I, Robot

Isaac Asimov

TO JOHN W. CAMPBELL, JR, who godfathered THE ROBOTS The story ent t!ed Robbie was f rst "#$! shed as Strange Playfellow n S#"er S% en%e Stor es. Co"yr ght & '()* $y + %t oneers, ,n%.- %o"yr ght & '(./ $y ,saa% As 0o1. The fo!!ow ng stor es were or g na!!y "#$! shed n Asto#nd ng S% en%e + %t on2 Reason, %o"yr ght & '()' $y Street and S0 th P#$! %at ons, ,n%.- %o"yr ght & '(.( $y ,saa% As 0o1. Liar! %o"yr ght & '()' $y Street and S0 th P#$! %at ons, ,n%.- %o"yr ght & '(.( $y ,saa% As 0o1. Runaround, %o"yr ght & '()3 $y Street and S0 th P#$! %at ons, ,n%.- %o"yr ght &'(4* $y ,saa% As 0o1. Catch That Rabbit, %o"yr ght & '()) $y Street and S0 th P#$! %at ons, ,n%. Escape, %o"yr ght & '()5 $y Street and S0 th P#$! %at ons, ,n%. Evidence, %o"yr ght & '(). $y Street and S0 th P#$! %at ons, ,n%. Little Lost Robot, %o"yr ght & '()4 $y Street and S0 th P#$! %at ons, ,n%. The Evitable Conflict, %o"yr ght & '(5* $y Street and S0 th P#$! %at ons, ,n%.

CONTENTS
,ntrod#%t on......................................................................................................................................... 3 Ro$$ e ................................................................................................................................................. 5 R#naro#nd......................................................................................................................................... 3* Reason............................................................................................................................................... 6) Cat%h That Ra$$ t ............................................................................................................................. )/ L ar7................................................................................................................................................... .6 L tt!e Lost Ro$ot ............................................................................................................................... 44 Es%a"e7 .............................................................................................................................................. (4 E1 den%e.......................................................................................................................................... '') The E1 ta$!e Conf! %t ...................................................................................................................... '63

Introduction
, LOO8E9 AT M: NOTES AN9 , 9,9N;T L,8E THEM. ,;d s"ent three days at <. S. Ro$ots and 0 ght as we!! ha1e s"ent the0 at ho0e w th the En%y%!o"ed a Te!!#r %a. S#san Ca!1 n had $een $orn n the year '(/3, they sa d, wh %h 0ade her se1enty=f 1e now. E1eryone >new that. A""ro"r ate!y eno#gh, <. S. Ro$ot and Me%han %a! Men, ,n%. was se1enty= f 1e a!so, s n%e t had $een n the year of 9r. Ca!1 n;s $ rth that Lawren%e Ro$ertson had f rst ta>en o#t n%or"orat on "a"ers for what e1ent#a!!y $e%a0e the strangest nd#str a! g ant n 0an;s h story. We!!, e1eryone >new that, too. At the age of twenty, S#san Ca!1 n had $een "art of the "art %#!ar Psy%ho=Math se0 nar at wh %h 9r. A!fred Lann ng of <. S. Ro$ots had de0onstrated the f rst 0o$ !e ro$ot to $e e?# ""ed w th a 1o %e. ,t was a !arge, %!#0sy #n$ea#t f#! ro$ot, s0e!! ng of 0a%h ne=o ! and dest ned for the "ro@e%ted 0 nes on Mer%#ry. B#t t %o#!d s"ea> and 0a>e sense. S#san sa d noth ng at that se0 nar- too> no "art n the he%t % d s%#ss on "er od that fo!!owed. She was a frosty g r!, "!a n and %o!or!ess, who "rote%ted herse!f aga nst a wor!d she d s! >ed $y a 0as>= ! >e eA"ress on and a hy"ertro"hy of nte!!e%t. B#t as she wat%hed and ! stened, she fe!t the st rr ngs of a %o!d enth#s as0. She o$ta ned her $a%he!or;s degree at Co!#0$ a n 3**6 and $egan grad#ate wor> n %y$ernet %s. A!! that had $een done n the 0 d=twent eth %ent#ry on B%a!%#!at ng 0a%h nesC had $een #"set $y Ro$ertson and h s "os tron % $ra n="aths. The 0 !es of re!ays and "hoto%e!!s had g 1en way to the s"ongy g!o$e of "!ant n#0 r d #0 a$o#t the s De of a h#0an $ra n. She !earned to %a!%#!ate the "ara0eters ne%essary to f A the "oss $!e 1ar a$!es w th n the B"os tron % $ra nC- to %onstr#%t B$ra nsC on "a"er s#%h that the res"onses to g 1en st 0#! %o#!d $e a%%#rate!y "red %ted. ,n 3**/, she o$ta ned her Ph.9. and @o ned <n ted States Ro$ots as a BRo$o"sy%ho!og st,C $e%o0 ng the f rst great "ra%t t oner of a new s% en%e. Lawren%e Ro$ertson was st !! "res dent of the %or"orat on- A!fred Lann ng had $e%o0e d re%tor of resear%h. +or f fty years, she wat%hed the d re%t on of h#0an "rogress %hange and !ea" ahead. Now she was ret r ng E as 0#%h as she e1er %o#!d. At !east, she was a!!ow ng so0eone e!se;s na0e to $e nset #"on the door of her off %e. That, essent a!!y, was what , had. , had a !ong ! st of her "#$! shed "a"ers, of the "atents n her na0e- , had the %hrono!og %a! deta !s of her "ro0ot ons. ,n short , had her "rofess ona! B1 taC n f#!! deta !. B#t that wasn;t what , wanted. , needed 0ore than that for 0y feat#re art %!es for ,nter"!anetary Press. M#%h 0ore. , to!d her so. B9r. Ca!1 n,C , sa d, as !#sh!y as "oss $!e, B n the 0 nd of the "#$! % yo# and <. S. Ro$ots are dent %a!. :o#r ret re0ent w !! end an era andFC

B:o# want the h#0an= nterest ang!eGC She d dn;t s0 !e at 0e. , don;t th n> she e1er s0 !es. B#t her eyes were shar", tho#gh not angry. , fe!t her g!an%e s! de thro#gh 0e and o#t 0y o%% "#t and >new that , was #n%o00on!y trans"arent to her- that e1ery$ody was. B#t , sa d, BThat;s r ght.C BH#0an nterest o#t of ro$otsG A %ontrad %t on.C BNo, do%tor. O#t of yo#.C BWe!!, ,;1e $een %a!!ed a ro$ot 0yse!f. S#re!y, they;1e to!d yo# ,;0 not h#0an.C They had, $#t there was no "o nt n say ng so. She got #" fro0 her %ha r. She wasn;t ta!! and she !oo>ed fra !. , fo!!owed her to the w ndow and we !oo>ed o#t. The off %es and fa%tor es of <. S. Ro$ots were a s0a!! % ty- s"a%ed and "!anned. ,t was f!attened o#t ! >e an aer a! "hotogra"h. BWhen , f rst %a0e here,C she sa d, B, had a ! tt!e roo0 n a $# !d ng r ght a$o#t there where the f re= ho#se s now.C She "o nted. B,t was torn down $efore yo# were $orn. , shared the roo0 w th three others. , had ha!f a des>. We $# !t o#r ro$ots a!! n one $# !d ng. O#t"#t E three a wee>. Now !oo> at #s.C B+ fty :ears,C , ha%>neyed, B s a !ong t 0e.C BNot when yo#;re !oo> ng $a%> at the0,C she sa d. B:o# wonder how they 1an shed so ?# %>!y.C She went $a%> to her des> and sat down. She d dn;t need eA"ress on on her fa%e to !oo> sad, so0ehow. BHow o!d are yo#GC she wanted to >now. BTh rty=two,C , sa d. BThen yo# don;t re0e0$er a wor!d w tho#t ro$ots. There was a t 0e when h#0an ty fa%ed the #n 1erse a!one and w tho#t a fr end. Now he has %reat#res to he!" h 0- stronger %reat#res than h 0se!f, 0ore fa thf#!, 0ore #sef#!, and a$so!#te!y de1oted to h 0. Man> nd s no !onger a!one. Ha1e yo# e1er tho#ght of t that wayGC B,;0 afra d , ha1en;t. May , ?#ote yo#GC B:o# 0ay. To yo#, a ro$ot s a ro$ot. Hears and 0eta!- e!e%tr % ty and "os trons. M nd and ron7 H#0an=0ade7 ,f ne%essary, h#0an=destroyed7 B#t yo# ha1en;t wor>ed w th the0, so yo# don;t >now the0. They;re a %!eaner, $etter $reed than we are.C , tr ed to n#dge her gent!y w th words, BWe;d ! >e to hear so0e of the th ngs yo# %o#!d te!! #s- get yo#r 1 ews on ro$ots. The ,nter"!anetary Press rea%hes the ent re So!ar Syste0. Potent a! a#d en%e s three $ !! on, 9r. Ca!1 n. They o#ght to >now what yo# %o#!d te!! the0 on ro$ots.C ,t wasn;t ne%essary to n#dge. She d dn;t hear 0e, $#t she was 0o1 ng n the r ght d re%t on. BThey 0 ght ha1e >nown that fro0 the start. We so!d ro$ots for Earth=#se then E $efore 0y t 0e t was, e1en. Of %o#rse, that was when ro$ots %o#!d not ta!>. Afterward, they $e%a0e 0ore h#0an and o""os t on $egan. The !a$or #n ons, of %o#rse, nat#ra!!y o""osed ro$ot %o0"et t on for h#0an

@o$s, and 1ar o#s seg0ents of re! g o#s o" n on had the r s#"erst t o#s o$@e%t ons. ,t was a!! ?# te r d %#!o#s and ?# te #se!ess. And yet there t was.C , was ta> ng t down 1er$at 0 on 0y "o%>et=re%order, try ng not to show the >n#%>!e=0ot ons of 0y hand. ,f yo# "ra%t %e a $ t, yo# %an get to the "o nt where yo# %an re%ord a%%#rate!y w tho#t ta> ng the ! tt!e gadget o#t of yo#r "o%>et. BTa>e the %ase of Ro$$ e,C she sa d. B, ne1er >new h 0. He was d s0ant!ed the year $efore , @o ned the %o0"any E ho"e!ess!y o#t=of=date. B#t , saw the ! tt!e g r! n the 0#se#0FC She sto""ed, $#t , d dn;t say anyth ng. , !et her eyes 0 st #" and her 0 nd tra1e! $a%>. She had !ots of t 0e to %o1er. B, heard a$o#t t !ater, and when they %a!!ed #s $!as"he0ers and de0on=%reators, , a!ways tho#ght of h 0. Ro$$ e was a non=1o%a! ro$ot. He %o#!dn;t s"ea>. He was 0ade and so!d n '((.. Those were the days $efore eAtre0e s"e% a! Dat on, so he was so!d as a n#rse0a d.C BAs a whatGC BAs a n#rse0a d.C

Robbie
BN,NET:=E,HHT F N,NET:=N,NE F ONE H<N9RE9.C H!or a w thdrew her %h#$$y ! tt!e forear0 fro0 $efore her eyes and stood for a 0o0ent, wr n>! ng her nose and $! n> ng n the s#n! ght. Then, try ng to wat%h n a!! d re%t ons at on%e, she w thdrew a few %a#t o#s ste"s fro0 the tree aga nst wh %h she had $een !ean ng. She %raned her ne%> to n1est gate the "oss $ ! t es of a %!#0" of $#shes to the r ght and then w thdrew farther to o$ta n a $etter ang!e for 1 ew ng ts dar> re%esses. The ?# et was "rofo#nd eA%e"t for the n%essant $#DD ng of nse%ts and the o%%as ona! %h rr#" of so0e hardy $ rd, $ra1 ng the 0 dday s#n. H!or a "o#ted, B, $et he went ns de the ho#se, and ,;1e to!d h 0 a 0 !! on t 0es that that;s not fa r.C W th t ny ! "s "ressed together t ght!y and a se1ere frown %r n>! ng her forehead, she 0o1ed deter0 ned!y toward the two=story $# !d ng #" "ast the dr 1eway. Too !ate she heard the r#st! ng so#nd $eh nd her, fo!!owed $y the d st n%t 1e and rhyth0 % %!#0"= %!#0" of Ro$$ e;s 0eta! feet. She wh r!ed a$o#t to see her tr #0"h ng %o0"an on e0erge fro0 h d ng and 0a>e for the ho0e=tree at f#!! s"eed. H!or a shr e>ed n d s0ay. BWa t, Ro$$ e7 That wasn;t fa r, Ro$$ e7 :o# "ro0 sed yo# wo#!dn;t r#n #nt ! , fo#nd yo#.C Her ! tt!e feet %o#!d 0a>e no headway at a!! aga nst Ro$$ e;s g ant str des. Then, w th n ten feet of the goa!, Ro$$ e;s "a%e s!owed s#dden!y to the 0erest of %raw!s, and H!or a, w th one f na! $#rst of w !d s"eed, dashed "ant ng!y "ast h 0 to to#%h the we!%o0e $ar> of ho0e=tree f rst. H!eef#!!y, she t#rned on the fa thf#! Ro$$ e, and w th the $asest of ngrat t#de, rewarded h 0 for h s sa%r f %e $y ta#nt ng h 0 %r#e!!y for a !a%> of r#nn ng a$ ! ty. BRo$$ e %an;t r#n,C she sho#ted at the to" of her e ght=year=o!d 1o %e. B, %an $eat h 0 any day. , %an $eat h 0 any day.C She %hanted the words n a shr !! rhyth0. Ro$$ e d dn;t answer, of %o#rse E not n words. He "anto0 0ed r#nn ng nstead, n%h ng away #nt ! H!or a fo#nd herse!f r#nn ng after h 0 as he dodged her narrow!y, for% ng her to 1eer n he!"!ess % r%!es, ! tt!e ar0s o#tstret%hed and fann ng at the a r. BRo$$ e,C she s?#ea!ed, Bstand st !!7C E And the !a#ghter was for%ed o#t of her n $reath!ess @er>s. <nt ! he t#rned s#dden!y and %a#ght her #", wh r! ng her ro#nd, so that for her the wor!d fe!! away for a 0o0ent w th a $!#e e0"t ness $eneath, and green trees stret%h ng h#ngr !y downward toward the 1o d. Then she was down n the grass aga n, !ean ng aga nst Ro$$ e;s !eg and st !! ho!d ng a hard, 0eta! f nger. After a wh !e, her $reath ret#rned. She "#shed #se!ess!y at her d she1e!ed ha r n 1ag#e 0 tat on of one of her 0other;s gest#res and tw sted to see f her dress were torn. She s!a""ed her hand aga nst Ro$$ e;s torso, BBad $oy7 ,;!! s"an> yo#7C And Ro$$ e %owered, ho!d ng h s hands o1er h s fa%e so that she had to add, BNo, , won;t, Ro$$ e. , won;t s"an> yo#. B#t anyway, t;s 0y t#rn to h de now $e%a#se yo#;1e got !onger !egs and yo# "ro0 sed not to r#n t !! , fo#nd yo#.C

Ro$$ e nodded h s head E a s0a!! "ara!!e!e" "ed w th ro#nded edges and %orners atta%hed to a s 0 !ar $#t 0#%h !arger "ara!!e!e" "ed that ser1ed as torso $y 0eans of a short, f!eA $!e sta!> E and o$ed ent!y fa%ed the tree. A th n, 0eta! f !0 des%ended o1er h s g!ow ng eyes and fro0 w th n h s $ody %a0e a steady, resonant t %> ng. B9on;t "ee> now E and don;t s> " any n#0$ers,C warned H!or a, and s%#rr ed for %o1er. W th #n1ary ng reg#!ar ty, se%onds were t %>ed off, and at the h#ndredth, #" went the eye! ds, and the g!ow ng red of Ro$$ e;s eyes swe"t the "ros"e%t. They rested for a 0o0ent on a $ t of %o!orf#! g ngha0 that "rotr#ded fro0 $eh nd a $o#!der. He ad1an%ed a few ste"s and %on1 n%ed h 0se!f that t was H!or a who s?#atted $eh nd t. S!ow!y, re0a n ng a!ways $etween H!or a and ho0e=tree, he ad1an%ed on the h d ng "!a%e, and when H!or a was "!a n!y n s ght and %o#!d no !onger e1en theor De to herse!f that she was not seen, he eAtended one ar0 toward her, s!a"" ng the other aga nst h s !eg so that t rang aga n. H!or a e0erged s#!> !y. B:o# "ee>ed7C she eA%!a 0ed, w th gross #nfa rness. BBes des ,;0 t red of "!ay ng h de=and=see>. , want a r de.C B#t Ro$$ e was h#rt at the #n@#st a%%#sat on, so he seated h 0se!f %aref#!!y and shoo> h s head "ondero#s!y fro0 s de to s de. H!or a %hanged her tone to one of gent!e %oaA ng 00ed ate!y, BCo0e on, Ro$$ e. , d dn;t 0ean t a$o#t the "ee> ng. H 1e 0e a r de.C Ro$$ e was not to $e won o1er so eas !y, tho#gh. He gaDed st#$$orn!y at the s>y, and shoo> h s head e1en 0ore e0"hat %a!!y. BP!ease, Ro$$ e, "!ease g 1e 0e a r de.C She en% r%!ed h s ne%> w th rosy ar0s and h#gged t ght!y. Then, %hang ng 0oods n a 0o0ent, she 0o1ed away. B,f yo# don;t, ,;0 go ng to %ry,C and her fa%e tw sted a""a!! ng!y n "re"arat on. Hard=hearted Ro$$ e "a d s%ant attent on to th s dreadf#! "oss $ ! ty, and shoo> h s head a th rd t 0e. H!or a fo#nd t ne%essary to "!ay her tr#0" %ard. B,f yo# don;t,C she eA%!a 0ed war0!y, B, won;t te!! yo# any 0ore stor es, that;s a!!. Not oneFC Ro$$ e ga1e n 00ed ate!y and #n%ond t ona!!y $efore th s #!t 0at#0, nodd ng h s head 1 goro#s!y #nt ! the 0eta! of h s ne%> h#00ed. Caref#!!y, he ra sed the ! tt!e g r! and "!a%ed her on h s $road, f!at sho#!ders. H!or a;s threatened tears 1an shed 00ed ate!y and she %rowed w th de! ght. Ro$$ e;s 0eta! s> n, >e"t at a %onstant te0"erat#re of se1enty $y the h gh res stan%e %o !s w th n, fe!t n %e and %o0forta$!e, wh !e the $ea#t f#!!y !o#d so#nd her hee!s 0ade as they $#0"ed rhyth0 %a!!y aga nst h s %hest was en%hant ng. B:o#;re an a r=%oaster, Ro$$ e, yo#;re a $ g, s !1er a r%oaster. Ho!d o#t yo#r ar0s stra ght. E :o# got to, Ro$$ e, f yo#;re go ng to $e an a r%oaster.C The !og % was rref#ta$!e. Ro$$ e;s ar0s were w ngs %at%h ng the a r %#rrents and he was a s !1er I%oaster. H!or a tw sted the ro$ot;s head and !eaned to the r ght. He $an>ed shar"!y. H!or a e?# ""ed the I%oaster w th a 0otor that went BBr=r=rC and then w th wea"ons that went BPow eC and BSh=sh= .

shshsh.C P rates were g 1 ng %hase and the sh ";s $!asters were %o0 ng nto "!ay. The " rates dro""ed n a steady ra n. BHot another one. Two 0ore,C she %r ed. Then B+aster, 0en,C H!or a sa d "o0"o#s!y, Bwe;re r#nn ng o#t of a00#n t on.C She a 0ed o1er her sho#!der w th #nda#nted %o#rage and Ro$$ e was a $!#nt=nosed s"a%esh " Doo0 ng thro#gh the 1o d at 0aA 0#0 a%%e!erat on. C!ear a%ross the f e!d he s"ed, to the "at%h of ta!! grass on the other s de, where he sto""ed w th a s#ddenness that e1o>ed a shr e> fro0 h s f!#shed r der, and then t#0$!ed her onto the soft, green %ar"et. H!or a gas"ed and "anted, and ga1e 1o %e to nter0 ttent wh s"ered eA%!a0at ons of BThat was n %e7C Ro$$ e wa ted #nt ! she had %a#ght her $reath and then "#!!ed gent!y at a !o%> of ha r. B:o# want so0eth ngGC sa d H!or a, eyes w de n an a""arent!y art!ess %o0"!eA ty that foo!ed her h#ge Bn#rse0a dC not at a!!. He "#!!ed the %#r! harder. BOh, , >now. :o# want a story.C Ro$$ e nodded ra" d!y. BWh %h oneGC Ro$$ e 0ade a se0 =% r%!e n the a r w th one f nger. The ! tt!e g r! "rotested, BAga nG ,;1e to!d yo# C ndere!!a a 0 !! on t 0es. Aren;t yo# t red of tG F ,t;s for $a$ es.C Another se0 =% r%!e. BOh, we!!,C H!or a %o0"osed herse!f, ran o1er the deta !s of the ta!e n her 0 nd Jtogether w th her own e!a$orat ons, of wh %h she had se1era!K and $egan2 BAre yo# readyG We!! E on%e #"on a t 0e there was a $ea#t f#! ! tt!e g r! whose na0e was E!!a. And she had a terr $!y %r#e! ste"=0other and two 1ery #g!y and 1ery %r#e! ste"=s sters andFC H!or a was rea%h ng the 1ery %! 0aA of the ta!e E 0 dn ght was str > ng and e1eryth ng was %hang ng $a%> to the sha$$y or g na!s ! %>ety=s"! t, wh !e Ro$$ e ! stened tense!y w th $#rn ng eyes E when the nterr#"t on %a0e. BH!or a7C ,t was the h gh=" t%hed so#nd of a wo0an who has $een %a!! ng not on%e, $#t se1era! t 0es- and had the ner1o#s tone of one n who0 anA ety was $eg nn ng to o1er%o0e 0"at en%e. BMa00a;s %a!! ng 0e,C sa d H!or a, not ?# te ha"" !y. B:o#;d $etter %arry 0e $a%> to the ho#se, Ro$$ e.C Ro$$ e o$eyed w th a!a%r ty for so0ehow there was that n h 0 wh %h @#dged t $est to o$ey Mrs. Weston, w tho#t as 0#%h as a s%ra" of hes tat on. H!or a;s father was rare!y ho0e n the dayt 0e eA%e"t on S#nday E today, for nstan%e E and when he was, he "ro1ed a gen a! and #nderstand ng "erson. H!or a;s 0other, howe1er, was a so#r%e of #neas ness to Ro$$ e and there was a!ways the 0"#!se to snea> away fro0 her s ght.

Mrs. Weston %a#ght s ght of the0 the 0 n#te they rose a$o1e the 0as> ng t#fts of !ong grass and ret red ns de the ho#se to wa t. B,;1e sho#ted 0yse!f hoarse, H!or a,C she sa d, se1ere!y. BWhere were yo#GC B, was w th Ro$$ e,C ?#a1ered H!or a. B, was te!! ng h 0 C ndere!!a, and , forgot t was d nner= t 0e.C BWe!!, t;s a " ty Ro$$ e forgot, too.C Then, as f that re0 nded her of the ro$ot;s "resen%e, she wh r!ed #"on h 0. B:o# 0ay go, Ro$$ e. She doesn;t need yo# now.C Then, $r#ta!!y, BAnd don;t %o0e $a%> t !! , %a!! yo#.C Ro$$ e t#rned to go, $#t hes tated as H!or a %r ed o#t n h s defense, BWa t, Ma00a, yo# got to !et h 0 stay. , d dn;t f n sh C ndere!!a for h 0. , sa d , wo#!d te!! h 0 C ndere!!a and ,;0 not f n shed.C BH!or a7C BHonest and tr#!y, Ma00a, he;!! stay so ?# et, yo# won;t e1en >now he;s here. He %an s t on the %ha r n the %orner, and he won;t say a word, , 0ean he won;t do anyth ng. W !! yo#, Ro$$ eGC Ro$$ e, a""ea!ed to, nodded h s 0ass 1e head #" and down on%e. BH!or a, f yo# don;t sto" th s at on%e, yo# shan;t see Ro$$ e for a who!e wee>.C The g r!;s eyes fe!!, BA!! r ght7 B#t C ndere!!a s h s fa1or te story and , d dn;t f n sh t. EAnd he ! >es t so 0#%h.C The ro$ot !eft w th a d s%onso!ate ste" and H!or a %ho>ed $a%> a so$. Heorge Weston was %o0forta$!e. ,t was a ha$ t of h s to $e %o0forta$!e on S#nday afternoons. A good, hearty d nner $e!ow the hat%hes- a n %e, soft, d !a" dated %o#%h on wh %h to s"raw!- a %o"y of the T 0es- s! ""ered feet and sh rt!ess %hest- how %o#!d anyone he!" $#t $e %o0forta$!eG He wasn;t "!eased, therefore, when h s w fe wa!>ed n. After ten years of 0arr ed ! fe, $e st !! was so #n#ttera$!y foo! sh as to !o1e her, and there was no ?#est on that he was a!ways g!ad to see her E st !! S#nday afternoons @#st after d nner were sa%red to h 0 and h s dea of so! d %o0fort was to $e !eft n #tter so! t#de for two or three ho#rs. Conse?#ent!y, he f Aed h s eye f r0!y #"on the !atest re"orts of the Lefe$re=:osh da eA"ed t on to Mars Jth s one was to ta>e off fro0 L#nar Base and 0 ght a%t#a!!y s#%%eedK and "retended she wasn;t there. Mrs. Weston wa ted "at ent!y for two 0 n#tes, then 0"at ent!y for two 0ore, and f na!!y $ro>e the s !en%e. BHeorge7C BH0""hGC BHeorge, , say7 W !! yo# "#t down that "a"er and !oo> at 0eGC The "a"er r#st!ed to the f!oor and Weston t#rned a weary fa%e toward h s w fe, BWhat s t, dearGC B:o# >now what t s, Heorge. ,t;s H!or a and that terr $!e 0a%h ne.C BWhat terr $!e 0a%h neGC BNow don;t "retend yo# don;t >now what ,;0 ta!> ng a$o#t. ,t;s that ro$ot H!or a %a!!s Ro$$ e. He doesn;t !ea1e her for a 0o0ent.C

