robots and empire - isaac asimov

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ISAAC ASIMOV

ROBOTS AND

EMPIRE

Copyright © 1985

To Robyn and Michael

And to the years of happinessThey will continue to enjoy

As they walk the road of life together.

CONTENTS

PART I - AURORA1. THE DESCENDANT

2. THE ANCESTOR?

3. THE CRISIS

4. ANOTHER DESCENDANTPART II - SOLARIA

5. THE ABANDONED WORLD

6. THE CREW7. THE OVERSEER

PART III - BALEYWORLD

8. THE SETTLER WORLD9. THE SPEECH

1. A!TER THE SPEECH

PART IV - AURORA

11. THE OLD LEADER 12. THE PLAN AND THE DAU"HTER

13. THE TELEPATHIC ROBOT

14. THE DUELPART V - EARTH

15. THE HOLY WORLD

16. THE CITY17. THE ASSASSIN

18. THE #EROTH LAW

19. ALONEABOUT THE AUTHOR



PART I - AURORA

1. THE DESCENDANT

1.

Gladia felt the lawn lounge to mae !ure it wa!n"t too damp and then !atdown. # tou$h at the $ontrol ad%u!ted it in !u$h a way a! to allow her to &e!emire$um&ent and another a$ti'ated the diamagneti$ field and ga'e her( a! italway! did( the !en!ation of utter rela)ation. #nd why not* She wa!( in a$tual fa$t(floating++a $entimeter a&o'e the fa&ri$.

,t wa! a warm and plea!ant night( the ind that found the planet #urora at it!&e!t++fragrant and !tar+lit.

-ith a pang of !adne!!( !he !tudied the numerou! little !par! that dotted the!y with pattern!( !par! that were all the &righter &e$au!e !he had ordered thelight! of her e!ta&li!hment dimmed.

ow wa! it( !he wondered( that !he had ne'er learned the name! of the !tar!and had ne'er found out whi$h were whi$h in all the twenty+three de$ade! of her life.One of them wa! the !tar a&out whi$h her &irth planet of Solaria or&ited( the !tarwhi$h( during the fir!t three de$ade! of her life( !he had thought of merely a! /the!un.0

Gladia had on$e &een $alled Gladia Solaria. That wa! when !he had $ome to#urora( twenty de$ade! &efore two hundred Standard Gala$ti$ ear!++and it wa!meant a! a not 'ery friendly way of maring her foreign &irth. # month &efore had&een the &i$entennial anni'er!ary of her arri'al( !omething !he had left unmared&e$au!e !he did not parti$ularly want to thin of tho!e day!. Before that( on Solaria(!he had &een Gladia+2elmarre.

She !tirred unea!ily. She had almo!t forgotten that !urname. -a! it &e$au!e

it wa! !o long ago* Or wa! it merely that !he la&ored to forget*#ll the!e year! !he had not regretted Solaria( ne'er mi!!ed it.#nd yet now*-a! it &e$au!e !he had now( 3uite !uddenly( di!$o'ered her!elf to ha'e

!ur'i'ed it* ,t wa! gone++a hi!tori$al memory++and !he !till li'ed on* 2id !he mi!! itnow for that rea!on*

er &row furrowed. 4o( !he did not mi!! it( !he de$ided re!olutely. She did notlong for it( nor did !he wi!h to return to it. ,t wa! %u!t the pe$uliar pang of !omethingthat had &een !o mu$h a part of her++howe'er de!tru$ti'ely++&eing gone.

Solaria The la!t of the Spa$er world! to &e !ettled and made into a home forhumanity. #nd in $on!e3uen$e( &y !ome my!teriou! law of !ymmetry perhap!( it wa!al!o the fir!t to die*

The fir!t* 2id that imply a !e$ond and third and !o on*

Gladia felt her !adne!! deepen. There were tho!e who thought there wa!indeed !u$h an impli$ation. ,f !o( #urora( her long+adopted home( ha'ing &een thefir!t Spa$er world to &e !ettled( would( &y that !ame rule of !ymmetry( therefore &ethe la!t of the fifty to die. ,n that $a!e( it might( e'en at wor!t( outla!t her own!tret$hed+out lifetime and if !o( that would ha'e to do.

er eye! !ought the !tar! again. ,t wa! hopele!!. There wa! no way !he $ouldpo!!i&ly wor out whi$h of tho!e indi!tingui!ha&le dot! of light wa! Solaria"! !un. Sheimagined it would &e one of the &righter one!( &ut there were hundred! e'en oftho!e.



She lifted her arm and made what !he identified to her!elf only a! her /2aneelge!ture.0 The fa$t that it wa! dar did not matter.

Ro&ot 2aneel Oli'aw wa! at her !ide almo!t at on$e. #nyone who had nownhim a little o'er twenty de$ade! &efore( when he had fir!t &een de!igned &y an6a!tolfe( would not ha'e &een $on!$iou! of any noti$ea&le $hange in him. i! &road(high+$hee&oned fa$e( with it! !hort &ron7e hair $om&ed &a$ hi! &lue eye! hi! tall(

well+nit( and perfe$tly humanoid &ody would ha'e !eemed a! young and a! $almlyunemotional a! e'er./ay , &e of help in any way( adam Gladia*0 he a!ed in an e'en 'oi$e./e!( 2aneel. -hi$h of tho!e !tar! i! Solaria"! !un*02aneel did not loo upward. e !aid( /4one of them( adam Gladia. #t thi!

time of year( Solaria"! !un will not ri!e until :;<:.0/Oh*0 Gladia felt da!hed. Somehow !he had a!!umed that any !tar in whi$h

!he happened to &e intere!ted would &e 'i!i&le at any time it o$$urred to her to loo.Of $our!e( they did ri!e and !et at different time!. She new that mu$h. /,"'e &een!taring at nothing( then.0

/The !tar!( , gather from human rea$tion!(0 !aid 2aneel( a! though in anattempt to $on!ole( /are &eautiful whether any parti$ular one of them i! 'i!i&le ornot.0

/, dare !ay(0 !aid Gladia di!$ontentedly and ad%u!ted the lounge to an uprightpo!ition with a !nap. She !tood up. /owe'er( it wa! Solaria"! !un , wanted to !ee++&ut not !o mu$h that , intend to !it here till :;<:.0

/='en were you to do !o(0 !aid 2aneel( /you would need magnilen!e!.0/agnilen!e!*0/,t i! not 3uite 'i!i&le to the unaided eye( adam Gladia.0/-or!e and wor!e0 She &ru!hed at her !la$!. /, !hould ha'e $on!ulted you

fir!t( 2aneel.0#nyone who had nown Gladia twenty de$ade! &efore( when !he had fir!t

arri'ed in #urora( would ha'e found a $hange. >nlie 2aneel( !he wa! merely human.She wa! !till 155 $entimeter! tall( almo!t 1: $entimeter! &elow the ideal height for aSpa$er woman. She had $arefully ept her !lim figure and there wa! no !ign ofweane!! or !tiffne!! a&out her &ody. Still( there wa! a &it of gray in her hair( finewrinle! near her eye!( and a tou$h of grainine!! a&out her !in. She might well li'eanother ten or twel'e de$ade!( &ut there wa! no denying that !he wa! already nolonger young. That didn"t &other her.

She !aid( /Can you identify all the !tar!( 2aneel*0/, now tho!e 'i!i&le to the unaided eye( adam Gladia. //#nd when they ri!e and !et on any day of the year*0/e!( adam Gladia. //#nd all !ort! of other thing! a&out them*0/e!( adam Gladia. 2r. 6a!tolfe on$e a!ed me to gather a!tronomi$al data

!o that he $ould ha'e them at hi! fingertip! without ha'ing to $on!ult hi! $omputer.e u!ed to !ay it wa! friendlier to ha'e me tell him than to ha'e hi! $omputer do !o.0

Then( a! though to anti$ipate the ne)t 3ue!tion( /e did not e)plain why that !hould&e !o.0

Gladia rai!ed her left arm and made the appropriate ge!ture. er hou!e wa!

at on$e illuminated. ,n the !oft light that now rea$hed her( !he wa! !u&liminallyaware of the !hadowy figure! of !e'eral ro&ot!( &ut !he paid no attention to that. ,nany well+ordered e!ta&li!hment( there were alway! ro&ot! within rea$h of human&eing!( &oth for !e$urity and for !er'i$e.

Gladia too a la!t fugiti'e glimp!e at the !y( where the !tar! had nowdimmed in the !$attered light. She !hrugged lightly. ,t had &een 3ui)oti$. -hat goodwould it ha'e done e'en if !he had &een a&le to !ee the !un of that now+lo!t world(one faint dot among many* She might a! well $hoo!e a dot at random( tell her!elf itwa! Solaria"! !un( and !tare at it.



er attention turned to R. 2aneel. e waited for her patiently( the plane! ofhi! fa$e largely in !hadow.

She found her!elf thining again how little he had $hanged !in$e !he had !eenhim on arri'ing at 2r. 6a!tolfe"! e!ta&li!hment !o long ago. e had undergonerepair!( of $our!e. She new that( &ut it wa! a 'ague nowledge that one pu!hedaway and ept at a di!tan$e.

,t wa! part of the general 3uea!ine!! that held good for human &eing!( too.Spa$er! might &oa!t of their iron health and of their life+!pan! of thirty to fortyde$ade!( &ut they were not entirely immune to the ra'age! of age. One of Gladia"!femur! fit into a titanium+!ili$one hip !o$et. er left thum& wa! totally artifi$ial(though no one $ould tell that without $areful ultra!onogram!. ='en !ome of herner'e! had &een rewired. Su$h thing! would &e true of any Spa$er of !imilar agefrom any of the fifty Spa$er world! ?no( forty+nine( for now Solaria $ould no longer &e$ounted@.

To mae any referen$e to !u$h thing!( howe'er( wa! an ultimate o&!$enity. The medi$al re$ord! in'ol'ed( whi$h had to e)i!t !in$e further treatment might &ene$e!!ary( were ne'er re'ealed for any rea!on. Surgeon!( who!e in$ome! were$on!idera&ly higher than tho!e of the Chairman him!elf( were paid !o well( in part(&e$au!e they were 'irtually o!tra$i7ed from polite !o$iety. #fter all( they knew.

,t wa! all part of the Spa$er fi)ation on long life( on their unwillingne!! toadmit that old age e)i!ted( &ut Gladia didn"t linger on any analy!i! of $au!e!. Shewa! re!tle!!ly unea!y in thining a&out her!elf in that $onne$tion. ,f !he had a three+dimen!ional map of her!elf with all pro!theti$ portion!( all repair!( mared off in redagain!t the gray of her natural !elf( what a general pinne!! !he would appear toha'e from a di!tan$e. Or !o !he imagined.

er &rain( howe'er( wa! !till inta$t and whole and while that wa! !o( she wa!inta$t and whole( whate'er happened to the re!t of her &ody.

-hi$h &rought her &a$ to 2aneel. Though !he had nown him for twentyde$ade!( it wa! only in the la!t year that he wa! hers. -hen 6a!tolfe died ?hi! endha!tened( perhap!( &y de!pair@( he had willed e'erything to the $ity of =o!( whi$hwa! a $ommon enough !tate of affair!. Two item!( howe'er( he had left to Gladia?a!ide from $onfirming her in the owner!hip of her e!ta&li!hment and it! ro&ot! andother $hattel!( together with the ground! thereto appertaining@.

One of them had &een 2aneel.Gladia a!ed( /2o you remem&er e'erything you ha'e e'er $ommitted to

memory o'er the $our!e of twenty de$ade!( 2aneel*02aneel !aid gra'ely( /, &elie'e !o( adam Gladia. To &e !ure( if , forgot an

item( , would not now that( for it would ha'e &een forgotten and , would not thenre$all e'er ha'ing memori7ed it.0

/That doe!n"t follow at all(0 !aid Gladia. /ou might well remem&er nowing it(&ut &e una&le to thin of it at the moment. , ha'e fre3uently had !omething at the tipof my tongue( !o to !pea( and &een una&le to retrie'e it.0

2aneel !aid( /, do not under!tand( madam. ,f , new !omething( !urely itwould &e there when , needed it.0

/Aerfe$t retrie'al*0 They were waling !lowly toward the hou!e./erely retrie'al( madam. , am de!igned !o.0

/6or how mu$h longer*0/, do not under!tand( madam.0/, mean( how mu$h will your &rain hold* -ith a little o'er twenty de$ade! of

a$$umulated memorie!( how mu$h longer $an it go on*0/, do not now( madam. #! yet , feel no diffi$ulty.0/ou might not++until you !uddenly di!$o'er you $an remem&er no more.02aneel !eemed thoughtful for a moment. /That may &e !o( madam.0/ou now( 2aneel( not all your memorie! are e3ually important. //, $annot %udge among them( madam.0



/Other! $an. ,t would &e perfe$tly po!!i&le to $lean out your &rain( 2aneel(and then( under !uper'i!ion( refill it with it! important memory $ontent only++!ay( tenper$ent of the whole. ou would then &e a&le to $ontinue for $enturie! longer thanyou would otherwi!e. -ith repeated treatment of thi! !ort( you $ould go onindefinitely. ,t i! an e)pen!i'e pro$edure( of $our!e( &ut , would not $a'il at that.

ou"d &e worth it.0/-ould , &e $on!ulted on the matter( madam* -ould , &e a!ed to agree to!u$h treatment*0

/Of $our!e. , would not order you in a matter lie that. ,t would &e a &etrayalof 2r. 6a!tolfe"! tru!t.0

/Than you( madam. ,n that $a!e( , mu!t tell you that , would ne'er !u&mit'oluntarily to !u$h a pro$edure unle!! , found my!elf to ha'e a$tually lo!t mymemory fun$tion.0

They had rea$hed the door and Gladia pau!ed. She !aid( in hone!tpu77lement( /-hy e'er not( 2aneel*0

2aneel !aid in a low 'oi$e( /There are memorie! , $annot ri! lo!ing( madam(either through inad'erten$e or through poor %udgment on the part of tho!e$ondu$ting the pro$edure.0

/ie the ri!ing and !etting of the !tar!*++6orgi'e me( 2aneel( , didn"t mean to&e %oing. To what memorie! are you referring*0

2aneel !aid( hi! 'oi$e !till lower( /adam( , refer to my memorie! of myonetime partner( the =arthman =li%ah Baley. /

#nd Gladia !tood there( !tri$en( !o that it wa! 2aneel who had to tae theinitiati'e( finally( and !ignal for the door to open.

<.

Ro&ot Gi!ard Re'entlo' wa! waiting in the li'ing room and Gladia greetedhim with that !ame pang of unea!ine!! that alway! a!!ailed her when !he fa$ed him.

e wa! primiti'e in $ompari!on with 2aneel. e wa! o&'iou!ly a ro&ot++metalli$( with a fa$e that had nothing human in e)pre!!ion upon it( with eye! that

glowed a dim red( a! $ould &e !een if it were dar enough. -herea! 2aneel wore$lothing( Gi!ard had only the illu!ion of $lothing++&ut a !illful illu!ion( for it wa!Gladia her!elf who had de!igned it.

/-ell( Gi!ard(0 !he !aid. /Good e'ening( adam Gladia(0 !aid Gi!ard with a!mall &ow of hi! head.

Gladia remem&ered the word! of =li%ah Baley long ago( lie a whi!per in!idethe re$e!!e! of her &rain

/2aneel will tae $are of you. e will &e your friend a! well a! prote$tor andyou mu!t &e a friend to him++for my !ae. But it i! Gi!ard , want you to li!ten to. ethim &e your ad'i!er.0

Gladia had frowned. /-hy him* ,"m not !ure , lie him.0/, do not a! you to lie him. , a! you to trust him.0#nd he would not !ay why.

Gladia tried to tru!t the ro&ot Gi!ard( &ut wa! glad !he did not ha'e to try tolie him. Something a&out him made her !hi'er.She had &oth 2aneel and Gi!ard a! effe$ti'e part! of her e!ta&li!hment for

many de$ade! during whi$h 6a!tolfe had held titular owner!hip. ,t wa! only on hi!death&ed that an 6a!tolfe had a$tually tran!ferred owner!hip. Gi!ard wa! the!e$ond item( after 2aneel( that 6a!tolfe had left Gladia.

She had !aid to the old man( /2aneel i! enough( an. our daughter Da!iliawould lie to ha'e Gi!ard. ,"m !ure of that.0

6a!tolfe wa! lying in &ed 3uietly( eye! $lo!ed( looing more pea$eful than !hehad !een him loo in year!. e did not an!wer immediately and for a moment !he



thought he had !lipped out of life !o 3uietly that !he had not noti$ed. She tightenedher grip on hi! hand $on'ul!i'ely and hi! eye! opened.

e whi!pered( /, $are nothing for my &iologi$al daughter!( Gladia. 6or twenty$enturie!( , ha'e had &ut one fun$tional daughter and that ha! &een you. , want youto ha'e Gi!ard. e i! 'alua&le.0

/-hy i! he 'alua&le*0

/, $annot !ay( &ut , ha'e alway! found hi! pre!en$e $on!oling. Eeep himalway!( Gladia. Aromi!e me that.0/, promi!e(0 !he !aid.#nd then hi! eye! opened one la!t time and hi! 'oi$e( finding a final re!er'oir

of !trength( !aid( in almo!t a natural tone of 'oi$e( /, lo'e you( Gladia( my daughter.0#nd Gladia !aid( /, lo'e you( an( my father.0

Tho!e were the la!t word! he !aid and heard. Gladia found her!elf holding thehand of a dead man and( for a while( $ould not &ring her!elf to let go.

So Gi!ard wa! her!. #nd yet he made her unea!y and !he didn"t now why./-ell( Gi!ard(0 !he !aid( /,"'e &een trying to !ee Solaria in the !y among the

!tar!( &ut 2aneel tell! me it won"t &e 'i!i&le till :;<: and that , would re3uiremagnilen!e! e'en then. -ould you ha'e nown that*0

/4o( madam.0/Should , wait up till all hour!* -hat do you thin*0/, !ugge!t( adam Gladia( that you would &e &etter off in &ed.0Gladia &ridled. /,ndeed* #nd if , $hoo!e to !tay up*0/ine i! only a !ugge!tion( madam( &ut you will ha'e a hard day tomorrow

and you will undou&tedly regret mi!!ing your !leep if you !tay up.0Gladia frowned. /-hat"! going to mae my day hard tomorrow( Gi!ard* ,"m

not aware of any forth$oming diffi$ulty.0Gi!ard !aid( /ou ha'e an appointment( madam( with one e'ular

andamu!.//, ha'e* -hen did that happen*0/#n hour ago. e photophoned and , too the li&erty++0/You too the li&erty* -ho i! he*0/e i! a mem&er of the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute( madam.0/e"! an underling of Eelden #madiro( then.0/e!( madam.0/>nder!tand( Gi!ard( that , am not in the lea!t intere!ted in !eeing thi!

andamu! or anyone with any $onne$tion with that poi!onou! toad #madiro. So ifyou"'e taen the li&erty of maing an appointment with him in my name( tae thefurther li&erty right now of phoning him again and $an$eling.0

/,f you will $onfirm it a! an order( madam( and mae that order a! !trong anda! definite a! you $an( , will try to o&ey. , may not &e a&le to. ,n my %udgment( you!ee( you will &e doing your!elf harm if you $an$el the appointment and , mu!t notallow you to $ome to harm through any a$tion of mine.0

/our %udgment might %u!t po!!i&ly &e wrong( Gi!ard. -ho is thi! man thatmy failure to !ee him will do me harm* i! &eing a mem&er of the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute!$ar$ely mae! him important to me.0

Gladia wa! perfe$tly aware of the fa$t that !he wa! 'enting !pleen at Gi!ard

without mu$h %u!tifi$ation. She had &een up!et &y the new! of Solaria"!a&andonment and em&arra!!ed &y the ignoran$e that led her to loo for Solaria in a!y that did not $ontain it.

Of $our!e( it had &een 2aneel who!e nowledge had made her own la$ !oo&'iou! and yet !he had not railed at him--&ut( then( 2aneel looed human and !oGladia automati$ally treated him a! though he were. #ppearan$e wa! e'erything.Gi!ard looked lie a ro&ot( !o one $ould ea!ily a!!ume he had no feeling! to hurt.

#nd( to &e !ure( Gi!ard did not rea$t at all to Gladia"! pee'i!hne!!. ?4eitherwould 2aneel ha'e rea$ted++if it $ame to that.@ e !aid( /, ha'e de!$ri&ed 2r.



andamu! a! a mem&er of the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute( &ut he i! perhap! more than that.,n the la!t few year!( he ha! &een right+hand man to 2r. #madiro. Thi! mae! himimportant and he i! not liely to &e ignored. 2r. andamu! would not &e a good manto offend( madam.0

/-ould he not( Gi!ard* , $are nothing for andamu! and a great deal le!!than nothing for #madiro. , pre!ume you remem&er that #madiro on$e( when he and

, and the world were young( did hi! &e!t to pro'e that 2r. 6a!tolfe wa! a murdererand that it wa! only &y a near+mira$le that hi! ma$hination! were a&orted.0/, remem&er it 'ery well( madam.0/That"! a relief. , wa! afraid that in twenty de$ade! you had forgotten. ,n

tho!e twenty de$ade!( , ha'e had nothing to do with #madiro or with anyone$onne$ted with him and , intend to $ontinue that poli$y. , don"t $are what harm , maydo my!elf or what the $on!e3uen$e! might &e. , will not !ee thi! 2r. whoe'er+he+i!and( in the future( do not mae appointment! in my name without $on!ulting me or(at the 'ery lea!t( without e)plaining that !u$h appointment! are !u&%e$t to myappro'al.0

/e!( madam(0 !aid Gi!ard( /&ut may , point out++0/4o( you may not(0 Gladia !aid and turned away from him.

There wa! !ilen$e while !he mo'ed away three !tep! and then Gi!ard"! $alm'oi$e !aid( /adam( , mu!t a! you to tru!t me.0

Gladia !topped. -hy did he u!e that e)pre!!ion*She heard again that long+ago 'oi$e( /, do not a! you to lie him. , a! you to

trust him.0er lip! tightened and !he frowned. Relu$tantly( not wanting to( !he turned

&a$./-ell(0 !he !aid ungra$iou!ly( /what i! it you want to !ay( Gi!ard*0/Fu!t that a! long a! 2r. 6a!tolfe wa! ali'e( madam( hi! poli$ie! predominated

on #urora and throughout the Spa$er world!. #! a re!ult( the people of =arth ha'e&een allowed to migrate freely to 'ariou! !uita&le planet! in the Gala)y and what wenow $all the Settler world! ha'e flouri!hed. 2r. 6a!tolfe i! dead now( howe'er( andhi! !u$$e!!or! la$ hi! pre!tige. 2r. #madiro ha! ept hi! own anti+=arth 'iew! ali'eand it i! 'ery po!!i&le that they may now triumph and that a 'igorou! poli$y again!t=arth and the Settler world! may &e undertaen.0

/,f !o( Gi!ard( what $an I do a&out it*0/ou $an !ee 2r. andamu! and you $an find out what it i! that mae! him !o

an)iou! to !ee you( madam. , a!!ure you that he wa! mo!t in!i!tent on maing theappointment a! early a! po!!i&le. e a!ed to !ee you at :8::.0

/Gi!ard( , never !ee anyone &efore noon.0/, e)plained that( madam. , too hi! an)iety to !ee you at &reafa!t( de!pite

my e)planation( to &e a mea!ure of hi! de!peration. , felt it important to find out whyhe !hould &e !o de!perate.0

/#nd if , don"t !ee him( then it i! your opinion( i! it( that it will harm meper!onally* , don"t a! whether it will harm =arth( or the Settler!( or thi!( or that. -illit harm me*0

/adam( it may harm the a&ility of =arth and the Settler! to $ontinue the!ettlement of the Gala)y. That dream originated in the mind of Alain!$lothe!man

=li%ah Baley more than twenty de$ade! ago. The harm to =arth will thu! &e$ome ade!e$ration of hi! memory. #m , wrong in thining that any harm that $ome! to hi!memory would &e felt &y you a! though it were harm to your!elf per!onally*0

Gladia wa! !taggered. Twi$e within the hour now( =li%ah Baley had $ome intothe $on'er!ation. e wa! long gone now++a !hort+li'ed =arthman who had died o'er!i)teen de$ade! &efore++yet the mere mention of hi! name $ould !till !hae her.

She !aid( /ow $an thing! !uddenly &e that !eriou!*0/,t i! not !udden( madam. 6or twenty de$ade!( the people of =arth and the

people of the Spa$er world! ha'e &een following parallel $our!e! and ha'e &een ept



from $on'erging into $onfli$t &y the wi!e poli$ie! of 2r. 6a!tolfe. There ha!( howe'er(alway! &een a !trong oppo!ition mo'ement that 2r. 6a!tolfe ha! had to with!tand atall time!. 4ow that 2r. 6a!tolfe i! dead( the oppo!ition i! mu$h more powerful. Thea&andonment of Solaria ha! greatly in$rea!ed the power of what had &een theoppo!ition and may !oon &e the dominant politi$al for$e.0

/-hy*0

/,t i! a $lear indi$ation( madam( that Spa$er !trength i! de$lining and many#uroran! mu!t feel that !trong a$tion mu!t &e taen++now or ne'er.0/#nd you thin that my !eeing thi! man i! important in pre'enting all thi!*0/That i! !o( madam.0Gladia wa! !ilent for a moment and remem&ered again( though re&elliou!ly(

that !he had on$e promi!ed =li%ah that !he would tru!t Gi!ard. She !aid( /-ell( ,don"t want to and , don"t thin my !eeing thi! man will do anyone any good++&ut( 'erywell( , will !ee him.0

;.

Gladia wa! a!leep and the hou!e wa! dar++&y human !tandard!. ,t wa! ali'e(howe'er( with motion and a$tion( for there wa! mu$h for the ro&ot! to do++and they

$ould do it &y infrared. The e!ta&li!hment had to &e put into order after the ine'ita&le di!orderingeffe$t! of a day"! a$ti'ity. Supplie! had to &e &rought in( ru&&i!h had to &e di!po!edof( o&%e$t! had to &e $leaned or poli!hed or !tored( applian$e! had to &e $he$ed(d( alway!( there wa! guard duty.

There were no lo$! on any door! there did not ha'e to &e. There wa! no'iolent $rime of any !ort on #urora( either again!t human &eing! or again!t property.

There $ould not &e anything of the !ort( !in$e e'ery e!ta&li!hment and e'ery human&eing were( at all time!( guarded &y ro&ot!. Thi! wa! well nown and taen forgranted.

The pri$e for !u$h $alm wa! that the ro&ot guard! had to remain in pla$e. They were ne'er u!ed++&ut only &e$au!e they were alway! there.

Gi!ard and 2aneel( who!e a&ilitie! were &oth more inten!e and more general

than tho!e of the other e!ta&li!hment ro&ot!( did not ha'e !pe$ifi$ dutie!( unle!! one$ounted a! a !pe$ifi$ duty that of &eing re!pon!i&le for the proper performan$e of allthe other ro&ot!.

#t :;::( they had $ompleted their round! out on the lawn and in the woodedarea to mae !ure that all the outer guard! were performing their fun$tion! well andthat no pro&lem! were ari!ing.

They met near the !outhern limit of the e!ta&li!hment ground! and for a whilethey !poe in an a&&re'iated and #e!opi$ language. They under!tood ea$h otherwell( with many de$ade! of $ommuni$ation &ehind them( and it wa! not ne$e!!ary forthem to in'ol'e them!el'e! in all the ela&oration! of human !pee$h.

2aneel !aid in an all &ut unheara&le whi!per( /Cloud!. >n!een.0ad 2aneel &een !peaing for human ear!( he would ha'e !aid( /#! you !ee(

friend Gi!ard( the !y ha! $louded up. ad adam Gladia waited her $han$e to !ee

Solaria( !he would not( in any $a!e( ha'e !u$$eeded.0#nd Gi!ard"! reply of /Aredi$ted. ,nter'iew( rather(0 wa! the e3ui'alent of/So mu$h wa! predi$ted in the weather fore$a!t( friend 2aneel( and might ha'e &eenu!ed a! an e)$u!e to get adam Gladia to &ed early. ,t !eemed to me to &e moreimportant( howe'er( to meet the pro&lem !3uarely and to per!uade her to permit thi!inter'iew , ha'e already told you a&out.0

/,t !eem! to me( friend Gi!ard(0 !aid 2aneel( /that the $hief rea!on you mayha'e found per!ua!ion diffi$ult i! that !he ha! &een up!et &y the a&andonment ofSolaria. , wa! there on$e with Aartner =li%ah when adam Gladia wa! !till a Solarianand wa! li'ing there.0



/,t ha! alway! &een my under!tanding(0 !aid Gi!ard( /that adam Gladia hadnot &een happy on her home planet that !he left her world gladly and had( at notime( any intention of returning. et , agree with you that !he !eem! to ha'e &eenun!ettled &y the fa$t of Solaria"! hi!tory ha'ing $ome to an end.0

/, do not under!tand thi! rea$tion of adam Gladia(0 !aid 2aneel( /&ut thereare many time! that human rea$tion! do not !eem to follow logi$ally from e'ent!.0

/,t i! what mae! it diffi$ult to de$ide( !ometime!( what will do a human &eingharm and what will not.0 Gi!ard might ha'e !aid it with a !igh( e'en a petulant !igh(had he &een human. #! it wa!( he !tated it merely a! an unemotional a!!e!!ment ofa diffi$ult !ituation. /,t i! one of the rea!on! why it !eem! to me that the Three aw!of Ro&oti$! are in$omplete or in!uffi$ient.0

/ou ha'e !aid thi! &efore( friend Gi!ard( and , ha'e tried to &elie'e !o andfailed(0 !aid 2aneel.

Gi!ard !aid nothing for a while( then( /,ntelle$tually( , thin they mu!t &ein$omplete or in!uffi$ient( &ut when , try to believe that( ,( too( fail( for , am &ound &ythem. et if , were not &ound &y them( , am !ure , would &elie'e in their in!uffi$ien$y./

/That i! a parado) that , $annot under!tand.0/4or $an ,. #nd yet , find my!elf for$ed to e)pre!! thi! parado). On o$$a!ion( ,

feel that , am on the 'erge of di!$o'ering what the in$ompletene!! or in!uffi$ien$y ofthe Three aw! might &e( a! in my $on'er!ation with adam Gladia thi! e'ening. Shea!ed me how failure to eep the appointment might harm her per!onally( ratherthan !imply $au!e harm in the a&!tra$t( and there wa! an an!wer , $ould not gi'e&e$au!e it wa! not within the $ompa!! of the Three aw!. /

/ou ga'e a perfe$t an!wer( friend Gi!ard. The harm done to Aartner =li%ah"!memory would ha'e affe$ted adam Gladia deeply.0

/,t wa! the &e!t an!wer within the $ompa!! of the Three aw!. ,t wa! not the&e!t an!wer po!!i&le.0

/-hat wa! the &e!t an!wer po!!i&le*0/, do not now( !in$e , $annot put it into word! or e'en $on$ept! a! long a! ,

am &ound &y the aw!.0/There i! nothing &eyond the aw!(0 !aid 2aneel./,f , were human(0 !aid Gi!ard( /, $ould !ee &eyond the aw! and , thin(

friend 2aneel( that you might &e a&le to !ee &eyond them !ooner than , would. //,*0/e!( friend 2aneel( , ha'e long thought that( although a ro&ot( you thin

remara&ly lie a human &eing.0/,t i! not proper to thin that(0 !aid 2aneel !lowly( almo!t a! though he were

in pain. /ou thin !u$h thing! &e$au!e you $an loo into human mind!. ,t di!tort!you and it may in the end de!troy you. That thought i! to me an unhappy one. ,f you$an pre'ent your!elf from !eeing into mind! more than you mu!t( pre'ent it.0

Gi!ard turned away. /, $annot pre'ent it( friend 2aneel. , would not pre'entit. , regret that , $an do !o little with it &e$au!e of the Three aw!. , $annot pro&edeeply enough++&e$au!e of the fear that , may do harm. , $annot influen$e dire$tlyenough++&e$au!e of the fear , may do harm.0

/et you influen$ed adam Gladia 'ery neatly( friend Gi!ard. /

/4ot truly. , might ha'e modified her thining and made her a$$ept theinter'iew without 3ue!tion( &ut the human mind i! !o riddled with $omple)itie! that ,dare do 'ery little. #lmo!t any twi!t , apply will produ$e !u&!idiary twi!t! of who!enature , $annot &e $ertain and whi$h may do harm.0

/et you did !omething to adam Gladia. //, did not ha'e to. The word Htru!t" affe$t! her and mae! her more amena&le.

, ha'e noted that fa$t in the pa!t( &ut , u!e the word with the greate!t $aution( !in$eo'eru!e will !urely weaen it. , pu77le o'er thi!( &ut , $annot !imply &urrow for a!olution.0



/Be$au!e the Three aw! will not permit it*0 Gi!ard"! eye! !eemed tointen!ify their dim glow. /e!. #t e'ery !tage( the Three aw! !tand in my way. et ,$annot modify them++&e$au!e they !tand in my way. et , feel , mu!t modify them(for , !en!e the on$oming of $ata!trophe. /

/ou ha'e !aid !o &efore( friend Gi!ard( &ut you ha'e not e)plained thenature of the $ata!trophe.0

/Be$au!e , do not now the nature. ,t in'ol'e! the in$rea!ing ho!tility &etween#urora and =arth( &ut how thi! will e'ol'e into a$tual $ata!trophe( , $annot !ay.0/,! it po!!i&le that there might( after all( &e no $ata!trophe*0/, do not thin !o. , ha'e !en!ed( among $ertain #uroran offi$ial! , ha'e

en$ountered( an aura of $ata!trophe++of waiting for triumph. , $annot de!$ri&e thi!more e)a$tly and , $annot pro&e deeply for a &etter de!$ription &e$au!e the Threeaw! will not allow me to. ,t i! another rea!on why the inter'iew with andamu!mu!t tae pla$e tomorrow. ,t will gi'e me a $han$e to !tudy his mind.0

/But if you $annot !tudy it effe$ti'ely*0#lthough Gi!ard"! 'oi$e wa! in$apa&le of !howing emotion in the human

!en!e( there wa! no mi!!ing the de!pair in hi! word!. e !aid( /Then that will lea'eme helple!!. , $an only follow the aw!. -hat el!e $an , do*0

#nd 2aneel !aid !oftly and di!piritedly( /4othing el!e.0

I.

Gladia entered her li'ing room at :815( ha'ing purpo!ely++and with a tou$h of!pite++determined to allow andamu! ?!he had now relu$tantly memori7ed hi! name@to wait for her. She had al!o taen parti$ular pain! with her appearan$e and ?for thefir!t time in year!@ had agoni7ed o'er the gray in her hair and had fleetingly wi!hed!he had followed the almo!t uni'er!al #uroran pra$ti$e of !hade $ontrol. #fter all( toloo a! young and attra$ti'e a! po!!i&le would put thi! minion of #madiro"! at afurther di!ad'antage.

She wa! thoroughly prepared to di!lie him at !ight and wa! depre!!inglyaware that he might pro'e young and attra$ti'e( that a !unny fa$e might &rea into a&rilliant !mile at her appearan$e( that !he might pro'e relu$tantly attra$ted to him.

,n $on!e3uen$e( !he wa! relie'ed at the !ight of him. e wa! young( ye!( andpro&a&ly had not yet $ompleted hi! fir!t half+$entury( &ut he hadn"t made the &e!t ofthat. e wa! tall++perhap! 185 $entimeter! in height( !he %udged++&ut too thin. ,tmade him appear !pindly. i! hair wa! a !hade too dar for an #uroran( hi! eye! arather faded ha7el( hi! fa$e too long( hi! lip! too thin( hi! mouth too &road( hi!$omple)ion in!uffi$iently fair. But what ro&&ed him of the true appearan$e of youthwa! that hi! e)pre!!ion wa! too prim( too humorle!!.

-ith a fla!h of in!ight( Gladia remem&ered the hi!tori$al no'el! that were!u$h a fad on #urora ?no'el! that in'aria&ly dealt with primiti'e =arth++whi$h wa! oddfor a world that wa! in$rea!ingly hating =arthpeople@ and thought -hy( he"! thepi$ture of a Auritan.

She felt relie'ed and almo!t !miled. Auritan! were u!ually pi$tured a! 'illain!and( whether thi! andamu! wa! indeed one or not( it wa! $on'enient to ha'e him

loo lie one.But when he !poe Gladia wa! di!appointed( for hi! 'oi$e wa! !oft anddi!tin$tly mu!i$al. ?,t ought to ha'e po!!e!!ed a na!al twang if it were to fulfill the!tereotype.@

e !aid( /r!. Gremioni!*0She held out her hand with a $arefully $onde!$ending !mile. /r. andamu!.

++Alea!e $all me Gladia. ='eryone doe!.0/, now you u!e your gi'en name profe!!ionally++0/, u!e it in e'ery way. #nd my marriage $ame to an ami$a&le end !e'eral

de$ade! ago.0



/,t la!ted for a long time( , &elie'e.0/# 'ery long time. ,t wa! a great !u$$e!!( &ut e'en great !u$$e!!e! $ome to a

natural end.0/#h(0 !aid andamu! !ententiou!ly. /To $ontinue pa!t the end might well turn

!u$$e!! into failure.0Gladia nodded and !aid with a tra$e of a !mile( /ow wi!e for one !o young.

++&ut !hall we mo'e into the dining room* Breafa!t i! ready and , ha'e !urelydelayed you long enough.0,t wa! only a! andamu! turned with her and ad%u!ted hi! !tep! to her! that

Gladia &e$ame aware of hi! two a$$ompanying ro&ot!. ,t wa! 3uite unthina&le forany #uroran to go anywhere without a ro&oti$ retinue( &ut a! long a! ro&ot! !tood!till they made no impre!!ion on the #uroran eye.

Gladia( looing at them 3ui$ly( !aw that they were late model!( $learlye)pen!i'e. Their p!eudo+$lothing wa! ela&orate and( although it wa! not of Gladia"!de!ign( it wa! fir!t+$la!!. Gladia had to admit !o mu$h to her!elf( though relu$tantly.She would ha'e to find out who had de!igned it !omeday( for !he did not re$ogni7ethe tou$h and !he might &e a&out to ha'e a new and formida&le $ompetit2r. Shefound her!elf admiring the manner in whi$h the !tyle of p!eudo+$lothing wa!di!tin$tly the !ame for &oth ro&ot!( while remaining di!tin$tly indi'idual for ea$h. ou$ould not mi!tae one for the other.

andamu! $aught her !wift loo and interpreted her e)pre!!ion withdi!$on$erting a$$ura$y. ?e i! intelligent( thought Gladia( di!appointed.@ e !aid(/The e)ode!ign of my ro&ot! wa! $reated &y a young man at the ,n!titute who ha!not yet made a name for him!elf. But he will( don"t you thin*0

/2efinitely(0 !aid Gladia.Gladia did not e)pe$t any &u!ine!! di!$u!!ion till &reafa!t wa! done. ,t would

&e the height of ill &reeding to !pea of anything &ut tri'ia during meal! and Gladiague!!ed that andamu! wa! not at hi! &e!t with tri'ia. There wa! the weather( of$our!e. The re$ent !iege of rain( now happily done with( wa! mentioned and thepro!pe$t! for the on$oming dry !ea!on. There wa! the almo!t mandatory e)pre!!ionof admiration for the ho!te!!"! e!ta&li!hment and Gladia a$$epted it with pra$ti$edmode!ty. She did nothing to ea!e the !train on the man( &ut let him !ear$h for!u&%e$t matter without help.

#t length( hi! eye fell on 2aneel( !tanding 3uietly and without motion in hi!wall ni$he( and andamu! managed to o'er$ome hi! #uroran indifferen$e and noti$ehim.

/#h(0 he !aid( /$learly the famou! R. 2aneel Oli'aw. e"! a&!olutelyunmi!taa&le. # rather remara&le !pe$imen.0

/Juite remara&le.0/e"! your! now( i!n"t he* By 6a!tolfe"! will*0/By Doctor 6a!tolfe"! will( ye!(0 !aid Gladia with faint empha!i!./,t !trie! me a! ama7ing that the ,n!titute"! line of humanoid ro&ot! failed a!

it did. a'e you e'er thought a&out it*0/, ha'e heard of it(0 !aid Gladia $autiou!ly. ?Could it &e that thi! wa! what he

wa! getting around to*@ /,"m not aware of ha'ing !pent mu$h time thining a&out it.0/So$iologi!t! are !till trying to under!tand it. Certainly( we at the ,n!titute

ne'er got o'er the di!appointment. ,t !eemed lie !u$h a natural de'elopment. Someof u! thin that 6a++2r. 6a!tolfe !omehow had !omething to do with it.0

?e had a'oided maing the mi!tae a !e$ond time( thought Gladia. er eye!narrowed and !he grew ho!tile a! !he de$ided he had $ome to her in order to pro&efor material damaging to poor( good an.@

She !aid tartly( /#nyone who thin! that i! a fool. ,f you thin !o( , won"t$hange the e)pre!!ion for your &enefit.0

/, am not one of tho!e who thin! !o( largely &e$au!e , don"t !ee what 2r.6a!tolfe $ould ha'e done to mae it a fia!$o.0



/-hy !hould anyone ha'e had to do anything* -hat it amount! to i! that thepu&li$ didn"t want them. # ro&ot that loo! lie a man $ompete! with a man and onethat loo! lie a woman $ompete! with a woman++and entirely too $lo!ely for $omfort.#uroran! didn"t want the $ompetition. 2o we need to loo any further. /

/Se)ual $ompetition*0 !aid andamu! $almly.6or a moment( Gladia H! ga7e met hi! le'elly. 2id he now of her long+ago lo'e

for the ro&ot Fander* 2id it matter if he did* There !eemed nothing in hi! e)pre!!ion to mae it appear that he meantanything &eyond the !urfa$e meaning of the word!.

She !aid finally( /Competition in e'ery way. ,f 2r. an 6a!tolfe did anything to$ontri&ute to !u$h a feeling( it wa! that he de!igned hi! ro&ot! in too human afa!hion( &ut that wa! the only way.0

/, thin you have thought a&out the matter(0 !aid andamu!. /The trou&le i!that !o$iologi!t! find the fear of $ompetition with too+human a !et of ro&ot! to &e!impli!ti$ a! an e)planation. That alone would not !uffi$e and there i! no e'iden$e ofany other a'er!ion moti'e of !ignifi$an$e.0

/So$iology i! not an e)a$t !$ien$e(0 !aid Gladia./,t i! not altogether ine)a$t( either.0Gladia !hrugged.#fter a pau!e( andamu! !aid( /,n any $a!e( it ept u! from organi7ing

$oloni7ing e)pedition! properly. -ithout humanoid ro&ot! to pa'e the way++0Breafa!t wa! not 3uite o'er( &ut it wa! $lear to Gladia that andamu! $ould

not a'oid the nontri'ial any longer. She !aid( /-e might ha'e gone our!el'e!.0 Thi! time it wa! andamu! who !hrugged. /Too diffi$ult. Be!ide!( tho!e !hort+

li'ed &ar&arian! from =arth( with the permi!!ion of your 2r. 6a!tolfe( ha'e !warmedo'er e'ery planet in !ight lie a plague of &eetle!.0

/There are plenty of a'aila&le planet! !till. illion!. #nd if they $an do it++0/Of $our!e they $an do it(0 !aid andamu! with !udden pa!!ion. /,t $o!t!

li'e!( &ut what are li'e! to them? The lo!! of a de$ade or !o( that"! all( and there are&illion! of them. ,f a million or !o die in the pro$e!! of $oloni7ing( who noti$e!( who$are!* They don"t.0

/,"m !ure they do.0/4on!en!e. Our li'e! are longer and therefore more 'alua&le++and we are

naturally more $areful with them. //So we !it here and do nothing &ut rail at =arth"! Settler! for &eing willing to

ri! their li'e! and for !eeming to inherit the Gala)y a! a re!ult. /Gladia wa! unaware of feeling !o pro+Settler a &ia!( &ut !he wa! in the mood

to $ontradi$t andamu! and a! !he !poe !he $ould not help &ut feel that what&egan a! mere $ontradi$tion made !en!e and $ould well repre!ent her feeling!.Be!ide!( !he had heard 6a!tolfe !ay !imilar thing! during hi! la!t di!$ouraged year!.

#t Gladia"! !ignal( the ta&le wa! &eing rapidly and effi$iently $leared.Breafa!t might ha'e $ontinued( &ut the $on'er!ation and the mood had &e$ome3uite un!uita&le for $i'ili7ed mealtime.

They mo'ed &a$ into the li'ing room. i! ro&ot! followed and !o did 2aneeland Gi!ard( all finding their ni$he!. ?andamu! had ne'er remared on Gi!ard(thought Gladia( &ut then( why !hould he* Gi!ard wa! 3uite old+fa!hioned and e'en

primiti'e( entirely unimpre!!i'e in $ompari!on to andamu!"! &eautiful !pe$imen!.@Gladia too her !eat and $ro!!ed her leg!( 3uite aware that the form+fitting

!heerne!! of the lower portion of her !la$! flattered the !till youthful appearan$e ofher leg!.

/ay , now the rea!on for your wi!hing to !ee me( 2r. andamu!*0 !he !aid(unwilling to delay matter! any longer.

e !aid( /, ha'e the &ad ha&it of $hewing medi$ated gum after meal! a! anaid to dige!tion. -ould you o&%e$t*0

Gladia !aid !tiffly( /, would find it di!tra$ting.0



?Being una&le to $hew might put him at a di!ad'antage. Be!ide!( Gladiaadded to her!elf 'irtuou!ly( at hi! age he !houldn"t need anything to aid hi!dige!tion.@

andamu! had a !mall o&long pa$age partway out of hi! tuni$"! &rea!tpo$et. e !ho'ed it &a$ with no !ign of di!appointment and murmured( /Of$our!e.0

/, wa! a!ing( 2r. andamu!( your rea!on for wi!hing to !ee me.0/#$tually two rea!on!( ady Gladia. One i! a per!onal matter and one i! amatter of !tate. -ould you o&%e$t to my taing up the per!onal matter fir!t*0

/et me !ay franly( 2r. andamu!( that , find it hard to imagine whatper!onal matter there $ould &e &etween u!. ou wor at the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute( don"tyou*0

/e!( , do.0/#nd are $lo!e to #madiro( , ha'e &een told.0/, ha'e the honor of woring with Doctor #madiro(0 he !aid with faint

empha!i!.?e"! paying me &a$( thought Gladia( &ut ,"m not taing it.@She !aid( /#madiro and , had an o$$a!ion for $onta$t twenty de$ade! ago and

it wa! mo!t unplea!ant. , ha'e had no o$$a!ion for any $onta$t with him at any time!in$e. 4or would , ha'e had any $onta$t with you( a! a $lo!e a!!o$iate of hi!( &ut that, wa! per!uaded that the inter'iew might &e important. Aer!onal matter!( howe'er(would !urely not mae thi! inter'iew in the lea!t important to me. Shall we pro$eedonward( then( to the matter! of !tate*0

andamu!"! eye! dropped and a faint flu!h of !omething that might ha'e&een em&arra!!ment $ame to hi! $hee!. /et me reintrodu$e my!elf( then. , ame'ular andamu!( your de!$endant in the fifth degree. , am the great+great+great+grand!on of Santiri) and Gladia Gremioni!. ,n re'er!e( you are my great+great+great+grandmother.0

Gladia &lined rapidly( trying not to loo a! thunder!tru$ a! !he( in a$tualfa$t( felt ?and not 3uite !u$$eeding@. Of $our!e !he had de!$endant! and why !houldnot one of them &e thi! man*

But !he !aid( /#re you !ure*0/Juite !ure. , ha'e had a genealogi$al !ear$h made. One of the!e year!( after

all( , am liely to want $hildren and &efore , $an ha'e one !u$h a !ear$h would &emandatory. ,f you are intere!ted( the pattern &etween u! i! +6+6+.0

/ou are my !on"! daughter"! daughter"! !on"! !on*0/e!.0Gladia did not a! for further detail!. She had had one !on and one daughter.

She had &een a perfe$tly dutiful mother( &ut in due time the $hildren had taen upindependent li'e!. #! to de!$endant! &eyond that !on and daughter( !he had( inperfe$tly de$ent Spa$er fa!hion( ne'er in3uired and did not $are. a'ing met one ofthem( !he wa! Spa$er enough still not to $are.

The thought !ta&ili7ed her $ompletely. She !at &a$ in her $hair and rela)ed./Dery well(0 !he !aid. /ou are my de!$endant in the fifth degree. ,f thi! i! theper!onal matter you wi!h to di!$u!!( it i! of no importan$e.0

/, under!tand that fully( an$e!tre!!. y genealogy i! not( in it!elf( what , wi!h

to di!$u!!( &ut it lay! the foundation. 2r. #madiro( you !ee( now! of thi!relation!hip. #t lea!t( !o , !u!pe$t.0

/,ndeed* ow did that $ome a&out*0/, &elie'e that he 3uietly genealogi7e! all tho!e who $ome to wor at the

,n!titute.0/But why*0/,n order to find out e)a$tly what he did find out in my $a!e. e i! not a

tru!ting man.0/, don"t under!tand. ,f you are my fifth++le'el de!$endant( why !hould it ha'e



more meaning to him than it doe! to me*0andamu! ru&&ed hi! $hin with the nu$le! of hi! right hand in a thoughtful

manner. /i! di!lie for you i! in no way le!! than your di!lie for him( ady Gladia. ,fyou were ready to refu!e an inter'iew with me for hi! !ae( he i! e3ually ready torefu!e me preferment for your !ae. ,t might &e e'en wor!e if , were a de!$endant of2r. 6a!tolfe( &ut not mu$h.0

Gladia !at !tiffly upright in her !eat. er no!tril! flared and !he !aid in a tight'oi$e( /-hat i! it( then( that you e)pe$t me to do* , $annot de$lare you anonde!$endant. Shall , ha'e an announ$ement pla$ed on hyper'i!ion that you are amatter of indifferen$e to me and that , di!own you. -ill that !ati!fy your #madiro* ,f!o( , mu!t warn you , will not do it. , will do nothing to !ati!fy that man. ,f it mean!that he will di!$harge you and depri'e you of your $areer out of !ome !ort ofdi!appro'al of your geneti$ a!!o$iation( then that will tea$h you to a!!o$iate with a!aner( le!! 'i$iou! per!on. /

/e will not di!$harge me( adam Gladia. , am entirely too 'alua&le to him++ifyou will pardon my immode!ty. Still( , hope !omeday to !u$$eed him a! head of the,n!titute and that( , am 3uite $ertain( he will not allow( a! long a! he !u!pe$t! me of ade!$ent wor!e than that whi$h !tem! from you.0

/2oe! he imagine that poor Santiri) i! wor!e than , am*0/4ot at all.0 andamu! flu!hed and he !wallowed( &ut hi! 'oi$e remained

le'el and !teady. /, mean no di!re!pe$t( madam( &ut , owe it to my!elf to learn thetruth.0

/-hat truth*0/, am de!$ended from you in the fifth degree. That i! $lear in the genealogi$al

re$ord!. But it i! po!!i&le that , am al!o de!$ended in the fifth degree( not fromSantiri) Gremioni! &ut from the =arthman =li%ah Baley*0

Gladia ro!e to her feet a! 3ui$ly a! though the undimen!ional for$e field! of apuppeteer had lifted her. She wa! not aware that !he had ri!en.

,t wa! the third time in twel'e hour! that the name of that long+ago =arthmanhad &een mentioned++and &y three different indi'idual!.

er 'oi$e !eemed not to &e her! at all. /-hat do you mean*0e !aid( ri!ing in hi! turn and &a$ing away !lightly( /,t !eem! to me plain

enough. -a! your !on( my great+great+grandfather( &orn of a !e)ual union of your!elfwith the =arthman =li%ah Baley* -a! =li%ah Baley your !on"! father* , don"t now howto e)pre!! it more plainly.0

/ow dare you mae !u$h a !ugge!tion* Or e'en thin it*0/, dare &e$au!e my $areer depend! upon it. ,f the an!wer i! ye!. my

profe!!ional life may well &e ruined. , want a no( &ut an un!upported no will do me nogood. , mu!t &e a&le to pre!ent proof to 2r. #madiro at the appropriate time and!how him that hi! di!appro'al of my genealogy mu!t end with you. #fter all( it i! $learto me that hi! di!lie of you++and e'en of 2r. 6a!tolfe++i! a! nothing++nothing at all++$ompared to the in$redi&le inten!ity of hi! dete!tation of the =arthman =li%ah Baley. ,ti! not only the fa$t of hi! &eing !hort+li'ed. although the thought of ha'ing inherited&ar&arian gene! would di!tur& me tremendou!ly. , thin that if , pre!ented proof ,wa! de!$ended from an =arthman who wa! not =li%ah Baley( he would di!mi!! that.But it i! the thought of =li%ah Baley++and only he++that dri'e! him to madne!!. , do not

now why.0 The reiteration of =li%ah"! name had made him !eem almo!t ali'e again to

Gladia. She wa! &reathing har!hly and deeply and !he e)ulted in the &e!t memory ofher life.

/, now why(0 !he !aid. /,t wa! &e$au!e =li%ah( with e'erything again!t him(with all of #urora again!t him( managed anyhow to de!troy #madiro at the momentwhen that man thought he held !u$$e!! in hi! hand. =li%ah did it &y the e)er$i!e of!heer $ourage and intelligen$e. #madiro had met hi! infinite !uperior in the per!on ofan =arthman he had $arele!!ly de!pi!ed and what $ould he do in return &ut hate



futilely* =li%ah ha! &een dead for more than !i)teen de$ade! and !till #madiro $annotforget( $annot forgi'e( $annot relea!e the $hain! that &ind him in hate and memoryto that dead man. #nd , would not ha'e #madiro forget++or $ea!e hating++a! long a! itpoi!on! e'ery moment of hi! e)i!ten$e. /

andamu! !aid( /, !ee you ha'e rea!on for wi!hing 2r. #madiro ill( &ut whatrea!on ha'e you for wi!hing me ill* To allow 2r. #madiro to thin , am de!$ended

from =li%ah Baley will gi'e him the plea!ure of de!troying me. -hy !hould you gi'ehim that plea!ure needle!!ly( if , am not !o de!$ended* Gi'e me the proof( therefore(that , am de!$ended from you and Santiri) Gremioni! or from you and any&ody &ut=li%ah Baley.0

/ou fool ou idiot -hy do you need proof from me* Go to the hi!tori$alre$ord!. ou will find the e)a$t day! on whi$h =li%ah Baley wa! on #urora. ou willfind the e)a$t day on whi$h , ga'e &irth to my !on( 2arrel. ou will find that 2arrelwa! $on$ei'ed more than fi'e year! after =li%ah left #urora. ou will al!o find that=li%ah ne'er returned to #urora. -ell( then( do you thin , ge!tated for fi'e year!( that, $arried a fetu! in my wom& for fi'e Standard Gala$ti$ ear!*0

/, now the !tati!ti$!( madam. #nd , do not thin you $arried a fetu! for fi'eyear!.0

/Then why do you $ome to me*0/Be$au!e there i! more to it than that. , now++and , imagine that 2r. #madiro

well now!++that although the =arthman =li%ah Baley( a! you !ay( ne'er returned to#urora"! !urfa$e( he wa! on$e in a !hip that wa! in or&it a&out #urora for a day or !o., now++and , imagine that 2r. #madiro well now!++that although the =arthman didnot lea'e the !hip to go to #urora( you left #urora to go to the !hip that you !tayedon the !hip for the &etter part of a day and that thi! too pla$e nearly fi'e year!after the =arthman had &een on #urora"! !urfa$e++at a&out the time( in fa$t( that your!on wa! $on$ei'ed.0

Gladia felt the &lood drain from her fa$e a! !he heard the other"! $alm word!. The room darened a&out her and !he !wayed.

She felt the !udden( gentle tou$h of !trong arm! a&out her and new theywere tho!e of 2aneel. She felt her!elf lowered !lowly into her $hair.

She heard andamu! H! 'oi$e a! though from a great di!tan$e./,! that not true( madam*0 he !aid.,t wa!( of $our!e( true.

2. THE ANCESTOR?

5.

emory#lway! there( of $our!e( &ut u!ually remaining hidden. #nd then( !ometime!(

a! a re!ult of %u!t the right ind of pu!h( it $ould emerge !uddenly( !harply defined(

all in $olor( &right and mo'ing and ali'e.She wa! young again( younger than thi! man &efore her young enough to feel

tragedy and lo'e++with her death+in+life on Solaria ha'ing rea$hed it! $lima) in the&itter end of the fir!t whom !he had thought of a! /hu!&and.0 ?4o( !he would not !ayhi! name e'en now( not e'en in thought.@

Clo!er !till to her then++life were the month! of hea'ing emotion with the!e$ond++not+man++whom !he had thought of &y that term. Fander( the humanoidro&ot( had &een gi'en to her and !he had made him entirely her own until( lie herfir!t hu!&and( he wa! !uddenly dead.



#nd then( at la!t( there wa! =li%ah Baley( who wa! ne'er her hu!&and( whom!he had met only twi$e( two year! apart( ea$h time for a few hour! on ea$h of a 'eryfew day!. =li%ah( who!e $hee !he had on$e tou$hed with her unglo'ed hand( onwhi$h o$$a!ion !he had ignited who!e nude &ody !he had later held in her arm!( onwhi$h o$$a!ion !he had flamed !teadily at la!t.

#nd then( a third hu!&and( with whom !he wa! 3uiet and at pea$e( paying

with untriumph for unmi!ery and &uying with firmly held forgetfulne!! the relief fromreli'ing.>ntil one day ?!he wa! not !ure of the day that !o &roe in upon the !leeping

untrou&led year!@ an 6a!tolfe( ha'ing a!ed permi!!ion to 'i!it( waled o'er fromhi! ad%oining e!ta&li!hment.

Gladia looed upon him with !ome $on$ern( for he wa! too &u!y a man to!o$iali7e lightly. Only fi'e year! had pa!!ed !in$e the $ri!i! that had e!ta&li!hed ana! #urora H! leading !tate!man. e wa! the Chairman of the planet in all &ut nameand the true leader of all the Spa$er world!. e had !o little time to &e a human&eing.

Tho!e year! had left their mar++and would $ontinue to do !o until he died!adly( $on!idering him!elf a failure though he had ne'er lo!t a &attle. Eelden#madiro( who had &een defeated( li'ed on !turdily( a! e'iden$e that 'i$tory $ane)a$t the greater penalty.

6a!tolfe( through it all( $ontinued to &e !oft+!poen and patient andun$omplaining( &ut e'en Gladia( nonpoliti$al though !he wa! and unintere!ted in theendle!! ma$hination! of power( new that hi! $ontrol of #urora held firm onlythrough $on!tant and unremitting effort that drained him of anything that mightmae life worthwhile and that he held to it++or wa! held to it++only &y what he$on!idered the good of++what* #urora* The Spa$er!* Simply !ome 'ague $on$ept ofideali7ed Good*

She didn"t now. She flin$hed from a!ing.But thi! wa! only fi'e year! after the $ri!i!. e !till ga'e the impre!!ion of a

young and hopeful man and hi! plea!ant homely fa$e wa! !till $apa&le of !miling.e !aid( /, ha'e a me!!age for you( Gladia.0/# plea!ant one( , hope(0 !he !aid politely.e had &rought 2aneel with him. ,t wa! a !ign of the healing of old wound!

that !he $ould loo at 2aneel with hone!t affe$tion and no pain at all( e'en though hewa! a $opy of her dead Fander in all &ut the mo!t in!ignifi$ant detail. She $ould talto him( though he an!wered in what wa! almo!t Fander"! 'oi$e. 6i'e year! had!inned o'er the ul$er and deadened the pain.

/, hope !o(0 !aid 6a!tolfe( !miling gently. /,t"! from an old friend.0/,t"! !o ni$e that , ha'e old friend!(0 !he !aid( trying not to &e !ardoni$./6rom =li%ah Baley.0

The fi'e year! 'ani!hed and !he felt the !ta& and pang of returning memory./,! he well*0 !he a!ed in a half+!trangled 'oi$e after a full minute of !tunned

!ilen$e./Juite well. -hat i! e'en more important( he i! near.0/4ear* On #urora*0/,n or&it a&out #urora. e now! he $an re$ei'e no permi!!ion to land( e'en if

, were to u!e my full influen$e( or , imagine he doe!. e would lie to !ee you( Gladia.e had made $onta$t with me &e$au!e he feel! that , $an arrange to ha'e you 'i!ithi! !hip. , !uppo!e , $an manage that mu$h++&ut only if you wi!h it. 2o you wi!h it*0

/,++, don"t now. Thi! i! too !udden for thought.0/Or e'en impul!e*0 e waited( then he !aid( /Truthfully( Gladia( how are you

getting along with Santiri)*0She looed at him wildly( a! though not under!tanding the rea!on for the

$hange of !u&%e$t++then under!tanding. She !aid( /-e get along well together.0/#re you happy*0



/, am++not unhappy.0/That doe!n"t !ound lie e$!ta!y.0/ow long $an e$!ta!y la!t( e'en if it were e$!ta!y*0/2o you plan to ha'e $hildren !omeday*0/e!(0 !he !aid./#re you planning a $hange in marital !tatu!*0

She !hoo her head firmly. /4ot yet.0/Then( my dear Gladia( if you want ad'i$e from a rather tired man( who feel!un$omforta&ly old++refu!e the in'itation. , remem&er what little you told me afterBaley had left #urora and( to tell you the truth( , wa! a&le to dedu$e more from thatthan you perhap! thin. ,f you !ee him( you may find it all di!appointing( not li'ing upto the deepening and mellowing glow of remini!$en$e or( if it i! not di!appointing(wor!e yet( for it will di!rupt a perhap! rather fragile $ontentment( whi$h you will thennot &e a&le to repair.0

Gladia( who had &een 'aguely thining pre$i!ely that( found the propo!itionneeded only to &e pla$ed into word! to &e re%e$ted.

She !aid( /4o( an( , must !ee him( &ut ,"m afraid to do it alone. -ould you$ome with me?”

6a!tolfe !miled wearily. /, wa! not in'ited( Gladia. #nd if , were( , would in any$a!e &e for$ed to refu!e. There i! an important 'ote $oming up in the Coun$il. #ffair!of !tate( you now( from whi$h , $an"t a&!ent my!elf.0

/Aoor an0/e!( indeed( poor me. But you $an"t go alone. #! far a! , now( you $an"t pilot

a !hip.0/Oh -ell( , thought ,"d &e taen up &y++0/Commer$ial $arrier*0 6a!tolfe !hoo hi! head. /Juite impo!!i&le. 6or you to

'i!it and &oard an =arth !hip in or&it openly( a! would &e una'oida&le if you u!ed$ommer$ial $arrier( would re3uire !pe$ial permi!!ion and that would tae wee!. ,fyou don"t want to go( Gladia( you needn"t put it on the &a!i! of not wi!hing to !eehim. ,f the paperwor and red tape in'ol'ed would tae wee!( ,"m !ure he $an"t waitthat long.0

/But , do want to !ee him(0 !aid Gladia( now determined./,n that $a!e( you $an tae my pri'ate !pa$e 'e!!el and 2aneel $an tae you

up there. e $an handle the $ontrol! 'ery well indeed and he i! a! an)iou! to !eeBaley a! you are. -e %u!t won"t report the trip.0

/But you"ll get into trou&le( an.0/Aerhap! no one will find out++or they"ll pretend not to find out. #nd if anyone

mae! trou&le( , will %u!t ha'e to handle it.0Gladia"! head &owed in a moment of thought and then !he !aid( /,f you don"t

mind( , will &e !elfi!h and $han$e your ha'ing trou&le( an. , want to go.0/Then you"ll go.0

5#.

,t wa! a !mall !hip( !maller than Gladia had imagined $o7y in a way( &ut

frightening in another way. ,t wa! !mall enough( after all( to la$ any pro'i!ion forp!eudo+gra'ity++and the !en!ation of weightle!!ne!!( while $on!tantly nudging at herto indulge in amu!ing gymna!ti$!( %u!t a! $on!tantly reminded her that !he wa! in ana&normal en'ironment.

She wa! a Spa$er. There were o'er fi'e &illion Spa$er! !pread o'er fiftyworld!( all of them proud of the name. et how many of tho!e who $alled them!el'e!Spa$er! were really !pa$e tra'eler!* Dery few. Aerhap! eighty per$ent of them ne'erleft the world of their &irth. ='en of the remaining twenty per$ent( hardly any pa!!edthrough !pa$e more than two or three time!.

Certainly( !he her!elf wa! no Spa$er in the literal !en!e of the word( !he



thought gloomily. On$e ?on$e@ !he had tra'eled through !pa$e and that wa! fromSolaria to #urora !e'en year! &efore. 4ow !he wa! entering !pa$e a !e$ond time on a!mall pri'ate !pa$e ya$ht for a !hort trip %u!t &eyond the atmo!phere( a paltryhundred thou!and ilometer!( with one other per!on++not e'en a per!on++for$ompany.

She $a!t another glan$e at 2aneel in the !mall pilot room. She $ould %u!t !ee

a portion of him( where he !at at the $ontrol!.She had ne'er &een anywhere with only one ro&ot within $all. There hadalway! &een hundred!++thou!and!++at her di!po!al on Solaria. On #urora( there wereroutinely do7en!( if not !$ore!.

ere there wa! &ut one.She !aid( /2aneel0e did not allow hi! attention to wander from the $ontrol!. /e!( adam

Gladia*0/#re you plea!ed that you will &e !eeing =li%ah Baley again*0/, am not $ertain( adam Gladia( how &e!t to de!$ri&e my inner !tate. ,t may

&e that it i! analogou! to what a human &eing would de!$ri&e a! &eing plea!ed.0/But you mu!t feel !omething.0/, feel a! though , $an mae de$i!ion! more rapidly than , $an ordinarily my

re!pon!e! !eem to $ome more ea!ily my mo'ement! !eem to re3uire le!! energy. ,might interpret it generally a! a !en!ation of well+&eing. #t lea!t , ha'e heard human&eing! u!e that word and feel that what it i! intended to de!$ri&e i! !omething that i!analogou! to the !en!ation! , now e)perien$e.0

Gladia !aid( /But what if , were to !ay , wanted to !ee him alone*0/Then that would &e arranged.0/='en though that meant you wouldn"t !ee him*0/e!( madam.0/-ouldn"t you then feel di!appointed* , mean( wouldn"t you ha'e a !en!ation

that wa! the oppo!ite of well+&eing* our de$i!ion! would $ome le!! rapidly( yourre!pon!e! le!! ea!ily( your mo'ement! would re3uire more energy and !o on*0

/4o( adam Gladia( for , would ha'e a feeling of well+&eing at fulfilling yourorder!.0

/our own plea!ant feeling i! Third aw( and fulfilling my order! i! Se$ondaw( and Se$ond aw tae! pre$eden$e. ,! that it*0

/e!( madam.0Gladia !truggled again!t her own $urio!ity. ,t would ne'er ha'e o$$urred to

her to 3ue!tion an ordinary ro&ot in thi! matter. # ro&ot i! a ma$hine. But !he$ouldn"t thin of 2aneel a! a ma$hine( %u!t a! fi'e year! &efore !he had &een una&leto thin of Fander a! a ma$hine. But with Fander that had &een only the &urning ofpa!!ion++and that had gone with Fander him!elf. 6or all hi! !imilarity to the other(2aneel $ould not !et the a!he! alight again. -ith him( there wa! room for intelle$tual$urio!ity.

/2oe!n"t it &other you( 2aneel(0 !he a!ed( /to &e !o &ound &y the aw!*0/, $annot imagine anything el!e( madam.0/#ll my life , ha'e &een &ound to the pull of gra'ity( e'en during my one

pre'iou! trip on a !pa$e!hip( &ut , $an imagine not &eing &ound &y it. #nd here , am(

in fa$t( not &ound &y it.0/#nd do you en%oy it( madam*0/,n a way( ye!.0/2oe! it mae you unea!y*0/,n a way( that too.0/Sometime!( madam( when , thin that human &eing! are not &ound &y aw!(

it mae! me unea!y.0/-hy( 2aneel* a'e you e'er tried to rea!on out to your!elf why the thought

of awle!!ne!! !hould mae you feel unea!y*0



2aneel wa! !ilent for a moment. e !aid( /, ha'e( madam( &ut , do not thin ,would wonder a&out !u$h thing! &ut for my &rief a!!o$iation! with Aartner =li%ah. ehad a way++0

/e!( , now(0 !he !aid. /e wondered a&out e'erything. e had are!tle!!ne!! a&out him that dro'e him on to a! 3ue!tion! at all time! in alldire$tion!.0

/So it !eemed. #nd , would try to &e lie him and a! 3ue!tion!. So , a!edmy!elf what awle!!ne!! might &e lie and , found , $ouldn"t imagine what it might&e lie e)$ept that it might &e lie &eing human and that made me feel unea!y. #nd ,a!ed my!elf( a! you a!ed me( why it made me feel unea!y.0

/#nd what did you an!wer your!elf*02aneel !aid( /#fter a long time( , de$ided that the Three aw! go'ern the

manner in whi$h my po!itroni$ pathway! &eha'e. #t all time!( under all !timuli( theaw! $on!train the dire$tion and inten!ity of po!itroni$ flow along tho!e pathway! !othat , alway! now what to do. et the le'el of nowledge of what to do i! not alway!the !ame. There are time! when my doing+a!+,+mu!t i! under le!! $on!traint than atother time!. , ha'e alway! noti$ed that the lower the po!itronomoti'e potential( thenthe further remo'ed from $ertainty i! my de$i!ion a! to whi$h a$tion to tae. #nd thefurther remo'ed from $ertainty , am( the nearer , am to ill+&eing. To de$ide an a$tionin a milli!e$ond rather than a nano!e$ond produ$e! a !en!ation , would not wi!h to&e prolonged.

/-hat then( , thought to my!elf( madam( if , were utterly without aw! a!human! are* -hat if , $ould mae no $lear de$i!ion on what re!pon!e to mae to!ome gi'en !et of $ondition!* ,t would &e un&eara&le and , do not willingly thin ofit.0

Gladia !aid( /et you do( 2aneel. ou are thining of it now.0/Only &e$au!e of my a!!o$iation with Aartner =li%ah( madam. , o&!er'ed him

under $ondition! when he wa! una&le( for a time( to de$ide on an a$tion &e$au!e ofthe pu77ling nature of the pro&lem! that had &een !et him. e wa! $learly in a !tateof ill+&eing a! a re!ult and , felt ill+&eing on hi! &ehalf &e$au!e there wa! nothing ,$ould do that would ea!e the !ituation for him. ,t i! po!!i&le that , only gra!ped a'ery !mall part of what it wa! he felt then. ,f , had gra!ped a larger part and &etterunder!tood the $on!e3uen$e! of hi! ina&ility to de$ide on a$tion( , might ha'e++0 ehe!itated.

/Cea!ed fun$tioning* Been ina$ti'ated*0 !aid Gladia( thining &riefly andpainfully of Fander.

/e!( madam. y failure to under!tand may &een an in&uilt prote$tion de'i$eagain!t damage to my po!itroni$ &rain. But then( , noted that no matter how painfulAartner =li%ah found hi! inde$i!ion to &e( he $ontinued to mae an effort to !ol'e hi!pro&lem. , admired him greatly for that.0

/ou are $apa&le of admiration then( are you*02aneel !aid !olemnly( /, u!e the word a! , ha'e heard human &eing! u!e it. ,

do not now the proper word to e)pre!! the re!pon!e within me eli$ited &y Aartner=li%ah H! a$tion! of thi! !ort. /

Gladia nodded( then !aid( /#nd yet there are rule! that go'ern humanrea$tion!( too $ertain in!tin$t!( dri'e!( tea$hing!.0

/So friend Gi!ard thin!( madam.0/2oe! he now*0/But he find! them too $ompli$ated to analy7e. e wonder! if there might

!omeday &e de'eloped a !y!tem of analy7ing human &eha'ior in mathemati$al detailand of deri'ing++from that++$ogent aw! that would e)pre!! the rule! of that&eha'i2r.0

/, dou&t it(0 !aid Gladia./4or i! friend Gi!ard !anguine. e thin! it will &e a 'ery long time &efore

!u$h a !y!tem i! de'eloped.0



/# very long time( , !hould !ay.0/#nd now(0 !aid 2aneel( /we are approa$hing the =arth !hip and we mu!t

$arry through the do$ing pro$edure( whi$h i! not !imple.0

5B.

,t !eemed to Gladia that it too longer to do$ than to mo'e into the =arth!hip"! or&it in the fir!t pla$e.

2aneel remained $alm throughout++&ut( then( he $ould not do otherwi!e++anda!!ured her that all human !hip! $ould do$ with ea$h other regardle!! of differen$ein !i7e and mae.

/ie human &eing!(0 !aid Gladia( for$ing a !mile( &ut 2aneel made nore!pon!e to that. e $on$entrated on the deli$ate ad%u!tment! that had to &e made.2o$ing wa! alway! po!!i&le( perhap!( &ut not alway! ea!y( it would appear.

Gladia grew unea!ier &y the moment. =arthmen were !hort+li'ed and aged3ui$ly. 6i'e year! had pa!!ed !in$e !he had !een =li%ah. By how mu$h would heha'e aged* ow would he appear* -ould !he &e a&le to eep from looing !ho$edor horrified at the $hange*

-hate'er hi! appearan$e( he would !till &e the =li%ah to whom her gratitude

$ould now no &ound!.-a! that what it wa!* Gratitude++*She noti$ed that her hand! were tightly entwined with ea$h other( !o that her

arm! were a$hing. ,t wa! only with an effort that !he $ould for$e them to rela).She new when do$ing wa! $ompleted. The =arth !hip wa! large enough to

ha'e a p!eudo+gra'itation field generator and( at the moment of do$ing( the fielde)panded to in$lude the !mall ya$ht. There wa! a !light rotational effe$t a! thedire$tion toward the floor !uddenly &e$ame /down0 and Gladia e)perien$ed a!i$ening drop of two in$he!. er nee! &ent under the impa$t in lop!ided fa!hionand !he fell again!t the wall.

She !traightened with a little diffi$ulty and wa! annoyed with her!elf for notha'ing anti$ipated the $hange and &een ready for it.

2aneel !aid unne$e!!arily( /-e ha'e do$ed( adam Gladia. Aartner =li%ah

a!! permi!!ion to $ome a&oard.0/Of $our!e( 2aneel.0 There wa! a whirring !ound and a portion of the wall !wirled into dilation. #

$rou$hing figure mo'ed through and the wall tightened and $ontra$ted &ehind it. The figure !traightened and Gladia whi!pered( /=li%ah0 and felt o'erwhelmed

with gladne!! and relief. ,t !eemed to her that hi! hair wa! grayer( &ut otherwi!e itwa! =li%ah. There wa! no other noti$ea&le $hange( no mared aging after all.

e !miled at her and( for a moment( !eemed to de'our her with hi! eye!. Then he lifted one forefinger( a! though to !ay( /-ait(0 and waled toward 2aneel.

/2aneel0 e !ei7ed the ro&ot"! !houlder! and !hoo him./ou ha'en"t $hanged. Feho!haphat ou"re the $on!tant in all our li'e!.0/Aartner =li%ah. ,t i! good to !ee you.0/,t i! good to hear my!elf $alled partner again and , wi!h that were !o. Thi! i!

the fifth time , ha'e !een you( &ut the fir!t time that , do not ha'e a pro&lem to !ol'e., am not e'en a plain$lothe!man any longer. , ha'e re!igned and , am now animmigrant to one of the new world!. ++Tell me( 2aneel( why didn"t you $ome with 2r.6a!tolfe when he 'i!ited =arth three year! ago*0

/That wa! 2r. 6a!tolfe"! de$i!ion. e de$ided to tae Gi!ard.0/, wa! di!appointed( 2aneel.0/,t would ha'e &een plea!ant for me to !ee you( Aartner =li%ah( &ut 2r. 6a!tolfe

told me afterward that the trip had &een highly !u$$e!!ful( !o that perhap! hi!de$i!ion wa! the $orre$t one.0

/,t was !u$$e!!ful( 2aneel. Before the 'i!it( the =arth go'ernment wa!



relu$tant to $ooperate in the Settlement pro$edure( &ut now the whole planet i!pul!ing and hea'ing and( &y the million( people are an)iou! to go. -e don"t ha'e the!hip! to a$$ommodate them all++e'en with #uroran help++and we don"t ha'e theworld! to re$ei'e them all( for e'ery world mu!t &e ad%u!ted. 4ot one willa$$ommodate a human $ommunity un$hanged. The one ,"m going to i! low in freeo)ygen and we"re going to ha'e to li'e in domed town! for a generation while =arth+

type 'egetation !pread! o'er the planet. / i! eye! were turning more and moreoften to Gladia a! !he !at there !miling.2aneel !aid( /,t i! to &e e)pe$ted. 6rom what , ha'e learned of human hi!tory(

the Spa$er world! al!o went through a period of terraforming.0/They $ertainly did #nd than! to that e)perien$e( the pro$e!! $an &e $arried

through more rapidly now. ++&ut , wonder if you would remain in the pilot room for awhile( 2aneel. , mu!t !pea to Gladia. /

/Certainly( Aartner =li%ah.02aneel !tepped through the ar$hed doorway that led into the pilot room and

Baley looed at Gladia in a 3ue!tioning way and made a !ideway! motion with hi!hand.

>nder!tanding perfe$tly( !he waled o'er and tou$hed the $onta$t that drewthe partition noi!ele!!ly a$ro!! the doorway. They were( to all intent!( alone.

Baley held out hi! hand!. /Gladia0She too them in her!( ne'er e'en thining !he wa! unglo'ed. She !aid( /ad

2aneel !tayed with u!( he would not ha'e hampered u!.0/4ot phy!i$ally. e would ha'e psychologically” Baley !miled !adly and !aid(

/6orgi'e me( Gladia. , had to !pea to 2aneel fir!t. //ou"'e nown him longer(0 !he !aid !oftly. /e tae! pre$eden$e. //e doe!n"t++&ut he ha! no defen!e!. ,f you are annoyed with me( Gladia( you

$an pun$h me in the eye if you want to. 2aneel $an"t. , $an ignore him( order himaway( treat him a! though he were a ro&ot( and he would &e $ompelled to o&ey and&e the !ame loyal and un$omplaining partner. /

/The fa$t i! that he is a ro&ot( =li%ah.0/4e'er to me( Gladia. y mind now! he i! a ro&ot and ha! no feeling! in the

human fa!hion( &ut my heart $on!ider! him human and , mu!t treat him !o. , woulda! 2r. 6a!tolfe to let me tae 2aneel with me( &ut no ro&ot! are allowed on the newSettler world!. /

/-ould you dream of taing me with you( =li%ah*0/4o Spa$er!( either.0/,t !eem! you =arthmen are a! unrea!oningly e)$lu!i'e a! we Spa$er! are.0=li%ah nodded glumly. /adne!! on &oth !ide!. But e'en if we were !ane( ,

would not tae you. ou $ould not !tand the life and ,"d ne'er &e !ure that yourimmune me$hani!m! would &uild up properly. ,"d &e afraid that you would either die3ui$ly of !ome minor infe$tion or that you would li'e too long and wat$h ourgeneration! die. ++6orgi'e me( Gladia.0

/6or what( dear =li%ah*0/6or++thi!.0 e put out hi! hand!( palm! upward( to either !ide. /6or a!ing to

!ee you.0/But ,"m glad you did. , wanted to !ee you.0

e !aid( /, now. , tried not to !ee you( &ut the thought of &eing in !pa$e andof not !topping at #urora tore me apart. #nd yet it doe! no good( Gladia. ,t %u!tmean! another lea'e+taing and that will tear me apart( too. ,t i! why , ha'e ne'erwritten you why , ha'e ne'er tried to rea$h you &y hyperwa'e. Surely you mu!t ha'ewondered.0

/4ot really. , agree with you that there wa! no point. h would merely mae itall infinitely harder. et , wrote to you many time!.0

/ou did* , ne'er re$ei'ed one letter.0/, ne'er mailed one letter. a'ing written them( , de!troyed them.0



/But why*0/Be$au!e( =li%ah( no pri'ate letter $an &e !ent from #urora to =arth without

pa!!ing through the hand! of the $en!or and , wrote you not one letter that , wa!willing to let the $en!or! !ee. ad you !ent me a letter( , a!!ure you that not onewould ha'e gotten through to me( howe'er inno$ent it might ha'e &een. , thoughtthat wa! why , ne'er re$ei'ed a letter. 4ow that , now you weren"t aware of the

!ituation( , am e)traordinarily glad that you were not !o fooli!h a! to try to remain intou$h with me. ou would ha'e mi!under!tood my ne'er an!wering your letter!. /Baley !tared at her. /ow i! it , !ee you now*0/4ot legally( , a!!ure you. , am u!ing 2r. 6a!tolfe"! pri'ate !hip( !o , pa!!ed &y

the &order guard! without &eing $hallenged. ad thi! !hip not &een 2r. 6a!tolfe"!( ,would ha'e &een !topped and !ent &a$. , a!!umed you under!tood that( too( andthat that wa! why you were in tou$h with 2r. 6a!tolfe and didn"t try to rea$h medire$tly.0

/, under!tood nothing. , !it here ama7ed at the dou&le ignoran$e that ept me!afe. Triple ignoran$e( for , didn"t now the proper hyperwa'e $om&ination to rea$hyou dire$tly and , $ouldn"t fa$e the diffi$ulty of trying to find the $om&ination on=arth. , $ouldn"t ha'e done it pri'ately and there wa! already !uffi$ient $ommentallo'er the Gala)y a&out you and me( than! to that fooli!h hyperwa'e drama theyput on the !u&wa'e! after Solaria. Otherwi!e( , promi!e you( , would ha'e tried. , had2r. 6a!tolfe"! $om&ination( howe'er( and on$e , wa! in or&it around #urora( ,$onta$ted him at on$e.0

/,n any $a!e( we"re here.0 She !at down on the !ide of her &un and held outher hand!.

Baley too them and tried to !it down on a !tool( whi$h he had hit$hed onefoot o'er( &ut !he drew him in!i!tently toward the &un and he !at down &e!ide her.

e !aid awwardly( /ow i! it with you( Gladia*0/Juite well. #nd you( =li%ah*0/, grow old. , ha'e %u!t $ele&rated my fiftieth &irthday three wee! ago.0/6ifty i! not++0 She !topped./6or an =arthman( it"! old. -e"re !hort+li'ed( you now.0/='en for an =arthman( fifty i! not old. ou ha'en"t $hanged.0/,t"! ind of you to !ay !o( &ut , $an tell where the $rea! ha'e multiplied.

Gladia++0/e!( =li%ah*0/, mu!t a!. a'e you and Santiri) Gremioni!++0Gladia !miled and nodded. /e i! my hu!&and. , too your ad'i$e.0/#nd ha! it wored out well*0/-ell enough. ife i! plea!ant.0/Good. , hope it la!t!.0/4othing la!t! for $enturie!( =li%ah( &ut it $ould la!t for year! perhap! e'en for

de$ade!.0/#ny $hildren*0/4ot yet. But what a&out your family( my married man* our !on* our wife*0/Bentley mo'ed out to the Settlement! two year! ago. ,n fa$t( ,"ll &e %oining

him. e"! an offi$ial on the world ,"m heading for. e"! only twenty+four and he"!

looed up to already.0 Baley"! eye! dan$ed. /, thin ,"ll ha'e to addre!! him a! ouronor. ,n pu&li$( anyway.0

/=)$ellent. #nd r!. Baley* ,! !he with you*0/Fe!!ie* 4o. She won"t lea'e =arth. , told her that we would &e li'ing in dome!

for a $on!idera&le time( !o that it really wouldn"t &e !o different from =arth. Arimiti'e(of $our!e. Still( !he may $hange her mind in time. ," mae it a! $omforta&le a!po!!i&le and on$e ,"'e !ettled down( ,"ll a! Bentley to go to =arth and gather her in.She may &e lonely enough &y then to &e willing to $ome. -e"ll !ee.0

/But meanwhile you"re alone.0



/There are o'er a hundred other immigrant! on the !hip( !o ,"m not reallyalone.0

/They are on the other !ide of the do$ing wall( howe'er. #nd ,"m alone( too.0Baley $a!t a &rief( in'oluntary loo toward the pilot room and Gladia !aid(

/=)$ept for 2aneel( of $our!e( who"! on the other !ide of that door and who is aro&ot( no matter how inten!ely you thin of him a! a per!on. ++and !urely you ha'en"t

a!ed to !ee me only that we might a! after ea$h other"! familie!*0Baley"! fa$e grew !olemn( almo!t an)iou!. /, $an"t a! you++0/Then , a! you. Thi! &un i! not really de!igned with !e)ual a$ti'ity in mind(

&ut you"ll $han$e the po!!i&ility of falling out of it( , hope.0Baley !aid he!itantly( /Gladia( , $an"t deny that++0/Oh( =li%ah( don"t go into a long di!!ertation in order to !ati!fy the need! of

your =arth morality. , offer my!elf to you in a$$ord with #uroran $u!tom. ,t"! your$lear right to refu!e and , will ha'e no right to 3ue!tion the refu!al. ++=)$ept that ,would 3ue!tion it mo!t for$efully. , ha'e de$ided that the right to refu!e &elong! onlyto #uroran!. , won"t tae it from an =arthman.0

Baley !ighed. /,"m no longer an =arthman( Gladia.0/, am e'en le!! liely to tae it from a mi!era&le immigrant heading out for a

&ar&arian planet on whi$h he will ha'e to $ower under a dome. ++=li%ah( we ha'e had!o little time( and we ha'e !o little time now( and , may ne'er !ee you again. Thi!meeting i! !o totally une)pe$ted that it would &e a $o!mi$ $rime to to!! it away.0

/Gladia( do you really want an old man*0/=li%ah( do you really want me to &eg*0/But ,"m a!hamed.0/Then $lo!e your eye!.0/, mean of my!elf++of my de$repit &ody.0/Then !uffer. our fooli!h opinion of your!elf ha! nothing to do with me.0 #nd

!he put her arm! a&out him( e'en a! the !eam of her ro&e fell apart.

5$.

Gladia wa! aware of a num&er of thing!( all !imultaneou!ly.

She wa! aware of the wonder of $on!tan$y( for =li%ah wa! a! !he hadremem&ered him. The lap!e of fi'e year! had not $hanged matter!. She had not &eenli'ing in the glow of a memory+inten!ified glitter. e wa! =li%ah.

She wa! aware( al!o( of a pu77le of differen$e. er feeling inten!ified thatSantiri) Gremioni!( without a !ingle ma%or flaw that !he $ould define( wa! all flaw.Santiri) wa! affe$tionate( gentle( rational( rea!ona&ly intelligent++and flat. -hy hewa! flat( !he $ould not !ay( &ut nothing he did or !aid $ould rou!e her a! Baley did(e'en when he did and !aid nothing. Baley wa! older in year!( mu$h olderphy!iologi$ally( not a! hand!ome a! Santiri)( and what wa! more( Baley $arried withhim the indefina&le air of de$ay++of the aura of 3ui$ aging and !hort life that=arthmen mu!t. #nd yet++

She wa! aware of the folly of men( of =li%ah approa$hing her with he!itation(with total unappre$iation of hi! effe$t on her.

She wa! aware of hi! a&!en$e( for he had gone in to !pea to 2aneel( whowa! to &e la!t a! he wa! fir!t. =arthmen feared and hated ro&ot! and yet =li%ah(nowing full well that 2aneel wa! a ro&ot( treated him only a! a per!on. Spa$er!( onthe other hand( who lo'ed ro&ot! and were ne'er $omforta&le in their a&!en$e(would ne'er thin of them a! anything &ut ma$hine!.

o!t of all( !he wa! aware of time. She new that e)a$tly three hour! andtwenty+fi'e minute! had elap!ed !in$e =li%ah had entered an 6a!tolfe"! !mall 'e!!eland !he new further that not mu$h more time $ould &e allowed to elap!e.

The longer !he remained off #urora"! !urfa$e and the longer Baley"! !hipremained in or&it( the more liely it wa! that !omeone would noti$e++or if the matter



had already &een noti$ed( a! !eemed almo!t $ertain( the more liely it would &e that!omeone would &e$ome $uriou! and in'e!tigate. #nd then 6a!tolfe would find him!elfin an annoying tangle of trou&le.

Baley emerged from the pilot room and looed at Gladia !adly. /, mu!t gonow( Gladia.0

/, now that well.0

Baley !aid( /2aneel will tae $are of you. e will &e your friend a! well a!prote$tor and you mu!t &e a friend to him++for my !ae. But it i! Gi!ard , want you toli!ten to. et him &e your ad'i!er.0

Gladia frowned. /-hy Gi!ard* ,"m not !ure , lie him.0/, do not a! you to lie him. , a! you to trust him.0/But why( =li%ah*0/, $an"t tell you that. ,n thi!( you mu!t tru!t me( too.0

They looed at ea$h other and !aid no more. ,t wa! a! though !ilen$e madetime !top( allowed them to hold on to the !e$ond! and eep them motionle!!.

But it $ould only wor !o long. Baley !aid( /ou don"t regret++0Gladia whi!pered( /ow $ould , regret++when , may ne'er !ee you again*0Baley made a! though to an!wer that( &ut !he put her !mall $len$hed fi!t

again!t hi! mouth./2on"t lie u!ele!!ly(0 !he !aid. /, may ne'er !ee you again.0#nd !he ne'er did. 4e'er

K.

,t wa! with pain that !he felt her!elf drag a$ro!! the dead wa!te of year! intothe pre!ent on$e more.

, ne'er did( !he thought. 4e'erShe had prote$ted her!elf again!t the &itter!weet for !o long and now !he had

plunged into it++more &itter than !weet++&e$au!e !he had !een thi! per!on( thi!andamu!++&e$au!e Gi!ard ha! a!ed her to and &e$au!e !he wa! $ompelled totru!t Gi!ard. ,t wa! his la!t re3ue!t.

She fo$u!ed on the pre!ent. ?ow mu$h time had elap!ed*@

andamu! wa! looing at her $oldly. e !aid( /6rom your rea$tion( adamGladia( , gather that it is true. ou $ould not ha'e !aid !o more plainly.0/-hat i! true* -hat are you taling a&out*0/That you !aw the =arthman =li%ah Baley fi'e year! after hi! 'i!it to #urora.

i! !hip wa! in or&it a&out #urora you tra'eled up to !ee him and were with hima&out the time you $on$ei'ed your !on.0

/-hat e'iden$e do you ha'e for that*0/adam( it wa! not totally a !e$ret. The =arthman"! !hip wa! dete$ted in

or&it. 6a!tolfe"! ya$ht wa! dete$ted in it! flight. ,t wa! o&!er'ed to do$. ,t wa! not6a!tolfe who wa! on &oard the ya$ht( !o the pre!umption wa! that it wa! you. 2r.6a!tolfe"! influen$e wa! !uffi$ient to eep it off the re$ord.0

/,f it i! off the re$ord( there i! no e'iden$e.0/4e'erthele!!( 2r. #madiro ha! !pent the la!t two third! of hi! life following

2r. 6a!tolfe"! mo'ement! with the eye! of dete!tation. There were alway!go'ernment offi$ial! who were heart and !oul with 2r. #madiro"! poli$y of re!er'ingthe Gala)y for the Spa$er! and they would 3uietly report to him anything theythought he would lie to now. 2r. #madiro learned of your little e!$apade almo!t a!!oon a! it happened./

/,t i! !till not e'iden$e. The un!upported word of a minor offi$ial $urrying fa'ori! of no a$$ount. #madiro did nothing &e$au!e e'en he new he had no e'iden$e.0

/4o e'iden$e with whi$h he $ould $harge anyone with e'en a mi!demeanorno e'iden$e with whi$h he $ould trou&le 6a!tolfe &ut e'iden$e enough to !u!pe$t meof &eing a de!$endant of Baley"! and to $ripple my $areer therefor.0



Gladia !aid &itterly( /ou may $ea!e &eing trou&led. y !on i! the !on ofSantiri) Gremioni!( a true #uroran( and it i! from thi! !on of Gremioni! that you arede!$ended.0

/Con'in$e me of it( madam. , a! nothing &etter. Con'in$e me that you firedup into or&it and that you !pent hour! alone with the =arthman and that( during thattime( you taled++politi$!( perhap!++di!$u!!ed old time! and mutual friend!++told

funny !torie!++and ne'er tou$hed ea$h other. Con'in$e me.0/-hat we did( did not matter( !o !pare me your !ar$a!m. #t the time , !awhim( , wa! already pregnant &y my then+hu!&and. , wa! $arrying a three+month+oldfetu!( an #uroran fetu!.0

/Can you pro'e that*0/-hy !hould , ha'e to pro'e it* The date of my !on"! &irth i! on re$ord and

#madiro mu!t ha'e the date of my 'i!it to the =arthman. //e wa! told it at the time( a! , !aid( &ut nearly twenty de$ade! ha'e pa!!ed

and he doe!n"t remem&er e)a$tly. The 'i!it i! not a matter of re$ord and $annot &ereferred to. , fear that 2r. #madiro would prefer to &elie'e that it wa! nine month!&efore the &irth of your !on that you were with the =arthman.0

/Si) month!.0/Aro'e it.0/ou ha'e my word.0/,n!uffi$ient. //-ell( then++2aneel( you were with me. -hen did , !ee =li%ah Baley*0/adam Gladia( it wa! one hundred and !e'enty+three day! &efore the &irth

of your !on.0Gladia !aid( /-hi$h i! %u!t under !i) month! &efore the &irth.0/,n!uffi$ient(0 !aid andamu!.Gladia"! $hin lifted. /2aneel"! memory i! perfe$t( a! $an &e ea!ily

demon!trated( and a ro&ot"! !tatement! pa!! for e'iden$e in the $ourt! of #urora.0/Thi! i! not a matter for the $ourt! and will not &e and 2aneel"! memory

$arrie! no weight with 2r. #madiro. 2aneel wa! $on!tru$ted &y 6a!tolfe and wa!maintained &y 6a!tolfe for nearly two $enturie!. -e $annot !ay what modifi$ation!were introdu$ed or how 2aneel might ha'e &een in!tru$ted to deal with matter!relating to 2r. #madiro.0

/Then rea!on it out( man. =arthmen are 3uite different geneti$ally from u!.-e are 'irtually different !pe$ie!. -e are not interfertile.0

/>npro'en.0/-ell( then( geneti$ re$ord! e)i!t. 2arrel"! do Santiri)"! do. Compare them. ,f

my e)+hu!&and were not hi! father( the geneti$ differen$e! would mae thatunmi!taa&le.0

/Geneti$ re$ord! are not for anyone"! eye!. ou now that.0/#madiro i! not that immer!ed in ethi$al $on!ideration!. e ha! the influen$e

to !ee them illegally. ++Or i! he afraid of di!pro'ing hi! hypothe!i!*0/-hate'er the rea!on( madam( he will not &etray an #uroran"! right to

pri'a$y.0Gladia !aid( /-ell( then( go to outer !pa$e and $hoe on 'a$uum. ,f your

#madiro refu!e! to &e $on'in$ed( that i! no affair of mine. ou( at lea!t( ought to &e

$on'in$ed and it i! your %o& to $on'in$e #madiro in hi! turn. ,f you $annot and if your$areer doe! not mo'e onward a! you would lie to ha'e it do( plea!e &e a!!ured thatthi! i! entirely and inten!ely no $on$ern of mine.0

/That doe! not !urpri!e me. , e)pe$t nothing more. #nd for that matter( , am$on'in$ed. , wa! merely hoping that you would gi'e me !ome material with whi$h to$on'in$e 2r. #madiro. ou ha'en"t.0

Gladia !hrugged with di!dain./, will u!e other method!( then(0 !aid andamu!./,"m glad you ha'e them(0 Gladia !aid $oldly.



andamu! !aid in a low 'oi$e( almo!t a! though he were unaware of thepre!en$e of anyone el!e( /So am ,. There are powerful method! remaining to me.0

/Good. , !ugge!t you try &la$mail on #madiro. e mu!t ha'e mu$h to &e&la$mailed for.0

andamu! looed up( !uddenly frowning. /2on"t &e a fool.0Gladia !aid( /ou may go now. , thin , ha'e had all of you , wi!h to endure.

Out of my e!ta&li!hment0andamu! lifted hi! arm!. /-ait , told you at the !tart that there were tworea!on! for !eeing you++one a per!onal matter and one a matter of !tate. , ha'e!pent too long a time on the fir!t( &ut , mu!t re3ue!t fi'e minute! to di!$u!! the!e$ond.0

/,"ll gi'e you no more than fi'e minute!.0/There i! !omeone el!e who want! to !ee you. #n =arthman++or at lea!t a

mem&er of one of the Settler world!( a de!$endant of =arthpeople.0/Tell him(0 !aid Gladia( /that neither =arthpeople nor their Settler

de!$endant! are allowed on #urora and !end him away. -hy do , ha'e to !ee him*0/>nfortunately( madam( in the la!t two $enturie! the &alan$e of power ha!

!hifted !omewhat. The!e =arthpeople ha'e more world! than we ha'e++and ha'ealway! had a far larger population. They ha'e more !hip!( e'en though tho!e are nota! ad'an$ed a! our!( and &e$au!e of their !hort li'e! and their fe$undity they areapparently far readier to die than we are.0

/, don"t &elie'e that la!t.0 andamu! !miled tightly. /-hy not* =ight de$ade!mean le!! than forty do. ,n any $a!e( we mu!t treat them politely++far more politelythan we e'er had to in =li%ah Baley"! day. ,f it i! any $omfort to you( it i! the poli$ie!of 6a!tolfe that ha'e $reated thi! !ituation.0

/6or whom do you !pea( &y the way* ,t i! #madiro who mu!t now &ringhim!elf to &e polite to Settler!*0

/4o. ,t i! the Coun$il( a$tually.0/#re you the !poe!man for the Coun$il*0/4ot offi$ially( &ut , ha'e &een a!ed to inform you of thi!++unoffi$ially. //#nd if , !ee thi! Settler( what then* -hat doe! he want to !ee me a&out*0/That i! what we don"t now( madam. -e $ount on you to tell u!. ou are to

!ee him( find out what he want!( and report to u!. //-ho i! Hu!"*0/#! , !aid( the Coun$il. The Settler will &e here at your e!ta&li!hment thi!

e'ening.0/ou !eem to a!!ume that , ha'e no $hoi$e &ut to tae on thi! po!ition a!

informer.0andamu! ro!e to hi! feet( $learly done with hi! mi!!ion. /ou will not &e an

Hinformer." ou owe nothing to thi! Settler. ou are merely reporting to yourgo'ernment( a! a loyal #uroran $iti7en !hould &e willing++e'en eager++to do. ouwould not want the Coun$il to !uppo!e that your Solarian &irth in any way dilute!your #uroran patrioti!m.0

/Sir( , ha'e &een an #uroran o'er four time! a! long a! you"'e &een ali'e.0/>ndou&tedly( &ut you were &orn and rai!ed on Solaria. ou are that unu!ual

anomaly( a foreign+&orn #uroran( and it i! diffi$ult to forget it. Thi! i! e!pe$ially true

!in$e the Settler wi!he! to !ee you( rather than anyone el!e on #urora( pre$i!ely&e$au!e you are Solarian+&orn.0

/ow do you now that*0/,t i! a fair pre!umption. e identifie! you a! Hthe Solarian woman." -e are

$uriou! a! to why that !hould mean anything to him++now that Solaria no longere)i!t!.0

/#! him.0/-e prefer to a! you++after you a! him. , mu!t a! permi!!ion to lea'e now

and , than you for your ho!pitality. /



Gladia nodded !tiffly. /, grant you your permi!!ion to lea'e with &etter willthan , granted you my ho!pitality.0

andamu! !tepped toward the hallway that led to the main entran$e(followed $lo!ely &y hi! ro&ot!.

e pau!ed %u!t &efore lea'ing the room( turned( and !aid( /, had almo!tforgotten++0

/e!*0/The Settler who wi!he! to !ee you ha! a !urname that( &y a pe$uliar$oin$iden$e( i! Baley.0

3. THE CRISIS

L

2aneel and Gi!ard( with ro&oti$ $ourte!y( !aw andamu! and hi! ro&ot! offthe ground! of the e!ta&li!hment. Then( !in$e they were out!ide( they toured theground!( made $ertain that the le!!er ro&ot! were in their pla$e!( and too note of

the weather ?$loudy and a &it $ooler than [email protected] !aid( /2r. andamu! admitted openly that the Settler world! are now

!tronger than the Spa$er world!. , would not ha'e e)pe$ted him to do that.0Gi!ard !aid( /4or ,. , wa! $ertain that the Settler! would in$rea!e in !trength

a! $ompared with the Spa$er! &e$au!e =li%ah Baley had predi$ted it many de$ade!ago( &ut , $ould !ee no way of determining when the fa$t would &e$ome o&'iou! tothe #uroran Coun$il. ,t !eemed to me that !o$ial inertia would eep the Coun$il firmly$on'in$ed of Spa$er !uperiority long after that had 'ani!hed( &ut , $ould not $al$ulatefor how long they would $ontinue to delude them!el'e!.0

/, am a!toni!hed that Aartner =li%ah fore!aw thi! !o long ago.0/uman &eing! ha'e way! of thining a&out human &eing! that we ha'e not.

/ ad Gi!ard &een human( the remar might ha'e &een made with regret or en'y(&ut !in$e he wa! a ro&ot it wa! merely fa$tual.

e went on. /, ha'e tried to gain the nowledge( if not the way of thining( &yreading human hi!tory in great detail. Surely !omewhere in the long tale of humane'ent!( there mu!t &e &uried the aw! of umani$! that are e3ui'alent to our Threeaw! of Ro&oti$!.0

2aneel !aid( /adam Gladia on$e told me that thi! hope wa! an impo!!i&leone.0

/So that may &e( friend 2aneel( for though it !eem! to me !u$h aw! ofumani$! mu!t e)i!t( , $annot find them. ='ery generali7ation , try to mae( howe'er&road and !imple" ha! it! numerou! e)$eption!. et if !u$h aw! e)i!ted and if , $ouldfind them( , $ould under!tand human &eing! &etter and &e more $onfident that , amo&eying the Three aw! in &etter fa!hion.0

/Sin$e Aartner =li%ah under!tood human &eing!( he mu!t ha'e had !omenowledge of the aw! of umani$!.0

/Are!uma&ly. But thi! he new through !omething that human &eing! $allintuition( a word , don"t under!tand( !ignifying a $on$ept , now nothing of.Are!uma&ly it lie! &eyond rea!on and , ha'e only rea!on at my $ommand.0

L#.

That and memoryemory that did not wor after the human fa!hion( of $our!e. ,t la$ed the

imperfe$t re$all( the fu77ine!!( the addition! and !u&tra$tion! di$tated &y wi!hful



thining and !elf+intere!t( to !ay nothing of the lingering! and la$unae and&a$tra$ing that $an turn memory into hour!+long daydreaming.

,t wa! ro&oti$ memory ti$ing off the e'ent! e)a$tly a! they had happened(&ut in 'a!tly ha!tened fa!hion. The !e$ond! reeled off in nano!e$ond!( !o that day!of e'ent! $ould &e reli'ed with !u$h rapid pre$i!ion a! to introdu$e no per$epti&legap in a $on'er!ation.

#! Gi!ard had done innumera&le time! &efore( he reli'ed that 'i!it to =arth(alway! !eeing for under!tanding of =li%ah Baley"! $a!ual a&ility to for!ee the future(alway! failing to find it.

=arth6a!tolfe had $ome to =arth in an #uroran war!hip( with a full $omplement of

fellow pa!!enger!( &oth human and ro&ot. On$e in or&it( howe'er( it wa! only 6a!tolfewho too the module in for a landing. ,n%e$tion! had !timulated hi! immuneme$hani!m and he wore the ne$e!!ary glo'e!( $o'erall!( $onta$t len!e!( and no!eplug!. e felt 3uite !afe a! a re!ult( &ut no other #uroran wa! willing to go along a!part of a delegation.

Thi! 6a!tolfe !hrugged off( !in$e it !eemed to him ?a! he later e)plained toGi!ard@ that he would &e more wel$ome if he $ame alone. # delegation woulddi!agreea&ly remind =arth of the &ad old day! ?to them@ of Spa$etown( when Spa$er!had a permanent &a!e on =arth and dire$tly dominated the world.

-ith him( 6a!tolfe &rought Gi!ard( howe'er. To ha'e arri'ed without anyro&ot! would ha'e &een unthina&le( e'en for 6a!tolfe. To ha'e arri'ed with morethan one would ha'e put a !train on the in$rea!ingly antiro&ot =arthmen he hoped to!ee and with whom he intended to negotiate.

To &egin with( of $our!e( he would meet with Baley( who would &e hi! liai!onwith =arth and it! people. That wa! the rational e)$u!e for the meeting. The reale)$u!e wa! !imply that 6a!tolfe wanted 'ery mu$h to !ee Baley again he $ertainlyowed him enough.

?That Gi!ard wanted to !ee Baley and that he 'ery !lightly tightened theemotion and impul!e in 6a!tolfe"! &rain to &ring that a&out( 6a!tolfe had no way ofnowing++or e'en imagining.@

Baley wa! waiting for them at the time of landing and with him wa! a !mallgroup of =arth offi$ial!( !o that there wa! a tediou! pa!!age of time during whi$hpolitene!! and proto$ol had it! inning!. ,t wa! !ome hour! &efore Baley and 6a!tolfe$ould get away &y them!el'e! and it might not ha'e happened that !oon &ut forGi!ard"! 3uiet and unfelt interferen$e++with %u!t a tou$h at the mind! of the moreimportant of tho!e offi$ial! who were di!tin$tly &ored. ?,t wa! alway! !afe to $onfineone"! !elf to a$$entuating an emotion that already e)i!ted. ,t $ould almo!t ne'er&ring harm.@

Baley and 6a!tolfe !at in the !mallne!! of a pri'ate dining room that wa!ordinarily a'aila&le only to high go'ernment offi$ial!. 6ood item! $ould &e pun$hedout on a $omputeri7ed menu and were then &rought in &y $omputeri7ed $arrier!.

6a!tolfe !miled. /Dery ad'an$ed(0 he !aid( /&ut the!e $arrier! are merely!pe$iali7ed ro&ot!. ,"m !urpri!ed =arth u!e! them. They are not of Spa$ermanufa$ture( !urely.0

/4o( they"re not(0 !aid Baley !olemnly. /ome+grown( !o to !pea. Thi! i! only

for u!e at the top and it"! my fir!t $han$e( e'er( to e)perien$e it. ,"m not liely to do!o again.0

/ou may &e ele$ted to high offi$e !omeday and then e)perien$e thi! !ort ofthing daily. /

/4e'er(0 !aid Baley. The di!he! were put &efore ea$h of them and the $arrierwa! e'en !ophi!ti$ated enough to ignore Gi!ard( who !tood impa!!i'ely &ehind6a!tolfe"! $hair.

6or a while( Baley ate !ilently and then( with a $ertain !hyne!!( he !aid( /,t i!good to !ee you again( 2r. 6a!tolfe.0



/The plea!ure i! a! mu$h mine. , ha'en"t forgotten that two year! ago( whenyou were on #urora( you managed to free me of the !u!pi$ion of the de!tru$tion ofthe ro&ot Fander and to turn the ta&le! neatly on my o'er$onfident opponent( thegood #madiro.0

/, !till !hae when , thin of it(0 !aid Baley. /#nd greeting! to you( too(Gi!ard. , tru!t you ha'en"t forgotten me.0

/That would &e 3uite impo!!i&le( !ir(0 !aid Gi!ard./Good -ell( 2o$tor( , tru!t the politi$al !ituation on #urora $ontinue! to &efa'ora&le. The new! here would mae it !eem !o( &ut , don"t tru!t =arth analy!i! of#uroran affair!.0

/ou may++at the moment. y party i! in firm $ontrol of the Coun$il. #madiromaintain! a !ullen oppo!ition( &ut , !u!pe$t it will &e year! &efore hi! people re$o'erfrom the &low you ga'e them. But how are thing! with you and with =arth*0

/-ell enough. ++Tell me( 2r. 6a!tolfe0++Baley"! fa$e twit$hed !lightly( a!though with em&arra!!ment++0ha'e you &rought 2aneel with you*0

6a!tolfe !aid !lowly( /,"m !orry( Baley. , did( &ut , left him &a$ on the !hip. ,felt it might not &e politi$ to &e a$$ompanied &y a ro&ot who looed !o mu$h lie ahuman &eing. -ith =arth a! antiro&ot a! it ha! &e$ome( , felt a humanoid ro&ot might!eem a deli&erate pro'o$ation to them.0

Baley !ighed. /, under!tand.06a!tolfe !aid( /,! it true that your go'ernment i! planning to prohi&it the u!e

of ro&ot! within the Citie!*0/, !u!pe$t it will !oon $ome to that( with a period of gra$e( of $our!e( to

minimi7e finan$ial lo!! and in$on'enien$e. Ro&ot! will &e re!tri$ted to the$ountry!ide( where they are needed for agri$ulture and mining. There( too( they maye'entually &e pha!ed out and the plan i! to ha'e no ro&ot! at all on the new world!.0

/Sin$e you mention the new world!( ha! your !on left =arth yet*0/e!( a few month! ago. -e ha'e heard from him and he"! arri'ed at a new

world !afely( along with !e'eral hundred Settler!( a! they $all them!el'e!. The worldha! !ome nati'e 'egetation upon it and a low+o)ygen atmo!phere. #pparently( withtime it $an &e made 3uite =arthlie. eanwhile( !ome mae!hift dome! ha'e &eenput up( new Settler! are ad'erti!ed for( and e'eryone i! &u!ily engaged interraforming. Bentley"! letter! and o$$a!ional hyperwa'e $onta$t are 'ery hopeful(&ut they don"t eep hi! mother from mi!!ing him &adly.0

/#nd will you &e going there( Baley*0/,"m not !ure that li'ing on a !trange world under a dome i! my idea of

happine!!( 2r. 6a!tolfe++, ha'en"t Ben"! youth and enthu!ia!m++&ut , thin ,"ll ha'e toin two or three year!. ,n any $a!e( ,"'e already gi'en noti$e to the 2epartment of myintention to emigrate.0

/, imagine they mu!t &e up!et o'er that.0/4ot at all. They !ay they are( &ut they"re glad to get rid of me. ,"m too

notoriou!.0/#nd how doe! =arth"! go'ernment rea$t to thi! dri'e for e)pan!ion into the

Gala)y.0/4er'ou!ly. They do not for&id it altogether( &ut $ertainly they are not

$ooperati'e. They $ontinue to !u!pe$t that the Spa$er! are oppo!ed to it and will do

something unplea!ant to !top it.0/So$ial inertia(0 !aid 6a!tolfe. /They %udge u! a$$ording to our &eha'ior of

year! pa!t. Surely we ha'e made it plain that we now en$ourage =arth"! $oloni7ationof new planet! and that we intend to $oloni7e new planet! of our own.0

/, hope you e)plain thi! to our go'ernment( then.++But( 2r. 6a!tolfe( another3ue!tion on a !maller point. ow i!++0 #nd with that( he !talled.

