriefnotorietythanbyshriekingatthesightofatribesman?Buteventhewomenmovedon.

They'renotexpectingtoseeatribesman,Seldonthought,sotheydon'tseeone.

That,hedecided,auguredwellfortheirforthcominginvasionoftheSacratorium.Howmuchlesswouldanyoneexpecttoseetribespeoplethereandhowmuchmoreeffectivelywouldtheythereforefailtoseethem!

HewasinfairlygoodhumorwhenDorsemerged.

“Youhaveeverything?”

“Absolutely.”

“Thenletsgobacktotheroom,soyoucanchange.”

Thewhitekirtledidnotfitherquiteaswellasthegrayonedid.Obviously,shecouldnothavetrieditonoreventhedensestshopkeeperwouldhavebeenstruckwithalarm.

“HowdoIlook,Hari?”sheasked.

“Exactlylikeaboy,”saidSeldon.“Nowlet'strythesash…orobiah.Ihadbettergetusedtocallingitthat.”

Dors,withoutherskincap,wasshakingoutherhairgratefully.Shesaidsharply,“Don'tputitonnow.We'renotgoingtoparadethroughMycogenwiththesashon.Thelastthingwewanttodoiscallattentiontoourselves.”

“Nono.Ijustwanttoseehowitgoeson.”

“Well,notthatone.Thisoneisbetterqualityandmoreelaborate.”

“You'reright,Dors.I'vegottogatherinwhatattentionthereis.Idon'twantthemtodetectyouasawoman.”

“I'mnotthinkingofthat,Hari.Ijustwantyoutolookpretty.”

“Athousandthanks,butthat'simpossible,Isuspect.Now,let'ssee,howdoesthiswork?”

Together,HariandDorspracticedputtingtheirobiahsonandtakingthemoff,overandoveragain,untiltheycoulddoitinonefluidmotion.DorstaughtHarihowtodoit,asshehadseenamandoingitthedaybeforeattheSacratorium.

WhenHaripraisedherforheracuteobservations,sheblushedandsaid,“Itsreallynothing,Hari,justsomethingInoticed.”

Harireplied,“Thenyou'reageniusfornoticing.”

Finallysatisfied,theystoodwellapart,eachsurveyingtheother.Hari'sobiahglittered,abrightreddragon-likedesignstandingoutagainstapalerfieldofsimilarhue.Dors'swasalittlelessbold,hadasimplethinlinedownthecenter,andwasverylightincolor.“There,”shesaid,“justenoughtoshowgoodtaste.”Shetookitoff.

“Now,”saidSeldon,“wefolditupanditgoesintooneoftheinnerpockets.Ihavemycredittile–Hummin's,really–andthekeytothisplaceinthisoneandhere,ontheotherside,theBook.”

“TheBook?Shouldyoubecarryingitaround?”

“Imust.I'mguessingthatanyonegoingtotheSacratoriumoughttohaveacopyoftheBookwithhim.Theymayintonepassagesorhavereadings.Ifnecessary,we'llsharetheBookandmaybenoonewillnotice.Ready?”

“I'llneverbeready,butI'mgoingwithyou.”

“Itwillbeatedioustrip.Willyoucheckmyskincapandmakesurenohairshowsthistime?

Anddon'tscratchyourhead.”

“Iwon't.Youlookallright.”

“Sodoyou.”

“Youalsolooknervous.”

AndSeldonsaidwryly,“Guesswhy!”

DorsreachedoutimpulsivelyandsqueezedHari'shand,thendrewbackasifsurprisedatherself.Lookingdown,shestraightenedherwhitekirtle.Hari,himselfatriflesurprisedandpeculiarlypleased,clearedhisthroatandsaid,“Okay,let'sgo.”

AERIE

ROBOT–…Atermusedintheancientlegendsofseveralworldsforwhataremoreusuallycalled“automata.”Robotsaredescribedasgenerallyhumaninshapeandmadeofmetal,althoughsomearesupposedtohavebeenpseudoorganicinnature.HariSeldon,inthecourseofTheFlight,ispopularlysupposedtohaveseenanactualrobot,butthatstoryisofdubiousorigin.NowhereinSeldon'svoluminouswritingsdoeshementionrobotsatall,although…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

56

Theywerenotnoticed.

HariSeldonandDorsVenabilirepeatedthetripofthedaybeforeandthistimenoonegavethemasecondlook.Hardlyanyoneevengavethemafirstlook.Onseveraloccasions,theyhadtotucktheirkneestoonesidetoallowsomeonesittingonaninnerseattogetpastthemandout.

Whensomeonegotin,theyquicklyrealizedtheyhadtomoveoveriftherewasaninneremptyseat.

Thistimetheyquicklygrewtiredofthesmellofkittiesthatwerenotfreshlylaunderedbecausetheywerenotsoeasilydivertedbywhatwentonoutside.

Buteventuallytheywerethere.

“That'sthelibrary,”saidSeldoninalowvoice.

“Isupposeso,”saidDors.“Atleastthat'sthebuildingthatMyceliumSeventy-Twopointedoutyesterday.”

Theysaunteredtowarditleisurely.

“Takeadeepbreath,”saidSeldon.“Thisisthefirsthurdle.”

Thedooraheadwasopen,thelightwithinsubdued.Therewerefivebroadstonestepsleadingupward.Theysteppedontothelowermostoneandwaitedseveralmomentsbeforetheyrealizedthattheirweightdidnotcausethestepstomoveupward.DorsgrimacedveryslightlyandgesturedSeldonupward.

Togethertheywalkedupthestairs,feelingembarrassedonbehalfofMycogenforitsbackwardness.Then,throughadoor,where,atadeskimmediatelyinsidewasamanbentoverthesimplestandclumsiestcomputerSeldonhadeverseen.

Themandidnotlookupatthem.Noneed,Seldonsupposed.Whitekirtle,baldhead–allMycogenianslookedsonearlythesamethatone'seyesslidoffthemandthatwastothetribespeople'sadvantageatthemoment.

Theman,whostillseemedtobestudyingsomethingonthedesk,said,“Scholars?”

“Scholars,”saidSeldon.Themanjerkedhisheadtowardadoor.“Goin.Enjoy.”

Theymovedinwardand,asnearlyastheycouldsee,theyweretheonlyonesinthissectionofthelibrary.Eitherthelibrarywasnotapopularresortorthescholarswerefewor–mostlikely–both.

Seldonwhispered,“IthoughtsurelywewouldhavetopresentsomesortoflicenseorpermissionformandIwouldhavetopleadhavingforgottenit.”

“Heprobablywelcomesourpresenceunderanyterms.Didyoueverseeaplacelikethis?Ifaplace,likeaperson,couldbedead,wewouldbeinsideacorpse.”

Mostofthebooksinthissectionwereprint-booksliketheBookinSeldon'sinnerpocket.

Dorsdriftedalongtheshelves,studyingthem.Shesaid,“Oldbooks,forthemostpart.Partclassic.

Partworthless.”

“Outsidebooks?Non-Mycogen,Imean?”

“Ohyes.Iftheyhavetheirownbooks,theymustbekeptinanothersection.Thisoneisforoutsideresearchforpoorlittleself-styledscholarslikeyesterday's.–Thisisthereferencedepartmentandhere'sanImperialEncyclopedia…mustbefiftyyearsoldifaday…andacomputer.”

ShereachedforthekeysandSeldonstoppedher.“Wait.Somethingcouldgowrongandwe'llbedelayed.”

Hepointedtoadiscreetsignaboveafree-standingsetofshelvesthatglowedwiththelettersTOTHESACRTORIUM.ThesecondAinSACRATORIUMwasdead,possiblyrecentlyorpossiblybecausenoonecared.(TheEmpire,thoughtSeldon,wasindecay.Allpartsofit.Mycogentoo.)

Helookedabout.Thepoorlibrary,sonecessarytoMycogenianpride,perhapssousefultotheElderswhocoulduseittofindcrumbstoshoreuptheirownbeliefsandpresentthemasbeingthoseofsophisticatedtribespeople,seemedtobecompletelyempty.Noonehadenteredafterthem.

Seldonsaid,“Let'sstepinhere,outofeyeshotofthemanatthedoor,andputonoursashes.”

Andthen,atthedoor,awaresuddenlytherewouldbenoturningbackiftheypassedthissecondhurdle,hesaid,“Dors,don'tcomeinwithme.”

Shefrowned.“Whynot?”

“It'snotsafeandIdon'twantyoutobeatrisk.”

“Iamheretoprotectyou,”shesaidwithsoftfirmness.

“Whatkindofprotectioncanyoube?Icanprotectmyself,thoughyoumaynotthinkit.AndI'dbehandicappedbyhavingtoprotectyou.Don'tyouseethat?”

“Youmustn'tbeconcernedaboutme,Hari,”saidDors.“Concernismypart.”Shetappedhersashwhereitcrossedinthespacebetweenherobscuredbreasts.

“BecauseHumminaskedyouto?”

“Becausethosearemyorders.”

SheseizedSeldon'sarmsjustabovehiselbowand,asalways,hewassurprisedbyherfirmgrip.Shesaid,“I'magainstthis,Hari,butifyoufeelyoumustgoin,thenImustgointoo.”

“Allright,then.Butifanythinghappensandyoucanwriggleoutofit,run.Don'tworryaboutme.”

“You'rewastingyourbreath,Hari.Andyou'reinsultingme.”

Seldontouchedtheentrancepanelandtheportalslidopen.Together,almostinunison,theywalkedthrough.

57

Alargeroom,allthelargerbecauseitwasemptyofanythingresemblingfurniture.Nochairs,nobenches,noseatsofanykind.Nostage,nodrapery,nodecorations.

Nolights,merelyauniformilluminationofmild,unfocusedlight.Thewallswerenotentirelyblank.Periodically,arrangedinspacedfashionatvariousheightsandinnoeasyrepetitiveorder,thereweresmall,primitive,two-dimensionaltelevisionscreens,allofwhichwereoperating.FromwhereDorsandSeldonstood,therewasnoteventheillusionofathirddimension,nota

breathoftrueholovision.

Therewerepeoplepresent.Notmanyandnowheretogether.Theystoodsinglyand,likethetelevisionmonitors,innoeasyrepetitiveorder.Allwerewhite-kirtled,allsashed.

Forthemostpart,therewassilence.Noonetalkedintheusualsense.Somemovedtheirlips,murmuringsoftly.Thosewhowalkeddidsostealthily,eyesdowncast.

Theatmospherewasabsolutelyfunereal.SeldonleanedtowardDors,whoinstantlyputafingertoherlips,thenpointedtooneofthetelevisionmonitors.Thescreenshowedanidyllicgardenburstingwithblooms,thecamerapanningoveritslowly.

Theywalkedtowardthemonitorinafashionthatimitatedtheothers–slowsteps,puttingeachfootdownsoftly.

Whentheywerewithinhalfameterofthescreen,asoftinsinuatingvoicemadeitselfheard:

“ThegardenofAntennin,asreproducedfromancientguidebooksandphotographs,locatedintheoutskirtsofEos.Notethe–”

DorssaidinawhisperSeldonhadtroublecatchingoverthesoundoftheset,“Itturnsonwhensomeoneiscloseanditwillturnoffifwestepaway.Ifwe'recloseenough,wecantalkundercover,butdon'tlookatmeandstopspeakingifanyoneapproaches.”

Seldon,hisheadbent,hishandsclaspedbeforehim(hehadnotedthatthiswasapreferredposture),said,“AnymomentIexpectsomeonetostartwailing.”

“Someonemight.They'remourningtheirLostWorld,”saidDors.

“Ihopetheychangethefilmseveryonceinawhile.Itwouldbedeadlytoalwaysseethesameones.”

“They'realldifferent,”saidDors,hereyesslidingthiswayandthat.“Theymaychangeperiodically.Idon'tknow.”

“Wait!”saidSeldonjustahair'sbreadthtooloud.Heloweredhisvoiceandsaid,“Comethisway.”

Dorsfrowned,failingtomakeoutthewords,butSeldongesturedslightlywithhishead.

Againthestealthywalk,butSeldon'sfootstepsincreasedinlengthashefelttheneedforgreaterspeedandDors,catchingup,pulledsharply–ifverybriefly–athiskirtle.Heslowed.

“Robotshere,”hesaidunderthecoverofthesoundasitcameon.

Thepictureshowedthecornerofadwellingplacewitharollinglawnandalineofhedgesintheforegroundandthreeofwhatcouldonlybedescribedasrobots.Theyweremetallic,apparently,andvaguelyhumaninshape.

Therecordingsaid,“Thisisaview,recentlyconstructed,oftheestablishmentofthefamousWendomeestateofthethirdcentury.Therobotyouseenearthecenterwas,accordingtotradition,namedBendarandservedtwenty-twoyears,accordingtotheancientrecords,beforebeingreplaced.”

Dorssaid,“'Recentlyconstructed,'sotheymustchangeviews.”

“Unlessthey'vebeensaying'recentlyconstructed'forthelastthousandyears.”

AnotherMycogeniansteppedintothesoundpatternofthesceneandsaidinalowvoice,thoughnotaslowasthewhisperingsofSeldonandDors,“Greetings,Brothers.”

HedidnotlookatSeldonandDonsashespokeandafteroneinvoluntaryandstartledglance,Seldonkepthisheadaverted.Dorshadignoreditall.

Seldonhesitated.MyceliumSeventy-TwohadsaidthattherewasnotalkingintheSacratorium.Perhapshehadexaggerated.ThentoohehadnotbeenintheSacratoriumsincehewasachild.

Desperately,Seldondecidedhemustspeak.Hesaidinawhisper,“Andtoyou,Brother,greetings.”

Hehadnoideawhetherthatwasthecorrectformulaofreplyoriftherewasaformula,buttheMycogenianseemedtofindnothingamissinit.

“ToyouinAurora,”hesaid.

“Andtoyou,”saidSeldonandbecauseitseemedtohimthattheotherexpectedmore,headded,“inAurora,”andtherewasanimpalpablereleaseoftension.

Seldonfelthisforeheadgrowingmoist.

TheMycogeniansaid,“Beautiful!Ihaven'tseenthisbefore.”

“Skillfullydone,”saidSeldon.Then,inaburstofdaring,headded,“Alossnevertobeforgotten.”

Theotherseemedstartled,thensaid,“Indeed,indeed,”andmovedaway.

Dorshissed,“Takenochances.Don'tsaywhatyoudon'thaveto.'

“Itseemednatural.Anyway,thisitrecent.Butthosearedisappointingrobots.TheyarewhatIwouldexpectautomatatobe.Iwanttoseetheorganicones–thehumanoids.”

“Iftheyexisted,”saidDorswithsomehesitation,“itseemstometheywouldn'tbeusedforgardeningjobs.”

“True,”saidSeldon.“WemustfindtheElders'aerie.”

“Ifthatexists.Itseemstomethereisnothinginthishollowcavebutahollowcave.”

“Let'slook.”

Theypacedalongthewall,passingfromscreentoscreen,tryingtowaitateachforirregularintervalsuntilDorsclutchedSeldon'sarms.Betweentwoscreenswerelinesmarkingoutafaintrectangle.

“Adoor,”Dorssaid.Thensheweakenedtheassertionbyadding,“Doyouthink?”

Seldonlookedaboutsurreptitiously.Itwasinthehighestdegreeconvenientthat,inkeepingwiththemourningatmosphere,everyface,whennotfixedonatelevisionmonitor,wasbentinsadconcentrationonthefloor.

Seldonsaid,“Howdoyousupposeitwouldopen?”

“Anentrancepatch.”

“Ican'tmakeoutany.”

“It'sjustnotmarkedout,butthere'saslightdiscolorationthere.Doyouseeit?Howmanypalms?Howmanytimes?”

“I'lltry.Keepaneyeoutandkickmeifanyonelooksinthisdirection.”

Heheldhisbreathcasually,touchedthediscoloredspottonoavail,andthenplacedhispalmfulluponitandpressed.

Thedooropenedsilently–notacreak,notascrape.SeldonsteppedthroughasrapidlyashecouldandDorsfollowedhim.Thedoorclosedbehindthem.

“Thequestionis,”saidDors,“didanyoneseeus?”

Seldonsaid,“Eldersmustgothroughthisdoorfrequently.”

“Yes,butwillanyonethinkweareElders?”

Seldonwaited,thensaid,“Ifwewereobservedandifanyonethoughtsomethingwaswrong,thisdoorwouldhavebeenflungopenagainwithinfifteensecondsofourentering.”

“Possibly,”saidDorsdryly,“orpossiblythereisnothingtobeseenordoneonthissideofthedoorandnoonecaresifweenter.”

“Thatremainstobeseen,”mutteredSeldon.

Therathernarrowroomtheyhadenteredwassomewhatdark,butastheysteppedfartherintoit,thelightbrightened.

Therewerechairs,wideandcomfortable,smalltables,severaldavenports,a

deepandtallrefrigerator,cupboards.

“IfthisistheElders'aerie,”saidSeldon,“theEldersseemtodothemselvescomfortably,despitetheausterityoftheSacratoriumitself.”

“Aswouldbeexpected,”saidDors.“Asceticismamongarulingclass–exceptforpublicshow–isveryrare.Putthatdowninyournotebookforpsychohistoricalaphorisms.”Shelookedabout.“Andthereisnorobot.”

Seldonsaid,“Aaerieisahighposition,remember,andthisceilingisnot.Theremustbeupperstoreysandthatmustbetheway.”Hepointedtoawell-carpetedstairway.

Hedidnotadvancetowardit,however,butlookedaboutvaguely.

Dorsguessedwhathewasseeking.Shesaid,“Forgetaboutelevators.There'sacultofprimitivisminMycogen.Surely,youhaven'tforgottenthat,haveyou?Therewouldbenoelevatorsand,what'smore,ifweplaceourweightatthefootofthestairs,Iamquitecertainitwillnotbeginmovingupward.We'regoingtohavetoclimbit.Severalflights,perhaps.”

“Climbit?”

“Itmust,inthenatureofthings,leadtotheaerie–ifitleadsanywhere.Doyouwanttoseetheaerieordon'tyou?”

Togethertheysteppedtowardthestaircaseandbegantheclimb.

Theywentupthreeflightsand,astheydid,thelightleveldecreasedperceptiblyandinsteadyincrements.Seldontookadeepbreathandwhispered,“Iconsidermyselftobeinprettygoodshape,butIhatethis.”

“You'renotusedtothisprecisetypeofphysicalexertion.”Sheshowednosignsofphysicaldistresswhatever.

Atthetopofthethirdflightthestairsendedandbeforethemwasanotherdoor.

“Andifit'slocked?”saidSeldon,moretohimselfthantoDors.“Dowetrytobreakitdown?”

ButDorssaid,“Whyshoulditbelockedwhenthelowerdoorwasnor?IfthisistheElders'

aerie,Iimaginethere'satabooonanyonebutElderscominghereandatabooismuchstrongerthananylock.”

“Asfarasthosewhoacceptthetabooareconcerned,”saidSeldon,buthemadenomovetowardthedoor.

“There'sstilltimetoturnback,sinceyouhesitate,”saidDors.“Infact,Iwouldadviseyoutorumback.”

“IonlyhesitatebecauseIdon'tknowwhatwe'llfindinside.Ifit'sempty–”Andthenheaddedinaratherloudervoice,“Thenit'sempty,”andhestrodeforwardandpushedagainsttheentrypanel.

ThedoorretractedwithsilentspeedandSeldontookastepbackatthesurprisingfloodoflightfromwithin.

Andthere,facinghim,eyesalivewithlight,armshalf-upraised,onefootslightlyadvancedbeforetheother,gleamingwithafaintlyyellowmetallicshine,wasahumanfigure.Forafewmoments,itseemedtobewearingatight-fittingtunic,butoncloserinspectionitbecameapparentthatthetunicwaspartofthestructureoftheobject.“It'stherobot,”saidSeldoninawe,“butit'smetallic.”

“Worsethanthat,”saidDors,whohadsteppedquicklytoonesideandthentotheother.“Itseyesdon'tfollowme.Itsarmsdon'tasmuchastremble.It'snotalive–ifonecanspeakofrobotsasbeingalive.”

Andaman–unmistakablyaman–steppedoutfrombehindtherobotandsaid,“Perhapsnot.

ButIamalive.”

Andalmostautomatically,DorssteppedforwardandtookherplacebetweenSeldonandthemanwhohadsuddenlyappeared.

58

SeldonpushedDorstooneside,perhapsashademoreroughlythanheintended.

“Idon'tneedprotection.ThisisouroldfriendSunmasterFourteen.”

Themanwhofacedthem,wearingadoublesashthatwasperhapshisrightasHighElder,said,“AndyouareTribesmanSeldon.”

“Ofcourse,”saidSeldon.

“Andthis,despitehermasculinedress,isTribeswomanVenabili.”

Dorssaidnothing.

SunmasterFourteensaid,“Youareright,ofcourse,tribesman.Youareinnodangerofphysicalharmfromme.Pleasesitdown.Bothofyou.SinceyouarenotaSister,tribeswoman,youneednotretire.Thereisaseatforyouwhich,ifyouvaluesuchadistinction,youwillbethefirstwomanevertohaveused.”

“Idonotvaluesuchadistinction,”saidDors,spacingherwordsforemphasis.

SunmasterFourteennodded.“Thatisasyouwish.Itoowillsitdown,forImustaskyouquestionsandIdonotcaretodoitstanding.”

Theyweresittingnowinacorneroftheroom.Seldon'seyeswanderedtothemetalrobot.

SunmasterFourteensaid,“Itisarobot.”

“Iknow,”saidSeldonbriefly.

“Iknowyoudo,”saidSunmasterFourteenwithsimilarcurtness.“Butnowthatwehavesettledthatmatter,whyareyouhere?”

SeldongazedsteadilyatSunmasterFourteenandsaid,“Toseetherobot.”

“DoyouknowthatnoonebutanElderisallowedintheaerie?”

“Ididnotknowthat,butIsuspectedit.”

“DoyouknowthatnotribespersonisallowedintheSacratorium?”

“Iwastoldthat.”

“Andyouignoredthefact,isthatit?”

“AsIsaid,wewantedtoseetherobot.”

“Doyouknowthatnowoman,evenaSister,isallowedintheSacratoriumexceptatcertainstated–andrare–occasions?”

“Iwastoldthat.”

“Anddoyouknowthatnowomanisatanytime–orforanyreason–allowedtodressinmasculinegarb?Thatholds,withinthebordersofMycogen,fortribeswomenaswellasforSisters.”

“Iwasnottoldthat,butIamnotsurprised.”

“Good.Iwantyoutounderstandallthis.Now,whydidyouwanttoseetherobot?”

Seldonsaidwithashrug,“Curiosity.Ihadneverseenarobotorevenknownthatsuchathingexisted.”

“Andhowdidyoucometoknowthatitdidexistand,specifically,thatitexistedhere?”

Seldonwassilent,thensaid,“Idonotwishtoanswerthatquestion.”

“IsthatwhyyouwerebroughttoMycogenbyTribesmanHummin?Toinvestigaterobots?”

“No.TribesmanHumminbroughtusherethatwemightbesecure.However,wearescholars,Dr.VenabiliandI.Knowledgeisourprovinceandtogainknowledgeisourpurpose.Mycogenislittleunderstoodoutsideitsbordersandwewishtoknowmoreaboutyourwaysandyourmethodsofthought.Itisanaturaldesireand,itseemstous,aharmless–evenpraiseworthy–one.”

“Ah,butwedonotwishtheoutertribesandworldstoknowaboutus.Thatisournaturaldesireandwearethejudgeofwhatisharmlesstousandwhat

harmful.SoIaskyouagain,tribesman:HowdidyouknowthatarobotexistedinMycogenandthatitexistedinthisroom?”

“Generalrumor,”saidSeldonatlength.

“Doyouinsistonthat?”

“Generalrumor.Iinsistonit.”

SunmasterFourteen'skeenblueeyesseemedtosharpenandhesaidwithoutraisinghisvoice,

“TribesmanSeldon,wehavelongcooperatedwithTribesmanHummin.Foratribesman,hehasseemedadecentandtrustworthyindividual.Foratribesman!Whenhebroughtyoutwotousandcommendedyoutoourprotection,wegrantedit.ButTribesmanHummin,whateverhisvirtues,isstillatribesmanandwehadmisgivings.Wewerenotatallsurewhatyour–orhis–realpurposemightbe.”

“Ourpurposewasknowledge,”saidSeldon.“Academicknowledge.TribeswomanVenabiliisahistorianandItoohaveaninterestinhistory.WhyshouldwenotbeinterestedinMycogenianhistory?”

“Foronething,becausewedonotwishyoutobe.–Inanycase,twoofourtrustedSistersweresenttoyou.Theyweretocooperatewithyou,trytofindoutwhatitwasyouwanted,and–whatistheexpressionyoutribesmenuse?–playalongwithyou.Yetnotinsuchawaythatyouwouldbetooawareastowhatwashappening.”SunmasterFourteensmiled,butitwasagrimsmile.

“RaindropForty-Five,”SunmasterFourteenwenton,“wentshoppingwithTribeswomanVenabili,butthereseemednothingoutofthewayinwhathappenedonthosetrips.Naturally,wehadafullreport.RaindropForty-Threeshowedyou,TribesmanSeldon,ourmicrofarms.Youmighthavebeensuspiciousofherwillingnesstoaccompanyyoualone,somethingthatisutterlyoutofthequestionforus,butyoureasonedthatwhatappliedtoBrothersdidnotapplytotribesmenandyouflatteredyourselfthatthatflimsybitofreasoningwonherover.Shecompliedwithyourdesire,thoughatconsiderablecosttoherpeaceofmind.And,eventually,youaskedfortheBook.Tohavehandeditover

tooeasilymighthaverousedyoursuspicion,soshepretendedtoaperversedesireonlyyoucouldsatisfy.Herself-sacrificewillnotbeforgotten.–Itakeit,tribesman,youstillhavetheBookandIsuspectyouhaveitwithyounow.MayIhaveit?”

Seldonsatinbittersilence.

SunmasterFourteen'swrinkledhandremainedobtrusivelyoutstretchedandhesaid,“Howmuchbetteritwouldbethantowrestitfromyoubyforce.”

AndSeldonhandeditover.SunmasterFourteenleafedthroughitspagesbriefly,asthoughtoreassurehimselfitwasunharmed.

Hesaidwithasmallsigh,“Itwillhavetobecarefullydestroyedintheapprovedmanner.

Sad.–ButonceyouhadthisBook,wewere,ofcourse,notsurprisedwhenyoumadeyourwayouttotheSacratorium.Youwerewatchedatalltimes,foryoucannotthinkthatanyBrotherorSister,nottotallyabsorbed,wouldnotrecognizeyoufortribespeopleataglance.WeknowaskincapwhenweseeoneandtherearelessthanseventyoftheminMycogen…almostallbelongingtotribesmenonofficialbusinesswhoremainentirelyinseculargovernmentalbuildingsduringthetimetheyarehere.Soyouwerenotonlyseenbutunmistakablyidentified,overandover.

“TheelderlyBrotherwhometyouwascarefultotellyouaboutthelibraryaswellasabouttheSacratorium,buthewasalsocarefultotellyouwhatyouwereforbiddentodo,forwedidnotwishtoentrapyou.SkystripTwoalsowarnedyou…andquiteforcibly.Nevertheless,youdidnotturnaway.

“Theshopatwhichyouboughtthewhitekirtleandthetwosashesinformedusatonceandfromthatweknewwellwhatyouintended.Thelibrarywaskeptempty,thelibrarianwaswarnedtokeephiseyestohimself,theSacratoriumwaskeptunder-utilized.TheoneBrotherwhoinadvertentlyspoketoyoualmostgaveitaway,buthastenedoffwhenherealizedwithwhomhewasdealing.Andthenyoucameuphere.

“Yousee,then,thatitwasyourintentiontocomeuphereandthatweinnoway

luredyouhere.Youcameasaresultofyourownaction,yourowndesire,andwhatIwanttoaskyou–yetonceagain–is:Why?”

ItwasDorswhoansweredthistime,hervoicefirm,hereyeshard.“Wewilltellyouyetonceagain,Mycogenian.Wearescholars,whoconsiderknowledgesacredanditisonlyknowledgethatweseek.Youdidnotlureushere,butyoudidnotstopuseither,asyoumighthavedonebeforeeverweapproachedthisbuilding.Yousmoothedourwayandmadeiteasyforusandeventhatmightbeconsideredalure.Andwhatharmhavewedone?Wehaveinnowaydisturbedthebuilding,orthisroom,oryou,orthat.”

Shepointedtotherobot.“Itisadeadlumpofmetalthatyouhidehereandwenowknowthatitisdeadandthatisalltheknowledgewesought.Wethoughtitwouldbemoresignificantandwearedisappointed,butnowthatweknowitismerelywhatitis,wewillleave–and,ifyouwish,wewillleaveMycogenaswell.”

SunmasterFourteenlistenedwithnotraceofexpressiononhisface,butwhenshewasdone,headdressedSeldon,saying,“Thisrobot,asyouseeit,isasymbol,asymbolofallwehavelostandofallwenolongerhave,ofallthat,throughthousandsofyears,wehavenotforgottenandwhatweintendsomedaytoreturnto.Becauseitisallthatremainstousthatisbothmaterialandauthentic,itisdeartous–yettoyourwomanitisonly'adeadlumpofmetal.'Doyouassociateyourselfwiththatjudgment,TribesmanSeldon?”

Seldonsaid,“Wearemembersofsocietiesthatdonottieourselvestoapastthatisthousandsofyearsold,makingnocontactatallwithwhathasexistedbetweenthatpastandourselves.Weliveinthepresent,whichwerecognizeastheproductofal!thepastandnotofonelong-gonemomentoftimethatwehugtoourchests.Werealize,intellectually,whattherobotmaymeantoyouandwearewillingtoletitcontinuetomeanthattoyou.Butwecanonlyseeitwithourowneyes,asyoucanonlyseeitwithyours.Tous,itisadeadlumpofmetal.”

“Andnow,”saidDors,“wewillleave.”

“Youwillnot,“saidSunmasterFourteen.“Bycominghere,youhavecommittedacrime.Itisacrimeonlyinoureyes,asyouwillhastentopointout”–hislipscurvedinawintrysmile“butthisisourterritoryand,withinit,wemakethe

definitions.Andthiscrime,aswedefineit,ispunishablebydeath.”

“Andyouaregoingtoshootusdown?”saidDorshaughtily.

SunmasterFourteen'sexpressionwasoneofcontemptandhecontinuedtospeakonlytoSeldon.“Whatdoyouthinkweare,TribesmanSeldon?Ourcultureisasoldasyours,ascomplex,ascivilized,ashumane.Iamnotarmed.Youwillbetriedand,sinceyouaremanifestlyguilty,executedaccordingtolaw,quicklyandpainlessly.

“Ifyouweretotrytoleavenow,Iwouldnotstopyou,buttherearemanyBrothersbelow,manymorethanthereappearedtobewhenyouenteredtheSacratoriumand,intheirrageatyouraction,theymaylayroughandforcefulhandsonyou.Ithashappenedinourhistorythattribespeoplehaveevendiedsoanditisnotapleasantdeath–certainlynotapainlessone.”

“Wewerewarnedofthis,”saidDors,“bySkystripTwo.Somuchforyourcomplex,civilized,andhumaneculture.”

“Peoplecanbemovedmviolenceatmomentsofemotion,TribesmanSeldon,”saidSunmasterFourteencalmly,“whatevertheirhumanityinmomentsofcalm.Thisistrueineveryculture,asyourwoman,whoissaidtobeahistorian,mustsurelyknow.”

Seldonsaid,“Letusremainreasonable,SunmasterFourteen.YoumaybethelawinMycogenoverlocalaffairs,butyouarenotthelawoverusandyouknowit.Wearebothnon-MycogeniancitizensoftheEmpireanditistheEmperorandhisdesignatedlegalofficerswhomustremaininchargeofanycapitaloffense.”

SunmasterFourteensaid,“Thatmaybesoinstatutesandonpapersandonholovisionscreens,butwearenottalkingtheorynow.TheHighElderhaslonghadthepowertopunishcrimesofsacrilegewithoutinterferencefromtheImperialthrone.”

“Ifthecriminalsareyourownpeople,”saidSeldom“Itwouldbequitedifferentiftheywereoutsiders.”

“Idoubtitinthiscase.TribesmanHumminbroughtyouhereasfugitivesandwearenotsoyeast–headedinMycogenthatwedon'tstronglysuspectthatyouare

fugitivesfromtheEmperor'slaws.Whyshouldheobjectifwedohisworkforhim?”

“Because,”saidSeldon,“hewould.EvenifwewerefugitivesfromtheImperialauthoritiesandevenifhewantedusonlytopunishus,hewouldstillwantus.Toallowyoutokill,bywhatevermeansandforwhateverreason,non-MycogenianswithoutdueImperialprocesswouldbetodefyhisauthorityandnoEmperorcouldallowsuchaprecedent.Nomatterhoweagerhemightbetoseethatthemicrofoodtradenotbeinterrupted,hewouldstillfeelitnecessarytore-establishtheImperialprerogative.Doyouwish,inyoureagernesstokillus,tohoveadivisionofImperialsoldierylootyourfarmsandyourdwellings,desecrateyourSacratorium,andtakelibertieswiththeSisters:Consider.”

SunmasterFourteensmiledonceagain,butdisplayednosoftness.“Actually,Ihaveconsideredandthereisanalternative.Afterwecondemnyou,wecoulddelayyourexecutiontoallowyoutoappealtotheEmperorforareviewofyourcase.TheEmperormightbegratefulatthisevidenceofourreadysubmissiontohisauthorityandgratefultootolayhishandsonyoutwo–forsomereasonofhisown–andMycogenmightprofit.Isthatwhatyouwant,then?ToappealtotheEmperorinduecourseandtobedeliveredtohim?”

SeldonandDorslookedateachotherbrieflyandweresilent.

SunmasterFourteensaid,“IfeelyouwouldratherbedeliveredtotheEmperorthandie,butwhydoIgettheimpressionthatthepreferenceisonlybyaslightmargin?”

“Actually,”saidanewvoice,“Ithinkneitheralternativeisacceptableandthatwemustsearchforathird.”

59

ItwasDorswhoidentifiedthenewcomerfirst,perhapsbecauseitwasshewhoexpectedhim.

“Hummin,”shesaid,“thankgoodnessyoufoundus.IgotintouchwithyouthemomentIrealizedIwasnotgoingtodeflectHarifrom”–sheheldupherhandsinawidegesture–“this.”

Hummin'ssmilewasasmallonethatdidnotalterthenaturalgravityofhisface.Therewasasubtlewearinessabouthim.

“Mydear,”hesaid,“Iwasengagedinotherthings.Icannotalwayspullawayatamoment'snotice.AndwhenIgothere,Ihad,likeyoutwo,tosupplymyselfwithakirtleandsash,tosaynothingofaskincap,andmakemywayouthere.HadIbeenhereearlier,Imighthavestoppedthis,butIbelieveI'mnottoolate.”

SunmasterFourteenhadrecoveredfromwhathadseemedtobeapainfulshock.Hesaidinavoicethatlackeditscustomaryseveredepth,“Howdidyougetinhere,TribesmanHummin?”

“Itwasnoteasy,HighElder,butasTribeswomanVenabililikestosay,Iamaverypersuasiveperson.SomeofthecitizenshererememberwhoIwasandwhatIhavedoneforMycogeninthepast,thatIamevenanhonoraryBrother.Haveyouforgotten,SunmasterFourteen?”

TheElderreplied,“Ihavenotforgotten,buteventhemostfavorablememorycannotsurvivecertainactions.Atribesmanhereandatribeswoman.Thereisnogreatercrime.Allyouhavedoneisnotgreatenoughtobalancethat.Mypeoplearenotunmindful.Wewillmakeituptoyousomeotherway.ButthesetwomustdieorbehandedovertotheEmperor.”

“Iamalsohere,”saidHummincalmly.“Isthatnotacrimeaswell?”

“Foryou,”saidSunmasterFourteen,“foryoupersonally,asakindofhonoraryBrother,Ican…overlookit…once.Notthesetwo.'

“BecauseyouexpectarewardfromtheEmperor?Somefavor?Someconcession?HaveyoualreadybeenintouchwithhimorwithhisChiefofStaff,EtoDemerzel,morelikely?”

“Thatisnotasubjectfordiscussion.”

“Whichisitselfanadmission.Comeon,Idon'taskwhattheEmperorpromised,butitcannotbemuch.Hedoesnothavemuchtogiveinthesedegeneratedays.Letmemakeyouanoffer.Havethesetwotoldyoutheyarescholars?”

“Theyhave.”

“Andtheyare.Theyarenotlying.Thetribeswomanisahistorianandthetribesmanisamathematician.Thetwotogetheraretryingtocombinetheirtalentstomakeamathematicsofhistoryandtheycallthecombinedsubject'psychohistory.'”

SunmasterFourteensaid,“Iknownothingaboutthispsychohistory,nordoIcaretoknow.

Neitheritnoranyotherfacetofyourtriballearninginterestsme.”

“Nevertheless,”saidHummin,“Isuggestthatyoulistentome.”

IttookHumminsomefifteenminutes,speakingconcisely,todescribethepossibilityoforganizingthenaturallawsofsociety(somethinghealwaysmentionedwithaudiblequotationmarksinthetoneofhisvoice)insuchawayastomakeitpossibletoanticipatethefuturewithasubstantialdegreeofprobability.

Andwhenhewasdone,SunmasterFourteen,whohadlistenedexpressionlessly,said,“Ahighlyunlikelypieceofspeculation,Ishouldsay.”

Seldon,witharuefulexpression,seemedabouttospeak,undoubtedlytoagree,butHummin'shand,restinglightlyontheother'sknee,tightenedunmistakably.

Humminsaid,“Possibly,HighElder,buttheEmperordoesn'tthinkso.AndbytheEmperor,whoishimselfanamiableenoughpersonage,IreallymeanDemerzel,concerningwhoseambitionsyouneednoinstruction.Theywouldlikeverymuchtohavethesetwoscholars,whichiswhyI'vebroughtthemhereforsafekeeping.IhadlittleexpectationthatyouwoulddoDemerzel'sworkforhimbydeliveringthescholarstohim.”

“Theyhavecommittedacrimethat–”

“Yes,weknow,HighElder,butitisonlyacrimebecauseyouchoosetocallitso.Norealharmhasbeendone.”

“Ithasbeendonetoourbelief,toourdeepestfelt–”

“Butimaginewhatharmwillbedoneifpsychohistoryfallsintothehandsof

Demerzel.Yes,Igrantthatnothingmaycomeofit,butsupposeforamomentthatsomethingdoesandthattheImperialgovernmenthastheuseofit–canforetellwhatistocome–cantakemeasureswiththatforeknowledgewhichnooneelsewouldhave–cantakemeasures,infact,designedtobringaboutanalternatefuturemoretotheImperialliking.”

“Well?”

“Isthereanydoubt,HighElder,thatthealternatefuturemoretotheImperiallikingwouldbeoneoftightenedcentralization?Forcenturiesnow,asyouverywellknow,theEmpirehasbeenundergoingasteadydecentralization.ManyworldsnowacknowledgeonlylipservicetotheEmperorandvirtuallyrulethemselves.EvenhereonTrantor,thereisdecentralization.Mycogen,asonlyoneexample,isfreeofImperialinterferenceforthemostpart.YouruleitsHighElderandthereisnoImperialofficeratyoursideoverseeingyouractionsanddecisions.HowlongdoyouthinkthatwilllastwithmenlikeDemerzeladjustingthefuturetotheirliking?”

“Stilltheflimsiestofspeculation,”saidSunmasterFourteen,“butndisturbingone,Iadmit.”

“Ontheotherhand,ifthesescholarscancompletetheirtask,anunlikelyif,youmightsay,butanif–thentheyaresuretorememberthatyousparedthemwhenyoumighthavechosennotto.

Anditwouldthenbeconceivablethattheywouldlearntoarrangeafuture,forinstance,thatwouldallowMycogentobegivenaworldofitsown,aworldthatcouldbeterraformedintoaclosereplicaoftheLostWorld.Andevenifthesetwoforgetyourkindness,Iwillbeheretoremindthem.”

“Well–”saidSunmasterFourteen.

“Comeon,”saidHummin,“itisnothardtodecidewhatmustbegoingthroughyourmind.Ofalltribespeople,youmusttrustDemerzeltheleast.Andthoughthechanceofpsychohistorymightbesmall(ifIwasnotbeinghonestwithyou,Iwouldnotadmitthat)itisnotzero;andifitwillbringaboutarestorationoftheLostWorld,whatcanyouwantmorethanthat?Whatwouldyounotriskforevenatinychanceofthat?Comenow–Ipromiseyouandmypromisesarenot

lightlygiven.Releasethesetwoandchooseatinychanceofyourheart'sdesireovernochanceatall.”

TherewassilenceandthenSunmasterFourteensighed.“Idon'tknowhowitis,TribesmanHummin,butoneveryoccasionthatwemeet,youpersuademeintosomethingIdonotreallywanttodo.”

“HaveIevermisledyou,HighElder?”

“Youhaveneverofferedmesosmallachance?”

“Andsohighapossiblereward.Theonebalancestheother.”

AndSunmasterFourteennoddedhishead.“Youareright.TakethesetwoandtakethemoutofMycogenandneverletmeseethemagainunlesstherecomesatimewhen–Butsurelyitwillnotbeinmylifetime.”

“Perhapsnot,HighElder.Butyourpeoplehavebeenwaitingpatientlyfornearlytwentythousandyears.Wouldyouthenobjecttowaitinganother–perhaps–twohundred?”

“Iwouldnotwillinglywaitonemoment,butmypeoplewillwaitaslongastheymust.”

Andstandingup,hesaid,“Iwillclearthepath.Takethemandgo.”

60

Theywerefinallybackinatunnel.HumminandSeldonhadtraveledthroughonewhentheywentfromtheImperialSectortoStreelingUniversityintheair-taxi.

Nowtheywereinanothertunnel,goingfromMycogento…Seldondidnotknowwhere.Hehesitatedtoask.Hummin'sfaceseemedasifitwascarvedoutofgraniteanditdidn'twelcomeconversation.

Humminsatinthefrontofthefour-seater,withnoonetohisright.SeldonandDorssharedthebackseat.SeldonchancedasmileatDors,wholookedglum.“It'snicetobeinrealclothesagain,isn'tit?”

“Iwillnever,”saidDorswithenormoussincerity,“wearorlookatanythingthatresemblesakirtle.AndIwillnever,underanycircumstances,wearaskincap.Infact,I'mgoingtofeeloddifIeverseeanormallybaldman.”

AnditwasDorswhofinallyaskedthequestionthatSeldonhadbeenreluctanttoadvance.

“Chetter,”shesaidratherpetulantly,“whywon'tyoutelluswherewe'regoing?”

HumminhitchedhimselfintoasidewayspositionandhelookedbackatDorsandSeldongravely.“Somewhere,”hesaid,“whereitmaybedifficultforyoutogetintotrouble–althoughI'mnotsuresuchaplaceexists.”