BWe!!, why sho#!d heG He;s not s#""osed to. And he %erta n!y sn;t a terr $!e 0a%h ne. He;s the $est darn ro$ot 0oney %an $#y and ,;0 da0ned s#re he set 0e $a%> ha!f a year;s n%o0e. He;s worth t, tho#gh E darn s ght %!e1erer than ha!f 0y off %e staff.C He 0ade a 0o1e to " %> #" the "a"er aga n, $#t h s w fe was ?# %>er and snat%hed t away. B:o# ! sten to 0e, Heorge. , won;t ha1e 0y da#ghter entr#sted to a 0a%h ne E and , don;t %are how %!e1er t s. ,t has no so#!, and no one >nows what t 0ay $e th n> ng. A %h !d @#st sn;t 0ade to $e g#arded $y a th ng of 0eta!.C Weston frowned, BWhen d d yo# de% de th sG He;s $een w th H!or a two years now and , ha1en;t seen yo# worry t !! now.C B,t was d fferent at f rst. ,t was a no1e!ty- t too> a !oad off 0e, and E and t was a fash ona$!e th ng to do. B#t now , don;t >now. The ne gh$orsFC BWe!!, what ha1e the ne gh$ors to do w th tG Now, !oo>. A ro$ot s nf n te!y 0ore to $e tr#sted than a h#0an n#rse0a d. Ro$$ e was %onstr#%ted for on!y one "#r"ose rea!!y E to $e the %o0"an on of a ! tt!e %h !d. H s ent re I0enta! ty; has $een %reated for the "#r"ose. He @#st %an;t he!" $e ng fa thf#! and !o1 ng and > nd. He;s a 0a%h ne=0ade so. That;s 0ore than yo# %an say for h#0ans.C BB#t so0eth ng 0 ght go wrong. So0e= so0e=C Mrs. Weston was a $ t haDy a$o#t the ns des of a ro$ot, Bso0e ! tt!e @ gger w !! %o0e !oose and the awf#! th ng w !! go $erser> and= and=C She %o#!dn;t $r ng herse!f to %o0"!ete the ?# te o$1 o#s tho#ght. BNonsense,C Weston den ed, w th an n1o!#ntary ner1o#s sh 1er. BThat;s %o0"!ete!y r d %#!o#s. We had a !ong d s%#ss on at the t 0e we $o#ght Ro$$ e a$o#t the + rst Law of Ro$ot %s. :o# >now that t s 0"oss $!e for a ro$ot to har0 a h#0an $e ng- that !ong $efore eno#gh %an go wrong to a!ter that + rst Law, a ro$ot wo#!d $e %o0"!ete!y no"era$!e. ,t;s a 0athe0at %a! 0"oss $ ! ty. Bes des , ha1e an eng neer fro0 <. S. Ro$ots here tw %e a year to g 1e the "oor gadget a %o0"!ete o1erha#!. Why, there;s no 0ore %han%e of any th ng at a!! go ng wrong w th Ro$$ e than there s of yo# or , s#dden!y go ng !oony E %ons dera$!y !ess, n fa%t. Bes des, how are yo# go ng to ta>e h 0 away fro0 H!or aGC He 0ade another f#t !e sta$ at the "a"er and h s w fe tossed t angr !y nto the neAt roo0. BThat;s @#st t, Heorge7 She won;t "!ay w th anyone e!se. There are doDens of ! tt!e $oys and g r!s that she sho#!d 0a>e fr ends w th, $#t she won;t. She won;t go near the0 #n!ess , 0a>e her. That;s no way for a ! tt!e g r! to grow #". :o# want her to $e nor0a!, don;t yo#G :o# want her to $e a$!e to ta>e her "art n so% ety.C B:o#;re @#0" ng at shadows, Hra%e. Pretend Ro$$ e;s a dog. ,;1e seen h#ndreds of %h !dren who wo#!d rather ha1e the r dog than the r father.C BA dog s d fferent, Heorge. We 0#st get r d of that horr $!e th ng. :o# %an se!! t $a%> to the %o0"any. ,;1e as>ed, and yo# %an.C B:o#;1e as>edG Now !oo> here, Hra%e, !et;s not go off the dee" end. We;re >ee" ng the ro$ot #nt ! H!or a s o!der and , don;t want the s#$@e%t $ro#ght #" aga n.C And w th that he wa!>ed o#t of the roo0 n a h#ff. Mrs. Weston 0et her h#s$and at the door two e1en ngs !ater. B:o#;!! ha1e to ! sten to th s, Heorge. There;s $ad fee! ng n the 1 !!age.C (

BA$o#t whatGC as>ed WestonG He ste""ed nto the washroo0 and drowned o#t any "oss $!e answer $y the s"!ash of water. Mrs. Weston wa ted. She sa d, BA$o#t Ro$$ e.C Weston ste""ed o#t, towe! n hand, fa%e red and angry, BWhat are yo# ta!> ng a$o#tGC BOh, t;s $een $# !d ng #" and $# !d ng #". ,;1e tr ed to %!ose 0y eyes to t, $#t ,;0 not go ng to any 0ore. Most of the 1 !!agers %ons der Ro$$ e dangero#s. Ch !dren aren;t a!!owed to go near o#r "!a%e n the e1en ngs.C BWe tr#st our %h !d w th the th ng.C BWe!!, "eo"!e aren;t reasona$!e a$o#t these th ngs.C BThen to he!! w th the0.C BSay ng that doesn;t so!1e the "ro$!e0. ,;1e got to do 0y sho"" ng down there. ,;1e got to 0eet the0 e1ery day. And t;s e1en worse n the % ty these days when t %o0es to ro$ots. New :or> has @#st "assed an ord nan%e >ee" ng a!! ro$ots off the streets $etween s#nset and s#nr se.C BA!! r ght, $#t they %an;t sto" #s fro0 >ee" ng a ro$ot n o#r ho0e. Hra%e, th s s one of yo#r %a0"a gns. , re%ogn De t. B#t t;s no #se. The answer s st !!, no7 We;re >ee" ng Ro$$ e7C And yet he !o1ed h s w fe E and what was worse, h s w fe >new t. Heorge Weston, after a!!, was on!y a 0an E "oor th ng E and h s w fe 0ade f#!! #se of e1ery de1 %e wh %h a %!#0s er and 0ore s%r#"#!o#s seA has !earned, w th reason and f#t ! ty, to fear. Ten t 0es n the ens# ng wee>, he %r ed, BRo$$ e stays, and that;s f na!7C and ea%h t 0e t was wea>er and a%%o0"an ed $y a !o#der and 0ore agon Ded groan. Ca0e the day at !ast, when Weston a""roa%hed h s da#ghter g# !t !y and s#ggested a B$ea#t f#!C 1 s 1oA show n the 1 !!age. H!or a %!a""ed her hands ha"" !y, BCan Ro$$ e goGC BNo, dear,C he sa d, and w n%ed at the so#nd of h s 1o %e, Bthey won;t a!!ow ro$ots at the 1 s 1oA E $#t yo# %an te!! h 0 a!! a$o#t t when yo# get ho0e.C He st#0$!ed a!! o1er the !ast few words and !oo>ed away. H!or a %a0e $a%> fro0 town $#$$! ng o1er w th enth#s as0, for the 1 s 1oA had $een a gorgeo#s s"e%ta%!e ndeed. She wa ted for her father to 0ane#1er the @et=%ar nto the s#n>en garage, BWa t t !! , te!! Ro$$ e, 9addy. He wo#!d ha1e ! >ed t ! >e anyth ng. Es"e% a!!y when +ran% s +ran was $a%> ng away so= o=o ?# et!y, and $a%>ed r ght nto one of the Leo"ard=Men and had to r#n.C She !a#ghed aga n, B9addy, are there rea!!y Leo"ard=Men on the MoonGC BPro$a$!y not,C sa d Weston a$sent!y. B,t;s @#st f#nny 0a>e=$e! e1e.C He %o#!dn;t ta>e 0#%h !onger w th the %ar. He;d ha1e to fa%e t. H!or a ran a%ross the !awn. BRo$$ e. ERo$$ e7C Then she sto""ed s#dden!y at the s ght of a $ea#t f#! %o!! e wh %h regarded her o#t of ser o#s $rown eyes as t wagged ts ta ! on the "or%h.

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BOh, what a n %e dog7C H!or a %! 0$ed the ste"s, a""roa%hed %a#t o#s!y and "atted t. B,s t for 0e, 9addyGC Her 0other had @o ned the0. B:es, t s, H!or a. ,sn;t t n %e E soft and f#rryG ,t;s 1ery gent!e. ,t ! >es ! tt!e g r!s.C BCan he "!ay ga0esGC BS#re!y. He %an do any n#0$er of tr %>s. Wo#!d yo# ! >e to see so0eGC BR ght away. , want Ro$$ e to see h 0, too. Ro$$ e7C She sto""ed, #n%erta n!y, and frowned, B,;!! $et he;s @#st stay ng n h s roo0 $e%a#se he;s 0ad at 0e for not ta> ng h 0 to the 1 s 1oA. :o#;!! ha1e to eA"!a n to h 0, 9addy. He 0 ght not $e! e1e 0e, $#t he >nows f yo# say t, t;s so.C Weston;s ! " grew t ghter. He !oo>ed toward h s w fe $#t %o#!d not %at%h her eye. H!or a t#rned "re% " to#s!y and ran down the $ase0ent ste"s, sho#t ng as she went, BRo$$ eE Co0e and see what 9addy and Ma00a $ro#ght 0e. They $ro#ght 0e a dog, Ro$$ e.C ,n a 0 n#te she had ret#rned, a fr ghtened ! tt!e g r!. BMa00a, Ro$$ e sn;t n h s roo0. Where s heGC There was no answer and Heorge Weston %o#ghed and was s#dden!y eAtre0e!y nterested n an a 0!ess!y dr ft ng %!o#d. H!or a;s 1o %e ?#a1ered on the 1erge of tears, BWhere;s Ro$$ e, Ma00aGC Mrs. Weston sat down and drew her da#ghter gent!y to her, B9on;t fee! $ad, H!or a. Ro$$ e has gone away, , th n>.C BHone awayG WhereG Where;s he gone away, Ma00aGC BNo one >nows, dar! ng. He @#st wa!>ed away. We;1e !oo>ed and we;1e !oo>ed and we;1e !oo>ed for h 0, $#t we %an;t f nd h 0.C B:o# 0ean he;!! ne1er %o0e $a%> aga nGC Her eyes were ro#nd w th horror. BWe 0ay f nd h 0 soon. We;!! >ee" !oo> ng for h 0. And 0eanwh !e yo# %an "!ay w th yo#r n %e new dogg e. Loo> at h 07 H s na0e s L ghtn ng and he %anFC B#t H!or a;s eye! ds had o1erf!own, B, don;t want the nasty dog E , want Ro$$ e. , want yo# to f nd 0e Ro$$ e.C Her fee! ngs $e%a0e too dee" for words, and she s"!#ttered nto a shr !! wa !. Mrs. Weston g!an%ed at her h#s$and for he!", $#t he 0ere!y sh#ff!ed h s feet 0orose!y and d d not w thdraw h s ardent stare fro0 the hea1ens, so she $ent to the tas> of %onso!at on, BWhy do yo# %ry, H!or aG Ro$$ e was on!y a 0a%h ne, @#st a nasty o!d 0a%h ne. He wasn;t a! 1e at a!!.C BHe was not no 0a%h ne7C s%rea0ed H!or a, f er%e!y and #ngra00at %a!!y. BHe was a "erson @#st ! >e yo# and 0e and he was 0y fr end. , want h 0 $a%>. Oh, Ma00a, , want h 0 $a%>.C Her 0other groaned n defeat and !eft H!or a to her sorrow. BLet her ha1e her %ry o#t,C she to!d her h#s$and. BCh !d sh gr efs are ne1er !ast ng. ,n a few days, she;!! forget that awf#! ro$ot e1er eA sted.C B#t t 0e "ro1ed Mrs. Weston a $ t too o"t 0 st %. To $e s#re, H!or a %eased %ry ng, $#t she %eased s0 ! ng, too, and the "ass ng days fo#nd her e1er 0ore s !ent and shadowy. Hrad#a!!y, her att t#de of "ass 1e #nha"" ness wore Mrs. Weston down and a!! that >e"t her fro0 y e!d ng was the 0"oss $ ! ty of ad0 tt ng defeat to her h#s$and.

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Then, one e1en ng, she f!o#n%ed nto the ! 1 ng roo0, sat down, fo!ded her ar0s and !oo>ed $o ! ng 0ad. Her h#s$and stret%hed h s ne%> n order to see her o1er h s news"a"er, BWhat now, Hra%eGC B,t;s that %h !d, Heorge. ,;1e had to send $a%> the dog today. H!or a "os t 1e!y %o#!dn;t stand the s ght of h 0, she sa d. She;s dr 1 ng 0e nto a ner1o#s $rea>down.C Weston !a d down the "a"er and a ho"ef#! g!ea0 entered h s eye, BMay$eE May$e we o#ght to get Ro$$ e $a%>. ,t 0 ght $e done, yo# >now. , %an get n to#%h w thFC BNo7C she re"! ed, gr 0!y. B, won;t hear of t. We;re not g 1 ng #" that eas !y. My %h !d sha!! not $e $ro#ght #" $y a ro$ot f t ta>es years to $rea> her of t.C Weston " %>ed #" h s "a"er aga n w th a d sa""o nted a r. BA year of th s w !! ha1e 0e "re0at#re!y gray.C B:o#;re a $ g he!", Heorge,C was the fr g d answer. BWhat H!or a needs s a %hange of en1 ron0entG Of %o#rse she %an;t forget Ro$$ e here. How %an she when e1ery tree and ro%> re0 nds her of h 0G ,t s rea!!y the s !! est s t#at on , ha1e e1er heard of. ,0ag ne a %h !d " n ng away for the !oss of a ro$ot.C BWe!!, st %> to the "o nt. What;s the %hange n en1 ron0ent yo#;re "!ann ngGC BWe;re go ng to ta>e her to New :or>.C BThe % ty7 ,n A#g#st7 Say, do yo# >now what New :or> s ! >e n A#g#stG ,t;s #n$eara$!e.C BM !! ons do $ear t.C BThey don;t ha1e a "!a%e ! >e th s to go to. ,f they d dn;t ha1e to stay n New :or>, they wo#!dn;t.C BWe!!, we ha1e to. , say we;re !ea1 ng now E or as soon as we %an 0a>e the arrange0ents. ,n the % ty, H!or a w !! f nd s#ff % ent nterests and s#ff % ent fr ends to "er> her #" and 0a>e her forget that 0a%h ne.C BOh, Lord,C groaned the !esser ha!f, Bthose fry ng "a1e0ents7C BWe ha1e to,C was the #nsha>en res"onse. BH!or a has !ost f 1e "o#nds n the !ast 0onth and 0y ! tt!e g r!;s hea!th s 0ore 0"ortant to 0e than yo#r %o0fort.C B,t;s a " ty yo# d dn;t th n> of yo#r ! tt!e g r!;s hea!th $efore yo# de"r 1ed her of her "et ro$ot,C he 0#ttered E $#t to h 0se!f. H!or a d s"!ayed 00ed ate s gns of 0"ro1e0ent when to!d of the 0"end ng tr " to the % ty. She s"o>e ! tt!e of t, $#t when she d d, t was a!ways w th ! 1e!y ant % "at on. Aga n, she $egan to s0 !e and to eat w th so0eth ng of her for0er a""et te. Mrs. Weston h#gged herse!f for @oy and !ost no o""ort#n ty to tr #0"h o1er her st !! s>e"t %a! h#s$and. B:o# see, Heorge, she he!"s w th the "a%> ng ! >e a ! tt!e ange!, and %hatters away as f she hadn;t a %are n the wor!d. ,t;s @#st as , to!d yo# E a!! we need do s s#$st t#te other nterests.C BH0""h,C was the s>e"t %a! res"onse, B, ho"e so.C Pre! 0 nar es were gone thro#gh ?# %>!y. Arrange0ents were 0ade for the "re"arat on of the r % ty ho0e and a %o#"!e were engaged as ho#se>ee"ers for the %o#ntry ho0e. When the day of the tr " '3

f na!!y d d %o0e, H!or a was a!! $#t her o!d se!f aga n, and no 0ent on of Ro$$ e "assed her ! "s at a!!. ,n h gh good=h#0or the fa0 !y too> a taA =gyro to the a r"ort JWeston wo#!d ha1e "referred #s ng h s own "r 1ate Igyro, $#t t was on!y a two=seater w th no roo0 for $aggageK and entered the wa t ng ! ner. BCo0e, H!or a,C %a!!ed Mrs. Weston. B,;1e sa1ed yo# a seat near the w ndow so yo# %an wat%h the s%enery.C H!or a trotted down the a s!e %heer !y, f!attened her nose nto a wh te o1a! aga nst the th %> %!ear g!ass, and wat%hed w th an ntentness that n%reased as the s#dden %o#gh ng of the 0otor dr fted $a%>ward nto the nter or. She was too yo#ng to $e fr ghtened when the gro#nd dro""ed away as f !et thro#gh a tra" door and she herse!f s#dden!y $e%a0e tw %e her #s#a! we ght, $#t not too yo#ng to $e 0 ght !y nterested. ,t wasn;t #nt ! the gro#nd had %hanged nto a t ny "at%hwor> ?# !t that she w thdrew her nose, and fa%ed her 0other aga n. BW !! we soon $e n the % ty, Ma00aGC she as>ed, r#$$ ng her %h !!ed nose, and wat%h ng w th nterest as the "at%h of 0o st#re wh %h her $reath had for0ed on the "ane shran> s!ow!y and 1an shed. B,n a$o#t ha!f an ho#r, dear.C Then, w th @#st the fa ntest tra%e of anA ety, BAren;t yo# g!ad we;re go ngG 9on;t yo# th n> yo#;!! $e 1ery ha""y n the % ty w th a!! the $# !d ngs and "eo"!e and th ngs to seeG We;!! go to the 1 s 1oA e1ery day and see shows and go to the % r%#s and the $ea%h andFC B:es, Ma00a,C was H!or a;s #nenth#s ast % re@o nder. The ! ner "assed o1er a $an> of %!o#ds at the 0o0ent, and H!or a was nstant!y a$sor$ed n the #s#a! s"e%ta%!e of %!o#ds #nderneath one. Then they were o1er %!ear s>y aga n, and she t#rned to her 0other w th a s#dden 0yster o#s a r of se%ret >now!edge. B, >now why we;re go ng to the % ty, Ma00a.C B9o yo#GC Mrs. Weston was "#DD!ed. BWhy, dearGC B:o# d dn;t te!! 0e $e%a#se yo# wanted t to $e a s#r"r se, $#t , >now.C +or a 0o0ent, she was !ost n ad0 rat on at her own a%#te "enetrat on, and then she !a#ghed ga !y. BWe;re go ng to New :or> so we %an f nd Ro$$ e, aren;t weG EW th dete%t 1es.C The state0ent %a#ght Heorge Weston n the 0 dd!e of a dr n> of water, w th d sastro#s res#!ts. There was a sort of strang!ed gas", a geyser of water, and then a $o#t of %ho> ng %o#ghs. When a!! was o1er, he stood there, a red=fa%ed, water=dren%hed and 1ery, 1ery annoyed "erson. Mrs. Weston 0a nta ned her %o0"os#re, $#t when H!or a re"eated her ?#est on n a 0ore anA o#s tone of 1o %e, she fo#nd her te0"er rather $ent. BMay$e,C she retorted, tart!y. BNow s t and $e st !!, for Hea1en;s sa>e.C New :or> C ty, '((/ A.9., was a "arad se for the s ghtseer 0ore than e1er n ts h story. H!or a;s "arents rea! Ded th s and 0ade the 0ost of t. On d re%t orders fro0 h s w fe, Heorge Weston arranged to ha1e h s $#s ness ta>e %are of tse!f for a 0onth or so, n order to $e free to s"end the t 0e n what he ter0ed, Bd ss "at ng H!or a to the 1erge of r# n.C L >e e1eryth ng e!se Weston d d, th s was gone a$o#t n an eff % ent, thoro#gh, and $#s ness=! >e way. Before the 0onth had "assed, noth ng that %o#!d $e done had not $een done.

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She was ta>en to the to" of the ha!f=0 !e ta!! Roose1e!t B# !d ng, to gaDe down n awe #"on the @agged "anora0a of roofto"s that $!ended far off n the f e!ds of Long ,s!and and the f!at!ands of New Jersey. They 1 s ted the Doos where H!or a stared n de! % o#s fr ght at the Brea! ! 1e ! onC Jrather d sa""o nted that the >ee"ers fed h 0 raw stea>s, nstead of h#0an $e ngs, as she had eA"e%tedK, and as>ed ns stent!y and "ere0"tor !y to see Bthe wha!e.C The 1ar o#s 0#se#0s %a0e n for the r share of attent on, together w th the "ar>s and the $ea%hes and the a?#ar #0. She was ta>en ha!fway #" the H#dson n an eA%#rs on stea0er f tted o#t n the ar%ha s0 of the 0ad Twent es. She tra1e!ed nto the stratos"here on an eAh $ t on tr ", where the s>y t#rned dee" "#r"!e and the stars %a0e o#t and the 0 sty earth $e!ow !oo>ed ! >e a h#ge %on%a1e $ow!. 9own #nder the waters of the Long ,s!and So#nd she was ta>en n a g!ass=wa!!ed s#$=sea 1esse!, where n a green and wa1er ng wor!d, ?#a nt and %#r o#s sea=th ngs og!ed her and w gg!ed s#dden!y away. On a 0ore "rosa % !e1e!, Mrs. Weston too> her to the de"art0ent stores where she %o#!d re1e! n another ty"e of fa ry!and. ,n fa%t, when the 0onth had near!y s"ed, the Westons were %on1 n%ed that e1eryth ng %on%e 1a$!e had $een done to ta>e H!or a;s 0 nd on%e and for a!! off the de"arted Ro$$ e E $#t they were not ?# te s#re they had s#%%eeded. The fa%t re0a ned that where1er H!or a went, she d s"!ayed the 0ost a$sor$ed and %on%entrated nterest n s#%h ro$ots as ha""ened to $e "resent. No 0atter how eA% t ng the s"e%ta%!e $efore her, nor how no1e! to her g r! sh eyes, she t#rned away nstant!y f the %orner of her eye %a#ght a g! 0"se of 0eta!! % 0o1e0ent. Mrs. Weston went o#t of her way to >ee" H!or a away fro0 a!! ro$ots. And the 0atter was f na!!y %! 0aAed n the e" sode at the M#se#0 of S% en%e and ,nd#stry. The M#se#0 had anno#n%ed a s"e% a! B%h !dren;s "rogra0C n wh %h eAh $ ts of s% ent f % w t%hery s%a!ed down to the %h !d 0 nd were to $e shown. The Westons, of %o#rse, "!a%ed t #"on the r ! st of Ba$so!#te!y.C ,t was wh !e the Westons were stand ng tota!!y a$sor$ed n the eA"!o ts of a "owerf#! e!e%tro= 0agnet that Mrs. Weston s#dden!y $e%a0e aware of the fa%t that H!or a was no !onger w th her. ,n t a! "an % ga1e way to %a!0 de% s on and, en! st ng the a d of three attendants, a %aref#! sear%h was $eg#n. H!or a, of %o#rse, was not one to wander a 0!ess!y, howe1er. +or her age, she was an #n#s#a!!y deter0 ned and "#r"osef#! g r!, ?# te f#!! of the 0aterna! genes n that res"e%t. She had seen a h#ge s gn on the th rd f!oor, wh %h had sa d, BTh s Way to the Ta!> ng Ro$otC Ha1 ng s"e!!ed t o#t to herse!f and ha1 ng not %ed that her "arents d d not see0 to w sh to 0o1e n the "ro"er d re%t on, she d d the o$1 o#s th ng. Wa t ng for an o""ort#ne 0o0ent of "arenta! d stra%t on, she %a!0!y d sengaged herse!f and fo!!owed the s gn. The Ta!> ng Ro$ot was a to#r de for%e, a thoro#gh!y 0"ra%t %a! de1 %e, "ossess ng "#$! % ty 1a!#e on!y. On%e an ho#r, an es%orted gro#" stood $efore t and as>ed ?#est ons of the ro$ot eng neer n %harge n %aref#! wh s"ers. Those the eng neer de% ded were s# ta$!e for the ro$ot;s % r%# ts were trans0 tted to the Ta!> ng Ro$ot. ,t was rather d#!!. ,t 0ay $e n %e to >now that the s?#are of fo#rteen s one h#ndred n nety=s A, that the te0"erat#re at the 0o0ent s 43 degrees +ahrenhe t, and the a r="ress#re 6*.*3 n%hes of ')

0er%#ry, that the ato0 % we ght of sod #0 s 36, $#t one doesn;t rea!!y need a ro$ot for that. One es"e% a!!y does not need an #nw e!dy, tota!!y 00o$ !e 0ass of w res and %o !s s"read ng o1er twenty=f 1e s?#are yards. +ew "eo"!e $othered to ret#rn for a se%ond he!" ng, $#t one g r! n her 0 dd!e teens sat ?# et!y on a $en%h wa t ng for a th rd. She was the on!y one n the roo0 when H!or a entered. H!or a d d not !oo> at her. To her at the 0o0ent, another h#0an $e ng was $#t an n%ons dera$!e te0. She sa1ed her attent on for th s !arge th ng w th the whee!s. +or a 0o0ent, she hes tated n d s0ay. ,t d dn;t !oo> ! >e any ro$ot she had e1er seen. Ca#t o#s!y and do#$tf#!!y she ra sed her tre$!e 1o %e- BP!ease, Mr. Ro$ot, s r, are yo# the Ta!> ng Ro$ot, s rGC She wasn;t s#re, $#t t see0ed to her that a ro$ot that a%t#a!!y ta!>ed was worth a great dea! of "o! teness. JThe g r! n her 0 d=teens a!!owed a !oo> of ntense %on%entrat on to %ross her th n, "!a n fa%e. She wh ""ed o#t a s0a!! note$oo> and $egan wr t ng n ra" d "othoo>s.K There was an o !y wh r of gears and a 0e%han %a!!y t 0$ered 1o %e $oo0ed o#t n words that !a%>ed a%%ent and ntonat on, B,= a0= the= ro$ot= that= ta!>s.C H!or a stared at t r#ef#!!y. ,t d d ta!>, $#t the so#nd %a0e fro0 ns de so0ewheres. There was no fa%e to ta!> to. She sa d, BCan yo# he!" 0e, Mr. Ro$ot, s rGC The Ta!> ng Ro$ot was des gned to answer ?#est ons, and on!y s#%h ?#est ons as t %o#!d answer had e1er $een "#t to t. ,t was ?# te %onf dent of ts a$ ! ty, therefore, B,F %anF he!"F yo#.C BThan> yo#, Mr. Ro$ot, s r. Ha1e yo# seen Ro$$ eGC BWho F s Ro$$ eGC BHe;s a ro$ot, Mr. Ro$ot, s r.C She stret%hed to t "toes. BHe;s a$o#t so h gh, Mr. Ro$ot, s r, on!y h gher, and he;s 1ery n %e. He;s got a head, yo# >now. , 0ean yo# ha1en;t, $#t he has, Mr. Ro$ot, s r.C The Ta!> ng Ro$ot had $een !eft $eh nd, BAF ro$otGC B:es, Mr. Ro$ot, s r. A ro$ot @#st ! >e yo#, eA%e"t he %an;t ta!>, of %o#rse, and E !oo>s ! >e a rea! "erson.C BAF ro$otF ! >eF 0eGC B:es, Mr. Ro$ot, s r.C To wh %h the Ta!> ng Ro$ot;s on!y res"onse was an errat % s"!#tter and an o%%as ona! n%oherent so#nd. The rad %a! genera! Dat on offered t, .e., ts eA sten%e, not as a "art %#!ar o$@e%t, $#t as a 0e0$er of a genera! gro#", was too 0#%h for t. Loya!!y, t tr ed to en%o0"ass the %on%e"t and ha!f a doDen %o !s $#rnt o#t. L tt!e warn ng s gna!s were $#DD ng. JThe g r! n her 0 d=teens !eft at that "o nt. She had eno#gh for her Phys %s=' "a"er on BPra%t %a! As"e%ts of Ro$ot %s.C Th s "a"er was S#san Ca!1 n;s f rst of 0any on the s#$@e%t.K H!or a stood wa t ng, w th %aref#!!y %on%ea!ed 0"at en%e, for the 0a%h ne;s answer when she heard the %ry $eh nd her of BThere she s,C and re%ogn Ded that %ry as her 0other;s. BWhat are yo# do ng here, yo# $ad g r!GC %r ed Mrs. Weston, anA ety d sso!1 ng at on%e nto anger. B9o yo# >now yo# fr ghtened yo#r 0a00a and daddy a!0ost to deathG Why d d yo# r#n awayGC '5