/Gladia*0 !aid 6a!tolfe( hiding hi! amu!ement. /a'e you forgotten hername*0

/4o( no. , merely he!itated to++to++0



/She"! well(0 !aid 6a!tolfe( /and li'ing $omforta&ly. She ha! a!ed me toremem&er her to you( &ut , imagine you need no nudging to re$all her to mind. /

/The fa$t of her Solarian origin i! not u!ed again!t her( , hope*0/4o( nor i! her role in the undoing of 2r. #madiro. Rather the re'er!e. , tae

$are of her( , a!!ure you. ++and yet , do not $are to allow you to get off the !u&%e$taltogether( Baley. -hat if =arth"! offi$ialdom $ontinue! to &e oppo!ed to immigration

and e)pan!ion* Could the pro$e!! $ontinue de!pite !u$h oppo!ition*0/Ao!!i&ly(0 !aid Baley( /&ut not $ertainly. There"! !u&!tantial oppo!itionamong =arthmen generally. ,t"! hard to &rea away from the huge undergroundCitie! that are our home!++0

/our wom&!.0/Or our wom&!( if you prefer. Going to new world! and ha'ing to li'e with the

mo!t primiti'e fa$ilitie! for de$ade! ne'er !eeing $omfort in one"! own lifetime++thati! diffi$ult. -hen , thin of it !ometime!( , %u!t de$ide not to go++e!pe$ially if ,"mpa!!ing a !leeple!! night. ,"'e de$ided not to go a hundred time! and one day , may

%u!t !ti$ to that de$i!ion. #nd if , ha'e trou&le when( in a way( , originated the entirenotion( then who el!e i! liely to go freely and gladly* -ithout go'ernmenten$ouragement++or( to &e &rutally fran++without the go'ernment !hoe applied to the!eat of the pant! of the population( the whole pro%e$t may fail.0

6a!tolfe nodded. /, will try to per!uade your go'ernment. But if , fail*0Baley !aid in a low 'oi$e( /,f you fail++and if( therefore( our people fail++there

remain! only one alternati'e. The Spa$er! them!el'e! mu!t !ettle the Gala)y. The %o& mu!t &e done.0

/#nd you will &e $ontent to !ee the Spa$er! e)pand and fill the Gala)y( whilethe =arthpeople remain on their !ingle planet*0

/4ot $ontent at all( &ut it would &e &etter than the pre!ent !ituation of noe)pan!ion &y either. any $enturie! ago( =arthpeople flo$ed to the !tar!(e!ta&li!hed !ome of the world! that are now $alled Spa$er world!( and tho!e fir!t few$oloni7ed other!. ,t ha! &een a long time( howe'er( !in$e either the Spa$er! or=arthpeople ha'e !u$$e!!fully !ettled and de'eloped a new world. That mu!t not &epermitted to $ontinue.0

/, agree. But what i! your rea!on for wanting e)pan!ion( Baley*0/, feel that without e)pan!ion of !ome !ort( humanity $annot ad'an$e. ,t

doe!n"t ha'e to &e geographi$al e)pan!ion( &ut that i! the $leare!t way of indu$ingother ind! of e)pan!ion a! well. ,f geographi$al e)pan!ion $an &e undertaen in afa!hion that i! not at the e)pen!e of other intelligent &eing! if there are empty!pa$e! into whi$h to e)pand then why not* To re!i!t e)pan!ion under !u$h$ir$um!tan$e! i! to en!ure de$ay.0

/ou !ee tho!e alternati'e!( then* =)pan!ion and ad'an$ement*4one)pan!ion and de$ay*0

/e!( , &elie'e !o. Therefore( if =arth refu!e! e)pan!ion( then Spa$er! musta$$ept it. umanity( whether in the form of =arthpeople or Spa$er!( must e)pand. ,would lie to !ee =arthpeople undertae the ta!( &ut( failing that( Spa$er e)pan!ioni! &etter than no e)pan!ion at all. One alternati'e or the other.0

/#nd if one e)pand! &ut not the other*0/Then the e)panding !o$iety will &e$ome !teadily !tronger and the

none)panding one !teadily weaer.0/#re you $ertain of that*0/,t would &e una'oida&le( , thin.06a!tolfe nodded. /#$tually( , agree. ,t i! why , am trying to per!uade both

=arthpeople and Spa$er! to e)pand and ad'an$e. That i! a third alternati'e( and( ,thin( the &e!t.0

LB.



emory fli$ered pa!t the day! that followed++in$redi&le mo&! of peoplemo'ing $ea!ele!!ly pa!t ea$h other in !tream! and eddie!++ra$ing =)pre!!way! &eingmounted and di!mounted++endle!! $onferen$e! with innumera&le offi$ial!++mind! in$rowd!.

Aarti$ularly mind! in $rowd!.ind! in $rowd! !o thi$ that Gi!ard $ould not i!olate indi'idual!. a!! mind!

mi)ing and melting together into a 'a!t pul!ating grayne!! with all that wa!dete$ta&le &eing the periodi$ !par! of !u!pi$ion and di!lie that !hot outward e'erytime one of the multitude pau!ed to loo at him.

Only when 6a!tolfe wa! in $onferen$e with a few offi$ial! $ould Gi!ard dealwith the indi'idual mind and that( of $our!e( wa! when it $ounted.

emory !lowed at one point near the end of the !tay on =arth( when Gi!ard$ould finally maneu'er a time alone with Baley again. Gi!ard ad%u!ted a few mind!minimally in order to mae $ertain there would &e no interruption for !ome time.

Baley !aid apologeti$ally( /, ha'en"t really &een ignoring you( Gi!ard. , !implyha'en"t had the opportunity to &e alone with you. , don"t rate highly on =arth and ,$annot order my $oming! and going!.0

/, ha'e( of $our!e( under!tood that( !ir( &ut we will ha'e !ome time togethernow.0

/Good. 2r. 6a!tolfe tell! me that Gladia i! doing well. e may &e !aying thatout of indne!!( nowing that that i! what , want to hear. , order you to &e truthful(howe'er. ,! Gladia( in fa$t( doing well*0

/2r. 6a!tolfe ha! told you the truth( !ir.0/#nd you remem&er( , hope( my re3ue!t when , la!t !aw you on #urora that

you guard Gladia and prote$t her from harm.0/6riend 2aneel and ,( !ir( are &oth mindful of your re3ue!t. , ha'e arranged it

!o that when 2r. 6a!tolfe i! no longer ali'e( &oth friend 2aneel and , will &e$ome partof adam Gladia H! e!ta&li!hment. -e will then &e in an e'en &etter po!ition to eepher from harm.0

/That(0 !aid Baley !adly( /will &e after my time.0/, under!tand that( !ir( and regret it.0/e!( &ut it $an"t &e helped and a $ri!i! will $ome++or may $ome++e'en &efore

that and yet !till &e after my time.0/-hat i! it( !ir( that you ha'e in mind* -hat i! thi! $ri!i!*0/Gi!ard( it i! a $ri!i! that may ari!e &e$au!e 2r. 6a!tolfe i! a !urpri!ingly

per!ua!i'e per!on. Or el!e( there i! !ome other fa$tor a!!o$iated with him that i!a$$ompli!hing the ta!.0

/Sir*0/='ery offi$ial that 2r. 6a!tolfe ha! !een and inter'iewed now !eem! to &e

enthu!ia!ti$ally in fa'or of emigration. They were not in fa'or earlier or( if they were(it wa! with !trong re!er'ation!. #nd on$e the opinion+maing leader! are in fa'or(other! are !ure to follow. Thi! will !pread lie an epidemi$. /

/,! thi! not what you wi!h( !ir*0/e!( it i!( &ut it i! almo!t too mu$h what , wi!h. -e !hall !pread out o'er the

Gala)y++&ut what if the Spa$er! don"t*0/-hy !hould they not*0

/, don"t now. , ad'an$e it a! a !uppo!ition( a po!!i&ility. -hat if they don"t*0/=arth and the world! it! people !ettle will then grow !tronger( a$$ording to

what , ha'e heard you !ay.0/#nd the Spa$er! will grow weaer. There will( howe'er( &e a period of time

during whi$h the Spa$er! will remain !tronger than =arth and it! Settler!( though &y a!teadily dimini!hing margin. ='entually( the Spa$er! will ine'ita&ly &e$ome aware of=arthpeople a! a growing danger. #t that time the Spa$er world! will !urely de$idethat =arth and the Settler! mu!t &e !topped &efore it i! too late and it will !eem tothem that dra!ti$ mea!ure! will ha'e to &e taen. That will &e a period of $ri!i! that



will determine the entire future hi!tory of human &eing!.0/, !ee your point( !ir.0Baley remained in thoughtful !ilen$e for a moment( then !aid( in 'ery nearly a

whi!per a! though dreading &eing o'erheard( /-ho now! of your a&ilitie!*0/#mong human &eing! only your!elf++and you $annot mention it to other!.0/, now well , $an"t. The point i!( though( that it i! you( not 6a!tolfe( who ha!

engineered the turnaround that ha! made e'ery offi$ial with whom you"'e $ome in$onta$t a proponent of emigration. #nd it i! to &ring that a&out that you arranged toha'e 6a!tolfe tae you( rather than 2aneel( to =arth with him. ou were e!!ential and2aneel might ha'e &een a di!tra$tion.0

Gi!ard !aid( /, felt it ne$e!!ary to eep per!onnel to a minimum in order toa'oid maing my ta! harder &y a&rading the !en!iti'itie! of =arthpeople. , regret(!ir( 2aneel"! a&!en$e. , fully !en!e your di!appointment at not &eing a&le to greethim.0

/-ell++0 Baley !hoo hi! head. /, under!tand the ne$e!!ity and , rely on youre)plaining to 2aneel that , &adly mi!!ed him. ,n any $a!e( , am !till maing my point.,f =arth em&ar! on a great poli$y of world !ettlement and if the Spa$er! are left&ehind in the ra$e to e)pand( the re!pon!i&ility for that++and therefore for the $ri!i!that will ine'ita&ly ari!e++will &e your!. ou mu!t( for that rea!on( feel it your furtherre!pon!i&ility to u!e your a&ilitie! to prote$t =arth when the $ri!i! $ome!.0

/, will do what , $an( !ir.0/#nd !hould you !u$$eed there( #madiro++or hi! follower!++may turn on Gladia.

ou mu!t not forget to prote$t her( too.0/2aneel and , will not forget.0/Than you( Gi!ard.0#nd they parted.-hen Gi!ard( following 6a!tolfe( entered the module to &egin the 'oyage

&a$ to #urora( he !aw Baley on$e again. Thi! time there wa! no opportunity to!pea to him.

Baley wa'ed and mouthed one !oundle!! word /Remem&er.0Gi!ard !en!ed the word and( in addition( the emotion &ehind it.#fter that( Gi!ard ne'er !aw Baley again. 4e'er.

8.

Gi!ard had ne'er found it po!!i&le to flip through the !harp image! of thatone 'i!it to =arth( without then following it with the image! of the ey 'i!it to#madiro at the ,n!titute of Ro&oti$!.

,t had not &een an ea!y $onferen$e to arrange. #madiro( with the &itterne!! ofdefeat hea'y upon him( would not e)a$er&ate hi! humiliation &y going to 6a!tolfe"!e!ta&li!hment.

/-ell( then(0 6a!tolfe had !aid to Gi!ard. /, $an afford to &e magnanimou! in'i$tory. , will go to him. Be!ide!( , must !ee him.0

6a!tolfe had &een a mem&er of the ,n!titute of Ro&oti$! !in$e Baley had madepo!!i&le the $ru!hing of #madiro and of hi! politi$al am&ition!. ,n return( 6a!tolfe had

pa!!ed o'er to the ,n!titute all the data for the &uilding and maintenan$e ofhumaniform ro&ot!. # num&er had &een manufa$tured and then the pro%e$t had$ome to an end and 6a!tolfe had $hafed.

,t had &een 6a!tolfe"! intention( at fir!t( to arri'e at the ,n!titute without anyro&ot $ompanion. e would ha'e pla$ed him!elf( without prote$tion and ?!o to !pea@naed( into the mid!t of what wa! !till the !tronghold of the enemy"! $amp. ,t wouldha'e &een a !ign of humility and tru!t( &ut it would al!o ha'e &een an indi$ation of$omplete !elf+$onfiden$e and #madiro would ha'e under!tood that. 6a!tolfe( entirelyalone( would &e demon!trating hi! $ertainty that #madiro( with all the re!our$e! ofthe ,n!titute at hi! $ommand( would not dare to tou$h hi! !ingle enemy $oming



$arele!!ly and defen!ele!!ly within rea$h of hi! fi!t.#nd yet in the end( 6a!tolfe( not 3uite nowing how( $ho!e to ha'e Gi!ard

a$$ompany him.#madiro !eemed to ha'e lo!t a little weight !in$e la!t 6a!tolfe had !een him(

&ut he wa! !till a formida&le !pe$imen tall and hea'y!et. e la$ed the !elf+$onfident !mile that had on$e &een hi! hallmar and when he attempted it at

6a!tolfe"! entran$e( it !eemed more lie a !narl that faded into a loo of !om&erdi!!ati!fa$tion./-ell( Eelden(0 !aid 6a!tolfe( maing free with the other"! familiar name( /we

don"t !ee ea$h other often( de!pite the fa$t that we ha'e now &een $olleague! forfour year!.0

/et"! not ha'e any fal!e &onhomie( 6a!tolfe(0 !aid #madiro in a $learlyannoyed and low+pit$hed growl( /and addre!! me a! #madiro. -e are not $olleague!e)$ept in name and , mae no !e$ret++and ne'er ha'e++of my &elief that your foreignpoli$y i! !ui$idal for u!.0

Three of #madiro"! ro&ot!( large and gleaming( were pre!ent and 6a!tolfe!tudied them with rai!ed eye&row!( /ou are well prote$ted( #madiro( again!t oneman of pea$e together with hi! !ingle ro&ot. /

/They will not atta$ you( 6a!tolfe( a! you well now. But why did you &ringGi!ard* -hy not your ma!terpie$e( 2aneel*0

/-ould it &e !afe to &ring 2aneel within your rea$h( #madiro*0/, tae it you intend that a! humor. , no longer need 2aneel. -e &uild our own

humaniform!.0/On the &a!i! of my de!ign.0/-ith impro'ement!.0/#nd yet you do not u!e the humaniform!. That i! why , ha'e $ome to !ee

you. , now that my po!ition in the ,n!titute i! a name+only thing and that e'en mypre!en$e i! unwel$ome( let alone my opinion! and re$ommendation!. owe'er( ,mu!t( a! an ,n!titute mem&er( prote!t your failure to u!e the humaniform!.0

/ow do you wi!h me to u!e them*0/The intention wa! to ha'e the humaniform! open up new world! into whi$h

Spa$er! $ould e'entually emigrate( after tho!e world! had &een terraformed andmade $ompletely ha&ita&le( wa!n"t it*0

/But that wa! !omething you oppo!ed( 6a!tolfe( wa!n"t it*06a!tolfe !aid( /e!( , did. , wanted Spa$er! them!el'e! to emigrate to new

world! and to do their own terraforming. That( howe'er( i! not happening and( , now!ee( i! not liely to happen. et u! !end the humaniform!( then. That would &e &etterthan nothing.0

/#ll our alternati'e! $ome to nothing( a! long a! your 'iew! dominate theCoun$il( 6a!tolfe. Spa$er! will not tra'el to rude and unformed world! nor( it !eem!(do they lie humaniform ro&ot!.0

/ou ha'e !$ar$ely gi'en the Spa$er! a $han$e to lie them. =arthpeople are&eginning to !ettle new planet!++e'en rude and unformed one!. #nd they do itwithout ro&oti$ help.0

/ou now 'ery well the differen$e! &etween =arthpeople and our!el'e!. There are eight &illion =arthpeople( plu! a large num&er of Settler!.0

/#nd there are fi'e and a half &illion Spa$er!.0/4um&er! are not the !ole differen$e(0 !aid #madiro &itterly. /They &reed lie

in!e$t!.0/They do not. =arth"! population ha! &een fairly !ta&le for $enturie!.0/The potential i! there. ,f they put all their heart into emigration( they $an

ea!ily produ$e one hundred and !i)ty million new &odie! ea$h year and that num&erwill ri!e a! the new world! fill up.0

/-e ha'e the &iologi$al $apa&ility of produ$ing one hundred million new&odie! ea$h year.0



/But not the !o$iologi$al $apa&ility. -e are long++li'ed we do not wi!hour!el'e! repla$ed !o 3ui$ly.0

/-e $an !end a large portion of the new &odie! to other world!.0/They won"t go. -e 'alue our &odie!( whi$h are !trong( healthy( and $apa&le

of !ur'i'ing in !trength and health for nearly forty de$ade!. =arthmen $an pla$e no'alue on &odie! that wear out in le!! than ten de$ade! and that are riddled with

di!ea!e and degeneration e'en o'er that !hort period of time. ,t doe!n"t matter tothem if they !end out million! a year to $ertain mi!ery and pro&a&le death. In fa$t(e'en the 'i$tim! needn"t fear mi!ery and death( for what el!e do they ha'e on =arth*

The =arthpeople who emigrate are fleeing from their pe!tilential world nowing wellthat any $hange $an !$ar$ely &e for the wor!e. -e( on the other hand( 'alue our well+wrought and $omforta&le planet! and would not lightly gi'e them up.0

6a!tolfe !ighed and !aid( /,"'e heard all the!e argument! !o often++ay , pointout the !imple fa$t( #madiro( that #urora wa! originally a rude and unformed worldthat had to &e terraformed into a$$epta&ility and that !o wa! e'ery Spa$er world*0

#madiro !aid( /#nd , ha'e heard all your argument! to the point of nau!ea(&ut , will not weary of an!wering them. #urora may ha'e &een primiti'e when fir!t!ettled( &ut #urora wa! !ettled &y =arthpeople++and other Spa$er world!( when not!ettled &y =arthpeople( were !ettled &y Spa$er! that had not yet outgrown their=arth heritage. The time! are no longer !uita&le for that. -hat $ould &e done then($annot &e done now.0

#madiro lifted a $orner of hi! mouth in a !narl and went on( /4o( 6a!tolfe(what your poli$y ha! a$$ompli!hed ha! &een to &egin the $reation of a Gala)y thatwill &e populated &y =arthmen only( while Spa$er! mu!t wither and de$line. ou $an!ee it happening now. our famou! trip to =arth( two year! ago( wa! the turningpoint. Somehow( you &etrayed your own people &y en$ouraging tho!e half+human! to&egin an e)pan!ion. ,n only two year! there are at lea!t !ome =arthpeople on ea$h oftwenty+four world! and new one! are &eing added !teadily.0

6a!tolfe !aid( /2o not e)aggerate. 4ot one of tho!e Settler world! i! truly fitfor human o$$upation yet and won"t &e for !ome de$ade!. 4ot all are liely to !ur'i'eand( a! the nearer world! are o$$upied( the $han$e! for !ettling farther world!dimini!h !o that the initial !urge will !low down. , en$ouraged their e)pan!ion&e$au!e , $ounted on our! a! well. -e $an !till eep up with them if we mae theeffort and( in healthy $ompetition( we $an fill the Gala)y together. /

/4o(0 !aid #madiro. /-hat you ha'e in mind i! that mo!t de!tru$ti'e of allpoli$ie!( a fooli!h ideali!m. The e)pan!ion i! one+!ided and will remain !o de!piteanything you $an do. The people of =arth !warm unhindered and they will ha'e to &e!topped &efore they get too !trong to !top.0

/ow do you propo!e to do that* -e ha'e a treaty of friend!hip with =arth inwhi$h we !pe$ifi$ally agree not to !top their e)pan!ion into !pa$e a! long a! noplanet within twenty light+year! of a Spa$er world i! tou$hed. They ha'e adhered tothi! !$rupulou!ly.0

#madiro !aid( /='eryone now! a&out the treaty. ='eryone al!o now! that notreaty ha! e'er &een ept on$e it &egin! to wor again!t the national intere!t! of themore powerful !ignatory. , atta$h no 'alue to that treaty.0

/, do. ,t will &e held to.0

#madiro !hoo hi! head. /ou ha'e tou$hing faith. ow will it &e held to afteryou are out of power*0

/, don"t intend to &e out of power for a while.0/#! =arth and it! Settler! grow !tronger( the Spa$er! will grow fearful and you

will not remain long in power after that.06a!tolfe !aid( /#nd if you tear up the treaty and de!troy the Settler world! and

!lam the gate! !hut on =arth( will the Spa$er! then emigrate and fill the Gala)y*0/Aerhap! not. But if we de$ide not to( if we de$ide we are $omforta&le a! we

are( what differen$e will that mae*0



/The Gala)y will not( in that $a!e( &e$ome a human empire.0/#nd if it doe! not( what then*0/Then the Spa$er! will !tultify and degenerate( e'en if =arth i! ept in pri!on

and al!o !tultifie! and degenerate!.0/That i! %u!t the $laptrap your party put! out( 6a!tolfe. There i! no a$tual

e'iden$e that !u$h a thing would happen. #nd e'en if it doe!( that will &e our $hoi$e.

#t lea!t we will not !ee the &ar&arian !hort+lifer! fall heir to the Gala)y.06a!tolfe !aid( /#re you !eriou!ly !ugge!ting( #madiro( that you would &ewilling to !ee the Spa$er $i'ili7ation die( pro'ided you $an pre'ent =arth frome)panding*0

/,"m not $ounting on our death( 6a!tolfe( &ut if the wor!t happen!( why( ye!(to me our own death i! a le!! fearful thing than the triumph of a !u&human di!ea!e+riddled !et of !hort+li'ed &eing!. /

/6rom whom we are de!$ended. //#nd with whom we are no longer truly related geneti$ally. #re we worm!

&e$au!e a &illion year! ago( worm! were among our an$e!tor!*06a!tolfe( lip! pre!!ed together( ro!e to go. #madiro( glowering( made no mo'e

to !top him.

9.

2aneel had no way of telling( dire$tly( that Gi!ard wa! lo!t in memory. 6orone thing( Gi!ard"! e)pre!!ion did not $hange and for another( he wa! not lo!t inmemory a! human! might &e. ,t too no !u&!tantial period of time.

On the other hand( the line of thought that had $au!ed Gi!ard to thin of thepa!t had $au!ed 2aneel to thin of the !ame e'ent! of that pa!t a! they had long ago&een re$ounted to him &y Gi!ard. 4or wa! Gi!ard !urpri!ed at that.

Their $on'er!ation $arried on with no unu!ual pau!e( &ut in a maredly newmanner( a! though ea$h had thought of the pa!t on &ehalf of &oth.

2aneel !aid( /,t might !eem( friend Gi!ard( that !in$e the people of #uroranow re$ogni7e that they are weaer than =arth and it! many Settler world!( the $ri!i!that =li%ah Baley fore!aw ha! &een !afely pa!!ed.0

/,t might !eem !o( friend 2aneel.0/ou la&ored to &ring that a&out.0/, did. , ept the Coun$il in 6a!tolfe"! hand. , did what , $ould to mold tho!e

who( in turn( molded pu&li$ opinion.0/et , am unea!y.0Gi!ard !aid( /, ha'e &een unea!y through e'ery !tage of the pro$e!!(

although , endea'ored to do no harm to anyone. , ha'e tou$hed++mentally++not onehuman &eing who re3uired anything more than the lighte!t tou$h. On =arth( , hadmerely to lighten the fear of repri!al and $ho!e tho!e( parti$ularly( in whi$h the fearwa! already light and &roe a thread that wa!( in any $a!e( frayed and on the point of&reaing. On #urora( it wa! re'er!ed. The poli$ymaer! here were relu$tant toe!pou!e poli$ie! that would lead to an e)it from their $omforta&le world and , merely$onfirmed that and made the !turdy $ord that held them a &it !tronger. #nd doing

thi! ha! immer!ed me in a $on!tant++if faint++turmoil.0/-hy* ou en$ouraged the e)pan!ion of =arth and di!$ouraged the e)pan!ionof the Spa$er!. Surely that i! a! it !hould &e. /

/#! it !hould &e* 2o you thin( friend 2aneel( that an =arthper!on $ount! formore than a Spa$er( e'en though &oth are human &eing!*0

/There are differen$e!. =li%ah Baley would rather !ee hi! own =arthpeopledefeated than !ee the Gala)y uninha&ited. 2r. #madiro would rather !ee &oth =arthand Spa$er! dwindle than !ee =arth e)pand. The fir!t loo! with hope to the triumphof either( the !e$ond i! $ontent to !ee the triumph of neither. Should we not $hoo!ethe fir!t( friend Gi!ard*0



/e!( friend 2aneel. So it would !eem. #nd yet how far are you influen$ed &yyour feeling of the !pe$ial worth of your onetime partner( =li%ah Baley*0

2aneel !aid( /, 'alue the memory of Aartner =li%ah and the people of =arth arehi! people.0

/, !ee you do. , ha'e &een !aying for many de$ade! that you tend to thin liea human &eing( friend 2aneel( &ut , wonder if that i! ne$e!!arily a $ompliment. Still(

though you tend to thin like a human &eing( you are not a human &eing and( in theend( you are &ound to the Three aw!. ou may not harm a human &eing( whetherthat human &eing i! an =arthman or a Spa$er.0

/There are time!( friend Gi!ard( when one mu!t $hoo!e one human &eingo'er another. -e ha'e &een gi'en !pe$ial order! to prote$t ady Gladia. , would &efor$ed( on o$$a!ion( to harm a human &eing in order to prote$t ady Gladia and ,thin that( all thing! &eing e3ual( , would &e willing to harm a Spa$er %u!t a little inorder to prote$t an =arthper!on.0

/So you thin. But in the a$tual e'ent( you would ha'e to &e guided &y!pe$ifi$ $ir$um!tan$e!. ou will find you $annot generali7e(0 !aid Gi!ard. /#nd !o iti! with me. ,n en$ouraging =arth and di!$ouraging #urora( , ha'e made it impo!!i&lefor 2r. 6a!tolfe to per!uade the #uroran go'ernment to !pon!or a poli$y ofemigration and to !et up two e)panding power! in the Gala)y. , $ould not help &utreali7e that that portion of hi! la&or! wa! &rought to nothing. Thi! wa! &ound to fillhim with gathering de!pair and perhap! it ha!tened hi! death. , ha'e felt thi! in hi!mind and that ha! &een painful. #nd yet( friend 2aneel++0

Gi!ard pau!ed and 2aneel !aid( /e!*0/To ha'e not done a! , had done might ha'e greatly lowered =arth"! a&ility to

e)pand( without greatly impro'ing #urora"! mo'e! in that dire$tion. 2r. 6a!tolfewould then ha'e &een fru!trated in &oth way!++=arth and #urora++and wouldmoreo'er ha'e &een ou!ted from hi! !eat of power &y 2r. #madiro. i! !en!e offru!tration would ha'e &een greater. ,t wa! 2r. 6a!tolfe( during hi! lifetime( to whom ,owed my greate!t loyalty and , $ho!e that $our!e of a$tion whi$h fru!trated him le!!(without mea!ura&ly harming other indi'idual! , dealt with. ,f 2r. 6a!tolfe wa!$ontinually di!tur&ed &y hi! ina&ility to per!uade #uroran!++and Spa$er! generally++toe)pand to new world!( he wa! at lea!t delighted &y the a$ti'ity of the emigrating=arthpeople.0

/Could you not ha'e en$ouraged &oth the people of =arth and of #urora(friend Gi!ard( and thu! ha'e !ati!fied 2r. 6a!tolfe in &oth re!pe$t!*0

/That( of $our!e( had o$$urred to me( friend 2aneel. , $on!idered thepo!!i&ility and de$ided it would not do. , $ould en$ourage =arthpeople to emigrate &ymean! of a trifling $hange that would do no harm. To ha'e attempted the !ame for#uroran! would ha'e re3uired a great enough $hange to do mu$h harm. The 6ir!taw pre'ented that.0

/# pity.0/True. Thin what might ha'e &een done if , $ould ha'e radi$ally altered the

mind+!et of 2r. #madiro. et how $ould , ha'e $hanged hi! fi)ed determination tooppo!e 2r. 6a!tolfe* ,t would ha'e &een mu$h lie trying to for$e hi! head to mae aone hundred and eighty degree turn. So $omplete a turna&out of either the headit!elf or of it! emotional $ontent would ill with( , thin( e3ual effi$ien$y.

/The pri$e of my power( friend 2aneel(0 Gi!ard went on( /i! the greatlyin$rea!ed dilemma into whi$h , am $on!tantly plunged. The 6ir!t aw of Ro&oti$!(whi$h for&id! in%ury to human &eing!( deal!( ordinarily( with the 'i!i&le phy!i$alin%urie! that we $an( all of u!( ea!ily !ee and $on$erning whi$h we $an ea!ily mae

%udgment!. ,( alone( howe'er( am aware of human emotion! and of $a!t! of mind( !othat , now of more !u&tle form! of in%ury without &eing a&le to under!tand them$ompletely. , am for$ed on many o$$a!ion! to a$t without true $ertainty and thi! put!a $ontinuing !tre!! on my $ir$uit!.

/#nd yet , feel , ha'e done well. , ha'e $arried the Spa$er! pa!t the $ri!i!



point. #urora i! aware of the gathering !trength of the Settler! and will now &e for$edto a'oid $onfli$t. They mu!t re$ogni7e it to &e too late for retaliation and our promi!eto =li%ah Baley i!( in that re!pe$t( fulfilled. -e ha'e put =arth on the $our!e towardthe filling of the Gala)y and the e!ta&li!hment of a Gala$ti$ =mpire.0

They were( at thi! point( waling &a$ to Gladia"! hou!e( &ut now 2aneel!topped and the gentle pre!!ure of hi! hand on Gi!ard"! !houlder $au!ed the other

to !top a! well.2aneel !aid( /The pi$ture you draw i! attra$ti'e. ,t would mae Aartner =li%ahproud of u! if( a! you !ay( we ha'e a$$ompli!hed that. HRo&ot! and =mpire" =li%ahwould !ay and perhap! he would $lap me on the !houlder. ++#nd yet( a! , !aid( , amunea!y( friend Gi!ard. /

/Con$erning what( friend 2aneel*0/, $annot help &ut wonder if indeed we ha'e a$tually pa!!ed the $ri!i! that

Aartner =li%ah !poe of !o many de$ade! ago. ,! it( in a$tual fa$t( too late for Spa$erretaliation*0

/-hy do you ha'e the!e dou&t!( friend 2aneel*0/, ha'e &een made dou&tful &y the &eha'ior of 2r. andamu! in due $our!e of

hi! $on'er!ation with adam Gladia.0Gi!ard"! ga7e wa! fi)ed on 2aneel for a few moment! and in the 3uiet they

$ould hear lea'e! ru!tling in the $ool &ree7e. The $loud! were &reaing and the !unwould mae it! appearan$e !oon. Their $on'er!ation( in it! telegraphi$ fa!hion( hadtaen little time and Gladia( they new( would not yet &e wondering at their a&!en$e.

Gi!ard !aid( /-hat wa! there in the $on'er!ation that would gi'e you $au!efor unea!ine!!*0

2aneel !aid( /, ha'e had the opportunity( on four !eparate o$$a!ion!( too&!er'e =li%ah Baley"! handling of a pu77ling pro&lem. On ea$h of tho!e fouro$$a!ion!( , ha'e noted the manner in whi$h he managed to wor out u!eful$on$lu!ion! from limited++and e'en mi!leading++information. , ha'e !in$e alway!tried( within my limitation!( to thin a! he did.0

/,t !eem! to me( friend 2aneel( you ha'e done well in thi! re!pe$t. , ha'e !aidyou tend to thin lie a human &eing.0

/ou will ha'e noti$ed( then( that 2r. andamu! had two matter! he wi!hedto di!$u!! with adam Gladia. e empha!i7ed that fa$t him!elf. One wa! the matterof hi! own de!$ent( whether from =li%ah Baley or not. The !e$ond wa! the re3ue!tthat adam Gladia !ee a Settler and report on the e'ent afterward. Of the!e( the!e$ond might &e 'iewed a! a matter that would &e important to the Coun$il. The fir!twould &e a matter of importan$e only to him!elf.0

Gi!ard !aid( /2r. andamu! pre!ented the matter of hi! de!$ent a! &eing ofimportan$e to 2r. #madiro a! well.0

/Then it would &e a matter of per!onal importan$e to two people rather thanone( friend Gi!ard. ,t would !till not &e a matter of importan$e to the Coun$il and(therefore( to the planet generally. /

/Aro$eed( then( friend 2aneel.0/et the matter of !tate( a! 2r. andamu! him!elf referred to it( wa! taen up

!e$ond( almo!t a! an afterthought( and wa! di!po!ed of almo!t at on$e. ,ndeed( it!eemed !$ar$ely !omething that re3uired a per!onal 'i!it. ,t might ha'e &een

handled &y holographi$ image &y any offi$ial of the Coun$il. On the other hand( 2r.andamu! dealt with the matter of hi! own de!$ent fir!t( di!$u!!ed it in great detail(and it wa! a matter that $ould ha'e &een handled only &y him and &y no one el!e.0

/-hat i! your $on$lu!ion( friend 2aneel*0/, &elie'e that the matter of the Settler wa! !ei7ed upon &y 2r. andamu! a!

an e)$u!e for a per!onal $on'er!ation with adam Gladia( in order that he mightdi!$u!! hi! de!$ent in pri'a$y. ,t wa! the matter of hi! de!$ent and nothing el!e thattruly intere!ted him. ++,! there any way you $an !upport that $on$lu!ion( friendGi!ard*0



#urora H! !un had not yet emerged from the $loud! and the faint glow ofGi!ard"! eye! wa! 'i!i&le. e !aid( /The ten!ion in 2r. andamu!"! mind wa! indeedmea!ura&ly !tronger in the fir!t part of the inter'iew than in the !e$ond. That may!er'e a! $orro&oration( perhap!( friend 2aneel.0

2aneel !aid( /Then we mu!t a! our!el'e! why the 3ue!tion of 2r.andamu!"! de!$ent !hould &e a matter of !u$h importan$e to him.0

Gi!ard !aid( /2r. andamu! e)plained that. ,t i! only &y demon!trating thathe i! not de!$ended from =li%ah Baley that hi! road to ad'an$ement i! open. 2r.#madiro( upon who!e goodwill he i! dependent( would turn again!t him a&!olutely ifhe were a de!$endant of r. Baley.0

/So he !aid( friend Gi!ard( &ut what too pla$e during the inter'iew argue!again!t that. /

/-hy do you !ay !o* Alea!e $ontinue thining lie a human &eing( friend2aneel. , find it in!tru$ti'e.0

2aneel !aid gra'ely( /Than you( friend Gi!ard. 2id you note that not one!tatement that adam Gladia made $on$erning the impo!!i&ility of 2r. andamu!"!de!$ent from Aartner =li%ah wa! $on!idered $on'in$ing* ,n e'ery $a!e( 2r. andamu!!aid that 2r. #madiro would not a$$ept the !tatement. /

/e! and what do you dedu$e from that*0/,t !eem! to me that 2r. andamu! wa! !o $on'in$ed that 2r. #madiro would

a$$ept no argument again!t =li%ah Baley an an$e!tor that one mu!t wonder why he!hould ha'e &othered to a! adam Gladia a&out the matter. e apparently newfrom the !tart that it would &e pointle!! to do !o.0

/Aerhap!( friend 2aneel( &ut it i! mere !pe$ulation. Can you !upply a po!!i&lemoti'e for hi! a$tion( then*0

/, $an. , &elie'e he in3uired a! to hi! de!$ent( not to $on'in$e an impla$a&le2r. #madiro &ut to $on'in$e him!elf.0

/,n that $a!e( why !hould he ha'e mentioned 2r. #madiro at all* -hy not!imply ha'e !aid( H, wi!h to now.0H

# !mall !mile pa!!ed o'er 2aneel"! fa$e( a $hange of e)pre!!ion of whi$h theother ro&ot would ha'e &een in$apa&le. 2aneel !aid( /ad he !aid( H, wi!h to now("to adam Gladia( !he would !urely ha'e replied that it wa! none of hi! &u!ine!! andhe would ha'e di!$o'ered nothing. adam Gladia( howe'er( i! a! !trongly oppo!ed to2r. #madiro a! 2r. #madiro i! to =li%ah Baley. adam Gladia would &e !ure to taeoffen!e at any opinion !trongly held &y 2r. #madiro $on$erning her. She would &efuriou!( e'en if the opinion were more or le!! true how mu$h more( then( if it werea&!olutely fal!e( a! in thi! $a!e. She would la&or to demon!trate 2r. #madiro to &ewrong and would pre!ent e'ery pie$e of e'iden$e needed to a$hie'e that end.

/,n !u$h a $a!e( 2r. andamu!"! $old a!!uran$e that ea$h pie$e of e'iden$ewa! in!uffi$ient would &ut mae her the angrier and would dri'e her to furtherre'elation!. 2r. andamu!"! !trategy wa! $ho!en to mae $ertain he would learn thema)imum from adam Gladia and( at the end( he wa! $on'in$ed that he did notha'e an =arthman a! an$e!tor at lea!t( not a! re$ently a! twenty de$ade! ago.#madiro"! feeling! in thi! regard were not( , thin( truly in 3ue!tion./

Gi!ard !aid( /6riend 2aneel( thi! i! an intere!ting point of 'iew( &ut it doe!not !eem to &e !trongly founded. ,n what way $an we $on$lude that it i! no more

than a gue!! on your part*02aneel !aid( /2oe! it not !eem to you( friend Gi!ard( that when 2r.

andamu! ended hi! in3uiry into hi! de!$ent without ha'ing o&tained !uffi$iente'iden$e for 2r. #madiro( a! he would ha'e had u! &elie'e( that he !hould ha'e &eendi!tin$tly depre!!ed and di!heartened. By hi! own !tatement( thi! !hould ha'e meanthe had no $han$e for ad'an$ement and would ne'er gain the po!ition a! head of the,n!titute of Ro&oti$!. #nd yet it !eemed to me that he wa! far from depre!!ed &utwa!( indeed( %u&ilant. , $an only %udge &y outward appearan$e( &ut you $an do &etter.

Tell me( friend Gi!ard( what wa! hi! mental attitude at the $on$lu!ion of thi! portion



of hi! $on'er!ation with adam Gladia*0Gi!ard !aid( /#! , loo &a$ on it( it wa! not only %u&ilant &ut triumphant(

friend 2aneel. ou are right. 4ow that you ha'e e)plained your pro$e!! of thought(that !en!ation of triumph , dete$ted $learly mar! the a$$ura$y of your rea!oning. ,nfa$t( now that you ha'e mared it all out( , find my!elf at a lo!! to a$$ount for myina&ility to !ee it for my!elf.0

/That( friend Gi!ard( wa!( on a num&er of o$$a!ion!( my rea$tion to therea!oning of =li%ah Baley. That , $ould $arry through !u$h rea!oning on thi! o$$a!ionmay &e( in part( &e$au!e of the !trong !timulu! of the e)i!ten$e of the pre!ent $ri!i!.,t for$e! me to thin more $ogently.0

/ou undere!timate your!elf( friend 2aneel. ou ha'e &een thining $ogentlyfor a long time. But why do you !pea of a pre!ent $ri!i!* Aau!e a moment ande)plain. ow doe! one go from 2r. andamu!"! feeling of triumph at not &eingde!$ended from r. Baley to thi! $ri!i! you !pea of*0

2aneel !aid( /2r. andamu! may ha'e de$ei'ed u! in hi! !tatement!$on$erning 2r. #madiro( &ut it may &e fair to !uppo!e that it i! ne'erthele!! true thathe long! for ad'an$ement that he i! am&itiou! to &e$ome head of the ,n!titute. ,!that not !o( friend Gi!ard*0

Gi!ard pau!ed a moment( a! though in thought( then !aid( /, wa! not!ear$hing for am&ition. , wa! !tudying hi! mind without parti$ular purpo!e and wa!aware of only !urfa$e manife!tation!. et there might ha'e &een fla!he! of am&itionthere when he !poe of ad'an$ement. , do not ha'e !trong ground! for agreeing withyou( friend 2aneel( &ut , ha'e no ground! at all for di!agreeing with you.0

/et u! a$$ept 2r. andamu! a! an am&itiou! man( then( and !ee where thattae! u!. #greed*0

/#greed. //Then doe! it not !eem liely that hi! !en!e of triumph( on$e he wa!

$on'in$ed that he wa! not de!$ended from Aartner =li%ah( aro!e from the fa$t that hefelt hi! am&ition $ould now &e !er'ed. Thi! would not &e !o( howe'er( &e$au!e of 2r.#madiro"! appro'al( !in$e we ha'e agreed that the 2r. #madiro motif wa! introdu$ed&y 2r. andamu! a! a di!tra$tion. i! am&ition $ould now &e !er'ed for !ome otherrea!on.0

/-hat other rea!on*0/There i! none that ari!e! out of $ompelling e'iden$e. But , $an !ugge!t one

a! a matter of !pe$ulation. -hat if 2r. andamu! now! !omething or $an do!omething that would lead to !ome huge !u$$e!! one that would !urely mae himthe ne)t head* Remem&er that at the $on$lu!ion of the !ear$h into the manner of hi!de!$ent( 2r. andamu! !aid( HThere are powerful method! remaining to me."Suppo!e that i! true( &ut that he $ould only u!e tho!e method! if he were notde!$ended from Aartner =li%ah. i! %u&ilation o'er ha'ing &een $on'in$ed of hi!nonde!$ent would ari!e( then( from the fa$t that he $ould now u!e tho!e method!and a!!ure him!elf of great ad'an$ement. /

/But what are the!e Hpowerful method!(" friend 2aneel*02aneel !aid gra'ely( /-e mu!t $ontinue to !pe$ulate. -e now that 2r.

#madiro want! nothing !o mu$h a! to defeat =arth and for$e it &a$ to it! earlierpo!ition of !u&!er'ien$e to the Spa$er world!. ,f 2r. andamu! ha! a way of doing

thi!( he $an !urely get anything he want! out of 2r. #madiro( up to and in$luding aguarantee of !u$$e!!ion to the head!hip. et it may &e that 2r. andamu! he!itate!to &ring a&out =arth H ! defeat and humiliation unle!! he felt no in!hip to it! people.2e!$ent from =li%ah Baley of =arth would inhi&it him. The denial of that de!$ent free!him to a$t and that mae! him %u&ilant. /

Gi!ard !aid( /ou mean 2r. andamu! i! a man of $on!$ien$e*0/Con!$ien$e*0/,t i! a word human &eing! !ometime! u!e. , ha'e gathered that it i! applied

to a per!on who adhere! to rule! of &eha'ior that for$e him to a$t in way! that



oppo!e hi! immediate !elf+intere!t. ,f 2r. andamu! feel! that he $annot allowhim!elf to ad'an$e at the e)pen!e of tho!e with whom he i! di!tantly $onne$ted( ,imagine him to &e a man of $on!$ien$e. , ha'e thought mu$h of !u$h thing!( friend2aneel( !in$e they !eem to imply that human &eing! do ha'e aw! go'erning their&eha'ior( at lea!t in !ome $a!e!.0

/#nd $an you tell whether 2r. andamu! i!( indeed( a man of $on!$ien$e*0

/6rom my o&!er'ation! of hi! emotion!* 4o( , wa! not wat$hing for anythinglie that( &ut if your analy!i! i! $orre$t( $on!$ien$e would !eem to follow. ++and yet(on the other hand( if we &egin &y !uppo!ing him a man of $on!$ien$e and argue&a$ward( we $an $ome to other $on$lu!ion!. ,t might !eem that if 2r. andamu!thought he had an =arthman in hi! an$e!try a mere nineteen and a half de$ade! ago(he might feel dri'en( again!t hi! $on!$ien$e( to !pearhead an attempt to defeat =artha! a way of freeing him!elf from the !tigma of !u$h de!$ent. ,f he were not !ode!$ended( then he would not &e un&eara&ly dri'en to a$t again!t =arth and hi!$on!$ien$e would &e free to $au!e him to lea'e =arth alone.0

2aneel !aid( /4o( friend Gi!ard. That would not fit the fa$t!. owe'errelie'ed he might &e at not ha'ing to tae 'iolent a$tion again!t =arth( he would &eleft without a way of !ati!fying 2r. #madiro and enfor$ing hi! own ad'an$e.Con!idering hi! am&itiou! nature( he would not &e left with the feeling of triumph you!o $learly noted.0

/, !ee. Then we $on$lude that 2r. andamu! ha! a method for defeating=arth.0

/e!. #nd if that i! !o( then the $ri!i! for!een &y Aartner =li%ah ha! not &een!afely pa!!ed after all( &ut i! now here.0

Gi!ard !aid thoughtfully( /But we are left with the ey 3ue!tion unan!wered(friend 2aneel. -hat i! the nature of the $ri!i!* -hat i! the deadly danger* Can youdedu$e that( too*0

/That , $annot do( friend Gi!ard. , ha'e gone a! far a! , $an. Aerhap! Aartner=li%ah might ha'e gone farther were he !till ali'e( &ut , $annot. ++ere , mu!t dependupon you( friend Gi!ard.0

/>pon me* ,n what way*0/ou $an !tudy the mind of 2r. andamu! a! , $annot( a! no one el!e $an. ou

$an di!$o'er the nature of the $ri!i!.0/, fear , $annot( friend 2aneel. ,f , li'ed with a human &eing o'er an e)tended

period( a! on$e , li'ed with 2r. 6a!tolfe( a! now , li'e with adam Gladia( , $ould( little&y little( unfold the layer! of mind( one leaf after another( untie the intri$ate not a&it at a time( and learn a great deal without harming him or her. To do the !ame to2r. andamu! after one &rief meeting or after a hundred &rief meeting! woulda$$ompli!h little. =motion! are readily apparent( thought! are not. ,f( out of a !en!eof urgen$y( , attempted to mae ha!te( for$ing the pro$e!!( , would !urely in%urehim++and that , $annot do.0

/et the fate of &illion! of people on =arth and &illion! more in the re!t of theGala)y may depend on thi!. /

!"ay depend on thi!. That i! $on%e$ture. ,n%ury to a human &eing i! a fa$t.Con!ider that it may &e only 2r. andamu! who now! the nature of the $ri!i! and$arry it through to a $on$lu!ion. e $ould not u!e hi! nowledge or a&ility to for$e 2r.

#madiro to grant him the head!hip++if 2r. #madiro $ould gain it from another !our$e.0/True(0 !aid 2aneel. /That may &e well !o.0/,n that $a!e( friend 2aneel( it i! not ne$e!!ary to now the nature of the

$ri!i!. ,f 2r. andamu! $ould &e re!trained from telling 2r. #madiro++or anyone el!e++whate'er it i! he now!( the $ri!i! will not $ome to pa!!.0

/Someone el!e might di!$o'er what 2r. andamu! now now!.0/Certainly( &ut we don"t now when that will &e. Dery liely( we will ha'e time

to pro&e further and di!$o'er more++and &e$ome &etter prepared to playa u!eful roleof our own.0



/-ell( then.0/,f 2r. andamu! i! to &e re!trained( it $an &e done &y damaging hi! mind to

the point where it i! no longer effe$ti'e++or &y de!troying hi! life outright. , alonepo!!e!! the a&ility to in%ure hi! mind appropriately( &ut , $annot do thi!. owe'er(either one of u! $an phy!i$ally &ring hi! life to an end. , $annot do thi!( either. Can

you do it( friend 2aneel*0

There wa! a pau!e and 2aneel finally whi!pered. /, $annot. ou now that.0Gi!ard !aid !lowly( /='en though you now that the future of &illion! ofpeople on =arth and el!ewhere i! at !tae*0

/, $annot &ring my!elf to in%ure 2r. andamu!.0/#nd , $annot. So we are left with the $ertainty of a deadly $ri!i! $oming( &ut a

$ri!i! who!e nature we do not now( and $annot find out( and whi$h we are thereforehelple!! to $ounter.0

They !tared at ea$h other in !ilen$e( with nothing !howing in their fa$e!( &utwith an air of de!pair !ettling !omehow o'er them.

4. ANOTHER DESCENDANT

1:.

Gladia had tried to rela) after the harrowing !e!!ion with andamu!++and did!o with an inten!ity that fought rela)ation to the death. She had opa$ified all thewindow! in her &edroom( ad%u!ted the en'ironment to a gentle warm &ree7e with thefaint !ound of ru!tling lea'e! and the o$$a!ional !oft war&le of a di!tant &ird. She hadthen !hifted it to the !ound of a far+off !urf and had added a faint &ut unmi!taa&letang of the !ea in the air.

,t didn"t help. er mind e$hoed helple!!ly with what had %u!t &een++and withwhat wa! !oon to $ome. -hy had !he $hattered !o freely to andamu!* -hat&u!ine!! wa! it of hi!++or of #madiro"!( for that matter++whether !he had 'i!ited =li%ahin or&it or not and whether or not++or when++!he had had a !on &y him or &y anyother man.

She had &een $a!t into im&alan$e &y andamu!"! $laim of de!$ent( that"!what it wa!. ,n a !o$iety where no one $ared a&out de!$ent or relation!hip e)$ept formedi$o+geneti$ rea!on!( it! !udden intru!ion into a $on'er!ation wa! &ound to &eup!etting. That and the repeated ?&ut !urely a$$idental@ referen$e! to =li%ah.

She de$ided !he wa! finding e)$u!e! for her!elf and( in impatien$e( !heto!!ed it all away. She had rea$ted &adly and had &a&&led lie a &a&y and that wa!all there wa! to it.

4ow there wa! thi! Settler $oming.e wa! not an =arthman. e had not &een &orn on =arth( !he wa! !ure( and it

wa! 3uite po!!i&le that he had ne'er e'en 'i!ited =arth. i! people might ha'e li'edon a !trange world !he had ne'er heard of and might ha'e done !o for generation!.

That would mae him a Spa$er( !he thought. Spa$er! were de!$ended from=arthmen( too++$enturie! further &a$( &ut what did that matter* To &e !ure( Spa$er!were long+li'ed and the!e Settler! mu!t &e !hort+li'ed( &ut how mu$h of a di!tin$tionwa! that* ='en a Spa$er might die prematurely through !ome frea a$$ident !hehad on$e heard of a Spa$er who had died a natural death &efore he wa! !i)ty. -hynot( then( thin of the ne)t 'i!itor a! a Spa$er with an unu!ual a$$ent*

But it wa!n"t that !imple. 4o dou&t the Settler did not feel him!elf to &e aSpa$er. ,t"! not what you are that $ount!( &ut what you feel your!elf to &e. So thin ofhim a! a Settler( not a Spa$er.



et weren"t all human &eing! !imply human &eing! no matter what name youapplied to them++Spa$er!( Settler!( #uroran!( =arthpeople. The proof of it wa! thatro&ot! $ould not do in%ury to any of them. 2aneel would !pring a! 3ui$ly to thedefen!e of the mo!t ignorant =arthman a! to the Chairman of the #uroran Coun$il++and that meant

She $ould feel her!elf drifting( a$tually rela)ing into a !hallow !leep when a

!udden thought entered her mind and !eemed to ri$o$het there.-hy wa! the Settler named Baley*er mind !harpened and !napped out of the wel$oming $oil! of o&li'ion that

had all &ut engulfed her.-hy Baley*Aerhap! it wa! !imply a $ommon name among the Settler!. #fter all( it wa!

=li%ah who had made it all po!!i&le and he had to &e a hero to them a!++a!++She $ould not thin of an analogou! hero to #uroran!. -ho had led the

e)pedition that fir!t rea$hed #urora* -ho had !uper'i!ed the terraformation of theraw &arely li'ing world that #urora had then &een* She did not now.

-a! her ignoran$e &orn of the fa$t that !he had &een &rought up on Solaria++or wa! it that the #uroran! !imply had no founding hero* #fter all( the fir!t e)peditionto #urora had $on!i!ted of mere =arthpeople. ,t wa! only in later generation!( withlengthening life+!pan!( than! to the ad%u!tment! of !ophi!ti$ated &ioengineering(that =arthpeople had &e$ome #uroran!. #nd after that( why !hould #uroran! wi!h tomae heroe! of their de!pi!ed prede$e!!or!*

But Settler! might mae heroe! of =arthpeople. They had not yet $hanged(perhap!. They might $hange e'entually and then =li%ah would &e forgotten inem&arra!!ment( &ut till then

That mu!t &e it. Aro&a&ly half the Settler! ali'e had adopted the Baley!urname. Aoor =li%ah ='eryone $rowding onto hi! !houlder! and into hi! !hadow.Aoor =li%ah++dear =li%ah

#nd !he did fall a!leep.

11.

The !leep wa! too re!tle!! to re!tore her to $alm( let alone good humor. Shewa! !$owling without nowing that !he wa!++and had !he !een her!elf in the mirror(!he would ha'e &een taen a&a$ &y her middle+aged appearan$e.

2aneel( to whom Gladia wa! a human &eing( regardle!! of age( appearan$e(or mood( !aid( /adam++0

Gladia interrupted( with a !mall !hi'er. /,! the Settler here*0She looed up at the $lo$ ri&&on on the wall and then made a 3ui$ ge!ture(

in re!pon!e to whi$h 2aneel at on$e ad%u!ted the heat upward. ?,t had &een a $oolday and wa! going to &e a $ooler e'ening.@

2aneel !aid( /e i!( madam.0/-here ha'e you put him*0/,n the main gue!t room( madam. Gi!ard i! with him and the hou!ehold

ro&ot! are all within $all.0

/, hope they will ha'e the %udgment to find out what he e)pe$t! to eat forlun$h. , don"t now Settler $ui!ine. #nd , hope they $an mae !ome rea!ona&leattempt to meet hi! re3ue!t!.0

/, am !ure( madam( that Gi!ard will handle the matter $ompetently. /Gladia wa! !ure of that( too( &ut !he merely !norted. #t lea!t it would ha'e

&een a !nort if Gladia were the !ort of per!on who !norted. She didn"t thin !he wa!./, pre!ume(0 !he !aid( /he"! &een in appropriate 3uarantine &efore &eing

allowed to land.0/,t would &e in$on$ei'a&le for him not to ha'e &een( madam.0She !aid( /Fu!t the !ame( ,"ll wear my glo'e! and my no!e filter. /



She !tepped out of her &edroom( wa! di!tantly aware that there werehou!ehold ro&ot! a&out her( and made the !ign that would get her a new pair ofglo'e! and a fre!h no!e filter. ='ery e!ta&li!hment had it! own 'o$a&ulary of !ign!and e'ery human mem&er of an e!ta&li!hment $ulti'ated tho!e !ign!( learning tomae them &oth rapidly and unnoti$ea&ly. # ro&ot wa! e)pe$ted to follow the!euno&tru!i'e order! of it! human o'erlord! a! though it read mind! and it followed

that a ro&ot $ould not follow the order! of none!ta&li!hment human &eing! e)$ept &y$areful !pee$h.4othing would humiliate a human mem&er of an e!ta&li!hment more than to

ha'e one of the ro&ot! of the e!ta&li!hment he!itate in fulfilling an order or( wor!e(fulfill it in$orre$tly. That would mean that the human &eing had fum&led a !ign++orthat the ro&ot had.

Generally( Gladia new( it wa! the human &eing who wa! at fault( &ut in'irtually e'ery $a!e( thi! wa! not admitted. ,t wa! the ro&ot who wa! handed o'er foran unne$e!!ary re!pon!e analy!i! or unfairly put up for !ale. Gladia had alway! feltthat !he would ne'er fall into that trap of wounded ego( yet if at that moment !hehad not re$ei'ed her glo'e! and no!e filter( !he would ha'e

She did not ha'e to fini!h the thought. The neare!t ro&ot &rought her what!he wanted( $orre$tly and with !peed.

Gladia ad%u!ted the no!e filter and !nuffled a &it to mae !ure it wa! properly!eated ?!he wa! in no mood to ri! infe$tion with any foul di!order that had !ur'i'edthe pain!taing treatment during 3uarantine@. She !aid( /-hat doe! he loo lie(2aneel*0

2aneel !aid( /e i! of ordinary !tature and mea!urement!( madam. //, mean hi! fa$e. / ?,t wa! !illy to a!. ,f he !howed any family re!em&lan$e to

=li%ah Baley( 2aneel would ha'e noti$ed it a! 3ui$ly a! !he her!elf would ha'e andhe would ha'e remared upon it.@

/That i! diffi$ult to !ay( madam. ,t i! not in plain 'iew.0/-hat doe! that mean* Surely he"! not ma!ed( 2aneel.0/,n a way( he i!( madam. i! fa$e i! $o'ered with hair.0/air*0 She found her!elf laughing. /ou mean after the fa!hion of the

hyper'i!ion hi!tori$al!* Beard!*0 She made little ge!ture! indi$ating a tuft of hair onthe $hin and another under the no!e.

/Rather more than that( madam. alf hi! fa$e i! $o'ered.0Gladia"! eye! opened wide and for the fir!t time !he felt a !urge of intere!t in

!eeing him. -hat would a fa$e with hair allo'er it loo lie* #uroran male!++andSpa$er male!( generally++had 'ery little fa$ial hair and what there wa! would &eremo'ed permanently &y the late teen!++during 'irtual infan$y.

Sometime! the upper lip wa! left untou$hed. Gladia remem&ered that herhu!&and( Santiri) Gremioni!( &efore their marriage( had had a thin line of hair underhi! no!e. # mu!ta$he( he had $alled it. ,t had looed lie a mi!pla$ed and pe$uliarlymi!!hapen eye&row and on$e !he had re!igned her!elf to a$$epting him a! ahu!&and( !he had in!i!ted he de!troy the folli$le!.

e had done !o with !$ar$ely a murmur and it o$$urred to her now( for thefir!t time( to wonder if he had mi!!ed the hair. ,t !eemed to her that !he had noti$edhim( on o$$a!ion( in tho!e early year!( lifting a finger to hi! upper lip. She had

thought it a ner'ou! poing at a 'ague it$h and it wa! only now that it o$$urred toher that he had &een !ear$hing for a mu!ta$he that wa! gone fore'er.

ow would a man loo with a mu!ta$he allo'er hi! fa$e* -ould he &e&earlie*

ow would it feel* -hat if women had !u$h hair( too* She thought of a manand woman trying to i!! and ha'ing trou&le finding ea$h other"! mouth!. She foundthe thought funny( in a harmle!!ly ri&ald way( and laughed out loud. She felt herpetulan$e di!appearing and a$tually looed forward to !eeing the mon!ter.

#fter all( there would &e no need to fear him e'en if he were a! animal in



&eha'ior a! he wa! in appearan$e. e would ha'e no ro&ot of hi! own++Settler! were!uppo!ed to ha'e a nonro&oti$ !o$iety++and !he would &e !urrounded &y a do7en.

The mon!ter would &e immo&ili7ed in a !plit !e$ond if he made the !lighte!t!u!pi$iou! mo'e++or if he a! mu$h a! rai!ed hi! 'oi$e in anger.

She !aid with perfe$t good humor( /Tae me to him( 2aneel.0

1<.

The mon!ter ro!e. e !aid !omething that !ounded lie /Gode arternoon(muhleddy.0

She at on$e $aught the /good afternoon(0 &ut it too her a moment totran!late the la!t word into /my lady.0

Gladia a&!ently !aid( /Good afternoon. / She remem&ered the diffi$ulty !hehad had under!tanding #uroran pronun$iation of Gala$ti$ Standard in tho!e long+agoday! when( a frightened young woman( !he had $ome to the planet from Solaria.

The mon!ter"! a$$ent wa! un$outh++or did it %u!t !ound un$outh &e$au!e herear wa! una$$u!tomed to it* =li%ah( !he remem&ered( had !eemed to 'oi$e hi! /"!0and /p"!(0 &ut !poe pretty well otherwi!e. 4ineteen and a half de$ade! had pa!!ed(howe'er( and thi! Settler wa! not from =arth. anguage( in i!olation( underwent

$hange!.But only a !mall portion of Gladia H! mind wa! on the language pro&lem. Shewa! !taring at hi! &eard.

,t wa! not in the lea!t lie the &eard! that a$tor! wore in hi!tori$al drama!. Tho!e alway! !eemed tufted++a &it here( a &it there++looing gluey and glo!!y.

The Settler"! &eard wa! different. ,t $o'ered hi! $hee! and $hin e'enly(thi$ly( and deeply. ,t wa! a dar &rown( !omewhat lighter and wa'ier than the hairon hi! head( and at lea!t two in$he! long( !he %udged++e'enly long.

,t didn"t $o'er hi! whole fa$e( whi$h wa! rather di!appointing. i! foreheadwa! totally &are ?e)$ept for hi! eye&row!@( a! were hi! no!e and hi! under+eyeregion!.

i! upper lip wa! &are( too( &ut it wa! !hadowed a! though there wa! the&eginning of new growth upon it. There wa! additional &arene!! %u!t under the lower

lip( &ut with new growth le!! mared and $on$entrated mo!tly under the middleportion.Sin$e &oth hi! lip! were 3uite &are( it wa! $lear to Gladia that there would &e

no diffi$ulty in i!!ing him. She !aid( nowing that !taring wa! impolite and !taringe'en !o( /,t !eem! to me you remo'e the hair from a&out your lip!.0

/e!( my lady.0/-hy( if , may a!*0/ou may a!. 6or hygieni$ rea!on!. , don"t want food $at$hing in the hair!.0/ou !$rape it off( don"t you* , !ee it"! growing again.0/, u!e a fa$ial la!er. ,t tae! fifteen !e$ond! after waing. //-hy not depilate and &e done with it*0/, might want to grow it &a$.0/-hy*0

/=!theti$ rea!on!( my lady*0 Thi! time Gladia did not gra!p the word. ,t !ounded lie /a$idi$0 or po!!i&ly/a$eti$. /

She !aid( /Aardon me*0 The Settler !aid( /, might grow tired of the way , loo now and want to grow

the hair on the upper lip again. Some women lie it( you now( and0++the Settler triedto loo mode!t and failed++0, ha'e a fine mu!ta$he when , grow it.0

She !aid !uddenly gra!ping the word( /ou mean He!theti$.0H The Settler laughed( !howing fine white teeth( and !aid( /ou tal funny( too(

my lady.0



Gladia tried to loo haughty( &ut melted into a !mile. Aroper pronun$iationwa! a matter of lo$al $on!en!u!. She !aid( /ou ought to hear me with my Solariana$$ent++if it $ome! to that. Then it would &e He!theeti$ ray7un!.0H The /r0 rolledintermina&ly.

/,"'e &een pla$e! where they tal a little &it lie that. ,t !ound! &ar&arou!.0 erolled &oth /r"!0 phenomenally in the la!t word.

Gladia $hu$led. /ou do it with the tip of your tongue. ,t"! got to &e with the!ide! of the tongue. 4o one &ut a Solarian $an do it $orre$tly.0/Aerhap! you $an tea$h me. # Trader lie my!elf( who"! &een e'erywhere(

hear! all ind! of lingui!ti$ per'er!ion!.0 #gain he tried to roll the /r"!0 of the la!tword( $hoed !lightly( and $oughed.

/See. ou"ll tangle your ton!il! and you"ll never re$o'er.0 She wa! !till !taringat hi! &eard and now !he $ould $ur& her $urio!ity no longer. She rea$hed toward it.

The Settler flin$hed and !tarted &a$( then( reali7ing her intention( wa! !till.Gladia"! hand( all+&ut+in'i!i&ly glo'ed( re!ted lightly on the left !ide of hi!

fa$e. The thin pla!ti$ that $o'ered her finger! did not interfere with the !en!e oftou$h and !he found the hair to &e !oft and !pringy.

/,t"! ni$e(0 !he !aid with e'ident !urpri!e./-idely admired(0 !aid the Settler( grinning.She !aid( /But , $an"t !tand here and manhandle you all day.0,gnoring hi! predi$ta&le /ou $an a! far a! ,"m $on$erned(0 !he went on.

/a'e you told my ro&ot! what you would lie to eat*0/y lady( , told them what , now tell you++whate'er i! handy. ,"'e &een on a

!$ore of world! in the la!t year and ea$h ha! it! own dietary. # Trader learn! to eate'erything that i!n"t a$tually to)i$. ,"d prefer an #uroran meal to anything you wouldtry to mae in imitation of Baleyworld.0

/Baleyworld*0 !aid Gladia !harply( a frown returning to her fa$e./4amed for the leader of the fir!t e)pedition to the planet++or to any of the

Settled planet!( for that matter. Ben Baley.0/The !on of =li%ah Baley*0/e!(0 the Settler !aid and $hanged the !u&%e$t at on$e. e looed down at

him!elf and !aid with a tra$e of petulan$e( /ow do you people manage to !tandthe!e $lothe! of your!++!li$ and puffy. Be glad to get into my own again.0

/,"m !ure you will ha'e your $han$e to do !o !oon enough. But for now plea!e$ome and %oin me at lun$h. +, wa! told your name wa! Baley( &y the way++lie yourplanet.0

/4ot !urpri!ing. ,t"! the mo!t honored name on the planet( naturally. ,"m2ee%ee Baley.0

They had waled into the dining room( Gi!ard pre$eding them( 2aneelfollowing them( ea$h mo'ing into hi! appropriate wall ni$he. Other ro&ot! werealready in their ni$he! and two emerged to do the !er'ing. The room wa! &right with!un!hine( the wall! were ali'e with de$oration( the ta&le wa! !et( and the odor of thefood wa! enti$ing.

The Settler !niffed and let hi! &reath out in !ati!fa$tion. /, don"t thin ,"ll ha'eany trou&le at all eating #uroran food. ++-here would you lie me to !it( my lady*0

# ro&ot !aid at on$e( /,f you would !it here( !ir*0

The Settler !at down and then Gladia( the pri'ilege! of the gue!t !ati!fied(too her own !eat.

/2ee%ee*0 !he !aid. /, do not now the nomen$latural pe$uliaritie! of yourworld( !o e)$u!e me if my 3ue!tion i! offen!i'e. -ouldn"t 2ee%ee &e a femininename*0

/4ot at all(0 !aid the Settler a &it !tiffly. /,n any $a!e( it i! not a name( it i! apair of initial!. 6ourth letter of the alpha&et and the !e'enth.0

/Oh(0 !aid Gladia( enlightened( /2.G. Baley. #nd what do the initial! !tand for(if you"ll e)$u!e my $urio!ity*0



/Certainly. There"! H2(" for $ertain(0 he !aid( %ering hi! thum& toward one ofthe wall ni$he!( /and , !u!pe$t that one may &e HG.0H e %ered hi! thum& towardanother.

/ou don"t mean that(0 !aid Gladia faintly./But , do. y name i! 2aneel Gi!ard Baley. ,n e'ery generation( my family

ha! had at lea!t one 2aneel or one Gi!ard in it! multiplying &at$he!. , wa! the la!t of

!i) $hildren( &ut the fir!t &oy. y mother felt that wa! enough and made up forha'ing &ut one !on &y gi'ing me &oth name!. That made me 2aneel Gi!ard Baleyand the dou&le load wa! too great for me. , prefer 2.G. a! my name and ,"d &ehonored if you u!ed it.0 e !miled genially. /,"m the fir!t to &ear &oth name! and ,"mal!o the fir!t to !ee the grand original!.0

/But why tho!e name!*0/,t wa! #n$e!tor =li%ah"! idea( a$$ording to the family !tory. e had the honor

of naming hi! grand!on! and he named the olde!t 2aneel( while the !e$ond wa!named Gi!ard. e in!i!ted on tho!e name! and that e!ta&li!hed the tradition.0

/#nd the daughter!*0/The traditional name from generation to generation i! Fe7e&el++Fe!!ie. =li%ah"!

wife( you now.0/, now.0/There are no++0 e $aught him!elf and tran!ferred hi! attention to the di!h

that had &een pla$ed &efore him. /,f thi! were Baleyworld( , would !ay thi! wa! a !li$eof roa!t por and that it wa! !mothered in peanut !au$e.0

/#$tually( it i! a 'egeta&le di!h( 2.G. -hat you were a&out to !ay wa! thatthere are no Gladia! in the family.0

/There aren"t(0 !aid 2.G. $almly. /One e)planation i! that Fe!!ie++the original Fe!!ie++would ha'e o&%e$ted( &ut , don"t a$$ept that. =li%ah"! wife( the #n$e!tre!!(ne'er $ame to Baleyworld( you now( ne'er left =arth. ow $ould !he ha'e o&%e$ted*4o( to me( it"! pretty $ertain that the #n$e!tor wanted no other Gladia. 4o imitation!(no $opie!( no preten!e. One Gladia. >ni3ue. ++e a!ed that there &e no later =li%ah(either.0

Gladia wa! ha'ing trou&le eating. /, thin your #n$e!tor !pent the latterportion of hi! life trying to &e a! unemotional a! 2aneel. Fu!t the !ame( he hadromanti$ notion! under hi! !in. e might ha'e allowed other =li%ah! and Gladia!. ,twouldn"t ha'e offended me( $ertainly( and , imagine it wouldn"t ha'e offended hi!wife( either.0 She laughed tremulou!ly.

2.G. !aid( /#ll thi! doe!n"t !eem real !omehow. The #n$e!tor i! pra$ti$allyan$ient hi!tory he died a hundred and !i)ty+four year! ago. ,"m hi! de!$endant in the!e'enth generation( yet here , am !itting with a woman who new him when he wa!3uite young.0

/, didn"t really now him(0 !aid Gladia( !taring at her plate. /, !aw him( rather&riefly( on three !eparate o$$a!ion! o'er a period of !e'en year!.0

/, now. The #n$e!tor"! !on( Ben( wrote a &iography of him whi$h i! one of theliterary $la!!i$! of Baleyworld. ='en , ha'e read it.0

/,ndeed* , ha'en"t read it. , didn"t e'en now it e)i!ted. -hat++what doe! it!ay a&out me*0

2.G. !eemed amu!ed. /4othing you would o&%e$t to you $ome out 'ery well.

But ne'er mind that. -hat ,"m ama7ed at i! that here we are together( a$ro!! !e'engeneration!. ow old are you( my lady* ,! it fair to a! the 3ue!tion*0

/, don"t now that it"! fair( &ut , ha'e no o&%e$tion to it. ,n Gala$ti$ Standard ear!( , am two hundred and thirty+three year! old. O'er twenty+three de$ade!.0

/ou loo a! though you were no more than in your late fortie!. The #n$e!tordied at the age of !e'enty+nine( an old man. ,"m thirty+nine and when , die you will!till &e ali'e++0

/,f , a'oid death &y mi!ad'enture.0/#nd will $ontinue to li'e perhap! fi'e de$ade! &eyond.0



/2o you en'y me( 2.G.*0 !aid Gladia with an edge of &itterne!! in her 'oi$e./2o you en'y me for ha'ing !ur'i'ed =li%ah &y o'er !i)teen de$ade! and for &eing$ondemned to !ur'i'e him ten de$ade! more( perhap!*0

/Of $our!e , en'y you(0 $ame the $ompo!ed an!wer. /-hy not* , would ha'eno o&%e$tion to li'ing for !e'eral $enturie!( were it not that , would &e !etting a &ade)ample to the people of Baleyworld. , wouldn"t want them to li'e that long a! a

general thing. The pa$e of hi!tori$al and intelle$tual ad'an$e would then &e$ome too!low. Tho!e at the top would !tay in power too long. Baleyworld would !in into$on'er!ation and de$ay++a! your world ha! done. /

Gladia"! !mall $hin lifted. /#urora i! doing 3uite well( you"ll find.0/,"m !peaing of your world. Solaria.0Gladia he!itated( then !aid firmly( /Solaria i! not my world.02.G. !aid( /, hope it i!. , $ame to !ee you &e$au!e , &elie'e Solaria i! your

world.0/,f that i! why you $ame to !eem me( you are wa!ting your time( young man.0/ou were &orn on Solaria( weren"t you( and li'ed there a while*0/, li'ed there for the fir!t three de$ade! of my life++a&out an eighth of my

lifetime.0/Then that mae! you enough of a Solarian to &e a&le to help me in a matter

that i! rather important.0/, am not a Solarian( de!pite thi! !o+$alled important matter.0/,t i! a matter of war and pea$e++if you $all that important. The Spa$er world!

fa$e war with the Settler world! and thing! will go &adly for all of u! if it $ome! tothat. #nd it i! up to you# my lady( to pre'ent that war and to en!ure pea$e.0

1;.

The meal wa! done ?it had &een a !mall one@ and Gladia found her!elf looingat 2.G. in a $oldly furiou! way.

She had li'ed 3uietly for the la!t twenty de$ade!( peeling off the $omple)itie!of life. Slowly !he had forgotten the mi!ery of Solaria and the diffi$ultie! ofad%u!tment to #urora. She had managed to &ury 3uite deeply the agony of two

murder! and the e$!ta!y of two !trange lo'e!++with a ro&ot and with an =arthman++and to get well pa!t it all. She had ended &y !pinning out a long 3uiet marriage(ha'ing two $hildren( and woring at her applied art of $o!tumery. #nd e'entually the$hildren had left( then her hu!&and( and !oon !he might &e retiring e'en from herwor.

Then !he would &e alone with her ro&ot!( $ontent with++or( rather( re!ignedto++letting life glide 3uietly and une'entfully to a !low $lo!e in it! own time++a $lo!e !ogentle !he might not &e aware of the ending when it $ame.

,t wa! what !he wanted. Then++-hat wa! happening*,t had &egun the night &efore when !he looed up 'ainly at the !tar+lit !y to

!ee Solaria"! !tar( whi$h wa! not in the !y and would not ha'e &een 'i!i&le to her ifit were. ,t wa! a! though thi! one fooli!h rea$hing for the pa!t++a pa!t that !hould

ha'e &een allowed to remain dead++had &ur!t the $ool &u&&le !he had &uilt a&outher!elf.6ir!t the name of =li%ah Baley( the mo!t %oyou!ly painful memory of all the

one! !he had !o $arefully &ru!hed away( had $ome up again and again in a grimrepetition.

She wa! then for$ed to deal with a man who thought++mi!taenly++he might &ea de!$endant of =li%ah in the fifth degree and now with another man who a$tually wa!a de!$endant in the !e'enth degree. 6inally( !he wa! now &eing gi'en pro&lem! andre!pon!i&ilitie! !imilar to tho!e that had plagued =li%ah him!elf on 'ariou! o$$a!ion!.

-a! !he &e$oming =li%ah( in a fa!hion( with none of hi! talent and none of hi!



fier$e dedi$ation to duty at all $o!t!*-hat had !he done to de!er'e it*She felt her rage &eing &uried under a flood tide of !elf+pity. She felt un%u!tly

dealt with. 4o one had the right to unload re!pon!i&ility on her again!t her will.She !aid( for$ing her 'oi$e le'el( /-hy do you in!i!t on my &eing a Solarian(

when , tell you that , am not a Solarian*0

2.G. did not !eem di!tur&ed &y the $hill that had now entered her 'oi$e. ewa! !till holding the !oft napin that had &een gi'en him at the $on$lu!ion of themeal. ,t had &een damply hot++not too hot++and he had imitated the a$tion! of Gladiain $arefully wiping hi! hand! and mouth. e had then dou&led it o'er and !troed hi!&eard with it. ,t wa! !hredding now and !hri'eling.

e !aid( /, pre!ume it will 'ani!h altogether.0/,t will.0 Gladia had depo!ited her own napin in the appropriate re$epta$le on

the ta&le. olding it wa! unmannerly and $ould &e e)$u!ed only &y 2.G."! e'identunfamiliarity with $i'ili7ed $u!tom. /There are !ome who thin it ha! a pollutingeffe$t on the atmo!phere( &ut there i! a gentle draft that $arrie! the re!idue upwardand trap! it in filter!. , dou&t that it will gi'e u! any trou&le. ++&ut you ignore my3ue!tion( !ir.0

D.". $%&&'& $(%) $%* +',) , (* /%0/ %/& 0+%'& ) / )(' % , )(' (%. A ) /'*0/*' ) "+%&%* %/& /)*:' ;'*)' ':'& ).

2.G. !aid( /, don"t intend to ignore your 3ue!tion( my lady. , am not trying to force you to &e a Solarian. , merely point out that you were &orn on Solaria and !pentyour early de$ade! there and therefore you might rea!ona&ly &e $on!idered aSolarian( after a fa!hion at lea!t. ++2o you now that Solaria ha! &een a&andoned*0

/So , ha'e heard. e!.0/2o you feel anything a&out that*0/, am an #uroran and ha'e &een one for twenty de$ade!.0/That i! a non !e3uitur.0/# what?0 She $ould mae nothing of the la!t !ound at all./,t ha! not $onne$tion with my 3ue!tion. //# non !e3uitur( you mean. ou !aid a Hnon!en!e 3uitter. H /2.G. !miled. /Dery well. et"! 3uit the non!en!e. , a! you if you feel anything

a&out the death of Solaria and you tell me you"re an #uroran. 2o you maintain that i!an an!wer* # &orn #uroran might feel &adly at the death of a !i!ter world. ow doyou feel a&out it*0

Gladia !aid i$ily( /,t doe!n"t matter. -hy are you intere!ted*0/,"ll e)plain. -e++, mean the Trader! of the Settler world!++are intere!ted

&e$au!e there i! &u!ine!! to &e done( profit! to &e made( and a world to &e gained.Solaria i! already terraformed it i! a $omforta&le world you Spa$er! !eem to ha'eno need or de!ire for it. -hy would we not !ettle it*0

/Be$au!e it"! not your!.0/adam( i! it yours that you o&%e$t* a! #urora any more $laim to it than

Baleyworld ha!* Can"t we !uppo!e that an empty world &elong! to whoe'er i!plea!ed to !ettle it*0

/a'e you !ettled it*0/4o++&e$au!e it"! not empty.0

/2o you mean the Solarian! ha'e not entirely left*0 Gladia !aid 3ui$ly.2.G."! !mile returned and &roadened into a grin. /ou"re e)$ited at the

thought. ++='en though you Hre an #uroran. /Gladia"! fa$e twi!ted into a frown at on$e. /#n!wer my 3ue!tion.02.G. !hrugged. /There were only !ome fi'e thou!and Solarian! on the world

%u!t &efore it wa! a&andoned( a$$ording to our &e!t e!timate!. The population had&een de$lining for year!. But e'en fi'e thou!and++Can we &e !ure that all are gone*owe'er( that"! not the point. ='en if the Solarian! were indeed all gone( the planetwould not &e empty. There are( upon it( !ome two hundred million or more ro&ot!++



ma!terle!! ro&ot!++!ome of them among the mo!t ad'an$ed in the Gala)y.Are!uma&ly( tho!e Solarian! who left too !ome ro&ot! with them++it"! hard toimagine Spa$er! doing without ro&ot! altogether.0 ?e looed a&out( !miling( at thero&ot! in their ni$he! within the room.@ /owe'er( they $an"t po!!i&ly ha'e taenforty thou!and ro&ot! apie$e. /

Gladia !aid( /-ell( then( !in$e your Settler world! are !o purely ro&ot+free and

wi!h to !tay !o( , pre!ume( you $an"t !ettle Solaria.0/That"! right. 4ot until the ro&ot! are gone and that i! where Trader! !u$h a!my!elf $ome in.0

/,n what way*0/-e don"t want a ro&ot !o$iety( &ut we don"t mind tou$hing ro&ot! and

dealing with them in the way of &u!ine!!. -e don"t ha'e a !uper!titiou! fear of thething!. -e %u!t now that a ro&ot !o$iety i! &ound to de$ay. The Spa$er! ha'e$arefully made that plain to u! &y e)ample. So that while we don"t want to li'e withthi! ro&oti$ poi!on( we are perfe$tly willing to !ell it to Spa$er! for a !u&!tantial !um++if they are !o fooli!h a! to want !u$h a !o$iety.0

/2o you thin Spa$er! will &uy them*0/,"m !ure they will. They will wel$ome the elegant mode! that the Solarian!

manufa$ture. ,t"! well nown that they were the leading ro&ot de!igner! in theGala)y( e'en though the late 2r. 6a!tolfe i! !aid to ha'e &een unparalleled in thefield( de!pite the fa$t that he wa! an #uroran. ++Be!ide!( e'en though we would$harge a !u&!tantial !um( that !um would !till &e $on!idera&ly le!! than the ro&ot!are worth. Spa$er! and Trader! would &oth profit++the !e$ret of !u$$e!!ful trade.0

/The Spa$er! wouldn"t &uy ro&ot! from Settler!(0 !aid Gladia with e'ident$ontempt.

2.G. had a Trader"! way of ignoring !u$h none!!ential! a! anger or $ontempt.,t wa! &u!ine!! that $ounted. e !aid( /Of $our!e they would. Offer them ad'an$edro&ot! at half pri$e and why !hould they turn them down* -here &u!ine!! i! to &edone( you would &e !urpri!ed how unimportant 3ue!tion! of ideology &e$ome. /

/, thin you"ll &e the one to &e !urpri!ed. Try to !ell your ro&ot! and you"ll!ee.0

/-ould that , $ould( my lady. Try to !ell them( that i!. , ha'e none on hand.0/-hy not*0/Be$au!e none ha'e &een $olle$ted. Two !eparate trading 'e!!el! ha'e

landed on Solaria( ea$h $apa&le of !toring !ome twenty+fi'e ro&ot!. ad they!u$$eeded( whole fleet! of trading 'e!!el! would ha'e followed them and , dare !aywe would ha'e $ontinued to do &u!ine!! for de$ade!++and then ha'e !ettled theworld.0

/But they didn"t !u$$eed. -hy not*0/Be$au!e &oth !hip! were de!troyed on the !urfa$e of the planet and( a! far

a! we $an tell( all the $rewmen are dead.0/=3uipment failure*0/4on!en!e. Both landed !afely they were not wre$ed. Their la!t report! were

that Spa$er! were approa$hing whether Solarian! or nati'e! of other Spa$er world!(we don"t now. -e $an only a!!ume that the Spa$er! atta$ed without warning.0

/That"! impo!!i&le.0

/,! it*0/Of $our!e it"! impo!!i&le. -hat would &e the moti'e*0/To eep u! off the world( , would !ay.0/,f they wi!hed to do that(0 !aid Gladia( /they would merely ha'e had to

announ$e that the world wa! o$$upied.0/They might find it more plea!ant to ill a few Settler!. #t lea!t( that"! what

many of our people thin and there i! pre!!ure to !ettle the matter &y !ending a fewwar!hip! to Solaria and e!ta&li!hing a military &a!e on the planet.0

/That would &e dangerou!.0



/Certainly. ,t $ould lead to war. Some of our fire+eater! loo forward to that.Aerhap! !ome Spa$er! loo forward to that( too( and ha'e de!troyed the two !hip!merely to pro'oe ho!tilitie!.0

Gladia !at there ama7ed. There had &een no hint of !trained relation!&etween Spa$er! and Settler! on any of the new! program!.

She !aid( /Surely it"! po!!i&le to di!$u!! the matter. a'e your people

approa$hed the Spa$er 6ederation*0/# thoroughly unimportant &ody( &ut we ha'e. -e"'e al!o approa$hed the#uroran Coun$il.0

/#nd*0/The Spa$er! deny e'erything. They !ugge!t that the potential profit! in the

Solarian ro&ot trade are !o high that Trader!( who are intere!ted only in money++a!though they them!el'e! are not++would fight ea$h other o'er the matter. #pparently(they would ha'e u! &elie'e the two !hip! de!troyed ea$h other( ea$h hoping tomonopoli7e the trade for their own world.0

/The two !hip! were from two different world!( then*0/e!.0/2on"t you thin( then( that there might indeed ha'e &een a fight &etween

them*0/, don"t thin it"! liely( &ut , will admit it"! po!!i&le. There ha'e &een no

outright $onfli$t! &etween the Settler world!( &ut there ha'e &een !ome pretty!trenuou! di!pute!. #ll ha'e &een !ettled through ar&itration &y =arth. Still( it i!indeed a fa$t that the Settler world! might( in a pin$h( not hang together whenmulti&illion+dollar trade i! at !tae. That"! why war i! not !u$h a good idea for u! andwhy !omething will ha'e to &e done to di!$ourage the hothead!. That"! where we$ome in.0

!$e?” !You and I. I have been asked to go to %olaria and find out--if I can--what

really happened. I will take one ship--armed# but not heavily armed.”/ou might &e de!troyed( too.0/Ao!!i&ly. But my !hip( at lea!t( won"t &e $aught unprepared. Be!ide!( , am

not one of tho!e hyper'i!ion heroe! and , ha'e $on!idered what , might do to le!!enthe $han$e! of de!tru$tion. ,t o$$urred to me that one of the di!ad'antage! of Settlerpenetration of Solaria i! that we don"t now the world at all. ,t might &e u!eful( then(to tae !omeone who now! the world++a Solarian( in !hort.0

/ou mean you want to tae me?” !Right( my lady.0/-hy me?” !I should think you could see that without e&planation# my lady. 'hose

%olarians who have left the planet are gone we know not where. If any %olarians areleft on the planet# they are very likely the enemy. 'here are no known %olarian-born%pacers living on some %pacer planet other than %olaria--e&cept yourself. You areonly %olarian available to me--the only one in all the Gala)y. That"! why , mu!t ha'eyou and that"! why you mu!t $ome.0

/ou"re wrong( Settler. ,f , am the only one a'aila&le to you( then you ha'e noone who i! a'aila&le. , do not intend to $ome with you and there i! no way++

a&!olutely no way that you $an for$e me to $ome with you. , am !urrounded &y myro&ot!. Tae one !tep in my dire$tion and you will &e immo&ili7ed at on$e++and if you!truggle you will &e hurt.0

/, intend no for$e. ou mu!t $ome of your own a$$ordand you !hould &ewilling to. ,t"! a matter of pre'enting war.0

/That i! the %o& of go'ernment! on your !ide and mine. , refu!e to ha'eanything to do with it. , am a pri'ate $iti7en.0

/ou owe it to your world. -e might !uffer in $a!e of war( &ut !o will #urora.0/, am not one of tho!e hyper'i!ion heroe!( any more than you are.0



/ou owe it to me( then.0/ou"re mad. , owe you nothing.02.G. !miled narrowly. /ou owe me nothing a! an indi'idual. ou owe me a

great deal a! a de!$endant of =li%ah Baley.0Gladia fro7e and remained !taring at the &earded mon!ter for a long moment.

ow did !he $ome to forget who he wa!*

-ith diffi$ulty( !he finally muttered( /4o.0/e!(0 !aid 2.G. for$efully. /On two different o$$a!ion!( the #n$e!tor did morefor you than you $an e'er repay. e i! no longer here to $all in the de&t++a !mall partof the de&t. , inherit the right to do !o.0

Gladia !aid in de!pair( /But what $an , do for you if , $ome with you*0/-e"ll find out. -ill you $ome*0 2e!perately( Gladia wanted to refu!e( &ut wa!

it for thi! that =li%ah had !uddenly &e$ome part of her life( on$e more( in the la!ttwenty+four hour!* -a! i! !o that when thi! impo!!i&le demand wa! made upon her(it would &e in hi! name and !he would find it impo!!i&le to refu!e*

She !aid( /-hat"! the u!e* The Coun$il will not let me go with you. They willnot ha'e an #uroran taen away on a Settler"! 'e!!el.0

/y lady( you ha'e &een here on #urora for twenty de$ade!( !o you thin the#uroran+&orn $on!ider you an #uroran. ,t"! not !o. To them( you are a Solarian !till.

They"ll let you go.0/They won"t(0 !aid Gladia( her heart pounding and the !in of her upper arm!

turning to goo!efle!h. e wa! right. She thought of #madiro( who would !urely thinof her a! nothing &ut a Solarian. 4e'erthele!!( !he repeated( /They won"t(0 trying torea!!ure her!elf.

/They will(0 retorted 2.G. /2idn"t !omeone from your Coun$il $ome to you toa! you to !ee me*0

She !aid defiantly( /e a!ed me only to report thi! $on'er!ation we ha'ehad. #nd , will do !o.0

/,f they want you to !py on me here in your own home( my lady( they will findit e'en more u!eful to ha'e you !py on me on Solaria.0 e waited for a re!pon!e andwhen there wa! none( he !aid with a tra$e of wearine!!( /y lady( if you refu!e( ,won"t for$e you &e$au!e , won"t ha'e to. 'hey will for$e you. But , don"t want that.

The #n$e!tor would not want it if he were here. e would want you to $ome with meout of gratitude to him and for no other rea!on. y lady( the #n$e!tor la&ored onyour &ehalf under $ondition! of e)treme diffi$ulty. -on"t you la&or on &ehalf of hi!memory*0

Gladia"! heart !an. She new !he $ould not re!i!t that. She !aid( /, $an"t goanywhere without ro&ot!.0

/, wouldn"t e)pe$t you to.0 2.G. wa! grinning again. /-hy not tae my twoname!ae!* 2o you need more*0

Gladia looed toward 2aneel. &ut he wa! !tanding motionle!!. She looedtoward Gi!ard++the !ame. #nd then it !eemed to her that( for %u!t a moment( hi!head mo'ed++'ery !lightly++up and down.

She had to tru!t him. She !aid( /-ell( then( ,"ll $ome with you. The!e tworo&ot! are all , will need.0

PART II - SOLARIA



5. THE ABANDONED WORLD

1I.

6or the fifth time in her life( Gladia found her!elf on a !pa$e!hip. She did not

remem&er( offhand( e)a$tly how long ago it had &een that !he and Santiri) had gonetogether to the world of =uterpe &e$au!e it! rain fore!t! were widely re$ogni7ed a!in$ompara&le( e!pe$ially under the romanti$ glow of it! &right !atellite( Gem!tone.

The rain fore!t had( indeed( &een lu!h and. green( with the tree! $arefullyplanted in ran and file and the animal life thoughtfully !ele$ted !o a! to pro'ide$olor and delight( while a'oiding 'enomou! or other unplea!ant $reature!.

The !atellite( fully 15: ilometer! in diameter( wa! $lo!e enough to =uterpe to!hine lie a &rilliant dot of !parling light. ,t wa! !o $lo!e to the planet that one $ould!ee it !weep we!t to ea!t a$ro!! the !y( out!tripping the planet"! !lower rotationalmotion. ,t &rightened a! it ro!e toward 7enith and dimmed a! it dropped toward thehori7on again. One wat$hed it with fa!$ination the fir!t night( with le!! the !e$ond(and with a 'ague di!$ontent the third++a!!uming the !y wa! $lear on tho!e night!(whi$h it u!ually wa!n"t.

The nati'e =uterpan!( !he noted( ne'er looed at it( though they prai!ed itloudly to the touri!t!( of $our!e.

On the whole( Gladia had en%oyed the hip well enough( &ut what !heremem&ered mo!t eenly wa! the %oy of her return to #urora and her de$i!ion not totra'el again e)$ept under dire need. ?Come to thin of it( it had to &e at lea!t eightde$ade! ago.@

6or a while( !he had li'ed with the unea!y fear that her hu!&and would in!i!ton another hip( &ut he ne'er mentioned one. ,t might well &e( !he !ometime! thoughtat that time( that he had $ome to the !ame de$i!ion !he had and feared !he might &ethe one to want to tra'el.

,t didn"t mae them unu!ual to a'oid hip!. #uroran! generally++Spa$er!generally( for that matter++tended to &e !tay+at+home!. Their world!( theire!ta&li!hment!( were too $omforta&le. #fter all( what plea!ure $ould &e greater than

that of &eing taen $are of &y your own ro&ot!( ro&ot! who new your e'ery !ignal(and( for that matter. new your way! and de!ire! e'en without &eing told.

She !tirred unea!ily. -a! that what 2.G. had meant when he !poe of thede$aden$e of a ro&oti$i7ed !o$iety*

But now !he wa! &a$ again in !pa$e( after all that time. #nd on an =arth !hip(too.

She hadn"t !een mu$h of it( &ut the little !he had glimp!ed made her terri&lyunea!y. ,t !eemed to &e nothing &ut !traight line!( !harp angle!( and !mooth!urfa$e!. ='erything that wa!n"t stark had &een eliminated( apparently. ,t wa! a!though nothing mu!t e)i!t &ut fun$tionality. ='en though !he didn"t now what wa!e)a$tly fun$tional a&out any parti$ular o&%e$t on the !hip( !he felt it to &e all that wa!re3uired( that nothing wa! to &e allowed to interfere with taing the !horte!t di!tan$e&etween two point!.

On e'erything #uroran ?on e'erything Spa$er( one might almo!t !ay( though#urora wa! the mo!t ad'an$ed in that re!pe$t@( e'erything e)i!ted in layer!.6un$tionality wa! at the &ottom++one $ould not entirely rid one"! !elf of that( e)$eptin what wa! pure ornament++&ut o'erlying that there wa! alway! !omething to !ati!fythe eye! and the !en!e!( generally and o'erlying that# !omething to !ati!fy the!pirit.

ow mu$h &etter that wa!++or did it repre!ent !u$h an e)u&eran$e of human$reati'ity that Spa$er! $ould no longer li'e with the unadorned >ni'er!e++and wa!that &ad* -a! the future to &elong to the!e from+here+to+there geometri7er!* Or wa!



it %u!t that the Settler! had not yet learned the !weetne!!e! of life*But then( if life had !o many !weetne!!e! to it( why had !he found !o few for

her!elf*She had nothing really to do on &oard thi! !hip &ut to ponder and reponder

!u$h 3ue!tion!. Thi! 2.G.( thi! =li%ah de!$ended &ar&arian( had put it into her headwith hi! $alm a!!umption that the Spa$er world! were dying( e'en though he $ould

!ee ,, a&out him e'en during the !horte!t !tay on #urora ?!urely( he would ha'e to@that it wa! deeply em&edded in wealth and !e$urity.She had tried to e!$ape her own thought! &y !taring at the holofilm! !he had

&een !upplied with and wat$hing( with moderate $urio!ity( the image! fli$ering and$apering on the pro%e$tion !urfa$e( a! the ad'enture !tory ?all were ad'enture!torie!@ ha!tened from e'ent to e'ent with little time left for $on'er!ation and nonefor thought++or en%oyment( either. Dery lie their furniture.

2.G. !tepped in when !he wa! in the middle of one of the film!( &ut had!topped really paying attention. She wa! not $aught &y !urpri!e. er ro&ot!( whoguarded her doorway( !ignaled hi! $oming in ample time and would not ha'e allowedhim to enter if !he were not in a po!ition to re$ei'e him. 2aneel entered with him.

2.G. !aid( /ow are you doing*0 Then( a! her hand tou$hed a $onta$t and theimage! faded( !hri'eled( and were gone( he !aid( /ou don"t ha'e to turn it off. ,"llwat$h it with you.0

/That"! not ne$e!!ary(0 !he !aid. /,"'e had enough.0/#re you $omforta&le*0/4ot entirely. , am++i!olated.0/Sorry But then( , wa! i!olated on #urora. They would allow none of my men

to $ome with me.0/#re you ha'ing your re'enge*0 /4ot at all. 6or one thing( , allowed you two

ro&ot! of your $hoi$e to a$$ompany you. 6or another( it i! not , &ut my $rew whoenfor$e thi!. They don"t lie either Spa$er! or ro&ot!.++&ut why do you mind* 2oe!n"tthi! i!olation le!!en your fear of infe$tion*0

Gladia"! eye! were haughty( &ut her 'oi$e !ounded weary. /, wonder if ,ha'en"t grown too old to fear infe$tion. ,n many way!( , thin , ha'e li'ed longenough. Then( too( , ha'e my glo'e!( my no!e filter!( and++if ne$e!!ary++my ma!.#nd &e!ide!( , dou&t that you will trou&le to tou$h me.0

/4or will anyone el!e(0 !aid 2.G. with a !udden edge of grimne!! to hi! 'oi$e(a! hi! hand wandered to the o&%e$t at the right !ide of hi! hip.

er eye! followed the motion. /-hat i! that*0 !he a!ed. 2.G. !miled and hi!&eard !eemed to glitter in the light.

There were o$$a!ional reddi!h hair! among the &rown. /# weapon(0 he !aidand drew it. e held it &y a molded hilt that &ulged a&o'e hi! hand a! though thefor$e of hi! grip were !3uee7ing it upward. ,n front( fa$ing Gladia( a thin $ylinder!tret$hed !ome fifteen $entimeter! forward. There wa! no opening 'i!i&le.

/2oe! that ill people*0 Gladia e)tended her hand toward it.2.G. mo'ed it 3ui$ly away. /4e'er rea$h for !omeone"! weapon( my lady.

That i! wor!e than &ad manner!( for any Settler i! trained to rea$t 'iolently to !u$h amo'e and you may &e hurt. /

Gladia( eye! wide( withdrew her hand and pla$ed &oth &ehind her &a$. She

!aid( /2on"t threaten harm. 2aneel ha! no !en!e of humor in that re!pe$t. On #urora(no one i! &ar&arou! enough to $arry weapon!. /

/-ell(0 !aid 2.G.( unmo'ed &y the ad%e$ti'e( /we don"t ha'e ro&ot! to prote$tu!. ++#nd thi! i! not a illing de'i$e. ,t i!( in !ome way!( wor!e. ,t emit! a ind of'i&ration that !timulate! tho!e ner'e ending! re!pon!i&le for the !en!ation of pain. ,thurt! a good deal wor!e than anything you $an imagine. 4o one would willinglyendure it twi$e and !omeone $arrying thi! weapon rarely ha! to u!e it. -e $all it aneuroni$ whip. /

Gladia frowned. /2i!gu!ting -e ha'e our ro&ot!( &ut they ne'er hurt anyone



e)$ept in una'oida&le emergen$y++and then minimally. /2.G. !hrugged. /That !ound! 'ery $i'ili7ed( &ut a &it of pain++a &it of illing(

e'en++i! &etter than the de$ay of !pirit &rought a&out &y ro&ot!. Be!ide!( a neuroni$whip i! not intended to ill and your people ha'e weapon! on their !pa$e!hip! that$an &ring a&out whole!ale death and de!tru$tion.0

/That"! &e$au!e we"'e fought war! early in our hi!tory( when our =arth

heritage wa! !till !trong( &ut we"'e learned &etter. //ou u!ed tho!e weapon! on =arth e'en after you !uppo!edly learned &etter.0/That"!++0 !he &egan and $lo!ed her mouth a! though to &ite off what !he wa!

a&out to !ay ne)t.2.G. nodded. /, now. ou were a&out to !ay. HThat"! different. H Thin of that(

my lady( if you !hould $at$h your!elf wondering why my $rew doe!n"t lie Spa$er!.Or why , don"t. ++But you are going to &e u!eful to me( my lady( and , won"t let myemotion! get in the way. /

/ow am , going to &e u!eful to you*0/ou are a Solarian.0/ou eep !aying that. ore than twenty de$ade! ha'e pa!!ed. , don"t now

what Solaria i! lie now. , now nothing a&out it. -hat wa! Baleyworld lie twentyde$ade! ago*0

/,t didn"t e)i!t twenty de$ade! ago( &ut Solaria did and , !hall gam&le that youwill remem&er something u!eful.0

e !tood up( &owed hi! head &riefly in a ge!ture of politene!! that wa! almo!tmo$ing( and wa! gone.

15.

Gladia maintained a thoughtful and trou&led !ilen$e for a while and then !he!aid( /e wa!n"t at all polite( wa! he*0

2aneel !aid( /adam Gladia( the Settler i! $learly under ten!ion. e i!heading toward a world on whi$h two !hip! lie hi! ha'e &een de!troyed and their$rew! illed. e i! going into great danger( a! i! hi! $rew.0

/ou alway! defend any human &eing( 2aneel(0 !aid Gladia re!entfully. /Thedanger e)i!t! for me( too( and , am not fa$ing it 'oluntarily( &ut that doe! not for$eme into rudene!!.0

2aneel !aid nothing. Gladia !aid( /-ell( may&e it doe!. , have &een a littlerude( ha'en"t ,*0

/, don"t thin the Settler minded(0 !aid 2aneel. /ight , !ugge!t( madam( thatyou prepare your!elf for &ed. ,t i! 3uite late.0

/Dery well. ,"ll prepare my!elf for &ed( &ut , don"t thin , feel rela)ed enoughto !leep( 2aneel.0

/6riend Gi!ard a!!ure! me you will( madam( and he i! u!ually right a&out!u$h thing!.0

#nd !he did !leep.

1K.

2aneel and Gi!ard !tood in the darne!! of Gladia"! $a&in.Gi!ard !aid( /She will !leep !oundly( friend 2aneel( and !he need! the re!t.

She fa$e! a dangerou! trip.0/,t !eemed to me( friend Gi!ard(0 !aid 2aneel( /that you influen$ed her to

agree to go. , pre!ume you had a rea!on.0/6riend 2aneel( we now !o little a&out the nature of the $ri!i! that i! now

fa$ing the Gala)y that we $annot !afely refu!e any a$tion that might in$rea!e ournowledge. -e mu!t now what i! taing pla$e on Solaria and the only way we $ando !o i! to go there++and the only way we $an go i! for u! to arrange for adam



Gladia to go. #! for influen$ing her( that re3uired !$ar$ely a tou$h. 2e!pite her loud!tatement! to the $ontrary( !he wa! eager to go. There wa! an o'erwhelming de!irewithin her to !ee Solaria. ,t wa! a pain within her that would not $ea!e until !hewent.0

/Sin$e you !ay !o( it i! !o( yet , find it pu77ling. ad !he not fre3uently made itplain that her life on Solaria wa! unhappy( that !he had $ompletely adopted #urora

and ne'er wi!hed to go &a$ to her original home*0/e!( that wa! there( too. ,t wa! 3uite plainly in her mind. Both emotion!( &othfeeling!( e)i!ted together and !imultaneou!ly. , ha'e o&!er'ed !omething of thi! !ortin human mind! fre3uently two oppo!ite emotion! !imultaneou!ly pre!ent. /

/Su$h a $ondition doe! not !eem logi$al( friend Gi!ard. //, agree and , $an only $on$lude that human &eing! are not( at all time! or in

all re!pe$t!( logi$al. That mu!t &e one rea!on that it i! !o diffi$ult to wor out theaw! go'erning human &eha'ior. ++,n adam Gladia"! $a!e( , ha'e now and then&een aware of thi! longing for Solaria. Ordinarily( it wa! well hidden( o&!$ured &y thefar more inten!e antipathy !he al!o felt for the world. -hen the new! arri'ed thatSolaria had &een a&andoned &y it! people( howe'er( her feeling! $hanged.0

/-hy !o* -hat had the a&andonment to do with the youthful e)perien$e!that led adam Gladia to her antipathy* Or( ha'ing held in re!traint her longing forthe world during the de$ade! when it wa! a woring !o$iety( why !hould !he lo!e thatre!traint on$e it &e$ame an a&andoned planet and newly long for a world whi$h mu!tnow &e !omething utterly !trange to her.0

/, $annot e)plain( friend 2aneel( !in$e the more nowledge , gather of thehuman mind( the more de!pair , feel at &eing una&le to under!tand it. ,t i! not anunalloyed ad'antage to !ee into that mind and , often en'y you the !impli$ity of&eha'ior $ontrol that re!ult! from your ina&ility to !ee &elow the !urfa$e.0 2aneelper!i!ted. /a'e you gue!!ed an e)planation( friend Gi!ard*0

/, !uppo!e !he feel! a !orrow for the empty planet. She de!erted it twentyde$ade! ago++0

/She wa! dri'en out. //,t !eem! to her( now( to ha'e &een a de!ertion and , imagine !he play! with

the painful thought that !he had !et an e)ample that if !he had not left( no one el!ewould ha'e and the planet would !till &e populated and happy. Sin$e , $annot readher thought!( , am only groping &a$ward( perhap! ina$$urately( from her emotion!.0

/But !he $ould not ha'e !et an e)ample( friend Gi!ard. Sin$e it i! twentyde$ade! !in$e !he left( there $an &e no 'erifia&le $au!al $onne$tion &etween themu$h earlier e'ent and the mu$h later one.0

/, agree( &ut human &eing! !ometime! find a ind of plea!ure in nur!ingpainful emotion!( in &laming them!el'e! without rea!on or e'en again!t rea!on. ++,nany $a!e( adam Gladia felt !o !harply the longing to return that , felt it wa!ne$e!!ary to relea!e the inhi&itory effe$t that ept her from agreeing to go. ,tre3uired the mere!t tou$h. et though , feel it ne$e!!ary for her to go( !in$e thatmean! !he will tae u! there( , ha'e the unea!y feeling that the di!ad'antage! might(

%u!t po!!i&ly( &e greater than the ad'antage!.0/,n what way( friend Gi!ard*0 /Sin$e the Coun$il wa! eager to ha'e adam

Gladia a$$ompany the Settler( it may ha'e &een for the purpo!e of ha'ing adam

Gladia a&!ent from #urora during a $ru$ial period when the defeat of =arth and it!Settler world! i! &eing prepared.0 2aneel !eemed to &e $on!idering that !tatement.#t lea!t it wa! only after a di!tin$t pau!e that he !aid( /-hat purpo!e would &e!er'ed( in your opinion( in ha'ing adam Gladia a&!ent*0

/, $annot de$ide that( friend 2aneel. , want your opinion.0/, ha'e not $on!idered thi! matter.0/Con!ider it now0 ,f Gi!ard had &een human( the remar would ha'e &een

an order. There wa! an e'en longer pau!e and then 2aneel !aid( /6riend Gi!ard( until



the moment that 2r. andamu! appeared in adam Gladia"! e!ta&li!hment( !he hadne'er !hown any $on$ern a&out international affair!. She wa! a friend of 2r. 6a!tolfeand of =li%ah Baley( &ut thi! friend!hip wa! one of per!onal affe$tion and did not ha'ean ideologi$al &a!i!. Both of them( moreo'er( are now gone from u!. She ha! anantipathy toward 2r. #madiro and that i! returned( &ut thi! i! al!o a per!onal matter.

The antipathy i! two $enturie! old and neither ha! done anything material a&out it

&ut ha'e merely ea$h remained !tu&&ornly antipatheti$. There $an &e no rea!on for2r. #madiro++who i! now the dominant influen$e in the Coun$il++to fear adam Gladiaor to go to the trou&le of remo'ing her. /

Gi!ard !aid( /ou o'erloo the fa$t that in remo'ingadam Gladia( he al!o remo'e! you and me. e would( perhap!( feel 3uite

$ertain adam Gladia would not lea'e without u!( !o $an it &e u! he $on!ider!dangerou!*0

/,n the $our!e of our e)i!ten$e( friend Gi!ard( we ha'e ne'er( in any way(gi'en any appearan$e of ha'ing endangered 2r. #madiro. -hat $au!e ha! he to fearu!* e doe! not now of your a&ilitie! or of how you ha'e made u!e of them. -hy(then( !hould he tae the trou&le to remo'e u!( temporarily( from #urora*0

/Temporarily( friend 2aneel* -hy do you a!!ume it i! a temporary remo'al heplan!* e now!( it may &e( more than the Settler doe! of the trou&le on Solaria andnow!( al!o( that the Settler and hi! $rew will &e !urely de!troyed++and adam Gladiaand you and , with them. Aerhap! the de!tru$tion of the Settler"! !hip i! hi! main aim(&ut he would $on!ider the end of 2r. 6a!tolfe"! friend and 2r. 6a!tolfe"! ro&ot! to &ean added &onu!.0

2aneel !aid( /Surely he would not ri! war with the Settler world!( for thatmay well $ome if the Settler"! !hip i! de!troyed and the minute plea!ure of ha'ing u!de!troyed( when added in( would not mae the ri! worthwhile.0

/,! it not po!!i&le( friend 2aneel( that war i! e)a$tly what 2r. #madiro ha! inmind that it in'ol'e! no ri! in hi! e!timation( !o that getting rid of u! at the !ametime add! to hi! plea!ure without in$rea!ing a ri! that doe! not e)i!t*0

2aneel !aid $almly( /6riend Gi!ard( that i! not rea!ona&le. ,n any war foughtunder pre!ent $ondition!( the Settler! would win. They are &etter !uited(p!y$hologi$ally( to the rigor! of war. They are more !$attered and $an( therefore(more !u$$e!!fully $arry on hit+and+run ta$ti$!. They ha'e $omparati'ely little to lo!ein their relati'ely primiti'e world!( while the Spa$er! ha'e mu$h to lo!e in their$omforta&le( highly organi7ed one!. ,f the Settler! were willing to offer to e)$hangede!tru$tion of one of their world! for one of the Spa$er!"( the Spa$er! would ha'e to!urrender at on$e.0

/But would !u$h a war &e fought Hunder pre!ent $ondition!"* -hat if theSpa$er! had a new weapon that $ould &e u!ed to defeat the Settler! 3ui$ly* ightthat not &e the 'ery $ri!i! we are now fa$ing*0

/,n that $a!e( friend Gi!ard( the 'i$tory $ould &e &etter and more effe$ti'elygained in a !urpri!e atta$. -hy go to the trou&le of in!tigating a war( whi$h theSettler! might &egin &y a !urpri!e raid on Spa$er world! that would do $on!idera&ledamage*0

/Aerhap! the Spa$er! need to te!t the weapon and the de!tru$tion of a !erie!of !hip! on Solaria repre!ent! the te!ting.0

/The Spa$er! would ha'e &een mo!t uningeniou! if they $ould not ha'e founda method of te!ting that would not gi'e away the new weapon"! e)i!ten$e.0

,t wa! now Gi!ard"! turn to $on!ider. /Dery well( then( friend 2aneel( howwould you e)plain thi! trip we are on* ow would you e)plain the Coun$il"!willingne!!++e'en eagerne!!++to ha'e u! a$$ompany the Settler* The Settler !aid theywould order Gladia to go and( in effe$t( they did.0

/, ha'e not $on!idered the matter( friend Gi!ard.0/Then $on!ider it now.0 #gain it had the fla'or of an order.2aneel !aid( /, will do !o. / There wa! !ilen$e( one that grew protra$ted( &ut



Gi!ard &y no word or !ign !howed any impatien$e a! he waited.6inally( 2aneel !aid++!lowly( a! though he were feeling hi! way along !trange

a'enue! of thought ++0, do not thin that Baleyworld++or any of the Settler world!++ha!a $lear right to appropriate ro&oti$ property on Solaria. ='en though the Solarian!ha'e them!el'e! left or ha'e( perhap!( died out( Solaria remain! a Spa$er world(e'en if an uno$$upied one. Certainly( the remaining forty+nine Spa$er world! would

rea!on !o. o!t of all( #urora would rea!on !o++if it felt in $ommand of the !ituation.0Gi!ard $on!idered that. /#re you now !aying( friend 2aneel( that thede!tru$tion of the two Settler !hip! wa! the Spa$er way of enfor$ing theirproprietor!hip of Solaria*0

2aneel !aid( /4o( that would not &e the way if #urora( the leading Spa$erpower( felt in $ommand of the !ituation. #urora would then !imply ha'e announ$edthat Solaria( empty or not( wa! off+limit! to Settler 'e!!el! and would ha'ethreatened repri!al! again!t the home world! if any Settler 'e!!el entered theSolarian planetary !y!tem. #nd they would ha'e e!ta&li!hed a $ordon of !hip! and!en!ory !tation! a&out that planetary !y!tem. There wa! no !u$h warning( no !u$ha$tion( friend Gi!ard. -hy( then( de!troy !hip! that might ha'e &een ept away fromthe world 3uite ea!ily in the fir!t pla$e*0

/But the !hip! were de!troyed( friend 2aneel. -ill you mae u!e of the &a!i$illogi$ality of the human mind a! an e)planation*0

/4ot unle!! , ha'e to. et u! for the moment tae that de!tru$tion !imply a!gi'en. 4ow $on!ider the $on!e3uen$e++The $aptain of a !ingle Settler 'e!!elapproa$he! #urora( demand! permi!!ion to di!$u!! the !ituation with the Coun$il(in!i!t! on taing an #uroran $iti7en with him to in'e!tigate e'ent! on Solaria( and theCoun$il gi'e! in to e'erything. ,f de!troying the !hip! without prior warning i! too!trong an a$tion for #urora( gi'ing in to the Settler $aptain !o $ra'enly i! far too weaan a$tion. 6ar from !eeing a war( #urora( in gi'ing in( !eem! to &e willing to doanything at all to ward off the po!!i&ility of war.0

/e!(0 !aid Gi!ard( /, !ee that thi! i! a po!!i&le way of interpreting e'ent!.But what follow!*0

/,t !eem! to me(0 !aid 2aneel( /that the Spa$er world! are not yet !o weathat they mu!t &eha'e with !u$h !er'ility++and( e'en if they were( the pride of$enturie! of o'erlord!hip would eep them from doing !o. ,t mu!t &e !omething otherthan weane!! that i! dri'ing them. , ha'e pointed out that they $annot &edeli&erately in!tigating a war( !o it i! mu$h more liely that they are playing fortime.0

/To what end( friend 2aneel*0/They want to de!troy the Settler!( &ut they are not yet prepared. They let

thi! Settler ha'e what he want!( to a'oid a war until they are ready to fight one ontheir own term!. , am only !urpri!ed that they did not offer to !end an #uroranwar!hip with him. ,f thi! analy!i! i! $orre$t++and , thin it i!++#urora $annot po!!i&lyha'e had anything to do with the in$ident! on Solaria. They would not indulge inpinpri$! that $ould only !er'e to alert the Settler! &efore they are ready with!omething de'a!tating.0

/Then how a$$ount for the!e pinpri$!( a! you $all them( friend 2aneel*0/-e will find out perhap! when we land on Solaria. ,t may &e that #urora i! a!