Dorswasatoncecrestfallen.“Actually,Chetter,it'smyfault.AtStreeling,IletHarigoUppersidewithoutaccompanyinghim.InMycogen,Iatleastaccompaniedhim,butIsupposeIoughtnottohavelethimentertheSacratoriumatall.”

“Itwasdetermined,”saidSeldonwarmly.“ItwasinnowayDors'sfault.”

Humminmadenoefforttoapportionblame.Hesimplysaid,“Igatheryouwantedtoseetherobot.Wasthereareasonforthat?Canyoutellme?”

Seldoncouldfeelhimselfredden.“Iwaswronginthatrespect,Hummin.IdidnotseewhatIexpectedtoseeorwhatIhopedtosee.IfIhadknownthecontentoftheaerie,Iwouldneverhavebotheredgoingthere.Callitacompletefiasco.”

“Butthen,Seldon,whatwasityouhopedtosee?Pleasetellme.Takeyourtimeifyouwish.

ThisisalongtripandIamwillingtolisten.”

“Thethingis,Hummin,thatIhadtheideathattherewerehumaniformrobots,thattheywerelong-lived,thatatleastonemightstillbealive,andthatitmightbeintheaerie.Therewasarobotthere,butitwasmetallic,itwasdead,anditwasmerelyasymbol.HadIbutknown–”

“Yes.Didweallbutknow,therewouldbenoneedforquestionsorforresearchofanykind.

Wheredidyougetyourinformationabouthumaniformrobots?SincenoMycogenianwouldhavediscussedthatwithyou,Icanthinkofonlyonesource.TheMycogenianBook–apoweredprint–bookinancientAuroranandmodernGalactic.AmIright?”

“Yes.”

“Andhowdidyougetacopy?”

Seldonpaused,thenmuttered,“Itssomewhatembarrassing.”

“Iamnoteasilyembarrassed,Seldon.”

SeldontoldhimandHumminallowedaverysmallsmiletotwitchacrosshisface.

Humminsaid,“Didn'titoccurtoyouthatwhatoccurredhadtobeacharade?NoSisterwoulddoathinglikethat–exceptunderinstructionandwithagreatdealofpersuading.”

Seldonfrownedandsaidwithasperity,“Thatwasnotatallobvious.Peoplearepervertednowandthen.Anditseasyforyoutogrin.Ididn'thavetheinformationyouhadandneitherdidDors.Ifyoudidnotwishmetofallintotraps,youmighthavewarnedmeofthosethatexisted.”

“Iagree.Iwithdrawmyremark.Inanycase,youdon'thavetheBookanylonger,I'msure.”

“No.SunmasterFourteentookitfromme.”

“Howmuchofitdidyouread?”

“Onlyasmallfraction.Ididn'thavetime.It'sahugebookandImusttellyou,Hummin,itisdreadfullydull.”

“Yes,Iknowthat,forIthinkIhavereadmoreofitthanyouhave.Itisnotonlydull,itistotallyunreliable.Itisaone-sided,officialMycogenianviewofhistorythatismoreintentonpresentingthatviewthanareasonedobjectivity.Itisevendeliberatelyunclearinspotssothatoutsiders–eveniftheyweretoreadthe

Book–wouldneverknowentirelywhattheyread.Whatwasit,forinstance,thatyouthoughtyoureadaboutrobotsthatinterestedyou?”

“I'vealreadytoldyou.Theyspeakofhumaniformrobots,robotsthatcouldnotbedistinguishedfromhumanbeingsinoutwardappearance.”

“Howmanyofthesewouldexist?”askedHummin.“Theydon'tsay.–Atleast,Ididn'tcomeacrossapassageinwhichtheygavenumbers.Theremayhavebeenonlyahandful,butoneofthem,theBookreferstoas'Renegade.'Itseemstohaveanunpleasantsignificance,butIcouldn'tmakeoutwhat.”

“Youdidn'ttellmeanythingaboutthat,”interposedDors.“Ifyouhad,Iwouldhavetoldyouthatit'snotapropername.It'sanotherarchaicwordanditmeans,roughly,what'traitor'wouldmeaninGalactic.Theolderwordhasagreaterauraoffearaboutit.Atraitor,somehow,sneakstohistreason,butarenegadeflauntsit.”

Humminsaid,“I'llleavethefinepointsofarchaiclanguagetoyou,Dors,but,inanycase,iftheRenegadeactuallyexistedandifitwasahumaniformrobot,then,clearly,asatraitorandenemy,itwouldnotbepreservedandveneratedintheElders'aerie.”

Seldonsaid,“Ididn'tknowthemeaningof'Renegade,'but,asIsaid,Ididgettheimpressionthatitwasanenemy.IthoughtitmighthavebeendefeatedandpreservedasareminderoftheMycogeniantriumph.”

“WasthereanyindicationintheBookthattheRenegadewasdefeated?”

“No,butImighthavemissedthatportion–”

“Notlikely.AnyMycogenianvictorywouldbeannouncedintheBookunmistakablyandreferredtooverandoveragain.”

“TherewasanotherpointtheBookmadeabouttheRenegade,”saidSeldon,hesitating,“butIcan'tbeatallsureIunderstoodit.”

Humminsaid,“AsItoldyou…Theyaredeliberatelyobscureattimes.”

“Nevertheless,theyseemedtosaythattheRenegadecouldsomehowtaphuman

emotions…

influencethem–”

“Anypoliticiancan,”saidHumminwithashrug.“It'scalledcharisma–whenitworks.”

Seldonsighed.“Well,Iwantedtobelieve.Thatwasit.IwouldhavegivenagreatdealtofindanancienthumaniformrobotthatwasstillaliveandthatIcouldquestion.”

“Forwhatpurpose?”askedHummin.

“TolearnthedetailsoftheprimordialGalacticsocietywhenitstillconsistedofonlyahandfulofworlds.FromsosmallaGalaxypsychohistorycouldbededucedmoreeasily.”

Humminsaid,“Areyousureyoucouldtrustwhatyouheard?Aftermanythousandsofyears,wouldyoubewillingtorelyontherobot'searlymemories?Howmuchdistortionwouldhaveenteredintothem?”

“That'sright,”saidDorssuddenly.“ItwouldbelikethecomputerizedrecordsItoldyouof,Hari.Slowly,thoserobotmemorieswouldbediscarded,lost,erased,distorted.Youcanonlygobacksofarandthefartheryougoback,thelessreliabletheinformationbecomes–nomatterwhatyoudo.”

Humminnodded.“I'vehearditreferredtoasakindofuncertaintyprincipleininformation.”

“Butwouldn'titbepossible,”saidSeldonthoughtfully,“thatsomeinformation,forspecialreasons,wouldbepreserved?PartsoftheMycogenianBookmaywellrefertoeventsoftwentythousandyearsagoandyetbeverylargelyasithadbeenoriginally.Themorevaluedandthemorecarefullypreservedparticularinformationis,themorelong-lastingandaccurateitmaybe.”

“Thekeywordis'particular.'WhattheBookmaycaretopreservemaynotbewhatyouwishtohavepreservedandwhatarobotmayrememberbestmaybewhatyouwishhimtorememberleast.”

Seldonsaidindespair,“InwhateverdirectionIturntoseekawayofworkingoutpsychohistory,matterssoarrangethemselvesastomakeitimpossible.Whybothertrying?”

“Itmightseemhopelessnow,”saidHumminunemotionally,“butgiventhenecessarygenius,aroutetopsychohistorymaybefoundthatnoneofuswouldatthismomentexpect.Giveyourselfmoretime.–Butwe'recomingtoarestarea.Letuspulloffandhavedinner.”

Overthelambpattiesonrathertastelessbread(mostunpalatableafterthefareatMycogen),Seldonsaid,“Youseemtoassume,Hummin,thatIamthepossessorof'thenecessarygenius.'Imaynotbe,youknow.”

Humminsaid,“That'strue.Youmaynotbe.However,Iknowofnoalternatecandidateforthepost,soImustclingtoyou.”

AndSeldonsighedandsaid,“Well,I'lltry,butI'moutofanysparkofhope.Possiblebutnotpractical,Isaidtobeginwith,andI'mmoreconvincedofthatnowthanIeverwasbefore.”

HEATSINK

AMARYL,YUGO–…Amathematicianwho,nexttoHariSeldonhimself,maybeconsideredmostresponsibleforworkingoutthedetailsofpsychohistory.Itwashewho…

…Yettheconditionsunderwhichhebeganlifearealmostmoredramaticthanhismathematicalaccomplishments.BornintothehopelesspovertyofthelowerclassesofDahl,asectorofancientTractor,hemighthavepassedhislifeinutterobscuritywereitnotforthefactthatSeldon,quitebyaccident,encounteredhiminthecourseof…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

61

TheEmperorofalltheGalaxyfeltweary–physicallyweary.Hislipsachedfromthegracioussmilehehadhadtoplaceonhisfaceatcarefulintervals.Hisneckwasstifffromhavinginclinedhisheadthiswayandthatinafeignedshowof

interest.Hisearspainedfromhavingtolisten.Hiswholebodythrobbedfromhavingtoriseandtositandtoturnandtoholdouthishandandtonod.

ItwasmerelyastatefunctionwhereonehadtomeetMayorsandViceroysandMinistersandtheirwivesorhusbandsfromhereandthereinTrantorand(worse)fromhereandthereintheGalaxy.Therewerenearlyathousandpresent,allincostumesthatvariedfromtheornatetothedownrightoutlandish,andhehadhadtolistentoababbleofdifferentaccentsmadetheworsebyanefforttospeaktheEmperor'sGalacticasspokenattheGalacticUniversity.Worstofall,theEmperorhadhadtoremembertoavoidmakingcommitmentsofsubstance,whilefreelyapplyingthelotionofwordswithoutsubstance.

Allhadbeenrecorded,sightandsound–verydiscreetly–andEtoDemerzelwouldgooverittoseeifCleon,FirstofthatName,hadbehavedhimself.That,ofcourse,wasonlythewaythattheEmperorputittohimself.Demerzelwouldsurelysaythathewasmerelycollectingdataonanyunintentionalself-revelationonthepanoftheguests.Andperhapshewas.

FortunateDemerzel!

TheEmperorcouldnotleavethePalaceanditsextensivegrounds,whileDemerzelcouldrangetheGalaxyifhewished.TheEmperorwasalwaysondisplay,alwaysaccessible,alwaysforcedtodealwithvisitors,fromtheimportanttothemerelyintrusive.DemerzelremainedanonymousandneverallowedhimselftobeseeninsidethePalacegrounds.Heremainedmerelyafearsomenameandaninvisible(andthereforethemorefrightening)presence.

TheEmperorwastheInsideManwithallthetrappingsandemolumentsofpower.DemerzelwastheOutsideMan,withnothingevident,notevenaformaltitle,butwithhisfingersandmindprobingeverywhereandaskingfornorewardforhistirelesslaborsbutone–therealityofpower.

ItamusedtheEmperor–inamacabresortofway–toconsiderthat,atanymoment,withoutwarning,withamanufacturedexcuseorwithnoneatall,hecouldhaveDemerzelarrested,imprisoned,exiled,tortured,orexecuted.Afterall,intheseannoyingcenturiesofconstantunrest,theEmperormighthavedifficultyinexertinghiswilloverthevariousplanetsoftheEmpire,evenoverthevarioussectorsofTrantor–withtheirrabbleoflocalexecutivesand

legislaturesthathewasforcedtodealwithinamazeofinterlockingdecrees,protocols,commitments,treaties,andgeneralinterstellarlegalities–butatleasthispowersremainedabsoluteoverthePalaceanditsgrounds.

AndyetCleonknewthathisdreamsofpowerwereuseless.DemerzelhadservedhisfatherandCleoncouldnotrememberatimewhenhedidnotturntoDemerzelforeverything.ItwasDemerzelwhoknewitall,deviseditall,diditall.Morethanthat,itwasonDemerzelthatanythingthatwentwrongcouldbeblamed.TheEmperorhimselfremainedabovecriticismandhadnothingtofear–except,ofcourse,palacecoupsandassassinationbyhisnearestanddearest.Itwastopreventthis,aboveall,thathedependeduponDemerzel.EmperorCleonfeltatinyshudderatthethoughtoftryingtodowithoutDemerzel.TherehadbeenEmperorswhohadruledpersonally,whohadhadaseriesofChiefsofStaffofnotalent,whohadhadincompetentsservinginthepostandhadkeptthem–andsomehowtheyhadgottenalongforatimeandafterafashion.

ButCleoncouldnot.HeneededDemerzel.Infact,nowthatthethoughtofassassinationhadcometohim–and,inviewofthemodernhistoryoftheEmpire,itwasinevitablethatithadcometohim–hecouldseethatgettingridofDemerzelwasquiteimpossible.Itcouldn'tbedone.Nomatterhowcleverlyhe,Cleon,wouldattempttoarrangeit,Demerzel(hewassure)wouldanticipatethemovesomehow,wouldknowitwasonitsway,andwouldarrange,withfarsuperiorcleverness,apalacecoup.CleonwouldbedeadbeforeDemerzelcouldpossiblybetakenawayinchainsandtherewouldsimplybeanotherEmperorthatDemerzelwouldserve–anddominate.

OrwouldDemerzeltireofthegameandmakehimselfEmperor?

Never!Thehabitofanonymitywastoostronginhim.IfDemerzelexposedhimselftotheworld,thenhispowers,hiswisdom,hisluck(whateveritwas)wouldsurelydeserthim.Cleonwasconvincedofthat.Hefeltittobebeyonddispute.

Sowhilehebehavedhimself,Cleonwassafe.Withnoambitionsofhisown,Demerzelwouldservehimfaithfully.

AndnowherewasDemerzel,dressedsoseverelyandsimplythatitmadeCleonuneasilyconsciousoftheuselessornamentationofhisrobesofstate,now

thankfullyremovedwiththeaidoftwovalets.Naturally,itwouldnotbeuntilhewasaloneandindishabillethatDemerzelwouldglideintoview.

“Demerzel,”saidtheEmperorofalltheGalaxy,“Iamtired!”

“Statefunctionsaretiring,Sire,”murmuredDemerzel.

“ThenmustIhavethemeveryevening?”

“Noteveryevening,buttheyareessential.Itgratifiesotherstoseeyouandtobetakennoteofbyyou.IthelpskeeptheEmpirerunningsmoothly.”

“TheEmpireusedtobekeptrunningsmoothlybypower,”saidtheEmperorsomberly.“Nowitmustbekeptrunningbyasmile,awaveofthehand,amurmuredword,andamedaloraplaque.”

“Ifallthatkeepsthepeace,Sire,thereismuchtobesaidforit.Andyourreignproceedswell.”

“Youknowwhy–becauseIhaveyouatmyside.MyonlyrealgiftisthatIamawareofyourimportance.”HelookedatDemerzelslyly.“Mysonneednotbemyheir.Heisnotatalentedboy.

WhatifImakeyoumyheir?”

Demerzelsaidfreezingly,“Sire,thatisunthinkable.Iwouldnotusurpthethrone.Iwouldnotstealitfromyourrightfulheir.Besides,ifIhavedispleasedyou,punishmejustly.Surely,nothingIhavedoneorcouldpossiblydodeservesthepunishmentofbeingmadeEmperor.”

Cleonlaughed.“ForthattrueassessmentofthevalueoftheImperialthrone,Demerzel,Iabandonanythoughtofpunishingyou.Comenow,letustalkaboutsomething.Iwouldsleep,butIamnotyetreadyfortheceremonieswithwhichtheyputmetobed.Letustalk.”

“Aboutwhat,Sire?”

“Aboutanything.–Aboutthatmathematicianandhispsychohistory.Ithinkabouthimeveryonceinawhile,youknow.Ithoughtofhimatdinnertonight.I

wondered:WhatifapsychohistoricalanalysiswouldpredictamethodformakingitpossibletobeanEmperorwithoutendlessceremony?”

“Isomehowthink,Sire,thateventhecleverestpsychohistoriancouldnotmanagethat.”

“Well,tellmethelatest.IshestillhidingamongthosepeculiarbaldheadsofMycogen?Youpromisedyouwouldwinklehimoutofthere.”

“SoIdid,Sire,andImovedinthatdirection,butIregretthatImustsaythatIfailed.”

“Failed?”TheEmperorallowedhimselftofrown.“Idon'tlikethat.”

“NorI,Sire.Iplannedtohavethemathematicianbeencouragedtocommitsomeblasphemousact–suchactsareeasytocommitinMycogen,especiallyforanoutsider–onethatwouldcallforseverepunishment.ThemathematicianwouldthenbeforcedtoappealtotheEmperorand,asaresult,wewouldgethim.Iplanneditatthecostofinsignificantconcessionsonourpart–importanttoMycogen,totallyunimportanttous–andImeanttoplaynodirectroleinthearrangement.Itwastobehandledsubtly.”

“Idaresay,”saidCleon,“butitfailed.DidtheMayorofMycogen–”

“HeiscalledtheHighElder,Sire.”

“Donotquibbleovertitles.DidthisHighElderrefuse?”

“Onthecontrary,Sire,heagreedandthemathematician,Seldon,fellintothetrapneatly.”

“Wellthen?”

“Hewasallowedtoleaveunharmed.”

“Why?”saidCleonindignantly.

“OfthisIamnotcertain,Sire,butIsuspectwewereoutbid.”

“Bywhom?BytheMayorofWye?”

“Possibly,Sire,butIdoubtthat.IhaveWyeunderconstantsurveillance.Iftheyhadgainedthemathematician,Iwouldknowitbynow.”

TheEmperorwasnotmerelyfrowning.Hewasclearlyenraged.“Demerzel,thisisbad.Iamgreatlydispleased.Afailurelikethismakesmewonderifyouareperhapsnotthemanyouoncewere.WhatmeasuresshallwetakeagainstMycogenforthiscleardefianceoftheEmperor'swishes?”

Demerzelbowedlowinrecognitionofthestormunleashed,buthesaidinsteelytones,“ItwouldbeamistaketomoveagainstMycogennow,Sire.ThedisruptionthatwouldfollowwouldplayintothehandsofWye.”

“Butwemustdosomething.”

“Perhapsnot,Sire.Itisnotasbadasitmayseem.”

“Howcanitbenotasbadasitseems?”

“You'llremember,Sire,thatthismathematicianwasconvincedthatpsychohistorywasimpractical.”

“OfcourseIrememberthat,butthatdoesn'tmatter,doesit?Forourpurposes?”

“Perhapsnot.Butifitweretobecomepractical,itwouldserveourpurposestoaninfinitelygreatextent,Sire.AndfromwhatIhavebeenabletofindout,themathematicianisnowattemptingtomakepsychohistorypractical.HisblasphemousattemptinMycogenwas,Iunderstand,partofanattemptatsolvingtheproblemofpsychohistory.Inthatcase,itmaypayus,Sire,toleavehimtohimself.Itwillserveusbettertopickhimupwhenheisclosertohisgoalorhasreachedit.”

“NotifWyegetshimfirst.”

“That,Ishallseetoit,willnothappen.”

“InthesamewaythatyousucceededinwinklingthemathematicianoutofMycogenjustnow?”

“Iwillnotmakeamistakethenexttime,Sire,”saidDemerzelcoldly.TheEmperorsaid,

“Demerzel,youhadbetternot.Iwillnottolerateanothermistakeinthisrespect.”Andthenheaddedpettishly,“IthinkIshallnotsleeptonightafterall.”

62

JiradTisalveroftheDahlSectorwasshort.ThetopofhisheadcameuponlytoHariSeldon'snose.Hedidnotseemtotakethattoheart,however.Hehadhandsome,evenfeatures,wasgiventosmiling,andsportedathickblackmustacheandcrisplycurlingblackhair.

Helived,withhiswifeandahalf-growndaughter,inanapartmentofsevensmallrooms,keptmeticulouslyclean,butalmostbareoffurnishings.

Tisalversaid,“Iapologize,MasterSeldonandMistressVenabili,thatIcannotgiveyoutheluxurytowhichyoumustbeaccustomed,butDahlisapoorsectorandIamnotevenamongthebetter-offamongourpeople.”

“Themorereason,”respondedSeldon,“thatwemustapologizetoyouforplacingtheburdenofourpresenceuponyou.”

“Noburden,MasterSeldon.MasterHumminhasarrangedtopayusgenerouslyforyouruseofourhumblequartersandthecreditswouldbewelcomeevenifyouwerenot–andyouare.”

SeldonrememberedHummin'spartingwordswhentheyfinallyarrivedinDahl.

“Seldon,”hehadsaid,“thisisthethirdplaceI'vearrangedassanctuary.ThefirsttwowerenotoriouslybeyondthereachoftheImperium,whichmightwellhaveservedtoattracttheirattention;afterall,theywerelogicalplacesforyou.Thisoneisdifferent.Itispoor,unremarkable,and,asamatteroffact,unsafeinsomeways.Itisnotanaturalrefugeforyou,sothattheEmperorandhisChiefofStaffmaynotthinktoturntheireyesinthisdirection.Wouldyoumindstayingoutoftroublethistime,then?”

“Iwilltry,Hummin,”saidSeldon,alittleoffended.“Pleasebeawarethatthetroubleisnotofmyseeking.Iamtryingtolearnwhatmaywelltakemethirty

lifetimestolearnifIamtohavetheslightestchanceoforganizingpsychohistory.”

“Iunderstand,”saidHummin.“YoureffortsatlearningbroughtyoutoUppersideinStreelingandtotheElders'aerieinMycogenandtowhocanguesswhereinDahl.Asforyou,Dr.Venabili,Iknowyou'vebeentryingtotakecareofSeldon,butyoumusttryharder.GetitfixedinyourheadthatheisthemostimportantpersononTrantor–orintheGalaxy,forthatmatter–andthathemustbekeptsecureatanycost.”

“Iwillcontinuetodomybest,”saidDorsstiffly.

“Andasforyourhostfamily,theyhavetheirpeculiarities,buttheyareessentiallygoodpeoplewithwhomIhavedealtbefore.Trynottogetthemintroubleeither.”

ButTisalver,atleast,didnotseemtoanticipatetroubleofanykindfromhisnewtenantsandhisexpressedpleasureatthecompanyhenowhad–quiteapartfromtherentcreditshewouldbegetting–seemedquitesincere.

HehadneverbeenoutsideDahlandhisappetitefortalesofdistantplaceswasenormous.Hiswifetoo,bowingandsmiling,wouldlistenandtheirdaughter,withafingerinhermouth,wouldallowoneeyetopeepfrombehindthedoor.Itwasusuallyafterdinner,whentheentirefamilyassembled,thatSeldonandDorswereexpectedtotalkoftheoutsideworld.Thefoodwasplentifulenough,butitwasblandandoftentough.SosoonafterthetangyfoodofMycogen,itwasallbutinedible.

The“table”wasalongshelfagainstonewallandtheyatestandingup.

GentlequestioningbySeldonelicitedthefactthatthiswastheusualsituationamongDahlitesasawholeandwasnotduetounusualpoverty.Ofcourse,MistressTisalverexplained,therewerethosewithhighgovernmentjobsinDahlwhowerepronetoadoptallkindsofeffetecustomslikechairs–shecalledthem“bodyshelves”–butthiswaslookeddownuponbythesolidmiddleclass.

Muchastheydisapprovedofunnecessaryluxury,though,theTisalverslovedhearingaboutit,listeningwithavirtualstormoftongue-clickingwhentoldof

mattressesliftedonlegs,ofornatechestsandwardrobes,andofasuperfluityoftableware.

TheylistenedalsotoadescriptionofMycogeniancustoms,whileJiradTisalverstrokedhisownhaircomplacentlyandmadeitquiteobviousthathewouldassoonthinkofemasculationasofdepilation.MistressTisalverwasfuriousatanymentionoffemalesubservienceandflatlyrefusedtobelievethattheSistersacceptedittranquilly.

Theyseizedmost,however,onSeldon'scasualreferencetotheImperialgrounds.When,uponquestioning,itturnedoutthatSeldonhadactuallyseenandspokentotheEmperor,ablanketofaweenvelopedthefamily.IttookawhilebeforetheydaredaskquestionsandSeldonfoundthathecouldnotsatisfythem.Hehadnot,afterall,seenmuchofthegroundsandevenlessofthePalaceinterior.

ThatdisappointedtheTisalversandtheywereunremittingintheirattemptstoelicitmore.

And,havingheardofSeldon'sImperialadventure,theyfoundithardtobelieveDors'sassertionthat,forherpart,shehadneverbeenanywhereintheImperialgrounds.Mostofall,theyrejectedSeldon'scasualcommentthattheEmperorhadtalkedandbehavedverymuchasanyordinaryhumanbeingwould.ThatseemedutterlyimpossibletotheTisalvers.

Afterthreeeveningsofthis,Seldonfoundhimselftiring.Hehad,atfirst,welcomedthechancetodonothingforawhile(duringtheday,atleast)butviewsomeofthehistorybook-filmsthatDorsrecommended.TheTisalversturnedovertheirbook-viewertotheirguestsduringthedaywithgoodgrace,thoughthelittlegirlseemedunhappyandwassentovertoaneighbor'sapartmenttousetheirsforherhomework.

“Itdoesn'thelp,”Seldonsaidrestlesslyinthesecurityofhisroomafterhehadpipedinsomemusictodiscourageeavesdropping.“Icanseeyourfascinationwithhistory,butit'sallendlessdetail.It'samountainousheap–no,aGalacticheap–ofdatainwhichIcan'tseethebasicorganization.”

“Idaresay,”saidDors,“thattheremusthavebeenatimewhenhumanbeings

sawnoorganizationinthestarsinthesky,buteventuallytheydiscoveredtheGalacticstructure.”

“AndI'msurethattookgenerations,notweeks.Theremusthavebeenatimewhenphysicsseemedamassofunrelatedobservationsbeforethecentralnaturallawswerediscoveredandthattookgenerations.–AndwhatoftheTisalvers?”

“Whatofthem?Ithinkthey'rebeingverynice.”

“They'recurious.”

“Ofcoursetheyare.Wouldn'tyoubeifyouwereintheirplace?”

“Butisitjustcuriosity?TheyseemtobeferociouslyinterestedinmymeetingwiththeEmperor.”

Dorsseemedimpatient.“Again…itsonlynatural.Wouldn'tyoube–ifthesituationwasreversed?”

“Itmakesmenervous.”

“Humminbroughtushere.”

“Yes,buthe'snotperfect.HebroughtmetotheUniversityandIwasmaneuveredUpperside.

HebroughtustoSunmasterFourteen,whoentrappedus.Youknowhedid.Twicebitten,atleastonceshy.I'mtiredofbeingquestioned.”

“Thenturnthetables,Hari.Aren'tyouinterestedinDahl?”

“Ofcourse.Whatdoyouknowaboutittobeginwith?”

“Nothing.It'sjustoneofmorethaneighthundredsectorsandI'veonlybeenonTrantoralittleovertwoyears.”

“Exactly.Andtherearetwenty-fivemillionotherworldsandI'vebeenonthisproblemonlyalittleovertwomonths.–Itellyou.IwanttogobacktoHeliconandtakeupastudyofthemathematicsofturbulence,whichwasmyPh.D.

problem,andforgetIeversaw–orthoughtIsaw–thatturbulencegaveaninsightintohumansociety.”

ButthateveninghesaidtoTisalver,“Butyouknow,MasterTisalver,you'venevertoldmewhatyoudo,thenatureofyourwork.”

“Me?”Tisalverplacedhisfingersonhischest,whichwascoveredbythesimplewhiteT-shirtwithnothingunderneath,whichseemedtobethestandardmaleuniforminDahl.“Nothingmuch.Iworkatthelocalholovisionstationinprogramming.It'sverydull,butit'saliving.”

“Andit'srespectable,”saidMistressTisalver.“Itmeanshedoesn'thavetoworkintheheatsinks.”

“Theheatsinks?”saidDors,liftingherlighteyebrowsandmanagingtolookfascinated.

“Ohwell,”saidTisalver,“that'swhatDahlisbestknownfor.Itisn'tmuch,butfortybillionpeopleonTrantorneedenergyandwesupplyalotofit.Wedon'tgetappreciated,butI'dliketoseesomeofthefancysectorsdowithoutit.”

Seldonlookedconfused.“Doesn'tTrantorgetitsenergyfromsolarpowerstationsinorbit?”

“Some,”saidTisalver,“andsomefromnuclearfusionstationsoutontheislandsandsomefrommicrofusionmotorsandsomefromwindstationsUpperside,buthalf”–heraisedafingerinemphasisandhisfacelookedunusuallygrave“halfcomesfromtheheatsinks.Thereareheatsinksinlotsofplaces,butnone–none–asrichasthoseinDahl.Areyouseriousthatyoudon'tknowabouttheheatsinks?Yousitthereandstareatme.”

Dorssaidquickly,“WeareOutworlders,youknow.”(Shehadalmostsaid'tribespeople,'buthadcaughtherselfintime.)“EspeciallyDr.Seldon.He'sonlybeenonTrantoracoupleofmonths.”

“Really?”saidMistressTisalver.Shewasatrifleshorterthanherhusband,wasplumpwithoutquitebeingfat,hadherdarkhairdrawntightlybackintoabun,andpossessedratherbeautifuldarkeyes.Likeherhusband,sheappearedtobeinherthirties.

(AfteraperiodinMycogen,notactuallylongindurationbutintense,itstruckDorsasoddtohaveawomanentertheconversationatwill.Howquicklymodesandmannersestablishthemselves,shethought,andmadeamentalnotetomentionthattoSeldon–onemoreitemforhispsychohistory.)

“Ohyes,”shesaid.“Dr.SeldonisfromHelicon.”

MistressTisalverregisteredpoliteignorance.“Andwheremightthatbe?”

Dorssaid,“Why,it's–”SheturnedtoSeldon.“Whereisit,Hari?”

Seldonlookedabashed.“Totellyouthetruth,Idon'tthinkIcouldlocateitveryeasilyonaGalacticmodelwithoutlookingupthecoordinates.AllIcansayisthatit'sontheothersideofthecentralblackholefromTrantorandgettingtherebyhypershipisratherachore.”

MistressTisalversaid,“Idon'tthinkJiradandIwilleverbeonahypership.”

“Someday,Casilia,”saidTisalvercheerfully,“maybewewill.ButtellusaboutHelicon,MasterSeldon.”

Seldonshookhishead.“Tomethatwouldbedull.Itsjustaworld,likeanyother.OnlyTrantorisdifferentfromalltherest.TherearenoheatsinksonHelicon–orprobablyanywhereelse–exceptTrantor.Tellmeaboutthem.”

(“OnlyTrantorisdifferentfromalltherest.”ThesentencerepeateditselfinSeldon'smindandforamomenthegraspedatit,andforsomereasonDors'shand-on-thighstorysuddenlyrecurredtohim,butTisalverwasspeakinganditpassedoutofSeldon'smindasquicklyasithadentered.)

Tisalversaid,“Ifyoureallywanttoknowaboutheatsinks,Icanshowyou.”Heturnedtohiswife.“Casilia,wouldyoumindiftomorroweveningItakeMasterSeldontotheheatsinks.”

“Andme,”saidDorsquickly.

“AndMistressVenabili?”

MistressTisalverfrownedandsaidsharply,“Idon'tthinkitwouldbeagoodidea.Ourvisitorswouldfinditdull.”

“Idon'tthinkso,MistressTisalver,”saidSeldoningratiatingly.“Wewouldverymuchliketoseetheheatsinks.Wewouldbedelightedifyouwouldjoinustoo…andyourlittledaughter–ifshewantstocome.”

“Totheheatsinks?”saidMistressTisalver,stiffening.“It'snoplaceatallforadecentwoman.”

Seldonfeltembarrassedathisgaffe.“Imeantnoharm,MistressTisalver.”

“Nooffense,”saidTisalver.“Casiliathinksit'sbeneathusandsoitis,butaslongasIdon'tworkthere,it'snodistressmerelytovisitandshowittoguests.ButitisuncomfortableandIwouldnevergetCasiliatodressproperly.”

Theygotupfromtheircrouchingpositions.Dahlite“chairs”weremerelymoldedplasticseatsonsmallwheelsandtheycrampedSeldon'skneesterriblyandseemedtowiggleathisleastbodymovement.TheTisalvers,however,hadmasteredtheartofsittingfirmlyandrosewithouttroubleandwithoutneedingtousetheirarmsforhelpasSeldonhadto.DorsalsogotupwithouttroubleandSeldononceagainmarveledathernaturalgrace.

Beforetheypartedtotheirseparateroomsforthenight,SeldonsaidtoDors,“Areyousureyouknownothingaboutheatsinks?MistressTisalvermakesthemseemunpleasant.”

“Theycan'tbethatunpleasantorTisalverwouldn'tsuggesttakingusontour.Leisbecontenttobesurprised.”

63

Tisalversaid,“You'llneedproperclothing.”MistressTisalversniffedmarkedlyinthebackground.

Cautiously,Seldon,thinkingofkirtleswithvaguedistress,said,“Whatdoyoumeanbyproperclothing?”

“Somethinglight,suchasIwear.AT-shirt,veryshortsleeves,looseslacks,

looseunderpants,footsocks,opensandals.Ihaveitallforyou.”

“Good.ILdoesn'tsoundbad.”

“AsforMistressVenabili,Ihavethesame.Ihopeitfits.”

TheclothesTisalversuppliedeachofthem(whichwerehisown)fitfine–ifabitsnugly.

Whentheywereready,theybadeMistressTisalvergood-byeandshe,witharesignedifstilldisapprovingair,watchedthemfromthedoorwayastheysetoff.

Itwasearlyeveningandtherewasanattractivetwilightglowabove.ItwasclearthatDahl'slightswouldsoonbewinkingon.Thetemperaturewasmildandtherewerevirtuallynovehiclestobeseen;everyonewaswalking.Inthedistancewastheever-presenthumofanExpresswayandtheoccasionalglitterofitslightscouldbeeasilyseen.

TheDahlites,Seldonnoted,didnotseemtobewalkingtowardanyparticulardestination.

Rather,thereseemedtobeapromenadegoingon,awalkingforpleasure.Perhaps,ifDahlwasanimpoverishedsector,asTisalverhadimplied,inexpensiveentertainmentwasatapremiumandwhatwasaspleasant–andasinexpensive–asaneveningstroll?

Seldonfelthimselfeasingautomaticallyintothegaitofanaimlessstrollhimselfandfeltthewarmthoffriendlinessallaroundhim.Peoplegreetedeachotherastheypassedandexchangedafewwords.BlackmustachesofdifferentshapeandthicknessflashedeverywhereandseemedarequisitefortheDahlitemale,asubiquitousasthebaldheadsoftheMycogenianBrothers.

Itwasaneveningrite,awayofmakingsurethatanotherdayhadpassedsafelyandthatone'sfriendswerestillwellandhappy.And,itsoonbecameapparent,Dorscaughteveryeye.Inthetwilightglow,theruddinessofherhairhaddeepened,butitstoodoutagainsttheseaofblack-hairedheads(exceptfortheoccasionalgray)likeagoldcoinwinkingitswayacrossapileofcoal.

“Thisisverypleasant,”saidSeldon.

“Itis,”saidTisalver.“Ordinarily,I'dbewalkingwithmywifeandshe'dbeinherelement.

Thereisnooneforakilometeraroundwhomshedoesn'tknowbyname,occupation,andinterrelationships.Ican'tdothat.Rightnow,halfthepeoplewhogreetme…Icouldn'ttellyoutheirnames.But,inanycase,wemustn'tcreepalongtooslowly.Wemustgettotheelevator.It'sabusyworldonthelowerlevels.”

TheywereontheelevatorgoingdownwhenDorssaid,“Ipresume,MasterTisalver,thattheheatsinksareplaceswheretheinternalheatofTrantorisbeingusedtoproducesteamthatwillturnturbinesandproduceelectricity.”

“Ohno.Highlyefficientlarge-scalethermopilesproduceelectricitydirectly.Don'taskmethedetails,please.I'mjustaholovisionprogrammer.Infact,don'taskanyonethedetailsdownthere.

Thewholethingisonebigblackbox.Itworks,butnooneknowshow.”

“Whatifsomethinggoeswrong?”

“Itdoesn'tusually,butifitdoes,someexpertcomesoverfromsomewhere.Someonewhounderstandscomputers.Thewholethingishighlycomputerized,ofcourse.”

Theelevatorcametoahaltandtheysteppedout.Ablastofheatstruckthem.

“It'shot,”saidSeldonquiteunnecessarily.

“Yes,itis,”saidTisalver.“That'swhatmakesDahlsovaluableasanenergysource.Themagmalayerisnearerthesurfaceherethanitisanywhereelseintheworld.Soyouhavetoworkintheheat.”

“Howaboutair-conditioning?”saidDors.

“Thereisair-conditioning,butit'samatterofexpense.Weventilateanddehumidifyandcool,butifwegotoofar,thenwe'reusinguptoomuchenergyandthewholeprocessbecomestooexpensive.”

Tisalverstoppedatadooratwhichhesignaled.Itopenedtoablastofcoolerairandhemuttered,“Weoughttobeabletogetsomeonetohelpshowusaroundandhe'llcontroltheremarksthatMistressVenabiliwillotherwisebethevictimof…atleastfromthemen.”

“Remarkswon'tembarrassme,”saidDors.

“Theywillembarrassme,”saidTisalver.

AyoungmanwalkedoutoftheofficeandintroducedhimselfasHanoLindor.HeresembledTisalverquiteclosely,butSeldondecidedthatuntilhegotusedtothealmostuniversalshortness,swarthiness,blackhair,andluxuriantmustaches,hewouldnotbeabletoseeindividualdifferenceseasily.

Lindorsaid,“I'llbegladtoshowyouaroundforwhatthereistosee.It'snotoneofyourspectaculars,youknow.”Headdressedthemall,buthiseyeswerefixedonDors.Hesaid,“It'snotgoingtobecomfortable.Isuggestweremoveourshirts.”

“It'sniceandcoolinhere,”saidSeldon.“Ofcourse,butthat'sbecausewe'reexecutives.Rankhasitsprivileges.Outtherewecan'tmaintainair-conditioningatthislevel.That'swhytheygetpaidmorethanIdo.Infact,thosearethebest-payingjobsinDahl,whichistheonlyreasonwegetpeopletoworkdownhere.Evenso,it'sgettinghardertogetheatsinkersallthetime.”Hetookadeepbreath.“Okay,outintothesoup.”

Heremovedhisownshirtandtuckeditintohiswaistband.TisalverdidthesameandSeldonfollowedsuit.

LindorglancedatDorsandsaid,“Foryourowncomfort,Mistress,butit'snotcompulsory.”

“That'sallright,”saidDorsandremovedhershirt.

Herbrassierewaswhite,unpadded,andshowedconsiderablecleavage.

“Mistress,”saidLindor,“That'snot–”Hethoughtamoment,thenshruggedandsaid,“Allright.We'llgetby.”

Atfirst,Seldonwasawareonlyofcomputersandmachinery,hugepipes,flickeringlights,andflashingscreens.

Theoveralllightwascomparativelydim,thoughindividualsectionsofmachinerywereilluminated.Seldonlookedupintothealmost-darkness.Hesaid,“Whyisn'titbetterlit?”

“It'slitwellenough…whereitshouldbe,”saidLindor.Hisvoicewaswellmodulatedandhespokequickly,butalittleharshly.“Overallilluminationiskeptlowforpsychologicalreasons.Toobrightistranslated,inthemind,intoheat.Complaintsgoupwhenweturnupthelights,evenwhenthetemperatureismadetogodown.”

Dorssaid,“Itseemstobewellcomputerized.Ishouldthinktheoperationscouldbeturnedovertocomputersaltogether.Thissortofenvironmentismadeforartificialintelligence.”

“Perfectlyright,”saidLindor,“butneithercanwetakeachanceonanyfailures.Weneedpeopleonthespotifanythinggoeswrong.Amisfunctioningcomputercanraiseproblemsuptotwothousandkilometersaway.”

“Socanhumanerror.Isn'tthatso?”saidSeldon.

“Ohyes,butwithbothpeopleandcomputersonthejob,computererrorcanbemorequicklytrackeddownandcorrectedbypeopleand,conversely,humanerrorcanbemorequicklycorrectedbycomputers.Whatitamountstoisthatnothingseriouscanhappenunlesshumanerrorandcomputererrortakeplacesimultaneously.Andthathardlyeverhappens.”

“Hardlyever,butnotnever,eh?”saidSeldon.

“Almostnever,butnotnever.Computersaren'twhattheyusedtobeandneitherarepeople.”

“That'sthewayitalwaysseems,”saidSeldon,laughingslightly.

“Nono.I'mnottalkingmemory.I'mnottalkinggoodolddays.I'mtalkingstatistics.”

Atthis,SeldonrecalledHummintalkingofthedegenerationofthetimes.

“SeewhatImean?”saidLindor,hisvoicedropping.“There'sabunchofpeople,attheC-3

levelfromthelooksofthem,drinking.Notoneofthemisathisorherpost.”

“Whataretheydrinking?”askedDors.

“Specialfluidsforreplacingelectrolyteloss.Fruitjuice.”

“Youcan'tblamethem,canyou?”saidDorsindignantly.“Inthisdryheat,youwouldhavetodrink.”

“DoyouknowhowlongaskilledC-3canspinoutadrink?Andthere'snothingtobedoneaboutiteither.Ifwegivethemfive-minutebreaksfordrinksandstaggerthemsotheydon'tallcongregateinagroup,yousimplystiruparebellion.”

Theywereapproachingthegroupnow.Thereweremenandwomen(Dahlseemedtobeamoreorlessamphisexualsociety)andbothsexeswereshirtless.Thewomenworedevicesthatmightbecalledbrassieres,buttheywerestrictlyfunctional.Theyservedtoliftthebreastsinordertoimproveventilationandlimitperspiration,butcoverednothing.

DorssaidinanasidetoSeldon,“Thatmakessense,Hari.I'msoakingwetthere.”

“Takeoffyourbrassiere,then,”saidSeldon.“Iwon'tliftafingertostopyou.”

“Somehow,”saidDors,“Iguessedyouwouldn't.”Sheleftherbrassierewhereitwas.

Theywereapproachingthecongregationofpeople–aboutadozenofthem.

Dorssaid,“Ifanyofthemmakeruderemarks,Ishallsurvive.”

“Thankyou,”saidLindor.“Icannotpromisetheywon't.–ButI'llhavetointroduceyou.Iftheygettheideathatyoutwoareinspectorsandinmycompany,they'llbecomeunruly.Inspectorsaresupposedtopokearoundontheir

ownwithoutanyonefrommanagementoverseeingthem.”

Hehelduphisarms.“Heatsinkers,Ihavetwointroductionstomake.Wehavevisitorsfromoutside–twoOutworlders,twoscholars.They'vegotworldsrunningshortonenergyandthey'vecomeheretoseehowwedoithereinDahl.Theythinktheymaylearnsomething.”