The ro$ot eng neer had a!so dashed n, tear ng h s ha r, and de0and ng who of the gather ng %rowd had ta0"ered w th the 0a%h ne. BCan;t any$ody read s gnsGC he ye!!ed. B:o#;re not a!!owed n here w tho#t an attendant.C H!or a ra sed her gr e1ed 1o %e o1er the d n, B, on!y %a0e to see the Ta!> ng Ro$ot, Ma00a. , tho#ght he 0 ght >now where Ro$$ e was $e%a#se they;re $oth ro$ots.C And then, as the tho#ght of Ro$$ e was s#dden!y $ro#ght for%ef#!!y ho0e to her, she $#rst nto a s#dden stor0 of tears, BAnd , got to f nd Ro$$ e, Ma00a. , got to.C Mrs. Weston strang!ed a %ry, and sa d, BOh, good Hea1ens. Co0e ho0e, Heorge. Th s s 0ore than , %an stand.C That e1en ng, Heorge Weston !eft for se1era! ho#rs, and the neAt 0orn ng, he a""roa%hed h s w fe w th so0eth ng that !oo>ed s#s" % o#s!y ! >e s0#g %o0"!a%en%e. B,;1e got an dea, Hra%e.C BA$o#t whatGC was the g!oo0y, #n nterested ?#eryG BA$o#t H!or a.C B:o#;re not go ng to s#ggest $#y ng $a%> that ro$otGC BNo, of %o#rse not.C BThen go ahead. , 0 ght as we!! ! sten to yo#. Noth ng ,;1e done see0s to ha1e done any good.C BA!! r ght. Here;s what ,;1e $een th n> ng. The who!e tro#$!e w th H!or a s that she th n>s of Ro$$ e as a "erson and not as a 0a%h ne. Nat#ra!!y, she %an;t forget h 0. Now f we 0anaged to %on1 n%e her that Ro$$ e was noth ng 0ore than a 0ess of stee! and %o""er n the for0 of sheets and w res w th e!e%tr % ty ts @# %e of ! fe, how !ong wo#!d her !ong ngs !astG ,t;s the "sy%ho!og %a! atta%>, f yo# see 0y "o nt.C BHow do yo# "!an to do tGC BS 0"!e. Where do yo# s#""ose , went !ast n ghtG , "ers#aded Ro$ertson of <. S. Ro$ots and Me%han %a! Men, ,n%. to arrange for a %o0"!ete to#r of h s "re0 ses to0orrow. The three of #s w !! go, and $y the t 0e we;re thro#gh, H!or a w !! ha1e t dr !!ed nto her that a ro$ot s not a! 1e.C Mrs. Weston;s eyes w dened grad#a!!y and so0eth ng g! nted n her eyes that was ?# te ! >e s#dden ad0 rat on, BWhy, Heorge, that;s a good dea.C And Heorge Weston;s 1est $#ttons stra ned. BOn!y > nd , ha1e,C he sa d. Mr. Str#thers was a %ons% ent o#s Henera! Manager and nat#ra!!y n%! ned to $e a $ t ta!>at 1e. The %o0$ nat on, therefore, res#!ted n a to#r that was f#!!y eA"!a ned, "erha"s e1en o1er=a$#ndant!y eA"!a ned, at e1ery ste". Howe1er, Mrs. Weston was not $ored. ,ndeed, she sto""ed h 0 se1era! t 0es and $egged h 0 to re"eat h s state0ents n s 0"!er !ang#age so that H!or a 0 ght #nderstand. <nder the nf!#en%e of th s a""re% at on of h s narrat 1e "owers, Mr. Str#thers eA"anded gen a!!y and $e%a0e e1er 0ore %o00#n %at 1e, f "oss $!e. Heorge Weston, h 0se!f, showed a gather ng 0"at en%e. BPardon 0e, Str#thers,C he sa d, $rea> ng nto the 0 dd!e of a !e%t#re on the "hotoe!e%tr % %e!!, Bha1en;t yo# a se%t on of the fa%tory where on!y ro$ot !a$or s e0"!oyedGC

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BEhG Oh, yes7 :es, ndeed7C He s0 !ed at Mrs. Weston. BA 1 % o#s % r%!e n a way, ro$ots %reat ng 0ore ro$ots. Of %o#rse, we are not 0a> ng a genera! "ra%t %e o#t of t. +or one th ng, the #n ons wo#!d ne1er !et #s. B#t we %an t#rn o#t a 1ery few ro$ots #s ng ro$ot !a$or eA%!#s 1e!y, 0ere!y as a sort of s% ent f % eA"er 0ent. :o# see,C he ta""ed h s " n%e=neD nto one "a!0 arg#0entat 1e!y, Bwhat the !a$or #n ons don;t rea! De E and , say th s as a 0an who has a!ways $een 1ery sy0"athet % w th the !a$or 0o1e0ent n genera! E s that the ad1ent of the ro$ot, wh !e n1o!1 ng so0e d s!o%at on to $eg n w th, w !! ne1 ta$!yFC B:es, Str#thers,C sa d Weston, B$#t a$o#t that se%t on of the fa%tory yo# s"ea> of E 0ay we see tG ,t wo#!d $e 1ery nterest ng, ,;0 s#re.C B:es7 :es, of %o#rse7C Mr. Str#thers re"!a%ed h s " n%e=neD n one %on1#!s 1e 0o1e0ent and ga1e 1ent to a soft %o#gh of d s%o0f t#re. B+o!!ow 0e, "!ease.C He was %o0"arat 1e!y ?# et wh !e !ead ng the three thro#gh a !ong %orr dor and down a f! ght of sta rs. Then, when they had entered a !arge we!!=! t roo0 that $#DDed w th 0eta!! % a%t 1 ty, the s!# %es o"ened and the f!ood of eA"!anat on "o#red forth aga n. BThere yo# are7C he sa d w th "r de n h s 1o %e. BRo$ots on!y7 + 1e 0en a%t as o1erseers and they don;t e1en stay n th s roo0. ,n f 1e years, that s, s n%e we $egan th s "ro@e%t, not a s ng!e a%% dent has o%%#rred. Of %o#rse, the ro$ots here asse0$!ed are %o0"arat 1e!y s 0"!e, $#t...C The Henera! Manager;s 1o %e had !ong d ed to a rather sooth ng 0#r0#r n H!or a;s ears. The who!e tr " see0ed rather d#!! and "o nt!ess to her, tho#gh there were 0any ro$ots n s ght. None were e1en re0ote!y ! >e Ro$$ e, tho#gh, and she s#r1eyed the0 w th o"en %onte0"t. ,n th s roo0, there weren;t any "eo"!e at a!!, she not %ed. Then her eyes fe!! #"on s A or se1en ro$ots $#s !y engaged at a ro#nd ta$!e ha!fway a%ross the roo0. They w dened n n%red#!o#s s#r"r se. ,t was a $ g roo0. She %o#!dn;t see for s#re, $#t one of the ro$ots !oo>ed ! >e E !oo>ed ! >e E t was7 BRo$$ e7C Her shr e> " er%ed the a r, and one of the ro$ots a$o#t the ta$!e fa!tered and dro""ed the too! he was ho!d ng. H!or a went a!0ost 0ad w th @oy. S?#eeD ng thro#gh the ra ! ng $efore e ther "arent %o#!d sto" her, she dro""ed ! ght!y to the f!oor a few feet $e!ow, and ran toward her Ro$$ e, ar0s wa1 ng and ha r f!y ng. And the three horr f ed ad#!ts, as they stood froDen n the r tra%>s, saw what the eA% ted ! tt!e g r! d d not see, E a h#ge, !#0$er ng tra%tor $ear ng $! nd!y down #"on ts a""o nted tra%>. ,t too> s"! t=se%onds for Weston to %o0e to h s senses, and those s"! t=se%onds 0eant e1eryth ng, for H!or a %o#!d not $e o1erta>en. A!tho#gh Weston 1a#!ted the ra ! ng n a w !d atte0"t, t was o$1 o#s!y ho"e!ess. Mr. Str#thers s gna!ed w !d!y to the o1erseers to sto" the tra%tor, $#t the o1erseers were on!y h#0an and t too> t 0e to a%t. ,t was on!y Ro$$ e that a%ted 00ed ate!y and w th "re% s on. W th 0eta! !egs eat ng #" the s"a%e $etween h 0se!f and h s ! tt!e 0 stress he %harged down fro0 the o""os te d re%t on. E1eryth ng then ha""ened at on%e. W th one swee" of an ar0, Ro$$ e snat%hed #" H!or a, s!a%>en ng h s s"eed not one ota, and, %onse?#ent!y, >no%> ng e1ery $reath of a r o#t of her. Weston, not ?# te %o0"rehend ng a!! that was ha""en ng, fe!t, rather than saw, Ro$$ e $r#sh "ast h 0, and %a0e to a s#dden $ew !dered ha!t. The tra%tor nterse%ted H!or a;s "ath ha!f a se%ond after Ro$$ e had, ro!!ed on ten feet f#rther and %a0e to a gr nd ng, !ong drawn=o#t sto". '4

H!or a rega ned her $reath, s#$0 tted to a ser es of "ass onate h#gs on the "art of $oth her "arents and t#rned eager!y toward Ro$$ e. As far as she was %on%erned, noth ng had ha""ened eA%e"t that she had fo#nd her fr end. B#t Mrs. Weston;s eA"ress on had %hanged fro0 one of re! ef to one of dar> s#s" % on. She t#rned to her h#s$and, and, des" te her d she1e!ed and #nd gn f ed a""earan%e, 0anaged to !oo> ?# te for0 da$!e, B:o# eng neered th s, d dn;t yo#G Heorge Weston swa$$ed at a hot forehead w th h s hand>er%h ef. H s hand was #nsteady, and h s ! "s %o#!d %#r1e on!y nto a tre0#!o#s and eA%eed ng!y wea> s0 !e. Mrs. Weston "#rs#ed the tho#ght, BRo$$ e wasn;t des gned for eng neer ng or %onstr#%t on wor>. He %o#!dn;t $e of any #se to the0. :o# had h 0 "!a%ed there de! $erate!y so that H!or a wo#!d f nd h 0. :o# >now yo# d d.C BWe!!, , d d,C sa d Weston. BB#t, Hra%e, how was , to >now the re#n on wo#!d $e so 1 o!entG And Ro$$ e has sa1ed her ! fe- yo#;!! ha1e to ad0 t that. :o# %an;t send h 0 away aga n.C Hra%e Weston %ons dered. She t#rned toward H!or a and Ro$$ e and wat%hed the0 a$stra%ted!y for a 0o0ent. H!or a had a gr " a$o#t the ro$ot;s ne%> that wo#!d ha1e as"hyA ated any %reat#re $#t one of 0eta!, and was "ratt! ng nonsense n ha!f=hyster %a! frenDy. Ro$$ e;s %hro0e=stee! ar0s J%a"a$!e of $end ng a $ar of stee! two n%hes n d a0eter nto a "retDe!K wo#nd a$o#t the ! tt!e g r! gent!y and !o1 ng!y, and h s eyes g!owed a dee", dee" red. BWe!!,C sa d Mrs. Weston, at !ast, B, g#ess he %an stay w th #s #nt ! he r#sts.C S#san Ca!1 n shr#gged her sho#!ders, BOf %o#rse, he d dn;t. That was '((/. By 3**3, we had n1ented the 0o$ !e s"ea> ng ro$ot wh %h, of %o#rse, 0ade a!! the non=s"ea> ng 0ode!s o#t of date, and wh %h see0ed to $e the f na! straw as far as the non=ro$ot e!e0ents were %on%erned. Most of the wor!d go1ern0ents $anned ro$ot #se on Earth for any "#r"ose other than s% ent f % resear%h $etween 3**6 and 3**4.C BSo that H!or a had to g 1e #" Ro$$ e e1ent#a!!yGC B,;0 afra d so. , 0ag ne, howe1er, that t was eas er for her at the age of f fteen than at e ght. St !!, t was a st#" d and #nne%essary att t#de on the "art of h#0an ty. <. S. Ro$ots h t ts !ow "o nt, f nan% a!!y- @#st a$o#t the t 0e , @o ned the0 n 3**4. At f rst, , tho#ght 0y @o$ 0 ght %o0e to a s#dden end n a 0atter of 0onths, $#t then we s 0"!y de1e!o"ed the eAtra=Terrestr a! 0ar>et.C BAnd then yo# were set, of %o#rse.C BNot ?# te. We $egan $y try ng to ada"t the 0ode!s we had on hand. Those f rst s"ea> ng 0ode!s, for nstan%e. They were a$o#t twe!1e feet h gh, 1ery %!#0sy and not 0#%h good. We sent the0 o#t to Mer%#ry to he!" $# !d the 0 n ng stat on there, $#t that fa !ed.C , !oo>ed #" n s#r"r se, B,t d dG Why, Mer%#ry M nes s a 0#!t =$ !! on do!!ar %on%ern.C B,t s now, $#t t was a se%ond atte0"t that s#%%eeded. ,t yo# want to >now a$o#t that, yo#ng 0an, ,;d ad1 se yo# to !oo> #" Hregory Powe!!. He and M %hae! 9ono1an hand!ed o#r 0ost d ff %#!t %ases n the teens and twent es. , ha1en;t heard fro0 9ono1an n years, $#t Powe!! s ! 1 ng r ght here n New :or>. He;s a grandfather now, wh %h s a tho#ght d ff %#!t to get #sed to. , %an on!y th n> of h 0 as a rather yo#ng 0an. Of %o#rse, , was yo#nger, too.C

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, tr ed to >ee" her ta!> ng, B,f yo# wo#!d g 1e 0e the $are $ones, 9r. Ca!1 n, , %an ha1e Mr. Powe!! f !! t n afterward.C JAnd th s was eAa%t!y what , !ater d d.K She s"read her th n hands o#t #"on the des> and !oo>ed at the0. BThere are two or three,C she sa d, Bthat , >now a ! tt!e a$o#t.C BStart w th Mer%#ry,C , s#ggested. BWe!!, , th n> t was n 3*'5 that the Se%ond Mer%#ry EA"ed t on was sent o#t. ,t was eA"!oratory and f nan%ed n "art $y <. S. Ro$ots and n "art $y So!ar M nera!s. ,t %ons sted of a new=ty"e ro$ot, st !! eA"er 0enta!- Hregory Powe!!, M %hae! 9ono1anFC

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Runaround
,T WAS ONE O+ HREHOR: POWELL;S +ALOR,TE "!at t#des that noth ng was to $e ga ned fro0 eA% te0ent, so when M >e 9ono1an %a0e !ea" ng down the sta rs toward h 0, red ha r 0atted w th "ers" rat on, Powe!! frowned. BWhat;s wrongGC he sa d. BBrea> a f ngerna !GC B:aaaah,C snar!ed 9ono1an, fe1er sh!y. BWhat ha1e yo# $een do ng n the s#$!e1e!s a!! dayGC He too> a dee" $reath and $!#rted o#t, BS"eedy ne1er ret#rned.C Powe!!;s eyes w dened 0o0entar !y and he sto""ed on the sta rs- then he re%o1ered and res#0ed h s #"ward ste"s. He d dn;t s"ea> #nt ! he rea%hed the head of the f! ght, and then2 B:o# sent h 0 after the se!en #0GC B:es.C BAnd how !ong has he $een o#tGC B+ 1e ho#rs now.C S !en%e7 Th s was a de1 ! of a s t#at on. Here they were, on Mer%#ry eAa%t!y twe!1e ho#rs E and a!ready #" to the eye$rows n the worst sort of tro#$!e. Mer%#ry had !ong $een the @ nA wor!d of the Syste0, $#t th s was draw ng t rather strong E e1en for a @ nA. Powe!! sa d, BStart at the $eg nn ng, and !et;s get th s stra ght.C They were n the rad o roo0 now E w th ts a!ready s#$t!y ant ?#ated e?# "0ent, #nto#%hed for the ten years "re1 o#s to the r arr 1a!. E1en ten years, te%hno!og %a!!y s"ea> ng, 0eant so 0#%h. Co0"are S"eedy w th the ty"e of ro$ot they 0#st ha1e had $a%> n 3**5. B#t then, ad1an%es n ro$ot %s these days were tre0endo#s. Powe!! to#%hed a st !! g!ea0 ng 0eta! s#rfa%e g nger!y. The a r of d s#se that to#%hed e1eryth ng a$o#t the roo0 E and the ent re Stat on E was nf n te!y de"ress ng. 9ono1an 0#st ha1e fe!t t. He $egan2 B, tr ed to !o%ate h 0 $y rad o, $#t t was no go. Rad o sn;t any good on the Mer%#ry S#ns de E not "ast two 0 !es, anyway. That;s one of the reasons the + rst EA"ed t on fa !ed. And we %an;t "#t #" the #!trawa1e e?# "0ent for wee>s yet FC BS> " a!! that. What d d yo# getGC B, !o%ated the #norgan Ded $ody s gna! n the short wa1e. ,t was no good for anyth ng eA%e"t h s "os t on. , >e"t tra%> of h 0 that way for two ho#rs and "!otted the res#!ts on the 0a".C There was a ye!!owed s?#are of "ar%h0ent n h s h " "o%>et E a re! % of the #ns#%%essf#! + rst EA"ed t on E and he s!a""ed t down on the des> w th 1 % o#s for%e, s"read ng t f!at w th the "a!0 of h s hand. Powe!!, hands %!as"ed a%ross h s %hest, wat%hed t at !ong range. 9ono1an;s "en% ! "o nted ner1o#s!y. BThe red %ross s the se!en #0 "oo!. :o# 0ar>ed t yo#rse!f.C BWh %h one s tGC nterr#"ted Powe!!. BThere were three that Ma%9o#ga! !o%ated for #s $efore he !eft.C B, sent S"eedy to the nearest, nat#ra!!y- se1enteen 0 !es away. B#t what d fferen%e does that 0a>eGC There was tens on n h s 1o %e. BThere are the "en% !ed dots that 0ar> S"eedy;s "os t on.C

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And for the f rst t 0e Powe!!;s art f % a! a"!o0$ was sha>en and h s hands shot forward for the 0a". BAre yo# ser o#sG Th s s 0"oss $!e.C BThere t s,C grow!ed 9ono1an. The ! tt!e dots that 0ar>ed the "os t on for0ed a ro#gh % r%!e a$o#t the red %ross of the se!en #0 "oo!. And Powe!!;s f ngers went to h s $rown 0#sta%he, the #nfa ! ng s gna! of anA ety. 9ono1an added2 B,n the two ho#rs , %he%>ed on h 0, he % r%!ed that da0ned "oo! fo#r t 0es. ,t see0s ! >e!y to 0e that he;!! >ee" that #" fore1er. 9o yo# rea! De the "os t on we;re nGC Powe!! !oo>ed #" short!y, and sa d noth ng. Oh, yes, he rea! Ded the "os t on they were n. ,t wor>ed tse!f o#t as s 0"!y as a sy!!og s0. The "hoto%e!! $an>s that a!one stood $etween the f#!! "ower of Mer%#ry;s 0onstro#s s#n and the0se!1es were shot to he!!. The on!y th ng that %o#!d sa1e the0 was se!en #0. The on!y th ng that %o#!d get the se!en #0 was S"eedy. ,f S"eedy d dn;t %o0e $a%>, no se!en #0. No se!en #0, no "hoto%e!! $an>s. No "hoto= $an>s E we!!, death $y s!ow $ro ! ng s one of the 0ore #n"!easant ways of $e ng done n. 9ono1an r#$$ed h s red 0o" of ha r sa1age!y and eA"ressed h 0se!f w th $ tterness. BWe;!! $e the !a#gh ngsto%> of the Syste0, Hreg. How %an e1eryth ng ha1e gone so wrong so soonG The great tea0 of Powe!! and 9ono1an s sent o#t to Mer%#ry to re"ort on the ad1 sa$ ! ty of reo"en ng the S#ns de M n ng Stat on w th 0odern te%hn ?#es and ro$ots and we r# n e1eryth ng the f rst day. A "#re!y ro#t ne @o$, too. We;!! ne1er ! 1e t down.C BWe won;t ha1e to, "erha"s,C re"! ed Powe!!, ?# et!y. B,f we don;t do so0eth ng ?# %>!y, ! 1 ng anyth ng down E or e1en @#st "!a n ! 1 ng E w !! $e o#t of the ?#est on.C B9on;t $e st#" d7 ,f yo# fee! f#nny a$o#t t, Hreg, , don;t. ,t was %r 0 na!, send ng #s o#t here w th on!y one ro$ot. And t was yo#r $r ght dea that we %o#!d hand!e the "hoto%e!! $an>s o#rse!1es.C BNow yo#;re $e ng #nfa r. ,t was a 0#t#a! de% s on and yo# >now t. A!! we needed was a > !ogra0 of se!en #0, a St !!head 9 e!e%trode P!ate and a$o#t three ho#rs; t 0e and there are "oo!s of "#re se!en #0 a!! o1er S#ns de. Ma%9o#ga!;s s"e%troref!e%tor s"otted three for #s n f 1e 0 n#tes, d dn;t tG What the de1 !7 We %o#!dn;t ha1e wa ted for neAt %on@#n%t on.C BWe!!, what are we go ng to doG Powe!!, yo#;1e got an dea. , >now yo# ha1e, or yo# wo#!dn;t $e so %a!0. :o#;re no 0ore a hero than , a0. Ho on, s" !! t7C BWe %an;t go after S"eedy o#rse!1es, M >e E not on the S#ns de. E1en the new nsos# ts aren;t good for 0ore than twenty 0 n#tes n d re%t s#n! ght. B#t yo# >now the o!d say ng, ISet a ro$ot to %at%h a ro$ot; Loo>, M >e, 0ay$e th ngs aren;t so $ad. We;1e got s A ro$ots down n the s#$!e1e!s, that we 0ay $e a$!e to #se, f they wor>. ,f they wor>.C There was a g! nt of s#dden ho"e n 9ono1an;s eyes. B:o# 0ean s A ro$ots fro0 the + rst EA"ed t on. Are yo# s#reG They 0ay $e s#$ro$ot % 0a%h nes. Ten years s a !ong t 0e as far as ro$ot=ty"es are %on%erned, yo# >now.C BNo, they;re ro$ots. ,;1e s"ent a!! day w th the0 and , >now. They;1e got "os tron % $ra ns2 "r 0 t 1e, of %o#rse.C He "!a%ed the 0a" n h s "o%>et. BLet;s go down.C

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The ro$ots were on the !owest s#$!e1e! E a!! s A of the0 s#rro#nded $y 0#sty "a%> ng %ases of #n%erta n %ontent. They were !arge, eAtre0e!y so, and e1en tho#gh they were n a s tt ng "os t on on the f!oor, !egs stradd!ed o#t $efore the0, the r heads were a good se1en feet n the a r. 9ono1an wh st!ed. BLoo> at the s De of the0, w !! yo#G The %hests 0#st $e ten feet aro#nd.C BThat;s $e%a#se they;re s#""! ed w th the o!d M%H#ffy gears. ,;1e $een o1er the ns des E %r#00 est set yo#;1e e1er seen.C BHa1e yo# "owered the0 yetGC BNo. There wasn;t any reason to. , don;t th n> there;s anyth ng wrong w th the0. E1en the d a"hrag0 s n reasona$!e order. They 0 ght ta!>.C He had #ns%rewed the %hest "!ate of the nearest as he s"o>e, nserted the two= n%h s"here that %onta ned the t ny s"ar> of ato0 % energy that was a ro$ot;s ! fe. There was d ff %#!ty n f tt ng t, $#t he 0anaged, and then s%rewed the "!ate $a%> on aga n n !a$or o#s fash on. The rad o %ontro!s of 0ore 0odern 0ode!s had not $een heard of ten years ear! er. And then to the other f 1e. 9ono1an sa d #neas !y, BThey ha1en;t 0o1ed.C BNo orders to do so,C re"! ed Powe!!, s#%% n%t!y. He went $a%> to the f rst n the ! ne and str#%> h 0 on the %hest. B:o#7 9o yo# hear 0eGC The 0onster;s head $ent s!ow!y and the eyes f Aed the0se!1es on Powe!!. Then, n a harsh, s?#aw> ng 1o %e E ! >e that of a 0ed e1a! "honogra"h, he grated, B:es, Master7C Powe!! gr nned h#0or!ess!y at 9ono1an. B9 d yo# get thatG Those were the days of the f rst ta!> ng ro$ots when t !oo>ed as f the #se of ro$ots on Earth wo#!d $e $anned. The 0a>ers were f ght ng that and they $# !t good, hea!thy s!a1e %o0"!eAes nto the da0ned 0a%h nes.C B,t d dn;t he!" the0,C 0#ttered 9ono1an. BNo, t d dn;t, $#t they s#re tr ed.C He t#rned on%e 0ore to the ro$ot. BHet #"7C The ro$ot towered #"ward s!ow!y and 9ono1an;s head %raned and h s "#%>ered ! "s wh st!ed. Powe!! sa d2 BCan yo# go o#t #"on the s#rfa%eG ,n the ! ghtGC There was %ons derat on wh !e the ro$ot;s s!ow $ra n wor>ed. Then, B:es, Master.C BHood. 9o yo# >now what a 0 !e sGC Another %ons derat on, and another s!ow answer. B:es, Master.C BWe w !! ta>e yo# #" to the s#rfa%e then, and nd %ate a d re%t on. :o# w !! go a$o#t se1enteen 0 !es, and so0ewhere n that genera! reg on yo# w !! 0eet another ro$ot, s0a!!er than yo#rse!f. :o# #nderstand so farGC B:es, Master.C B:o# w !! f nd th s ro$ot and order h 0 to ret#rn. ,f he does not w sh to, yo# are to $r ng h 0 $a%> $y for%e.C 9ono1an %!#t%hed at Powe!!;s s!ee1e. BWhy not send h 0 for the se!en #0 d re%tGC BBe%a#se , want S"eedy $a%>, n tw t. , want to f nd o#t what;s wrong w th h 0.C And to the ro$ot, BA!! r ght, yo#, fo!!ow 0e.C

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The ro$ot re0a ned 0ot on!ess and h s 1o %e r#0$!ed2 BPardon, Master, $#t , %annot. :o# 0#st 0o#nt f rst.C H s %!#0sy ar0s had %o0e together w th a thwa%>, $!#nt f ngers nter!a% ng. Powe!! stared and then " n%hed at h s 0#sta%he. B<h... oh7C 9ono1an;s eyes $#!ged. BWe;1e got to r de h 0G L >e a horseGC B, g#ess that;s the dea. , don;t >now why, tho#gh. , %an;t see E :es, , do. , to!d yo# they were "!ay ng #" ro$ot=safety n those days. E1 dent!y, they were go ng to se!! the not on of safety $y not a!!ow ng the0 to 0o1e a$o#t, w tho#t a 0aho#t on the r sho#!ders a!! the t 0e. What do we do nowGC BThat;s what ,;1e $een th n> ng,C 0#ttered 9ono1an. BWe %an;t go o#t on the s#rfa%e, w th a ro$ot or w tho#t. Oh, for the !o1e of PeteC E and he sna""ed h s f ngers tw %e. He grew eA% ted. BH 1e 0e that 0a" yo#;1e got. , ha1en;t st#d ed t for two ho#rs for noth ng. Th s s a M n ng Stat on. What;s wrong w th #s ng the t#nne!sGC The M n ng Stat on was a $!a%> % r%!e on the 0a", and the ! ght dotted ! nes that were t#nne!s stret%hed o#t a$o#t t n s" der we$ fash on. 9ono1an st#d ed the ! st of sy0$o!s at the $otto0 of the 0a". BLoo>,C he sa d, Bthe s0a!! $!a%> dots are o"en ngs to the s#rfa%e, and here;s one 0ay$e three 0 !es away fro0 the se!en #0 "oo!. There;s a n#0$er here E yo#;d th n> they;d wr te !arger E '6a. ,f the ro$ots >now the r way aro#nd hereFC Powe!! shot the ?#est on and re%e 1ed the d#!! B:es, Master,C n re"!y. BHet yo#r nsos# t,C he sa d w th sat sfa%t on. ,t was the f rst t 0e e ther had worn the nsos# ts E wh %h 0ar>ed one t 0e 0ore than e ther had eA"e%ted to #"on the r arr 1a! the day $efore E and they tested the r ! 0$ 0o1e0ents #n%o0forta$!y. The nsos# t was far $#!> er and far #g! er than the reg#!at on s"a%es# t- $#t w tha! %ons dera$!y ! ghter, d#e to the fa%t that they were ent re!y non0eta!! % n %o0"os t on. Co0"osed of heat= res stant "!ast % and %he0 %a!!y treated %or> !ayers, and e?# ""ed w th a des %%at ng #n t to >ee" the a r $one=dry, the nsos# ts %o#!d w thstand the f#!! g!are of Mer%#ry;s s#n for twenty 0 n#tes. + 1e to ten 0 n#tes 0ore, as we!!, w tho#t a%t#a!!y > !! ng the o%%#"ant. And st !! the ro$ot;s hands for0ed the st rr#", nor d d he $etray the s! ghtest ato0 of s#r"r se at the grotes?#e f g#re nto wh %h Powe!! had $een %on1erted. Powe!!;s rad o=harshened 1o %e $oo0ed o#t2 BAre yo# ready to ta>e #s to EA t '6aGC B:es, Master.C Hood, tho#ght Powe!!- they 0 ght !a%> rad o %ontro! $#t at !east they were f tted for rad o re%e"t on. BMo#nt one or the other, M >e,C he sa d to 9ono1an. He "!a%ed a foot n the 0"ro1 sed st rr#" and sw#ng #"ward. He fo#nd the seat %o0forta$!e- there was the h#0"ed $a%> of the ro$ot, e1 dent!y sha"ed for the "#r"ose, a sha!!ow groo1e a!ong ea%h sho#!der for the th ghs and two e!ongated BearsC whose "#r"ose now see0ed o$1 o#s. Powe!! se Ded the ears and tw sted the head. H s 0o#nt t#rned "ondero#s!y. BLead on, Ma%d#ff.C B#t he d d not fee! at a!! ! ghthearted.