$uriou! a! we are and the Settler! are and that that i! another rea!on why they ha'e$ooperated with the $aptain( e'en to the point of allowing adam Gladia toa$$ompany him.0

,t wa! now Gi!ard"! turn to remain !ilent. 6inally he !aid( /#nd what i! thi!my!teriou! de'a!tation that they plan*0

/=arlier( we !poe of a $ri!i! ari!ing from the Spa$er plan to defeat =arth( &utwe u!ed =arth in it! general !en!e( implying the =arthpeople together with theirde!$endent! on the Settler world!. owe'er( if we !eriou!ly !u!pe$t the preparationof a de'a!tating &low that will allow the Spa$er! to defeat their enemie! at a !troe(



we $an perhap! refine our 'iew. Thu!( they $annot &e planning a &low at a Settlerworld. ,ndi'idually( the Settler world! are di!pen!a&le and the remaining Settlerworld! will promptly !trie &a$. 4or $an they &e planning a &low at !e'eral or at allthe Settler world!. There are too many of them they are too diffu!ely !pread. ,t i! notliely that all the !trie! will !u$$eed and tho!e Settler world! that !ur'i'e will( in furyand de!pair( &ring de'a!tation upon the Spa$er world!.0

/ou rea!on( then( friend 2aneel( that it will &e a &low at =arth it!elf. //e!( friend Gi!ard. =arth $ontain! the 'a!t ma%ority of the !hort+li'ed human&eing! it i! the perennial !our$e of emigrant! to the Settler world! and i! the $hiefraw material for the founding of new one! it i! the re'ered homeland of all theSettler!. ,f =arth were !omehow de!troyed( the Settler mo'ement might ne'erre$o'er.0

/But would not the Settler world! then retaliate a! !trongly and a! for$efullya! they would if one of them!el'e! were de!troyed* That would !eem to me to &eine'ita&le.0

/#nd to me( friend Gi!ard. Therefore( it !eem! to me that unle!! the Spa$erworld! ha'e gone in!ane( the &low would ha'e to &e a !u&tle one one for whi$h theSpa$er world! would !eem to &ear no re!pon!i&ility.0

/-hy not !u$h a !u&tle &low again!t the Settler world!( whi$h hold mo!t ofthe a$tual war potential of the =arthpeople*0

/=ither &e$au!e the Spa$er! feel the &low again!t =arth would &e morep!y$hologi$ally de'a!tating or &e$au!e the nature of the &low i! !u$h that it wouldwor only again!t =arth and not again!t the Settler world!. , !u!pe$t the latter( !in$e=arth i! a uni3ue world and ha! a !o$iety that i! not lie that of any other world+!ettler or( for that matter( Spa$er. /

/To !ummari7e( then( friend 2aneel( you $ome to the $on$lu!ion that theSpa$er! are planning a !u&tle &low again!t =arth that will de!troy it without e'iden$eof them!el'e! a! the $au!e( and one that would not wor again!t any other world(and that they are not yet ready to laun$h that &low.0

/e!( friend Gi!ard( &ut they may !oon &e ready++and on$e they are ready(they will ha'e to !trie immediately. #ny delay will in$rea!e the $han$e of !ome leathat will gi'e them away.0

/To dedu$e all thi!( friend 2aneel( from the !mall indi$ation! we ha'e i! mo!tprai!eworthy. 4ow tell me the nature of the &low. -hat i! it( pre$i!ely( that theSpa$er! plan*0

/, ha'e $ome thi! far( friend Gi!ard( a$ro!! 'ery !hay ground( without &eing$ertain that my rea!oning i! entirely !ound. But e'en if we !uppo!e it i!( , $an go nofurther. , fear , do not now and $annot imagine what the nature of the &low might&e.0

Gi!ard !aid( /But we $annot tae appropriate mea!ure! to $ountera$t the&low and re!ol'e the $ri!i! until we now what it! nature will &e. ,f we mu!t wait untilthe &low re'eal! it!elf &y it! re!ult!( it will then &e too late to do anything.0

2aneel !aid( /,f any Spa$er now! the nature of the forth$oming e'ent( itwould &e #madiro. Could you not for$e #madiro to announ$e it pu&li$ly and thu! alertthe Settler! and mae it unu!a&le*0

/, $ould not do that( friend 2aneel( without 'irtually de!troying hi! mind. ,

dou&t that , $ould hold it together long enough to allow him to mae theannoun$ement. , $ould not do !u$h a thing.0

/Aerhap!( then(0 !aid 2aneel( /we may $on!ole our!el'e! with the thoughtthat my rea!oning i! wrong and that no &low again!t =arth i! &eing prepared.0

/4o(0 !aid Gi!ard. /,t i! my feeling that you are right and that we mu!t!imply wait++helple!!ly.0

1 L.



Gladia waited( with an almo!t painful anti$ipation( for the $on$lu!ion of thefinal Fump. They would then &e $lo!e enough to Solaria to mae out it! !un a! a di!.

,t would %u!t &e a di!( of $our!e( a featurele!! $ir$le of light( !u&dued to thepoint where it $ould &e wat$hed un&liningly after that light had pa!!ed through theappropriate filter.

,t! appearan$e would not &e uni3ue. #ll the !tar! that $arried( among their

planet!( a ha&ita&le world in the human !en!e had a long li!t of propertyre3uirement! that ended &y maing them all re!em&le one another. They were all!ingle !tar!++all not mu$h larger or !maller than the !un that !hone on =arth++nonetoo a$ti'e( or too old( or too 3uiet( or too young( or too hot( or too $ool( or too off&eatin $hemi$al $ompo!ition. #ll had !un!pot! and flare! and prominen$e! and all looed

%u!t a&out the !ame to the eye. ,t too $areful !pe$troheliography to wor out thedetail! that made ea$h !tar uni3ue.

4e'erthele!!( when Gladia found her!elf !taring at a $ir$le of light that wa!a&!olutely nothing more than a $ir$le of light to her( !he found her eye! welling withtear!. She had ne'er gi'en the !un a thought when !he had li'ed on Solaria it wa!

%u!t the eternal !our$e of light and heat( ri!ing and falling in a !teady rhythm. -hen!he had left Solaria( !he had wat$hed that !un di!appear &ehind her with nothing &uta feeling of thanfulne!!. She had no memory of it that !he 'alued.

++et !he wa! weeping !ilently. She wa! a!hamed of her!elf for &eing !oaffe$ted for no rea!on that !he $ould e)plain( &ut that didn"t !top the weeping.

She made a !tronger effort when the !ignal light gleamed. ,t had to &e 2.G. atthe door no one el!e would approa$h her $a&in.

2aneel !aid( /,! he to enter( madam* ou !eem emotionally mo'ed.0/e!( ,"m emotionally mo'ed( 2aneel( &ut let him in. , imagine it won"t $ome

a! a !urpri!e to him. / et it did. #t lea!t( he entered with a !mile on hi! &earded fa$e++and that !mile

di!appeared almo!t at on$e. e !tepped &a$ and !aid in a low 'oi$e( /, will returnlater.0

/Stay0 !aid Gladia har!hly. /Thi! i! nothing. # !illy rea$tion of the moment. /She !niffed and da&&ed angrily at her eye!. /-hy are you here*0

/, wanted to di!$u!! Solaria with you. ,f we !u$$eed with a mi$road%u!tment(we"ll land tomorrow. ,f you"re not 3uite up to a di!$u!!ion now++0

/, am (uite up to it. ,n fa$t( , ha'e a 3ue!tion for you. -hy i! it we too three Fump! to get here* One Fump would ha'e &een !uffi$ient. One wa! !uffi$ient when ,wa! taen from Solaria to #urora twenty de$ade! ago. Surely the te$hni3ue of !pa$etra'el ha! not retrogre!!ed !in$e.0

2.G."! grin returned. /='a!i'e a$tion. ,f an #uroran !hip wa! following u!( ,wanted to++$onfu!e it( !hall we !ay*0

/-hy !hould one follow u!*0/Fu!t a thought( my lady. The Coun$il wa! a little o'ereager to help( , thought.

They !ugge!ted that an #uroran !hip %oin me in my e)pedition to Solaria.0/-ell( it might ha'e helped( mightn"t it*0/Aerhap!++if , were 3uite $ertain that #urora wa!n"t &ehind all thi!. , told the

Coun$il 3uite plainly that , would do without++or( rather0++he pointed hi! finger atGladia++/%u!t with you. et might not the Coun$il !end a !hip to a$$ompany me e'en

again!t my wi!h ++out of pure indne!! of heart( let u! !ay* -ell( , !till don"t wantone , e)pe$t enough trou&le without ha'ing to loo ner'ou!ly o'er my !houlder ate'ery moment. So , made my!elf hard to follow. ++ow mu$h do you now a&outSolaria( my lady*0

/a'en"t , told you often enough* 4othing Twenty de$ade! ha'e pa!!ed.0/4ow( madam( ,"m taling a&out the p!y$hology of the Solarian!. That $an"t

ha'e $hanged in merely twenty de$ade!. ++Tell me why they ha'e a&andoned theirplanet.0

/The !tory( a! ,"'e heard it(0 !aid Gladia $almly( /i! that their population ha!



&een !teadily de$lining. # $om&ination of premature death! and 'ery few &irth! i!apparently re!pon!i&le.0

/2oe! that !ound rea!ona&le to you*0 /Of $our!e it doe!. Birth! ha'e alway!&een few.0 er fa$e twi!ted in memory. /Solarian $u!tom doe! not maeimpregnation ea!y( either naturally( artifi$ially( or e$togeneti$ally.0

/ou ne'er had $hildren( madam*0

/4ot on Solaria. //#nd the premature death*0/, $an only gue!!. , !uppo!e it aro!e out of a feeling of failure. Solaria wa!

$learly not woring out( e'en though the Solarian! had pla$ed a great deal ofemotional fer'or into their world"! ha'ing the ideal !o$iety++not only one that wa!&etter than =arth had e'er had( &ut more nearly perfe$t than that of any otherSpa$er world.0

/#re you !aying that Solaria wa! dying of the $olle$ti'e &roen heart of it!people*0

/,f you want to put it in that ridi$ulou! way(0 !aid Gladia( di!plea!ed.2.G. !hrugged. /,t !eem! to &e what you"re !aying. But would they really

lea'e* -here would they go* ow would they li'e*0/, don"t now.0/But( adam Gladia( it i! well nown that Solarian! are a$$u!tomed to

enormou! tra$t! of land( !er'i$ed &y many thou!and! of ro&ot!( !o that ea$h Solariani! left in almo!t $omplete i!olation. ,f they a&andon Solaria( where $an they go to finda !o$iety that would humor them in thi! fa!hion* a'e they( in fa$t( gone to any ofthe other Spa$er world!*0

/4ot a! far a! , now. But then( ,"m not in their $onfiden$e.0/Can they ha'e found a new world for them!el'e!* ,f !o( it would &e a raw one

and re3uire mu$h in the way of terraforming. -ould they &e ready for that*0Gladia !hoo her head. /, don"t now.0/Aerhap! they ha'en"t really left. //Solaria( , under!tand( gi'e! e'ery e'iden$e of &eing empty.0/-hat e'iden$e i! that*0/#ll interplanetary $ommuni$ation ha! $ea!ed. #n radiation from the planet(

e)$ept that $on!i!tent with ro&ot wor or $learly due to natural $au!e! ha! $ea!ed.0/ow do you now that*0/That i! the report on the #uroran new!. //#h The report Could it &e that !omeone i! lying*0/-hat would &e the purpo!e of !u$h a lie*0 Gladia !tiffened at the !ugge!tion./So that our !hip! would &e lured to the world and de!troyed.0/That"! ridi$ulou!( 2.G.0 er 'oi$e grew !harper. /-hat would the Spa$er!

gain &y de!troying two trading 'e!!el! through !o ela&orate a !u&terfuge*0/Something ha! de!troyed two Settler 'e!!el! on a !uppo!edly empty planet.

ow do you e)plain that*0/, $an"t. , pre!ume we are going to Solaria in order to find an e)planation.02.G. regarded her gra'ely. /-ould you &e a&le to guide me to the !e$tion of

the world that wa! your! when you li'ed on Solaria*0/y e!tate*0 She returned hi! !tare( a!toni!hed.

/-ouldn"t you lie to !ee it again*0Gladia"! heart !ipped a &eat. /e!( , would( &ut why my pla$e*0/The two !hip! that were de!troyed landed in widely different !pot! on the

planet and yet ea$h wa! de!troyed fairly 3ui$ly. Though e'ery !pot may &e deadly(it !eem! to me that your! might &e le!! !o than other!.0

/-hy*0/Be$au!e there we might re$ei'e help from the ro&ot!. ou would now them(

wouldn"t you* They do la!t more than twenty de$ade!( , !uppo!e. 2aneel and Gi!ardha'e. #nd tho!e that were there when you li'ed on your e!tate would !till remem&er



you( wouldn"t they* They would treat you a! their mi!tre!! and re$ogni7e the dutythey owed you e'en &eyond that whi$h they would owe to ordinary human &eing!.0

Gladia !aid( /There were ten thou!and ro&ot! on my e!tate. , new perhap!three do7en &y !ight. o!t of the re!t , ne'er !aw and they may not ha'e e'er !eenme. #gri$ultural ro&ot! are not 'ery ad'an$ed( you now( nor are fore!try ro&ot! ormining ro&ot!. The hou!ehold ro&ot! would !till remem&er me++if they ha'e not &een

!old or tran!ferred !in$e , left. Then( too( a$$ident! happen and !ome ro&ot! don)tla!t twenty de$ade!. ++Be!ide!( whate'er you may thin of ro&ot memory( humanmemory i! falli&le and , might remem&er none of them. /

/='en !o(0 !aid 2.G.( /$an you dire$t me to your e!tate*0/By latitude and longitude* 4o.0/, ha'e $hart! of Solaria. -ould that help*0/Aerhap!++appro)imately. ,t"! in the !outh+$entral portion of the northern

$ontinent of eliona.0/#nd on$e we"re appro)imately there( $an you mae u!e of landmar! for

greater pre$i!ion++if we !im the Solarian !urfa$e*0/By !ea$oa!t! and ri'er!( you mean*0/e!.0/, think , $an.0/Good #nd meanwhile( !ee if you $an remem&er the name! and appearan$e!

of any of your ro&ot!. ,t may pro'e the differen$e &etween li'ing and dying.0

18.

2.G. Baley !eemed a different per!on with hi! offi$er!. The &road !mile wa!not e'ident( nor the ea!y indifferen$e to danger. e !at( poring o'er the $hart!( witha loo of inten!e $on$entration on hi! fa$e.

e !aid( !If the woman i! $orre$t( we"'e got the e!tate pinned down withinnarrow limit!++and if we mo'e into the flying mode( we !hould get it e)a$tly &eforetoo long.0

/-a!teful of energy( Captain( / muttered Famin O!er( who wa! !e$ond+in+

$ommand. e wa! tall and( lie 2.G.( well &earded. The &eard wa! ru!!et+$olored( a!were hi! eye&row!( whi$h ar$hed o'er &right &lue eye!. e looed rather old( &ut onegot the impre!!ion that thi! wa! due to e)perien$e rather than year!.

/Can"t help it(0 !aid 2.G. /,f we had the antigra'ity that the te$hno! eeppromi!ing u! %u!t thi! !ide of eternity( it would &e different.0

e !tared at the $hart again and !aid( /She !ay! it would &e along thi! ri'era&out !i)ty ilometer! up!tream from where it run! into thi! larger one. If !he i!$orre$t.0

/ou eep dou&ting it(0 !aid Chandru! 4adirha&a( who!e in!igne !howed himto &e 4a'igator and re!pon!i&le for &ringing the !hip down in the $orre$t !pot++or( inany $a!e( the indi$ated !pot. i! dar !in and neat mu!ta$he a$$entuated thehand!ome !trength of hi! fa$e.

/She"! re$alling a !ituation o'er a time gap of twenty de$ade!(0 !aid 2.G.

/-hat detail! would you remem&er of a !ite you ha'en"t !een for %u!t three de$ade!*She"! not a ro&ot. She may ha'e forgotten.0/Then what wa! the point of &ringing her*0 muttered O!er. /#nd the other one

and the ro&ot* ,t un!ettle! the $rew and , don"t e)a$tly lie it( either.02.G. looed up( eye&row! &un$hing together. e !aid in a low 'oi$e( /,t

doe!n"t matter on thi! !hip what you don"t lie or what the $rew doe!n"t lie( mi!ter. ,ha'e the re!pon!i&ility and , mae the de$i!ion!. -e"re all lia&le to &e dead within !i)hour! of landing unle!! that woman $an !a'e u!.0

4adirha&a !aid $oolly( /,f we die( we die. -e wouldn"t &e Trader! if we didn"tnow that !udden death wa! the other !ide of &ig profit!. #nd for thi! mi!!ion( we"re



all 'olunteer!. Fu!t the !ame( it doe!n"t hurt to now where the death"! $oming from(Captain. ,f you"'e figured it out( doe! it ha'e to &e a !e$ret*0

/4o( it doe!n"t. The Solarian! are !uppo!ed to ha'e left( &ut !uppo!e a $oupleof hundred !tayed 3uietly &ehind %u!t to wat$h the !tore( !o to !pea. /

/#nd what $an they do to an armed !hip( Captain* 2o they ha'e a !e$retweapon*0

/4ot !o !e$ret( / !aid 2.G. 0Solaria i! littered with ro&ot!. That"! the wholerea!on Settler !hip! landed on the world in the fir!t pla$e. =a$h remaining Solarianmight ha'e a million ro&ot! at hi! di!po!al. #n enormou! army.0

=&an Ealaya wa! in $harge of $ommuni$ation!. So far he had !aid nothing(aware a! he wa! of hi! %unior !tatu!( whi$h !eemed further mared &y the fa$t thathe wa! the only one of the four offi$er! pre!ent without fa$ial hair of any ind. 4owhe 'entured a remar. /Ro&ot!(0 he !aid( /$annot in%ure human &eing!.0

/So we are told(0 !aid 2.G. dryly( /&ut what do we now a&out ro&ot!* -hatwe do now i! that two !hip! ha'e &een de!troyed and a&out a hundred human&eing!++good Settler! all++ha'e &een illed on widely !eparated part! of a worldlittered with ro&ot!. ow $ould it ha'e &een done e)$ept &y ro&ot!* -e don"t nowwhat ind of order! a Solarian might gi'e ro&ot! or &y what tri$! the !o+$alled 6ir!taw of Ro&oti$! might &e $ir$um'ented.

/So we(0 he went on( /ha'e to do a little $ir$um'enting of our own. #! &e!t a!we $an tell from the report! rea$hing u! from the other !hip! &efore they werede!troyed( all the men on &oard !hip de&ared on landing. ,t wa! an empty worldafter all and they wanted to !tret$h their leg!( &reathe fre!h air( and loo o'er thero&ot! they had $ome to get. Their !hip! were unprote$ted and they them!el'e!unready when the atta$ $ame.

HThat won"t happen thi! time. ,"m getting off( &ut the re!t of you are going to!tay on &oard the !hip or in it! near 'i$inity. /

4adirha&a"! dar eye! glared di!appro'al. /-hy you( Captain* ,f you need!omeone to a$t a! &ait( anyone el!e $an &e !pared more ea!ily than you $an &e.0

/, appre$iate the thought( 4a'igator(0 !aid 2.G.( /&ut , will not &e alone.Coming with me well &e the Spa$er woman and her $ompanion!. She i! the one whoi! e!!ential. She may now !ome of the ro&ot! at any rate( !ome may now her. , amhoping that though the ro&ot! may ha'e &een ordered to atta$ u!( they won"t atta$her.0

/ou mean they"ll remem&er :1" i!!y and fall to their nee!(0 !aid 4adirha&adryly.

/,f you want to put it that way. That"! why , &rought her and that"! why we"'elanded on her e!tate. #nd ,"'e got to &e with her &e$au!e ,"m the one who now!her++!omewhat++and ,"'e got to !ee that !he &eha'e!. On$e we ha'e !ur'i'ed &yu!ing her a! a !hield and in that way ha'e learned e)a$tly what we"re fa$ing( we $anpro$eed on our own. -e won"t need her any more.0

O!er !aid( /#nd then what do we do with her* Fetti!on her into !pa$e*02.G. roared( /-e tae her &a$ to #urora0O!er !aid( /,"m &ound to tell you( Captain( that the $rew would $on!ider that a

wa!teful and unne$e!!ary trip. They will feel that we $an !imply lea'e her on thi!&la!ted world. ,t"! where !he $ome! from( after all.0

/e!(0 !aid 2.G. /That will &e the day( won"t it( when , tae order! from the$rew.0

/,"m !ure you won"t(0 !aid O!er( /&ut the $rew ha! it! opinion! and anunhappy $rew mae! for a dangerou! 'oyage.0

6. THE CREW



19.

Gladia !tood on the !oil of Solaria. She !melled the 'egetation++not 3uite theodor! of #urora++and at on$e !he $ro!!ed the gap of twenty de$ade!.

4othing( !he new( $ould &ring &a$ a!!o$iation! in the way that odor! $ould.4ot !ight!( not !ound!.

Fu!t that faint( uni3ue !mell &rought &a$ $hildhood++the freedom of runninga&out( with a do7en ro&ot! wat$hing her $arefully++the e)$itement of !eeing other$hildren !ometime!( $oming to a halt( !taring !hyly( approa$hing one another a half+!tep at a time( rea$hing out to tou$h( and then a ro&ot !aying( /=nough( i!! Gladia(0and &eing led away++looing o'er the !houlder at the other $hild( with whom therewa! another !et of attendant ro&ot! in $harge.

She remem&ered the day that !he wa! told that only &y holo'i!ion would !he!ee other human &eing! thereafter. Diewing( !he wa! told++not !eeing. The ro&ot!!aid /!eeing0 a! though it were a word they mu!t not !ay( !o that they had towhi!per it. She $ould !ee them# &ut they were not human.

,t wa! not !o &ad at fir!t. The image! !he $ould tal to were three+dimen!ional( free+mo'ing. They $ould tal( run( turn $artwheel! if they wi!hed++&utthey $ould not &e felt. #nd then !he wa! told that !he $ould a$tually !ee !omeone

whom !he had often 'iewed and whom !he had lied. e wa! a grown man( 3uite a&it older than !he wa!( though he looed 3uite young( a! one did on Solaria. Shewould ha'e permi!!ion to $ontinue to !ee him++if !he wi!hed++whene'er ne$e!!ary.

She wi!hed. She remem&ered how it wa!--e&actly how it wa! on that fir!t day.She wa! tongue++tied and !o wa! he. They $ir$led ea$h other( afraid to tou$h. ++&ut itwa! marriage.

Of $our!e it wa!. #nd then they met again++!eeing( 'iewing( because it wa!marriage. They would finally tou$h ea$h other. They were !uppo!ed to.

,t wa! the mo!t e)$iting day of her life++until it too pla$e.6ier$ely( Gladia !topped her thought!. Of what u!e to go on* She !o warm and

eager he !o $old and withdrawn. e $ontinued to &e $old. -hen he $ame to !ee her(at fi)ed inter'al!( for the rite! that might ?or might not@ !u$$eed in impregnating her(it wa! with !u$h $lear re'ul!ion that !he wa! !oon longing for him to forget. But hewa! a man of duty and he ne'er forgot.

Then $ame the time( year! of dragging unhappine!! later( when !he foundhim dead( hi! !ull $ru!hed( and her!elf a! the only po!!i&le !u!pe$t. =li%ah Baley had!a'ed her then and !he had &een taen away from Solaria and !ent to #urora.

4ow !he wa! &a$( !melling Solaria.4othing el!e wa! familiar. The hou!e in the di!tan$e &ore no re!em&lan$e to

anything !he remem&ered e'en faintly. ,n twenty de$ade! it had &een modified( torndown( re&uilt. She $ould not e'en gain any !en!e of familiarity with the ground it!elf.

She found her!elf rea$hing &a$ward to tou$h the Settler !hip that had&rought her to thi! world that !melled lie home &ut wa! home in no other way++%u!tto tou$h !omething that wa! familiar &y $ompari!on.

2aneel( who !tood ne)t to her in the !hadow of the !hip( !aid( /2o you !ee thero&ot!( adam Gladia*0

There were a group of them( a hundred yard! away( amid the tree! of anor$hard( wat$hing !olemnly( motionle!!ly( !hining in the !un with the grayi!h well+poli!hed metal fini!h Gladia remem&ered Solarian ro&ot! to ha'e.

She !aid( /, do( 2aneel.0/,! there anything familiar a&out them( madam*0/4ot at all. They !eem to &e new model!. , $an"t remem&er them and ,"m !ure

they $an"t remem&er me. ,f 2.G. wa! e)pe$ting anything hopeful to $ome of my!uppo!ed familiarity with the ro&ot! on my e!tate( he will ha'e to &e di!appointed.0

Gi!ard !aid( /They do not !eem to &e doing anything( madam.0Gladia !aid( /That i! under!tanda&le. -e"re intruder! and they"'e $ome to



o&!er'e u! and to report on u! in a$$ordan$e with what mu!t &e !tanding order!. They ha'e no one now to report to( howe'er( and $an merely !ilently o&!er'e.-ithout further order!( , pre!ume they will do no more than that( &ut they won"t$ea!e doing !o( either.0

2aneel !aid( /,t might &e well( adam Gladia( if we retired to our 3uarter! on&oard !hip. The $aptain i!( , &elie'e( !uper'i!ing the $on!tru$tion of defen!e! and i!

not ready to go e)ploring yet. , !u!pe$t he will not appro'e your ha'ing left your3uarter! without hi! !pe$ifi$ permi!!ion.0Gladia !aid haughtily( /,"m not going to delay !tepping out onto the !urfa$e of

my own world %u!t to !uit hi! whim.0/, under!tand( &ut mem&er! of the $rew are engaged in the 'i$inity and ,

&elie'e that !ome note your pre!en$e here.0/#nd are approa$hing(0 !aid Gi!ard. /,f you would a'oid infe$tion++0/,"m prepared(0 !aid Gladia. /4o!e plug! and glo'e!.0Gladia did not under!tand the nature of the !tru$ture! &eing put up on the flat

ground a&out the !hip. 6or the mo!t part( the $rewmen( a&!or&ed in the $on!tru$tion(had not !een Gladia and her two $ompanion!( !tanding a! they were in the !hadow!.?,t wa! the warm !ea!on on thi! portion of Solaria( whi$h had a tenden$y to growwarmer++and on other o$$a!ion!( $older++than #urora did( !in$e the Solarian day wa!nearly !i) hour! longer than the #uroran day.@

The $rewmen approa$hing were fi'e in num&er and one of them( the talle!tand large!t( pointed in the dire$tion of Gladia. The other four looed( remained!tanding for a while a! though merely $uriou!( and then( at a ge!ture from the fir!t(approa$hed again( $hanging their angle !lightly !o a! to head dire$tly for the #uroranthree.

Gladia wat$hed them !ilently and with her eye&row! rai!ed in $ontempt.2aneel and Gi!ard waited impa!!i'ely.

Gi!ard !aid in a low 'oi$e to 2aneel( /, do not now where the $aptain i!. ,$annot di!tingui!h him from the $rowd of $rewmen in who!e mid!t he mu!t &e.0

/Shall we retire*0 !aid 2aneel aloud./That would &e di!gra$eful(0 !aid Gladia. /Thi! i! my world.0She held her ground and the fi'e $rewmen $ame $lo!er in lei!urely fa!hion.

They had &een woring( doing hard phy!i$al la&or ?ie ro&ot!( thought Gladiawith di!dain@ and they were !weating. Gladia &e$ame aware of the odor that reeedfrom them. That would ha'e !er'ed to for$e her away more than threat! would( &ut!he held her ground e'en !o. The no!e plug!( !he wa! !ure( mitigated the effe$t ofthe !mell.

The large $rewman approa$hed more $lo!ely than the other!. i! !in wa!&ron7ed. i! &are arm! gli!tened with moi!ture and with !hining mu!$ulature. emight &e thirty ?a! nearly a! Gladia $ould %udge the age of the!e !hort+li'ed &eing!@and if he were wa!hed and properly dre!!ed( he might pro'e 3uite pre!enta&le.

e !aid( /So you are the Spa$er lady from #urora that we"'e &een $arrying onour !hip*0 e !poe rather !lowly( o&'iou!ly trying to attain an ari!to$rati$ tinge tohi! Gala$ti$. e failed( of $our!e( and he !poe lie a Settler++e'en more $rudely than2.G. did.

Gladia !aid( e!ta&li!hing her territorial right!( /, am from Solaria( Settler(0 and

!topped in $onfu!ed em&arra!!ment. She had !pent !o mu$h time thining of Solaria %u!t now that twenty de$ade! had dropped away and !he had !poen with a thi$Solarian a$$ent. There wa! the &road /a0 in Solaria and the rough /r(0 while the /,0!ounded horri&ly lie /Oi.0

She !aid again( in a mu$h lower( le!! $ommanding 'oi$e( &ut one in whi$h thea$$ent of #urora >ni'er!ity++the !tandard for Gala$ti$ !pee$h through all the Spa$erworld!++rang $lear( /, am from Solaria( Settler.0

The Settler laughed and turned to the other!. /She !pea! la+di+da( &ut !hehad to try. Right( mate!*0



The other! laughed( too( and one $ried out( /Get her to tal !ome more( 4i!!.ay&e we $an all learn to tal lie Spa$er &irdie!. /#nd he pla$ed one hand on hi! hipin a! dainty a manner a! he $ould manage( while holding the other hand out limply.

4i!! !aid( !till !miling( /Shut up( all of you.0 There wa! in!tant !ilen$e.e turned to Gladia again( /,"m Berto 4i!!( 6ir!t+Cla!! Shipper. #nd your

name( little woman*0

Gladia did not 'enture to !pea again.4i!! !aid( /,"m &eing polite( little woman. ,"m !peaing gentlemanly. Spa$er++lie. , now you"re old enough to &e my great+grandmother. ow old you are you(little woman*0

/6our hundred(0 !houted one of the $rewmen from &ehind 4i!!( /&ut !hedoe!n"t loo it0

/She doe!n"t loo one hundred(0 !aid another./She loo! !uita&le for a little ding+donging(0 !aid a third( /and ha!n"t had any

for a long time( , gue!!. #! her if !he"d want !ome( 4i!!. Be polite and a! if we $antae turn!.0

Gladia flu!hed angrily and 2aneel !aid( /6ir!t+Cla!! Shipper 4i!!( your$ompanion! are offending adam Gladia. -ould you retire*0

4i!! turned to loo at 2aneel( whom( till now( he had totally ignored. The!mile 'ani!hed from hi! fa$e and he !aid( /oo( you. Thi! little lady i! off+limit!. The$aptain !aid !o. -e won"t &other her. Fu!t a little harmle!! tal. That thing there i! aro&ot. -e won"t &other with him and he $an"t hurt u!. -e now the Three aw! ofRo&oti$!. -e order him to !tay away from u!( !ee. But you are a Spa$er and the$aptain ha! gi'e u! no order! a&out you. So you0 ++he pointed a finger++0!tay out ofthi! and don"t interfere or you"ll get your pretty !in all &rui!ed up and then youmight $ry. /

2aneel !aid nothing. 4i!! nodded hi! head. /Good. , lie to !ee !omeone!mart enough not to !tart anything he $an"t fini!h.0

e turned to Gladia( /4ow( little Spa$er woman( we will lea'e you alone&e$au!e the $aptain doe!n"t want you &othered. ,f one of the men here made a $ruderemar( that"! only natural. Fu!t !hae hand! and let"! &e friend!++Spa$er( Settler(what"! the differen$e*0

e thru!t out hi! hand toward Gladia( who !hran away in horror. 2aneel"!hand mo'ed outward in a fli$ that wa! almo!t too fa!t to !ee and $aught 4i!!"!wri!t( /6ir!t+Cla!! Shipper 4i!!(0 he !aid 3uietly( /do not attempt to tou$h the lady.0

4i!! looed down at hi! hand and at the finger! that en$lo!ed hi! wri!t firmly.e !aid in a low and mena$ing growl( /ou ha'e till the $ount of three to let go.0

2aneel"! hand fell away. e !aid( /, mu!t do a! you !ay for , do not wi!h toharm you( &ut , mu!t prote$t the lady++and if !he doe!n"t wi!h to &e tou$hed( a! ,&elie'e !he doe!n"t( , may &e for$ed into a po!ition where , mu!t $au!e you pain.Alea!e a$$ept my a!!uran$e that , will do all , $an to minimi7e that.0

One of the $rewmen !houted %oyou!ly( /Gi'e it to him( 4i!!. e"! a taler.04i!! !aid( /oo( Spa$er( twi$e , told you to eep out and you tou$hed me

on$e. 4ow , tell you a third time and that"! it. ae a mo'e( !ay a word( and , taeyou apart. Thi! little woman i! going to !hae hand!( that"! all( friendly+lie. Then weall go. 6air enough*0

Gladia !aid in a low $hoing 'oi$e. /, won"t &e tou$hed &y him. 2o what i!ne$e!!ary. /

2aneel !aid( /Sir( with all due re!pe$t( the lady doe! not wi!h to &e tou$hed. ,mu!t a! you++all of you++to lea'e.0

4i!! !miled and one large arm mo'ed a! though to &ru!h 2aneel to one !ide++and to do it hard.

2aneel"! left arm fli$ered and on$e again 4i!! wa! held &y the wri!t. /Alea!ego( !ir(0 !aid 2aneel.

4i!!H! teeth $ontinued to !how( &ut he wa! no longer !miling. Diolently( he



&rought hi! arm up. 2aneel"! en$lo!ing hand mo'ed up for a !hort di!tan$e( !lowed(and $ame to a halt. i! fa$e !howed no !train. i! hand mo'ed down( dragging 4i!!"!arm with it( and then( with a rapid twi!t( he &ent 4i!!"! arm &ehind the Settler"!&road &a$ and held it there.

4i!!( who found him!elf une)pe$tedly with hi! &a$ to 2aneel( &rought hi!other arm up o'er hi! head( groping for 2aneel"! ne$. i! other wri!t wa! !ei7ed and

pulled down farther than it $ould ea!ily go and 4i!! grunted in $lear mi!ery. The other four $rewmen( who had &een wat$hing in eager anti$ipation(remained in pla$e now( motionle!!( !ilent( mouth! open.

4i!!( !taring at them( grunted( /elp me02aneel !aid( /They will not help you( !ir( for the $aptain"! puni!hment will &e

all the wor!e if they try. , mu!t a! you now to a!!ure me that you will no longertrou&le adam Gladia and that you will lea'e 3uietly( all of you. Otherwi!e( , 'erymu$h regret( 6ir!t+Cla!! Shipper( that , mu!t pull your arm! out of their !o$et!.0

#! he !aid that( he tightened hi! grip on either wri!t and 4i!! emitted amuffled grunt.

/y apologie!( !ir(0 !aid 2aneel( /&ut , am under the !tri$te!t order!. ay ,ha'e your a!!uran$e*0

4i!! i$ed &a$ward with !udden 'i$iou!ne!!( &ut well &efore hi! hea'y &oot$ould mae $onta$t( 2aneel had faded to one !ide and pulled him off+&alan$e. ewent fa$edown hea'ily.

/ay , ha'e your a!!uran$e( !ir*0 !aid 2aneel( now pulling gently at the twowri!t! !o that the $rewman"! arm! lifted !lightly up from the &a$.

4i!! howled and !aid( half+in$oherent( /, gi'e in. et go.02aneel let go at on$e and !tepped &a$. Slowly and painfully( 4i!! rolled o'er(

mo'ing hi! arm! !lowly and rotating hi! wri!t! with a twi!ted grima$e. Then( when hi! right arm mo'ed near the hol!ter he wore( he !nat$hed

$lum!ily at hi! !idearm.2aneel"! foot $ame down on hi! hand and pinned it to the ground. /2on"t do

that( !ir( or , may &e for$ed to &rea one or more of the !mall &one! in your hand.0e &ent down and e)tra$ted 4i!!"! &la!ter from it! hol!ter. /4ow !tand up.0

/-ell( r. 4i!!(0 $ame another 'oi$e. /2o a! you are told and !tand up(02.G. Baley wa! !tanding at their !ide( &eard &ri!tling( fa$e !lightly flu!hed( &ut

hi! 'oi$e wa! dangerou!ly $alm./ou four(0 he !aid( /hand me your !idearm!( one at a time. Come on. o'e a

little fa!ter. One+two+three+four. 4ow $ontinue to !tand there at attention. Sir0++thi! to2aneel++0gi'e me that !idearm you are holding. Good. 6i'e. #nd now( r. 4i!!( atattention.0 #nd he pla$ed the &la!ter! on the ground &e!ide him.

4i!! !tiffened to attention( eye! &lood!hot( fa$e $ontorted( in o&'iou! pain./-ould !omeone(0 !aid 2.G.( /plea!e !ay what ha! &een going on*0/Captain(0 !aid 2aneel 3ui$ly( /r. 4i!! and , ha'e had a playful alter$ation.

4o harm ha! &een done.0/r. 4i!!( howe'er( loo! !omewhat harmed(0 !aid 2.G./4o permanent harm( Captain(0 !aid 2aneel./, !ee. -ell( we"ll get &a$ to thi! later. ++adam0++he turned on hi! heel to

addre!! Gladia++0, don"t re$all that , ga'e you permi!!ion to emerge from the !hip.

ou will go &a$ to your $a&in with your two $ompanion! at on$e. , am $aptain hereand thi! i! not #urora. 2o a! , !ay0

2aneel pla$ed an apologeti$ hand on Gladia H! el&ow. er $hin lifted( &ut !heturned and went up the gangplan and into the !hip( 2aneel at her !ide( Gi!ardfollowing.

2.G. then turned to the $rewmen. /ou fi'e(0 he !aid( hi! 'oi$e ne'er liftingfrom it! flat $alm( /$ome with me. -eHll get to the &ottom of thi!++or of you. /#nd hege!tured to a petty offi$er to pi$ up the !idearm! and tae them away.



<:.

2.G. !tared at the fi'e grimly. e wa! in hi! own 3uarter!( the only portion ofthe !hip that had a !em&lan$e of !i7e to it and the &eginning! of an appearan$e oflu)ury.

e !aid( pointing to ea$h in turn( /4ow( thi! i! the way we"ll wor it. You tell

me e)a$tly what happened( word for word( motion for motion. -hen you"re fini!hed( you tell me anything that wa! wrong or left out. Then you the !ame( and then you#and then ,"ll get to you( 4i!!. , e)pe$t that you were all out of order( that you all did!omething unu!ually !tupid that earned you all( &ut e!pe$ially 4i!!( $on!idera&lehumiliation. ,f( in your !tory( it would appear that you did nothing wrong and !uffered:: humiliation( then ,"ll now you"re lying( e!pe$ially a! the Spa$er woman will !urelytell me what happened++and , intend to &elie'e e'ery word !he !ay!. # lie will maematter! wor!e for you than anything you"'e a$tually done. 4ow(0 he &ared( !start”

The fir!t $rewman !tum&led ha!tily through the !tory( and then the !e$ond(!omewhat $orre$ting( !omewhat e)panding( then the third and the fourth. 2.G.li!tened( !tony+fa$ed( to the re$ital( then motioned Berto 4i!! to one !ide.

e !poe to the other four( /#nd while 4i!! wa! getting hi! fa$e rightlyma!hed into the dirt &y the Spa$er( what were you four doing* -at$hing* S$ared to

mo'e* #ll four of you* #gain!t one man*0One of the men &roe the thi$ening !ilen$e to !ay( /,t all happened !o 3ui$(Captain. -e were %u!t getting !et to mo'e in and then it wa! allo'er.0

/#nd what were you getting ready to do in $a!e you did manage to get tomo'e !omeday*0

/-ell( we were going to pull the Spa$er foreigner off our mate.0/2o you thin you $ould ha'e*0

Thi! time no one offered to mae a !ound.2.G. leaned toward them. /4ow( here"! the !ituation. ou had no &u!ine!!

interfering with the foreigner!( !o you Hre fined one wee"! pay ea$h. #nd now let"!get !omething !traight. ,f you tell what ha! happened to anyone el!e++in the $rew orout( now or e'er( whether drun or !o&er++you"ll &e &roen( e'ery one of you( toapprenti$e !hipper. ,t doe!n"t matter whi$h one of you tal!( you"ll all four &e &roen(!o eep an eye on ea$h other. 4ow get to your a!!igned ta!! and if you $ro!! me atany time during thi! 'oyage( if you a! mu$h a! hi$$up again!t regulation!( you"ll &e inthe &rig.0

The four left. mournful( hangdog( tight+lipped. 4i!! remained( a &rui!ede'eloping on hi! fa$e( hi! arm! $learly in di!$omfort.

2.G. regarded him with a threatening 3uiet( while 4i!! !tared to the left( tothe right( at hi! feet( e'erywhere &ut at the fa$e of the $aptain. ,t wa! only when4i!!"! eye!( running out of e'a!ion( $aught the glare of the $aptain that 2.G. !aid(/-ell( you loo 'ery hand!ome( now that you ha'e tangled with a !i!!y Spa$er halfyour !i7e. 4e)t time you &etter hide when one of them !how! up.0

/e!( Captain(0 !aid 4i!! mi!era&ly./2id you or did you not( 4i!!( hear me in my &riefing( &efore we left #urora(

!ay that the Spa$er woman and her $ompanion! were on no a$$ount to &e di!tur&edor !poen to*0

/Captain( , wanted only a polite howdydo. -e wa! $uriou! for a $lo!er loo. 4oharm meant.0

/ou meant no harm* ou a!ed how old !he wa!. -a! that your &u!ine!!*0/Fu!t $uriou!. -anted to now.0/One of you made a !e)ual !ugge!tion.0/4ot me( Captain.0/Someone el!e* 2id you apologi7e for it*0/To a Spa$er*0 4i!! !ounded horrified./Certainly. ou were going again!t my order!.0



/, meant no harm(0 !aid 4i!! doggedly./ou meant no harm to the man*0/e put hi! hand on me( Captain.0/, now he did. -hy*0/Be$au!e he wa! ordering me around.0/#nd you wouldn"t !tand for it*0

/-ould you( Captain.0/#ll right( then. ou didn"t !tand for it. ou fell down for it. Right on your fa$e.ow did that happen*0

/, don"t rightly now( Captain. e wa! fa!t. ie the $amera wa! !ped up. #ndhe had a grip lie iron.0

2.G. !aid( /So he did. -hat did you e)pe$t( you idiot* e is iron.0/Captain*0/4i!!( i! it po!!i&le you don"t now the !tory of =li%ah Baley*04i!! ru&&ed hi! ear in em&arra!!ment. /, now he"! your great ++!omething++

grandfather( Captain.//e!( e'eryone now! that from my name. a'e you e'er 'iewed hi! life

!tory*0/,"m not a 'iewing man( Captain. 4ot on hi!tory.0 e !hrugged and( a! he did

!o( win$ed and made a! though to ru& hi! !houlder( then de$ided he didn"t 3uite daredo !o.

/2id you e'er hear of R. 2aneel Oli'aw*04i!! !3uee7ed hi! &row! together. /e wa! =li%ah Baley"! friend.0/e!( he wa!. ou do now !omething then. 2o you now what the HR" !tand!

for in R. 2aneel Oli'aw*0/,t !tand! for HRo&ot(" right* e wa! a ro&ot friend. There wa! ro&ot! on =arth

in them day!.0/There were( 4i!!( and !till are. But 2aneel wa!n"t %u!t a ro&ot. e wa! a

Spa$er ro&ot who looed lie a Spa$er man. Thin a&out it( 4i!!. Gue!! who theSpa$er man you pi$ed a fight with really wa!.0

4i!!"! eye! widened( hi! fa$e reddened dully. /ou mean that Spa$er wa! aro++0

/That wa! R. 2aneel Oli'aw.0/But( Captain( that wa! two hundred year! ago.0/e! and the Spa$er woman wa! a parti$ular friend of my #n$e!tor =li%ah.

She"! &een ali'e for two hundred and thirty+three year!( in $a!e you !till want tonow( and do you thin a ro&ot $an"t do a! well a! that* ou were trying to fight aro&ot( you great fool.0

/-hy didn"t it !ay !o*0 4i!! !aid with great indignation./-hy !hould it* 2id you a!* See here( 4i!!. ou heard what , told the other!

a&out telling thi! to anyone. ,t goe! for you( too( &ut mu$h more !o. They are only$rewmen( &ut , had my eye on you for $rew leader. *ad my eye on you. ,f you"regoing to &e in $harge of the $rew( you"'e got to ha'e &rain! and not %u!t mu!$le. Sonow it"! going to &e harder for you &e$au!e you Hre going to ha'e to pro'e you ha'e&rain! again!t my firm opinion that you don"t.0

/Captain( ,++0

/2on"t tal. i!ten. ,f thi! !tory get! out( the other four will &e apprenti$e!hipper!( &ut you will &e nothing. ou will ne'er go on !hip&oard again. +o !hip willtae you( , promi!e you that. 4ot a! $rew( not a! pa!!enger. #! your!elf what ind ofmoney you $an mae on Baleyworld++and doing what* That"! if you tal a&out thi!( orif you $ro!! the Spa$er woman in any way( or e'en %u!t loo at her for more than halfa !e$ond at a time( or at her two ro&ot!. #nd you are going to ha'e to !ee to it thatno one el!e among the $rew i! in the lea!t offen!i'e. ou Hre re!pon!i&le. ++and you"refined two wee"! pay.0

/But( Captain(0 !aid 4i!! wealy( /the other!++0



/, e)pe$ted le!! from the other!( 4i!!( !o , fined them le!!. Get out of here.0

<1.

2.G. played idly with the photo$u&e that alway! !tood on hi! de!. =a$h timehe turned it( it &la$ened( then $leared when !tood upon one of it! !ide! a! it! &a!e.

-hen it $leared( the !miling three+dimen!ional image of a woman"! head $ould &e!een.

Crew rumor wa! that ea$h of the !i) !ide! lead to the appearan$e of adifferent woman. The rumor wa! 3uite $orre$t.

Famin O!er wat$hed the fla!hing appearan$e and di!appearan$e of image!totally without intere!t. 4ow that the !hip wa! !e$ured++or a! !e$ured a! it $ould &eagain!t atta$ of any e)pe$ted 'ariety++it wa! time to thin of the ne)t !tep.

2.G.( howe'er( wa! approa$hing the matter o&li3uely++or( perhap!( notapproa$hing it at all. e !aid( /,t wa! the woman"! fault( of $our!e.0

O!er !hrugged and pa!!ed hi! hand o'er hi! &eard( a! though he wererea!!uring him!elf that he( at lea!t( wa! not a woman. >nlie 2.G.( O!er had hi!upper lip lu)uriantly $o'ered a! well.

2.G. !aid( /#pparently( &eing on the planet of her &irth remo'ed any thought

of di!$retion. She left the !hip( e'en though , had a!ed her not to.0/ou might ha'e ordered her not to.0/, don"t now that that would ha'e helped. She"! a !poiled ari!to$rat( u!ed to

ha'ing her own way and to ordering her ro&ot! a&out. Be!ide!( , plan to u!e her and ,want her $ooperation( not her pouting. #nd again++!he wa! the #n$e!tor"! friend.0

/#nd !till ali'e(0 !aid O!er( !haing hi! head. /,t mae! the !in $rawl. #n old(old woman.0

/, now( &ut !he loo! 3uite young. Still attra$ti'e. #nd no!e in the air.-ouldn"t retire when the $rewmen approa$hed( wouldn"t !hae hand! with one ofthem. ++-ell( it"! o'er.0

/Still( Captain( wa! it the right thing to tell 4i!! he had ta$led a ro&ot*0/ad to ad to( O!er. ,f he thought he"d &een &eaten and humiliated &efore

four of hi! mate! &y an effeminate Spa$er half hi! !i7e( he"d &e u!ele!! to u! fore'er.

,t would ha'e &roen him $ompletely. #nd we don"t want anything to happen that will!tart the rumor that Spa$er!++that human Spa$er!++are !upermen. That"! why , had toorder them !o !trenuou!ly not to tal a&out it. 4i!! will ride herd on all of them++andif it does get out( it will al!o get out that the Spa$er wa! a ro&ot. ++&ut , !uppo!e therewa! a good !ide to the whole thing.0

/-here( Captain*0 a!ed O!er./,t got me to thining a&out ro&ot!. ow mu$h do we now a&out them* ow

mu$h do you now*0O!er !hrugged. /Captain( it"! not !omething , thin a&out mu$h.0/Or !omething anyone el!e thin! a&out( either. #t lea!t( any Settler. -e

now that the Spa$er! ha'e ro&ot!( depend on them( go nowhere without them( $an"tdo a thing without them( are para!ite! on them( and we"re !ure they"re fading away&e$au!e of them. -e now that =arth on$e had ro&ot! for$ed on them &y the Spa$er!

and that they are gradually di!appearing from =arth and are not found at all in =arthCitie!( only in the $ountry!ide. -e now that the Settler world! don"t and won"t ha'ethem anywhere++town or $ountry. So Settler! ne'er meet them on their own world!and hardly e'er on =arth.0 ?i! 'oi$e had a $uriou! infle$tion ea$h time he !aid/=arth(0 a! though one $ould hear the $apital( a! though one $ould hear the word!/home0 and /mother0 whi!pered &ehind it.@ /-hat el!e do we now*0

O!er !aid( /There"! the Three aw! of Ro&oti$!.0/Right(0 2.G. pu!hed the photo$u&e to one !ide and leaned forward.

/=!pe$ially the 6ir!t aw. H# ro&ot may not in%ure a human &eing or( through ina$tion(allow a human &eing to $ome to harm. H e!* -ell( don"t rely on it. It doe!n"t mean a



thing. -e all feel our!el'e! to &e a&!olutely !afe from ro&ot! &e$au!e of that andthat"! fine if it gi'e! u! $onfiden$e( &ut not if it gi'e! u! false $onfiden$e. R. 2aneelin%ured 4i!! and it didn"t &other the ro&ot at all( 6ir!t aw or no 6ir!t aw.0

/e wa! defending ++0/=)a$tly. -hat if you mu!t &alan$e in%urie!* -hat if it wa! a $a!e of either

hurt 4i!! or allow your Spa$er owner to $ome to harm* 4aturally( !he $ome! fir!t.0

/,t mae! !en!e.0/Of $our!e it doe!. #nd here we are on a planet of ro&ot!( a $ouple of hundredmillion of them. -hat order! do they ha'e* ow do they &alan$e the $onfli$t &etweendifferent harm!* ow $an we &e !ure that none of them will tou$h u!* Something onthi! planet ha! de!troyed two !hip! already. /

O!er !aid unea!ily( /Thi! R. 2aneel i! an unu!ual ro&ot( loo! more lie a manthan we do. It may &e we $an"t generali7e from him. That other ro&ot( what"! hi!name++0

/Gi!ard. ,t"! ea!y to remem&er. y name i! 2aneel Gi!ard.0/, thin of you a! $aptain( Captain. #nyway( that R. Gi!ard %u!t !tood there

and didn"t do a thing. e loo! lie a ro&ot and he a$t! lie one. -e"'e got lot! ofro&ot! out there on Solaria wat$hing u! right now and they"re not doing a thing(either. Fu!t wat$hing.0

/#nd if there are !ome !pe$ial ro&ot! that can harm u!*0/, thin we"re prepared for them.0!+ow we are. That"! why the in$ident with 2aneel and 4i!! wa! a good thing.

-e"'e &een thining that we $an only &e in trou&le if !ome of the Solarian! are !tillhere. They don"t ha'e to &e. They $an &e gone. ,t may &e that the ro&ot!++or at lea!t!ome !pe$ially de!igned ro&ot! $an &e dangerou!. #nd if ady Gladia $an mo&ili7eher ro&ot! in thi! pla$e++it u!ed to &e her e!tate++and mae them defend her and u!(too( we may well &e a&le to neutrali7e anything they"'e left &ehind.0

/Can !he do that*0 !aid O!er./-e"re going to !ee(0 !aid 2.G.

<<.

/Than you( 2aneel(0 Gladia !aid( /ou did well.0 er fa$e !eemed pin$hedtogether( howe'er. er lip! were thin and &loodle!!( her $hee! pale. Then( in a lower'oi$e. /, wi!h , had not $ome.0

Gi!ard !aid( /,t i! a u!ele!! wi!h( adam Gladia. 6riend 2aneel and , willremain out!ide the $a&in to mae !ure you are not further di!tur&ed.0

The $orridor wa! empty and remained !o( &ut 2aneel and Gi!ard managed to!pea in !ound+wa'e inten!itie! &elow the human thre!hold( e)$hanging thought! intheir &rief and $onden!ed way.

Gi!ard !aid( /adam Gladia made an in%udi$iou! de$i!ion in refu!ing toretire. That i! $lear.0

/, pre!ume( friend Gi!ard(0 !aid 2aneel( /that there wa! no po!!i&ility ofmaneu'ering her into $hanging that de$i!ion.0

/,t wa! far too firm( friend 2aneel( and taen too 3ui$ly. The !ame wa! true

of the intention of 4i!!( the Settler. Both hi! $urio!ity $on$erning adam Gladia andhi! $ontempt and animo!ity toward you were too !trong to manage without !eriou!mental harm. The other four , $ould handle. ,t wa! 3uite po!!i&le to eep them frominter'ening. Their a!toni!hment at your a&ility to handle 4i!! fro7e them naturallyand , had only to !trengthen that !lightly.0

/That wa! fortune( friend Gi!ard. ad tho!e four %oined r. 4i!!( , would ha'e&een fa$ed with the diffi$ult $hoi$e of for$ing adam Gladia into a humiliating retreator of &adly damaging one or two of the Settler! to frighten off the re!t. , thin , wouldha'e had to $hoo!e the former alternati'e &ut it( too( would ha'e $au!ed me gra'edi!$omfort. /



/ou are well( friend 2aneel*0/Juite well. y damage to r. 4i!! wa! minimal.0/Ahy!i$ally( friend 2aneel( it wa!. -ithin hi! mind( howe'er( there wa! great

humiliation( whi$h wa! to him mu$h -or!e than the phy!i$al damage. Sin$e , $ould!en!e that( , $ould not ha'e done what you did !o ea!ily. #nd yet( friend 2aneel++0

/e!( friend Gi!ard*0

/, am di!tur&ed o'er the future. On #urora( through all the de$ade! of mye)i!ten$e( , ha'e &een a&le to wor !lowly( to wait for opportunitie! of tou$hingmind! gently( without doing harm of !trengthening what i! already there( ofweaening what i! already attenuated( of pu!hing gently in the dire$tion of e)i!tingimpul!e. 4ow( howe'er( we are $oming to a time of $ri!i! in whi$h emotion! will runhigh( de$i!ion! will &e taen 3ui$ly( and e'ent! will ra$e pa!t u!. ,f , am to do anygood at all( , will ha'e to a$t 3ui$ly( too( and the Three aw! of Ro&oti$! pre'ent mefrom doing !o. ,t tae! time to weigh the !u&tletie! of $omparati'e phy!i$al andmental harm. ad , &een alone with adam Gladia at the time of the Setter!"approa$h( , do not !ee what $our!e , $ould ha'e taen that , would not ha'ere$ogni7ed a! entailing !eriou! damage to adam Gladia( to one or more of theSettler!( to my!elf ++or po!!i&ly to all who were in'ol'ed. /

2aneel !aid( /-hat i! there to do( friend Gi!ard*0/Sin$e it i! impo!!i&le to modify the Three aw!( friend 2aneel( on$e again we

mu!t $ome to the $on$lu!ion that there i! nothing we $an do &ut await failure.0

7. THE OVERSEER

<;.

,t wa! morning on Solaria( morning on the e!tate++her e!tate. Off in thedi!tan$e wa! the e!ta&li!hment that might ha'e &een her e!ta&li!hment. Somehowtwenty de$ade! dropped away and #urora !eemed to her to &e a far+off dream that

had ne'er happened.She turned to 2.G.( who wa! tightening the &elt a&out hi! thin outer garment(

a &elt from whi$h two !idearm! hung. On hi! left hip wa! the neuroni$ whip on hi!right( !omething !horter and &ulier that !he gue!!ed wa! a &la!ter.

/#re we going to the hou!e*0 !he a!ed./='entually(0 !aid 2.G. with a $ertain a&!en$e of mind. e wa! in!pe$ting

ea$h !idearm in turn( holding one of them to hi! ear a! though he were li!tening for afaint &u77 that would tell him it wa! ali'e.

/Fu!t the four of u!*0 She automati$ally turned her eye! to ea$h of the other!2.G.( 2aneel

She !aid to 2aneel( /-here i! Gi!ard( 2aneel*02aneel !aid( /,t !eemed to him( adam Gladia( that it would &e wi!e to a$t a!

an ad'an$e guard. #! a ro&ot( he might not &e noti$ea&le among other ro&ot!++and if

there !hould &e anything wrong( he $ould warn u!. ,n any $a!e( he i! moree)penda&le than either your!elf or the $aptain.0

/Good ro&oti$ thining(0 !aid 2.G. grimly. /,t"! %u!t a! well. Come( we"remo'ing forward now.0

/Fu!t the three of u!*0 !aid Gladia( a tou$h plainti'ely. /To &e hone!t( , la$Gi!ard"! ro&oti$ a&ility to a$$ept e)penda&ility. /

2.G. !aid( /-e"re all e)penda&le( ady Gladia. Two !hip! ha'e &eende!troyed( e'ery mem&er of ea$h $rew indi!$riminately &rought to an end. There"!no !afety in num&er! here.0



/ou"re not maing me feel any &etter( 2.G.0/Then ,"ll try. The earlier !hip! were not prepared. Our !hip i!. #nd ,"m

prepared( too.0 e !lapped hi! two hand! to hi! hip!. /#nd you"'e got a ro&ot withyou who ha! !howed him!elf to &e an effi$ient prote$tor. -hat"! more( you your!elfare our &e!t weapon. ou now how to order ro&ot! to do what you want them to doand that may well &e $ru$ial. ou are the only one with u! who $an do that and the

earlier !hip! had no one at all of your $ali&er. Come( then++0 They mo'ed forward. Gladia !aid( after a while( /-e"re not waling toward thehou!e.0

/4o( not yet. 6ir!t( we"re waling toward a group of ro&ot!. ou !ee them( ,hope.0

/e!( , do( &ut they"re not doing anything.0/4o( they"re not. There were many more ro&ot! pre!ent when we fir!t landed.

o!t of them ha'e gone( &ut the!e remain. -hy*0/,f we a! them( they"ll tell u!.0!You will a! them( ady Gladia.0/They"ll an!wer you( 2.G.( a! readily a! they"ll an!wer me. -e"re e3ually

human.02.G. !topped !hort and the other two !topped with him. e turned to Gladia

and !aid( !miling( /y dear ady Gladia( e(ually human* # Spa$er and a Settler*-hate'er ha! $ome o'er you*0

/-e are e3ually human to a ro&ot(0 !he !aid wa!pi!hly. /#nd plea!e don"tplay game!. , did not play the game of Spa$er and =arthman with your #n$e!tor./

2.G."! !mile 'ani!hed. /That"! true. y apologie!( my lady. , !hall try to$ontrol my !en!e of the !ardoni$ for( after all( on thi! world we are allie!.0

e !aid( a moment later( /4ow( madam( what , want you to do i! to find outwhat order! the ro&ot! ha'e &een gi'en++if any if there are any ro&ot! that might( &y!ome $han$e( now you if there are any human &eing! on the e!tate or on the worldor anything el!e it o$$ur! to you to a!. They !houldn"t &e dangerou! they"re ro&ot!and you"re human they $an"t hurt you. To &e !ure(0 he added( remem&ering( /your2aneel rather manhandled 4i!!( &ut that wa! under $ondition! that don"t apply here.#nd 2aneel may go with you.0

Re!pe$tfully( 2aneel !aid( /, would in any $a!e a$$ompany ady Gladia(Captain. That i! my fun$tion.0

/Gi!ard"! fun$tion( too( , imagine(0 !aid 2.G.( /and yet he"! wandered off.0/6or a purpo!e( Captain( that he di!$u!!ed with me and that we agreed wa!

an e!!ential way of prote$ting ady Gladia. //Dery well. ou two mo'e forward. ,"ll $o'er you &oth.0 e drew the weapon

on hi! right hip. /,f , $all out H2rop(" the two of you fall down in!tantly. Thi! thingdoe!n"t play fa'orite!.0

/Alea!e don"t u!e it a! anything &ut a la!t re!ort( 2.G.(0 !aid Gladia. /Therewould !$ar$ely &e an o$$a!ion to again!t ro&ot!. ++Come( 2aneel0

Off !he went( !tepping forward rapidly and firmly toward the group of a&out ado7en ro&ot! that were !tanding %u!t in front of a line of low &u!he! with the morning!un refle$ting in glint! here and++there from their &urni!hed e)terior!.

<I.

The ro&ot! did not retreat( nor did they ad'an$e. They remained $almly inpla$e. Gladia $ounted them. =le'en in plain !ight. There might &e other!( po!!i&ly(that were un!een.

They were de!igned Solaria+fa!hion. Dery poli!hed. Dery !mooth. 4o illu!ion of$lothing and not mu$h reali!m. They were almo!t lie mathemati$al a&!tra$tion! ofthe human &ody( with no two of them 3uite alie.



She had the feeling that they were &y no mean! a! fle)i&le or $omple) a!#uroran ro&ot! &ut were more !ingle+mindedly adapted to !pe$ifi$ ta!!.

She !topped at lea!t four meter! from the line of ro&ot! and 2aneel ?!he!en!ed@ !topped a! !oon a! !he did and remained le!! than a meter &ehind. e wa!$lo!e enough to interfere at on$e in $a!e of need( &ut wa! far enough &a$ to mae it$lear that !he wa! the dominant !poe!per!on of the pair. The ro&ot! &efore her( !he

wa! $ertain( 'iewed 2aneel a! a human &eing( &ut !he al!o new that 2aneel wa! too$on!$iou! of him!elf a! a ro&ot to pre!ume upon the mi!$on$eption of other ro&ot!.Gladia !aid( /-hi$h one of you will !pea with me*0

There wa! a &rief period of !ilen$e( a! though an un!poen $onferen$e weretaing pla$e. Then one ro&ot too a !tep forward. /adam( , will !pea.0

/2o you ha'e a name*0/4o( madam. , ha'e only a !erial num&er.0/ow long ha'e you &een operational*0/, ha'e &een operational twenty+nine year!( madam.0/a! anyone el!e in thi! group &een operational for longer*0/4o( madam. ,t i! why ,( rather than another( am !peaing.0/ow many ro&ot! are employed on thi! e!tate*0/, do not ha'e that figure( madam.0/Roughly.0/Aerhap! ten thou!and( madam.0/a'e any &een operational for longer than twenty de$ade!*0HThe agri$ultural ro&ot! in$lude !ome who may( madam.0/#nd the hou!ehold ro&ot!*0/They ha'e not &een operational long( madam. The ma!ter! prefer new+model

ro&ot!.0Gladia nodded( turned to 2aneel( and !aid( /That mae! !en!e. ,t wa! !o in

my day( too.0She turned &a$ to the ro&ot. /To whom doe! thi! e!tate &elong*0/,t i! the Mo&erlon =!tate( madam.0/ow long ha! it &elonged to the Mo&erlon family*0/onger( madam( than , ha'e &een operational. , do not now how mu$h

longer( &ut the information $an &e o&tained. //To whom did it &elong &efore the Mo&erlon! too po!!e!!ion*0/, do not now( madam( &ut the information $an &e o&tained.0/a'e you e'er heard of the 2elmarre family*0/4o( madam.0Gladia turned to 2aneel and !aid( rather ruefully( /,"m trying to lead the ro&ot(

little &y little( a! =li%ah might on$e ha'e done( &ut , don"t thin , now how to do itproperly.0

/On the $ontrary( ady Gladia(0 !aid 2aneel gra'ely( /it !eem! to me youha'e e!ta&li!hed mu$h. ,t i! not liely that any ro&ot on thi! e!tate( e)$ept perhap!for a few of the agri$ultural!( would ha'e any memory of you. -ould you ha'een$ountered any of the agri$ultural! in your time*0

Gladia !hoo her head. /4e'er , don"t re$all !eeing any of them e'en in thedi!tan$e.0

/,t i! $lear( then( that you are not nown on thi! e!tate.0/=)a$tly. #nd poor 2.G. ha! &rought u! along for nothing. ,f he e)pe$ted any

good of me( he ha! failed.0/To now the truth i! alway! u!eful( madam. 4ot to &e nown i!( in thi! $a!e(

le!! u!eful than to &e nown( &ut not to now whether one i! nown or not would &ele!! u!eful !till. #re there not( perhap!( other point! on whi$h you might eli$itinformation*0

/e!( let"! !ee++0 6or a few !e$ond!( !he wa! lo!t in thought( then !he !aid!oftly( /,t"! odd. -hen , !pea to the!e ro&ot!( , !pea with a pronoun$ed Solarian



a$$ent. et , do not !pea !o to you.02aneel !aid( /,t i! not !urpri!ing( ady Gladia. The ro&ot! !pea with !u$h an

a$$ent( for they are Solarian. That &ring! &a$ the day! of your youth and you !pea(automati$ally( a! you !poe then. ou are at on$e your!elf( howe'er( when you turnto me &e$au!e , am part of your pre!ent world.0

# !low !mile appeared on Gladia"! fa$e and !he !aid( /ou rea!on more and

more lie a human &eing( 2aneel.0She turned &a$ to the ro&ot! and wa! eenly aware of the pea$efulne!! ofthe !urrounding!. The !y wa! an almo!t unmared &lue( e)$ept for a thin line of$loud! on the we!tern hori7on ?indi$ating that it might turn $loudy in the afternoon@.

There wa! the !ound of ru!tling lea'e! in a light wind( the whirring of in!e$t!( a lonely&ird$all. 4o !ound of human &eing!. There might &e many ro&ot! a&out( &ut theywored !ilently. There weren"t the e)u&erant !ound! of human &eing! that !he hadgrown a$$u!tomed to ?painfully( at fir!t@ on #urora.

But now &a$ on Solaria( !he found the pea$e wonderful. ,t had not &een all&ad on Solaria. She had to admit it.

She !aid to the ro&ot 3ui$ly( with a note of $ompul!ion edging her 'oi$e(/-here are your ma!ter!*0

,t wa! u!ele!!( howe'er( to try to hurry or alarm a ro&ot or to $at$h it off+guard. ,t !aid( without any !ign of pertur&ation. /They are gone( madam.0

/-here ha'e they gone*0/, do not now( madam. , wa! not told.0/-hi$h of you now!*0

There wa! a $omplete !ilen$e.Gladia !aid( /,! there any ro&ot on the e!tate who would now*0

The ro&ot !aid( /, do not now of any( madam.0/2id the ma!ter! tae ro&ot! with them*0/e!( madam.0/et they didn"t tae you. -hy do you remain &ehind*0/To do our wor( madam. //et you !tand here and do nothing. ,! that wor*0/-e guard the e!tate from tho!e from out!ide( madam.0/Su$h a! we*0/e!( madam.0/But here we are and yet you !till do nothing. -hy i! that*0/-e o&!er'e( madam. -e ha'e no further order!.0/a'e you reported your o&!er'ation!*0/e!( madam.0/To whom*0/To the o'er!eer( madam.0/-here i! the o'er!eer*0/,n the man!ion( madam.0/#h.0 Gladia turned and waled &ri!ly &a$ to 2.G.2aneel followed./-ell*0 !aid 2.G. e wa! holding &oth weapon! at the ready( &ut put them

&a$ in their hol!ter! a! they returned.

Gladia !hoo her head. /4othing. 4o ro&ot now! me. 4o ro&ot( ,"m !ure(now! where the Solarian! ha'e gone. ,ut they report to an o'er!eer.0

/#n o'er!eer*0/On #urora and the other Spa$er world!( the o'er!eer on large e!tate! with

numerou! ro&ot! i! !ome human who!e profe!!ion it i! to organi7e and dire$t group!of woring ro&ot! in the field!( mine!( and indu!trial e!ta&li!hment!.0

/Then there are Solarian! left &ehind.0Gladia !hoo her head. /Solaria i! an e)$eption. The ratio of ro&ot! to human

&eing! ha! alway! &een !o high that it ha! not &een the $u!tom to a!!ign a man or



woman to o'er!ee the ro&ot!. That %o& ha! &een done &y another ro&ot( one that i!!pe$ially programmed.0

/Then there i! a ro&ot in that man!ion0++2.G. nodded with hi! head++0who i!more ad'an$ed than the!e and who might profita&ly &e 3ue!tioned.0

/Aerhap!( &ut , am not $ertain it i! !afe to attempt to go into the man!ion.02.G. !aid !ardoni$ally( /,t i! only another ro&ot.0

/The man!ion may &e &oo&y+trapped.0/Thi! field may &e &oo&y+trapped. /Gladia !aid( /,t would &e &etter to !end one of the ro&ot! to the man!ion to

tell the o'er!eer that human &eing! wi!h to !pea to him.02.G. !aid( /That will not &e ne$e!!ary. That %o& ha! apparently &een done

already. The o'er!eer i! emerging and i! neither a ro&ot nor a Hhim." -hat , !ee i! ahuman female.0

Gladia looed up in a!toni!hment. #d'an$ing rapidly toward them wa! a tall(well+formed( and e)$eedingly attra$ti'e woman. ='en at a di!tan$e( there wa! nodou&t whate'er a! to her !e).

<5.

2.G. !miled &roadly. e !eemed to &e !traightening him!elf a &it( !3uaring hi!!houlder!( throwing them &a$. One hand went lightly to hi! &eard( a! though tomae !ure it wa! !lee and !mooth.

Gladia looed at him with di!fa'or. She !aid( /That i! not a Solarian woman.0/ow $an you tell*0 !aid 2.G./4o Solarian woman would allow her!elf to &e !een !o freely &y other human

&eing!. %een# not 'iewed.0/, now the di!tin$tion( my lady. et you allow me to !ee you.0/, ha'e li'ed o'er twenty de$ade! on #urora. ='en !o , ha'e enough Solarian

left in me !till not to appear to other! lie that.”/She ha! a great deal to di!play( madam. , would !ay !he i! taller than , am

and a! &eautiful a! a !un!et. / The o'er!eer had !topped twenty meter! !hort of their po!ition and the ro&ot!

had mo'ed a!ide !o that none of them remained &etween the woman on one !ideand the three from the !hip on the oilier.2.G. !aid( /Cu!tom! $an $hange in twenty de$ade!.0/4ot !omething a! &a!i$ a! the Solarian di!lie of human $onta$t(0 !aid Gladia

!harply. /4ot in two hundred de$ade!.0 She had !lipped into her Solarian twangagain.

/, thin you undere!timate !o$ial pla!ti$ity. Still( Solarian or not( , pre!ume!he"! a Spa$er++and if there are other Spa$er! lie that( ,"m all for pea$eful$oe)i!ten$e.0

Gladia"! loo of di!appro'al deepened. /-ell( do you intend to !tand and ga7ein that fa!hion for the ne)t hour or two* 2on"t you want me to 3ue!tion the woman*0

2.G. !tarted and turned to loo at Gladia with di!tin$t annoyan$e. /ou3ue!tion the ro&ot!( a! you"'e done. I 3ue!tion the human &eing!.0

/=!pe$ially the female!( , !uppo!e.0/, wouldn"t lie to &oa!t( &ut++0/,t i! a !u&%e$t on whi$h , ha'e ne'er nown a man who didn"t. /2aneel interpo!ed( /, do not thin the woman will wait longer. ,f you wi!h to

retain the initiati'e( Captain( approa$h her now. , will follow( a! , did with adamGladia.0

/, !$ar$ely need the prote$tion(0 !aid 2.G. &ru!3uely./ou are a human &eing and , mu!t not( through ina$tion( allow harm to $ome

to you.02.G. waled forward &ri!ly( 2aneel following. Gladia( relu$tant to remain



&ehind alone( ad'an$ed a &it tentati'ely. The o'er!eer wat$hed 3uietly. She wore a !mooth white ro&e that rea$hed

down to mid+thigh and wa! &elted at the wai!t. ,t !howed a deep and in'iting$lea'age and her nipple! were $learly 'i!i&le again!t the thin material of the ro&e.

There wa! no indi$ation that !he wa! wearing anything el!e &ut a pair of !hoe!.-hen 2.G. !topped( a meter of !pa$e !eparated them. er !in( he $ould !ee(

wa! flawle!!( her $hee&one! were high( her eye! wide+!et and !omewhat !lanted(her e)pre!!ion !erene./adam(0 !aid 2.G.( !peaing a! $lo!e an appro)imation to #uroran Aatri$ian

a! he $ould manage( /ha'e , the plea!ure of !peaing to the o'er!eer of thi! e!tate*0 The woman li!tened for a moment and then !aid( in an a$$ent !o thi$ly

Solarian a! to !eem almo!t $omi$ when $oming from her perfe$tly !haped mouth(/ou are not a human &eing.0

She then fla!hed into a$tion !o 3ui$ly that Gladia( !till !ome ten meter! off($ould not !ee in detail what had happened. She !aw only a &lur of motion and then2.G. lying on hi! &a$ motionle!! and the woman !tanding there with hi! weapon!(one in ea$h hand.

<K.

-hat !tupefied Gladia mo!t in that one di77ying moment wa! that 2aneel hadnot mo'ed in either pre'ention or repri!al.

But e'en a! the thought !tru$ her( it wa! out of date( for 2aneel had already$aught the woman"! left wri!t and twi!ted it( !aying( /2rop tho!e weapon! at on$e(0in a har!h peremptory 'oi$e !he had ne'er heard him u!e &efore. ,t wa!in$on$ei'a&le that he !hould !o addre!! a human &eing.

The woman !aid( %u!t a! har!hly in her higher regi!ter( /ou are not a human&eing.0 er right arm $ame up and !he fired the weapon it held. 6or a moment( afaint glow fli$ered o'er 2aneel"! &ody and Gladia( una&le to mae a !ound in her!tate of !ho$( felt her !ight dim. She had ne'er in her life fainted( &ut thi! !eemed aprelude.

2aneel did not di!!ol'e( nor wa! there an e)plo!i'e report. 2aneel( Gladia

reali7ed( had prudently !ei7ed the arm that held the &la!ter. The other held theneuroni$ whip and it wa! that whi$h had &een di!$harged in full++and at $lo!e range++upon 2aneel. ad he &een human( the ma!!i'e !timulation of hi! !en!ory ner'e!might well ha'e illed him or left him permanently di!a&led. et he wa!( after all(howe'er human in appearan$e( a ro&ot and hi! e3ui'alent of a ner'ou! !y!tem didnot rea$t to the whip.

2aneel !ei7ed the other arm now( for$ing it up. e !aid again( /2rop tho!eweapon! or , will tear ea$h arm from it! !o$et.0

/-ill you*0 !aid the woman. er arm! $ontra$ted and( for a moment( 2aneelwa! lifted off the ground. 2aneel"! leg! !wung &a$ward( then forward( pendulum+lie( u!ing the point! where the arm! %oined a! a pi'ot. i! feet !tru$ the womanwith for$e and &oth fell hea'ily to the ground.

Gladia( without putting the thought into word!( reali7ed that although the

woman looed a! human a! 2aneel did( !he wa! %u!t a! nonhuman. # !en!e ofin!tant outrage flooded Gladia( who wa! !uddenly Solarian to the $ore++outrage that aro&ot !hould u!e for$e on a human &eing. Granted that !he might !omehow ha'ere$ogni7ed 2aneel for what he wa!( &ut how dare !he !trie 2.G.

Gladia wa! running forward( !$reaming. ,t ne'er o$$urred to her to fear aro&ot !imply &e$au!e it had no$ed down a !trong man with a &low and wa! &attlingan e'en !tronger ro&ot to a draw.

/ow dare you*0 !he !$reamed in a Solarian a$$ent !o thi$ that it grated onher own ear++&ut how el!e doe! one !pea to a Solarian ro&ot* /ow dare you( girl?Stop all re!i!tan$e immediately”



The woman"! mu!$le! !eemed to rela) totally and !imultaneou!ly( a! thoughan ele$tri$ $urrent had !uddenly &een !hut off. er &eautiful eye! looed at Gladiawithout enough humanity to !eem !tartled. She !aid in an indi!tin$t( he!itating 'oi$e(/y regret!( madam.0

2aneel wa! on hi! feet( !taring down wat$hfully at the woman who lay on thegra!!. 2.G.( !uppre!!ing a groan( wa! !truggling upright.

2aneel &ent for the weapon!( &ut Gladia wa'ed him away furiou!ly./Gi'e me tho!e weapon!( girl#” !he !aid. The woman !aid( /e!( madam.0Gladia !nat$hed at them( $ho!e the &la!ter !wiftly( and handed it to 2aneel.

/2e!troy her when that !eem! &e!t( 2aneel. That"! an order.0 She handed theneuroni$ whip to 2.G. and !aid( HThi! i! u!ele!! here( e)$ept again!t me++andyour!elf. #re you all right*0

/4o( ,"m not all right(0 muttered 2.G.( ru&&ing one hip. /2o you mean !he"! arobot?”

!-ould a woman ha'e thrown you lie that*0/4ot any whom , ha'e e'er met &efore. , said there might &e !pe$ial ro&ot! on

Solaria who were programmed to &e dangerou!.0/Of $our!e(0 !aid Gladia unindly( /&ut when you !aw !omething that looed

lie your idea of a &eautiful woman( you forgot. //e!( it i! ea!y to &e wi!e after the fa$t.0Gladia !niffed and turned again to the ro&ot( /-hat i! your name( girl*0/, am $alled andaree( madam. //Get up( andaree.0andaree ro!e mu$h a! 2aneel had++a! though !he were on !pring!. er

!truggle with 2aneel !eemed to ha'e left her totally unharmed.Gladia !aid( /-hy( again!t the 6ir!t aw( ha'e you atta$ed the!e human

&eing!*0/adam(0 !aid andaree firmly( /the!e are not human &eing!.0/#nd do you !ay that I am not a human &eing*0/4o( madam( you a human &eing.0/Then( a! a human &eing( , am defining the!e two men a! human &eing!. ++2o

you hear me*0/adam(0 !aid andaree a little more !oftly( /the!e are not human &eing!.0/They are indeed human &eing! &e$au!e , tell you they are. ou are for&idden

to atta$ them or harm them in any way.0andaree !tood mute./2o you under!tand what , ha'e !aid*0 Gladia"! 'oi$e grew more Solarian !till

a! !he rea$hed for greater inten!ity./adam(0 !aid andaree( /the!e are not human &eing!.02aneel !aid to Gladia !oftly( /adam( !he ha! &een gi'en order! of !u$h

firmne!! that you $annot ea!ily $ounter'ail them.0/-e"ll !ee a&out that(0 !aid Gladia( &reathing 3ui$ly.andaree looed a&out. The group of ro&ot!( during the few minute! of

$onfli$t( had $ome $lo!er to Gladia and her two $ompanion!. ,n the &a$ground weretwo ro&ot! who( Gladia de$ided( were not mem&er! of the original group and they

were $arrying &etween them( with !ome diffi$ulty( a large and 'ery ma!!i'e de'i$e of!ome !ort. andaree ge!tured to them and they mo'ed forward a &it more 3ui$ly.

Gladia $ried out( /Ro&ot!( !top0 They !topped.andaree !aid( /adam( , am fulfilling my dutie!. , am following my

in!tru$tion!.0Gladia !aid( /our duty( girl( i! to o&ey my order!0andaree !aid( /, $annot &e ordered to di!o&ey my in!tru$tion!0Gladia !aid( /2aneel( &la!t her0



#fterward( Gladia wa! a&le to rea!on out what had happened. 2aneel"!rea$tion time wa! mu$h fa!ter than a human &eing"! would ha'e &een and he newthat he wa! fa$ing a ro&ot again!t whi$h the Three aw! did not inhi&it 'iolen$e.owe'er( !he looed !o human that e'en the pre$i!e nowledge that !he wa! a ro&otdid not totally o'er$ome hi! inhi&ition. e followed the order more !lowly than he!hould ha'e.

andaree( who!e definition of /human &eing0 wa! $learly not the one 2aneelu!ed( wa! not inhi&ited &y hi! appearan$e and !he !tu$ the more 3ui$ly. She hadher grip on the &la!ter and again the two !truggled.

2.G. turned hi! neuroni$ whip &utt+fir!t and $ame in at a half+run to !trie. ehit her head !3uarely( &ut it had no effe$t on the ro&ot and her leg !ent him flailing&a$ward.

Gladia !aid( /Ro&ot Stop0 er $len$hed hand! were rai!ed.andaree !houted in a !tentorian $ontralto( /#ll of you Foin me The two

apparent male! are not human &eing!. 2e!troy them without harming the female inany way.0

,f 2aneel $ould &e inhi&ited &y a human appearan$e( the !ame wa! true in$on!idera&ly greater inten!ity for the !imple Solarian ro&ot!( who in$hed forward!lowly and intermittently.

/Stop0 !hrieed Gladia. The ro&ot! !topped( &ut the order had no effe$t onandaree.

2aneel held fa!t to the &la!ter( &ut wa! &ending &a$ward under the for$e ofandaree"! apparently greater !trength.

Gladia( in di!tra$tion( looed a&out a! though hoping to find some weapon!omewhere.

2.G. wa! attempting to manipulate hi! radio tran!mitter. e !aid( grunting(/,t"! &een damaged. , thin , fell on it.0

/-hat do we do*0/-e ha'e to mae it &a$ to the !hip. Jui$ly.0Gladia !aid( /Then run. , $an"t a&andon 2aneel.0 She fa$ed the &attling ro&ot!(

$rying out wildly( /andaree( !top andaree( !top0/, mu!t not !top( madam(0 !aid andaree. /y in!tru$tion! are pre$i!e.02aneel"! finger! were for$ed open and andaree had the &la!ter again.Gladia threw her!elf &efore 2aneel. /ou mu!t not harm thi! human &eing.0/adam(0 !aid andaree( her &la!ter pointed at Gladia( unwa'ering. /ou are

!tanding in front of !omething that loo! lie a human &eing &ut i! not a human&eing. y in!tru$tion! are to de!troy !u$h on !ight.0 Then( in a louder 'oi$e( /ou twoporter!++to the !hip.0

The two ro&ot!( $arrying the ma!!i'e de'i$e &etween them( renewed theirforward mo'ement.

/Ro&ot!( !top0 !$reamed Gladia and the forward motion !topped. The ro&ot!trem&led in pla$e( a! though attempting to mo'e forward and yet not 3uite a&le to do!o.

Gladia !aid( /ou $annot de!troy my human friend 2aneel without de!troyingme++and you your!elf admit that , am a human &eing and therefore mu!t not &eharmed.0

2aneel !aid in a low 'oi$e( /y lady( you mu!t not draw harm upon your!elf inan effort to prote$t me. /

andaree !aid( /Thi! i! u!ele!!( madam. , $an remo'e you ea!ily from yourpre!ent po!ition and then de!troy the nonhuman &eing &ehind you. Sin$e that mayharm you( , a! you( with all re!pe$t( to mo'e from your pre!ent po!ition 'oluntarily.0

/ou mu!t( my lady(0 !aid 2aneel./4o( 2aneel. ,"ll !tay here. ,n the time it will tae her to mo'e me( you run0/, $annot run fa!ter than the &eam of a &la!ter++and if , try to run( !he will

!hoot through you rather than not at all. er in!tru$tion! are pro&a&ly that firm. ,



regret( my lady( that thi! will $au!e you unhappine!!.0#nd 2aneel lifted the !truggling Gladia and to!!ed her lightly to one !ide.andaree"! finger tightened on the $onta$t( &ut ne'er $ompleted the pre!!ure.

She remained motionle!!.Gladia( who had !taggered to a !itting po!ition( got to her feet. Cautiou!ly(

2.G.( who had remained in pla$e during the la!t e)$hange!( approa$hed andaree.

2aneel 3uite $almly rea$hed out and too the &la!ter from her unre!i!ting finger!./, &elie'e(0 !aid 2aneel( /that thi! ro&ot i! permanently dea$ti'ated. /e pu!hed her gently and !he fell o'er in one pie$e( with her lim&!( tor!o( and

head in the relati'e po!ition! they o$$upied when !he wa! !tanding. er arm wa! !till&ent( her hand wa! holding an in'i!i&le &la!ter( and her finger wa! pre!!ing on anin'i!i&le $onta$t.

Through the tree! to one !ide of the gra!!y field on whi$h the drama hadplayed it!elf out Gi!ard wa! approa$hing( hi! ro&oti$ fa$e !howing no !ign! of$urio!ity( though hi! word! might ha'e.

/-hat ha! taen pla$e in my a&!en$e*0 he a!ed.

<L

The wal &a$ to the !hip wa! rather anti$lima$ti$. 4ow that the fren7y of fearand a$tion wa! o'er( Gladia felt hot and $ro!!. 2.G. limped rather painfully and theyprogre!!ed !lowly( partly &e$au!e of the limp and partly &e$au!e the two Solarianro&ot! were !till $arrying their ma!!i'e in!trument( plodding along under it! weight.

2.G. looed o'er hi! !houlder at them. /They o&ey my order! now that thato'er!eer i! out of a$tion.0

Gladia !aid through her teeth( /-hy didn"t you run at the end and get help*-hy did you remain helple!!ly wat$hing*0

/-ell(0 !aid 2.G.( with an attempt at the ind of lightne!! he would ha'e!howed ea!ily were he feeling &etter( /with you refu!ing to lea'e 2aneel( , ratherhe!itated to play the $oward &y $ompari!on.0

/ou fool , wa! !afe. She would not ha'e harmed me.”2aneel !aid( /adam( it di!tre!!e! me to $ontradi$t you( &ut , thin !he would

ha'e done !o a! her urge to de!troy me grew !tronger.0Gladia turned on him hotly. /#nd that wa! a !mart thing you did( pu!hing meout of the way. 2id you want to &e de!troyed*0

/Rather than !ee you harmed( madam( ye!. y failure to !top the ro&otthrough inhi&ition! !et up &y her human appearan$e demon!trated( in any $a!e( anun!ati!fa$tory limit to my u!efulne!! to you.0

/='en !o(0 !aid Gladia( /!he would ha'e he!itated to !hoot me( !in$e , amhuman( for a per$epti&le period of time and you $ould ha'e had the &la!ter in yourown po!!e!!ion &y that time. /

/, $ouldn"t gam&le your life( madam( on anything a! un$ertain a! herhe!itation(0 !aid 2aneel.

/#nd you#” !aid Gladia( !howing no !ign! of ha'ing heard 2aneel and turningto 2.G. again( /!houldn"t ha'e &rought the &la!ter in the fir!t pla$e.0

2.G. !aid( frowning( /adam( , am maing allowan$e! for the fa$t that weha'e all &een 'ery $lo!e to death. The ro&ot! do not mind that and , ha'e grown!omehow a$$u!tomed to danger. To you( howe'er( thi! wa! an unplea!ant no'eltyand you are &eing $hildi!h a! a re!ult. , forgi'e you++a little. But plea!e li!ten. Therewa! no way , $ould ha'e nown the &la!ter would &e taen from me !o ea!ily. ad ,not &rought the weapon( the o'er!eer $ould ha'e illed me with her &are hand! a!3ui$ly and a! effe$ti'ely a! !he $ould ha'e &y &la!ter. 4or wa! there any point in myrunning( to an!wer an earlier $omplaint of your!. , $ould not outrun a &la!ter. 4owplea!e $ontinue if you mu!t !till get it out of your !y!tem( &ut , do not intend torea!on with you any further.0



Gladia looed from 2.G. to 2aneel and &a$ and !aid in a low 'oi$e( /,!uppo!e , am &eing unrea!ona&le. Dery well( no more hind!ight!.0

They had rea$hed the !hip. Crew mem&er! poured out at the !ight of them.Gladia noti$ed they were armed.

2.G. &e$oned to hi! !e$ond+in+$ommand. /O!er( , pre!ume you !ee thato&%e$t the two ro&ot! are $arrying*0

/e!( !ir.0/-ell( ha'e them $arry it on &oard. a'e it put in the !e$urity room and eptthere. The !e$urity room i! then to &e lo$ed and ept lo$ed.0 e turned away for amoment( then turned &a$. /#nd O!er( a! !oon a! that i! done( we win prepare totae off again.0

O!er !aid( /Captain( !hall we eep the ro&ot! a! well*0/4o. They are too !imple in de!ign to &e worth mu$h and( under the

$ir$um!tan$e!( taing them would $reate unde!ira&le $on!e3uen$e!. The de'i$e theyare $arrying i! mu$h more 'alua&le than they are.0

Gi!ard wat$hed the de'i$e &eing !lowly and 'ery $arefully maneu'ered intothe !hip. e !aid( /Captain( , am gue!!ing that that i! a dangerou! o&%e$t. /

/,"m under that impre!!ion( too(0 !aid 2.G. /, !u!pe$t that the !hip would ha'e&een de!troyed !oon after we were.0

/That thing*0 !aid Gladia. /-hat i! it*0/, $an"t &e $ertain( &ut , believe it i! a nu$lear inten!ifier. ,"'e !een

e)perimental model! on Baleyworld and thi! loo! lie a &ig &rother.0/-hat i! a nu$lear inten!ifier*0/#! the name implie!( ady Gladia( it"! a de'i$e that inten!ifie! nu$lear

fu!ion.0 /ow doe! it do that*0 2.G. !hrugged. /,"m not a phy!i$i!t( my lady. #!tream of - parti$le! i! in'ol'ed and they mediate the wea intera$tion. That"! all ,now a&out it.0

/-hat doe! that do*0 a!ed Gladia./-ell( !uppo!e the !hip ha! it! power !upply a! it ha! right now( for in!tan$e.

There are !mall num&er! of proton!( deri'ed from our hydrogen fuel !upply( that areultrahot and fu!ing to produ$e power. #dditional hydrogen i! $on!tantly &eing heatedto produ$e free proton!( whi$h( when hot enough( al!o fu!e to maintain that power. ,fthe !tream of - parti$le! from the nu$lear inten!ifier !trie! the fu!ing proton!( the!efu!e more 3ui$ly and deli'er more heat. That heat produ$e! proton! and !et! themto fu!ing more 3ui$ly than they !hould &e and their fu!ion produ$e! !till more heat(whi$h inten!ifie! the 'i$iou! $y$le. ,n a tiny fra$tion of a !e$ond( enough of the fuelfu!e! to form a tiny thermonu$lear &om& and the entire !hip and e'erything upon iti! 'apori7ed.0

Gladia looed awed. /-hy doe!n"t e'erything ignite* -hy doe!n"t the wholeplanet &low up*0

/, don"t !uppo!e there"! danger of that( madam. The proton! ha'e to &eultrahot and fu!ing. Cold proton! are !o unapt to fu!e that e'en when the tenden$y i!inten!ified to the full e)tent of !u$h a de'i$e( that !till i! not enough to allow fu!ion.#t lea!t( that"! what , gathered from a le$ture , on$e attended. #nd nothing &uthydrogen i! affe$ted( a! far a! , now. ='en in the $a!e of ultrahot proton!( the heatprodu$ed doe! not in$rea!e without mea!ure. The temperature $ool! with di!tan$e

from the inten!ifier &eam( !o that only a limited amount of fu!ion $an &e for$ed.=nough to de!troy the !hip( of $our!e( &ut there"! no 3ue!tion of &lowing up thehydrogen+ri$h o$ean!( for in!tan$e( e'en if part of the o$ean were ultraheated++and$ertainly not if it were $old.0

/But if the ma$hine get! turned on a$$identally in the !torage room++0/, don"t thin it $an get turned on.0 2.G. opened hi! hand and in it re!ted a

two+$entimeter $u&e of poli!hed metal. /6rom what little , now of !u$h thing!( thi! i!an a$ti'ator and the nu$lear inten!ifier $an do nothing without it.0

/#re you !ure*0



/4ot entirely( &ut we"ll %u!t ha'e to $han$e it( !in$e , mu!t get that thing &a$to Baleyworld. 4ow let"! get on &oard.0

Gladia and her two ro&ot! mo'ed up the gangplan and into the !hip. 2.G.followed and !poe &riefly to !ome of hi! offi$er!.

e then !aid to Gladia( hi! wearine!! &eginning to !how( /,t will tae u! a$ouple of hour! to pla$e all our gear on &oard and &e ready for taeoff and e'ery

moment in$rea!e! the danger.0/2anger*0/ou don"t !uppo!e that fearful woman ro&ot i! the only one of it! ind that

may e)i!t on Solaria( do you* Or that the nu$lear inten!ifier we ha'e $aptured i! theonly one of it! ind* , !uppo!e it will tae time for other humanoid ro&ot! and othernu$lear inten!ifier! to &e &rought to thi! !pot++perhap! $on!idera&le time++&ut wemu!t gi'e them a! little a! po!!i&le. #nd in the meantime( madam( let u! to go yourroom and $ondu$t !ome ne$e!!ary &u!ine!!.0

/-hat ne$e!!ary &u!ine!! would that &e( Captain*0/-ell(0 !aid 2.G.( motioning them forward( /in 'iew of the fa$t that , may ha'e

&een 'i$timi7ed &y trea!on( , thin , will $ondu$t a rather informal $ourt+martial.0

<8.

2.G. !aid( after !eating him!elf with an audi&le groan( /-hat , really want i! ahot !hower( a ru&down( a good meal( and a $han$e to !leep( &ut that will all ha'e towait till we"re off the planet. ,t will ha'e to wait in your $a!e( too( madam. Something! will not wait( howe'er.++y 3ue!tion i! thi!. -here were you( Gi!ard( whilethe re!t of u! were fa$ed with $on!idera&le danger*0

Gi!ard !aid( /Captain( it did not !eem to me that if ro&ot! alone were left onthe planet( they would repre!ent any danger. oreo'er( 2aneel remained with you.0

2aneel !aid( /Captain( , agreed that Gi!ard would re$onnoiter and that ,would remain with adam Gladia and with you.0

/ou two agreed( did you*0 !aid 2.G. /-a! anyone el!e $on!ulted*0/4o( Captain(0 !aid Gi!ard./,f you were $ertain that the ro&ot! were harmle!!( Gi!ard( how did you

a$$ount for the fa$t that two !hip! were de!troyed*0/,t !eemed to me( Captain( that there mu!t remain human &eing! on theplanet( &ut that they would do their &e!t not to &e !een &y you. , wanted to nowwhere they were and what they were doing. , wa! in !ear$h of them( $o'ering theground a! rapidly a! , $ould. , 3ue!tioned the ro&ot! , met.0

/2id you find any human &eing!*0/4o( Captain.0/2id you e)amine the hou!e out of whi$h the o'er!eer emerged*0/4o( Captain( &ut , wa! $ertain there were no human &eing! within it. , !till

am.0/,t $ontained the o'er!eer.0/e!( Captain( &ut the o'er!eer wa! a ro&ot.0/# dangerou! ro&ot. /

/To my regret( Captain( , did not reali7e that.0/ou feel regret( do you*0/,t i! an e)pre!!ion , $hoo!e to de!$ri&e the effe$t on my po!itroni$ $ir$uit!. ,t

i! a rough analogy to the term a! human &eing! !eem to u!e it( Captain.0/ow i! it you didn"t reali7e a ro&ot might &e dangerou!*0/By the Three aw! of Ro&oti$!++0Gladia interrupted( /Stop thi!( Captain. Gi!ard only now! what he i!

programmed to now. 4o ro&ot i! dangerou! to human &eing!( unle!! there i! adeadly 3uarrel &etween human &eing! and the ro&ot mu!t attempt to !top it. ,n !u$ha 3uarrel( 2aneel and Gi!ard would undou&tedly ha'e defended u! with a! little



harm to other! a! po!!i&le.0/,! that !o*0 2.G. put two finger! to the &ridge of hi! no!e and pin$hed.

/2aneel did defend u!. -e were fighting ro&ot!( not human &eing!( !o he had nopro&lem in de$iding whom to defend and to what e)tent. et he !howed a!toni!hingla$ of !u$$e!!( $on!idering that the Three aw! do not pre'ent him from doing harmto ro&ot!. Gi!ard remained out of it( returning at the pre$i!e moment when it wa!

o'er. ,! it po!!i&le that there i! a &ond of !ympathy among ro&ot!* ,! it po!!i&le thatro&ot!( when defending human &eing! again!t ro&ot!( !omehow feel what Gi!ard$all! Hregret" at ha'ing to do !o and perhap! fail++or a&!ent them!el'e!++0

/4o0 e)ploded Gladia for$efully./4o*0 !aid 2.G. /-ell( , don"t pretend to &e an e)pert ro&oti$i!t. #re you( ady

Gladia*0/, am not a ro&oti$i!t of any !ort(0 !aid Gladia( /&ut , ha'e li'ed with ro&ot! all

my life. -hat you !ugge!t i! ridi$ulou!. 2aneel wa! 3uite prepared to gi'e hi! life forme and Gi!ard would ha'e done the !ame.0

/-ould any ro&ot ha'e done !o*0/Of $our!e.0/#nd yet thi! o'er!eer( thi! andaree( wa! 3uite ready to atta$ me and

de!troy me. et u! grant that( in !ome my!teriou! way( !he dete$ted that 2aneel(de!pite appearan$e!( wa! a! mu$h a ro&ot a! !he her!elf wa!++de!pite appearan$e!++and that !he had no inhi&ition! when it $ame to harming him. ow i! it( though( that!he atta$ed me when , am un3ue!tiona&ly a human &eing* She he!itated at you(admitting you were human( &ut not me. ow $ould a ro&ot di!$riminate &etween thetwo of u!* -a! !he perhap! not really a ro&ot*0

/She wa! a ro&ot(0 !aid Gladia. /Of $our!e !he wa!. But++the truth i!( , don"tnow why !he a$ted a! !he did. , ha'e ne'er &efore heard of !u$h a thing. , $an only!uppo!e the Solarian!( ha'ing learned how to $on!tru$t humanoid ro&ot!. de!ignedthem without the prote$tion of the Three aw!( though , would ha'e !worn that theSolarian!++of all Spa$er!++would ha'e &een the la!t to do !o. Solarian! are !ooutnum&ered &y their own ro&ot! a! to &e utterly dependent on them++to a fargreater e)tent than any other Spa$er! are++and for that rea!on they fear them more.Su&!er'ien$e and e'en a &it of !tupidity were &uilt into all Solarian ro&ot!. The Threeaw! were !tronger on Solaria than anywhere el!e( not weaer. et , $an thin of noother way of e)plaining andaree than to !uppo!e that the 6ir!t aw wa!++0

2aneel !aid( /=)$u!e me( adam Gladia( for interrupting. ay , ha'e yourpermi!!ion to attempt an e)planation of the o'er!eer"! &eha'ior*0

2.G. !aid !ardoni$ally( /,t $ome! to that( , !uppo!e. Only a ro&ot $an e)plain aro&ot.0

/Sir(0 !aid 2aneel( /unle!! we under!tand the o'er!eer( we might not &e a&leto tae effe$ti'e mea!ure! in the future again!t the Solarian danger. , &elie'e , ha'ea way of a$$ounting for her &eha'ior. /

/Go ahead(0 !aid 2.G./The o'er!eer(0 !aid 2aneel( /did not tae in!tant mea!ure! again!t u!. She

!tood and wat$hed u! for a while( apparently un$ertain a! to how to pro$eed. -henyou( Captain( approa$hed and addre!!ed her( !he announ$ed that you were nothuman and atta$ed you in!tantly. -hen , inter'ened and $ried out that !he wa! a

ro&ot( !he announ$ed that , wa! not human and atta$ed me at on$e( too. -henady Gladia $ame forward( howe'er( !houting at her( the o'er!eer re$ogni7ed her a!human and( for a while( allowed her!elf to &e dominated.0

/e!( , remem&er all that( 2aneel. But what doe! it mean*0/,t !eem! to me( Captain( that it i! po!!i&le to alter a ro&ot"! &eha'ior

fundamentally without e'er tou$hing the Three aw!( pro'ided( for in!tan$e( that youalter the definition of a human &eing. # human &eing( after all( i! only what it i!defined to &e.0

/,! that !o* -hat do you $on!ider a human &eing to &e*0



2aneel wa! not $on$erned with the pre!en$e or a&!en$e of !ar$a!m. e !aid(/, wa! $on!tru$ted with a detailed de!$ription of the appearan$e and &eha'ior ofhuman &eing!( Captain. #nything that fit! that de!$ription i! a human &eing to me.

Thu!( you ha'e the appearan$e and the &eha'ior( while the o'er!eer had theappearan$e &ut not the &eha'ior.

/To the o'er!eer( on the other hand( the ey property of a human &eing wa!

!pee$h( Captain. The Solarian a$$ent i! a di!tin$ti'e one and to the o'er!eer!omething that looed lie a human &eing wa! defined a! a human &eing only if it!poe lie a Solarian. #pparently( anything that looed lie a human &eing &ut didnot !pea with a Solarian a$$ent wa! to &e de!troyed without he!itation( a! wa! any!hip $arrying !u$h &eing!.0

2.G. !aid thoughtfully( /ou may &e right.0/ou ha'e a Settler a$$ent( Captain( a! di!tin$ti'e in it! way a! the Solarian

a$$ent i!( &ut the two are widely different. #! !oon a! you !poe( you definedyour!elf a! nonhuman to the o'er!eer( who announ$ed that and atta$ed.0

/#nd you !pea with an #uroran a$$ent and were liewi!e atta$ed.0/e!( Captain( &ut ady Gladia !poe with an authenti$ Solarian a$$ent and !o

!he wa! re$ogni7ed a! human.02.G. $on!idered the matter !ilently for a while( then !aid( /That"! a dangerou!

arrangement( e'en for tho!e who would mae u!e of it. ,f a Solarian( for any rea!on(at any time addre!!ed !u$h a ro&ot in a way that the ro&ot did not $on!ider anauthenti$ Solarian a$$ent( that Solarian would &e atta$ed at on$e. ,f , were aSolarian( , would &e afraid to approa$h !u$h a ro&ot. y 'ery effort to !pea pureSolarian might 'ery liely throw me off and get me illed.0

/, agree( Captain !aid 2aneel( /and , would imagine that that i! why tho!ewho manufa$ture ro&ot! do ++not ordinarily limit the definition of a human &eing( &utlea'e it a! &road a! po!!i&le. The Solarian!( howe'er( ha'e left the planet. One might!uppo!e that the fa$t that o'er!eer ro&ot! ha'e thi! dangerou! programming i! the&e!t indi$ation that the Solarian! ha'e really left and are not here to en$ounter thedanger. The Solarian!( it appear!( are at thi! moment $on$erned only that no onewho i! not a Solarian &e allowed to !et foot on the planet.0

/4ot e'en other Spa$er!*0/, would e)pe$t( Captain( that it would &e diffi$ult to define a human &eing in

!u$h a way a! to in$lude the do7en of different Spa$er a$$ent! and yet e)$lude the!$ore! of different Settler a$$ent!. Eeying the definition to the di!tin$ti'e Solariana$$ent alone would &e diffi$ult enough.0

2.G. !aid( /ou are 'ery intelligent( 2aneel. , di!appro'e of ro&ot!( of $our!e(not in them!el'e! &ut a! an un!ettling influen$e on !o$iety. #nd yet( with a ro&ot!u$h a! your!elf at my !ide( a! you were on$e at the #n$e!tor"!++0

Gladia interrupted. /,"m afraid not( 2.G. 2aneel will ne'er &e a gift( nor will hee'er &e !old( nor $an he &e ea!ily taen &y for$e.0

2.G. lifted hi! hand in a !miling negati'e. /, wa! merely dreaming( adyGladia. , a!!ure you that the law! of Baleyworld would mae my po!!e!!ion of a ro&otunthina&le.0

Gi!ard !aid !uddenly( /ay , ha'e your permi!!ion( Captain( to add a fewword!*0

2.G. !aid( /#h( the ro&ot who managed to a'oid the a$tion and who returnedwhen all wa! !afely o'er.0

/, regret that matter! appear to &e a! you ha'e !tated. ay , ha'e yourpermi!!ion( Captain( to add a few word!( notwith!tanding*0

/-ell( go on.0/,t would !eem( Captain( that your de$i!ion to &ring the ady Gladia with you

on thi! e)pedition ha! wored out 'ery well. ad !he &een a&!ent and had you'entured on your e)ploratory mi!!ion with only mem&er! of the !hip"! $rew a!$ompanion!( you would all ha'e &een 3ui$ly illed and the !hip de!troyed. ,t wa!



only ady Gladia"! a&ility to !pea lie a Solarian and her $ourage in fa$ing theo'er!eer that $hanged the out$ome.0

/4ot !o(0 !aid 2.G.( /for we would all ha'e &een de!troyed( po!!i&ly e'en adyGladia( &ut for the fortuitou! e'ent that the o'er!eer !pontaneou!ly ina$ti'ated.0

/,t wa! not fortuitou!( Captain(0 !aid Gi!ard( /and it i! e)tremely unliely thatany ro&ot will ina$ti'ate !pontaneou!ly. There ha! to &e a rea!on for ina$ti'ation and

, $an !ugge!t one po!!i&ility. ady Gladia ordered the ro&ot to !top on !e'eralo$$a!ion!( a! friend 2aneel ha! told me( &ut the in!tru$tion! under whi$h theo'er!eer wored were more for$eful.

/4e'erthele!!( ady Gladia"! a$tion! !er'ed to &lunt the o'er!eer"! re!olution(Captain. The fa$t that ady Gladia wa! an undou&ted human &eing( e'en &y theo'er!eer"! definition( and that !he wa! a$ting in !u$h a way a! to mae it ne$e!!ary(perhap!( for the o'er!eer to harm her++or e'en ill her++&lunted it e'en farther. Thu!(at the $ru$ial moment( the two $ontrary re3uirement!++ha'ing to de!troy nonhuman&eing! and ha'ing to refrain from harming human &eing!++&alan$ed and the ro&otfro7e( una&le to do anything. ,t! $ir$uit! &urned out.0

Gladia"! &row! drew together in a pu77led frown. /But++0 !he &egan and then!u&!ided.

Gi!ard went on( /,t !trie! me that it might &e well for you to inform the $rewof thi!. ,t might well ea!e their di!tru!t of ady Gladia if you !tre!! what her initiati'eand $ourage ha'e meant to e'ery man in the $rew( !in$e it ha! ept them ali'e. ,tmight al!o gi'e them an e)$ellent opinion of your own fore!ight in in!i!ting on ha'ingher on &oard on thi! o$$a!ion( perhap! e'en again!t the ad'i$e of your own offi$er!.0

2.G. let loo!e a great !hout of laughter. /ady Gladia( , !ee now why you willnot &e !eparated from the!e ro&ot!. They are not only a! intelligent a! human&eing!( they are e'ery &it a! de'iou!. , $ongratulate you on your ha'ing them.++andnow( if you don"t mind( , mu!t hurry the $rew. , don"t want to !tay on Solaria for onemoment more than ne$e!!ary. #nd , promi!e you that you won"t &e di!tur&ed forhour!. , now you $an u!e fre!hening and re!t a! mu$h a! , $an.0

#fter he wa! gone( Gladia remained for a while in deep thought( then turnedto Gi!ard and !aid in #uroran Common( a patter 'er!ion of Gala$ti$ Standard thatwa! wide!pread on #urora and diffi$ult for any non+#uroran to under!tand( /Gi!ard(what i! all thi! non!en!e a&out the &urning out of $ir$uit!*0

/y lady(0 !aid Gi!ard( /, ad'an$ed it only a! a po!!i&ility and nothing more., thought it well to empha!i7e your role in putting an end to the o'er!eer.0

/But how $ould you thin he would &elie'e that a ro&ot $ould &urn out thatea!ily*0

/e now! 'ery little a&out ro&ot!( madam. e may traffi$ in them( &ut he i!from a world that doe!n"t mae u!e of them.0

/et , now a great deal a&out them and !o do you. The o'er!eer !howed no!ign! whate'er of &alan$ing $ir$uit! no !tuttering( no trem&ling( no &eha'iordiffi$ulty of any ind. ,t %u!t++!topped.0

Gi!ard !aid( /adam !in$e we do not now the pre$i!e !pe$ifi$ation! towhi$h the o'er!eer wa! de!igned( we may ha'e to &e $ontent with ignoran$e a! tothe rationale &ehind the free7e. /

Gladia !hoo her head. /Fu!t the !ame( it"! pu77ling.0

PART III - BALEYWORLD



8. THE SETTLER WORLD

<9.