“They'lllearnhowtosweat!”shoutedaheatsinkerandtherewasraucouslaughter.

“She'sgotasweatychestrightnow,”shoutedawoman,“coveringuplikethat.”

Dorsshoutedback,“I'dtakeitoff,burminecan'tcompetewithyours.”Thelaughterturnedgood-natured.

Butoneyoungmansteppedforward,staringatSeldonwithintensedeep-seteyes,hisfacesetintoahumorlessmask.Hesaid,“Iknowyou.You'rethemathematician.”

Heranforward,inspectingSeldon'sfacewitheagersolemnity.Automatically,DorssteppedinfrontofSeldonandLindorsteppedinfrontofher,shouting,“Back,heatsinker.Mindyourmanners.”

Seldonsaid,“Wait!Lethimtalktome.Whyiseveryonepilinginfrontofme?”

Lindorsaidinalowvoice,“Ifanyofthemgetclose,you'llfindtheydon'tsmelllikehothouseflowers.”

“I'llendureit,”saidSeldonbrusquely.“Youngman,whatisityouwant?”

“MynameisAmaryl.YugoAmaryl.I'veseenyouonholovision.”

“Youmighthave,butwhataboutit?”

“Idon'trememberyourname.”

“Youdon'thaveto.”

“Youtalkedaboutsomethingcalledpsychohistory.”

“Youdon'tknowhowIwishIhadn't.”

“What?”

“Nothing.Whatisityouwant?”

“Iwanttotalktoyou.Justforalittlewhile.Now.”

SeldonlookedatLindor,whoshookhisheadfirmly.“Notwhilehe'sonhisshift.”

“Whendoesyourshiftbegin,Mr.Amaryl?”askedSeldon.

“Sixteenhundred.”

“Canyouseemetomorrowatfourteenhundred?”

“Sure.Where?”

SeldonturnedtoTisalver.Wouldyoupermitmetoseehiminyourplace?”

Tisalverlookedveryunhappy.“Itsnotnecessary.He'sjustaheatsinker.”

Seldonsaid,“Herecognizedmyface.Heknowssomethingaboutme.Hecan'tbejustananything.I'llseehiminmyroom.”Andthen,asTisalver'sfacedidn'tsoften,headded,“Myroom,forwhichrentisbeingpaid.Andyou'llbeatwork,outoftheapartment.”

Tisalversaidinalowvoice,“It'snotme,MasterSeldon.It'smywife,Casilia.Shewon'tstandforit.”

“I'lltalktoher,”saidSeldongrimly.“She'llhaveto.”

64

CasiliaTisalveropenedhereyeswide.“Aheatsinker?Notinmyapartment.”

“Whynot?Besides,he'llbecomingtomyroom,”saidSeldon.“Atfourteenhundred.”

“Iwon'thaveit,”saidMistressTisalver.“Thisiswhatcomesofgoingdowntotheheatsinks.

Jiradwasafool.”

“Notatall,MistressTisalver.WewentatmyrequestandIwasfascinated.Imustseethisyoungman,sincethatisnecessarytomyscholarlywork.”

“I'msorryifitis,butIwon'thaveit.”

DorsVenabiliraisedherhand.“Hari,letmetakecareofthis.MistressTisalver,ifDr.Seldonmustseesomeoneinhisroomthisafternoon,theadditionalpersonnaturallymeansadditionalrent.

Weunderstandthat.Fortoday,then,therentonDr.Seldon'sroomwillbedoubled.”

MistressTisalverthoughtaboutit.“Well,that'sdecentofyou,butit'snotonlythecredits.

There'stheneighborstothinkof.Asweaty,smellyheatsinker–”

“Idoubtthathe'llbesweatyandsmellyatfourteenhundred,MistressTisalver,butletmegoon.SinceDr.Seldonmustseehim,thenifhecan'tseehimhere,he'llhavetoseehimelsewhere,butwecan'trunhereandthere.Thatwouldbetooinconvenient.Therefore,whatwewillhavetodoistogetaroomelsewhere.Itwon'tbeeasyandwedon'twanttodoit,butwewillhaveto.SowewillpaytherentthroughtodayandleaveandofcoursewewillhavetoexplaintoMasterHumminwhywehavehadtochangethearrangementsthathesokindlymadeforus.”

“Wait.”MistressTisalver'sfacebecameastudyofcalculation.“Wewouldn'tliketodisobligeMasterHummin…oryoutwo.Howlongwouldthiscreaturehavetostay?”

“He'scomingatfourteenhundred.Hemustbeatworkatsixteenhundred.Hewillbehereforlessthantwohours,perhapsconsiderablyless.Wewillmeethimoutside,thetwoofus,andbringhimtoDr.Seldon'sroom.AnyneighborswhoseeuswillthinkheisanOutworlderfriendofours.”

MistressTisalvernoddedherhead.“Thenletitbeasyousay.DoublerentforMasterSeldon'sroomfortodayandtheheatsinkerwillvisitjustthisonetime.”

“Justthisonetime,”saidDors.

Butlater,whenSeldonandDorsweresittinginherroom,Dorssaid,“Whydoyouhavetoseehim,Hari?Isinterviewingaheatsinkerimportanttopsychohistorytoo?”

Seldonthoughthedetectedasmalledgeofsarcasminhervoiceandhesaidtartly,“Idon'thavetobaseeverythingonthishugeprojectofmine,inwhichIhaveverylittlefaithanyway.Iamalsoahumanbeingwithhumancuriosities.Weweredownintheheatsinksforhoursandyousawwhattheworkingpeopletherewerelike.Theywereobviouslyuneducated.Theywerelow-levelindividuals–noplayonwordsintended–andyetherewasonewhorecognizedme.HemusthaveseenmeonholovisionontheoccasionoftheDecennialConventionandherememberedtheword

'psychohistory.'Hestrikesmeasunusual–asoutofplacesomehow–andIwouldliketotalktohim.”

“BecauseitpleasesyourvanitytohavebecomeknowneventoheatsinkersinDahl?”

“Well…perhaps.Butitalsopiquesmycuriosity.”

“Andhowdoyouknowhehasn'tbeenbriefedandintendstoleadyouintotroubleashashappenedbefore.”

Seldonwinced.“Iwon'tlethimrunhisfingersthroughmyhair.Inanycase,we'remorenearlypreparednow,aren'twe?AndI'msureyou'llbewithme.Imean,youletmegoUppersidealone,youletmegowithRaindropForty-Threetothemicrofarmsalone,andyou'renotgoingtodothatagain,areyou?”

“YoucanbeabsolutelysureIwon't,”saidDors.

“Wellthen,I'lltalktotheyoungmanandyoucanwatchoutfortraps.Ihaveeveryfaithinyou.”

65

Amarylarrivedafewminutesbefore14:00,lookingwarilyabout.Hishairwasneatandhisthickmustachewascombedandturnedupslightlyattheedges.HisT-shirtwasstartlinglywhite.

Hedidsmell,butitwasafruityodorthatundoubtedlycamefromtheslightlyoverenthusiasticuseofscent.Hehadabagwithhim.

Seldon,whohadbeenwaitingoutsideforhim,seizedoneelbowlightly,whileDorsseizedtheother,andtheymovedrapidlyintotheelevator.Havingreachedthecorrectlevel,theypassedthroughtheapartmentintoSeldon'sroom.

Amarylsaidinalowhangdogvoice,“Nobodyhome,huh?”

“Everyone'sbusy,”saidSeldonneutrally.Heindicatedtheonlychairintheroom,apaddirectlyonthefloor.

“No,”saidAmaryl.“Idon'tneedthat.Oneofyoutwouseit.”Hesquattedonthefloorwithagracefuldownwardmotion.

Dorsimitatedthemovement,sittingontheedgeofSeldon'sfloor-basedmattress,butSeldondroppeddownratherclumsily,havingtomakeuseofhishandsandunable,quite,tofindacomfortablepositionforhislegs.

Seldonsaid,“Well,youngman,whydoyouwanttoseeme?”

“Becauseyou'reamathematician.You'rethefirstmathematicianIeversaw–closeup–soIcouldtouchhim,youknow.”

“Mathematiciansfeellikeanyoneelse.”

“Nottome,Dr.…Dr.…Seldon?”

“That'smyname.”

Amaryllookedpleased.“Ifinallyremembered.–Yousee,Iwanttobeamathematiciantoo.”

“Verygood.What'sstoppingyou?”

Amarylsuddenlyfrowned.“Areyouserious?”

“Ipresumesomethingisstoppingyou.Yes,I'mserious.”

“What'sstoppingmeisI'maDahlite,aheatsinkeronDahl.Idon'thavethemoneytogetaneducationandIcan'tgetthecreditstogetaneducation.Arealeducation,Imean.AlltheytaughtmewastoreadandcipheranduseacomputerandthenIknewenoughtobeaheatsinker.ButIwantedmore.SoItaughtmyself.”

“Insomeways,that'sthebestkindofteaching.Howdidyoudothat?”

“Iknewalibrarian.Shewaswillingtohelpme.Shewasaverynicewomanandsheshowedmehowtousecomputersforlearningmathematics.Andshesetupasoftwaresystemthatwouldconnectmewithotherlibraries.I'dcomeonmydaysoffandonmorningsaftermyshift.

Sometimesshe'dlockmeinherprivateroomsoIwouldn'tbebotheredbypeoplecominginorshewouldletmeinwhenthelibrarywasclosed.Shedidn'tknowmathematicsherself,butshehelpedmeallshecould.Shewasoldish,awidowlady.Maybeshethoughtofmeasakindofsonorsomething.Shedidn'thavechildrenofherown.”

(Maybe,thoughtSeldonbriefly,therewassomeotheremotioninvolvedtoo,butheputthethoughtaway.Noneofhisbusiness.)

“Ilikednumbertheory,”saidAmaryl.“IworkedsomethingsoutfromwhatIlearnedfromthecomputerandfromthebook-filmsitusedtoteachmemathematics.Icameupwithsomenewthingsthatweren'tinthebook-films.”

Seldonraisedhiseyebrows.“That'sinteresting.Likewhat?”

“I'vebroughtsomeofthemtoyou.I'venevershowedthemtoanyone.Thepeoplearoundme–”Heshrugged.“They'deitherlaughorbeannoyed.OnceItriedtotellagirlIknew,butshejustsaidIwasweirdandwouldn'tseemeanymore.Isitallrightformetoshowthemtoyou?”

“Quiteallright.Believeme.”

Seldonheldouthishandandafterabriefhesitation,Amarylhandedhimthebaghewascarrying.

Foralongtime,SeldonlookedoverAmaryl'spapers.Theworkwasnaiveintheextreme,butheallowednosmiletocrosshisface.Hefollowedthedemonstrations,notoneofwhichwasnew,ofcourse–orevennearlynew–orofanyimportance.

Butthatdidn'tmatter.Seldonlookedup.“Didyoudoallofthisyourself?”

Amaryl,lookingmorethanhalf-frightened,noddedhishead.

Seldonextractedseveralsheets.“Whatmadeyouthinkofthis?”Hisfingerrandownalineofmathematicalreasoning.

Amaryllookeditover,frowned,andthoughtaboutit.Thenheexplainedhislineofthinking.

Seldonlistenedandsaid,“DidyoueverreadabookbyAnatBigell?”

“Onnumbertheory?”

“ThetitlewasMathematicalDeduction.Itwasn'taboutnumbertheory,particularly.”

Amarylshookhishead.“Ineverheardofhim.I'msorry.”

“Heworkedoutthistheoremofyoursthreehundredyearsago.”

Amaryllookedstricken.“Ididn'tknowthat.”

“I'msureyoudidn't.Youdiditmorecleverly,though.It'snotrigorous,but–”

“Whatdoyoumean,'rigorous'?”

“Itdoesn'tmatter.”Seldonputthepapersbacktogetherinasheaf,restoredittothebag,andsaid,“Makeseveralcopiesofallthis.Takeonecopy,haveitdatedbyanofficialcomputer,andplaceitundercomputerizedseal.Myfriendhere,

MistressVenabili,cangetyouintoStreelingUniversitywithouttuitiononsomesortofscholarship.You'llhavetostartatthebeginningandtakecoursesinothersubjectsthanmathematics,but–”

BynowAmarylhadcaughthisbreath.“IntoStreelingUniversity?Theywon'ttakeme.”

“Whynot?Dors,youcanarrangeit,can'tyou?”

“I'msureIcan.”

“No,youcan't,”saidAmarylhotly.“Theywon'ttakeme.I'mfromDahl.”

“Well?”

“Theywon'ttakepeoplefromDahl.”

SeldonlookedatDors.“What'shetalkingabout?”

Dorsshookherhead.“Ireallydon'tknow.”

Amarylsaid,“You'reanOutworlder,Mistress.HowlonghaveyoubeenatStreeling?”

“Alittleovertwoyears,Mr.Amaryl.”

“HaveyoueverseenDahlitesthere–short,curlyblackhair,bigmustaches?”

“Therearestudentswithallkindsofappearances.”

“ButnoDahlites.Lookagainthenexttimeyou'rethere.”

“Whynot?”saidSeldon.

“Theydon'tlikeus.Welookdifferent.Theydon'tlikeourmustaches.”

“Youcanshaveyour–”butSeldon'svoicediedundertheother'sfuriousglance.

“Never.WhyshouldI?Mymustacheismymanhood.”

“Youshaveyourbeard.That'syourmanhoodtoo.”

“Tomypeopleitisthemustache.”

SeldonlookedatDorsagainandmurmured,“Baldheads,mustaches…madness.”

“What?”saidAmarylangrily.

“Nothing.Tellmewhatelsetheydon'tlikeaboutDahlites.”

“Theymakeupthingsnottolike.Theysaywesmell.Theysaywe'redirty.Theysaywesteal.

Theysaywe'reviolent.Theysaywe'redumb.”

“Whydotheysayallthis?”

“Becauseitseasytosayitanditmakesthemfeelgood.Sure,ifweworkintheheatsinks,wegetdirtyandsmelly.Ifwe'repoorandhelddown,someofusstealandgetviolent.Butthatisn'tthewayitiswithallofus.Howaboutthosetallyellow-hairsintheImperialSectorwhothinktheyowntheGalaxy–no,theydoowntheGalaxy.Don'ttheyevergetviolent?Don'ttheystealsometimes?Iftheydidmyjob,they'dsmellthewayIdo.IftheyhadtolivethewayIhaveto,they'dgetdirtytoo.”

“Whodeniesthattherearepeopleofallkindsinallplaces?”saidSeldon.

“Noonearguesthematter!Theyjusttakeitforgranted.MasterSeldon,I'vegottogetawayfromTrantor.IhavenochanceonTrantor,nowayofearningcredits,nowayofgettinganeducation,nowayofbecomingamathematician,nowayofbecominganythingbutwhattheysayIam…aworthlessnothing.”

Thislastwassaidinfrustration–anddesperation.

Seldontriedtobereasonable.“ThepersonI'mrentingthisroomfromisaDahlite.Hehasacleanjob.He'seducated.”

“Ohsure,”saidAmarylpassionately.“Therearesome.Theyletafewdoitso

thattheycansayitcanbedone.AndthosefewcanlivenicelyaslongastheystayinDahl.Letthemgooutsideandthey'llseehowthey'retreated.Andwhilethey'reinheretheymakethemselvesfeelgoodbytreatingtherestofuslikedirt.Thatmakesthemyellow-hairsintheirowneyes.Whatdidthisnicepersonyou'rerentingthisroomfromsaywhenyoutoldhimyouwerebringinginaheatsinker?

WhatdidhesayIwouldbelike?They'regonenow…wouldn'tbeinthesameplacewithme.”

Seldonmoistenedhislips.“Iwon'tforgetyou.I'llseetoitthatyou'llgetoffTrantorandintomyownUniversityinHelicon–onceI'mbacktheremyself.”

“Doyoupromisethat?Yourwordofhonor?EventhoughI'maDahlite?”

“Thefactthatyou'reaDahliteisunimportanttome.Thefactthatyouarealreadyamathematicianis!ButIstillcan'tquitegraspwhatyou'retellingme.Ifinditimpossibletobelievethattherewouldbesuchunreasoningfeelingagainstharmlesspeople.”

Amarylsaidbitterly,“That'sbecauseyou'veneverhadanyoccasiontointerestyourselfinsuchthings.Itranallpassrightunderyournoseandyouwouldn'tsmellathingbecauseitdoesn'taffectyou.”

Dorssaid,“Mr.Amaryl,Dr.Seldonisamathematicianlikeyouandhisheadcansometimesbeintheclouds.Youmustunderstandthat.Iamahistorian,however.Iknowthatitisn'tunusualtohaveonegroupofpeoplelookdownuponanothergroup.Therearepeculiarandalmostritualistichatredsthathavenorationaljustificationandthatcanhavetheirserioushistoricalinfluence.It'stoobad.”

Amarylsaid,“Sayingsomethingis'toobad'iseasy.Yousayyoudisapprove,whichmakesyouaniceperson,andthenyoucangoaboutyourownbusinessandnotbeinterestedanymore.It'salotworsethan'toobad.'It'sagainsteverythingdecentandnatural.We'reallofusthesame,yellow-hairsandblack-hairs,tallandshort,Easterners,Westerners,Southerners,andOutworlders.

We'reallofus,youandIandeventheEmperor,descendedfromthepeopleofEarth,aren'twe?”

“Descendedfromwhat?”askedSeldon.HeturnedtolookatDors,hiseyeswide.

“FromthepeopleofEarth!”shoutedAmaryl.“Theoneplanetonwhichhumanbeingsoriginated.”

“Oneplanet?Justoneplanet?”

“Theonlyplanet.Sure.Earth.”

“WhenyousayEarth,youmeanAurora,don'tyou?”

“Aurora?What'sthat?–ImeanEarth.HaveyouneverheardofEarth?”

“No,”saidSeldon.“Actuallynot.”

“It'samythicalworld,”beganDors,“that–”

“It'snotmythical.Itwasarealplanet.”

Seldonsighed.“I'veheardthisallbefore.Well,let'sgothroughitagain.IsthereaDahlitebookthattellsofEarth?”

“What?”

“Somecomputersoftware,then?”

“Idon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout.”

“Youngman,wheredidyouhearaboutEarth?”

“Mydadtoldme.Everyoneknowsaboutit.”

“Isthereanyonewhoknowsaboutitespecially?Didtheyteachyouaboutitinschool?”

“Theyneversaidawordaboutitthere.”

“Thenhowdopeopleknowaboutit?”

Amarylshruggedhisshoulderswithanairofbeinguselesslybadgeredover

nothing.

“Everyonejustdoes.Ifyouwantstoriesaboutit,there'sMotherRittah.Ihaven'theardthatshe'sdiedyet.”

“Yourmother?Wouldn'tyouknow–”

“She'snotmymother.That'sjustwhattheycallher.MotherRittah.She'sanoldwoman.ShelivesinBillibotton.Orusedto.”

“Where'sthat?”

“Downinthatdirection,”saidAmaryl,gesturingvaguely.

“HowdoIgetthere?”

“Getthere?Youdon'twanttogetthere.You'dnevercomeback.”

“Whynot?”

“Believeme.Youdon'twanttogothere.”

“ButI'dliketoseeMotherRittah.”

Amarylshookhishead.“Canyouuseaknife?”

“Forwhatpurpose?Whatkindofknife?”

“Acuttingknife.Likethis.”Amarylreacheddowntothebeltthatheldhispantstightabouthiswaist.Asectionofitcameawayandfromoneendthereflashedoutaknifeblade,thin,gleaming,anddeadly.

Dors'shandimmediatelycamedownharduponhisrightwrist.

Amaryllaughed.“Iwasn'tplanningtouseit.Iwasjustshowingittoyou.”Heputtheknifebackinhisbelt.“Youneedoneinself-defenseandifyoudon'thaveoneorifyouhaveonebutdon'tknowhowtouseit,you'llnevergetoutofBillibottonalive.Anyway”–hesuddenlygrewverygraveandintent–“areyoureallyserious,MasterSeldon,abouthelpingmegettoHelicon?”

“Entirelyserious.That'sapromise.Writedownyournameandwhereyoucanbereachedbyhypercomputer.Youhaveacode,Isuppose.”

“Myshiftintheheatsinkshasone.Willthatdo?”

“Yes.”

“Wellthen,”saidAmaryl,lookingupearnestlyatSeldon,“thismeansIhavemywholefutureridingonyou,MasterSeldon,sopleasedon'tgotoBillibotton.Ican'taffordtoloseyounow.”HeturnedbeseechingeyesonDorsandsaidsoftly,“MistressVenabili,ifhe'lllistentoyou,don'tlethimgo.Please.”

BILLIBOTTON

DAHL–…Oddlyenough,thebest-knownaspectofthissectorisBillibotton,asemilegendaryplaceaboutwhichinnumerabletaleshavegrownup.Infact,awholebranchofliteraturenowexistsinwhichheroesandadventurers(andvictims)mustdarethedangersofpassingthroughBillibotton.Sostylizedhavethesestoriesbecomethattheonewell-knownand,presumably,authentictaleinvolvingsuchapassage,thatofHariSeldonandDorsVenabili,hascometoseemfantasticsimplybyassociation…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

66

WhenHariSeldonandDorsVenabiliwerealone,Dorsaskedthoughtfully,“Areyoureallyplanningtoseethis'Mother'woman?”

“I'mthinkingaboutit,Dors.”

“You'reanoddone,Hari.Youseemtogosteadilyfrombadtoworse.YouwentUpperside,whichseemedharmlessenough,forarationalpurposewhenyouwereinStreeling.Then,inMycogen,youbrokeintotheElders'aerie,amuchmoredangeroustask,foramuchmorefoolishpurpose.AndnowinDahl,youwanttogotothisplace,whichthatyoungmanseemstothinkissimplesuicide,forsomethingaltogethernon-sensual.”

“I'mcuriousaboutthisreferencetoEarth–andmustknowifthere'sanythingto

it.”

Dorssaid,“It'salegendandnotevenaninterestingone.Itisroutine.Thenamesdifferfromplanettoplanet,butthecontentisthesame.Thereisalwaysthetaleofanoriginalworldandagoldenage.Thereisalongingforasupposedlysimpleandvirtuouspastthatisalmostuniversalamongthepeopleofacomplexandvicioussociety.Inonewayoranother,thisistrueofallsocieties,sinceeveryoneimagineshisorherownsocietytobetoocomplexandvicious,howeversimpleitmaybe.Markthatdownforyourpsychohistory.”

“Justthesame,”saidSeldon,“Ihavetoconsiderthepossibilitythatoneworlddidonceexist.

Aurora…Earth…thenamedoesn'tmatter.Infact–”

HepausedandfinallyDorssaid,“Well?”

Seldonshookhishead.“Doyourememberthehand-on-thighstoryyoutoldmeinMycogen?

hwasrightafterIgottheBookfromRaindropForty-Three…Well,itpoppedintomyheadoneeveningrecentlywhenweweretalkingtotheTisalvers.Isaidsomethingthatremindedme,foraninstant–”

“Remindedyouofwhat?”

“Idon'tremember.Itcameintomyheadandwentoutagain,butsomehoweverytimeIthinkofthesingle-worldnotion,itseemstomeIhavethetipsofmyfingersonsomethingandthenloseit.”

DorslookedatSeldoninsurprise.“Idon'tseewhatitcouldbe.Thehand-on-thighstoryhasnothingtodowithEarthorAurora.”

“Iknow,butthis…thing…thathoversjustpasttheedgeofmymindseemstobeconnectedwiththissingleworldanywayandIhavethefeelingthatImustfindoutmoreaboutitatanycost.

That…androbots.”

“Robotstoo?IthoughttheElders'aerieputanendtothat.”

“Notatall.I'vebeenthinkingaboutthem.”HestaredatDorswithatroubledlookonhisfareforalongmoment,thensaid,“ButI'mnotsure.”

“Sureaboutwhat,Hari?”ButSeldonmerelyshookhisheadandsaidnothingmore.

Dorsfrowned,thensaid,“Hari,letmetellyouonething.Insoberhistory–and,believeme,IknowwhatI'mtalkingaboutthereisnomentionofoneworldoforigin.It'sapopularbelief,Iadmit.Idon'tmeanjustamongtheunsophisticatedfollowersoffolklore,liketheMycogeniansandtheDahliteheatsinkers,buttherearebiologistswhoinsistthattheremusthavebeenoneworldoforiginforreasonsthatarewelloutsidemyareaofexpertiseandtherearethemoremysticalhistorianswhotendtospeculateaboutit.Andamongtheleisure-classintellectuals,Iunderstandsuchspeculationsarebecomingfashionable.Still,scholarlyhistoryknowsnothingaboutit.”

Seldonsaid,“Allthemorereason,perhaps,togobeyondscholarlyhistory.AllIwantisadevicethatwillsimplifypsychohistoryformeandIdon'tcarewhatthedeviceis,whetheritisamathematicaltrickorahistoricaltrickorsomethingtotallyimaginary.Iftheyoungmanwe'vejusttalkedtohadhadalittlemoreformaltraining,I'dhavesethimontheproblem.Histhinkingismarkedbyconsiderableingenuityandoriginality–”

Dorssaid,“Andyou'rereallygoingtohelphim,then?”

“Absolutely.JustassoonasI'minapositionto.”

“Butoughtyoutomakepromisesyou'renotsureyou'llbeabletokeep?”

“Iwanttokeepit.Ifyou'rethatstiffaboutimpossiblepromises,considerthatHummintoldSunmasterFourteenthatI'dusepsychohistorytogettheMycogenianstheirworldback.There'sjustaboutzerochanceofthatEvenifIworkoutpsychohistory,whoknowsifitcanbeusedforsonarrowandspecializedapurpose?There'sarealcaseofpromisingwhatonecan'tdeliver.”

ButDorssaidwithsomeheat,“ChetterHumminwastryingtosaveourlives,tokeepusoutofthehandsofDemerzelandtheEmperor.Don'tforgetthat.AndI

thinkhereallywouldliketohelptheMycogenians.”

“AndIreallywouldliketohelpYugoAmarylandIamfarmorelikelytobeabletohelphimthanIamtheMycogenians,soifyoujustifythesecond,pleasedon'tcriticizethefirst.What'smore,Dors”–andhiseyesflashedangrily–“IreallywouldliketofindMotherRittahandI'mpreparedtogoalone.”

“Never!”snappedDors.“Ifyougo,Igo.”

67

MistressTisalverreturnedwithherdaughterintowanhourafterAmarylhadleftonthiswaytohisshift.ShesaidnothingatalltoeitherSeldonorDors,butgaveacurtnodofherheadwhentheygreetedherandgazedsharplyabouttheroomasthoughtoverifythattheheatsinkerhadleftnotrace.ShethensniffedtheairsharplyandlookedatSeldonaccusinglybeforemarchingthroughthecommonroomintothefamilybedroom.

TisalverhimselfarrivedhomelaterandwhenSeldonandDorscametothedinnertable,Tisalvertookadvantageofthefactthathiswifewasstillorderingsomelast-minutedetailsinconnectionwiththedinnertosayinalowvoice,“Hasthatpersonbeenhere?”

“Andgone,”saidSeldonsolemnly.“Yourwifewasoutatthetime.”

Tisalvernoddedandsaid,“Willyouhavetodothisagain?”

“Idon'tthinkso,”saidSeldon.

“Good.”

Dinnerpassedlargelyinsilence,butafterward,whenthedaughterhadgonetoherroomforthedubiouspleasuresofcomputerpractice,Seldonleanedbackandsaid,“TellmeaboutBillibotton.”

Tisalverlookedastonishedandhismouthmovedwithoutanysoundissuing.Casilia,however,waslesseasilyrenderedspeechless.

Shesaid,“Isthatwhereyournewfriendlives?Areyougoingtoreturnthe

visit?”

“Sofar,”saidSeldonquietly,“IhavejustaskedaboutBillibotton.”

Casiliasaidsharply,“Itisaslum.Thedregslivethere.Noonegoesthere,exceptthefilththatmaketheirhomesthere.”

“IunderstandaMotherRittahlivesthere.”

“Ineverheardofher,”saidCasilia,hermouthclosingwithasnap.ItwasquiteclearthatshehadnointentionofknowinganyonebynamewholivedinBillibotton.

Tisalver,castinganuneasylookathiswife,said,“I'veheardofher.She'sacrazyoldwomanwhoissupposedtotellfortunes.”

“AnddoessheliveinBillibotton?”

“Idon'tknow,MasterSeldon.I'veneverseenher.She'smentionedsometimesinthenewsholocastswhenshemakesherpredictions.”

“Dotheycometrue?”Tisalversnorted.“Dopredictionsevercometrue?Hersdon'tevenmakesense.”

“DoessheevertalkaboutEarth?”

“Idon'tknow.Iwouldn'tbesurprised.”

“ThementionofEarthdoesn'tpuzzleyou.DoyouknowaboutEarth?”

NowTisalverlookedsurprised.“Certainly,MasterSeldon.It'stheworldallpeoplecamefrom…supposedly.”

“Supposedly?Don'tyoubelieveit?”

“Me?I'meducated.Butmanyignorantpeoplebelieveit.”

“Aretherebook-filmsaboutEarth?”

“Children'sstoriessometimesmentionEarth.Iremember,whenIwasayoung

boy,myfavoritestorybegan,'Once,longago,onEarth,whenEarthwastheonlyplanet–'Remember,Casilia?Youlikedittoo.”

Casiliashrugged,unwillingmbendasyet.

“I'dliketoseeitsometime,”saidSeldon,“butImeanrealbook-films…uh…learnedones…

orfilms…orprintouts.”

“Ineverheardofany,butthelibrary–”

“I'lltrythat.–ArethereanytaboosaboutspeakingofEarth?”

“Whataretaboos?”

“Imean,isitastrongcustomthatpeoplemustn'ttalkofEarthorthatoutsidersmustn'taskaboutit?”

Tisalverlookedsohonestlyastonishedthatthereseemednopointinwaitingforananswer.

Dorsputin,“IstheresomeruleaboutoutsidersnotgoingtoBillibotton?”

NowTisalverturnedearnest.“Norule,butit'snotagoodideaforanyonetogothere.Iwouldn't.”

Dorssaid,“Whynot?”

“It'sdangerous.Violent!Everyoneisarmed.–Imean,Dahlisanarmedplaceanyway,butinBillibottontheyusetheweapons.Stayinthisneighborhood.It'ssafe.”

“Sofar,”saidCasiliadarkly.“Itwouldbebetterifweleftaltogether.Heatsinkersgoanywherethesedays.”AndtherewasanotherloweringlookinSeldon'sdirection.

Seldonsaid,“WhatdoyoumeanthatDahlisanarmedplace?TherearestrongImperialregulationsagainstweapons.”

“Iknowthat,”saidTisalver,“andtherearenostungunshereorpercussivesorPsychicProbesoranythinglikethat.Butthereareknives.”Helookedembarrassed.

Dorssaid,“Doyoucarryaknife,Tisalver?”

“Me?”Helookedgenuinelyhorrified.“Iamamanofpeaceandthisisasafeneighborhood.”

“Wehaveacoupleoftheminthehouse,”saidCasilia,sniffingagain.“We'renotthatcertainthisisasafeneighborhood.”

“Doeseveryonecarryknives?”askedDors.

“Almosteveryone,MistressVenabili,”saidTisalver.“It'scustomary.Butthatdoesn'tmeaneveryoneusesthem.”

“ButtheyusetheminBillibotton,Isuppose,”saidDors.“Sometimes.Whenthey'reexcited,theyhavefights.”

“Andthegovernmentpermitsit?TheImperialgovernment,Imean?”

“SometimestheytrytocleanBillibottonup,butknivesaretooeasytohideandthecustomistoostrong.Besides,it'salmostalwaysDahlitesthatgetkilledandIdon'tthinktheImperialgovernmentgetstooupsetoverthat.”

“Whatifit'sanoutsiderwhogetskilled?”

“Ifit'sreported,theImperialscouldgetexcited.Butwhathappensisthatnoonehasseenanythingandnooneknowsanything.TheImperialssometimesrounduppeopleongeneralprinciples,buttheycanneverproveanything.Isupposetheydecideit'stheoutsiders'faultforbeingthere.–Sodon'tgotoBillibotton,evenifyouhaveaknife.”

Seldonshookhisheadratherpettishly.“Iwouldn'tcarryaknife.Idon'tknowhowtouseone.

Notskillfully.”

“Thenit'ssimple,MasterSeldon.Stayout.”Tisalvershookhisheadportentously.“Juststayout.”

“Imaynotbeabletodothateither,”saidSeldon.

Dorsglaredathim,clearlyannoyed,andsaidtoTisalver,“Wheredoesonebuyaknife?Ormaywehaveoneofyours?”

Casiliasaidquickly,“Noonetakessomeoneelse'sknife.Youmustbuyyourown.”

Tisalversaid,“Thereareknifestoresallover.Therearen'tsupposedtobe.Theoreticallythey'reillegal,youknow.Anyappliancestoresellsthem,however.Ifyouseeawashingmachineondisplay,that'sasuresign.”

“AndhowdoesonegettoBillibotton?”askedSeldon.

“ByExpressway.”TisalverlookeddubiousashelookedatDors'sfrowningexpression.

Seldonsaid,“AndonceIreachtheExpressway?”

“Getontheeastboundsideandwatchforthesigns.Butifyoumustgo,MasterSeldon”–Tisalverhesitated,thensaid–“youmustn'ttakeMistressVenabili.Womensometimesaretreated…worse.”

“Shewon'tgo,”saidSeldon.

“I'mafraidshewill,”saidDorswithquietdetermination.

68

Theappliancestoredealer'smustachewasclearlyaslushasithadbeeninhisyoungerdays,butitwasgrizzlednow,eventhoughthehaironhisheadwasstillblack.HetouchedthemustacheoutofsheerhabitashegazedatDorsandbrusheditbackoneachside.

Hesaid,“You'renotaDahlite.”

“Yes,butIstillwantaknife.”

Hesaid,“It'sagainstthelawtosellknives.”

Dorssaid,“I'mnotapolicewomanoragovernmentagentofanysoft.I'mgoingtoBillibotton.”

Hestaredatherthoughtfully.“Alone?”

“Withmyfriend.”ShejerkedherthumboverhershoulderinthedirectionofSeldon,whowaswaitingoutsidesullenly.

“You'rebuyingitforhim?”HestaredatSeldonanditdidn'ttakehimlongtodecide.“He'sanoutsidertoo.Lethimcomeinandbuyitforhimself.”

“He'snotagovernmentagenteither.AndI'mbuyingitformyself.”

Thedealershookhishead.“Outsidersarecrazy.Butifyouwanttospendsomecredits,I'lltakethemfromyou.Hereachedunderthecounter,broughtoutastub,turneditwithaslightandexpertmotion,andtheknifebladeemerged.

“Isthatthelargestyouhave?”

“Bestwoman'sknifemade.”

“Showmeaman'sknife.”

“Youdon'twantonethat'scooheavy.Doyouknowhowtouseoneofthesethings?”

“I'lllearnandI'mnotworriedaboutheavy.Showmeaman'sknife.”

Thedealersmiled.“Well,ifyouwanttoseeone–”Hemovedfartherdownthecounterandbroughtupamuchfatterstub.Hegaveitatwistandwhatappearedtobeabutcher'sknifeemerged.

Hehandedittoher,handlefirst,stillsmiling.

Shesaid,“Showmethattwistofyours.”

Heshowedheronasecondknife,slowlytwistingonewaytomakethebladeappear,thentheotherwaytomakeitdisappear.“Twistandsqueeze,”hesaid.

“Doitagain,sir.”

Thedealerobliged.

Dorssaid,“Allright,closeitandtossmethehaft.”

Hedid,inaslowupwardloop.

Shecaughtit,handeditback,andsaid,“Faster.”

Heraisedhiseyebrowsandthen,withoutwarning,backhandedittoherleftside.Shemadenoattempttobringoverherrighthand,butcaughtitwithherleftandthebladeshowedtumescentlyatonce–thendisappeared.Thedealer'smouthfellopen.

“Andthisisthelargestyouhave?”shesaid.

“Itis.Ifyoutrytouseit,itwilljusttireyouout.”

“I'llbreathedeeply.I'lltakeasecondonetoo.”

“Foryourfriend?”

“No.Forme.”

“Youplanonusingtwoknives?”

“I'vegottwohands.”Thedealersighed.“Mistress,pleasestayoutofBillibotton.Youdon'tknowwhattheydotowomenthere.”

“Icanguess.HowdoIputtheseknivesonmybelt?”

“Nottheoneyou'vegoton,Mistress.That'snotaknifebelt.Icansellyouone,though.”

“Willitholdtwoknives?”

“Imighthaveadoublebeltsomewhere.Notmuchcallforthem.”

“I'mcallingforthem.”

“Imaynothaveitinyoursize.”

“Thenwe'llcutitdownorsomething.”

“Itwillcostyoualotofcredits.”

“Mycredittilewillcoverit.”

Whensheemergedatlast,Seldonsaidsourly,“Youlookridiculouswiththatbulkybelt.”

“Really,Hari?TooridiculoustogowithyoutoBillibotton?Thenlet'sbothgobacktotheapartment.”

“No.I'llgoonbymyself.I'llbesaferbymyself.”

Dorssaid,“Thereisnousesayingthat,Hari.Webothgobackorwebothgoforward.Undernocircumstancesdoweseparate.”

Andsomehowthefirmlookinherblueeyes,thesettoherlips,andthemannerinwhichherhandshaddroppedtothehaftsatherbelt,convincedSeldonshewasserious.

“Verywell,”hesaid,“butifyousurviveandifIeverseeHumminagain,mypriceforcontinuingtoworkonpsychohistory–muchasIhavegrownfondofyou–willbeyourremoval.Doyouunderstand?”

AndsuddenlyDorssmiled.“Forgetit.Don'tpracticeyourchivalryonme.Nothingwillremoveme.Doyouunderstand?”

69

TheygotofftheExpresswaywherethesign,flickeringintheair,said:BILLIBOTTON.Asperhapsanindicationofwhatmightbeexpected,thesecondIwassmeared,amerebloboffainterlight.

Theymadetheirwayoutofthecaranddowntothewalkwaybelow.hwasearlyafternoonandatfirstglance,BillibottonseemedmuchlikethepartofDahltheyhadleft.

Theair,however,hadapungentaromaandthewalkwaywaslitteredwithcrash.Onecouldtellthatauto–sweepswerenotto6efoundintheneighborhood.And,althoughthewalkwaylookedordinaryenough,theatmospherewasuncomfortableandastenseasatoo-tightlycoiledspring.

Perhapsitwasthepeople.Thereseemedthenormalnumberofpedestrians,buttheywerenotlikepedestrianselsewhere,Seldonthought.Ordinarily,inthepressofbusiness,pedestrianswereself-absorbedandintheendlesscrowdsontheendlessthoroughfaresofTrantor,peoplecouldonlysurvive–psychologically–byignoringeachother.Eyesslidaway.Brainswereclosedoff.Therewasanartificialprivacywitheachpersonenclosedinavelvetfogofhisorherownmaking.Ortherewastheritualisticfriendlinessofaneveningpromenadeinthoseneighborhoodsthatindulgedinsuchthings.ButhereinBillibotton,thesewasneitherfriendlinessnorneutralwithdrawal.Atleastnotwhereoutsiderswereconcerned.Everypersonwhopassed,movingineitherdirection,turnedtostareatSeldonandDors.Everypairofeyes,asthoughattachedbyinvisiblecordstothetwooutsiders,followedthemwithillwill.

TheclothingoftheBillibottonerstendedtobesmudged,old,andsometimescorn.Therewasapatinaofill-washedpovertyoverthemandSeldonfeltuneasyattheslicknessofhisownnewclothes.

Hesaid,“WhereinBillibottondoesMotherRittahlive,doyousuppose?”

“Idon'tknow,”saidDors.“Youbroughtushere,soyoudothesupposing.IintendtoconfinemyselftothetaskofprotectionandIthinkI'mgoingtofinditnecessarytodojustthat.”

Seldonsaid,“Iassumeditwouldonlybenecessarytoaskthewayofany

passerby,butsomehowI'mnotencouragedtodoso.”

“Idon'tblameyou.Idon'tthinkyou'llfindanyonespringingwyourassistance.”

“Ontheotherhand,therearesuchthingsasyoungsters.”Heindicatedonewithabriefgestureofonehand.Aboywholookedtobeabouttwelve–inanycaseyoungenoughtolacktheuniversaladultmalemustachehadcometoafullhaltandwasstaringatthem.

Dorssaid,“You'reguessingthataboythatagehasnotyetdevelopedthefullBillibottoniandislikeofoutsiders.”

“Atanyrate,”saidSeldon,“I'mguessingheisscarcelylargeenoughtohavedevelopedthefullBillibottonianpenchantforviolence.Isupposehemightrunawayandshoutinsultsfromadistanceifweapproachhim,butIdoubthe'llattackus.”

Seldonraisedhisvoice.“Youngman.”

Theboytookastepbackwardandcontinuedtostare.

Seldonsaid,“Comehere,”andbeckoned.

Theboysaid,“Wa'for,guy?”

“SoIcanaskyoudirections.Comecloser,soIdon'thavetoshout.”

Theboyapproachedtwostepscloser.Hisfacewassmudged,buthiseyeswerebrightandsharp.Hissandalswereofdifferentmakeandtherewasalargepatchononelegofhistrousers.Hesaid,“Wa'kindo'directions?”

“We'retryingtofindMotherRittah.”

Theboy'seyesflickered.“Wa'for,guy?”

“I'mascholar.Doyouknowwhatascholar–”

“Yawenttoschool?”

“Yes.Didn'tyou?”

Theboyspattoonesideincontempt.“Nah.”

“IwantadvicefromMotherRittah–ifyou'lltakemetoher.”

“Yawantyourfortune?YacometoBillibotton,guy,withyourfancyclothes,soIcantellyayourfortune.Allbad.”

“What'syourname,youngman?”

“What'sittoya?”

“Sowecanspeakinamorefriendlyfashion.AndsoyoucantakemetoMotherRittah'splace.Doyouknowwhereshelives?”

“Maybeyes,maybeno.Myname'sRaych.What'sinitformeifItakeya?”

“Whatwouldyoulike,Raych?”

Theboy'seyeshaltedatDors'sbelt.Raychsaid,“Theladygotacoupleo'knives.GimmeoneandI'lltakeyatoMotherRittah.”

“Thosearegrownpeople'sknives,Raych.You'retooyoung.”

“ThenIguessI'mtooyoungtoknowwhereMotherRittahlives.”Andhelookedupslylythroughtheshaggyhaltthatcurtainedhiseyes.

Seldongrewuneasy.Itwaspossibletheymightattractacrowd.Severalmenhadstoppedalready,buthadthenmovedonwhennothingofinterestseemedtobetakingplace.If,however,theboygrewangryandlashedoutattheminwordordeed,peoplewouldundoubtedlygather.

Hesmiledandsaid,“Canyouread,Raych?”

Raychspatagain.“Nab!Whowantstoread?”