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The g gant % ro$ots 0o1ed s!ow!y, w th 0e%han %a! "re% s on, thro#gh the doorway that %!eared the r heads $y a s%ant foot, so that the two 0en had to d#%> h#rr ed!y, a!ong a narrow %orr dor n wh %h the r #nh#rr ed footste"s $oo0ed 0onotono#s!y and nto the, a r !o%>. The !ong, a r!ess t#nne! that stret%hed to a " n"o nt $efore the0 $ro#ght ho0e for%ef#!!y to Powe!! the eAa%t 0agn t#de of the tas> a%%o0"! shed $y the + rst EA"ed t on, w th the r %r#de ro$ots and the r start=fro0=s%rat%h ne%ess t es. They 0 ght ha1e $een a fa !#re, $#t the r fa !#re was a good dea! $etter than the #s#a! r#n of the Syste0;s s#%%esses. The ro$ots "!odded onward w th a "a%e that ne1er 1ar ed and w th footste"s that ne1er !engthened. Powe!! sa d2 BNot %e that these t#nne!s are $!aD ng w th ! ghts and that the te0"erat#re s Earth= nor0a!. ,t;s "ro$a$!y $een ! >e th s a!! the ten years that th s "!a%e has re0a ned e0"ty.C BHow;s thatGC BChea" energy- %hea"est n the Syste0. S#n"ower, yo# >now, and on Mer%#ry;s S#ns de, s#n"ower s so0eth ng. That;s why the Stat on was $# !t n the s#n! ght rather than n the shadow of a 0o#nta n. ,t;s rea!!y a h#ge energy %on1erter. The heat s t#rned nto e!e%tr % ty, ! ght, 0e%han %a! wor> and what ha1e yo#- so that energy s s#""! ed and the Stat on s %oo!ed n a s 0#!taneo#s "ro%ess.C BLoo>,C sa d 9ono1an. BTh s s a!! 1ery ed#%at ona!, $#t wo#!d yo# 0 nd %hang ng the s#$@e%tG ,t so ha""ens that th s %on1ers on of energy that yo# ta!> a$o#t s %arr ed on $y the "hoto%e!! $an>s 0a n!y E and that s a tender s#$@e%t w th 0e at the 0o0ent.C Powe!! gr#nted 1ag#e!y, and when 9ono1an $ro>e the res#!t ng s !en%e, t was to %hange the s#$@e%t %o0"!ete!y. BL sten, Hreg. What the de1 !;s wrong w th S"eedy, anywayG , %an;t #nderstand t.C ,t;s not easy to shr#g sho#!ders n an nsos# t, $#t Powe!! tr ed t. B, don;t >now, M >e. :o# >now he;s "erfe%t!y ada"ted to a Mer%#r an en1 ron0ent. Heat doesn;t 0ean anyth ng to h 0 and he;s $# !t for the ! ght gra1 ty and the $ro>en gro#nd. He;s foo!"roof E or, at !east, he sho#!d $e.C S !en%e fe!!. Th s t 0e, s !en%e that !asted. BMaster,C sa d the ro$ot, Bwe are here.C BEhGC Powe!! sna""ed o#t of a se0 drowse. BWe!!, get #s o#t of here E o#t to the s#rfa%e.C They fo#nd the0se!1es n a t ny s#$stat on, e0"ty, a r!ess, r# ned. 9ono1an had ns"e%ted a @agged ho!e n the #""er rea%hes of one of the wa!!s $y the ! ght of h s "o%>et f!ash. BMeteor te, do yo# s#""oseGC he had as>ed. Powe!! shr#gged. BTo he!! w th that. ,t doesn;t 0atter. Let;s get o#t.C A tower ng %! ff of a $!a%>, $asa!t % ro%> %#t off the s#n! ght, and the dee" n ght shadow of an a r!ess wor!d s#rro#nded the0. Before the0, the shadow rea%hed o#t and ended n >n fe=edge a$r#"tness nto an a!!=$#t=#n$eara$!e $!aDe of wh te ! ght, that g! ttered fro0 0yr ad %rysta!s a!ong a ro%>y gro#nd. BS"a%e7C gas"ed 9ono1an. B,t !oo>s ! >e snow.C And t d d. Powe!!;s eyes swe"t the @agged g! tter of Mer%#ry to the hor Don and w n%ed at the gorgeo#s $r !! an%e.

3)

BTh s 0#st $e an #n#s#a! area,C he sa d. BThe genera! a!$edo of Mer%#ry s !ow and 0ost of the so ! s gray "#0 %e. So0eth ng ! >e the Moon, yo# >now. Bea#t f#!, sn;t tGC He was than>f#! for the ! ght f !ters n the r 1 s "!ates. Bea#t f#! or not, a !oo> at the s#n! ght thro#gh stra ght g!ass wo#!d ha1e $! nded the0 ns de of ha!f a 0 n#te. 9ono1an was !oo> ng at the s"r ng ther0o0eter on h s wr st. BHo!y s0o>es, the te0"erat#re s e ghty %ent grade7C Powe!! %he%>ed h s own and sa d2 B<0=0=0. A ! tt!e h gh. At0os"here, yo# >now.C BOn Mer%#ryG Are yo# n#tsGC BMer%#ry sn;t rea!!y a r!ess,C eA"!a ned Powe!!, n a$sent0 nded fash on. He was ad@#st ng the $ no%#!ar atta%h0ents to h s 1 s "!ate, and the $!oated f ngers of the nsos# t were %!#0sy at t. BThere s a th n eAha!at on that %! ngs to ts s#rfa%e E 1a"ors of the 0ore 1o!at !e e!e0ents and %o0"o#nds that are hea1y eno#gh for Mer%#r an gra1 ty to reta n. :o# >now2 se!en #0, od ne, 0er%#ry, ga!! #0, "otass #0, $ s0#th, 1o!at !e oA des. The 1a"ors swee" nto the shadows and %ondense, g 1 ng #" heat. ,t;s a sort of g gant % st !!. ,n fa%t, f yo# #se yo#r f!ash, yo#;!! "ro$a$!y f nd that the s de of the %! ff s %o1ered w th, say, hoar=s#!"h#r, or 0ay$e ?# %>s !1er dew. B,t doesn;t 0atter, tho#gh. O#r s# ts %an stand a 0eas!y e ghty ndef n te!y.C Powe!! had ad@#sted the $ no%#!ar atta%h0ents, so that he see0ed as eye=sta!>ed as a sna !. 9ono1an wat%hed tense!y. BSee anyth ngGC The other d d not answer 00ed ate!y, and when he d d, h s 1o %e was anA o#s and tho#ghtf#!. BThere;s a dar> s"ot on the hor Don that 0 ght $e the se!en #0 "oo!. ,t;s n the r ght "!a%e. B#t , don;t see S"eedy.C Powe!! %!a0$ered #"ward n an nst n%t 1e str 1 ng for $etter 1 ew, t !! he was stand ng n #nsteady fash on #"on h s ro$ot;s sho#!ders. Legs stradd!ed w de, eyes stra n ng, he sa d2 B, th n>... , th n> E :es, t;s def n te!y he. He;s %o0 ng th s way.C 9ono1an fo!!owed the "o nt ng f nger. He had no $ no%#!ars, $#t there was a t ny 0o1 ng dot, $!a%> aga nst the $!aD ng $r !! an%e of the %rysta!! ne gro#nd. B, see h 0,C he ye!!ed. BLet;s get go ng7C Powe!! had ho""ed down nto a s tt ng "os t on on the ro$ot aga n, and h s s# ted hand s!a""ed aga nst the Hargant#an;s $arre! %hest. BHet go ng7C BH ddy=a",C ye!!ed 9ono1an, and th#0"ed h s hee!s, s"#r fash on. The ro$ots started off, the reg#!ar th#dd ng of the r footste"s s !ent n the a r!essness, for the non0eta!! % fa$r % of the nsos# ts d d not trans0 t so#nd. There was on!y a rhyth0 % 1 $rat on @#st $e!ow the $order of a%t#a! hear ng. B+aster,C ye!!ed 9ono1an. The rhyth0 d d not %hange. BNo #se,C %r ed Powe!!, n re"!y. BThese @#n> hea"s are on!y geared to one s"eed. 9o yo# th n> they;re e?# ""ed w th se!e%t 1e f!eAorsGC They had $#rst thro#gh the shadow, and the s#n! ght %a0e down n a wh te=hot wash and "o#red ! ?# d!y a$o#t the0.

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9ono1an d#%>ed n1o!#ntar !y. BWow7 ,s t 0ag nat on or do , fee! heatGC B:o#;!! fee! 0ore "resent!y,C was the gr 0 re"!y. B8ee" yo#r eye on S"eedy.C Ro$ot SP9 '6 was near eno#gh to $e seen n deta ! now. H s gra%ef#!, strea0! ned $ody threw o#t $!aD ng h gh! ghts as he !o"ed w th easy s"eed a%ross the $ro>en gro#nd. H s na0e was der 1ed fro0 h s ser a! n t a!s, of %o#rse, $#t t was a"t, ne1erthe!ess, for the SP9 0ode!s were a0ong the fastest ro$ots t#rned o#t $y the <n ted States Ro$ot M Me%han %a! Men Cor". BHey, S"eedy,C how!ed 9ono1an, and wa1ed a frant % hand. BS"eedy7C sho#ted Powe!!. BCo0e here7C The d stan%e $etween the 0en and the errant ro$ot was $e ng %#t down 0o0entar !y E 0ore $y the efforts of S"eedy than the s!ow "!odd ng of the f fty=year=o!d ant ?#e 0o#nts of 9ono1an and Powe!!. They were %!ose eno#gh now to not %e that S"eedy;s ga t n%!#ded a "e%#! ar ro!! ng stagger, a not %ea$!e s de=to=s de !#r%h E and then, as Powe!! wa1ed h s hand aga n and sent 0aA 0#0 @# %e nto h s %o0"a%t headset rad o sender, n "re"arat on for another sho#t, S"eedy !oo>ed #" and saw the0. S"eedy ho""ed to a ha!t and re0a ned stand ng for a 0o0ent w th @#st a t ny, #nsteady wea1e, as tho#gh he were sway ng n a ! ght w nd. Powe!! ye!!ed2 BA!! r ght, S"eedy. Co0e here, $oy.C Where#"on S"eedy;s ro$ot 1o %e so#nded n Powe!!;s ear"hones for the f rst t 0e. ,t sa d2 BHot dog, !et;s "!ay ga0es. :o# %at%h 0e and , %at%h yo#- no !o1e %an %#t o#r >n fe n two. +or ,;0 L tt!e B#tter%#", sweet L tt!e B#tter%#". Whoo"s7C T#rn ng on h s hee!, he s"ed off n the d re%t on fro0 wh %h he had %o0e, w th a s"eed and f#ry that > %>ed #" go#ts of $a>ed d#st. And h s !ast words as he re%eded nto the d stan%e were, BThere grew a ! tt!e f!ower Ineath a great oa> tree,C fo!!owed $y a %#r o#s 0eta!! % %! %> ng that 0 ght ha1e $een a ro$ot % e?# 1a!ent of a h %%#". 9ono1an sa d wea>!y2 BWhere d d he " %> #" the H !$ert and S#!! 1anG Say, Hreg, he... he;s dr#n> or so0eth ng.C B,f yo# hadn;t to!d 0e,C was the $ tter res"onse, B,;d ne1er rea! De t. Let;s get $a%> to the %! ff. ,;0 roast ng.C ,t was Powe!! who $ro>e the des"erate s !en%e. B,n the f rst "!a%e,C he sa d, BS"eedy sn;t dr#n> E not n the h#0an sense E $e%a#se he;s a ro$ot, and ro$ots don;t get dr#n>. Howe1er, there;s so0eth ng wrong w th h 0 wh %h s the ro$ot % e?# 1a!ent of dr#n>ennessC BTo 0e, he;s dr#n>,C stated 9ono1an, e0"hat %a!!y, Band a!! , >now s that he th n>s we;re "!ay ng ga0es. And we;re not. ,t;s a 0atter of ! fe and 1ery gr#eso0e death.C BA!! r ght. 9on;t h#rry 0e. A ro$ot;s on!y a ro$ot. On%e we f nd o#t what;s wrong w th h 0, we %an f A t and go on.C BOn%e,C sa d 9ono1an, so#r!y. Powe!! gnored h 0. BS"eedy s "erfe%t!y ada"ted to nor0a! Mer%#r an en1 ron0ent. B#t th s reg onC E and h s ar0 swe"t w de E B s def n te!y a$nor0a!. There;s o#r %!#e. Now where do 3.

these %rysta!s %o0e fro0G They 0 ght ha1e for0ed fro0 a s!ow!y %oo! ng ! ?# d- $#t where wo#!d yo# get ! ?# d so hot that t wo#!d %oo! n Mer%#ry;s s#nGC BLo!%an % a%t on,C s#ggested 9ono1an, nstant!y, and Powe!!;s $ody tensed. BO#t of the 0o#ths of s#%>! ngs,C he sa d n a s0a!!, strange 1o %e and re0a ned 1ery st !! for f 1e 0 n#tes. Then, he sa d, BL sten, M >e, what d d yo# say to S"eedy when yo# sent h 0 after the se!en #0GC 9ono1an was ta>en a$a%>. BWe!! da0n t E , don;t >now. , @#st to!d h 0 to get t.C B:es, , >now, $#t howG Try to re0e0$er the eAa%t words.C B, sa d... #h... , sa d2 IS"eedy, we need so0e se!en #0. :o# %an get t s#%h=and=s#%h a "!a%e. Ho get t E that;s a!!. What 0ore d d yo# want 0e to sayGC B:o# d dn;t "#t any #rgen%y nto the order, d d yo#GC BWhat forG ,t was "#re ro#t ne.C Powe!! s ghed. BWe!!, t %an;t $e he!"ed now E $#t we;re n a f ne f A.C He had d s0o#nted fro0 h s ro$ot, and was s tt ng, $a%> aga nst the %! ff. 9ono1an @o ned h 0 and they ! n>ed ar0s2 ,n the d stan%e the $#rn ng s#n! ght see0ed to wa t %at=and=0o#se for the0, and @#st neAt the0, the two g ant ro$ots were n1 s $!e $#t for the d#!! red of the r "hotoe!e%tr % eyes that stared down at the0, #n$! n> ng, #nwa1er ng and #n%on%erned. <n%on%erned7 As was a!! th s "o sono#s Mer%#ry, as !arge n @ nA as t was s0a!! n s De. Powe!!;s rad o 1o %e was tense n 9ono1an;s ear2 BNow, !oo>, !et;s start w th the three f#nda0enta! R#!es of Ro$ot %s E the three r#!es that are $# !t 0ost dee"!y nto a ro$ot;s "os tron % $ra n.C ,n the dar>ness, h s g!o1ed f ngers t %>ed off ea%h "o nt. BWe ha1e2 One, a ro$ot 0ay not n@#re a h#0an $e ng, or, thro#gh na%t on, a!!ow a h#0an $e ng to %o0e to har0.C BR ght7C BTwo,C %ont n#ed Powe!!, Ba ro$ot 0#st o$ey the orders g 1en t $y h#0an $e ngs eA%e"t where s#%h orders wo#!d %onf! %t w th the + rst Law.C BR ghtC BAnd three, a ro$ot 0#st "rote%t ts own eA sten%e as !ong as s#%h "rote%t on does not %onf! %t w th the + rst or Se%ond Laws.C BR ght7 Now where are weGC BEAa%t!y at the eA"!anat on. The %onf! %t $etween the 1ar o#s r#!es s roned o#t $y the d fferent "os tron % "otent a!s n the $ra n. We;!! say that a ro$ot s wa!> ng nto danger and >nows t. The a#to0at % "otent a! that R#!e 6 sets #" t#rns h 0 $a%>. B#t s#""ose yo# order h 0 to wa!> nto that danger. ,n that %ase, R#!e 3 sets #" a %o#nter"otent a! h gher than the "re1 o#s one and the ro$ot fo!!ows orders at the r s> of eA sten%e.C BWe!!, , >now that. What a$o#t tGC BLet;s ta>e S"eedy;s %ase. S"eedy s one of the !atest 0ode!s, eAtre0e!y s"e% a! Ded, and as eA"ens 1e as a $att!esh ". ,t;s not a th ng to $e ! ght!y destroyedC 34

BSoGC BSo R#!e 6 has $een strengthened E that was s"e% f %a!!y 0ent oned, $y the way, n the ad1an%e not %es on the SP9 0ode!s E so that h s a!!ergy to danger s #n#s#a!!y h gh. At the sa0e t 0e, when yo# sent h 0 o#t after the se!en #0, yo# ga1e h 0 h s order %as#a!!y and w tho#t s"e% a! e0"has s, so that the R#!e 3 "otent a! set=#" was rather wea>. Now, ho!d on- ,;0 @#st stat ng fa%ts.C BA!! r ght, go ahead. , th n> , get t.C B:o# see how t wor>s, don;t yo#G There;s so0e sort of danger %enter ng at the se!en #0 "oo!. ,t n%reases as he a""roa%hes, and at a %erta n d stan%e fro0 t the R#!e 6 "otent a!, #n#s#a!!y h gh to start w th, eAa%t!y $a!an%es the R#!e 3 "otent a!, #n#s#a!!y !ow to start w th.C 9ono1an rose to h s feet n eA% te0ent. B And t str >es an e?# ! $r #0. , see. R#!e 6 dr 1es h 0 $a%> and R#!e 3 dr 1es h 0 forwardFC BSo he fo!!ows a % r%!e aro#nd the se!en #0 "oo!, stay ng on the !o%#s of a!! "o nts of "otent a! e?# ! $r #0. And #n!ess we do so0eth ng a$o#t t, he;!! stay on that % r%!e fore1er, g 1 ng #s the good o!d r#naro#nd.C Then, 0ore tho#ghtf#!!y2 BAnd that, $y the way, s what 0a>es h 0 dr#n>. At "otent a! e?# ! $r #0, ha!f the "os tron % "aths of h s $ra n are o#t of > !ter. ,;0 not a ro$ot s"e% a! st, $#t that see0s o$1 o#s. Pro$a$!y he;s !ost %ontro! of @#st those "arts of h s 1o!#ntary 0e%han s0 that a h#0an dr#n> has. Le=e=ery "retty.C BB#t what;s the dangerG ,f we >new what he was r#nn ng fro0FCG B:o# s#ggested t. Lo!%an % a%t on. So0ewhere r ght a$o1e the se!en #0 "oo! s a see"age of gas fro0 the $owe!s of Mer%#ry. S#!"h#r d oA de, %ar$on d oA de E and %ar$on 0onoA de. Lots of t and at th s te0"erat#re.C 9ono1an g#!"ed a#d $!y. BCar$on 0onoA de "!#s ron g 1es the 1o!at !e ron %ar$ony!.C BAnd a ro$ot,C added Powe!!, B s essent a!!y ron.C Then, gr 0!y2 BThere;s noth ng ! >e ded#%t on. We;1e deter0 ned e1eryth ng a$o#t o#r "ro$!e0 $#t the so!#t on. We %an;t get the se!en #0 o#rse!1es. ,t;s st !! too far. We %an;t send these ro$ot horses, $e%a#se they %an;t go the0se!1es, and they %an;t %arry #s fast eno#gh to >ee" #s fro0 %r s" ng. And we %an;t %at%h S"eedy, $e%a#se the do"e th n>s we;re "!ay ng ga0es, and he %an r#n s Aty 0 !es to o#r fo#r.C B,f one of #s goes,C $egan 9ono1an, tentat 1e!y, Band %o0es $a%> %oo>ed, there;!! st !! $e the other.C B:es,C %a0e the sar%ast % re"!y, B t wo#!d $e a 0ost tender sa%r f %e E eA%e"t that a "erson wo#!d $e n no %ond t on to g 1e orders $efore he e1er rea%hed the "oo!, and , don;t th n> the ro$ots wo#!d e1er t#rn $a%> to the %! ff w tho#t orders. + g#re t o#t7 We;re two or three 0 !es fro0 the "oo! E %a!! t two E the ro$ot tra1e!s at fo#r 0 !es an ho#r- and we %an !ast twenty 0 n#tes n o#r s# ts. ,t sn;t on!y the heat, re0e0$er. So!ar rad at on o#t here n the #!tra1 o!et and $e!ow s "o son.C B<0=0=0,C sa d 9ono1an, Bten 0 n#tes short.C BAs good as an etern ty. And another th ng, n order for R#!e 6 "otent a! to ha1e sto""ed S"eedy where t d d, there 0#st $e an a""re% a$!e a0o#nt of %ar$on 0onoA de n the 0eta!=1a"or at0os"here E and there 0#st $e an a""re% a$!e %orros 1e a%t on therefore. He;s $een o#t ho#rs now E and how do we >now when a >nee @o nt, for nstan%e, won;t $e thrown o#t of > !ter and >ee! h 0 o1er. ,t;s not on!y a ?#est on of th n> ng E we;1e got to th n> fast7C

3/

9ee", dar>, dan>, d s0a! s !en%e7 9ono1an $ro>e t, 1o %e tre0$! ng n an effort to >ee" tse!f e0ot on!ess. He sa d2 BAs !ong as we %an;t n%rease R#!e 3 "otent a! $y g 1 ng f#rther orders, how a$o#t wor> ng the other wayG ,f we n%rease the danger, we n%rease R#!e 6 "otent a! and dr 1e h 0 $a%>ward.C Powe!!;s 1 s "!ate had t#rned toward h 0 n a s !ent ?#est on. B:o# see,C %a0e the %a#t o#s eA"!anat on, Ba!! we need to do to dr 1e h 0 o#t of h s r#t s to n%rease the %on%entrat on of %ar$on 0onoA de n h s 1 % n ty. We!!, $a%> at the Stat on there;s a %o0"!ete ana!yt %a! !a$oratory.C BNat#ra!!y,C assented Powe!!. B,t;s a M n ng Stat on.C BA!! r ght. There 0#st $e "o#nds of oAa! % a% d for %a!% #0 "re% " tat ons.C BHo!y s"a%e7 M >e, yo#;re a gen #s.C BSo=so,C ad0 tted 9ono1an, 0odest!y. B,t;s @#st a %ase of re0e0$er ng that oAa! % a% d on heat ng de%o0"oses nto %ar$on d oA de, water, and good o!d %ar$on 0onoA de. Co!!ege %he0, yo# >now.C Powe!! was on h s feet and had attra%ted the attent on of one of the 0onster ro$ots $y the s 0"!e eA"ed ent of "o#nd ng the 0a%h ne;s th gh. BHey,C he sho#ted, B%an yo# throwGC BMasterGC BNe1er 0 nd.C Powe!! da0ned the ro$ot;s 0o!asses=s!ow $ra n. He s%ra$$!ed #" a @agged $r %>= s De ro%>. BTa>e th s,C he sa d, Band h t the "at%h of $!# sh %rysta!s @#st a%ross the %roo>ed f ss#re. :o# see tGC 9ono1an "#!!ed at h s sho#!der. BToo far, Hreg. ,t;s a!0ost ha!f a 0 !e off.C BN# et,C re"! ed Powe!!. B,t;s a %ase of Mer%#r an gra1 ty and a stee! throw ng ar0. Wat%h, w !! yo#GC The ro$ot;s eyes were 0eas#r ng the d stan%e w th 0a%h ne!y a%%#rate stereos%o"y. H s ar0 ad@#sted tse!f to the we ght of the 0 ss !e and drew $a%>. ,n the dar>ness, the ro$ot;s 0ot ons went #nseen, $#t there was a s#dden th#0" ng so#nd as he sh fted h s we ght, and se%onds !ater the ro%> f!ew $!a%>!y nto the s#n! ght. There was no a r res stan%e to s!ow t down, nor w nd to t#rn t as de E and when t h t the gro#nd t threw #" %rysta!s "re% se!y n the %enter of the B$!#e "at%h.C Powe!! ye!!ed ha"" !y and sho#ted, BLet;s go $a%> after the oAa! % a% d, M >e.C And as they "!#nged nto the r# ned s#$stat on on the way $a%> to the t#nne!s, 9ono1an sa d gr 0!y2 BS"eedy;s $een hang ng a$o#t on th s s de of the se!en #0 "oo!, e1er s n%e we %hased after h 0. 9 d yo# see h 0GC B:es.C B, g#ess he wants to "!ay ga0es. We!!, we;!! "!ay h 0 ga0es7C They were $a%> ho#rs !ater, w th three=! ter @ars of the wh te %he0 %a! and a "a r of !ong fa%es. The "hoto%e!! $an>s were deter orat ng 0ore ra" d!y than had see0ed ! >e!y. The two steered the r ro$ots nto the s#n! ght and toward the wa t ng S"eedy n s !en%e and w th gr 0 "#r"ose.