2.G."! !hip wa! in !pa$e again( !urrounded &y the e'erla!ting $hangele!!ne!!

of the endle!! 'a$uum.,t had not $ome too !oon for Gladia( who had &ut imperfe$tly !uppre!!ed the

ten!ion that aro!e from the po!!i&ility that a !e$ond o'er!eer++with a !e$ondinten!ifier++might arri'e without warning. The fa$t that it would &e a 3ui$ death if ithappened( an une)perien$ed death( wa! not 3uite !ati!fying. The ten!ion had !poiledwhat would ha'e otherwi!e &een a lu)uriant !hower( along with 'ariou! other form!of renewal of $omfort.

,t wa! not till after a$tual taeoff( after the $oming of the !oft( di!tant &u77 ofthe protoni$ %et!( that !he $ould $ompo!e her!elf to !leep. Odd( !he thought a!$on!$iou!ne!! &egan to !lip away( that !pa$e !hould feel !afer than the world of heryouth( that !he !hould lea'e Solaria with e'en greater relief the !e$ond time than!he had the fir!t.

But Solaria wa! no longer the world of her youth. ,t wa! a world without

humanity( guarded o'er &y di!torted parodie! of humanity humanoid ro&ot! thatmade a mo$ery of the gentle 2aneel and the thought+filled Gi!ard.

She !lept at la!t++and while !he !lept( 2aneel and Gi!ard( !tanding guard($ould on$e more !pea to ea$h other.

2aneel !aid( /6riend Gi!ard( , am 3uite $ertain that it wa! you who de!troyedthe o'er!eer.0

HThere wa! $learly no $hoi$e( friend 2aneel. ,t wa! purely an a$$ident that ,arri'ed in time( for my !en!e! were entirely o$$upied with !ear$hing out human&eing! and , found none. 4or would , ha'e gra!ped the !ignifi$an$e of e'ent! if itwere not for ady Gladia"! rage and de!pair. ,t wa! that whi$h , !en!ed at a di!tan$eand whi$h $au!ed me to ra$e to the !$ene++&arely in time. ,n that re!pe$t( adyGladia did !a'e the !ituation( at lea!t a! far a! the $aptain H! e)i!ten$e and your!were $on$erned. , would !till ha'e !a'ed the !hip( , &elie'e( e'en if , had arri'ed too

late to !a'e you.0 e pau!ed a moment and added( /, would ha'e found it mo!tun!ati!fa$tory( friend 2aneel( to arri'e too late to !a'e you.0

2aneel !aid( with a gra'e and formal tone of 'oi$e( /, than you( friendGi!ard. , am plea!ed that you were not inhi&ited &y the human appearan$e of theo'er!eer. That had !lowed my rea$tion!( a! my appearan$e had !lowed her!.0

/6riend 2aneel( her phy!i$al appearan$e meant nothing to me &e$au!e , wa!aware of the pattern of her thought!. That pattern wa! !o limited and !o entirelydifferent from the full range of human pattern! that there wa! no need for me tomae any effort to identify her in a po!iti'e manner. The negati'e identifi$ation a!nonhuman wa! !o $lear , a$ted at on$e. , wa! not aware of my a$tion( in fa$t( untilafter it had taen pla$e.0

/, had thought thi!( friend Gi!ard( &ut , wi!hed $onfirmation le!t ,mi!under!tand. ay , a!!ume( then( that you feel no di!$omfort o'er ha'ing illed

what wa!( in appearan$e( a human &eing*0/4one( !in$e it wa! a ro&ot.0/,t !eem! to me that( had , !u$$eeded in de!troying her( , would ha'e !uffered

!ome o&!tru$tion to the free po!itroni$ flow( no matter how thoroughly , under!toodher to &e a ro&ot. /

/The humanoid appearan$e( friend 2aneel( $annot &e fought off when that i!all one $an dire$tly %udge &y. Seeing i! !o mu$h more immediate than dedu$ing. ,twa! only &e$au!e , $ould o&!er'e her mental !tru$ture and $on$entrate on that( that, $ould ignore her phy!i$al !tru$ture.0

/ow do you !uppo!e the o'er!eer would ha'e felt if !he had de!troyed u!(



%udging from her mental !tru$ture*0/She wa! gi'en e)$eedingly firm in!tru$tion! and there wa! no dou&t in her

$ir$uit! that you and the $aptain were nonhuman &y her definition.0/But !he might ha'e de!troyed adam Gladia a! well.0/Of that we $annot &e $ertain( friend 2aneel.0/ad !he done !o( friend Gi!ard( would !he ha'e !ur'i'ed* a'e you any

way of telling*0Gi!ard wa! !ilent for a $on!idera&le period. /, had in!uffi$ient time to !tudythe mental pattern. , $annot !ay what her rea$tion might ha'e &een had !he illedadam Gladia.0

/,f , imagine my!elf in the pla$e of the o'er!eer0 ++2aneel"! 'oi$e trem&ledand grew !lightly lower in pit$h ++0it !eem! to me that , might ill a human &eing inorder to !a'e the life of another human &eing( whom( there might &e !ome rea!on tothin( it wa! more ne$e!!ary to !a'e. The a$tion would( howe'er( &e diffi$ult anddamaging. To ill a human &eing merely in order to de!troy !omething , $on!iderednonhuman would &e in$on$ei'a&le.0

/She merely threatened. She did not $arry through the threat.0/ight !he ha'e( friend Gi!ard*0/ow $an we !ay( !in$e we don"t now the nature of her in!tru$tion!*0/Could the in!tru$tion! ha'e !o $ompletely negated the 6ir!t aw*0Gi!ard !aid( /our whole purpo!e in thi! di!$u!!ion( , !ee( ha! &een to rai!e

thi! 3ue!tion. , ad'i!e you to go no further.02aneel !aid !tu&&ornly( /, will put it in the $onditional( friend Gi!ard. Surely

what may not &e e)pre!!ed a! fa$t $an &e ad'an$ed a! fanta!y. If in!tru$tion! $ould&e hedged a&out with definition! and $ondition!( if the in!tru$tion! $ould &e made!uffi$iently detailed in a !uffi$iently for$eful manner( might it &e po!!i&le to ill ahuman &eing for a purpo!e le!! o'erwhelming than the !a'ing of the life of anotherhuman &eing*0

Gi!ard !aid tonele!!ly( /, do not now( &ut , !u!pe$t that thi! might &epo!!i&le.0

/But( then( if your !u!pi$ion !hould &e $orre$t( that would imply that it wa!po!!i&le to neutrali7e the 6ir!t aw under !pe$iali7ed $ondition!. The 6ir!t aw( inthat case# and( therefore( $ertainly the other aw! might &e modified into almo!tnone)i!ten$e. The aw!( e'en the 6ir!t aw( might not &e an a&!olute then( &utmight &e whate'er tho!e who de!ign ro&ot! defined it to &e.0

Gi!ard !aid( /,t i! enough( friend 2aneel. Go no further.02aneel !aid( /There i! one more !tep( friend Gi!ard. Aartner =li%ah would

ha'e taen that additional !tep.0/e wa! a human &eing. e $ould.0/, mu!t try. If the aw! of Ro&oti$!++e'en the 6ir!t aw++are not a&!olute! and

if human &eing! $an modify them( might it not &e that perhaps# under proper$ondition!( we our!el'e! might mod++0

e !topped.Gi!ard !aid faintly( /Go no further.02aneel !aid( a !light hum o&!$uring hi! 'oi$e( /, go no further.0

There wa! a !ilen$e for a long time. ,t wa! with diffi$ulty that the po!itroni$

$ir$uitry in ea$h $ea!ed undergoing di!$ord!.6inally( 2aneel !aid( /#nother thought ari!e!. The o'er!eer wa! dangerou! not

only &e$au!e of the !et of her in!tru$tion! &ut &e$au!e of her appearan$e. ,t inhi&itedme and pro&a&ly the $aptain and $ould mi!lead and de$ei'e human &eing! generally(a! , de$ei'ed( without meaning to( 6ir!t+Cla!! Shipper 4i!!. e $learly wa! not aware(at fir!t( that , wa! a ro&ot.0

/#nd what follow! from that( friend 2aneel*0/On #urora( a num&er of humanoid ro&ot! were $on!tru$ted at the Ro&oti$!

,n!titute( under the leader!hip of 2r. #madiro( after the de!ign! of 2r. 6a!tolfe had



&een o&tained.0/Thi! i! well nown.0/-hat happened to tho!e humanoid ro&ot!*0/The pro%e$t failed.0,n hi! turn( 2aneel !aid( /Thi! i! well nown. But it doe! not an!wer the

3ue!tion. -hat happened to tho!e humanoid ro&ot!*0

/One $an a!!ume they were de!troyed.0/Su$h an a!!umption need not ne$e!!arily &e $orre$t. -ere they( in a$tualfa$t( de!troyed*0

/That would ha'e &een the !en!i&le thing to do. -hat el!e with a failure*0/ow do we now the humanoid ro&ot! were a failure( e)$ept in that they

were remo'ed from !ight*0/,!n"t that !uffi$ient( if they were remo'ed from !ight and de!troyed*0/, did not !ay Hand de!troyed(" friend Gi!ard. That i! more than we now. -e

now only that they were remo'ed from !ight.0/-hy !hould that &e !o( unle!! they were failure!*0/#nd if they were not failure!( might there &e no rea!on for their &eing

remo'ed from !ight*0/, $an thin of none( friend 2aneel.0/Thin again( friend Gi!ard. Remem&er( we are taling now of humanoid

ro&ot! who( we now thin( might from the mere fa$t of their humanoid nature &edangerou!. ,t ha! !eemed to u! in our pre'iou! di!$u!!ion that there wa! a plan onfoot on #urora to defeat the Settler!++dra!ti$ally( !urely( and at a &low. -e de$idedthat the!e plan! mu!t &e $entered on the planet =arth. #m , $orre$t !o far*0

/e!( friend 2aneel.0/Then might it not &e that 2r. #madiro i! at the fo$u! and $enter of thi! plan*

i! antipathy to =arth ha! &een made plain the!e twenty de$ade!. #nd if 2r. #madiroha! $on!tru$ted a num&er of humanoid ro&ot!( where might the!e ha'e &een !ent ifthey ha'e di!appeared from 'iew* Remem&er that if Solarian ro&oti$i!t! $an di!tortthe Three aw!( #uroran ro&oti$i!t! $an do the !ame.0

/#re you !ugge!ting( friend 2aneel( that the humanoid ro&ot! ha'e &een !entto =arth*0

/=)a$tly. There to de$ei'e the =arthpeople through their human appearan$eand to mae po!!i&le whate'er it i! that 2r. #madiro intend! a! hi! &low again!t=arth.0

/ou ha'e no e'iden$e for thi!.0/et it i! po!!i&le. Con!ider for your!elf the !tep! of the argument.0/,f that were !o( we would ha'e to go to =arth. -e would ha'e to &e there and

!omehow pre'ent the di!a!ter.0/e!( that i! !o.0/But we $annot go unle!! ady Gladia goe! and that is not liely.0/,f you $an influen$e the $aptain to tae thi! !hip to =arth( adam Gladia

would ha'e no $hoi$e &ut to go a! well.0Gi!ard !aid( /, $annot without harming him. e i! firmly !et on going to hi!

own planet of Baleyworld. -e mu!t maneu'er hi! trip to =arth++if we $an++after heha! done whate'er he plan! in Baleyworld.0

/#fterward may &e too late.0/, $annot help that. , mu!t not harm a human &eing.0/,f it i! too late++6riend Gi!ard( $on!ider what that would mean.0/, $annot $on!ider what that would mean. , now only that , $annot harm a

human &eing. //Then the 6ir!t aw i! not enough and we mu!t++0e $ould go no farther and &oth ro&ot! lap!ed into helple!! !ilen$e.

;:.



Baleyworld $ame !lowly into !harper 'iew a! the !hip approa$hed it. Gladiawat$hed it intently in her $a&in"! 'iewer it wa! the fir!t time !he had e'er !een aSettler world.

She had prote!ted thi! leg of the %ourney when !he had fir!t &een made awareof it &y 2.G.( &ut he !hrugged it off with a !mall laugh. /-hat would you ha'e( my

lady* , mu!t lug thi! weapon of your people0++he empha!i7ed /your0 !lightly++0to mypeople. #nd , mu!t report to them( too.0Gladia !aid $oldly( /our permi!!ion to tae me along to Solaria wa! granted

you &y the #uroran Coun$il on the $ondition that you &ring me &a$. //#$tually that i! not !o( my lady. There may ha'e &een !ome informal

under!tanding to that effe$t( &ut there i! nothing in writing. 4o formal agreement.0/#n informal under!tanding would &ind me--or any $i'ili7ed indi'idual( 2.G.0/,"m !ure of that( adam Gladia( &ut we Trader! li'e &y money and &y written

!ignature! on legal do$ument!. , would ne'er( under any $ir$um!tan$e!( 'iolate awritten $ontra$t or refu!e to do that for whi$h , ha'e a$$epted payment.0

Gladia"! $hin turned upward. /,! that a hint that , mu!t pay you in order to &etaen home*0

/adam0

/Come( $ome( 2.G. 2on"t wa!te mo$ indignation on me. ,f , am to &e eptpri!oner on your planet( !ay !o and tell me why. et me now e)a$tly where , !tand.0/ou are not my pri!oner and win not &e. ,n fa$t( , will honor thi! unwritten

under!tanding. , will tae you home++e'entually. 6ir!t( howe'er( , mu!t go toBaleyworld and you mu!t $ome with me.0

/-hy mu!t , $ome with you*0/The people of my world will want to !ee you. ou are the heroine of Solaria.

ou !a'ed u!. ou $an"t depri'e them of a $han$e of !houting them!el'e! hoar!e foryou. Be!ide!( you were the good friend of the #n$e!tor.0

/-hat do they now++or thin they now++of that*0 Gladia !aid !harply.2.G. grinned. /4othing to your di!$redit( , a!!ure you. ou are a legend and

legend! are larger than life++though , admit it would &e ea!y for a legend to &e largerthan you( my lady++and a good deal no&ler. Ordinarily( , wouldn"t want you on theworld &e$au!e you $ouldn"t li'e up to the legend. ou"re not tall enough( &eautifulenough( ma%e!ti$ enough. ,ut when the !tory of Solaria $ome! out( you will !uddenlymeet all re3uirement!. ,n fa$t( they may not want to let you go. ou mu!t remem&erwe are taling of Baleyworld( the planet on whi$h the !tory of the #n$e!tor i! taenmore !eriou!ly than on any other++and you are part of the !tory.0

/ou are not to u!e that a! an e)$u!e to eep me in pri!on.0/, promi!e you , won"t. #nd , promi!e , will get you home++when , $an++when ,

$an.0Gladia did not remain a! indignant !omehow a! !he felt !he had e'ery right to

&e. She did want to !ee what a Settler world wa! lie and( after all( thi! wa! =li%ahBaley"! pe$uliar world. i! !on had founded it. e him!elf had !pent hi! la!t de$ade!here. On Baleyworld( there would &e remnant! of him++the name of the planet( hi!de!$endant!( hi! legend.

So !he wat$hed the planet++and thought of =li%ah.

;1.

The wat$hing &rought her little and !he felt di!appointed. There wa! not mu$hto &e !een through the $loud layer that $o'ered the planet. 6rom her relati'ely !malle)perien$e a! a !pa$e tra'eler it !eemed to her that the $loud layer wa! den!er thanu!ual for inha&ited planet!. They would &e landing within hour!( now( and

The !ignal light fla!hed and Gladia !$ram&led to pu!h the O2 &utton inan!wer. # few moment! more and !he pu!hed the =4T=R &utton.



2.G. $ame in( !miling. /,n$on'enient moment( my lady*0/4ot really(0 !aid Gladia. /Simply a matter of putting on my glo'e! and

in!erting my no!e plug!. , !uppo!e , !hould wear them all the time( &ut &oth growtire!ome and( for !ome rea!on( , grow le!! $on$erned a&out infe$tion.0

/6amiliarity &reed! $ontempt( my lady.0/et"! not $all it $ontempt(0 !aid Gladia( who found her!elf !miling.

/Than you(0 !aid 2.G. /-e"ll &e landing !oon( madam( and , ha'e &roughtyou a $o'erall( $arefully !terili7ed and pla$ed in!ide thi! pla!ti$ &ag !o that it ha!!in$e &een untou$hed &y Settler hand!. ,t"! !imple to put on. ou"ll ha'e no trou&leand you H11 find it $o'er! e'erything &ut the no!e and eye!.0

/Fu!t for me( 2.G.*0/4o( no( my lady. -e all wear !u$h thing! when outdoor! at thi! !ea!on of the

year. ,t i! winter in our $apital $ity at the pre!ent time and it i! $old. -e li'e on arather $old world++hea'y $loud $o'er( mu$h pre$ipitation( often !now.0

/='en in the tropi$al region!*0/4o( there it rend! to &e hot and dry. The population $lu!ter! in the $ooler

region!( howe'er. -e rather lie it. ,t"! &ra$ing and !timulating. The !ea!( whi$h were!eeded with =arth !pe$ie! of life( are fertile( !o that fi!h and other $reature! ha'emultiplied a&undantly. There"! no food !hortage( $on!e3uently( e'en though landagri$ulture i! limited and we"ll ne'er &e the &read&a!et of the Gala)y. ++The!ummer! are !hort &ut 3uite hot and the &ea$he! are then well populated( althoughyou might find them unintere!ting !in$e we ha'e a !trong nudity ta&oo.0

/,t !eem! lie pe$uliar weather.0/# matter of land+!ea di!tri&ution( a planetary or&it that i! a &it more

e$$entri$ than mo!t( and a few other thing!. 6ranly( , don"t &other with it.0 e!hrugged. /,t"! not my field of intere!t.0

/ou"re a Trader. , imagine you"re not on the planet often. //True( &ut ,"m not a Trader in order to e!$ape. , lie it here. #nd yet perhap! ,

would lie it le!! if , were here more. ,f we loo at it that way( Baleyworld"! har!h$ondition! !er'e an important purpo!e. They en$ourage trading. Baleyworld produ$e!men who !$our the !ea! for food and there"! a $ertain !imilarity &etween !ailing the!ea! and !ailing through !pa$e. , would !ay fully a third of all the Trader! plying the!pa$e lane! are Baleypeople.0

/ou !eem in a !emimani$ !tate( 2.G.(0 !aid Gladia./2o ,* , thin of my!elf right now a! &eing in a good humor. , ha'e rea!on to

&e. So ha'e you.0/Oh*0/,t"! o&'iou!( i!n"t it* -e got off Solaria ali'e. -e now e)a$tly what the

Solarian danger i!. -e"'e gained $ontrol of an unu!ual weapon that !hould intere!tO>T military. #nd you will &e the heroine of Baleyworld. The world offi$ial! alreadynow the outline of e'ent! and are eager to greet you. 6or that matter( you"re theheroine of thi! !hip. #lmo!t e'ery man on &oard 'olunteered to &ring you thi!$o'erall. They are all an)iou! to get $lo!e and &athe in your aura( !o to !pea.0

/Juite a $hange(0 !aid Gladia dryly./#&!olutely. 4i!!++the $rewman whom your 2aneel $ha!ti!ed++0/, remem&er well( 2.G.0

/e i! an)iou! to apologi7e to you. #nd &ring hi! four mate! !o that they( too(might apologi7e. #nd to i$( in you pre!en$e( the one of them who made animproper !ugge!tion. e i! not a &ad per!on( my lady.0

/, am $ertain he i!n"t. #!!ure him he i! forgi'en and the in$ident forgotten.#nd if you"ll arrange matter!( , will++will !hae hand! with him and perhap! !ome ofthe other! &efore de&aring. But you mu!tn"t let them $rowd a&out me.0

/, under!tand( &ut , $an"t guarantee there won"t &e a $ertain amount of$rowding in Baleytown++that"! the $apital $ity of Baleyworld. There"! no way of!topping 'ariou! go'ernment offi$ial! from trying to gain politi$al ad'antage &y &eing



!een with you( while grinning away and &owing.0/Feho!haphat #! your #n$e!tor would !ay.0/2on"t !ay that on$e we land( madam. ,t"! an e)pre!!ion re!er'ed for him. ,t i!

$on!idered &ad ta!te for anyone el!e to !ay it. ++There"ll &e !pee$he! and $heeringand all ind! of meaningle!! formalitie!. ,"m !orry( my lady.0

She !aid thoughtfully( /, $ould do without it( &ut , !uppo!e there"! no way of

!topping it.0/4o way( my lady.0/ow long will it $ontinue*0/Till they get tired. Se'eral day!( perhap!( &ut there"ll &e a $ertain 'ariety to

it.0/#nd how long do we !tay on the planet*0/Till I get tired. ,"m !orry( my lady( &ut , ha'e mu$h to do++pla$e! to go++friend!

to !ee++0/-omen to mae lo'e to.0/#la! for human frailty(0 !aid 2.G.( grinning &roadly./ou"re doing e'erything &ut !lo&&er.0/# weane!!. , $an"t &ring my!elf to !lo&&er.0Gladia !miled. /ou"re not totally $ommitted to !anity( are you*0/, ne'er $laimed to &e. But( lea'ing that a!ide( , al!o ha'e to $on!ider !u$h

dull matter! a! the fa$t that my offi$er! and $rew would want to !ee their familie!and friend!( $at$h up on their !leep( and ha'e a little planet!ide fun. ++and if you wantto $on!ider the feeling! of inanimate o&%e$t!( the !hip will ha'e to &e repaired(refur&i!hed( refre!hed( and refueled. ittle thing! lie that.0

/ow long will all tho!e little thing! tae*0/,t $ould &e month!. -ho now!*0/#nd what do , do meanwhile*0/ou $ould !ee our world( &roaden your hori7on!.0/But your world i! not e)a$tly the playground of the Gala)y. //Too true( &ut we"ll try to eep you intere!ted.0 e looed at hi! wat$h. /One

more warning( madam. 2o not refer to your age.0/-hat $au!e would , ha'e to do that*0/,t might !how up in !ome $a!ual referen$e. ou"ll &e e)pe$ted to !ay a few

word! and you might !ay( for in!tan$e( H,n all my more than twenty+three de$ade! oflife( , ha'e ne'er &een !o glad to !ee anyone a! , am to !ee the people ofBaleyworld." ,f you"re tempted to !ay anything lie that initial $lau!e( re!i!t it. /

/, will. , ha'e no intention of indulging in hyper&ole in any $a!e. ++But( a! amatter of idle $urio!ity( why not*0

/Simply &e$au!e it i! &etter for them not to now your age. //But they do now my age( don"t they* They now , wa! your #n$e!tor"!

friend and they now how long ago he li'ed. Or are they under the impre!!ion0++!helooed at him narrowly ++0that 1"m a di!tant de!$endant of the Gladia*0

/4o( no( they now who you are and how old you are( &ut they now it onlywith their head!0++he tapped hi! forehead++0and few people ha'e woring head!( a!you may ha'e noti$ed.0

/e!( , ha'e. ='en on #urora.0

/That"! good. , wouldn"t want the Settler! to &e !pe$ial in thi! re!pe$t. -ell(then( you ha'e the appearan$e of0 ++he pau!ed %udi$iou!ly++0forty( may&e forty+fi'e(and they"ll a$$ept you a! that in their gut!( whi$h i! where the a'erage per!on"! realthining me$hani!m i! lo$ated. If you don"t ru& it in a&out your real age.0

/2oe! it really mae a differen$e*0/2oe! it* oo( the a'erage Settler really doe!n"t want ro&ot!. e ha! no

liing for ro&ot!( no de!ire for ro&ot!. There we are !ati!fied to differ from theSpa$er!. ong life i! different. 6orty de$ade! i! $on!idera&ly more than ten. /

/6ew of u! a$tually rea$h the forty+de$ade mar.0



/#nd few of u! a$tually rea$h the ten+de$ade mar. -e tea$h the ad'antageof !hort life+3uality 'er!u! 3uantity( e'olutionary !peed( e'er+$hanging world++&utnothing really mae! people happy a&out li'ing ten de$ade! when they imagine they$ould li'e forty( !o pa!t a point the propaganda produ$e! a &a$la!h and it"! &e!t toeep 3uiet a&out it. They don"t often !ee Spa$er!( a! you $an imagine( and !o theydon"t ha'e o$$a!ion to grind their teeth o'er the fa$t that Spa$er! loo young and

'igorou! e'en when they are twi$e a! old a! the olde!t Settler who e'er li'ed. They"ll!ee that in you and if they thin a&out it( it will un!ettle them.0Gladia !aid &itterly( /-ould you lie to ha'e me mae a !pee$h and tell them

e)a$tly what forty de$ade! mean!* Shall , tell them for how many year! one outli'e!the !pringtime of hope( to !ay nothing of friend! and a$3uaintan$e!. Shall , tell themof the meaningle!!ne!! of $hildren and family of the endle!! $oming! and going! ofone hu!&and after another( of the mi!ty &lurring of the informal mating! &etween andalong!ide of the $oming of the time when you"'e !een all you want to !ee( and heardall you want to hear( and find it impo!!i&le to thin a new thought( of how you forgetwhat e)$itement and di!$o'ery are all a&out( and learn ea$h year how mu$h moreinten!e &oredom $an &e$ome*0

/Baleypeople wouldn"t &elie'e that. , don"t thin , do. ,! that the way allSpa$er! feel or are you maing it up*0

/, only now for $ertain how , my!elf feel( &ut ,"'e wat$hed other! dim a! theyaged ,"'e wat$hed their di!po!ition! !our( and their am&ition! narrow( and theirindifferen$e! &roaden.0

2.G."! lip! pre!!ed together and he looed !om&er. /,! the !ui$ide rate highamong Spa$er!* ,"'e ne'er heard that it i!.0

/,t"! 'irtually 7ero.0/But that doe!n"t fit what you"re !aying.0/Con!ider -e"re !urrounded &y ro&ot! who are dedi$ated to eeping u! ali'e.

There"! no way we $an ill our!el'e! when our !harp+eyed and a$ti'e ro&ot! arefore'er a&out u!. , dou&t that any of u! would e'en thin of trying. , wouldn"t dreamof it my!elf( if only &e$au!e , $an"t &ear the thought of what it would mean to all myhou!ehold ro&ot! and( e'en more !o( to 2aneel and Gi!ard.0

/They"re not really ali'e( you now. They don"t ha'e feeling!. /Gladia !hoo her head. /ou !ay that only &e$au!e you"'e ne'er li'ed with

them. ++,n any $a!e( , thin you o'ere!timate the longing for prolonged life amongyour people. You now my age( you loo at my appearan$e( yet it doe!n"t &otheryou.0

/Be$au!e ,"m $on'in$ed that the Spa$er world! mu!t dwindle and die( that iti! the Settler world! that are the hope of humanity"! future( and that it i! our !hort+li'ed $hara$teri!ti$ that en!ure! it. i!tening to what you"'e %u!t !aid( a!!uming it i!all true( mae! me the more $ertain.0

/2on"t &e too !ure. ou may de'elop your own in!upera&le pro&lem!++if youha'en"t already.0

/That i! undou&tedly po!!i&le( my lady( &ut for now , mu!t lea'e you. The !hipi! $oa!ting in for a landing and , mu!t !tare intelligently at the $omputer that $ontrol!it or no one will &elie'e that , am the $aptain. /

e left and !he remained in gloomy a&!tra$tion for a while( her finger!

plu$ing at the pla!ti$ that en$lo!ed the $o'erall.She had $ome to a !en!e of e3uili&rium on #urora( a way of allowing life to

pa!! 3uietly. eal &y meal( day &y day( !ea!on &y !ea!on( it had &een pa!!ing andthe 3uiet had in!ulated her( almo!t( from the tediou! waiting for the only ad'enturethat remained( the final one of death.

#nd now !he had &een to Solaria and had awaened the memorie! of a$hildhood that had long pa!!ed on a world that had long pa!!ed( !o that the 3uiethad &een !hattered++perhap! fore'er++and !o that !he now lay un$o'ered and &are tothe horror of $ontinuing life.



won"t !u$$eed.0 The line of $ar! &egan to mo'e( all together and 'ery !moothly.Gladia half+ro!e in a!toni!hment. There wa! no one in front of the partition

that $lo!ed them off. /-ho"! dri'ing*0 !he a!ed./The $ar! are thoroughly $omputeri7ed(0 !aid 2.G. /, tae it that Spa$er $ar!

are not*0

/-e ha'e ro&ot! to dri'e them.02.G. $ontinued wa'ing and Gladia followed hi! lead automati$ally. /-e don"t(0he !aid.

/But a $omputer i! e!!entially the !ame a! a ro&ot. //# $omputer i! not humanoid and it doe! not o&trude it!elf on one"! noti$e.

-hate'er the te$hnologi$al !imilaritie! might &e( they are world! apartp!y$hologi$ally.0

Gladia wat$hed the $ountry!ide and found it oppre!!i'ely &arren. ='enallowing for winter( there wa! !omething de!olate in the !$attering of leafle!! &u!he!and in the !par!ely di!tri&uted tree!( who!e !tunted and di!pirited appearan$eempha!i7ed the death that !eemed to grip e'erything.

2.G.( noting her depre!!ion and $orrelating it with her darting glan$e! hereand there( !aid( /,t doe!n"t loo lie mu$h now( my lady. ,n the !ummer( though( it"!not &ad. There are gra!!y plain!( or$hard!( grain field!++0

/6ore!t!*0/4ot wilderne!! fore!t!. -e"re !till a growing world. ,t"! !till &eing molded.

-e"'e only had a little o'er a $entury and a half( really. The fir!t !tep wa! to $ulti'atehome plot! for the initial Settler!( u!ing imported !eed. Then we pla$ed fi!h andin'erte&rate! of all ind! in the o$ean( doing our &e!t to e!ta&li!h a !elf+!upportinge$ology. That i! a fairly ea!y pro$edure++if the o$ean $hemi!try i! !uita&le. ,f it i!n"t(then the planet i! not ha&ita&le without e)ten!i'e $hemi$al modifi$ation and that ha!ne'er &een tried in a$tuality( though there are all !ort! of plan! for !u$h pro$edure!.++6inally( we try to mae the land flouri!h( whi$h i! alway! diffi$ult( alway! !low.0

/a'e all the Settler world! followed that path*0/#re following. 4one are really fini!hed. Baleyworld i! the olde!t and we"re not

fini!hed. Gi'en another $ouple of $enturie!( the Settler world! will &e ri$h and full oflife++land a! well a! !ea+though &y that time there will &y many !till+newer world! thatwill &e woring their way through 'ariou! preliminary !tage!. ,"m !ure the Spa$erworld! went through the !ame pro$edure.0

/any $enturie! ago++and le!! !trenuou!ly( , thin. -e had ro&ot! to help.0/-e"ll manage(0 !aid 2.G. &riefly./#nd what a&out the nati'e life++the plant! and animal! that e'ol'ed on thi!

world &efore human &eing! arri'ed*02.G. !hrugged. /,n!ignifi$ant. Small( fee&le thing!. The !$ienti!t! are of

$our!e( intere!ted( !o the indigenou! life !till e)i!t! in !pe$ial a3uaria( &otani$algarden!( 7oo!. There are out+of+the+way &odie! of water and $on!idera&le !tret$he!of land area that ha'e not yet &een $on'erted. Some indigenou! life !till li'e! outthere in the wild.0

/But the!e !tret$he! of wilderne!! will e'entually all &e $on'erted. //-e hope !o.0

/2on"t you feel that the planet really &elong! to the!e in!ignifi$ant( !mall(fee&le thing!*0

/4o. ,"m not that !entimental. The planet and the whole >ni'er!e &elong! tointelligen$e. The Spa$er! agree with that. -here i! the indigenou! life of Solaria* Orof #urora*0

The line of $ar!( whi$h had &een progre!!ing tortuou!ly from the !pa$eport(now $ame to a flat( pa'ed area on whi$h !e'eral low( domed &uilding! were e'ident.

/Capital Ala7a(0 !aid 2.G. in a low 'oi$e. /Thi! i! the offi$ial heart&eat of theplanet. Go'ernment offi$e! are lo$ated here( the Alanetary Congre!! meet! here( the



=)e$uti'e an!ion i! found here( and !o on.0/,"m !orry( 2.G.( &ut thi! i! not 'ery impre!!i'e. The!e are !mall and

unintere!ting &uilding!.02.G. !miled. /ou !ee only an o$$a!ional top( my lady. The &uilding!

them!el'e! are lo$ated underground++all inter$onne$ted. ,t"! a !ingle $omple)( really(and i! !till growing. ,t"! a !elf+$ontained $ity( you now. ,t( along with the !urrounding

re!idential area!( mae! up Baleytown.0/2o you plan to ha'e e'erything underground e'entually* The whole $ity* Thewhole world*0

/o!t of u! loo forward to an underground world( ye!.0/They ha'e underground Citie! on =arth( , under!tand. //,ndeed they do( my lady. The !o+$alled Ca'e! of Steel. //ou imitate that here( then*0/,t"! not !imple imitation. -e add our own idea! and++-e"re $oming to a halt(

my lady( and any moment we"ll &e a!ed to !tep out. ,"d $ling to the $o'erallopening! if , were you. The whi!tling wind on the Ala7a in winter i! legendary.0

Gladia did !o( fum&ling rather a! !he tried to put the edge! of the opening!together. /,t"! not !imple imitation( you !ay.0

/4o. -e de!ign our underground with the weather in mind. Sin$e our weatheri!( on the whole( har!her than =arth"!( !ome modifi$ation in ar$hite$ture i! re3uired.Aroperly &uilt( almo!t no energy i! re3uired to eep the $omple) warm in winter and$ool in !ummer. ,n a way( indeed( we eep warm in winter( in part( with the !toredwarmth of the pre'iou! !ummer and $ool in !ummer with the $oolne!! of thepre'iou! winter.0

/-hat a&out 'entilation*0/That u!e! up !ome of the !a'ing!( &ut not all. ,t wor!( my lady( and

!omeday we will mat$h =arth"! !tru$ture!. That( of $our!e( i! the ultimate am&ition++to mae Baleyworld a refle$tion of =arth. /

/, ne'er new that =arth wa! !o admira&le a! to mae imitation de!ira&le(0!aid Gladia lightly.

2.G. turned hi! eye! on her !harply. /ae no %oe! of that !ort( my lady(while you are with Settler!++not e'en with me. =arth i! no %oing matter.0

Gladia !aid( /,"m !orry( 2.G. , meant no di!re!pe$t.0/ou didn"t now. But now you now. Come( let"! get out.0

The !ide door of the $ar !lid open noi!ele!!ly and 2.G. turned in hi! !eat and!tepped out. e then held out one hand to help Gladia and !aid( /ou"ll &e addre!!ingthe Alanetary Congre!!( you now( and e'ery go'ernment offi$ial who $an !3uee7e inwill do !o.0

Gladia( who had !tret$hed out her hand to !ei7e 2.G."! and who already felt++painfully++the $old wind on her fa$e( !hran &a$ !uddenly. /, mu!t mae an addre!!*, hadn"t &een told that.0

2.G. looed !urpri!ed. /, rather thought you would tae !omething of the !ortfor granted.0

/-ell( , didn"t. #nd , $an"t mae an addre!!. ,"'e ne'er done !u$h a thing.0/ou mu!t. ,t"! nothing terri&le. ,t"! %u!t a matter of !aying a few word! after

!ome long and &oring !pee$he! of wel$ome.0

/But what $an , po!!i&ly !ay*0/4othing fan$y( , a!!ure you. Fu!t pea$e and lo'e and &lah++Gi'e them half a

minute"! worth. ,"ll !$rawl out !omething for you if you wi!h.0#nd Gladia !tepped out of the $ar and her ro&ot! followed her. er mind wa!

in a whirl.



9. THE SPEECH

;;.

#! they waled into the &uilding( they remo'ed their $o'erall! and handed

them to attendant!. 2aneel and Gi!ard remo'ed their!( too( and the attendant! $a!t!harp glan$e! at the latter( approa$hing him gingerly.

Gladia ad%u!ted her no!e plug! ner'ou!ly. She had ne'er &efore &een in thepre!en$e of large $rowd! of !hort+li'ed human &eing!++!hort+li'ed in part( !he new?or had alway! &een told@( &e$au!e they $arried in their &odie! $hroni$ infe$tion! andhorde! of para!ite!.

She whi!pered( /-ill , get &a$ my own $o'erall*0/ou will wear no one el!e"!(0 !aid 2.G. /They will &e ept !afe and radiation+

!terili7ed.0Gladia looed a&out $autiou!ly. Somehow !he felt that e'en opti$al $onta$t

might &e dangerou!./-ho are tho!e people*0 She indi$ated !e'eral people who wore &rightly

$olored $lothing and were o&'iou!ly armed.

/Se$urity guard!( madam(0 !aid 2.G./='en here* ,n a go'ernment &uilding*0/#&!olutely. #nd when we"re on the platform( there will &e a for$e+field $urtain

di'iding u! from the audien$e.0/2on"t you tru!t your own legi!lature*02.G. half+!miled. /4ot entirely. Thi! i! a raw world !till and we go our own

way!. -e ha'en"t had all the edge! no$ed off and we don"t ha'e ro&ot! wat$hingo'er u!. Then( too( we"'e got militant minority partie! we"'e got our war haw!.0

/-hat are war haw!*0o!t of the Baleyworlder! had their $o'erall! remo'ed now and were helping

them!el'e! to drin!. There wa! a &u77 of $on'er!ation in the air and many people!tared at Gladia( &ut no one $ame o'er to !pea to her. ,ndeed( it wa! $lear to Gladiathat there wa! a $ir$le of a'oidan$e a&out her.

2.G. noti$ed her glan$e from !ide to !ide and interpreted it $orre$tly. /They"'e&een told(0 he !aid( /that you would appre$iate a little el&ow room. , thin theyunder!tand your fear of infe$tion.0

/They don"t find it in!ulting( , hope.0/They may( &ut you"'e got !omething that i! $learly a ro&ot with you and

mo!t Baleyworlder! don"t want that ind of infe$tion. The war haw!( parti$ularly.0/ou ha'en"t told me what they are. //, will if there"! time. ou and , and other! on the platform will ha'e to mo'e

in a little while. ++o!t Settler! thin that( in time( the Gala)y will &e their!( that theSpa$er! $annot and will not $ompete !u$$e!!fully in the ra$e for e)pan!ion. -e al!onow it will tae time. -e won"t !ee it. Our $hildren pro&a&ly won"t. ,t may tae athou!and year!( for all we now. The war haw! don"t want to wait. They want it!ettled now.0

/They want war?” /They don"t !ay that( pre$i!ely. #nd they don"t $all them!el'e! war haw!.

That"! what we !en!i&le people $all them. They $all them!el'e! =arth Suprema$i!t!.#fter all( it"! hard to argue with people who announ$e they are in fa'or of =arth &eing!upreme. -e all fa'or that( &ut mo!t of u! don"t ne$e!!arily e)pe$t it to happentomorrow and are not fero$iou!ly up!et that it won"t. /

/#nd the!e war haw! may atta$ me* Ahy!i$ally*02.G. ge!tured for her to mo'e forward. /, thin we"ll ha'e to get mo'ing(

madam. They"re getting u! into line. ++4o( , don"t thin you"ll really &e atta$ed( &utit"! alway! &e!t to &e $autiou!. /



Gladia held &a$ a! 2.G. indi$ated her pla$e in line./4ot without 2aneel and Gi!ard( 2.G. ,"m !till not going anywhere without

them. 4ot e'en onto the platform. 4ot after what you %u!t told me a&out the warhaw!./

/ou"re a!ing a lot( my lady.0/On the $ontrary( 2.G. ,"m not a!ing for anything. Tae me home right now++

with my ro&ot!.0Gladia wat$hed ten!ely a! 2.G. approa$hed a !mall group of offi$ial!. emade a half+&ow( arm! in downward+pointing diagonal!. ,t wa! what Gladia !u!pe$tedto &e a Baleyworlder ge!ture of re!pe$t.

She did not hear what 2.G. wa! !aying( &ut a painful and 3uite in'oluntaryfanta!y pa!!ed through her mind. ,f there wa! any attempt to !eparate her from herro&ot! again!t her will( 2aneel and Gi!ard would !urely do what they $ould topre'ent it. They would mo'e too 3ui$ly and pre$i!ely to really hurt anyone++&ut the!e$urity guard! would u!e their weapon! at on$e.

She would ha'e to pre'ent that at all $o!t!++pretend !he wa! !eparating from2aneel and Gi!ard 'oluntarily and a! them to wait &ehind for her. ow $ould !hedo that* She had ne'er &een entirely without ro&ot! in her life. ow $ould !he feel!afe without them* #nd yet what other way out of the dilemma offered it!elf*

2.G. returned. /our !tatu! a! heroine( my lady( i! a u!eful &argaining $hip.#nd( of $our!e( , am a per!ua!i'e fellow. our ro&ot! may go with you. They will !it onthe platform &ehind you( &ut there will &e no !potlight upon them. #nd( for the !aeof the #n$e!tor( my lady( don"t $all attention to them. 2on"t e'en loo at them. /

Gladia !ighed with relief. /ou"re a good fellow( 2.G.(0 !he !aid !haily./Than you.0

She too her pla$e near the head of the line( 2.G. at her left( 2aneel andGi!ard &ehind her( and &ehind them a long tail of offi$ial! of &oth !e)e!.

# woman Settler( $arrying a !taff that !eemed to &e a !ym&ol of offi$e( ha'ing!ur'eyed the line $arefully( nodded( mo'ed forward to the head of the line( thenwaled on. ='eryone followed.

Gladia &e$ame aware of mu!i$ in !imple and rather repetiti'e mar$h rhythmup ahead and wondered if !he were !uppo!ed to mar$h in !ome $horeographedfa!hion. ?Cu!tom! 'ary infinitely and irrationally from world to world( !he toldher!elf.@

ooing out of the $orner of her eye( !he noti$ed 2.G. am&ling forward in anindifferent way. e wa! almo!t !lou$hing. She pur!ed her lip! di!appro'ingly andwaled rhythmi$ally( head ere$t( !pine !tiff. In the a&!en$e of dire$tion( !he wa!going to mar$h the way she wanted to.

They $ame out upon a !tage and( a! they did !o( $hair! ro!e !moothly fromre$e!!e! in the floor. The line !plit up( &ut 2.G. $aught her !lee'e lightly and !hea$$ompanied him. The two ro&ot! followed her.

She !tood in front of the !eat that 2.G. 3uietly pointed to. The mu!i$ grewloud( &ut the light wa! not 3uite a! &right a! it had &een. #nd then( after what!eemed an almo!t intermina&le wait( !he felt 2.G."! tou$h pre!!ing lightly downward.She !at and !o did they all.

She wa! aware of the faint !himmer of the for$e+field $urtain and &eyond that

an audien$e of !e'eral thou!and. ='ery !eat wa! filled in an amphitheater that!loped !teeply upward. #ll were dre!!ed in dull $olor!( &rown! and &la$!( &oth !e)e!alie ?a! nearly a! !he $ould tell them apart@. The !e$urity guard! in the ai!le! !toodout in their green and $rim!on uniform!. 4o dou&t it lent them in!tant re$ognition.?Though( Gladia thought( it mu!t mae them in!tant target! a! well.@

She turned to 2.G. and !aid in a low 'oi$e( /ou people ha'e an enormou!legi!lature.0

2.G. !hrugged !lightly. /, thin e'eryone in the go'ernmental apparatu! i!here( with mate! and gue!t!. # tri&ute to your popularity( my lady.0



She $a!t a glan$e o'er the audien$e from right to left and &a$ and tried atthe e)treme of the ar$ to $at$h !ight( out of the $orner of her eye( of either 2aneel orGi!ard++%u!t to &e !ure they were there. #nd then !he thought( re&elliou!ly( thatnothing would happen &e$au!e of a 3ui$ glan$e and deli&erately turned her head.

They were there. She al!o $aught 2.G. rolling hi! eye! upward in e)a!peration.She !tarted !uddenly a! a !potlight fell upon one of the per!on! on the !tage(

while the re!t of the room dimmed further into !hadowy in!u&!tantiality. The !potlighted figure ro!e and &egan to !pea. i! 'oi$e wa! not terri&lyloud( &ut Gladia $ould hear a 'ery faint re'er&eration &oun$ing &a$ from the farwall!. ,t mu!t penetrate e'ery $ranny of the large hall( !he thought. -a! it !ome formof amplifi$ation &y a de'i$e !o uno&tru!i'e that !he did not !ee it or wa! there aparti$ularly $le'er a$ou!ti$al !hape to the hall* She did not now( &ut !heen$ouraged her pu77led !pe$ulation to $ontinue( for it relie'ed her( for a while( of thene$e!!ity of ha'ing to li!ten to what wa! &eing !aid.

#t one point !he heard a !oft $all of /Jua$en&u!h0 from !ome undeterminedpoint in the audien$e. But for the perfe$t a$ou!ti$! ?if that wa! what it wa!@( it wouldpro&a&ly ha'e gone unheard.

The word meant nothing to her( &ut from the !oft( &rief titter of laughter that!wept the audien$e( !he !u!pe$ted it wa! a 'ulgari!m. The !ound 3uen$hed it!elfalmo!t at on$e and Gladia rather admired the depth of the !ilen$e that followed.

Aerhap! if the room were !o perfe$tly a$ou!ti$ that e'ery !ound $ould &eheard( the audien$e had to &e !ilent or the noi!e and $onfu!ion would &e intolera&le.

Then( on$e the $u!tom of !ilen$e wa! e!ta&li!hed and audien$e noi!e &e$ame ata&oo( anything &ut !ilen$e would &e$ome unthina&le. ++=)$ept where the impul!eto mutter /Jua$en&u!h0 &e$ame irre!i!ti&le( !he !uppo!ed.

Gladia reali7ed that her thining wa! growing muddy and her eye! were$lo!ing. She !at upright with a !mall %er. The people of the planet were trying tohonor her and if !he fell a!leep during the pro$eeding!( that would !urely &e anintolera&le in!ult. She tried to eep her!elf awae &y li!tening( &ut that !eemed tomae her !leepier. She &it the in!ide of her $hee! in!tead and &reathed deeply.

Three offi$ial! !poe( one after the other( with !emimer$iful !emi&re'ity( andthen Gladia %olted wide awae ?ad !he &een a$tually do7ing de!pite all her effort!++with thou!and! of pair! of eye! on her*@ a! the !potlight fell %u!t to her left and 2.G.ro!e to !pea( !tanding in front of hi! $hair.

e !eemed $ompletely at ea!e( with hi! thum&! hooed in hi! &elt./en and women of Baleyworld(0 he &egan. /Offi$ial!( lawgi'er!( honored

leader!( and fellow planetfol( you ha'e heard !omething of what happened onSolaria. ou now that we were $ompletely !u$$e!!ful. ou now that ady Gladia of#urora $ontri&uted to that !u$$e!!. ,t i! time now to pre!ent !ome of the detail! toyou and to all my fellow planetfol who are wat$hing on hyper'i!ion./

e pro$eeded to de!$ri&e the e'ent! in modified form and Gladia foundher!elf dryly amu!ed at the nature of the modifi$ation!. e pa!!ed o'er hi! owndi!$omfiture at the hand! of a humanoid ro&ot lightly. Gi!ard wa! ne'er mentioned2aneel"! role wa! minimi7ed and Gladia"! hea'ily empha!i7ed. The in$ident &e$amea duel &etween two women++Gladia and andaree++and it wa! the $ourage and !en!eof authority of Gladia that had won out.

6inally( 2.G. !aid( /#nd now ady Gladia( Solarian &y &irth( #uroran &y$iti7en!hip( &ut Baleyworlder &y deed++0 ?There wa! !trong applau!e at the la!t( theloude!t Gladia had yet heard( for the earlier !peaer! had &een &ut tepidly re$ei'ed.@

2.G. rai!ed hi! hand! for !ilen$e and it $ame at on$e. e then $on$luded( /++will now addre!! you.0

Gladia found the !potlight on her!elf and turned to 2.G. in !udden pani$. There wa! applau!e in her ear! and 2.G.( too( wa! $lapping hi! hand!. >nder the$o'er of the applau!e( he leaned toward her and whi!pered( /ou lo'e them all( youwant pea$e( and !in$e you"re not a legi!lator( you"re unu!ed to long !pee$he! of



!mall $ontent. Say that( then !it down.0She looed at him un$omprehendingly( far too ner'ou! to ha'e heard what he

!aid.She ro!e and found her!elf !taring at endle!! tier! of people.

;I.

Gladia felt 'ery !mall ?not for the fir!t time in her life( to &e !ure@ a! !he fa$edthe !tage. The men on the !tage were all taller than !he wa! and !o were the otherthree women. She felt that e'en though they were all !itting and !he wa! !tanding(they !till towered o'er her. #! for the audien$e( whi$h wa! waiting now in almo!tmena$ing !ilen$e( tho!e who $ompo!ed it were( !he felt 3uite $ertain( one and alllarger than her in e'ery dimen!ion.

She too a deep &reath and !aid( /6riend!++0 &ut it $ame out in a thin(&reathle!! whi!tle. She $leared her throat ?in what !eemed a thunderou! ra!p@ andtried again.

/6riend!0 Thi! time there wa! a $ertain normality to the !ound. /ou are allde!$ended from =arthpeople( e'ery one of you. I am de!$ended from =arthpeople.

There are no human &eing! anywhere on all the inha&ited world!++whether Spa$er

world!( Settler world!( or =arth it!elf++that are not either =arthpeople &y &irth or=arthpeople &y de!$ent.#ll other differen$e! fade to nothing in the fa$e of that enormou! fa$t.0er eye! fli$ered leftward to loo at 2.G. and !he found that he wa! !miling

'ery !lightly and that one eyelid trem&led a! though it were a&out to win.She went on. /That !hould &e our guide in e'ery thought and a$t. , than you

all for thining of me a! a fellow human &eing and for wel$oming me among youwithout regard to any other $la!!ifi$ation in whi$h you might ha'e &een tempted topla$e me. Be$au!e of that( and in the hope that the day will !oon $ome when !i)teen&illion human &eing!( li'ing in lo'e and pea$e( will $on!ider them!el'e! a! %u!t thatand nothing more++or le!!++, thin of you not merely a! friend! &ut a! in!men andin!women.0

There wa! an out&rea of applau!e that thundered in upon her and Gladia

half+$lo!ed her eye! in relief. She remained !tanding to let it $ontinue and &athe herin it! wel$ome indi$ation that !he had !poen well and++what wa! more++enough.-hen it &egan to fade( !he !miled( &owed to right and left( and &egan to !it down.

#nd then a 'oi$e $ame out of the audien$e. /-hy don"t you !pea inSolarian*0 She fro7e halfway to her !eat and looed( in !ho$( at 2.G.

e !hoo hi! head !lightly and mouthed !oundle!!ly /,gnore it. / e ge!tureda! uno&tru!i'ely a! po!!i&le that !he !eat her!elf.

She !tared at him for a !e$ond or two( then reali7ed what an ungainly !ight!he mu!t pre!ent( with her po!terior protruding in the unfini!hed pro$e!! of !eatingher!elf. She !traightened at on$e and fla!hed a !mile at the audien$e a! !he turnedher head !lowly from !ide to !ide. 6or the fir!t time !he &e$ame aware of o&%e$t! inthe rear who!e gli!tening len!e! fo$u!ed upon her.

Of $our!e 2.G. had mentioned that the pro$eeding! were &eing wat$hed 'ia

hyperwa'e. et it !$ar$ely !eemed to matter now. She had !poen and had &eenapplauded and !he wa! fa$ing the audien$e !he $ould !ee( ere$t and withoutner'ou!ne!!. -hat $ould the un!een addition matter*

She !aid( !till !miling( /, $on!ider that a friendly 3ue!tion. ou want me to!how you my a$$ompli!hment!. ow many want me to !pea a! a Solarian might*2on"t he!itate. Rai!e your right hand!.0

# few right arm! went up.Gladia !aid( /The humanoid ro&ot on Solaria heard me !pea Solarian. That

wa! what defeated it in the end. Come++let me !ee e'eryone who would lie ademon!tration.0



ore right arm! went up and( in a moment( the audien$e &e$ame a !ea ofuprai!ed arm!. Gladia felt a hand tweaing at her pant! leg and( with a rapidmo'ement( !he &ru!hed it away.

/Dery well. ou may lower your arm! now( in!men and in!women.>nder!tand that what , !pea now i! Gala$ti$ Standard( whi$h i! your language( too.,( howe'er( am !peaing it a! an #uroran would and , now you all under!tand me

e'en though the way , pronoun$e my word! may well !trie you a! amu!ing and my$hoi$e of word! may on o$$a!ion pu77le you a &it. ou"ll noti$e that my way of!peaing ha! note! to it and goe! up and down++almo!t a! though , were !inging myword!. Thi! alway! !ound! ridi$ulou! to anyone not an #uroran( e'en to otherSpa$er!.

/On the other hand( if , !lip into the Solarian way of !peaing a! , am nowdoing( you will noti$e at on$e that the note! !top and that it &e$ome! throaty withHr"!" that %u!t a&out ne'errr let go++e!pe$ially if therrre i! no Hrrrrr" anywherrrre on the'o$al panoramarrrrrr.0

There wa! a &ur!t of laughter from the audien$e and Gladia $onfronted it witha !eriou! e)pre!!ion on her fa$e. 6inally( !he held up her arm! and made a $uttingmo'ement downward and outward and the laughter !topped.

/owe'er(0 !he !aid( /, will pro&a&ly ne'er go to Solaria again( !o , will ha'eno o$$a!ion to u!e the Solarian diale$t any further. #nd the good Captain Baley0++!heturned and made a half+&ow in hi! dire$tion( noting that there wa! a di!tin$t out&reaof per!piration on hi! &row++0inform! me there i! no telling when ,"ll &e going &a$ to#urora( !o , may ha'e to drop the #uroran diale$t a! well. y only $hoi$e( then( will&e to !pea the Baleyworld diale$t( whi$h , !hall at on$e &egin to pra$ti$e. /

She hooed the finger! of ea$h hand into an in'i!i&le &elt( !tret$hed her $he!toutward( pulled her $hin downward( put on 2.G."! un!elf+$on!$iou! grin( and !aid( in agra'elly attempt at &aritone( /en and women of Baleyworld( offi$ial!( lawgi'er!(honored leader!( and fellow planetfol++and that !hould in$lude e'eryone( e)$ept(perhap!( di!honored leader!++0 She did her &e!t to in$lude the glottal !top! and theflat /a"!0 and $arefully pronoun$ed the /h0 of /honored0 and /di!honored0 in whatwa! almo!t a ga!p.

The laughter wa! !till louder thi! time and more prolonged and Gladia allowedher!elf to !mile and to wait $almly while it went on and on. #fter all( !he wa!per!uading them to laugh at them!el'e!.

#nd when thing! were 3uiet again( !he !aid !imply( in an une)aggerated'er!ion of the #uroran diale$t( /='ery diale$t i! amu!ing++or pe$uliar++to tho!e whoare not a$$u!tomed to it and it tend! to mar off human &eing! into !eparate++andfre3uently mutually unfriendly++group!. 2iale$t!( howe'er( are only language! of thetongue. ,n!tead of tho!e( you and , and e'ery other human &eing on e'ery inha&itedworld !hould li!ten to the language of the heart and there are no diale$t! to that.

That language++if we will only li!ten++ring! out the !ame in all of u!.0 That wa! it. She wa! ready to !it down again( &ut another 3ue!tion !ounded. ,t

wa! a woman"! 'oi$e thi! time./ow old are you*04ow 2.G. for$ed a low growl &etween hi! teeth. /Sit down# madam ,gnore the

3ue!tion.0

Gladia turned to fa$e 2.G. e had half+ri!en. The other! on the !tage( a!nearly a! !he $ould !ee them in the dimne!! out!ide the !potlight( were ten!elyleaning toward her.

She turned &a$ to the audien$e and $ried out ringingly( /The people here onthe !tage want me to !it down. ow many of you out there want me to !it down* ++,find you are !ilent. ++ow many want me to !tand here and an!wer the 3ue!tionhone!tly*0

There wa! !harp applau!e and $rie! of 0#n!wer #n!wer0Gladia !aid( /The 'oi$e of the people ,"m !orry( 2.G. and all the re!t of you(



&ut , am $ommanded to !pea.0She looed up at the !potlight( !3uinting( and !houted( /, don"t now who

$ontrol! the light!( &ut light the auditorium and turn off the !potlight. , don"t $arewhat it doe! to the hyperwa'e $amera!. Fu!t mae !ure the !ound i! going outa$$urately. 4o one will $are if , loo dim( a! long a! they $an hear me. Right*0

/Right0 $ame the multi'oi$ed an!wer. Then /ight! ight!0

Someone on the !tage !ignaled in a di!traught manner and the audien$e wa!&athed in light./u$h &etter(0 !aid Gladia. /4ow , $an !ee you all( my in!people. , would lie(

parti$ularly( to !ee the woman who a!ed the 3ue!tion( the one who want! to nowmy age. , would lie to !pea to her dire$tly. 2on"t &e &a$ward or !hy. ,f you ha'ethe $ourage to a! the 3ue!tion( you !hould ha'e the $ourage to a! it openly.0

She waited and finally a woman ro!e in the middle di!tan$e. er dar hair wa!pulled &a$ tightly( the $olor of her !in wa! a light &rown( and her $lothing( worntightly to empha!i7e a !lim figure( wa! in !hade! of darer &rown.

She !aid( %u!t a &it !tridently( /,"m not afraid to !tand up. #nd ,"m not afraid toa! the 3ue!tion again. ow old are you*0

Gladia fa$ed her $almly and found her!elf e'en wel$oming the $onfrontation.?ow wa! thi! po!!i&le* Throughout her fir!t three de$ade!( !he had &een $arefullytrained to find the real pre!en$e of e'en one human &eing intolera&le. 4ow loo ather++fa$ing thou!and! without a trem&le. She wa! 'aguely a!toni!hed and entirelyplea!ed.@

Gladia !aid( /Alea!e remain !tanding( madam( and let u! tal together. ow!hall we mea!ure age* ,n elap!ed year! !in$e &irth*0

The woman !aid with $ompo!ure( /y name i! Sindra am&id. ,"m a mem&erof the legi!lature and therefore one of Captain Baley"! Hlawgi'er!" and Hhonoredleader!." , hope Hhonored(" at any rate.0 ?There wa! a ripple of laughter a! theaudien$e !eemed to grow in$rea!ingly good+natured.@ /To an!wer your 3ue!tion( ,thin that the num&er of Gala$ti$ Standard ear! that ha'e elap!ed !in$e &irth i! theu!ual definition of a per!on"! age. Thu!( , am fifty+four year! old. ow old are you*ow a&out %u!t gi'ing u! a figure*0

/, will do !o. Sin$e my &irth( two hundred and thirty+three Gala$ti$ Standard ear! ha'e $ome and gone( !o that , am o'er twenty+three de$ade! old++or a littlemore than four time! a! old a! you are.0 Gladia held her!elf !traight and !he newthat her !mall( !lim figure and the dim light made her loo e)traordinarily $hildlie atthat moment.

There wa! a $onfu!ed &a&&le from the audien$e and !omething of a groanfrom her left. # 3ui$ glan$e in that dire$tion !howed her that 2.G. had hi! hand tohi! forehead.

Gladia !aid( /But that i! an entirely pa!!i'e way of mea!uring time lap!e. ,t i!a mea!ure of 3uantity that tae! no a$$ount of 3uality. y life ha! &een !pent3uietly( one might !ay dully. , ha'e drifted through a !et routine( !hielded from alluntoward e'ent! &y a !moothly fun$tioning !o$ial !y!tem that left no room for either$hange or e)perimentation and &y my ro&ot!( who !tood &etween me andmi!ad'enture of any ind.

/Only twi$e in my life ha'e , e)perien$ed the &reath of e)$itement and &oth

time! tragedy wa! in'ol'ed. -hen , wa! thirty+three( younger in year! than many ofyou who are now li!tening to me( there wa! a time++not a long one++during whi$h amurder a$$u!ation hung o'er me. Two year! later( there wa! another period of time++not long++during whi$h , wa! in'ol'ed in another murder. On &oth tho!e o$$a!ion!(Alain$lothe!man =li%ah Baley wa! at my !ide. , &elie'e mo!t of you++or perhap! all ofyou++are familiar with the !tory a! gi'en in the a$$ount written &y =li%ah Baley"! !on.

/, !hould now add a third o$$a!ion for( thi! la!t month( , ha'e fa$ed a greatdeal of e)$itement( rea$hing it! $lima) with my &eing re3uired to !tand up &eforeyou all( !omething whi$h i! entirely different from anything , ha'e e'er done in all my



long life. #nd , mu!t admit it i! only your own good nature and ind a$$eptan$e of methat mae! it po!!i&le.

/Con!ider( ea$h of you( the $ontra!t of all thi! with your own li'e!. ou arepioneer! and you li'e on a pioneer world. Thi! world ha! &een growing all your li'e!and will $ontinue to grow. Thi! world i! anything &ut !ettled down and ea$h day i!++and mu!t &e++an ad'enture. The 'ery $limate i! an ad'enture. ou ha'e fir!t $old(

then heat( then $old again. ,t i! a $limate ri$h in wind and !torm! and !udden $hange.#t no time $an you !it &a$ and let time pa!! drow!ily in a world that $hange! gentlyor not at all.

/any Baleyworlder! are Trader! or $an $hoo!e to &e Trader! and $an then!pend half their time !$ouring the !pa$e lane!. #nd if e'er thi! world grow! tame(many of it! inha&itant! $an $hoo!e to tran!fer their !phere of a$ti'itie! to anotherle!!+de'eloped world or %oin an e)pedition that will find a !uita&le world that ha! notyet felt the !tep of human &eing! and tae their !hare in !haping it and !eeding itand maing it fit for human o$$upan$y.

/ea!ure the length of life &y e'ent! and deed!( a$$ompli!hment! ande)$itement!( and , am a $hild( younger than any of you. The large num&er of myyear! ha! !er'ed merely to &ore and weary me the !maller num&er of your! toenri$h and e)$ite you. ++So tell me again( adam am&id( how old are you*0

am&id !miled. /6ifty+four good year!( adam Gladia. /She !at down and again the applau!e welled up and $ontinued. >nder $o'er of

that( 2.G. !aid hoar!ely( /adyGladia( who taught you how to handle an audien$e lie thi!*0/4o one(0 !he whi!pered &a$. /, ne'er tried &efore.0/But 3uit while you"re ahead. The per!on now getting to hi! feet i! our leading

war haw. There"! no need to fa$e him. Say you are tired and !it down. -e will ta$leOld an Bi!ter'an our!el'e!.0

/But ,"m not tired(0 !aid Gladia. /,"m en%oying my!elf.0 The man now fa$ing her from her e)treme right &ut rather near the !tage wa!

a tall( 'igorou! man with !haggy white eye&row! hanging o'er hi! eye!. i! thinninghair wa! al!o white and hi! garment! were a !om&er &la$( relie'ed &y a white !triperunning down ea$h !lee'e and trou!er leg( a! though !etting !harp limit! to hi! &ody.

i! 'oi$e wa! deep and mu!i$al. /y name(0 he !aid( /i! Toma! Bi!ter'an and,"m nown to many a! the Old an( largely( , thin( &e$au!e they wi!h , were and that, would not delay too long in dying. , do not now how to addre!! you &e$au!e you donot !eem to ha'e a family name and &e$au!e , do not now you well enough to u!eyour gi'en name. To &e hone!t( , do not wi!h to now you that well.

/#pparently( you helped !a'e a Baleyworld !hip on your world again!t the&oo&y trap! and weapon! !et up &y your people and we are thaning you for that. ,nreturn( you ha'e deli'ered !ome piou! non!en!e a&out friend!hip and in!hip. Aurehypo$ri!y

/-hen ha'e your people felt in to u!* -hen ha'e the Spa$er! felt anyrelation!hip to =arth and it! people* Certainly( you Spa$er! are de!$ended from=arthmen. -e don"t forget that. 4or do we forget that you ha'e forgotten it. 6or wello'er twenty de$ade!( the Spa$er! $ontrolled the Gala)y and treated =arthpeople a!though they were hateful( !hort+li'ed( di!ea!ed animal!. 4ow that we are growing

!trong( you hold out the hand of friend!hip( &ut that hand ha! a glo'e on it( a! yourhand! do. ou try to remem&er not to turn up your no!e at u!( &ut the no!e( e'en ifnot turned up( ha! plug! in it. -ell* #m , $orre$t*0

Gladia held up her hand!. /,t may &e(0 !he !aid( /that the audien$e here inthi! room++and( e'en more !o( the audien$e out!ide the room that !ee! me 'iahyperwa'e++i! not aware that , am wearing glo'e!. They are not o&tru!i'e( &ut theyare there. , do not deny that. #nd , ha'e no!e plug! that filter out du!t andmi$roorgani!m! without too mu$h interferen$e with &reathing. #nd , am $areful to!pray my throat periodi$ally. #nd , wa!h perhap! a &it more than the re3uirement! of



$leanline!! alone mae ne$e!!ary. , deny none of it./But thi! i! the re!ult of my !hort$oming!( not your!. y immune !y!tem i!

not !trong. y life ha! &een too $omforta&le and , ha'e &een e)po!ed to too little. That wa! not my deli&erate $hoi$e( &ut , mu!t pay the penalty for it. ,f any of youwere in my unfortunate po!ition( what would you do* ,n parti$ular( r. Bi!ter'an(what would you do*0

Bi!ter'an !aid grimly( /, would do a! you do and , would $on!ider it a !ign ofweane!!( a !ign that , wa! unfit and unad%u!ted to life and that , therefore ought tomae way for tho!e who are !trong. -oman( don"t !pea of in!hip to u!. ou are noin of mine. ou are of tho!e who per!e$uted and tried to de!troy u! when you were!trong and who $ome whining to u! when you are wea.0

There wa! a !tir in the audien$e++and &y no mean! a friendly one++&utBi!ter'an held hi! ground firmly.

Gladia !aid !oftly( /2o you remem&er the e'il we did when we were !trong*0Bi!ter'an !aid( /2on"t fear that we will forget. ,t i! in our mind! e'ery day.0/Good Be$au!e now you now what to a'oid. ou ha'e learned that when the

!trong oppre!! the wea( that i! wrong. Therefore( when the ta&le turn! and whenyou are !trong and we are wea( you will not &e oppre!!i'e.0

/#h( ye!. , ha'e heard the argument. -hen you were !trong( you ne'er heardof morality( &ut now that you are wea( you prea$h it earne!tly.0

/,n your $a!e( though( when you were wea( you new all a&out morality andwere appalled &y the &eha'ior of the !trong++and now that you are !trong( you forgetmorality. Surely it i! &etter that the immoral learn morality through ad'er!ity thanthat the moral forget morality in pro!perity.0

/-e will gi'e what we re$ei'ed(0 !aid Bi!ter'an( holding up hi! $len$hed fi!t./ou !hould gi'e what you would ha'e lied to re$ei'e(0 !aid Gladia( holding

out her arm!( a! though em&ra$ing. /Sin$e e'eryone $an thin of !ome pa!t in%u!ti$eto a'enge( what you are !aying( my friend( i! that it i! right for the !trong to oppre!!the wea. #nd when you !ay that( you %u!tify the Spa$er! of the pa!t and !houldtherefore ha'e no $omplaint of the pre!ent. -hat , !ay i! that oppre!!ion wa! wrongwhen we pra$ti$ed it in the pa!t and that it will &e e3ually wrong when you pra$ti$e itin the future. -e $annot $hange the pa!t( unfortunately( &ut we $an !till de$ide onwhat the future !hall &e.0

Gladia pau!ed. -hen Bi!ter'an did not an!wer immediately( !he $alled out(/ow many want a new Gala)y( not the &ad old Gala)y endle!!ly repeated*0

The applau!e &egan( &ut Bi!ter'an threw hi! arm! up and !houted in!tentorian fa!hion( /-ait -ait 2on"t &e fool! Stop0

There wa! a !low 3uieting and Bi!ter'an !aid( /2o you !uppo!e thi! woman&elie'e! what !he"! !aying* 2o you !uppo!e the Spa$er! intend u! any goodwhate'er* They !till thin they are !trong( and they !till de!pi!e u!( and they intendto de!troy u!++if we don"t de!troy them fir!t. Thi! woman $ome! here and( lie fool!(we greet her and mae mu$h of her. -ell( put her word! to the te!t. et any of youapply for permi!!ion to 'i!it a Spa$er world and !ee if you $an. Or if you ha'e a world&ehind you and $an u!e threat!( a! Captain Baley did( !o that you are allowed to landon the world( how will you &e treated* #! the $aptain if he wa! treated lie in.

/Thi! woman i! a hypo$rite( in !pite of all her word!++no( &e$au!e of them.

They are the !poen ad'erti!ement! of her hypo$ri!y. She moan! and whine! a&outher inade3uate immune !y!tem and !ay! that !he mu!t prote$t her!elf again!t thedanger of infe$tion. Of $our!e( !he doe!n"t do thi! &e$au!e !he thin! we are foul anddi!ea!ed. That thought( , !uppo!e( ne'er o$$ur! to her.

/She whine! of her pa!!i'e life( prote$ted from mi!$han$e and mi!fortune &ya too+!ettled !o$iety and a too+!oli$itou! $rowd of ro&ot!. ow !he mu!t hate that.

/But what endanger! her here* -hat mi!$han$e doe! !he feel will &efall heron our planet* et !he ha! &rought two ro&ot! with her. ,n thi! hall( we meet in orderto honor her and mae mu$h of her( yet !he &rought her two ro&ot! e'en here. They



are there on the platform with her. 4ow that the room i! generally lit( you $an !eethem. One i! an imitation human &eing and it! name i! R. 2aneel Oli'aw. #nother i! a!hamele!! ro&ot( openly metalli$ in !tru$ture( and it! name i! R. Gi!ard Re'entlo'.Greet them( my fellow Baleyworlder!. 'hey are thi! woman"! infol.0

/Che$mate0 groaned 2.G. in a whi!per./4ot yet(0 !aid Gladia.

There were $raning ne$! in the audien$e( a! if a !udden it$h had affe$tedthem all( and the word /Ro&ot!0 ran a$ro!! the length and &readth of the hall inthou!and! of intae! of &reath.

/ou $an !ee them without trou&le(0 Gladia"! 'oi$e rang out. /2aneel(Gi!ard( !tand up.0

The two ro&ot! ro!e at on$e &ehind her./Step to either !ide of me(0 !he !aid( /!o that my &ody doe! not &lo$ the

'iew. ++not that my &ody i! large enough to do mu$h &lo$ing( in any $a!e./4ow let me mae a few thing! $lear to all of you. The!e two ro&ot! did not

$ome with me in order to !er'i$e me. e!( they help run my e!ta&li!hment on #urora(along with fifty+one other ro&ot!( and , do no wor for my!elf that , wi!h a ro&ot to dofor me. That i! the $u!tom on the world on whi$h , li'e.

/Ro&ot! 'ary in $omple)ity( a&ility( and intelligen$e and the!e two rate 'eryhigh in tho!e re!pe$t!. 2aneel( in parti$ular( i!( in my opinion( the ro&ot( of all ro&ot!(who!e intelligen$e mo!t nearly appro)imate! the human in tho!e area! where$ompari!on i! po!!i&le.

/, ha'e &rought only 2aneel and Gi!ard with me( &ut they perform no great!er'i$e! for me. ,f you are intere!ted( , dre!! my!elf( &athe my!elf( u!e my ownuten!il! when , eat( and wal without &eing $arried.

/2o , u!e them for per!onal prote$tion* 4o. They prote$t me( ye!( &ut theye3ually well prote$t anyone el!e who need! prote$tion. On Solaria( %u!t re$ently(2aneel did what he $ould to prote$t Captain Baley and wa! ready to gi'e up hi!e)i!ten$e to prote$t me. -ithout him( the !hip $ould not ha'e &een !a'ed.

/#nd , $ertainly need no prote$tion on thi! platform. #fter all( there i! a for$efield !tret$hed a$ro!! the !tage that i! ample prote$tion. ,t i! not there at myre3ue!t( &ut it i! there and it !upplie! all the prote$tion , need.

/Then why are my ro&ot! here with me*0/Tho!e of you who now the !tory of =li%ah Baley( who freed =arth of it!

Spa$er o'erlord!( who initiated the new poli$y of !ettlement( and who!e !on led thefir!t human &eing to Baleyworld++why el!e i! it $alled that*++now that well &efore henew me( =li%ah Baley wored with 2aneel. e wored with him on =arth( on Solaria(and on #urora++on ea$h of hi! great $a!e!. To 2aneel( =li%ah Baley wa! alway!HAartner =li%ah. H , don"t now if that fa$t appear! in hi! &iography( &ut you may !afelytae my word for it. #nd although =li%ah Baley( a! an =arthman( &egan with a !trongdi!tru!t of 2aneel( a friend!hip &etween them de'eloped. -hen =li%ah Baley wa!dying( here on thi! planet o'er !i)teen de$ade! ago( when it wa! %u!t a $lu!ter ofprefa&ri$ated hou!e! !urrounded &y garden pat$he!( it wa! not hi! !on who wa! withhim in hi! la!t moment. 4or wa! it ,.0 ?6or a trea$herou! moment( !he thought her'oi$e would not hold !teady.@ /e !ent for 2aneel and he held on to life until 2aneelarri'ed.

/e!( thi! i! 2aneel"! !e$ond 'i!it to thi! planet. , wa! with him( &ut , remainedin or&it.0 ?Steady@ /,t wa! 2aneel alone who made planetfall( 2aneel who re$ei'edhi! la!t word!. ++-ell( doe! thi! mean nothing to you*0

er 'oi$e ro!e a not$h a! !he !hoo her fi!t! in the air. /u!t , tell you thi!*2on"t you already now it* ere i! the ro&ot that =li%ah Baley lo'ed. e!( lo'ed. ,wanted to !ee =li%ah &efore he died( to !ay good+&ye to him &ut he wanted 2aneel++and thi! i! 2aneel. Thi! i! the 'ery one.

/#nd thi! other i! Gi!ard( who new =li%ah only on #urora( &ut who managedto !a'e =li%ah"! life there.



/-ithout the!e two ro&ot!( =li%ah Baley would not ha'e a$hie'ed hi! goal. TheSpa$er world! would !till &e !upreme( the Settler world! would not e)i!t( and none ofyou would &e here. , now that. ou now that. , wonder if r. Toma! Bi!ter'annow! that*

/2aneel and Gi!ard are honored name! on thi! world. They are u!ed$ommonly &y the de!$endant! of =li%ah Baley at hi! re3ue!t. , ha'e arri'ed on a !hip

the $aptain of whi$h i! named 2aneel Gi!ard Baley. ow many( , wonder( among thepeople , fa$e now++in per!on and 'ia hyperwa'e++&ear the name of 2aneel orGi!ard* -ell( the!e ro&ot! &ehind me are the ro&ot! tho!e name! $ommemorate.#nd are they to &e denoun$ed &y Toma! Bi!ter'an*0

The growing murmur among the audien$e wa! &e$oming loud and Gladialifted her arm! imploringly. /One moment. One moment. et me fini!h. , ha'e not toldyou why , &rought the!e two ro&ot!. /

There wa! immediate !ilen$e./The!e two ro&ot!(0 Gladia !aid( /ha'e ne'er forgotten =li%ah Baley( any more

than , ha'e forgotten him. The pa!!ing de$ade! ha'e not in the lea!t dimmed tho!ememorie!. -hen , wa! ready to !tep on to Captain Baley"! !hip( when , new that ,might 'i!it Baleyworld( how $ould , refu!e to tae 2aneel and Gi!ard with me* Theywanted to !ee the planet that =li%ah Baley had made po!!i&le( the planet on whi$h hepa!!ed hi! old age and on whi$h he died.

/e!( they are ro&ot!( &ut they are intelligent ro&ot! who !er'ed =li%ah Baleyfaithfully and well. ,t i! not enough to ha'e re!pe$t for all human &eing! one mu!tha'e re!pe$t for all intelligent &eing!. So , &rought them here.0 Then( in a final out$rythat demanded a re!pon!e( !Did I do wrong?”

She re$ei'ed her re!pon!e. # giganti$ $ry of !+o” re!ounded throughout thehall and e'eryone wa! on hi! or her feet( $lapping( !tamping( roaring( !$reaming++on... and on...and on.

Gladia wat$hed( !miling( and( a! the noi!e $ontinued endle!!ly( &e$ame awareof two thing!. 6ir!t( !he wa! wet with per!piration. Se$ond( !he wa! happier than !hehad e'er &een in her life.

,t wa! a! though all her life !he had waited for thi! moment++the momentwhen !he( ha'ing &een &rought up in i!olation( $ould finally learn( after twenty+threede$ade!( that !he $ould fa$e $rowd!( and mo'e them( and &end them to her will.

She li!tened to the unwearying( noi!y re!pon!e++on... and on...and on...

;5.

,t wa! a $on!idera&le time later++how long !he had no way of telling ++thatGladia finally $ame to her!elf.

There had fir!t &een unending noi!e( the !olid wedge of !e$urity peopleherding her through the $rowd( the plunge into endle!! tunnel! that !eemed to !indeeper and deeper into the ground.

She lo!t $onta$t with 2.G. early and wa! not !ure that 2aneel and Gi!ardwere !afely with her. She wanted to a! for them( &ut only fa$ele!! people!urrounded her. She thought di!tantly that the ro&ot! had to &e with her( for they

would re!i!t !eparation and !he would hear the tumult if an attempt were made.-hen !he finally rea$hed a room( the two ro&ot! were there with her. Shedidn"t now pre$i!ely where !he wa!( &ut the room wa! fairly large and $lean. ,t wa!poor !tuff $ompared to her home on #urora( &ut $ompared to the !hip&oard $a&in itwa! 3uite lu)uriou!.

/ou will &e !afe here( madam(0 !aid the la!t of the guard! a! he left. /,f youneed anything( %u!t let u! now.0 e indi$ated a de'i$e on a !mall ta&le ne)t to the&ed.

She !tared at it( &ut &y the time !he turned &a$ to a! what it wa! and how itwored( he wa! gone.



Oh( well( !he thought( ,"ll get &y./Gi!ard(0 !he !aid wearily( /find out whi$h of tho!e door! lead! to the

&athroom and find out how the !hower wor!. -hat , must ha'e now i! a !hower.0She !at down gingerly( aware that !he wa! damp and unwilling to !aturate the

$hair with her per!piration. She wa! &eginning to a$he with the unnatural rigidity ofher po!ition when Gi!ard emerged.

/adam( the !hower i! running(0 he !aid( /and the temperature i! ad%u!ted. There i! a !olid material whi$h , &elie'e i! !oap and a primiti'e !ort of towelingmaterial( along with 'ariou! other arti$le! that may &e u!eful.0

/Than you( Gi!ard(0 !aid Gladia( 3uite aware that de!pite hergrandilo3uen$e on the manner in whi$h ro&ot! !u$h a! Gi!ard did not performmenial !er'i$e( that i! pre$i!ely what !he had re3uired him to do. But $ir$um!tan$e!alter $a!e!++

,f !he had ne'er needed a !hower( it !eemed to her( a! &adly a! now( !he hadal!o ne'er en%oyed one a! mu$h. She remained in it mu$h longer than !he had to andwhen it wa! o'er it didn"t e'en o$$ur to her to wonder if the towel! had &een in anyway irradiated to !terility until after !he had dried her!elf++and &y that time it wa! toolate.

She rummaged a&out among the material Gi!ard had laid out for her++powder( deodorant( $om&( toothpa!te( hair dryer++&ut !he $ould not lo$ate anythingthat would !er'e a! a tooth&ru!h. She finally ga'e up and u!ed her finger( whi$h !hefound mo!t un!ati!fa$tory. There wa! no hair&ru!h and that too wa! un!ati!fa$tory.She !$ru&&ed the $om& with !oap &efore u!ing it( &ut $ringed away from it %u!t the!ame. She found a garment that looed a! though it were !uita&le for wearing to &ed.,t !melled $lean( &ut it hung far too loo!ely( !he de$ided.

2aneel !aid 3uietly( /adam( the $aptain wi!he! to now if he may !ee you.0/, !uppo!e !o(0 !aid Gladia( !till rummaging for alternate nightwear. /et him

in.02.G. looed tired and e'en haggard( &ut when !he turned to greet him( he

!miled wearily at her and !aid( /,t i! hard to &elie'e that you are o'er twenty+threede$ade! old.0

/-hat* ,n thi! thing*0/That help!. ,t"! !emitran!parent. ++or didn"t you now*0She looed down at the nightgown un$ertainly( then !aid( /Good( if it amu!e!

you( &ut , ha'e &een ali'e( %u!t the !ame( for two and a third $enturie!. //4o one would gue!! it to loo at you. ou mu!t ha'e &een 'ery &eautiful in

your youth.0/, ha'e ne'er &een told !o( 2.G. Juiet $harm( , alway! &elie'ed( wa! the mo!t

, $ould a!pire to. ++,n any $a!e( how do , u!e that in!trument*0/The $all &o)* Fu!t tou$h the pat$h on the right !ide and !omeone will a! if

you $an &e !er'ed and you $an $arry on from there.0/Good. , will need a tooth&ru!h( a hair&ru!h( and $lothing.0/The tooth&ru!h and hair&ru!h , will !ee that you get. #! for $lothing( that ha!

&een thought of. ou ha'e a $lothe! &ag hanging in your $lo!et. ou"ll find it $ontain!the &e!t in Baleyworld fa!hion( whi$h may not appeal to you( of $our!e. #nd , won"tguarantee they"ll fit you. o!t Baleyworld women are taller than you and $ertainly

wider and thi$er. ++&ut it doe!n"t matter. , thin you"ll remain in !e$lu!ion for 3uite awhile.0

/-hy*0/-ell( my lady. ,t !eem! you deli'ered a !pee$h thi! pa!t e'ening and( a! ,

re$all( you would not !it down( though , !ugge!ted you do that more than on$e.0/,t !eemed 3uite !u$$e!!ful to me( 2.G.0/,t wa!. ,t wa! a howling !u$$e!!.0 2.G. !miled &roadly and !$rat$hed the right

!ide of hi! &eard a! though $on!idering the word 'ery $arefully. /owe'er( !u$$e!!ha! it! penaltie! too. Right now( , !hould !ay you are the mo!t famou! per!on on



Baleyworld and e'ery Baleyworlder want! to !ee you and tou$h you. ,f we tae youout anywhere( it will mean an in!tant riot. #t lea!t( until thing! $ool down. -e $an"t&e !ure how long that will tae.

/Then( too( you had e'en the war haw! yelling for you( &ut in the $old light oftomorrow( when the hypnoti!m and hy!teria die! down( they"re going to &e furiou!. ,fOld an Bi!ter'an didn"t a$tually $on!ider illing you outright after your tal( then &y

tomorrow he will $ertainly ha'e it a! the am&ition of hi! life to murder you &y !lowtorture. #nd there are people of hi! party who might $on$ei'a&ly try to o&lige the Oldan in thi! !mall whim of hi!.

/That"! why you"re here( my lady. That"! why thi! room( thi! floor( thi! entirehotel i! &eing wat$hed &y , don"t now how many platoon! of !e$urity people( amongwhom( , hope( are no $ryptowar haw!. #nd &e$au!e , ha'e &een !o $lo!elya!!o$iated with you in thi! hero+and+heroine game( ,"m penned up here( too( and$an"t get out.0

/Oh(0 !aid Gladia &lanly. /,"m !orry a&out that. ou $an"t we your family(then.0

2.G. !hrugged. /Trader! don"t really ha'e mu$h in the way of family.0/our woman friend( then.0/She"ll !ur'i'e. ++Aro&a&ly &etter than , will.0 e $a!t hi! eye! on Gladia

!pe$ulati'ely.Gladia !aid e'enly( /2on"t e'en think it( Captain.02.G."! eye&row! ro!e. /There"! no way , $an &e pre'ented from thining it( &ut

, won"t do anything( madam. /Gladia !aid( /ow long do you thin , will !tay here* Seriou!ly.0/,t depend! on the 2ire$tory. //The 2ire$tory*0/Our fi'e+fold e)e$uti'e &oard( madam. 6i'e people0++he held up hi! hand with

the finger! !pread apart ++0ea$h !er'ing fi'e year! in !taggered fa!hion( with onerepla$ement ea$h year( plu! !pe$ial ele$tion! in $a!e of death or di!a&ility. Thi!!upplie! $ontinuity and redu$e! the danger of one+per!on rule. ,t al!o mean! thate'ery de$i!ion mu!t &e argued out and that tae! time( !ometime! more time thanwe $an afford. /

/, !hould thin(0 !aid Gladia( /that if one of the fi'e were a determined andfor$eful indi'idual++0

/That he $ould impo!e hi! 'iew! on the other!. Thing! lie that ha'ehappened at time!( &ut the!e time! are not one of tho!e time!++if you now what ,mean. The Senior 2ire$tor i! Geno'u! Aandaral. There"! nothing e'il a&out him( &uthe"! inde$i!i'e++and !ometime! that"! the !ame thing. , taled him into allowing yourro&ot! on the !tage with you and that turned out to &e a &ad idea. S$ore one again!t&oth of u!.0

/But why wa! it a &ad idea* The people were pleased.” !'oo plea!ed( my lady. -e wanted you to &e our pet Spa$er heroine and help

eep pu&li$ opinion $ool !o that we wouldn"t laun$h a premature war. ou were goodon longe'ity you had them $heering !hort life. But then you had them $heeringro&ot! and we don"t want that. 6or that matter( we"re not !o een on the pu&li$$heering the notion of in!hip with the Spa$er!.0

/ou don"t want premature war( &ut you don"t want premature pea$e( either.,! that it*0

/Dery well put( madam.0/But( then( what do you want*0/-e want the Gala)y( the whole Gala)y. -e want to !ettle and populate e'ery

ha&ita&le planet in it and e!ta&li!h nothing le!! than a Gala$ti$ =mpire. #nd we don"twant the Spa$er! to interfere. They $an remain on their own world! and li'e in pea$ea! they plea!e( &ut they mu!t not interfere.0

/But then you"ll &e penning them up on their fifty world!( a! we penned up



=arthpeople on =arth for !o many year!. The !ame old in%u!ti$e. ou"re a! &ad a!Bi!ter'an.0

/The !ituation! are different. =arthpeople were penned up in defian$e of theire)pan!i'e potential. ou Spa$er! ha'e no !u$h potential. ou too the path oflonge'ity and ro&ot! and the potential 'ani!hed. ou don"t e'en ha'e fifty world! anylonger. Solaria ha! &een a&andoned. The other! will go( too( in time. The Settler!

ha'e no intere!t in pu!hing the Spa$er! along the path to e)tin$tion( &ut why !houldwe interfere with their 'oluntary $hoi$e to do !o* our !pee$h tended to interferewith that.0

/,"m glad. -hat did you thin , would !ay*0/, told you. Aea$e and lo'e and !it down. ou $ould ha'e fini!hed in a&out one

minute.0Gladia !aid angrily( /, $an"t &elie'e you e)pe$ted anything !o fooli!h of me.

-hat did you tae me for*0/6or what you too your!elf for++!omeone frightened to death of !peaing.

ow did we now that you were a madwoman who $ould( in half an hour( per!uadethe Baleyworlder! to howl in fa'or of what for lifetime! we ha'e &een per!uadingthem to howl again!t* But tal will get u! nowhere0++he ro!e hea'ily to hi! feet++0,want a !hower( too( and , had &etter get a night"! !leep++if , $an. See you tomorrow.0

/But when do we find out what the 2ire$tor! will de$ide to do with me*0/-hen they find out( whi$h may not &e !oon. Good night( madam.0

;K.

/, ha'e made a di!$o'ery(0 !aid Gi!ard( hi! 'oi$e $arrying no !hade ofemotion. /, ha'e made it &e$au!e( for the fir!t time in my e)i!ten$e( , fa$edthou!and! of human &eing!. ad , done thi! two $enturie! ago( , would ha'e madethe di!$o'ery then. ad , ne'er fa$ed !o many at on$e( then , would ne'er ha'emade the di!$o'ery at all.

/Con!ider( then( how many 'ital point! , might ea!ily gra!p( &ut ne'er ha'eand ne'er will( !imply &e$au!e the proper $ondition! for it will ne'er $ome my way. ,remain ignorant e)$ept where $ir$um!tan$e help! me and , $annot $ount on$ir$um!tan$e.0

2aneel !aid( /, did not thin( friend Gi!ard( that ady Gladia( with her long+!u!tained way of life( $ould fa$e thou!and! with e3uanimity. , did not thin !he would&e a&le to !pea at all. -hen it turned out that !he $ould( , a!!umed you hadad%u!ted her and that you had di!$o'ered that it $ould &e done without harming her.-a! that your di!$o'ery*0

Gi!ard !aid( /6riend 2aneel( a$tually all , dared do wa! loo!en a 'ery few!trand! of inhi&ition( only enough to allow her to !pea a few word!( !o that !hemight &e heard.0

/But !he did far more than that.0/#fter thi! mi$ro!$opi$ ad%u!tment( , turned to the multipli$ity of mind! , fa$ed

in the audien$e. , had ne'er e)perien$ed !o many( any more than ady Gladia had(and , wa! a! taen a&a$ a! !he wa!. , found( at fir!t( that , $ould do nothing in the'a!t mental interlo$ingne!! that &eat in upon me. , felt helple!!.

/#nd then , noted !mall friendline!!e!( $urio!itie!( intere!t!++, $annot de!$ri&ethem in word!++with a $olor of !ympathy for ady Gladia a&out them. , played withwhat , $ould find that had thi! $olor of !ympathy( tightening and thi$ening them %u!t!lightly. , wanted !ome !mall re!pon!e in ady Gladia"! fa'or that might en$ourageher( that might mae it unne$e!!ary for me to &e tempted to tamper further withady Gladia"! mind. That wa! all , did. , do not now how many thread! of the proper$olor , handled. 4ot many. /

2aneel !aid( /#nd what then( friend Gi!ard*0/, found( friend 2aneel( that , had &egun !omething that wa! auto$atalyti$.



=a$h thread , !trengthened( !trengthened a near&y thread of the !ame ind and thetwo together !trengthened !e'eral other! near&y. , had to do nothing further. Small!tir!( !mall !ound!( and !mall glan$e! that !eemed to appro'e of what ady Gladia!aid en$ouraged !till other!.

/Then , found !omething !tranger yet. #ll the!e little indi$ation! of appro'al(whi$h , $ould dete$t only &e$au!e the mind! were open to me( ady Gladia mu!t

ha'e al!o dete$ted in !ome manner( for further inhi&ition! in her mind fell without mytou$hing them. She &egan to !pea fa!ter( more $onfidently( and the audien$ere!ponded &etter than e'er++without my doing anything. #nd in the end( there wa!hy!teria( a !torm( a tempe!t of mental thunder and lightning !o inten!e that , had to$lo!e my mind to it or it would ha'e o'erloaded my $ir$uit!.

/4e'er( in all my e)i!ten$e( had , en$ountered anything lie that and yet it!tarted with no more modifi$ation introdu$ed &y me in all that $rowd than , ha'e( inthe pa!t( introdu$ed among a mere handful of people. , !u!pe$t( in fa$t( that theeffe$t !pread &eyond the audien$e !en!i&le to my mind++to the greater audien$erea$hed 'ia hyperwa'e.0

2aneel !aid( /, do not !ee how thi! $an &e( friend Gi!ard.0/4or ,( friend 2aneel. , am not human. , do not dire$tly e)perien$e the

po!!e!!ion of a human mind with all it! $omple)itie! and $ontradi$tion!( !o , do notgra!p the me$hani!m! &y whi$h they re!pond. But( apparently( $rowd! are moreea!ily managed than indi'idual!. ,t !eem! parado)i$al. u$h weight tae! moreeffort to mo'e than little weight. u$h energy tae! more effort to $ounter than littleenergy. u$h di!tan$e tae! longer to tra'er!e than little di!tan$e. -hy( then( !houldmany people &e ea!ier to !way than few* ou thin lie a human &eing( friend2aneel. Can you e)plain*0

2aneel !aid( /ou your!elf( friend Gi!ard( !aid that it wa! an auto$atalyti$effe$t( a matter of $ontagion. # !ingle !par of flame may end &y &urning down afore!t. /

Gi!ard pau!ed and !eemed deep in thought. Then he !aid( /,t i! not rea!onthat i! $ontagiou! &ut emotion. adam Gladia $ho!e argument! !he felt would mo'eher audien$e"! feeling!. She did not attempt to rea!on with them. ,t may &e( then(that the larger the $rowd( the more ea!ily they are !wayed &y emotion rather than &yrea!on.

/Sin$e emotion! are few and rea!on! are many( the &eha'ior of a $rowd $an&e more ea!ily predi$ted than the &eha'ior of one per!on $an. #nd that( in turn(mean! that if law! are to &e de'eloped that ena&le the $urrent of hi!tory to &epredi$ted( then one mu!t deal with large population!( the larger the &etter. Thatmight it!elf &e the 6ir!t aw of A!y$hohi!tory( the ey to the !tudy of umani$!.

et++0/e!*0/,t !trie! me that it ha! taen me !o long to under!tand thi! only &e$au!e ,

am not a human &eing. # human &eing would( perhap!( in!tin$ti'ely under!tand hi!own mind well enough to now how to handle other! lie him!elf. adam Gladia( withno e)perien$e at all in addre!!ing huge $rowd!( $arried off the matter e)pertly. owmu$h &etter off we would &e if we had !omeone lie =li%ah Baley with u!. 6riend2aneel( are you not thining of him*0

2aneel !aid( /Can you !ee hi! image in my mind* That i! !urpri!ing( friendGi!ard.0

/, do not !ee him( friend 2aneel. , $annot re$ei'e your thought!. But , $an!en!e emotion! and mood++and your mind ha! a te)ture whi$h( &y pa!t e)perien$e( ,now to &e a!!o$iated with =li%ah Baley.0

/adam Gladia made mention of the fa$t that , wa! the la!t to !ee Aartner=li%ah ali'e( !o , li!ten again( in memory( to that moment. , thin again of what he!aid.0

/-hy( friend 2aneel*0



/, !ear$h for the meaning. , feel it wa! important.0/ow $ould what he !aid ha'e meaning &eyond the import of the word!* ad

there &een hidden meaning( =li%ah Baley would ha'e e)pre!!ed it. //Aerhap!(0 !aid 2aneel !lowly( /Aartner =li%ah did not him!elf under!tand the

!ignifi$an$e of what he wa! !aying. /

1. A!TER THE SPEECH

;L.

emory,t lay in 2aneel"! mind lie a $lo!ed &oo of infinite detail( alway! a'aila&le for

hi! u!e. Some pa!!age! were $alled upon fre3uently for their information( &ut only a'ery few were $alled upon merely &e$au!e 2aneel wi!hed to feel their te)ture. Tho!e'ery few were( for the mo!t part( tho!e that $ontained =li%ah Baley.

any de$ade! ago( 2aneel had $ome to Baleyworld while =li%ah Baley wa! !till

ali'e. adam Gladia had $ome with him( &ut after they entered into or&it a&outBaleyworld( Bentley Baley !oared upward in hi! !mall !hip to meet them and wa!&rought a&oard. By then( he wa! a rather gnarled man of middle age.

e looed at Gladia with faintly ho!tile eye! and !aid( /ou $annot !ee him(madam.0

#nd Gladia( who had &een weeping( !aid( /-hy not*0/e doe! not wi!h it( madam( and , mu!t re!pe$t hi! wi!he!.0/, $annot &elie'e that( r. Baley.0/, ha'e a handwritten note and , ha'e a 'oi$e re$ording( madam. , do not

now if you $an re$ogni7e hi! handwriting or hi! 'oi$e( &ut you ha'e my word ofhonor the!e are hi! and that no untoward influen$e wa! u!ed upon him to produ$ethem.0

She went into her own $a&in to read and li!ten alone. Then !he emerged++with

an air of defeat a&out her++&ut !he managed to !ay firmly( /2aneel( you are to godown alone to !ee him. ,t i! hi! wi!h. But you are to report to me e'erything that i!done and !aid.0

/e!( madam(0 2aneel !aid.2aneel went down in Bentley"! !hip and Bentley !aid to him( /Ro&ot! are not

allowed on thi! world( 2aneel( &ut an e)$eption i! &eing made in your $a!e &e$au!e iti! my father"! wi!h and &e$au!e he i! highly re'ered here. , ha'e no per!onal animu!again!t you( you under!tand( &ut your pre!en$e here mu!t &e an entirely limited one.

ou will &e taen dire$tly to my father. -hen he i! done with you( you will &e taen&a$ into or&it at on$e. 2o you under!tand*0

/, under!tand( !ir. ow i! your father*0/e i! dying(0 Bentley !aid with perhap! $on!$iou! &rutality./, under!tand that( too(0 !aid 2aneel( hi! 'oi$e 3ui'ering noti$ea&ly( not out of

ordinary emotion &ut &e$au!e the $on!$iou!ne!! of the death of a human &eing(howe'er una'oida&le( di!ordered hi! po!itroni$ &rain path!. /, mean( how mu$hlonger &efore he mu!t die*0

/e !hould ha'e died !ome time ago. e i! tied to life &e$au!e he refu!e! togo until he !ee! you.0

They landed. ,t wa! a large world( &ut the inha&ited portion++if thi! were all++wa! !mall and !ha&&y. ,t wa! a $loudy day and it had rained re$ently. The wide(!traight !treet! were empty( a! though what population e)i!ted there wa! in no moodto a!!em&le in order to !tare at a ro&ot.



The ground+$ar too them through the emptine!! and &rought them to ahou!e !omewhat larger and more impre!!i'e than mo!t. Together they entered. #tan inner door( Bentley halted.

/y father i! in there(0 he !aid !adly. /ou are to go in alone. e will not ha'eme there with you. Go in. ou might not re$ogni7e him. /

2aneel went into the gloom of the room. i! eye! ad%u!ted rapidly and he wa!

aware of a &ody $o'ered &y a !heet in!ide a tran!parent $o$oon that wa! made'i!i&le only &y it! faint glitter. The light within the room &rightened a &it and 2aneel$ould then !ee the fa$e $learly.

Bentley had &een right. 2aneel !aw nothing of hi! old partner in it. ,t wa!gaunt and &ony. The eye! were $lo!ed and it !eemed to 2aneel that what he !awwa! a dead &ody. e had ne'er !een a dead human &eing and when thi! thought!tru$ him( he !taggered and it !eemed to him that hi! leg! would not hold him up.

But the old man"! eye! opened and 2aneel re$o'ered hi! e3uili&rium( thoughhe $ontinued to feel an una$$u!tomed weane!! %u!t the !ame.

The eye! looed at him and a !mall( faint !mile $ur'ed the pale( $ra$ed lip!./2aneel. y old friend 2aneel.0

There wa! the faint tim&re of =li%ah Baley"! remem&ered 'oi$e in thatwhi!pered !ound. #n arm emerged !lowly from under the !heet and it !eemed to2aneel that he re$ogni7ed =li%ah after all.

/Aartner =li%ah(0 he !aid !oftly./Than you++than you for $oming.0/,t wa! important for me to $ome( Aartner =li%ah.0/, wa! afraid they might not allow it. They++the other!++e'en my !on++thin of

you a! a ro&ot.0/, am a ro&ot. //4ot to me( 2aneel. ou ha'en"t $hanged( ha'e you* , don"t !ee you $learly(

&ut it !eem! to me you are e)a$tly the !ame a! , remem&er. -hen did , la!t !ee you* Twenty+nine year! ago*0

/e!++and in all that time( Aartner =li%ah( , ha'e not $hanged( !o you !ee( , ama ro&ot. /

/, ha'e $hanged( though( and a great deal. , !hould not ha'e let you !ee melie thi!( &ut , wa! too wea to re!i!t my de!ire to !ee you on$e again.0 Baley"! 'oi$e!eemed to ha'e grown a &it !tronger( a! though it had &een fortified &y the !ight of2aneel.

/, am plea!ed to !ee you( Aartner =li%ah( howe'er you ha'e $hanged.0/#nd ady Gladia* ow i! !he*0/She i! well. She $ame with me.0/She i! not++0 # tou$h of painful alarm $ame into hi! 'oi$e a! he tried to loo

a&out./She i! not on thi! world( &ut i! !till in or&it. ,t wa! e)plained to her that you

did not wi!h to !ee her++and !he under!tood.0/That i! wrong. , do wi!h to !ee her( &ut , ha'e &een a&le to with!tand that

temptation. She ha! not $hanged( ha! !he*0/She !till ha! the appearan$e !he had when you la!t !aw her.0/Good. ++&ut , $ouldn"t let her !ee me lie thi!. , $ould not ha'e this &e her la!t

memory of me. -ith you( it i! different.0/That i! &e$au!e , am a ro&ot( Aartner =li%ah. //Stop in!i!ting on that(0 !aid the dying man pee'i!hly. /ou $ould not mean

more to me( 2aneel( if you were a man.0e lay !ilently in hi! &ed for a while( then he !aid( /#ll the!e year!( , ha'e

ne'er hyper'i!ed( ne'er written to her. , $ould not allow my!elf to interfere with herlife. ++,! Gladia !till married to Gremioni!*0

/e!( !ir.0/#nd happy*0



/, $annot %udge that. She doe! not &eha'e in a fa!hion that might &einterpreted a! unhappy.0

/Children*0/The permitted two.0/She ha! not &een angry that , ha'e not $ommuni$ated*0/,t i! my &elief !he under!tood your moti'e!. /

/2oe! !he e'er++mention me*0/#lmo!t ne'er( &ut it i! Gi!ard"! opinion that !he often thin! of you.0/ow i! Gi!ard*0/e fun$tion! properly++in the manner that you now.0/ou now( then++of hi! a&ilitie!.0/e ha! told me( Aartner =li%ah.0#gain Baley lay there !ilently. Then he !tirred and !aid( /2aneel( , wanted you

here out of a !elfi!h de!ire to !ee you( to !ee for my!elf that you ha'en"t $hanged(that there i! a &reath of the great day! of my life !till e)i!ting( that you remem&erme and will $ontinue to remem&er me. ++&ut , al!o want to tell you !omething.

/, will &e dead !oon( 2aneel( and , new the word would rea$h you. ='en ifyou weren"t here( e'en if you were on #urora( the word would $ome to you. y deathwill &e Gala$ti$ new!. / i! $he!t hea'ed in a wea and !ilent laugh. /-ho wouldha'e thought it on$e*0

e !aid( /Gladia would hear of it a! well( of $our!e( &ut Gladia now! , mu!tdie and !he will a$$ept the fa$t( howe'er !adly. , feared the effe$t on you( howe'er(!in$e you are++a! you in!i!t and , deny++a ro&ot. 6or old time!" !ae you may feel it i!in$um&ent upon you to eep me from dying and the fa$t that you $annot do !o mayperhap! ha'e a permanently deleteriou! effe$t on you. et me( then( argue with youa&out that. /

Baley"! 'oi$e wa! growing weaer. Though 2aneel !at motionle!!( hi! fa$ewa! in the unu!ual $ondition of refle$ting emotion. ,t wa! !et in an e)pre!!ion of$on$ern and !orrow. Baley"! eye! were $lo!ed and he $ould not !ee that.

/y death( 2aneel(0 he !aid( /i! not important. 4o indi'idual death amonghuman &eing! i! important. Someone who die! lea'e! hi! wor &ehind and that doe!not entirely die. ,t ne'er entirely die! a! long a! humanity e)i!t!. ++2o youunder!tand what ,"m !aying*0

2aneel !aid( /e!( Aartner =li%ah.0/The wor of ea$h indi'idual $ontri&ute! to a totality and !o &e$ome! an

undying part of the totality. That totality of human li'e!++pa!t and pre!ent and to$ome++form! a tape!try that ha! &een in e)i!ten$e now for many ten! of thou!and! ofyear! and ha! &een growing more ela&orate and( on the whole( more &eautiful in allthat time. ='en the Spa$er! are an off!hoot of the tape!try and they( too( add to theela&oratene!! and &eauty of the pattern. #n indi'idual life i! one thread in thetape!try and what i! one thread $ompared to the whole*

/2aneel( eep your mind fi)ed firmly on the tape!try and do not let thetrailing off of a !ingle thread affe$t you. There are !o many other thread!( ea$h'alua&le( ea$h $ontri&uting++0

Baley !topped !peaing( &ut 2aneel waited patiently.Baley"! eye! opened and( looing at 2aneel( he frowned !lightly.

/ou are !till here* ,t i! time for you to go. , ha'e told you what , meant to tellyou.0

/, do not wi!h to go( Aartner =li%ah.0/ou mu!t. , $annot hold off death any longer. , am tired++de!perately tired. ,

want to die. ,t i! time.0/ay , not wait while you li'e*0/, don"t wi!h it. ,f , die while you wat$h( it may affe$t you &adly de!pite all my

word!. Go now. That i! an++order. , will allow you to &e a ro&ot if you wi!h &ut( in that$a!e( you mu!t follow my order!. ou $annot !a'e my life &y anything you $an do( !o



there i! nothing to $ome ahead of Se$ond aw. Go0Baley"! finger pointed fee&ly and he !aid( /Good+&ye( friend 2aneel. /2aneel turned !lowly( following Baley"! order! with unpre$edented diffi$ulty.

/Good+&ye( Aartner++0 e pau!ed and then !aid( with a faint hoar!ene!!( /Good+&ye(friend =li%ah. /

Bentley $onfronted 2aneel in the ne)t room. /,! he !till ali'e*0

/e wa! ali'e when , left.0Bentley went in and $ame out almo!t at on$e. /e i!n"t now. e !aw you andthen++let go.0

2aneel found he had to lean again!t the wall. ,t wa! !ome time &efore he$ould !tand upright.

Bentley( eye! a'erted( waited and then together they returned to the !mall!hip and mo'ed &a$ up into or&it where Gladia waited.

#nd !he( too( a!ed if =li%ah Baley wa! !till ali'e and when they told her gentlythat he wa! not( !he turned away( dry+eyed( and went into her own $a&in to weep.

;L#.

2aneel $ontinued hi! thought a! though the !harp memory of Baley"! death in

all it! detail! had not momentarily inter'ened. /#nd yet , may under!tand !omethingmore of what Aartner =li%ah wa! !aying now in the light of adam Gladia"! !pee$h.0/,n what way*0/, am not yet !ure. ,t i! 'ery diffi$ult to thin in the dire$tion , am trying to

thin.0/, will wait for a! long a! i! ne$e!!ary(0 !aid Gi!ard.

;8.

Geno'u! Aandaral wa! tall and not( a! yet( 'ery old for all hi! thi$ !ho$ ofwhite hair whi$h( together with hi! fluffy white !ide&urn!( ga'e him a loo of dignityand di!tin$tion. i! general air of looing lie a leader had helped hi! ad'an$ementthrough the ran!( &ut a! he him!elf new 'ery well( hi! appearan$e wa! mu$h

!tronger than hi! inner fi&er.On$e he had &een ele$ted to the 2ire$tory( he had gotten o'er the initial

elation rather rapidly. e wa! in &eyond hi! depth and( ea$h year( a! he wa!automati$ally pu!hed up a not$h( he new that more $learly. 4ow he wa! Senior2ire$tor.

Of all the time! to &e Senior 2ire$tor,n the old day!( the ta! of ruling had &een nothing. ,n the time of 4ephi

orler( eight de$ade! &efore( the !ame orler who wa! alway! &eing held up to the!$hool$hildren a! the greate!t of all 2ire$tor!( it had &een nothing. -hat hadBaleyworld &een then* # !mall world( a tri$le of farm!( a handful of town! $lu!teredalong natural line! of $ommuni$ation. The total population had &een no more thanfi'e million and it! mo!t important e)port! had &een raw wool and !ome titanium.

The Spa$er! had ignored them $ompletely under the more or le!! &enign

influen$e of an 6a!tolfe of #urora and life wa! !imple. Aeople $ould alway! maetrip! &a$ to =arth++if they wanted a &reath of $ulture or the feel of te$hnology andthere wa! a !teady flow of =arthpeople arri'ing a! immigrant!. =arth"! mightypopulation wa! ine)hau!ti&le.

-hy !houldn"t orler ha'e &een a great 2ire$tor( then* e had had nothing todo.

#nd( in the future( ruling would again &e !imple. #! the Spa$er! $ontinued todegenerate ?e'ery !$hool$hild wa! told that they would( that they mu!t drown in the$ontradi$tion! of their !o$iety++though Aandaral wondered( !ometime!( whether thi!



wa! really $ertain@ and a! the Settler! $ontinued to in$rea!e in num&er! and!trength( the time would !oon $ome when life would &e again !e$ure. The Settler!would li'e in pea$e and de'elop their own te$hnology to the utmo!t.

#! Baleyworld filled( it would a!!ume the proportion and way! of another=arth( a! would all the world!( while new one! would !pring up here and there in e'ergreater num&er!( finally maing up the great Gala$ti$ =mpire to $ome. #nd !urely

Baleyworld( a! the olde!t and mo!t populou! of the Settler world!( would alway! ha'ea prime pla$e in that =mpire( under the &enign and perpetual rule of other =arth.But it wa! not in the pa!t that Aandaral wa! Senior 2ire$tor. 4or wa! it in the

future. ,t wa! now.an 6a!tolfe wa! dead now( &ut Eelden #madiro wa! ali'e. #madiro had held

out again!t =arth &eing allowed to !end out Settler! twenty de$ade! ago and he wa!!till ali'e now to mae trou&le. The Spa$er! were !till too !trong to &e di!regardedthe Settler! were !till not 3uite !trong enough to mo'e forward with $onfiden$e.Somehow the Settler! had to hold off the Spa$er! till the &alan$e had !hifted!uffi$iently.

#nd the ta! of eeping the Spa$er! 3uiet and the Settler! at on$e re!oluteand yet !en!i&le fell more upon Aandaral"! !houlder! than on anyone el!e"!++and itwa! a ta! he neither lied nor wanted.

4ow it wa! morning( a $old( gray morning with more !now $oming++thoughthat wa! no !urpri!e++and he made hi! way through the hotel alone. e wanted noretinue.