“Canyouuseacomputer?”

“Atalkingcomputer?Sure.Anyonecan.”

“I'lltellyouwhat,then.YoutakemetothenearestcomputerstoreandI'llbuyyoualittlecomputerallyourownandsoftwarethatwillteachyoutoread.Afewweeksandyou'llbeabletoread.”

ItseemedtoSeldonthattheboy'seyessparkledatthethought,but–ifso–theyhardenedatonce.“Nab,knifeornothin'.”

“That'sthepoint,Raych.Youlearntoreadanddon'ttellanyoneandyoucansurprisepeople.

Afterawhileyoucanbetthemyoucanread.Betthemfivecredits.Youcanwinafewextracreditsthatwayandyoucanbuyaknifeofyourown.”

Theboyhesitated.“Nab!Noonewillbetme.Noonegotcredits.”

“Ifyoucanread,youcangetajobinaknifestoreandyoucansaveyourwagesandgetaknifeatadiscount.Howaboutthat?”

“Whenyagonnabuythetalkingcomputer?”

“Rightnow.I'llgiveittoyouwhenIseeMotherRittah.”

“Yougotcredits?”

“Ihaveacredittile.”

“Let'sseeyabuythecomputer.”

Thetransactionwascarriedthrough,butwhentheboyreachedforit,Seldonshookhisheadandputitinsidehispouch.“You'vegottogetmetoMotherRittahfirst,Raych.Areyousureyouknowwheretofindher?”

Raychallowedalookofcontempttocrosshisface.“SureIdo.I'lltakeyathere,onlyyabetterhandoverthecomputerwhenwegetthereorI'llgetsomeguysIknowafteryouandthelady,soyabetterwatchout.”

“Youdon'thavetothreatenus,”saidSeldon.“We'lltakecareofourendofthedeal.”

Raychledthemquicklyalongthewalkway,pastcuriousstares.

SeldonwassilentduringthewalkandsowasDors.Dorswasfarlesslostinherownthoughts,though,forsheclearlyremainedconsciousofthesurroundingpeopleatalltimes.Shekeptmeeting,withalevelglare,theeyesofthosepassersbythatturnedtowardthem.Onoccasion,whentherewerefootstepsbehindthem,sheturnedtolookgrimlyback.

AndthenRaychstoppedandsaid,“Inhere.Sheain'thomeless,yaknow.”

TheyfollowedhimintoanapartmentcomplexandSeldon,whohadhadtheintentionoffollowingtheirroutewithaviewtoretracinghisstepslater,wasquicklylost.

Hesaid,“Howdoyouknowyourwaythroughthesealleys,Raych?”

Theboyshrugged.“Ibeenloafin'throughthemsinceIwasakid,”hesaid.“Besides,theapartmentsarenumbered–wheretheyain'tbrokenoffendthere'sarrowsandthings.Youcan'tgetlostifyouknowthetricks.”

Raychknewthetricks,apparently,andtheywandereddeeperintothecomplex.Hangingoveritallwasanairoftotaldecay:disregardeddebris,inhabitantsslinkingpastinclearresentmentoftheoutsiders'invasion.Unrulyyoungstersranalongthealleysinpursuitofsomegameorother.

Someofthemyelled,“Hey,getouto'theway!”whentheirlevitatingballnarrowlymissedDors.

Andfinally,Raychstoppedbeforeadarkscarreddooronwhichthenumber2782glowedfeebly.

“Thisisit,”hesaidandheldouthishand.

“Firstlet'sseewho'sinside,”saidSeldonsoftly.Hepushedthesignalbuttonandnothinghappened.

“Itdon'twork,”saidRaych.“Yagottabang.Loud.Shedon'theartoogood.”

Seldonpoundedhisfistonthedoorandwasrewardedwiththesoundof

movementinside.Ashrillvoicecalledout,“WhowantsMotherRittah?”

Seldonshouted,“Twoscholars!”

Hetossedthesmallcomputer,withitssmallpackageofsoftwareattached,toRaych,whosnatchedit,grinned,andtookoffatarapidrun.SeldonthenturnedtofacetheopeningdoorandMotherRittah.

70

MotherRittahwaswellintoherseventies,perhaps,buthadthekindoffacethat,atfirstsight,seemedtobeliethat.Plumpcheeks,alittlemouth,asmallroundchinslightlydoubled.Shewasveryshort–notquite1.5meterstall–andhadathickbody.

Buttherewerefinewrinklesabouthereyesandwhenshesmiled,asshesmiledatthesightofthem,othersbrokeoutoverherface.Andshemovedwithdifficulty.

“Comein,comein,”shesaidinasofthigh-pitchedvoiceandpeeredatthemasthoughhereyesightwasbeginningtofail.“Outsiders…Outworlderseven.AmIright?Youdon'tseemtohavetheTrantorsmellaboutyou.”

Seldonwishedshehadn'tmentionedsmell.Theapartment,overcrowdedandlitteredwithsmallpossessionsthatseemeddimanddusty,reekedwithfoododorsthatwereontheedgeofrancidity.Theairwassothickandclingingthathewassurehisclocheswouldsmellstronglyofitwhentheyleft.

Hesaid,“Youaresight,MotherRittah.IamHariSeldonofHelicon.MyfriendisDorsVenabiliofCinna.”

“So,”shesaid,lookingaboutforanunoccupiedspotonthefloorwhereshecouldinvitethemtosit,butfindingnonesuitable.

Dorssaid,“Wearewillingtostand,Mother.”

“What?”shelookedupatDors.“Youmustspeakbriskly,mychild.MyhearingisnotwhatitwaswhenIwasyourage.”

“Whydon'tyougetahearingdevice?”saidSeldon,raisinghisvoice.

“Itwouldn'thelp,MasterSeldon.SomethingseemstobewrongwiththenerveandIhavenomoneyfornerverebuilding.–YouhavecometolearnthefuturefromoldMotherRittah?”

“Notquite,”saidSeldon.“Ihavecometolearnthepast.”

“Excellent.Itissuchastraintodecidewhatpeoplewanttohear.”

“Itmustbequiteanart,”saidDors,smiling.

“Itseemseasy,butonehastoheproperlyconvincing.Iearnmyfees.”

“Ifyouhaveacreditoutlet,”saidSeldon.“WewillpayanyreasonablefeesifyoutellusaboutEarth–withoutcleverlydesigningwhatyoutellustosuitwhatwewanttohear.Wewishtohearthetruth.”

Theoldwoman,whohadbeenshufflingabouttheroom,makingadjustmentshereandthere,asthoughtomakeitallprettierandmoresuitableforimportantvisitors,stoppedshots.“WhatdoyouwanttoknowaboutEarth?”

“Whatisit,tobeginwith?”

Theoldwomanturnedandseemedtogazeoffintospace.Whenshespoke,hervoicewaslowandsteady.

“Itisaworld,averyoldplanet.hisforgottenandlost.”

Dorssaid,“Itisnotpartofhistory.Weknowthatmuch.”

“Itcomesbeforehistory,child,”saidMotherRittahsolemnly.“ItexistedinthedawnoftheGalaxyandbeforethedawn.Itwastheonlyworldwithhumanity.”Shenoddedfirmly.

Seldonsaid,“WasanothernameforEarth…Aurora?”

AndnowMotherRittah'sfacemistedintoafrown.“Wheredidyouhearthat?”

“Inmywanderings.IhaveheardofanoldforgottenworldnamedAuroraon

whichhumanitylivedinprimordialpeace.”

“It'salie.”Shewipedhermouthasthoughtogetthetasteofwhatshehadjustheardoutofit.

“ThatnameyoumentionmustneverbementionedexceptastheplaceofEvil.ItwasthebeginningofEvil.EarthwasalonetillEvilcame,alongwithitssisterworlds.EvilnearlydestroyedEarth,butEarthralliedanddestroyedEvilwiththehelpofheroes.”

“EarthwasbeforethisEvil.Areyousureofthat?”

“Longbefore.EarthwasaloneintheGalaxyforthousandsofyears–millionsofyears.”

“Millionsofyears?Humanityexistedonitformillionsofyearswithnootherpeopleonanyotherworld?”

“That'strue.That'strue.That'strue.”

“Buthowdoyouknowallthis?Isitallinacomputerprogram?Oraprintout?DoyouhaveanythingIcanread?”

MotherRittahshookherhead.“Iheardtheoldstoriesfrommymother,whohearditfromhers,andsoonfarback.Ihavenochildren,soItellthestoriestoothers,butitmaycometoanend.

Thisisatimeofdisbelief.”

Dorssaid,“Notreally,Mother.Therearepeoplewhospeculateaboutprehistorictimesandwhostudysomeofthetalesoflostworlds.”

MotherRittahmadeamotionofherarmasthoughtowipeitaway.“Theylookatitwithcoldeyes.Scholarly.Theytrytofititinwiththeirnotions.IcouldtellyoustoriesforayearofthegreatheroBa-Lee,butyouwouldhavenotimetolistenandIhavelostthestrengthtotell.”

Seldonsaid,“Haveyoueverheardofrobots?”

Theoldwomanshudderedandhervoicewasalmostascream.“Whydoyouasksuchthings?

Thosewereartificialhumanbeings,evilinthemselvesandtheworkoftheEvilworlds.Theyweredestroyedandshouldneverbementioned.”

“Therewasonespecialrobot,wasn'tthere,thattheEvilworldshated?”

MotherRittahtotteredtowardSeldonandpeeredintohiseyes.Hecouldfeelherhotbreathonhisface.“Haveyoucometomockme?Youknowofthesethingsandyetyouask?Whydoyouask?”

“BecauseIwishtoknow.”

“TherewasanartificialhumanbeingwhohelpedEarth.HewasDa-Nee,friendofBa-Lee.

Heneverdiedandlivessomewhere,waitingforhistimetoreturn.Noneknowswhenthattimewillbe,butsomedayhewillcomeandrestorethegreatolddaysandremoveallcruelty,injustice,andmisery.Thatisthepromise.”Atthis,sheclosedhereyesandsmiled,asifremembering…

Seldonwaitedawhileinsilence,thensighedandsaid,“Thankyou,MotherRittah.Youhavebeenveryhelpful.Whatisyourfee?”

“SopleasanttomeetOutworlders,”theoldwomanreplied.“Tencredits.MayIofferyousomerefreshment?”

“No,thankyou,”saidSeldonearnestly.“Pleasetaketwenty.YouneedonlytellushowtogetbacktotheExpresswayfromhere.–And,MotherRittah,ifyoucanarrangetohavesomeofyourtalesofEarthputintoacomputerdisc,Iwillpayyouwell.”

“Iwouldneedsomuchstrength.Howwell?”

“Itwoulddependonhowlongthestoryisandhowwellitistold.Imightpayathousandcredits.”

MotherRittahlickedherlips.“Athousandcredits?ButhowwillIfindyouwhen

thestoryistold?”

“IwillgiveyouthecomputercodenumberatwhichIcanbereached.”

AfterSeldongaveMotherRittahthecodenumber,heandDorsleft,thankfulforthecomparativelycleanodorofthealleyoutside.Theywalkedbrisklyinthedirectionindicatedbytheoldwoman.

Dorssaid,“Thatwasn'taverylonginterview,Hari.”

“Iknow.ThesurroundingswereterriblyunpleasantandIfeltIhadlearnedenough.Amazinghowthesefolktalestendtomagnify.”

“Whatdoyoumean,'magnify'?”

“Well,theMycogeniansfilltheirAurorawithhumanbeingswholivedforcenturiesandtheDahlitesfilltheirEarthwithahumanitythatlivedformillionsofyears.Andbothtalkofarobotthatlivesforever.Still,itmakesonethink.”

“Asfarasmillionsofyearsgo,there'sroomfor–Wherearewegoing?”

“MotherRittahsaidwegointhisdirectiontillwereacharestarea,thenfollowthesignforCENTRALWALKWAY,bearingleft,andkeeponfollowingthesign.Didwepassarestareaonthewayin?”

“Wemaybeleavingbyaroutedifferentfromtheonewecamein.Idon'trememberarestarea,butIwasn'twatchingtheroute.Iwaskeepingmyeyeonthepeoplewepassedand–”

Hervoicediedaway.Upaheadthealleyswelledoutwardonbothsides.

Seldonremembered.Theyhadpassedthatway.Therehadbeenacoupleofrattycouchpadsrestingonthewalkwayflooroneitherside.

Therewas,however,noneedforDorstowatchpassersbygoingoutasshehadcomingin.

Therewerenopassersby.Butupaheadintherestareatheyspottedagroupofmen,ratherlarge-sizedforDahlites,mustachesbristling,bareupperarms

muscularandglisteningundertheyellowishindoorlightofthewalkway.

Clearly,theywerewaitingfortheOutworldersand,almostautomatically,SeldonandDorscametoahalt.Foramomentortwo,thetableauheld.ThenSeldonlookedbehindhimhastily.Twoorthreeadditionalmenhadsteppedintoview.Seldonsaidbetweenhisteeth,“We'retrapped.Ishouldnothaveletyoucome,Dors.”

“Onthecontrary.ThisiswhyI'mhere,butwasitworthyourseeingMotherRittah?”

“Ifwegetoutofthis,itwas.”

Seldonthensaidinaloudandfirmvoice,“Maywepass?”

Oneofthemenaheadsteppedforward.HewasfullySeldon'sheightof1.73meters,butbroaderintheshouldersandmuchmoremuscular.Abitflabbyatthewaist,though,Seldonnoted.

“I'mMarron,”hesaidwithself-satisfiedsignificance,asthoughthenameoughttohavemeaning,“andI'mheretotellyouwedon'tlikeOutworldersinourdistrict.Youwanttocomein,allright–butifyouwanttoleave,you'llhavetopay.”

“Verywell.Howmuch?”

“Allyou'vegot.YourichOutworldershavecredittiles,right?Justhandthemover.”

“No.”

“Nopointsayingno.We'lljusttakethem.”

“Youcan'ttakethemwithoutkillingmeorhurtingmeandtheywon'tworkwithoutmyvoiceprint.Mynormalvoiceprint.”

“That'snotso,Master–see,I'mbeingpolite–wecantakethemawayfromyouwithouthurtingyouverymuch.”

“Howmanyofyoubigstrongmenwillittake?Nine?No.”Seldoncountedrapidly.“Ten.”

“Justone.Me.”

“Withnohelp?”

“Justme.”

“Iftherestofyouwillclearawayandgiveusroom,Iwouldliketoseeyoucryit,Marron.”

“Youdon'thaveaknife,Master.Youwantone?”

“No,useyourstomakethefighteven.I'llfightwithoutone.”

Marronlookedaboutattheothersandsaid,“Hey,thispunyguyisasport.Hedon'tevensoundscared.That'ssortofnice.Itwouldbeashametohurthim.–Itellyouwhat,Master.I'lltakethegirl.Ifyouwantmetostop,handoveryourcredittileandhertileanduseyourrightvoicestoactivatethem.Ifyousayno,thenafterI'mthroughwiththegirl…andthat'lltakesometime”–helaughed–“I'lljusthavetohurtyou.”

“No,”saidSeldon.“Letthewomango.I'vechallengedyoutoafight–onetoone,youwithaknife,mewithout.Ifyouwantbiggerodds,I'llfighttwoofyou,butletthewomango.”

“Stop,Hari!”criedoutDors.“Ifhewantsme,lethimcomeandgetme.Youstayrightwhereyouare,Hari,anddon'tmove.”

“Youhearthat?”saidMarron,grinningbroadly.“'Youstayrightwhereyouare,Hari,anddon'tmove.'Ithinkthelittleladywantsme.Youtwo,keephimstill.”

EachofSeldon'sarmswerecaughtinanirongripandhefeltthesharppointofaknifeinhisback.

“Don'tmove,”saidaharshwhisperinhisear,“andyoucanwatch.Theladywillprobablylikeit.Marron'sprettygoodatthis.”

Dorscalledoutagain.“Don'tmove,Hari!”ShecornedtofaceMarronwatchfully,herhalf-closedhandspoisednearherbelt.

Heclosedinonherpurposefullyandshewaitedtillhehadcomewithinarm'slength,whensuddenlyherownarmsflashedandMarronfoundhimselffacingtwolargeknives.

Foramoment,heleanedbackwardandthenhelaughed.“Thelittleladyhastwoknives–kniveslikethebigboyshave.AndI'veonlygotone.Butthat'sfairenough.”Hisknifewasswiftlyout.“Ihatetohavetocutyou,littlelady,becauseitwillbemorefunforbothofusifIdon't.

MaybeIcanjustknockthemoutofyourhands,huh?”

Dorssaid,“Idon'twanttokillyou.I'lldoallIcantoavoiddoingso.Justthesame,Icallonalltowitness,thatifIdokillyou,itistoprotectmyfriend,asIamhonor-boundtodo.”

Marronpretendedtobeterrified.“Oh,pleasedon'tkillme,littlelady.”ThenheburstintolaughterandwasjoinedbytheotherDahlitespresent.

Marronlungedwithhisknife,quitewideofthemark.Hetrieditagain,thenathirdtime,butDorsneverbudged.Shemadenoattempttofendoffanymotionthatwasnottrulyaimedather.

Marron'sexpressiondarkened.Hewastryingtomakeherrespondwithpanic,buthewasonlymakinghimselfseemineffectual.ThenextlungewasdirectlyatherandDors'sleft-handblademovedflashinglyandcaughthiswithaforcethatpushedhisarmaside.Herright-handbladeflashedinwardandmadeadiagonalslitinhisT-shirt.Athinbloodylinesmearedthedark-hairedskinbeneath.

Marronlookeddownathimselfinshockastheonlookersgaspedinsurprise.Seldonfeltthegriponhimweakenslightlyasthetwowhoheldhimweredistractedbyaduelnotgoingquiteastheyhadexpected.Hetensedhimself.

NowMarronlungedagainandthistimehislefthandshotoutwardtoencloseDors'srightwrist.AgainDors'sleft-handbladecaughthisknifeandhelditmotionless,whileherrighthandtwistedagilelyanddrewdownward,evenasMarron'slefthandcloseduponit.Itclosedonnothingbutthebladeandwhenhe

openedhishandtherewasabloodylinedownthepalm.

DorssprangbackandMarron,awareofthebloodonhischestandhand,roaredoutchokingly,“Someonetossmeanotherknife!”

Therewashesitationandthenoneoftheonlookerstossedhisownknifeunderhanded.Marronreachedforit,butDorswasquicker.Herright-handbladestruckthethrownknifeandsentitflyingbackward,whirlingasitwent.

Seldonfeltthegripsonhisarmsweakenfurther.Heliftedthemsuddenly,pushingupandforward,andwasfree.Histwocaptorsturnedtowardhimwithasuddenshout,buthequicklykneedoneinthegroinandelbowedtheotherinthesolarplexusandbothwentdown.

Heknelttodrawtheknivesofeachandroseasdouble-armedasDors.UnlikeDors,Seldondidnotknowhowtohandletheblades,butheknewtheDahliteswouldscarcelybeawareofthat.

Dorssaid,“Justkeepthemoff,Hari.Don'tattackyet.–Marron,mynextstrokewillnotbeascratch.”

Marron,totallyenraged,roaredincoherentlyandchargedblindly,attemptingbysheerkineticenergytooverwhelmhisopponent.Dors,dippingandsidestepping,duckedunderhisrightarm,kickedherfootagainsthisrightankle,anddownhecrashed,hisknifeflying.

Shethenknelt,placedonebladeagainstthebackofhisneckandtheotheragainsthisthroat,andsaid,“Yield!”

Withanotheryell,Marronstruckoutagainstherwithonearm,pushedhertooneside,thenscrambledtohisfeet.

Hehadnotyetstoodupcompletelywhenshewasuponhim,oneknifeslashingdownwardandhackingawayasectionofhismustache.Thistimeheyowledlikealargeanimalinagony,clappinghishandtohisface.Whenhedrewitaway,itwasdrippingblood.

Dorsshouted,“Itwon'tgrowagain,Marron.Someofthelipwentwithit.Attackoncemoreandyou'redeadmeat.”

Shewaited,butMarronhadhadenough.Hestumbledaway,moaning,leavingatrailofblood.

Dorsturnedtowardtheothers.ThetwothatSeldonhadknockeddownwerestilllyingthere,unarmedandnotanxioustogetup.Shebentdown,cuttheirbeltswithoneofherknivesandthenslittheirtrousers.

“Thisway,you'llhavetoholdyourpantsupwhenyouwalk,”shesaid.

Shestaredatthesevenmenstillontheirfeet,whowerewatchingherwithawestruckfascination.“Andwhichofyouthrewtheknife?”

Therewassilence.

Shesaid,“Itdoesn'tmattertome.Comeoneatatimeoralltogether,buteachtimeIslash,someonedies.”

Andwithoneaccord,theseventurnedandscurriedaway.

DorsliftedhereyebrowsandsaidtoSeldom“Thistime,atleast,Hummincan'tcomplainthatIfailedtoprotectyou.”

Seldonsaid,“Istillcan'tbelievewhatIsaw.Ididn'tknowyoucoulddoanythinglikethat–ortalklikethateither.”

Dorsmerelysmiled.“Youhaveyourtalentstoo.Wemakeagoodpair.Here,retractyourknifebladesandputthemintoyourpouch.IthinkthenewswillspreadwithenormousspeedandwecangetoutofBillibottonwithoutfearofbeingstopped.”

Shewasquiteright.

UNDERCOVER

DAVAN–…IntheunsettledtimesmarkingthefinalcenturiesoftheFirstGalacticEmpire,thetypicalsourcesofunrestarosefromthefactthatpoliticalandmilitaryleadersjockeyedfor“supreme”power(asupremacythatgrewmoreworthlesswitheachdecade).Onlyrarelywasthereanythingthatcouldbecalledapopularmovementpriortotheadventofpsychohistory.Inthisconnection,one

intriguingexampleinvolvesDavan,ofwhomlittleisactuallyknown,butwhomayhavemetwithHariSeldonatonetimewhen…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

71

BothHariSeldonandDorsVenabilihadtakenratherlingeringbaths,makinguseofthesomewhatprimitivefacilitiesavailabletothemintheTisalverhousehold.TheyhadchangedtheirclothingandwereinSeldon'sroomwhenJiradTisalverreturnedintheevening.Hissignalatthedoorwas(orseemed)rathertimid.Thebuzzdidnotlastlong.

Seldonopenedthedoorandsaidpleasantly,“Goodevening,MasterTisalver.AndMistress.”

Shewasstandingrightbehindherhusband,foreheadpuckeredintoapuzzledfrown.

Tisalversaidtentatively,asthoughhewasunsureofthesituation,“AreyouandMistressVenabilibothwell?”Henoddedhisheadasthoughtryingtoelicitanaffirmativebybodylanguage.

“Quitewell.InandoutofBillibottonwithouttroubleandwe'reallwashedandchanged.

There'snosmellleft.”Seldonliftedhischinashesaidit,smiling,tossingthesentenceoverTisalver'sshouldertohiswife.

Shesniffedloudly,asthoughtestingthematter.

Stilltentatively,Tisalversaid,“Iunderstandtherewasaknifefight.”

Seldonraisedhiseyebrows.“Isthatthestory?”

“YouandtheMistressagainstahundredthugs,wewerecold,andyoukilledthemall.Isthatso?”Therewasthereluctantsoundofdeeprespectinhisvoice.

“Absolutelynot,”Dorsputinwithsuddenannoyance.“That'sridiculous.What

doyouthinkweare?Massmurderers?Anddoyouthinkahundredthugswouldremaininplace,waitingtheconsiderabletimeitwouldtakeme–us–tokillthemall?Imean,thinkaboutit.”

“That'swhatthey'resaying,”saidCasiliaTisalverwithshrillfirmness.“Wecan'thavethatsortofthinginthishouse.”

“Inthefirstplace,”saidSeldon,“itwasn'tinthishouse.Inthesecond,itwasn'tahundredmen,itwasten.Inthethird,noonewaskilled.Therewassomealtercationbackandforth,afterwhichtheyleftandmadewayforus.”

“Theyjustmadeway.Doyouexpectmetobelievethat,Outworlders?”demandedMistressTisalverbelligerently.

Seldonsighed.Attheslighteststress,humanbeingsseemedtodividethemselvesintoantagonisticgroups.Hesaid,“Well,Igrantyouoneofthemwascutalittle.Notseriously.”

“Andyouweren'thurtatall?”saidTisalver.Theadmirationinhisvoicewasmoremarked.

“Notascratch,”saidSeldon.“MistressVenabilihandlestwoknivesexcellentlywell.”

“Idaresay,”saidMistressTisalver,hereyesdroppingtoDors'sbelt,“andthat'snotwhatIwanttohavegoingonhere.”

Dorssaidsternly,“Aslongasnooneattacksushere,that'swhatyouwon'thavehere.”

“Butonaccountofyou,”saidMistressTisalver,“wehavetrashfromthestreetstandingatthedoorway.”

“Mylove,”saidTisalversoothingly,“letusnotanger–”

“Why?”spathiswifewithcontempt.“Areyouafraidofherknives?Iwouldliketoseeherusethemhere.”

“Ihavenointentionofusingthemhere,”saidDorswithasniffasloudasany

thatMistressTisalverhadproduced.“Whatisthistrashfromthestreetyou'retalkingabout?”

Tisalversaid,“WhatmywifemeansisthatanurchinfromBillibotton–atleast,judgingbyhisappearance–wishestoseeyouandwearenotaccustomedtothatsortofthinginthisneighborhood.

Itunderminesourstanding.”Hesoundedapologetic.

Seldonsaid,“Well,MasterTisalver,we'llgooutside,findoutwhatit'sallabout,andsendhimonhisbusinessasquickly–”

“No.Wait,”saidDors,annoyed.“Theseareourrooms.Wepayforthem.Wedecidewhovisitsusandwhodoesnot.IfthereisayoungmanoutsidefromBillibotton,heisnonethelessaDahlite.Moreimportant,he'saTrantorian.Stillmoreimportant,he'sacitizenoftheEmpireandahumanbeing.Mostimportant,byaskingtoseeus,hebecomesourguest.Therefore,weinvitehimintoseeus.”

MistressTisalverdidn'tmove.Tisalverhimselfseemeduncertain.

Dorssaid,“SinceyousayIkilledahundredbulliesinBillibotton,yousurelydonotthinkIamafraidofaboyor,forthatmatter,ofyoutwo.”Herrighthanddroppedcasuallytoherbelt.

Tisalversaidwithsuddenenergy,“MistressVenabili,wedonotintendtooffendyou.Ofcoursetheseroomsareyoursandyoucanentertainwhomeveryouwishhere.”Hesteppedback,pullinghisindignantwifewithhim,undergoingaburstofresolutionforwhichhemightconceivablyhavetopayafterward.

Dorslookedafterthemsternly.

Seldonsmileddryly.“Howunlikeyou,Dors.IthoughtIwastheonewhoquixoticallygotintotroubleandthatyouwerethecalmandpracticalonewhoseonlyaimwastopreventtrouble.”

Dorsshookherhead.“Ican'tbeartohearahumanbeingspokenofwithcontemptjustbecauseofhisgroupidentification–evenbyotherhumanbeings.It'stheserespectablepeopleherewhocreatethosehooligansoutthere.”

“Andotherrespectablepeople,”saidSeldon,“whocreatetheserespectablepeople.Thesemutualanimositiesareasmuchapartofhumanity–”

“Thenyou'llhavetodealwithitinyourpsychohistory,won'tyou?”

“Mostcertainly–ifthereiseverapsychohistorywithwhichtodealwithanythingatall.–Ah,herecomestheurchinunderdiscussion.Andit'sRaych,whichsomehowdoesn'tsurpriseme.”

72

Raychentered,lookingabout,clearlyintimidated.Theforefingerofhisrighthandreachedforhisupperlipasthoughwonderingwhenhewouldbegintofeelthefirstdownyhairsthere.

HeturnedtotheclearlyoutragedMistressTisalverandbowedclumsily.“Thankya,Missus.

Yagotalovelyplace.”

Then,asthedoorslammedbehindhim,heturnedtoSeldonandDorswithanairofeasyconnoisseurship.“Niceplace,guys.”

“I'mgladyoulikeit,”saidSeldonsolemnly.“Howdidyouknowwewerehere?”

“Followedya.How'dyathink?Hey,lady”–heturnedtoDors–“youdon'tfightlikenodame.”

“Haveyouwatchedmanydamesfight?”askedDors,amused.

Raychrubbedhisnose,“No,neverseennonewhatever.Theydon'tcarryknives,exceptlittleonestoscarekidswith.Neverscaredme.”

“I'msuretheydidn't.Whatdoyoudotomakedamesdrawtheirknives?”

“Nothin'.Youjustkidaroundalittle.Youholler,'Hey,lady,lemme–'”

Hethoughtaboutitforamomentandsaid,“Nothin'.”

Dorssaid,“Well,don'ttrythatonme.”

“Yakiddin'?AfterwhatyadidtoMarron?Hey,lady,where'dyoulearntofightthatway?”

“Onmyownworld.”

“Couldyateachme?”

“Isthatwhatyoucameheretoseemeabout?”

“Akchaly,no.Icametobringyaakindofmessage.”

“Fromsomeonewhowantstofightme?”

“Noonewantstofightya,lady.Listen,lady,yagotareputationnow.Everybodyknowsya.

YoujustwalkdownanywhereinoldBillibottonandalltheguyswillstepasideandletyapassandgrinandmakesuretheydon'tlookcross-eyedatya.Oh,lady,yagotitmade.That'swhyhewantstoseeya.”

Seldonsaid,“Raych,justexactlywhowantstoseeus?”

“GuycalledDavan.”

“Andwhoishe?”

“Justaguy.HelivesinBillibottonanddon'tcarrynoknife.”

“Andhestaysalive,Raych?”

“Hereadsalotandhehelpstheguystherewhentheygetintroublewiththegov'ment.Theykindaleavehimalone.Hedon'tneednoknife.”

“Whydidn'thecomehimself,then?”saidDors.“Whydidhesendyou?”

“Hedon'tlikethisplace.Hesaysitmakeshimsick.Hesaysallthepeoplehere,theylickthegov'ment's–”Hepaused,lookeddubiouslyatthetwoOutworlders,andsaid,“Anyway,hewon'tcomehere.Hesaidthey'dletmeincauseIwas

onlyakid.”Hegrinned.“Theyalmostdidn't,didthey?Imeanthatladytherewholookedlikeshewassmellin'somethin'?”

Hestoppedsuddenly,abashed,andlookeddownathimself.“Yadon'tgetmuchchancetowashwhereIcomefrom.”

“It'sallright,”saidDors,smiling.“Wherearewesupposedtomeet,then,ifhewon'tcomehere?Afterall–ifyoudon'tmind–wedon'tfeellikegoingtoBillibotton.”

“Itoldya,”saidRaychindignantly.“YagetfreerunofBillibotton,Iswear.Besides,wherehelivesnoonewillbotherya.”

“Whereisit?”askedSeldon.“Icantakeyathere.Itain'tfar.”

“Andwhydoeshewanttoseeus?”askedDors.

“Dunno.Buthesayslikethis–”Raychhalf-closedhiseyesinanefforttoremember.“'TellthemIwannaseethemanwhotalkedtoaDahliteheatsinkerlikehewasahumanbeingandthewomanwhobeatMarronwithknivesanddidn'tkillhimwhenshemightadoneso.'IthinkIgotitright.”

Seldonsmiled.“Ithinkyoudid.Ishereadyforusnow?”

“He'swaiting.”

“Thenwe'llcomewithyou.”HelookedatDorswithatraceofdoubtinhiseyes.

Shesaid,“Allright.I'mwilling.Perhapsitwon'tbeatrapofsomesort.Hopespringseternal–”

73

Therewasapleasantglowtotheeveninglightwhentheyemerged,afaintviolettouchandapinkishedgetothesimulatedsunsetcloudsthatwerescuddingalong.DahlmighthavecomplaintsoftheirtreatmentbytheImperialrulersofTrantor,butsurelytherewasnothingwrongwiththeweatherthecomputersspunoutforthem.

Dorssaidinalowvoice,“Weseemtobecelebrities.Nomistakeaboutthat.”

Seldonbroughthiseyesdownfromthesupposedskyandwasimmediatelyawareofafair-sizedcrowdaroundtheapartmenthouseinwhichtheTisalverslived.

Everyoneinthecrowdstaredatthemintently.WhenitwasclearthatthetwoOutworldershadbecomeawareoftheattention,alowmurmurranthroughthecrowd,whichseemedtobeonthepointofbreakingoutintoapplause.

Dorssaid,“NowIcanseewhereMistressTisalverwouldfindthisannoying.Ishouldhavebeenalittlemoresympathetic.”

Thecrowdwas,forthemostpart,poorlydressedanditwasnothardtoguessthatmanyofthepeoplewerefromBillibotton.

Onimpulse,Seldonsmiledandraisedonehandinamildgreetingthatwasmetwithapplause.

Onevoice,lostinthesafeanonymityofthecrowdcalledout,“Cantheladyshowussomeknifetricks?”

WhenDorscalledback,“No,Ionlydrawinanger,”therewasinstantlaughter.

Onemansteppedforward.HewasclearlynotfromBillibottonandborenoobviousmarkofbeingaDahlite.Hehadonlyasmallmustache,foronething,anditwasbrown,notblack.Hesaid,

“MarloTantoofthe'TrantorianHVNews.'Canwehaveyouinfocusforabitforournightlyholocast?”

“No,”saidDorsshortly.“Nointerviews.”

Thenewsmandidnotbudge.“IunderstandyouwereinafightwithagreatmanymeninBillibotton–andwon.”Hesmiled.“That'snews,thatis.”

“No,”saidDors.“WemetsomemeninBillibotton,talkedtothem,andthenmovedon.That'sallthereistoitandthat'sallyou'regoingtoget.”

“What'syourname?Youdon'tsoundlikeaTrantorian.”

“Ihavenoname.”

“Andyourfriend'sname?”

“Hehasnoname.”

Thenewsmanlookedannoyed,“Look,lady.You'renewsandI'mjusttryingtodomyjob.”

RaychpulledatDors'ssleeve.Sheleaneddownandlistenedtohisearnestwhisper.

Shenoddedandstraightenedupagain.“Idon'tthinkyou'reanewsman,Mr.Tanto.WhatIthinkyouareisanImperialagenttryingtomaketroubleforDahl.Therewasnofightandyou'retryingtomanufacturenewsconcerningoneasawayofjustifyinganImperialexpeditionintoBillibotton.Iwouldn'tstayhereifIwereyou.Idon'tthinkyou'reverypopularwiththesepeople.”

ThecrowdhadbeguntomutteratDors'sfirstwords.Theygrewloudernowandbegantodrift,slowlyandinamenacingway,inthedirectionofTanto.Helookednervouslyaroundandbegantomoveaway.

Dorsraisedhervoice.“Lethimgo.Don'tanyonetouchhim.Don'tgivehimanyexcusetoreportviolence.”

Andtheypartedbeforehim.Raychsaid,“Aw,lady,youshouldaletthemroughhimup.”

“Bloodthirstyboy,”saidDors,“takeustothisfriendofyours.”

74

TheymetthemanwhocalledhimselfDavaninaroombehindadilapidateddiner.Farbehind.

Raychledtheway,oncemoreshowinghimselfasmuchathomeintheburrowsofBillibottonasamolewouldbeintunnelsundergroundinHelicon.

ItwasDorsVenabiliwhosecautionfirstmanifesteditself.Shestoppedandsaid,“Comeback,Raych.Exactlywherearewegoing?”

“ToDavan,”saidRaych,lookingexasperated.“Itoldya.”

“Butthisisadesertedarea.There'snoonelivinghere.”Dorslookedaboutwithobviousdistaste.Thesurroundingswerelifelessandwhatlightpanelswerethereweredidnotglowerdidsoonlydimly.

“It'sthewayDavanlikesit,”saidRaych.“He'salwayschangingaround,stayinghere,stayingthere.Yaknow…changingaround.”

“Why?”demandedDors.“It'ssafer,lady.”

“Fromwhom?”

“Fromthegov'ment.”

“WhywouldthegovernmentwantDavan?”

“Idunno,lady.Tellyawhat.I'lltellyawhereheisandtellyahowtogoandyagoonalone–ifyadon'twantmetotakeya.”

Seldonsaid,“No,Raych,I'mprettysurewe'llgetlostwithoutyou.Infact,youhadbetterwaittillwe'rethroughsoyoucanleadusback.”

Raychsaidatonce,“What'sinitf'me?YaexpectmetohangaroundwhenIgethungry?”

“Youhangaroundandgethungry,Raych,andI'llbuyyouabigdinner.Anythingyoulike.”

“Yasaythatnow.Mister.HowdoIknow?”

Dors'shandflashedanditwasholdingaknife,bladeexposed,“You'renotcallingusliars,areyou,Raych?”

Raych'seyesopenedwide.Hedidnotseemfrightenedbythethreat.Hesaid,“Hey,Ididn'tseethat.Doitagain.”

“I'lldoitafterward–ifyou'restillhere.Otherwise”–Dorsglaredathim–“we'lltrackyoudown.”

“Aw,lady,comeon,”saidRaych.“Yaain'tgonnatrackmedown.Yaain'tthatkind.ButI'llbehere.”Hestruckapose.“Yagotmyword.”

Andheledthemonwardinsilence,thoughthesoundoftheirshoeswashollowintheemptycorridors.

Davanlookedupwhentheyentered,awildlookthatsoftenedwhenhesawRaych.Hegesturedquicklytowardthetwoothersquestioningly.

Raychsaid,“Thesearetheguys.”And,grinning,heleft.

Seldonsaid,“IamHariSeldon.TheyoungladyisDorsVenabili.”

HeregardedDavancuriously.DavanwasswarthyandhadthethickblackmustacheoftheDahlitemale,butinadditionhehadastubbleofbeard.HewasthefirstDahlitewhomSeldonhadseenwhohadnotbeenmeticulouslyshaven.EventhebulliesofBillibottonhadbeensmoothofcheekandchin.

Seldonsaid,“Whatisyourname,sir?”

“Davan.Raychmusthavetoldyou.”

“Yoursecondname.”

“IamonlyDavan.Wereyoufollowedhere,MasterSeldon?”

“No,I'msureweweren't.Ifwehad,thenbysoundorsight,IexpectRaychwouldhaveknown.Andifhehadnot,MistressVenabiliwouldhave.”

Dorssmiledslightly.“Youhavefaithinme,Hari.”

“Moreallthetime,”hesaidthoughtfully.

Davanstirreduneasily.“Yetyou'vealreadybeenfound.”

“Found?”

“Yes,Ihaveheardofthissupposednewsman.”

“Already?”Seldonlookedfaintlysurprised.“ButIsuspecthereallywasanewsman…andharmless.WetattedhimanImperialagentatRaych'ssuggestion,whichwasagoodidea.Thesurroundingcrowdgrewthreateningandwegotridofhim.”

“No,”saidDavan,“hewaswhatyoucalledhim.MypeopleknowthemanandhedoesworkfortheEmpire.–ButthenyoudonotdoasIdo.Youdonotuseafalsenameandchangeyourplaceofabode.Yougounderyourownnames,makingnoefforttoremainundercover.YouareHariSeldon,themathematician.”

“Yes,Iam,”saidSeldon.“WhyshouldIinventafalsename?”

“TheEmpirewantsyou,doesitnot?”

Seldonshrugged.“IstayinplaceswheretheEmpirecannotreachouttotakeme.”

“Notopenly,buttheEmpiredoesn'thavetoworkopenly.Iwouldurgeyoutodisappear…

reallydisappear.”

“Likeyou…asyousay,”saidSeldomlookingaboutwithanedgeofdistaste.Theroomwasasdeadasthecorridorshehadwalkedthrough.Itwasmustythroughandthroughanditwasoverwhelminglydepressing.

“Yes,”saidDavan.“Youcouldbeusefultous.”

“Inwhatway?”

“YoutalkedtoayoungmannamedYugoAmaryl.”

“Yes,Idid.”

“Amaryltellsmethatyoucanpredictthefuture.”

Seldonsighedheavily.Hewastiredofstandinginthisemptyroom.Davanwassittingonacushionandtherewereothercushionsavailable,buttheydidnotlookclean.Nordidhewishtoleanagainstthemildew-streakedwall.

Hesaid,“EitheryoumisunderstoodAmarylorAmarylmisunderstoodme.WhatIhavedoneistoprovethatitispossibletochoosestaffingconditionsfromwhichhistoricalforecastingdoesnotdescendintochaoticconditions,butcanbecomepredictablewithinlimits.However,whatthosestartingconditionsmightbeIdonotknow,noramIsurethatthoseconditionscanbefoundbyanyoneperson–orbyanynumberofpeople–inafinitelengthoftime.Doyouunderstandme?”

“No.”

Seldonsighedagain.“Thenletmetryoncemore.Itispossibletopredictthefuture,butitmaybeimpossibletofindouthowtotakeadvantageofthatpossibility.Doyouunderstand?”

DavanlookedatSeldondarkly,thenatDors.“Thenyoucantpredictthefuture.”

“Nowyouhavethepoint,MasterDavan.”

“JustcallmeDavan.Butyoumaybeabletolearntopredictthefuturesomeday.”

“Thatisconceivable.”

“Thenthat'swhytheEmpirewantsyou.”

“No,”Seldonraisedhisfingerdidactically.“It'smyideathatthatiswhytheEmpireisnotmakinganoverwhelmingefforttogetme.TheymightliketohavemeifIcanbepickedupwithouttrouble,buttheyknowthatrightnowIknownothingandthatitisthereforenotworthupsettingthedelicatepeaceofTrantorbyinterferingwiththelocalrightsofthissectororthat.That'sthereasonIcanmoveaboutundermyownnamewithreasonablesecurity.”

Foramoment,Davanburiedhisheadinhishandsandmuttered,“Thisismadness.”

ThenhelookedupwearilyandsaidtoDors,“AreyouMasterSeldon'swife?”

Dorssaidcalmly,“Iamhisfriendandprotector.”

“Howwelldoyouknowhim?”

“Wehavebeentogetherforsomemonths.”

“Nomore?”

“Nomore.”

“Woulditbeyouropinionheisspeakingthetruth?”

“Iknowheis,butwhatreasonwouldyouhavetocrustmeifyoudonottrusthim?IfHariis,forsomereason,lyingtoyou,mightInotbelyingtoyouequallyinordertosupporthim?”

Davanlookedfromonetotheotherhelplessly.Thenhesaid,“Wouldyou,inanycase,helpus?”

“Whoare'us'andinwhatwaydoyouneedhelp?”

Davansaid,“YouseethesituationhereinDahl.Weareoppressed.Youmustknowthatand,fromyourtreatmentofYugoAmaryl,Icannotbelieveyoulacksympathyforus.”

“Wearefullysympathetic.”

“Andyoumustknowthesourceoftheoppression.”

“Youaregoingtocellmethatit'stheImperialgovernment,Isuppose,andIdaresayitplaysitspart.Ontheotherhand,InoticethatthereisamiddleclassinDahlthatdespisestheheatsinkersandacriminalclassthatterrorizestherestofthesector.”

