Foundation’s Triumph

As yet, she had no plan to oppose the Immortal Servant. If she ever did confront Daneel, he could probably just talk her out of it. Olivaw’s logic was always so impeccable-as it had been in those bygone days when Earth was still green and humans still had a little control over their own lives, for well or ill.

Even now, in all likelihood, Daneel probably had the best policy for humanity’s long-range good. His vision was doubtless without flaw or blemish.

Nevertheless, Dors knew one thing for certain.

I am not working for him anymore.

At that moment, she had one paramount priority, above all else.

Dors needed to see Hari Seldon.

9.

“What is it? Tell me!” he called after Horis, who stood staring blankly into the ship’s lounge. For the first time in days, Hari felt his age again as he hobbled next to Antic and looked inside.

Where the conference table had formerly been covered with ancient archives, still bright and crystalline after ages in space, only molten chunks of ruined matter now lay, slumped and smoldering, as the ship’s air conditioners struggled to suck away curls of black smoke.

The scream must have come from Sybyl, who was now crumpled on the floor near her precious discoveries. Nearby sat Gornon Vlimt, slumped against a wall, apparently unconscious or asleep. One of Mors Planch’s crewmen also lay in repose beyond the table, limp fingers outstretched toward a blaster.

Planch himself swayed, halfway between the table and the door. He pointed a shaking finger at Hari’s servant. Kers Kantun. who was the sole figure standing near the melted relics.

“He-”

Biron Maserd and Horis Antic watched the confrontation with expressions of mixed surprise and dismay. Neither of them moved as Mors Planch brought his right hand slowly toward the holster containing his sidearm. Cords of tension stood out on his neck and brow. expressing an acute i

Then Mors Planch toppled. joining his colleagues on the floor.

“What is…what is…what is…” Antic kept repeating over and over. popping a calmative pill in his mouth. then another.

In contrast. Maserd maintained the characteristic aplomb of his caste. gesturing toward Hari’s blank-faced servant with a curt nod.

“Is he one of them, Seldon?”

Hari glanced at Kers, then back to Maserd.

“That is a very good inference. my lord. Are you sure you never had the fever?”

The nobleman’s eyes grew steely. hinting at the other side of the gentry personality, the part capable of deadly vendetta.

“Do not patronize me. Academician. I asked a civil question.Is your aide a…robot?”

Hari did not answer directly. He looked at Kers, his nurse-bodyguard for over a year, and let out a sigh.

“So. Daneel left one of his own behind to keep an eye on me, after all. Is that because he still cares? Or do I have some residual importance to his plans?”

Kers answered with the same deferential tone Hari had known.

“Both, Professor. As for revealing myself this way, I lacked any other choice. I had been hoping you might persuade the Ktlinans to change their minds without intervention on my part. But they were strongly motivated and undeterred. Now we have run out of time. If disaster is to be averted, we must act.”

Horis moaned.

“A r-robot? You mean one of those tiktokthings that rioted on Trantor? I’ve heard stories…”

Compulsively, he popped another pill into his mouth… then another…while spiraling into a chattering panic. “Seldon, w-what’s going on here? D-d-did this thingkill Sybyl and the others? Is it going to killus?”

“No, I assure you,” Hari began.

“Horis,” interrupted Maserd, “watch how many of those things you’re taking. You’ll overdose!”

“Yes, I am concerned that you may hurt yourself,” said Kers Kantun. He reached for the little man, who moaned and backed away, dropping a spray of blue tablets. Antic turned to run…but only made it a few paces before collapsing.

“Is he all right?” Hari asked, genuinely concerned. Maserd checked Antic’s pulse and nodded. “He appears to be sleeping.”

Then, rising to his feet, the nobleman asked, “Am I next?”

Hari shook his head. “Not if I have anything to say about it. Well, Kers? Is our lord-captain here trustworthy?”

The robot made no physical gestures of emotion, just like the Kers of old.

“I am not as fully mentalic as Daneel Olivaw, Professor. My powers are more blunt, and I ca

“In any event, we shall need his help if we are to act before-”

A moan lifted from the floor.

Hari glanced down in surprise to see Mors Planch roll over onto his back and start reaching for his holster again! Kers took a step toward the man, apparently focusing mentalic attention on him for a second time.

The dark spacer yelled. With a jerking spasm, the blaster flew out of his hand and across the room.

Surprisingly, Planch wasn’t quite finished. Moaning, but fierce-eyed with concentration, the captain of the raider ship got up to his knees. Then, while Hari and Maserd stared in awe, he stood the rest of the way on wobbly legs and drew back a fist.

“Madder Loss!”he cried, throwing a wild punch that Kers Kantun easily dodged.

Planch lost consciousness again that very moment, collapsing in the robot’s arms.

Cradling the man, Kers spoke with evident torment in his voice.

“A human being is injured, and I am partly responsible.”

“The Zeroth Law-” Hari began.

“It sustains me, Professor. Nevertheless, rendering Mors Planch unconscious required greater force than any of the others. They will all sleep it off without harm, but his condition is tenuous. I must care for him at once, before we get to work on matters of galactic importance.”

Hari persisted, limping after them as Kers carried the stu

“How did he do that?How did he resist you! Is Planch a latent human mentalic?”

Kers Kantun did not slow down. But the robot’s answer echoed off bulkheads and down companionways.

“No. Mors Planch is something much more dangerous than a mentalic.

“He is normal.”

Part 4. A Magnificient Design

The Director of Rhodia: You seem worried, young fellow. Do you think our secret rebellion against the Tyra

Biron Farrill: Your plan is a good one, sir. We may stand a chance, on the battlefield. But what of that crucial document? The one my father sent me to search for, on Old Earth? It was already stolen before I arrived!

The Director: And now you fear it might be used against us?

Farrill : Exactly, sir. I am certain the Tyra

The Director: But of course not. I have it. I’ve had it for twenty years. It was what started the rebellion world, for it was only when I had it that I knew we could hold our wi

Farrill : It is a weapon, then?

The Director: It is the strongest weapon in the universe. It will destroy the Tyra

Rizzet: In the name of Space, what will there be?

The Director: People.

Rizzet: People? How can they govern? There must be some one person to make decisions.

The Director: There is a way. The blueprint that’s in my possession dealt with a small section of one planet, but it can be adapted to all the galaxy.