The !e$urity guard!( out in for$e( !napped to attention a! he pa!!ed and hea$nowledged them wearily. e !poe to the $aptain of the guard when the latterad'an$ed to meet him. /#ny trou&le( Captain*0

/4one( 2ire$tor. #ll i! 3uiet.0Aandaral nodded. /,n whi$h room ha! Baley &een put* ++#h. ++and the Spa$er

woman and her ro&ot! are under !tri$t guard* ++Good.0e pa!!ed on. On the whole( 2.G. had &eha'ed well. Solaria( a&andoned(

$ould &e u!ed &y Trader! a! an almo!t endle!! !upply of ro&ot! and a! a !our$e oflarge profit!++though profit! were not to &e taen a! the natural e3ui'alent of world!e$urity( Aandaral thought moro!ely. But Solaria( &oo&y+trapped( had &e!t &e leftalone. ,t wa! not worth a war. 2.G. had done well to lea'e at on$e.

#nd to tae the nu$lear inten!ifier with him. So far( !u$h de'i$e! were !oo'erwhelmingly ma!!i'e that they $ould &e u!ed only in huge and e)pen!i'ein!tallation! de!igned to de!troy in'ading !hip!++and e'en the!e had ne'er gotten&eyond the planning !tage. Too e)pen!i'e. Smaller and $heaper 'er!ion! werea&!olutely ne$e!!ary( !o 2.G. wa! right in feeling that &ringing home a Solarianinten!ifier wa! more important than all the ro&ot! on that world put together. Thatinten!ifier !hould help the !$ienti!t! of Baleyworld enormou!ly.

#nd yet if one Spa$er world had a porta&le inten!ifier( why not other!* -hynot #urora* ,f tho!e weapon! grew !mall enough to pla$e on war!hip!( a Spa$er fleet$ould wipe out any num&er of Settler !hip! without trou&le. ow far toward thatde'elopment were they* #nd how fa!t $ould Baleyworld progre!! in the !amedire$tion with the help of the inten!ifier 2.G. had &rought &a$*

e !ignaled at 2.G."! hotel room door( then entered without 3uite waiting for a

re!pon!e and !at down without 3uite waiting for an in'itation. There were someu!eful per3ui!ite! that went along with &eing Senior 2ire$tor.

2.G. looed out of the &athroom and !aid through the towel with whi$h he wa!gi'ing hi! hair a fir!t dry( /, would ha'e lied to greet your 2ire$torial =)$ellen$e in aproperly impo!ing manner( &ut you $at$h me at a di!ad'antage( !in$e , am in thee)tremely undignified predi$ament of ha'ing %u!t emerged from my !hower.0

/Oh( !hut up(0 !aid Aandaral petti!hly.Ordinarily( he en%oyed 2.G."! irrepre!!i&le &ree7ine!!( &ut not now. ,n !ome

way!( he ne'er really under!tood 2.G. at all. 2.G. wa! a Baley( a lineal de!$endant of



the great =li%ah and the 6ounder( Bentley. That made 2.G. a natural for a 2ire$tor"!po!t( e!pe$ially !in$e he had the ind of &onhomie that endeared him to the pu&li$.

et he $ho!e to &e a Trader( whi$h wa! a diffi$ult life++and a dangerou! one. ,t mightmae you ri$h( &ut it wa! mu$h more liely to ill you or++what wa! wor!e++prematurely age you.

-hat"! more( 2.G."! life a! a Trader too him away from Baleyworld for

month! at a time and Aandaral preferred hi! ad'i$e to tho!e of mo!t of hi!department head!. One $ouldn"t alway! tell when 2.G. wa! !eriou!( &ut( allowing forthat( he wa! worth li!tening to.

Aandaral !aid hea'ily( /, don"t thin that that woman"! !pee$h wa! the &e!tthing that $ould ha'e happened to u!.0

2.G.( mo!tly dre!!ed( !hrugged hi! !houlder!. /-ho $ould ha'e foretold it*0/ou might ha'e. ou mu!t ha'e looed up her &a$ground++if you had made

up your mind to $arry her off.0/, did loo up her &a$ground( 2ire$tor. She !pent o'er three de$ade! on

Solaria. ,t wa! Solaria that formed her and !he li'ed there entirely with ro&ot!. She!aw human &eing! only &y holographi$ image!( e)$ept for her hu!&and++and hedidn"t 'i!it her often. She had a diffi$ult ad%u!tment to mae when !he $ame to#urora and e'en there !he li'ed mo!tly with ro&ot!. #t no time in twenty+threede$ade! would !he ha'e fa$ed a! many a! twenty people all together( let alone fourthou!and. , a!!umed !he wouldn"t &e a&le to !pea more than a few word!++if that. ,had no way of nowing !he wa! a ra&&le+rou!er.0

/ou might ha'e !topped her( on$e you found out !he wa!. ou were !ittingright ne)t to her.0

/2id you want a riot* The people were en%oying her. ou were there. ou nowthey were. ,f , had for$ed her down( they would ha'e mo&&ed the !tage. #fter all(2ire$tor( you didn"t try to !top her.0

Aandaral $leared hi! throat. /, had that in mind( a$tually( &ut ea$h time ,looed &a$( ,"d $at$h the eye of her ro&ot the one who loo! lie a ro&ot.0

/Gi!ard. e!( &ut what of it* e wouldn"t harm you.0/, now. Still( he made me ner'ou! and it put me off !omehow.0/-ell( ne'er mind( 2ire$tor(0 !aid 2.G. e wa! fully $lothed now and he

!ho'ed the &reafa!t tray toward the other. /The $offee i! !till warm. elp your!elf tothe &un! and %am! if you want any. ++,t will pa!!. , don"t thin the pu&li$ will reallyo'erflow with lo'e for the Spa$er! and !poil our poli$y. ,t might e'en !er'e a purpo!e.,f the Spa$er! hear of it( it might !trengthen the 6a!tolfe party. 6a!tolfe may &e dead(&ut hi! party i!n"t++not altogether++and we need to en$ourage their poli$y ofmoderation.0

/-hat ,"m thining of(0 !aid Aandaral( /i! the #ll+Settler Congre!! that"!$oming up in fi'e month!. ,"m going to ha'e to li!ten to any num&er of !ar$a!ti$referen$e! to Baleyworld appea!ement and to Baleyworlder! &eing Spa$er+lo'er!. ++,tell you(0 he added gloomily( /the !maller the world( the more war hawi!h it i!.0

/Then tell them that(0 !aid 2.G. /Be 'ery !tate!manlie in pu&li$( &ut whenyou get them to one !ide( loo them right in the eye++unoffi$ially++and !ay thatthere"! freedom of e)pre!!ion on Baleyworld and we intend to eep it that way. Tellthem Baleyworld ha! the intere!t! of =arth at heart( &ut that if any world wi!he! to

pro'e it! greater de'otion to =arth &y de$laring war on the Spa$er!( Baleyworld willwat$h with intere!t &ut nothing more. That would !hut them up. /

/Oh( no(0 !aid Aandaral with alarm. /# remar lie that would lea out. ,twould $reate an impo!!i&le !tin.0

2.G. !aid( /ou"re right( whi$h i! a pity. But think it and don"t let tho!e&igmouthed !mall &rain! get to you.0

Aandaral !ighed. /, !uppo!e we"ll manage( &ut la!t night up!et our plan! toend on a high note. That"! what , really regret.0

/-hat high note*0



Aandaral !aid( /-hen you left #urora for Solaria( two #uroran war!hip! wentto Solaria a! well. 2id you now that*0

/4o( &ut it wa! !omething , e)pe$ted(0 !aid 2.G. indifferently. /,t wa! for thatrea!on , too the trou&le of going to Solaria &y way of an e'a!i'e path.0

/One of the #uroran !hip! landed on Solaria( thou!and! of ilometer! awayfrom you++!o it didn"t !eem to &e maing any effort to eep ta&! on you++and the

!e$ond remained in or&it.0/Sen!i&le. ,t"! what , would ha'e done if , had had a !e$ond !hip at mydi!po!al.0

/The #uroran !hip that landed wa! de!troyed in a matter of hour!. The !hip inor&it reported the fa$t and wa! ordered to return. ++a Trader monitoring !tationpi$ed up the report and it wa! !ent to u!.0

/-a! the report un$oded*0/Of $our!e not( &ut it wa! in one of the $ode! we"'e &roen.02.G. nodded hi! head thoughtfully( then !aid( /Dery intere!ting. , tae it they

didn"t ha'e anyone who $ould !pea Solarian.0/O&'iou!ly(0 !aid Aandaral weightily. />nle!! !omeone $an find where the

Solarian! went( thi! woman of your! i! the only a'aila&le Solarian in the Gala)y.0/#nd they let me ha'e her( didn"t they* Tough on the #uroran!.0/#t any rate( , wa! going to announ$e the de!tru$tion of the #uroran !hip la!t

night. ,n a matter+of+fa$t way++no gloating. Fu!t the !ame( it would ha'e e)$ited e'erySettler in the Gala)y. , mean( we got away and the #uroran! didn"t.0

/-e had a Solarian(0 !aid 2.G. dryly. /The #uroran! didn"t.0/Dery well. ,t would mae you and the woman loo good( too. ++&ut it all $ame

to nothing. #fter what the woman did( anything el!e would ha'e $ome a! anti$lima)(e'en the new! of the de!tru$tion of an #uroran war!hip.0

2.G. !aid( /To !ay nothing of the fa$t that on$e e'eryone ha! fini!hedapplauding in!hip and lo'e( it would go again!t the grain++for the ne)t half houranyway++to applaud the death of a $ouple of hundred of the #uroran in.0

/, !uppo!e !o. So that"! an enormou! p!y$hologi$al &low that we"'e lo!t.02.G. wa! frowning. /6orget that( 2ire$tor. ou $an alway! wor the

propaganda at !ome other( more appropriate time. The important thing i! what it allmean!. ++#n #uroran !hip wa! &lown up. That mean! they weren"t e)pe$ting anu$lear inten!ifier to &e u!ed. The other !hip wa! ordered away and that may mean itwa!n"t e3uipped with a defen!e again!t it++and may&e they don"t e'en ha'e adefen!e. , !hould %udge from thi! that the porta&le inten!ifier++or !emiporta&le one(anyway++i! a Solarian de'elopment !pe$ifi$ally and not a Spa$er de'elopmentgenerally. That"! good new! for u!++if it"! true. 6or the moment( let"! not worry a&outpropaganda &rownie point! &ut $on$entrate on !3uee7ing e'ery &it of information we$an out of that inten!ifier. -e want to &e ahead of the Spa$er! in thi!++if po!!i&le.0

Aandaral mun$hed away at a &un and !aid( /ay&e you"re right. But in that$a!e( how do we fit in the other &it of new!*0

2.G. !aid( /-hat other &it of new!* 2ire$tor( are you going to gi'e me theinformation , need to mae intelligent $on'er!ation or do you intend to to!! them intothe air one &y one and mae me %ump for them*0

/2on"t get huffy( 2.G. There"! no point in taling with you if , $an"t &e

informal. 2o you now what it"! lie at a 2ire$tory meeting* 2o you want my %o&* ou$an ha'e it( you now.0

/4o( than you( , don"t want it. -hat , want i! your &it of new!.0/-e ha'e a me!!age from #urora. #n a$tual me!!age. They a$tually deigned

to $ommuni$ate dire$tly with u! in!tead of !ending it &y way of =arth.0/-e might $on!ider it an important me!!age( then++to them. -hat do they

want*0/They want the Solarian woman &a$ again.0/O&'iou!ly( then( they now our !hip got away from Solaria and ha! $ome to



Baleyworld. They ha'e their monitoring !tation!( too( and ea'e!drop on our$ommuni$ation! a! we ea'e!drop on their!.0

/#&!olutely(0 !aid Aandaral with $on!idera&le irritation. /They &rea our $ode!a! fa!t a! we &rea their!. y own feeling i! we ought to $ome to an agreement thatwe &oth !end me!!age! in the $lear. 4either of u! would &e wor!e off.0

/2id they !ay why they want the woman*0

/Of $our!e not. Spa$er! don"t gi'e rea!on! they gi'e order!.0/a'e they found out e)a$tly what it wa! that the woman a$$ompli!hed onSolaria* Sin$e !he"! the only per!on who !pea! authenti$ Solarian( do they want herto $lear the planet of it! o'er!eer!*0

/, don"t !ee how they $ould ha'e found out( 2.G. -e only announ$ed her rolela!t night. The me!!age from #urora wa! re$ei'ed well &efore that. ++But it doe!n"tmatter why they want her. The 3ue!tion i! -hat do we do* ,f we don"t return her( wemay ha'e a $ri!i! with #urora that , don"t want. ,f we do return her( it will loo &ad tothe Baleyworlder! and Old an Bi!ter'an will ha'e a field day pointing out that we"re$rawling to the Spa$er!.0

They !tared at ea$h other( then 2.G. !aid !lowly( /-e"ll ha'e to return her.#fter all( !he"! a Spa$er and an #uroran $iti7en. -e $an"t eep her again!t #urora"!will or we"ll put at ri! e'ery Trader who 'enture! into Spa$er territory on &u!ine!!.But l" II tae her &a$( 2ire$tor( and you $an put the &lame on me. Say that the$ondition! of my taing her to Solaria were that , would return her to #urora( whi$h i!true( a$tually( e'en if not a matter of written formality( and that , am a man of ethi$!and felt , had to eep my agreement. ++#nd it may turn out to our ad'antage.0

/,n what way*0/,"ll ha'e to wor it out. But if it"! to &e done( 2ire$tor( my !hip will ha'e to &e

refitted at planetary e)pen!e. #nd my men will need healthy &onu!e!. ++Come(2ire$tor( they"re gi'ing up their lea'e.0

;9.

Con!idering that he had not intended to &e in hi! !hip again for at lea!t threeadditional month!( 2.G. !eemed in genial !pirit!.

#nd $on!idering that Gladia had larger and more lu)uriou! 3uarter! than !hehad &efore( !he !eemed rather depre!!ed./-hy all thi!*0 !he a!ed./ooing a gift hor!e in the mouth*0 a!ed 2.G. /,"m %u!t a!ing. -hy*0/6or one thing( my lady( you"re a $la!!++a heroine and when the !hip wa!

refur&i!hed( thi! pla$e wa! rather tarted up for you.0/Tarted up*0/Fu!t an e)pre!!ion. 6an$ied up( if you prefer.0/Thi! !pa$e wa!n"t %u!t $reated. -ho lo!t out*0/#$tually( it wa! the $rew"! lounge( &ut they in!i!ted( you now. ou"re their

darling( too. ,n fa$t( 4i!!++you remem&er 4i!!*0/Certainly.0/e want! you to tae him on in pla$e of 2aneel. e !ay! 2aneel doe!n"t

en%oy the %o& and eep! apologi7ing to hi! 'i$tim!. 4i!! !ay! he will de!troy anyonewho gi'e! you the lea!t trou&le( will tae plea!ure in it( and will ne'er apologi7e.0Gladia !miled. /Tell him , will eep hi! offer in mind and tell him , would en%oy

!haing hi! hand if that $an &e arranged. , didn"t get a $han$e to do !o &efore welanded on Baleyworld.0

/ou"ll wear your glo'e!( , hope( when you !hae hand!.0/Of $our!e( &ut , wonder if that"! entirely ne$e!!ary. , ha'en"t a! mu$h a!

!niffed !in$e , left #urora. The in%e$tion! ,"'e &een getting ha'e pro&a&ly!trengthened my immune !y!tem &eautifully.0 She looed a&out again. /ou e'enha'e wall ni$he! for 2aneel and Gi!ard. That"! 3uite thoughtful of you( 2.G.0



/adam(0 !aid 2.G.( /we wor hard to plea!e and we"re delighted that you"replea!ed.0

/Oddly enough0++Gladia !ounded a! though !he were a$tually pu77led &y what!he wa! a&out to !ay++0,"m not entirely plea!ed. ,"m not !ure , want to lea'e yourworld.0

/4o* Cold++!now++dreary++primiti'e++endle!!ly $heering $rowd! e'erywhere.

-hat $an po!!i&ly attra$t you here*0Gladia reddened. /,t"! not the $heering $rowd!.0/,"ll pretend to &elie'e you( madam.0/,t"! not. ,t"! !omething altogether different. ,++, ha'e ne'er done anything.

,"'e amu!ed my!elf in 'ariou! tri'ial way!( ,"'e engaged in for$e+field $oloring andro&ot e)ode!ign. ,"'e made lo'e and &een a wife and mother and++and++in none ofthe!e thing! ha'e , e'er &een an indi'idual of any a$$ount. ,f , had !uddenlydi!appeared from e)i!ten$e or if , had ne'er &een &orn( it wouldn"t ha'e affe$tedanyone or anything++e)$ept( perhap!( one or two $lo!e per!onal friend!. 4ow it"!different.0

/e!*0 There wa! the fainte!t tou$h of mo$ery in 2.G."! 'oi$e.Gladia !aid( /e! , $an influen$e people. , $an $hoo!e a $au!e and mae it my

own. , have $ho!en a $au!e. , want to pre'ent war. , want the >ni'er!e populated &ySpa$er and Settler alie. , want ea$h group to eep their own pe$uliaritie!( yet freelya$$ept the other!"( too. , want to wor !o hard at thi! that after , am gone( hi!tory willha'e $hanged &e$au!e of me and people will !ay( HThing! would not &e a!!ati!fa$tory a! they are had it not &een for her.0H

She turned to 2.G.( her fa$e glowing. /2o you now what a differen$e itmae!( after two and one+third $enturie! of &eing no&ody( to ha'e a $han$e of &eingsomebody to find that a life you thought of a! empty turn! out to $ontain !omethingafter all( !omething wonderful to &e happy long( long after you had gi'en up anyhope of &eing happy*0

/ou don"t ha'e to &e on Baleyworld( my lady( to ha'e all that.0 Somehow2.G. !eemed a little a&a!hed.

/, won"t ha'e it on #urora. , am only a Solarian immigrant on #urora. On aSettler world( ,"m a Spa$er++!omething unu!ual.0

/et on a num&er of o$$a!ion!++and 3uite for$efully++you ha'e !tated youwanted to return to #urora. /

/Some time ago( ye!++&ut ,"m not !aying it now( 2.G. , don"t really want itnow.0

/-hi$h would influen$e u! a great deal( e)$ept that #urora want! you. They"'e told u! !o.0

Gladia wa! $learly a!toni!hed. /They want me*0/#n offi$ial me!!age from #urora H! Chairman of the Coun$il tell! u! they do(0

!aid 2.G. lightly. /-e would en%oy eeping you( &ut the 2ire$tor! ha'e de$ided thateeping you i! not worth an inter!tellar $ri!i!. ,"m not !ure , agree with them( &utthey outran me.0

Gladia frowned. /-hy !hould they want me* ,"'e &een on #urora for o'ertwenty de$ade! and at no time ha'e they e'er !eemed to want me. ++-ait 2o you!uppo!e they !ee me now a! the only way of !topping the o'er!eer! on Solaria*0

/That thought had o$$urred to me( my lady.0/, won"t do it. , held off that one o'er!eer &y a hair and , may ne'er &e a&le to

repeat what , did then. , now , won"t. ++Be!ide!( why need they land on the planet* They $an de!troy the o'er!eer! from a di!tan$e( now that they now what they are.0

/#$tually(0 !aid 2.G.( /the me!!age demanding your return wa! !ent out long&efore they $ould po!!i&ly ha'e nown of your $onfli$t with the o'er!eer. They mu!twant you for !omething el!e. /

/Oh. / She looed taen a&a$. Then( $at$hing fire again( /, don"t $are whatel!e. , don"t want to return. , ha'e my wor out here and , mean to $ontinue it.0



2.G. ro!e. /, am glad to hear you !ay !o( adam Gladia. , wa! hoping youwould feel lie that. , promi!e you , will do my &e!t to tae you with me when welea'e #urora. Right now( though( , must go to #urora and you must go with me.0

I:.

Gladia wat$hed Baleyworld( a! it re$eded( with emotion! 3uite different fromtho!e with whi$h !he had wat$hed it approa$h. ,t wa! pre$i!ely the $old( gray(mi!era&le world now that it had !eemed at the !tart( &ut there wa! a warmth and lifeto the people. They were real( !olid.

Solaria( #urora( the other Spa$er world! that !he had 'i!ited or had 'iewed onhyper'i!ion( all !eemed filled with people who were in!u&!tantial++ga!eou!.

That wa! the word. Ga!eou!.4o matter how few the human &eing! who li'ed upon a Spa$er world( they

!pread out to fill the planet in the !ame way that mole$ule! of ga! !pread out to fill a$ontainer. ,t wa! a! if Spa$er! repelled ea$h other.

#nd they did( !he thought gloomily. Spa$er! had alway! repelled her. She had&een &rought up to !u$h repul!ion on Solaria( &ut e'en on #urora( when !he wa!e)perimenting madly with !e) %u!t at fir!t( the lea!t en%oya&le a!pe$t of it wa! the

$lo!ene!! it made ne$e!!ary.=)$ept++e)$ept with =li%ah. ++But he wa! not a Spa$er.Baleyworld wa! not lie that. Aro&a&ly all the Settler world! were not. Settler!

$lung together( lea'ing large tra$t! de!olate a&out them a! the pri$e of the $linging++empty( that i!( until population in$rea!e filled it. # Settler world wa! a world of people$lu!ter!( of pe&&le! and &oulder!( not ga!.

-hy wa! thi!* Ro&ot!( perhap! They le!!ened the dependen$e of peopleupon people. They filled the inter!ti$e! &etween. They were the in!ulation thatdimini!hed the natural attra$tion people had for ea$h other( !o that the whole !y!temfell apart into i!olate!.

,t had to &e. 4owhere were there more ro&ot! than on Solaria and thein!ulating effe$t there had &een !o enormou! that the !eparate ga! mole$ule! thatwere human &eing! &e$ame !o totally inert that they almo!t ne'er interrelated at all.

?-here had the Solarian! gone( !he wondered again( and how were they li'ing*@#nd long life had !omething to do with it( too. ow $ould one mae anemotional atta$hment that wouldn"t turn !lowly !our a! the multide$ade! pa!!ed++or(if one died( how $ould another &ear the lo!! for multide$ade!* One learned( then( notto mae emotional atta$hment! &ut to !tand off( to in!ulate one"! !elf.

On the other hand( human &eing!( if !hort+li'ed( $ould not !o ea!ily outli'efa!$ination with life. #! the generation! pa!!ed &y rapidly( the &all of fa!$ination&oun$ed from hand to hand without e'er tou$hing the ground.

ow re$ently !he had told 2.G. that there wa! no more to do or now( that!he had e)perien$ed and thought e'erything( that !he had to li'e on in utter&oredom. ++#nd !he hadn"t nown or e'en dreamed( a! !he !poe( of $rowd! ofpeople( one upon another of !peaing to many a! they melted into a $ontinuou! !eaof head! of hearing their re!pon!e( not in word! &ut in wordle!! !ound! of melting

together with them( feeling their feeling!( &e$oming one large organi!m.,t wa! not merely that !he had ne'er e)perien$ed !u$h a thing &efore( it wa!that !he had ne'er dreamed anything lie that might &e e)perien$ed. ow mu$hmore did !he now nothing of de!pite her long life* -hat more e)i!ted for thee)perien$ing that !he wa! in$apa&le of fanta!ying*

2aneel !aid gently( /adam Gladia( , &elie'e the $aptain i! !ignaling forentran$e.0

Gladia !tarted. /et him enter( then.02.G. entered( eye&row! rai!ed. /, am relie'ed. , thought perhap! you were not

at home.0



Gladia !miled. /,n a way( , wa!n"t. , wa! lo!t in thought. ,t happen! to me!ometime!. /

/ou are fortunate(0 !aid 2.G. /y thought! are ne'er large enough to &e lo!tin. #re you re$on$iled to 'i!iting #urora( madam*0

/4o( ,"m not. #nd among the thought! in whi$h , wa! lo!t wa! one to the effe$tthat , !till do not ha'e any idea why you mu!t go to #urora. ,t $an"t &e only to return

me. #ny !pa$eworthy $argo tug $ould ha'e done the %o&.0/ay , !it down( madam*0/e!( of $our!e. That goe! without !aying( Captain. , wi!h you"d !top treating

me a! ari!to$ra$y. ,t &e$ome! wearing. #nd if it"! an ironi$ indi$ation that ,"m aSpa$er( then it"! wor!e than wearing. ,n fa$t( ,"d almo!t rather you $alled me Gladia. /

/ou !eem to &e an)iou! to di!own your Spa$er identity( Gladia(0 !aid 2.G. a!he !eated him!elf and $ro!!ed hi! leg!.

/, would rather forget none!!ential di!tin$tion!.0/4one!!ential* 4ot while you li'e fi'e time! a! long a! , do.0/Oddly enough( , ha'e &een thining of that a! a rather annoying

di!ad'antage for Spa$er!. ++ow long &efore we rea$h #urora*0/4o e'a!i'e a$tion thi! time. # few day! to get far enough from our !un to &e

a&le to mae a Fump through hyper!pa$e that will tae u! to within a few day! of#uroraand that"! it.0

/#nd why mu!t you go to #urora( 2.G.*0/, might !ay it wa! !imply politene!!( &ut in a$tual fa$t( , would lie an

opportunity to e)plain to your Chairman or e'en to one of hi! !u&ordinate!++e)a$tlywhat happened on Solaria.0

/2on"t they now what happened*0/,n e!!ential!( they do. They were ind enough to tap our $ommuni$ation!( a!

we would ha'e done their! if the !ituation had &een re'er!ed. Still( they may notha'e drawn the proper $on$lu!ion!. , would lie to $orre$t them++if that i! !o.0

/-hat are the proper $on$lu!ion!( 2.G.*0/#! you now( the o'er!eer! on Solaria were geared to re!pond to a per!on a!

human only if he or !he !poe with a Solarian a$$ent( a! you did. That mean! thatnot only were Settler! not $on!idered human( &ut non+Solarian Spa$er! were not$on!idered human( either. To &e pre$i!e( #uroran! would not &e $on!idered human&eing! if they had landed on Solaria.0

Gladia"! eye! widened. /That"! un&elie'a&le. The Solarian! wouldn"t arrangeto ha'e the o'er!eer! treat #uroran! a! they treated you.0

/-ouldn"t they* They ha'e already de!troyed an #uroran !hip. 2id you nowthat*0

/#n #uroran !hip 4o( , didn"t now that.0/, a!!ure you they did. ,t landed a&out the time we did. -e got away( &ut they

didn"t. -e had you( you !ee( and they didn"t. The $on$lu!ion i!++or !hould &e++that#urora $annot automati$ally treat other Spa$er world! a! allie!. ,n an emergen$y( itwill &e ea$h Spa$er world for it!elf.0

Gladia !hoo her head 'iolently. /,t would &e un!afe to generali7e from a!ingle in!tan$e. The Solarian! would ha'e found it diffi$ult to ha'e the o'er!eer!rea$t fa'ora&ly to fifty a$$ent! and unfa'ora&ly to !$ore! of other!. ,t wa! ea!ier to

pin them to a !ingle a$$ent. That"! all. They gam&led that no other Spa$er! would tryto land on their world and they lo!t. /

/e!( ,"m !ure that i! how the #uroran leader!hip will argue( !in$e peoplegenerally find it mu$h ea!ier to mae a plea!ant dedu$tion than an unplea!ant one.-hat , want to do i! to mae $ertain they !ee the po!!i&ility of the unplea!ant one++and that thi! mae! them un$omforta&le indeed. 6orgi'e my !elf+lo'e( &ut , $an"ttru!t anyone to do it a! well a! , $an and therefore , thin that ,( rather than anyoneel!e( !hould go to #urora.0

Gladia felt un$omforta&ly tom. She did not want to &e a Spa$er !he wanted to



&e a human &eing and forget what !he had %u!t $alled /none!!ential di!tin$tion!./#nd yet when 2.G. !poe with o&'iou! !ati!fa$tion of for$ing #urora into ahumiliating po!ition( !he found her!elf !till !omehow a Spa$er.

She !aid in annoyan$e( /, pre!ume the Settler world! are at odd! amongthem!el'e!( too. ,! it not ea$h Settler world for it!elf*0

2.G. !hoo hi! head. /,t may !eem to you that thi! mu!t &e !o and , wouldn"t

&e !urpri!ed if ea$h indi'idual Settler world had the impul!e at time! to put it! ownintere!t o'er the good of the whole( &ut we ha'e !omething you Spa$er! la$.0/#nd what i! that. # greater no&ility*0/Of $our!e not. -e"re no more no&le than Spa$er! are. -hat we"'e got i! the

=arth. ,t"! our world. ='ery Settler 'i!it! =arth a! often a! he $an. ='ery Settler now!that there i! a world( a large( ad'an$ed world( with an in$redi&ly ri$h hi!tory and$ultural 'ariety and e$ologi$al $omple)ity that i! hi! or her! and to whi$h he or !he&elong!. The Settler world! might 3uarrel with ea$h other( &ut the 3uarrel $annotpo!!i&ly re!ult in 'iolen$e or in a permanent &rea$h of relation!( for the =arthgo'ernment i! automati$ally $alled in to mediate all pro&lem! and it! de$i!ion i!!uffi$ient and un3ue!tioned.

/Tho!e are our three ad'antage!( Gladia the la$ of ro&ot!( !omething thatallow! u! to &uild new world! with our own hand! the rapid !u$$e!!ion ofgeneration!( whi$h mae! for $on!tant $hange and( mo!t of all( the =arth( whi$hgi'e! u! our $entral $ore.0

Gladia !aid urgently( /But the Spa$er!++0 and !he !topped.2.G. !miled and !aid with an edge of &itterne!!( /-ere you going to !ay that

the Spa$er! are al!o de!$ended from =arthpeople and that it i! their planet( too*6a$tually true( &ut p!y$hologi$ally fal!e. The Spa$er! ha'e done their &e!t to denytheir heritage. They don"t $on!ider them!el'e! =arthmen on$e+remo'ed++or any+num&er+remo'ed. ,f , were a my!ti$( , would !ay that &y $utting them!el'e! awayfrom their root!( the Spa$er! $annot !ur'i'e long. Of $our!e( ,"m not a my!ti$ !o ,don"t put it that way++&ut they $annot !ur'i'e long( %u!t the !ame. , &elie'e that.0

Then( after a !hort pau!e( he added( with a !omewhat trou&led indne!!( a!though he reali7ed that in hi! e)ultation he wa! !triing a !en!iti'e !pot within her(/But plea!e thin of your!elf a! a human &eing( Gladia( rather than a! a Spa$er( and ,will thin of my!elf a! a human &eing( rather than a! a Settler. umanity will !ur'i'e(whether it will &e in the form of Settler! or Spa$er! or &oth. , &elie'e it will &e in theform of Settler! only( &ut , may &e wrong.0

/4o(0 !aid Gladia( trying to &e unemotional. /, thin you"re right++unle!!!omehow people learn to !top maing the Spa$erNSettler di!tin$tion. ,t i! my goal++tohelp people do that. /

/owe'er(0 !aid 2.G.( glan$ing at the dim time !trip that $ir$led the wall( /,delay your dinner. ay , eat with you*0

/Certainly(0 !aid Gladia.2.G. ro!e to hi! feet. /Then ,"ll go get it. ,"d !end 2aneel or Gi!ard( &ut , don"t

e'er want to get into the ha&it of ordering ro&ot! a&out. Be!ide!( howe'er mu$h the$rew adore! you( , don"t thin their adoration e)tend! to your ro&ot!.0

Gladia did not a$tually en%oy the meal when 2.G. &rought it. She did not !eemto grow a$$u!tomed to the la$ of !u&tlety in it! fla'or! that might &e the heritage of

=arth $ooing of yea!t for ma!! $on!umption( &ut then( neither wa! it parti$ularlyrepul!i'e. She ate !tolidly.

2.G.( noting her la$ of enthu!ia!m( !aid( /The food doe!n"t up!et you( ,hope*0

She !hoo her head. /4o. #pparently( ,"m a$$limated. , had !ome unplea!antepi!ode! when , fir!t got on the !hip( &ut nothing really !e'ere.0

/,"m glad of that( &ut( Gladia++0/e!*0/Can you !ugge!t no rea!on why the #uroran go'ernment !hould want you



&a$ !o urgently* ,t $an"t &e your handling of the o'er!eer and it $an"t &e your!pee$h. The re3ue!t wa! !ent out well &efore they $ould ha'e nown of either.0

/,n that $a!e( 2.G.(0 Gladia !aid !adly( /they $an"t po!!i&ly want me foranything. They ne'er ha'e.0

/But there mu!t &e !omething. #! , told you( the me!!age arri'ed in the nameof the Chairman of the Coun$il of #urora. /

HThi! parti$ular Chairman at thi! parti$ular time i! thought to &e rather afigurehead.0/Oh* -ho !tand! &ehind him* Eelden #madiro*0/=)a$tly. ou now of him( then.0/Oh( ye!(0 !aid 2.G. grimly( /the $enter of anti+=arth fanati$i!m. The man who

wa! politi$ally !ma!hed &y 2r. 6a!tolfe twenty de$ade! ago !ur'i'e! to threaten u!again. There"! an e)ample of the dead hand of longe'ity.0

/But there"! the pu77le( too.0 Gladia !aid. /#madiro i! a 'engeful man. enow! that it wa! =li%ah Baley who wa! the $au!e of that defeat you !pea of and#madiro &elie'e! , !hared re!pon!i&ility. i! di!lie--e&treme di!lie++e)tend! to me.,f the Chairman want! me( that $an only &e &e$au!e #madiro want! me++and why!hould #madiro want me* e would rather get rid of me. That"! pro&a&ly why he !entme along with you to Solaria. Surely he e)pe$ted your !hip would &e de!troyed++andme along with it. #nd that would not ha'e pained him at all.0

/4o un$ontrolla&le tear!( eh*0 !aid 2.G. thoughtfully. /But !urely that"! notwhat you were told. 4o one !aid to you( HGo with thi! mad Trader &e$au!e it wouldgi'e u! plea!ure to ha'e you illed. H /

/4o. They !aid that you wanted my help &adly and that it wa! politi$ to$ooperate with the Settler world! at the moment and that it would do #urora a greatdeal of good if , would report &a$ to them on all that o$$urred on Solaria on$e ,returned.0

/e!( they would !ay !o. They might e'en ha'e meant it to !ome e)tent. Then( when++again!t all their e)pe$tation!++our !hip got off !afely while an #uroran!hip wa! de!troyed( they might well ha'e wanted a fir!thand a$$ount of whathappened. Therefore( when , too you to Baleyworld in!tead of &a$ to #urora( theywould !$ream for your return. That might po!!i&ly &e it. By now( of $our!e( they nowthe !tory( !o they might no longer want you. Though0++he wa! taling to him!elfrather than to Gladia++/what they now i! what they pi$ed up from Baleyworldhyper'i!ion and they may not $hoo!e to a$$ept that at fa$e 'alue. #nd yet++0

/#nd yet what( 2.G.*0/Somehow in!tin$t tell! me that their me!!age $ould not ha'e &een !pared

only &y their de!ire to ha'e you report. The for$efulne!! of the demand( it !eem! tome( went &eyond that.0

/There"! nothing el!e they $an want. +othing#” !aid Gladia./, wonder(0 !aid 2.G.

I1.

/, wonder a! well(0 !aid 2aneel from hi! wall ni$he that night.

/ou wonder $on$erning what( friend 2aneel*0 a!ed Gi!ard./, wonder $on$erning the true !ignifi$an$e of the me!!age from #urorademanding ady Gladia. To me( a! to the $aptain( a de!ire for a report !eem! a notaltogether !uffi$ient moti'ation.0

/a'e you an alternate !ugge!tion*0/, ha'e a thought( friend Gi!ard. //ay , now it( friend 2aneel*0/,t ha! o$$urred to me that( in demanding the return of adam Gladia( the

#uroran Coun$il may e)pe$t to !ee more than they a! for++and it may not &e adamGladia they want.0



/-hat i! there more than adam Gladia that they will get*0/6riend Gi!ard( i! it $on$ei'a&le that ady Gladia will return without you and

me*0/4o( &ut of what u!e to the #uroran Coun$il would you and , &e*0/,( friend Gi!ard( would &e of no u!e to them. ou( howe'er( are uni3ue( for

you $an !en!e mind! dire$tly.0

/That i! true( friend 2aneel( &ut they do not now thi!.0/Sin$e our lea'ing( i! it not po!!i&le that they ha'e !omehow di!$o'ered thefa$t and ha'e $ome to regret &itterly ha'ing allowed you to lea'e #urora*0

Gi!ard did not he!itate per$epti&ly. /4o( it i! not po!!i&le( friend 2aneel. owwould they ha'e found out*0

2aneel !aid $arefully( /, ha'e rea!oned in thi! fa!hion. ou ha'e( on your long+ago 'i!it to =arth with 2r. 6a!tolfe( managed to ad%u!t a few =arth ro&ot! !o a! toallow them a 'ery limited mental $apa$ity( merely enough to ena&le them to$ontinue your wor of influen$ing offi$ial! on =arth to loo with $ourage and fa'or onthe pro$e!! of Settlement. So( at lea!t( you on$e told me. There are( therefore( ro&ot!on =arth that are $apa&le of mind+ad%u!ting.

/Then( too( a! we ha'e $ome re$ently to !u!pe$t( the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute of#urora ha! !ent humanoid ro&ot! to =arth. -e do not now their pre$i!e purpo!e indoing !o( &ut the lea!t that $an &e e)pe$ted of !u$h ro&ot! i! that they o&!er'ee'ent! there on =arth and report on them.

/='en if the #uroran ro&ot! $annot !en!e mind!( they $an !end &a$ report!to the effe$t that thi! or that offi$ial ha! !uddenly $hanged hi! attitude towardSettlement and( perhap!( in the time !in$e we ha'e left #urora( it ha! dawned on!omeone in power in #urora++on 2r. #madiro him!elf perhap!++that thi! $an only &ee)plained &y the e)i!ten$e of mind+ad%u!ting ro&ot! on =arth. ,t may &e( then( thatthe e!ta&li!hment of mind+ad%u!ting $an &e tra$ed &a$ to either 2r. 6a!tolfe oryour!elf.

/Thi! might( in turn( mae $lear to #uroran offi$ial! the meaning of $ertainother e'ent!( whi$h might &e tra$ed &a$ to you rather than to 2r. 6a!tolfe. #! are!ult( they would want you &a$ de!perately( yet not &e a&le to a! for you dire$tly(for that would gi'e away the fa$t of their new nowledge. So they a! for adyGladia++a natural re3ue!t++nowing that if !he i! &rought &a$( you will &e( too.0

Gi!ard wa! !ilent for a full minute( then he !aid( /,t i! intere!tingly rea!oned(friend 2aneel( &ut it doe! not hold together. Tho!e ro&ot! whom , de!igned for theta! of en$ouraging Settlement $ompleted their %o& more than eighteen de$ade! agoand ha'e &een ina$ti'e !in$e( at lea!t a! far a! mind+ad%u!tment i! $on$erned.-hat"! more( the =arth remo'ed ro&ot! from their Citie! and $onfined them to theunpopulated non+City area! 3uite a $on!idera&le time ago.

/Thi! mean! that the humanoid ro&ot! who were( we !pe$ulate( !ent to =arth(would( e'en !o( not ha'e had o$$a!ion to meet my mind+ad%u!ting ro&ot! or &e awareof any mind+ad%u!tment either( $on!idering that the ro&ot! are no longer engaged inthat. ,t i! impo!!i&le( therefore( for my !pe$ial a&ility to ha'e &een un$o'ered in themanner you !ugge!t.0

2aneel !aid( /,! there no other way of di!$o'ery( friend Gi!ard*0/4one(0 !aid Gi!ard firmly.

/#nd yet++, wonder(0 !aid 2aneel.

PART IV - AURORA



11. THE OLD LEADER

I<.

Eelden #madiro wa! not immune from the human plague of memory. e wa!(

in fa$t( more !u&%e$t to it than mo!t. ,n hi! $a!e( moreo'er( the tena$ity of memoryhad( a! it! a$$ompaniment( a $ontent unu!ual for the inten!ity of it! deep andprolonged rage and fru!tration.

#ll had &een going !o well for him twenty de$ade! &efore. e wa! thefounding head of the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute ?he wa! still the founding head@ and for onefla!hing and triumphant moment it had !eemed to him that he $ould not fail toa$hie'e total $ontrol of the Coun$il( !ma!hing hi! great enemy( an 6a!tolfe( andlea'ing him in helple!! oppo!ition.

,f he had++if he only had++?ow he tried not to thin of it and how hi! memory pre!ented him with it(

o'er and o'er again( a! though it $ould ne'er get enough of grief and de!pair.@,f he had won out( =arth would ha'e remained i!olated and alone and he

would ha'e !een to it that =arth de$lined( de$ayed( and finally faded into di!!olution.

-hy not* The !hort+li'ed people of a di!ea!ed( o'er$rowded world were &etter offdead++a hundred time! &etter off dead than li'ing the life they had for$ed them!el'e!to lead.

#nd the Spa$er world!( $alm and !e$ure( would then ha'e e)panded further.6a!tolfe had alway! $omplained that the Spa$er! were too long++li'ed and too$omforta&le on their ro&oti$ $u!hion! to &e pioneer!( &ut #madiro would ha'e pro'edhim wrong.

et 6a!tolfe had won out. #t the moment of $ertain defeat( he had !omehow(un&elie'a&ly( in$redi&ly( rea$hed into empty !pa$e( !o to !pea( and found 'i$tory inhi! gra!p++plu$ed from nowhere.

,t wa! that =arthman( of $our!e( =li%ah Baley++But #madiro"! otherwi!e un$omforta&le memory alway! &aled at the

=arthman and turned away. e $ould not pi$ture that fa$e( hear that 'oi$e(

remem&er that deed. The name wa! enough. Twenty $enturie! had not !uffi$ed todim the hatred he felt in the !lighte!t ++or to !often the pain he felt &y an iota.

#nd with 6a!tolfe in $harge of poli$y( the mi!era&le =arthmen had fled their$orrupting planet and e!ta&li!hed them!el'e! on world after world. The whirlwind of=arth"! progre!! da7ed the Spa$er world! and for$ed them into fro7en paraly!i!.

ow many time! had #madiro addre!!ed the Coun$il and pointed out that theGala)y wa! !lipping from Spa$er finger!( that #urora wa! wat$hing &lanly whileworld after world wa! &eing o$$upied &y !u&men( that ea$h year apathy wa! taingfirmer hold of the Spa$er !pirit*

/Rou!e your!elf(0 he had $alled out. /Rou!e your!elf. See their num&er! grow.See the Settler world! multiply. -hat i! it you wait for* To ha'e them at yourthroat!*0

#nd alway! 6a!tolfe would an!wer in that !oothing lulla&y of a 'oi$e of hi! and

the #uroran! and the other Spa$er! ?alway! following #urora"! lead( when #urora$ho!e not to lead@ would !ettle &a$ and return to their !lum&er. The o&'iou! did not !eem to tou$h them. The fa$t!( the figure!( the

indi!puta&le wor!ening of affair! from de$ade to de$ade left them unmo'ed. owwa! it po!!i&le to !hout the truth at them !o !teadily( to ha'e e'ery predi$tion hemade $ome to pa!!( and yet to ha'e to wat$h a !teady ma%ority following 6a!tolfelie !heep*

ow wa! it po!!i&le that 6a!tolfe him!elf $ould wat$h e'erything he !aidpro'e to &e !heer folly and yet ne'er !wer'e from hi! poli$ie!* ,t wa! not e'en thathe !tu&&ornly in!i!ted on &eing wrong( it wa! that he !imply ne'er !eemed to noti$e



he wa! wrong.,f #madiro were the ind of man who doted on fanta!y( he would !urely

imagine that !ome ind of !pell( !ome ind of apatheti$ en$hantment( had fallenupon the Spa$er world!. e would imagine that !omewhere !omeone po!!e!!ed themagi$ power of lulling otherwi!e a$ti'e &rain! and &linding to the truth otherwi!e!harp eye!.

To add the final e)3ui!ite agony( people pitied 6a!tolfe for ha'ing died infru!tration. ,n fru!tration( they !aid( &e$au!e the Spa$er! would not !ei7e new world!of their own.

,t wa! 6a!tolfe"! own poli$ie! that ept them from doing !o -hat right had heto feel fru!tration o'er that* -hat would he do if he had( lie #madiro( alway! !eenand !poen the truth and &een una&le to for$e the Spa$er!++enough Spa$er!++toli!ten to him.

ow many time! had he thought that it would &e &etter for the Gala)y to &eempty than under the domination of the !u&men* ,f he had !ome magi$ power tode!troy the =arth++=li%ah Baley"! world++with a nod of hi! head( how eagerly he would.

et to find refuge in !u$h fanta!y $ould only &e a !ign of hi! total de!pair. ,twa! the other !ide of hi! re$urrent( futile wi!h to gi'e up and wel$ome death++if hi!ro&ot! would allow it.

#nd then the time $ame when the power to de!troy =arth wa! gi'en him++e'en for$ed upon him again!t hi! will. That time wa! !ome three+fourth! of a de$ade&efore( when he had fir!t met e'ular andamu!.

I;.

emory Three+fourth! of a de$ade &efore++#madiro looed up and noted that aloon Ci$i! had entered the offi$e. e had

undou&tedly !ignaled and he had the right to enter if the !ignal were nota$nowledged.

#madiro !ighed and put down hi! !mall $omputer. Ci$i! had &een hi! right+hand man e'er !in$e the ,n!titute had &een e!ta&li!hed. e wa! getting old in hi!!er'i$e. 4othing dra!ti$ally noti$ea&le( %u!t a general air of mild de$ay. i! no!e

!eemed to &e a &it more a!ymmetri$al than it on$e had &een.e ru&&ed hi! own !omewhat &ul&ou! no!e and wondered how &adly thefla'or of de$ay wa! en'eloping him. e had on$e &een 1.95 meter! tall( a goodheight e'en &y Spa$er !tandard!. Surely he !tood a! !traight now a! he alway! hadand yet when he had a$tually mea!ured hi! height re$ently( he $ould not manage tomae it more than 1.9; meter!. -a! he &eginning to !toop( to !hri'el( to !ettle*

e put away the!e dour thought! that were them!el'e! a !urer !ign of agingthan mere mea!urement! and !aid( /-hat i! it( aloon*0

Ci$i! had a new per!onal ro&ot dogging hi! !tep!++'ery moderni!ti$ and withglo!!y trim. That wa! a !ign of aging( too. ,f one $an"t eep one"! &ody young( one$an alway! &uy a new young ro&ot. #madiro wa! determined ne'er to rou!e !mile!among the truly young &y falling prey to that parti$ular delu!ion++e!pe$ially !in$e6a!tolfe( who wa! eight de$ade! older than #madiro( had ne'er done !o.

Ci$i! !aid( /,t"! thi! andamu! fellow again( Chief.0/andamu!*0/The one who eep! wanting to !ee you.0#madiro thought a while. /ou mean the idiot who"! a de!$endant of the

Solarian woman*0/e!( Chief.0/-ell( , don"t want to !ee him. a'en"t you made that $lear to him yet(

aloon*0/#&undantly $lear. e a!! that , hand you a note and he !ay! you will then

!ee him. /



#madiro !aid !lowly( /, don"t thin !o( aloon. -hat doe! the note !ay*0/, don"t under!tand it( Chief. ,t i!n"t Gala$ti$.0/,n that $a!e( why !hould , under!tand it any more than you do*0/, don"t now( &ut he a!ed me to gi'e it to you. ,f you $are to loo at it( Chief(

and !ay the word( , will gP &a$ and get rid of him one more time. //-ell( then( let me !ee it(0 !aid #madiro( !haing hi! head. e glan$ed at it

with di!ta!te.,t read !eterum censeo# delenda est arthago.”#madiro read the me!!age( glared up at aloon( then turned hi! eye! &a$ to

the me!!age. 6inally( he !aid( /ou mu!t ha'e looed at thi!( !in$e you now it i!n"tGala$ti$. 2id you a! him what it meant*0

/e!( , did( Chief. e !aid it wa! atin( &ut that left me no wi!er. e !aid youwould under!tand. e i! a 'ery determined man and !aid he would !it there all daywaiting till you read thi!.0

/-hat doe! he loo lie*0/Thin. Seriou!. Aro&a&ly humorle!!. Tall( &ut not 3uite a! tall a! you. ,nten!e(

deep+!et eye!( thin lip!.0/ow old i! he*0/6rom the te)ture of hi! !in( , !hould !ay four de$ade! or !o. e i! 'ery

young.0/,n that $a!e( we mu!t mae allowan$e! for youth. Send him in.0Ci$i! looed !urpri!ed. /ou will !ee him*0/, ha'e %u!t !aid !o( ha'en"t ,* Send him in.0

II.

The young man entered the room in what wa! almo!t a mar$h !tep. e !toodthere !tiffly in front of the de! and !aid( /, than you( !ir( for agreeing to !ee me.ay , ha'e your permi!!ion to ha'e my ro&ot! %oin me*0

#madiro rai!ed hi! eye&row!. /, would &e plea!ed to !ee them. -ould youpermit me to eep mine with me*0

,t had &een many year! !in$e he had heard anyone mouth the old ro&otformula. ,t wa! one of tho!e good old $u!tom! that !an into a&eyan$e a! the notionof formal politene!! de$ayed and a! it $ame to &e taen more and more for grantedthat one"! per!onal ro&ot! were part of one"! !elf.

/e!( !ir(0 !aid andamu! and two ro&ot! entered. They did not do !o(#madiro noted( till permi!!ion had &een gi'en. They were new ro&ot!( $learlyeffi$ient( and !howed all the !ign! of good worman!hip.

/our own de!ign( r. andamu!*0 There wa! alway! !ome e)tra 'alue inro&ot! that were de!igned &y their owner!.

/,ndeed( !ir.0/Then you are a ro&oti$i!t*0/e!( !ir. , ha'e my degree from the >ni'er!ity of =o!.0/-oring under++0andamu! !aid !moothly( /4ot under 2r. 6a!tolfe( !ir. >nder 2r. a!ellni.0/#h( &ut you are not a mem&er of the ,n!titute.0/, ha'e applied for entran$e( !ir.0/, !ee.0 #madiro ad%u!ted the paper! on hi! de! and then !aid 3ui$ly(

without looing up( /-here did you learn atin*0/, do not now atin well enough to !pea it or read it( &ut , now enough

a&out it to now that 3uotation and where to find it.0/That in it!elf i! remara&le. ow doe! that $ome a&out*0/, $annot de'ote e'ery moment of my time to ro&oti$!( !o , ha'e my !ide

intere!t!. One of them i! planetology( with parti$ular referen$e to =arth. That led meto =arth H! hi!tory and $ulture.0



/That i! not a popular !tudy among Spa$er!.0/4o( !ir( and that i! too &ad. One !hould alway! now one"! enemie!++a! you

do( !ir.0/#! , do*0/e!( !ir. , &elie'e you are a$3uainted with many a!pe$t! of =arth and are

more learned in that re!pe$t than , am( for you ha'e !tudied the !u&%e$t longer.0

/ow do you now that*0/, ha'e tried to learn a! mu$h a&out you a! , $an( !ir.0/Be$au!e , am another one of your enemie!*0/4o( !ir( &ut &e$au!e , want to mae you an ally.0/ae me an ally* ou plan to mae u!e of me( then*2oe! it !trie you that you are &eing a little impertinent*0/4o( !ir( for , am !ure you will want to &e an ally of mine.0#madiro !tared at him. /4e'erthele!!( it !trie! me that you are &eing rather

more than a little impertinent. ++Tell me( do you under!tand thi! 3uotation you ha'efound for me*0

/e!( !ir.0/Then tran!late it into Standard Gala$ti$.0/,t !ay!( H,n my opinion( Carthage mu!t &e de!troyed."0/#nd what doe! that mean( in your opinion*0/The !peaer wa! ar$u! Aor$iu! Cato( a !enator of the Roman Repu&li$( a

politi$al unit of an$ient =arth. ,t had defeated it! $hief ri'al( Carthage( &ut had notde!troyed it. Cato held that Rome $ould not &e !e$ure until Carthage wa! entirelyde!troyed++and e'entually( !ir( it wa!.0

/But what i! Carthage to u!( young man*0/There are !u$h thing! a! analogie!.0/-hi$h mean!*0/That the Spa$er world!( too( ha'e a $hief ri'al that( in my opinion( mu!t &e

de!troyed.0/4ame the enemy.0/The planet =arth( !ir.0#madiro drummed hi! finger! 'ery !oftly upon the de! &efore him. /#nd you

want me to &e your ally in !u$h a pro%e$t. ou a!!ume , will &e happy and eager to &eone. ++Tell me( 2r. andamu!( when ha'e , e'er !aid in any of my numerou!!pee$he! and writing! on the !u&%e$t that =arth mu!t &e de!troyed*0

andamu!"! thin lip! tightened and hi! no!tril! flared. /, am not here(0 he!aid( /in an attempt to trap you into !omething that $an &e u!ed again!t you. , ha'enot &een !ent here &y 2r. 6a!tolfe or any of hi! party. 4or am I of hi! party. 4or do ,attempt to !ay what i! in your mind. , tell you only what i! in my mind. ,n my opinion(=arth mu!t &e de!troyed. /

/#nd how do you propo!e to de!troy =arth* 2o you !ugge!t that we dropnu$lear &om&! on it until the &la!t! and radiation and du!t $loud! de!troy the planet*Be$au!e( if !o( how do you propo!e to eep a'enging Settler !hip! from doing the!ame to #urora and to a! many of the other Spa$er world! a! they $an rea$h* =arthmight ha'e &een &la!ted with impunity a! re$ently a! fifteen de$ade! ago. ,t $an"t &enow.0

andamu! looed re'olted. /, ha'e nothing lie that in mind( 2r. #madiro. ,would not unne$e!!arily de!troy human &eing!( e'en if they are =arthpeople. Therei! a way( howe'er( in whi$h =arth $an &e de!troyed without ne$e!!arily illing it!people whole!ale++and there will &e no retaliation.0

/ou are a dreamer(0 !aid #madiro( /or perhap! not 3uite !ane.0/et me e)plain.0/4o( young man. , ha'e little time and &e$au!e your 3uotation( whi$h ,

under!tood perfe$tly well( pi3ued my $urio!ity( , ha'e already allowed my!elf to!pend too mu$h of it on you.



andamu! !tood up. /, under!tand( 2r. #madiro( and , &eg your pardon fortaing up more of your time than you $ould afford. Thin of what , ha'e !aid(howe'er( and if you !hould &e$ome $uriou!( why not $all upon me when you ha'emore time to de'ote to me than you now ha'e. 2o not wait too long( howe'er( for if ,mu!t( , will turn in other dire$tion!( for de!troy =arth , will. , am fran with you( you!ee.0

The young man attempted a !mile that !tret$hed hi! thin $hee! withoutprodu$ing mu$h of an effe$t on hi! fa$e otherwi!e. e !aid( /Good+&ye++and thanyou again(0 turned( and left.

#madiro looed after him for a while thoughtfully( then tou$hed a $onta$t onthe !ide of hi! de!.

/aloon(0 he !aid when Ci$i! entered( /, want that young man wat$hedaround the $lo$ and , want to now e'eryone he !pea! to. ='eryone. , want themall identified and , want them all 3ue!tioned. Tho!e whom , indi$ate are to &e &roughtto me. ++But( aloon( e'erything mu!t &e done 3uietly and with an attitude of !weetand friendly per!ua!ion. , am not yet ma!ter here( a! you now.0

But he would &e e'entually. 6a!tolfe wa! thirty+!i) de$ade! old and $learlyfailing and #madiro wa! eight de$ade! younger.

I5.

#madiro re$ei'ed hi! report! for nine day!.andamu! taled to hi! ro&ot!( o$$a!ionally to $olleague! at the uni'er!ity(

and e'en more o$$a!ionally to indi'idual! at the e!ta&li!hment! neigh&oring hi!. i!$on'er!ation! were utterly tri'ial and( long &efore the nine day! had pa!!ed( #madirohad de$ided he $ould not outwait the young man. andamu! wa! only at the&eginning of a long life and might ha'e thirty de$ade! ahead of him #madiro hadonly eight to ten at the 'ery mo!t.

#nd #madiro( thining of what the young man had !aid( felt( with in$rea!ingre!tle!!ne!!( that he $ould not tae the $han$e that a way of de!troying =arth mighte)i!t and that he might &e ignoring it. Could he allow the de!tru$tion to tae pla$eafter hi! death( !o that he would not witne!! it* Or( almo!t a! &ad( ha'e it tae pla$e

during hi! lifetime( &ut with !omeone el!e"! mind in $ommand( !omeone el!e"!finger! on the $onta$t*4o( he had to !ee it( witne!! it( and do it el!e why had he endured hi! long

fru!tration* andamu! might &e a fool or a madman( &ut( in that $a!e( #madiro hadto now for $ertain that he wa! a fool or a madman.

a'ing rea$hed that point in hi! thining( #madiro $alled andamu! to hi!offi$e.

#madiro reali7ed that in !o doing( he wa! humiliating him!elf( &ut thehumiliation wa! the pri$e he had to pay to mae $ertain that there wa!n"t the!lighte!t $han$e of =arth &eing de!troyed without him. ,t wa! a pri$e he wa! willing topay.

e !teeled him!elf e'en for the po!!i&ility that andamu! would enter hi!pre!en$e( !miring and $ontemptuou!ly triumphant. e would ha'e to endure that(

too. #fter the enduran$e( of $our!e( if the young man"! !ugge!tion pro'ed fooli!h( hewould !ee him puni!hed to the full e)tent that a $i'ili7ed !o$iety would permit( &utotherwi!e

e wa! plea!ed( then( when andamu! entered hi! offi$e with an attitude ofrea!ona&le humility and thaned him( in all apparent !in$erity( for a !e$ondinter'iew. ,t !eemed to #madiro he would ha'e to &e gra$iou! in hi! turn.

/2r. andamu!(0 he !aid( /in !ending you away without li!tening to your plan(, wa! guilty of di!$ourte!y. Tell me( then( what you ha'e in mind and , will li!ten untilit i! 3uite $lear to me++a! , !u!pe$t it will &e++that your plan i!( perhap!( more there!ult of enthu!ia!m than of $old rea!on. #t that time( , will di!mi!! you again( &ut



without $ontempt on my part( and , hope that you will re!pond without anger on yourpart.0

andamu! !aid( /, $ould not &e angry at ha'ing &een a$$orded a fair andpatient hearing( 2r. #madiro( &ut what if what , !ay mae! !en!e to you and offer!hope*0

/,n that $a!e(0 !aid #madiro !lowly( /it would &e $on$ei'a&le that we two

$ould wor together.0/That would &e wonderful( !ir. Together we $ould a$$ompli!h more than we$ould !eparately. But would there &e !omething more tangi&le than the pri'ilege ofworing together* -ould there &e a reward*0

#madiro looed di!plea!ed. /, would &e grateful( of $our!e( &ut all , am i! aCoun$ilman and the head of the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute. There would &e a limit to what ,$ould do for you.0

/, under!tand that( 2r. #madiro. But within tho!e limit! $ould , not ha'e!omething on a$$ount* 4ow*0 e looed at #madiro !teadily.

#madiro frowned at finding him!elf ga7ing into a pair of een and un&lininglydetermined eye!. 4o humility there

#madiro !aid $oldly( /-hat do you ha'e in mind*0/4othing you $an"t gi'e me( 2r. #madiro. ae me a mem&er of the

,n!titute.0/,f you 3ualify++0/4o fear. , 3ualify.0/-e $an"t lea'e that de$i!ion to the $andidate. -e ha'e to++0/Come( 2r. #madiro( thi! i! no way to &egin a relation!hip. Sin$e you"'e had

me under o&!er'ation e'ery moment !in$e , left you la!t( , $an"t &elie'e you ha'en"t!tudied my re$ord thoroughly. #! a re!ult( you mu!t know , 3ualify. ,f( for any rea!on(you felt , did not 3ualify( you would ha'e no hope whate'er that , would &e ingeniou!enough to wor out a plan for the de!tru$tion of our parti$ular Carthage and ,wouldn"t &e &a$ here at your $all.0

6or an in!tant( #madiro felt a fire &la7e within him. 6or that in!tant( he feltthat e'en =arth H! de!tru$tion wa! not worth enduring thi! he$toring attitude from a$hild. But only for that in!tant. Then hi! !en!e of due proportion wa! &a$ and he$ould e'en tell him!elf that a per!on !o young( yet !o &old and !o i$ily !ure ofhim!elf( wa! the ind of man he needed. Be!ide!( he had !tudied andamu!"! re$ordand there wa! no 3ue!tion that he 3ualified for the ,n!titute.

#madiro !aid e'enly ?at !ome $o!t to hi! &lood pre!!ure@( /ou are right. ou3ualify.0

/Then enroll me. ,"m !ure you ha'e the ne$e!!ary form! in your $omputer. ou ha'e &ut to enter my name( my !$hool( my year of graduation( and whate'erother !tati!ti$al tri'ia you re3uire and then !ign your own name.0

-ithout a word in reply( #madiro turned to hi! $omputer. e entered thene$e!!ary information( retrie'ed the form( !igned it( and handed it to andamu!. /,ti! dated today. ou are a fellow of the ,n!titute.0

andamu! !tudied the paper( then handed it to one of hi! ro&ot!( who pla$edit in a !mall portfolio whi$h he then pla$ed under hi! arm.

/Than you(0 !aid andamu!( /it i! mo!t ind of you and , hope , will ne'er

fail you or $au!e you to regret thi! ind e!timate you ha'e gi'en me of my a&ilitie!. That( howe'er( lea'e! one more thing.0

/,ndeed* -hat*0/ight we di!$u!! the nature of the final reward++in $a!e of !u$$e!! only( of

$our!e. Total !u$$e!!.0/ight we not lea'e that( more logi$ally( to the point where total !u$$e!! i!

a$hie'ed or i! rea!ona&ly $lo!e to &eing a$hie'ed*0/#! a matter of rationality( ye!. But , am a $reature of dream! a! well a! of

rea!on. , would lie to dream a little.0



/-ell(0 !aid #madiro( /what i! it you would lie to dream*0/,t !eem! to me( 2r. #madiro( that 2r. 6a!tolfe i! now &y no mean! well. e

ha! li'ed long and $annot !ta'e off death for many more year!.0/#nd if !o*0/On$e he die!( your party will &e$ome more aggre!!i'e and the more

luewarm mem&er! of 6a!tolfe"! party will find it e)pedient to $hange allegian$e(

perhap!. The ne)t ele$tion( without 6a!tolfe( will !urely &e your!.0/,t i! po!!i&le. #nd if !o*0/ou will &e$ome the de fa$to leader of the Coun$il and the guide of #urora"!

foreign poli$y whi$h would( in fa$t( mean the foreign poli$y of the Spa$er world! ingeneral. #nd if my plan! flouri!h( your dire$tion will &e !o !u$$e!!ful that the Coun$ilwill !$ar$ely fail to ele$t you Chairman at their earlie!t opportunity. /

/our dream! !oar( young man. #nd if all you fore!ee were to $ome true( whatthen*0

/ou would !$ar$ely ha'e time to run #urora and the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute( too.So , a! that when you finally de$ide to re!ign from your pre!ent po!ition a! the headof the ,n!titute( you &e prepared to !upport me a! your !u$$e!!or to the po!t. ou$ould !$ar$ely e)pe$t to ha'e your per!onal $hoi$e re%e$ted.0

#madiro !aid( /There i! !u$h a thing a! 3ualifi$ation for the po!t.0/, will 3ualify. //et u! wait and !ee.0/, am willing to wait and !ee( &ut you will find that well &efore $omplete

!u$$e!! i! our!( you will wi!h to grant thi! re3ue!t of mine. Alea!e grow a$$u!tomedto the idea( therefore.0

/#ll thi! &efore , hear a word(0 murmured #madiro. /-ell( you are a mem&erof the ,n!titute and , will !tri'e to grow a$$u!tomed to your per!onal dream( &ut nowlet u! ha'e an end to preliminarie! and tell me how you intend to de!troy =arth.0

#lmo!t automati$ally( #madiro made the !ign that indi$ated to hi! ro&ot! thatthey were not to remem&er any part of the $on'er!ation. #nd andamu!( with a!mall !mile( did the !ame for hi!.

/et u! !tart( then(0 !aid andamu!. But &efore he $ould !pea further(#madiro mo'ed to the atta$.

/#re you !ure you"re not pro+=arth*0andamu! looed !tartled. /, am $oming to you with a propo!al to destroy

=arth.0/#nd yet you are a de!$endant of the Solarian woman++in the fifth generation(

, under!tand.0/e!( !ir( it i! on pu&li$ re$ord. -hat of that*0/The Solarian woman i!++and ha! &een for a long time++a $lo!e a!!o$iate++

friend++protQgQe++of 6a!tolfe. , wonder you do not !ympathi7e with hi! pro+=arth'iew!( therefore.0

/Be$au!e of my an$e!try*0 andamu! !eemed hone!tly a!toni!hed. 6or amoment( what might ha'e &een a fla!h of annoyan$e or e'en anger !eemed totighten hi! no!tril!( &ut that 'ani!hed and he !aid 3uietly( /#n e3ually longtime $lo!ea!!o$iate++friend++protQgQe++of your own i! 2r. Da!ilia 6a!tolfe( who i! 2r. 6a!tolfe"!daughter. She i! a de!$endant in the fir!t generation. , wonder !he doe! not

!ympathi7e with hi! 'iew!.0/, ha'e in the pa!t al!o wondered(0 !aid #madiro( /&ut !he doe!n"t

!ympathi7e with them and( in her $a!e( , ha'e $ea!ed wondering. //ou may $ea!e wondering in my $a!e( too( !ir. , am a Spa$er and , want to

!ee the Spa$er! in $ontrol of the Gala)y.0/Dery well( then. Go on with the de!$ription of your plan.0andamu! !aid( /, will( &ut++if you don"t mind++from the &eginning./2r. #madiro( a!tronomer! agree that there are million! of =arthlie planet! in

our Gala)y( planet! on whi$h human &eing! $an li'e after ne$e!!ary ad%u!tment! to



the en'ironment &ut without any need for geologi$al terraforming. Their atmo!phere!are &reatha&le( an o$ean of water i! pre!ent( the land and $limate i! !uita&le( lifee)i!t!. ,ndeed( the atmo!phere! would not $ontain free o)ygen without the pre!en$eof o$ean planton at the 'ery lea!t.

/The land i! often &arren( &ut on$e it and the o$ean undergo &iologi$alterraforming++that i!( on$e they are !eeded with =arth life++!u$h life flouri!he! and

the planet $an then &e !ettled. undred! of !u$h planet! ha'e &een re$orded and!tudied and a&out half of them are already o$$upied &y Settler!./#nd yet not one ha&ita&le planet of all tho!e whi$h ha'e &een di!$o'ered to

date ha! the enormou! 'ariety and e)$e!! of life that =arth ha!. 4ot one ha!anything larger or more $omple) than a !mall array of wormlie or in!e$t+liein'erte&rate! or( in the plant world( anything more ad'an$ed than !ome fernlie!hru&&ery. 4o 3ue!tion of intelligen$e( of anything e'en approa$hing intelligen$e.0

#madiro li!tened to the !tiff !enten$e! and thought e"! !peaing &y rote.e"! memori7ed all thi!. ++e !tirred and !aid( /, am not a planetologi!t( 2r.andamu!( &ut , a! you to &elie'e that you are telling me nothing , don"t alreadynow.0

/#! , !aid( 2r. #madiro( , am !tarting from the &eginning. ++#!tronomer! arein$rea!ingly of the &elief that we ha'e a fair !ample of the ha&ita&le planet! of theGala)y and that all++or almo!t all++are maredly different from =arth. 6or !omerea!on( =arth i! a !urpri!ingly unu!ual planet and e'olution ha! pro$eeded on it at aradi$ally rapid pa$e and in a radi$ally a&normal manner.0

#madiro !aid( /The u!ual argument i! that if there were another intelligent!pe$ie! in the Gala)y that wa! a! ad'an$ed a! we are( it would ha'e &e$ome awareof our e)pan!ion &y now and ha'e made them!el'e! nown to u!++one way oranother.0

andamu! !aid( /e!( !ir. ,n fa$t( if there were another intelligent !pe$ie! inthe Gala)y that wa! more ad'an$ed than we are( we would not ha'e had a $han$e toe)pand in the fir!t pla$e. That we are the only !pe$ie! in the Gala)y $apa&le oftra'eling in hyper!pa$e would !eem $ertain( then. That we are the only !pe$ie! in theGala)y that i! intelligent i! perhap! not 3uite $ertain( &ut there i! a 'ery good $han$ethat we are.0

#madiro wa! now li!tening with a weary half+!mile. The young man wa! &eingdida$ti$( lie a man !tamping out the rhythm of hi! monomania in a dull &eat. ,t wa!one of the mar! of the $ran and the mild hope #madiro had had that andamu!might a$tually ha'e !omething that would turn the tide of hi!tory wa! &eginning tofade.

e !aid( /ou $ontinue to tell me the nown( 2r. andamu!. ='eryone now!=arth !eem! uni3ue and that we are pro&a&ly the only intelligent !pe$ie! in theGala)y.0

/But no one !eem! to a! the !imple 3ue!tion /$hy?) The =arthpeople andthe Settler! don"t a! it. They a$$ept it. They ha'e a my!ti$ attitude toward =arth and$on!ider it a holy world( !o that it! unu!ual nature i! taen a! a matter of $our!e. #!for the Spa$er!( we don"t a! it. -e ignore it. -e do our &e!t not to thin of =arth atall( !in$e if we do( we are lia&le to go further and thin of our!el'e! a! ha'ingde!$ended from =arthpeople.0

#madiro !aid( /, !ee no 'irtue in the 3ue!tion. -e need not !ee for $omple)an!wer! to the H-hy*". Random pro$e!!e! plan an important role in e'olution and( to!ome e)tent( in all thing!. ,f there are million! of ha&ita&le world!( e'olution maypro$eed on ea$h of them at a different rate. On mo!t( the rate will ha'e !omeintermediate 'alue on !ome the rate will &e di!tin$tly !low( on other! di!tin$tly fa!ton perhap! one it would pro$eed e)$eedingly !low and on another e)$eedingly fa!t.=arth happen! to &e the one on whi$h it pro$eeded e)$eedingly fa!t and we are here&e$au!e of that. 4ow if we a! H-hy*"( the natural++and !uffi$ient++an!wer i!HChan$e.0H



#madiro waited for the other to &etray the $ran &y e)ploding in rage at apreeminently logi$al !tatement( pre!ented in an amu!ed way( that !er'ed to !hatterhi! the!i! $ompletely. andamu!( howe'er( merely !tared at him for a few moment!out of hi! deep+!et eye! and then !aid 3uietly( /4o.0

andamu! let that !tand for perhap! two &eat! and then !aid( /,t tae! morethan a lu$y $han$e or two to !peed e'olution a thou!andfold. On e'ery planet &ut

=arth( the !peed of e'olution i! $lo!ely related to the flu) of $o!mi$ radiation in whi$hthat planet i! &athed. That !peed i! not the re!ult of $han$e at all &ut the re!ult of$o!mi$ radiation produ$ing mutation! at a !low rate. On =arth( !omething produ$e!many more mutation! than are produ$ed on other ha&ita&le planet! and that ha!nothing to do with $o!mi$ ray!( for they do not !trie =arth in any remara&leprofu!ion. Aerhap! you !ee a little more $learly( now( why the H-hy*" $ould &eimportant.0

/-ell( then( 2r. andamu!( !in$e , am !till li!tening( with rather morepatien$e than , would ha'e e)pe$ted my!elf to po!!e!!( an!wer the 3ue!tion you !oin!i!tently rai!e. Or do you merely ha'e the 3ue!tion and no an!wer*0

/, ha'e an an!wer(0 !aid andamu!( /and it depend! upon the fa$t that =arthi! uni3ue in a !e$ond way.0

#madiro !aid( /et me anti$ipate. ou are referring to it! large !atellite.Surely( 2r. andamu!( you are not ad'an$ing thi! a! a di!$o'ery of your!.0

/4ot at all(0 !aid andamu! !tiffly( /&ut $on!ider that large !atellite! !eem to&e $ommon. Our planetary !y!tem ha! fi'e( =arth"! ha! !e'en and !o on. #ll thenown large !atellite! &ut one( howe'er( $ir$le ga! giant!. Only =arth"! !atellite( themoon( $ir$le! a planet not mu$h larger than it!elf.0

/2are , u!e the word H$han$e" again( 2r. andamu!*0/,n thi! $a!e( it may &e $han$e( &ut the moon remain! uni3ue.0/='en !o. -hat po!!i&le $onne$tion $an the !atellite ha'e with =arth"!

profu!ion of life*0/That may not &e o&'iou! and a $onne$tion may &e unliely++&ut it i! far more

unliely that two !u$h unu!ual e)ample! of uni3uene!! in a !ingle planet $an ha'e no$onne$tion at all. , ha'e found !u$h a $onne$tion.0

/,ndeed*0 !aid #madiro alertly. 4ow ought to $ome unmi!taa&le e'iden$e of$ra$poti!m. e looed $a!ually at the time !trip on the wall. There really wa!n"tmu$h more time he $ould po!!i&ly !pend on thi!( for all that hi! $urio!ity $ontinued to&e arou!ed.

/The moon(0 !aid andamu!( /i! !lowly re$eding from =arth( due to it! tidaleffe$t on the =arth. =arth"! large tide! are a uni3ue $on!e3uen$e of the e)i!ten$e ofthi! large !atellite. =arth"! !un produ$e! tide!( too( &ut to only a third of the e)tent ofthe moon H! tide!++%u!t a! our !un produ$e! !mall tide! on #urora.

/Sin$e the moon re$ede! &e$au!e of it! tidal a$tion( it wa! far $lo!er to =arthduring the early hi!tory of it! planetary !y!tem. The $lo!er the moon to the =arth( thehigher the tide! on =arth. The!e tide! had two important effe$t! on =arth. ,t fle)edthe =arth H! $ru!t $ontinually a! the =arth rotated and it !lowed the =arth H! rotation(&oth through that fle)ing and through the fri$tion of the o$ean H! water tide! on!hallow !ea &ottom!++!o that rotational energy wa! $on'erted to heat.

/The =arth( therefore( ha! a thinner $ru!t than any other ha&ita&le planet we

now of and it i! the only ha&ita&le planet that di!play! 'ol$ani$ a$tion and that ha!a li'ely !y!tem of plate te$toni$!.0

#madiro !aid( /But e'en all thi! $an ha'e nothing to do with =arth"! profu!ionof life. , thin you mu!t either get to the point( 2r. andamu!( or lea'e.0

/Alea!e &ear with me( 2r. #madiro( for %u!t a little while longer. ,t i! importantto under!tand the point on$e we get to it. , ha'e made a $areful $omputer !imulationof the $hemi$al de'elopment of =arth H! $ru!t( allowing for the effe$t of tidal a$tionand plate te$toni$!( !omething that no one ha! e'er done &efore in a! meti$ulou!and ela&orate a way a! , ha'e managed to do++if , may prai!e my!elf.0



/Oh( &y all mean!(0 murmured #madiro./#nd it turn! out( 3uite $learly++, will !how you all the ne$e!!ary data at any

time you wi!h++that uranium and thorium $olle$t in =arth"! $ru!t and upper mantle in$on$entration! of up to a thou!and time! a! high a! in any other ha&ita&le world.oreo'er( they $olle$t une'enly( !o that !$attered o'er the =arth are o$$a!ionalpo$et! where uranium and thorium are e'en more $on$entrated.0

/#nd( , tae it( dangerou!ly high in radioa$ti'ity*0/4o( 2r. #madiro. >ranium and thorium are 'ery wealy radioa$ti'e and e'enwhere they are relati'ely $on$entrated( they are not 'ery $on$entrated in ana&!olute !en!e. ++#ll thi!( , repeat( i! &e$au!e of the pre!en$e of a large moon. /

/, a!!ume( then( that the radioa$ti'ity( e'en if not inten!e enough to &edangerou! to life( doe! !uffi$e to in$rea!e the mutation rate. ,! that it( 2r.andamu!*0

/That i! it. There would &e more rapid e)tin$tion! now and then( &ut al!omore rapid de'elopment of new !pe$ie!++re!ulting in an enormou! 'ariety andprofu!ion of life+form!. #nd( e'entually( on =arth alone( thi! would ha'e rea$hed thepoint of de'eloping an intelligent !pe$ie! and a $i'ili7ation.0

#madiro nodded. The young man wa! not a $ran. e might &e wrong( &ut hewa! not a $ran. #nd he might &e right( too.

#madiro wa! not a planetologi!t( !o he would ha'e to $he$ &oo! on the!u&%e$t to !ee whether andamu! had perhap! di!$o'ered only the already+nown(a! !o many enthu!ia!t! did. There wa!( howe'er( a more important point that he hadto $he$ at on$e.

e !aid in a !oft 'oi$e( /ou"'e !poen of the po!!i&le de!tru$tion of =arth. ,!there !ome $onne$tion &etween that and =arth"! uni3ue propertie!*0

/One $an tae ad'antage of uni3ue propertie! in a uni3ue manner(0 !aidandamu! %u!t a! !oftly.

/,n thi! parti$ular $a!ein what way*0/Before di!$u!!ing the method( 2r. #madiro( , mu!t e)plain that( in one

re!pe$t( the 3ue!tion a! to whether de!tru$tion i! phy!i$ally po!!i&le depend! onyou.0

/On me*0/e!(0 !aid andamu! firmly. /On you. -hy( otherwi!e( !hould , $ome to you

with thi! long !tory if not to per!uade you that , now what ,"m taling a&out( !o thatyou would &e willing to $ooperate with me in a manner that will &e e!!ential to my!u$$e!!*0

#madiro drew a long &reath. /#nd if , refu!ed( would anyone el!e !er'e yourpurpo!e*0

/,t might &e po!!i&le for me to turn to other! if you refu!e. Do you refu!e*0/Aerhap! not( &ut , am wondering how e!!ential , am to you.0/The an!wer i!( not 3uite a! e!!ential a! , am to you. ou must $ooperate with

me.0/u!t*0/, would lie you to++if you prefer it phra!ed in that fa!hion. But if you wi!h

#urora and the Spa$er! to triumph( now and fore'er( o'er =arth and the Settler!(then you must $ooperate with me( whether you lie the phra!e or not. /

#madiro !aid( /Tell me what it i!( e)a$tly( that , must do.0/Begin &y telling me if it i! not true that the ,n!titute ha!( in the pa!t(

de!igned and $on!tru$ted humanoid ro&ot!.0/e!( we did. 6ifty of them all together. That wa! &etween fifteen and twenty

de$ade! ago.0/That long ago* #nd what happened to them*0/They failed(0 !aid #madiro indifferently.andamu! !at &a$ in hi! $hair with a horrified e)pre!!ion on hi! fa$e. /They

were de!troyed*0



#madiro"! eye&row! !hot upward. /2e!troyed* 4o one de!troy! e)pen!i'ero&ot!. They are in !torage. The power unit! are remo'ed and a !pe$ial long+li'edmi$rofu!ion &attery i! in ea$h to eep the po!itroni$ path! minimally ali'e. /

/Then they $an &e &rought &a$ to full a$tion*0/, am !ure they $an.0andamu!"! right hand &eat out a tightly $ontrolled rhythm again!t the arm

of the $hair. e !aid grimly( /Then we $an win0

12. THE PLAN AND THE DAU"HTER

IK

,t had &een a long time !in$e #madiro had thought of the humanoid ro&ot!. ,twa! a painful thought and he had( with !ome diffi$ulty( trained him!elf to eep hi!mind away from that topi$. #nd now andamu! had une)pe$tedly &rought it up.

The humanoid ro&ot had &een 6a!tolfe"! great trump $ard in tho!e long+goneday! when #madiro had &een within a millimeter of taing the game( trump $ard and

all. 6a!tolfe had de!igned and &uilt two humanoid ro&ot! ?of whi$h one !till e)i!ted@and no one el!e $ould &uild any. The entire mem&er!hip of the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute(woring together( $ould not &uild them.

#ll that #madiro had !al'aged out of hi! great defeat had &een that trump$ard. 6a!tolfe had &een for$ed to mae pu&li$ the nature of the humanoid de!ign.

That meant humanoid ro&ot! $ould &e &uilt and were &uilt and++&ehold++theywere not wanted. The #uroran! would not ha'e them in their !o$iety.

#madiro"! mouth twi!ted in the remnant of remem&ered $hagrin. The tale ofthe Solarian woman had !omehow $ome to &e nown++the fa$t that !he had had theu!e of Fander( one of 6a!tolfe"! two humanoid ro&ot!( and that the u!e had &een!e)ual. #uroran! had no o&%e$tion to !u$h a !ituation in theory. -hen they !toppedto thin of it( howe'er( #uroran women !imply did not en%oy the thought of ha'ing to$ompete with ro&ot women. 4or did #uroran men wi!h to $ompete with ro&ot men.

The ,n!titute had la&ored mightily to e)plain that the humanoid ro&ot! werenot intended for #urora it!elf( &ut were meant to !er'e a! the initial wa'e of pioneer!who would !eed and ad%u!t new ha&ita&le planet! for #uroran! to o$$upy later( afterthey had &een terraformed.

That( too( wa! re%e$ted( a! !u!pi$ion and o&%e$tion fed on it!elf. Someone had$alled the humanoid! /the entering wedge.0 The e)pre!!ion !pread and the ,n!titutewa! for$ed to gi'e up.

Stu&&ornly( #madiro had in!i!ted on moth&alling tho!e whi$h e)i!ted forpo!!i&le future u!e++a u!e that had ne'er yet materiali7ed.

-hy had there &een thi! o&%e$tion to the humanoid!* #madiro felt a faintreturn of the irritation that had all &ut poi!oned hi! life tho!e many de$ade! ago.6a!tolfe him!elf( though relu$tant( had agreed to &a$ the pro%e$t and( to do him

%u!ti$e( had done !o( though without 3uite the elo3uen$e he de'oted to tho!e

matter! to whi$h hi! heart wa! truly gi'en. ++&ut it had not helped.#nd yet++and yet++if andamu! now really had !ome pro%e$t in mind that

would wor and would re3uire the ro&ot!#madiro had no great fondne!! for my!ti$al $rie! of /,t wa! &etter !o. ,t wa!

meant to &e.0 et it wa! only with an effort that he ept him!elf from thining thi!( a!the ele'ator too them down to a !pot well &elow ground le'el++the only pla$e in#urora that might &e !imilar( in a tiny way( to =arth"! fa&led Ca'e! of Steel.

andamu! !tepped out of the ele'ator at #madiro"! ge!ture and foundhim!elf in a dim $orridor. ,t wa! $hilly and there wa! a !oft 'entilating wind. e



!hi'ered !lightly. #madiro %oined him. But a !ingle ro&ot followed ea$h./6ew people $ome here(0 #madiro !aid matter+of+fa$tly./ow far underground are we*0 a!ed andamu!/#&out fifteen meter!. There are a num&er of le'el!. ,t i! on thi! one that the

humanoid ro&ot! are !tored.0#madiro !topped a moment( a! though in thought( then turned firmly to the

left. /Thi! way0/4o dire$ting !ign!*0/#! , !aid( few people $ome here. Tho!e who do now where they !hould go to

find what they need.0#! he !aid that( they $ame to a door that looed !olid and formida&le in the

dim light. On either !ide !tood a ro&ot. They were not humanoid.andamu! regarded them $riti$ally and !aid( /The!e are !imple model!.0/Dery !imple. ou wouldn"t e)pe$t u! to wa!te anything ela&orate on the ta!

of guarding a door. / #madiro rai!ed hi! 'oi$e( &ut ept it impa!!i'e. , am Eelden#madiro.0

The eye! of &oth ro&ot! glowed &riefly. They turned outward( away from thedoor( whi$h opened noi!ele!!ly( ri!ing upward.

#madiro dire$ted the other through and( a! he pa!!ed the ro&ot!( !aid $almly(/ea'e it open and ad%u!t the lighting to per!onal need.0

andamu! !aid( /, don"t !uppo!e %u!t anyone $ould enter here.0/Certainly not. Tho!e ro&ot! re$ogni7e my appearan$e and 'oi$eprint and

re3uire &oth &efore opening the door.0 alf to him!elf( he added( /4o need for lo$!or ey! or $om&ination! anywhere on the Spa$er world!. The ro&ot! guard u!faithfully and alway!.0

/, had !ometime! thought(0 !aid andamu! &roodingly( /that if an #uroranwere to &orrow one of tho!e &la!ter! that Settler! !eem to $arry with them where'erthey go( there would &e no lo$ed door! for him. e $ould de!troy ro&ot! in anin!tant( then go where'er he wi!hed( do whate'er he wanted.0

#madiro darted a fiery glan$e at the other. /But what Spa$er would dream ofu!ing !u$h weapon! on a Spa$er world* -e li'e our li'e! without weapon! andwithout 'iolen$e. 2on"t you under!tand that that i! why , ha'e de'oted my life to thedefeat and de!tru$tion of =arth and it! poi!oned &rood. ++e!( we had 'iolen$e on$e(&ut that wa! long ago( when the Spa$er world! were fir!t e!ta&li!hed and we had notyet rid our!el'e! of the poi!on of the =arth from whi$h we $ame( and &efore we hadlearned the 'alue of ro&oti$ !e$urity.

/#ren"t pea$e and !e$urity worth fighting for* -orld! without 'iolen$e -orld!in whi$h rea!on rule! -a! it right for u! to hand o'er !$ore! of ha&ita&le world! to!hort+li'ed &ar&arian! who( a! you !ay( $arry &la!ter! a&out with them e'erywhere*0

/#nd yet(0 murmured andamu!( /are you ready to u!e 'iolen$e to de!troy=arth*0

/Diolen$e &riefly++and for a purpo!e++i! the pri$e we pro&a&ly will ha'e to payfor putting an end to 'iolen$e fore'er.0

/, am Spa$er enough(0 !aid andamu!( /to want e'en that 'iolen$eminimi7ed.0

They had now entered a large and $a'ernou! room and( a! they entered( wall!

and $eiling $ame to life with diffu!e and unglaring light./-ell( i! thi! what you want( 2r. andamu!*0 a!ed #madiro.andamu! looed a&out( !tunned. 6inally( he managed to !ay( /,n$redi&le0

They !tood there( a !olid regiment of human &eing!( with a little more life tothem than !o many !tatue! might ha'e !howed( &ut with far le!! life than !leepinghuman &eing! would ha'e di!played.

/They"re !tanding(0 muttered andamu!./They tae up le!! room that way. O&'iou!ly.0/But they"'e &een !tanding a&out fifteen de$ade!. They can)t !till &e in



woring order. Surely their %oint! are fro7en( their organ! &roen down. /#madiro !hrugged. /Aerhap!. Still( if the %oint! ha'e deteriorated++and that

i!n"t out of the 3ue!tion( , !uppo!e++tho!e $an &e repla$ed++if ne$e!!ary. ,t woulddepend on whether there would &e rea!on to do !o.0

/There would &e rea!on(0 !aid andamu!. e looed from head to head. Theywere !taring in !lightly different dire$tion! and that ga'e them a !omewhat

un!ettling appearan$e( a! though they were on the point of &reaing ran!.andamu! !aid( /=a$h ha! an indi'idual appearan$e and they differ in height(&uild( and !o on.0

/e!. 2oe! that !urpri!e you* -e were planning to ha'e the!e( along withother! we might ha'e &uilt( &e the pioneer! in the de'elopment of new world!. Toha'e them do !o properly( we wanted them to &e a! human a! po!!i&le( whi$h meantmaing them a! indi'idual a! #uroran! are. 2oe!n"t that !eem !en!i&le to you*0

/#&!olutely. ,"m glad thi! i! !o. ,"'e read all , $an a&out the twoprotohumaniform! that 6a!tolfe him!elf &uilt++2aneel Oli'aw and Fander Aanell. ,"'e!een holograph! of them and they !eemed identi$al.0

/e!(0 !aid #madiro impatiently. /4ot only identi$al( &ut ea$h 'irtually a$ari$ature of one"! $on$eption of the ideal Spa$er. That wa! 6a!tolfe"! romanti$i!m.,"m !ure that he would ha'e &uilt a ra$e of inter$hangea&le humanoid ro&ot!( with&oth !e)e! po!!e!!ing !u$h ethereal good loo!++or what he $on!idered to &e that++a!to mae them $ompletely inhuman. 6a!tolfe may &e a &rilliant ro&oti$i!t( &ut he i! anin$redi&ly !tupid man.0

#madiro !hoo hi! head. To ha'e &een &eaten &y !u$h an in$redi&ly !tupidman( he thought++and then he thru!t the thought away. e had not &een &eaten &y6a!tolfe( &ut &y that infernal =arthman. o!t in thought( he did not hear andamu!"!ne)t 3ue!tion.

/Aardon me(0 he !aid with an edge of irritation./, !aid( H2id you de!ign the!e( 2r. #madiro*" //4o( &y an odd $oin$iden$e++and one that !trie! me a! po!!e!!ing a pe$uliar

irony++the!e were de!igned &y 6a!tolfe"! daughter Da!ilia. She"! a! &rilliant a! he i!and mu$h more intelligent++whi$h may &e one rea!on why they ne'er got along.0

/#! , ha'e heard the !tory $on$erning them++0 &egan andamu!.#madiro wa'ed him into !ilen$e. /, ha'e heard the !tory( too( &ut it doe!n"t

matter. ,t"! enough that !he doe! her wor 'ery well and that there i! no danger that!he will e'er find her!elf in !ympathy with !omeone who( de!pite the a$$ident thathe i! her &iologi$al father( i!++and mu!t remain++fore'er alien and hateful to her. Shee'en $all! her!elf Da!ilia #liena( you now.0

/e!( , now. 2o you ha'e the &rain pattern! of the!e humanoid ro&ot! onre$ord*0

/Certainly.0/6or each of the!e*0/Of $our!e. //#nd $an they &e made a'aila&le to me*0/,f there"! a rea!on for it.0/There will &e(0 !aid andamu! firmly. /Sin$e the!e ro&ot! were de!igned for

pioneering a$ti'itie!( may , a!!ume they are e3uipped to e)plore a world and deal

with primiti'e $ondition!*0/That !hould &e !elf +e'ident. //That"! perfe$t++&ut there may ha'e to &e !ome modifi$ation!. 2o you

!uppo!e that Da!ilia 6a!t+#liena would &e a&le to help me with that++if ne$e!!ary*O&'iou!ly( !he would &e &e!t+a$3uainted with the &rain pattern!.0

/O&'iou!ly. Still( , don"t now whether !he would &e willing to help you. , donow that it i! phy!i$ally impo!!i&le for her to do !o at the moment( !in$e !he i! noton #urora.0

andamu! looed !urpri!ed and di!plea!ed. /-here i! !he( then( 2r.



#madiro*0#madiro !aid( /ou ha'e !een the!e humaniform! and , do not wi!h to e)po!e

my!elf to the!e rather di!mal !urrounding!. ou ha'e ept me waiting long enoughand you mu!t not $omplain if , eep you waiting now. ,f you ha'e any further3ue!tion!( let u! deal with them in my offi$e.0

IL.

On$e in the offi$e( #madiro delayed thing! a while longer. /-ait here for me(0he !aid rather peremptorily and left.

andamu! waited !tiffly( !orting out hi! thought!( wondering when #madirowould return++or if he would. -a! he to &e arre!ted or !imply e%e$ted* ad #madirogrown tired of waiting for the point*

andamu! refu!ed to &elie'e that. e had gained a !hrewd idea of #madiro"!de!perate de!ire for e'ening an old !$ore. ,t !eemed e'ident that #madiro wouldn"tget tired of li!tening a! long a! there !eemed the !lighte!t $han$e that andamu!would mae re'enge po!!i&le.

#! he looed idly a&out #madiro"! offi$e( andamu! found him!elf wonderingwhether there might &e any information that might &e of help to him in the

$omputeri7ed file! almo!t immediately at hand. ,t would &e u!eful not to ha'e todepend dire$tly on #madiro for e'erything. The thought wa! a u!ele!! one. andamu! did not now the entry $ode for

the file! and( e'en if he did( there were !e'eral of #madiro"! per!onal ro&ot! !tandingin their ni$he! and they would !top him if he too a !ingle !tep toward anything thatwa! la&eled in their mind! a! !en!iti'e. ='en hi! own ro&ot! would.

#madiro wa! right. Ro&ot! were !o u!eful and effi$ient++and in$orrupti&le++a!guard! that the 'ery $on$ept of anything $riminal( illegal( or !imply underhanded didnot o$$ur to anyone. The tenden$y %u!t atrophied++at lea!t a! again!t other Spa$er!.

e wondered how Settler! $ould manage without ro&ot!. andamu! tried toimagine human per!onalitie! $la!hing( with no ro&oti$ &umper! to $u!hion theintera$tion( no ro&oti$ pre!en$e to gi'e them a de$ent !en!e of !e$urity and toenfor$e++without their &eing $on!$iou!ly aware of it mo!t of the time++a proper mode

of morality.,t would &e impo!!i&le for Settler! to &e anything &ut &ar&arian! under the$ir$um!tan$e and the Gala)y $ould not &e left to them. #madiro wa! right in thatre!pe$t and had alway! &een right( while 6a!tolfe wa! fanta!ti$ally wrong.

andamu! nodded( a! though he had on$e again per!uaded him!elf a! to the$orre$tne!! of what he wa! planning. e !ighed and wi!hed it were not ne$e!!ary(then prepared to go o'er( on$e again( the line of rea!oning that pro'ed to him that itwas ne$e!!ary( when #madiro !trode in.

#madiro wa! !till an impre!!i'e figure( e'en though he wa! within a year ofhi! twenty+eighth de$ade+day. e wa! 'ery mu$h what a Spa$er ought to loo lie(e)$ept for the unfortunate !hapele!!ne!! of hi! no!e.

#madiro !aid( /,"m !orry to ha'e ept you waiting( &ut there wa! &u!ine!! ,had to attend to. , am the head of thi! ,n!titute and that entail! re!pon!i&ilitie!. /

andamu! !aid( /Could you tell me where 2r. Da!ilia #liena i!* , will thende!$ri&e my pro%e$t to you without delay. //Da!ilia i! on tour. She"! 'i!iting ea$h of the Spa$er world! to find out where

they !tand on ro&ot re!ear$h. She appear! to thin that( !in$e the Ro&ot ,n!titute wa!founded to $oordinate indi'idual re!ear$h on #urora( interplanetary $oordinationwould ad'an$e the $au!e e'en farther. # good idea( a$tually.0

andamu! laughed( !hortly and without humor. /They won"t tell her anything., dou&t any Spa$er world want! to hand #urora a more enormou! lead than !healready ha!.0

/2on"t &e too !ure. The Settler !ituation ha! di!tur&ed u! all.0



/2o you now where !he i! now*0/-e ha'e her itinerary. //Get her &a$( 2r. #madiro.0#madiro frowned. /, dou&t , $an do that ea!ily. , &elie'e !he want! to &e away

from #urora until her father die!.0/-hy*0 a!ed andamu! in !urpri!e.

#madiro !hrugged. /, don"t now. , don"t $are. ++But what , do now i! thatyour time ha! run out. 2o you under!tand* Get to the point or lea'e.0 e pointed tothe door grimly and andamu! felt that the other"! patien$e would !tret$h no farther.

andamu! !aid( /Dery well. There i! yet a third way in whi$h =arth i!uni3ue++0

e taled ea!ily and with due e$onomy( a! though he were going through ane)po!ition that he had fre3uently rehear!ed and poli!hed for the 'ery purpo!e ofpre!enting it to #madiro. #nd #madiro found him!elf in$rea!ingly a&!or&ed.

That wa! it #madiro fir!t felt a huge !en!e of relief. e had &een $orre$t togam&le on the young man H! not &eing a $ra$pot. e wa! entirely !ane.

Then $ame triumph. ,t would !urely wor. Of $our!e( the young man H! 'iew(a! it wa! e)pounded( 'eered a &it from the path #madiro felt it ought to follow( &utthat $ould &e taen $are of e'entually. odifi$ation! were alway! po!!i&le.

#nd when andamu! wa! done( #madiro !aid in a 'oi$e he !tro'e to hold!teady( /-e won"t need Da!ilia. There i! appropriate e)perti!e at the ,n!titute toallow u! to &egin at on$e. 2r. andamu!0++a note of formal re!pe$t entered#madiro"! 'oi$e++0let thi! thing wor out a! planned++and , $annot help &ut thin itwill++and you will &e the head of the ,n!titute when , am Chairman of the Coun$il.0

andamu! !miled narrowly and &riefly( while #madiro !at &a$ in hi! $hairand( %u!t a! &riefly( allowed him!elf to loo into the future with !ati!fa$tion and$onfiden$e( !omething he had not &een a&le to do for twenty long and wearyde$ade!.

ow long would it tae* 2e$ade!* One de$ade* Aart of a de$ade*4ot long. 4ot long. ,t mu!t &e ha!tened &y all mean! !o that he $ould li'e to

!ee that old de$i!ion o'erturned and him!elf lord of #urora++and therefore of theSpa$er world!++and therefore ?with =arth and the Settler world! doomed@ e'en lord ofthe Gala)y &efore he died.

I8.

-hen 2r. an 6a!tolfe died( !e'en year! after #madiro and andamu! metand &egan their pro%e$t( the hyperwa'e $arried the new! with e)plo!i'e for$e toe'ery $orner of the o$$upied world!. ,t merited the greate!t attention e'erywhere.

,n the Spa$er world! it wa! important &e$au!e 6a!tolfe had &een the mo!tpowerful man on #urora and( therefore( in the Gala)y for o'er twenty de$ade!. ,n theSettler world! and on =arth( it wa! important &e$au!e 6a!tolfe had &een a friend++in!ofar a! a Spa$er $ould &e a friend++and the 3ue!tion now wa! whether Spa$erpoli$y would $hange and( if !o( how.

The new! $ame al!o to Da!ilia #liena and it wa! $ompli$ated &y the &itterne!!

that had tinged her relation!hip with her &iologi$al father almo!t from the &eginning.She had !$hooled her!elf to feel nothing when he died( yet !he had notwanted to &e on the !ame world that he wa! on at the time the e'ent too pla$e. Shedid not want the 3ue!tion! that would &e le'eled at her anywhere( &ut mo!tfre3uently and in!i!tently on #urora.

The parent+$hild relation!hip among the Spa$er! wa! a wea and indifferentone at &e!t. -ith long li'e!( that wa! a matter of $our!e. 4or would anyone ha'e&een intere!ted in Da!ilia in that re!pe$t( &ut for the fa$t that 6a!tolfe wa! !o$ontinually prominent a party leader and Da!ilia almo!t a! prominent a parti!an onthe other !ide.



,t wa! poi!onou!. She had gone to the trou&le of maing Da!ilia #liena herlegal name and of u!ing it on all do$ument!( in all inter'iew!( in all dealing! of anyind++and yet !he new for a fa$t that mo!t people thought of her a! Da!ilia 6a!tolfe.,t wa! a! though nothing $ould wipe out that thoroughly meaningle!! relation!hip( !othat !he wa! redu$ed to ha'ing to &e $ontent with &eing addre!!ed &y her fir!t nameonly. ,t wa!( at lea!t( an un$ommon name.

#nd that( too( !eemed to empha!i7e her mirror+image relation!hip with theSolarian woman who( for thoroughly independent rea!on!( had denied her fir!thu!&and a! Da!ilia had denied her father. The Solarian woman( too( $ould not li'ewith the early !urname! fa!tened upon her and ended with a fir!t name only++Gladia.

Da!ilia and Gladia( mi!fit!( denier!++They e'en re!em&led ea$h other.Da!ilia !tole a loo at the mirror hanging in her !pa$e!hip $a&in. She had not

!een Gladia in many de$ade!( &ut !he wa! !ure that the re!em&lan$e remained. Theywere &oth !mall and !lim. Both were &lond and their fa$e! were !omewhat alie.

But it wa! Da!ilia who alway! lo!t and Gladia who alway! won. -hen Da!iliahad left her father and had !tru$ him from her life( he had found Gladia in!tead++and!he wa! the pliant and pa!!i'e daughter he wanted( the daughter that Da!ilia $ouldne'er &e.

4e'erthele!!( it em&ittered Da!ilia. She her!elf wa! a ro&oti$i!t( a! $ompetentand a! !illful( at la!t( a! e'er 6a!tolfe had &een( while Gladia wa! merely an arti!t(who amu!ed her!elf with for$e+field $oloring and with the illu!ion! of ro&oti$ $lothing.ow $ould 6a!tolfe ha'e &een !ati!fied to lo!e the one and gain( in her pla$e( nothingmore than the other*

#nd when that poli$eman from =arth( =li%ah Baley( had $ome to #urora( hehad &ullied Da!ilia into re'ealing far more of her thought! and feeling! than !he hade'er granted anyone el!e. e wa!( howe'er( !oftne!! it!elf to Gladia and had helpedher++and her prote$tor( 6a!tolfe++win out again!t all the odd!( though to thi! dayDa!ilia had not &een a&le to under!tand $learly how that had happened.

,t wa! Gladia who had &een at 6a!tolfe"! &ed!ide during the final illne!!( whohad held hi! hand to the end( and who had heard hi! la!t word!. -hy Da!ilia !houldre!ent that( !he didn"t now( for !he her!elf would( under no $ir$um!tan$e!( ha'ea$nowledged the old man"! e)i!ten$e to the e)tent of 'i!iting him to witne!! hi!pa!!age into none)i!ten$e in an a&!olute( rather than a !u&%e$ti'e !en!e++and yet!he raged again!t Gladia H! pre!en$e.

,t"! the way , feel( !he told her!elf defiantly( and , owe no one an e)planation.#nd !he had lo!t Gi!ard. Gi!ard had &een her ro&ot( Da!ilia"! own ro&ot

when !he had &een a young girl( the ro&ot granted her &y a then !eemingly fondfather. ,t wa! Gi!ard through whom !he had learned ro&oti$! and from whom !hehad felt the fir!t genuine affe$tion. She had not( a! a $hild( !pe$ulated on the Threeaw! or dealt with the philo!ophy of po!itroni$ automati!m. Gi!ard had seemedaffe$tionate( he had acted a! though he were affe$tionate( and that wa! enough for a$hild. She had ne'er found !u$h affe$tion in any human &eing++$ertainly not herfather.

To thi! day( !he had yet to &e wea enough to play the fooli!h lo'e game withanyone. er &itterne!! o'er her lo!! of Gi!ard had taught her that any initial gainwa! not worth the final depri'ation.

-hen !he had left home( di!owning her father( he would not let Gi!ard gowith her( e'en though !he her!elf had impro'ed Gi!ard immea!ura&ly in the $our!eof her $areful reprogramming of him. #nd when her father had died( he had leftGi!ard to the Solarian woman. e had al!o left her 2aneel( &ut Da!ilia $ared nothingfor that pale imitation of a man. She wanted Gi!ard( who wa! her own.

Da!ilia wa! on her way &a$ to Solaria now. er tour wa! 3uite done. ,n fa$t(a! far a! u!efulne!! wa! $on$erned( it had &een e!!entially o'er month! ago. But !hehad remained on e!pero! for a needed re!t( a! !he had e)plained in her offi$ialnoti$e to the ,n!titute.



4ow( howe'er( 6a!tolfe wa! dead and !he $ould return. #nd while !he $ouldnot undo the pa!t entirely( !he $ould undo part of it. Gi!ard mu!t &e her! again.

She wa! determined on that.

I9.

#madiro wa! 3uite am&i'alent in hi! re!pon!e to Da!ilia H! return. She had not$ome &a$ until old 6a!tolfe ?he $ould !ay the name to him!elf 3uite ea!ily now thathe wa! dead@ wa! a month in hi! urn. That flattered hi! opinion of hi! ownunder!tanding. #fter all( he had told andamu! her moti'e had &een that ofremaining away from #urora till her father died.

Then( too( Da!ilia wa! $omforta&ly tran!parent. She la$ed the e)a!perating3uality of andamu!( hi! new fa'orite( who alway! !eemed to ha'e yet anotherune)pre!!ed thought tu$ed away no matter how thoroughly he !eemed to ha'edi!$harged the $ontent! of hi! mind.

On the other hand( !he wa! irritatingly hard to $ontrol( the lea!t liely to go3uietly along the path he indi$ated. ea'e it to her to pro&e the otherworld Spa$er!to the &one during the year! !he had !pent away from #urora++&ut then lea'e it al!oto her to interpret it all in dar and riddling word!.

So he greeted her with an enthu!ia!m that wa! !omewhere &etween feignedand unfeigned./Da!ilia( ,"m !o happy to ha'e you &a$. The ,n!titute flie! on one wing when

you"re gone.0Da!ilia laughed. /Come( Eelden0++!he alone had no he!itation or inhi&ition in

u!ing hi! gi'en name( though !he wa! two and a half de$ade! younger than he++0thatone remaining wing i! your! and how long ha! it &een now !in$e you $ea!ed &eingperfe$tly $ertain that your one wing wa! !uffi$ient*0

/Sin$e you de$ided to !tret$h out your a&!en$e to year!. 2o you find #uroramu$h $hanged in the inter'al*0

/4ot a &it++whi$h ought perhap! to &e a $on$ern of our!. Changele!!ne!! i!de$ay.0

/# parado). There i! no de$ay without a $hange for the wor!e.0

/Changele!!ne!! i! a $hange for the wor!e( Eelden( in $ompari!on to the!urrounding Settler world!. They $hange rapidly( e)tending their $ontrol into morenumerou! world! and o'er ea$h indi'idual world more thoroughly. They in$rea!etheir !trength and power and !elf+a!!uran$e( while we !it here dreaming and find ourun$hanging might dimini!hing !teadily in $ompari!on. /

/Beautiful( Da!ilia , thin you memori7ed that $arefully on your flight here.owe'er( there ha! &een a $hange in the politi$al !ituation on #urora.0

/ou mean my &iologi$al father i! dead.0#madiro !pread hi! arm! with a little &ow of hi! head. /#! you !ay. e wa!

largely re!pon!i&le for our paraly!i! and he i! gone( !o , imagine there will now &e$hange( though it may not ne$e!!arily &e 'i!i&le $hange.0

/ou eep !e$ret! from me( do you*0/-ould , do that*0

/Certainly. That fal!e !mile of your! gi'e! you away e'ery time.0/Then , mu!t learn to &e gra'e with you. ++Come( , ha'e your report. Tell mewhat i! not in$luded in it. /

/#ll i! in$luded in it++almo!t. =a$h Spa$er world !tate! 'ehemently that it i!di!tur&ed &y growing Settler arrogan$e. =a$h i! firmly determined to re!i!t theSettler! to the end( enthu!ia!ti$ally following the #uroran lead with 'igor and death+defying gallantry.0

/6ollow our lead( ye!. #nd if we don"t lead*0/Then they"ll wait and try to ma! their relief that we are not leading.

Otherwi!e++-ell( ea$h one i! engaged in te$hnologi$al ad'an$e and ea$h one i!



relu$tant to re'eal what it i!( e)a$tly( that it i! doing. =a$h i! woring independentlyand i! not e'en unified within it! own glo&e. There i! not a !ingle re!ear$h teamanywhere on any of the Spa$er world! that re!em&le! our own Ro&oti$! ,n!titute.=a$h world $on!i!t! of indi'idual re!ear$her!( ea$h of whom diligently guard! hi! owndata from all the re!t. /

#madiro wa! almo!t $ompla$ent a! he !aid( /, would not e)pe$t them to ha'e

ad'an$ed a! far a! we ha'e.0/Too &ad they ha'en"t(0 replied Da!ilia tartly. /-ith all the Spa$er world! a %um&le of indi'idual!( progre!! i! too !low. The Settler world! meet regularly at$on'ention!( ha'e their in!titute!++and though they lag well &ehind u!( they will $at$hup.++Still( ,"'e managed to un$o'er a few te$hnologi$al ad'an$e! &eing wored on &ythe Spa$er world! and , ha'e them all li!ted in my report. They are all woring on thenu$lear inten!ifier( for in!tan$e( &ut , don"t &elie'e that !u$h a de'i$e ha! pa!!ed&eyond the la&oratory demon!tration le'el on a !ingle world. Something that would&e pra$ti$al on !hip&oard i! not yet here.0

/, hope you are right in that( Da!ilia. The nu$lear inten!ifier i! a weapon ourfleet! $ould u!e( for it would fini!h the Settler! at on$e. owe'er( , thin( on thewhole( it would &e &etter if #urora had the weapon ahead of our Spa$er &rother!.++&ut you !aid that all wa! in$luded in your report--almost. , heard that Halmo!t." -hati! not in$luded( then*0

/Solaria0/#h( the younge!t and mo!t pe$uliar of the Spa$er world!.0/, got almo!t nothing dire$tly out of them. They 'iewed me with a&!olute

ho!tility a!( , &elie'e( they would ha'e 'iewed any non+Solarian( whether Spa$er orSettler. #nd when , !ay H'iewed(" , mean that in their !en!e. , remained nearly a yearon the world( a $on!idera&ly longer time than , !pent on any other world( and in alltho!e month! , ne'er saw a !ingle Solarian fa$e+to+fa$e. ,n e'ery $a!e( , viewed him++or her++&y hyperwa'e hologram. , $ould ne'er deal with anything tangi&le++image!only. The world wa! $omforta&le( in$redi&ly lu)uriou!( in fa$t( and for a nature lo'er(totally un!poiled( &ut how , mi!!ed seeing.”