Davan'slipstightened,butheremainedunmoved.“Quitetrue.Quitetrue.ButtheEmpireencouragesitasamatterofprinciple.Dahlhasthepotentialformakingserioustrouble.Iftheheatsinkersshouldgoonstrike,Trantorwould

experienceasevereenergyshortagealmostatonce…withallthatthatimplies.However,Dahl'sownupperclasseswillspendmoneytohirethehoodlumsofBillibotton–andofotherplaces–tofighttheheatsinkersandbreakthestrike.Ithashappenedbefore.TheEmpireallowssomeDahlitestoprosper–comparatively–inordertoconvertthemintoImperialistlackeys,whileitrefusestoenforcethearms–controllawseffectivelyenoughtoweakenthecriminalelement.

“TheImperialgovernmentdoesthiseverywhere–andnotinDahlalone.Theycan'texertforcetoimposetheirwill,asintheolddayswhentheyruledwithbrutaldirectness.Nowadays,TrantorhasgrownsocomplexandsoeasilydisturbedthattheImperialforcesmustkeeptheirhandsoff–”

“Aformofdegeneration,”saidSeldon,rememberingHummin'scomplaints.

“What?”saidDavan.

“Nothing,”saidSeldon.“Goon.”

“TheImperialforcesmustkeeptheirhandsoff,buttheyfindthattheycandomuchevenso.

Eachsectorisencouragedtobesuspiciousofitsneighbors.Withineachsector,economicandsocialclassesareencouragedtowageakindofwarwitheachother.TheresultisthatalloverTrantoritisimpossibleforthepeopletotakeunitedaction.Everywhere,thepeoplewouldratherfighteachotherthanmakeacommonstandagainstthecentraltyrannyandtheEmpireruleswithouthavingtoexertforce.”

“Andwhat,”saidDors,“doyouthinkcanbedoneaboutit?”

“I'vebeentryingforyearstobuildafeelingofsolidarityamongthepeoplesofTrantor.”

“Icanonlysuppose,”saidSeldondryly,“thatyouarefindingthisanimpossiblydifficultandlargelythanklesstask.”

“Yousupposecorrectly,”saidDavan,“butthepartyisgrowingstronger.Manyofourknifersarecomingtotherealizationthatknivesarebestwhentheyarenot

usedoneachocher.ThosewhoattackedyouinthecorridorsofBillibottonareexamplesoftheunconverted.However,thosewhosupportyounow,whoarereadytodefendyouagainsttheagentyouthoughtwasanewsman,aremypeople.Ilivehereamongthem.Itisnotanattractivewayoflife,butIamsafehere.Wehaveadherentsinneighboringsectorsandwespreaddaily.”

“Butwheredowecomein?”askedDors.

“Foronething,”saidDavan,“bothofyouareOutworlders,scholars.Weneedpeoplelikeyouamongourleaders.Ourgreateststrengthisdrawnfromthepoorandtheuneducatedbecausetheysufferthemost,buttheycanleadtheleast.Apersonlikeoneofyoutwoisworthahundredofthem.”

“That'sanoddestimatefromsomeonewhowishestorescuetheoppressed,”saidSeldon.

“Idon'tmeanaspeople,”saidDavanhastily.“Imeanasfarasleadershipisconcerned.Thepartymusthaveamongitsleadersmenandwomenofintellectualpower.”

“Peoplelikeus,youmean,areneededtogiveyourpartyaveneerofrespectability.”

Davansaid,“Youcanalwaysputsomethingnobleinasneeringfashionifyoutry.Butyou,MasterSeldon,aremorethanrespectable,morethanintellectual.Evenifyouwon'tadmittobeingabletopenetratethemistsofthefuture–”

“Please,Davan,”saidSeldon,“don'tbepoeticanddon'tusetheconditional.It'snotamatterofadmitting.Ican'tforeseethefuture.Thosearenotmiststhatblocktheviewbutchromesteelbarriers.”

“Letmefinish.Evenifyoucan'tactuallypredictwith–whatdoyoucallit?–psychohistoricalaccuracy,you'vestudiedhistoryandyoumayhaveacertainintuitivefeelingforconsequences.

Now,isn'tthatso?”

Seldonshookhishead.“Imayhaveacertainintuitiveunderstandingformathematicallikelihood,buthowfarIcantranslatethatintoanythingof

historicalsignificanceisquiteuncertain.

Actually,Ihavenotstudiedhistory.IwishIhad.Ifeelthelosskeenly.”

Dorssaidevenly,“Iamthehistorian,Davan,andIcansayafewthingsifyouwish.”

“Pleasedo,”saidDavan,makingithalfacourtesy,halfachallenge.

“Foronething,therehavebeenmanyrevolutionsinGalactichistorythathaveoverthrowntyrannies,sometimesonindividualplanets,sometimesingroupsofthem,occasionallyintheEmpireitselforinthepre-Imperialregionalgovernments.Often,thishasonlymeantachangeintyranny.Inotherwords,onerulingclassisreplacedbyanother–sometimesbyonethatismoreefficientandthereforestillmorecapableofmaintainingitself–whilethepooranddowntroddenremainpooranddowntroddenorbecomeevenworseoff.”

Davan,listeningintently,said,“I'mawareofthat.Weallare.Perhapswecanlearnfromthepastandknowbetterwhattoavoid.Besides,thetyrannythatnowexistsisactual.Thatwhichmayexistinthefutureismerelypotential.Ifwearealwaystodrawbackfromchangewiththethoughtthatthechangemaybefortheworse,thenthereisnohopeatallofeverescapinginjustice.”

Dorssaid,“Asecondpointyoumustrememberisthatevenifyouhaverightonyourside,evenifjusticethunderscondemnation,itisusuallythetyrannyinexistencethathasthebalanceofforceonitsside.Thereisnothingyourknifehandlerscandointhewayofriotinganddemonstratingthatwillhaveanypermanenteffectaslongas,intheextremity,thereisanarmyequippedwithkinetic,chemical,andneurologicalweaponsthatiswillingtousethemagainstyourpeople.Youcangetallthedowntroddenandevenalltherespectablesonyourside,butyoumustsomehowwinoverthesecurityforcesandtheImperialarmyoratleastseriouslyweakentheirloyaltytotherulers.”

Davansaid,“Trantorisamulti-governmentalworld.Eachsectorhasitsownrulersandsomeofthemarethemselvesanti-Imperial.Ifwecanhaveastrongsectoronourside,thatwouldchangethesituation,woulditnot?Wewouldthennotbemerelyragamuffinsfightingwithknivesandstones.”

“Doesthatmeanyoudohaveastrongsectoronyoursideormerelythatitisyourambitiontohaveone?”

Davanwassilent.

Dorssaid,“IshallassumethatyouarethinkingoftheMayorofWye.IftheMayorisinthemoodtomakeuseofpopulardiscontentasawayofimprovingthechanceoftopplingtheEmperor,doesn'titstrikeyouthattheendtheMayorwouldhaveinviewwouldbethatofsucceedingtotheImperialthrone?WhyshouldtheMayorriskhispresentnot-inconsiderablepositionforanythingless?Merelyfortheblessingsofjusticeandthedecenttreatmentofpeople,concerningwhomhecanhavelittleinterest?”

“Youmean,”saidDavan,“thatanypowerfulleaderwhoiswillingtohelpusmaythenbetrayus.”

“ItisasituationthatisalltoocommoninGalactichistory.”

“Ifwearereadyforthat,mightwenotbetrayhim?”

“Youmean,makeuseofhimandthen,atsomecrucialmoment,subverttheleaderofhisforces–oraleader,atanyrace–andhavehimassassinated?”

“Notperhapsexactlytikethat,butsomewayofgettingridofhimmightexistifthatshouldprovenecessary.”

“Thenwehavearevolutionarymovementinwhichtheprincipalplayersmustbereadytobetrayeachother,witheachsimplywaitingfortheopportunity.hsoundslikearecipeforchaos.”

“Youwillnothelpus,then?”saidDavan.

Seldon,whohadbeenlisteningtotheexchangebetweenDavanandDorswithapuzzledfrownonhisface,said,“Wecan'tputitthatsimply.Wewouldliketohelpyou.Weareonyourside.ItseemstomethatnosanemanwantstoupholdanImperialsystemthatmaintainsitselfbyfosteringmutualhatredandsuspicions.Evenwhenitseemstowork,itcanonlybedescribedasmeta-stable;thatis,astooapttofallintoinstabilityinonedirectionoranother.Butthequestionis:Howcanwehelp?IfIhadpsychohistory,ifIcouldtellwhatismost

likelytohappen,orifIcouldtellwhatactionofanumberofalternativepossibilitiesismostlikelytobringonanapparentlyhappyconsequence,thenIwouldputmyabilitiesatyourdisposal.–ButIdon'thaveit.Icanhelpyoubestbytryingtodeveloppsychohistory.”

“Andhowlongwillthattake?”

Seldonshrugged.“Icannotsay.”

“Howcanyouaskustowaitindefinitely?”

“WhatalternativedoIhave,sinceIamuselesstoyouasIam?ButIwillsaythis:Ihaveuntilveryrecentlybeenquiteconvincedthatthedevelopmentofpsychohistorywasabsolutelyimpossible.NowIamnotsocertainofthat.”

“Youmeanyouhaveasolutioninmind?”

“No,merelyanintuitivefeelingthatasolutionmightbepossible.Ihavenotbeenabletopindownwhathasoccurredtomakemehavethatfeeling.Itmaybeanillusion,butIamtrying.Letmecontinuetotry.–Perhapsthewillmeetagain.”

“Orperhaps,”saidDavan,“ifyoureturntowhereyouarenowstaying,youwilleventuallyfindyourselfinanImperialtrap.YoumaythinkthattheEmpirewillleaveyoualonewhiteyoustrugglewithpsychohistory,butIamcertaintheEmperorandhistoadyDemerzelareinnomoodtowaitforever,anymorethanIam.”

“Itwilldothemnogoodtohasten,”saidSeldoncalmly,“sinceIamnotontheirside,asIamonyours.–Come,Dors.”

TheyturnedandleftDavan,sittingaloneinhissqualidroom,andfoundRaychwaitingforthemoutside.

75

Raychwaseating,lickinghisfingers,andcrumplingthebaginwhichthefood–whateveritwas–hadbeen.Astrongsmellofonionspervadedtheair–differentsomehow,yeast-basedperhaps.

Dors,recreatingalittlefromtheodor,said,“Wheredidyougetthefoodfrom,Raych?”

“Davan'sguys.Theybroughtittome.Davan'sokay.”

“Thenwedon'thavetobuyyoudinner,dowe?”saidSeldon,consciousofhisownemptystomach.

“Yaowemesomethin'”saidRaych,lookinggreedilyinDors'sdirection.“Howaboutthelady'sknife?Oneof'em.”

“Noknife,”saidDors.“YougetusbacksafelyandI'llgiveyoufivecredits.”

“Can'tgetnoknifeforfivecredits,”grumbledRaych.“You'renotgettinganythingbutfivecredits,”saidDors.“You'realousydame,lady,”saidRaych.“I'malousydamewithaquickknife,Raych,sogetmoving.”

“Allright.Don'tgetallperspired.”Raychwavedhishand.“Thisway.”

Itwasbackthroughtheemptycorridors,butthistimeDors,lookingthiswayandthat,stopped.“Holdon,Raych.We'rebeingfollowed.”

Raychlookedexasperated.“Yaain'tsupposedtohear'em.”

Seldonsaid,bendinghisheadtooneside,“Idon'thearanything.”

“Ido,”saidDors.“Now,Raych,Idon'twantanyfoolingaround.Youtellmerightnowwhat'sgoingonorI'llrapyourheadsothatyouwon'tseestraightforaweek.Imeanit.”

Raychhelduponearmdefensively.“Youtryit,youlousydame.Youtryit.–It'sDavan'sguys.They'rejusttakingcareofus,incaseanykniferscomealong.”

“Davan'sguys?”

“Yeah.They'regoin'alongtheservicecorridors.”

Dors'srighthandshotoutandseizedRaychbythescruffofhisuppergarment.

Sheliftedandhedangled,shouting,“Hey,lady.Hey!”

Seldonsaid,“Dors!Don'tbehardonhim.”

“I'llbeharderstillifIthinkhe'slying.You'remycharge,Hari,nothe.”

“I'mnotlyin',”saidRaych,struggling.“I'mnot.”

“I'msureheisn't,”saidSeldon.

“Well,we'llsee.Raych,tellthemtocomeoutwherewecanseethem.”Shelethimdropanddustedherhands.

“You'resomekindofnut,lady,”saidRaychaggrievedly.Thenheraisedhisvoice.“Yay,Davan!Comeouthere,someofyaguys!”

Therewasawaitandthen,fromanunlitopeningalongthecorridor,twodark-mustachedmencameout,onewithascarrunningthelengthofhischeek.Eachheldthesheathofaknifeinhishand,bladewithdrawn.

“Howmanymoreofyouarethere?”askedDorsharshly.

“Afew,”saidoneofthenewcomers.“Orders.We'reguardingyou.Davanwantsyousafe.”

“Thankyou.Trytobeevenquieter.Raych,keeponmoving.”

Raychsaidsulkily,“YatoughedmeupwhenIwastellingthetruth.”

“You'reright,”saidDors.“Atleast,Ithinkyou'reright…andIapologize.”

“I'mnotsureIshouldaccept,”saidRaych,tryingtostandtall.“Butawright,justthisonce.”

Hemovedon.

Whentheyreachedthewalkway,theunseencorpsofguardsvanished.Atleast,evenDors'skeenearscouldhearthemnomore.Bynow,though,theyweremovingintotherespectablepartofthesector.

Dorssaidthoughtfully,“Idon'tthinkwehaveclothesthatwouldfityou,Raych.”

Raychsaid,“Whydoyawantclothestofitme,Missus?”(RespectabilityseemedtoinvadeRaychoncetheywereoutofthecorridors.)“Igotclothes.”

“Ithoughtyou'dliketocomeintoourplaceandtakeabath.”

Raychsaid,“Whatfor?I'llwashoneo'thesedays.AndI'llputonmyothershirt.”HelookedupatDorsshrewdly.“You'resorryyaroughedmeup.Right?Yatryin'tomakeup?”

Dorssmiled.“Yes.Sortof.”

Raychwavedahandinlordlyfashion.“That'sallright.Yadidn'thurt.Listen.You'restrongforalady.YaliftedmeuplikeIwasnothin'.”

“Iwasannoyed,Raych.IhavetobeconcernedaboutMasterSeldon.”

“Yasortofhisbodyguard?”RaychlookedatSeldoninquiringly.“Yagotaladyforabodyguard?”

“Ican'thelpit,”saidSeldomsmilingwryly.“Sheinsists.Andshecertainlyknowsherjob.”

Dorssaid,“Thinkagain,Raych.Areyousureyouwon'thaveabath?Anicewarmbath.”

Raychsaid,“Igotnochance.Yathinkthatladyisgonnaletmeinthehouseagain?”

DorslookedupandsawCasiliaTisalveroutsidethefrontdooroftheapartmentcomplex,staringfirstattheOutworldwomanandthenattheslum-bredboy.Itwouldhavebeenimpossibletotellinwhichcaseherexpressionwasangrier.

Raychsaid,“Well,solong,MisterandMissus.Idon'tknowifshe'llleteitherofyainthehouse.”Heplacedhishandsinhispocketandswaggeredoffinafineaffectationofcarefreeindifference.

Seldonsaid,“Goodevening,MistressTisalver.It'sratherlate,isn'tit?”

“It'sverylate,”shereplied.“Therewasanearriottodayoutsidethisvery

complexbecauseofthatnewsmanyoupushedthestreetverminat.”

“Wedidn'tpushanyoneonanyone,”saidDors.

“Iwasthere,”saidMistressTisalverintransigently.“Isawit.”

Shesteppedasidetoletthementer,butdelayedlongenoughtomakeherreluctancequiteplain.

“Sheactsasthoughthatwasthelaststraw,”saidDorsassheandSeldonmadetheirwayuptotheirrooms.

“So?Whatcanshedoaboutit?”askedSeldon.

“Iwonder,”saidDors.

OFFICERS

RAYCH–…AccordingtoHariSeldon,theoriginalmeetingwithRaychwasentirelyaccidental.HewassimplyagutterurchinfromwhomSeldonhadaskeddirections.Buthislife,fromthatmomenton,continuedtobeintertwinedwiththatofthegreatmathematicianuntil…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

76

Thenextmorning,dressedfromthewaistdown,havingwashedandshaved,SeldonknockedonthedoorthatledtoDors'sadjoiningroomandsaidinamoderatevoice,“Openthedoor,Dors.”

Shedid.Theshortreddish-goldcurlsofherhairwerestillwetandshetoowasdressedonlyfromthewaistdown.

Seldonsteppedbackinembarrassedalarm.Dorslookeddownattheswellofherbreastsindifferentlyandwrappedatowelaroundherhead.“Whatisit?”sheasked.

Seldonsaid,lookingofftohisright,“IwasgoingtoaskyouaboutWye.”

Dorssaidverynaturally,“Aboutwhyinconnectionwithwhat?Andforgoodnesssake,don'tmakemetalktoyourear.Surely,you'renotavirgin.”

Seldonsaidinahurttone,“Iwasmerelytryingtobepolite.Ifyoudon'tmind,Icertainlydon't.Andit'snotwhyaboutwhat.I'maskingabouttheWyeSector.”

“Whydoyouwanttoknow?Or,ifyouprefer:WhyWye?”

“Look,Dors,I'mserious.Everyonceinawhile,theWyeSectorismentioned–theMayorofWye,actually.Humminmentionedhim,youdid,Davandid.Idon'tknowanythingabouteitherthesectorortheMayor.”

“I'mnotanativeTrantorianeither,Hari.Iknowverylittle,butyou'rewelcometowhatIdoknow.Wyeisnearthesouthpole–quitelarge,verypopulous–”

“Verypopulousatthesouthpole?”

“We'renotonHelicon,Hari.OronCinnaeither.ThisisTrantor.Everythingisundergroundandundergroundatthepolesorundergroundattheequatorisprettymuchthesame.Ofcourse,Iimaginetheykeeptheirday-nightarrangementsratherextreme–longdaysintheirsummer,longnightsintheirwinter–almostasitwouldbeonthesurface.Theextremesarejustaffectation;they'reproudofbeingpolar.”

“ButUppersidetheymustbecold,indeed.”

“Ohyes.TheWyeUppersideissnowandice,butitdoesn'tlieasthicklythereasyoumightthink.Ifitdid,itmightcrushthedome,butitdoesn'tandthatisthebasicreasonforWye'spower.”

Sheturnedtohermirror,removedthetowelfromherhead,andthrewthedry-netoverherhair,which,inamatteroffiveseconds,gaveitapleasantsheen.Shesaid,“YouhavenoideahowgladIamnottobewearingaskincap,”assheputontheupperportionofherclothing.

“WhathastheicelayertodowithWye'spower?”

“Thinkaboutit.Fortybillionpeopleuseagreatdealofpowerandeverycalorieofiteventuallydegeneratesintoheatandhastobegottenridof.It'spipedtothe

poles,particularlytothesouthpole,whichisthemoredevelopedofthetwo,andisdischargedintospace.ItmetesmostoftheiceintheprocessandI'msurethataccountsforTrantor'scloudsandrains,nomatterhowmuchthemeteorologybogginsinsistthatthingsaremorecomplicatedthanthat.”

“DoesWyemakeuseofthepowerbeforedischargingit?”

“Theymay,forallIknow.Ihaven'ttheslightestidea,bytheway,astothetechnologyinvolvedindischargingtheheat,butI'mtalkingaboutpoliticalpower.IfDahlweretostopproducingusableenergy,thatwouldcertainly.inconvenienceTrantor,butthereareothersectorsthatproduceenergyandcanuptheirproductionand,ofcourse,thereisstoredenergyinoneformoranother.Eventually,Dahlwouldhavetobedealtwith,buttherewouldbetime.Wye,ontheotherhand–”

“Yes?”

“Well,Wyegetsridofatleast90percentofalltheheatdevelopedonTrantorandthereisnosubstitute.IfWyeweretoshutdownitsheatemission,thetemperaturewouldstartgoingupalloverTrantor.”

“InWyetoo.”

“Ate,butsinceWyeisatthesouthpole,itcanarrangeaninfluxofcoldair.Itwouldn'tdomuchgood,butWyewouldlastlongerthantherestofTrantor.Thepointis,then,thatWyeisaverytouchyproblemfortheEmperorandtheMayorofWyeis–oratleastcanbe–extremelypowerful.”

“AndwhatkindofapersonisthepresentMayorofWye?”

“ThatIdon'tknow.WhatI'veoccasionallyheardwouldmakeitseemthatheisveryoldandprettymucharecluse,buthardasahypershiphullandstillcleverlymaneuveringforpower.”

“Why,Iwonder?Ifhe'sthatold,hecouldn'tholdthepowerforlong.”

“Whoknows,Hari?Alifelongobsession,Isuppose.Orelseit'sthegame…themaneuveringforpower,withoutanyreallongingforthepoweritself.ProbablyifhehadthepowerandtookoverDemerzel'splaceoreventheImperialthrone

itself,hewouldfeeldisappointedbecausethegamewouldbeover.Ofnursehemight,ifhewasstillalive,beginthesubsequentgameofkeepingpower,whichmightbejustasdifficultandjustassatisfying.”

Seldonshookhishead.“ItstrikesmethatnoonecouldpossiblywanttobeEmperor.”

“Nosanepersonwould,Ifree,butthe'Imperialwish,'asitisfrequentlycalled,islikeadiseasethat,whencaught,drivesoutsanity.Andthecloseryougettohighoffice,themorelikelyyouaretocatchthedisease.Witheachensuingpromotion–”

“Thediseasegrowsstillmoreacute.Yes,Icanseethat.ButitalsoseemstomethatTrantorissohugeaworld,sointerlockinginitsneedsandsoconflictinginitsambitions,thatitmakesupthemajorpartoftheinabilityoftheEmperortorule.Whydoesn'thejustleaveTrantorandestablishhimselfonsomesimplerworld?”

Dorslaughed.“Youwouldn'taskthatifyouknewyourhistory.TrantoristheEmpirethroughthousandsofyearsofcustom.AnEmperorwhoisnotattheImperialPalaceisnottheEmperor.Heisaplace,evenmorethanaperson.”

Seldonsankintosilence,hisfacerigid,andafterawhileDorsasked,“What'sthematter,Hari?”

“I'mthinking,”hesaidinamuffledvoice.“Eversinceyoutoldmethathand-on-thighstory,I'vehadfugitivethoughtsthat–NowyourremarkabouttheEmperorbeingaplaceratherthanapersonseemstohavestruckachord.”

“Whatkindofchord?”

Seldonshookhishead.“I'mstillthinking.Imaybeallwrong.”HisglanceatDorssharpened,hiseyescomingintofocus.“Inanycase,weoughttogodownandhavebreakfast.We'relateandIdon'tthinkMistressTisalverisinagoodenoughhumortohaveitbroughtinforus.”

“Youoptimist,”saidDors.“Myownfeelingisthatshe'snotinagoodenoughhumortowantustostay–breakfastornot.Shewantsusoutofhere.”

“Thatmaybe,butwe'repayingher.”

“Yes,butIsuspectshehatesusenoughbynowtoscornourcredits.”

“Perhapsherhusbandwillfeelabitmoreaffectionateconcerningtherent.”

“Ifhehasasinglewordtosay,Hari,theonlypersonwhowouldbemoresurprisedthanmetohearitwouldbeMistressTisalver.–Verywell,I'mready.”

AndtheymoveddownthestairstotheTisalverportionoftheapartmenttofindtheladyinquestionwaitingforthemwithlessthanbreakfast–andwithconsiderablymoretoo.

77

CasiliaTisalverstoodramrodstraightwithatightsmileonherroundfaceandherdarkeyesglinting.Herhusbandwasleaningmoodilyagainstthewall.Inthecenteroftheroomweretwomenwhowerestandingstifflyupright,asthoughtheyhadnoticedthecushionsonthefloorbutscornedthem.

BothhadthedarkcrisphairandthechickblackmustachetobeexpectedofDahlites.Bothwerethinandbothweredressedindarkclothessonearlyalikethattheyweresurelyuniforms.

Therewasthinwhitepipingupandovertheshouldersanddownthesidesofthetubulartrouserlegs.Eachhad,ontherightsideofhischest,aratherdimSpaceship-and-Sun,thesymboloftheGalacticEmpireoneveryinhabitedworldoftheGalaxy,with,inthiscase,adark“D”inthecenterofthesun.

SeldonrealizedimmediatelythattheseweretwomembersoftheDahlitesecurityforces.

“What'sallthis?”saidSeldonsternly.

Oneofthemensteppedforward.“IamSectorOfficerLanelRuss.Thisismypartner,GeboreAstinwald.”

Bothpresentedglitteringidentificationholo-tabs.Seldondidn'tbotherlookingatthem.“Whatitisyouwant?”

Russsaidcalmly,“AreyouHariSeldonofHelicon?”

“Iam.”

“AndareyouDorsVenabiliofCinna,Mistress?”

“Iam,”saidDors.

“I'mheretoinvestigateacomplaintthatoneHariSeldoninstigatedariotyesterday.”

“Ididnosuchthing,”saidSeldon.

“Ourinformationis,”saidRuss,lookingatthescreenofasmallcomputerpad,“thatyouaccusedanewsmanofbeinganImperialagent,thusinstigatingariotagainsthim.”

Dorssaid,“ItwasIwhosaidhewasanImperialagent,Officer.Ihadreasontothinkhewas.

hissurelynocrimetoexpressone'sopinion.TheEmpirehasfreedomofspeech.”

“Thatdoesnotcoveranopiniondeliberatelyadvancedinordertoinstigateariot.”

“Howcanyousayitwas,Officer?”

Atthispoint,MistressTisalverinterposedinashrillvoice,“Icansayit,Officer.Shesawtherewasacrowdpresent,acrowdofgutterpeoplewhowerejustlookingfortrouble.ShedeliberatelysaidhewasanImperialagentwhensheknewnothingofthesortandsheshoutedittothecrowdtostirthemup.Itwasplainthatsheknewwhatshewasdoing.”

“Casilia,”saidherhusbandpleadingly,butshecastonelookathimandhesaidnomore.

RussturnedtoMistressTisalver.“Didyoulodgethecomplaint,Mistress?”

“Yes.Thesetwohavebeenlivinghereforafewdaysandthey'vedonenothingbutmaketrouble.They'veinvitedpeopleoflowreputationintomyapartment,damagingmystandingwithmyneighbors.”

“Isitagainstthelaw,Officer,”askedSeldon,“toinviteclean,quietcitizensofDahlintoone'sroom?Thetworoomsupstairsareourrooms.Wehaverentedthemandtheyarepaidfor.IsitacrimetospeaktoDahlitesinDahl,Officer?”

“No,itisnot,”saidRuss.“Thatisnotpartofthecomplaint.Whatgaveyoureason,MistressVenabili,tosupposethepersonyousoaccusedwas,infact,anImperialagent?”

Dorssaid,“Hehadasmallbrownmustache,fromwhichIconcludedhewasnotaDahlite.IsurmisedhewasanImperialagent.”

“Yousurmised?Yourassociate,MasterSeldon,hasnomustacheatall.DoyousurmiseheisanImperialagent?”

“Inanycase,”saidSeldonhastily,“therewasnoriot.WeaskedthecrowdtotakenoactionagainstthesupposednewsmanandI'msuretheydidn't.”

“You'resure,MasterSeldon?”saidRuss.“Ourinformationisthatyouleftimmediatelyaftermakingyouraccusation.Howcouldyouwitnesswhathappenedafteryouleft?”

“Icouldn't,”saidSeldon,“butletmeaskyou–Isthemandead?Isthemanhurt?”

“Themanhasbeeninterviewed.HedeniesheisanImperialagentandwehavenoinformationthatheis.Healsoclaimshewashandledroughly.”

“Hemaywellbelyinginbothrespects,”saidSeldon.“IwouldsuggestaPsychicProbe.”

“Thatcannotbedoneonthevictimofacrime,”saidRuss.“Thesectorgovernmentisveryfirmonthat.Itmightdoifyoutwo,asthecriminalsinthiscase,eachunderwentaPsychicProbe.

Wouldyoulikeustodothat?”

SeldonandDorsexchangedglancesforamoment,thenSeldonsaid,“No,ofcoursenot.”

“Ofcoursenot,”repeatedRusswithjustatingeofsarcasminhisvoice,“hutyou'rereadyenoughtosuggestitforsomeoneelse.”

Theotherofficer,Astinwald,whohadsofarnotsaidaword,smiledatthis.Russsaid,“WealsohaveinformationthattwodaysagoyouengagedinaknifefightinBillibottonandbadlyhurtaDahlitecitizennamed”–hestruckabuttononhiscomputerpadandstudiedthenewpageonthescreen–“ElginMarron.”

Dorssaid,“Dotyourinformationtellyouhowthefightstarted?”

“Thatisirrelevantatthemoment,Mistress.Doyoudenythatthefighttookplace?”

“Ofcoursewedon'tdenythefighttookplace,”saidSeldonhotly,“butwedenythatweinanywayinstigatedthat.Wewereattacked.MistressVenabiliwasseizedbythisMarronanditwasclearhewasattemptingtorapeher.Whathappenedafterwardwaspureself-defense.OrdoesDahlcondonerape?”

Russsaidwithverylittleintonationinhisvoice,“Yousayyouwereattacked?Byhowmany?”

“Tenmen.”

“Andyoualone–withawoman–defendedyourselfagainstteamen?”

“MistressVenabiliandIdefendedourselves.Yes.”

“Howisit,then,thatneitherofyoushowsanydamagewhatever?Areeitherofyoucutorbruisedwhereitdoesn'tshowrightnow?”

“No,Officer.”

“Howisit,then,thatinthefightofone–plusawoman–againstten,youareinnowayhurt,butthatthecomplainant,ElginMarron,hasbeenhospitalizedwithwoundsandwillrequireaskintransplantonhisupperlip?”

“Wefoughtwell,”saidSeldongrimly.

“Unbelievablywell.WhatwouldyousayifItoldyouthatthreemenhavetestifiedthatyouandyourfriendattackedMarron,unprovoked?”

“Iwouldsaythatitbeliesbeliefthatweshould.I'msurethatMarronhasarecordasabrawlerandknifeman.Itellyouthatthereweretenthere.Obviously,sixrefusedtosweartoalie.Dotheotherthreeexplainwhytheydidnotcometothehelpoftheirfriendiftheywitnessedhimunderunprovokedattackandindangerofhislife?Itmustbecleartoyouthattheyarelying.”

“DoyousuggestaPsychicProbeforthem?”

“Yes.Andbeforeyouask,Istillrefusetoconsideroneforus.”

Russsaid,“Wehavealsoreceivedinformationthatyesterday,afterleavingthesceneoftheriot,youconsultedwithoneDavan,aknownsubversivewhoiswantedbythesecuritypolice.Isthattrue?”

“You'llhavetoprovethatwithouthelpfromus,”saidSeldon.“We'renotansweringanyfurtherquestions.”

Russputawayhispad.“I'mafraidImustaskyoutocomewithustoheadquartersforfurtherinterrogation.”

“Idon'tthinkthat'snecessary,Officer,”saidSeldon.“WeareOutworlderswhohavedonenothingcriminal.Wehavetriedtoavoidanewsmanwhowasannoyingusunduly,wetriedtoprotectourselvesagainstrapeandpossiblemurderinapartofthesectorknownforcriminalbehavior,andwe'vespokentovariousDahlites.Weseenothingtheretowarrantourfurtherquestioning.Itwouldcomeundertheheadingofharassment.”

“Wemakethesedecisions,”saidRuss.“Notyou.Willyoupleasecomewithus?”

“No,wewillnot,”saidDors.

“Watchout!”criedoutMistressTisalver.“She'sgottwoknives.”

OfficerRusssighedandsaid,“Thankyou,Mistress,butIknowshedoes.”HeturnedtoDors.

“Doyouknowit'saseriouscrimetocarryaknifewithoutapermitinthissector?Doyouhaveapermit?”

“No,Officer,Idon't.”

“Itwasclearlywithanillegalknife,then,thatyouassaultedMarron?Doyourealizethatthatgreatlyincreasestheseriousnessofthecrime?”

“Itwasnocrime,Officer,”saidDors.“Understandthat.Marronhadaknifeaswellandnopermit,Iamcertain.”

“WehavenoevidencetothateffectandwhileMarronhasknifewounds,neitherofyouhaveany.”

“Ofcoursehehadaknife,Officer.Ifyoudon'tknowthateverymaninBillibottonandmostmenelsewhereinDahlcarryknivesforwhichtheyprobablydon'thavepermits,thenyou'retheonlymaninDahlwhodoesn'tknow.Thereareshopsherewhereveryouturnthatsellknivesopenly.Don'tyouknowthat?”

Russsaid,“Itdoesn'tmatterwhatIknowordon'tknowinthisrespect.Nordoesitmatterwhetherotherpeoplearebreakingthelaworhowmanyofthemdo.AllthatmattersatthismomentisthatMistressVenabiliisbreakingtheanti-knifelaw.Imustaskyoutogiveupthoseknivestomerightnow,Mistress,andthetwoofyoumustthenaccompanymetoheadquarters.”

Dorssaid,“Inthatcase,takemyknivesawayfromme.”

Russsighed.“Youmustnotthink,Mistress,thatknivesarealltheweaponsthereareinDahlorthatIneedengageyouinaknifefight.BothmypartnerandIhaveblastersthatwilldestroyyouinamoment,beforeyoucandropyourhandstoyourknifehilt–howeverfastyouare.Wewon'tuseablaster,ofcourse,becausewearenotheretokillyou.However,eachofusalsohasaneuronicwhip,whichwecanuseonyoufreely.Ihopeyouwon'taskforademonstration.hwon'tkillyou,doyoupermanentharmofanykind,orleaveanymarks–butthepainisexcruciating.Mypartnerisholdinganeuronicwhiponyourightnow.Andhere

ismine.–Now,letushaveyourknives,MistressVenabili.”

Therewasamoment'spauseandthenSeldonsaid,“It'snouse,Dors.Givehimyourknives.”

Andatthatmoment,afranticpoundingsoundedatthedoorandtheyallheardavoiceraisedinhigh-pitchedexpostulation.

78

Raychhadnotentirelylefttheneighborhoodafterhehadwalkedthembacktotheirapartmenthouse.

HehadeatenwellwhilewaitingfortheinterviewwithDavantobedoneandlaterhadsleptabitafterfindingabathroomthatmoreorlessworked.Hereallyhadnoplacetogonowthatallthatwasdone.Hehadahomeofsortsandamotherwhowasnotlikelytobeperturbedifhestayedawayforawhile.Sheneverwas.

Hedidnotknowwhohisfatherwasandwonderedsometimesifhereallyhadone.Hehadbeentoldhehadtohaveoneandthereasonsforthathadbeenexplainedtohimcrudelyenough.

Sometimeshewonderedifheoughttobelievesopeculiarastory,buthedidfindthedetailstitillating.

Hethoughtofthatinconnectionwiththelady.Shewasanoldlady,ofcourse,butshewasprettyandshecouldfightlikeaman–betterthanaman.Itfilledhimwithvaguenotions.

Andshehadofferedtolethimtakeabath.HecouldswimintheBillibottonpoolsometimeswhenhehadsomecreditshedidn'tneedforanythingelseorwhenhecouldsneakin.Thoseweretheonlytimeshegotwetallover,butitwaschillyandhehadtowaittogetdry.

Takingabathwasdifferent.Therewouldbehocwater,soap,towels,andwarmair.Hewasn'tsurewhatitwouldfeellike,exceptthatitwouldbeniceifshewasthere.

Hewaswalkway-wiseenoughtoknowofplaceswherehecouldparkhimselfinanalleyoffawalkwaythatwould6enearabathroomandstillbenearenoughtowhereshewas,yetwhereheprobablywouldn'tbefoundandmadetorunaway.Hespentthenightthinkingstrangethoughts.

Whatifhedidlearntoreadandwrite?Couldhedosomethingwiththat?Hewasn'tsurewhat,butmaybethecouldcellhim.Hehadvagueideasofbeingpaidmoneytodothingshedidn'tknowhowtodonow,buthedidn'tknowwhatthosethingsmightbe.Hewouldhavetobecold,buthowdoyougettold?

Ifhestayedwiththemanandthelady,theymighthelp.Butwhyshouldtheywanthimtostaywiththem?

Hedrowsedoff,comingtolater,notbecausethelightwasbrightening,butbecausehissharpearscaughttheheighteninganddeepeningofsoundsfromthewalkwayastheactivitiesofthedaybegan.

Hehadlearnedtoidentifyalmosteveryvarietyofsound,becauseintheundergroundmazeofBillibotton,ifyouwantedtosurvivewithevenaminimumofcomfort,youhadtobeawareofthingsbeforeyousawthem.Andtherewassomethingaboutthesoundofaground-carmotorthathenowheardthatsignaleddangertohim.Ithadanofficialsound,ahostilesound.

Heshookhimselfawakeandstolequietlytowardthewalkway.HescarcelyneededtoseetheSpaceship-and-Sunonthegroundcar.Itslineswereenough.HeknewtheyhadtobecomingforthemanandtheladybecausetheyhadseenDavan.Hedidnotpausetoquestionhisthoughtsortoanalyzethem.Hewasoffonarun,beatinghiswaythroughthegatheringlifeoftheday.

Hewasbackinlessthanfifteenminutes.Theground-carwasstillthereandtherewerecuriousandcautiousonlookersgazingatitfromallsidesandfromarespectfuldistance.Therewouldsoonbemore.Hepoundedhiswayupthestairs,tryingtorememberwhichdoorheshouldbangon.Notimefortheelevator.Hefoundthedoor–atleasthethoughthedid–andhebanged,shoutinginasqueak,“Lady!Lady!”

Hewastooexcitedtorememberhername,butherememberedpartoftheman's.

“Hari!”heshouted.“Letmein.”

Thedooropenedandherushedin–triedtorushin.Theroughhandofanofficerseizedhisarm.“Holdit,kid.Wheredoyouthinkyou'regoing?”

“Leggo!Iain'tdonenothin'.”Helookedabout.“Hey,lady,what'retheyjoin'?”

“Arrestingus,”saidDorsgrimly.

“Whatfor?”saidRaych,pantingandstruggling.“Hey,leggo,youSunbadger.Don'tgowithhim,lady.Youdon'thavetogowithhim.”

“Yougetout,”saidRuss,shakingtheboyvehemently.

“No,Iain't.Youain'teither,Sunbadger.Mywholegangiscoming.Youain'tgettin'out,less'nyoulettheseguysgo.”

“Whatwholegang?”saidRuss,frowning.

“They'rerightoutsidenow.Prob'lytakin'yourground-carapart.Andthey'lltakeyoreapart.”

Russturnedtowardhispartner,“Callheadquarters.HavethemsendoutacoupleoftruckswithMacros.”

“No!”shriekedRaych,breakinglooseandrushingatAstinwald.“Don'tcall!”

Russleveledhisneuronicwhipandfired.

Raychshrieked,graspedathisrightshoulder,andfelldown,wrigglingmadly.

RusshadnotyetturnedbacktoSeldon,whenthelatter,seizinghimbythewrist,pushedtheneuronicwhipupintheairandthenaroundandbehind,whilestampingonhisfoottokeephimrelativelymotionless.Haricouldfeeltheshoulderdislocate,evenwhileRussemittedahoarse,agonizedyell.

Astinwaldraisedhisblasterquickly,butDors'sleftarmwasaroundhisshoulderandtheknifeinherrighthandwasathisthroat.

“Don'tmove!”shesaid.“Moveamillimeter,anypartofyou,andIcutyou

throughyournecktothespine.–Droptheblaster.Dropit!Andtheneuronicwhip.”

SeldonpickedupRaych,stillmoaning,andheldhimtightly.HeturnedtoTisalverandsaid,

“Therearepeopleoutthere.Angrypeople.I'llhavetheminhereandthey'llbreakupeverythingyou'vegot.They'llsmashthewalls.Ifyoudon'twantthattohappen,pickupthoseweaponsandthrowthemintothenextroom.Taketheweaponsfromthesecurityofficeronthedooranddothesame.Quickly!Getyourwifetohelp.She'llthinktwicenexttimebeforesendingincomplaintsagainstinnocentpeople.–Dors,thisoneonthefloorwon'tdoanythingforawhile.Puttheotheroneoutofaction,butdon'tkillhim.”

“Right,”saidDors.Reversingherknife,shestruckhimhardontheskullwiththehaft.Hewenttohisknees.

Shemadeaface.“Ihatedoingthat.”

“TheyfiredatRaych,”saidSeldon,tryingtomaskhisownsickfeelingatwhathadhappened.

Theylefttheapartmenthurriedlyand,onceoutonthewalkway,founditchokedwithpeople,almostallmen,whoraisedashoutwhentheysawthememerge.Theypushedincloseandthesmellofpoorlywashedhumanitywasoverpowering.

Someoneshouted,“WherearetheSunbadgers?”

“Inside,”calledoutDorspiercingly.“Leavethemalone.They'llbehelplessforawhile,butthey'llgetreinforcements,sogetoutofherefast.”

“Whataboutyou?”camefromadozenthroats.

“We'regettingouttoo.Wewon'tbeback.”

“I'lltakecareofthem,”shrilledRaych,strugglingoutofSeldon'sarmsandstandingonhisfeet.Hewasrubbinghisrightshouldermadly.“Icanwalk.Lemmepast.”

Thecrowdopenedforhimandhesaid,“Mister,lady,comewithme.Fast!”

TheywereaccompanieddownthewalkwaybyseveraldozenmenandthenRaychsuddenlygesturedatanopeningandmuttered,“Inhere,folks.I'llrakeyatoaplacenoonewilleverfindya.

EvenDavanprob'lydon'tknowit.Onlythingis,wegottogothroughthesewerlevels.Noonewillseeusthere,butit'ssortofstinky…knowwhatImean?”

“Iimaginewe'llsurvive,”mutteredSeldon.

Anddowntheywentalonganarrowspiralingrampanduprosethemephiticodorstogreetthem.

79

Raychfoundthemahidingplace.Ithadmeantclimbingupthemetalrungsofaladderandithadledthemtoalargeloft-likeroom,theuseofwhichSeldoncouldnotimagine.Itwasfilledwithequipment,bulkyandsilent,thefunctionofwhichalsoremainedamystery.Theroomwasreasonablycleanandfreeofdustandasteadydraftofairwaftedthroughthatpreventedthedustfromsettlingand–moreimportantseemedtolessentheodor.

Raychseemedpleased.“Ain'tthisnice?”hedemanded.Hestillrubbedhisshouldernowandthenandwincedwhenherubbedtoohard.

“Itcouldbeworse,”saidSeldon.“Doyouknowwhatthisplaceisusedfor,Raych?”