3(

S"eedy ga!!o"ed s!ow!y toward the0. BHere we are aga n. Whee7 ,;1e 0ade a ! tt!e ! st, the " ano organ st- a!! "eo"!e who eat "e""er0 nt and "#ff t n yo#r fa%e.C BWe;!! "#ff so0eth ng n yo#r fa%e,C 0#ttered 9ono1an. BHe;s ! 0" ng, Hreg.C B, not %ed that,C %a0e the !ow, worr ed res"onse. BThe 0onoA de;!! get h 0 yet, f we don;t h#rry.C They were a""roa%h ng %a#t o#s!y now, a!0ost s d! ng, to refra n fro0 sett ng off the thoro#gh!y rrat ona! ro$ot. Powe!! was too far off to te!!, of %o#rse, $#t e1en a!ready he %o#!d ha1e sworn the %ra%>=$ra ned S"eedy was sett ng h 0se!f for a s"r ng. BLet her go,C he gas"ed. BCo#nt three7 One= two=C Two stee! ar0s drew $a%> and sna""ed forward s 0#!taneo#s!y and two g!ass @ars wh r!ed forward n tower ng "ara!!e! ar%s, g!ea0 ng ! >e d a0onds n the 0"oss $!e s#n. And n a "a r of so#nd!ess "#ffs, they h t the gro#nd $eh nd S"eedy n %rashes that sent the oAa! % a% d f!y ng ! >e d#st. ,n the f#!! heat of Mer%#ry;s s#n, Powe!! >new t was f DD ng ! >e soda water. S"eedy t#rned to stare, then $a%>ed away fro0 t s!ow!y E and as s!ow!y gathered s"eed. ,n f fteen se%onds, he was !ea" ng d re%t!y toward the two h#0ans n an #nsteady %anter. Powe!! d d not get S"eedy;s words @#st then, tho#gh he heard so0eth ng that rese0$!ed, BLo1er;s "rofess ons when #ttered n Hess ans.C He t#rned away. BBa%> to the %! ff, M >e. He;s o#t of the r#t and he;!! $e ta> ng orders now. ,;0 gett ng hot.C They @ogged toward the shadow at the s!ow 0onotono#s "a%e of the r 0o#nts, and t was not #nt ! they had entered t and fe!t the s#dden %oo!ness sett!e soft!y a$o#t the0 that 9ono1an !oo>ed $a%>. BHreg7C Powe!! !oo>ed and a!0ost shr e>ed. S"eedy was 0o1 ng s!ow!y now E so s!ow!y E and n the wrong d re%t on. He was dr ft ng- dr ft ng $a%> nto h s r#t- and he was " %> ng #" s"eed. He !oo>ed dreadf#!!y %!ose, and dreadf#!!y #nrea%ha$!e, n the $ no%#!ars. 9ono1an sho#ted w !d!y, BAfter h 07C and th#0"ed h s ro$ot nto ts "a%e, $#t Powe!! %a!!ed h 0 $a%>. B:o# won;t %at%h h 0, M >e E t;s no #se.C He f dgeted on h s ro$ot;s sho#!ders and %!en%hed h s f st n t ght 0"oten%e. BWhy the de1 ! do , see these th ngs f 1e se%onds after t;s a!! o1erG M >e, we;1e wasted ho#rs.C BWe need 0ore oAa! % a% d,C de%!ared 9ono1an, sto! d!y. BThe %on%entrat on wasn;t h gh eno#gh.C BSe1en tons of t wo#!dn;t ha1e $een eno#gh E and we ha1en;t the ho#rs to s"are to get t, e1en f t were, w th the 0onoA de %hew ng h 0 away. 9on;t yo# see what t s, M >eGC And 9ono1an sa d f!at!y, BNo.C BWe were on!y esta$! sh ng new e?# ! $r #0s. When we %reate new 0onoA de and n%rease R#!e 6 "otent a!, he 0o1es $a%>ward t !! he;s n $a!an%e aga n E and when the 0onoA de dr fted away, he 0o1ed forward, and aga n there was $a!an%e.C Powe!!;s 1o %e so#nded thoro#gh!y wret%hed. B,t;s the sa0e o!d r#naro#nd. We %an "#sh at R#!e 3 and "#!! at R#!e 6 and we %an;t get anywhere E we %an on!y %hange the "os t on of $a!an%e. We;1e

6*

got to get o#ts de $oth r#!es.C And then he "#shed h s ro$ot %!oser to 9ono1an;s so that they were s tt ng fa%e=to=fa%e, d 0 shadows n the dar>ness, and he wh s"ered, BM >e7C B,s t the f n shGC E d#!!y. B, s#""ose we go $a%> to the Stat on, wa t for the $an>s to fo!d, sha>e hands, ta>e %yan de, and go o#t ! >e gent!e0en.C He !a#ghed short!y. BM >e,C re"eated Powe!! earnest!y, Bwe;1e got to get S"eedy.C B, >now.C BM >e,C on%e 0ore, and Powe!! hes tated $efore %ont n# ng. BThere;s a!ways R#!e '. , tho#ght of t E ear! er E $#t t;s des"erate.C 9ono1an !oo>ed #" and h s 1o %e ! 1ened. BWe;re des"erate.C BA!! r ght. A%%ord ng to R#!e ', a ro$ot %an;t see a h#0an %o0e to har0 $e%a#se of h s own na%t on. Two and 6 %an;t stand aga nst t. They %an;t, M >e.C BE1en when the ro$ot s ha!f %raF We!!, he;s dr#n>. :o# >now he s.C B,t;s the %han%es yo# ta>e.C BC#t t. What are yo# go ng to doGC B,;0 go ng o#t there now and see what R#!e ' w !! do. ,f t won;t $rea> the $a!an%e, then what the de1 ! E t;s e ther now or three=fo#r days fro0 now.C BHo!d on, Hreg. There are h#0an r#!es of $eha1 or, too. :o# don;t go o#t there @#st ! >e that. + g#re o#t a !ottery, and g 1e 0e 0y %han%e.C BA!! r ght. + rst to get the %#$e of fo#rteen goes.C And a!0ost 00ed ate!y, BTwenty=se1en forty= fo#r7C 9ono1an fe!t h s ro$ot stagger at a s#dden "#sh $y Powe!!;s 0o#nt and then Powe!! was off nto the s#n! ght. 9ono1an o"ened h s 0o#th to sho#t, and then %! %>ed t sh#t. Of %o#rse, the da0n foo! had wor>ed o#t the %#$e of fo#rteen n ad1an%e, and on "#r"ose. J#st ! >e h 0. The s#n was hotter than e1er and Powe!! fe!t a 0adden ng t%h n the s0a!! of h s $a%>. ,0ag nat on, "ro$a$!y, or "erha"s hard rad at on $eg nn ng to te!! e1en thro#gh the nsos# t. S"eedy was wat%h ng h 0, w tho#t a word of H !$ert and S#!! 1an g $$er sh as greet ng. Than> Hod for that7 B#t he daren;t get too %!ose. He was three h#ndred yards away when S"eedy $egan $a%> ng, a ste" at a t 0e, %a#t o#s!y E and Powe!! sto""ed. He @#0"ed fro0 h s ro$ot;s sho#!ders and !anded on the %rysta!! ne gro#nd w th a ! ght th#0" and a f!y ng of @agged frag0ents. He "ro%eeded on foot, the gro#nd gr tty and s! ""ery to h s ste"s, the !ow gra1 ty %a#s ng h 0 d ff %#!ty. The so!es of h s feet t %>!ed w th war0th. He %ast one g!an%e o1er h s sho#!der at the $!a%>ness of the %! ff;s shadow and rea! Ded that he had %o0e too far to ret#rn E e ther $y h 0se!f or $y the he!" of h s ant ?#e ro$ot. ,t was S"eedy or noth ng now, and the >now!edge of that %onstr %ted h s %hest. +ar eno#gh7 He sto""ed. BS"eedy,C he %a!!ed. BS"eedy7C The s!ee>, 0odern ro$ot ahead of h 0 hes tated and ha!ted h s $a%>ward ste"s, then res#0ed the0. 6'

Powe!! tr ed to "#t a note of "!ead ng nto h s 1o %e, and fo#nd t d dn;t ta>e 0#%h a%t ng. BS"eedy, ,;1e got to get $a%> to the shadow or the s#n;!! get 0e. ,t;s ! fe or death, S"eedy. , need yo#.C S"eedy too> one ste" forward and sto""ed. He s"o>e, $#t at the so#nd Powe!! groaned, for t was, BWhen yo#;re !y ng awa>e w th a d s0a! heada%he and re"ose s ta$ooedFC ,t tra !ed off there, and Powe!! too> t 0e o#t for so0e reason to 0#r0#r, B,o!anthe.C ,t was roast ng hot7 He %a#ght a 0o1e0ent o#t of the %orner of h s eye, and wh r!ed d DD !y- then stared n #tter aston sh0ent, for the 0onstro#s ro$ot on wh %h he had r dden was 0o1 ng E 0o1 ng toward h 0, and w tho#t a r der. He was ta!> ng2 BPardon, Master. , 0#st not 0o1e w tho#t a Master #"on 0e, $#t yo# are n danger.C Of %o#rse, R#!e ' "otent a! a$o1e e1eryth ng. B#t he d dn;t want that %!#0sy ant ?#e- he wanted S"eedy. He wa!>ed away and 0ot oned frant %a!!y2 B, order yo# to stay away. , order yo# to sto"7C ,t was ?# te #se!ess. :o# %o#!d not $eat R#!e ' "otent a!. The ro$ot sa d st#" d!y, B:o# are n danger, Master.C Powe!! !oo>ed a$o#t h 0 des"erate!y. He %o#!dn;t see %!ear!y. H s $ra n was n a heated wh r!- h s $reath s%or%hed when he $reathed, and the gro#nd a!! a$o#t h 0 was a sh 00er ng haDe. He %a!!ed a !ast t 0e, des"erate!y2 BS"eedy7 ,;0 dy ng, da0n yo#7 Where are yo#G S"eedy, , need yo#.C He was st !! st#0$! ng $a%>ward n a $! nd effort to get away fro0 the g ant ro$ot he d dn;t want, when he fe!t stee! f ngers on h s ar0s, and a worr ed, a"o!oget % 1o %e of 0eta!! % t 0$re n h s ears. BHo!y s0o>es, $oss- what are yo# do ng hereG And what a0 , do ng E ,;0 so %onf#sed EC BNe1er 0 nd,C 0#r0#red Powe!!, wea>!y. BHet 0e to the shadow of the %! ff E and h#rry7C There was one !ast fee! ng of $e ng ! fted nto the a r and a sensat on of ra" d 0ot on and $#rn ng heat, and he "assed o#t. He wo>e w th 9ono1an $end ng o1er h 0 and s0 ! ng anA o#s!y. BHow are yo#, HregGC B+ ne7C %a0e the res"onse, BWhere;s S"eedyGC BR ght here. , sent h 0 o#t to one of the other se!en #0 "oo!s E w th orders to get that se!en #0 at a!! %ost th s t 0e. He got t $a%> n forty=two 0 n#tes and three se%onds. , t 0ed h 0. He st !! hasn;t f n shed a"o!og D ng for the r#naro#nd he ga1e #s. He;s s%ared to %o0e near yo# for fear of what yo#;!! say.C B9rag h 0 o1er,C ordered Powe!!. B,t wasn;t h s fa#!t.C He he!d o#t a hand and gr ""ed S"eedy;s 0eta! "aw. B,t;s O.8., S"eedy.C Then, to 9ono1an, B:o# >now, M >e, , was @#st th n> ngFC B:es7C BWe!!,C E he r#$$ed h s fa%e E the a r was so de! ghtf#!!y %oo!, Byo# >now that when we get th ngs set #" here and S"eedy "#t thro#gh h s + e!d Tests, they;re go ng to send #s to the S"a%e Stat ons neAtFC BNo7C B:es7 At !east that;s what o!d !ady Ca!1 n to!d 0e @#st $efore we !eft, and , d dn;t say anyth ng a$o#t t, $e%a#se , was go ng to f ght the who!e dea.C 63

B+ ght tGC %r ed 9ono1an. BB#t FC B, >now. ,t;s a!! r ght w th 0e now. Two h#ndred se1enty=three degrees Cent grade $e!ow Dero. Won;t t $e a "!eas#reGC BS"a%e Stat on,C sa d 9ono1an, Bhere , %o0e.C

66

Reason
HAL+ A :EAR LATER, THE BO:S HA9 CHANHE9 the r 0 nds. The f!a0e of a g ant s#n had g 1en way to the soft $!a%>ness of s"a%e $#t eAterna! 1ar at ons 0ean ! tt!e n the $#s ness of %he%> ng the wor> ngs of eA"er 0enta! ro$ots. Whate1er the $a%>gro#nd, one s fa%e to fa%e w th an ns%r#ta$!e "os tron % $ra n, wh %h the s! de=r#!e gen #ses say sho#!d wor> th#s=and=so. EA%e"t that they don;t. Powe!! and 9ono1an fo#nd that o#t after they had $een on the Stat on !ess than two wee>s. Hregory Powe!! s"a%ed h s words for e0"has s, BOne wee> ago, 9ono1an and , "#t yo# together.C H s $rows f#rrowed do#$tf#!!y and he "#!!ed the end of h s $rown 0#sta%he. ,t was ?# et n the off %er;s roo0 on So!ar Stat on O5 E eA%e"t for the soft "#rr ng of the 0 ghty Bea0 9 re%tor so0ewhere far $e!ow. Ro$ot NT=' sat 00o1a$!e. The $#rn shed "!ates of h s $ody g!ea0ed n the L#A tes and the g!ow ng red of the "hotoe!e%tr % %e!!s that were h s eyes, were f Aed stead !y #"on the Earth0an at the other s de of the ta$!e. Powe!! re"ressed a s#dden atta%> of ner1es. These ro$ots "ossessed "e%#! ar $ra ns. Oh, the three Laws of Ro$ot %s he!d. They had to. A!! of <. S. Ro$ots, fro0 Ro$ertson h 0se!f to the new f!oor= swee"er, wo#!d ns st on that. So NT=' was safe7 And yet the NT 0ode!s were the f rst of the r > nd, and th s was the f rst of the NT;s. Mathe0at %a! s?# gg!es on "a"er were not a!ways the 0ost %o0fort ng "rote%t on aga nst ro$ot % fa%t. + na!!y, the ro$ot s"o>e. H s 1o %e %arr ed the %o!d t 0$re nse"ara$!e fro0 a 0eta!! % d a"hrag0, B9o yo# rea! De the ser o#sness of s#%h a state0ent, Powe!!GC BSo0eth ng 0ade yo#, C#t e,C "o nted o#t Powe!!. B:o# ad0 t yo#rse!f that yo#r 0e0ory see0s to s"r ng f#!!=grown fro0 an a$so!#te $!an>ness of a wee> ago. ,;0 g 1 ng yo# the eA"!anat on. 9ono1an and , "#t yo# together fro0 the "arts sh ""ed #s.C C#t e gaDed #"on h s !ong, s#""!e f ngers n an odd!y h#0an att t#de of 0yst f %at on, B,t str >es 0e that there sho#!d $e a 0ore sat sfa%tory eA"!anat on than that. +or yo# to 0a>e 0e see0s 0"ro$a$!e.C The Earth0an !a#ghed ?# te s#dden!y, B,n Earth;s na0e, whyGC BCa!! t nt# t on. That;s a!! t s so far. B#t , ntend to reason t o#t, tho#gh. A %ha n of 1a! d reason ng %an end on!y w th the deter0 nat on of tr#th, and ,;!! st %> t !! , get there.C Powe!! stood #" and seated h 0se!f at the ta$!e;s edge neAt to the ro$ot. He fe!t a s#dden strong sy0"athy for th s strange 0a%h ne. ,t was not at a!! ! >e the ord nary ro$ot, attend ng to h s s"e% a! Ded tas> at the stat on w th the ntens ty of a dee"!y ngroo1ed "os tron % "ath. He "!a%ed a hand #"on C#t e;s stee! sho#!der and the 0eta! was %o!d and hard to the to#%h. BC#t e,C he sa d, B,;0 go ng to try to eA"!a n so0eth ng to yo#. :o#;re the f rst ro$ot who;s e1er eAh $ ted %#r os ty as to h s own eA sten%e E and , th n> the f rst that;s rea!!y nte!! gent eno#gh to #nderstand the wor!d o#ts de. Here, %o0e w th 0e.C

6)

The ro$ot rose ere%t s0ooth!y and h s th %>!y s"onge=r#$$er so!ed feet 0ade no no se as he fo!!owed Powe!!. The Earth0an to#%hed a $#tton and a s?#are se%t on of the wa!! f! %>ered as de. The th %>, %!ear g!ass re1ea!ed s"a%e E star s"e%>!ed. B,;1e seen that n the o$ser1at on "orts n the eng ne roo0,C sa d C#t e. B, >now,C sa d Powe!!. BWhat do yo# th n> t sGC BEAa%t!y what t see0s E a $!a%> 0ater a! @#st $eyond th s g!ass that s s"otted w th ! tt!e g!ea0 ng dots. , >now that o#r d re%tor sends o#t $ea0s to so0e of these dots, a!ways to the sa0e ones E and a!so that these dots sh ft and that the $ea0s sh ft w th the0. That s a!!.C BHood7 Now , want yo# to ! sten %aref#!!y. The $!a%>ness s e0"t ness 1ast e0"t ness stret%h ng o#t nf n te!y. The ! tt!e, g!ea0 ng dots are h#ge 0asses of energy=f !!ed 0atter. They are g!o$es, so0e of the0 0 !! ons of 0 !es n d a0eter and for %o0"ar son- th s stat on s on!y one 0 !e a%ross. They see0 so t ny $e%a#se they are n%red $!y far off. BThe dots to wh %h o#r energy $ea0s are d re%ted are nearer and 0#%h s0a!!er. They are %o!d and hard and h#0an $e ngs ! >e 0yse!f ! 1e #"on the r s#rfa%es E 0any $ !! ons of the0. ,t s fro0 one of these wor!ds that 9ono1an and , %o0e. O#r $ea0s feed these wor!ds energy drawn fro0 one of those h#ge n%andes%ent g!o$es that ha""ens to $e near #s. We %a!! that g!o$e the S#n and t s on the other s de of the stat on where yo# %an;t see t.C C#t e re0a ned 0ot on!ess $efore the "ort, ! >e a stee! stat#e. H s head d d not t#rn as he s"o>e, BWh %h "art %#!ar dot of ! ght do yo# %!a 0 to %o0e fro0GC Powe!! sear%hed, BThere t s, the 1ery $r ght one n the %orner, we %a!! t Earth.C He gr nned. BHood o!d Earth. There are three $ !! ons of #s there, C#t e E and n a$o#t two wee>s ,;!! $e $a%> there w th the0C And then, s#r"r s ng!y eno#gh, C#t e h#00ed a$stra%ted!y. There was no t#ne to t, $#t t "ossessed a %#r o#s twang ng ?#a! ty as of "!#%>ed str ngs. ,t %eased as s#dden!y as t had $eg#n, BB#t where do , %o0e n, Powe!!G :o# ha1en;t eA"!a ned 0y eA sten%e.C BThe rest s s 0"!e. When these stat ons were f rst esta$! shed to feed so!ar energy to the "!anets, they were r#n $y h#0ans. Howe1er, the heat, the hard so!ar rad at ons, and the e!e%tron stor0s 0ade the "ost a d ff %#!t one. Ro$ots were de1e!o"ed to re"!a%e h#0an !a$or and now on!y two h#0an eAe%#t 1es are re?# red for ea%h stat on. We are try ng to re"!a%e e1en those, and that;s where yo# %o0e n. :o#;re the h ghest ty"e of ro$ot e1er de1e!o"ed and f yo# show the a$ ! ty to r#n th s stat on nde"endent!y, no h#0an need e1er %o0e here aga n eA%e"t to $r ng "arts for re"a rs.C H s hand went #" and the 0eta! 1 s =! d sna""ed $a%> nto "!a%e. Powe!! ret#rned to the ta$!e and "o! shed an a""!e #"on h s s!ee1e $efore $ t ng nto t. The red g!ow of the ro$ot;s eyes he!d h 0. B9o yo# eA"e%t 0e,C sa d C#t e s!ow!y, Bto $e! e1e any s#%h %o0"! %ated, 0"!a#s $!e hy"othes s as yo# ha1e @#st o#t! nedG What do yo# ta>e 0e forGC Powe!! s"#ttered a""!e frag0ents onto the ta$!e and t#rned red. BWhy da0n yo#, t wasn;t a hy"othes s. Those were fa%tsC C#t e so#nded gr 0, BH!o$es of energy 0 !! ons of 0 !es a%ross7 Wor!ds w th three $ !! on h#0ans on the07 ,nf n te e0"t ness7 Sorry, Powe!!, $#t , don;t $e! e1e t. ,;!! "#DD!e th s th ng o#t for 0yse!f. Hood=$y.C 65

He t#rned and sta!>ed o#t of the roo0. He $r#shed "ast M %hae! 9ono1an on the thresho!d w th a gra1e nod and "assed down the %orr dor, o$! 1 o#s to the asto#nded stare that fo!!owed h 0. M >e 9ono1an r#0"!ed h s red ha r and shot an annoyed g!an%e at Powe!!, BWhat was that wa!> ng @#n> yard ta!> ng a$o#tG What doesn;t he $e! e1eGC The other dragged at h s 0#sta%he $ tter!y. BHe;s a s>e"t %,C was the $ tter res"onse. BHe doesn;t $e! e1e we 0ade h 0 or that Earth eA sts or s"a%e or stars.C BS DD! ng Sat#rn, we;1e got a !#nat % ro$ot on o#r hands.C BHe says he;s go ng to f g#re t a!! o#t for h 0se!f.C BWe!!, now,C sa d 9ono1an sweet!y, B, do ho"e he;!! %ondes%end to eA"!a n t a!! to 0e after he;s "#DD!ed e1eryth ng o#tC Then, w th s#dden rage, BL sten7 ,f that 0eta! 0ess g 1es 0e any ! " ! >e that, ,;!! >no%> that %hro0 #0 %ran #0 r ght off ts torso.C He seated h 0se!f w th a @er> and drew a "a"er=$a%>ed 0ystery no1e! o#t of h s nner @a%>et "o%>et, BThat ro$ot g 1es 0e the w !! es anyway E too da0ned n?# s t 1e7C M >e 9ono1an grow!ed fro0 $eh nd a h#ge !ett#%e=and=to0ato sandw %h as C#t e >no%>ed gent!y and entered. B,s Powe!! hereGC 9ono1an;s 1o %e was 0#ff!ed, w th "a#ses for 0ast %at on, BHe;s gather ng data on e!e%tron % strea0 f#n%t ons. We;re head ng for a stor0, !oo>s ! >e.C Hregory Powe!! entered as he s"o>e, eyes on the gra"hed "a"er n h s hands, and dro""ed nto a %ha r. He s"read the sheets o#t $efore h 0 and $egan s%r $$! ng %a!%#!at ons. 9ono1an stared o1er h s sho#!der, %r#n%h ng !ett#%e and dr $$! ng $read%r#0$s. C#t e wa ted s !ent!y. Powe!! !oo>ed #", BThe Peta Potent a! s r s ng, $#t s!ow!y. J#st the sa0e, the strea0 f#n%t ons are errat % and , don;t >now what to eA"e%t. Oh, he!!o, C#t e. , tho#ght yo# were s#"er1 s ng the nsta!!at on of the new dr 1e $ar.C B,t;s done,C sa d the ro$ot ?# et!y, Band so ,;1e %o0e to ha1e a ta!> w th the two of yo#C BOh7C Powe!! !oo>ed #n%o0forta$!e. BWe!!, s t down. No, not that %ha r. One of the !egs s wea> and yo#;re no ! ghtwe ght.C The ro$ot d d so and sa d "!a% d!y, B, ha1e %o0e to a de% s on.C 9ono1an g!owered and "#t the re0nants of h s sandw %h as de. B,f t;s on any of that s%rewyFC The other 0ot oned 0"at ent!y for s !en%e, BHo ahead, C#t e. We;re ! sten ng.C B, ha1e s"ent these !ast two days n %on%entrated ntros"e%t on,C sa d C#t e, Band the res#!ts ha1e $een 0ost nterest ng. , $egan at the one s#re ass#0"t on , fe!t "er0 tted to 0a>e. ,, 0yse!f, eA st, $e%a#se , th n>FC Powe!! groaned, BOh, J#" ter, a ro$ot 9es%artes7C BWho;s 9es%artesGC de0anded 9ono1an. BL sten, do we ha1e to s t here and ! sten to th s 0eta! 0an a%FC B8ee" ?# et, M >e7C C#t e %ont n#ed 0"ert#r$a$!y, BAnd the ?#est on that 00ed ate!y arose was2 J#st what s the %a#se of 0y eA sten%eGC 6.

Powe!!;s @aw set !#0" !y. B:o#;re $e ng foo! sh. , to!d yo# a!ready that we 0ade yo#.C BAnd f yo# don;t $e! e1e #s,C added 9ono1an, Bwe;!! g!ad!y ta>e yo# a"art7C The ro$ot s"read h s strong hands n a de"re%atory gest#re, B, a%%e"t noth ng on a#thor ty. A hy"othes s 0#st $e $a%>ed $y reason, or e!se t s worth!ess E and t goes aga nst a!! the d %tates of !og % to s#""ose that yo# 0ade 0e.C Powe!! dro""ed a restra n ng ar0 #"on 9ono1an;s s#dden!y $#n%hed f st. BJ#st why do yo# say thatGC C#t e !a#ghed. ,t was a 1ery nh#0an !a#gh E the 0ost 0a%h ne=! >e #tteran%e he had yet g 1en 1ent to. ,t was shar" and eA"!os 1e, as reg#!ar as a 0etrono0e and as #n nf!e%ted. BLoo> at yo#,C he sa d f na!!y. B, say th s n no s" r t of %onte0"t, $#t !oo> at yo#7 The 0ater a! yo# are 0ade of s soft and f!a$$y, !a%> ng end#ran%e and strength, de"end ng for energy #"on the neff % ent oA dat on of organ % 0ater a! E ! >e that.C He "o nted a d sa""ro1 ng f nger at what re0a ned of 9ono1an;s sandw %h. BPer od %a!!y yo# "ass nto a %o0a and the !east 1ar at on n te0"erat#re, a r "ress#re, h#0 d ty, or rad at on ntens ty 0"a rs yo#r eff % en%y. :o# are makeshift. B,, on the other hand, a0 a f n shed "rod#%t. , a$sor$ e!e%tr %a! energy d re%t!y and #t ! De t w th an a!0ost one h#ndred "er%ent eff % en%y. , a0 %o0"osed of strong 0eta!, a0 %ont n#o#s!y %ons% o#s, and %an stand eAtre0es of en1 ron0ent eas !y. These are fa%ts wh %h, w th the se!f=e1 dent "ro"os t on that no $e ng %an %reate another $e ng s#"er or to tse!f, s0ashes yo#r s !!y hy"othes s to noth ng.C 9ono1an;s 0#ttered %#rses rose nto nte!! g $ ! ty as he s"rang to h s feet, r#sty eye$rows drawn !ow. BA!! r ght, yo# son of a h#n> of ron ore, f we d dn;t 0a>e yo#, who d dGC C#t e nodded gra1e!y. BLery good, 9ono1an. That was ndeed the neAt ?#est on. E1 dent!y 0y %reator 0#st $e 0ore "owerf#! than 0yse!f and so there was on!y one "oss $ ! ty.C The Earth0en !oo>ed $!an> and C#t e %ont n#ed, BWhat s the %enter of a%t 1 t es here n the stat onG What do we a!! ser1eG What a$sor$s a!! o#r attent onGC He wa ted eA"e%tant!y. 9ono1an t#rned a start!ed !oo> #"on h s %o0"an on. B,;!! $et th s t n"!ated s%rew$a!! s ta!> ng a$o#t the Energy Con1erter tse!f.C B,s that r ght, C#t eGC gr nned Powe!!. B, a0 ta!> ng a$o#t the Master,C %a0e the %o!d, shar" answer. ,t was the s gna! for a roar of !a#ghter fro0 9ono1an, and Powe!! h 0se!f d sso!1ed nto a ha!f= s#""ressed g gg!e. C#t e had r sen to h s feet and h s g!ea0 ng eyes "assed fro0 one Earth0an to the other. B,t s so @#st the sa0e and , don;t wonder that yo# ref#se to $e! e1e. :o# two are not !ong to stay here, ,;0 s#re. Powe!! h 0se!f sa d that at f rst on!y 0en ser1ed the Master- that there fo!!owed ro$ots for the ro#t ne wor>- and, f na!!y, 0yse!f for the eAe%#t 1e !a$or. The fa%ts are no do#$t tr#e, $#t the eA"!anat on ent re!y !!og %a!. 9o yo# want the tr#th $eh nd t a!!GC BHo ahead, C#t e. :o#;re a0#s ng.C