/-ell( 'iewing i! a Solarian $u!tom. -e all now that( Da!ilia. i'e and letli'e.0

/umph(0 !aid Da!ilia. /our toleran$e may &e mi!pla$ed. #re your ro&ot! inthe nonrepeat mode*0

/e!( they are. #nd , a!!ure you we are not &eing ea'e!dropped upon.0/, hope not( Eelden. ++, am under the di!tin$t impre!!ion that the Solarian! are

$lo!er to de'eloping a miniaturi7ed nu$lear inten!ifier than any other world++than weare. They may &e $lo!e to maing one that"! porta&le and that"! po!!e!!ed of apower $on!umption !mall enough to mae it pra$ti$al for !pa$e 'e!!el!. /

#madiro frowned deeply. /ow do they manage that*0/, $annot !ay. ou don"t !uppo!e they !howed me &lueprint!( do you* y

impre!!ion! are !o in$hoate , dared not put them in the report( &ut from !mall thing!, heard here++or o&!er'ed there++, thin they are maing important progre!!. Thi! i!!omething we !hould thin a&out $arefully.0

/-e will. ++,! there anything el!e you would lie to tell me*0/e!++and al!o not in the report. Solaria ha! &een woring toward humanoid

ro&ot! for many de$ade! and , thin they ha'e a$hie'ed that goal. 4o other Spa$erwould++out!ide of our!el'e!( of $our!e++ha! e'en attempted the matter. -hen ,a!ed( on ea$h world( what they were doing with re!pe$t to humanoid ro&ot!( therea$tion wa! uniform. They found the 'ery $on$ept unplea!ant and horrifying. ,!u!pe$t they all noti$ed our failure and too it to heart"

/But not Solaria* -hy not*0/6or one thing( they ha'e alway! li'ed in the mo!t e)tremely ro&oti7ed

!o$iety in the Gala)y. They"re !urrounded &y ro&ot!++ten thou!and per indi'idual. Theworld i! !aturated with them. ,f you were to wander through it aimle!!ly( !ear$hing



for human!( you would find nothing. So why !hould the few Solarian!( li'ing in !u$h aworld( &e up!et &y the thought of a few more ro&ot! %u!t &e$au!e they"rehumaniform* Then( too( that p!eudo+human wret$h that 6a!tolfe de!igned and &uiltand that !till e)i!t!++0

/2aneel(0 !aid #madiro./e!( that one. e++it wa! on Solaria twenty de$ade! ago and the Solarian!

treated it a! human. They ha'e ne'er re$o'ered from that. ='en if they had no u!efor humaniform!( they were humiliated at ha'ing &een de$ei'ed. ,t wa! anunforgetta&le demon!tration that #urora wa! far ahead of them in that one fa$et ofro&oti$!( at any rate. The Solarian! tae inordinate pride in &eing the mo!t ad'an$edro&oti$i!t! in the Gala)y and( e'er !in$e( indi'idual Solarian! ha'e &een woring onhumaniform!++if for no other rea!on than to wipe out that di!gra$e. ,f they had hadgreater num&er! or an in!titute that $ould $oordinate their wor( they wouldundou&tedly ha'e $ome up with !ome long ago. #! it i!( , thin they ha'e them now./

/ou don"t really now( do you* Thi! i! %u!t !u!pi$ion &a!ed on !$rap! of datahere and there.0

/=)a$tly right( &ut it"! a fairly !trong !u!pi$ion and it merit! furtherin'e!tigation. ++#nd a third point. , $ould !wear they were woring on telepathi$$ommuni$ation. There wa! !ome e3uipment that , wa! in$autiou!ly allowed to !ee.#nd on$e when , had one of their ro&oti$i!t! on 'iew the hyperwa'e !$reen !howed a&la$&oard with a po!itroni$ pattern matri) that wa! lie nothing , e'er remem&er!eeing( yet it !eemed to me that pattern might fit a telepathi$ program.0

/, !u!pe$t( Da!ilia( that thi! item i! wo'en of e'en airier go!!amer than the &ita&out the humanoid ro&ot!.0

# loo of mild em&arra!!ment $ro!!ed Da!ilia"! fa$e. /, mu!t admit you"repro&a&ly right there.0

/,n fa$t( Da!ilia( it !ound! lie mere fanta!y. ,f the pattern matri) you !aw wa!lie nothing you remem&er e'er ha'ing !een &efore( how $ould you thin it would fitanything*0

Da!ilia he!itated. /To tell you the truth( ,"'e &een wondering a&out thatmy!elf. et when , !aw the pattern( the word Htelepathy" o$$urred to me at on$e.0

/='en though telepathy i! impo!!i&le( e'en in theory.0/,t i! thought to &e impo!!i&le( e'en in theory. That i! not 3uite the !ame

thing.0/4o one ha! e'er &een a&le to mae any progre!! toward it.0/e!( &ut why !hould , ha'e looed at that pattern and thought Htelepathy"*0/#h well( Da!ilia( there may &e a per!onal p!y$ho3uir there that i! u!ele!! to

try to analy7e. ,"d forget it. #nything el!e*0/One more thing++and the mo!t pu77ling of all. , gathered the impre!!ion(

Eelden( from one little indi$ation or another( that the Solarian! are planning to lea'etheir planet.0

/-hy*0/, don"t now. Their population( !mall a! it i!( i! de$lining further. Aerhap!

they want to mae a new !tart el!ewhere &efore they die out altogether. //-hat ind of new !tart* -here would they go*0

Da!ilia !hoo her head. /, ha'e told you all , now.0#madiro !aid !lowly( /-ell( then( , will tae all thi! into a$$ount. 6our thing!

nu$lear inten!ifier( humanoid ro&ot!( telepathi$ ro&ot!( and a&andoning the planet.6ranly( , ha'e no faith in any of the four( &ut ," per!uade the Coun$il to authori7etal! with the Solarian regent. ++#nd now( Da!ilia( , &elie'e you $ould u!e a re!t( !owhy not tae a few wee! off and grow a$$u!tomed to the #uroran !un and fineweather &efore getting &a$ to wor*0

/That i! ind of you( Eelden(0 !aid Da!ilia( remaining firmly !eated( /&ut thereremain two item! , mu!t &ring up.0



,n'oluntarily( #madiro"! eye! !ought the time !trip. /Thi! won"t tae up 'erymu$h time( will it( Da!ilia*0

/owe'er mu$h time it tae!( Eelden( i! what it will tae up.0/-hat i! it you want( then*0/To &egin with( who i! thi! young now+it+all who !eem! to thin he i! running

the ,n!titute( thi! what"!+hi!+name( andamu!*0

/ou"'e met him( ha'e you*0 !aid #madiro( hi! !mile ma!ing a $ertainunea!ine!!. /ou !ee( thing! do $hange on #urora. //Certainly not for the &etter in thi! $a!e(0 !aid Da!ilia grimly. /-ho is he*0/e i! e)a$tly what you ha'e de!$ri&ed++a now+it+all. e i! a &rilliant young

man( &right enough in ro&oti$!( &ut %u!t a! nowledgea&le in general phy!i$!( in$hemi!try( in planetology ++0

/#nd how old i! thi! mon!ter of erudition*0/4ot 3uite fi'e de$ade!.0/#nd what will thi! $hild &e when he grow! up*0/-i!e a! well a! &rilliant( perhap!.0/2on"t pretend to mi!tae my meaning( Eelden. #re you thining of grooming

him a! the ne)t head of the ,n!titute*0/, intend to li'e for a good many de$ade! yet.0/That i! no an!wer.0/,t i! the only an!wer , ha'e.0Da!ilia !hifted in her !eat re!tle!!ly and her ro&ot( !tanding &ehind her( !ent

hi! eye! from !ide to !ide a! though preparing to ward off an atta$++pu!hed into thatmode of &eha'ior( perhap!( &y Da!ilia"! unea!ine!!.

Da!ilia !aid( /Eelden( , am to &e the ne)t head. That i! !ettled. ou ha'e toldme !o.0

/, ha'e( &ut in a$tual fa$t( Da!ilia( on$e , die( the Board of 2ire$tor! will maethe $hoi$e. ='en if , lea'e &ehind me a dire$ti'e a! to who the ne)t head will &e( theBoard $an re'er!e me. That mu$h i! $lear in the term! of in$orporation that foundedthe ,n!titute.0

/ou %u!t write your dire$ti'e( Eelden( and , will tae $are of the Board of2ire$tor!.0

#nd #madiro( the !pa$e &etween hi! eye&row! furrowing( !aid( /Thi! i! not!omething , will di!$u!! any further at thi! moment. -hat i! the other item you wantto &ring up* Alea!e mae it &rief.0

She !tared at him in !ilent anger for a moment( then !aid( !eeming to &ite offthe word( /Gi!ard0

/The ro&ot*0/Of $our!e the ro&ot. 2o you now any other Gi!ard that , am liely to &e

taling a&out*0/-ell( what of him*0/e i! mine.”#madiro looed !urpri!ed. /e i!++or wa!++the legal property of 6a!tolfe.0/Gi!ard wa! mine when , wa! a $hild.0/6a!tolfe lent him to you and e'entually too him &a$. There wa! no formal

tran!fer of owner!hip( wa! there*0

/orally( he wa! mine. But in any $a!e( 6a!tolfe own! him no longer. e i!dead.0

/e made a will( too. #nd if , remem&er $orre$tly( &y at will( two ro&ot!++Gi!ard and 2aneel++are now the property of the Solarian woman.0

/But , don"t want them to &e. , am 6a!tolfe"! daughter++0/Oh*0Da!ilia flu!hed. /, ha'e a $laim to Gi!ard. -hy !hould a !tranger++an alien++

ha'e him*0/6or one thing( &e$au!e 6a!tolfe willed it !o. #nd !he"! an #uroran $iti7en.0



/-ho !ay! !o* To e'ery #uroran !he i! Hthe Solarian woman.0H#madiro &rought hi! fi!t down on the arm of hi! $hair in a !udden !pilling o'er

of fury. /Da!ilia( what i! it you wi!h of me* , ha'e no liing for the Solarian woman. ,ha'e( in fa$t( a profound di!lie of her and( if there were a way( , would0++he looed&riefly at the ro&ot!( a! though unwilling to un!ettle them++0get her off the planet.But , $an"t up!et the will. ='en if there were a legal way to do !o++and there i!n"t++it

wouldn"t &e wi!e to do it. 6a!tolfe i! dead.0/Are$i!ely the rea!on Gi!ard !hould &e mine now.0#madiro ignored her. /#nd the $oalition he headed i! falling apart. ,t wa! held

together in the la!t few de$ade! only &y hi! per!onal $hari!ma. 4ow what , would lieto do i! to pi$ up fragment! of that $oalition and add it to my own following. ,n thatway( , may put a group together that would &e !trong enough to dominate theCoun$il and win $ontrol in the $oming ele$tion!.0

/-ith you &e$oming the ne)t Chairman*0/-hy not* #urora $ould do wor!e( for it would gi'e me a $han$e to re'er!e

our longtime poli$y of &uilt+in di!a!ter &efore it i! too late. The trou&le i! that , don"tha'e 6a!tolfe"! per!onal popularity. , don"t ha'e hi! gift of e)uding !aintline!! a! a$o'er for !tupidity. Con!e3uently( if , !eem to &e triumphing in an unfair and pettyway o'er a dead man( it will not loo good. 4o one mu!t !ay that( ha'ing &eendefeated &y 6a!tolfe while he wa! ali'e( , o'erturned hi! will out of tri'ial !pite afterhe wa! dead. , won"t ha'e anything a! ridi$ulou! a! that !tanding in the way of thegreat life+and+death de$i!ion! #urora mu!t mae. 2o you under!tand me* ou"ll ha'eto do without Gi!ard0

Da!ilia aro!e( &ody !tiff( eye! narrow. /-e"ll !ee a&out that. //-e ha'e already !een. Thi! meeting i! o'er and if you ha'e any am&ition! to

&e the head of the ,n!titute( , don"t e'er want to !ee you threatening me a&outanything. So if you"re going to mae a threat now( of any ind at all( , ad'i!e you tore$on!ider.0

/, mae no threat!(0 !aid Da!ilia( e'ery oun$e of &ody language $ontradi$tingher word!++and !he left with a !weep( &e$oning her ro&ot( unne$e!!arily( to follow.

5:.

The emergen$y++or rather( the !erie! of emergen$ie!++&egan !ome month!later when aloon Ci$i! entered #madiro"! offi$e for the u!ual morning $onferen$e.

Ordinarily( #madiro looed forward to that. Ci$i! wa! alway! a re!tful interludein the $our!e of the &u!y day. e wa! the one !enior mem&er of the ,n!titute whohad no am&ition! and who wa! not $al$ulating again!t the day of #madiro"! death orretirement. Ci$i! wa!( in fa$t( the perfe$t !u&ordinate. e wa! happy to &e of !er'i$eand delighted to &e in #madiro"! $onfiden$e.

6or thi! rea!on( #madiro had &een di!tur&ed( in the la!t year or !o( at thefla'or of de$ay( the !light $on$a'ity of the $he!t( the tou$h of !tiffne!! in the wal ofhi! perfe$t !u&ordinate. Could Ci$i! &e getting old* Surely he wa! only a few de$ade!older than #madiro.

,t !tru$ #madiro mo!t unplea!antly that perhap! along with the gradual

degeneration of !o many fa$et! of Spa$er life( the life e)pe$tan$y wa! falling. emeant to loo up the !tati!ti$!( &ut ept forgetting to do !o++or wa! un$on!$iou!lyafraid of doing !o.

On thi! o$$a!ion( though( the appearan$e of age in Ci$i! wa! drowned in'iolent emotion. i! fa$e wa! red ?pointing up the graying of hi! &ron7e hair@ and heappeared 'irtually e)ploding with a!toni!hment.

#madiro did not ha'e to in3uire a! to the new!. Ci$i! deli'ered it a! though itwa! !omething he $ould not $ontain.

-hen he fini!hed e)ploding( #madiro !aid( !tupefied( /#ll radio+wa'eemi!!ion! $ea!ed* #ll*0



!0ll# Chief. They mu!t all &e dead++or gone. 4o inha&ited world $an a'oidemiting some ele$tromagneti$ radiation at our le'el of++0

#madiro wa'ed him !ilent. One of Da!ilia"! point!++the fourth( a! he re$alled++had &een that the Solarian! were preparing to lea'e their world. ,t had &een anon!en!i$al !ugge!tion all four had &een more or le!! non!en!i$al. e had !aid hewould eep it in mind and. of $our!e( he hadn"t. 4ow( apparently( that had pro'ed to

&e a mi!tae.-hat had made it !eem non!en!i$al when Da!ilia had ad'an$ed the notion!till made it !eem non!en!i$al. e a!ed the 3ue!tion now that he had a!ed then(e'en though he e)pe$ted no an!wer. ?-hat an!wer $ould there &e*@ /-here in Spa$e$ould they go( aloon*0

/There"! no word on that( Chief.0/-ell( then( when did they go*0/There"! no word on that( either. -e got the new! thi! morning. The trou&le i!

the radiational inten!ity i! !o low on Solaria( anyway. ,t"! 'ery !par!ely inha&ited andit! ro&ot! are well+!hielded. The inten!ity i! an order of magnitude lower than that ofany other Spa$er world two order! lower than our!.0

/So one day !omeone noti$ed that what wa! 'ery !mall had a$tually de$linedto 7ero( &ut no one a$tually $aught it a! it wa! de$lining. $ho noti$ed it*0

/# 4e)onian !hip( Chief.0/ow*0/The !hip wa! &eing for$ed into or&it a&out Solaria"! !un in order to $arry

through emergen$y repair!. They hyperwa'ed for permi!!ion and got no an!wer. They had no $hoi$e &ut to di!regard that( $ontinue into or&it( and $arry through theirrepair!. They were not interfered with in any way in that time. ,t wa! not till afterthey had left that( in $he$ing through their re$ord!( they found that not only hadthey gotten no an!wer( &ut that they had gotten no radiational !ignal of any ind.

There"! no way of telling e)a$tly when radiation had $ea!ed. The la!t re$ordedre$eipt of any me!!age from Solaria wa! o'er two month! ago.0

/#nd the other three point! !he made*0 #madiro muttered./Aardon me( Chief*0/4othing. 4othing(0 !aid #madiro( &ut he frowned hea'ily and wa! lo!t in

thought.

13. THE TELEPATHIC ROBOT

51.

andamu! wa! not aware of de'elopment! on Solaria when he returned !omemonth! later from an e)tended third trip to =arth.

On hi! fir!t trip( !i) year! &efore( #madiro had managed( with !ome diffi$ulty(to ha'e him !ent a! an a$$redited emi!!ary from #urora to di!$u!! !ome trifling

matter of an o'er!tepping into Spa$er territory &y Trader 'e!!el!. e had enduredthe $eremony and &ureau$rati$ ennui and it 3ui$ly &e$ame $lear that a! !u$h anemi!!ary hi! mo&ility wa! limited. That didn"t matter( for he learned what he had$ome to learn.

e had returned with the new!. /, dou&t( 2r. #madiro( that there will &e anypro&lem at all. There i! no way( no po!!i&le way( in whi$h the =arth offi$ial! $an$ontrol either entry or e)it. ='ery year many million! of Settler! 'i!it =arth from anyof do7en! of world! and e'ery year a! many million! of 'i!iting Settler! lea'e forhome again. ='ery Settler !eem! to feel that life i! not $omplete unle!! he or !he



periodi$ally &reathe! the air of =arth and tread! it! $rowded underground !pa$e!. ,t"!a !ear$h for root!( , imagine. They don"t !eem to feel the a&!olute nightmare thate)i!ten$e on =arth i!.0

/, now a&out it( andamu!(0 !aid #madiro wearily./Only intellectually# !ir. ou $an"t truly under!tand it until you e)perien$e it.

On$e you do( you"ll find that none of your Hnowing" will prepare you in the lea!t for

the reality. -hy anyone !hould want to go &a$( on$e gone++0/Our an$e!tor! $ertainly didn"t want to go &a$( on$e they had left theplanet.0

/4o(0 !aid andamu!( /&ut inter!tellar flight wa! not then a! ad'an$ed a! it i!now. ,t u!ed to tae month! then and the hyper!patial Fump wa! a tri$y thing. 4ow ittae! merely day! and the Fump! are routine and ne'er go wrong. If it were a! ea!yto return to =arth in our an$e!tor!" time a! it i! now( , wonder if we would ha'e&roen away a! we did.0

/et"! not philo!ophi7e( andamu!. Aro$eed to the point.//Certainly. ,n addition to the $oming and going of endle!! !tream! of Settler!(

million! of =arthmen ea$h year head out a! emigrant! to one or another of theSettler world!. Some return almo!t at on$e( ha'ing failed to adapt. Other! mae newhome! &ut $ome &a$ parti$ularly fre3uently to 'i!it. There"! no way of eeping tra$of e)it! and entran$e! and =arth doe!n"t e'en try. To attempt to !et up !y!temati$method! for identifying and eeping tra$ of 'i!itor! might !tem the flow and =arth i!'ery aware that ea$h 'i!itor &ring! money with him. The touri!t trade++if we want to$all it that++i! $urrently =arth"! mo!t profita&le indu!try.0

/ou are !aying( , !uppo!e( that we $an get the humanoid ro&ot! into =arthwithout trou&le.0

/-ith no trou&le at all. There"! no 3ue!tion in my mind a! to that. 4ow thatwe ha'e them properly programmed( we $an !end them to =arth in half a do7en&at$he! with forged paper!. -e $an"t do anything a&out their ro&oti$ re!pe$t andawe of human &eing!( &ut that may not gi'e them away. ,t will &e interpreted a! theu!ual Settler re!pe$t and awe for the an$e!tral planet. ++But( then( , !trongly !u!pe$twe don"t ha'e to drop them into one of the City airport!. The 'a!t !pa$e! &etweenCitie! are 'irtually untenanted e)$ept &y primiti'e wor+ro&ot! and the in$oming!hip! would go unnoti$ed++or at lea!t di!regarded.0

/Too ri!y( , thin(0 !aid #madiro.

51 #.

Two &at$he! of humanoid ro&ot! were !ent to =arth and the!e mingled withthe =arth people of the City &efore finding their way outward into the &lan area!&etween and $ommuni$ating with #urora on !hielded hyper&eam.

andamu! !aid ?he had thought a&out it deeply and had he!itated long@( /,will ha'e to go again( !ir. , $an"t &e po!iti'e they"'e found the right !pot.0

/#re you !ure you now the right !pot( andamu!*0 a!ed #madiro!ardoni$ally.

/, ha'e del'ed into =arth H! an$ient hi!tory thoroughly( !ir. , now , $an find

it.0 /, don"t thin , $an per!uade the Coun$il to !end a war!hip with you.0/4o( , wouldn"t want that. ,t would &e wor!e than u!ele!!. , want a one+per!on

'e!!el( with %u!t enough power to get there and &a$.0#nd in that way( andamu! made hi! !e$ond 'i!it to =arth( dropping down

into a region out!ide one of the !maller Citie!. -ith mingled relief and !ati!fa$tion( hefound !e'eral of the ro&ot! in the right pla$e and remained with them to 'iew theirwor( to gi'e a few order! in $onne$tion with that wor( and to mae !ome finead%u!tment! in their programming.

#nd then( under the unintere!ted glan$e of a few primiti'e =arth+formed



agri$ultural ro&ot!( andamu! made for the near&y City.,t wa! a $al$ulated ri! and andamu!( no fearle!! hero( $ould feel hi! heart

thudding un$omforta&ly within hi! $he!t. But it went well. There wa! !ome !urpri!e!hown &y the gate warden when a human &eing pre!ented him!elf at the gate(!howing all !ign! of ha'ing !pent a $on!idera&le time in the open.

andamu! had paper! identifying him a! a Settler( howe'er( and the warden

!hrugged. Settler! didn"t mind the open and it wa! far from unheard of for them totae !mall e)$ur!ion! through the field! and wood! that lay a&out the unimpre!!i'eupper layer! of a City that %utted a&o'e the ground.

The warden ga'e &ut a $ur!ory glan$e at hi! paper! and no one el!e a!ed forthem at all. andamu!"! off+=arth a$$ent ?a! wealy #uroran a! he $ould mae it@wa! a$$epted without $omment and( a! nearly a! he $ould tell( no one wonderedwhether he might &e a Spa$er. But( then( why !hould they* The day! when theSpa$er! held a permanent outpo!t on =arth wa! two $enturie! in the pa!t and offi$ialemi!!arie! from the Spa$er world! were few and ++of late++growing !teadily fewer.

The pro'in$ial =arthpeople might not e'en remem&er that Spa$er! e)i!ted.andamu! wa! a little $on$erned that the thin( tran!parent glo'e! he alway!

wore might &e noted or that hi! no!e plug! would &e remared upon( &ut neithere'ent too pla$e. 4o re!tri$tion! were pla$ed on hi! tra'el! around the City or toother Citie!. e had enough money for that and money !poe loudly on =arth ?and( totell the truth( e'en on Spa$er world!@.

e grew a$$u!tomed to ha'ing no ro&ot dog hi! heel! and when he met with!ome of #urora"! own humanoid ro&ot! in thi! City or that( he had to e)plain to them3uite firmly that they mu!t not dog hi! heel!. e li!tened to their report!( ga'e themany in!tru$tion! they !eemed to re3uire( and made arrangement! for further ro&ot!hipment! out+of+City. ='entually( he found hi! way &a$ to hi! !hip and left.

e wa! not $hallenged on hi! way out( any more than he had &een on hi! wayin.

/#$tually(0 he !aid thoughtfully to #madiro( /the!e =arthpeople are not really&ar&arian!.0

/#ren"t they( though*0/,n their own world( they &eha'e in 3uite a human fa!hion. ,n fa$t( there i!

!omething winning in their friendline!!.0/#re you &eginning to regret the ta! you"re engaged in*0/,t doe! gi'e me a gri!ly feeling a! , wander among them thining that they

don"t now what i! going to happen to them. , $an"t mae my!elf en1oy what ,"mdoing.0

/Of $our!e you $an( andamu!. Thin of the fa$t that on$e the %o& i! done(you will &e !ure of a po!t a! the head of the ,n!titute &efore 'ery mu$h time ha!elap!ed. That will !weeten the %o& for you.0

#nd #madiro ept a $lo!e eye on andamu! thereafter.

51 &.

On andamu!"! third trip( mu$h of hi! earlier unea!ine!! had worn off and he

$ould $arry him!elf almo!t a! though he were an =arthman. The pro%e$t wa!pro$eeding !lowly &ut dead $enter along the pro%e$ted line of progre!!.e had e)perien$ed no health pro&lem! on hi! earlier 'i!it!( &ut on thi! third

one++no dou&t due to hi! o'er$onfiden$e++he mu!t ha'e e)po!ed him!elf to!omething or other. #t lea!t( for a time he had an alarming drippine!! of the no!e(a$$ompanied &y a $ough.

# 'i!it to one of the City di!pen!arie! re!ulted in a gamma glo&ulin in%e$tionthat relie'ed the $ondition at on$e( &ut he found the di!pen!ary more frighteningthan the illne!!. ='eryone there( he new( wa! liely to &e ill with !omething$ontagiou! or to &e in $lo!e $onta$t with tho!e who were ill.



But now( at la!t( he wa! &a$ in the 3uiet orderline!! of #urora and in$redi&lythanful to &e !o. e wa! li!tening to #madiro"! a$$ount of the Solarian $ri!i!.

/a'e you heard nothing of it at all*0 demanded #madiro.andamu! !hoo hi! head. /4othing( !ir. =arth i! an in$redi&ly pro'in$ial

world. =ight hundred Citie! with a total of eight &illion people++all intere!ted innothing &ut the eight hundred Citie! with a total of eight &illion people. ou would

thin that Settler! e)i!ted only to 'i!it =arth and that Spa$er! did not e)i!t at all.,ndeed( the new! report! in anyone City deal a&out ninety per$ent of the time withthat City alone. =arth i! an en$lo!ed( $lau!trophili$ world( mentally a! well a!phy!i$ally.0

/#nd yet you !ay they are not &ar&arian.0/Clau!trophilia i!n"t ne$e!!arily &ar&ari!m. ,n their own term!( they are

$i'ili7ed.0/,n their own term! ++But ne'er mind. The pro&lem at the moment i! Solaria.

4ot one of the Spa$er world! will mo'e. The prin$iple of noninterferen$e i!paramount and they in!i!t that Solaria"! internal pro&lem! are for Solaria alone. Ourown Chairman i! a! inert a! any other( e'en though 6a!tolfe i! dead and hi! pal!iedhand no longer re!t! on u! all. , $an do nothing &y my!elf++until !u$h time a! I amChairman.0

andamu! !aid( /ow $an they !uppo!e Solaria to ha'e internal pro&lem!that may not &e interfered with when the Solarian! are gone*0

#madiro !aid !ardoni$ally( /ow i! it you !ee the folly of it at on$e and theydon"t* ++They !ay there i! no hard e'iden$e that the Solarian! are totally gone and a!long a! they++or e'en !ome of them++might &e on the world( there i! no right for anyother Spa$er world to intrude unin'ited.0

/ow do they e)plain the a&!en$e of radiational a$ti'ity*0/They !ay that the Solarian! may ha'e mo'ed underground or that they may

ha'e de'eloped a te$hnologi$al ad'an$e of !ome !ort that o&'iate! radiationleaage. They al!o !ay that the Solarian! were not !een to lea'e and that they ha'ea&!olutely nowhere to go to. Of $our!e( they were not !een lea'ing &e$au!e no onewa! wat$hing.0

andamu! !aid( /ow do they argue that the Solarian! ha'e nowhere to goto* There are many empty world!.0

/The argument i! that the Solarian! $annot li'e without their in$redi&le$rowd! of ro&ot! and they $an"t tae tho!e ro&ot! with them. ,f they $ame here( forin!tan$e( how many ro&ot! do you !uppo!e we $ould allot to them++if any*0

/#nd what i! your argument again!t that*0/, ha'en"t any. Still( whether they are gone or not( the !ituation i! !trange and

pu77ling and it i! in$redi&le that no one will mo'e to in'e!tigate it. ,"'e warnede'eryone( %u!t a! !trenuou!ly a! , $an( that inertia and apathy will &e the end of u!that a! !oon a! the Settler world! &e$ome aware of the fa$t that Solaria wa!++ormight &e++empty( they would ha'e no he!itation in in'e!tigating the matter. Tho!e!warmer! ha'e a mindle!! $urio!ity that , wi!h we had !ome !hare in. They will(without thining twi$e( ri! their li'e! if !ome profit lure! them on.0

/-hat profit in thi! $a!e( 2r. #madiro*0/,f the Solarian! are gone( they ha'e( perfor$e( left almo!t all their ro&ot!

&ehind. They are++or were++parti$ularly ingeniou! ro&oti$i!t! and the Settler!( for alltheir hatred of ro&ot!( will not he!itate to appropriate them and !hip them to u! forgood Spa$e $redit!. ,n fa$t( they ha'e announ$ed thi!.

/Two Settler !hip! ha'e already landed on Solaria. -e ha'e !ent a prote!to'er thi!( &ut they will !urely di!regard the prote!t and( %u!t a! !urely( we will donothing further. Juite the $ontrary. Some of the Spa$er world! are !ending out 3uiet3uerie! a! to the nature of the ro&ot! that might &e !al'aged and what their pri$e!would &e.0

/Aerhap! %u!t a! well(0 !aid andamu! 3uietly.



/Fu!t a! well that we"re &eha'ing e)a$tly a! the Settler propagandi!t! !ay wewill* That we a$t a! though we are degenerating and turning into !oft pulp! ofde$aden$e*0

/-hy repeat their &u77 word!( !ir* The fa$t i! that we are 3uiet and $i'ili7edand ha'e not yet &een tou$hed where it hurt!. ,f we were( we would fight &a$!trongly enough and( ,"m !ure( !ma!h them. -e !till far out!trip them

te$hnologi$ally.0/But the damage to our!el'e! will not &e e)a$tly plea!ura&le.0/-hi$h mean! that we mu!t not &e too ready to go to war. ,f Solaria i!

de!erted and the Settler! wi!h to plunder it( perhap! we ought to let them. #fter all( ,predi$t that we will &e all !et to mae our mo'e within month!.0

# rather hungry and fero$iou! loo $ame o'er #madiro"! fa$e. /onth!*0/,"m !ure of it. So the fir!t thing we mu!t do i! to a'oid &eing pro'oed. -e

will ruin e'erything if we mo'e toward a $onfli$t there i! no need to fight andundergo damage++e'en if we win++that we don"t need to !uffer. #fter all( in a littlewhile( we are going to win totally( without fighting and without damage. ++Aoor=arth0

/,f you"re going to &e !orry for them(0 !aid #madiro with !puriou! lightne!!(/perhap! you"ll do nothing to them.0

/On the $ontrary(0 !aid andamu! $oolly. /,t"! pre$i!ely &e$au!e , fully intendto do !omething to them++and now that it will &e done++that , am !orry for them. ouwill &e Chairman0

/#nd you will &e the head of the ,n!titute.0/# !mall po!t in $ompari!on to your!.0/#nd after , die*0 !aid #madiro in half a !narl./, do not loo that far ahead.0/, am 3uite++0 &egan #madiro( &ut wa! interrupted &y the !teady &u77 of the

me!!age unit. -ithout looing and 3uite automati$ally( #madiro pla$ed hi! hand atthe =,T !lot. e looed at the thin !trip of paper that emerged and a !low !mileappeared on hi! lip!.

/The two Settler !hip! that landed on Solaria++0 he !aid./e!( !ir*0 a!ed andamu!( frowning./2e!troyed Both de!troyed0/ow*0/,n an e)plo!i'e &la7e of radiation( ea!ily dete$ted from !pa$e. ou !ee what

it mean!* The Solarian! ha'e not left after all and the weae!t of our world! $anea!ily handle Settler !hip!. ,t i! a &loody no!e for the Settler! and not !omethingthey"ll forget. ++ere( andamu!( read for your!elf.0

andamu! pu!hed the paper a!ide. /But that doe!n"t ne$e!!arily mean thatthe Solarian! are !till on the planet. They may merely ha'e &oo&y+trapped it!omehow.0

/-hat i! the differen$e* Aer!onal atta$ or &oo&y+trap( the !hip! werede!troyed.0

/Thi! time they were $aught &y !urpri!e. -hat a&out ne)t time( when they areprepared* #nd what if they $on!ider the e'ent a deli&erate Spa$er atta$*0

/-e will reply that the Solarian! were merely defending them!el'e! again!t a

deli&erate Settler in'a!ion.0/But( !ir( are you !ugge!ting a &attle of word!* -hat if the Settler! don"t

&other taling( &ut $on!ider the de!tru$tion of their !hip! an a$t of war and retaliateat on$e*0

/-hy !hould they*0/Be$au!e they are a! in!ane a! we $an &e on$e pride i! hurt more !o( !in$e

they ha'e a greater &a$ground of 'iolen$e. //They will &e &eaten.0/ou your!elf admit they will infli$t una$$epta&le damage upon u!( e'en if



they are &eaten.0/-hat would you ha'e me do* #urora did not de!troy tho!e !hip!.0/Aer!uade the Chairman to mae it 3uite plain that #urora had nothing to do

with it( that none of the Spa$er world! had anything to do with it( that the &lame forthe a$tion re!t! on Solaria alone.0

/#nd a&andon Solaria* That would &e a $owardly a$t.0

andamu! &la7ed into e)$itement. /2r. #madiro( ha'e you ne'er heard ofanything $alled a !trategi$ retreat* Aer!uade the Spa$er world! to &a$ off for only alittle while on !ome plau!i&le prete)t. ,t i! only a matter of !ome month! till our planon =arth $ome! to fruition. ,t may &e hard for e'eryone el!e to &a$ off and &eapologeti$ to the Spa$er!( for they don"t now what i! $oming++&ut we do. ,n fa$t( youand ,( with our !pe$ial nowledge( $an loo upon thi! e'ent a! a gift from what u!edto &e $alled the god!. et the Settler! remain preo$$upied with Solaria while theirde!tru$tion i! prepared++all uno&!er'ed &y them++on =arth. ++Or would you prefer u!to &e ruined on the 'ery &rin of final 'i$tory*0

#madiro found him!elf flin$hing &efore the dire$t glare of the other"! deep+!eteye!.

5<.

#madiro had ne'er had a wor!e time than during the period following thede!tru$tion of the Settler !hip!. The Chairman( fortunately( $ould &e per!uaded tofollow a poli$y of what #madiro termed /ma!terful yielding.0 The phra!e $aught theChairman"! imagination( e'en though it wa! an o)ymoron. Be!ide!( the Chairmanwa! good at ma!terful yielding.

The re!t of the Coun$il wa! harder to handle. The e)a!perated #madiroe)hau!ted him!elf in pi$turing the horror! of war and the ne$e!!ity of $hoo!ing theproper moment to !trie++and not the improper one++if war there mu!t &e. ein'ented no'el plau!i&ilitie! for why the moment wa! not yet and u!ed them indi!$u!!ion! with the leader! of the other Spa$er -orld!. #urora"! natural hegemonyhad to &e e)er$i!ed to the utmo!t to get them to yield.

But when Captain 2. a. Baley arri'ed with hi! !hip and hi! demand( #madiro

felt he $ould do no more. ,t wa! too mu$h./,t i! altogether impo!!i&le(0 !aid #madiro. /#re we to allow him to land on#urora with hi! &eard( hi! ridi$ulou! $lothing( hi! in$omprehen!i&le a$$ent* #m ,e)pe$ted to a! the Coun$il to agree to hand o'er a Spa$er woman to him* ,t would&e an a$t a&!olutely unpre$edented in our hi!tory. # Spa$er woman0

andamu! !aid dryly( /ou ha'e alway! referred to that parti$ular Spa$erwoman a! Hthe Solarian woman.0H

/She i! Hthe Solarian woman" to u!( &ut !he will &e $on!idered a Spa$erwoman on$e a Settler i! in'ol'ed. ,f hi! !hip land! on Solaria( a! he !ugge!t! it will( itmay &e de!troyed a! the other! were( together with him and the woman. , may then&e a$$u!ed &y my enemie!( with !ome $olor of %u!tifi$ation( of murder++and mypoliti$al $areer may not !ur'i'e that.0

andamu! !aid( /Thin( in!tead( of the fa$t that we ha'e la&ored nearly !e'en

year! in order to arrange the final de!tru$tion of =arth and that we are now only afew month! from the $ompletion of the pro%e$t. Shall we ri! war now and( at a!troe( ruin e'erything we"'e done when we are !o $lo!e to final 'i$tory*0

#madiro !hoo hi! head. /,t i!n"t a! though , ha'e a $hoi$e in the matter( myfriend. The Coun$il wouldn"t follow me if , try to argue them into !urrendering thewoman to a Settler. #nd the mere fa$t that , ha'e !ugge!ted it will &e u!ed again!tme. y politi$al $areer will &e !haen and we may then ha'e a war in addition.Be!ide!( the thought of a Spa$er woman dying in !er'i$e to a Settler i! un&eara&le. /

/One would !uppo!e you were fond of the Solarian woman.0/ou now , am not. -ith all my heart , wi!h !he had died twenty de$ade!



ago( &ut not thi! way( not on a Settler !hip. ++But , !hould remem&er that !he i! anan$e!tre!! of your! in the fifth generation. /

andamu! looed a &it more dour than he u!ually did. /Of what $on!e3uen$ei! that to me* , am a Spa$er indi'idual( $on!$iou! of my!elf and of my !o$iety. , amnot an an$e!tor+wor!hiping mem&er of a tri&al $onglomerate.0

6or a moment( andamu! fell !ilent and hi! thin fa$e too on a loo of inten!e

$on$entration. /2r. #madiro(0 he !aid( /$ould you not e)plain to the Coun$il that thi!an$e!tre!! of mine i! &eing taen( not a! a Spa$er ho!tage &ut only &e$au!e heruni3ue nowledge of Solaria( where !he !pent her $hildhood and youth( $ould maeher an e!!ential part of the e)ploration and that thi! e)ploration might e'en &ehelpful to u!( a! well a! to the Settler!* #fter all( in truth( wouldn"t it &e de!ira&le foru! to now what tho!e mi!era&le Solarian! are up to* The woman will pre!uma&ly&ring &a$ a report of the e'ent!++if !he !ur'i'e!.0

#madiro thru!t out hi! lower lip. /That might wor if the woman went on &oard'oluntarily( if !he made it $lear that !he under!tood the importan$e of the wor andwi!hed to perform her patrioti$ duty. To put her on &oard !hip &y for$e( though( i!unthina&le.0

/-ell( then( !uppo!e , were to !ee thi! an$e!tre!! of mine and try to per!uadeher to get on the !hip willingly and !uppo!e( al!o( that you !pea to thi! Settler$aptain &y hyperwa'e and tell them he $an land on #urora and ha'e the woman if he$an per!uade her to go with him willingly++or( at lea!t( say that !he"ll go with himwillingly( whether !he doe! or not.0

/, !uppo!e we $an"t lo!e &y maing the effort( &ut , don"t !ee how we $anwin.0

et to #madiro"! !urpri!e( they did win. e had li!tened with a!toni!hment a!andamu! told him the detail!.

/, &rought up the matter of the humanoid ro&ot!(0 andamu! !aid( /and it"!$lear !he new nothing a&out them( from whi$h , dedu$ed 6a!tolfe had nownnothing a&out them. ,t ha! &een one of tho!e thing! that nagged at me. Then , taleda great deal a&out my an$e!try in !u$h a way a! to for$e her to tal of that =arthman=li%ah Baley.0

/-hat a&out him*0 !aid #madiro har!hly./4othing( e)$ept that !he taled a&out him and remem&ered. Thi! Settler who

want! her i! a de!$endant of Baley and , thought it might influen$e her to $on!iderthe Settler"! re3ue!t more fa'ora&ly than !he might otherwi!e ha'e done.0

,n any $a!e( it had wored and for a few day! #madiro felt a relief from thealmo!t $ontinuou! pre!!ure that had plagued him from the !tart of the Solarian $ri!i!.

But only for a 'ery few day!.

5;.

One point that wored to #madiro"! ad'antage at thi! time wa! that he hadnot !een Da!ilia( thu! far( during the Solarian $ri!i!.

,t would $ertainly not ha'e &een an appropriate time to !ee her. e did notwi!h to &e annoyed &y her petty $on$ern o'er a ro&ot !he $laimed a! her own ++with

total di!regard for the legalitie! of the !ituation++at a time when a true $ri!i!e)er$i!ed hi! e'ery ner'e and thought. 4or did he wi!h to e)po!e him!elf to the indof 3uarrel that might ea!ily ari!e &etween her and andamu! o'er the 3ue!tion ofwhi$h wa! e'entually to pre!ide o'er the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute.

,n any $a!e( he had a&out $ome to the de$i!ion that andamu! ought to &ehi! !u$$e!!or. Throughout the Solarian $ri!i!( he had ept hi! eye fi)ed on what wa!important. ='en when #madiro him!elf had felt !haen( andamu! had remainedi$ily $alm. ,t wa! andamu! who thought it $on$ei'a&le that the Solarian womanmight a$$ompany the Settler $aptain 'oluntarily and it wa! he who maneu'ered herinto doing !o.



#nd if hi! plan for the de!tru$tion of =arth wored it!elf out a! it !hould++a! itmu!t++then #madiro $ould !ee andamu! !u$$eeding a! Coun$il Chairmane'entually. ,t would e'en &e %u!t( thought #madiro( in a rare &ur!t of !elfle!!ne!!.

On thi! parti$ular e'ening( in $on!e3uen$e( he did not !o mu$h a! e)pend athought upon Da!ilia. e left the ,n!titute with a !mall !3uad of ro&ot! !eeing him!afely to hi! ground+$ar. That ground+$ar( dri'en &y one ro&ot and with two more in

the &a$!eat with him( pa!!ed 3uietly through a twilit and $hilly rain and &rought himto hi! e!ta&li!hment( where two more ro&ot! u!hered him indoor!. #nd all thi! timehe did not thin of Da!ilia.

To find her !itting in hi! li'ing room( then( in front of hi! hyperwa'e !et(wat$hing an intri$ate ro&ot &allet( with !e'eral of #madiro"! ro&ot! in their ni$he! andtwo of her own ro&ot! &ehind her $hair( !tru$ him at fir!t not a! mu$h with the angerof 'iolated pri'a$y( a! with pure !urpri!e.

,t too !ome time for him to $ontrol hi! &reathing well enough to &e a&le to!pea and then hi! anger aro!e and he !aid har!hly( /-hat are you doing here* owdid you get in*0

Da!ilia wa! $alm enough. #madiro"! appearan$e wa!( after all( entirelye)pe$ted. /-hat ,"m doing here(0 !he !aid( /i! waiting to !ee you. Getting in wa! notdiffi$ult. our ro&ot! now my appearan$e 'ery well and they now my !tanding atthe ,n!titute. -hy !houldn"t they allow me to enter if , a!!ure them , ha'e anappointment with you*0

/-hi$h you ha'en"t. ou ha'e 'iolated my pri'a$y.0/4ot really. There"! a limit to how mu$h tru!t you $an !3uee7e out of !omeone

el!e"! ro&ot!. oo at them. They ha'e ne'er on$e taen their eye! from me. ,f , hadwanted to di!tur& your &elonging!( loo through your paper!( tae ad'antage of youra&!en$e in any way( , a!!ure you , $ould not ha'e. y two ro&ot! are no mat$hagain!t them.0

/2o you now(0 !aid #madiro &itterly( /that you ha'e a$ted in a thoroughlyun+Spa$er fa!hion. ou are de!pi$a&le and , will not forget thi!.0

Da!ilia !eemed to &lan$h !lightly at the ad%e$ti'e!. She !aid in a low( hard'oi$e( /, hope you don"t forget it( Eelden( for ,"'e done what ,"'e done for you--and if ,rea$ted a! , !hould to your foul mouth( , would lea'e now and let you $ontinue for there!t of your life to &e the defeated man you ha'e &een for the pa!t twenty de$ade!.0

/, will not remain a defeated man++whate'er you do.0Da!ilia !aid( /ou !ound a! though you &elie'e that( &ut( you !ee( you do not

now what , now. , mu!t tell you that without my inter'ention you will remaindefeated. , don"t $are what !$heme you ha'e in mind. , don"t $are what thi! thin+lipped( a$id+fa$ed andamu! ha! $ooed up for you++0

/-hy do you mention him*0 !aid #madiro 3ui$ly./Be$au!e , wi!h to(0 !aid Da!ilia with a tou$h of $ontempt. /-hate'er he ha!

done or thin! he i! doing++and don"t &e frightened( for , ha'en"t any idea what thatmight &e++it won"t wor. , may not now anything el!e a&out it( &ut , do now it won"twor.0

/ou"re &a&&ling idio$ie!(0 !aid #madiro./ou had &etter li!ten to the!e idio$ie!( Eelden( if you don"t want e'erything

to fall into ruin. 4ot %u!t you( &ut po!!i&ly the Spa$er world!( one and all. Still( you

may not want to li!ten to me. ,t"! your $hoi$e. -hi$h( then( i! it to &e*0/-hy !hould , li!ten to you* -hat po!!i&le rea!on i! there for me to li!ten to

you*0/6or one thing( , told you the Solarian! were preparing to lea'e their world. ,f

you had li!tened to me then( you would not ha'e &een $aught !o &y !urpri!e whenthey did(0

/The Solarian $ri!i! will yet turn to our ad'antage.0/4o( it will not(0 !aid Da!ilia. /ou may thin it will( &ut it won"t. ,t will de!troy

you++no matter what you are doing to meet the emergen$y++unle!! you are willing to



let me ha'e my !ay.0#madiro"! lip! were white and were trem&ling !lightly. The two $enturie! of

defeat Da!ilia had mentioned had had a la!ting effe$t upon him and the Solarian$ri!i! had not helped( !o he la$ed the inner !trength to order hi! ro&ot! to !ee herout( a! he !hould ha'e. e !aid !ullenly. /-ell( then( put it in &rief.0

/ou would not &elie'e what , ha'e to !ay if , did( !o let me do it my own way.

ou $an !top me at any time( &ut then you will de!troy the Spa$er world!. Of $our!e(they will la!t my time and it won"t &e , who will go down in hi!tory--%ettler hi!tory( &ythe way++a! the greate!t failure on re$ord. Shall , !pea*0

#madiro folded into a $hair. /Spea( then( and when you are through++lea'e.0/, intend to( Eelden( unle!!( of $our!e( you a! me++very politely++to !tay and

help you. Shall , !tart*0#madiro !aid nothing and Da!ilia &egan( /, told you that during my !tay on

Solaria , &e$ame aware of !ome 'ery pe$uliar po!itroni$ pathway pattern! they hadde!igned( pathway! that !tru$ me++'ery for$efully++a! repre!enting attempt! atprodu$ing telepathi$ ro&ot!. 4ow( why !hould , ha'e thought that*0

#madiro !aid &itterly( /, $annot tell what pathologi$al dri'e! may power yourthining.0

Da!ilia &ru!hed that a!ide with a grima$e. /Than you( Eelden. ++,"'e !pent!ome month! thining a&out that( !in$e , wa! a$ute enough to thin the matterin'ol'ed not pathology &ut !ome !u&liminal memory. y mind went &a$ to my$hildhood when 6a!tolfe( whom , then $on!idered my father( in one of hi! generou!mood!++he would e)periment now and then with generou! mood!( you under!tand++ga'e me a ro&ot of my own.0

/Gi!ard again*0 muttered #madiro with impatien$e./e!( Gi!ard. Gi!ard( alway!. , wa! in my teenage year! and , already had

the in!tin$t of a ro&oti$i!t or( , !hould !ay( , wa! &orn with the in!tin$t. , had a! yet'ery little mathemati$!( &ut , had a gra!p of pattern!. -ith the pa!!ing of !$ore! ofde$ade!( my nowledge of mathemati$! !teadily impro'ed( &ut , don"t thin , ha'ead'an$ed 'ery far in my feeling for pattern!. y father would !ay( Hittle Da!"++he al!oe)perimented in lo'ing diminuti'e! to !ee how that would affe$t me++"you ha'e ageniu! for pattern!.( , thin , did++0

#madiro !aid( /Spare me. ,"ll $on$ede your geniu!. eanwhile( , ha'e not yethad my dinner( do you now that*0

/-ell( / !aid Da!ilia !harply( /order your dinner and in'ite me to %oin you.0#madiro( frowning( rai!ed hi! arm perfun$torily and made a 3ui$ !ign. The

3uiet motion of ro&ot! at wor made it!elf e'ident at on$e.Da!ilia !aid( /, would play with pathway pattern! for Gi!ard. , would $ome to

6a!tolfe++my father( a! , then thought of him++and , would !how him a pattern. emight !hae hi! head and laugh and !ay( H,f you add that to poor Gi!ard"! &rain( hewill no longer &e a&le to tal and he will &e in a great deal of pain. H , remem&era!ing if Gi!ard $ould really feel pain and my father !aid( H-e don"t now what hewould feel# &ut he would act a! we would a$t if we were in a great deal of pain( !o wemight a! well !ay he would feel pain."

/Or el!e , would tae one of my pattern! to him and he would !mileindulgently and !ay( H-ell( that won"t hurt him( ittle Da!( and it might &e intere!ting

to try./#nd , would. Sometime! , would tae it out again and !ometime! , would

lea'e it. , wa! not !imply fiddling with Gi!ard for the !adi!ti$ %oy of it( a! , imagine ,might ha'e &een tempted to do if , were !omeone other than my!elf. The fa$t i!( ,wa! 'ery fond of Gi!ard and , had no de!ire to harm him. -hen it !eemed to methat one of my impro'ement!++, alway! thought of them a! impro'ement!++madeGi!ard !pea more freely or rea$t more 3ui$ly or more intere!tingly++and !eemedto do no harm++, would let it !tay.

/#nd then one day ++0



# ro&ot !tanding at #madiro"! el&ow would not ha'e dared to interrupt ague!t unle!! a true emergen$y e)i!ted( &ut #madiro had no diffi$ulty inunder!tanding the !ignifi$an$e of the waiting. e !aid( /,! dinner ready*0

/e!( !ir(0 !aid the ro&ot.#madiro ge!tured rather impatiently in Da!ilia"! dire$tion. /ou are in'ited to

ha'e dinner with me.0

They waled into #madiro"! dining room( whi$h Da!ilia had ne'er entered&efore. #madiro wa!( after all( a pri'ate per!on and wa! notoriou! for hi! negle$t ofthe !o$ial amenitie!. e had &een told more than on$e that he would !u$$eed &etterin politi$! if he entertained in hi! home and he had alway! !miled politely and !aid(/Too high a pri$e.0

,t wa! perhap! &e$au!e of hi! failure to entertain( thought Da!ilia( that therewa! no !ign of originality or $reati'ity in the furni!hing!. 4othing $ould &e plainerthan the ta&le( the di!he!( and the $utlery. #! for the wall!( they were merely flat+$olored 'erti$al plane!. Aut together( in rather dampened one"! appetite( !hethought.

The !oup they &egan with++a $lear &oullion++wa! a! plain a! the furniture andDa!ilia &egan to di!po!e of it without enthu!ia!m.

#madiro !aid( /y dear Da!ilia( you !ee , am &eing patient. , ha'e no o&%e$tionto ha'ing you write your auto&iography if you wi!h. But i! it really your plan to re$ite!e'eral $hapter! of it to me* ,f it i!( , mu!t tell you &luntly that ,"m not reallyintere!ted.0

Da!ilia !aid( /ou will &e$ome e)tremely intere!ted in %u!t a little while. Still( ifyou"re really enamored of failure and want to $ontinue to a$hie'e nothing you wi!h toa$hie'e( !imply !ay !o. , will then eat in !ilen$e and lea'e. ,! that what you wi!h*0

#madiro !ighed. /-ell( go on( Da!ilia.0Da!ilia !aid( /#nd then one day , $ame up with a pattern more ela&orate( more

plea!ant( and more enti$ing than , had e'er !een &efore or( in all truth( than , ha'ee'er !een !in$e. , would ha'e lo'ed to !how it to my father( &ut he wa! away at !omemeeting or other on one of the other world!.

/, didn"t now when he"d &e &a$ and , put a!ide my pattern( &ut ea$h day ,would loo at it with more intere!t and more fa!$ination. 6inally( , $ould wait nolonger. , !imply $ould not. ,t !eemed !o &eautiful that , thought it ludi$rou! to!uppo!e it $ould do harm. , wa! only an infant in my !e$ond de$ade and had not yet$ompletely outgrown irre!pon!i&ility( !o , modified Gi!ard"! &rain &y in$orporatingthe pattern into it.

/#nd it did no harm. That wa! immediately o&'iou!. e re!ponded to me withperfe$t ea!e and++it !eemed to me++wa! far 3ui$er in under!tanding and mu$h moreintelligent than he had &een. , found him far more fa!$inating and lo'a&le than&efore.

/, wa! delighted and yet , wa! ner'ou!( too. -hat , had done++modifyingGi!ard without $learing it with 6a!tolfe++wa! !tri$tly again!t the rule! 6a!tolfe had!et for me and , new that well. et $learly( , wa! not going to undo what , had done.-hen , had modified Gi!ard"! &rain( , e)$u!ed it to my!elf &y !aying that it wouldonly &e for a little while and that , would then neutrali7e the modifi$ation. On$e themodifi$ation had &een made( howe'er( it &e$ame 3uite $lear to me that , would not

neutrali7e it. , wa! !imply not going to do that. ,n fa$t( , ne'er modified Gi!ardagain( for fear of di!tur&ing what , had %u!t done.

/4or did , e'er tell 6a!tolfe what , had done. , de!troyed all re$ord of themar'elou! pattern , had de'i!ed and 6a!tolfe ne'er found out that Gi!ard had &eenmodified without hi! nowledge. 4e'er

/#nd then we went our !eparate way!( 6a!tolfe and ,( and 6a!tolfe would notgi'e up Gi!ard. , !$reamed that he wa! mine and that , lo'ed him( &ut 6a!tolfe"!indly &ene'olen$e( of whi$h he made !u$h a parade all hi! life++that &u!ine!! oflo'ing an thing!( great and !mall++wa! ne'er allowed to !tand in the way of hi! own



de!ire!. , re$ei'ed other ro&ot! , $ared nothing for( &ut he ept Gi!ard for him!elf./#nd when he died( he left Gi!ard to the Solarian woman++a la!t &itter !lap at

me.0#madiro had only managed to get halfway through the !almon mou!!e. /,f an

thi! i! intended to ad'an$e your $a!e of ha'ing Gi!ard"! owner!hip tran!ferred fromthe Solarian woman to your!elf( it won"t help. , ha'e already e)plained to you why ,

$annot !et a!ide 6a!tolfe"! will.0/There"! !omething more to it than that( Eelden(0 !aid Da!ilia. /# great dealmore. ,nfinitely more. 2o you want me to !top now*0

#madiro !tret$hed hi! lip! into a rueful grin. /a'ing li!tened to !o mu$h ofthi!( , will play the madman and li!ten to more.0

/ou would play the madman if you did not( for , now $ome to the point. ++,ha'e ne'er !topped thining of Gi!ard and of the $ruelty and in%u!ti$e of my ha'ing&een depri'ed of him( &ut !omehow , ne'er thought of that pattern with whi$h , hadmodified him with no one"! nowledge &ut my own. , am 3uite $ertain , $ould notha'e reprodu$ed that pattern if , had tried and from what , $an now remem&er it wa!lie nothing el!e , ha'e e'er !een in ro&oti$! until++until , !aw( &riefly( !omething liethat pattern during my !tay on Solaria.

/The Solarian pattern !eemed familiar to me( &ut , didn"t now why. ,t too!ome wee! of inten!e thought &efore , dredged out of !ome well+hidden part of myun$on!$iou! mind the !lippery thought of that pattern , had dreamed out of nothingtwenty+fi'e de$ade! ago.

/='en though , $an"t remem&er my pattern e)a$tly( , now that the Solarianpattern wa! a whiff of it and no more. ,t wa! %u!t the &are!t !ugge!tion of !omething ,had $aptured in mira$ulou!ly $omple) !ymmetry. But , looed at the Solarian patternwith the e)perien$e , had gained in twenty+fi'e de$ade! of deep immer!ion inro&oti$! theory and it !ugge!ted telepathy to me. ,f that !imple( !$ar$ely intere!tingpattern !ugge!ted it( what mu!t my original ha'e meant++the thing , in'ented a! a$hild and ha'e ne'er re$aptured !in$e*0

#madiro !aid( /ou eep !aying that you"re $oming to the point( Da!ilia.-ould , &e $ompletely unrea!ona&le if , a!ed you to !top moaning and remini!$ingand !imply !et out that point in a !imple( de$larati'e !enten$e*0

Da!ilia !aid( /Gladly. -hat , am telling you( Eelden( i! that( without my e'ernowing it( , $on'erted Gi!ard into a telepathi$ ro&ot and that he ha! &een one e'er!in$e.0

5I.

#madiro looed at Da!ilia for a long time and( &e$au!e the !tory !eemed toha'e $ome to an end( he returned to the !almon mou!!e and ate !ome of itthoughtfully.

e then !aid( /,mpo!!i&le 2o you tae me for an idiot*0/, tae you for a failure(0 !aid Da!ilia. /, don"t !ay Gi!ard $an read

$on'er!ation! in mind!( that he $an tran!mit and re$ei'e word! or idea!. Aerhap!that is impo!!i&le( e'en in theory. But , am 3uite $ertain he $an dete$t emotion! and

the general !et of mental a$ti'ity and perhap! $an e'en modify it.0#madiro !hoo hi! head 'iolently. /,mpo!!i&le0/,mpo!!i&le* Thin a while. Twenty de$ade! ago( you had almo!t a$hie'ed

your aim!. 6a!tolfe wa! at your mer$y( Chairman order wa! your ally. -hathappened* -hy did e'erything go wrong*0

HThe =arthman++0 #madiro &egan( $hoing at the memory./The =arthman(0 Da!ilia mimi$ed. /The =arthman. Or wa! it the Solarian

woman* ,t wa! neither 4either ,t wa! Gi!ard( who wa! there all the time. Sen!ing.#d%u!ting.0

/-hy !hould he &e intere!ted* e i! a ro&ot. /



/# ro&ot loyal to hi! ma!ter( to 6a!tolfe. By the 6ir!t aw( he had to !ee to itthat 6a!tolfe $ame to no harm and( &eing telepathi$( he $ould not interpret that a!!ignifying phy!i$al harm only. e new that if 6a!tolfe $ould not ha'e hi! way( $ouldnot en$ourage the !ettlement of the ha&ita&le world! of the Gala)y( he wouldundergo profound di!appointment++and that would &e Hharm" in Gi!ard"! telepathi$>ni'er!e. e $ould not let that happen and he inter'ened to eep it from happening.0

/4o( no( no(0 !aid #madiro in di!gu!t. /ou want that to &e !o( out of !omewild( romanti$ longing( &ut that doe!n"t mae it !o. , remem&er too well whathappened. ,t wa! the =arthman. ,t need! no telepathi$ ro&ot to e)plain the e'ent!.0

/#nd what ha! happened !in$e( Eelden*0 demanded Da!ilia. /,n twentyde$ade!( ha'e you e'er managed to win out o'er 6a!tolfe* -ith all the fa$t! in yourfa'or( with the o&'iou! &anrupt$y of 6a!tolfe"! poli$y( ha'e you e'er &een a&le todi!po!e of a ma%ority in the Coun$il* a'e you e'er &een a&le to !way the Chairmanto the point where you $ould po!!e!! real power*

/ow do you e)plain that( Eelden* ,n all tho!e twenty de$ade!( the =arthmanha! not &een on #urora. e ha! &een dead for o'er !i)teen de$ade!( hi! mi!era&ly!hort life running out in eight de$ade! or !o. et you $ontinue to fail++ou ha'e anun&roen re$ord of failure. ='en now that 6a!tolfe i! dead( ha'e you managed toprofit $ompletely from the &roen pie$e! of hi! $oalition or do you find that !u$$e!!!till !eem! to elude you*

/-hat i! it that remain!* The =arthman i! gone. 6a!tolfe i! gone. ,t i! Gi!ardwho ha! wored again!t you all thi! time++and Gi!ard remain!. e i! a! loyal now tothe Solarian woman a! he wa! to 6a!tolfe and the Solarian woman ha! no $au!e tolo'e you( , thin.0

#madiro"! fa$e twi!ted into a ma! of anger and fru!tration. /,t"! not !o. 4oneof thi! i! !o. ou"re imagining thing!.0

Da!ilia remained 3uite $ool. /4o( ,"m not. ,"m e)plaining thing!. ,"'e e)plainedthing! you ha'en"t &een a&le to e)plain. Or ha'e you an alternate e)planation* ++and, $an gi'e you the $ure. Tran!fer owner!hip of Gi!ard from the Solarian woman tome and( 3uite !uddenly( e'ent! will &egin to twi!t them!el'e! to your &enefit.0

/4o(0 !aid #madiro. /They are mo'ing to my &enefit already.0/ou may thin !o( &ut they won"t( a! long a! Gi!ard i! woring again!t you.

4o matter how $lo!e you $ome to winning( no matter how !ure of 'i$tory you&e$ome( it will all melt away a! long a! you don"t ha'e Gi!ard on your !ide. Thathappened twenty de$ade! ago it will happen now.0

#madiro"! fa$e !uddenly $leared. e !aid( /-ell( $ome to thin of it( though ,don"t ha'e Gi!ard and neither do you( it doe!n"t matter( for , $an !how you thatGi!ard i! not telepathi$. ,f Gi!ard were telepathi$( a! you !ay( if he had the a&ilityto order affair! to hi! own liing or to the liing of the human &eing who i! hi! owner(then why would he ha'e allowed the Solarian woman to &e taen to what willpro&a&ly &e her death*0

/er death* -hat are you taling a&out( Eelden*0/#re you aware( Da!ilia( that two Settler !hip! ha'e &een de!troyed on

Solaria* Or ha'e you &een doing nothing lately &ut dreaming of pattern! and of the&ra'e day! of $hildhood when you were modifying your pet ro&ot*0

/Sar$a!m doe!n"t &e$ome you( Eelden. , ha'e heard a&out the Settler !hip!

on the new!. -hat of them*0/# third Settler !hip i! going out to in'e!tigate. ,t may &e de!troyed( too.0/Ao!!i&ly. On the other hand( it would tae pre$aution!. //,t did. ,t demanded and re$ei'ed the Solarian woman( feeling that !he now!

the planet well enough to ena&le them to a'oid de!tru$tion. /Da!ilia !aid( /That"! !$ar$ely liely( !in$e !he ha!n"t &een there in twenty

de$ade!.0/Right The $han$e! are( then( that !he"ll die with them. ,t would mean

nothing to me per!onally. , would &e delighted to ha'e her dead and( , thin( !o



would you. #nd( putting that to one !ide( it would gi'e u! good ground! for $omplaintto the Settler world! and it would mae it diffi$ult for them to argue that thede!tru$tion of the !hip! i! a deli&erate a$tion on the part of #urora. -ould we de!troyone of our own* ++4ow the 3ue!tion i!( Da!ilia( why would Gi!ard( if he had thepower! you $laim he ha!++and the loyaltie! allow the Solarian woman to 'olunteer to&e taen to what i! 'ery liely to &e her death*0

Da!ilia wa! taen a&a$. /2id !he go of her own free will*0/#&!olutely. She wa! perfe$tly willing. ,t would ha'e &een politi$allyimpo!!i&le to for$e her to do !o again!t her will.0

/But , don"t under!tand++0/There i! nothing to under!tand e)$ept that Gi!ard i! merely a ro&ot.06or a moment( Da!ilia fro7e in her !eat( one hand to her $hin. Then !he !aid

!lowly( /They don"t allow ro&ot! on Settler world! or on Settler !hip!. That mean! !hewent alone. -ithout ro&ot!.0

/-ell( no( of $our!e not. They had to a$$ept per!onal ro&ot! if they e)pe$tedto get her willingly. They too along that man+mimi$ ro&ot 2aneel and the otherwa!0++he pau!ed and &rought out the word with a hi!!++0Gi!ard. -ho el!e* So thi!mira$le ro&ot of your fanta!y goe! to hi! de!tru$tion a! well. e $ould no more++0

i! 'oi$e faded away. Da!ilia wa! on her feet( eye! &la7ing( fa$e !uffu!ed with$olor.

/ou mean 2iskard went* e"! off thi! world and on a Settler !hip* Eelden(you may ha'e ruined u! all0

55.

4either fini!hed the meal.Da!ilia waled ha!tily out of the dining room and di!appeared into the

Aer!onal. #madiro( !truggling to remain $oldly logi$al( !houted to her through the$lo!ed door( perfe$tly aware that it damaged hi! dignity to do !o.

e $alled out( /,t"! all the !tronger an indi$ation that Gi!ard i! no more thana ro&ot. -hy !hould he &e willing to go to Solaria to fa$e de!tru$tion with hi! owner*0

='entually( the !ound of running water and !pla!hing $ea!ed and Da!ilia

emerged with her fa$e fre!hly wa!hed and almo!t fro7en in it! grip on $almne!!.She !aid( /ou really don"t under!tand( do you* ou ama7e me( Eelden. Thinit through. Gi!ard $an ne'er &e in danger( a! long a! he $an influen$e human mind!($an he* 4or $an the Solarian woman( a! long a! Gi!ard de'ote! him!elf to her. TheSettler who $arried off the Solarian woman mu!t ha'e found out( on inter'iewing her(that !he had not &een on Solaria in twenty de$ade!( !o he $an"t really ha'e$ontinued to &elie'e( after that( that !he $ould do him mu$h good. -ith her he tooGi!ard( &ut he didn"t now that Gi!ard $ould do him good( either++or $ould he ha'enown that*0

She thought a while and then !aid !lowly( /4o( there i! no way he $ould ha'enown it. ,f( in more than twenty de$ade!( no one ha! penetrated the fa$t thatGi!ard ha! mental a&ilitie!( then Gi!ard i! $learly intere!ted in ha'ing no one gue!!it++and if that i! !o( then no one $an po!!i&ly ha'e gue!!ed it. /

#madiro !aid !pitefully( !You $laim to ha'e wored it out.0Da!ilia !aid( /, had !pe$ial nowledge( Eelden( and e'en !o it wa! not till nowthat , !aw the o&'iou!++and then only &e$au!e of the hint on Solaria. Gi!ard mu!tha'e darened my mind in that re!pe$t( too( or , would ha'e !een it long ago. ,wonder if 6a!tolfe new++0

/ow mu$h ea!ier(0 !aid #madiro re!tle!!ly( /to a$$ept the !imple fa$t thatGi!ard i! !imply a ro&ot.0

/ou will wal the ea!y road to ruin( Eelden( &ut , don"t thin , will let you dothat( no matter how mu$h you want to. ++-hat it amount! to i! that the Settler $amefor the Solarian woman and too her along( e'en though he di!$o'ered !he would &e



of little++if any++u!e to him. #nd the Solarian woman 'olunteered to go( e'en though!he mu!t dread &eing on a Settler !hip along with di!ea!ed &ar&arian!++and e'enthough her de!tru$tion on Solaria mu!t ha'e !eemed to her a 'ery liely$on!e3uen$e.

/,t !eem! to me( then( that thi! i! all the wor of Gi!ard( who for$ed theSettler to $ontinue to demand the Solarian woman again!t rea!on and for$ed the

Solarian woman to a$$ede to the re3ue!t again!t rea!on. /#madiro !aid( /But why* ay , a! that !imple 3ue!tion* -hy*0/, !uppo!e( Eelden( that Gi!ard felt it wa! important to get away from #urora.

++Could he ha'e gue!!ed that , wa! on the point of learning hi! !e$ret* ,f !o( he maywell ha'e &een un$ertain of hi! pre!ent a&ility to tamper with me. , am( after all( a!illed ro&oti$i!t. Be!ide!( he would remem&er that he wa! on$e mine and a ro&otdoe! not ea!ily ignore the demand! of loyalty. The only way( perhap!( that he felt he$ould eep the Solarian woman !e$ure wa! to mo'e him!elf away from myinfluen$e.0

She looed up at #madiro and !aid firmly( /Eelden( we mu!t get him &a$. -e$an"t let him wor at promoting the Settler $au!e in the !afe ha'en of a Settler world.e did enough damage right here among u!. -e mu!t get him &a$ and you mu!tmae me hi! legal owner. , $an handle him( , a!!ure you( and mae him wor for u!.Remem&er , am the only one who $an handle him.0

#madiro !aid( /, do not !ee any rea!on to worry. ,n the 'ery liely $a!e that hei! a mere ro&ot( he will &e de!troyed on Solaria and we will &e rid of &oth him and theSolarian woman. ,n the unliely $a!e that he i! what you !ay he i!( he won"t &ede!troyed on Solaria( &ut then he will ha'e to return to #urora. #fter all( the Solarianwoman( though !he i! not an #uroran &y &irth( ha! li'ed on #urora far too long to &ea&le to fa$e life among the &ar&arian!++and when !he in!i!t! on returning to$i'ili7ation( Gi!ard will ha'e no alternati'e &ut to return with her.0

Da!ilia !aid( /#fter all thi!( Eelden( you !till don"t under!tand Gi!ard"!a&ilitie!. ,f he feel! it important to remain away from #urora( he $an ea!ily ad%u!t theSolarian woman"! emotion! in !u$h a way a! to mae her !tand life on a Settlerworld( %u!t a! he made her willing to &oard a Settler !hip.0

/-ell( then( if ne$e!!ary( we $an !imply e!$ort that Settler !hip++with theSolarian woman and with Gi!ard++&a$ to #urora.0

/ow do you propo!e to do that*0/,t $an &e done. -e are not fool! here on #urora( for all that it !eem! $learly

your opinion that you your!elf are the only rational per!on on the planet. The Settler!hip i! going to Solaria to in'e!tigate the de!tru$tion of the earlier two !hip!( &ut ,hope you don"t thin we intend to depend upon it! good offi$e! or e'en upon tho!e ofthe Solarian woman. -e are !ending two of our war!hip! to Solaria and we do note)pe$t that they will ha'e trou&le. ,f there are Solarian! !till on the planet( they may&e a&le to de!troy primiti'e Settler !hip!( &ut they won"t &e a&le to tou$h an #uroran'e!!el of war. ,f( then( the Settler !hip( through !ome magi$ on the part of Gi!ard ++0

/4ot magi$(0 Da!ilia interrupted tartly. /ental influen$e.0/,f( then( the Settler !hip( for whate'er rea!on( !hould &e a&le to ri!e from the

!urfa$e of Solaria( our !hip! will $ut them off and politely a! for the deli'ery of theSolarian woman and her ro&ot!. 6ailing that( they will in!i!t that the Settler !hip

a$$ompany our !hip to #urora. There will &e no ho!tility a&out it. Our !hip will merely&e e!$orting an #uroran national to her home world. On$e the Solarian woman andher two ro&ot! di!em&ar in #urora( the Settler !hip will then &e a&le to pro$eed atwill to it! own de!tination.0

Da!ilia nodded wearily at thi!. /,t !ound! good( Eelden( &ut do you now what, !u!pe$t will happen*0

/-hat( Da!ilia*0/,t i! my opinion that the Settler !hip will ri!e from the !urfa$e of Solaria( &ut

that our war!hip! won"t. -hate'er i! on Solaria $an &e $ountered &y Gi!ard( &ut( ,



fear( &y nothing el!e.0/,f that happen!(0 !aid #madiro with a grim !mile( /then ,"ll admit there may

&e !omething( after all( to your fanta!y. ++But it won"t happen.0

5K.

The ne)t morning Da!ilia"! $hief per!onal ro&ot( deli$ately de!igned to appearfemale( $ame to Da!ilia"! &ed!ide. Da!ilia !tirred and( without opening her eye!( !aid(/-hat i! it( 4adila*0 ?There wa! no need to open her eye!. ,n many de$ade!( no onehad e'er approa$hed her &ed!ide &ut 4adila.@

4adila !aid !oftly( /adam( you are de!ired at the ,n!titute &y 2r. #madiro.0Da!ilia"! eye! flew open. /-hat time i! it*0/,t i! :51L( madam.0/Before !unri!e*0 Da!ilia wa! indignant./e!( madam.0/-hen doe! he want me*0/4ow( madam. //-hy*0/i! ro&ot! ha'e not informed u!( madam( &ut they !ay it i! important.0

Da!ilia threw a!ide the &ed !heet!. /, will ha'e &reafa!t fir!t( 4adila( and a!hower &efore that. ,nform #madiro"! ro&ot! to tae 'i!itor!" ni$he! and wait. ,f theyurge !peed( remind them they are in my e!ta&li!hment.0

Da!ilia( annoyed( did not ha!ten unduly. ,f anything( her toilette wa! morepain!taing than u!ual and her &reafa!t more lei!urely. ?She wa! not ordinarily oneto !pend mu$h time o'er either.@ The new!( whi$h !he wat$hed( ga'e no indi$ation ofanything that might e)plain #madiro"! $all.

By the time the ground+$ar ?$ontaining her!elf and four ro&ot! ++two of#madiro"! and two of her own@ had &rought her to the ,n!titute( die !un wa! maingit! appearan$e o'er the hori7on.

#madiro looed up and !aid( /ou are finally here( then.0 The wall! of hi!offi$e were !till glowing( though their light wa! no longer needed.

/,"m !orry(0 !aid Da!ilia !tiffly. /, 3uite reali7e that !unri!e i! a terri&ly late

hour at whi$h to &egin wor.0/4o game!( Da!ilia( plea!e. Dery !oon , will ha'e to &e at the Coun$il $ham&er. The Chairman ha! &een up longer than , ha'e. ++Da!ilia( , apologi7e( 3uite hum&ly( fordou&ting you.0

/The Settler !hip ha! lifted off !afely( then.0/e!. #nd one of our !hip! ha! &een de!troyed( a! you predi$ted. ++The fa$t

ha! not &een pu&li$i7ed yet( &ut the new! will lea out e'entually( of $our!e.0Da!ilia"! eye! widened. She had predi$ted thi! out$ome with a &it more in the

way of outward $onfiden$e than !he had felt( &ut $learly thi! wa! not the time to !ay!o. -hat !he did !ay wa! /Then you a$$ept the fa$t that Gi!ard ha! e)traordinarypower!.0

Cautiou!ly( #madiro !aid( /, don"t $on!ider the matter to &e mathemati$allypro'en( &ut ,"m willing to a$$ept it pending further information. -hat , want to now

i! what we ought to do ne)t. The Coun$il now! nothing of Gi!ard and , do notpropo!e to tell them.0/,"m glad your thining i! $lear to that e)tend( Eelden.0/But you"re the one who under!tand! Gi!ard and you $an &e!t tell what

ought to &e done. -hat do , tell the Coun$il( then( and how do , e)plain the a$tionwithout gi'ing away the whole truth*0

/,t depend!. 4ow that the Settler !hip ha! left Solaria( where i! it going* Canwe tell* #fter all( if it i! returning now to #urora( we need do nothing &ut prepare forit! arri'al.0

/,t i! not $oming to #urora(0 !aid #madiro emphati$ally. /ou were right here(



too( it !eem!. Gi!ard++a!!uming he i! running the !how++!eem! determined to !tayaway. -e ha'e inter$epted the !hip"! me!!age! to it! own world. =n$oded( of $our!e(&ut there i!n"t a Settler $ode we ha'en"t &roen ++0

/, !u!pe$t they"'e &roen our!( too. , wonder why e'eryone won"t agree to!end me!!age! in the $lear and !a'e a lot of trou&le.0

#madiro !hrugged it away. /4e'er mind that. The point i! that the Settler !hip

i! going &a$ to it! own planet.0/-ith the Solarian woman and the ro&ot!*0/Of $our!e.0/ou"re !ure of that* They ha'en"t &een left on Solaria*0/-e"re !ure of that(0 !aid #madiro impatiently. /#pparently( the Solarian

woman wa! re!pon!i&le for their getting off the !urfa$e.0/She* ,n what way*0/-e don"t yet now./Da!ilia !aid( /,t had to &e Gi!ard. e made it appear to &e the Solarian

woman.0/#nd what do we do now*0/-e mu!t get Gi!ard &a$.0/e!( &ut , $an"t 'ery well per!uade the Coun$il to ri! an inter!tellar $ri!i!

o'er the return of a ro&ot.0/ou don"t( Eelden. ou a! for the return of the Solarian woman( !omething

we $ertainly ha'e a right to re3ue!t. #nd do you thin for one moment !he wouldreturn without her ro&ot!* Or that Gi!ard will allow the Solarian woman to returnwithout him* Or that the Settler world would want to eep the ro&ot! if the Solarianwoman return!* #! for her. 6irmly. She"! an #uroran $iti7en( lent out for a %o& onSolaria( whi$h i! done( and !he mu!t now &e returned forthwith. ae it &elligerent(a! though it were a threat of war.0

/-e $an"t ri! war( Da!ilia.0/ou won"t ri! it. Gi!ard $an"t tae an a$tion that might lead dire$tly to war.

,f the Settler leader! re!i!t and &e$ome &elligerent in their return( Gi!ard willperfor$e mae the ne$e!!ary modifi$ation! in the attitude of the Settler leader! !o a!to ha'e the Solarian woman returned pea$ea&ly to #urora. #nd he him!elf will( of$our!e( ha'e to return with her.0

#madiro !aid drearily( /#nd on$e he"! &a$( he will alter us# , !uppo!e( and wewill forget hi! power!( and di!regard him( and he will !till &e a&le to follow hi! ownplan whate'er it i!.0

Da!ilia leaned her head &a$ and laughed. /4ot a $han$e. , know Gi!ard( you!ee( and , $an handle him. Fu!t &ring him &a$ and per!uade the Coun$il to di!regard6a!tolfe"! will++it $an &e done and you $an do it++and to a!!ign Gi!ard to me. e willthen &e woring for u! #urora will rule the Gala)y you will !pend the remainingde$ade! of your life a! Chairman of the Coun$il and , will !u$$eed you a! the head ofthe Ro&oti$! ,n!titute.0

/#re you !ure it will wor out that way*0/#&!olutely. Fu!t !end the me!!age and mae it !trong and , will guarantee all

the re!t++'i$tory for the Spa$er! and our!el'e!( defeat for =arth and the Settler!.0

14. THE DUEL

5L.

Gladia wat$hed #urora"! glo&e on the !$reen. ,t! $loud $o'er !eemed $aughtin mid+!wirl along the thi$ $re!$ent that wa! !hining in the light of it! !un.



/Surely we"re not that $lo!e(0 !he !aid.2.G. !miled. /By no mean!. -e"re !eeing it through a rather good len!. ,t"!

!till !e'eral day! away( $ounting the !piral approa$h. ,f we e'er get an antigra'iti$dri'e( whi$h the phy!i$i!t! eep dreaming a&out &ut !eem helple!! to &ring a&out(!pa$eflight will &e$ome really !imple and fa!t. #! it i!( our Fump! $an only deli'er u!!afely to a rather goodi!h di!tan$e from a planetary ma!!. /

/,t"! odd(0 !aid Gladia thoughtfully./-hat i!( madam*0/-hen we went to Solaria( , thought to my!elf. H,"m going home(" &ut when ,

landed , found that , wa!n"t home at all. 4ow we"re going to #urora and , thought tomy!elf( /+ow ,"m going home(" and yet++that world down there i!n"t home( either.0

/-here i! home( then( madam*0/,"m &eginning to wonder. ++But why do you per!i!t in $alling me Hmadam"*02.G. looed !urpri!ed. /2o you prefer Hady Gladia(" ady Gladia*0/That"! al!o mo$ re!pe$t. 2o you feel that way a&out me*0/o$ re!pe$t* Certainly not. But how el!e doe! a Settler addre!! a Spa$er*

,"m trying to &e polite and to $onform to your $u!tom!++to do what mae! you feel$omforta&le.0

/But it doe!n"t mae me feel $omforta&le. Fu!t $all me Gladia. ,"'e !ugge!tedit &efore. #fter all( , $all you H2.G.0H

/#nd that !uit! me fine( although in front of my offi$er! and men( , wouldprefer to ha'e you addre!! me a! HCaptain(" and , will $all you Hmadam." 2i!$iplinemu!t &e maintained.0

/e!( of $our!e(0 !aid Gladia a&!ently( !taring at #urora again. /, ha'e nohome.0

She whirled toward 2.G.( /,! it po!!i&le that you might tae me to =arth(2.G.*0

/Ao!!i&le(0 !aid 2.G.( !miling. /ou might not want to go++Gladia.0/, thin , want to go(0 !aid Gladia( /unle!! , lo!e my $ourage.0/,nfe$tion doe! e)i!t(0 !aid 2.G.( /and that"! what Spa$er! fear( i!n"t it*0/Too mu$h( perhap!. #fter all( , new your #n$e!tor and wa!n"t infe$ted. ,

ha'e &een on thi! !hip and ha'e !ur'i'ed. oo( you"re near me right now. , wa!e'en on your world( with thou!and! $rowding near me. , thin ,"'e wored up a$ertain amount of re!i!tan$e.0

/, mu!t tell you( Gladia( that =arth i! a thou!and time! a! $rowded a!Baleyworld.0

/='en !o(0 !aid Gladia( her 'oi$e warming( /,"'e $hanged my mind$ompletely++a&out many thing!. ,"'e told you there wa! nothing left to li'e for aftertwenty+three de$ade! and it turn! out there is. -hat happened to me on Baleyworld++that tal , ga'e( the way it mo'ed people++wa! !omething new( !omething ,"d ne'erimagined. ,t wa! lie &eing &orn allo'er( !tarting again at the fir!t de$ade. ,t !eem! tome now that( e'en if =arth ill! me( it would &e worth it( for , would die young andtrying and fighting death( not old and weary and wel$oming it.0

/-ell0 !aid 2.G.( lifting hi! arm! in a mo$+heroi$ ge!ture( /you !ound lie ahyperwa'e hi!tori$al. a'e you e'er wat$hed them on #urora*0

/Of $our!e. They"re 'ery popular.0

/#re you rehear!ing for one( Gladia( or do you really mean what you !ay*0Gladia laughed. /, !uppo!e , do !ound rather !illy( 2.G.( &ut the funny thing i!

that , do mean it++if , don"t lo!e my $ourage.0/,n that $a!e( we"ll do it. -e"ll go to =arth. , don"t thin they"ll $on!ider you

worth a war( e!pe$ially if you report fully on e'ent! on Solaria( a! they want you to(and if you gi'e your word of honor a! a Spa$er woman++if you do thing! lie that++toreturn.0

/But , won"t.0/But you may want to !omeday. ++#nd now( my lady++, mean( Gladia++it i!



alway! a plea!ure to !pea with you( &ut ,"m alway! tempted to !pend too mu$h timeat it and , am $ertain , am needed in the $ontrol room. ,f ,"m not and they $an dowithout me( then ,"d rather they didn"t find out.0

58.

/-a! that your doing( friend Gi!ard*0/To what i! it that you refer( friend 2aneel*0/ady G,adia i! an)iou! to go to =arth and e'en perhap! not to return. That i!

a de!ire !o antitheti$al to what a Spa$er !u$h a! !he would want that , $annot help&ut !u!pe$t that you did !omething to her mind to mae her feel !o.0

Gi!ard !aid( /, did not tou$h her. ,t i! diffi$ult enough to tamper with anyhuman &eing within the $age of the Three aw!. To tamper with the mind of theparti$ular indi'idual for who!e !afety one i! dire$tly re!pon!i&le i! more diffi$ult !till./

/Then why doe! !he wi!h to go to =arth*0/er e)perien$e! on Baleyworld ha'e $hanged her point of 'iew $on!idera&ly.

She ha! a mi!!ion++that of en!uring pea$e in the Gala)y++and &urn! to wor at it.0/,n that $a!e( friend Gi!ard( would it not &e &etter to do what you $an to

per!uade the $aptain( in your own fa!hion( to go to =arth dire$tly*0/That would $reate diffi$ultie!. The #uroran authoritie! are !o in!i!tent onady Gladia &eing returned to #urora that it would &e &etter to do !o( at lea!ttemporarily.0

/et it $ould &e dangerou! to do !o(0 !aid 2aneel./Then you !till thin( friend 2aneel( that it i! , whom they want to retain

&e$au!e they ha'e learned of my a&ilitie!*0/, !ee no other rea!on for their in!i!ten$e on ady Gladia"! return.0Gi!ard !aid( /Thining lie a man ha! it! pitfall!( , !ee. ,t &e$ome! po!!i&le to

!uppo!e diffi$ultie! that $annot e)i!t. ='en if !omeone on #urora were to !u!pe$t thee)i!ten$e of my a&ilitie!( it i! with tho!e a&ilitie! that , would remo'e the !u!pi$ion.

There i! nothing to fear( friend 2aneel.0#nd 2aneel !aid relu$tantly( /#! you !ay( friend Gi!ard.0

59.

Gladia looed a&out thoughtfully( !ending off the ro&ot! with a $arele!!motion of her hand.

She looed at her hand( a! !he did !o( almo!t a! though !he were !eeing it forthe fir!t time. ,t had &een the hand with whi$h !he had !haen the hand of ea$h ofthe $rewmen of the !hip &efore getting into the !mall tender that too her and 2.G.down to #urora. -hen !he promi!ed to return( they had $heered her and 4i!! had&awled out( /-e won"t lea'e without you( my lady.0

The $heering had plea!ed her enormou!ly. er ro&ot! !er'ed her endle!!ly(loyally( patiently( &ut they ne'er $heered her.

2.G.( wat$hing her $uriou!ly( !aid( /Surely you are at home now( Gladia.0

/, am in my e!ta&li!hment(0 !he !aid in a low 'oi$e. /,t ha! &een mye!ta&li!hment !in$e 2r. 6a!tolfe a!!igned it to me twenty de$ade! ago and yet itfeel! !trange to me.0

/,t i! !trange to me#” !aid 2.G. /,"d feel rather lo!t !taying here alone.0 elooed a&out with a half+!mile at the ornate furni!hing! and the ela&oratelyde$orated wall!.

/ou won"t &e alone( 2.G.(0 !aid Gladia. /y hou!ehold ro&ot! will &e with youand they ha'e full in!tru$tion!. They will de'ote them!el'e! to your $omfort.0

/-ill they under!tand my Settler a$$ent*0



/,f they fail to under!tand( they will a! you to repeat and you mu!t then!pea !lowly and mae ge!ture!. They will prepare food for you( !how you how to u!ethe fa$ilitie! in the gue!t room!++and they will al!o eep a !harp eye on you to mae!ure that you do not a$t in an ungue!tly manner. They will !top you ++if ne$e!!ary++&ut they will do !o without hurting you.0

/, tru!t they won"t $on!ider me nonhuman.0

/#! the o'er!eer did* 4o( , guarantee you that( 2.G.( though your &eard anda$$ent may $onfu!e them to the point where they will &e a !e$ond or two !low inrea$ting.0

/#nd , !uppo!e they"ll prote$t me again!t intruder!*0/They will( &ut there won"t &e any intruder!.0/The Coun$il may want to $ome and get me.0/Then they will !end ro&ot! and mine will turn them away.0/-hat if their ro&ot! o'erpower your ro&ot!*0/That $an"t happen( 2.G. #n e!ta&li!hment i! in'iolate.0/Come on( Gladia. 2o you mean that no&ody ha! e'er++0/4o&ody ha! e'er0 !he replied at on$e. /ou %u!t !tay here $omforta&ly and

my ro&ot! will tae $are of all your need!. ,f you want to get in tou$h with your !hip(with Baleyworld( e'en with the #uroran Coun$il( they will now e)a$tly what to do.

ou won"t ha'e to lift a finger.02.G. !an down into the neare!t $hair( !pread him!elf out o'er it( and !ighed

deeply. /ow wi!e we are to allow no ro&ot! on the Settler world!. 2o you now howlong it would tae to $orrupt me into idlene!! and !loth if , !tayed in thi! ind of!o$iety* 6i'e minute! at mo!t. ,n fa$t( ,"m $orrupted already.0 e yawned and!tret$hed lu)uriou!ly. /-ould they mind if , !leep*0

/Of $our!e they wouldn"t. ,f you do( the ro&ot! will !ee to it that your!urrounding! are ept 3uiet and dar. /

Then 2.G. !traightened !uddenly. /-hat if you don"t $ome &a$*0/-hy !houldn"t , $ome &a$*0/The Coun$il !eem! to want you rather urgently.0/They $an"t hold me. ,"m a free #uroran $iti7en and , go where , plea!e.0/There are alway! emergen$ie! when a go'ernment wi!he! to manufa$ture

one++and in an emergen$y( rule! $an alway! &e &roen.0/4on!en!e. Gi!ard( am , going to &e ept there*0Gi!ard !aid( /adam Gladia( you will not &e ept there. The $aptain need not

&e $on$erned with re!pe$t to that.0/There you are( 2.G. #nd your #n$e!tor( the la!t time he !aw me( told me ,

wa! alway! to tru!t Gi!ard.0/Good =)$ellent Fu!t the !ame( the rea!on , $ame down with you( Gladia(

wa! to mae !ure , get you &a$. Remem&er that and tell it to your 2r. #madiro ifyou ha'e to. ,f they try to eep you again!t your will( they will ha'e to try to eep mea! well++and my !hip( whi$h i! in or&it( i! fully $apa&le of rea$ting to that. /

/4o( plea!e(0 !aid Gladia( di!tur&ed. /2on"t thin of doing that. #urora ha!!hip! a! well and ,"m !ure your! i! under o&!er'ation.0

/There"! a differen$e( though( Gladia. , dou&t 'ery mu$h that #urora wouldwant to go to war o'er you. Baleyworld( on the other hand( would &e 3uite prepared

to.0/Surely not. , wouldn"t want them to go to war on my a$$ount. #nd why

!hould they( anyway* Be$au!e , wa! a friend of your #n$e!tor*0/4ot e)a$tly. , don"t thin anyone $an 3uite &elie'e that you were that friend.

ay&e your great+grandmother( not you. ='en , don"t &elie'e it wa! you.0/ou know it wa! ,.0/,ntelle$tually( ye!. =motionally( , find it impo!!i&le. That wa! twenty de$ade!

ago.0Gladia !hoo her head. /ou ha'e the !hort+li'ed 'iew.0



/ay&e we all do( &ut it doe!n"t matter. -hat mae! you important toBaleyworld i! the !pee$h you ga'e. ou"re a heroine and they will de$ide you mu!t&e pre!ented at =arth. 4othing will &e allowed to pre'ent that.0

Gladia !aid( a trifle alarmed( /Are!ented at =arth* -ith full $eremony*0/The fulle!t.0/-hy !hould that &e thought !o important a! to &e worth a war*0

/,"m not !ure , $an e)plain that to a Spa$er. =arth i! a !pe$ial world. =arth i!a++holy world. ,t"! the only real world. ,t"! where human &eing! $ame into &eing andit"! the only world in whi$h they e'ol'ed and de'eloped and li'ed again!t a full&a$ground of life. -e ha'e tree! on Baleyworld and in!e$t!++&ut on =arth they ha'ea wild riot of tree! and in!e$t! that none of u! e'er !ee e)$ept on =arth. Our world!are imitation!( pale imitation!. They don"t e)i!t and $an"t e)i!t e)$ept for theintelle$tual( $ultural( and !piritual !trength they draw from =arth.0

Gladia !aid( /Thi! i! 3uite oppo!ed to the opinion of =arth held &y Spa$er!.-hen we refer to =arth( whi$h we !eldom do( it i! a! a world that i! &ar&arou! and inde$ay.0

2.G. flu!hed. /That i! why the Spa$erworld! ha'e &een growing !teadilyweaer. #! , !aid &efore( you are lie plant! that ha'e pulled them!el'e! loo!e fromtheir root!( lie animal! that ha'e $ut out their heart!.0

Gladia !aid( /-ell( , loo forward to !eeing =arth for my!elf( &ut , will ha'e togo now. Alea!e treat thi! a! your own e!ta&li!hment till , return.0 She waled &ri!lytoward the door( !topped( then turned. /There are no al$oholi$ drin! in thi!e!ta&li!hment or anywhere on #urora( no to&a$$o( no alaloidal !timulant!( nothingof any artifi$ial ind! of++of whate'er you may &e u!ed to.0

2.G. grinned !ourly...-e Settler! are aware of that. Dery puritani$al( youpeople.0

/4ot puritani$al at all(0 !aid Gladia( frowning. /Thirty to forty de$ade! of lifemu!t &e paid for++and that"! one of the way!. ou don"t !uppo!e we do it &y magi$(do you*0

/-ell( ,"ll mae do on healthful fruit %ui$e! and !aniti7ed near+$offee++and ,"ll!mell flower!.0

/ouHll find an ample !upply of !u$h thing!(0 !aid Gladia $oldly( /and when youget &a$ to your !hip( ,"m !ure you $an $ompen!ate for any withdrawal !ymptom!you will now !uffer.0

/, will !uffer only from your withdrawal( my lady(0 !aid 2.G. gra'ely.Gladia found her!elf for$ed to !mile. /ou"re an in$orrigi&le liar( my $aptain.

,"ll &e &a$. ++2aneel. ++Gi!ard.0

K:.

Gladia !at !tiffly in #madiro"! offi$e. ,n many de$ade!( !he had !een #madiroonly in the di!tan$e or on a 'iewing !$reen++and on !u$h o$$a!ion!( !he had made ita pra$ti$e to turn away. She remem&ered him only a! 6a!tolfe"! great enemy andnow that !he found her!elf( for the fir!t time( in the !ame room with him++in fa$e+to+fa$e $onfrontation++!he had to free7e her fa$e into e)pre!!ionle!!ne!!( in order not to

allow hate to peep through.#lthough !he and #madiro were the only palpa&le human &eing! in the room(there were at lea!t a do7en high offi$ial!++the Chairman him!elf among them++whowere pre!ent &y way of !ealed+&eam holo'i!ion. Gladia had re$ogni7ed the Chairmanand !ome of the other!( &ut not all.

,t wa! rather a gri!ly e)perien$e. ,t !eemed !o lie the 'iewing that wa!uni'er!al of Solaria and to whi$h !he had &een !o a$$u!tomed a! a girl++and whi$h!he re$alled with !u$h di!ta!te.

She made an effort to !pea $learly( undramati$ally( and $on$i!ely. -hena!ed a 3ue!tion( !he wa! a! &rief a! wa! $on!i!tent with $larity and a!



non$ommittal a! wa! $on!i!tent with $ourte!y. The Chairman li!tened impa!!i'ely and the other! too their $ue from him. e

wa! $learly elderly++Chairmen alway! were( !omehow for it wa! u!ually late in lifethat they attained the po!ition. e had a long fa$e( a !till+thi$ head of hair( andprominent eye&row!. i! 'oi$e wa! mellifluou!( &ut in no way friendly.

-hen Gladia wa! done( he !aid( /,t i! your !ugge!tion( then( that the Solarian!

had redefined Hhuman &eing" in a narrow !en!e that re!tri$ted it to Solarian!.0/, do not !ugge!t anything( r. Chairman. ,t i! merely that no one ha! &eena&le to thin of another e)planation that would a$$ount for the e'ent!.0

/#re you aware( adam Gladia( that in all the hi!tory of ro&oti$ !$ien$e( noro&ot ha! e'er &een de!igned with a narrowed definition of Hhuman &eing"*0

/, am not a ro&oti$i!t( r. Chairman( and , now nothing of the mathemati$!of po!itroni$ pathway!. Sin$e you !ay it ha! ne'er &een done( ,( of $our!e( a$$eptthat. , $annot !ay( of my own nowledge( howe'er( whether the fa$t that it ha! ne'er&een done mean! that it $an ne'er &e done in the future.0

er eye! had ne'er looed a! wide and inno$ent a! they did now and theChairman flu!hed and !aid( /,t i! not theoreti$ally impo!!i&le to narrow the definition(&ut it i! unthina&le.0

Gladia !aid( with a down$a!t glan$e at her hand!( whi$h were loo!ely $la!pedin her lap( /Aeople $an thin !u$h pe$uliar thing! !ometime!.0

The Chairman $hanged the !u&%e$t and !aid( /#n #uroran !hip wa! de!troyed.ow do you a$$ount for that*0

/, wa! not pre!ent at the !ite of the in$ident( r. Chairman. , ha'e no ideawhat happened( !o , $an"t a$$ount for it. /

/ou were on Solaria and you were &orn on the planet. Gi'en your re$ente)perien$e and early &a$ground( what would you !ay happened*0 The Chairman!howed !ign! of a &adly !trained patien$e.

/,f , mu!t gue!!(0 !aid Gladia( /, !hould !ay that our war!hip wa! e)ploded &ythe u!e of a porta&le nu$lear inten!ifier !imilar to the one that wa! almo!t u!ed onthe Settler !hip.0

/2oe! it not !trie you( howe'er( that the two $a!e! are different. ,n one( aSettler !hip in'aded Solaria to $onfi!$ate Solarian ro&ot! in the other( an #uroran'e!!el $ame to Solaria to help prote$t a !i!ter planet.0

/, $an only !uppo!e( r. Chairman( that the o'er!eer!++the humanoid ro&ot!left to guard the planet++were in!uffi$iently well+in!tru$ted to now the differen$e.0

The Chairman looed offended. /,t i! in$on$ei'a&le that they would not &ein!tru$ted in the differen$e &etween Settler! and fellow Spa$er!.0

/,f you !ay !o( r. Chairman. 4e'erthele!!( if the only definition of a human&eing i! !omeone with the phy!i$al appearan$e of a human &eing( together with thea&ility to !pea in Solarian fa!hion++a! it !eemed to u!( who were on the !pot( that itmu!t &e++then #uroran!( who do not !pea in Solarian fa!hion( might not fall underthe heading of human &eing! where the o'er!eer! were $on$erned.0

/Then you are !aying that the Solarian! defined their fellow Spa$er! a!nonhuman and !u&%e$ted them to de!tru$tion.0

/, pre!ent it merely a! a po!!i&ility &e$au!e , $an"t thin of any other way toe)plain the de!tru$tion of any #uroran war!hip. ore e)perien$ed people may &e

a&le to pre!ent alternate e)planation!( to &e !ure.0 #gain that inno$ent( almo!t&lan( loo.

The Chairman !aid( /#re you planning to return to Solaria( adam Gladia*0/4o( r. Chairman( , ha'e no !u$h plan.0/a'e you &een re3ue!ted to do !o &y your Settler friend( in order to $lear the

planet of it! o'er!eer!*0Slowly Gladia !hoo her head. /, ha'e not &een re3ue!ted to do thi!. ad ,

&een( , would ha'e refu!ed. 4or did , go to Solaria( to &egin with( for any rea!on &utthat of fulfilling my duty to #urora. , wa! re3ue!ted to go to Solaria &y 2r. e'ular



andamu! of the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute( woring under 2r. Eelden #madiro. , wa!re3ue!ted to go !o that( on my return( , might report on e'ent!++a! , ha'e %u!t done.

The re3ue!t had( to my ear! and under!tanding( the fla'or of an order and , too theorder0++!he glan$ed &riefly in #madiro"! dire$tion++0a! $oming from 2r. #madirohim!elf.0

#madiro made no 'i!i&le re!pon!e to that.

The Chairman !aid( /-hat are your plan! for the future( then*0Gladia waited a heart&eat or two( then de$ided !he might a! well $onfront the!ituation &oldly.

/,t i! my intention( r. Chairman(0 !aid Gladia( !peaing 'ery $learly( /to 'i!it=arth.0

/=arth* -hy !hould you wi!h to 'i!it =arth*0/,t may &e important( r. Chairman( for #uroran authoritie! to now what i!

taing pla$e on =arth. Sin$e , ha'e &een in'ited &y the Baleyworld authoritie! to 'i!it=arth and !in$e Captain Baley !tand! ready to tae me there( it would &e anopportunity to &ring &a$ a report on e'ent!++a! , ha'e now reported on e'ent!taing pla$e on Solaria and on Baleyworld. /

-ell( then( thought Gladia( will he 'iolate the $u!tom and( in effe$t( impri!onher on #urora* ,f !o( there had to &e way! of $hallenging the de$i!ion.

Gladia felt her ten!ion ri!ing and !he $a!t a 3ui$ glan$e in the dire$tion of2aneel( who( of $our!e( !eemed totally impa!!i'e.

owe'er( the Chairman( looing !our( !aid( /,n that re!pe$t( adam Gladia(you ha'e the right of an #uroran to do a! you wi!h++&ut it will &e on your ownre!pon!i&ility. 4o one i! re3ue!ting thi! of you( a! !ome re3ue!ted( a$$ording to you(your 'i!it to Solaria. 6or that rea!on , mu!t warn you that #urora will not feel &oundto help you in $a!e of any mi!ad'enture.0

/, under!tand that( !ir.0 The Chairman !aid &ru!3uely( /There will &e mu$h to di!$u!! on the matter

later on( #madiro. , will &e in tou$h with you.0 The image! &laned out and Gladia found her!elf and her ro&ot! !uddenly

alone with #madiro and hi! ro&ot!.

K1.

Gladia ro!e and !aid !tiffly( $arefully refu!ing to loo dire$tly at #madiro a!!he did !o( /The meeting( , pre!ume( i! o'er( !o , will now lea'e.0

/e!( of $our!e( &ut , ha'e a 3ue!tion or two( whi$h , hope you don"t mind mya!ing.0 i! tall figure !eemed o'erwhelming a! he ro!e and he !miled andaddre!!ed her in all $ourte!y a! though friendline!! were long e!ta&li!hed &etweenthem. /et me e!$ort you( ady Gladia. So you are going to =arth*0

/e!. The Chairman rai!ed no o&%e$tion! and an #uroran $iti7en may freelytra'el through the Gala)y in time of pea$e. #nd pardon me( &ut my ro&ot!++andyour!( if ne$e!!ary++will &e !uffi$ient e!$ort.0

/#! you !ay( my lady.0 # ro&ot held the door open for them. /, a!!ume youwill tae ro&ot! with you when you go to =arth.0

/There"! no 3ue!tion a! to that.0/-hi$h ro&ot!( madam( if , may a!*0/The!e two. The two ro&ot! , ha'e with me.0 er !hoe! made a firm $li$ing

!ound a! !he waled rapidly along the $orridor( her &a$ to #madiro( maing noeffort to !ee to it that he heard her.

/,! that wi!e( my lady* They are ad'an$ed ro&ot!( unu!ual produ$t! of thegreat 2r. 6a!tolfe. ou will &e !urrounded &y &ar&arian =arthmen( who may $o'etthem.0

/Should they $o'et them( they ne'erthele!! wouldn"t get them.0/2on"t undere!timate the danger( nor o'ere!timate ro&oti$ prote$tion. ou



will &e in one of their Citie!( !urrounded &y ten! of million! of the!e =arthmen( andro&ot! may not harm human &eing!. ,ndeed( the more ad'an$ed a ro&ot( the more!en!iti'e it i! to the nuan$e! of the Three aw! and the le!! liely it i! to tae anya$tion that will harm a human &eing in any way. ++,!n"t that !o( 2aneel*0

/e!( 2r. #madiro(0 !aid 2aneel./Gi!ard( , imagine( agree! with you.0

/, do(0 !aid Gi!ard./ou !ee( my lady* ere on #urora( in a non'iolent !o$iety( your ro&ot! $anprote$t you again!t other!. On =arth++mad( de$adent( &ar&arou!++there will &e no waytwo ro&ot! $an prote$t you or them!el'e!. -e would not want you to &e depri'ed.4or( to pla$e it on a more !elfi!h &a!i!( would we of the ,n!titute and the go'ernment$are to !ee ad'an$ed ro&ot! in the hand! of the &ar&arian!. -ould it not &e &etter totae ro&ot! of a more ordinary type that the =arthpeople would ignore* ou $an taeany num&er in that $a!e. # do7en if you wi!h.0

Gladia !aid( /2r. #madiro( , too the!e two ro&ot! on a Settler !hip and 'i!iteda Settler world. 4o one made a mo'e to appropriate them.0

/The Settler! don"t u!e ro&ot! and $laim to di!appro'e of them. On =arthit!elf( they !till u!e ro&ot!.0

2aneel !aid( /,f , may interpo!e( 2r. #madiro++,t i! my under!tanding thatro&ot! are &eing pha!ed out on =arth. There are 'ery few in the Citie!. #lmo!t allro&ot! on =arth are now u!ed in agri$ultural or mining operation!. 6or the re!t(nonro&oti$ automation i! the norm. /

#madiro looed at 2aneel &riefly( then !aid to Gladia( /our ro&ot i! pro&a&lyright and , !uppo!e there would &e no harm in taing 2aneel. e $ould well pa!! a!human( for that matter. Gi!ard( howe'er( may well &e left in your e!ta&li!hment. emight arou!e the a$3ui!iti'e in!tin$t! of an a$3ui!iti'e !o$iety++e'en if it i! true thatthey are trying to free them!el'e! of ro&ot!.0

Gladia !aid( /4either will &e left( !ir. They will $ome with me. , am the !ole %udge of whi$h portion! of my property may $ome with me and whi$h may not. /

/Of $our!e. / #madiro !miled in hi! mo!t amia&le fa!hion. /4o one di!pute!that. ++-ould you wait here*0

#nother door opened( !howing a room that wa! mo!t $omforta&ly furni!hed. ,twa! without window!( &ut wa! illuminated &y !oft light and !uffu!ed with e'en !oftermu!i$.

Gladia !topped at the thre!hold and !aid !harply( /-hy*0/# mem&er of the ,n!titute wi!he! to !ee you and !pea to you. ,t will not tae

long( &ut it i! ne$e!!ary. On$e that i! done( you are free to go. ou will not e'en &eplagued &y my pre!en$e from thi! moment on. Alea!e.0 There wa! a tou$h of hidden!teel in the la!t word.

Gladia rea$hed out her arm! for 2aneel and Gi!ard. /-e enter together.0#madiro laughed genially. /2o you thin ,"m trying to !eparate you from your

ro&ot!* 2o you thin they would allow that* ou ha'e &een too long with Settler!( mydear.0

Gladia looed at the $lo!ed door and !aid &etween her teeth( /, di!lie thatman inten!ely. #nd mo!t inten!ely when he !mile! and trie! to &e !oothing.0

She !tret$hed( her el&ow %oint! $ra$ing !lightly. /,n any $a!e( ,"m tired. ,f

!omeone $ome! with further 3ue!tion! a&out Solaria and Baleyworld( they are goingto get !hort an!wer!( , tell you.0

She !at down on a $ou$h that ga'e !oftly under her weight. She !lipped her!hoe! off and lifted her feet to the $ou$h. She !miled !leepily( too a deep &reath a!!he !an to one !ide( and( with her head turned away from the room( wa! in!tantlyand deeply a!leep.

K<.



/,t i! well !he wa! naturally !leepy(0 !aid Gi!ard. /, wa! a&le to deepen itwithout any hint of damage to her at all. ++, would not want ady Gladia to hear whati! liely to $ome.0

/-hat i! liely to $ome( friend Gi!ard*0 a!ed 2aneel./-hat i! to $ome i! the re!ult( , thin( of my &eing wrong( friend 2aneel( and

of your &eing right. , !hould ha'e taen your e)$ellent mind more !eriou!ly.0

/,t i! you( then( they want to eep on #urora*0/e!. #nd in urgently $alling for ady Gladia"! return( they were $alling formine. ou heard 2r. #madiro a! for u! to &e left &ehind. #t fir!t &oth of u! and thenmy!elf alone.0

/ight it &e that hi! word! ha'e &ut the !urfa$e meaning( that he feel! itdangerou! to lo!e an ad'an$ed ro&ot to the =arthmen*0

/There wa! an underlying $urrent of an)iety( friend 2aneel( that , %udge to &efar too !trong to mat$h hi! word!.0

/Can you tell whether he now! of your !pe$ial a&ilitie!*0/, $annot tell dire$tly( !in$e , $annot read thought! them!el'e!. 4e'erthele!!(

twi$e in the $our!e of the inter'iew with the Coun$il mem&er!( there wa! a !udden!harp ri!e in the le'el of emotional inten!ity in 2r. #madiro"! mind. =)traordinarily!harp ri!e!. , $annot de!$ri&e it in word!( &ut it would &e analogou!( perhap!( towat$hing a !$ene in &la$ and white and ha'ing it !pla!h++!uddenly and &riefly++intointen!e $olor.0

/-hen did thi! happen( friend Gi!ard*0HThe !e$ond time wa! when ady Gladia mentioned !he would &e going to

=arth.0/That $reated no 'i!i&le !tir among the Coun$il mem&er!. -hat were their

mind! lie*0/, $ould not tell. They were pre!ent through holo'i!ion and !u$h image! are

not a$$ompanied &y any mental !en!ation! that , $an dete$t.0/-e may $on$lude( then( that whether the Coun$il i!++or i! not++di!tur&ed &y

ady Gladia"! pro%e$ted trip to =arth( 2r. #madiro( at lea!t( is di!tur&ed.0/,t i! not !imple di!tur&an$e. 2r. #madiro !eemed an)iou! in the highe!t

degree a! we would e)pe$t( for in!tan$e( if he indeed had a pro%e$t in hand( a! we!u!pe$t( for the de!tru$tion of =arth and feared it! di!$o'ery. -hat i! more( at adyGladia"! mention of thi! intention of her!( friend 2aneel( 2r. #madiro glan$ed &rieflyat me the only moment in all the !e!!ion that he did. The fla!h of emotional inten!ity$oin$ided with that glan$e. , thin it wa! the thought of my going to =arth that madehim an)iou!. ++#! we might e)pe$t( if he felt that ,( with my !pe$ial power!( would &ea parti$ular danger to hi! plan!.0

/i! a$tion! might al!o &e taen( friend Gi!ard( a! fitting hi! e)pre!!ed fearthat the =arthmen would try to appropriate you a! an ad'an$ed ro&ot and that thi!would &e &ad for #urora.0

/The $han$e of that happening( friend 2aneel( and the e)tent of damage thatmight do the Spa$er $ommunity i! too !mall to a$$ount for hi! le'el of an)iety. -hatharm $ould , do #urora if , were in =arth H ! po!!e!!ion++if , were !imply the Gi!ard ,am taen to &e*0

/ou $on$lude( then( that 2r. #madiro now! you are not !imply the Gi!ard

you are taen to &e.0/, am not !ure. e may !imply !u!pe$t it. ,f he knew what , wa!( would he not

mae e'ery effort to a'oid maing hi! plan! in my pre!en$e*0/,t may !imply &e hi! mi!fortune that ady Gladia will not &e !eparated from

u!. e $annot in!i!t on your not &eing pre!ent( friend Gi!ard( without gi'ing awayhi! nowledge to you.0 2aneel pau!ed( then !aid( /,t i! a great ad'antage you ha'e(friend Gi!ard( &eing a&le to weigh the emotional $ontent! of mind!. ++But you !aidthat 2r. #madiro"! fla!h of emotion at the trip to =arth wa! the !e$ond. -hat wa! thefir!t*0



/The fir!t $ame with the mention of the nu$lear inten!ifier++and that( too(!eem! !ignifi$ant. The $on$ept of a nu$lear inten!ifier i! well nown on #urora. Theydon"t ha'e a porta&le de'i$e not one light enough and effi$ient enough to &epra$ti$al on !hip&oard( &ut it"! not !omething that would &rea upon him lie athunder&olt. -hy( then( !o mu$h an)iety*0

/Ao!!i&ly(0 !aid 2aneel( /&e$au!e an inten!ifier of that !ort ha! !omething to

do with hi! plan! on =arth.0/Ao!!i&ly.0#nd it wa! at thi! point that the door opened( a per!on entered( and a 'oi$e

!aid( /-ell++Gi!ard0

K;.