Raychshruggedorbegantodosoandwinced.“Idunno,”hesaid.Thenheaddedwithatouchofswagger,“Whocares?”

Dors,whohadsatdownonthefloorafterbrushingitwithherhandandthenlookingsuspiciouslyatherpalm,said,“Ifyouwantaguess,Ithinkthisispartofacomplexthatisinvolvedinthedetoxificationandrecyclingofwastes.Thestuffmustsurelyendupasfertilizer.”

“Then,”saidSeldongloomily,“thosewhorunthecomplexwillbedownhereperiodicallyandmaycomeatanymoment,forallweknow.”

“Ibeenherebefore,”saidRaych.“Ineversawnoonehere.”

“IsupposeTrantorisheavilyautomatedwhereverpossibleandifanythingcallsforautomationitwouldbethistreatmentofwastes,”saidDors.“Wemaybesafe…forawhile.”

“Notforlong.We'llgethungryandthirsty,Dors.”

“Icangetfoodandwaterforus,”saidRaych.“Yagottoknowhowtomakeoutifyou'reanalleykid.”

“Thankyou,Raych,”saidSeldonabsently,“butrightnowI'mnothungry.”Hesniffed.“Imayneverbehungryagain.”

“Youwillbe,”saidDors,“andevenifyouloseyourappetiteforawhile,you'llgetthirsty.Atleasteliminationisnoproblem.We'repracticallylivingoverwhatisclearlyanopensewer.”

Therewassilenceforawhile.ThelightwasdimandSeldonwonderedwhytheTrantoriansdidn'tkeepitdarkaltogether.Butthenitoccurredtohimthathehadneverencounteredtruedarknessinanypublicarea.Itwasprobablyahabitinanenergy-richsociety.Strangethataworldoffortybillionshouldbeenergy-rich,butwiththeinternalheatoftheplanettodrawupon,tosaynothingofsolarenergyandnuclearfusionplantsinspace,itwas.Infact,cometothinkofit,therewasnoenergy-poorplanetintheEmpire.Wasthereatimewhentechnologyhadbeensoprimitivethatenergypovertywaspossible?Heleanedagainstasystemofpipesthroughwhich–forallheknew–sewageran.HedrewawayfromthepipesasthethoughtoccurredtohimandhesatdownnexttoDors.

Hesaid,“IsthereanywaywecangetintouchwithChetterHummin?”

Dorssaid,“Asamatteroffact,Ididsendamessage,thoughIhatedto.”

“Youhatedto?”

“Myordersaretoprotectyou.EachtimeIhavetogetintouchwithhim,itmeansI'vefailed.”

Seldonregardedheroutofnarrowedeyes.“Doyouhavetobesocompulsive,Dons?Youcan'tprotectmeagainstthesecurityofficersofanentiresector.”

“Isupposenot.Wecandisableafew–”

“Iknow.Wedid.Butthey'llsendoutreinforcements…armoredground-cars…neuroniccannon…sleepingmist.I'mnotsurewhattheyhave,butthey'regoingtothrowintheirentirearmory.I'msureofit.”

“You'reprobablyright,”saidDons,hermouthtightening.

“Theywon'tfindya,lady,”saidRaychsuddenly.Hissharpeyeshadmovedfromonetotheotherastheytalked.“TheyneverfindDavan.”

Dorssmiledwithoutjoyandruffledtheboy'shair,thenlookedatthepalmofherhandwithalittledismay.Shesaid,“I'mnotsureifyououghttostaywithus,Raych.Idon'twantthemfindingyou.”

“Theywon'tfindmeandifIleaveya,who'llgetyafoodandwaterandwho'llfindyanewhidin'places,sotheSunbadgers'llneverknowwheretolook?”

“No,Raych,they'llfindus.Theydon'treallylooktoohardforDavan.Heannoysthem,butIsuspecttheydon'ttakehimseriously.DoyouknowwhatImean?”

“Youmeanhe'sjustapaininthe…theneckandtheyfigureheain'tworthchasingalloverthelot.”

“Yes,that'swhatImean.Butyousee,wehurttwooftheofficersverybadlyandthey'renotgoingtoletusgetawaywiththat.Ifittakestheirwholeforce–iftheyhavetosweepthrougheveryhiddenorunusedcorridorinthesector–they'llgetus.”

Raychsaid,“Thatmakesmefeellike…likenatin'n'.IfIdidn'truninthereandgetzapped,yawouldn'thavetakenoutthemofficersandyawouldn'tbeinsuchtrouble.”

“No,soonerorlater,we'dhave–uh–takenthemout.Whoknows?Wemayhavetotakeoutafewmore.”

“Well,yadiditbeautiful,”saidRaych.“IfIhadn'tbeenachingallover,Icould'vewatchedmoreandenjoyedit.”

Seldonsaid,“Itwouldn'tdousanygoodtotrytofighttheentiresecuritysystem.Thequestionis:Whatwilltheydotousoncetheyhaveus?Aprisonsentence,surely.”

“Ohno.Ifnecessary,we'llhavetoappealtotheEmperor,”putinDors.

“TheEmperor?”saidRaych,wide-eyed.“YouknowtheEmperor?”

Seldonwavedattheboy.“AnyGalacticcitizencanappealtotheEmperor.–Thatstrikesmeasthewrongthingtodo,Dors.EversinceHumminandIlefttheImperialSector,we'vebeenevadingtheEmperor.”

“NottotheextentofbeingthrownintoaDahliteprison.TheImperialappealwillserveasadelay–inanycase,adiversion–andperhapsinthecourseofthatdelay,wecanthinkofsomethingelse.”

“There'sHummin.”

“Yes,thereis,”saidDorsuneasily,“butwecan'tconsiderhimthedoit-all.Foronething,evenifmymessagereachedhimandevenifhewasabletorushtoDahl,howwouldhefindushere?And,evenifhedid,whatcouldhedoagainsttheentireDahlitesecurityforce?”

“Inthatcase,”saidSeldon.“We'regoingtohavetothinkofsomethingwecandobeforetheyfindus.”

Raychsaid,“Ifyafollowme,Icankeepyaaheadofthem.Iknoweveryplacethereisaroundhere.”

“Youcankeepusaheadofoneperson,butthere'llbeagreatmany,movingdownanynumberofcorridors.We'llescapeonegroupandbumpintoanother.”

Theysatinuncomfortablesilenceforagoodwhile,eachconfrontingwhatseemedto6eahopelesssituation.ThenDorsVenabilistirredandsaidinatense,lowwhisper,“They'rehere.Ihearthem.”

Forawhile,theystrained,listening,thenRaychsprangtohisfeetandhissed,“Theycomin'

thatway.Wegottagothisway.”

Seldon,confused,heardnothingatall,butwouldhavebeencontenttotrusttheothers'

superiorhearing,butevenasRaychbeganmovinghastilyandquietlyawayfromthedirectionoftheapproachingtread,avoicerangoutechoingagainstthesewerwalls.“Don'tmove.Don'tmove.”

AndRaychsaid,“That'sDavan.How'dheknowwewerehere?”

“Davan?”saidSeldon.“Areyousure?”

“SureI'msure.He'llhelp.”

80

Davanasked,“Whathappened?”

Seldonfeltminimallyrelieved.Surely,theadditionofDavancouldscarcelycountagainstthefullforceoftheDahlSector,but,thenagain,hecommandedanumberofpeoplewhomightcreateenoughconfusion.

Hesaid,“Youshouldknow,Davan.IsuspectthatmanyofthecrowdwhowereatTisalver'splacethismorningwereyourpeople.”

“Yes,anumberwere.ThestoryisthatyouwerebeingarrestedandthatyoumanhandledasquadronofSunbadgers.Burwhywereyoubeingarrested?”

“Two,”saidSeldon,liftingtwofingers.“TwoSunbadgers.Andthat'sbadenough.Partofthereasonwewerebeingarrestedwasthatwehadgonetoseeyou.”

“That'snotenough.TheSunbadgersdon'tbotherwithmemuchasageneralthing.”Headdedbitterly,“Theyunderestimateme.”

“Maybe,”saidSeldon,“outthewomanfromwhomwerentourroomsreportedusforhavingstartedariot…overthenewsmanweranintoonourwaytoyou.Youknowaboutthat.Withyourpeopleonthesceneyesterdayandagainthismorningandwithtwoofficersbadlyhurt,theymaywelldecidetocleanoutthesecorridors–andthatmeansyouwillsuffer.Ireallyamsorry.Ihadnointentionorexpectationofbeingthecauseofanyofthis.”

ButDavanshookhishead.“No,youdon'tknowtheSunbadgers.That'snotenougheither.

Theydon'twanttocleanusup.Thesectorwouldhavetodosomethingaboutusiftheydid.They'reonlytoohappytoletusrotinBillibottonandtheotherslums.No,they'reafteryou.Whathaveyoudone?”

Dorssaidimpatiently,“We'vedonenothingand,inanycase,whatdoesitmatter?Ifthey'renotafteryouandtheyareafterus,they'regoingtocomedownheretoflushusout.Ifyougetintheway,you'llbeindeeptrouble.”

“No,notme.Ihavefriends–powerfulfriends,”saidDavan.“Itoldyouthatlastnight.Andtheycanhelpyouaswellasme.Whenyourefusedtohelpusopenly,Igotintouchwiththem.

Theyknowwhoyouare,Dr.Seldon.You'reafamousman.They'reinapositiontotalktotheMayorofDahlandseetoitthatyouareleftalone,whateveryouhavedone.Butyou'llhavetobetakenaway–outofDahl.”

Seldonsmiled.Relieffloodedoverhim.Hesaid,“Youknowsomeonepowerful,doyou,Davan?Someonewhorespondsatonce,whohastheabilitytotalktheDahlgovernmentoutoftakingdrasticsteps,andwhocantakeusaway?Good.I'mnotsurprised.”HeturnedtoDors,smiling.“It'sMycogenalloveragain.HowdoesHummindoit?”

ButDorsshookherhead.“Tooquick.–Idon'tunderstand.”

Seldonsaid,“Ibelievehecandoanything.”

“Iknowhimbetterthanyoudo–andlonger–andIdon'tbelievethat.”Seldonsmiled,“Don'tunderestimatehim.”Andthen,asthoughanxiousnottolingerlongeronthatsubject,heturnedtoDavan.“Buthowdidyoufindus?Raych

saidyouknewnothingaboutthisplace.”

“Hedon't,”shrilledRaychindignantly.“Thisplaceisallmine.Ifoundit.”

“I'veneverbeenherebefore,”saidDavan,lookingabout.“It'saninterestingplace.Raychisacorridorcreature,perfectlyathomeinthismaze.”

“Yes,Davan,wegatheredasmuchourselves.Buthowdidyoufindit?”

“Aheat-seeker.Ihaveadevicethatdetectsinfra-redradiation,theparticularthermalpatternthatisgivenoffatthirty-sevendegreesCelsius.Itwillreacttothepresenceofhumanbeingsandnottootherheatsources.Itreactedtoyouthree.”

Dorswasfrowning.“WhatgoodisthatonTrantor,wheretherearehumanbeingseverywhere?Theyhavethemonotherworlds,but–”

Davansaid,“ButnotonTrantor.Iknow.Exceptthattheyareusefulintheslums,intheforgotten,decayingcorridorsandalleyways.”

“Andwheredidyougetit?”askedSeldon.

Davansaid,“It'senoughthatIhaveit.–Butwe'vegottogetyouaway,MasterSeldon.ToomanypeoplewantyouandIwantmypowerfulfriendtohaveyou.”

“Whereishe,thispowerfulfriendofyours?”

“He'sapproaching.Atleastanewthirty-seven-degreesourceisregisteringandIdon'tseethatitcanbeanyoneelse.”

Throughthedoorstrodeanewcomer,butSeldon'sgladexclamationdiedonhislips.ItwasnotChetterHummin.

WYE

WYE–…Asectoroftheworld-cityofTrantor…InthelattercenturiesoftheGalacticEmpire,Wyewasthestrongestandstablestportionoftheworld-city.ItsrulershadlongaspiredtotheImperialthrone,justifyingthatbytheirdescentfromearlyEmperors.UnderMannixIV,Wyewasmilitarizedand(Imperial

authoritieslaterclaimed)wasplanningaplanet-widecoup…

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

81

Themanwhoenteredwastallandmuscular.Hehadalongblondmustachethatcurledupatthetipsandafringeofhairthatwentdownthesidesofhisfaceandunderhischin,leavingthepointofhischinandhislowerlipsmoothlybareandseemingalittlemoist.Hisheadwassocloselycroppedandhishairwassofightthat,foroneunpleasantmoment,SeldonwasremindedofMycogen.Thenewcomerworewhatwasunmistakablyauniform.Itwasredandwhiteandabouthiswaistwasawidebeltdecoratedwithsilverstuds.

Hisvoice,whenhespoke,wasarollingbassanditsaccentwasnotlikeanythatSeldonhadheardbefore.MostunfamiliaraccentssoundeduncouthinSeldon'sexperience,butthisoneseemedalmostmusical,perhapsbecauseoftherichnessofthelowtones.

“IamSergeantEmmerThalus,”herumbledinaslowsuccessionofsyllables.“IhavecomeseekingDr.HariSeldon.”

Seldonsaid,“Iamhe.”InanasidetoDors,hemuttered,“IfHummincouldn'tcomehimself,hecertainlysentamagnificentsideofbeeftorepresenthim.”

ThesergeantfavoredSeldonwithastolidandslightlyprolongedlook.Thenhesaid,“Yes.

Youhavebeendescribedtome.Pleasecomewithme,Dr.Seldon.”

Seldonsaid,“Leadtheway.”

Thesergeantsteppedbackward.SeldonandDorsVenabilisteppedforward.

Thesergeantstoppedandraisedalargehand,palmtowardDors.“IhavebeeninstructedtotakeDr.HariSeldonwithme.Ihavenotbeeninstructedtotakeanyoneelse.”

Foramoment,Seldonlookedathimuncomprehendingly.Thenhislookof

surprisegavewaytoanger.“It'squiteimpossiblethatyouhavebeentoldthat,Sergeant.Dr.DorsVenabiliismyassociateandmycompanion.Shemustcomewithme.”

“Thatisnorinaccordancewithmyinstructions,Doctor.”

“Idon'tcareaboutyourinstructionsinanyway,SergeantThalus.Idonotbudgewithouther.”

“What'smore,”saidDorswithclearirritation,“myinstructionsaretoprotectDr.Seldonatalltimes.IcannotdothatunlessIamwithhim.Therefore,wherehegoes,Igo.”

Thesergeantlookedpuzzled.“MyinstructionsarestrictthatIseetoitthatnoharmcomestoyou,Dr.Seldon.Ifyouwillnotcomevoluntarily,Imustcarryyoutomyvehicle.Iwilltrytodosogently.”

HeextendedhistwoarmsasthoughtoseizeSeldonbythewaistandcarryhimoffbodily.

Seldonskitteredbackwardandoutofreach.Ashedidso,thesideofhisfightpalmcamedownonthesergeant'srightupperarmwherethemuscleswerethinnest,sothathestruckthebone.

Thesergeantdrewasuddendeepbreathandseemedtoshakehimselfabit,butturned,faceexpressionless,andadvancedagain.Davan,watching,remainedwherehewas,motionless,butRaychmovedbehindthesergeant.

Seldonrepeatedhispalmstrokeasecondtime,thenathird,butnowSergeantThalus,anticipatingtheblow,loweredhisshouldertocatchitonhardmuscle.Dorshaddrawnherknives.

“Sergeant,”shesaidforcefully.“Turninthisdirection,IwantyoutounderstandImaybeforcedtohurtyouseverelyifyoupersistinattemptingtocarryDr.Seldonoffagainsthiswill.”

Thesergeantpaused,seemedtotakeintheslowlywavingknivessolemnly,thensaid,“ItisnotinmyinstructionstorefrainfromharminganyonebutDr.Seldon.”

Hisrighthandmovedwithsurprisingspeedtowardtheneuronicwhipintheholsterathiship.

Dorsmovedasquicklyforward,knivesflashing.

Neithercompletedthemovement.

Dashingforward,Raychhadpushedatthesergeant'sbackwithhislefthandandwithdrewthesergeant'sweaponfromitsholsterwithhisrightHemovedawayquickly,holdingtheneuronicwhipinbothhandsnowandshouting,“Handsup,Sergeant,oryou'regonnagetit!”

Thesergeantwhirledandanervouslookcrossedhisreddeningface.Itwastheonlymomentthatitsstolidityhadweakened.“Putthatdown,sonny,”hegrowled.“Youdon'tknowhowitworks.”

Raychhowled,“Iknowaboutthesafety.It'soffandthisthingcanfire.Anditwillifyoutrytorushme.”

Thesergeantfroze.Heclearlyknewhowdangerousitwastohaveanexcitedtwelve-year-oldhandlingapowerfulweapon.

NordidSeldonfeelmuchbetter.Hesaid,“Careful,Raych.Don'tshoot.Keepyourfingeroffthecontact.”

“Iain'tgonnalethimrushme.”

“Hewon't.–Sergeant,pleasedon'tmove.Let'sgetsomethingstraight.Youweretoldtotakemeawayfromhere.Isthatright?”

“That'sright,”saidthesergeant,eyessomewhatprotrudingandfirmlyfixedonRaych(whoseeyeswereasfirmlyfixedonthesergeant).

“Butyouwerenotcoldtotakeanyoneelse.Isthatright?”

“No,Iwasnot,Doctor,”saidthesergeantfirmly.Noteventhethreatofaneuronicwhipwasgoingtomakehimweasel.Onecouldseethat.

“Verywell,butlistentome,Sergeant.Wereyoutoldnottotakeanyoneelse?”

“Ijustsaid–”

“Nono.Listen,Sergeant.There'sadifference.Wereyourinstructionssimply'TakeDr.

Seldon!'?Wasthattheentireorder,withnomentionofanyoneelse,orweretheordersmorespecific?Wereyourordersasfollows:'TakeDr.Seldonanddon'ttakeanyoneelse'?”

Thesergeantturnedthatoverinhishead,thenhesaid,“Iwastoldtotakeyou,Dr.Seldon.”

“Thentherewasnomentionofanyoneelse,onewayortheother,wasthere?”

Pause.“No.”

“YouwerenottoldtotakeDr.Venabili,butyouwerenottoldnottotakeDr.Venabilieither.

Isthatright?”

Pause.“Yes.”

“Soyoucaneithertakeherornottakeher,whicheveryouplease?”

Longpause.“Isupposeso.”

“Nowthen,here'sRaych,theyoungfellowwho'sgotaneuronicwhippointingatyou–yourneuronicwhip,remember–andheisanxioustouseit.”

“Yay!”shoutedRaych.

“Notyet,Raych,”saidSeldon.“AndhereisDr.Venabiliwithtwoknivesthatshecanuseveryexpertlyandthere'smyself,whocan,ifIgetthechance,breakyourAdam'sapplewithonehandsothatyou'llneverspeakaboveawhisperagain.Nowthen,doyouwanttotakeDr.Venabiliordon'tyouwantto?Yourordersallowyoutodoeither.”

Andfinallythesergeantsaidinabeatenvoice,“Iwilltakethewoman.”

“Andtheboy,Raych.”

“Andtheboy.”

“Good.HaveIyourwordofhonor–yourwordofhonorasasoldier–thatyouwilldoasyouhavejustsaid…honestly?”

“Youhavemywordofhonorasasoldier,”saidthesergeant.

“Good.Raych,givebackthewhip.–Now.–Don'tmakemewait.”

Raych,hisfacetwistedintoanunhappygrimace,lookedatDors,whohesitatedandthenslowlynoddedherhead.HerfacewasasunhappyasRaych's.

Raychheldouttheneuronicwhiptothesergeantandsaid,“They'remakin'me,yabig–”Hislastwordswereunintelligible.

Seldonsaid,“Putawayyourknives,Dors.”

Dorsshookherhead,butputthemaway.

“Now,Sergeant?”saidSeldon.

Thesergeantlookedattheneuronicwhip,thenatSeldon.Hesaid,“Youareanhonorableman,Dr.Seldon,andmywordofhonorholds.”Withamilitarysnap,heplacedhisneuronicwhipinhisholster.

SeldonturnedtoDavanandsaid,“Davan,pleaseforgetwhatyouhaveseenhere.WethreearegoingvoluntarilywithSergeantThalus.YoutellYugoAmarylwhenyouseehimthatIwillnotforgethimandthat,oncethisisoverandIamfreetoact,IwillseethathegetsintoaUniversity.

Andifthere'sanythingreasonableIcaneverdoforyourcause,Davan,Iwill.–Now,Sergeant,let'sgo.”

82

“Haveyoueverbeeninanair-jetbefore,Raych?”askedHariSeldon.

Raychshookhisheadspeechlessly.HewaslookingdownatUppersiderushing

beneaththemwithamixtureoffrightandawe.

ItstruckSeldonagainhowmuchTrantorwasaworldofExpresswaysandtunnels.Evenlongtripsweremadeunderground6ythegeneralpopulation.Airtravel,howevercommonitmightbeontheOutworlds,wasaluxuryonTrantorandanair-jetlikethis–

HowhadHumminmanagedit?Seldonwondered.

Helookedoutthewindowattheriseandfallofthedomes,atthegeneralgreeninthisareaoftheplanet,theoccasionalpatchesofwhatwerelittlelessthanjungles,thearmsoftheseatheyoccasionallypassedover,withitsleadenwaterstakingonasuddenalltoo-briefsparklewhenthesunpeepedoutmomentarilyfromtheheavycloudlayer.

Anhourorsointotheflight,Dors,whowasviewinganewhistoricalnovelwithoutmuchinthewayofapparentenjoyment,clickeditoffandsaid,“IwishIknewwhereweweregoing.”

“Ifyoucan'ttell,”saidSeldon,“thenIcertainlycan't.You'vebeenonTrantorlongerthanIhave.”

“Yes,butonlyontheinside,”saidDors.“Outhere,withonlyUppersidebelowme,I'maslostasanunborninfantwouldbe.”

“Ohwell.–Presumably,Humminknowswhathe'sdoing.”

“I'msurehedoes,”repliedDorsrathertartly,“butthatmayhavenothingtodowiththepresentsituation.Whydoyoucontinuetoassumeanyofthisrepresentshisinitiative?”

Seldon'seyebrowslifted.“Nowthatyouask,Idon'tknow.Ijustassumedit.Whyshouldn'tthisbehis?”

“Becausewhoeverarrangeditdidn'tspecifythatIbetakenalongwithyou.Isimplydon'tseeHumminforgettingmyexistence.Andbecausehedidn'tcomehimself,ashedidatStreelingandatMycogen.”

“Youcan'talwaysexpecthimto,Dors.Hemightwellbeoccupied.The

astonishingthingisnorthathedidn'tcomeonthisoccasionbutthathedidcomeonthepreviousones.”

“Assuminghedidn'tcomehimself,wouldhesendaconspicuousandlavishflyingpalacelikethis?”Shegesturedaroundheratthelargeluxuriousjet.

“Itmightsimplyhavebeenavailable.Andhemighthavereasonedthatnoonewouldexpectsomethingasnoticeableasthistobecarryingfugitiveswhoweredesperatelytryingtoavoiddetection.Thewell-knowndouble-double-cross.”

“Toowell-known,inmyopinion.AndwouldhesendanidiotlikeSergeantThalusinhisplace?”

“Thesergeantisnoidiot.He'ssimplybeentrainedtocompleteobedience.Withproperinstructions,hecouldbeutterlyreliable.”

“Thereyouare,Hari.Wecomebacktothat.Whydidn'thegetproperinstructions?It'sinconceivabletomethatChetterHumminwouldtellhimtocarryyououtofDahlandnotsayawordaboutme.Inconceivable.”

AndtothatSeldonhadnoanswerandhisspiritssank.

AnotherhourpassedandDorssaid,“Itlooksasifit'sgettingcolderoutside.ThegreenofUppersideisturningbrownandIbelievetheheatershaveturnedon.”

“Whatdoesthatsignify?”

“Dahlisinthetropiczonesoobviouslywe'regoingeithernorthorsouth–andaconsiderabledistancetoo.IfIhadsomenotioninwhichdirectionthenightlinewasIcouldtellwhich.”

Eventually,theypassedoverasectionofshorelinewheretherewasarimoficehuggingthedomeswheretheywererimmedbythesea.

Andthen,quiteunexpectedly,theair-jetangleddownward.

Raychscreamed,“We'regoin'tohit!We'regoin'tosmashup!”

Seldon'sabdominalmusclestightenedandheclutchedthearmsofhisseat.

Dorsseemedunaffected.Shesaid,“Thepilotsupfrontdon'tseemalarmed.We'llbetunneling.”

And,asshesaidso,thejet'swingssweptbackwardandunderitand,likeabullet,theair-jetencoredatunnel.Blacknesssweptbackovertheminaninstantandamomentlaterthelightingsysteminthetunnelturnedon.Thewallsofthetunnelsnakedpastthejetoneitherside.

“Idon'tsupposeI'lleverbesuretheyknowthetunnelisn'talreadyoccupied,”mutteredSeldon.

“I'msuretheyhadreassuranceofacleartunnelsomedozensofkilometersearlier,”saidDors.

“Atanyrate,Ipresumethisisthelaststageofthejourneyandsoonwe'llknowwhereweare.”

Shepausedandthenadded,“AndIfurtherpresumewewon'tliketheknowledgewhenwehaveit.”

83

Theair-jetspedoutofthetunnelandontoalongrunwaywitharoofsohighthatitseemedclosertotruedaylightthananythingSeldonhadseensincehehadlefttheImperialSector.

TheycametoahaltinashortertimethanSeldonwouldhaveexpected,butatthepriceofanuncomfortablepressureforward.Raych,inparticular,wascrushedagainsttheseatbeforehimandwasfindingitdifficulttobreathrillDors'shandonhisshoulderpulledhimbackslightly.

SergeantThalus,impressiveanderect,leftthejetandmovedtotherear,whereheopenedthedoorofthepassengercompartmentandhelpedthethreeout,onebyone.

Seldonwaslast.Hehalf-turnedashepassedthesergeant,saying,“Itwasapleasanttrip,Sergeant.”

Aslowsmilespreadoverthesergeant'slargefaceandliftedhismustachioed

upperlip.Hetouchedthevisorofhiscapinwhatwashalfasaluteandsaid,“Thankyouagain,Doctor.”

Theywerethenusheredintothebackseatofaground-caroflavishdesignandthesergeanthimselfpushedintothefrontseatanddrovethevehiclewithasurprisinglylighttouch.

Theypassedthroughwideroadways,flankedbytall,well-designedbuildings,allglisteninginbroaddaylight.AselsewhereonTrantor,theyheardthedistantdroneofanExpressway.Thewalkwayswerecrowdedwithwhatwere,forthemostpart,well-dressedpeople.Thesurroundingswereremarkably–almostexcessivelyclean.

Seldon'ssenseofsecuritysankfurther.Dors'smisgivingsconcerningtheirdestinationnowseemedjustifiedafterall.Heleanedcowardherandsaid,“DoyouthinkwearebackintheImperialSector?”

Shesaid,“No,thebuildingsaremorerococointheImperialSectorandthere'slessImperialparkishnesstothissector–ifyouknowwhatImean.”

“Thenwherearewe,Dors?”

“We'llhavetoask,I'mafraid,Hari.”

Itwasnotalongtripandsoontheyrolledintoacar-baythatflankedanimposingfour-storystructure.Afriezeofimaginaryanimalsranalongthetop,decoratedwithstripsofwarmpinkstone.

Itwasanimpressivefacadewitharatherpleasingdesign.

Seldonsaid,“Thatcertainlylooksrococoenough.”

Dorsshruggeduncertainly.

Raychwhistledandsaidinafailingattempttosoundunimpressed,“Hey,lookatthatfancyplace.”

SergeantThalusgesturedtoSeldomclearlyindicatingthathewastofollow.

Seldonhungbackand,alsorelyingontheuniversallanguageofgesture,heldoutbotharms,clearlyincludingDorsandRaych.

Thesergeanthesitatedinaslightlyhangdogfashionattheimpressivepinkdoorway.Hismustachealmostseemedtodroop.

Thenhesaidgruffly,“Allthreeofyou,then.Mywordofhonorholds.–Still,othersmaynotfeelobligatedbymyownobligation,youknow.”

Seldonnodded.“Iholdyouresponsibleforyourowndeedsonly,Sergeant.”

Thesergeantwasclearlymovedand,foramoment,hisfacelightenedasthoughhewasconsideringthepossibilityofshakingSeldon'shandorexpressingheartfelthisapprovalinsomeotherway.Hedecidedagainstit,however,andsteppedontothebottomstepoftheflightthatledtothedoor.Thestairsimmediatelybeganastatelyupwardmovement.

SeldonandDorssteppedafterhimatonceandkepttheirbalancewithoutmuchtrouble.

Raych,whowasmomentarilystaggeredinsurprise,jumpedontothemovingstairsafterashortrun,shovedbothhandsintohispockets,andwhistledcarelessly.

Thedooropenedandtwowomensteppedout,oneoneithersideinsymmetricalfashion.Theywereyoungandattractive.Theirdresses,beltedtightlyaboutthewaistandreachingnearlytotheirankles,fellincrisppleatsandrustledwhentheywalked.Bothhadbrownhairthatwascoiledinthickplaitsoneithersideoftheirheads.(Seldonfounditattractive,butwonderedhowlongittookthemeachmorningtoarrangeitjustso.Hehadnotbeenawareofsoelaborateacoiffureonthewomentheyhadpassedinthestreets.)

Thetwowomenstaredatthenewcomerswithobviouscontempt.Seldonwasnotsurprised.

Aftertheday'sevents,heandDorslookedalmostasdisreputableasRaych.

Yetthewomenmanagedtobowdecorouslyandthenmadeahalf-turnandgesturedinwardinperfectunisonandwithsymmetrycarefullymaintained.(Did

theyrehearsethesethings?)Itwasclearthatthethreeweretoenter.

Theysteppedthroughanelaborateroom,clutteredwithfurnitureanddecorativeitemswhoseuseSeldondidnotreadilyunderstand.Thefloorwaslight-colored,springy,andglowedwithluminescence.Seldonnotedwithsomeembarrassmentthattheirfootwearleftdustymarksuponit.

Andthenaninnerdoorwasflungopenandyetanotherwomanemerged.Shewasdistinctlyolderthanthefirsttwo(whosankslowlyasshecamein,crossingtheirlegssymmetricallyastheydidsoinawaythatmadeSeldonmarvelthattheycouldkeeptheirbalance;itundoubtedlytookadealofpractice).

Seldonwonderedifhetoowasexpectedtodisplaysomeritualizedformofrespect,butsincehehadn'tthefaintestnotionofwhatthismightconsistof,hemerelybowedhisheadslightly.Dorsremainedstandingerectand,itseemedtoSeldon,didsowithdisdain.Raychwasstaringopen-mouthedinalldirectionsandlookedasthoughhedidn'tevenseethewomanwhohadjustentered.

Shewasplump–norfat,butcomfortablypadded.Sheworeherhairpreciselyastheyoungladiesdidandherdresswasinthesamestyle,butmuchmorerichlyornamented–toomuchsotosuitSeldon'saestheticnotions.

Shewasclearlymiddle-agedandtherewasahintofgrayinherhair,butthedimplesinhercheeksgavehertheappearanceofhavingrathermorethanadashofyouth.Herlightbrowneyesweremerryandonthewholeshelookedmoremotherlythanold.

Shesaid,“Howareyou?Allofyou.”(SheshowednosurpriseatthepresenceofDorsandRaych,butincludedthemeasilyinhergreeting.)“I'vebeenwaitingforyouforsometimeandalmosthadyouonUppersideatStreeling.YouareDr.HariSeldon,whomI'vebeenlookingforwardtomeeting.You,Ithink,mustbeDr.DorsVenabili,foryouhadbeenreportedtobeinhiscompany.ThisyoungmanIfearIdonotknow,butIampleasedtoseehim.Butwemustnotspendourtimetalking,forI'msureyouwouldliketorestfirst.”

“Andbathe,Madam,”saidDorsratherforcefully,“Eachofuscoulduseathoroughshower.”

“Yes,certainly,”saidthewoman,“andachangeinclothing.Especiallytheyoungman.”ShelookeddownatRaychwithoutanyofthelookofcontemptanddisapprovalthatthetwoyoungwomenhadshown.

Shesaid,“Whatisyourname,youngman?”

“Raych,”saidRaychinaratherchokedandembarrassedvoice.Hethenaddedexperimentally,“Missus.”

“Whatanoddcoincidence,”saidthewoman,hereyessparkling.“Anomen,perhaps.MyownnameisRashelle.Isn'tthatodd?–Butcome.Weshalltakecareofyouall.Thentherewillbeplentyoftimetohavedinnerandtotalk.”

“Wait,Madam,”saidDors.“MayIaskwhereweare?”

“Wye,dear.AndpleasecallmeRashelle,asyoucometofeelmorefriendly.Iamalwaysateasewithinformality.”

Dorsstiffened.“Areyousurprisedthatweask?Isn'titnaturalthatweshouldwanetoknowwhereweare?”

Rashellelaughedinapleasant,tinklingmanner.“Really,Dr.Venabili,somethingmustbedoneaboutthenameofthisplace.Iwasnotaskingaquestionbutmakingastatement.YouaskedwhereyouwereandIdidnotaskyouwhy.Itoldyou,'Wye.'YouareintheWyeSector.”

“InWye?”saidSeldonforcibly.

“Yesindeed,Dr.Seldon.We'vewantedyoufromthedayyouaddressedtheDecennialConventionandwearesogladtohaveyounow.”

84

Actually,ittookafulldaytorestandunstiffen,towashandgetclean,toobtainnewclothes(satinyandratherloose,inthestyleofWye),andtosleepagooddeal.

ItwasduringthesecondeveninginWyethattherewasthedinnerthatMadamRashellehadpromised.

Thetablewasalargeone–toolarge,consideringthattherewereonlyfourdining:HariSeldon,DorsVenabili,Raych,andRashelle.Thewallsandceilingweresoftlyilluminatedandthecolorschangedataratethatcaughttheeyebutnotsorapidlyasinanywaytodiscommodethemind.Theverytablecloth,whichwasnotcloth(Seldonhadnotmadeuphismindwhatitmightbe),seemedtosparkle.

TheserversweremanyandsilentandwhenthedooropeneditseemedtoSeldonthathecaughtaglimpseofsoldiers,armedandattheready,outside.Theroomwasavelvetglove,buttheironfistwasnotfardistant.

RashellewasgraciousandfriendlyandhadclearlytakenaparticularlikingtoRaych,who,sheinsisted,wastositnexttoher.

Raych–scrubbed,polished,andshining,allbutunrecognizableinhisnewclothes,withhishairclipped,cleaned,andbrushed–scarcelydaredtosayaword.Itwasasthoughhefelthisgrammarnolongerfithisappearance.HewaspitifullyillateaseandhewatchedDorscarefullyassheswitchedfromutensiltoutensil,tryingtomatchherexactlyineveryrespect.

Thefoodwastastybutspicy–tothepointwhereSeldoncouldnotrecognizetheexactnatureofthedishes.

Rashelle,herplumpfacemadehappybyhergentlesmileandherfineteethgleamingwhite,said,“YoumaythinkwehaveMycogenianadditivesinthefood,butwedonot.ItisallhomegrowninWye.Thereisnosectorontheplanetmoreself-sufficientthanWye.Welaborhardtokeepthatso.”

Seldonnoddedgravelyandsaid,“Everythingyouhavegivenusisfirst-rate,Rashelle.Wearemuchobligedtoyou.”

AndyetwithinhimselfhethoughtthefoodwasnotquiteuptoMycogenianstandardsandhefeltmoreover,ashehadearliermutteredtoDors,thathewascelebratinghisowndefeat.OrHummin'sdefeat,atanyrare,andthatseemedtohimtobethesamething.

Afterall,hehadbeencapturedbyWye,theverypossibilitythathadsoconcernedHumminatthetimeoftheincidentUpperside.

Rashellesaid,“Perhaps,inmyroleashostess,ImaybeforgivenifIaskpersonalquestions.

AmIcorrectinassumingthatyouthreedonotrepresentafamily;thatyou,Hari,andyou,Dors,arenotmarriedandthatRaychisnotyourson?”

“Thethreeofusarenotrelatedinanyway,”saidSeldon.“RaychwasbornonTrantor,IonHelicon,DorsonCinna.”

“Andhowdidyouallmeet,then?”

Seldonexplainedbrieflyandwithaslittledetailashecouldmanage.“There'snothingromanticorsignificantinthemeetings,”headded.

“YetIamgiventounderstandthatyouraiseddifficultieswithmypersonalaide,SergeantThalus,whenhewantedtotakeonlyyououtofDahl.”

Seldonsaidgravely,“IhadgrownfondofDorsandRaychanddidnotwishtobeseparatedfromthem.”

Rashellesmiledandsaid,“Youareasentimentalman,Isee.”

“Yes,Iam.Sentimental.Andpuzzledtoo.”

“Puzzled?”

“Whyyes.Andsinceyouweresokindastoaskpersonalquestionsofus,mayIaskoneaswell?”

“Ofcourse,mydearHari.Askanythingyouplease.”

“Whenwefirstarrived,yousaidthatWyehaswantedmefromthedayIaddressedtheDecennialConvention.Forwhatreasonmightthatbe?”

“Surely,youarenotsosimpleasnottoknow.Wewantyouforyourpsychohistory.”

“ThatmuchIdounderstand.Butwhatmakesyouthinkthathavingmemeansyouhavepsychohistory?”

“Surely,youhavenotbeensocarelessastoloseit.”

“Worse,Rashelle.Ihaveneverhadit.”

Rashelle'sfacedimpled.“Butyousaidyouhaditinyourtalk.NotthatIunderstoodyourtalk.

Iamnotamathematician.Ihatenumbers.ButIhaveinmyemploymathematicianswhohaveexplainedtomewhatitisyousaid.”

“Inthatcase,mydearRashelle,youmustlistenmoreclosely.IcanwellimaginetheyhavecoldyouthatIhaveproventhatpsychohistoricalpredictionsareconceivable,butsurelytheymustalsohavecoldyouthattheyarenotpractical.”

“Ican'tbelievethat,Hari.Theverynextday,youwerecalledintoanaudiencewiththatpseudo-Emperor,Cleon.”

“Thepseudo-Emperor?”murmuredDorsironically.

“Whyyes,”saidRashelleasthoughshewasansweringaseriousquestion.“Pseudo-Emperor.

Hehasnotrueclaimtothethrone.”

“Rashelle,”saidSeldon,brushingthatasideabitimpatiently,“ItoldCleonexactlywhatIhavejusttoldyouandheletmego.”

NowRashelledidnotsmile.Asmalledgecreptintohervoice.“Yes,heletyougothewaythecatinthefableletsamousego.Hehasbeenpursuingyoueversince–inStreeling,inMycogen,inDahl.Hewouldpursueyouhereifhedared.Butcomenow–ourserioustalkistooserious.Letusenjoyourselves.Letushavemusic.”

Andatherwords,theresuddenlysoundedasoftbutjoyousinstrumentalmelody.SheleanedtowardRaychandsaidsoftly,“Myboy,ifyouarenotateasewiththefork,useyourspoonoryourfingers.Iwon'tmind.”

Raychsaid,“Yes,mum,”andswallowedhard,butDorscaughthiseyeandherlipssilentlymouthed:“Fork.”

Heremainedwithhisfork.

Dorssaid,“Themusicislovely,Madam”–shepointedlyrejectedthefamiliarformofaddress

“butitmustnotheallowedtodistractus.ThereisthethoughtinmymindthatthepursuerinallthoseplacesmighthavebeenintheemployoftheWyeSector.Surely,youwouldnotbesowellacquaintedwitheventsifWyewerenottheprimemover.”

Rashellelaughedaloud.“Wyehasitseyesandearseverywhere,ofcourse,butwewerenotthepursuers.Hadwebeen,youwouldhavebeenpickedupwithoutfail–asyouwereinDahlfinallywhen,indeed,wewerethepursuers.When,however,thereisapursuitthatfails,agraspinghandthatmisses,youmaybesurethatitisDemerzel.”

“DoyouthinksolittleofDemerzel?”murmuredDors.

“Yes.Doesthatsurpriseyou?Wehavebeatenhim.”

“You?OrtheWyeSector?”

“Thesector,ofcourse,butinsofarasWyeisthevictor,thenIamthevictor.”

“Howstrange,”saidDors.“ThereseemstobeaprevalentopinionthroughoutTrantorthattheinhabitantsofWyehavenothingtodowithvictory,withdefeat,orwithanythingelse.ItisfeltthatthereisbutonewillandonefistinWyeandthatisthatoftheMayor.Surely,you–oranyotherWyan–weighnothingincomparison.”

Rashellesmiledbroadly.ShepausedtolookatRaychbenevolentlyandtopinchhischeek,thensaid,“IfyoubelievethatourMayorisanautocratandthatthereisbutonewillthatswaysWye,thenperhapsyouareright.But,evenso,Icanstillusethepersonalpronoun,formywillisofaccount.”

“Whyyours?”saidSeldon.

“Whynot?”saidRashelleastheserversbeganclearingthetable.“IamtheMayorofWye.”

85

ItwasRaychwhowasthefirsttoreacttothestatement.Quiteforgettingthecloakofcivilitythatsatuponhimsouncomfortably,helaughedraucouslyandsaid,“Hey,lady,yacan'tbeMayor.

Mayorsisguys.”

Rashellelookedathimgood-naturedlyandsaidinaperfectimitationofhistoneofvoice,

“Hey,kid,someMayorsisguysandsomeMayorsisdames.Putthatunderyourlidandletitbubble.”

Raych'seyesprotrudedandheseemedstunned.Finallyhemanagedtosay,“Hey,yatalkregular,lady.”

“Surething.Regularasyawant,”saidRashelle,stillsmiling.

Seldonclearedhisthroatandsaid,“That'squiteanaccentyouhave,Rashelle.”

Rashelletossedherheadslightly.“Ihaven'thadoccasiontouseitinmanyyears,butoneneverforgets.Ioncehadafriend,agoodfriend,whowasaDahlite–whenIwasveryyoung.”Shesighed.“Hedidn'tspeakthatway,ofcourse–hewasquiteintelligent–buthecoulddosoifhewishedandhetaughtme.Itwasexcitingtotalksowithhim.Itcreatedaworldthatexcludedoursurroundings.Itwaswonderful.Itwasalsoimpossible.Myfathermadethatplain.Andnowalongcomesthisyoungrascal,Raych,toremindmeofthoselong-agodays.Hehastheaccent,theeyes,theimpudentcastofcountenance,andinsixyearsorsohewillbeadelightandterrortotheyoungwomen.Won'tyou,Raych?”

Raychsaid,“Idunno,lady–uh,mum.”