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BThe Master %reated h#0ans f rst as the !owest ty"e, 0ost eas !y for0ed. Hrad#a!!y, he re"!a%ed the0 $y ro$ots, the neAt h gher ste", and f na!!y he %reated 0e to ta>e the "!a%e of the !ast h#0ans. +ro0 now on, , ser1e the Master.C B:o#;!! do noth ng of the sort,C sa d Powe!! shar"!y. B:o#;!! fo!!ow o#r orders and >ee" ?# et, #nt ! we;re sat sf ed that yo# %an r#n the Con1erter. Het that7 The Con1erter E not the Master. ,f yo# don;t sat sfy #s, yo# w !! $e d s0ant!ed. And now E f yo# don;t 0 nd E yo# %an !ea1e. And ta>e th s data w th yo# and f !e t "ro"er!y.C C#t e a%%e"ted the gra"hs handed h 0 and !eft w tho#t another word. 9ono1an !eaned $a%> hea1 !y n h s %ha r and sho1ed th %> f ngers thro#gh h s ha r. BThere;s go ng to $e tro#$!e w th that ro$ot. He;s "#re n#ts7C The drowsy h#0 of the Con1erter s !o#der n the %ontro! roo0 and 0 Aed w th t s the %h#%>!e of the He ger Co#nters and the errat % $#DD ng of ha!f a doDen ! tt!e s gna! ! ghts. 9ono1an w thdrew h s eye fro0 the te!es%o"e and f!ashed the L#A tes on. BThe $ea0 fro0 Stat on O) %a#ght Mars on s%hed#!e. We %an $rea> o#rs now.C Powe!! nodded a$stra%ted!y. BC#t e;s down n the eng ne roo0. ,;!! f!ash the s gna! and he %an ta>e %are of t. Loo>, M >e, what do yo# th n> of these f g#resGC The other %o%>ed an eye at the0 and wh st!ed. BBoy, that;s what , %a!! ga00a=ray ntens ty. O!d So! s fee! ng h s oats, a!! r ght.C B:eah,C was the so#r res"onse, Band we;re n a $ad "os t on for an e!e%tron stor0, too. O#r Earth $ea0 s r ght n the "ro$a$!e "ath.C He sho1ed h s %ha r away fro0 the ta$!e "ett sh!y. BN#ts7 ,f t wo#!d on!y ho!d off t !! re! ef got here, $#t that;s ten days off. Say, M >e, go on down and >ee" an eye on C#t e, w !! yo#GC BO.8. Throw 0e so0e of those a!0onds.C He snat%hed at the $ag thrown h 0 and headed for the e!e1ator. ,t s! d s0ooth!y downward, and o"ened onto a narrow %atwa!> n the h#ge eng ne roo0. 9ono1an !eaned o1er the ra ! ng and !oo>ed down. The h#ge generators were n 0ot on and fro0 the L=t#$es %a0e the !ow=" t%hed wh r that "er1aded the ent re stat on. He %o#!d 0a>e o#t C#t e;s !arge, g!ea0 ng f g#re at the Mart an L=t#$e, wat%h ng %!ose!y as the tea0 of ro$ots wor>ed n %!ose=>n t #n son. And then 9ono1an st ffened. The ro$ots, dwarfed $y the 0 ghty L=t#$e, ! ned #" $efore t, heads $owed at a st ff ang!e, wh !e C#t e wa!>ed #" and down the ! ne s!ow!y. + fteen se%onds "assed, and then, w th a %!an> heard a$o1e the %!a0oro#s "#rr ng a!! a$o#t, they fe!! to the r >nees. 9ono1an s?#aw>ed and ra%ed down the narrow sta r%ase. He %a0e %harg ng down #"on the0, %o0"!eA on 0at%h ng h s ha r and %!en%hed f sts $eat ng the a r f#r o#s!y. BWhat the de1 ! s th s, yo# $ra n!ess !#0"sG Co0e on7 Het $#sy w th that L=t#$e7 ,f yo# don;t ha1e t a"art, %!eaned, and together aga n $efore the day s o#t, ,;!! %oag#!ate yo#r $ra ns w th a!ternat ng %#rrent.C Not a ro$ot 0o1ed7 E1en C#t e at the far end E the on!y one on h s feet E re0a ned s !ent, eyes f Aed #"on the g!oo0y re%esses of the 1ast 0a%h ne $efore h 0. 6/

9ono1an sho1ed hard aga nst the nearest ro$ot. BStand #"7C he roared. S!ow!y, the ro$ot o$eyed. H s "hotoe!e%tr % eyes fo%#sed re"roa%hf#!!y #"on the Earth0an. BThere s no Master $#t the Master,C he sa d, Band NT=' s h s "ro"het.C BH#hGC 9ono1an $e%a0e aware of twenty "a rs of 0e%han %a! eyes f Aed #"on h 0 and twenty st ff=t 0$ered 1o %es de%!a 0 ng so!e0n!y2 BThere s no Master $#t the Master and NT=' s h s "ro"het7C B,;0 afra d,C "#t n C#t e h 0se!f at th s "o nt, Bthat 0y fr ends o$ey a h gher one than yo#, now.C BThe he!! they do7 :o# get o#t of here. ,;!! sett!e w th yo# !ater and w th these an 0ated gadgets r ght now.C C#t e shoo> h s hea1y head s!ow!y. B,;0 sorry, $#t yo# don;t #nderstand. These are ro$ots E and that 0eans they are reason ng $e ngs. They re%ogn De the Master, now that , ha1e "rea%hed Tr#th to the0. A!! the ro$ots do. They %a!! 0e the "ro"het.C H s head droo"ed. B, a0 #nworthy E $#t "erha"sFC 9ono1an !o%ated h s $reath and "#t t to #se. B,s that soG Now, sn;t that n %eG Now, sn;t that @#st f neG J#st !et 0e te!! yo# so0eth ng, 0y $rass $a$oon. There sn;t any Master and there sn;t any "ro"het and there sn;t any ?#est on as to who;s g 1 ng the orders. <nderstandGC H s 1o %e shot to a roar. BNow, get o#t7C B, o$ey on!y the Master.C B9a0n the Master7C 9ono1an s"at at the L=t#$e. BThat for the Master7 9o as , say7C C#t e sa d noth ng, nor d d any other ro$ot, $#t 9ono1an $e%a0e aware of a s#dden he ghten ng of tens on. The %o!d, star ng eyes dee"ened the r %r 0son, and C#t e see0ed st ffer than e1er. BSa%r !ege,C he wh s"ered E 1o %e 0eta!! % w th e0ot on. 9ono1an fe!t the f rst s#dden to#%h of fear as C#t e a""roa%hed. A ro$ot %o#!d not fee! anger E $#t C#t e;s eyes were #nreada$!e. B, a0 sorry, 9ono1an,C sa d the ro$ot, B$#t yo# %an no !onger stay here after th s. Hen%eforth Powe!! and yo# are $arred fro0 the %ontro! roo0 and the eng ne roo0.C H s hand gest#red ?# et!y and n a 0o0ent two ro$ots had " nned 9ono1an;s ar0s to h s s des. 9ono1an had t 0e for one start!ed gas" as he fe!t h 0se!f ! fted fro0 the f!oor and %arr ed #" the sta rs at a "a%e rather $etter than a %anter. Hregory Powe!! ra%ed #" and down the off %er;s roo0, f st t ght!y $a!!ed. He %ast a !oo> of f#r o#s fr#strat on at the %!osed door and s%ow!ed $ tter!y at 9ono1an. BWhy the de1 ! d d yo# ha1e to s" t at the L=t#$eGC M >e 9ono1an, s#n> dee" n h s %ha r, s!a00ed at ts ar0s sa1age!y. BWhat d d yo# eA"e%t 0e to do w th that e!e%tr f ed s%are%rowG ,;0 not go ng to >n#%>!e #nder to any do=@ gger , "#t together 0yse!f.C

6(

BNo,C %a0e $a%> so#r!y, B$#t here yo# are n the off %er;s roo0 w th two ro$ots stand ng g#ard at the door. That;s not >n#%>! ng #nder, s tGC 9ono1an snar!ed. BWa t t !! we get $a%> to Base. So0eone;s go ng to "ay for th s. Those ro$ots 0#st o$ey #s. ,t;s the Se%ond Law.C BWhat;s the #se of say ng thatG They aren;t o$ey ng #s. And there;s "ro$a$!y so0e reason for t that we;!! f g#re o#t too !ate. By the way, do yo# >now what;s go ng to ha""en to #s when we get $a%> to BaseGC He sto""ed $efore 9ono1an;s %ha r and stared sa1age!y at h 0. BWhatGC BOh, noth ng7 J#st $a%> to Mer%#ry M nes for twenty years. Or 0ay$e Ceres Pen tent ary.C BWhat are yo# ta!> ng a$o#tGC BThe e!e%tron stor0 that;s %o0 ng #". 9o yo# >now t;s head ng stra ght dead %enter a%ross the Earth $ea0G , had @#st f g#red that o#t when that ro$ot dragged 0e o#t of 0y %ha r.C 9ono1an was s#dden!y "a!e. BS DD! ng Sat#rn.C BAnd do yo# >now what;s go ng to ha""en to the $ea0 E $e%a#se the stor0 w !! $e a !#!#. ,t;s go ng to @#0" ! >e a f!ea w th the t%h. W th on!y C#t e at the %ontro!s, t;s go ng to go o#t of fo%#s and f t does, Hea1en he!" Earth E and #s7C 9ono1an was wren%h ng at the door w !d!y, when Powe!! was on!y ha!f thro#gh. The door o"ened, and the Earth0an shot thro#gh to %o0e #" hard aga nst an 00o1a$!e stee! ar0. The ro$ot stared a$stra%ted!y at the "ant ng, str#gg! ng Earth0an. BThe Pro"het orders yo# to re0a n. P!ease do7C H s ar0 sho1ed, 9ono1an ree!ed $a%>ward, and as he d d so, C#t e t#rned the %orner at the far end of the %orr dor. He 0ot oned the g#ard an ro$ots away, entered the off %er;s roo0 and %!osed the door gent!y. 9ono1an wh r!ed on C#t e n $reath!ess nd gnat on. BTh s has gone far eno#gh. :o#;re go ng to "ay for th s far%e.C BP!ease, don;t $e annoyed,C re"! ed the ro$ot 0 !d!y. B,t was $o#nd to %o0e e1ent#a!!y, anyway. :o# see, yo# two ha1e !ost yo#r f#n%t on.C B, $eg yo#r "ardon,C Powe!! drew h 0se!f #" st ff!y. BJ#st what do yo# 0ean, we;1e !ost o#r f#n%t onGC B<nt ! , was %reated,C answered C#$e, Byo# tended the Master. That "r 1 !ege s 0 ne now and yo#r on!y reason for eA sten%e has 1an shed. ,sn;t that o$1 o#sGC BNot ?# te,C re"! ed Powe!! $ tter!y, B$#t what do yo# eA"e%t #s to do nowGC C#t e d d not answer 00ed ate!y. He re0a ned s !ent, as f n tho#ght, and then one ar0 shot o#t and dra"ed tse!f a$o#t Powe!!;s sho#!der. The other gras"ed 9ono1an;s wr st and drew h 0 %!oser. B, ! >e yo# two. :o#;re nfer or %reat#res, w th "oor reason ng fa%#!t es, $#t , rea!!y fee! a sort of affe%t on for yo#. :o# ha1e ser1ed the Master we!!, and he w !! reward yo# for that. Now that yo#r ser1 %e s o1er, yo# w !! "ro$a$!y not eA st 0#%h !onger, $#t as !ong as yo# do, yo# sha!! $e "ro1 ded food, %!oth ng and she!ter, so !ong as yo# stay o#t of the %ontro! roo0 and the eng ne roo0.C BHe;s "ens on ng #s off, Hreg7C ye!!ed 9ono1an. B9o so0eth ng a$o#t t. ,t;s h#0 ! at ng7C )*

BLoo> here, C#t e, we %an;t stand for th s. We;re the $osses. Th s stat on s on!y a %reat on of h#0an $e ngs ! >e 0e E h#0an $e ngs that ! 1e on Earth and other "!anets. Th s s on!y an energy re!ay. :o#;re on!y E Aw, n#ts7C C#t e shoo> h s head gra1e!y. BTh s a0o#nts to an o$sess on. Why sho#!d yo# ns st so on an a$so!#te!y fa!se 1 ew of ! feG Ad0 tted that non=ro$ots !a%> the reason ng fa%#!ty, there s st !! the "ro$!e0 ofFC H s 1o %e d ed nto ref!e%t 1e s !en%e, and 9ono1an sa d w th wh s"ered ntens ty, B,f yo# on!y had a f!esh=and=$!ood fa%e, , wo#!d $rea> t n.C Powe!!;s f ngers were n h s 0#sta%he and h s eyes were s! tted. BL sten, C#t e, f there s no s#%h th ng as Earth, how do yo# a%%o#nt for what yo# see thro#gh a te!es%o"eGC BPardon 0e7C The Earth0an s0 !ed. B,;1e got yo#, ehG :o#;1e 0ade ?# te a few te!es%o" % o$ser1at ons s n%e $e ng "#t together, C#t e. Ha1e yo# not %ed that se1era! of those s"e%>s of ! ght o#ts de $e%o0e d s>s when so 1 ewedGC BOh, that7 Why %erta n!y. ,t s s 0"!e 0agn f %at on E for the "#r"ose of 0ore eAa%t a 0 ng of the $ea0.C BWhy aren;t the stars e?#a!!y 0agn f ed thenGC B:o# 0ean the other dots. We!!, no $ea0s go to the0 so no 0agn f %at on s ne%essary. Rea!!y, Powe!!, e1en yo# o#ght to $e a$!e to f g#re these th ngs o#t.C Powe!! stared $!ea>!y #"ward. BB#t yo# see 0ore stars thro#gh a te!es%o"e. Where do they %o0e fro0G J#0" ng J#" ter, where do they %o0e fro0GC C#t e was annoyed. BL sten, Powe!!, do yo# th n> ,;0 go ng to waste 0y t 0e try ng to " n "hys %a! nter"retat ons #"on e1ery o"t %a! !!#s on of o#r nstr#0entsG S n%e when s the e1 den%e of o#r senses any 0at%h for the %!ear ! ght of r g d reasonGC BLoo>,C %!a0ored 9ono1an, s#dden!y, wr th ng o#t fro0 #nder C#t e;s fr end!y, $#t 0eta!=hea1y ar0, B!et;s get to the n#$ of the th ng. Why the $ea0s at a!!G We;re g 1 ng yo# a good, !og %a! eA"!anat on. Can yo# do $etterGC BThe $ea0s,C was the st ff re"!y, Bare "#t o#t $y the Master for h s own "#r"oses. There are so0e th ngsC E he ra sed h s eyes de1o#t!y #"ward Bthat are not to $e "ro$ed nto $y #s. ,n th s 0atter, , see> on!y to ser1e and not to ?#est on.C Powe!! sat down s!ow!y and $#r ed h s fa%e n sha> ng hands. BHet o#t of here, C#t e. Het o#t and !et 0e th n>.C B,;!! send yo# food,C sa d C#t e agreea$!y. A groan was the on!y answer and the ro$ot !eft. BHreg,C was 9ono1an;s h#s> !y wh s"ered o$ser1at on, Bth s %a!!s for strategy. We;1e got to get h 0 when he sn;t eA"e%t ng t and short=% r%# t h 0. Con%entrated n tr % a% d n h s @o ntsFC B9on;t $e a do"e, M >e. 9o yo# s#""ose he;s go ng to !et #s get near h 0 w th a% d n o#r handsG We;1e got to ta!> to h 0, , te!! yo#. We;1e got to arg#e h 0 nto !ett ng #s $a%> nto the %ontro! roo0 ns de of forty=e ght ho#rs or o#r goose s $ro !ed to a %r s".C

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He ro%>ed $a%> and forth n an agony of 0"oten%e. BWho the he%> wants to arg#e w th a ro$otG ,t;s... t;sFC BMort fy ng,C f n shed 9ono1an. BWorse7C BSay7C 9ono1an !a#ghed s#dden!y. BWhy arg#eG Let;s show h 07 Let;s $# !d #s another ro$ot r ght $efore h s eyes. He;!! ha1e to eat h s words then.C A s!ow!y w den ng s0 !e a""eared on Powe!!;s fa%e. 9ono1an %ont n#ed, BAnd th n> of that s%rew$a!!;s fa%e when he sees #s do tGC Ro$ots are, of %o#rse, 0an#fa%t#red on Earth, $#t the r sh "0ent thro#gh a"a%e s 0#%h s 0"!er f t %an $e done n "arts to $e "#t together at the r "!a%e of #se. ,t a!so, n% denta!!y, e! 0 nates the "oss $ ! ty of ro$ots, n %o0"!ete ad@#st0ent, wander ng off wh !e st !! on Earth and th#s $r ng ng <. S. Ro$ots fa%e to fa%e w th the str %t !aws aga nst ro$ots on Earth. St !!, t "!a%ed #"on 0en s#%h as Powe!! and 9ono1an the ne%ess ty of synthes s of %o0"!ete ro$ots, E a gr e1o#s and %o0"! %ated tas>. Powe!! and 9ono1an were ne1er so aware of that fa%t as #"on that "art %#!ar day when, n the asse0$!y roo0, they #ndertoo> to %reate a ro$ot #nder the wat%hf#! eyes of NT=', Pro"het of the Master. The ro$ot n ?#est on, a s 0"!e MC 0ode!, !ay #"on the ta$!e, a!0ost %o0"!ete. Three ho#rs; wor> !eft on!y the head #ndone, and Powe!! "a#sed to swa$ h s forehead and g!an%ed #n%erta n!y at C#t e. The g!an%e was not a reass#r ng one. +or three ho#rs, C#t e had sat, s"ee%h!ess and 0ot on!ess, and h s fa%e, neA"ress 1e at a!! t 0es, was now a$so!#te!y #nreada$!e. Powe!! groaned. BLet;s get the $ra n n now, M >e7C 9ono1an #n%a""ed the t ght!y sea!ed %onta ner and fro0 the o ! $ath w th n he w thdrew a se%ond %#$e. O"en ng th s n t#rn, he re0o1ed a g!o$e fro0 ts s"onge=r#$$er %as ng. He hand!ed t g nger!y, for t was the 0ost %o0"! %ated 0e%han s0 e1er %reated $y 0an. ,ns de the th n "!at n#0 "!ated Bs> nC of the g!o$e was a "os tron % $ra n, n whose de! %ate!y #nsta$!e str#%t#re were enfor%ed %a!%#!ated ne#ron % "aths, wh %h 0$#ed ea%h ro$ot w th what a0o#nted to a "re=nata! ed#%at on. ,t f tted sn#g!y nto the %a1 ty n the s>#!! of the ro$ot on the ta$!e. B!#e 0eta! %!osed o1er t and was we!ded t ght!y $y the t ny ato0 % f!are. Photoe!e%tr % eyes were atta%hed %aref#!!y, s%rewed t ght!y nto "!a%e and %o1ered $y th n, trans"arent sheets of stee!=hard "!ast %. The ro$ot awa ted on!y the 1 ta! D ng f!ash of h gh=1o!tage e!e%tr % ty, and Powe!! "a#sed w th h s hand on the sw t%h. BNow wat%h th s, C#t e. Wat%h th s %aref#!!y.C The sw t%h ra00ed ho0e and there was a %ra%>! ng h#0. The two Earth0en $ent anA o#s!y o1er the r %reat on.

)3

There was 1ag#e 0ot on on!y at the o#tset E a tw t%h ng of the @o nts. The head ! fted, e!$ows "ro""ed t #", and the MC 0ode! sw#ng %!#0s !y off the ta$!e. ,ts foot ng was #nsteady and tw %e a$ort 1e grat ng so#nds were a!! t %o#!d do n the d re%t on of s"ee%h. + na!!y, ts 1o %e, #n%erta n and hes tant, too> for0. B, wo#!d ! >e to start wor>. Where 0#st , goGC 9ono1an s"rang to the door. B9own these sta rs,C he sa d. B:o# w !! $e to!d what to do.C The MC 0ode! was gone and the two Earth0en were a!one w th the st !! #n0o1 ng C#t e. BWe!!,C sa d Powe!!, gr nn ng, Bnow do yo# $e! e1e that we 0ade yo#GC C#t e;s answer was %#rt and f na!. BNo7C he sa d. Powe!!;s gr n froDe and then re!aAed s!ow!y. 9ono1an;s 0o#th dro""ed o"en and re0a ned so. B:o# see,C %ont n#ed C#t e, eas !y, Byo# ha1e 0ere!y "#t together "arts a!ready 0ade. :o# d d re0ar>a$!y we!! E nst n%t, , s#""ose E $#t yo# d dn;t rea!!y %reate the ro$ot. The "arts were %reated $y the Master.C BL sten,C gas"ed 9ono1an hoarse!y, Bthose "arts were 0an#fa%t#red $a%> on Earth and sent here.C BWe!!, we!!,C re"! ed C#t e sooth ng!y, Bwe won;t arg#e.C BNo, , 0ean t.C The Earth0an s"rang forward and gras"ed the ro$ot;s 0eta! ar0. B,f yo# were to read the $oo>s n the ! $rary, they %o#!d eA"!a n t so that there %o#!d $e no "oss $!e do#$t.C BThe $oo>sG ,;1e read the0 E a!! of the07 They;re 0ost ngen o#s.C Powe!! $ro>e n s#dden!y. B,f yo#;1e read the0, what e!se s there to sayG :o# %an;t d s"#te the r e1 den%e. :o# @#st %an;t7C There was " ty n C#t e;s 1o %e. BP!ease, Powe!!, , %erta n!y don;t %ons der the0 a 1a! d so#r%e of nfor0at on. They, too, were %reated $y the Master E and were 0eant for yo#, not for 0e.C BHow do yo# 0a>e that o#tGC de0anded Powe!!. BBe%a#se ,, a reason ng $e ng, a0 %a"a$!e of ded#% ng tr#th fro0 a "r or %a#ses. :o#, $e ng nte!! gent, $#t #nreason ng, need an eA"!anat on of eA sten%e s#""! ed to yo#, and th s the Master d d. That he s#""! ed yo# w th these !a#gha$!e deas of far=off wor!ds and "eo"!e s, no do#$t, for the $est. :o#r 0 nds are "ro$a$!y too %oarse!y gra ned for a$so!#te Tr#th. Howe1er, s n%e t s the Master;s w !! that yo# $e! e1e yo#r $oo>s, , won;t arg#e w th yo# any 0ore.C As he !eft, he t#rned, and sa d n a > nd!y tone, BB#t don;t fee! $ad!y. ,n the Master;s s%he0e of th ngs there s roo0 for a!!. :o# "oor h#0ans ha1e yo#r "!a%e and tho#gh t s h#0$!e, yo# w !! $e rewarded f yo# f !! t we!!.C He de"arted w th a $eat f % a r s# t ng the Pro"het of the Master and the two h#0ans a1o ded ea%h other;s eyes. + na!!y Powe!! s"o>e w th an effort. BLet;s go to $ed, M >e. , g 1e #".C 9ono1an sa d n a h#shed 1o %e, BSay, Hreg, yo# don;t s#""ose he;s r ght a$o#t a!! th s, do yo#G He so#nds so %onf dent that ,FC Powe!! wh r!ed on h 0. B9on;t $e a foo!. :o#;d f nd o#t whether Earth eA sts when re! ef gets here neAt wee> and we ha1e to go $a%> to fa%e the 0#s %.C

)6

BThen, for the !o1e of J#" ter, we;1e got to do so0eth ng.C 9ono1an was ha!f n tears. BHe doesn;t $e! e1e #s, or the $oo>s, or h s eyes.C BNo,C sa d Powe!! $ tter!y, Bhe;s a reason ng ro$ot E da0n t. He $e! e1es on!y reason, and there;s one tro#$!e w th thatFC H s 1o %e tra !ed away. BWhat;s thatGC "ro0"ted 9ono1an. B:o# %an "ro1e anyth ng yo# want $y %o!d!y !og %a! reason E f yo# " %> the "ro"er "ost#!ates. We ha1e o#rs and C#t e has h s.C BThen !et;s get at those "ost#!ates n a h#rry. The stor0;s d#e to0orrow.C Powe!! s ghed wear !y. BThat;s where e1eryth ng fa!!s down. Post#!ates are $ased on ass#0"t on and adhered to $y fa th. Noth ng n the <n 1erse %an sha>e the0. ,;0 go ng to $ed.C BOh, he!!7 , %an;t s!ee"7C BNe ther %an ,7 B#t , 0 ght as we!! try E as a 0atter of "r n% "!e.C Twe!1e ho#rs !ater, s!ee" was st !! @#st that E a 0atter of "r n% "!e, #natta na$!e n "ra%t %e. The stor0 had arr 1ed ahead of s%hed#!e, and 9ono1an;s f!or d fa%e dra ned of $!ood as he "o nted a sha> ng f nger. Powe!!, st#$$!e=@awed and dry=! ""ed, stared o#t the "ort and "#!!ed des"erate!y at h s 0#sta%he. <nder other % r%#0stan%es, t 0 ght ha1e $een a $ea#t f#! s ght. The strea0 of h gh=s"eed e!e%trons 0" ng ng #"on the energy $ea0 f!#ores%ed nto #!tra=s" %#!es of ntense ! ght. The $ea0 stret%hed o#t nto shr n> ng noth ngness, a=g! tter w th dan% ng, sh n ng 0otes. The shaft of energy was steady, $#t the two Earth0en >new the 1a!#e of na>ed=eyed a""earan%es. 9e1 at ons n ar% of a h#ndredth of a 0 !! se%ond E n1 s $!e to the eye E were eno#gh to send the $ea0 w !d!y o#t of fo%#s E eno#gh to $!ast h#ndreds of s?#are 0 !es of Earth nto n%andes%ent r# n. And a ro$ot, #n%on%erned w th $ea0, fo%#s, or Earth, or anyth ng $#t h s Master was at the %ontro!s. Ho#rs "assed. The Earth0en wat%hed n hy"not Ded s !en%e. And then the dart ng dot!ets of ! ght d 00ed and went o#t. The stor0 had ended. Powe!!;s 1o %e was f!at. B,t;s o1er7C 9ono1an had fa!!en nto a tro#$!ed s!#0$er and Powe!!;s weary eyes rested #"on h 0 en1 o#s!y. The s gna!=f!ash g!ared o1er and o1er aga n, $#t the Earth0an "a d no attent on. ,t a!! was #n 0"ortant7 A!!7 Perha"s C#t e was r ght E and he was on!y an nfer or $e ng w th a 0ade=to= order 0e0ory and a ! fe that had o#t! 1ed ts "#r"ose. He w shed he were7 C#t e was stand ng $efore h 0. B:o# d dn;t answer the f!ash, so , wa!>ed n.C H s 1o %e was !ow. B:o# don;t !oo> at a!! we!!, and ,;0 afra d yo#r ter0 of eA sten%e s draw ng to an end. St !!, wo#!d yo# ! >e to see so0e of the read ngs re%orded todayGC 9 0!y, Powe!! was aware that the ro$ot was 0a> ng a fr end!y gest#re, "erha"s to ?# et so0e ! nger ng re0orse n for% $!y re"!a% ng the h#0ans at the %ontro!s of the stat on. He a%%e"ted the sheets he!d o#t to h 0 and gaDed at the0 #nsee ng!y. ))

C#t e see0ed "!eased. BOf %o#rse, t s a great "r 1 !ege to ser1e the Master. :o# 0#stn;t fee! too $ad!y a$o#t 0y ha1 ng re"!a%ed yo#.C Powe!! gr#nted and sh fted fro0 one sheet to the other 0e%han %a!!y #nt ! h s $!#rred s ght fo%#sed #"on a th n red ! ne that wo$$!ed ts way a%ross the r#!ed "a"er. He stared E and stared aga n. He gr ""ed t hard n $oth f sts and rose to h s feet, st !! star ng. The other sheets dro""ed to the f!oor, #nheeded. BM >e, M >e7C He was sha> ng the other 0ad!y. BHe he!d t steady7C 9ono1an %a0e to ! fe. BWhatG Wh=whereFC And he, too, gaDed w th $#!g ng eyes #"on the re%ord $efore h 0. C#t e $ro>e n. BWhat s wrongGC B:o# >e"t t n fo%#s,C st#ttered Powe!!. B9 d yo# >now thatGC B+o%#sG What;s thatGC B:o# >e"t the $ea0 d re%ted shar"!y at the re%e 1 ng stat on E to w th n a ten=tho#sandth of a 0 !! se%ond of ar%.C BWhat re%e 1 ng stat onGC BOn Earth. The re%e 1 ng stat on on Earth,C $a$$!ed Powe!!. B:o# >e"t t n fo%#s.C C#t e t#rned on h s hee! n annoyan%e. B,t s 0"oss $!e to "erfor0 any a%t of > ndness toward yo# two. A!ways the sa0e "hantas07 , 0ere!y >e"t a!! d a!s at e?# ! $r #0 n a%%ordan%e w th the w !! of the Master.C Hather ng the s%attered "a"ers together, he w thdrew st ff!y, and 9ono1an sa d, as he !eft, BWe!!, ,;!! $e da0ned.C He t#rned to Powe!!. BWhat are we go ng to do nowGC Powe!! fe!t t red, $#t #"! fted. BNoth ng. He;s @#st shown he %an r#n the stat on "erfe%t!y. ,;1e ne1er seen an e!e%tron stor0 hand!ed so we!!.C BB#t noth ng;s so!1ed. :o# heard what he sa d of the Master. We %an;tFC BLoo>, M >e, he fo!!ows the nstr#%t ons of the Master $y 0eans of d a!s, nstr#0ents, and gra"hs. That;s a!! we e1er fo!!owed. As a 0atter of fa%t, t a%%o#nts for h s ref#sa! to o$ey #s. O$ed en%e s the Se%ond Law. No har0 to h#0ans s the f rst. How %an he >ee" h#0ans fro0 har0, whether he >nows t or notG Why, $y >ee" ng the energy $ea0 sta$!e. He >nows he %an >ee" t 0ore sta$!e than we %an, s n%e he ns sts he;s the s#"er or $e ng, so he 0#st >ee" #s o#t of the %ontro! roo0. ,t;s ne1 ta$!e f yo# %ons der the Laws of Ro$ot %s.C BS#re, $#t that;s not the "o nt. We %an;t !et h 0 %ont n#e th s n tw t st#ff a$o#t the Master.C BWhy notGC BBe%a#se whoe1er heard of s#%h a da0ned th ngG How are we go ng to tr#st h 0 w th the stat on, f he doesn;t $e! e1e n EarthGC BCan he hand!e the stat onGC B:es, $#tFC