Gi!ard looed at the new$omer and !aid in a $alm 'oi$e( /adam Da!ilia. //ou remem&er me( then(0 !aid Da!ilia( !miling warmly./e!( madam. ou area well+nown ro&oti$i!t and your fa$e i! on the

hyperwa'e new! now and then.0/Come( Gi!ard. , do not mean that you re$ogni7e me. #nyone $an do that. ,

mean( you remember me. ou on$e $alled me "iss Da!ilia.0

/, remem&er that( too( madam. ,t wa! a long time ago.0Da!ilia $lo!ed the door &ehind her and !at down in one of the $hair!. Sheturned her fa$e toward the other ro&ot. /#nd you are 2aneel( of $our!e.0

2aneel !aid( /e!( madam. To mae u!e of the di!tin$tion you ha'e %u!tad'an$ed( , &oth remem&er you( for , wa! with Alain$lothe!man =li%ah Baley on$ewhen he inter'iewed you( and , re$ogni7e you( too.0

Da!ilia !aid !harply( /ou are not to refer to that =arthman again. ++, re$ogni7eyou a! well( 2aneel. ou are a! famou! a! , am in your own way. ou are &othfamou!( for you are the greate!t $reation! of the late 2r. an 6a!tolfe.0

/Of your father( madam(0 !aid Gi!ard./ou now 'ery well( Gi!ard( that , atta$h no importan$e to that purely

geneti$ relation!hip. ou are not to refer to him in that manner again.0/, will not( madam.0

/#nd thi! one*0 She looed $a!ually at the !leeping figure on the $ou$h./Sin$e you two are here( , $an rea!ona&ly a!!ume that the !leeping &eauty i! theSolarian woman.0

Gi!ard !aid( /She i! ady Gladia and , am her property. 2o you want herawae( madam*0

/-e will merely di!tur& her( Gi!ard( if you and , tal of old time!. et her!leep.0

/e!( madam. /Da!ilia !aid to 2aneel( /Aerhap! the di!$u!!ion that Gi!ard and , will ha'e will

&e of no intere!t to you( either( 2aneel. -ould you wait out!ide*02aneel !aid( /, fear , $annot lea'e( my lady. y ta! i! to guard ady Gladia.0/, don"t thin !he need! mu$h guarding from me. ou"ll noti$e , do not ha'e

any of my ro&ot! with me( !o Gi!ard alone will &e ample prote$tion for your Solarian

lady. / 2aneel !aid( /ou ha'e no ro&ot! in the room( madam( &ut , !aw four ro&ot! %u!t out!ide in the $orridor when the door wa! opened. ,t will &e &e!t if , !tay.0

/-ell( , won"t try to o'erride your order!. ou $an !tay. ++Gi!ard0/e!( madam.0/2o you remem&er when you were fir!t a$ti'ated*0/e!( madam.0/-hat do you remem&er*0/6ir!t light. Then !ound. Then a $ry!talli7ation into the !ight of 2r. 6a!tolfe. ,

$ould under!tand Gala$ti$ Standard and , had a $ertain amount of innate nowledge



&uilt into my po!itroni$ &rain path!. The Three aw!( of $our!e a large 'o$a&ulary(with definition! ro&oti$ dutie! !o$ial $u!tom!. Other thing! , learned rapidly.0

/2o you remem&er your fir!t owner*0/#! , !aid( 2r. 6a!tolfe.0/Thin again( Gi!ard. -a!n"t it ,*0Gi!ard pau!ed( then !aid( /adam( , wa! a!!igned the ta! of guarding you

in my $apa$ity a! a po!!e!!ion of 2r. an 6a!tolfe.0/,t wa! a &it more than that( , thin. ou o&eyed only me for ten year!. ,f youo&eyed anyone el!e( in$luding 2r. 6a!tolfe( it wa! only in$identally( a! a $on!e3uen$eof your ro&oti$ dutie! and only in!ofar a! it fit your prime fun$tion of guarding me.0

/, wa! a!!igned to you( it i! true( ady Da!ilia( &ut 2r. 6a!tolfe retainedowner!hip. On$e you left hi! e!ta&li!hment( he re!umed full $ontrol of me a! myowner. e remained my owner e'en when he later a!!igned me to ady Gladia. ewa! my only owner for a! long a! he li'ed. >pon hi! death( &y hi! will( owner!hip ofme wa! tran!ferred to ady Gladia and that i! how it !tand! now.0

/4ot !o. , a!ed you if you remem&ered when you were fir!t a$ti'ated andwhat you remem&ered. -hat you were when you were fir!t a$ti'ated i! not what youare now.0

/y memory &an!( madam( are now in$ompara&ly fuller than they were thenand , ha'e mu$h in the way of e)perien$e that , did not ha'e then. /

Da!ilia"! 'oi$e grew !terner. /, am not taling a&out memory( nor am , talinga&out e)perien$e. , am taling a&out $apa$itie!. , added to your po!itroni$ pathway!., ad%u!ted them. , impro'ed them.0

/e!( madam( you did !o( with 2r. 6a!tolfe"! help and appro'al.0/#t one time( Gi!ard( on one o$$a!ion( , introdu$ed an impro'ement++at lea!t(

an e)ten!ion( and without 2r. 6a!tolfe"! help and appro'al. 2o you remem&er that*0Gi!ard wa! !ilent for a !u&!tantial period of time. Then he !aid( /, remem&er

one o$$a!ion on whi$h , did not witne!! your $on!ulting him. , a!!umed that you$on!ulted him at a time when , wa! not a witne!!.0

/,f you a!!umed that( you a!!umed in$orre$tly. ,n fa$t( !in$e you new he wa!off the world at the time( you $ould not po!!i&ly ha'e a!!umed it. ou are &einge'a!i'e( to u!e no !tronger word.0

/4o( madam. ou might ha'e $on!ulted him &y hyperwa'e. , $on!idered thata po!!i&ility.0

Da!ilia !aid( /4e'erthele!!( that addition wa! entirely mine. The re!ult wa!that you &e$ame a !u&!tantially different ro&ot afterward from what you had &een&efore. The ro&ot you ha'e &een e'er !in$e that $hange ha! &een my de!ign( my$reation( and you now that well.0

Gi!ard remained !ilent./4ow( Gi!ard( &y what right wa! 2r. 6a!tolfe your ma!ter at the time you

were a$ti'ated*0 She waited( then !aid !harply( /#n!wer me( Gi!ard. That i! anorder0

Gi!ard !aid( /Sin$e he wa! de!igner and !uper'i!ed the $on!tru$tion( , wa!hi! property. /

/#nd when ,( in effe$t( rede!igned and re$on!tru$ted you in a 'eryfundamental way( did you not then &e$ome my property*0

Gi!ard !aid( /, $annot an!wer that 3ue!tion. ,t would re3uire the de$i!ion of alaw $ourt to argue out the !pe$ifi$ $a!e. ,t would depend( perhap!( on the degree towhi$h , wa! rede!igned and re$on!tru$ted. /

/#re you aware of the degree to whi$h that too pla$e*0Gi!ard wa! again !ilent./Thi! i! $hildi!h( Gi!ard(0 !aid Da!ilia. /#m , to &e re3uired to nudge you after

ea$h 3ue!tion* ou are not to mae me do that. ,n thi! $a!e( at any rate( !ilen$e i! a!ure indi$ation of an affirmati'e. ou now what the $hange wa! and howfundamental it wa! and you now that , now what it wa!. ou put the Solarian



woman to !leep &e$au!e you did not want her to learn from me what it wa!. Shedoe!n"t now( doe! !he*0

/She doe! not( madam(0 !aid Gi!ard./#nd you don"t want her to now*0/, do not( madam(0 !aid Gi!ard./2oe! 2aneel now*0

/e doe!( madam.0Da!ilia nodded. /, rather !u!pe$ted that from hi! eagerne!! to !tay. ++4ow(then( li!ten to me( Gi!ard. Suppo!e that a $ourt of law find! out that( &efore ,rede!igned you( you were an ordinary ro&ot and that( after , rede!igned you( youwere a ro&ot who $ould !en!e the mind+!et of an indi'idual human &eing and ad%u!t itto hi! liing. 2o you thin they $ould po!!i&ly fail to $on!ider it a $hange greatenough to warrant the owner!hip to ha'e pa!!ed into my hand!*0

Gi!ard !aid( /adam Da!ilia( it would not &e po!!i&le to let thi! $ome &eforea $ourt of law. >nder the $ir$um!tan$e!( , would !urely &e de$lared the property ofthe !tate for o&'iou! rea!on!. , might e'en &e ordered ina$ti'ated.0

/4on!en!e. 2o you tae me for a $hild* -ith your a&ilitie!( you $ould eep the$ourt from maing any !u$h %udgment. But that i! not the point. ,"m not !ugge!tingthat we tae thi! to $ourt. , am a!ing you for your own %udgment. -ould you not !aythat , am your rightful owner and ha'e &een !in$e , wa! a 'ery young woman*0

Gi!ard !aid( /adam Gladia $on!ider! her!elf to &e my owner and( until thelaw !pea! to the $ontrary( !he mu!t &e $on!idered that.0

/But you now that &oth !he and the law la&or under a mi!apprehen!ion. ,fyou worry a&out the feeling! of your Solarian woman( it would &e 'ery ea!y to ad%u!ther mind!et !o that !he wouldn"t mind your no longer &eing her property. ou $ane'en $au!e her to feel relie'ed that , will tae you off her hand!. , will order you to do!o a! !oon a! you $an &ring your!elf to admit what you already now++that , am yourowner. ow long ha! 2aneel nown your nature*0

/6or de$ade!( madam.0/ou $an mae him forget. 6or !ome time now( 2r. #madiro ha! nown and

you $an mae him forget. There will &e only you and , who will now.02aneel !aid !uddenly( /adam Da!ilia( !in$e Gi!ard doe! not $on!ider

him!elf your property( he $an ea!ily mae you forget and you will then &e perfe$tly$ontent with matter! a! they are. /

Da!ilia turned a $old eye on 2aneel. /Can he* But you !ee( it i! not for you tode$ide who it i! that Gi!ard $on!ider! hi! owner. , now that Gi!ard now! that ,am hi! owner( !o that hi! duty( within the Three aw!( &elong! entirely to me. ,f hemu!t mae someone forget and $an do !o without phy!i$al harm( it will &e ne$e!!aryfor him( in maing a $hoi$e( to $hoo!e anyone &ut me. e $annot mae me forget ortamper with my mind in any way. , than you( 2aneel( for gi'ing me the o$$a!ion ofmaing thi! 3uite plain.0

2aneel !aid( /But adam Gladia"! emotion! are !o enwrapped in Gi!ard thatfor him to for$e forgetfulne!! upon her might harm her.0

Da!ilia !aid( /Gi!ard i! the one to de$ide that. ++Gi!ard( you are mine. ounow you are mine and , order you to indu$e forgetfulne!! in thi! man+aping ro&otwho !tand! &e!ide you and in the woman who wrongfully treated you a! her

property. 2o it while !he i! a!leep and there will &e no harm done to her of any ind.02aneel !aid( /6riend Gi!ard. ady Gladia i! your legal owner. ,f you indu$e

forgetfulne!! in ady Da!ilia( it win not harm her.0/But it will(0 !aid Da!ilia at on$e. /The Solarian woman will not &e harmed( for

!he need only forget that !he i! under the impre!!ion that !he i! Gi!ard"! owner. ,(on the other hand( al!o now that Gi!ard ha! mental power!. 2igging that out will&e more $omple) and Gi!ard $an !urely tell &y my inten!e determination to eepthat nowledge that he $ould not help &ut infli$t damage on me in the pro$e!! ofremo'ing it.0



2aneel !aid( /6riend Gi!ard++0Da!ilia !aid( in a 'oi$e that wa! diamond+hard( /, order you# Ro&ot 2aneel

Oli'aw( to &e !ilent. , am not your owner( &ut your owner i! a!leep and doe! not$ountermand it( !o my order must &e o&eyed.0

2aneel fell !ilent( &ut hi! lip! trem&led a! though he were trying to talde!pite the order.

Da!ilia wat$hed that manife!tation with an amu!ed !mile on her lip!. /ou!ee( 2aneel( you $annot tal.0#nd 2aneel !aid in a hoar!e whi!per( /, $an( madam( , find it diffi$ult( &ut ,

$an( for , find that !omething tae! pre$eden$e o'er your order( whi$h i! go'erned&y only the Se$ond aw.0

Da!ilia"! eye! opened wide and !he !aid !harply( /Silen$e( , !ay. 4othing tae!pre$eden$e o'er my order &ut the 6ir!t aw and , ha'e already !hown that Gi!ardwill do lea!t harm++indeed( no harm at all++if he return! to me. e will do harm to me(to whom he i! lea!t $apa&le of doing harm( if he follow! any other $our!e of a$tion.0She pointed her finger at 2aneel and !aid again with a !oft hi!!( /Silen$e0

,t wa! a $lear effort for 2aneel to mae any !ound at all. The !mall pumpwithin him that manipulated the air $urrent that produ$ed the !ound made a !mall(humming noi!e a! it la&ored. et( though he !poe in an e'en lower whi!per( he$ould !till &e heard.

e !aid( /adam Da!ilia( there i! !omething that tran!$end! e'en the 6ir!taw.0

Gi!ard !aid( in a 'oi$e e3ually low( &ut unfor$ed( /6riend 2aneel( you mu!tnot !ay that. 4othing tran!$end! the 6ir!t aw.0

Da!ilia( frowning !lightly( !howed a !par of intere!t. /,ndeed* 2aneel( , warnyou that if you attempt to progre!! further in thi! odd line of argument( you will!urely de!troy your!elf. , ha'e ne'er !een or heard of a ro&ot doing what you aredoing and it would &e fa!$inating to wat$h your !elf+de!tru$tion. Spea on.0

-ith the order gi'en( 2aneel"! 'oi$e returned immediately to normal. /, thanyou( adam Da!ilia. ++ear! ago( , !at at the death&ed of an =arthman to whom youha'e a!ed me not to refer. ay , now refer to him or do you now who it i! that ,!pea of*0

/ou !pea of that poli$eman Baley(0 !aid Da!ilia tonele!!ly./e!( madam. e !aid to me on hi! death&ed( HThe wor of ea$h indi'idual

$ontri&ute! to a totality and !o &e$ome! an undying part of the totality. That totalityof human li'e!++pa!t and pre!ent and to $ome++form! a tape!try that ha! &een ine)i!ten$e now for many ten! of thou!and! of year! and ha! &een growing moreela&orate and( on the whole( more &eautiful in all that time. ='en the Spa$er! are anoff!hoot of the tape!try and they( too( add to the ela&oratene!! and &eauty of thepattern. #n indi'idual life i! one thread in the tape!try and what i! one thread$ompared to the whole* 2aneel( eep your mind fi)ed firmly on the tape!try and donot let the trailing off of a !ingle thread affe$t you."0

/awi!h !entimentality(0 murmured Da!ilia.2aneel !aid( /, &elie'e Aartner =li%ah wa! attempting to prote$t me again!t the

fa$t of hi! !oon+to+$ome death. ,t wa! hi! own life he !poe of a! &ut a thread in thetape!try it wa! hi! own life that wa! Hthe trailing off of a !ingle thread" that wa! not

to affe$t me. i! word! did prote$t me in that $ri!i!.0/4o dou&t( / !aid Da!ilia( /&ut get to the point of tran!$ending the 6ir!t aw(

for it i! that whi$h will now de!troy you.02aneel !aid( /6or de$ade! , ha'e &rooded o'er Alain$lothe!man =li%ah Baley"!

!tatement and it i! 3uite liely , would ha'e under!tood it at on$e if the Three aw!had not !tood in the way. , ha'e &een helped in my !ear$h &y my friend Gi!ard( whoha! long felt the Three aw! to &e in$omplete. , ha'e &een helped al!o &y point!ady Gladia made in a re$ent !pee$h on a Settler world. -hat"! more( thi! pre!ent$ri!i!( ady Da!ilia( ha! !er'ed to !harpen my thining. , am $ertain( now( a! to the



manner in whi$h the Three aw! are in$omplete.0/# ro&ot who i! al!o a ro&oti$i!t(0 !aid Da!ilia with a tou$h of $ontempt. /ow

are the Three aw! in$omplete( ro&ot*02aneel !aid( /The tape!try of life i! more important than a !ingle thread.

#pply that not to Aartner =li%ah alone( &ut generali7e it and++and++and we $on$ludethat humanity a! a whole i! more important than a !ingle human &eing. /

/ou !tum&le a! you !ay it( ro&ot. ou do not &elie'e it.02aneel !aid( HThere i! a law that i! greater than the 6ir!t aw H# ro&ot maynot in%ure humanity or( through ina$tion( allow humanity to $ome to harm. H , thin ofit now a! the Meroth aw of Ro&oti$!. The 6ir!t aw !hould then &e !tated H# ro&otmay not in%ure a human &eing or( through ina$tion( allow a human &eing to $ome toharm( unle!! thi! would 'iolate the Meroth aw of Ro&oti$!.0H

Da!ilia !norted. /#nd you !till !tand on your feet( ro&ot*0/, !till !tand on my feet( madam. //Then , will e)plain !omething to you( ro&ot( and we will !ee if you $an !ur'i'e

the e)planation. ++The Three aw! of Ro&oti$! in'ol'e indi'idual human &eing! andindi'idual ro&ot!. ou $an point to any indi'idual human &eing or to an indi'idualro&ot. But what i! your Hhumanity" &ut an a&!tra$tion* Can you point to humanity*

ou $an in%ure or fail to in%ure a !pe$ifi$ human &eing and under!tand the in%ury orla$ of in%ury that ha! taen pla$e. Can you !ee an in%ury to humanity* Can youunder!tand it* Can you point to it*0

2aneel wa! !ilent.Da!ilia !miled &roadly...#n!wer( ro&ot. Can you !ee an in%ury to humanity and

$an you point to it*0/4o( madam( , $annot. But , &elie'e !u$h in%ury $an e)i!t ne'erthele!! and

you !ee that , !till !tand on my feet. //Then a! Gi!ard a! to whether he will++or $an ++o&ey your Meroth aw of

Ro&oti$!.02aneel"! head turned to Gi!ard. /6riend Gi!ard*0Slowly Gi!ard !aid( /, $annot a$$ept the Meroth aw( friend 2aneel. ou now

that , ha'e read widely in human hi!tory. ,n it( , ha'e found great $rime! $ommitted&y !ome human &eing! again!t ea$h other and the e)$u!e ha! alway! &een that the$rime! were %u!tified &y the need! of the tri&e( or of the !tate( or e'en of humanity. ,ti! pre$i!ely &e$au!e humanity i! an a&!tra$tion that it $an &e $alled upon !o freely to

%u!tify anything at all and your Meroth aw i! therefore un!uita&le.02aneel !aid( /But you now( friend Gi!ard( the fa$t that a danger to humanity

now e)i!t! and that it will !urely $ome to fruition if you &e$ome the property ofadam Da!ilia. That( at lea!t. i! not an a&!tra$tion.0

Gi!ard !aid( /The danger to whi$h you refer i! not !omething nown( &ut i!merely inferred. -e $annot &uild our a$tion! in defian$e of the Three aw! on that. /

2aneel pau!ed( then !aid in a lower 'oi$e( /But you hope that your !tudie! ofhuman hi!tory will help you de'elop the aw! go'erning human &eha'ior( that youwill learn to predi$t and guide human hi!tory++or at lea!e mae a &eginning( !o that!omeone !omeday will learn to predi$t and guide it. ou e'en $all the te$hni3ueHp!y$hohi!tory." ,n thi!( are you not dealing with the human tape!try* #re you nottrying to wor with humanity a! a generali7ed whole( rather than with $olle$tion! of

indi'idual human &eing!*0/e!( friend 2aneel( &ut it i! thu! far no more than a hope and , $annot &a!e

my a$tion! upon a mere hope( nor $an , modify the Three aw! in a$$ordan$e with it./

To that( 2aneel did not re!pond.Da!ilia !aid( /-ell( ro&ot( all your attempt! ha'e $ome to nothing and yet you

!tand on your feet. ou are !trangely !tu&&orn and a ro&ot !u$h a! your!elf that $andenoun$e the Three aw! and !till remain fun$tional i! a $lear danger to e'ery andany indi'idual human &eing. 6or that rea!on( , &elie'e you !hould &e di!mantled



without delay. The $a!e i! too dangerou! to await the !low ma%e!ty of the law(e!pe$ially !in$e you are( after all( a ro&ot and not the human &eing you attempt tore!em&le.0

2aneel !aid( /Surely( my lady( it i! not fitting for you to rea$h !u$h a de$i!ionon your own.0

/, ha'e rea$hed it ne'erthele!! and if there are legal reper$u!!ion! hereafter(

, !hall deal with them.0/ou will &e depri'ing ady Gladia of a !e$ond ro&ot++and one to whi$h youmae no $laim.0

/She and 6a!tolfe( &etween them( ha'e depri'ed me of my ro&ot( Gi!ard( formore than twenty de$ade! and , do not &elie'e thi! e'er di!tre!!ed either of them fora moment. ,t will not now di!tre!! me to depri'e her. She ha! do7en! of other ro&ot!and there are many here at the ,n!titute who will faithfully !ee to her !afety until !he$an return to her own.0

2aneel !aid( /6riend Gi!ard( if you will wae ady Gladia( it may &e that !hemay per!uade ady Da!ilia++0

Da!ilia( looing at Gi!ard( frowned and !aid !harply( !+o# Gi!ard. et thewoman !leep.0

Gi!ard( who had !tirred at 2aneel"! word!( !u&!ided.Da!ilia !napped the finger and thum& of her right hand three time! and the

door at on$e opened and four ro&ot! filed in. /ou were right( 2aneel. There are fourro&ot!. They will di!mantle you and you are ordered not to re!i!t. Thereafter Gi!ardand , will deal with all remaining matter!.0

She looed o'er her !houlder at the entering ro&ot!. /Clo!e the door &ehindyou. 4ow( 3ui$ly and effi$iently( di!mantle thi! ro&ot(0 and !he pointed at 2aneel.

The ro&ot! looed at 2aneel and for a few !e$ond! did not mo'e. Da!ilia !aidimpatiently( /,"'e told you he i! a ro&ot and you mu!t di!regard hi! humanappearan$e. 2aneel( tell them you are a ro&ot. /

/, am a ro&ot(0 !aid 2aneel( /and , will not re!i!t.0Da!ilia !tepped to one !ide and the four ro&ot! ad'an$ed. 2aneel"! arm!

remained at hi! !ide. e turned to loo at the !leeping Gladia one la!t time and thenhe fa$ed the ro&ot!.

Da!ilia !miled and !aid( /Thi! !hould &e intere!ting.0 The ro&ot! pau!ed. Da!ilia !aid( /Get on with it. / They did not mo'e and Da!ilia turned to !tare in ama7ement at Gi!ard. She

did not $omplete the mo'ement. er mu!$le! loo!ened and !he $rumpled.Gi!ard $aught her and !eated her with her &a$ again!t the wall.e !aid in a muffled 'oi$e( /, need a few moment! and then we will lea'e. /

Tho!e moment! pa!!ed. Da!ilia"! eye! remained gla7ed and unfo$u!ed. erro&ot! remained motionle!!. 2aneel had mo'ed to Gladia in a !ingle !tride.

Gi!ard looed up and !aid to Da!ilia"! ro&ot!( /Guard your lady. #llow no oneto enter until !he wae!. She will waen pea$efully.0

='en a! he !poe( Gladia !tirred and 2aneel helped her to her feet. She !aid(wondering( /-ho i! thi! woman* -ho!e ro&ot!++ow did !he++0

Gi!ard !poe firmly( &ut there wa! a wearine!! in hi! 'oi$e. /ady Gladia(later. , will e)plain. 6or now( we mu!t ha!ten.0

#nd they left.

PART V - EARTH



!o mu$h $omple)ity in the po!itroni$ pathway pattern that it i! totally unliely that a$hild $ould ha'e in!erted it into the ro&ot o'er twenty de$ade! ago. ,t i! a$tually far&eyond e'en the pre!ent+day !tate of the art( andamu!. Surely you mu!t agree.0

/, would $ertainly thin it wa!. #nd they"re going to =arth*0/,"m !ure of it.0/-ould thi! woman( &rought up a! !he wa!( a$tually go to =arth*0

/She ha! no $hoi$e if Gi!ard $ontrol! her.0/#nd why !hould Gi!ard want her to go to =arth* Can he now a&out ourpro%e$t* ou !eem to thin he doe!n"t.0

/,t i! po!!i&le he doe!n"t. i! moti'ation for going to =arth might &e nothingmore than to pla$e him!elf and the Solarian woman &eyond our rea$h.0

/, !houldn"t thin he"d fear u! if he $ould handle Da!ilia.0/# long+range weapon(0 !aid #madiro i$ily( /$ould &ring him down. i! own

a&ilitie! mu!t ha'e a limited range. They $an &e &a!ed on nothing other than theele$tromagneti$ field and he mu!t &e !u&%e$t to the in'er!e !3uare law. So we getout of range a! the inten!ity of hi! power! weaen( &ut he will then find that he i! notout of range of our weapon!.0

andamu! frowned and looed unea!y. /ou !eem to ha'e an un+Spa$erliing for 'iolen$e( 2r. #madiro. ,n a $a!e lie thi!( though( , !uppo!e for$e would &epermi!!i&le.0

/# $a!e lie thi!* # ro&ot $apa&le of harming human &eing!* , !hould thin !o.-e"ll ha'e to find a prete)t for !ending a good !hip in pur!uit. ,t wouldn"t &e wi!e toe)plain the a$tual !ituation ++0

/4o(0 !aid andamu! emphati$ally. /Thin of how many would wi!h to ha'eper!onal $ontrol of !u$h a ro&ot. /

/-hi$h we $an"t allow. #nd whi$h i! another rea!on why , would loo uponde!tru$tion of the ro&ot a! the !afer and prefera&le $our!e of a$tion.0

/ou may &e right(0 !aid andamu! relu$tantly( /&ut , don"t thin it wi!e to$ount on thi! de!tru$tion only. , mu!t go to =arth++now. The pro%e$t mu!t &e ha!tenedto it! $on$lu!ion( e'en if we don"t dot e'ery Hi" and $ro!! e'ery Ht. H On$e it i! done(then it i! done. ='en a mind+handling ro&ot++under anybody)s $ontrol++will not &e a&leto undo the deed. #nd if it doe! anything el!e( that( perhap!( will no longer matter.0

#madiro !aid( /2on"t !pea in the !ingular. , will go a! well.0/ou* =arth i! a horri&le world. , must go( &ut why you*0/Be$au!e , mu!t go( too. , $annot !tay here any longer and wonder. ou ha'e

not waited for thi! through a long lifetime a! , ha'e( andamu!. ou do not ha'e thea$$ount! to !ettle that , ha'e.0

K5.

Gladia wa! in !pa$e again and on$e again #urora $ould &e made out a! aglo&e. 2.G. wa! &u!y el!ewhere and the entire !hip had a&out it a 'ague &utper'a!i'e air of emergen$y( a! though it were on a &attle footing( a! though it were&eing pur!ued or e)pe$ted pur!uit.

Gladia !hoo her head. She $ould thin $learly !he felt well &ut when her

mind turned &a$ to that time in the ,n!titute( !hortly after #madiro had left her( a$uriou!ly per'a!i'e unreality !wept o'er her. There wa! a gap in time. One moment!he had &een !itting on the $ou$h( feeling !leepy the ne)t there were four ro&ot!and a woman in the room who had not &een there &efore.

She had fallen a!leep( then( &ut there wa! no awarene!!( no memory( that !hehad done !o. There wa! a gap of none)i!ten$e.

Thining &a$( !he had re$ogni7ed the woman after the fa$t. ,t wa! Da!ilia#liena++the daughter whom Gladia had repla$ed in the affe$tion! of an 6a!tolfe.Gladia had ne'er a$tually seen Da!ilia( though !he had viewed her on hyperwa'e!e'eral time!. Gladia alway! thought of her a! a di!tant and inimi$al other !elf. There



wa! the 'ague !imilarity in appearan$e that other! alway! $ommented on &ut thatGladia her!elf in!i!ted !he did not !ee++and there wa! the odd( antitheti$al$onne$tion with 6a!tolfe.

On$e they were on the !hip and !he wa! alone with her ro&ot!( !he a!ed theine'ita&le 3ue!tion. /-hat wa! Da!ilia #liena doing in the room and why wa! ,permitted to !leep on$e !he had arri'ed*0

2aneel !aid( /adam Gladia( , will an!wer the 3ue!tion( !in$e it i! a matterfriend Gi!ard would find diffi$ult to di!$u!!.0/-hy !hould he find it diffi$ult( 2aneel*0/adam Da!ilia arri'ed in the hope that !he might per!uade Gi!ard to enter

her !er'i$e.0/#way from me*0 !aid Gladia in !harp indignation. She did not entirely lie

Gi!ard( &ut that made no differen$e. -hat wa! her! wa! her!. /#nd you allowed meto !leep while you two handled the matter &y your!el'e!*0

/-e felt( madam( that you needed your !leep &adly. Then( too( adam Da!iliaordered u! to allow you to !leep. 6inally( it wa! our opinion that Gi!ard would not( inany $a!e( %oin her !er'i$e. 6or all the!e rea!on!( we did not wae you.0

Gladia !aid indignantly( /, !hould hope that Gi!ard would not for a moment$on!ider lea'ing me. ,t would &e illegal &oth &y #uroran law and( more important( &ythe Three aw! of Ro&oti$!. ++,t would &e a good deed to return to #urora and ha'eher arraigned &efore the Court of Claim!.0

/That would not &e ad'i!a&le at the moment( my lady.0/-hat wa! her e)$u!e for wanting Gi!ard* 2id !he ha'e one*0/-hen !he wa! a $hild( Gi!ard had &een a!!igned to her. //egally*0/4o( madam. 2r. 6a!tolfe merely allowed her the u!e of it.0/Then !he had no right to Gi!ard.0/-e pointed that out( madam. #pparently( it wa! a matter of !entimental

atta$hment on the part of adam Da!ilia. /Gladia !niffed. /a'ing !ur'i'ed the lo!! of Gi!ard !in$e &efore , $ame to

#urora( !he might well ha'e $ontinued a! !he wa! without going to illegal length! todepri'e me of my property. / ++Then( re!tle!!ly( /, !hould ha'e &een awaened.0

2aneel !aid( /adam Da!ilia had four ro&ot! with her. ad you &een awaeand had there &een har!h word! &etween the two of you( there might ha'e &een!ome diffi$ulty in ha'ing the ro&ot! wor out the proper re!pon!e!.0

/,"d ha'e dire$ted the proper re!pon!e( , a!!ure you( 2aneel.0/4o dou&t( madam. So might adam Da!ilia and !he i! one of the $le'ere!t

ro&oti$i!t! in the Gala)y. /Gladia !hifted her attention to Gi!ard. /#nd you ha'e nothing to !ay*0/Only that it wa! &etter a! it wa!( my lady.0Gladia looed thoughtfully into tho!e faintly luminou! ro&oti$ eye!( !o

different from 2aneel"! all+&ut+human one!( and it did !eem to her that the in$identwa!n"t 'ery important after all. # !mall thing. #nd there were other thing! with whi$hto &e $on$erned. They were going to =arth.

Somehow !he did not thin of Da!ilia again.

KK.

/, am $on$erned(0 !aid Gi!ard in hi! whi!per of $onfidentiality in whi$h !oundwa'e! &arely trem&led the air. The Settler !hip wa! re$eding !moothly from #uroraand( a! yet( there wa! no pur!uit. The a$ti'ity on&oard had !ettled into routine and(with almo!t all routine! automated( there wa! 3uiet and Gladia !lept naturally.

/, am $on$erned for ady Gladia( friend 2aneel.02aneel under!tood the $hara$teri!ti$! of Gi!ard"! po!itroni$ $ir$uit! well

enough to need no long e)planation. e !aid( /,t wa! ne$e!!ary( friend Gi!ard( to



ad%u!t ady Gladia. ad !he 3ue!tioned longer( !he might ha'e eli$ited the fa$t ofyour mental a$ti'itie! and ad%u!tment would then ha'e &een more dangerou!.=nough harm ha! already &een done &e$au!e ady Da!ilia di!$o'ered the fa$t. -e donot now to whom++and to how many++!he may ha'e imparted her nowledge.0

/4e'erthele!!(0 !aid Gi!ard( /, did not wi!h to mae thi! ad%u!tment. adady Gladia wi!hed to forget( it would ha'e &een a !imple( no+ri! ad%u!tment. She

wanted( howe'er( with 'igor and anger( to now more of the matter. She regrettednot ha'ing played a greater role in it. , wa! for$ed( therefore( to &rea &inding for$e!of $on!idera&le inten!ity.0

2aneel !aid. /='en that wa! ne$e!!ary( friend Gi!ard.0/et the po!!i&ility of doing harm wa! &y no mean! in!ignifi$ant in !u$h a

$a!e. ,f you thin of a &inding for$e a! a thin( ela!ti$ $ord++thi! i! a poor analogy( &ut ,$an thin of no other( for what , !en!e in a mind ha! no analog out!ide the mind++then the ordinary inhi&ition! , deal with are !o thin and in!u&!tantial that they 'ani!hwhen , tou$h them. # !trong &inding for$e( on the other hand( !nap! and re$oil! when&roen and the re$oil may then &rea other( totally unrelated &inding for$e! or( &ywhipping and $oiling a&out other !u$h for$e!( !trengthen them enormou!ly. ,n either$a!e( unintended $hange! $an &e &rought a&out in a human &eing"! emotion! andattitude! and that would &e almo!t $ertain to &ring a&out harm.0

2aneel !aid( hi! 'oi$e a little louder( /,! it your impre!!ion you harmed adyGladia( friend Gi!ard*0

/, thin not. , wa! e)tremely $areful. , wored upon the matter during all thetime you were taling to her. ,t wa! thoughtful of you to &ear the &runt of the$on'er!ation and to run the ri! of &eing $aught &etween an in$on'enient truth andan untruth. But de!pite all my $are( friend 2aneel( , too a ri! and , am $on$ernedthat , wa! willing to tae that ri!. ,t $ame !o $lo!e to 'iolating the 6ir!t aw that itre3uired an e)traordinary effort on my part to do it. , am !ure that , would not ha'e&een a&le to do it++0

/e!( friend Gi!ard*0/ad you not e)pounded your notion of the Meroth aw.0/ou a$$ept it( then*0/4o( , $annot. Can you* 6a$ed with the po!!i&ility of doing harm to an

indi'idual human &eing or of allowing harm to $ome to one( $ould you do the harm orallow the harm in the name of a&!tra$t humanity* Thin0

/, am not !ure(0 !aid 2aneel( 'oi$e trem&ling into all &ut !ilen$e. Then( withan effort( /, might. The mere $on$ept pu!he! at me++and at you. ,t helped you de$ideto tae the ri! in ad%u!ting ady Gladia"! mind.0

/e!( it did(0 agreed Gi!ard( /and the longer we thin of the Meroth aw( themore it might help pu!h u!. Could it do !o( , wonder( in more than a marginal way(howe'er* ight it not only help u! tae !lightly larger ri!! than we mightordinarily*0

/et , am $on'in$ed of the 'alidity of the Meroth aw( friend Gi!ard.0/So might , &e if we $ould define what we mean &y Hhumanity.H /

There wa! a pau!e and 2aneel !aid( /2id you not a$$ept the Meroth aw( atla!t( when you !topped adam Da!ilia"! ro&ot! and era!ed from her mind thenowledge of your mental power!*0

Gi!ard !aid( /4o( friend 2aneel. 4ot really. , wa! tempted to a$$ept it( &ut notreally.0

/#nd yet your a$tion!++0/-ere di$tated &y a $om&ination of moti'e!. ou told me of your $on$ept of

the Meroth aw and it !eemed to ha'e a $ertain 'alidity a&out it( &ut not !uffi$ient to$an$el the 6ir!t aw or e'en to $an$el adam Da!ilia"! !trong u!e of the Se$ond awin the order! !he ga'e. Then( when you $alled my attention to the appli$ation of theMeroth aw to p!y$hohi!tory( , $ould feel the po!itronomoti'e for$e mount higher andyet it wa! not 3uite high enough to !uper!ede the 6ir!t aw or e'en the !trong



Se$ond aw.0/Still(0 murmured 2aneel( /you !tru$ down adam Da!ilia( friend Gi!ard. //-hen !he ordered the ro&ot! to di!mantle you( friend 2aneel( and !howed a

$lear emotion of plea!ure at the pro!pe$t( your need( added to what the $on$ept ofthe Meroth aw had already done( !uper!eded the Se$ond aw and ri'aled the 6ir!taw. ,t wa! the $om&ination of the Meroth aw( p!y$hohi!tory( my loyalty to ady

Gladia( and your need that di$tated my a$tion.0/y need $ould !$ar$ely ha'e affe$ted you( friend Gi!ard. , am only a ro&otand though my need $ould affe$t my own a$tion! &y the Third aw( they $annotaffe$t your!. ou de!troyed the o'er!eer on Solaria without he!itation you !houldha'e wat$hed my de!tru$tion without &eing mo'ed to a$t.0

/e!( friend 2aneel( and ordinarily it might ha'e &een !o. owe'er( yourmention of the Meroth aw had redu$ed the 6ir!t aw inten!ity to an a&normally low'alue. The ne$e!!ity of !a'ing you wa! !uffi$ient to $an$el out what remained of itand ,++a$ted a! , did.0

/4o( friend Gi!ard. The pro!pe$t of in%ury to a ro&ot !hould not ha'e affe$tedyou at all. ,t !hould in no way ha'e $ontri&uted to the o'er$oming of the 6ir!t aw(howe'er wea the 6ir!t aw may ha'e &e$ome. /

/,t i! a !trange thing( friend 2aneel. , do not now how it $ame a&out. Aerhap!it wa! &e$au!e , ha'e noted that you $ontinue to thin more and more lie a human&eing( &ut++0

/e!( friend Gi!ard*0/#t the moment when the ro&ot! ad'an$ed toward you and ady Da!ilia

e)pre!!ed her !a'age plea!ure( my po!itroni$ pathway pattern re+formed in ananomalou! fa!hion. 6or a moment( , thought of you++a! a human &eing++and , rea$teda$$ordingly. /

/That wa! wrong. //, now that. #nd yet++and yet( if it were to happen again( , &elie'e the !ame

anomalou! $hange would tae pla$e again.02aneel !aid( /,t i! !trange( &ut hearing you put it !o( , find my!elf feeling you

did the proper thing. ,f the !ituation were re'er!ed( , almo!t thin that ,( too( would++would do the !ame++that , would thin of you a! a++a human &eing.0

2aneel( he!itantly and !lowly( put out hi! hand and Gi!ard looed at itun$ertainly. Then( 'ery !lowly( he put out hi! own hand. The fingertip! almo!ttou$hed and then( little &y little( ea$h too the other"! hand and $la!ped it++almo!t a!though they were the friend! they $alled ea$h other.

KL.

Gladia looed a&out with 'eiled $urio!ity. She wa! in 2.G."! $a&in for the fir!ttime. ,t wa! not noti$ea&ly more lu)uriou! than the new $a&in that had &eende!igned for her. 2.G."! $a&in had a more ela&orate 'iewing panel( to &e !ure( and ithad a $omple) $on!ole of light! and $onta$t! whi$h( !he imagined( !er'ed to eep2.G. in tou$h with the re!t of the !hip e'en here.

She !aid( /,"'e !een little of you !in$e lea'ing #urora( 2.G.0

/,"m flattered that you are aware of that(0 an!wered 2.G.( grinning. /#nd totell you the truth( Gladia( , ha'e &een aware of it a! well. -ith an all+male $rew( youdo rather !tand out.0

/That"! not a 'ery flattering rea!on for mi!!ing me. -ith an all+human $rew( ,imagine 2aneel and Gi!ard !tand out( too. a'e you mi!!ed them a! mu$h a! youha'e mi!!ed me*0

2.G. looed a&out. /#$tually( , mi!! them !o little it i! only now that , amaware that they aren"t with you. -here are they*0

/,n my $a&in. ,t !eemed !illy to drag them a&out with me in!ide the $onfine!of the !mall world of thi! !hip. They !eemed willing to allow me to &e on my own(



whi$h !urpri!ed me. ++4o(0 !he $orre$ted her!elf( /$ome to thin of it( , had to orderthem rather !harply to !tay &ehind &efore they would do !o.0

/,!n"t that rather !trange* #uroran! are ne'er without their ro&ot!( ,"'e &eengi'en to under!tand.0

/-hat of that* On$e( long ago( when , fir!t $ame to #urora( , had to learn to!uffer the a$tual pre!en$e of human &eing!( !omething my Solarian up&ringing did

not prepare me for. earning to &e without my ro&ot!( o$$a!ionally( when , amamong Settler! will pro&a&ly &e a le!! diffi$ult ad%u!tment for me than that fir!t onewa!.0

/Good. Dery good. , mu!t admit that , mu$h prefer &eing with your without theglowing eye! of Gi!ard fi)ed on me++and &etter yet( without 2aneel"! little !mile.0

/e doe!n"t !mile.0/To me( he !eem! to( a 'ery in!inuatingly le$herou! tiny !mile. //ou"re mad. That"! totally foreign to 2aneel.0/ou don"t wat$h him the way , do. i! pre!en$e i! 'ery inhi&iting. ,t for$e!

me to &eha'e my!elf.0/-ell( , !hould hope !o.0/ou needn"t hope !o 3uite that emphati$ally. But ne'er mind. ++et me

apologi7e for !eeing !o little of you !in$e lea'ing #urora. //That"! !$ar$ely ne$e!!ary.0/Sin$e you &rought it up( , thought it wa!. owe'er( let me e)plain( then.

-e"'e &een on &attle footing. -e were $ertain( ha'ing left a! we did( that #uroran'e!!el! would &e in pur!uit.0

/, !hould thin they"d &e glad to &e rid of a group of Settler!. //Of $our!e( &ut you Hre not a Settler and it might &e you they would want.

They were an)iou! enough to get you &a$ from Baleyworld.0/They got me &a$. , reported to them and that wa! it.0/They wanted nothing more than your report*0/4o(0 Gladia pau!ed and( for a moment( frowned a! though !omething wa!

ni&&ling 'aguely at her memory. -hate'er it wa!( it pa!!ed and !he !aidindifferently( /4o.0

2.G. !hrugged. /,t doe!n"t entirely mae !en!e( &ut they made no attempt to!top u! while you and , were on #urora nor( after that( when we &oarded the !hip andit prepared to lea'e or&it. , won"t 3uarrel with that. ,t won"t &e long now &efore wemae the Fump++and after that there !hould &e nothing to worry a&out. /

Gladia !aid( /-hy do you ha'e an all+male $rew( &y the way* #uroran !hip!alway! ha'e mi)ed $rew!.0

/So do Settler !hip!. Ordinary one!. Thi! i! a Trader 'e!!el.0/-hat differen$e doe! that mae*0/Trading in'ol'e! danger. ,t"! rather a rough+and+ready life. -omen on &oard

would $reate pro&lem!.0/-hat non!en!e -hat pro&lem! do , $reate*0/-e won"t argue that. Be!ide!( it"! traditional. The men wouldn"t !tand for it.0/ow do you now*0 Gladia laughed. /a'e you e'er tried it*0/4o. But( on the other hand( there are no long line! of women $lamoring for a

&erth on my !hip.0

/,"m here. ,"m en%oying it.0/ou"re getting !pe$ial treatment++and &ut for your !er'i$e on Solaria( there

might well ha'e &een mu$h trou&le. ,n fa$t( there was trou&le. Still( ne'er mind.0 etou$hed one of the $onta$t! on the $on!ole and a $ountdown &riefly appeared. /-e"ll&e Fumping in %u!t a&out two minute!. ou"'e ne'er &een on =arth( ha'e you(Gladia*0

/4o( of $our!e not.0/Or !een the !un( not %u!t a !un.0/4o++although , ha'e !een it in hi!tori$al drama! on hyper'i!ion( &ut , imagine



what they !how in the drama! i! not really the !un.0/,"m !ure it i!n"t. ,f you don"t mind( we"ll dim the $a&in light!.0

The light! dimmed to nearly nothing and Gladia wa! aware of the !tar field onthe 'iewing panel( with the !tar! &righter and more thi$ly !pread than in #urora"!!y.

/,! that a tele!$opi$ 'iew*0 !he a!ed in a hu!hed 'oi$e.

/Slightly. ow+power++6ifteen !e$ond!.0 e $ounted &a$ward. There wa! a!hift in the !tar field and a &right !tar wa! now nearly $entered. 2.G. tou$hed another$onta$t and !aid( /-e"re well out!ide the planetary plane. Good # little ri!y. -e!hould ha'e &een farther from the #uroran !tar &efore Fumping( &ut we were in a!light hurry. ++That"! the !un.0

/That &right !tar( you mean*0/e!. ++-hat do you thin of it*0Gladia !aid( a little pu77led o'er what !ort of re!pon!e he e)pe$ted( /,t"!

&right.0e pu!hed another $onta$t and the 'iew dimmed per$epti&ly. /e!++and it

won"t do your eye! any good if you !tare at it. But it"! not the &rightne!! that $ount!.,t"! %u!t a !tar++in appearan$e++&ut thin of it. That wa! the original !un. That wa! the!tar who!e light !hone down on a planet that wa! the only planet on whi$h human&eing! e)i!ted. ,t !hone down on a planet on whi$h human &eing! were !lowlye'ol'ing. ,t !hone down on a planet on whi$h life formed &illion! of year! ago( lifethat would de'elop into human &eing!. There are ;:: &illion !tar! in the Gala)y and1:: &illion gala)ie! in the >ni'er!e and there i! only one of all tho!e !tar! thatpre!ided o'er the human &irth and that i! the !tar.0

Gladia wa! a&out to !ay /-ell( some !tar had to &e the !tar(0 &ut !he thought&etter of it. /Dery impre!!i'e(0 !he !aid rather wealy.

/,t"! not merely impre!!i'e(0 !aid 2.G.( hi! eye! !hadowed in the dimne!!./There"! not a Settler in the Gala)y who doe!n"t $on!ider that !tar hi! own. Theradiation of the !tar! that !hine down on our 'ariou! home planet! i! &orrowedradiation++rented radiation that we mae u!e of. There++right there++i! the realradiation that ga'e u! life. ,t i! that !tar and the planet that $ir$le! it++=arth++thathold! u! all together in a tight &ond. ,f we !hared nothing el!e( we would !hare thatlight on the !$reen and it would &e enough. ++ou Spa$er! ha'e forgotten it and thati! why you fall apart from ea$h other and that i! why you will not( in the long run(!ur'i'e.0

/There i! room for u! all( Captain(0 !aid Gladia !oftly./e!( of $our!e. , wouldn"t do anything to force non!ur'i'al on Spa$er!. , %u!t

&elie'e that that i! what will happen and it might not happen if Spa$er! would gi'eup their irritating $ertainty of !uperiority( their ro&ot!( and their !elf+a&!orption inlong life.0

/,! that how you !ee me( 2.G.*0 a!ed Gladia.2.G. !aid( /ou"'e had your moment!. ou"'e impro'ed( though. ,"ll gi'e you

that.0/Than you(0 !he replied with e'ident irony. /#nd though you may find it hard

to &elie'e( Settler! ha'e their prideful arrogan$e( too. But you"'e al!o impro'ed and,"ll gi'e you that.0

2.G. laughed. /-ith all that ,"m indly gi'ing you and you"re indly gi'ing me(thi! i! lia&le to end a! a lifelong enmity.0

/S$ar$ely(0 !aid Gladia( laughing in her turn( and wa! a little !urpri!ed to findthat hi! hand wa! re!ting on her!. ++#nd a great deal !urpri!ed to find that !he hadnot remo'ed her hand.

K8.

2aneel !aid( /, am unea!y( friend Gi!ard( that adam Gladia i! not under our



dire$t o&!er'ation.0/That i! not needful on &oard thi! !hip( friend 2aneel. , dete$t no dangerou!

emotion! and the $aptain i! with her at the moment. ++,n addition( there would &ead'antage! to her finding it $omforta&le to &e without u!( at lea!t on o$$a!ion( whilewe are all on =arth. ,t i! po!!i&le that you and , might ha'e to tae !udden a$tionwithout wi!hing to ha'e her pre!en$e and !afety a $ompli$ating fa$tor.0

/Then you manipulated her !eparation from u! now*0/S$ar$ely. Oddly enough( , found a !trong tenden$y in her to imitate theSettler way of life in thi! re!pe$t. She ha! a !u&dued longing for independen$e(hampered $hiefly &y the feeling that !he i! 'iolating Spa$erhood in thi!. That i! the&e!t way in whi$h , $an de!$ri&e it. The !en!ation! and emotion! are &y no mean!ea!y to interpret( for , ha'e ne'er en$ountered it among Spa$er! &efore. So , merelyloo!ened the Spa$erhood inhi&ition &y the mere!t tou$h.0

/-ill !he then no longer &e willing to a'ail her!elf of our !er'i$e!( friendGi!ard* That would di!tur& me.0

/,t !hould not. ,f !he !hould de$ide !he wi!he! a life free of ro&ot! and will &ehappier !o( it i! what we will want for her( too. #! it i!( though( , am !ure we will !till&e u!eful to her. Thi! !hip i! a !mall and !pe$iali7ed ha&itat in whi$h there i! no greatdanger. She had a further feeling of !e$urity in the $aptain H! pre!en$e and thatredu$e! her need for u!. On =arth( !he will !till need u!( though , tru!t not in 3uite !otight a fa!hion a! on #urora. ++#! , ha'e !aid( we may need greater fle)i&ility of a$tionon$e on =arth.0

/Can you yet gue!!( then( the nature of the $ri!i! fa$ing =arth* 2o you nowwhat it i! we will ha'e to do*0

Gi!ard !aid( /4o( friend 2aneel. , do not. ,t i! you that ha'e the gift ofunder!tanding. ,! there !omething( perhap!( that you !ee*0

2aneel remained !ilent for a while. Then he !aid( /, ha'e had thought!.0/-hat( then( are your thought!*0/ou told me at the Ro&oti$! ,n!titute( you remem&er( %u!t &efore ady Da!ilia

entered the room in whi$h adam Gladia lay !leeping( that 2r. #madiro had had twointen!e fla!he! of an)iety. The fir!t $ame at the mention of the nu$lear inten!ifier( the!e$ond at the !tatement that adam Gladia wa! going to =arth. ,t !eem! to me thatthe two mu!t &e $onne$ted. , feel that the $ri!i! we are dealing with in'ol'e! the u!eof a nu$lear inten!ifier on =arth( that there i! time to !top it( and that 2r. #madirofear! that we will do %u!t that if we go to =arth.0

/our mind tell! me you are not !ati!fied with that thought. -hy not( friend2aneel*0

/# nu$lear inten!ifier ha!ten! the fu!ion pro$e!!e! that happen to &e alreadyin progre!!( &y mean! of a !tream of - parti$le!. , a!ed my!elf( therefore( whether2r. #madiro plan! to u!e one or more nu$lear inten!ifier! to e)plode the mi$rofu!ionrea$tor! that !upply =arth with energy. The nu$lear e)plo!ion! !o indu$ed wouldin'ol'e de!tru$tion through heat and me$hani$al for$e( through du!t and radioa$ti'eprodu$t! that would &e thrown into the atmo!phere. ='en if thi! did not !uffi$e todamage =arth mortally( the de!tru$tion of =arth H! energy !upply would !urely lead tothe long+term $ollap!e of =arth"! $i'ili7ation.0

Gi!ard !aid !om&erly( /That i! a horrifying thought and would !eem to &e an

almo!t $ertain an!wer to the nature of the $ri!i! we !ee. -hy are you not !ati!fied(then*0

/, ha'e taen the li&erty of u!ing the !hip"! $omputer to o&tain information$on$erning the planet =arth. The $omputer i!( a! one might e)pe$t on a Settler !hip(ri$h in !u$h information. ,t !eem! that =arth i! the one human world that doe! notu!e mi$rofu!ion rea$tor! a! a large+!$ale !our$e of energy. ,t u!e! dire$t !olar energyalmo!t entirely( with !olar power !tation! all among the geo!tational or&it. There i!nothing for a nu$lear inten!ifier to do( e)$ept to de!troy !mall de'i$e!++!pa$e!hip!(o$$a!ional &uilding!. The damage might not &e negligi&le( &ut it would not threaten



=arth"! e)i!ten$e. //,t may well &e( friend 2aneel( that #madiro ha! !ome de'i$e that would

de!troy the !olar power generator!.0/,f !o( why did he rea$t to the mention of nu$lear inten!ifier!* There i! no way

they $an !er'e again!t !olar power generator!.0Gi!ard nodded !lowly. /That i! a good point. #nd( to mae another( if 2r.

#madiro wa! !o horrified at the thought of our going to =arth( why did he mae noeffort to ha'e u! !topped while we were !till on #urora* Or if he only di!$o'ered ourflight after we had left or&it( why did he not ha'e an #uroran 'e!!el inter$ept u!&efore we made the Fump to =arth* Can it &e that we are on a $ompletely wrongtra$( that !omewhere we ha'e made a !eriou! mi!!tep that++0

#n in!i!tent $hain of intermittent $himing !ounded throughout the !hip and2aneel !aid( /-e ha'e !afely made the Fump( friend Gi!ard. , !en!ed it !omeminute! ago. But we ha'e not yet rea$hed =arth and the inter$eption you ha'e %u!tmentioned ha!( , !u!pe$t( now $ome( !o that we are not ne$e!!arily on the wrongtra$.0

K9.

2.G. wa! mo'ed to a per'er!e admiration. -hen the #uroran! were reallymo'ed to a$tion( their te$hnologi$al poli!h !howed. 4o dou&t they had !ent one oftheir newe!t war!hip!( from whi$h one $ould at on$e dedu$e that whate'er hadmo'ed them wa! $lo!e to their heart.

#nd that !hip had dete$ted the pre!en$e of 2.G."! 'e!!el within fifteenminute! of it! appearan$e in normal !pa$e++and from a !i7a&le di!tan$e( at that.

The #uroran !hip wa! u!ing a limited+fo$u! hyperwa'e !etup. The !peaer"!head $ould &e !een $learly while it wa! at the fo$al !pot. #ll el!e wa! a gray ha7e. ,fthe !peaer mo'ed hi! head a de$imeter or !o from the fo$al !pot( that went intoha7e a! well. Sound fo$u! wa! limited a! well. The net re!ult wa! that one !aw andheard only the fundamental minimum of the enemy !hip ?2.G. already thought of ita! the /enemy0 !hip@( !o their pri'a$y wa! guarded.

2.G."! !hip al!o po!!e!!ed a limited+fo$u! hyperwa'e( &ut( 2.G. thought

en'iou!ly( it la$ed the poli!h and elegan$e of the #uroran 'er!ion. Of $our!e( hi!own !hip wa! not the &e!t the Settler! $ould do( &ut e'en !o( the Spa$er! were wellahead te$hnologi$ally. The Settler! !till had $at$hing up to do.

The #uroran head in fo$u! wa! $lear and !o real in appearan$e that it looedgrue!omely di!em&odied( !o that 2.G. would not ha'e &een !urpri!ed if it haddripped &lood. On !e$ond glan$e( howe'er( it $ould &e made out that the ne$ fadedinto grayne!! %u!t after the ne$pie$e of an undou&tedly well+tailored uniform &eganto !how.

The head identified it!elf( with pun$tiliou! $ourte!y( a! Commander i!iform ofthe #uroran !hip ,orealis. 2.G. identified him!elf in hi! turn( thru!ting hi! $hinforward !o a! to mae $ertain that hi! &eard lent him an air of fier$ene!! that $ouldnot help &ut &e daunting to a &eardle!! and ?he thought@ wea+$hinned Spa$er.

2.G. a!!umed the traditional air of informality that wa! a! irritating to a

Spa$er offi$er( a! the latter"! traditional arrogan$e wa! to a Settler. e !aid( /-hat i!your rea!on for hailing me( Commander i!iform*0 The #uroran $ommander had an e)aggerated a$$ent whi$h( it wa! po!!i&le(

he thought a! formida&le a! 2.G. $on!idered hi! &eard to &e. 2.G. felt him!elf to &eunder $on!idera&le !train a! he tried to penetrate the a$$ent and under!tand him.

/-e &elie'e(0 !aid i!iform( /that you ha'e on your !hip an #uroran $iti7ennamed Gladia Solaria. ,! that $orre$t( Captain Baley*0

/adam Gladia i! on &oard thi! !hip( Commander.0/Than you( Captain. -ith her( !o my information lead! me to !uppo!e( are

two ro&ot! of #uroran manufa$ture( R. 2aneel Oli'aw and R. Gi!ard Re'entlo'. ,!



that $orre$t*0/That i! $orre$t. //,n that $a!e( , mu!t inform you that R. Gi!ard Re'entlo' i!( at pre!ent( a

dangerou! de'i$e. Shortly &efore your !hip left #uroran !pa$e with him( the !aidro&ot( Gi!ard( &adly hurt an #uroran $iti7en in defian$e of the Three aw!. The ro&otmu!t( therefore( &e di!mantled and repaired.0

/#re you !ugge!ting( Commander( that we on thi! !hip di!mantle the ro&ot*0/4o( !ir( that would not do. our people( la$ing e)perien$e with ro&ot!( $ouldnot di!mantle it properly and $ould not po!!i&ly repair it if they did.0

/-e might( then( !imply de!troy it.0/,t i! too 'alua&le for that. Captain Baley( the ro&ot i! #urora"! produ$t and

#urora"! re!pon!i&ility. -e do not wi!h to &e the $au!e of damage to the people onyour !hip and on the planet =arth if you land there. Con!e3uently( we a! that it &edeli'ered to u!.0

2.G. !aid( /Commander( , appre$iate your $on$ern. owe'er( the ro&ot i! thelegal property of ady Gladia( who i! with u!. ,t may &e that !he would not $on!ent to&e parted from her ro&ot and( while , don"t want to tea$h you #uroran law( , &elie'ethat it would &e illegal &y that law to for$e !u$h a parting. -hile my $rew and , do not$on!ider our!el'e! &ound &y #uroran law( we would not willingly &e a party tohelping you perform what your own go'ernment might $on!ider to &e an illegal a$t.0

There wa! a !ugge!tion of impatien$e in the $ommander"! 'oi$e. /There i! no3ue!tion of illegality( Captain. # life+endangering malfun$tion in a ro&ot !uper!ede!the ordinary right! of an owner. 4e'erthele!!( if there i! any 3ue!tion of that( my !hip!tand! ready to a$$ept ady Gladia and her ro&ot 2aneel( along with Gi!ard( thero&ot in 3ue!tion. There will then &e no !eparation of Gladia Solaria and her ro&oti$property until !he i! &rought &a$ to #urora. The law $an then tae it! proper$our!e.0

/,t i! po!!i&le( Commander( that ady Gladia may not wi!h to lea'e my !hip orto allow her property to do !o.0

/She ha! no re$our!e( Captain. , am legally empowered &y my go'ernment todemand her++and a! an #uroran $iti7en( !he mu!t o&ey.0

/But , am not legally &ound to deli'er up anything on my !hip at the demandof a foreign power. -hat if , $hoo!e to di!regard your re3ue!t*0

/,n that $a!e( Captain( , would ha'e no $hoi$e &ut to $on!ider it an unfriendlya$t. ay , point out that we are within the !phere of the planetary !y!tem of whi$h=arth i! part. ou had no he!itation in tea$hing me #uroran law. ou will forgi'e me(then( if , point out that your people do not $on!ider it proper to engage in ho!tilitie!within the !pa$e of thi! planetary !y!tem. /

/, am aware of that( Commander( and , wi!h no ho!tilitie!( nor do , intend anunfriendly a$t. owe'er( , am &ound for =arth under !ome urgen$y. , lo!e time in thi!$on'er!ation and , would lo!e further time if , mo'ed toward you++or waited for you tomo'e toward me++!o that we $ould $arry through a phy!i$al tran!fer of ady Gladiaand her ro&ot!. , would prefer to $ontinue onward toward =arth and formally a$$eptall re!pon!i&ility for the ro&ot Gi!ard and hi! &eha'ior until !u$h a time a! adyGladia and her ro&ot! return to #urora.0

/ay , mae the !ugge!tion( Captain( that you pla$e the woman and two

ro&ot! in a life&oat and deta$h a mem&er of your $rew to pilot it to u!* On$e thewoman and the two ro&ot! are deli'ered( we will our!el'e! e!$ort the life&oat to theimmediate en'iron! of =arth and we will $ompen!ate you ade3uately for your timeand trou&le. # Trader !hould not o&%e$t to that.0

/, don"t( Commander( , don"t(0 !aid 2.G.( !miling. /Still( the $rewman detailedto pilot the life&oat might &e in great peril !in$e he would &e alone with thi!dangerou! ro&ot. /

/Captain( if the ro&ot"! owner i! firm in her $ontrol( your $rewman will &e in nogreater danger on the life&oat than he would &e on your !hip. -e will $ompen!ate



him for the ri!.0/But if the ro&ot $an( after all( &e $ontrolled &y it! owner( !urely it i! not !o

dangerou! that it $an"t &e left with u!. / The Commander frowned. /Captain( , tru!t you are not trying to play game!

with me. ou ha'e my re3ue!t and , would lie to ha'e it honored at on$e.0/, pre!ume , may $on!ult with ady Gladia.0

/,f you do !o immediately. Alea!e e)plain to her e)a$tly what i! in'ol'ed. ,f(meanwhile( you try to pro$eed toward =arth( , !hall $on!ider that an unfriendly a$tand tae the appropriate a$tion. Sin$e( a! you $laim( your trip toward =arth i! urgent(, ad'i!e you to pro$eed forthwith to $on!ult with Gladia Solaria and $ome to theimmediate de$i!ion to $ooperate with u!. ou will then not &e too long delayed.0

/, will do what , $an(0 !aid 2.G.( wooden+fa$ed( a! he mo'ed out of fo$u!.

L:.

/-ell*0 !aid 2.G. gra'ely.Gladia looed di!tre!!ed. #utomati$ally( !he looed toward 2aneel and

Gi!ard( &ut they remained !ilent and motionle!!.She !aid( /, don"t want to return to #urora( 2.G. They $an"t po!!i&ly want to

de!troy Gi!ard he i! in perfe$t woring order( , a!!ure you. That"! only a!u&terfuge. They want me for !ome rea!on. , !uppo!e there"! no way they $an &e!topped( though( i! there*0

2.G. !aid( /That"! an #uroran war!hip++and a &ig one. Thi! i! only a Trading'e!!el. -e"'e got energy !hield! and they $an"t %u!t de!troy u! at a &low( &ut they$an wear u! down e'entually++3uite !oon( in fa$t++and then de!troy u!.0

/,! there any way you $an !trie at them*0/-ith my weapon!* ,"m !orry( Gladia( &ut their !hield! $an tae anything , $an

throw at them for a! long a! , $an po!!i&ly ha'e energy to e)pend. Be!ide!++0/e!*0/-ell( they"'e %u!t a&out $ornered me. Somehow , thought they would try to

inter$ept me &efore , Fumped( &ut they new my de!tination and they got here fir!tand waited for me. -e"re in!ide the Solar Sy!tem++the planetary !y!tem of whi$h

=arth i! part. -e $an"t fight here. ='en if , wanted to( the $rew wouldn"t o&ey me.0/-hy not*0/Call it !uper!tition. The Solar Sy!tem i! holy !pa$e to u!++if you want to

de!$ri&e it in melodramati$ term!. -e $an"t de!e$rate it &y fighting.0Gi!ard !aid !uddenly( /ay , $ontri&ute to the di!$u!!ion( !ir*02.G. frowned and looed toward Gladia.Gladia !aid( /Alea!e. et him. The!e ro&ot! are highly intelligent. , now you

find that hard to &elie'e( &ut++0/,"ll li!ten. , don"t ha'e to &e influen$ed.0Gi!ard !aid( /Sir( , am $ertain that it is me that they want. , $annot allow

my!elf to &e the $au!e of harm to human &eing!. ,f you $annot defend your!elf andare !ure of de!tru$tion in a $onfli$t with the other 'e!!el( you ha'e no $hoi$e &ut togi'e me up. , am !ure that if you offer to let them ha'e me( they will not !eriou!ly

o&%e$t if you wi!h to retain ady Gladia and friend 2aneel. ,t i! the only !olution.0/4o(0 !aid Gladia for$efully. /ou are mine and , won"t gi'e you up. ,"ll go withyou++if the $aptain de$ide! you mu!t go++and ,"ll !ee to it they don)t de!troy you.0

/ay , !pea a! well*0 !aid 2aneel.2.G. !pread hi! hand! in mo$+de!pair. /Alea!e. ='eryone !pea.02aneel !aid( /,f you de$ide you mu!t gi'e up Gi!ard( you mu!t under!tand

the $on!e3uen$e!. , &elie'e that Gi!ard thin! that if he i! gi'en up( tho!e on the#uroran !hip would do him no harm and that they will e'en relea!e him. , do not&elie'e thi! to &e !o. , &elie'e the #uroran! are !eriou! in thining him to &edangerou! and they may well ha'e in!tru$tion! to de!troy the life&oat a! it



approa$he!( illing whoe'er i! on &oard.0/6or what rea!on would they do that*0 a!ed 2.G./4o #uroran ha! e'er en$ountered++or e'en $on$ei'ed++of what they $all a

dangerou! ro&ot. They would tae no $han$e! of taing one on &oard one of their'e!!el!. ++, would !ugge!t( Captain( that you retreat. -hy not Fump again( away from=arth* -e are not $lo!e enough to any planetary ma!! to pre'ent that. /

/Retreat* ou mean run away* , $an"t do that. //-ell( then( you ha'e to gi'e u! up(0 !aid Gladia with an air of re!ignedhopele!!ne!!.

2.G. !aid for$efully( /,"m not gi'ing you up. #nd ,"m not running away. #nd ,$an"t fight.0

/Then what"! left*0 a!ed Gladia./# fourth alternati'e(0 !aid 2.G. /Gladia( , mu!t a! you to remain here with

your ro&ot! till , return.0

L1.

2.G. $on!idered the data. There had &een enough time during the$on'er!ation for the lo$ation of the #uroran 'e!!el to &e pinpointed. ,t wa! a &it

farther from the !un than hi! own !hip wa! and that wa! good. To Fump toward the!un( at thi! di!tan$e from it( would ha'e &een ri!y indeed to Fump !ideway! would&e( !o to !pea( a pie$e of $ae in $ompari!on. There wa! the $han$e of a$$identthrough pro&a&ility de'iation( &ut there wa! alway! that.

e had him!elf a!!ured the $rew that not a !hot would &e fired ?whi$h woulddo no good( in any $a!e@. Clearly( they had utter faith in =arth !pa$e prote$ting thema! long a! they didn"t profane it! pea$e &y offering 'iolen$e. ,t wa! pure my!ti$i!mthat 2.G. would ha'e !$ornfully derided had he not !hared the $on'i$tion him!elf.

e mo'ed &a$ into fo$u!. ,t had &een a fairly long wait( &ut there had &eenno !ignal from the other !ide. They had !hown e)emplary patien$e.

/Captain Baley here(0 he !aid. /, wi!h to !pea to Commander i!iform. / There wa! not mu$h of a wait. /Commander i!iform here. ay , ha'e your

an!wer*0

2.G. !aid( /-e will deli'er the woman and the two ro&ot!.0/Good # wi!e de$i!ion.0/#nd we will deli'er them a! 3ui$ly a! we $an.0/#gain a wi!e de$i!ion.0/Than you.0 2.G. ga'e the !ignal and hi! !hip Fumped.

There wa! no time( no need( to hold one"! &reath. ,t wa! o'er a! !oon a! itwa! &egun++or( at lea!t( the time lap!e wa! in!en!i&le.

The word $ame from the pilot. /4ew enemy !hip po!ition fi)ed( Captain.0/Good(0 !aid 2.G. /ou now what to do.0 The !hip had $ome out of the Fump

at high !peed relati'e to the #uroran 'e!!el and the $our!e $orre$tion ?not a greatdeal( it wa! to &e hoped@ wa! &eing made. Then further a$$eleration.

2.G. mo'ed &a$ into fo$u!. /-e are $lo!e( Commander( and on our way todeli'er. ou may fire if you $hoo!e( &ut our !hield! are up and &efore you $an &atter

them down we will ha'e rea$hed you in order to mae the deli'ery.0/#re you !ending a life&oat*0 The $ommander mo'ed out of fo$u!.2.G. waited and the $ommander wa! &a$( hi! fa$e $ontorted. /-hat i! thi!*

our !hip i! on a $olli!ion $our!e.0/,t !eem! to &e( ye!(0 !aid 2.G. /That i! the fa!te!t way of maing deli'ery.0/ou will de!troy your0 !hip.0/#nd your!( too. our !hip i! at lea!t fifty time! a! e)pen!i'e a! mine(

pro&a&ly more. # poor e)$hange for #urora.0/But you are engaging in $om&at in =arth !pa$e( Captain. our $u!tom! do not

allow that.0



/#h( you now our $u!tom! and you tae ad'antage of them. ++&ut , am not in$om&at. , ha'e not fired an erg of energy and , won"t. , am merely following atra%e$tory. That tra%e$tory happen! to inter!e$t your po!ition( &ut !in$e , am !ure youwill mo'e &efore that inter!e$tion mo'ement arri'e!( it i! $lear that , intend no'iolen$e.0

/Stop. et"! tal a&out thi!.0

/,"m tired of taling( Commander. Shall we all !ay a fond farewell* ,f you don"tmo'e( , will &e gi'ing up perhap! four de$ade! with the third and fourth not !o good(anyway. ow many will you &e gi'ing up*0 #nd 2.G. mo'ed out of fo$u! and !tayedout.

# &eam of radiation !hot out from the #uroran !hip++tentati'e( a! though tote!t whether the other"! !hield! were truly up. They were.

Ship!" !hield! would hold again!t ele$tromagneti$ radiation and !u&atomi$parti$le!( in$luding e'en neutrino!( and $ould with!tand the ineti$ energy of !mallma!!e!++du!t parti$le!( e'en meteori$ gra'el. The !hield! $ould not with!tand largerineti$ energie!( !u$h a! that of an entire !hip hurtling at it with !upermeteori$!peed.

='en dangerou! ma!!e!( if not guided++a meteoroid( for in!tan$e++$ould &ehandled. # 'e!!el"! $omputer! would automati$ally 'eer the !hip out of the way ofany on$oming meteoroid that wa! too large for the !hield to handle. That( howe'er(would not wor again!t a !hip that $ould 'eer a! it! target 'eered. #nd if the Settler!hip wa! the !maller of the two( it wa! al!o the more maneu'era&le.

There wa! only one way that the #uroran !hip $ould a'oid de!tru$tion2.G. wat$hed the other !hip 'i!i&ly enlarging in hi! 'iewing panel and

wondered if Gladia( in her $a&in( new what wa! going on. She mu!t &e aware of thea$$eleration( de!pite the hydrauli$ !u!pen!ion of her $a&in and the $ompen!atorya$tion of the p!eudo+gra'ity field.

#nd then the other !hip !imply wined out of 'iew( ha'ing Fumped away( and2.G.( with $on!idera&le $hagrin( reali7ed he wa! holding hi! &reath and that hi! heartwa! ra$ing. ad he had no $onfiden$e in the prote$ting influen$e of =arth or in hi!own !ure diagno!i! of the !ituation*

2.G. !poe into the tran!mitter in a 'oi$e that( with iron re!olution( he for$edinto $oolne!!. /-ell done( men Corre$t $our!e and head for =arth.0

16. THE CITY

L<.

Gladia !aid( /#re you !eriou!( 2.G.* ou really intended to $ollide with the!hip*0

/4ot at all(0 !aid 2.G. indifferently. /, wa!n"t e)pe$ting to. , merely lunged atthem( nowing they would retreat. Tho!e Spa$er! weren"t going to ri! their long(

wonderful li'e! when they $ould ea!ily pre!er'e them.0/'hose Spa$er!* -hat $oward! they are.02.G. $leared hi! throat. /, eep forgetting you"re a Spa$er( Gladia. //e!++and , imagine you thin that that i! a $ompliment to me. -hat if they

had &een a! fooli!h a! you++if they had !hown the $hildi!h madne!! you thin of a!&ra'ery++and !tayed in pla$e* -hat would you ha'e done*0

2.G. muttered( /it them.0/#nd then we would all ha'e died.0/The tran!a$tion would ha'e &een in our fa'or( Gladia. One $rummy old



Trader !hip from a Settler world for a new and ad'an$ed war!hip of the leadingSpa$er world.0

2.G. tipped hi! $hair &a$ again!t the wall and put hi! hand! &ehind hi! ne$?ama7ing how $omforta&le he felt( now that it wa! allo'er@. /, on$e !aw a hi!tori$alhyperdrama( in whi$h( toward the end of the war( airplane! loaded with e)plo!i'e!were deli&erately flown into mu$h more e)pen!i'e !ea!hip! in order to !in them. Of

$our!e( the pilot of ea$h airplane lo!t hi! life. //That wa! fi$tion(0 !aid Gladia. /ou don"t !uppo!e $i'ili7ed people do thing!lie that in real life( do you*0

/-hy not* ,f the $au!e i! good enough.0/-hat wa! it( then( you felt a! you plunged toward a gloriou! death*

=)altation* ++ou were hurtling all your $rew toward the !ame death. //They new a&out it. -e $ould do nothing el!e. =arth wa! wat$hing.0/The people on =arth didn"t e'en now.0/, mean it metaphori$ally. -e were in =arth !pa$e. -e $ould not a$t igno&ly.0/Oh( what non!en!e #nd you ri!ed my life( too.02.G. looed down at hi! &oot!. /-ould you lie to hear !omething $ra7y* That

wa! the only thing that &othered me. //That , would die*0/4ot 3uite. That , would lo!e you. ++-hen that !hip ordered me to gi'e you up(

, new , wouldn"t++e'en if you a!ed me to. , would gladly ram them in!tead they$ouldn"t ha'e you. #nd then( a! , wat$hed their !hip e)pand in the 'iew!$reen( ,thought( H,f they don"t get out of here( ,"ll lo!e her anyway(" and that"! when my heart!tarted to pound and , &egan to !weat. , knew they"d run( and !till the thought++0 e!hoo hi! head.

Gladia frowned. /, don"t under!tand you. ou weren"t worrying a&out mydying( &ut you were worried a&out lo!ing me* 2on"t the two go together*0

/, now. ,"m not !aying it"! rational. , thought of you ru!hing at the o'er!eer to!a'e me when you new it $ould murder you with a &low. , thought of you fa$ing the$rowd at Baleyworld and taling them down when you had ne'er e'en !een a $rowd&efore. , e'en thought of you going to #urora when you were a young woman andlearning a new way of life++and !ur'i'ing. ++and it !eemed to me , didn"t mind dying( ,

%u!t minded lo!ing you. ++ou"re right. ,t doe!n"t mae !en!e.0Gladia !aid thoughtfully( /a'e you forgotten my age* , wa! %u!t a&out a! old

a! , am now when you were &orn. -hen , wa! your age( , u!ed to dream of yourremote #n$e!tor. -hat"! more( ,"'e got an artifi$ial hip %oint. y left thum&++thi! oneright here0++!he wiggled it++0i! !tri$tly pro!theti$. Some of my ner'e! ha'e &eenre&uilt. y teeth are all implanted $erami$. #nd you tal a! though any momentyou"re going to $onfe!! a tran!$endant pa!!ion. 6or what* ++6or whom* ++Thin( 2.G.++oo at me and !ee me a! , am0

2.G. tilted hi! $hair &a$ on two leg! and ru&&ed at hi! &eard with an odd!$raping !ound. /#ll right. ou"'e made me !ound !illy( &ut ,"m going to eep righton. -hat , now a&out your age i! that you"re going to !ur'i'e me and loo !$ar$elyany older when you do( !o you"re younger than , am( not older. Be!ide!( , don"t $areif you are older. -hat , would lie i! for you to !tay with me where'er , go++for all mylife( if po!!i&le.0

Gladia wa! a&out to !pea( &ut 2.G. inter'ened ha!tily( /Or( if it !eem! more$on'enient( for me to !tay with you where'er you go++for all my life( if po!!i&le. ++,fit"! all right with you.0

Gladia !aid !oftly( /,"m a Spa$er. ou"re a Settler.0/-ho $are!( Gladia* 2o you*0/, mean( there"! no 3ue!tion of $hildren. ,"'e had mine.0/-hat differen$e doe! that mae to me There"! no danger of the name Baley

dying out.0/, ha'e a ta! of my own. , intend to &ring pea$e to the Gala)y.0



/,"ll help you.0/#nd your trading* -ill you gi'e up your $han$e to &e ri$h*0/-e"ll do !ome together. Fu!t enough to eep my $rew happy and to help me

!upport you in your ta! a! pea$e&ringer.0/ife will &e dull for you( 2.G.0/-ill it* ,t !eem! to me that !in$e you %oined me it"! &een too e)$iting.0

/#nd you"ll pro&a&ly in!i!t on my gi'ing up my ro&ot!.02.G. looed di!tre!!ed. /,! that why you"'e &een trying to tal me out of thi!*, wouldn"t mind your eeping the two of them++e'en 2aneel and hi! !mall le$herou!!mile++&ut if we"re going to li'e among Settler!++0

/Then , !uppo!e ,"ll ha'e to try to find the $ourage to do it.0She laughed gently and !o did 2.G. e held out hi! arm! to her and !he

pla$ed her hand! in hi!.She !aid( /ou"re mad. ,"m mad. But e'erything ha! &een !o !trange !in$e the

e'ening , looed up at the !y in #urora and tried to find Solaria H! !un that , !uppo!e&eing mad i! the only po!!i&le re!pon!e to thing!.0

/-hat you"'e %u!t !aid i!n"t only mad(0 !aid 2.G.( /it"! $ra7y( &ut that"! theway , want you to &e.0 e he!itated. /4o( ,"ll wait. ,"ll !ha'e my &eard &efore , try toi!! you. That will lower the $han$e! of infe$tion.0

/4o( don"t ,"m $uriou! a&out how it might feel.0#nd !he promptly found out.

L;.

Commander i!iform !trode &a$ and forth a$ro!! the length of hi! $a&in. e!aid( /There wa! no u!e lo!ing the !hip. 4o u!e at all.0

i! politi$al ad'i!er !at 3uietly in hi! $hair. i! eye! did not &other to followthe agitated and rapid to+and+fro mo'ement of the other. /e!( of $our!e(0 he !aid.

/-hat ha'e the &ar&arian! to lo!e* They only li'e a few de$ade!( in any $a!e.ife mean! nothing to them.0

/e!( of $our!e.0/Still( ,"'e ne'er !een or heard of a Settler !hip doing that. ,t may &e a new

fanati$al ta$ti$ and we ha'e no defen!e again!t it. -hat if they !end drone !hip!again!t u!( with !hield! up and full momentum &ut no human &eing! a&oard*0/-e might ro&otify our !hip! entirely.0/That wouldn"t help. -e $ouldn"t afford to lo!e the !hip. -hat we need i! the

!hield nife they eep taling a&out. Something that will !li$e through a !hield.0/Then they"ll de'elop one( too( and we will ha'e to de'i!e a nife+proof !hield(

and !o will they( and it will &e a !tandoff again at a higher le'el.0/-e need !omething $ompletely new( then.0/-ell(0 !aid the ad'i!er( /may&e !omething will turn up. our mi!!ion wa!n"t

primarily the matter of the Solarian woman and her ro&ot!( wa! it* ,t would ha'e&een plea!ant if we $ould ha'e for$ed them out of the Settler !hip( &ut that wa!!e$ondary( wa!n"t it*0

/The Coun$il i!n"t going to lie it( %u!t the !ame.0

/,t"! my %o& to tae $are of that. The important fa$t i! that #madiro andandamu! left the !hip and are on their way to =arth in a good !peedy ferry. //-ell( ye!.0/#nd you not only di!tra$ted the Settler !hip &ut delayed it a! well. That

mean! #madiro and andamu! not only left the !hip unnoti$ed &ut they will &e on=arth &efore our &ar&arian $aptain will.0

/, !uppo!e !o. But what of that*0/, wonder. ,f it were only andanu!( , would di!mi!! the matter. e"! of no

$on!e3uen$e. But #madiro* To a&andon the politi$al war! &a$ home at a diffi$ulttime and $ome to =arth* Something a&!olutely $ru$ial mu!t &e going on here.0



ten!ion( and dread of lo!!++!o filled with $onfiden$e of !u$$e!!++0/ow $ould there &e at on$e a dread of lo!! through death and a feeling of

$onfiden$e of !u$$e!!*0/6riend 2aneel( , ha'e gi'en up mar'eling at the $apa$ity of the human mind

to maintain two oppo!ing emotion! !imultaneou!ly. , merely a$$ept it. ,n thi! $a!e( toha'e attempted to alter the $aptain"! mind to the point of turning the !hip from it!

$our!e would ha'e illed him. , $ould not do that. //But if you did not( friend Gi!ard( !$ore! of human &eing! on thi! !hip(in$luding adam Gladia( and !e'eral hundred! more on the #uroran 'e!!el woulddie.0

/They might not die if the $aptain were $orre$t in hi! feeling of $onfiden$e in!u$$e!!. , $ould not &ring a&out one $ertain death to pre'ent many merely pro&a&leone!. There i! the diffi$ulty( friend 2aneel( in your Meroth aw. The 6ir!t aw deal!with !pe$ifi$ indi'idual! and $ertaintie!. our Meroth aw deal! with 'ague group!and pro&a&ilitie!.0

/The human &eing! on &oard the!e !hip! are not 'ague group!. They aremany !pe$ifi$ indi'idual! taen together.0

/et when , mu!t mae a de$i!ion it i! the !pe$ifi$ indi'idual , am a&out toinfluen$e dire$tly who!e fate mu!t $ount with me. , $annot help that.0

/-hat wa! it you did do( then( friend Gi!ard++or were you $ompletelyhelple!!*0

/,n my de!peration( friend 2aneel( , attempted to $onta$t the $ommander ofthe #uroran 'e!!el after a !mall Fump had &rought him 3uite $lo!e to u!. ++, $ould not.

The di!tan$e wa! too great. #nd yet the attempt wa! not altogether a failure. , diddete$t !omething( the e3ui'alent of a faint hum. , pu77led o'er it a !hort while &eforereali7ing , wa! re$ei'ing the o'erall !en!ation of the mind! of all the human &eing!on &oard the #uroran 'e!!el. , had to filter out that faint hum from the mu$h moreprominent !en!ation! ari!ing from our own 'e!!el++a diffi$ult ta!.0

2aneel !aid( /4early impo!!i&le( , !hould thin( friend Gi!ard.0/#! you !ay( nearly impo!!i&le( &ut , managed it with an enormou! effort.

owe'er( try a! , might( , $ould mae out no indi'idual mind!. ++-hen adam Gladiafa$ed the large num&er! of human &eing! in her audien$e on Baleyworld( , !en!ed ananar$hi$ $onfu!ion of a 'a!t %um&le of mind!( &ut , managed to pi$ out indi'idualmind! here and there for a moment or two. That wa! not !o on thi! o$$a!ion...

Gi!ard pau!ed( a! though lo!t in hi! memory of the !en!ation.2aneel !aid( /, imagine thi! mu!t &e analogou! to the manner in whi$h we !ee

indi'idual !tar! e'en among large group! of them( when the whole i! $omparati'ely$lo!e to u!. ,n a di!tant gala)y( howe'er( we $annot mae out indi'idual !tar! &ut $an!ee only a faintly luminou! fog.0

/That !trie! me a! a good analogy( friend 2aneel. ++and a! , $on$entrated onthe faint &ut di!tant hum( it !eemed to me that , $ould dete$t a 'ery dim wa!h of fearpermeating it. , wa! not !ure of thi!( &ut , felt , had to try to tae ad'antage of it. ,had ne'er attempted to e)ert influen$e o'er anything !o far away( o'er anything a!in$hoate a! a mere hum++&ut , tried de!perately to in$rea!e that fear &y howe'er!mall a trifle. , $annot !ay whether , !u$$eeded. /

/The #uroran 'e!!el fled. ou must ha'e !u$$eeded.0

/4ot ne$e!!arily. The 'e!!el might ha'e fled if , had done nothing.02aneel !eemed lo!t in thought. /,t might. ,f our $aptain were !o $onfident that

it would flee++0Gi!ard !aid( /On the other hand( , $annot &e !ure that there wa! a rational

&a!i! to that $onfiden$e. ,t !eemed to me that what , dete$ted wa! intermi)ed with afeeling of awe and re'eren$e for =arth. The $onfiden$e , !en!ed wa! rather !imilar tothe ind , ha'e dete$ted in young $hildren toward their prote$tor!++parental orotherwi!e. , had the feeling that the $aptain &elie'ed he $ould not fail in theneigh&orhood of =arth &e$au!e of the influen$e of =arth. , wouldn"t !ay the feeling



wa! e)a$tly irrational( &ut it felt nonrational( in any $a!e.0/ou are undou&tedly right in thi!( friend Gi!ard. The $aptain ha!( in our

hearing( !poen of =arth( on o$$a!ion( in a re'erential manner. Sin$e =arth $annottruly influen$e the !u$$e!! of an a$tion through any my!ti$al influen$e( it i! 3uitepo!!i&le to !uppo!e that your influen$e wa! indeed !u$$e!!fully e)erted. #ndmoreo'er++0

Gi!ard( hi! eye! glowing dimly( !aid( /Of what are you thining( friend2aneel*0/, ha'e &een thining of the !uppo!ition that the indi'idual human &eing i!

$on$rete while humanity i! a&!tra$t. -hen you dete$ted that faint hum from the#uroran !hip( you were not dete$ting an indi'idual( &ut a portion of humanity. Couldyou not( if you were at a proper di!tan$e from =arth and if the &a$ground noi!ewere !uffi$iently !mall( dete$t the hum of the mental a$ti'ity of =arth"! humanpopulation( o'erall* #nd( e)tending that( $an one not imagine that in the Gala)ygenerally there i! the hum of the mental a$ti'ity of all of humanity* ow( then( i!humanity an a&!tra$tion* ,t i! !omething you $an point to. Thin of that in $onne$tionwith the Meroth aw and you will !ee that the e)ten!ion of the aw! of Ro&oti$! i! a

%u!tified one++%u!tified &y your own e)perien$e.0 There wa! a long pau!e and finally Gi!ard !aid( !lowly a! though it were

&eing dragged out of him( /ou may &e right friend 2aneel. ++and yet( if we arelanding on =arth now( with a Meroth aw we may &e a&le to u!e( we !till don"t nowhow we might u!e it. ,t !eem! to u!( !o far( that the $ri!i! that =arth fa$e! in'ol'e!the u!e of a nu$lear inten!ifier( &ut a! far a! we now( there i! nothing of !ignifi$an$eon =arth on whi$h a nu$lear inten!ifier $an do it! wor. -hat( then( will we do on=arth*0

/, do not ++a! yet now(0 !aid 2aneel !adly.

L5.

4oi!eGladia li!tened in a!toni!hment. ,t didn"t hurt her ear!. ,t wa!n"t the !ound of

!urfa$e !la!hing on !urfa$e. ,t wa!n"t a pier$ing !hrie( or a $lamor( or a &anging( or

anything that $ould &e e)pre!!ed &y an onomatopoeti$ word.,t wa! !ofter and le!! o'erwhelming( ri!ing and falling( &earing within it ano$$a!ional irregularity++and alway! there.

2.G. wat$hed her li!tening( $o$ing her head to thi! !ide and that( and !aid( /,$all it the H2rone of the City(" Gladia.0

/2oe! it e'er !top*0/4e'er( really( &ut what $an you e)pe$t* a'en"t you e'er !tood in a field and

heard the wind ru!tling the lea'e!( and in!e$t! !tridulating( and &ird! $alling( andwater running. That ne'er !top!.0

/That"! different.0/4o( it i!n"t. ,t"! the !ame. The !ound here i! the melting together of the

rum&le of ma$hinery and the 'ariou! noi!e! people mae( &ut the prin$iple i!pre$i!ely the !ame a! the natural nonhuman noi!e! of a field. ou"re u!ed to field!(

!o you don"t hear the noi!e there. ou"re not u!ed to this# !o you hear it and pro&a&lyfind it annoying. =arthpeople don"t hear it e)$ept on the rare o$$a!ion! when they$ome fre!h in from the $ountry!ide++and then they are 'ery glad indeed to greet it.

Tomorrow you won"t hear it either.0Gladia looed a&out thoughtfully from their po!ition on a !mall &al$ony. /So

many &uilding!0H/That"! true enough. Stru$ture! in e'ery dire$tion++!tret$hing outward for

mile!. #nd up++and down( too. Thi! i! not %u!t a $ity( in the fa!hion of #urora orBaleyworld. ,t i! a City++$apital HC"++of the ind that e)i!t! only on =arth.0

/The!e are the Ca'e! of Steel(0 !aid Gladia. /, now. -e"re underground(



2aneel and Gi!ard at the other end of the room. /, don"t mind &eing without themwhen ,"m with you on the !hip( &ut if ,"m going to &e with $rowd! of !tranger! ,"ll feelmore !e$ure ha'ing them with me.0

/There"ll &e no pro&lem with 2aneel( $ertainly. e"! a hero in hi! own right. ewa! the #n$e!tor"! partner and he pa!!e! for human. Gi!ard( who i! an o&'iou!ro&ot( !hould( in theory( not &e allowed in!ide the $ity &order!( &ut they"'e made an

e)$eption in hi! $a!e and , hope they will $ontinue to do !o. ++,t i! too &ad( in a way(that we mu!t wait here and $an"t !tep out!ide.0/ou !ay , !hould not &e e)po!ed to all that noi!e %u!t yet(0 !aid Gladia./4o( no. ,"m not referring to the pu&li$ !3uare! and roadway!. , would %u!t lie

to tae you out into the $orridor! within thi! parti$ular &uilding. There are mile! andmile! of them++literally++and they"re a !mall &it of City in them!el'e! !hoppingre$e!!e!( dining hall!( amu!ement area!( Aer!onal!( ele'ator!( tran!way!( and !o on.

There"! more $olor and 'ariety on one floor in one &uilding in one City on =arth thanin a whole Settler town or in a whole Spa$er world.0

/, !hould thin e'eryone would get lo!t. //Of $our!e not. ='eryone now! hi! own neigh&orhood here( a! anywhere

el!e. ='en !tranger! need only follow the !ign!.0/, !uppo!e all the waling that people are for$ed to do mu!t &e 'ery good for

them phy!i$ally(0 !aid Gladia du&iou!ly./So$ially( too. There are people in the $orridor! at all time! and the

$on'ention i! that you !top to e)$hange word! with anyone you now and that yougreet e'en tho!e you don"t now. 4or i! waling a&!olutely ne$e!!ary. There areele'ator! e'erywhere for 'erti$al tra'el. The main $orridor! are tran!way! and mo'efor hori7ontal tra'el. Out!ide the &uilding( of $our!e( there i! a feeder line to the=)pre!!way networ. 'hat)s !omething. ou"ll get to ride it.0

/,"'e heard of them. They ha'e !trip! that you wal a$ro!! and that drag youalong fa!ter and fa!ter++or !lower and !lower++a! you mo'e from one to another. ,$ouldn"t do that. 2on"t a! me to.0

/Of $our!e you"ll &e a&le to do it(0 !aid 2.G. genially. /,"ll help you. ,fne$e!!ary( ,"ll $arry you( &ut all it tae! i! a little pra$ti$e. #mong the =arthpeople(indergarten $hildren manage and !o do old people with $ane!. , admit Settler! tendto &e $lum!y a&out it. ,"m no mira$le of gra$e my!elf( &ut , manage and !o will you.0

Gladia hea'ed an enormou! !igh. /-ell( then( ,"ll try if , ha'e to. But , tell youwhat( 2.G.( dear. -e must ha'e a rea!ona&ly 3uiet room for the night. , want yourH2rone of the City" muted.0

/That $an &e arranged( ,"m !ure.0/#nd , don"t want to ha'e to eat in the Se$tion it$hen!.02.G. looed dou&tful. /-e $an arrange to ha'e food &rought in( &ut really it

would do you good to parti$ipate in the !o$ial life of =arth. ,"ll &e with you( after all.0/ay&e after a while( 2.G.( &ut not %u!t at fir!t++and , want a Aer!onal for

my!elf. //Oh( no( that)s impo!!i&le. There"ll &e a wa!h&a!in and a toilet &owl in any

room they a!!ign u! &e$au!e we ha'e !tatu!( &ut if you intend to do any !eriou!!howering or &athing( you"ll ha'e to follow the $rowd. There"ll &e a woman tointrodu$e you to the pro$edure and you"ll &e a!!igned a !tall or whate'er it i! they

ha'e there. ou won"t &e em&arra!!ed. Settler women ha'e to &e introdu$ed to theu!e of Aer!onal! e'ery day of the year. ++and you may end up en%oying it( Gladia.

They tell me that the -omen"! Aer!onal i! a pla$e of mu$h a$ti'ity and fun. ,n theen"! Aer!onal( on the other hand( not a word i! allowed !poen. Dery dull.0

/,t"! all horri&le(0 muttered Gladia. /ow do you !tand the la$ of pri'a$y*0/On a $rowded world( need! mu!t(0 !aid 2.G. lightly. /-hat you"'e ne'er had(

you ne'er mi!!. ++2o you want any other aphori!m!*0/4ot really(0 !aid Gladia.She looed de%e$ted and 2.G. put an arm a&out her !houlder. /Come( it won"t



&e a! &ad a! you thin. , promi!e you. /

LK.

,t wa! not e)a$tly a nightmare( &ut Gladia wa! thanful to her earliere)perien$e on Baleyworld for ha'ing gi'en her a pre'iew of what wa! now a 'erita&le

o$ean of humanity. The $rowd! were mu$h larger here in 4ew or than they had&een on the Settler world( &ut on the other hand( !he wa! more in!ulated from theherd here than !he had &een on the earlier o$$a!ion.

The go'ernment offi$ial! were $learly an)iou! to &e !een with her. There wa!a wordle!!( polite !truggle for a po!ition near enough to her to &e !een with her onhyper'i!ion. ,t i!olated her( not only from the $rowd! on the other !ide of the poli$eline! &ut from 2.G. and from her two ro&ot!. ,t al!o !u&%e$ted her to a ind of polite

%o!tling from people who !eemed to ha'e an eye only on the $amera.She li!tened to what !eemed innumera&le !pee$he!( all mer$ifully &rief(

without really li!tening. She !miled periodi$ally( &oth &landly and &lindly( $a!ting the'i!ion of her implanted teeth in all dire$tion! indi!$riminately.

Gladia went &y ground+$ar through mile! of pa!!ageway! at a $rawl( while anun$ounted ant heap lined the walway!( $heering and wa'ing a! !he pa!!ed. ?She

wondered if e'er a Spa$er had re$ei'ed !u$h adulation from =arthpeople and wa!3uite $onfident that her own $a!e wa! entirely unpre$edented.@#t one point( Gladia $aught !ight of a di!tant not of people gathered round a

hyper'i!ion !$reen and momentarily had an undou&ted glimp!e of her!elf upon it. They were li!tening( !he new( to a re$ording of her !pee$h on Baleyworld. Gladiawondered how many time! and in how many pla$e! and &efore how many people itwa! &eing played now( and how many time! it had &een played !in$e !he ga'e it(and how many time! it would yet &e played in the future( and whether anything at allhad &een heard of it on the Spa$er world!.

ight !he( in fa$t( !eem a traitor to the people of #urora and would thi!re$eption &e held to &e proof of it*

She might++and it might++and !he wa! &eyond $aring. She had her mi!!ion ofpea$e and re$on$iliation and !he would follow it where'er it led without $omplaint++

e'en to the un&elie'a&le orgy of ma!! &athing and !hrilly un$on!$iou! e)hi&itioni!min the -omen"! Aer!onal that morning. ?-ell( without mu$h $omplaint.@ They $ame to one of the =)pre!!way! that 2.G. had mentioned( and Gladia

ga7ed in open horror at the endle!! !nae of pa!!enger $ar! that pa!!ed++andpa!!ed++and pa!!ed++ea$h with it! load of people who were on &u!ine!! that $ouldnot &e po!tponed for the motor$ade ?or who !imply didn"t want to &e &othered@ andwho !tared !olemnly at the $rowd! and the pro$e!!ion for the few moment! theyremained in !ight.

Then the ground+$ar plunged downward under the =)pre!!way( through a!hort tunnel that in no way differed from the pa!!age a&o'e ?the City wa! all tunnel@(and up again on the other !ide.

#nd e'entually the motor$ade $ame to an end at a large pu&li$ &uilding thatwa!( mer$ifully( more attra$ti'e than the endle!!ly repetitiou! &lo$! that

repre!ented the unit! of the City"! re!idential !e$tion.-ithin the &uilding( there wa! yet another re$eption( during whi$h al$oholi$drin! and 'ariou! hor! d"oeu're! were !er'ed. Gladia fa!tidiou!ly tou$hed neither. #thou!and people milled a&out and an endle!! !u$$e!!ion of them $ame up to !peato Gladia. The word had apparently gone out not to offer to !hae hand!( &ut !omeine'ita&ly did( and( trying not to he!itate( Gladia would &riefly pla$e two finger! onthe hand and then withdraw them.

='entually( a num&er of women prepared to lea'e for the neare!t Aer!onaland one of them performed what wa! o&'iou!ly a !o$ial ritual and ta$tfully a!edGladia if !he would lie to a$$ompany them. Gladia didn"t( &ut there might &e a long



night ahead and might &e more em&arra!!ing to ha'e to interrupt it later.-ithin the Aer!onal( there wa! the u!ual e)$ited laughing and $hattering and

Gladia( &owing to the e)igen$ie! of the !ituation and fortified &y her e)perien$e thatmorning( made u!e of the fa$ilitie! in a !mall $ham&er with partition! on either !ide(&ut with none in front of her.

4o one !eemed to mind and Gladia tried to remind her!elf !he mu!t ad%u!t to

lo$al $u!tom!. #t lea!t the pla$e wa! well+'entilated and !eemed !potle!!ly $lean. Throughout( 2aneel and Gi!ard had &een ignored. Thi!( Gladia reali7ed( wa!a indne!!. Ro&ot! were no longer allowed within City limit!( though there weremillion! in the $ountry!ide without. To ha'e made a point of the pre!en$e of 2aneeland Gi!ard would ha'e meant rai!ing the legal i!!ue that in'ol'ed. ,t wa! ea!ier topretend( ta$tfully( that they weren"t there.

On$e the &an3uet &egan( they !at 3uietly at a ta&le with 2.G.( not too farremo'ed from the dai!. #t the dai!( Gladia !at( eating !paringly and wondering if thefood would gi'e her dy!entery.

2.G.( perhap! not entirely plea!ed with hi! relegation to the po!t of eeper ofthe ro&ot!( ept !taring re!tle!!ly in Gladia H! dire$tion and( o$$a!ionally( !he liftedone hand and !miled at him.

Gi!ard( e3ually wat$hful of Gladia( had an opportunity to !ay to 2aneel 'ery3uietly( under $o'er of the relentle!! and unending &a$ground $la!h of $utlery and&a&&le( /6riend 2aneel( the!e are high offi$ial! that !it here in thi! room. ,t i! po!!i&lethat one or more may ha'e information of u!e to u!.0

/,t i! po!!i&le( friend Gi!ard. Can you( than! to your a&ilitie!( guide me inthi! re!pe$t*0

/, $annot. The mental &a$ground yield! me no !pe$ifi$ emotional re!pon!e ofintere!t. 4or doe! the o$$a!ional fla!h among the neare!t !how me anything. et the$lima) of the $ri!i! i!( , am $ertain( approa$hing 3ui$ly( e'en a! we !it here( idle.0

2aneel !aid gra'ely( /, will try to do a! Aartner =li%ah would ha'e done andfor$e the pa$e.0

LL.

2aneel wa! not eating. e wat$hed the a!!em&lage with hi! $alm eye! andlo$ated the one he wa! !ear$hing for. Juietly( he ro!e and mo'ed toward anotherta&le( hi! eye! on a woman who wa! managing to eat &ri!ly and yet maintain a$heerful $on'er!ation with the man on her left. She wa! a !to$y woman( with !horthair that !howed definite tra$e! of gray. er fa$e( if not youthful( wa! plea!ant.

2aneel waited for a natural &rea in the $on'er!ation and when that did not$ome( he !aid with an effort( /adam( may , interrupt*0

She looed up at him( !tartled and plainly di!plea!ed. /e!(0 !he !aid rather&ru!ly( /what i! it*0

/adam(0 !aid 2aneel( /, a! your pardon for thi! interruption( &ut may , ha'eyour permi!!ion to !pea with you for a time*0

She !tared at him( frowning for a moment( and then her e)pre!!ion !oftened.She !aid( /, !hould gue!!( from your e)$e!!i'e politene!!( that you"re the ro&ot(aren"t you*0

/, am one of adam Gladia"! ro&ot!( madam.0/e!( &ut you"re the human one. ou"re R. 2aneel Oli'aw.0/That i! my name( madam.0

The woman turned to the man on her left and !aid( /Alea!e e)$u!e me. , $an"t'ery well refu!e thi!++ro&ot.0

er neigh&or !miled un$ertainly and tran!ferred hi! attention to the pla$e&efore him.

The woman !aid to 2aneel( /,f you ha'e a $hair( why don"t you &ring it here* ,will &e glad to !pea to you.0



/Than you( madam.0-hen 2aneel had returned and !eated him!elf( !he !aid( /ou are really R.

2aneel Oli'aw( aren"t you*0/That i! my name( madam(0 !aid 2aneel again./, mean the one who wored with =li%ah Baley long ago. ou"re not a new

model of the !ame line* ou"re not R. 2aneel the 6ourth or !omething lie that*0

2aneel !aid( /There i! little of me that ha! not &een repla$ed in the pa!ttwenty de$ade!++or e'en moderni7ed and impro'ed++&ut my po!itroni$ &rain i! the!ame a! it wa! when , wored with Aartner =li%ah on three different world!++and on$eon a !pa$e!hip. ,t ha! not &een altered.0

/-ell0 She looed at him admiringly. /ou"re $ertainly a good %o&. ,f all ro&ot!were lie you( ,"d !ee no o&%e$tion to them whate'er. ++-hat i! it you want to tal tome a&out*0

/-hen you were introdu$ed to ady Gladia( madam( &efore we all too our!eat!( you were pre!ented to her a! the >nder!e$retary of =nergy( Sophia Juintana.0

/ou remem&er well. That i! my name and my offi$e.0/2oe! the offi$e refer to all of =arth or merely to the City*0/,"m Glo&al >nder!e$retary( , a!!ure you.0/Then you are nowledgea&le in the field of energeti$!*0Juintana !miled. She did not !eem to o&%e$t to &eing 3ue!tioned. Aerhap! !he

thought it amu!ing or perhap! !he found her!elf attra$ted to 2aneel"! air ofdeferential gra'ity or to the mere fa$t that a ro&ot $ould 3ue!tion her !o. ,n any $a!e(!he !aid with a !mile( /, ma%ored in energeti$! at the >ni'er!ity of California and ha'ea ma!ter"! degree in it. #! to how nowledgea&le , !till am( ,"m not $ertain. ,"'e !penttoo many year! a! an admini!trator++!omething that !ap! one"! &rain!( , a!!ure you.0

/But you would &e well a$3uainted with the pra$ti$al a!pe$t! of =arth"!pre!ent energy !upply( would you not*0

/e!. That , will admit to. ,! there !omething you want to now a&out it*0/There i! !omething that pi3ue! my $urio!ity( madam. //Curio!ity* ,n a ro&ot*02aneel &owed hi! head. /,f a ro&ot i! $omple) enough( he $an &e aware of

!omething within him!elf that !ee! information. Thi! i! analogou! to what , ha'eo&!er'ed to &e $alled H$urio!ity" in human &eing! and , tae the li&erty of u!ing the!ame word in $onne$tion with my own feeling!.0

/6air enough. -hat are you $uriou! a&out( R. 2aneel* ay , $all you that*0/e!( madam. , under!tand that =arth"! energy !upply i! drawn from !olar

power !tation! in geo!tationary or&it in =arth"! e3uatorial plane.0/ou under!tand $orre$tly. //But are the!e power !tation! the !ole energy !upply of thi! planet*0/4o. They are the primary++&ut not the !ole++energy !upply. There i!

$on!idera&le u!e of energy from =arth"! internal heat( from wind!( wa'e!( tide!(flowing water( and !o on. -e ha'e 3uite a $omple) mi) and ea$h 'ariety ha! it!ad'antage!. Solar energy i! the main!tay( howe'er.0

/ou mae no mention of nu$lear energy( madam. #re there no u!e! formi$rofu!ion*0

Juintana rai!ed her eye&row!. /,! that what you"re $uriou! a&out( R. 2aneel*0

/e!( madam. -hat i! the rea!on for the a&!en$e of nu$lear power !our$e! on=arth*0

/They are not a&!ent( R. 2aneel. On a !mall !$ale( one $ome! a$ro!! it. Ourro&ot!++we ha'e many in the $ountry!ide( you now++are mi$rofu!ioni7ed. #re you( &ythe way*0

2aneel !aid( /e!( madam.0/Then( too(0 !he went on( /there are mi$rofu!ioni7ed ma$hine! here and

there( &ut the total i! 3uite trifling.0/,! it not true( adam Juintana( that mi$rofu!ion energy !our$e! are !en!iti'e



/There will &e a $ordon of !e$urity guard! that will gi'e her ample &reathing!pa$e. The front row of the $rowd will &e ept well &a$. They"re out there now. ,f wedon"t announ$e that !he will !oon appear( there might well &e di!order.0

2.G. !aid( /,t !houldn"t ha'e &een arranged. ,t i!n"t !afe. There are=arthpeople who aren"t fond of Spa$er!.0

The Se$retary+General !hrugged. /, wi!h you $ould tell me how , $ould

po!!i&ly ha'e ept it from &eing arranged. #t the pre!ent moment !he i! a heroineand !he $annot &e withheld. 4or will anyone offer her anything &ut $heer!++for themoment. But if !he doe!n"t appear( that will $hange. 4ow( let u! go.0

2.G. &a$ed away di!$ontentedly. e $aught Gladia"! eye. She looed tiredand more than a little unhappy.

e !aid( /ou mu!t( Gladia. There"! no way out.06or a moment( !he !tared down at her hand! a! though wondering if they

$ould do anything to prote$t her( then !he !traightened her!elf and lifted her $hin++a!mall Spa$er amid thi! horde of &ar&arian!. /,f , mu!t( , mu!t. -ill you remain withme*0

/>nle!! they remo'e me phy!i$ally.0/#nd my ro&ot!*02.G. he!itated. /Gladia( how will two ro&ot! &e a&le to help you in the mid!t of

million! of human &eing!*0/, now( 2.G. #nd , al!o now that , will ha'e to do without them e'entually if ,

am to $ontinue thi! mi!!ion of mine. But not %u!t yet( plea!e. 6or the moment( , willfeel !afer with them( whether that mae! !en!e or not. ,f the!e =arth offi$ial! wantme to a$nowledge the $rowd( to !mile( to wa'e( to do whate'er it i! , am !uppo!edto do( the pre!en$e of 2aneel and Gi!ard will $omfort me. ++oo( 2.G.( gi'ing in tothem on a 'ery &ig thing( e'en though , am !o unea!y that , thin nothing would &e!o ni$e a! to run away. et them gi'e in to me on thi! 'ery little thing.0

/,"ll try(0 !aid 2.G.( in $lear di!$ouragement and( a! he !tepped toward#ndre'( Gi!ard mo'ed 3uietly with him.

# few minute! later( when Gladia( !urrounded &y a $arefully pi$ed $ontingentof offi$ial!( mo'ed forward toward an open &al$ony( 2.G. remained a little &ehindGladia( flaned on hi! left &y Gi!ard and on hi! right &y 2aneel.

The Se$retary+General had !aid ruefully( /#ll right( all right. , don"t now howyou managed to mae me agree( &ut all right.0 e ru&&ed hi! forehead( aware of a!mall 'ague a$he in hi! right temple. 6or !ome rea!on he $aught Gi!ard"! eye andturned away with a !tifled !hudder. /But you mu!t eep them motionle!!( Captain(remem&er. #nd plea!e eep the one that looks lie a ro&ot a! uno&tru!i'e a! you$an. e mae! me unea!y and , don"t want people any more aware of him than theyha'e to &e.0

2.G. !aid( /They will &e looing at Gladia( Se$retary+General. They will !ee noone el!e.0

/, hope !o(0 !aid #ndre' wa!pi!hly. e pau!ed to tae a me!!age $ap!ule!omeone pla$ed in hi! hand. e put it into hi! po$et( then waled on and didn"tthin of it again till they had rea$hed the &al$ony.

L9.

To Gladia( it !eemed that ea$h time !he mo'ed into another !$ene( it grewwor!e++more people( more noi!e( more $onfu!ing light( more in'a!ion of e'ery !en!eper$eption.

There wa! !houting. She $ould hear her own name &eing !houted out. -ithdiffi$ulty( !he o'er$ame her own tenden$y to retreat and &e$ome immo&ile. Shelifted her arm and wa'ed it and !miled and the !houting &e$ame louder. !omeone&egan to !pea( hi! 'oi$e &ooming out o'er the loud!peaer !y!tem( hi! image on alarge !$reen high a&o'e them !o that it $ould &e 'i!i&le to all the $rowd.



>ndou&tedly( it wa! al!o 'i!i&le on innumera&le !$reen! in innumera&le meeting hall!in e'ery Se$tion of e'ery City on the planet.

Gladia !ighed with relief at ha'ing !omeone el!e in the !potlight. She tried to!hrin within her!elf and let the !ound of the !peaer di!tra$t the attention of the$rowd.

Se$retary+General #ndre'( !eeing $o'er under the 'oi$e( e'en a! Gladia did(

wa! rather thanful that( in gi'ing pre$eden$e to Gladia( it had not !eemedne$e!!ary for him to !pea on thi! o$$a!ion. e !uddenly remem&ered the me!!agehe had po$eted.

e frowned in !udden di!tur&an$e o'er what it might &e that warranted theinterruption of !o important a $eremony and then e)perien$ed a re'er!e feeling ofinten!e irritation o'er the fa$t that it would pro&a&ly pro'e to &e utterly unimportant.

e pre!!ed the &all of hi! right thum& hard again!t the !light $on$a'ityde!igned to a$$ept the pre!!ure and the $ap!ule opened. e remo'ed the thin pie$eof pla!tipaper( read the me!!age it $ontained( and then wat$hed it $rum&le andfragment. e &ru!hed away the impalpa&le powder that remained and ge!turedimperiou!ly to 2.G.

,t wa! !$ar$ely ne$e!!ary to whi!per under the $ondition! of the 'a!t and$ontinuing noi!e in the !3uare.