“I'msureyouwillandyouwillcometolookverymuchlikemy…oldfriendanditwillbemuchmorecomfortableformenottoseeyouthen.Andnow,dinner'soverandit'stimeforyoutogotoyourroom,Raych.Youcanwatchholovisionforawhileifyouwish.Idon'tsupposeyouread.”

Raychreddened.“I'mgonnareadsomeday.MasterSeldonsaysI'mgonna.”

“ThenI'msureyouwill.”

AyoungwomanapproachedRaych,curtsyingrespectfullyinRashelle'sdirection.Seldonhadnotseenthesignalthathadsummonedher.

Raychsaid,“Can'tIstaywithMasterSeldonandMissusVenabili?”

“You'llseethemlater,”saidRashellegently,“butMasterandMissusandIhavetoTalkrightnow–soyoumustgo.”

Dorsmouthedafirm“Go!”atRaychandwithagrimacetheboyslidoutofhischairandfollowedtheattendant.

RashelleturnedtoSeldonandDorsonceRaychwasgoneandsaid,“Theboywillbesafe,ofcourse,andtreatedwell.Pleasehavenofearsaboutthat.AndIwillbesafetoo.Asmywomanapproachedjustnow,sowilladozenarmedmen–andmuchmorerapidly–whensummoned.Iwantyoutounderstandthat.”

Seldonsaidevenly,“Weareinnowaythinkingofattackingyou,Rashelle–ormustInowsay,

'MadamMayor'?”

“StillRashelle.Iamgiventounderstandthatyouareawrestlerofsorts,Hari,andyou,Dors,areveryskillfulwiththekniveswehaveremovedfromyourroom.Idon'twantyoutorelyuselesslyonyourskills,sinceIwantHarialive,unharmed,andfriendly.”

“Itisquitewellunderstood,MadamMayor,”saidDors,herlackoffriendshipuncompromised,“thattherulerofWye,nowandforthepastfortyyears,isMannix,FourthofthatName,andthatheisstillaliveandinfullpossessionofhisfaculties.Who,then,areyoureally?”

“ExactlywhoIsayIam,Dors.MannixIVismyfather.Heis,asyousay,stillaliveandinpossessionofhisfaculties.IntheeyesoftheEmperorandofalltheEmpire,heisMayorofWye,butheiswearyofthestrainsofpowerandiswilling,atlast,toletthemslipintomyhands,whicharejustaswillingtoreceivethem.IamhisonlychildandIwasbroughtupallmylifetorule.MyfatheristhereforeMayorinlawandname,butIamMayorinfact.histome,

now,thatthearmedforcesofWyehaveswornallegianceandinWyethatisallthatcounts.”

Seldonnodded.“Letitbeasyousay.Butevenso,whetheritisMayorMannixIVorMayorRashelleI–itistheFirst,Isuppose–thereisnopurposeinyourholdingme.IhavetoldyouthatIdon'thaveaworkablepsychohistoryandIdonotthinkthateitherIoranyoneelsewilleverhaveone.IhavetoldthattotheEmperor.Iamofnouseeithertoyouortohim.”

Rashellesaid,“Hownaiveyouare.DoyouknowthehistoryoftheEmpire?”

Seldonshookhishead.“IhaverecentlycometowishthatIknewitmuchbetter.”

Dorssaiddryly,“IknowImperialhistoryquitewell,thoughthepre-Imperialageismyspecialty,MadamMayor.Butwhatdoesitmatterwhetherwedoordonot?”

“Ifyouknowyourhistory,youknowthattheHouseofWyeisancientandhonorableandisdescendedfromtheDaciandynasty.”

Dorssaid,“TheDaciansruledfivethousandyearsago.ThenumberoftheirdescendantsinthehundredandfiftygenerationsthathavelivedanddiedsincethenmaynumberhalfthepopulationoftheGalaxy–ifallgenealogicalclaims,howeveroutrageous,areaccepted.”

“Ourgenealogicalclaims,Dr.Venabili”–Rashelle'stoneofvoicewas,forthefirsttime,coldandunfriendlyandhereyesflashedlikesteel–“arenotoutrageous.Theyarefullydocumented.TheHouseofWyehasmaintaineditselfconsistentlyinpositionsofpowerthroughallthosegenerationsandtherehavebeenoccasionswhenwehaveheldtheImperialthroneandhaveruledasEmperors.”

“Thehistorybook-films,”saidDors,“usuallyrefertotheWyerulersas'anti-Emperors,'neverrecognizedbythebulkoftheEmpire.”

“Itdependsonwhowritesthehistorybook-films.Inthefuture,wewilt,forthethronewhichhasbeenourswillbeoursagain.”

“Toaccomplishthat,youmustbringaboutcivilwar.”

“Therewon'tbemuchriskofthat,”saidRashelle.Shewassmilingagain.“ThatiswhatImustexplaintoyoubecauseIwantDr.Seldon'shelpinpreventingsuchacatastrophe.Myfather,MannixIV,hasbeenamanofpeaceallhislife.HehasbeenloyaltowhomeveritmightbethatruledintheImperialPalaceandhehaskeptWyeaprosperousandstrongpillaroftheTrantorianeconomyforthegoodofalltheEmpire.”

“Idon'tknowthattheEmperorhasevertrustedhimanythemoreforallthat,”saidDors.

“I'msurethatisso,”saidRashellecalmly,“fortheEmperorsthathaveoccupiedthePalaceinmyfather'stimehaveknownthemselvestobeusurpersofausurpingline.Usurperscannotaffordtotrustthetruerulers.Andyetmyfatherhaskeptthepeace.Hehas,ofcourse,developedandtrainedamagnificentsecurityforcetomaintainthepeace,prosperity,andstabilityofthesectorandtheImperialauthoritieshaveallowedthisbecausetheywantedWyepeaceful,prosperous,stable–andloyal.”

“Butisitloyal?”saidDors.“TothetrueEmperor,ofcourse,”saidRashelle,“andwehavenowreachedthestagewhereourstrengthissuchthatwecantakeoverthegovernmentquickly–inalightningstroke,infact–andbeforeonecansay'civilwar'therewillbeatrueEmperor–orEmpress,ifyouprefer–andTrantorwillbeaspeacefulasbefore.”

Dorsshookherhead.“MayIenlightenyou?Asahistorian?”

“Iamalwayswillingtolisten.”AndsheinclinedherheadeversoslightlytowardDors.

“Whateversizeyoursecurityforcemaybe,howeverwell-trainedandwell-equipped,theycannotpossiblyequalinsizeandstrengththeImperialforcesbackedbytwenty-fivemillionworlds.”

“Ah,butyouhaveputyourfingerontheusurper'sweakness,Dr.Venabili.Therearetwenty-fivemillionworlds,withtheImperialforcesscatteredoverthem.Thoseforcesarethinnedoutoverincalculablespace,underuncountedofficers,

noneofthemparticularlyreadyforanyactionoutsidetheirownProvinces,manyreadyforactionintheirowninterestratherthanintheEmpire's.Ourforces,ontheotherhand,areallhere,allonTrantor.Wecanactandconcludebeforethedistantgeneralsandadmiralscangetitthroughtheirheadsthattheyareneeded.”

“Butthatresponsewillcome–andwithirresistibleforce.”

“Areyoucertainofthat?”saidRashelle.“WewillbeinthePalace.Trantorwillbeoursandatpeace.WhyshouldtheImperialforcesstirwhen,bymindingtheirownbusiness,eachpettymilitaryleadercanhavehisownworldtorule,hisownProvince?”

“Butisthatwhatyouwant?”askedSeldonwonderingly.“AreyoutellingmethatyoulookforwardtorulingoveranEmpirethatwillbreakupintosplinters?”

Rashellesaid,“Thatisexactlyright.IwouldruleoverTrantor,overitsoutlyingspacesettlements,overthefewnearbyplanetarysystemsthatarepartoftheTrantorianProvince.IwouldmuchratherbeEmperorofTrantorthanEmperoroftheGalaxy.”

“YouwouldbesatisfiedwithTrantoronly,”saidDorsintonesofthedeepestdisbelief.

“Whynot?”saidRashelle,suddenlyablaze.Sheleanedforwardeagerly,bothhandspressedpalms-downonthetable.“Thatiswhatmyfatherhasbeenplanningforfortyyears.Heisonlyclingingtolifenowtowitnessitsfulfillment.Whydoweneedmillionsofworlds,distantworldsthatmeannothingtous,thatweakenus,thatdrawourforcesfarawayfromusintomeaninglesscubicparsecsofspace,thatdrownusinadministrativechaos,thatruinuswiththeirendlessquarrelsandproblemswhentheyarealldistantnothingsasfarasweareconcerned?Ourownpopulousworld–ourownplanetarycity–isGalaxyenoughforus.Wehaveallweneedtosupportourselves.

AsfortherestoftheGalaxy,letitsplinter.Everypettymilitaristcanhavehisownsplinter.Theyneedn'tfight.Therewillbeenoughforall.”

“Buttheywillfight,justthesame,”saidDors.“Eachwillrefusetobesatisfied

withhisProvince.EachwillfeatthathisneighborisnotsatisfiedwithhisProvince.EachwillfeelinsecureandwilldreamofGalacticruleastheonlyguaranteeofsafety.Thisiscertain,MadamEmpressofNothing.TherewillbeendlesswarsintowhichyouandTrantorwillbeinevitablydrawn–totheruinofall.”

Rashellesaidwithclearcontempt,“Soitmightseem,ifonecouldseenofartherthanyoudo,ifonereliedontheordinarylessonsofhistory.”

“Whatistheretoseefarther?”retortedDors.“Whatisonetorelyonbeyondthelessonsofhistory?”

“Whatliesbeyond?”saidRashelle.“Why,he.”

Andherarmshotoutward,herindexfingerjabbingtowardSeldon.

“Me?”saidSeldon.“Ihavealreadytoldyouthatpsychohistory–”

Rashellesaid,“Donotrepeatwhatyouhavealreadysaid,mygoodDr.Seldon.Wegainnothingbythat.–Doyouthink,Dr.Venabili,thatmyfatherwasneverawareofthedangerofendlesscivilwar?Doyouthinkhedidnotbendhispowerfulmindtothinkingofsomewaytopreventthat?HehasbeenpreparedatanytimetheselasttenyearstotakeovertheEmpireinaday.

Itneededonlytheassuranceofsecuritybeyondvictory.”

“Whichyoucan'thave,”saidDors.

“WhichwehadthemomentweheardofDr.Seldon'spaperattheDecennialConvention.Isawatoncethatthatwaswhatweneeded.Myfatherwastoooldtoseethesignificanceatonce.

WhenIexplainedit,however,hesawittooanditwasthenthatheformallytransferredhispowertome.Soitistoyou,Hari,thatIowemypositionandtoyouIwillowemygreaterpositioninthefuture.”

“Ikeeptellingyouthatitcannot–”beganSeldonwithdeepannoyance.

“Itisnotimportantwhatcanorcannotbedone.Whatisimportantiswhat

peoplewillorwillnotbelievecanbedone.Theywillbelieveyou,Hari,whenyoutellthemthepsychohistoricpredictionisthatTrantorcanruleitselfandthattheProvincescanbecomeKingdomsthatwilllivetogetherinpeace.”

“Iwillmakenosuchprediction,”saidSeldon,“intheabsenceoftruepsychohistory.Iwon'tplaythecharlatan.Ifyouwantsomethinglikethat,yousayit.”

“Now,Hari.Theywon'tbelieveme.It'syoutheywillbelieve.Thegreatmathematician.Whynotobligethem?”

“Asithappens,”saidSeldom“theEmperoralsothoughttousemeasasourceofself-servingprophecies.Irefusedtodoitforhim,sodoyouthinkIwillagreetodoitforyou?”

Rashellewassilentforawhileandwhenshespokeagainhervoicehadlostitsintenseexcitementandbecamealmostcoaxing.

“Hari,”shesaid,“thinkalittleofthedifferencebetweenCleonandmyself.WhatCleonundoubtedlywantedfromyouwaspropagandatopreservehisthrone.hwouldbeuselesstogivehimthat,forthethronecan'tbepreserved.Don'tyouknowthattheGalacticEmpireisinastateofdecay,thatitcannotendureformuchlonger?Trantoritselfisslowlyslidingintoruinbecauseoftheever–increasingweightofadministeringtwenty-fivemillionworlds.What'saheadofusisbreakupandcivilwar,nomatterwhatyoudoforCleon.”

Seldonsaid,“Ihaveheardsomethinglikethissaid.Itmayevenbetrue,butwhatthen?”

“Wellthen,helpitbreakintofragmentswithoutanywar.HelpmetakeTrantor.Helpmeestablishafirmgovernmentoverarealmsmallenoughto6eruledefficiently.LetmegivefreedomtotherestoftheGalaxy,eachportiontogoitsownwayaccordingtoitsowncustomsandcultures.

TheGalaxywillbecomeaworkingwholeagainthroughthefreeagenciesoftrade,tourism,andcommunicationandthefateofcrackingintodisasterunderthepresentruleofforcethatbarelyholdsittogetherwillbeaverted.Myambitionismoderateindeed;oneworld,notmillions;peace,notwar;freedom,

notslavery.Thinkaboutitandhelpme.”

Seldonsaid,“WhyshouldtheGalaxybelievemeanymorethantheywouldbelieveyou?

Theydon'tknowmeandwhichofourfleetcommanderswillbeimpressedbythemereword

'psychohistory'?”

“Youwon'tbebelievednow,butIdon'taskforactionnow.TheHouseofWye,havingwaitedthousandsofyears,canwaitthousandsofdaysmore.CooperatewithmeandIwillmakeyournamefamous.Iwillmakethepromiseofpsychohistoryglowthroughalltheworldsandatthepropertime,whenIjudgethemovementtobethechosenmoment,youwillpronounceyourpredictionandwewillstrike.Then,inatwinklingofhistory,theGalaxywillexistunderaNewOrderthatwillrenderitstableandhappyforeons.Comenow,Hari,canyourefuseme?”

OVERTHROW

THALUS,EMMER–…AsergeantinthearmedsecurityforcesoftheWyeSectorofancientTrantor…Asidefromthesetotallyunremarkablevitalstatistics,nothingisknownofthemanexceptthatononeoccasionheheldthefateoftheGalaxyinhisfist.

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

86

Breakfastthenextmorningwasservedinanalcoveneartheroomsofthecapturedthreeanditwasluxuriousindeed.Therecertainlywasaconsiderablevarietytothefoodandmorethanenoughofeverything.

Seldonsatatthebreakfasttablewithamoundofspicysausagesbeforehim,totallyignoringDorsVenabili'sgloomypredictionsconcerningstomachsandcolic.

Raychsaid,“Thedame…theMadamMayorsaidwhenshecametoseemelast

night–”

“Shecametoseeyou?”saidSeldon.

“Yeah.ShesaidshewantedtomakesureIwascomfortable.Shesaidwhenshehadachanceshewouldtakemetoazoo.”

“Azoo?”SeldonlookedatDors.“WhatkindofzoocantheyhaveonTrantor?Catsanddogs?”

“Therearesomeaboriginalanimals,”saidDors,“andIimaginetheyimportsomeaboriginalsfromotherworldsandtherearealsothesharedanimalsthatalltheworldshave–otherworldshavingmorethanTrantor,ofcourse.Asamatteroffact,Wyehasafamouszoo,probablythebestontheplanetaftertheImperialZooitself.”

Raychsaid,“She'saniceoldlady.”

“Notthatold,”saidDors,“butshe'scertainlyfeedinguswell.”

“There'sthat,”admittedSeldon.

Whenbreakfastwasover,Raychlefttogoexploring.

OncetheyhadretiredtoDors'sroom,Seldonsaidwithmarkeddiscontent,“Idon'tknowhowlongwe'llbelefttoourselves.She'sobviouslyplottedwaysofpre-occupyingourtime.”

Dorssaid,“Actually,wehavelittletocomplainofatthemoment.We'remuchmorecomfortableherethanwewereeitherinMycogenorDahl.”

Seldonsaid,“Dors,you'renotbeingwonoverbythatwoman,areyou?”

“Me?ByRashelle?Ofcoursenot.Howcanyoupossiblythinkso?”

“Welt,you'recomfortable.You'rewell-fed.Itwouldbenaturaltorelaxandacceptwhatfortunebrings.”

“Yes,verynatural.Andwhynotdothat?”

“Look,youweretellingmelastnightaboutwhat'sgoingtohappenifshewinsout.Imaynotbemuchofahistorianmyself,butIamwillingtotakeyourwordforitand,actually,itmakessense–eventoanon-historian.TheEmpirewillshatteranditsshardswillbefightingeachotherfor…for…indefinitely.Shemustbestopped.”

“Iagree,”saidDors.“Shemustbe.WhatIfailtoseeishowwecanmanagetodothatlittlethingrightatthismoment.”ShelookedatSeldonnarrowly.“Hari,youdidn'tsleepfastnight,didyou?”

“Didyou?”Itwasapparenthehadnot.

Dorsstaredathim,atroubledlookcloudingherface.“HaveyoulainawakethinkingofGalacticdestructionbecauseofwhatIsaid?”

“Thatandsomeocherthings.IsitpossibletoreachChetterHummin?”Thislastwassaidinawhisper.

Dorssaid,“ItriedtoreachhimwhenwefirsthadtofleearrestinDahl.Hedidn'tcome.I'msurehereceivedthemessage,buthedidn'tcome.Itmaybethat,foranyofanumberofreasons,hejustcouldn'tcometous,butwhenhecanhewill.”

“Doyousupposesomethinghashappenedtohim?”

“No,”saidDorspatiently.“Idon'tthinkso.”

“Howcanyouknow?”

“Thewordwouldsomehowgettome.I'msureofit.Andthewordhasn'tgottentome.”

Seldonfrownedandsaid,“I'mnotasconfidentasyouareaboutallthis.Infact,I'mnotconfidentatall.EvenifHummincame,whatcanhedointhiscase?Hecan'tfightallofWye.Iftheyhave,asRashelleclaims,thebest-organizedarmyonTrantor,whatwillhebeabletodoagainstit?”

“There'snopointindiscussingthat.DoyousupposeyoucanconvinceRashelle–bangitintoherheadsomehow–thatyoudon'thavepsychohistory?”

“I'msureshe'sawarethatIdon'thaveitandthatI'mnotgoingtogetitformanyyears–ifatall.Butshe'llsayIhavepsychohistoryandifshedoesthatskillfullyenough,peoplewillbelieveherandeventuallytheywillactonwhatshesaysmypredictionsandpronouncementsare–evenifIdon'tsayaword.”

“Surely,thatwilltakerime.Shewon'tbuildyouupovernight.Orinaweek.Todoitproperly,itmighttakeherayear.”

Seldonwaspacingthelengthoftheroom,turningsharplyonhisheelandstridingback.“Thatmightbeso,butIdon'tknow.Therewouldbepressureonhertodothingsquickly.Shedoesn'tstrikemeasthekindofwomanwhohascultivatedthehabitofpatience.Andheroldfather,MannixIV,wouldbeevenmoreimpatient.Hemustfeelthenearnessofdeathandifhe'sworkedforthisallhislife,hewouldmuchprefertoseeitdoneaweekbeforehisdeathratherthanaweekafter.

Besides–”Herehepausedandlookedaroundtheemptyroom.

“Besideswhat?”

“Well,wemusthaveourfreedom.Yousee,I'vesolvedthepsychohistoryproblem.”

Dors'seyeswidened.“Youhaveit!You'veworkeditout.”

“Notworkeditoutinthefullsense.Thatmighttakedecades…centuries,forallIknow.ButInowknowit'spractical,notjusttheoretical.IknowitcanbedonesoImusthavethetime,thepeace,thefacilitiestoworkatit.TheEmpiremustbeheldtogethertillI–orpossiblymysuccessors–willlearnhowbesttokeepitsoorhowtominimizethedisasterifitdoessplitupdespiteus.Itwasthethoughtofhavingabeginningtomytaskandofnotbeingabletoworkatit,thatkeptmeuplastnight.”

87

ItwastheirfifthdayinWyeandinthemorningDorswashelpingRaychintoaformalcostumethatneitherwasquitefamiliarwith.

Raychlookedathimselfdubiouslyintheholomirrorandsawareflectedimage

thatfacedhimwithprecision,imitatingallhismotionsbutwithoutanyinversionofleftandright.Raychhadneverusedaholomirrorbeforeandhadbeenunabletokeepfromtryingtofeelit,thenlaughing,almostwithembarrassment,whenhishandpassedthroughitwhiletheimage'shandpokedineffectuallyathisrealbody.

Hesaidatlast,“Ilookfunny.”

Hestudiedhistunic,whichwasmadeofaverypliantmaterial,withathinfiligreedbelt,thenpassedhishandsupastiffcollarthatroselikeacuppasthisearsoneitherside.

“Myheadlookslikeaballinsideabowl.”

Dorssaid,“ButthisisthesortofthingrichchildrenwearinWye.Everyonewhoseesyouwilladmireyouandenvyyou.”

“Withmyhairallstuckdown?”

“Certainly.You'llwearthisroundlittlehat.”

“It'llmakemyheadmorelikeaball.”

“Thendon'tletanyonekickit.Now,rememberwhatItoldyou.Keepyourwitsaboutyouanddon'tactlikeakid.”

“ButIamakid,”hesaid,lookingupatherwithawide-eyedinnocentexpression.

“I'msurprisedtohearyousaythat,”saidDors.“I'msureyouthinkofyourselfasatwelve-year-oldadult.”

Raychgrinned.“Okay.I'llbeagoodspy.”

“That'snotwhatI'mtellingyoutobe.Don'ttakechances.Don'tsneakbehinddoorstolisten.

Ifyougetcaughtatit,you'renogoodtoanyone–especiallynottoyourself.”

“Aw,c'mon,Missus,whatdoyathinkIam?Akidorsomethin'?”

“Youjustsaidyouwere,didn'tyou,Raych?Youjustlistentoeverythingthat'ssaidwithoutseemingto.Andrememberwhatyouhear.Andtellus.That'ssimpleenough.”

“Simpleenoughforyoutosay,MissusVenabili,”saidRaychwithagrin,“andsimpleenoughformetodo.”

“Andbecareful.”

Raychwinked.“Youbet.”

Aflunky(ascoollyimpoliteasonlyanarrogantflunkycanbe)cametotakeRaychtowhereRashellewasawaitinghim.

Seldonlookedafterthemandsaidthoughtfully,“Heprobablywon'tseethezoo,he'llbelisteningsocarefully.I'mnotsureit'srighttothrustaboyintodangerlikethat.”

“Danger?Idoubtit.RaychwasbroughtupintheslumsofBillibotton,remember.IsuspecthehasmorealleysmartsthanyouandIputtogether.Besides,Rashelleisfondofhimandwillinterpreteverythinghedoesinhisfavor.–Poorwoman.”

“Areyouactuallysorryforher,Dors?”

“Doyoumeanthatshe'snotworthsympathybecauseshe'saMayor'sdaughterandconsidersherselfaMayorinherownright–andbecauseshe'sintentondestroyingtheEmpire?Perhapsyou'reright,butevensotherearesomeaspectsofherforwhichonemightshowsomesympathy.Forinstance,she'shadanunhappyloveaffair.That'sprettyevident.Undoubtedly,herheartwasbroken–foratime,atleast.”

Seldonsaid,“Haveyoueverhadanunhappyloveaffair,Dors?”

Dorsconsideredforamomentortwo,thensaid,“Notreally.I'mtooinvolvedwithmyworktogetabrokenheart.”

“Ithoughtasmuch.”

“Thenwhydidyouask?”

“Imighthavebeenwrong.”

“Howaboutyou?”

Seldonseemeduneasy.“Asamatteroffact,yes.Ihavesparedthetimeforabrokenheart.

Badlycracked,anyway.”

“Ithoughtasmuch.”

“Thenwhydidyouask?”

“NotbecauseIthoughtImightbewrong,Ipromiseyou.Ijustwantedtoseeifyouwouldlie.

Youdidn'tandI'mglad.”

TherewasapauseandthenSeldonsaid,“Fivedayshavepassedandnothinghashappened.”

“Exceptthatwearebeingtreatedwell,Hari.”

“Ifanimalscouldthink,they'dthinktheywerebeingtreatedwellwhentheywereonlybeingfattenedfortheslaughter.”

“Iadmitshe'sfatteningtheEmpirefortheslaughter.”

“Butwhen?”

“Ipresumewhenshe'sready.”

“SheboastedshecouldcompletethecoupinadayandtheimpressionIgotwasthatshecoulddothatonanyday.”

“Evenifshecould,shewouldwanttomakesurethatshecouldcripplethe

Imperialreactionandthatmighttaketime.”

“Howmuchtime?Sheplanstocripplethereactionbyusingme,butsheismakingnoefforttodoso.Thereisnosignthatshe'stryingtobuildupmyimportance.WhereverIgoinWyeI'munrecognized.TherearenoWyancrowdsgatheringtocheerme.There'snothingonthenewsholocasts.”

Dorssmiled.“Onewouldalmostsupposethatyourfeelingsarehurtatnotbeingmadefamous.You'renaive,Hari.Ornotahistorian,whichisthesamething.IthinkyouhadbetterbemorepleasedthatthestudyofpsychohistorywillbeboundtomakeahistorianofyouthanthatitmaysavetheEmpire.Ifallhumanbeingsunderstoodhistory,theymightceasemakingthesamestupidmistakesoverandover.”

“InwhatwayamInaive?”askedSeldomliftinghisheadandstaringdownhisnoseather.

“Don'tbeoffended,Hari.Ithinkit'soneofyourattractivefeatures,actually.”

“Iknow.Itarousesyourmaternalinstinctsandyouhavebeenaskedtotakecareofme.ButinwhatwayamInaive?”

“InthinkingthatRashellewouldcrytopropagandizethepopulationoftheEmpire,generally,intoacceptingyouasseer.Shewouldaccomplishnothinginthatway.Quadrillionsofpeoplearehardtomovequickly.Thereissocialandpsychologicalinertia,aswellasphysicalinertia.And,bycomingoutintotheopen,shewouldsimplyalertDemerzel.”

“Thenwhatisshedoing?”

“Myguessisthattheinformationaboutyou–suitablyexaggeratedandglorified–isgoingouttoacrucialfew.hisgoingtothoseViceroysofsectors,thoseadmiralsoffleets,thosepeopleofinfluenceshefeelslookkindly.uponher–orgrimlyupontheEmperor.AhundredorsoofthosewhomightrallytohersidewillmanagetoconfusetheLoyalistsjustlongenoughtoallowRashelletheFirsttosetupherNewOrderfirmlyenoughtobeatoffwhateverresistancemightdevelop.Atleast,Iimaginethatishowshereasons.”

“Andyetwehaven'theardfromHummin.”

“I'msurehemustbedoingsomethingjustthesame.Thisistooimportanttoignore.”

“Hasitoccurredtoyouthathemightbedead?”

“That'sapossibility,butIdon'tthinkso.Ifhewas,thenewswouldreachme.”

“Here?”

“Evenhere.”

Seldonraisedhiseyebrows,butsaidnothing.

Raychcamebackinthelateafternoon,happyandexcited,withdescriptionsofmonkeysandofBakariandemoiresandhedominatedtheconversationduringdinner.

ItwasnotuntilafterdinnerwhentheywereintheirownquartersthatDorssaid,“Now,tellmewhathappenedwithMadamMayor,Raych.Tellmeanythingshedidorsaidthatyouthinkweoughttoknow.”

“Onething,”saidRaych,hisfacelightingup.“That'swhyshedidn'tshowatdinner,Ibet.”

“Whatwasit?”

“Thezoowasclosedexceptforus,youknow.Therewerelotsofus–Rashelleandmeandallsortsofguysinuniformsanddamesinfancyclothesandlikethat.Thenthisguyinauniform–adifferentguy,whowasn'ttheretobeginwith–cameintowardtheendandhesaidsomethinginalowvoiceandRashellecornedtoallthepeopleandmadewithherhandliketheyshouldn'tmoveandtheydidn't.Andshewentalittlewaysawaywiththisnewguy,soshecouldtalktohimandnoonecouldhearher.ExceptIkeptpayingnoattentionandkeptlookingatthedifferentcagesandsortofmovedneartoRashellesoIcouldhearher.

“Shesaid,'Howdarethey?'likeshewasrealmad.Andtheguyintheuniform,helookednervous–IjustgotquicklooksbecauseIwastryingtomakeoutlikeI

waswatchingtheanimals–somostlyIjustheardthewords.Hesaidsomebody–don'trememberthename,buthewasageneralorsomethin'.HesaidthisgeneralsaidtheofficershadswornreligioustoRashelle'soldman–”

“Swornallegiance,”saidDors.

“Somethin'likethatandtheywasnervousabouthavin'todowhatadamesays.Hesaidtheywantedtheoldmanorelse,ifhewaskindofsick,heshouldpicksomeguytobeMayor,notadame.”

“Notadame?Areyousure?”

“That'swhathesaid.Helikewhisperedit.HewassonervousandRashellewassomadshecouldhardlyspeak.Shesaid,'I'llhavehishead.Theywillallswearallegiancetometomorrowandwhoeverrefuseswilllavecausetoregretitbeforeanhourhaspassed.'That'sexactlywhatshesaid.

Shebrokeupthewholepartyandweallcamebackandshedidn'tsayonewordtomeal!therime.

Justsatthere,lookingkindameanandangry.”

Dorssaid,“Good.Don'tyoumentionthistoanyone,Raych.”

“Coursenot.Isitwhatyouwanted?”

“VerymuchwhatIwanted.Youdidwell,Raych.Now,gotoyourroomandforgetthewholething.Don'teventhinkaboutit.”

Oncehewasgone,DorsturnedmSeldonandsaid,“Thisisveryinteresting.Daughtershavesucceededfathers–ormothers,forthatmatter–andheldMayoraltiesorotherhighofficesonanynumberofoccasions.TherehaveevenbeenreigningEmpresses,asyouundoubtedlyknow,andIcan'trecallthattherewaseverinImperialhistoryanyseriousquestionofservingunderone.Itmakesonewonderwhysuchathingshouldnow,ariseinWye.”

Seldonsaid,“Whynot?We'veonlyrecentlybeeninMycogen,wherewomenareheldinatotallackofesteemandcouldn'tpossiblyholdpositionsofpower,howeverminor.”

“Yes,ofcourse,butthat'sanexception.Thereareotherplaceswherewomendominate.Forthemostpart,though,governmentandpowerhavebeenmoreorlessequisexual.Ifmorementendtoholdhighpositions,itisusuallybecausewomentendtobemorebound–biologically–tochildren.”

“ButwhatisthesituationinWye?”

“Equisexual,asfarasIknow.Rashelledidn'thesitatetoassumeMayoralpowerandIimagineoldMannixdidn'thesitatetograntittoher.Andshewassurprisedandfuriousatencounteringmaledissent.Shecan'thaveexpectedit.”

Seldonsaid,“You'reclearlypleasedacthis.Why?”

“Simplybecauseit'ssounnaturalthatitmustbecontrivedandIimagineHumminisdoingthecontriving.”

Seldonsaidthoughtfully,“Youthinkso?”

“Ido,”saidDors.

“Youknow,”saidSeldon,“sodoI.”

88

ItwastheirtenthdayinWyeandinthemorningHariSeldon'sdoorsignalsoundedandRaych'shigh-pitchedvoiceoutsidewascryingout,“Mister!MisterSeldon!It'swar!”

Seldontookamomenttoswapfromsleeptowakefulnessandscrambledoutofbed.Hewasshiveringslightly(theWyanslikedtheirdomicilesonthechillyside,hehaddiscoveredquiteearlyinhisstaythere)whenhethrewthedooropen.Raychbouncedin,excitedandwide-eyed.“MisterSeldon,theyhaveMannix,theoldMayor'.Theyhave–”

“Whohave,Raych?”

“TheImperials,Theirjetscameinlastnightallover.Thenewsholocastsaretellingallaboutit.It'soninMissus'sroom.Shesaidtoletyasleep,butIfiguredyawouldwannerknow.”

“Andyouwerequiteright.”Seldompausingonlytongenoughtothrowonabathrobe,burstintoDors'sroom.Shewasfullydressedandwaswatchingthebolo-secinthealcove.

Behindtheclear,smallimageofadesksataman,withtheSpaceship-and-Sunsharplydefinedontheleft-frontofhistunic.Oneitherside,twosoldiers,alsowearingtheSpaceship-and-Sun,stoodarmed.Theofficeratthedeskwassaying,“–isunderthepeacefulcontrolofhisImperialMajesty.MayorMannixissafeandwellandisinfullpossessionofhisMayoralpowersundertheguidanceoffriendlyImperialtroops.HewillbebeforeyousoontourgecalmonallWyansandtoaskanyWyansoldiersstillinarmstolaythemdown.”

Therewereothernewsholocastsbyvariousnewsmenwithunemotionalvoices,allwearingImperialarmbands.Thenewswasallthesame:surrenderbythisorthatunitoftheWyansecurityforcesafterfiringafewshotsfortherecord–andsometimesafternoresistanceatall.Thistowncenterandthattowncenterwereoccupied–andtherewererepeatedviewsofWyancrowdssomberlywatchingImperialforcesmarchingdownthestreets.

Dorssaid,“Itwasperfectlyexecuted,Hari.Surprisewascomplete.Therewasnochanceofresistanceandnoneofconsequencewasoffered.”

ThenMayorMannixIVappeared,ashadbeenpromised.Hewasstandinguprightand,perhapsforthesakeofappearances,therewerenoImperialsinsight,thoughSeldonwasreasonablycertainthatanadequatenumberwerepresentjustoutofcamerarange.

Mannixwasold,buthisstrength,thoughworn,wasstillapparent.Hiseyesdidnotmeettheholo-cameraandhiswordswerespokenasthoughforceduponhim–but,ashadbeenpromised,theycounseledWyanstoremaincalm,tooffernoresistance,tokeepWyefromharm,andtocooperatewiththeEmperorwho,itwashoped,wouldsurvivelongonthethrone.

“NomentionofRashelle,”saidSeldon.“It'sasthoughhisdaughterdoesn'texist.”

“Noonehasmentionedher,”saidDors,“andthisplace,whichis,afterall,herresidence–oroneofthem–hasn'tbeenattacked.Evenifshemanagestoslipaway

andtakerefugeinsomeneighboringsector,IdoubtshewillbesafeanywhereonTrantorforlong.”

“Perhapsnot,”cameavoice;“butI'llbesafehereforalittlewhile.”

Rashelleentered.Shewasproperlydressed,properlycalm.Shewasevensmiling,butitwasnosmileofjoy;itwas,rather,acoldbaringofteeth.

ThethreestaredatherinsurpriseforamomentandSeldonwonderedifshehadanyofherservantswithheroriftheyhadpromptlydesertedheratthefirstsignofadversity.

Dorssaidalittlecoldly,“Isee,MadamMayor,thatyourhopesforacoupcannotbemaintained.Apparently,youhavebeenforestalled.”

“Ihavenotbeenforestalled.Ihavebeenbetrayed.Myofficershavebeentamperedwithand–againstallhistoryandrationality–theyhaverefusedtofightforawomanbutonlyfortheiroldmaster.And,traitorsthattheyare,theythenlettheiroldmasterbeseizedsothathecannotleadtheminresistance.”

Shelookedaboutforachairandsatdown.“AndnowtheEmpiremustcontinuetodecayanddiewhenIwaspreparedtoofferitnewlife.”

“Ithink,”saidDors,“theEmpirehasavoidedanindefiniteperiodofuselessfightinganddestruction.Consoleyourselfwiththat,MadamMayor.”

ItwasasthoughRashelledidnothearher.“Somanyyearsofpreparationdestroyedinanight.”Shesattherebeaten,defeated,andseemedtohaveagedtwentyyears.

Dorssaid,“Itcouldscarcelyhavebeendoneinanight.Thesuborningofyourofficers–ifthattookplace–musthavetakentime.”

“Atthat,DemerzelisamasterandquiteobviouslyIunderestimatedhim.Howhedidit,Idon'tknow–threats,bribes,smoothandspeciousargument.Heisamasterattheartofstealthandbetrayal–Ishouldhaveknown.”

Shewentonafterapause.“Ifthiswasoutrightforceonhispart,Iwouldhavehadnotroubledestroyinganythinghesentagainstus.Whowouldthinkthat

Wyewouldbebetrayed,thatanoathofallegiancewouldbesolightlythrownaside?”

Seldonsaidwithautomaticrationality,“ButIimaginetheoathwasmadenottoyou,buttoyourfather.”

“Nonsense,”saidRashellevigorously.“WhenmyfathergavemetheMayoraloffice,ashewaslegallyentitledtodo,heautomaticallypassedontomeanyoathsofallegiancemadetohim.

Thereisampleprecedenceforthis.Itiscustomarytohavetheoathrepeatedtothenewruler,butthatisaceremonyonlyandnotalegalrequirement.Myofficersknowthat,thoughtheychoosetoforget.TheyusemywomanhoodasanexcusebecausetheyquakeinfearofImperialvengeancethatwouldneverhavecomehadtheybeenstaunchortremblewithgreedforpromisedrewardstheywillsurelyneverget–ifIknowDemerzel.”

SheturnedsharplytowardSeldon.“Hewantsyou,youknow.Demerzelstruckatusforyou.”

Seldonstarted.“Whyme?”

“Don'tbeafool.ForthesamereasonIwantedyou…touseyouasacool,ofcourse.”Shesighed.“AtleastIamnotutterlybetrayed.Therearestillloyalsoldierstobefound.–Sergeant!”

SergeantEmmerThalusenteredwithasoftcautiousstepthatseemedincongruous,consideringhissize.Hisuniformwasspruce,hislongblondmustachefiercelycurled.

“MadamMayor,”hesaid,drawinghimselftoattentionwithasnap.Hewasstill,inappearance,thesideofbeefthatHarihadnamedhim–amanstillfollowingordersblindly,totallyoblivioustothenewandchangedstateofaffairs.

RashellesmiledsadlyatRaych.“Andhowareyou,littleRaych?Ihadmeanttomakesomethingofyou.ItseemsnowIwon'tbeableto.”

“Hello,Missus…Madam,”saidRaychawkwardly.

“Andtohavemadesomethingofyoutoo,Dr.Seldom”saidRashelle,“andtherealsoImustcravepardon.Icannot.”

“Forme,Madam,youneedhavenoregrets.”

“ButIdo.IcannotverywellletDemerzelhaveyou.ThatwouldbeonevictorytoomanyforhimandatleastIcanstopthat.”

“Iwouldnotworkforhim,Madam,Iassureyou,anymorethanIwouldhaveworkedforyou.”

“Itisnotamatterofwork.hisamatterofbeingused.Farewell,Dr.Seldon.–Sergeant,blasthim.”

ThesergeantdrewhisblasteratonceandDors,withaloudcry,lungedforward–butSeldonreachedoutforherandcaughtherbytheelbow.Hehungondesperately.

“Stayhack,Dors,”heshouted,“orhe'llkillyou.Hewon'tkillme.Youtoo,Raych.Standback.Don'tmove.”

Seldonfacedthesergeant.“Youhesitate,Sergeant,becauseyouknowyoucannotshootImighthavekilledyoutendaysago,butIdidnot.Andyougavemeyourwordofhonoratthattimethatyouwouldprotectme.”

“Whatareyouwaitingfor?”snappedRashelle.“Isaidshoothimdown,Sergeant.”

Seldonsaidnothingmore.Hestoodtherewhilethesergeant,eyesbulging,heldhisblastersteadyandpointedatSeldon'shead.

“Youhaveyourorder!”shriekedRashelle.

“Ihaveyourword,”saidSeldonquietly.

AndSergeantThalussaidinachokedtone,“Dishonoredeitherway.”Hishandfellandhisblasterclangedtothefloor.

Rashellecriedout,“Thenyoutoobetrayme!”

BeforeSeldoncouldmoveorDorsfreeherselffromhisgrip,Rashelleseizedtheblaster,turneditonthesergeant,andclosedcontact.

Seldonhadneverseenanyoneblastedbefore.Somehow,fromthenameoftheweaponperhaps,hehadexpectedaloudnoise,anexplosionoffleshandblood.ThisWyanblaster,atleast,didnothingofthesort.Whatmanglingitdidtotheorgansinsidethesergeant'schestSeldonmoldnottellbut,withoutachangeinexpression,withoutawinceofpain,thesergeantcrumbledandfell,deadbeyondanydoubtoranyhope.

AndRashelleturnedtheblasteronSeldonwithafirmnessthatputtorestanyhopeforhisownlifebeyondthenextsecond.

ItwasRaych,however,whojumpedintoactionthemomentthesergeantfell.RacingbetweenSeldonandRashelle,hewavedhishandswildly.

“Missus,Missus,”hecalled.“Don'tshoot.”

Foramoment,Rashellelookedconfused.“Outoftheway,Raych.Idon'twanttohurtyou.”

ThatmomentofhesitationwasallDorsneeded.Breakinglooseviolently,sheplungedtowardRashellewithalonglowdive.Rashellewentdownwithacryandtheblasterhitthegroundasecondtime.

Raychretrievedit.

Seldon,withadeepandshudderingbreath,said,“Raych,givethattome.”

ButRaychbackedaway.“Yaain'tgonnakillher,areya,MisterSeldon?Shewasnicetome.”

“Iwon'tkillanyone,Raych,”saidSeldon.“Shekilledthesergeantandwouldhavekilledme,butshedidn'tshootratherthanhurtyouandwe'llletherliveforthat.”

ItwasSeldon,whonowsatdown,theblasterheldlooselyinhishand,whiteDorsremovedtheneuronicwhipfromthedeadsergeant'sotherholster.

Anewvoicerangout.“I'lltakecareofhernow,Seldon.”

Seldonlookedupandinsuddenjoysaid,“Hummin!Finally!”

“I'msorryittooksolong,Seldon.Ihadalottodo.Howareyou,Dr.Venabili?ItakeitthisisMannix'sdaughter,Rashelle.Butwhoistheboy?”

“RaychisayoungDahlitefriendofours,”saidSeldon.

Soldierswereenteringand,atasmallgesturefromHummin,theyliftedRashellerespectfully.

Dors,abletosuspendherintentsurveillanceoftheotherwoman,brushedatherclotheswithherhandsandsmoothedherblouse.Seldonsuddenlyrealizedthathewasstillinhisbathrobe.

Rashelle,shakingherselfloosefromthesoldierswithcontempt,pointedtoHumminandsaidtoSeldon,“Whoisthis?”

Seldonsaid,“ItisChetterHummin,afriendofmineandmyprotectoronthisplanet.”

“Yourprotector!”Rashellelaughedmadly.“Youfool!Youidiot!ThatmanisDemerzelandifyoulookatyourVenabiliwoman,youwillseefromherfacethatsheisperfectlyawareofthat.

Youhavebeentrappedallalong,farworsethaneveryouwerewithme!”