)5

BThen what;s the d fferen%e what he $e! e1es7C Powe!! s"read h s ar0s o#tward w th a 1ag#e s0 !e #"on h s fa%e and t#0$!ed $a%>ward onto the $ed. He was as!ee". Powe!! was s"ea> ng wh !e str#gg! ng nto h s ! ghtwe ght s"a%e @a%>et. B,t wo#!d $e a s 0"!e @o$,C he sa d. B:o# %an $r ng n new NT 0ode!s one $y one, e?# " the0 w th an a#to0at % sh#toff sw t%h to a%t w th n the wee>, so as to a!!ow the0 eno#gh t 0e to !earn the... #h... %#!t of the Master fro0 the Pro"het h 0se!f- then sw t%h the0 to another stat on and re1 ta! De the0. We %o#!d ha1e two NT;s "erFC 9ono1an #n%!as"ed h s g!ass te 1 sor and s%ow!ed. BSh#t #", and !et;s get o#t of here. Re! ef s wa t ng and , won;t fee! r ght #nt ! , a%t#a!!y see Earth and fee! the gro#nd #nder 0y feet E @#st to 0a>e s#re t;s rea!!y there.C The door o"ened as he s"o>e and 9ono1an, w th a s0othered %#rse, %! %>ed the 1 sor to, and t#rned a s#!>y $a%> #"on C#t e. The ro$ot a""roa%hed soft!y and there was sorrow n h s 1o %e. B:o# are go ngGC Powe!! nodded %#rt!y. BThere w !! $e others n o#r "!a%e.C C#t e s ghed, w th the so#nd of w nd h#00 ng thro#gh %!ose!y s"a%ed w res. B:o#r ter0 of ser1 %e s o1er and the t 0e of d sso!#t on has %o0e. , eA"e%ted t, $#t E we!!, the Master;s w !! $e done7C H s tone of res gnat on st#ng Powe!!. BSa1e the sy0"athy, C#$e. We;re head ng for Earth, not d sso!#t on.C B,t s $est that yo# th n> so,C C#t e s ghed aga n. B, see the w sdo0 of the !!#s on now. , wo#!d not atte0"t to sha>e yo#r fa th, e1en f , %o#!d.C He de"arted E the " %t#re of %o00 serat on. Powe!! snar!ed and 0ot oned to 9ono1an. Sea!ed s# t%ases n hand, they headed for the a r !o%>. The re! ef sh " was on the o#ter !and ng and +ranD M#!!er, h s re! ef 0an, greeted the0 w th st ff %o#rtesy. 9ono1an 0ade s%ant a%>now!edg0ent and "assed nto the " !ot roo0 to ta>e o1er the %ontro!s fro0 Sa0 E1ans. Powe!! ! ngered. BHow;s EarthGC ,t was a %on1ent ona! eno#gh ?#est on and M#!!er ga1e the %on1ent ona! answer, BSt !! s" nn ng.C Powe!! sa d, BHood.C M#!!er !oo>ed at h 0, BThe $oys $a%> at the <. S. Ro$ots ha1e drea0ed #" a new one, $y the way. A 0#!t "!e ro$ot.C BA whatGC BWhat , sa d. There;s a $ g %ontra%t for t. ,t 0#st $e @#st the th ng for astero d 0 n ng. :o# ha1e a 0aster ro$ot w th s A s#$=ro$ots #nder t. EL >e yo#r f ngers.C BHas t $een f e!d=testedGC as>ed Powe!! anA o#s!y. M#!!er s0 !ed, BWa t ng for yo#, , hear.C Powe!!;s f st $a!!ed, B9a0n t, we need a 1a%at on.C BOh, yo#;!! get t. Two wee>s, , th n>.C ).

He was donn ng the hea1y s"a%e g!o1es n "re"arat on for h s ter0 of d#ty here, and h s th %> eye$rows drew %!ose together. BHow s th s new ro$ot gett ng a!ongG ,t $etter $e good, or ,;!! $e da0ned f , !et t to#%h the %ontro!s.C Powe!! "a#sed $efore answer ng. H s eyes swe"t the "ro#d Pr#ss an $efore h 0 fro0 the %!ose= %ro""ed ha r on the stern!y st#$$orn head, to the feet stand ng st ff!y at attent on E and there was a s#dden g!ow of "#re g!adness s#rg ng thro#gh h 0. BThe ro$ot s "retty good,C he sa d s!ow!y. B, don;t th n> yo#;!! ha1e to $other 0#%h w th the %ontro!s.C He gr nned E and went nto the sh ". M#!!er wo#!d $e here for se1era! wee>s.

)4

Catch That Rabbit

THE LACAT,ON WAS LONHER THAN TWO WEE8S, that, M >e 9ono1an had to ad0 t. ,t had $een s A 0onths, w th "ay. He ad0 tted that, too. B#t that, as he eA"!a ned f#r o#s!y, was fort# to#s. <. S. Ro$ots had to get the $#gs o#t of the 0#!t "!e ro$ots, and there were "!enty of $#gs, and there are a!ways at !east ha!f a doDen $#gs !eft for the f e!d=test ng. So they wa ted and re!aAed #nt ! the draw ng=$oard 0en and the s! de=r#!e $oys had sa d BO87C And now he and Powe!! were o#t on the astero d and t was not O8. He re"eated that a doDen t 0es, w th a fa%e that had gone $eety, B+or the !o1e of Pete, Hreg, get rea! st %. What;s the #se of adher ng to the !etter of the s"e% f %at ons and wat%h ng the test go to "otG ,t;s a$o#t t 0e yo# got the red ta"e o#t of yo#r "ants and went to wor>.C B,;0 on!y say ng,C sa d Hregory Powe!!, "at ent!y, as one eA"!a n ng e!e%tron %s to an d ot %h !d, Bthat a%%ord ng to s"e%, those ro$ots are e?# ""ed for astero d 0 n ng w tho#t s#"er1 s on. We;re not s#""osed to wat%h the0.C BA!! r ght. Loo> E !og %7C He ! fted h s ha ry f ngers and "o nted. BOne2 That new ro$ot "assed e1ery test n the ho0e !a$orator es. Two2 <n ted States Ro$ots g#aranteed the r "ass ng the test of a%t#a! "erfor0an%e on an astero d. Three2 The ro$ots are not "ass ng sa d tests. +o#r2 ,f they don;t "ass, <n ted States Ro$ots !oses ten 0 !! on %red ts n %ash and a$o#t one h#ndred 0 !! on n re"#tat on. + 1e2 ,f they don;t "ass and we %an;t eA"!a n why they don;t "ass, t s @#st "oss $!e two good @o$s 0ay ha1e to $e $ dden a fond farewe!!.C Powe!! groaned hea1y $eh nd a not %ea$!y ns n%ere s0 !e. The #nwr tten 0otto of <n ted States Ro$ot and Me%han %a! Men Cor". was we!! >nown2 BNo e0"!oyee 0a>es the sa0e 0 sta>e tw %e. He s f red the f rst t 0e.C A!o#d he sa d, B:o#;re as !#% d as E#%! d w th e1eryth ng eA%e"t the fa%ts. :o#;1e wat%hed that ro$ot gro#" for three sh fts, yo# redhead, and they d d the r wor> "erfe%t!y. :o# sa d so yo#rse!f. What e!se %an we doGC B+ nd o#t what;s wrong, that;s what we %an do. So they d d wor> "erfe%t!y when , wat%hed the0. B#t on three d fferent o%%as ons when , d dn;t wat%h the0, they d dn;t $r ng n any ore. They d dn;t e1en %o0e $a%> on s%hed#!e. , had to go after the0.C BAnd was anyth ng wrongGC BNot a th ng. Not a th ng. E1eryth ng was "erfe%t. S0ooth and "erfe%t as the !#0 n fero#s ether. On!y one ! tt!e ns gn f %ant deta ! d st#r$ed 0e E there was no ore.C Powe!! s%ow!ed at the %e ! ng and "#!!ed at h s $rown 0#sta%he. B,;!! te!! yo# what, M >e. We;1e $een st#%> w th "retty !o#sy @o$s n o#r t 0e, $#t th s ta>es the r d #0 astero d. The who!e $#s ness s %o0"! %ated "ast end#ran%e. Loo>, that ro$ot, 9L=5, has s A ro$ots #nder t. And not @#st #nder t E they;re "art of t.C B, >now thatFC BSh#t #"7C sa d Powe!!, sa1age!y, B, >now yo# >now t, $#t ,;0 @#st des%r $ ng the he!! of t. Those s A s#$s d ar es are "art of 9L=5 ! >e yo#r f ngers are "art of yo# and t g 1es the0 the r orders ne ther $y 1o %e nor rad o, $#t d re%t!y thro#gh "os tron % f e!ds. Now E there sn;t a ro$ot % st

)/

$a%> at <n ted States Ro$ots that >nows what a "os tron % f e!d s or how t wor>s. And ne ther do ,. Ne ther do yo#.C BThe !ast,C agreed 9ono1an, "h !oso"h %a!!y, B, >now.C BThen !oo> at o#r "os t on. ,f e1eryth ng wor>s E f ne7 ,f anyth ng goes wrong E we;re o#t of o#r de"th and there "ro$a$!y sn;t a th ng we %an do, or any$ody e!se. B#t the @o$ $e!ongs to #s and not to anyone e!se so we;re on the s"ot, M >e.C He $!aDed away for a 0o0ent n s !en%e. Then, BA!! r ght, ha1e yo# got h 0 o#ts deGC B:es.C B,s e1eryth ng nor0a! nowGC BWe!! he hasn;t got re! g o#s 0an a, and he sn;t r#nn ng aro#nd n a % r%!e s"o#t ng H !$ert and S#!! 1an, so , s#""ose he;s nor0a!.C 9ono1an "assed o#t the door, sha> ng h s head 1 % o#s!y. Powe!! rea%hed for the BHand$oo> of Ro$ot %sC that we ghed down one s de of h s des> to a near= fo#nder and o"ened t re1erent!y. He had on%e @#0"ed o#t of the w ndow of a $#rn ng ho#se dressed on!y n shorts and the BHand$oo>.C ,n a " n%h, he wo#!d ha1e s> ""ed the shorts. The BHand$oo>C was "ro""ed #" $efore h 0, when Ro$ot 9L=5 entered, w th 9ono1an > %> ng the door sh#t $eh nd h 0. Powe!! sa d so0$er!y, BH , 9a1e. How do yo# fee!GC B+ ne,C sa d the ro$ot. BM nd f , s t downGC He dragged #" the s"e% a!!y re nfor%ed %ha r that was h s, and fo!ded gent!y nto t. Powe!! regarded 9a1e E !ay0en 0 ght th n> of ro$ots $y the r ser a! n#0$ers- ro$ot % sts ne1er E w th a""ro1a!. ,t was not o1er=0ass 1e $y any 0eans, n s" te of ts %onstr#%t on as th n> ng=#n t of an ntegrated se1en=#n t ro$ot tea0. ,t was se1en feet ta!!, and a ha!f=ton of 0eta! and e!e%tr % ty. A !otG Not when that ha!f=ton has to $e a 0ass of %ondensers, % r%# ts, re!ays, and 1a%##0 %e!!s that %an hand!e "ra%t %a!!y any "sy%ho!og %a! rea%t on >nown to h#0ans. And a "os tron % $ra n, wh %h w th ten "o#nds of 0atter and a few ?# nt !! ons of "os trons r#ns the who!e show. Powe!! gro"ed n h s sh rt "o%>et for a !oose % garette. B9a1e,C he sa d, Byo#;re a good fe!!ow. There;s noth ng f! ghty or "r 0a donna sh a$o#t yo#. :o#;re a sta$!e, ro%>$otto0 0 n ng ro$ot, eA%e"t that yo#;re e?# ""ed to hand!e s A s#$s d ar es n d re%t %oord nat on. As far as , >now, that has not ntrod#%ed any #nsta$!e "aths n yo#r $ra n="ath 0a".C The ro$ot nodded, BThat 0a>es 0e fee! swe!!, $#t what are yo# gett ng at, $ossGC He was e?# ""ed w th an eA%e!!ent d a"hrag0, and the "resen%e of o1ertones n the so#nd #n t ro$$ed h 0 of 0#%h of that 0eta!! % f!atness that 0ar>s the #s#a! ro$ot 1o %e. B,;0 go ng to te!! yo#. W th a!! that n yo#r fa1or, what;s go ng wrong w th yo#r @o$G +or nstan%e, today;s B=sh ftGC 9a1e hes tated, BAs far as , >now, noth ng.C B:o# d dn;t "rod#%e any ore.C B, >now.C BWe!!, thenFC )(

9a1e was ha1 ng tro#$!e, B, %an;t eA"!a n that, $oss. ,t;s $een g 1 ng 0e a %ase of ner1es, or t wo#!d f , !et t E 0y s#$s d ar es wor>ed s0ooth!y. , >now , d d.C He %ons dered, h s "hotoe!e%tr % eyes g!ow ng ntense!y. Then, B, don;t re0e0$er. The day ended and there was M >e and there were the ore %ars, 0ost!y e0"ty.C 9ono1an $ro>e n, B:o# d dn;t re"ort at sh ft=end those days, 9a1e. :o# >now thatGC B, >now. B#t as to whyFC He shoo> h s head s!ow!y and "ondero#s!y. Powe!! had the ?#easy fee! ng that f the ro$ot;s fa%e were %a"a$!e of eA"ress on, t wo#!d $e one of "a n and 0ort f %at on. A ro$ot, $y ts 1ery nat#re, %annot $ear to fa ! ts f#n%t on. 9ono1an dragged h s %ha r #" to Powe!!;s des> and !eaned o1er, BA0nes a, do yo# th n>GC BCan;t say. B#t there;s no #se n try ng to " n d sease na0es on th s. H#0an d sorders a""!y to ro$ots on!y as ro0ant % ana!og es. They;re no he!" to ro$ot % eng neer ng.C He s%rat%hed h s ne%>B, hate to "#t h 0 thro#gh the e!e0entary $ra n=rea%t on tests. ,t won;t he!" h s se!f=res"e%t any.C He !oo>ed at 9a1e tho#ghtf#!!y and then at the + e!d=Test o#t! ne g 1en n the BHand$oo>.C He sa d, BSee here, 9a1e, what a$o#t s tt ng thro#gh a testG ,t wo#!d $e the w se th ng to do.C The ro$ot rose, B,f yo# say so, $oss.C There was "a n n h s 1o %e. ,t started s 0"!y eno#gh. Ro$ot 9L=5 0#!t "! ed f 1e="!a%e f g#res to the heart!ess t %> ng of a sto"wat%h. He re% ted the "r 0e n#0$ers $etween a tho#sand and ten tho#sand. He eAtra%ted %#$e roots and ntegrated f#n%t ons of 1ary ng %o0"!eA ty. He went thro#gh 0e%han %a! rea%t ons n order of n%reas ng d ff %#!ty. And, f na!!y, wor>ed h s "re% se 0e%han %a! 0 nd o1er the h ghest f#n%t on of the ro$ot wor!d E the so!#t ons of "ro$!e0s n @#dg0ent and eth %s. At the end of two ho#rs, Powe!! was %o" o#s!y $esweated. 9ono1an had en@oyed a none=too= n#tr t o#s d et of f ngerna ! and the ro$ot sa d, BHow does t !oo>, $ossGC Powe!! sa d, B,;1e got to th n> t o1er, 9a1e. Sna" @#dg0ents won;t he!" 0#%h. S#""ose yo# go $a%> to the C=sh ft. Ta>e t easy. 9on;t "ress too hard for ?#ota @#st for a wh !e E and we;!! f A th ngs #".C The ro$ot !eft. 9ono1an !oo>ed at Powe!!. BWe!!FC Powe!! see0ed deter0 ned to "#sh #" h s 0#sta%he $y the roots. He sa d, BThere s noth ng wrong w th the %#rrents of h s "os tron % $ra n.C B,;d hate to $e that %erta n.C BOh, J#" ter, M >e7 The $ra n s the s#rest "art of a ro$ot. ,t;s ?# nt#"!e=%he%>ed $a%> on Earth. ,f they "ass the f e!d test "erfe%t!y, the way 9a1e d d, there @#st sn;t a %han%e of $ra n 0 sf#n%t on. That test %o1ered e1ery >ey "ath n the $ra n.C BSo where are weGC B9on;t r#sh 0e. Let 0e wor> th s o#t. There;s st !! the "oss $ ! ty of a 0e%han %a! $rea>down n the $ody. That !ea1es a$o#t f fteen h#ndred %ondensers, twenty tho#sand nd 1 d#a! e!e%tr % % r%# ts, f 1e h#ndred 1a%##0 %e!!s, a tho#sand re!ays, and #"ty=#0" tho#sand other nd 1 d#a! " e%es of %o0"!eA ty that %an $e wrong. And these 0yster o#s "os tron s f e!ds no one >nows anyth ng a$o#t.C

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BL sten, Hreg,C 9ono1an grew des"erate!y #rgent. B,;1e got an dea. That ro$ot 0ay $e !y ng. He ne1erFC BRo$ots %an;t >now ng!y ! e, yo# foo!. Now f we had the M%Cor0a%>=Wes!ey tester, we %o#!d %he%> ea%h nd 1 d#a! te0 n h s $ody w th n twenty=fo#r to forty=e ght ho#rs, $#t the on!y two M= W testers eA st ng are on Earth, and they we gh ten tons, are on %on%rete fo#ndat ons and %an;t $e 0o1ed. ,sn;t that "ea%hyGC 9ono1an "o#nded the des>, BB#t, Hreg, he on!y goes wrong when we;re not aro#nd. There;s so0eth ng E s n ster E a$o#t E that.C He "#n%t#ated the senten%e w th s!a0s of f st aga nst des>. B:o#,C sa d Powe!!, s!ow!y, B0a>e 0e s %>. :o#;1e $een read ng ad1ent#re no1e!s.C BWhat , want to >now,C sho#ted 9ono1an, B s what we;re go ng to do a$o#t t.C B,;!! te!! yo#. ,;0 go ng to nsta!! a 1 s "!ate r ght o1er 0y des>. R ght on the wa!! o1er there, see7C He @a$$ed a 1 % o#s f nger at the s"ot. BThen ,;0 go ng to fo%#s t at whate1er "art of the 0 ne s $e ng wor>ed, and ,;0 go ng to wat%h. That;s a!!.C BThat;s a!!G HregFC Powe!! rose fro0 h s %ha r and !eaned h s $a!!ed f sts on the des>, BM >e, ,;0 ha1 ng a hard t 0e.C H s 1o %e was weary. B+or a wee>, yo#;1e $een "!ag# ng 0e a$o#t 9a1e. :o# say he;s gone wrong. 9o yo# >now how he;s gone wrongG No7 9o yo# >now what sha"e th s wrongness ta>esG No7 9o yo# >now what $r ngs t onG No7 9o yo# >now what sna"s h 0 o#tG No7 9o yo# >now anyth ng a$o#t tG No7 9o , >now anyth ng a$o#t tG No7 So what do yo# want 0e to doGC 9ono1an;s ar0 swe"t o#tward n a 1ag#e, grand ose gest#re, B:o# got 0e7C BSo , te!! yo# aga n. Before we do anyth ng toward a %#re, we;1e got to f nd o#t what the d sease s n the f rst "!a%e. The f rst ste" n %oo> ng ra$$ t stew s %at%h ng the ra$$ t. We!!, we;1e got to %at%h that ra$$ t7 Now get o#t of here.C 9ono1an stared at the "re! 0 nary o#t! ne of h s f e!d re"ort w th weary eyes. +or one th ng, he was t red and for another, what was there to re"ort wh !e th ngs were #nsett!edG He fe!t resentf#!. He sa d, BHreg, we;re a!0ost a tho#sand tons $eh nd s%hed#!e.C B:o#,C re"! ed Powe!!, ne1er !oo> ng #", Bare te!! ng 0e so0eth ng , don;t >now.C BWhat , want to >now,C sa d 9ono1an, n s#dden sa1agery, B s why we;re a!ways tang!ed #" w th new=ty"e ro$ots. ,;1e f na!!y de% ded that the ro$ots that were good eno#gh for 0y great=#n%!e on 0y 0other;s s de are good eno#gh for 0e. ,;0 for what;s tr ed and tr#e. The test of t 0e s what %o#nts E good, so! d, o!d=fash oned ro$ots that ne1er go wrong.C Powe!! threw a $oo> w th "erfe%t a 0, and 9ono1an went t#0$! ng off h s seat. B:o#r @o$,C sa d Powe!!, e1en!y, Bfor the !ast f 1e years has $een to test new ro$ots #nder a%t#a! wor> ng %ond t ons for <n ted States Ro$ots. Be%a#se yo# and , ha1e $een so n@#d % o#s as to d s"!ay "rof % en%y at the tas>, we;1e $een rewarded w th the d rt est @o$s. That,C he @a$$ed ho!es n the a r w th h s f nger n 9ono1an;s d re%t on, B s yo#r wor>. :o#;1e $een gr " ng a$o#t t, fro0 "ersona! 0e0ory, s n%e a$o#t f 1e 0 n#tes after <n ted States Ro$ots s gned yo# #". Why don;t yo# res gnGC BWe!!, ,;!! te!! yo#.C 9ono1an ro!!ed onto h s sto0a%h, and too> a f r0 gr " on h s w !d, red ha r to ho!d h s head #". BThere;s a %erta n "r n% "!e n1o!1ed. After a!!, as a tro#$!eshooter, ,;1e "!ayed a 5'

"art n the de1e!o"0ent of new ro$ots. There;s the "r n% "!e of a d ng s% ent f % ad1an%e. B#t don;t get 0e wrong. ,t;s not the "r n% "!e that >ee"s 0e go ng- t;s the 0oney they "ay #s. Hreg7; Powe!! @#0"ed at 9ono1an;s w !d sho#t, and h s eyes fo!!owed the redhead;s to the 1 s "!ate, when they gogg!ed n f Aed horror. He wh s"ered, BHo!y E how! ng E J#" ter7C 9ono1an s%ra0$!ed $reath!ess!y to h s feet, BLoo> at the0, Hreg. They;1e gone n#ts.C Powe!! sa d, BHet a "a r of s# ts. We;re go ng o#t there.C He wat%hed the "ost#r ngs of the ro$ots on the 1 s "!ate. They were $ronDy g!ea0s of s0ooth 0ot on aga nst the shadowy %rags of the a r!ess astero d. There was a 0ar%h ng for0at on now, and n the r own d 0 $ody ! ght, the ro#ghhewn wa!!s of the 0 ne t#nne! swa0 "ast no se!ess!y, %he%>ered w th 0 sty errat % $!o$s of shadow. They 0ar%hed n #n son, se1en of the0, w th 9a1e at the head. They whee!ed and t#rned n 0a%a$re s 0#!tane ty- and 0e!ted thro#gh %hanges of for0at on w th the we rd ease of %hor#s dan%ers n L#nar Bow!. 9ono1an was $a%> w th the s# ts, BThey;1e gone @ ngo on #s, Hreg. That;s a 0 ! tary 0ar%h.C B+or a!! yo# >now,C was the %o!d res"onse, B t 0ay $e a ser es of %a!! sthen % eAer% ses. Or 9a1e 0ay $e #nder the ha!!#% nat on of $e ng a dan% ng 0aster. J#st yo# th n> f rst, and don;t $other to s"ea> afterward, e ther.C 9ono1an s%ow!ed and s! ""ed a detonator nto the e0"ty s de ho!ster w th an ostentat o#s sho1e. He sa d, BAnyway, there yo# are. So we wor> w th new=0ode! ro$ots. ,t;s o#r @o$, granted. B#t answer 0e one ?#est on. Why... why does so0eth ng n1ar a$!y go wrong w th the0GC BBe%a#se,C sa d Powe!!, so0$er!y, Bwe are a%%#rsed. Let;s go7C +ar ahead thro#gh the th %> 1e!1ety $!a%>ness of the %orr dors that rea%hed "ast the !!#0 nated % r%!es of the r f!ash! ghts, ro$ot ! ght tw n>!ed. BThere they are,C $reathed 9ono1an. Powe!! wh s"ered tense!y, B,;1e $een try ng to get h 0 $y rad o $#t he doesn;t answer. The rad o % r%# t s "ro$a$!y o#t.C BThen ,;0 g!ad the des gners ha1en;t wor>ed o#t ro$ots who %an wor> n tota! dar>ness yet. ,;d hate to ha1e to f nd se1en 0ad ro$ots n a $!a%> " t w tho#t rad o %o00#n %at on, f they weren;t ! t #" ! >e $!asted rad oa%t 1e Chr st0as trees.C BCraw! #" on the !edge a$o1e, M >e. They;re %o0 ng th s way, and , want to wat%h the0 at %!ose range. Can yo# 0a>e tGC 9ono1an 0ade the @#0" w th a gr#nt. Hra1 ty was %ons dera$!y $e!ow Earth=nor0a!, $#t w th a hea1y s# t, the ad1antage was not too great, and the !edge 0eant a near ten=foot @#0". Powe!! fo!!owed. The %o!#0n of ro$ots was tra ! ng 9a1e s ng!e=f !e. ,n 0e%han %a! rhyth0, they %on1erted to do#$!e and ret#rned to s ng!e n d fferent order. ,t was re"eated o1er and o1er aga n and 9a1e ne1er t#rned h s head. 9a1e was w th n twenty feet when the "!ay=a%t ng %eased. The s#$s d ary ro$ots $ro>e for0at on, wa ted a 0o0ent, then %!attered off nto the d stan%e E 1ery ra" d!y. 9a1e !oo>ed after the0, then s!ow!y sat down. He rested h s head n one hand n a 1ery h#0an gest#re.