#ndre' !aid( /ou !aid you en$ountered an #uroran war 'e!!el within the!pa$e of the Solar Sy!tem. /

/e!++and , imagine =arth"! !en!or! dete$ted it.0/Of $our!e they did. ou !aid there were no ho!tile a$tion! on either !ide.0/4o weapon wa! u!ed. They demanded adam Gladia and her ro&ot!. ,

refu!ed and they left. , e)plained all thi!.0/ow long did it all tae*0/4ot 'ery long. Se'eral hour!.0/ou mean that #urora !ent a war!hip %u!t to argue &a$ and forth with you

for a $ouple of hour! and then lea'e. /2.G. !hrugged. /Se$retary+General( , don"t now their moti'ation!. , $an only

report what happened.0 The Se$retary+General !tared at him haughtily. /But you do not report all that

happened. The information of the !en!or! ha! now &een thoroughly analy7ed &y$omputer and it would !eem that you atta$ed.0

/, did not fire a ilowatt of energy( !ir.0/a'e you $on!idered ineti$ energy* ou u!ed the !hip it!elf a! a pro%e$tile.0/So it may ha'e !eemed to them. They did not $hoo!e to with!tand me and

$all what might ha'e &een a &luff.0/But wa! it a &luff*0/,t might ha'e &een.0/,t !eem! to me( Captain( that you were ready to de!troy two !hip! inside the

%olar %ystem and perhap! $reate a war $ri!i!. That wa! a terri&le $han$e to tae.0/, did not thin it would $ome to a$tual de!tru$tion and it didn"t.0/But the whole pro$e!! delayed you and o$$upied your attention.0/e!( , !uppo!e !o( &ut why are you pointing thi! out*0/Be$au!e our !en!or! did o&!er'e one thing you did not o&!er'e++or( at any

rate( did not report.0/-hat might that &e( Se$retary+General*0/,t $aught the laun$hing of an or&ital module( whi$h !eem! to ha'e had two

human &eing! on &oard and whi$h de!$ended toward =arth.0 The two were immer!ed in a world of their own. 4o other human &eing on the

&al$ony wa! paying any attention to them. Only the two ro&ot! flaning 2.G. were!taring at them and li!tening.

,t wa! at thi! point that the !peaer $ea!ed( hi! la!t word! &eing( /adyGladia( &orn a Spa$er on the world of Solaria( li'ing a! a Spa$er on the world of



#urora( &ut &e$oming a Citi7en of the Gala)y on the Settler world of Baleyworld.0 eturned to her and ge!tured e)pan!i'ely( /ady Gladia++0

The !ound of the $rowd &e$ame a long( happy rum&le and the many+headed$rowd &e$ame a fore!t of wa'ing arm!. Gladia felt a gentle hand on her !houlder andheard a 'oi$e in her ear that !aid( /Alea!e. # few word!( my lady.0

Gladia !aid wealy( /Aeople of =arth.0 The word! &oomed out and( un$annily(

!ilen$e fell. Gladia !aid again( more firmly( /Aeople of =arth( , !tand &efore you ahuman &eing a! you are. # &it older( , admit( !o that , la$ your youth( yourhopefulne!!( your $apa$ity for enthu!ia!m. y mi!fortune i! tempered at thi!moment( howe'er( &y the fa$t that in your pre!en$e , feel my!elf $at$hing your fire(!o that the $loa of age fall! away++0

#pplau!e !welled and !omeone on the &al$ony !aid to !omeone el!e( /She"!maing them happy they"re !hortli'ed. That Spa$er woman ha! the impuden$e of ade'il.0

#ndre' wa! not paying attention. e !aid to 2.G.( /The whole epi!ode withyou may ha'e &een a de'i$e to get tho!e men on =arth.0

2.G. !aid( /, had no way of nowing that. , $ould thin of 'ery little el!e &ut!a'ing ady Gladia and my !hip. -here ha'e they landed*0

/-e don"t now. They ha'e not landed in any of the City !pa$eport!.02.G. !aid( /, gue!! they wouldn"t.0/4ot that it matter!(0 !aid the Se$retary+General( /e)$ept to gi'e me pa!!ing

annoyan$e. O'er the pa!t !e'eral year!( there ha'e &een a num&er of landing! ofthi! !ort( though none !o $arefully prepared. 4othing"! e'er happened and we pay noattention. =arth( after all( i! an open world. ,t i! humanity"! home and any per!onfrom any world $an $ome and go freely++e'en Spa$er!( if they wi!h.0

2.G. ru&&ed hi! &eard with a ra!ping noi!e. /#nd yet their intention! might not&e to do u! any good whate'er.0

?Gladia wa! !aying( /, wi!h you all well on thi! world of human origin( on thi!well+pa$ed !pe$ial world( and in thi! mar'el of a City++0 and a$nowledged thegathering applau!e with a !mile and a wa'e a! !he !tood there and allowed theenthu!ia!m to $at$h++and gather.@

#ndre' rai!ed hi! 'oi$e( to &e heard o'er the $lamor of the $rowd. /-hate'ertheir intention!( it $an $ome to nothing. The pea$e that ha! de!$ended on =arth !in$ethe Spa$er! withdrew and Settlement &egan i! un&reaa&le within and without. 6ormany de$ade! now( the wilder !pirit! among our!el'e! ha'e &een lea'ing for theSettler world! !o that a !pirit !u$h a! your!( Captain( whi$h $an dare ri! thede!tru$tion of two 'e!!el! within the !pa$e of the Solar !y!tem i! not to &e found on=arth. There i! no !u&!tantial le'el of $rime on =arth any longer( no 'iolen$e. The!e$urity guard! a!!igned to $ontrol thi! $rowd ha'e no weapon! &e$au!e they ha'eno need for any. /

#nd a! he !poe( from the anonymity of the 'a!t $rowd a &la!ter pointedupward toward the &al$ony and wa! $arefully aimed.

8:.

# num&er of thing! happened at nearly the !ame time.Gi!ard"! head had turned to !tare at the $rowd( drawn &y !ome !uddeneffe$t.

2aneel"! eye! followed( !aw the aimed &la!ter( and( with fa!ter+than+humanrefle)e!( he lunged.

The !ound of the &la!ter rang out. The people on the &al$ony fro7e and then &roe out into loud e)$lamation!.2.G. !ei7ed Gladia and !nat$hed her to one !ide.

The noi!e from the $rowd erupted into a full+throated and terrifying roar.2aneel"! lunge had &een dire$ted at Gi!ard and he no$ed the other ro&ot



down. The !hot from the &la!ter entered the room &ehind the &al$ony and gouged a

hole out of a portion of the $eiling. # line drawn from the &la!ter to the hole mightha'e pa!!ed through that portion of !pa$e o$$upied a !e$ond earlier &y Gi!ard"!head.

Gi!ard muttered a! he wa! for$ed down. /4ot human. # ro&ot.0

2aneel( relea!ing Gi!ard( !ur'eyed the !$ene 3ui$ly. Ground le'el wa! !ome!i) meter! &eneath the &al$ony and the !pa$e &elow wa! empty. The !e$urity guard!were !truggling their way toward the region of uphea'al within the $rowd thatmared the !pot where the would+&e a!!a!!in had !tood.

2aneel 'aulted o'er the &al$ony and dropped( hi! metal !eleton a&!or&ingthe !ho$ ea!ily( a! a human &eing"! would not ha'e.

e ran toward the $rowd.2aneel had no $hoi$e. e had ne'er en$ountered anything lie thi! &efore.

The !upreme need wa! to rea$h the ro&ot with the &la!ter &efore it wa! de!troyedand( with that in mind( 2aneel found that( for the fir!t time in hi! e)i!ten$e( he $ouldnot !tand on the ni$etie! of pre!er'ing indi'idual human &eing! from harm. e had to!hae them up !omewhat.

e to!!ed them a!ide( in a$tual fa$t( a! he plowed into the $rowd( $rying outin !tentorian fa!hion( /ae way ae way The per!on with the &la!ter mu!t &e3ue!tioned0

Se$urity guard! fell in &ehind him and they found the /per!on0 at la!t( downand !omewhat &attered.

='en on an =arth that prided it!elf on &eing non'iolent( an eruption of rageagain!t an o&'iou! murderer left it! mar. The a!!a!!in had &een !ei7ed( i$ed( and&eaten. ,t wa! only the 'ery den!ity of the $rowd that had !a'ed the a!!a!!in from&eing tom apart. The multiple a!!ailant!( getting in ea$h other"! way( !u$$eeded indoing $omparati'ely little.

The !e$urity guard! pu!hed &a$ the $rowd with diffi$ulty. On the ground nearthe prone ro&ot wa! the &la!ter. 2aneel ignored it.

2aneel wa! neeling &y the $aptured a!!a!!in. e !aid( /Can you tal*0Bright eye! !tared up at 2aneel"!. /, $an(0 !aid the a!!a!!in in a 'oi$e that

wa! low &ut 3uite normal otherwi!e./#re you of #uroran origin*0

The a!!a!!in did not an!wer.2aneel !aid 3ui$ly( /, now you are. ,t wa! an unne$e!!ary 3ue!tion. -here

on thi! planet i! your &a!e*0 The a!!a!!in did not an!wer.2aneel !aid( /our &a!e* -here i! it* ou mu!t an!wer. , am ordering you to

an!wer.0 The a!!a!!in !aid. /ou $annot order me. ou are R. 2aneel Oli'aw. , ha'e

&een told of you and , need not o&ey you.02aneel looed up( tou$hed the neare!t guard( and !aid( /Sir( would you a!

thi! per!on where hi! &a!e i!*0 The guard( !tartled( tried to !pea &ut only a hoar!e $roa emerged. e

!wallowed in em&arra!!ment( $leared hi! throat( and then &ared out( /-here i! your

&a!e*0/, am for&idden to an!wer that 3ue!tion( !ir(0 !aid the a!!a!!in./ou mu!t(0 !aid 2aneel firmly. /# planetary offi$ial i! a!ing it. ++Sir( would

you order him to an!wer it*0 The guard e$hoed( /, order you to an!wer it( pri!oner.0/, am for&idden to an!wer that 3ue!tion( !ir.0

The guard rea$hed downward to !ei7e the a!!a!!in roughly &y the !houlder(&ut 2aneel !aid rapidly( /, would !ugge!t that it would not &e u!eful to offer for$e(!ir.0



2aneel looed a&out. u$h of the $lamor of the $rowd had died down. There!eemed to &e a ten!ion in the air( a! though a million people were waiting an)iou!lyto !ee what 2aneel would do.

2aneel !aid to the !e'eral guard! who had now $lu!tered a&out him and theprone a!!a!!in( /-ould you $lear the way for me( !ir!* , mu!t tae the pri!oner toady Gladia. ,t may &e that !he $an for$e an an!wer.0

/-hat a&out medi$al attention for the pri!oner*0 a!ed one of the guard!./That will not &e ne$e!!ary( !ir(0 !aid 2aneel. e did not e)plain.

81.

/That thi! !hould ha'e happened(0 !aid #ndre' tightly( hi! lip! trem&ling withpa!!ion. They were in the room off the &al$ony and he glan$ed up at the hole in the$eiling that remained a! mute e'iden$e of the 'iolen$e that had taen pla$e.

Gladia !aid( in a 'oi$e that !he !tro'e !u$$e!!fully to eep from !haing(/4othing ha! happened. , am unharmed. There i! that hole in the $eiling that you willha'e to repair and perhap! !ome additional repair! in the room a&o'e. That"! all.0

='en a! !he !poe( !he $ould hear people up!tair! mo'ing o&%e$t! away fromthe hole and pre!uma&ly a!!e!!ing damage.

/That i! not all(0 !aid #ndre'. /,t ruin! our plan! for your appearan$etomorrow( for your ma%or addre!! to the planet.0/,t doe! the oppo!ite(0 !aid Gladia...The planet will &e the more an)iou! to

hear me( nowing , ha'e &een the near+'i$tim of an a!!a!!ination attempt. //But there"! the $han$e of another attempt.0Gladia !hrugged lightly. /That %u!t mae! me feel ,"m on the right tra$.

++Se$retary+General #ndre'( , di!$o'ered not too long ago that , ha'e a mi!!ion in life.,t did not o$$ur to me that thi! mi!!ion might pla$e me in danger( &ut !in$e it doe!( ital!o o$$ur! to me that , would not &e in danger and not worth the illing if , wa! not!triing home. ,f danger i! a mea!ure of my effe$ti'ene!!( , am willing to ri! thatdanger.0

Gi!ard !aid( /adam Gladia( 2aneel i! here with( , pre!ume( the indi'idualwho aimed a &la!ter in thi! dire$tion.0

,t wa! not only 2aneel++$arrying a rela)ed( un!truggling figure++who appearedin the doorway of the room( &ut half a do7en !e$urity guard! a! well. Out!ide( thenoi!e of the $rowd !eemed lower and more di!tant. ,t wa! $learly &eginning todi!per!e and periodi$ally one $ould hear the announ$ement o'er the loud!peaer!/4o one ha! &een hurt. There i! no danger. Return to your home!.0

#ndre' wa'ed the guard! away. /,! that the one*0 he a!ed !harply.2aneel !aid( /There i! no 3ue!tion( !ir( &ut that thi! i! the indi'idual with the

&la!ter. The weapon wa! near him( &ut the people $lo!e to the !$ene witne!!ed hi!a$tion( and he him!elf admit! the deed. /

#ndre' !tared at him in a!toni!hment. /e"! !o $alm. e doe!n"t !eemhuman.0

/e i! not human( !ir. e i! a ro&ot( a humanoid ro&ot.0/But we don"t ha'e any humanoid ro&ot! on =arth.++=)$ept you. //Thi! ro&ot( Se$retary+General(0 !aid 2aneel( /i!( lie my!elf( of #uroran

manufa$ture.0Gladia frowned. /But that"! impo!!i&le. # ro&ot $ouldn"t ha'e &een ordered to

a!!a!!inate me.02.G.( looing e)a!perated and( with a mo!t po!!e!!i'e arm a&out Gladia"!

!houlder( !aid in an angry rum&le( /#n #uroran ro&ot( !pe$ially programmed++0/4on!en!e( 2.G.(0 !aid Gladia. /4o way. #uroran or not( !pe$ial programming

or not( a ro&ot $annot deli&erately try to harm a human &eing it now! to &e a human&eing. ,f thi! ro&ot did fire the &la!ter in my dire$tion( he mu!t ha'e mi!!ed me onpurpo!e.0



/To what end*0 demanded #ndre'. /-hy !hould he mi!!( madam*0/2on"t you !ee*0 !aid Gladia. /-hoe'er it wa! that ga'e the ro&ot it! order!

mu!t ha'e felt that the attempt would &e enough to di!rupt my plan! here on =arthand it wa! the di!ruption they were after. They $ouldn"t order the ro&ot to ill me( &utthey $ould order him to mi!! me++and if that wa! enough to di!rupt the program( theywould &e !ati!fied.

++=)$ept that it won"t di!rupt the program. , won"t allow that.02.G. !aid( /2on"t &e a heroine( Gladia. , don"t now what they"ll try ne)t andnothing --nothing--i! worth lo!ing you.0

Gladia"! eye! !oftened. /Than you( 2.G. , appre$iate your feeling!( &ut wemust $han$e it.0

#ndre' pulled at hi! ear in perple)ity. /-hat do we do* The nowledge that ahumanoid ro&ot u!ed a &la!ter in a $rowd of human &eing! will not &e taen well &y=arth people.0

/O&'iou!ly( it wouldn"t(0 !aid 2.G. /Therefore( let"! not tell them.0/# num&er of people mu!t already now++or gue!!++that we are dealing with a

ro&ot.0/ou won"t !top the rumor( Se$retary+General( &ut there i! no need to mae it

more than that &y mean! of an offi$ial announ$ement. /#ndre' !aid( /,f #urora i! willing to go to thi! e)treme to++0/4ot #urora(0 !aid Gladia 3ui$ly. /erely $ertain people on #urora( $ertain

fire+eater!. There are !u$h &elli$o!e e)tremi!t! among the Settler!( too( , now( andpro&a&ly e'en on =arth. 2on"t play into the hand! of the!e e)tremi!t!( Se$retary+General. ,"m appealing to the 'a!t ma%ority of !en!i&le human &eing! on &oth !ide!and nothing mu!t &e done to weaen that appeal.0

2aneel( who had &een waiting patiently( finally found a pau!e long enough tomae it po!!i&le for him to in!ert hi! $omment. /adam Gladia++!ir!++it i! importantto find out from thi! ro&ot where on thi! planet he i! &a!ed. There may &e other!.0

/a'en"t you a!ed him*0 !aid #ndre'./, ha'e( Se$retary+General( &ut , am a ro&ot. Thi! ro&ot i! not re3uired to

an!wer 3ue!tion! put to him &y another ro&ot. 4or i! he re3uired to follow myorder!.0

/-ell( then( I will a!(0 !aid #ndre'./That may not help( !ir. The ro&ot i! under !tringent order! not to an!wer and

your order to an!wer will pro&a&ly not o'er$ome them. ou do not now the properphra!eology and intonation. adam Gladia i! an #uroran and now! how thi! may &edone. adam Gladia( would you in3uire a! to where hi! planetary &a!e might &e*0

Gi!ard !aid in a low 'oi$e( !o that only 2aneel heard him( /,t may not &epo!!i&le. e may ha'e &een ordered into irre'er!i&le free7e if the 3ue!tioning&e$ome! too in!i!tent.0

2aneel"! head turned !harply to Gi!ard. e whi!pered( /Can you pre'entthat*0

/>n$ertain(0 !aid Gi!ard. /The &rain ha! &een phy!i$ally damaged &y the a$tof firing a &la!ter toward human &eing!.0

2aneel turned &a$ to Gladia. /adam(0 he !aid( /, would !ugge!t you &epro&ing( rather than &rutal.0

Gladia !aid dou&tfully( /-ell( , don"t now.0 She fa$ed the ro&ot a!!a!!in(drew a deep &reath( and in a 'oi$e that wa! firm yet !oft and gentle( !he !aid(/Ro&ot( how may , addre!! you*0

The ro&ot !aid( /, am referred to a! R. =rnett Se$ond( madam.0/=rnett( $an you tell that , am an #uroran*0/ou !pea in the #uroran fa!hion( yet not entirely( madam.0/, wa! &orn on Solaria( &ut , am a Spa$er who ha! li'ed for twenty de$ade! on

#urora and , am a$$u!tomed to &eing !er'ed &y ro&ot!. , ha'e e)pe$ted and re$ei'ed!er'i$e from ro&ot! e'ery day of my life !in$e , wa! a !mall $hild. , ha'e ne'er &een



di!appointed. //, a$$ept the fa$t( madam.0/-ill you an!wer my 3ue!tion! and a$$ept my order!( =rnett*0/, will( madam( if they are not $ountera$ted &y a $ompeting order.0/,f , a! you the lo$ation of your &a!e on thi! planet what portion of it you

$ount a! your ma!ter"! e!ta&li!hment++will you an!wer that*0

/, may not do !o( madam. 4or any other 3ue!tion with re!pe$t to my ma!ter.#ny 3ue!tion at all.0/2o you under!tand that if you do not an!wer , will &e &itterly di!appointed

and that my rightful e)pe$tation of ro&oti$ !er'i$e will &e permanently &lunted*0/, under!tand( madam(0 !aid the ro&ot faintly.Gladia looed at 2aneel. /Shall , try*02aneel !aid( /There i! no $hoi$e &ut to try( adam Gladia. ,f the effort lea'e!

u! without information( we are no wor!e off than now.0Gladia !aid( in a 'oi$e that rang with authority( /2o not infle$t damage on me(

=rnett( &y refu!ing to tell me the lo$ation of your &a!e on thi! planet. , order you totell me.0

The ro&ot !eemed to !tiffen. i! mouth opened &ut made no !ound. ,t openedagain and he whi!pered hu!ily( /... mile...0 ,t opened a third time !ilently++and then(while the mouth remained open( the gleam went out of the ro&ot a!!a!!in"! eye! andthey &e$ame flat and wa)en. One arm( whi$h had &een a little rai!ed( droppeddownward.

2aneel !aid( /The po!itroni$ &rain ha! fro7en.0Gi!ard whi!pered to 2aneel only( /,rre'er!i&le , did my &e!t &ut $ould not

hang on.0/-e ha'e nothing(0 !aid #ndre'. /-e don"t now where the other ro&ot!

might &e.02.G. !aid( /,t !aid( Hmile.0H/, do not re$ogni7e the word(0 !aid 2aneel. /,t i! not Gala$ti$ Standard a! the

language i! u!ed on #urora. 2oe! it ha'e meaning on =arth*0#ndre' !aid( rather &lanly( /e might ha'e &een trying to !ay H!mile" or

Hile!." , on$e new a man who!e fir!t name wa! ile!.02aneel !aid gra'ely( /, do not !ee how either word $ould mae !en!e a! an

an!wer++or part of an an!wer++to the 3ue!tion. 4or did , hear any !i&ilan$e( either&efore or after the !ound.0

#n elderly =arthman( who till now had remained !ilent( !aid( with a $ertainappearan$e of diffiden$e( /, am under the impre!!ion a mile may &e an an$ientmea!ure of di!tan$e( ro&ot.0

/ow long a mea!ure( !ir*0 a!ed 2aneel./, do not now(0 !aid the =arthman. /onger than a ilometer( , &elie'e.0/,t i!n"t u!ed any longer( !ir*0/4ot !in$e the prehyper!patial era.0 2.G. pulled at hi! &eard and he !aid

thoughtfully( /,t"! !till u!ed. #t lea!t( we ha'e an old !aying on Baleyworld that goe!(H# mi!! i! a! good a! a mile." ,t i! u!ed to mean that( in a'oiding mi!fortune(a'oidan$e &y a little i! a! good a! a'oidan$e &y a great deal. , alway! thought Hmile"meant Ha great deal." ,f it really repre!ent! a mea!ure of di!tan$e( , $an under!tand

the phra!e &etter. /Gladia !aid( /,f that i! !o( the a!!a!!in may ha'e &een trying to !ay e)a$tly

that. e may ha'e indi$ated hi! !ati!fa$tion that a mi!!++hi! deli&erately mi!!ed!hot++would a$$ompli!h what he wa! ordered to a$$ompli!h or( perhap!( that hi!mi!!ed !hot( doing no harm( wa! e3ui'alent to hi! not ha'ing fired at all.0

/adam Gladia(0 !aid 2aneel( /a ro&ot of #uroran manufa$ture would !$ar$ely&e u!ing phra!e! that might e)i!t on Baleyworld &ut ha'e $ertainly ne'er &een heardon #urora. #nd( in hi! damaged $ondition( he would not philo!ophi7e. e wa! a!ed a3ue!tion and he would only &e trying to an!wer the 3ue!tion.0



/#h(0 !aid #ndre'( /perhap! he was trying to an!wer. e wa! trying to tell u!that the &a!e wa! a $ertain di!tan$e from here( for in!tan$e. So many mile!.0

/,n that $a!e(0 !aid 2.G.( /why !hould he u!e an ar$hai$ mea!ure of di!tan$e*4o #uroran would u!e anything &ut ilometer! in thi! $onne$tion( nor would anyro&ot of #uroran manufa$ture. ,n fa$t(0 he went on with an edge of impatien$e( /thero&ot wa! rapidly !ining into total ina$ti'ity and it might ha'e &een maing nothing

more than random !ound!. ,t i! u!ele!! to try to e)tra$t meaning from !omethingthat doe!n"t $ontain it. ++#nd now , want to mae !ure that adam Gladia get! !omere!t or that !he i! at lea!t mo'ed out of thi! room &efore the re!t of the $eiling $ome!down.0

They mo'ed out 3ui$ly and 2aneel( lingering &ehind for a moment( !aid!oftly to Gi!ard( /#gain we fail0

8<.

The City ne'er grew entirely 3uiet( &ut there were period! when the light!were dimmer( the noi!e of the e'er+mo'ing =)pre!!way! wa! !u&dued( and theendle!! $latter of ma$hinery and humanity !u&!ided %u!t a &it. ,n !e'eral millionapartment! people !lept.

Gladia got into &ed in the apartment a!!igned to her( un$omforta&le o'er themi!!ing amenitie! that !he feared might for$e her out into the $orridor! during thenight.

-a! it night on the !urfa$e( !he wondered %u!t &efore falling a!leep( or wa! itmerely an ar&itrary /!leep period0 fi)ed within thi! parti$ular $a'e of !teel( indeferen$e to a ha&it de'eloped o'er the hundred! of million! of year! that human&eing! and their an$e!tor! had li'ed on the !urfa$e of the land.

#nd then !he !lept.2aneel and Gi!ard did not !leep. 2aneel( finding there wa! a $omputer outlet

in the apartment( !pent an a&!or&ed half hour learning the unfamiliar ey$om&ination! &y hit+and+mi!!. There were no in!tru$tion! of any !ort a'aila&le ?whoneed! in!tru$tion! for what e'ery young!ter learn! in grade !$hool*@ &ut( fortunately(the $ontrol!( while not the !ame a! tho!e of #urora( were not wholly different either.

='entually( he wa! a&le to tune into the referen$e !e$tion of the City li&rary and $allup the en$y$lopedia. our! pa!!ed.#t the lowe!t depth of the human!" !leep period( Gi!ard !aid( /6riend

2aneel.02aneel looed up. /e!( friend Gi!ard.0/, mu!t a! for an e)planation of your a$tion! on the &al$ony.0/6riend Gi!ard( you looed toward the $rowd. , followed your glan$e( !aw a

weapon aimed in your dire$tion( and rea$ted at on$e.0Gi!ard !aid( /So you did( friend 2aneel( and gi'en $ertain a!!umption!( , $an

under!tand why it wa! me that you lunged forward to prote$t. Begin with the fa$tthat the would+&e a!!a!!in wa! a ro&ot. ,n that $a!e( howe'er it might &eprogrammed( it $ould not aim it! weapon at any human &eing with the intention ofhitting him or her. 4or wa! it liely to aim it! weapon at you( for you loo enough lie

a human &eing to a$ti'ate the 6ir!t aw. ='en if the ro&ot had &een told that ahumanoid ro&ot would &e on the &al$ony( he $ould not &e $ertain that you were he. Therefore( if the ro&ot intended to de!troy !omeone in the &al$ony( it $ould only &eme++the o&'iou! ro&ot++and you a$ted at on$e to prote$t me.

/Or &egin with the fa$t that the a!!a!!in wa! an #uroran++whether human orro&ot doe! not matter. 2r. #madiro i! mo!t liely to ha'e ordered !u$h an atta$(!in$e he i! an e)tremi!t in hi! anti+=arth !tand and( we &elie'e( i! plotting it!de!tru$tion. 2r. #madiro( we $an &e rea!ona&ly $ertain( ha! learned of my !pe$iala&ilitie! from adam Da!ilia and it might &e argued that he would gi'e myde!tru$tion top priority( !in$e he would naturally fear me more than anyone el!e++



ro&ot or human. Rea!oning thi! out( it would &e logi$al for you to a$t a! you did toprote$t me. ++#nd( indeed( had you not no$ed me down( , &elie'e the &la!t wouldha'e de!troyed me.

/But( friend 2aneel( you $ould not po!!i&ly ha'e nown that the a!!a!!in wa!a ro&ot or that he wa! #uroran. , my!elf had only %u!t $aught the !trange anomaly ofa ro&oti$ &rain pattern again!t the 'a!t &lur of human emotion when you !tru$ me++

and it wa! only after that( that , had the $han$e of informing you. -ithout my a&ility(you $ould only &e aware that a weapon wa! &eing aimed &y what you mu!t naturallyha'e thought of a! a human &eing and an =arthper!on. The logi$al target( then( wa!adam Gladia( a!( in fa$t( e'eryone on the &al$ony a!!umed it to &e. -hy( then( didyou ignore adam Gladia and prote$t me( in!tead*0

2aneel !aid( /6riend Gi!ard( $on!ider my line of thought. The Se$retary+General had !aid that a two+man #uroran landing module had $ome to =arth"!!urfa$e. , a!!umed at on$e that 2r. #madiro and 2r. andamu! had $ome to =arth.6or thi!( there $ould &e only one rea!on. The plan they ha'e( whate'er it! nature( i!at++or 'ery nearly at the point of maturity. 4ow that you ha'e $ome to =arth( friendGi!ard( they ha'e da!hed here to !ee it $arried through at on$e &efore you ha'e a$han$e to !top it with your mind+ad%u!ting power!. To mae matter! dou&ly !ure(they would a$t to de!troy you if they $ould. Therefore( when , !aw an aimed weapon(, mo'ed at on$e to for$e you out of the line of fire.0

Gi!ard !aid( /The 6ir!t aw !hould ha'e for$ed you to mo'e adam Gladiaout of the line of fire. 4o thought( no rea!oning( !hould ha'e altered that.0

/4o( friend Gi!ard. ou are more important than adam Gladia i!. ou are( infa$t( more important than any human &eing $ould &e at thi! moment. ,f anyone at all$an !top the de!tru$tion of =arth( you $an. Sin$e , am aware of your potential !er'i$eto humanity( then( when , am $onfronted &y a $hoi$e of a$tion( the Meroth awdemand! that , prote$t you ahead of anyone el!e.0

/#nd you do not feel un$omforta&le at your ha'ing a$ted in defian$e Hof the6ir!t aw.0

/4o( for , a$ted in o&edien$e to the o'erriding Meroth aw.0/But the Meroth aw ha! not &een imprinted into you.0/, ha'e a$$epted it a! a $orollary of the 6ir!t aw( for how $an a human &eing

&e!t &e ept from in%ury( if not &y en!uring that human !o$iety in general i! prote$tedand ept fun$tioning*0

Gi!ard thought a while. /, !ee what you are trying to !ay( &ut what if++ina$ting to !a'e me and( therefore( in a$ting to !a'e humanity ++it had turned out that ,wa! not aimed at and that adam Gladia wa! illed* ow would you ha'e felt then(friend 2aneel*0

2aneel !aid in a low tone( /, do not now( friend Gi!ard. et( had , leaped to!a'e adam Gladia and had it turned out that !he wa!( in any $a!e( !afe and that ,had allowed you to &e de!troyed and with you( in my opinion( the future of humanity(how $ould , ha'e !ur'i'ed that &low*0

The two !tared at ea$h other++ea$h( for a while( lo!t in thought.Gi!ard !aid finally( /That may &e !o( friend 2aneel( &ut do you agree(

howe'er( that %udgment i! diffi$ult in !u$h $a!e!*0/, agree( friend Gi!ard.0

/,t i! diffi$ult enough( when one mu!t $hoo!e 3ui$ly &etween indi'idual!( tode$ide whi$h indi'idual may !uffer++or infli$t++the greater harm. To $hoo!e &etweenan indi'idual and humanity( when you are not !ure of what a!pe$t of humanity youare dealing with( i! !o diffi$ult that the 'ery 'alidity of Ro&oti$ aw! $ome! to &e!u!pe$t. #! !oon a! humanity in the a&!tra$t i! introdu$ed( the aw! of Ro&oti$!&egin to merge with the aw! of umani$!++whi$h may not e'en e)i!t.0

2aneel !aid( /, do not under!tand you( friend Gi!ard.0/, am not !urpri!ed. , am not $ertain , under!tand my!elf. But $on!ider++-hen

we thin of the humanity we mu!t !a'e( we thin of =arthpeople and the Settler!.



They are more numerou! than the Spa$er!( more 'igorou!( more e)pan!i'e. They!how more initiati'e &e$au!e they are le!! dependent on ro&ot!. They ha'e a greaterpotential for &iologi$al and !o$ial e'olution &e$au!e they are !horter+li'ed( thoughlong+li'ed enough to $ontri&ute great thing! indi'idually.0

/e!(0 !aid 2aneel( /you put it !u$$in$tly.0/#nd yet the =arthpeople and the Settler! !eem to po!!e!! a my!ti$al and

e'en irrational $onfiden$e in the !an$tity and in'iola&ility of =arth. ight not thi!my!ti3ue &e a! fatal to their de'elopment a! the my!ti3ue! of ro&ot! and long lifethat ho&&le the Spa$er!*0

/, had not thought of thi!(0 !aid 2aneel. /, do not now.0Gi!ard !aid( /,f you were a! aware of mind! a! , am( you would ha'e &een

una&le to a'oid thining of thi!. ++ow doe! one $hoo!e*0 he went on with !uddeninten!ity. /Thin of humanity a! di'ided into two !pe$ie! the Spa$er!( with oneapparently fatal my!ti3ue( and the =arthpeople plu! the Settler!( with anotherpo!!i&ly fatal my!ti3ue. ,t may &e that there will &e other !pe$ie!( in the future( withe'en le!! attra$ti'e propertie!.

/,t i! not !uffi$ient to $hoo!e( then( friend 2aneel. -e mu!t &e a&le to !hape.-e mu!t !hape a de!ira&le !pe$ie! and then prote$t it( rather than finding our!el'e!for$ed to !ele$t among two or more unde!ira&ilitie!. But how $an we a$hie'e thede!ira&le unle!! we ha'e p!y$hohi!tory( the !$ien$e , dream of and $annot attain*0

2aneel !aid( /, ha'e not appre$iated the diffi$ulty( friend Gi!ard( ofpo!!e!!ing the a&ility to !en!e and influen$e mind!. ,! it po!!i&le that you learn toomu$h to allow the Three aw! of Ro&oti$! to wor !moothly within you*0

/That ha! alway! &een po!!i&le( friend 2aneel( &ut not until the!e re$ente'ent! ha! the po!!i&ility &e$ome a$tual. , now the pathway pattern that produ$e!thi! mind+!en!ing and mind+influen$ing effe$t within me. , ha'e !tudied my!elf$arefully far de$ade! in order that , might now it and , $an pa!! it on to you !o thatyou might program your!elf to &e lie me++&ut , ha'e re!i!ted the urge to do !o. ,twould &e unind to you. ,t i! enough that , &ear the &urden.0

2aneel !aid( /4e'erthele!!( friend Gi!ard( if e'er( in your %udgment( the goodof humanity would re3uire it( , would a$$ept the &urden. ,ndeed( &y the Meroth aw( ,would &e o&liged to.0

Gi!ard !aid( /But thi! di!$u!!ion i! u!ele!!. ,t !eem! apparent that the $ri!i!i! nearly upon u!++and !in$e we ha'e not e'en managed to wor out the nature of the$ri!i!++0

2aneel interrupted. /ou are wrong( there at lea!t( friend Gi!ard. , now nowthe nature of the $ri!i!.0

8;.

One would not e)pe$t Gi!ard to !how !urpri!e. i! fa$e wa!( of $our!e(in$apa&le of e)pre!!ion. i! 'oi$e po!!e!!ed modulation( !o that hi! !pee$h !oundedhuman and wa! neither monotonou! nor unplea!ant. That modulation( howe'er( wa!ne'er altered &y emotion in any re$ogni7a&le way.

Therefore( when he !aid( /#re you !eriou!*0 it !ounded a! it would ha'e had

he e)pre!!ed dou&t o'er a remar 2aneel had made $on$erning what the weatherwould &e lie the ne)t day. et( from the manner in whi$h hi! head turned toward2aneel( the way in whi$h one hand lifted( there wa! no dou&t that he wa! !urpri!ed.

2aneel !aid( /, am( friend Gi!ard.0/ow did the information $ome to you*0/,n part( from what , wa! told &y adam >nder!e$retary Juintana at the

dinner ta&le.0/But did you not !ay that you had o&tained nothing helpful from her( that you

!uppo!ed you had a!ed the wrong 3ue!tion!*0/So it !eemed in the immediate aftermath. On further refle$tion( howe'er( ,



found my!elf a&le to mae helpful dedu$tion! from what !he had !aid. , ha'e &een!ear$hing =arth"! $entral en$y$lopedia through the $omputer outlet the!e pa!t fewhour!++0

/#nd found your dedu$tion! $onfirmed*0/4ot e)a$tly( &ut , found nothing that would refute them( whi$h i! perhap! the

ne)t &e!t thing. /

/But i! negati'e e'iden$e !uffi$ient for $ertainty*0/,t i! not. #nd therefore , am not $ertain. et me tell you( howe'er( myrea!oning and if you find it faulty( !ay !o.0

/Alea!e pro$eed( friend 2aneel.0/6u!ion power( friend Gi!ard( wa! de'eloped on =arth &efore the day! of

hyper!patial tra'el and( therefore( while human &eing! were to &e found only on theone planet( =arth. Thi! i! well nown. ,t too a long time to de'elop pra$ti$al$ontrolled fu!ion power after the po!!i&ility had fir!t &een $on$ei'ed and put on a!ound !$ientifi$ footing. The $hief diffi$ulty in $on'erting the $on$ept into pra$ti$ein'ol'ed the ne$e!!ity of a$hie'ing a !uffi$iently high temperature in a !uffi$ientlyden!e ga! for a long enough time to &ring a&out fu!ion ignition.

/#nd yet !e'eral de$ade! &efore $ontrolled fu!ion power had &eene!ta&li!hed( fu!ion &om&! had e)i!ted++the!e &om&! repre!enting an un$ontrolledfu!ion rea$tion. But $ontrolled or un$ontrolled( fu!ion $ould not tae pla$e without ane)tremely high temperature in the million! of degree!. ,f human &eing! $ould notprodu$e the ne$e!!ary temperature for $ontrolled fu!ion power( how $ould they do !ofor an un$ontrolled fu!ion e)plo!ion*

/adam Juintana told me that &efore fu!ion e)i!ted on =arth( there wa!another 'ariety of nu$lear rea$tion in e)i!ten$e++nu$lear fi!!ion. =nergy wa! deri'edfrom the !plitting++or fi!!ion++of large nu$lei( !u$h a! tho!e of uranium and thorium.

That( , thought( might &e one way of a$hie'ing a high temperature./The en$y$lopedia , ha'e thi! night &een $on!ulting gi'e! 'ery little

information a&out nu$lear &om&! of any !ort and( $ertainly( no real detail!. ,t i! ata&oo !u&%e$t( , gather( and it mu!t &e !o on all world!( for , ha'e ne'er read of !u$hdetail! on #urora either( e'en though !u$h &om&! !till e)i!t. ,t i! a part of hi!tory thathuman &eing! are a!hamed of( or afraid of( or &oth and , thin thi! i! rational. ,n what, did read of fu!ion &om&!( howe'er( , read nothing a&out their ignition that wouldha'e eliminated the fi!!ion &om& a! the igniting me$hani!m. , !u!pe$t( then( that&a!ed( in part( on thi! negati'e e'iden$e( the fi!!ion &om& wa! the ignitingme$hani!m.

/But( then( how wa! the fi!!ion &om& ignited* 6i!!ion &om&! e)i!ted &eforefu!ion &om&! and if fi!!ion &om&! re3uired an ultrahigh temperature for ignition( a!fu!ion &om&! did( then there wa! nothing that e)i!ted &efore fi!!ion &om&! thatwould !upply a high enough temperature. 6rom thi!( , $on$lude++e'en though theen$y$lopedia $ontained no information on the !u&%e$t++that fi!!ion &om&! $ould &eignited at relati'ely low temperature!( perhap! e'en at room temperature. Therewere diffi$ultie! in'ol'ed( for it too !e'eral year! of unremitting effort after thedi!$o'ery that fi!!ion e)i!ted &efore the &om& wa! de'eloped. -hate'er tho!ediffi$ultie! might ha'e &een( howe'er( they did not in'ol'e the produ$tion ofultrahigh temperature!. ++our opinion of all thi!( friend Gi!ard*0

Gi!ard had ept hi! eye! !teadily on 2aneel throughout hi! e)planation andhe now !aid( /, thin the !tru$ture you ha'e &uilt up ha! !eriou! wea point!( friend2aneel( and therefore may not &e 'ery tru!tworthy++&ut e'en if it were all perfe$tly!ound( !urely thi! ha! nothing to do with the po!!i&le forth$oming $ri!i! that we arela&oring to under!tand.0

2aneel !aid( /, plead for your patien$e( friend Gi!ard( and , will $ontinue. #!it happen!( &oth the fu!ion pro$e!! and the fi!!ion pro$e!! are e)pre!!ion! of thewea intera$tion!( one of the four intera$tion! that $ontrol all e'ent! in the >ni'er!e.Con!e3uently( the !ame nu$lear inten!ifier that will e)plode a fu!ion rea$tor will al!o



e)plode a fi!!ion rea$tor./There i!( howe'er( a differen$e. 6u!ion tae! pla$e only at ultrahigh

temperature!. The inten!ifier e)plode! the ultrahot portion of the fuel that i! a$ti'elyundergoing fu!ion( plu! !ome of the !urrounding fuel that i! heated to fu!ion in theinitial e)plo!ion++&efore the material i! &lown e)plo!i'ely outward and the heat i!di!!ipated to the point where other 3uantitie! of fuel pre!ent are not ignited. Some of

the fu!ion fuel i! e)ploded( in other word!( &ut a good deal++perhap! e'en mo!t++i!not. The e)plo!ion i! powerful enough e'en !o( of $our!e( to de!troy the fu!ionrea$tor and anything in it! immediate neigh&orhood( !u$h a! a !hip $arrying therea$tor.

/On the other hand( a fi!!ion rea$tor $an operate at low temperature!(perhap! not mu$h a&o'e the &oiling point of water( perhap! e'en at roomtemperature. The effe$t of the nu$lear inten!ifier( then( will &e to mae all the fi!!ionfuel go. ,ndeed( e'en if the fi!!ion rea$tor i! not a$ti'ely woring( the inten!ifier wille)plode it. #lthough( gram for gram( , gather that fi!!ion fuel li&erate! le!! energythan fu!ion fuel( the fi!!ion rea$tor will produ$e the greater e)plo!ion &e$au!e moreof it! fuel e)plode! than in the $a!e of the fu!ion rea$tor.0

Gi!ard nodded hi! head !lowly and !aid( /#ll thi! may well &e !o( friend2aneel( &ut are there any fi!!ion power !tation! on =arth*0

/4o( there aren"t++not one. So >nder!e$retary Juintana !eemed to indi$ateand the en$y$lopedia !eem! to agree. ,ndeed( wherea! there are de'i$e! on =arththat are powered &y !mall fu!ion rea$tor!( there i! nothing++nothing at all++that i!powered &y fi!!ion rea$tor!( large or !mall.0

/Then( friend 2aneel( there i! nothing for a nu$lear inten!ifier to a$t upon. #llyour rea!oning( e'en were it impe$$a&le( end! in nothing.0

2aneel !aid earne!tly( /4ot 3uite( friend Gi!ard. There remain! a third typeof nu$lear rea$tion to &e taen into $on!ideration. /

Gi!ard !aid( /-hat might that &e* , $annot thin of a third.0/,t i! not an ea!y thought( friend Gi!ard( for on the Spa$er and Settler world!(

there i! 'ery little uranium and thorium in the planetary $ru!t! and( therefore( 'erylittle in the way of o&'iou! radioa$ti'ity. The !u&%e$t i! of little intere!t( in$on!e3uen$e( and i! ignored &y all &ut a few theoreti$al phy!i$i!t!. On =arth(howe'er( a! adam Juintana pointed out to me( uranium and thorium are$omparati'ely $ommon( and natural radioa$ti'ity( with it! ultra!low produ$tion ofheat and energeti$ radiation( mu!t therefore &e a $omparati'ely prominent part ofthe en'ironment. That i! the third type of nu$lear rea$tion to &e taen into$on!ideration.0

/,n what way( friend 2aneel*0/4atural radioa$ti'ity i! al!o an e)pre!!ion of the wea intera$tion. # nu$lear

inten!ifier that $an e)plode a fu!ion rea$tor or a fi!!ion rea$tor $an al!o a$$eleratenatural radioa$ti'ity to the point( , pre!ume( of e)ploding a !e$tion of the $ru!t++ifenough uranium or thorium i! pre!ent.0

Gi!ard !tared at 2aneel for a period of time without mo'ing or !peaing. Then he !aid !oftly( /ou !ugge!t( then( that it i! 2r. #madiro"! plan to e)plode=arth"! $ru!t( de!troy the planet a! an a&ode of life( and( in thi! way( en!ure thedomination of the Gala)y &y the Spa$er!.0

2aneel nodded. /Or( if there i! not enough thorium and uranium for ma!!e)plo!ion( the in$rea!e of radioa$ti'ity may produ$e e)$e!! heat that will alter the$limate( and e)$e!! radiation that will produ$e $an$er and &irth defe$t!( and the!ewill !er'e the !ame purpo!e++if a &it more !lowly.0

Gi!ard !aid( /Thi! i! an appalling po!!i&ility. 2o you thin it $an really &e&rought a&out*0

/Ao!!i&ly. ,t !eem! to me that for !e'eral year! now++%u!t how many , do notnow++humanoid ro&ot! from #urora( !u$h a! the would+&e+a!!a!!in++ha'e &een on=arth. They are ad'an$ed enough for $omple) programming and are $apa&le( when



/, do not now( friend Gi!ard( &ut we mu!t.0#nd Gi!ard !aid( in a 'oi$e that !eemed to ha'e an edge of har!hne!! in it!

$hoi$e of word!( /4e$e!!ity i! not enough( friend 2aneel. ou ha'e $ome a long way. ou ha'e wored out the e)i!ten$e of a $ri!i! and( &it &y &it( you ha'e wored out it!nature. #nd none of it !er'e!. ere we remain( a! helple!! a! e'er to do anythinga&out it.0

2aneel !aid( /There remain! one $han$e++a farfet$hed one( an all+&ut+u!ele!!one++&ut we ha'e no $hoi$e e)$ept to try. Out of #madiro"! fear of you( he !ent ana!!a!!in ro&ot to de!troy you and that may turn out to ha'e &een hi! mi!tae. /

/#nd if that all+&ut+u!ele!! $han$e fail!( friend 2aneel*02aneel looed $almly at Gi!ard. /Then we are helple!!( and =arth will &e

de!troyed( and human hi!tory will dwindle to an e'entual end.0

18. THE #EROTH LAW

8I.

Eeldon #madiro wa! not happy. The !urfa$e gra'ity of =arth wa! a trifle toohigh for hi! liing( the atmo!phere a trifle too den!e( the !ound and the odor of theoutdoor! !u&tly and annoyingly different from that on #urora( and there wa! noindoor! that $ould mae any preten!e of &eing $i'ili7ed.

The ro&ot! had &uilt !helter! of a !ort. There were ample food !upplie! andthere were mae!hift pri'ie! that were fun$tionally ade3uate &ut offen!i'elyinade3uate in e'ery other way.

-or!t of all( though the morning wa! plea!ant enough( it wa! a $lear day and=arth"! too+&right !un wa! ri!ing. Soon the temperature would &e too high( the airwould &e too damp( and the &iting in!e$t! would appear. #madiro had notunder!tood( at fir!t( why there !hould &e !mall it$hing !welling! on hi! arm! tillandamu! e)plained.

4ow he mum&led( a! he !$rat$hed( /2readful They might $arry infe$tion!. //, &elie'e(0 !aid andamu! with apparent indifferen$e( /that they !ometime!

do. ,t i!n"t liely( howe'er. , ha'e lotion! to relie'e the di!$omfort and we $an &urn$ertain !u&!tan$e! that the in!e$t! find offen!i'e( although , find the odor! offen!i'e(too.0

/Burn them(0 !aid #madiro.andamu! $ontinued( without $hanging tone( /#nd , don"t want to do

anything( howe'er trifling++an odor( a &it of !moe++that would in$rea!e the $han$e ofour &eing dete$ted.0

#madiro eyed him !u!pi$iou!ly. /ou ha'e !aid( o'er and o'er( that thi!region i! ne'er 'i!ited &y either =arthpeople or their field ro&ot!.0

/That"! right( &ut it"! not a mathemati$al propo!ition. ,t"! a !o$iologi$alo&!er'ation and there i! alway! the po!!i&ility of e)$eption! to !u$h o&!er'ation!.0

#madiro !$owled. /The &e!t road to !afety lie! with &eing done with thi!pro%e$t. ou !aid you"d &e ready today.0

/That( too( i! a !o$iologi$al o&!er'ation( 2r. #madiro. , should &e ready today., would lie to &e. , $annot guarantee it mathemati$ally.0

/ow long &efore you can guarantee it*0andamu! !pread hi! hand! in 8 /-ho now!*0 ge!ture. /2r. #madiro( , am

under the impre!!ion , ha'e already e)plained thi!( &ut ,"m willing to go through itagain. ,t too me !e'en year! to get thi! far. , ha'e &een $ounting on !ome month!yet of per!onal o&!er'ation! at the fourteen different relay !tation! on =arth"!



!urfa$e. , $an"t do that now &e$au!e we mu!t fini!h &efore we are lo$ated and(po!!i&ly( !topped &y the ro&ot Gi!ard. That mean! , ha'e to do my $he$ing &y$ommuni$ating with our own humanoid ro&ot! at the relay!. , $an"t tru!t them a! ,would my!elf. , mu!t $he$ and re$he$ their report! and it i! po!!i&le that , mayha'e to go to one or two pla$e! &efore , am !ati!fied. That would tae day!++perhap!a wee or two.0

/# wee or two. ,mpo!!i&le ow long do you thin , $an endure thi! planet(andamu!*0/Sir( on one of my pre'iou! 'i!it! , !tayed on thi! planet for nearly a year++on

another( for o'er four month!.0/#nd you lied it*0/4o( !ir( &ut , had a %o& to do and , did it++without !paring my!elf.0 andamu!

!tared $oldly at #madiro.#madiro flu!hed and !aid in a !omewhat $ha!tened tone( /-ell( then( where

do we !tand*0/,"m !till weighing the report! that are $oming in. -e are not woring with a

!moothly de!igned la&oratory+made !y!tem( you now. -e ha'e an e)traordinaryheterogeneou! planetary $ru!t to deal with. 6ortunately( the radioa$ti'e material!are widely !pread( &ut in pla$e! they run perilou!ly thin and we mu!t pla$e a relay in!u$h pla$e! and lea'e ro&ot! in $harge. ,f tho!e relay! are not( in e'ery $a!e(properly po!itioned and in proper order( the nu$lear inten!ifi$ation will die out andwe will ha'e wa!ted all the!e painful year! of effort on nothing. Or el!e( there may &ea !urge of lo$ali7ed inten!ifi$ation that will ha'e the for$e of an e)plo!ion that will&low it!elf out and lea'e the re!t of the $ru!t unaffe$ted. ,n either $a!e( total damagewould &e in!ignifi$ant.

/-hat we want( 2r. #madiro( i! to ha'e the radioa$ti'e material! and(therefore( !ignifi$antly large !e$tion! of earth"! $ru!t grow++!lowly++!teadily++irre'er!i&ly0++he &it the word! off a! he pronoun$ed them in !pa$ed inter'al!++0moreand more inten!ely radioa$ti'e( !o that =arth &e$ome! progre!!i'ely more unli'a&le.

The !o$ial !tru$ture of the planet will &rea down and the =arth( a! an effe$ti'ea&ode of humanity( will &e o'er and done with. , tae it( 2r. #madiro( that thi! i! whatyou want. ,t i! what , de!$ri&ed to you year! ago and what you !aid( at that time( youwanted.0

/, !till do( andamu!. 2on"t &e a fool.0/Then &ear with the di!$omfort( !ir++or el!e( lea'e and , will $arry on for

whate'er additional time it tae!.0/4o( no(0 muttered #madiro. /, mu!t &e here when it"! done++&ut , $an"t help

&eing impatient. ow long ha'e you de$ided to allow the pro$e!! to &uild* ++, mean(on$e you initiate the original wa'e of inten!ifi$ation( how long &efore =arth &e$ome!uninha&ita&le*0

/That depend! on the degree of inten!ifi$ation , apply initially. , don"t now( %u!t yet( what degree will &e re3uired( for that depend! on the o'erall effi$ien$y ofthe relay!( !o , ha'e prepared a 'aria&le $ontrol. -hat , want to arrange i! a lap!eperiod of ten to twenty de$ade!. /

/#nd if you allow a !maller lap!e period*0/The le!! the lap!e period we allow( the more rapidly portion! of the $ru!t will

grow radioa$ti'e and the more rapidly the planet will -arm up and grow dangerou!.#nd that mean! the le!! liely it will &e that any !ignifi$ant num&er of it! population$an &e remo'ed in time. /

/2oe! that matter*0 murmured #madiro.andamu! frowned. /The more rapidly the =arth deteriorate!( the more liely

it i! that =arthpeople and Settler! will !u!pe$t a te$hnologi$al $au!e++and that we arethe liely one! to re$ei'e the &lame. The Settler! will then atta$ u! with fury and( inthe $au!e of their holy world( they will fight to e)tin$tion( pro'ided only that they $aninfli$t !u&!tantial harm on u!. Thi! i! !omething we ha'e di!$u!!ed &efore and it



!eem! we agreed on the matter. ,t would &e far &etter to allow ample time( duringwhi$h we $an prepare for the wor!t and during whi$h a $onfu!ed =arth may a!!umethat the !lowly in$rea!ing radioa$ti'ity i! !ome natural phenomenon they don"tunder!tand. That i! !omething that ha! &e$ome more urgent today than ye!terday(in my %udgment.0

/,! that !o*0 #madiro wa! frowning al!o. /ou ha'e that !our( puritani$al loo

that mae! me !ure you ha'e found a way to pla$e the re!pon!i&ility for that on my!houlder!.0/-ith re!pe$t( !ir( that i! not diffi$ult in thi! $a!e. ,t wa! unwi!e to !end out

one of our ro&ot! to de!troy Gi!ard.0/On the $ontrary( it had to &e done. Gi!ard i! the only one who might de!troy

u!. //e mu!t find u! fir!t++and he won"t. #nd e'en if he doe!( we are

nowledgea&le ro&oti$i!t!. 2on"t you thin we $ould handle him*0/,ndeed*0 !aid #madiro. /So Da!ilia thought and !he new Gi!ard &etter than

we++and yet she $ouldn"t handle him. #nd !omehow the war!hip that wa! to tae himinto $harge and de!troy him at a di!tan$e $ould not handle him. So he ha! nowlanded on =arth. One way or another. he mu!t &e de!troyed.0

/e ha! not &een. There ha! &een no report of it.0/Bad new! i! !ometime! repre!!ed &y a prudent go'ernment++and =arth

offi$ial!( though &ar&arian!( might $on$ei'a&ly &e prudent. #nd if our ro&ot failed andwa! 3ue!tioned( he would $ertainly go into irre'er!i&le &lo$. That mean! we willha'e lo!t a ro&ot( !omething we $an afford to do( &ut nothing more. #nd if Gi!ard!hould !till &e at large( the more rea!on we ha'e to hurry.0

/,f we ha'e lo!t a ro&ot( we ha'e lo!t more than a ro&ot if they manage toeli$it the lo$ation of thi! $enter of operation!. -e ought( at lea!t( not to ha'e u!ed alo$al ro&ot.0

/, u!ed one that wa! immediately a'aila&le. #nd he will re'eal nothing. ou$an tru!t my programming( , thin.0

/e $annot help re'eal( &y hi! mere e)i!ten$e( whether fro7en or not( that hei! of #uroran manufa$ture. =arth ro&oti$i!t!++and there are !ome on thi! planet++will&e !ure of that. #ll the more rea!on to mae the in$rea!e in radioa$ti'ity 'ery !low.=nough time mu!t pa!! !o that =arthpeople forget the in$ident and don"t a!!o$iate itwith the progre!!i'e $hange in radioa$ti'ity. -e mu!t ha'e ten de$ade! at the 'erylea!t( perhap! fifteen( or e'en twenty.0

e waled away to in!pe$t hi! in!trument! again and to re+e!ta&li!h $onta$twith relay! !i) and ten( whi$h he !till found trou&le!ome. #madiro looed after himwith a mi)ture of di!dain and inten!e di!lie and muttered to him!elf( /e!( &ut ,don"t ha'e twenty more de$ade!( or fifteen( or may&e e'en ten. ou do++&ut , don"t.0

85.

,t wa! early morning in 4ew or. Gi!ard and 2aneel a!!umed that from thegradual heightening of a$ti'ity.

/Somewhere a&o'e and out!ide the City(0 !aid Gi!ard( /it may &e dawn now.

On$e( in !peaing to =li%ah Baley twenty de$ade! ago( , referred to =arth a! the -orldof the 2awn. -ill it $ontinue to &e !o for mu$h longer* Or ha! it already $ea!ed to &ethat*0

/The!e are mor&id thought!( friend Gi!ard(0 !aid 2aneel. /,t will &e &etter ifwe o$$upy our!el'e! with what mu!t &e done on thi! day to help eep =arth the-orld of the 2awn.0

Gladia entered the apartment( wearing a &athro&e and !lipper!. er hair wa!fre!hly dried.

/Ridi$ulou!0 !he !aid. /=arthwomen go through the $orridor! on their way tothe ma!! Aer!onal! in the morning di!he'eled and !latternly. ,t i! done on purpo!e( ,



thin. ,t i! &ad manner! to $om& one H! hair on the way to the Aer!onal. #pparently(di!he'elment to &egin with enhan$e! that well+$ared+for loo afterward. , !houldha'e &rought a $omplete morning outfit with me. ou !hould ha'e !een the loo! ,got when , left with my &athro&e on. ea'ing the Aer!onal( one mu!t &e the la!t word.++e!( 2aneel*0

/adam(0 !aid 2aneel( /ay we ha'e a word with you*0

Gladia he!itated. /4ot mu$h of a word( 2aneel. #! you are pro&a&ly aware(thi! i! going to &e a &ig day and my morning appointment! &egin almo!t at on$e.0/That i! pre$i!ely what , wi!h to di!$u!!( madam(0 !aid 2aneel. /On thi!

important day( all will go &etter if we are not with you.0/-hat*0/The effe$t you would wi!h to ha'e on =arthpeople would &e greatly

dimini!hed if you !urround your!elf with ro&ot!.0/, will not &e !urrounded. There will &e %u!t you two. ow $an , do without

you*0/,t i! ne$e!!ary that you learn to( madam. -hile we are with you( you are

mared off a! different from =arthpeople. ou are made to !eem afraid of them. /Gladia !aid( trou&led( /, need !ome prote$tion( 2aneel. Remem&er what

happened la!t night.0/adam( we $ould not ha'e pre'ented what happened la!t night and we $ould

not ha'e prote$ted you++if that were ne$e!!ary. 6ortunately( you were not the targetla!t night. The &la!ter &olt wa! aimed at Gi!ard"! head.0

/-hy Gi!ard*0/ow $ould a ro&ot aim at you or at any human &eing* The ro&ot aimed at

Gi!ard for !ome rea!on. 6or u! to &e near you( then( might &ut in$rea!e yourdanger. Remem&er that a! the tale of la!t night"! e'ent! !pread!( e'en though the=arth go'ernment may try to !uppre!! the detail!( there will &e a rumor to the effe$tthat it wa! a ro&ot who held a &la!ter and fired it. That will arou!e pu&li$ indignationagain!t ro&ot!++again!t u!++and e'en again!t you if you per!i!t in &eing !een with u!.,t would &e &etter if you were without u!.0

/6or how long*0/6or at lea!t a! long a! your mi!!ion la!t!( madam. The $aptain will &e &etter

a&le to help you in the day! to $ome than we will &e. e now! =arthpeople( he i!highly thought of &y them++and he thin! 'ery highly of you( madam.0

Gladia !aid( /Can you tell that he thin! 'ery highly of me*0/#lthough , am a ro&ot( it would !eem !o to me. #nd at any time that you

!hould wi!h u! &a$( we will $ome &a$( of $our!e++&ut( for now( we thin that the&e!t way we $an !er'e and prote$t you i! to lea'e you in Captain Baley"! hand!.0

Gladia !aid( /, will thin of it.0/,n the meanwhile( madam(0 !aid 2aneel( /we will !ee Captain Baley and find

out if he agree! with u!.0/2o !o0 !aid Gladia and pa!!ed into her &edroom.2aneel turned and !poe minimally to Gi!ard. /,! !he willing*0/ore than willing(0 !aid Gi!ard. /She ha! alway! &een a little re!tle!! in my

pre!en$e and would not !uffer unduly at my a&!en$e. 6or you( friend 2aneel( !he ha!am&i'alent feeling!. ou remind her maredly of friend Fander( who!e ina$ti'ation(

many de$ade! ago( wa! !o traumati$ for her. Thi! ha! &een a !our$e of &othattra$tion and repul!ion to her( !o it wa! not ne$e!!ary to do mu$h. , le!!ened herattra$tion to you and in$rea!ed her !trong attra$tion to the $aptain. She will dowithout u! ea!ily.0

/Then let u! find the $aptain(0 !aid 2aneel. Together( they left the room andentered the hallway that pa!!ed &y the apartment.

8K.



2aneel and Gi!ard had &oth &een on =arth on pre'iou! o$$a!ion!( Gi!ardthe more re$ently. They under!tood the u!e of the $omputeri7ed dire$tory that ga'ethem the !e$tion( -ing( and num&er of the apartment to whi$h 2.G. had &eena!!igned and they under!tood( further( the $olor $ode! in the hallway! that led themto the proper turning! and ele'ator!.

,t wa! early enough for the human traffi$ to &e light( &ut tho!e human &eing!

who pa!!ed or approa$hed at fir!t !tared with a!toni!hment at Gi!ard( then looedaway with ela&orate un$on$ern.Gi!ard"! !tep! were !lightly une'en &y the time they approa$hed 2.G."!

apartment door. ,t wa! not 'ery noti$ea&le( &ut it $aught 2aneel"! attention.e !aid in a low 'oi$e( /#re you in di!$omfort( friend Gi!ard*0Gi!ard replied( /,t ha! &een ne$e!!ary for me to wipe out a!toni!hment(

apprehen!ion( and e'en attention in a num&er of men and women++and in oneyoung!ter( whi$h wa! harder !till. , had no time to mae $ompletely $ertain , wa!doing no harm.0

/,t wa! important to do !o. -e mu!t not &e !topped.0/, under!tand that( &ut the Meroth aw doe! not wor well with me. , ha'e not

your fa$ility in that re!pe$t.0 e went on( a! though to di!tra$t hi! own attention fromhi! di!$omfort( /, ha'e often noted that hyperre!i!tan$e in the po!itroni$ pathway!mae! it!elf fir!t felt in the matter of !tanding and waling and ne)t in !pee$h.0

2aneel tapped the door !ignal. e !aid( /,t i! the !ame in my $a!e( friendGi!ard. aintaining &alan$e on two !upport! i! diffi$ult under the &e!t of$ir$um!tan$e!. Controlled im&alan$e( a! in waling( i! e'en more diffi$ult. , ha'eheard on$e that there were early attempt! made to produ$e ro&ot! with four leg! andtwo arm!. They were $alled H$entaur!." They wored well &ut were una$$epta&le&e$au!e they were &a!i$ally inhuman in appearan$e.0

/#t the moment(0 !aid Gi!ard( /i would appre$iate four leg!( friend 2aneel.owe'er( , thin my di!$omfort i! pa!!ing.0

2.G. wa! at the door now. e looed at them with a &road !mile. e thenglan$ed in ea$h dire$tion along the $orridor( whereupon hi! !mile 'ani!hed and wa!repla$ed with a loo of the utmo!t $on$ern. /-hat are you doing here withoutGladia* ,! !he++0

2aneel !aid( /Captain( adam Gladia i! well. She i! in no danger. ay weenter and e)plain*0

2.G. glowered a! he ge!tured them in!ide. i! 'oi$e gained the he$toringtone one naturally a!!ume! toward mi!&eha'ing ma$hine! and he !aid( /-hy ha'eyou left her alone* -hat $ir$um!tan$e! $ould po!!i&ly permit you to lea'e heralone*0

2aneel !aid( /She i! no more alone than any per!on i! on =arth++and no morein danger. ,f you will 3ue!tion her later on die matter( , &elie'e !he will tell you that!he $annot &e effe$ti'e here on =arth a! long a! !he i! trailed &y Spa$er ro&ot!. ,&elie'e !he will tell you that what guidan$e and prote$tion !he need! !hould &e!upplied &y you( rather than &y ro&ot!. ,t i! what we &elie'e !he wi!he!++at lea!t fornow. ,f( at any time( !he wi!he! u! &a$( !he will ha'e u!.0

2.G."! fa$e rela)ed into a !mile again. /She want! my prote$tion( doe! !he*0/#t the moment( Captain( we &elie'e !he i! 3uite an)iou! for your pre!en$e(

rather than for our!.02.G."! !mile &e$ame a grin. /-ho $an &lame her*++,"ll get my!elf ready and go

to her apartment a! !oon a! , $an. //But fir!t( !ir++0/Oh(0 !aid 2.G.( /there i! a 3uid pro 3uo*0/e!( !ir. -e are an)iou! to di!$o'er a! mu$h a! we $an a&out the ro&ot who

fired the &la!ter at the &al$ony la!t night.02.G. looed ten!e again. /2o you anti$ipate further danger for adam

Gladia*0



/4one at all of that ind. The ro&ot( la!t night( did not fire at ady Gladia.Being a ro&ot( he $ould not ha'e. e fired at friend Gi!ard.0

/-hy !hould he ha'e done that*0/,t i! what we would lie to find out. 6or that purpo!e( we wi!h you to $all

adam Juintana( >nder!e$retary of =nergy( and !tate that it would &e important andwould plea!e you and the go'ernment of Baleyworld++if you would $are to add that++

for her to allow me to a! her a few 3ue!tion! on that !u&%e$t. -e wi!h you to dowhate'er !eem! &e!t to per!uade her to agree to !u$h an inter'iew.0/,! that all you want me to do* Aer!uade a rea!ona&ly important and &u!y

offi$ial to !u&mit to $ro!!+e)amination &y a ro&ot*02aneel !aid( /Sir( !he may agree if you are earne!t enough in the re3ue!t. ,n

addition( !in$e !he may &e lo$ated a di!tan$e away( it would &e helpful if you wouldhire a darter on our &ehalf to tae u! there. -e are( a! you $an imagine( in ha!te.0

/#nd are tho!e little thing! all*0 a!ed 2.G./4ot 3uite( Captain(0 !aid 2aneel. /-e will need a dri'er and plea!e pay him

well enough !o that he will $on!ent to tran!port friend Gi!ard( who i! an o&'iou!ro&ot. e may not mind me.0

2.G. !aid( /, hope you reali7e( 2aneel( that what you a! i! $ompletelyunrea!ona&le.0

2aneel !aid( /, had hoped not( Captain. But !in$e you tell me it i!( there i!nothing more to !ay. -e ha'e no $hoi$e( then( &ut to return to adam Gladia( whi$hwill mae her unhappy( for !he would rather &e with you.0

e turned to lea'e( motioning Gi!ard to a$$ompany him( &ut 2.G. !aid(/-ait. There"! a pu&li$ $ommuni$ation $onta$t %u!t down the hallway. , $an only try.Remain here and wait for me.0

The two ro&ot! remained !tanding. 2aneel !aid. /2id you ha'e to do mu$h(friend Gi!ard*0

Gi!ard !eemed well &alan$ed on hi! leg! now. e !aid( /, wa! helple!!. ewa! !trongly oppo!ed to dealing with adam Juintana and a! !trongly oppo!ed togetting u! a darter. , $ould not ha'e altered tho!e feeling! without damage. -hen(howe'er( you !ugge!ted returning to adam Gladia( hi! attitude $hanged !uddenlyand dramati$ally. ou were anti$ipating that( , tae it( friend 2aneel*0

/, wa!.0/ou !$ar$ely need me( it would !eem. There i! more than one way of

ad%u!ting mind!. owe'er( , ended &y doing !omething. The $aptain"! $hange of mindwa! a$$ompanied &y a !trong fa'ora&le emotion toward adam Gladia. , too theopportunity of !trengthening that. /

/That i! the rea!on you are needed. , $ould not ha'e done that.0/ou will &e a&le to yet( friend 2aneel. Aerhap! 3uite !oon.02.G. returned. /Belie'e it or not( !he will !ee you( 2aneel. The darter and

dri'er will &e here in a moment++and the !ooner you lea'e( the &etter. , will &eheading toward Gladia"! apartment at on$e.0

The two ro&ot! !tepped out!ide in the hallway to wait.Gi!ard !aid( /e i! 'ery happy.0/So it would !eem( friend Gi!ard(0 !aid 2aneel( /&ut , fear the ea!y part i!

o'er for u!. -e ha'e ea!ily arranged to ha'e adam Gladia grant u! lea'e to mo'e

a&out on our own. -e ha'e then( with !ome diffi$ulty( per!uaded the $aptain tomae it po!!i&le for u! to !ee the >nder!e$retary. -ith her( howe'er( it may &e thatwe will $ome to a dead end.0

8L.

The dri'er too one loo at Gi!ard and hi! $ourage !eemed to fail him./i!ten(0 he !aid to 2aneel( /, wa! told ,"d &e paid dou&le to tae a ro&ot( &ut ro&ot!aren"t allowed in the City and , $ould get in plenty of trou&le. oney i!n"t going go



help me if , lo!e my li$en!e. Can"t , %u!t tae you( mi!ter*02aneel !aid( /, am a ro&ot( too( !ir. -e are now in the City and that i! not your

fault. -e are trying to get out of the City and you will &e helping u!. -e are going toa high go'ernment offi$ial who( , hope( will arrange that and it i! your $i'i$ duty tohelp u!. ,f you refu!e to tae u!( dri'er( you will &e a$ting to eep ro&ot! in the Cityand that may &e $on!idered to &e again!t the law. /

The dri'er"! fa$e !moothed. e opened the door and !aid gruffly( /Get in0owe'er( he $arefully $lo!ed the thi$ tran!lu$ent partition that &lo$ed him off fromhi! pa!!enger!.

2aneel !aid 3uietly( /-a! mu$h re3uired( friend Gi!ard*0/Dery little( friend 2aneel. our !tatement did mo!t of the ne$e!!ary wor. ,t

i! a!toni!hing that a $olle$tion of !tatement! that are indi'idually true $an &e u!ed( in$om&ination( to yield an effe$t that the truth !hould not.0

/, ha'e o&!er'ed thi! often in human $on'er!ation( friend Gi!ard( e'en inthat of normally truthful human &eing!. , !u!pe$t that the pra$ti$e i! %u!tified in themind! of !u$h people a! !er'ing a higher purpo!e.0

/The Meroth aw( you mean.0/Or the e3ui'alent++if the human mind ha! !u$h an e3ui'alent. ++6riend

Gi!ard( you !aid a !hort while ago that , will ha'e your power!( po!!i&ly !oon. #reyou preparing me for that purpo!e*0

/, am( friend 2aneel.0/-hy* ay , a! that*0/The Meroth aw again. The pa!!ing epi!ode of !haine!! on my feet told me

how 'ulnera&le , wa! to the attempted u!e of the Meroth aw. Before thi! day i! o'er(, may ha'e to a$t on the Meroth aw to !a'e the world and humanity and , may not&e a&le to. ,n that $a!e( you mu!t &e in po!ition to do the %o&. , am preparing you( &it&y &it( !o that( at the de!ired moment( , $an gi'e you the final in!tru$tion! and ha'eit all fall into pla$e.0

/, do not !ee how that $an &e( friend Gi!ard.0/ou will ha'e no trou&le in under!tanding when the time $ome!. , u!ed the

te$hni3ue in a 'ery !mall way on ro&ot! , !ent to =arth in the early day! &efore theywere outlawed from the Citie! and it wa! they who helped ad%u!t =arth leader! to thepoint of appro'ing the de$i!ion to !end out Settler!.0

The dri'er( who!e darter wa! not on wheel! &ut remained a $entimeter or !oa&o'e the ground at all time!( had mo'ed along !pe$ial $orridor! re!er'ed for !u$h'ehi$le! and had done !o !peedily enough to %u!tify the name of the 'ehi$le. e nowemerged into an ordinary City $orridor( whi$h wa! paralleled on the moderatelydi!tant left &y an =)pre!!way. The darter( mo'ing now mu$h more !lowly( made aleft turn( !wooped under the =)pre!!way( $ame out on the other !ide( and then( a$ur'ing half+mile later( !topped &efore an ornate &uilding front.

The darter door opened automati$ally. 2aneel emerged fir!t( waited forGi!ard to follow( then handed to the dri'er a pie$e of foil he had re$ei'ed from 2.G.

The dri'er looed at it narrowly( then the door! $lo!ed !harply and he left !peedilywithout a word.

88.

There wa! a pau!e &efore the door opened in re!pon!e to their !ignal and2aneel a!!umed they were &eing !$anned. -hen it did open( a young woman ledthem gingerly into the 'ital! of the &uilding. She a'oided looing at Gi!ard( &ut !he!howed rather more than a mild $urio!ity in 2aneel.

They found >nder!e$retary Juintana &ehind a large de!. She !miled and!aid( with gaiety that !eemed !omewhat for$ed( /Two ro&ot!( une!$orted &y human&eing!. #m , !afe*0

/=ntirely( adam Juintana(0 !aid 2aneel gra'ely. /,t i! a! unu!ual for u! to



!ee a human &eing una$$ompanied &y ro&ot!.0/, a!!ure you(0 !aid Juintana( /, ha'e my ro&ot!. , $all them underling! and

one of them e!$orted you here. , am ama7ed that !he didn"t faint at the !ight ofGi!ard. , thin !he might ha'e if !he hadn"t &een warned and if you your!elf weren"t!o e)traordinarily intere!ting in appearan$e( 2aneel. But ne'er mind that. CaptainBaley wa! !o enormou!ly pre!!ing in hi! de!ire that , !ee you and my intere!t in

maintaining $omforta&le relation! with an important Settler world wa! !u$h that ,ha'e agreed to the inter'iew. owe'er( my day remain! &u!y e'en !o and" , will &egrateful if we $an di!po!e of thi! 3ui$ly. ++-hat $an , do for you*0

/adam Juintana++0 &egan 2aneel./One moment. 2o you !it* , !aw you !itting la!t night( you now.0/-e $an !it( &ut it i! %u!t a! $omforta&le for u! to !tand. -e do not mind.0/But , do. ,t would not &e $omforta&le for me to !tand++and if , !it( , will get a

!tiff ne$ looing up at you. Alea!e pull up $hair! and !it down. Than you. ++4ow(2aneel( what i! thi! all a&out*0

/adam Juintana(0 !aid 2aneel( /you remem&er( , imagine( the in$ident ofthe &la!ter fired at the &al$ony la!t night after the &an3uet.0

/, $ertainly do. -hat"! more( , now it wa! a humanoid ro&ot who held the&la!ter( e'en though we are not admitting that offi$ially. et here , !it with two ro&ot!on the other !ide of the de! and ha'e no prote$tion. #nd one of you i! humanoidtoo.0

/, ha'e no &la!ter( madam(0 !aid 2aneel( !miling./, tru!t not. ++That other humanoid ro&ot did not loo at all lie you( 2aneel.

ou"re rather a wor of art( do you now that*0/, am $omple)ly programmed( madam.0/, mean( your appearan$e. But what a&out the &la!ting in$ident*0/adam( that ro&ot ha! a &a!e !omewhere on =arth and , mu!t now where it

i!. , ha'e $ome from #urora in order to find that &a!e and pre'ent !u$h in$ident! a!may di!tur& the pea$e &etween our world!. , ha'e rea!on to &elie'e++0

!You ha'e $ome* 4ot the $aptain* 4ot adam Gladia*0/$e# madam(0 !aid 2aneel. /Gi!ard and ,. , am in no po!ition to tell you the

whole !tory of how we $ame to ha'e undertaen the ta! and there i! no way inwhi$h , $an tell you the name of the human &eing under who!e in!tru$tion! wewor.0

/-ell ,nternational e!pionage ow fa!$inating. -hat a pity , $an"t help you(&ut , don"t now where the ro&ot $ame from. , ha'en"t any idea at all where hi! &a!emight &e. , don"t e'en now why you ha'e $ome to me for !u$h information( a! amatter of fa$t. , !hould ha'e gone to the 2epartment of Se$urity had , &een you(2aneel.0 She leaned toward him. /2o you ha'e real !in on your fa$e( 2aneel* ,t"! ane)traordinary imitation if it i!n"t.0 She rea$hed toward him and her hand re!teddeli$ately on hi! $hee. /,t e'en feel! right.0

/4e'erthele!!( madam( it i! not real !in. ,t doe! not heal of it! own a$$ord++if$ut. On the other hand( a tear $an ea!ily &e welded $lo!ed or a pat$h $an e'en &erepla$ed.0

/>gh(0 !aid Juintana( with a wrinle of her no!e. /But our &u!ine!! i! o'er( for, $an"t help you a! far a! that &la!ter u!er i! $on$erned. , now nothing.0

2aneel !aid( /adam( let me e)plain further. Thi! ro&ot may &e part of agroup that i! intere!ted in the early energy+produ$ing pro$e!! you de!$ri&ed la!tnight+fi!!ion. #!!ume thi! i! !o( that there are tho!e intere!ted in fi!!ion and in the$ontent of uranium and thorium in the $ru!t. -hat might &e a $on'enient pla$e forthem to u!e a! a &a!e*0

/#n old uranium mine( perhap!* , don"t e'en now where one might &elo$ated. ou mu!t under!tand( 2aneel( that =arth ha! an almo!t !uper!titiou!a'er!ion to anything nu$lear+fi!!ion( in parti$ular. ou"ll find almo!t nothing a&outfi!!ion in our popular wor! on energy and only &are e!!ential! in te$hni$al produ$t!



for e)pert!. ='en , now 'ery little( &ut then ,"m an admini!trator( not a !$ienti!t.02aneel !aid( /One more item( then( madam. -e 3ue!tioned the would+&e

a!!a!!in a! to the lo$ation of hi! &a!e and did !o mo!t !trenuou!ly. e wa!programmed to undergo permanent ina$ti'ation( a total free7ing of hi! &rain path!( in!u$h a $a!e++and he did ina$ti'ate. Before doing !o( howe'er( in hi! final !truggle&etween an!wering and ina$ti'ation( he opened hi! mouth three time! a! though++

po!!i&ly++to !ay three !ylla&le!( or three word!( or three group! of word!( or any$om&ination of the!e. The !e$ond !ylla&le( or word( or mere !ound wa! Hmile." 2oe!thi! mean anything to you a! ha'ing anything at all to do with fi!!ion*0

Slowly Juintana !hoo her head. /4o. , $an"t !ay it doe!. ,t"! $ertainly not aword you"ll find in a di$tionary of Standard Gala$ti$. ,"m !orry( 2aneel. ,t"! plea!antmeeting you again( &ut , ha'e a de! full of tri'ia to wor through. ou"ll e)$u!e me.0

2aneel !aid( a! though he hadn"t heard her( /, wa! told( madam( that Hmile"might &e an ar$hai$ e)pre!!ion that refer! to !ome an$ient unit of length( one that i!po!!i&ly longer than a ilometer.0

/That !ound! totally irrele'ant(0 !aid Juintana( /e'en if true. -hat would aro&ot from #urora now a&out ar$hai$ e)pre!!ion! and an$ient++0 She !toppeda&ruptly. er eye! widened and her fa$e lo!t $olor.

She !aid( /,! it po!!i&le*0/,! what po!!i&le( madam*0 a!ed 2aneel./There i! a pla$e(0 !aid Juintana( half++lo!t in thought( /that i! a'oided &y

e'eryone++=arthpeople and =arth ro&ot! alie. ,f , wanted to &e dramati$( , would !ayit wa! a pla$e of ill omen. ,t i! !o ill+omened that i! ha! &een all &ut wiped out of$on!$iou! e)i!ten$e. ,t i! not e'en in$luded in map!. ,t i! the 3uinte!!en$e of all thatfi!!ion mean!. , remem&er $oming a$ro!! it in a 'ery old referen$e film in my earlyday! on thi! %o&. ,t wa! taled a&out $on!tantly then a! the !ite of an Hin$ident" thatfore'er turned the mind! of =arthpeople again!t fi!!ion a! an energy !our$e. Thepla$e i! $alled Three ile ,!land.0

2aneel !aid( /#n i!olated pla$e( then( a&!olutely i!olated and free from anypo!!i&le intru!ion the !ort of pla$e one would !urely $ome a$ro!! when woringone"! way through an$ient referen$e material on fi!!ion and would then re$ogni7e aton$e a! an ideal &a!e where a&!olute !e$re$y wa! re3uired and with a three+wordname of whi$h Hmile" i! the !e$ond word. That must &e the pla$e( madam. ++Couldyou tell u! how to get there and $ould you arrange !ome way of allowing u! to lea'ethe City and &e taen to Three ile ,!land or it! neare!t po!!i&le 'i$inity*0

Juintana !miled. She !eemed younger when !he !miled. /Clearly( if you aredealing with an intere!ting $a!e of inter!tellar e!pionage( you $an"t afford to wa!tetime( $an you*0

/4o. ,ndeed we $annot( madam.0/-ell( then( it $ome! within the pur'iew of my dutie! to tae a loo at Three

ile ,!land. -hy don"t , tae you &y air+$ar* , $an handle an air+$ar.0/adam( your wor load++0/4o one will tou$h it. ,t will !till &e here when , return.0/But you would &e lea'ing the City++0/#nd if !o* The!e are not old time!. ,n the &ad old day! of Spa$er domination(

=arthpeople ne'er left their Citie!( it"! true( &ut we"'e &een mo'ing outward and

!ettling the Gala)y for nearly twenty de$ade!. There are !till !ome of the le!!edu$ated who maintain the old pro'in$ial attitude( &ut mo!t of u! ha'e &e$ome 3uitemo&ile. There"! alway! the feeling( , !uppo!e( that we might e'entually %oin !omeSettler group. , my!elf don"t intend to( &ut , fly my own air+$ar fre3uently and fi'eyear! ago , flew to Chi$ago and then( e'entually( flew &a$. ++Sit here. ,"ll mae thearrangement!.0

She left( 'ery mu$h a whirlwind.2aneel looed after her and murmured( /6riend Gi!ard( that( !omehow( did

not !eem $hara$teri!ti$ of her. a'e you done !omething*0



Gi!ard !aid( /# &it. ,t !eemed to me when we entered that the young womanwho !howed u! in wa! attra$ted &y your appearan$e. , wa! $ertain that there had&een the !ame fa$tor in adam Juintana"! mind la!t night at the &an3uet( though ,wa! too far from her and there were too many other! in the room for me to &e !ure.On$e our $on'er!ation with her &egan( howe'er( the attra$tion wa! unmi!taa&le.ittle &y little( , !trengthened it and ea$h time !he !ugge!ted the inter'iew might

$ome to an end( !he !eemed le!! determined++and at no time did !he !eriou!ly o&%e$tto your $ontinuing it. 6inally( !he !ugge!ted the air+$ar &e$au!e( , &elie'e( !he hadrea$hed the point where !he $ould not &ear to lo!e the $han$e to &e with you for awhile longer.0

/Thi! may $ompli$ate matter! for me(0 !aid 2aneel thoughtfully./,t i! in a good $au!e(0 !aid Gi!ard. /Thin of it in term! of the Meroth aw.0

Somehow he ga'e the impre!!ion( in !aying !o( that he would &e !miling++if hi! fa$eallowed !u$h an e)pre!!ion.

89.

Juintana drew a !igh of relief a! !he landed the air+$ar on a $on$rete !la&!uita&le for the purpo!e. Two ro&ot! approa$hed at on$e for the o&ligatory

e)amination of the 'ehi$le and for repowering if ne$e!!ary.She looed out to the right( leaning a$ro!! 2aneel a! !he did !o. /,t i! in thatdire$tion( !e'eral mile! up the Su!3uehanna Ri'er. ,t"! a hot day( too.0 She!traightened( with !ome apparent relu$tan$e( and !miled at 2aneel. /That"! thewor!t of lea'ing the City. The en'ironment i! totally un$ontrolled out here. ,magineallowing it to &e thi! hot. 2on"t you feel hot( 2aneel*0

/, ha'e an internal thermo!tat( madam( that i! in good woring order.0/-onderful. , wi!h , did. There are no road! into thi! area( 2aneel. 4or are

there any ro&ot! to guide you( for they ne'er enter it. 4or do , now what might &ethe right pla$e within the area( whi$h i! a !i7a&le one. -e might !tum&le all throughthe area without $oming upon the &a!e( e'en though we pa!!ed within fi'e hundredmeter! of it.0

/4ot Hwe(" madam. ,t i! 3uite ne$e!!ary for you to remain here. -hat follow!

might $on$ei'a&ly &e dangerou! and !in$e you are without air+$onditioning( the ta!might &e more than you $ould ea!ily &ear( phy!i$ally( e'en if it were not dangerou!.Could you wait for u!( madam* To ha'e you do !o would &e important to me.0

/, will wait.0/-e may &e !ome hour!.0/There are fa$ilitie! of 'ariou! !ort! here and the !mall City of arri!&urg i!

not far.0/,n that $a!e( madam( we mu!t &e on our way.0 e !prang lightly from the air+

$ar and Gi!ard followed him. They !et off northward. ,t wa! nearly noon and the&right !ummer !un !parled from the poli!hed portion of Gi!ard"! &ody.

2aneel !aid( /#ny !ign of mental a$ti'ity you $an dete$t will &e tho!e wewant. There !hould &e no one el!e for ilometer! a&out. /

/#re you $ertain that we $an !top them if we en$ounter them( friend 2aneel*0

/4o( friend Gi!ard( , am &y no mean! $ertain++&ut we mu!t.0

9:.

e'ular andamu! grunted and looed up at #madiro with a tight !mile on hi!thin fa$e.

/#ma7ing(0 he !aid( /and mo!t !ati!fa$tory.0#madiro mopped hi! &row and $hee! with a pie$e of toweling and !aid(

/-hat doe! that mean*0



/,t mean! that e'ery relay !tation i! in woring order.0/Then you $an initiate the inten!ifi$ation*0/#! !oon a! , $al$ulate the proper degree of - parti$le $on$entration.0/#nd how long will that tae*0/6ifteen minute!. Thirty.0#madiro wat$hed with an air of inten!ifying grimne!! on hi! fa$e until

andamu! !aid( /#ll right. , ha'e it. ,t"! <.L< on the ar&itrary !$ale , ha'e !et up. Thatwill gi'e u! fifteen de$ade! &efore an upper e3uili&rium le'el will &e rea$hed that will&e maintained without e!!ential $hange for million! of year! thereafter. #nd thatle'el will mae $ertain that( at &e!t( =arth $an maintain a few !$attered group! inarea! that are relati'ely radiation+free. -e"ll ha'e only to wait and( in fifteende$ade!( a thoroughly di!organi7ed group of Settler world! will &e meat for our!li$ing.0

/, will not li'e fifteen more de$ade!(0 !aid #madiro !lowly./y per!onal regret!( !ir(0 !aid andamu! dryly( /&ut we are now taling of

#urora and the Spa$er world!. There will &e other! who will $arry on your ta!. //ou( for in!tan$e*0/ou ha'e promi!ed me the head!hip of the ,n!titute and( a! you !ee( , ha'e

earned it. 6rom that politi$al &a!e( , may rea!ona&ly hope to &e$ome Chairman!omeday and , will $arry through tho!e poli$ie! that will &e ne$e!!ary to mae $ertainof the final di!!olution of the &y+then anar$hi$ world! of the Settler!.0

/That"! pretty $onfident of you. -hat if you turn on the - parti$le flow andthen !omeone el!e turn! it down in the $our!e of the ne)t fifteen de$ade!*0

/4ot po!!i&le( !ir. On$e the de'i$e i! !et( an internal atomi$ !hift will free7e itin that po!ition. #fter that( the pro$e!! i! irre'er!i&le++no matter what happen! here.

The whole pla$e may &e 'apori7ed and the $ru!t will ne'erthele!! $ontinue it! !low&urn. , !uppo!e it would &e po!!i&le to re&uild an entirely new !etup if anyone onearth or among the Settler! $an dupli$ate my wor( &ut if !o they $an only furtherin$rea!e the rate of radioa$ti'ity( ne'er de$rea!e it. The !e$ond law ofthermodynami$! will !ee to that.0

#madiro !aid( /andamu!( you !ay you ha'e earned the head!hip. owe'er(,"m the one to de$ide that( , thin.0

andamu! !aid !tiffly( /ou are not( !ir. -ith re!pe$t( the detail! of thi!pro$e!! are nown to me( &ut not to you. Tho!e detail! are en$oded in a pla$e youwill not find and( e'en if you do( it i! guarded &y ro&ot! who will de!troy it rather thanallow it to fall into your hand!. ou $annot gain $redit for thi!. , $an.0

#madiro !aid( /4e'erthele!!( getting my appro'al will ha!ten matter! for you.,f you were to wre!t the head!hip from my unwilling hand!( &y whate'er mean!( youwill ha'e a $ontinuing oppo!ition among other mem&er! of the Coun$il that willhamper you through all your de$ade! in the po!t. ,! it %u!t the title of head you wantor the opportunity to e)perien$e all that $ome! of true leader!hip*0

andamu! !aid( /,! thi! the time to tal politi$!* # moment ago( you were allimpatien$e o'er the fa$t that , might linger fifteen minute! o'er my $omputer. /

/#h( &ut we are now taling a&out ad%u!ting the - parti$le &eam. ou want topla$e it at <.L<++wa! that the figure*++and yet , wonder if that $an &e right. -hat i!the e)treme range you $an handle*0

/The range goe! from 7ero to twel'e( &ut it i! <.L< that i! re3uired. Alu! orminu! :.:5++if you wi!h further detail. ,t i! that whi$h( on the &a!i! of report! from allfourteen relay! will allow a lap!e of fifteen de$ade! to e3uili&rium.0

/et what , thin i! the $orre$t figure i! twel'e.0andamu! !tared at the other in horror. /Twel'e* 2o you under!tand what

that mean!*0/e!. ,t mean! we will ha'e the =arth too radioa$ti'e to li'e upon in a de$ade

or a de$ade and a half and we will ill a few &illion =arthpeople in the pro$e!!.0/ 0nd mae $ertain a war with an infuriated Settler 6ederation. -hat $an you



want of !u$h a holo$au!t*0/, tell you again. , do not e)pe$t to li'e another fifteen de$ade! and , want to

li'e to !ee the de!tru$tion of =arth.0/But you would al!o &e a!!uring the maiming++maiming( at the 'ery lea!t++of

#urora( ou $annot &e !eriou!.0/But , am. , ha'e twenty de$ade! of defeat and humiliation to mae up.0

/Tho!e de$ade! were &rought a&out &y an 6a!tolfe and Gi!ard++and not &y=arth.0/4o( they were &rought a&out &y an =arthman( =li%ah Baley.0/-ho ha! &een dead for more than !i)teen de$ade!. -hat i! the 'alue of a

moment of 'engean$e o'er a man long dead*0/, do not want to argue the matter. , will mae you an offer. The title of head

at on$e. , will re!ign my po!t the in!tant we return to #urora and nominate you in mypla$e.0

!+o. , do not want the head!hip on tho!e term!. 2eath to &illion!0/Billion! of 3arthmen. -ell( , $annot tru!t you( then( to manipulate the

$ontrol! properly. Show me++me++how to !et the $ontrol in!tallment and I will tae there!pon!i&ility. , will !till re!ign my po!t on our return and will nominate you in mypla$e. /

!+o. ,t will !till mean the death of &illion! and who now! how many million!of Spa$er! a! well. 2r. #madiro( plea!e under!tand that , will not do it on any term!and that you $annot do it without me. The !etting me$hani!m i! eyed to my leftthum&print. /

/, a! you again.0/ou $annot &e !ane if you a! me again de!pite all , ha'e !aid. //That( andamu!( i! a per!onal opinion of your!. , am not !o in!ane that ,

ha'e failed to !end off all the lo$al ro&ot! on one errand or another. -e are alonehere.0

andamu! lifted a $orner of hi! upper lip in a !neer. /#nd with what do youintend to threaten me* #re you going to ill me now that there are no ro&ot! pre!entto !top you*0

/e!( a! a matter of fa$t( andamu!( , will if , ha'e to.0 #madiro produ$ed a!mall+$ali&er &la!ter from a pou$h at hi! !ide. /The!e are diffi$ult to o&tain on =arth(&ut not impo!!i&le++if the pri$e i! right. #nd , now how to u!e it. Alea!e &elie'e mewhen , tell you that , am perfe$tly willing to &low your head off right now++if you donot pla$e your thum& on the $onta$t and allow me to ad%u!t the dial to twel'e.0

/ou dare not. ,f , die( how will you !et the dial without me*0/2on"t &e an utter fool. ,f , &low your head off( your left thum& will remain

inta$t. ,t will e'en &e at &lood temperature for a while. , will u!e that thum&( then !etthe dial a! ea!ily a! , would turn on a water tap. , would prefer you ali'e( !in$e yourdeath might &e weari!ome to e)plain &a$ on #urora( &ut it would not &e moreweari!ome than , $ould &ear. Therefore( , gi'e you thirty !e$ond! to mae up yourmind. ,f you $ooperate( , will !till gi'e you the head!hip at on$e. ,f you don"t( it will allgo a! , wi!h( in any $a!e( and you will &e dead. -e !tart now. One++two++three++0

andamu! !tared in horror at #madiro( who $ontinued to $ount and !tare athim o'er the le'eled &la!ter with hard( e)pre!!ionle!! eye!.

#nd then andamu! hi!!ed( /Aut the &la!ter away( #madiro( or we"ll &oth &eimmo&ili7ed on the plea that we mu!t &e prote$ted from harm.0

The warning $ame too late. Jui$er than the eye $ould follow( an arm!tret$hed out to !ei7e #madiro"! wri!t( paraly7ing it with pre!!ure( and the &la!terwa! gone.

2aneel !aid( /, apologi7e for ha'ing had to infli$t pain on you( 2r. #madiro( &ut, $annot allow you to hold a &la!ter pointed at another human &eing.0

9<.



#madiro !aid nothing.andamu! !aid $oldly( /ou are two ro&ot! with( a! far a! , $an !ee( no ma!ter

in 'iew. By default( , am your ma!ter and , order you to lea'e and not return. Sin$e(a! you !ee( there i! no danger to any human &eing pre!ent at thi! moment( there i!nothing to o'er$ome your ne$e!!itated o&edien$e to thi! order. ea'e at on$e.0

2aneel !aid( /Re!pe$tfully( !ir( there i! no need to hide our identitie! ora&ilitie! from you( !in$e you now them already. y $ompanion( R. Gi!ardRe'entlo'( ha! the a&ility to dete$t emotion. ++6riend Gi!ard. /

Gi!ard !aid( /#! we approa$hed( ha'ing dete$ted your pre!en$e at 3uite adi!tan$e( , too note( 2r. #madiro( of an o'erwhelming rage in your mind. ,n your!(2r. andamu!( there wa! e)treme fear.0

/The rage( if rage there wa!(0 !aid andamu!( /wa! 2r. #madiro"! rea$tion tothe approa$h of two !trange ro&ot!( e!pe$ially of one who wa! $apa&le of meddlingwith the human mind and who had already &adly++and perhap! permanently++damaged that of ady Da!ilia. y fear( if fear there wa!( wa! al!o the re!ult of yourapproa$h. -e are not in $ontrol of our emotion! and there i! no rea!on for you tointerfere. -e again order you to withdraw permanently.0

2aneel !aid( /our pardon( 2r. andamu!( &ut , merely wi!h to a!$ertain that

we may !afely follow your order!. -a! there not a &la!ter in 2r. #madiro"! handwhen we approa$hed++and wa! it not pointed at you*0andamu! !aid( /e wa! e)plaining it! woring! and he wa! a&out to put it

away when you too it from him.0/Then !hall , return it to him( !ir( &efore , lea'e*0/4o(0 !aid andamu! without a 3ui'er( /for then you would ha'e an e)$u!e to

remain here in order to++a! you would !ay++prote$t u!. Tae it with you when you goand you will ha'e no rea!on to return.0

2aneel !aid( /-e ha'e rea!on to thin that you are here in a region whi$hhuman &eing! are not allowed to penetrate++0

/That i! a $u!tom( not a law( and one whi$h( in any $a!e( hold! no for$e o'eru!( !in$e we are not =arthpeople. 6or that matter( ro&ot! are not allowed to &e here(either.0

/-e were &rought here( 2r. andamu!( &y a high offi$ial of =arth"!go'ernment. -e ha'e rea!on to thin that you are here in order to rai!e the le'el ofradioa$ti'ity in =arth"! $ru!t and do gra'e and irrepara&le damage to the planet. /

/4ot at all++0 &egan andamu!.ere #madiro interrupted for the fir!t time. /By what right( ro&ot( do you

$ro!!+e)amine u!* -e are human &eing! who ha'e gi'en you an order. 6ollow itnow0

i! tone of authority wa! o'erwhelming and 2aneel 3ui'ered( while Gi!ardhalf+turned.

But 2aneel !aid( /our pardon( 2r. #madiro. , do not $ro!!+e)amine. , merely!ee rea!!uran$e( in order that , may now that , $an !afely follow the order. -eha'e rea!on to thin that++0

/ou need not repeat(0 !aid andamu!. Then( in an a!ide( /2r. #madiro(plea!e allow me to an!wer.0 To 2aneel again( /2aneel( we are here on ananthropologi$al mi!!ion. ,t i! our purpo!e to !ee the origin! of 'ariou! human$u!tom! that influen$e &eha'ior among Spa$er!. The!e origin! $an &e found onlyhere on =arth and it i! here( then( that we !ee them.0

/2o you ha'e =arth"! permi!!ion for thi!*0/Se'en year! ago( , $on!ulted the appropriate offi$ial! on =arth and re$ei'ed

their permi!!ion.02aneel !aid in a low 'oi$e( /6riend Gi!ard( what do you !ay*0Gi!ard !aid( /The indi$ation! in 2r. andamu!"! mind are that what he i!

!aying i! not in a$$ord with the !ituation a! it i!.0



/e i! lying( then*0 !aid 2aneel firmly./That i! my &elief(0 !aid Gi!ard.andamu! !aid( hi! $almne!! untou$hed( /That may &e your &elief( &ut &elief

i! not $ertainty. ou $annot di!o&ey an order on the &a!i! of mere &elief. , now thatand you now that.0

Gi!ard !aid( /But in 2r. #madiro"! mind( rage i! dammed only &y emotional

for$e! that are &arely up to the %o& re3uired of them. ,t i! 3uite po!!i&le to !lit tho!efor$e!( !o to !pea( and allow the rage to pour out.0#nd #madiro $ried out( /-hy do you fen$e with the!e thing!( andamu!*0andamu! !houted( /2o not !ay a word( #madiro ou play into their hand!0#madiro paid no attention. /,t i! demeaning and it i! u!ele!!.0 -ith 'iolent

anger( he !hoo off andamu!"! re!training arm. /They now the truth( &ut what ofthat* ++Ro&ot!( we are Spa$er!. ore than that( we are #uroran!( from the world onwhi$h you were $on!tru$ted. ore than that( we are high offi$ial! on the world of#urora and you mu!t interpret the phra!e Hhuman &eing!" in the Three aw! ofRo&oti$! a! meaning #uroran.

/,f you do not o&ey u! now( you harm u! and humiliate u!( !o that you will &e'iolating &oth the 6ir!t and Se$ond aw!. That our a$tion! here are intended tode!troy =arthmen( e'en large num&er! of =arthmen( i! true( &ut i!( e'en !o( utterlyirrele'ant. ou might a! well offer to refu!e to o&ey u! &e$au!e we eat the meat ofanimal! we ha'e illed. 4ow that , ha'e e)plained thi! to you( lea'e0

But the la!t word! turned into a $roa. #madiro"! eye! &ulged and he$rumpled to the ground.

andamu!( with a wordle!! $ry( &ent o'er him.Gi!ard !aid( /2r. andamu!( 2r. #madiro i! not dead. e i! at the moment in

a $oma from whi$h he $an &e rou!ed at any time. owe'er( he will ha'e forgottene'erything in $onne$tion with thi! pre!ent pro%e$t( nor will he e'er &e a&le tounder!tand anything in $onne$tion with it++if( for in!tan$e( you tried to e)plain it. ,nthe pro$e!! of doing thi!++whi$h , $ould not ha'e done without hi! own admi!!ion thathe intended to de!troy large num&er! of =arthmen++, may ha'e permanentlydamaged other part! of hi! memory and hi! thining pro$e!!e!. That , regret( &ut ,$ould not help it.0

2aneel !aid( /ou !ee( 2r. andamu!( !ome time ago( on Solaria( ween$ountered ro&ot! who narrowly defined human &eing! a! Solarian! only. -ere$ogni7e the fa$t that if different ro&ot! are !u&%e$t to narrow definition! of one !ortor another( there $an only &e mea!urele!! de!tru$tion. ,t i! u!ele!! to try to ha'e u!define human &eing! a! #uroran! only. -e define human &eing! a! all mem&er! ofthe !pe$ie! *omo sapiens# whi$h in$lude! =arthpeople and Settler!" and we feel thatthe pre'ention of harm to human &eing! in group! and to humanity a! a whole $ome!&efore the pre'ention of harm to any !pe$ifi$ indi'idual.0

andamu! !aid &reathle!!ly( /That i! not what the 6ir!t aw !ay!.0/,t i! what , $all the Meroth aw and it tae! pre$eden$e.0/ou ha'e not &een programmed in !u$h a way.0/,t i! how , ha'e programmed my!elf. #nd !in$e , ha'e nown from the

moment of our arri'al here that your pre!en$e i! intended for harm( you $annot orderme away or eep me from harming you. The Meroth aw tae! pre$eden$e and ,

mu!t !a'e =arth. Therefore( , a! you to %oin me++'oluntarily++in de!troying the!ede'i$e! you ha'e here. Otherwi!e( , will &e for$ed to threaten harm to you( a! 2r.#madiro did( although , would not u!e a &la!ter.0

But andamu! !aid( /-ait -ait ear me out. et me e)plain. That 2r.#madiro ha! had hi! mind wiped $lean i! a good thing. e wanted to de!troy =arth(&ut , did not want to. That wa! why he held a &la!ter on me.0

2aneel !aid( /,t wa! you( howe'er( who originated the notion( who de!ignedand &uilt the!e de'i$e!. Otherwi!e( 2r. #madiro would not ha'e had to try to for$eyou to do anything. e would ha'e done it him!elf and would not ha'e re3uired any



help from you. ,!n"t that right*0/e!( that i! right. Gi!ard $an e)amine my emotion! and !ee if ,"m lying. ,

&uilt the!e de'i$e! and , wa! prepared to u!e them( &ut not in the fa!hion 2r.#madiro wi!hed. #m , telling the truth*0

2aneel looed at Gi!ard( who !aid( /#! nearly a! , $an tell( he i! telling thetruth.0

/Of $our!e , am(0 !aid andamu!. /-hat am doing i! to introdu$e a 'erygradual a$$eleration of the natural radioa$ti'ity in the =arth"! $ru!t. There will &e onehundred and fifty year! during whi$h the people of =arth $an mo'e to other world!. ,twill in$rea!e the population of the pre!ent Settler world! and in$rea!e the Settlementof additional world! in great num&er!. ,t will remo'e =arth a! a huge anomalou!world that fore'er threaten! the Spa$er! and !tultifie! the Settler!. ,t will remo'e a$enter of my!ti$al fer'or that i! holding &a$ the Settler!. #m , telling the truth*0

#gain Gi!ard !aid( /#! nearly a! , $an tell( he i! telling the truth.0/y plan( if it wor! out( would pre!er'e the pea$e and mae the Gala)y a

home for Spa$er and Settler alie. That i! why( when , $on!tru$ted thi! de'i$e++0e ge!tured toward it( pla$ing hi! left thum& on the $onta$t( and then( lunging

toward the 'olume $ontrol( !houted( /6ree7e02aneel mo'ed toward him and !topped( fro7en( right hand uprai!ed. Gi!ard

did not mo'e.andamu! turned &a$( panting( /,t"! at <.L<. ,t"! done. ,t"! irre'er!i&le. 4ow

it will &e played out e)a$tly a! , intended. 4or $an you &ear witne!! again!t me( foryou will !tart a war and your Meroth aw for&id! that.0

e looed down at the prone &ody of #madiro and !aid( with a $old loo of$ontempt( /6ool ou will ne'er now how it !hould ha'e &een done.0

19. ALONE

9<.

andamu! !aid( /ou $annot harm me now( ro&ot!( for nothing you do to mewill alter the fate of the =arth.0

/4e'erthele!!(0 !aid Gi!ard !haily( /you mu!t not remem&er what you ha'edone. ou mu!t not e)plain the future to the Spa$er!.0 e rea$hed for a $hair and(with a trem&ling hand( pulled it toward him!elf and !at down( a! andamu! $rumpledand !lid down into what !eemed to &e a gentle !leep.

/ 0t the la!t(0 !aid 2aneel in !oft de!pair( a! he looed down at the twoun$on!$iou! &odie!( /, failed. -hen it wa! ne$e!!ary for me to !ei7e 2r. andamu!to pre'ent harm to people who were not pre!ent &efore my eye!( , found my!elffor$ed to follow hi! order and fro7e. The Meroth aw did not wor. /

Gi!ard !aid( /4o( friend 2aneel( you did not fail. , pre'ented you. 2r.andamu! had the urge to try to do what he did and wa! held &a$ &y the fear ofwhat you would $ertainly do if he did try. , neutrali7ed hi! fear and then , neutrali7ed

you. So 2r. andamu! !et the =arth"! $ru!t on fire( !o to !pea++on 'ery !low fire.02aneel !aid( /But why( friend Gi!ard( why*0/Be$au!e he wa! telling the truth. , told you !o. *e thought he wa! lying. 6rom

the nature of the triumph in hi! mind( , am under the firm impre!!ion he felt that the$on!e3uen$e of the growing radioa$ti'ity would &e anar$hy and $onfu!ion among=arthpeople and Settler! and that the Spa$er! would de!troy them and !ei7e theGala)y. But , thought the !$enario he pre!ented u! to win u! o'er wa! the $orre$tone. The remo'al of =arth a! a large $rowded world would remo'e a my!ti3ue , ha'ealready felt to &e dangerou! and would help the Settler!. They will !trea outward



into the Gala)y at a pa$e that will dou&le and redou&le and++without =arth to loo&a$ to alway!( without =arth to !et up a god of the pa!t++they will e!ta&li!h aGala$ti$ =mpire. ,t wa! ne$e!!ary for u! to mae that po!!i&le.0 e pau!ed and( hi!'oi$e weaening( he !aid( /Ro&ot! and =mpire. /

/#re you well( friend Gi!ard*0/, $annot !tand( &ut , $an !till tal. i!ten to me. ,t i! time for you to tae on

my &urden. , ha'e ad%u!ted you for mental dete$tion and $ontrol. ou ha'e &ut toli!ten to the final pathway! a! they are impre!!ed upon your!elf. i!ten ++0e !poe !teadily++&ut in$rea!ingly wealy++in language and !ym&ol! that

2aneel $ould feel internally. ='en a! 2aneel li!tened( he $ould feel the pathway!mo'ing and ti$ing into pla$e. #nd when Gi!ard wa! done( there wa! !uddenly the$ool purr of andamu!"! mind impinging on hi! own( the un!teady thumping of#madiro"!( and the thin metalli$ thread of Gi!ard"!.

Gi!ard !aid( /ou mu!t return to adam Juintana and arrange to ha'e the!etwo human &eing! !ent &a$ to #urora. They will not &e a&le to harm =arth further.

Then !ee to it that =arth"! !e$urity for$e! !ee out and ina$ti'ate the humanoidro&ot! !ent to =arth &y andamu!.

/Be $areful how you u!e your new power!( for you are new to them and theywill not &e under perfe$t $ontrol. ou will impro'e with time++!lowly++if you are $arefulalway! to undergo !elf+e)amination with ea$h u!e. >!e the Meroth aw( &ut not to

%u!tify needle!! harm to indi'idual!. The 6ir!t aw i! almo!t a! important./Arote$t adam Gladia and Captain Baley++uno&tru!i'ely. et them &e happy

together and let adam Gladia $ontinue with her effort! to &eing pea$e. elp!uper'i!e( o'er the de$ade!( the remo'al of =arthpeople from thi! world. #nd++onemore thing++if , $an remem&er++e!++if you $an++find out where the Solarian! ha'egone. That may &e++important.0

Gi!ard"! 'oi$e trailed off.2aneel neeled at the !ide of the !eated Gi!ard and too the unre!pon!i'e

metal hand in hi! own. e !aid( in an agoni7ed whi!per( /Re$o'er( friend Gi!ard.Re$o'er. -hat you did wa! right &y the Meroth aw. ou ha'e pre!er'ed a! mu$h lifea! po!!i&le. ou ha'e done well &y humanity. -hy !uffer !o when what you ha'edone !a'e! all*0

Gi!ard !aid( in a 'oi$e !o di!torted that the word! $ould &arely &e made out(/Be$au!e , am not $ertain. ++-hat if the other 'iew++i! right++after all++and the Spa$er!will++triumph and then them!el'e! de$ay !o that++the Gala)y++will &e++empty.++Good+&ye( friend++2an++0

#nd Gi!ard wa! !ilent( ne'er to !pea or mo'e again.2aneel ro!e.e wa! alone++and with a Gala)y to $are for.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR,!aa$ #!imo' wa! &orn in the So'iet >nion to hi! great !urpri!e. e mo'ed

3ui$ly to $orre$t the !ituation. -hen hi! parent! emigrated to the >nited State!.,!aa$ ?three year! old at the time@ !towed away in their &aggage. e ha! &een an#meri$an $iti7en !in$e the age of eight.

Brought up in Broolyn( and edu$ated in it! pu&li$ !$hool!( he e'entuallyfound hi! way to Colum&ia >ni'er!ity and( o'er the prote!t! of the !$hooladmini!tration. managed to anne) a !erie! of degree! in $hemi!try( up to andin$luding a Ah.2. e then infiltrated Bo!ton >ni'er!ity and $lim&ed the a$ademi$ladder( ignoring all $rie! of outrage( until he found him!elf Arofe!!or of Bio$hemi!try.

eanwhile( at the age of nine( he found the lo'e of hi! life ?in the inanimate!en!e@ when he di!$o'ered hi! fir!t !$ien$e+fi$tion maga7ine. By the time he wa!ele'en( he &egan to write !torie!( and at eighteen( he a$tually wored up the ner'e



to !u&mit one. ,t wa! re%e$ted. #fter four long month! of tri&ulation and !uffering( he!old hi! fir!t !tory and( thereafter( he ne'er looed &a$.

,n 19I1( when he wa! twenty+one year! old( he wrote the $la!!i$ !hort !tory/4ightfall0 and hi! future wa! a!!ured. Shortly &efore that he had &egun writing hi!ro&ot !torie!( and !hortly after that he had &egun hi! 6oundation !erie!.

-hat wa! left e)$ept 3uantity* #t the pre!ent time( he ha! pu&li!hed o'er ;I:

&oo!( di!tri&uted through e'ery ma%or di'i!ion of the 2ewey !y!tem of li&rary$la!!ifi$ation( and !how! no !ign! of !lowing up. e remain! a! youthful( a! li'ely(and a! lo'a&le a! e'er( and grow! more hand!ome with ea$h year. ou $an &e !urethat thi! i! !o !in$e he ha! written thi! little e!!ay him!elf and hi! de'otion toa&!olute o&%e$ti'ity i! notoriou!.

e i! married to Fanet Fepp!on( p!y$hiatri!t and writer( ha! two $hildren &y apre'iou! marriage( and li'e! in 4ew or City.

robots and empire - isaac asimov

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