89

HumminandSeldonsatatlunchthatday,quitealone,apallofquietbetweenthemforthemostpart.hwastowardtheendofthemealthatSeldonstirredandsaidinalivelyvoice,“Well,sir,howdoIaddressyou?Ithinkofyouas'ChesterHummin'still,butevenifIacceptyouinyourotherpersona,Isurelycannotaddressyouas'EtoDemerzel.'Inthatcapacity,youhaveatitleandIdon'tknowtheproperusage.Instructme.”

Theothersaidgravely,“Callme'Hummin'–ifyoudon'tmind.Or'Chetter.'Yes,IamEtoDemerzel,butwithrespecttoyouIamHummin.Asamatteroffact,the

twoarenotdistinct.ItoldyouthattheEmpireisdecayingandfailing.Ibelievethattobetrueinbothmycapacities.ItoldyouthatIwantedpsychohistoryasawayofpreventingthatdecayandfailureorofbringingaboutarenewalandreinvigorationifthedecayandfailuremustrunitscourse.Ibelievethatinbothmycapacitiestoo.”

“Butyouhadmeinyourgrip–IpresumeyouwereinthevicinitywhenIGadmymeetingwithHisImperialMajesty.”

“WithCleon.Yes,ofcourse.”

“Andyoumighthavespokentome,then,exactlyasyoulaterdidasHummin.”

“Andaccomplishedwhat?AsDemerzel,Ihaveenormoustasks.IhavetohandleCleon,awell-meaningbutnotverycapableruler,andpreventhim,insofarasIcan,frommakingmistakes.IhavetodomybitingoverningTrantorandtheEmpirecoo.And,asyousee,IhadtospendagreatdealoftimeinpreventingWyefromdoingharm.”

“Yes,Iknow,”murmuredSeldon.

“Itwasn'teasyandInearlylostout.IhavespentyearssparringcarefullywithMannix,learningtounderstandhischinkingandplanningacountermovetohiseverymove.Ididnotthink,atanytime,thatwhilehewasstillalivehewouldpassonhispowerstohisdaughter.IhadnotstudiedherandIwasnotpreparedforherutterlackofcaution.Unlikeherfather,shehasbeenbroughtuptotakepowerforgrantedandhadnoclearideaofitslimitations.SoshegotyouandforcedmetoactbeforeIwasquiteready.”

“Youalmostlostmeasaresult.Ifacedthemuzzleofablastertwice.”

“Iknow,”saidHummin,nodding.“AndwemighthavelostyouUppersidecoo–anotheraccidentIcouldnotforesee.”

“Butyouhaven'treallyansweredmyquestion.WhydidyousendmechasingalloverthefaceofTrantortoescapefromDemerzelwhenyouyourselfwereDemerzel?”

“YoutoldCleonthatpsychohistorywasapurelytheoreticalconcept,akindof

mathematicalgamethatmadenopracticalsense.Thatmightindeedhavebeenso,butifIapproachedyouofficially,Iwassureyouwouldmerelyhavemaintainedyourbelief.YetIwasattractedtothenotionofpsychohistory.Iwonderedwhetheritmightnotbe,afterall,justagame.YoumustunderstandthatIdidn'twantmerelytouseyou,Iwantedarealandpracticalpsychohistory.

“SoIsentyou,asyouputit,chasingalloverthefaceofTrantorwiththedreadedDemerzelcloseonyourheelsatalltimes.That,Ifelt,wouldconcentrateyourmindpowerfully.Itwouldmakepsychohistorysomethingexcitingandmuchmorethanamathematicalgame.YouwouldtrytoworkitourforthesincereidealistHummin,whereyouwouldnotfortheImperialflunkyDemerzel.Also,youwouldgetaglimpseofvarioussidesofTrantorandthattoowouldbehelpful–certainlymorehelpfulthanlivinginanivorytoweronafar-offplanet,surroundedentirelybyfellowmathematicians.WasIright?Haveyoumadeprogress?”

Seldonsaid,“Inpsychohistory?Yes,Idid,Hummin.Ithoughtyouknew.”

“HowshouldIknow?”

“ItoldDors.”

“Butyouhadn'ttoldme.Nevertheless,youtellmesonow.Thatisgoodnews.”

“Notentirely,”saidSeldon.“Ihavemadeonlythebarestbeginning.Butitisabeginning.”

“Isitthekindofbeginningthatcanbeexplainedtoanon-mathematician?”

“Ithinkso.Yousee,Hummin,fromthestartIhaveseenpsychohistoryasasciencethatdependsontheinteractionoftwenty-fivemillionworlds,eachwithanaveragepopulationoffourthousandmillion.It'stoomuch.There'snowayofhandlingsomethingthatcomplex.Ifdwastosucceedatall,iftherewastobeanywayoffindingausefulpsychohistory,Iwouldfirsthavetofindasimplersystem.

“SoIthoughtIwouldgobackintimeanddealwithasingleworld,aworldthatwastheonlyoneoccupiedbyhumanityinthedimagebeforethecolonizationoftheGalaxy.InMycogentheyspokeofanoriginalworldofAuroraandinDahlI

heardwordofanoriginalworldofEarth.Ithoughttheymightbethesameworldunderdifferentnames,buttheyweresufficientlydifferentinonekeypoint,atleast,tomakethatimpossible.Anditdidn'tmatter.Solittlewasknownofeitherone,andthatlittlesoobscuredbymythandlegend,thattherewasnohopeofmakinguseofpsychohistoryinconnectionwiththem.”

Hepausedtosipathiscoldjuice,keepinghiseyesfirmlyonHummin'sface.Humminsaid,

“Well?Whatthen?”

“Meanwhile,DorshadtoldmesomethingIcallthehand-on-thighstory.Itwasofnoinnatesignificance,merelyahumorousandentirelytrivialtale.Asaresult,though,DorsmentionedthedifferentsexmoresonvariousworldsandinvarioussectorsofTrantor.hoccurredtomethatshetreatedthedifferentTrantoriansectorsasthoughtheywereseparateworlds.Ithought,idly,thatinsteadoftwenty-fivemilliondifferentworlds,Ihadtwenty-fivemillionpluseighthundredtodealwith.Itseemedatrivialdifference,soIforgotitandthoughtnomoreaboutit.

“ButasItraveledfromtheImperialSectortoStreelingtoMycogentoDahltoWye,Iobservedformyselfhowdifferenteachwas.ThethoughtofTrantor–notasaworldbutasacomplexofworlds–grewstronger,butstillIdidn'tseethecrucialpoint.

“ItwasonlywhenIlistenedtoRashelle–yousee,itwasgoodthatIwasfinallycapturedbyWyeanditwasgoodthatRashelle'srashnessdroveherintothegrandioseschemesthatsheimpartedtome–WhenIlistenedtoRashelle,asIsaid,shetoldmethatallshewantedwasTrantorandsomeimmediatelyadjacentworlds.ItwasanEmpireinitself,shesaid,anddismissedtheouterworldsas'distantnothings.'

“Itwasthenthat,inamoment,IsawwhatImusthavebeenharboringinmyhiddenthoughtsforaconsiderabletime.Ontheonehand,Trantorpossessedanextraordinarilycomplexsocialsystem,beingapopulousworldmadeupofeighthundredsmallerworlds.Itwasinitselfasystemcomplexenoughtomakepsychohistorymeaningfulandyetitwassimpleenough,comparedtotheEmpireasawhole,tomakepsychohistoryperhapspractical.

“AndtheOuterWorlds,thetwenty-fivemillionofthem?Theywere'distantnothings.'Ofcourse,theyaffectedTrantorandwereaffectedbyTrantor,buttheseweresecond-ordereffects.IfIcouldmakepsychohistoryworkasafirstapproximationforTrantoralone,thentheminoreffectsoftheOuterWorldscouldbeaddedaslatermodifications.DoyouseewhatImean?IwassearchingforasingleworldonwhichtoestablishapracticalscienceofpsychohistoryandIwassearchingforitinthefarpast,whenallthetimethesingleworldIwantedwasundermyfeetnow,”

Humminsaidwithobviousreliefandpleasure,“Wonderful!”

“Butit'salllefttodo,Hummin.ImuststudyTrantorinsufficientdetail.Imustdevisethenecessarymathematicstodealwithit.IfIamluckyandliveoutafulllifetime,ImayhavetheanswersbeforeIdie.Ifnot,mysuccessorswillhavetofollowme.Conceivably,theEmpiremayhavefallenandsplinteredbeforepsychohistorybecomesausefultechnique.”

“IwilldoeverythingIcantohelpyou.”

“Iknowit,”saidSeldon.

“Youtrustme,then,despitethefactIamDemerzel?”

“Entirely.Absolutely.ButIdosobecauseyouarenotDemerzel.”

“ButIam,”insistedHummin.

“Butyouarenot.YourpersonaasDemerzelisasfarremovedfromthetruthasisyourpersonaasHummin.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”Hummin'seyesgrewwideandhebackedawayslightlyfromSeldon.

“Imeanthatyouprobablychosethename'Hummin'outofawrysenseofwhatwasfitting.

'Hummin'isamispronunciationof'human,'isn'tit?”

Humminmadenoresponse.HecontinuedtostareatSeldon.

AndfinallySeldonsaid,“Becauseyou'renothuman,areyou,'Hummin/Demerzel'?You'rearobot.”

DORS

SELDON,HARI–…ItiscustomarytothinkofHariSeldononlyinconnectionwithpsychohistory,toseehimonlyasmathematicsandsocialchangepersonified.Thereisnodoubtthathehimselfencouragedthisforatnotimeinhisformalwritingsdidhegiveanyhintastohowhecametosolvethevariousproblemsofpsychohistory.Hisleapsofthoughtmighthaveallbeenpluckedfromair,forallhetellsus.Nordoeshetellusoftheblindalleysintowhichhecreptorthewrongturningshemayhavemade…

Asforhisprivatelife,itisablank.Concerninghisparentsandsiblings,weknowahandfuloffactors,nomore.Hisonlyson,RaychSeldon,isknowntohavebeenadopted,buthowthatcameaboutisnotknown.Concerninghiswife,weonlyknowthatsheexisted.Clearly,Seldonwantedtobeacipherexceptwherepsychohistorywasconcerned.

Itisasthoughhefelt–orwantedittobefelt–thathedidnotlive,hemerelypsychohistorified.

ENCYCLOPEDIAGALACTICA

90

Humminsatcalmly,notamuscletwitching,stilllookingatHariSeldonandSeldon,forhispart,waited.ItwasHummin,hethought,whoshouldspeaknext.Hummindid,butsaidmerely,“Arobot?Me?–Byrobot,IpresumeyoumeananartificialbeingsuchastheobjectyousawintheSacratoriuminMycogen.”

“Notquitelikethat,”saidSeldon.“Notmetal?Notburnished?Notalifelesssimulacrum?”

Humminsaiditwithoutanyevidenceofamusement.

“No.Tobeofartificiallifeisnotnecessarilytobemadeofmetal.Ispeakofarobotindistinguishablefromahumanbeinginappearance.”

“Ifindistinguishable,Hari,thenhowdoyoudistinguish?”

“Notbyappearance.”

“Explain.”

“Hummin,inthecourseofmyflightfromyourselfasDemerzel,Iheardoftwoancientworlds,asItoldyou–AuroraandEarth.Eachseemedtobespokenofasafirstworldoranonlyworld.Inbothcases,robotswerespokenof,butwithadifference.”

Seldonwasstaringthoughtfullyatthemanacrossthetable,wonderingif,inanyway,hewouldgivesomesignthathewaslessthanaman–ormore.Hesaid,“WhereAurorawasinquestion,onerobotwasspokenofasarenegade,atraitor,someonewhodesertedthecause.WhereEarthwasinquestion,onerobotwasspokenofasahero,onewhorepresentedsalvation.Wasittoomuchtosupposethatitwasthesamerobot?”

“Wasit?”murmuredHummin.

“ThisiswhatIthought,Hummin.IthoughtthatEarthandAuroraweretwoseparateworlds,co-existingintime.Idon'tknowwhichoneprecededtheother.FromthearroganceandtheconscioussenseofsuperiorityoftheMycogenians,ImightsupposethatAurorawastheoriginalworldandthattheydespisedtheEarthmenwhoderivedfromthem–orwhodegeneratedfromthem.

“Ontheotherhand,MotherRittah,whospoketomeofEarth,wasconvincedthatEarthwastheoriginalhomeofhumanityand,certainly,thetinyandisolatedpositionoftheMycogeniansinawholegalaxyofquadrillionsofpeoplewholackthestrangeMycogenianethosmightmeanthatEarthwasindeedtheoriginalhomeandthatAurorawastheaberrantoffshoot.Icannottell,butIpassontoyoumythinking,sothatyouwillunderstandmyfinalconclusions.”

Humminnodded.“Iseewhatyouaredoing.Pleasecontinue.”

“Theworldswereenemies.MotherRittahcertainlymadeitsoundso.WhenIcomparetheMycogenians,whoseemtoembodyAurora,andtheDahlites,whoseemtoembodyEarth,IimaginethatAurora,whetherfirstorsecond,wasneverthelesstheonethatwasmoreadvanced,theonethatcouldproducemore

elaboraterobots,evenonesindistinguishablefromhumanbeingsinappearance.SucharobotwasdesignedanddevisedinAurora,then.Buthewasarenegade,sohedesertedAurora.TotheEarthpeoplehewasahero,sohemusthavejoinedEarth.Whyhedidthis,whathismotiveswere,Ican'tsay.”

Humminsaid,“Surely,youmeanwhyitdidthis,whatitsmotiveswere.”

“Perhaps,butwithyousittingacrossfromme,”saidSeldon,“Ifinditdifficulttousetheinanimatepronoun.MotherRittahwasconvincedthattheheroicrobot–herheroicrobot–stillexisted,thathewouldreturnwhenhewasneeded.Itseemedtomethattherewasnothingimpossibleinthethoughtofanimmortalrobotoratleastonewhowasimmortalaslongasthereplacementofworn–outpartswasnotneglected.”

“Eventhebrain?”askedHummin.

“Eventhebrain.Idon'treallyknowanythingaboutrobots,butIimagineanewbraincouldbere-recordedfromtheold.–AndMotherRittahhintedofstrangementalpowers.–Ithought:Itmustbeso.Imay,insomeways,bearomantic,butIamnotsomucharomanticastothinkthatonerobot,byswitchingfromonesidetotheother,canalterthecourseofhistory.ArobotcouldnotmakeEarth'svictorysure,norAurora'sdefeatcertain–unlesstherewassomethingstrange,somethingpeculiarabouttherobot.”

Humminsaid,“Doesitoccurtoyou,Hari,thatyouaredealingwithlegends,legendsthatmayhavebeendistortedoverthecenturiesandthemillennia,eventotheextentofbuildingaveilofthesupernaturaloverquireordinaryevents?Canyoumakeyourselfbelieveinarobotthatnotonlyseemshuman,butthatalsolivesforeverandhasmentalpowers?Areyounotbeginningtobelieveinthesuperhuman?”

“IknowverywellwhatlegendsareandIamnotonetobetakeninbythemandmadetobelieveinfairytales.Still,whentheyaresupportedbycertainoddeventsthatIhaveseen–andevenexperiencedmyself–”

“Suchas?”

“Hummin,Imetyouandtrustedyoufromthestart.Yes,youhelpedmeagainst

thosetwohoodlumswhenyoudidn'tneedtoandthatpredisposedmeinyourfavor,sinceIdidn'trealizeatthetimethattheywereyourhirelings,doingwhatyouhadinstructedthemtodo.–Butnevermindthat.”

“No,”saidHummin,ahintofamusement–finally–inhisvoice.

“Itrustedyou.IwaseasilyconvincednottogohometoHeliconandtomakemyselfawandereroverthefaceofTrantor.Ibelievedeverythingyoutoldmewithoutquestion.Iplacedmyselfentirelyinyourhands.Lookingbackonitnow,Iseemyselfasnotmyself.Iamnotapersontobesoeasilyled,yetIwas.Morethanthat,IdidnoteventhinkitstrangethatIwasbehavingsofaroutofcharacter.”

“Youknowyourselfbest,Hari.”

“Itwasn'tonlyme.HowisitthatDorsVenabili,abeautifulwomanwithacareerofherown,shouldabandonthatcareerinordertojoinmeinmyflight?Howisitthatsheshouldriskherlifetosavemine,seemingtotakeon,asakindofholyduty,thecaskofprotectingmeandbecomingsingle-mindedintheprocess?Wasitsimplybecauseyouaskedherto?”

“Ididaskherto,Hari.”

“Yetshedoesnotstrikemeasthekindofpersontomakesucharadicalchangeoverinherlifemerelybecausesomeoneasksherto.NorcouldIbelieveitwasbecauseshehadfallenmadlyinlovewithmeatfirstsightandcouldnothelpherself.Isomehowwishshehad,butsheseemsquitethemistressofheremotionalself,more–Iamnowspeakingtoyoufrankly–thanImyselfamwithrespecttoher.”

“Sheisawonderfulwoman,”saidHummin.“Idon'tblameyou.”

Seldonwenton.“Howisit,moreover,thatSunmasterFourteen,amonsterofarroganceandonewholeadsapeoplewhoarethemselvesstiff-neckedintheirownconceit,shouldbewillingtotakeintribespeoplelikeDorsandmyselfandtotreatusaswellastheMycogenianscouldanddid?

Whenwebrokeeveryrule,committedeverysacrilege,howisitthatyoucouldstilltalkhimintolettingusgo?

“HowcouldyoutalktheTisalvers,withtheirpettyprejudices,intotakingusin?Howcanyoubeathomeeverywhereintheworld,befriendswitheveryone,influenceeachperson,regardlessoftheirindividualpeculiarities?Forthatmatter,howdoyoumanagetomanipulateCleontoo?Andifheisviewedasmalleableandeasilymolded,thenhowwereyouabletohandlehisfather,whobyallaccountswasaroughandarbitrarytyrant?Howcouldyoudoallthis?“Mostofall,howisitthatMannixIVofWyecouldspenddecadesbuildinganarmywithoutpeer,onetrainedtobeproficientineverydetail,andyethaveitfallapartwhenhisdaughtertriestomakeuseofit?HowcouldyoupersuadethemtoplaytheRenegade,allofthem,asyouhavedone?”

Humminsaid,“MightthismeannomorethanthatIamatactfulpersonusedtodealingwithpeopleofdifferenttypes,thatIaminapositiontohavedonefavorsforcrucialpeopleandaminapositiontodoadditionalfavorsinthefuture?NothingIhavedone,itmightseem,requiresthesupernatural.”

“Nothingyouhavedone?NoteventheneutralizationoftheWyanarmy?”

“Theydidnotwishtoserveawoman.”

“TheymusthaveknownforyearsthatanytimeMannixlaiddownhispowersoranytimehedied,RashellewouldbetheirMayor,yettheyshowednosignsofdiscontent–untilyoufeltitnecessarythattheyshowit.Dorsdescribedyouatonetimeasaverypersuasiveman.Andsoyouare.Morepersuasivethananymancouldbe.Butyouarenotmorepersuasivethananimmortalrobotwithstrangementalpowersmightbe.–Well,Hummin?”

Humminsaid,“Whatisityouexpectofme,Hari?DoyouexpectmetoadmitI'marobot?

ThatIonlylooklikeahumanbeing?ThatIamimmortal?ThatIamamentalmarvel?!”

SeldonleanedtowardHumminashesatthereontheoppositesideofthetable.

“Yes,Hummin,Ido.IexpectyoutotellmethetruthandIstronglysuspectthatwhatyouhavejustoutlinedisthetruth.You,Hummin,aretherobotthatMotherRittahreferredtoasDa-Nee,friendofBa-Lee.Youmustadmitit.Youhaveno

choice.”

91

ItwasasthoughtheyweresittinginatinyUniverseoftheirown.There,inthemiddleofWye,withtheWyanarmybeingdisarmedbyImperialforce,theysatquietly.There,inthemidstofeventsthatallofTrantor–andperhapsalltheGalaxy–waswatching,therewasthissmallbubbleofutterisolationwithinwhichSeldonandHumminwereplayingtheirgameofattackanddefense–Seldontryinghardtoforceanewreality,Humminmakingnomovetoacceptthatnewreality.Seldonhadnofearofinterruption.Hewascertainthatthebubblewithinwhichtheysathadaboundarythatcouldnotbepenetrated,thatHummin's–no,therobot's–powerswouldkeepallatadistancerillthegamewasover.

Humminfinallysaid,“Youareaningeniousfellow,Hari,butIfailtoseewhyImustadmitthatIamarobotandwhyIhavenochoicebuttodoso.Everythingyousaymaybetrueasfacts–yourownbehavior,Dors'sbehavior,Sunmaster's,Tisalver's,theWyangenerals'–all,allmayhavehappenedasyousaid,butthatdoesn'tforceyourinterpretationofthemeaningoftheeventstobetrue.Surely,everythingthathappenedcanhaveanaturalexplanation.YoutrustedmebecauseyouacceptedwhatIsaid;Dorsfeltyoursafetymbeimportantbecauseshefeltpsychohistorytobecrucial,herselfbeingahistorian;SunmasterandTisalverwerebeholdentomeforfavorsyouknownothingof,theWyangeneralsresentedbeingruledbyawoman,nomore.Whymustwefleetothesupernatural?”

Seldonsaid,“Seehere,Hummin,doyoureallybelievetheEmpiretobefallinganddoyoureallyconsideritimportantthatitnotbeallowedtodosowithnomovemadetosaveitor,attheleast,cushionitsFall?”

“Ireallydo.”SomehowSeldonknewthisstatementwassincere.“Andyoureallywantmetoworkoutthedetailsofpsychohistoryandyoufeelthatyouyourselfcannotdoit?”

“Ilackthecapability.”

“AndyoufeelthatonlyIcanhandlepsychohistory–evenifIsometimesdoubtit

myself?”

“Yes.”

“Andyoumustthereforefeelthatifyoucanpossiblyhelpmeinanyway,youmust.”

“Ido.”

“Personalfeelings–selfishconsiderations–couldplaynopart?”

AfaintandbriefsmilepassedoverHummin'sgravefaceandforamomentSeldonsensedavastandariddesertofwearinessbehindHummin'squietmanner.“Ihavebuiltalongcareeronpayingnoheedtopersonalfeelingsortoselfishconsiderations.”

“ThenIaskyourhelp.IcanworkoutpsychohistoryonthebasisofTrantoralone,burIwillrunintodifficulties.ThosedifficultiesImayovercome,buthowmucheasieritwouldbetodosoifIknewcertainkeyfacts.Forinstance,wasEarthorAurorathefirstworldofhumanityorwasitsomeotherworldaltogether?WhatwastherelationshipbetweenEarthandAurora?DideitherorbothcolonizetheGalaxy?Ifone,whydidn'ttheocher?Ifboth,howwastheissuedecided?Arethereworldsdescendedfrombothorfromonlyone?Howdidrobotscometobeabandoned?HowdidTrantorbecometheImperialworld,ratherthananotherplanet?WhathappenedtoAuroraandEarthinthemeantime?ThereareathousandquestionsImightaskrightnowandahundredthousandthatmightariseasIgoalong.Wouldyouallowmetoremainignorant,Hummin,andfailinmytaskwhenyoucouldinformmeandhelpmesucceed?”

Humminsaid,“IfIweretherobot,wouldIhaveroominmybrainforalloftwentythousandyearsofhistoryformillionsofdifferentworlds?”

“Idon'tknowthecapacityofroboticbrains.Idon'tknowthecapacityofyours.Burifyoulackthecapacity,thenyoumusthavethatinformationwhichyoucannotholdsafelyrecordedinaplaceandinawaythatwouldmakeitpossibleforyoutocalluponit.AndifyouhaveitandIneedinformation,howcanyoudenyandwithholditfromme?Andifyoucannotwithholditfromme,howcanyoudenythatyouarearobot–thatrobottheRenegade?”

Seldonsatbackandtookadeepbreath.“SoIaskyouagain:Areyouthatrobot?Ifyouwantpsychohistory,thenyoumustadmitit.Ifyoustilldenyyouarearobotandifyouconvincemeyouarenot,thenmychancesatpsychohistorybecomemuch,muchsmaller.Itisuptoyou,then.Areyouarobot?AreyouDa-Nee?”

AndHumminsaid,asimperturbableasever.“Yourargumentsareirrefutable.IamR.DaneelOlivaw.The'R'standsfor'robot.'”

92

R.DaneelOlivawstillspokequietly,butitseemedtoSeldonthattherewasasubtlechangeinhisvoice,asthoughhespokemoreeasilynowthathewasnolongerplayingapart.

“Intwentythousandyears,”saidDaneel,“noonehasguessedIwasarobotwhenitwasnotmyintentiontohavehimorherknow.Inpart,thatwasbecausehumanbeingsabandonedrobotssolongagothatveryfewrememberthattheyevenexistedatonetime.Andinpart,itisbecauseIdohavetheabilitytodetectandaffecthumanemotion.Thedetectionoffersnotrouble,buttoaffectemotionisdifficultformeforreasonshavingtodowithmyroboticnature–althoughIcandoitwhenIwish.Ihavetheabilitybutmustdealwithmywillnottouseit.ItrynevertointerfereexceptwhenIhavenochoicebuttodoso.AndwhenIdointerfere,itisrarelythatIdomorethanstrengthen,aslittleasIcan,whatisalreadythere.IfIcanachievemypurposeswithoutdoingevensomuch,Iavoidit.

“ItwasnotnecessarytotamperwithSunmasterFourteeninordertohavehimacceptyou–Icallit'tampering,'younotice,becauseitisnotapleasantthingtodo.Ididnothavetotamperwithhimbecausehedidowemeforfavorsrenderedandheisanhonorableman,despitethepeculiaritiesyoufoundinhim.Ididinterferethesecondtime,whenyouhadcommittedsacrilegeinhiseyes,butittookverylittle.HewasnotanxioustohandyouovertotheImperialauthorities,whomhedoesnotlike.Imerelystrengthenedthedislikeatrifleandhehandedyouovertomycare,acceptingtheargumentsIoffered,whichotherwisehemighthaveconsideredspecious.

“NordidItamperwithyounoticeably.YoudistrustedtheImperialstoo.Most

humanbeingsdothesedays,whichisanimportantfactorinthedecayanddeteriorationoftheEmpire.What'smore,youwereproudofpsychohistoryasaconcept,proudofhavingthoughtofit.Youwouldnothavemindedhavingitprovetobeapracticaldiscipline.Thatwouldhavefurtherfedyourpride.”

Seldonfrownedandsaid,“Pardonme,MasterRobot,butIamnotawarethatIamquitesuchamonsterofpride.”

Daneelsaidmildly,“Youarenotamonsterofprideatall.Youareperfectlyawarethatisneitheradmirablenorusefultobedrivenbypride,soyoutrytosubduethatdrive,butyoumightaswelldisapproveofhavingyourselfpoweredbyyourheartbeat.Youcannothelpeitherfact.Thoughyouhideyourpridefromyourselfforthesakeofyourownpeaceofmind,youcannothideitfromme.Itisthere,howevercarefullyyoumaskitover.AndIhadbuttostrengthenitatouchandyouwereatoncewillingtotakemeasurestohidefromDemerzel,measuresthatamomentbeforeyouwouldhaveresisted.Andyouwereeagertoworkatpsychohistorywithanintensitythatamomentbeforeyouwouldhavescorned.

“Isawnonecessitytotouchanythingelseandsoyouhavereasonedoutyourrobothood.HadIforeseenthepossibilityofthat,Imighthavestoppedit,butmyforesightandmyabilitiesarenotinfinite.NoramIsorrynowthatIfailed,foryourargumentsaregoodonesanditisimportantthatyouknowwhoIamandthatIusewhatIamtohelpyou.

“Emotions,mydearSeldomareapowerfulengineofhumanaction,farmorepowerfulthanhumanbeingsthemselvesrealize,andyoucannotknowhowmuchcanbedomewiththemeresttouchandhowreluctantIamtodoit.”

Seldonwasbreathingheavily,tryingtoseehimselfasamandrivenbyprideandnotlikingit.

“Whyreluctant?”

“Becauseitwouldbesoeasytooverdo.IhadtostopRashellefromconvertingtheEmpireintoafeudalanarchy.Imighthavebentmindsquicklyandtheresultmightwellhavebeenabloodyuprising.Menaremen–andtheWyangeneralsarealmostallmen.Itdoesnotactuallytakemuchtorouseresentmentandlatent

fearofwomeninanyman.ItmaybeabiologicalmatterthatI,asarobot,cannotfullyunderstand.

“Ihadbuttostrengthenthefeelingtoproduceabreakdowninherplans.IfIhaddoneitthemerestmillimetertoomuch,IwouldhavelostwhatIwanted–abloodlesstakeover.Iwantednothingmorethantohavethemnotresistwhenmysoldiersarrived.”

Daneelpaused,asthoughtryingtopickhiswords,thensaid,“Idonotwishtogointothemathematicsofmypositronicbrain.ItismorethanIcanunderstand,thoughperhapsnotmorethanyoucanifyougiveitenoughthought.However,IamgovernedbytheThreeLawsofRoboticsthataretraditionallyputintowords–oroncewere,longago.Theyarethese:

“'One.Arobotmaynotinjureahumanbeingor,throughinaction,allowahumanbeingtocometoharm.

“'Two.Arobotmustobeytheordersgivenitbyhumanbeings,exceptwheresuchorderswouldconflictwiththeFirstLaw.

“'Three.Arobotmustprotectitsownexistence,aslongassuchprotectiondoesnotconflictwiththeFirstorSecondLaw.'

“ButIhada…afriendtwentythousandyearsago.Anotherrobot.Notlikemyself.Hecouldnotbemistakenforahumanbeing,butitwashewhohadthementalpowersanditwasthroughhimthatIgainedmine.

“ItseemedtohimthatthereshouldbeastillmoregeneralrulethananyoftheThreeLaws.

HecalledittheZerothLaw,sincezerocomesbeforeone.Itis:

“'Zero.Arobotmaynotinjurehumanityor,throughinaction,allowhumanitytocometoharm.'

“ThentheFirstLawmustread:

“'One.Arobotmaynotinjureahumanbeingor,throughinaction,allowahumanbeingtocometoharm,exceptwherethatwouldconflictwiththeZeroth

Law.'

“Andtheotherlawsmustbesimilarlymodified.Doyouunderstand?”

DaneelpausedearnestlyandSeldonsaid,“Iunderstand.”

Daneelwenton.“Thetroubleis,Hari,thatahumanbeingiseasytoidentify.Icanpointtoone.Itiseasytoseewhatwillharmahumanbeingandwhatwon't–relativelyeasy,atleast.Butwhatishumanity?Towhatcanwepointwhenwespeakofhumanity?Andhowcanwedefineharmtohumanity?Whenwillacourseofactiondomoregoodthanharmtohumanityasawholeandhowcanonetell?TherobotwhofirstadvancedtheZerothlawdied–becamepermanentlyinactive–becausehewasforcedintoanactionthathefeltwouldsavehumanity,yetwhichhecouldnotbecurewouldsavehumanity.Andashebecameinactivated,heleftthecareoftheGalaxytome.

“Sincethen,Ihavetried.Ihaveinterferedaslittleaspossible,relyingonhumanbeingsthemselvestojudgewhatwasforthegood.Theycouldgamble;Icouldnot.Theycouldmisstheirgoals;Ididnotdare.Theycoulddoharmunwittingly;IwouldgrowinactiveifIdid.TheZerothLawmakesnoallowanceforunwittingharm.

“ButattimesIamforcedtotakeaction.ThatIamstillfunctioningshowsthatmyactionshavebeenmoderateanddiscreet.However,astheEmpirebegantofailandtodecline,IhavehadtointerferemorefrequentlyandfordecadesnowIhavehadtoplaytheroleofDemerzel,tryingtorunthegovernmentinsuchawayastostaveoffruin–andyetIwillfunction,yousee.

“WhenyoumadeyourspeechtotheDecennialConvention,Irealizedatoncethatinpsychohistorytherewasatoolthatmightmakeitpossibletoidentifywhatwasgoodandbadforhumanity.Withit,thedecisionswewouldmakewouldbelessblind.Iwouldeventrusttohumanbeingstomakethosedecisionsandagainreservemyselfonlyforthegreatestemergencies.SoIarrangedquicklytohaveCleonlearnofyourspeechandcallyouin.Then,whenIheardyourdenialoftheworthofpsychohistory,Iwasforcedtothinkofsomewaytomakeyoutryanyway.Doyouunderstand,Hari?”

Morethanalittledaunted,Seldonsaid,“Iunderstand,Hummin.”

“Toyou,ImustremainHumminonthoserareoccasionswhenIwillbeabletoseeyou.IwillgiveyouwhatinformationIhaveifitissomethingyouneedandinmypersonaasDemerzelIwillprotectyouasmuchasIcan.AsDaneel,youmustneverspeakofme.”

“Iwouldn'twantto,”saidSeldonhurriedly.“SinceIneedyourhelp,itwouldruinmatterstohaveyourplansimpeded.”

“Yes,Iknowyouwouldn'twantto.”Daneelsmiledwearily.“Afterall,youarevainenoughtowantfullcreditforpsychohistory.Youwouldnotwantanyonetoknow–ever–thatyouneededthehelpofarobot.”

Seldonflushed.“Iamnot–”

“Butyouare,evenifyoucarefullyhideitfromyourself.Anditisimportant,forIamstrengtheningthatemotionwithinyouminimallysothatyouwillneverbeabletospeakofmetoothers.Itwillnotevenoccurtoyouthatyoumightdoso.”

Seldonsaid,“IsuspectDorsknows–”

“Sheknowsofme.Andshetoocannotspeakofmetoothers.Nowthatyoubothknowofmynature,youcanspeakofmetoeachotherfreely,butnottoanyoneelse.”

Daneelrose.“Hari,Ihavemyworktodonow.Beforelong,youandDorswillbetakenbacktotheImperialSector–”

“TheboyRaychmustcomewithme.Icannotabandonhim.AndthereisayoungDahlitenamedYugoAmaryl–”

“Iunderstand.Raychwillbetakentooandyoucandowithanyfriendasyouwill.Youwillallbetakencareofappropriately.Andyouwillworkonpsychohistory.Youwillhaveastaff.Youwillhavethenecessarycomputersandreferencematerial.Iwillinterfereaslittleaspossibleandifthereisresistancetoyourviewsthatdoesnotactuallyreachthepointofendangeringthemission,thenyouwillhavetodealwithityourself.”

“Wait,Hummin,”saidSeldonurgently.“Whatif,despiteallyourhelpandallmyendeavors,itturnsoutthatpsychohistorycannotbemadeintoapractical

deviceafterall?WhatifIfail?”

Daneelrose.“Inthatcase,Ihaveasecondplaninhand.OneIhavebeenworkingonalongtimeonaseparateworldinaseparateway.Ittooisverydifficultandmsomewaysevenmoreradicalthanpsychohistory.Itmayfailtoo,butthereisagreaterchanceofsuccessiftworoadsareopenthanifeitheronealonewas.

“Takemyadvice,Hari!Ifthetimecomeswhenyouareabletosetupsomedevicethatmayacttopreventtheworstfromhappeningseeifyoucanthinkoftwodevices,sothatifonefails,theotherwillcarryon.TheEmpiremustbesteadiedorrebuiltonanewfoundation.Lettherebetwosuch,ratherthanone,ifthatispossible.”

Herose,“NowImustreturntomyordinaryworkandyoumustturntoyours.Youwillbetakencareof.”

Withonefinalnod,heroseandleft.

Seldonlookedafterhimandsaidsoftly,“FirstImustspeaktoDors.”

93

Dorssaid,“Thepalaceiscleared.Rashellewillnotbephysicallyharmed.Andyou'llreturntotheImperialSector,Hari.”

“Andyou,Dors?”saidSeldoninalowtightvoice.

“IpresumeIwillgobacktotheUniversity,”shesaid.“Myworkisbeingneglected,myclassesabandoned.”

“No,Dors,youhaveagreatertask.”

“Whatisthat?”

“Psychohistory.Icannottackletheprojectwithoutyou.”

“Ofcourseyoucan.Iamatotalilliterateinmathematics.”

“AndIinhistory–andweneedboth.”

Dorslaughed.“Isuspectthat,asamathematician,youareoneofakind.I,asahistorian,ammerelyadequate,certainlynotoutstanding.YouwillfindanynumberofhistorianswhowillsuittheneedsofpsychohistorybetterthanIdo.”

“Inthatcase,Dors,letmeexplainthatpsychohistoryneedsmorethanamathematicianandahistorian.Italsoneedsthewilltotacklewhatwillprobablybealifetimeproblem.Withoutyou,Dors,Iwillnothavethatwill.”

“Ofcourseyou'llhaveit.”

“Dors,ifyou'renotwithme,Idon'tintendtohaveit.”

DorslookedatSeldonthoughtfully.“Thisisafruitlessdiscussion,Hari.Undoubtedly,Humminwillmakethedecision.IfhesendsmehacktotheUniversity–”

“Hewon't.”

“Howcanyoubesure?”

“BecauseI'llputittohimplainly.IfhesendsyoubacktotheUniversity,I'llgobacktoHeliconandtheEmpirecangoaheadanddestroyitself.”

“Youcan'tmeanit.”

“ButIcertainlydo.”

“Don'tyourealizethatHummincanarrangetohaveyourfeelingschangesothatyouwillworkonpsychohistory–evenwithoutme?”

Seldonshookhishead.“Humminwillnotmakesuchanarbitrarydecision.I'vespokentohim.HedaresnotdomuchtothehumanmindbecauseheisboundbywhathecallstheLawsofRobotics.TochangemymindtothepointwhereIwillnotwantyouwithme,Dors,wouldmeanachangeofthekindhecannotrisk.Ontheotherhand,ifheleavesmealoneandifyoujoinmeintheproject,hewillhavewhathewants–atruechanceatpsychohistory.Whyshouldhenotsettleforthat?”

Dorsshookherhead.“Hemaynotagreeforreasonsofhisown.”

“Whyshouldhedisagree?Youwereaskedtoprotectme,Dors.HasHummincanceledthatrequest?”

“No.”

“Thenhewantsyoutocontinueyourprotection.AndIwantyourprotection.”

“Againstwhat?YounowhaveHummin'sprotection,bothasDemerzelandasDaneel,andsurelythatisallyouneed.”

“IfIhadtheprotectionofeverypersonandeveryforceintheGalaxy,itwouldstillbeyoursIwouldwant.”

“Thenyoudon'twantmeforpsychohistory.Youwantmeforprotection.”

Seldonscowled.“No!Whyareyoutwistingmywords?Whyareyouforcingmetosaywhatyoumustknow?ItisneitherpsychohistorynorprotectionIwantyoufor.ThoseareexcusesandI'lluseanyotherIneed.Iwantyou–justyou.Andifyouwanttherealreason,itisbecauseyouareyou.”

“Youdon'tevenknowme.”

“Thatdoesn'tmatter.Idon'tcare.–AndyetIdoknowyouinaway.Betterthanyouthink.”

“Doyouindeed?”

“Ofcourse.YoufollowordersandyouriskyourlifeforwithouthesitationandwithnoapparentcarefortheconsequencesYoulearnedhowtoplaytennissoquickly.YoulearnedhowtouseknivesevenmorequicklyandyouhandledyourselfperfectlyinthefightwithMarron.

Inhumanly–ifImaysayso.Yourmusclesareamazinglystrongandyourreactiontimeisamazinglyfast.YoucansomehowtellwhenaroomisbeingeavesdroppedandyoucanbeintouchwithHummininsomewaythatdoesnotinvolveinstrumentation.”

Dorssaid,“Andwhatdoyouthinkofallthat?”

“IthasoccurredtomethatHummin,inhispersonaasR.DaneelOlivaw,hasanimpossibletask.HowcanonerobottrytoguidetheEmpire?Hemusthavehelpers.”

“Thatisobvious.Millions,Ishouldimagine.Iamahelper.Youareahelper.LittleRaychisahelper.”

“Youareadifferentkindofhelper.”

“Inwhatway?Hari,sayit.Ifyouhearyourselfsayit,youwillrealizehowcrazyitis.”

Seldonlookedlongatherandthensaidinalowvoice,“Iwillnotsayitbecause…Idon'tcare.”

“Youreallydon't?YouwishtotakemeasIam?”

“IwilltakeyouasImust.YouareDorsand,whateverelseyouare,inalltheworldIwantnothingelse.”

Dorssaidsoftly,“Hari,IwantwhatisgoodforyoubecauseofwhatIam,butIfeelthatifIwasn'twhatIam,Iwouldstillwantwhatisgoodforyou.AndIdon'tthinkIamgoodforyou.”

“Goodformeorbad,Idon'tcare.”HereHarilookeddownashepacedafewsteps,weighingwhathewouldsaynext.“Dors,haveyoueverbeenkissed?”

“Ofcourse,Hari.It'sasocialpartoflifeandIlivesocially.”

“Nono!Imean,haveyoueverreallykissedaman?Youknow,passionately?”

“Wellyes,Hari,Ihave.”

“Didyouenjoyit?”

Dorshesitated.Shesaid,“WhenI'vekissedinthatway,IenjoyeditmorethanIwouldhaveenjoyeddisappointingayoungmanIliked,someonewhose

friendshipmeantsomethingtome.”Atthispoint,Dorsblushedandsheturnedherfaceaway.“Please,Hari,thisisdifficultformetoexplain.”

ButHari,moredeterminednowthanever,pressedfurther.“Soyoukissedforthewrongreasons,then,toavoidhurtfeelings.”

“Perhapseveryonedoes,inasense.”

Seldonmulledthisover,thensaidsuddenly,“Didyoueverasktobekissed?”

Dorspaused,asthoughlookingbackonherlife.“No.”

“Orwishtobekissedagain,onceyouhad?”

“No.”

“Haveyoueversleptwithaman?”heaskedsoftly,desperately.

“Ofcourse.Itoldyou.Thesethingsareapartoflife.”

Harigrippedhershouldersasifhewasgoingtoshakeher.“Buthaveyoueverfeltthedesire,aneedforthatkindofclosenesswithjustonespecialperson?Dors,haveyoueverfeltlove?”

Dorslookedupslowly,almostsadly,andlockedeyeswithSeldon.“I'msorry,Hari,butno.”

Seldonreleasedher,lettinghisarmsfalldejectedlytohissides.

ThenDorsplacedherhandgentlyonhisarmandsaid,“Soyousee,Hari.I'mnotreallywhatyouwant.”

Seldon'sheaddroopedandhestaredatthefloor.Heweighedthematterandtriedtothinkrationally.Thenhegaveup.Hewantedwhathewantedandhewanteditbeyondthoughtandbeyondrationality.

Helookedup.“Dors,dear,evenso,Idon'tcare.”

Seldonputhisarmsaroundherandbroughthisheadclosetohersslowly,asthoughwaitingforhertopullaway,allthewhiledrawinghernearer.

Dorsmadenomoveandhekissedher–slowly,lingeringly,andthenpassionately–andherarmssuddenlytightenedaroundhim.

Whenhestoppedatlast,shelookedathimwitheyesthatmirroredhersmileandshesaid:

“Kissmeagain,Hari,–Please.”