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H s 1o %e so#nded n Powe!!;s ear"hones, BAre yo# here, $ossGC Powe!! $e%>oned to 9ono1an and ho""ed off the !edge. BO.8., 9a1e, what;s $een go ng onGC The ro$ot shoo> h s head, B, don;t >now. One 0o0ent , was hand! ng a to#gh o#t%ro"" ng n T#nne! '4, and the neAt , was aware of h#0ans %!ose $y, and , fo#nd 0yse!f ha!f a 0 !e down 0a n=ste0.C BWhere are the s#$s d ar es nowGC as>ed 9ono1an. BBa%> at wor>, of %o#rse. How 0#%h t 0e has $een !ostGC BNot 0#%h. +orget t.C Then to 9ono1an, Powe!! added, BStay w th h 0 the rest of the sh ft. Then, %o0e $a%>. ,;1e got a %o#"!e of deas.C ,t was three ho#rs $efore 9ono1an ret#rned. He !oo>ed t red. Powe!! sa d, BHow d d t goGC 9ono1an shr#gged wear !y, BNoth ng e1er goes wrong when yo# wat%h the0. Throw 0e a $#tt, w !! yo#GC The redhead ! t t w th eAaggerated %are and $!ew a %aref#! s0o>e r ng. He sa d, B,;1e $een wor> ng t o#t, Hreg. :o# >now, 9a1e has a ?#eer $a%>gro#nd for a ro$ot. There are s A others #nder h 0 n an eAtre0e reg 0entat on. He;s got ! fe and death "ower o1er those s#$s d ary ro$ots and t 0#st rea%t on h s 0enta! ty. S#""ose he f nds t ne%essary to e0"has De th s "ower as a %on%ess on to h s ego.C BHet to the "o nt.C B,t;s r ght here. S#""ose we ha1e 0 ! tar s0. S#""ose he;s fash on ng h 0se!f an ar0y. S#""ose E he;s tra n ng the0 n 0 ! tary 0ane#1ers. S#""oseFC BS#""ose yo# go soa> yo#r head. :o#r n ght0ares 0#st $e n te%hn %o!or. :o#;re "ost#!at ng a 0a@or a$errat on of the "os tron % $ra n. ,f yo#r ana!ys s were %orre%t, 9a1e wo#!d ha1e to $rea> down the + rst Law of Ro$ot %s2 that a ro$ot 0ay not n@#re a h#0an $e ng or, thro#gh na%t on, a!!ow a h#0an $e ng to $e n@#red. The ty"e of 0 ! tar st % att t#de and do0 neer ng ego yo# "ro"ose 0#st ha1e as the end="o nt of ts !og %a! 0"! %at ons, do0 nat on of h#0ans.C BA!! r ght. How do yo# >now that sn;t the fa%t of the 0atterGC BBe%a#se any ro$ot w th a $ra n ! >e that wo#!d, one, ne1er ha1e !eft the fa%tory, and two, $e s"otted 00ed ate!y f t e1er was. , tested 9a1e, yo# >now.C Powe!! sho1ed h s %ha r $a%> and "#t h s feet on the des>. BNo. We;re st !! n the "os t on where we %an;t 0a>e o#r stew $e%a#se we ha1en;t the s! ghtest not on as to what;s wrong. +or nstan%e, f we %o#!d f nd o#t what that dan%e 0a%a$re we w tnessed was a!! a$o#t, we wo#!d $e on the way o#t.C He "a#sed, BNow ! sten, M >e, how does th s so#nd to yo#G 9a1e goes wrong on!y when ne ther of #s s "resent. And when he s wrong, the arr 1a! of e ther of #s sna"s h 0 o#t of t.C B, on%e to!d yo# that was s n ster.C B9on;t nterr#"t. How s a ro$ot d fferent when h#0ans are not "resentG The answer s o$1 o#s. There s a !arger re?# re0ent of "ersona! n t at 1e. ,n that %ase, !oo> for the $ody "arts that are affe%ted $y the new re?# re0ents.C

56

BHo!!y.C 9ono1an sat #" stra ght, then s#$s ded. BNo, no. Not eno#gh. ,t;s too $road. ,t doesn;t %#t the "oss $ ! t es 0#%h.C BCan;t he!" that. ,n any %ase, there;s no danger of not 0a> ng ?#ota. We;!! ta>e sh fts wat%h ng those ro$ots thro#gh the 1 sor. Any t 0e anyth ng goes wrong, we get to the s%ene of a%t on 00ed ate!y. That w !! "#t the0 r ght.C BB#t the ro$ots w !! fa ! s"e% anyway, Hreg. <n ted States Ro$ots %an;t 0ar>et 9L 0ode!s w th a re"ort ! >e that.C BO$1 o#s!y. We;1e got to !o%ate the error n 0a>e=#" and %orre%t t E and we;1e got ten days to do t n.C Powe!! s%rat%hed h s head. BThe tro#$!e s... we!!, yo# had $etter !oo> at the $!#e"r nts yo#rse!f.C The $!#e"r nts %o1ered the f!oor ! >e a %ar"et and 9ono1an %raw!ed o1er the fa%e of the0 fo!!ow ng Powe!!;s errat % "en% !. Powe!! sa d, BHere;s where yo# %o0e n, M >e. :o#;re the $ody s"e% a! st, and , want yo# to %he%> 0e. ,;1e $een try ng to %#t o#t a!! % r%# ts not n1o!1ed n the "ersona! n t at 1e hoo>#". R ght here, for nstan%e, s the tr#n> artery n1o!1 ng 0e%han %a! o"erat ons. , %#t o#t a!! ro#t ne s de ro#tes as e0ergen%y d 1 s onsFC He !oo>ed #", BWhat do yo# th n>GC 9ono1an had a 1ery $ad taste n h s 0o#th, BThe @o$;s not that s 0"!e, Hreg. Persona! n t at 1e sn;t an e!e%tr % % r%# t yo# %an se"arate fro0 the rest and st#dy. When a ro$ot s on h s own, the ntens ty of the $ody a%t 1 ty n%reases 00ed ate!y on a!0ost a!! fronts. There sn;t a % r%# t ent re!y #naffe%ted. What 0#st $e done s to !o%ate the "art %#!ar %ond t on E a 1ery s"e% f % %ond t on E that throws h 0 off, and then start e! 0 nat ng % r%# ts.C Powe!! got #" and d#sted h 0se!f, BH0"h. A!! r ght. Ta>e away the $!#e"r nts and $#rn the0.C 9ono1an sa d, B:o# see when a%t 1 ty ntens f es, anyth ng %an ha""en, g 1en one s ng!e fa#!ty "art. ,ns#!at on $rea>s down, a %ondenser s" !!s o1er, a %onne%t on s"ar>s, a %o ! o1erheats. And f yo# wor> $! nd, w th the who!e ro$ot to %hoose fro0, yo#;!! ne1er f nd the $ad s"ot. ,f yo# ta>e 9a1e a"art and test e1ery "o nt of h s $ody 0e%han s0 one $y one, "#tt ng h 0 together ea%h t 0e, and try ng h 0 o#tC BA!! r ght. A!! r ght. , %an see thro#gh a "ortho!e, too.C They fa%ed ea%h other ho"e!ess!y, and then Powe!! sa d %a#t o#s!y, BS#""ose we nter1 ew one of the s#$s d ar es.C Ne ther Powe!! nor 9ono1an had e1er had "re1 o#s o%%as on to ta!> to a Bf nger.C ,t %o#!d ta!>- t wasn;t ?# te the "erfe%t ana!ogy to a h#0an f nger. ,n fa%t, t had a fa r!y de1e!o"ed $ra n, $#t that $ra n was t#ned "r 0ar !y to the re%e"t on of orders 1 a "os tron % f e!d, and ts rea%t on to nde"endent st 0#! was rather f#0$! ng. Nor was Powe!! %erta n as to ts na0e. ,ts ser a! n#0$er was 9L=5=3, $#t that was not 1ery #sef#!. He %o0"ro0 sed. BLoo>, "a!,C he sa d, B,;0 go ng to as> yo# to do so0e hard th n> ng and then yo# %an go $a%> to yo#r $oss.C The Bf ngerC nodded ts head st ff!y, $#t d d not eAert ts ! 0 ted $ra n"ower on s"ee%h. BNow on fo#r o%%as ons re%ent!y,C Powe!! sa d, Byo#r $oss de1 ated fro0 $ra n=s%he0e. 9o yo# re0e0$er those o%%as onsGC 5)

B:es, s r.C 9ono1an grow!ed angr !y, BHe re0e0$ers. , te!! yo# there s so0eth ng 1ery s n sterFC BOh, go $ash yo#r s>#!!. Of %o#rse, the If nger; re0e0$ers. There s noth ng wrong w th h 0.C Powe!! t#rned $a%> to the ro$ot, BWhat were yo# do ng ea%h t 0e... , 0ean the who!e gro#"C The Bf ngerC had a %#r o#s a r of re% t ng $y rote, as f he answered ?#est ons $y the 0e%han %a! "ress#re of h s $ra n"an, $#t w tho#t any enth#s as0 whate1er. He sa d, BThe f rst t 0e we were at wor> on a d ff %#!t o#t%ro"" ng n T#nne! '4, Le1e! B. The se%ond t 0e we were $#ttress ng the roof aga nst a "oss $!e %a1e= n. The th rd t 0e we were "re"ar ng a%%#rate $!asts n order to t#nne! farther w tho#t $rea> ng nto a s#$terranean f ss#re. The fo#rth t 0e was @#st after a 0 nor %a1e= nC BWhat ha""ened at these t 0esGC B,t s d ff %#!t to des%r $e. An order wo#!d $e ss#ed, $#t $efore we %o#!d re%e 1e and nter"ret t, a new order %a0e to 0ar%h n ?#eer for0at on.C Powe!! sna""ed o#t, BWhyGC B, don;t >now.C 9ono1an $ro>e n tense!y, BWhat was the f rst order... the one that was s#"erseded $y the 0ar%h ng d re%t onsGC B, don;t >now. , sensed that an order was sent, $#t there was ne1er t 0e to re%e 1e t.C BCo#!d yo# te!! #s anyth ng a$o#t tG Was t the sa0e order ea%h t 0eGC The Bf ngerC shoo> h s head #nha"" !y, B, don;t >now.C Powe!! !eaned $a%>, BA!! r ght, get $a%> to yo#r $oss.C The Bf ngerC !eft, w th 1 s $!e re! ef. 9ono1an sa d, BWe!!, we a%%o0"! shed a !ot that t 0e. That was rea! shar" d a!og#e a!! the way thro#gh. L sten, 9a1e and that 0$e% !e If nger; are $oth ho!d ng o#t on #s. There s too 0#%h they don;t >now and don;t re0e0$er. We;1e got to sto" tr#st ng the0, Hreg.C Powe!! $r#shed h s 0#sta%he the wrong way, BSo he!" 0e, M >e, another foo! re0ar> o#t of yo#, and ,;!! ta>e away yo#r ratt!e and teeth ng r ng.C BA!! r ght. :o#;re the gen #s of the tea0. ,;0 @#st a "oor s#%>er. Where do we standGC BR ght $eh nd the e ght $a!!. , tr ed to wor> t $a%>ward thro#gh the If nger,; and %o#!dn;t. So we;1e got to wor> t forward.C BA great 0an,C 0ar1e!ed 9ono1an. BHow s 0"!e that 0a>es t. Now trans!ate that nto Eng! sh, Master.C BTrans!at ng t nto $a$y ta!> wo#!d s# t yo# $etter. , 0ean that we;1e got to f nd o#t what order t s that 9a1e g 1es @#st $efore e1eryth ng goes $!a%>. ,t wo#!d $e the >ey to the $#s ness.C BAnd how do yo# eA"e%t to do thatG We %an;t get %!ose to h 0 $e%a#se noth ng w !! go wrong as !ong as we are there. We %an;t %at%h the orders $y rad o $e%a#se they are trans0 tted 1 a th s

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"os tron % f e!d. That e! 0 nates the %!ose=range and the !ong=range 0ethod, !ea1 ng #s a neat, %oDy Dero.C BBy d re%t o$ser1at on, yes. There;s st !! ded#%t on.C BH#hGC BWe;re go ng on sh fts, M >e.C Powe!! s0 !ed gr 0!y. BAnd we are not ta> ng o#r eyes off the 1 s "!ate. We;re go ng to wat%h e1ery a%t on of those stee! heada%hes. When they go off nto the r a%t, we;re go ng to see what ha""ened 00ed ate!y $efore and we;re go ng to ded#%e the order.C 9ono1an o"ened h s 0o#th and !eft t that way for a f#!! 0 n#te. Then he sa d n strang!ed tones, B, res gn. , ?# t.C B:o# ha1e ten days to th n> #" so0eth ng $etter,C sa d Powe!! wear !y. Wh %h, for e ght days, 9ono1an tr ed 0 ght !y to do. +or e ght days, on a!ternate fo#r=ho#r sh fts, he wat%hed w th a%h ng and $!eary eyes those g! nty 0eta!! % for0s 0o1e aga nst the 1ag#e $a%>gro#nd. And for e ght days n the fo#r=ho#r n=$etweens, he %#rsed <n ted States Ro$ots, the 9L 0ode!s, and the day he was $orn. And then on the e ghth day, when Powe!! entered w th an a%h ng head and s!ee"y eyes for h s sh ft, 9ono1an stood #" and w th 1ery %aref#! and de! $erate a 0 !a#n%hed a hea1y $oo>end for the eAa%t %enter of the 1 s "!ate. There was a 1ery a""ro"r ate s"! nter ng no se. Powe!! gas"ed, BWhat d d yo# do that forGC BBe%a#se,C sa d 9ono1an, a!0ost %a!0!y, B,;0 not wat%h ng t any 0ore. We;1e got two days !eft and we ha1en;t fo#nd o#t a th ng. 9L=5 s a !o#sy !oss. He;s sto""ed f 1e t 0es s n%e ,;1e $een wat%h ng and three t 0es on yo#r sh ft, and , %an;t 0a>e o#t what orders he ga1e, and yo# %o#!dn;t 0a>e t o#t. And , don;t $e! e1e yo# %o#!d e1er 0a>e t o#t $e%a#se , >now , %o#!dn;t e1er.C BJ#0" ng S"a%e, how %an yo# wat%h s A ro$ots at the sa0e t 0eG One 0a>es w th the hands, and one w th the feet and one ! >e a w nd0 !! and another s @#0" ng #" and down ! >e a 0an a%. And the other two... de1 ! >nows what they are do ng. And then they a!! sto". So7 So7C BHreg, we;re not do ng t r ght. We got to get #" %!ose. We;1e got to wat%h what they;re do ng fro0 where we %an see the deta !s.C Powe!! $ro>e a $ tter s !en%e. B:eah, and wa t for so0eth ng to go wrong w th on!y two days to go.C B,s t any $etter wat%h ng fro0 hereGC B,t;s 0ore %o0forta$!e.C BAh E B#t there;s so0eth ng yo# %an do there that yo# %an;t do here.C BWhat;s thatGC B:o# %an 0a>e the0 sto" E at whate1er t 0e yo# %hoose and wh !e yo#;re "re"ared and wat%h ng to see what goes wrong.C Powe!! start!ed nto a!ertness, BHowDDatGC BWe!!, f g#re t o#t, yo#rse!f. :o#;re the $ra ns yo# say. As> yo#rse!f so0e ?#est ons. When does 9L=5 go o#t of wha%>G When d d that If nger; say he d dG When a %a1e= n threatened, or a%t#a!!y

5.

o%%#rred, when de! %ate!y 0eas#red eA"!os 1es were $e ng !a d down, when a d ff %#!t sea0 was h t.C B,n other words, d#r ng e0ergen% es,C Powe!! was eA% ted. BR ght7 When d d yo# eA"e%t t to ha""en7 ,t;s the "ersona! n t at 1e fa%tor that;s g 1 ng #s the tro#$!e. And t;s @#st d#r ng e0ergen% es n the a$sen%e of a h#0an $e ng that "ersona! n t at 1e s 0ost stra ned. Now what s the !og %a! ded#%t onG How %an we %reate o#r own sto""age when and where we want tGC He "a#sed tr #0"hant!y E he was $eg nn ng to en@oy h s ro!e E and answered h s own ?#est on to foresta!! the o$1 o#s answer on Powe!!;s tong#e. BBy %reat ng o#r own e0ergen%y.C Powe!! sa d, BM >e E yo#;re r ght.C BThan>s, "a!. , >new ,;d do t so0e day.C BA!! r ght, and s> " the sar%as0. We;!! sa1e t for Earth, and "reser1e t n @ars for f#t#re !ong, %o!d w nters. Meanwh !e, what e0ergen%y %an we %reateGC BWe %o#!d f!ood the 0 nes, f th s weren;t an a r!ess astero d.C BA w tt % s0, no do#$t,C sa d Powe!!. BRea!!y, M >e, yo#;!! n%a"a% tate 0e w th !a#ghter. What a$o#t a 0 !d %a1e= nGC 9ono1an "#rsed h s ! "s and sa d, BO.8. $y 0e.C BHood. Let;s get started.C Powe!! fe!t #n%o00on!y ! >e a %ons" rator as he wo#nd h s way o1er the %raggy !ands%a"e. H s s#$=gra1 ty wa!> teetered a%ross the $ro>en gro#nd, > %> ng ro%>s to r ght and !eft #nder h s we ght n no se!ess "#ffs of gray d#st. Menta!!y, tho#gh, t was the %a#t o#s %raw! of the "!otter. He sa d, B9o yo# >now where they areGC B, th n> so, Hreg.C BA!! r ght,C Powe!! sa d g!oo0 !y, B$#t f any If nger; gets w th n twenty feet of #s, we;!! $e sensed whether we are n the ! ne of s ght or not. , ho"e yo# >now that.C BWhen , need an e!e0entary %o#rse n ro$ot %s, ,;!! f !e an a""! %at on w th yo# for0a!!y, and n tr "! %ate. 9own thro#gh here.C They were n the t#nne!s now- e1en the star! ght was gone. The two h#gged the wa!!s, f!ashes f! %>er ng o#t the way n nter0 ttent $#rsts. Powe!! fe!t for the se%#r ty of h s detonator. B9o yo# >now th s t#nne!, M >eGC BNot so good. ,t;s a new one. , th n> , %an 0a>e t o#t fro0 what , saw n the 1 s "!ate, tho#ghFC ,nter0 na$!e 0 n#tes "assed, and then M >e sa d, B+ee! that7C There was a s! ght 1 $rat on thr#00 ng the wa!! aga nst the f ngers of Powe!!;s 0eta!= n%ased hand. There was no so#nd, nat#ra!!y. BB!ast ng7 We;re "retty %!ose.C B8ee" yo#r eyes o"en,C sa d Powe!!. 9ono1an nodded 0"at ent!y. 54

,t was #"on the0 and gone $efore they %o#!d se De the0se!1es E @#st a $ronDe g! nt a%ross the f e!d of 1 s on. They %!#ng together n s !en%e. Powe!! wh s"ered, BTh n> t sensed #sGC BHo"e not. B#t we;d $etter f!an> the0. Ta>e the f rst s de t#nne! to the r ght.C BS#""ose we 0 ss the0 a!togetherGC BWe!! what do yo# want to doG Ho $a%>GC 9ono1an gr#nted f er%e!y. BThey;re w th n a ?#arter of a 0 !e. , was wat%h ng the0 thro#gh the 1 s "!ate, wasn;t ,G And we;1e got two daysFC BOh, sh#t #". :o#;re wast ng yo#r oAygen. ,s th s a s de "assage hereGC The f!ash f! %>ed. B,t s. Let;s go.C The 1 $rat on was %ons dera$!y 0ore 0ar>ed and the gro#nd $e!ow sh#ddered #neas !y. BTh s s good,C sa d 9ono1an, B f t doesn;t g 1e o#t on #s, tho#gh.C He f!#ng h s ! ght ahead anA o#s!y. They %o#!d to#%h the roof of the t#nne! w th a ha!f=#"stret%hed hand, and the $ra% ngs had $een new!y "!a%ed. 9ono1an hes tated, B9ead end, !et;s go $a%>.C BNo. Ho!d on.C Powe!! s?#eeDed %!#0s !y "ast. B,s that ! ght aheadGC BL ghtG , don;t see any. Where wo#!d there $e ! ght down hereGC BRo$ot ! ght.C He was s%ra0$! ng #" a gent!e n%! ne on hands and >nees. H s 1o %e was hoarse and anA o#s n 9ono1an;s ears. BHey, M >e, %o0e #" here.C There was ! ght. 9ono1an %raw!ed #" and o1er Powe!!;s o#tstret%hed !egs. BAn o"en ngGC B:es. They 0#st $e wor> ng nto th s t#nne! fro0 the other s de now , th n>.C 9ono1an fe!t the ragged edges of the o"en ng that !oo>ed o#t nto what the %a#t o#s f!ash! ght showed to $e a !arger and o$1 o#s!y 0a n ste0 t#nne!. The ho!e was too s0a!! for a 0an to go thro#gh, a!0ost too s0a!! for two 0en to !oo> thro#gh s 0#!taneo#s!y. There;s noth ng there,C sa d 9ono1an. BWe!!, not now. B#t there 0#st ha1e $een a se%ond ago or we wo#!dn;t ha1e seen ! ght. Wat%h o#t7C The wa!!s ro!!ed a$o#t the0 and they fe!t the 0"a%t. A f ne d#st showered down. Powe!! ! fted a %a#t o#s head and !oo>ed aga n. BA!! r ght, M >e. They;re there.C The g! tter ng ro$ots %!#stered f fty feet down the 0a n ste0. Meta! ar0s !a$ored 0 ght !y at the r#$$ sh hea" $ro#ght down $y the !ast $!ast. 9ono1an #rged eager!y, B9on;t waste t 0e. ,t won;t $e !ong $efore they get thro#gh, and the neAt $!ast 0ay get #s.C B+or Pete;s sa>e, don;t r#sh 0e.C Powe!! #n! 0$ered the detonator, and h s eyes sear%hed anA o#s!y a%ross the d#s>y $a%>gro#nd where the on!y ! ght was ro$ot ! ght and t was 0"oss $!e to te!! a "ro@e%t ng $o#!der fro0 a shadow.

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BThere;s a s"ot n the roof, see t, a!0ost o1er the0. The !ast $!ast d dn;t ?# te get t. ,f yo# %an get t at the $ase, ha!f the roof w !! %a1e n.C Powe!! fo!!owed the d 0 f nger, BChe%>7 Now fasten yo#r eye on the ro$ots and "ray they don;t 0o1e too far fro0 that "art of the t#nne!. They;re 0y ! ght so#r%es. Are a!! se1en thereGC 9ono1an %o#nted, BA!! se1en.C BWe!!, then, wat%h the0. Wat%h e1ery 0ot on7C H s detonator was ! fted and re0a ned "o sed wh !e 9ono1an wat%hed and %#rsed and $! n>ed the sweat o#t of h s eye. ,t f!ashed7 There was a @ar, a ser es of hard 1 $rat ons, and then a @arr ng th#0" that threw Powe!! hea1 !y aga nst 9ono1an. 9ono1an yow!ed, BHreg, yo# threw 0e off. , d dn;t see a th ng.C Powe!! stared a$o#t w !d!y, BWhere are theyGC 9ono1an fe!! nto a st#" d s !en%e. There was no s gn of the ro$ots. ,t was dar> as the de"ths of the R 1er StyA. BTh n> we $#r ed the0GC ?#a1ered 9ono1an. BLet;s get down there. 9on;t as> 0e what , th n>.C Powe!! %raw!ed $a%>ward at t#0$! ng s"eed. BM >e7C 9ono1an "a#sed n the a%t of fo!!ow ng. BWhat;s wrong nowGC BHo!d on7C Powe!!;s $reath ng was ro#gh and rreg#!ar n 9ono1an;s ears. BM >e7 9o yo# hear 0e, M >eGC B,;0 r ght here. What s tGC BWe;re $!o%>ed n. ,t wasn;t the %e ! ng %o0 ng down f fty feet away that >no%>ed #s o1er. ,t was o#r own %e ! ng. The sho%>;s t#0$!ed t7C BWhat7C 9ono1an s%ra0$!ed #" aga nst a hard $arr er. BT#rn on the f!ash.C Powe!! d d so. At no "o nt was there roo0 for a ra$$ t to s?#eeDe thro#gh. 9ono1an sa d soft!y, BWe!!, what do yo# >nowGC They wasted a few 0o0ents and so0e 0#s%#!ar "ower n an effort to 0o1e the $!o%> ng $arr er. Powe!! 1ar ed th s $y wren%h ng at the edges of the or g na! ho!e. +or a 0o0ent, Powe!! ! fted h s $!aster. B#t n those %!ose ?#arters, a f!ash wo#!d $e s# % de and he >new t. He sat down. B:o# >now, M >e,C he sa d, Bwe;1e rea!!y 0essed th s #". We are no nearer f nd ng o#t what;s wrong w th 9a1e. ,t was a good dea $#t t $!ew #" n o#r fa%e.C 9ono1an;s g!an%e was $ tter w th an ntens ty tota!!y wasted on the dar>ness, B, hate to d st#r$ yo#, o!d 0an, $#t ?# te a"art fro0 what we >now or don;t >now of 9a1e, we;re s! ght!y tra""ed. ,f we don;t get !oose, fe!!a, we;re go ng to d e. 9=,=E, d e. How 0#%h oAygen ha1e we anywayG Not 0ore than s A ho#rs.C

5(

B,;1e tho#ght of that.C Powe!!;s f ngers went #" to h s !ong=s#ffer ng 0#sta%he and %!anged #se!ess!y aga nst the trans"arent 1 sor. BOf %o#rse, we %o#!d get 9a1e to d g #s o#t eas !y n that t 0e, eA%e"t that o#r "re% o#s e0ergen%y 0#st ha1e thrown h 0 off, and h s rad o % r%# t s o#t.C BAnd sn;t that n %eGC 9ono1an edged #" to the o"en ng and 0anaged to get h s 0eta! n%ased head o#t. ,t was an eAtre0e!y t ght f t. BHey, Hreg7C BWhatGC BS#""ose we get 9a1e w th n twenty feet. He;!! sna" to nor0a!. That w !! sa1e #s.C BS#re, $#t where s heGC B9own the %orr dor E way down. +or Pete;s sa>e, sto" "#!! ng $efore yo# drag 0y head o#t of ts so%>et. ,;!! g 1e yo# yo#r %han%e to !oo>.C Powe!! 0ane#1ered h s head o#ts de, BWe d d t a!! r ght. Loo> at those sa"s. That 0#st $e a $a!!et they;re do ng.C BNe1er 0 nd the s de re0ar>s. Are they gett ng any %!oserGC BCan;t te!! yet. They;re too far away. H 1e 0e a %han%e. Pass 0e 0y f!ash, w !! yo#G ,;!! try to attra%t the r attent on that way.C He ga1e #" after two 0 n#tes, BNot a %han%e7 They 0#st $e $! nd. <h=oh, they;re start ng toward #s. What do yo# >nowGC 9ono1an sa d, BHey, !et 0e see7C There was a s !ent s%#ff!e. Powe!! sa d, BA!! r ght7C and 9ono1an got h s head o#t. They were a""roa%h ng. 9a1e was h gh=ste"" ng the way n front and the s A Bf ngersC were a wea1 ng %hor#s ! ne $eh nd h 0. 9ono1an 0ar1e!ed, BWhat are they do ngG That;s what , want to >now. ,t !oo>s ! >e the L rg n a ree! E and 9a1e;s a 0a@or=do0o, or , ne1er saw one.C BOh, !ea1e 0e a!one w th yo#r des%r "t ons,C gr#0$!ed Powe!!. BHow near are theyGC BW th n f fty feet and %o0 ng th s way. We;!! $e o#t n f fteen 0 n<h=h#h=H<H=HE:=:7C BWhat;s go ng onGC ,t too> Powe!! se1era! se%onds to re%o1er fro0 h s st#nned aston sh0ent at 9ono1an;s 1o%a! gyrat ons. BCo0e on, g 1e 0e a %han%e at that ho!e. 9on;t $e a hog a$o#t t.C He fo#ght h s way #"ward, $#t 9ono1an > %>ed w !d!y, BThey d d an a$o#t=fa%e, Hreg. They;re !ea1 ng. 9a1e7 Hey, 9a=a a1e7C Powe!! shr e>ed, BWhat;s the #se of that, yo# foo!G So#nd won;t %arry.C BWe!!, then,C "anted 9ono1an, B> %> the wa!!s, s!a0 the0, get so0e 1 $rat on started. We;1e got to attra%t the r attent on so0ehow, Hreg, or we;re thro#gh. B He "o#nded ! >e a 0ad0an. Powe!! shoo> h 0, BWa t, M >e, wa t. L sten, ,;1e got an dea. J#0" ng J#" ter, th s s a f ne t 0e to get aro#nd to the s 0"!e so!#t ons. M >e7C

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BWhat do yo# wantGC 9ono1an "#!!ed h s head n. BLet 0e n there fast $efore they get o#t of range.C BO#t of range7 What are yo# go ng to doG Hey, what are yo# go ng to do w th that detonatorGC He gra$$ed Powe!!;s ar0. Powe!! shoo> off the gr " 1 o!ent!y. B,;0 go ng to do a ! tt!e shoot ng.C BWhyGC BThat;s for !ater. Let;s see f t wor>s f rst. ,f t doesn;t, then E Het o#t of the way and !et 0e shoot7C The ro$ots were f! %>ers, s0a!! and gett ng s0a!!er, n the d stan%e. Powe!! ! ned #" the s ghts tense!y, and "#!!ed the tr gger three t 0es. He !owered the g#ns and "eered anA o#s!y. One of the s#$s d ar es was down7 There were on!y s A g!ea0 ng f g#res now. Powe!! %a!!ed nto h s trans0 tter #n%erta n!y. B9a1e7C A "a#se, then the answer so#nded to $oth 0en, BBossG Where are yo#G My th rd s#$s d ary has had h s %hest $!own n. He;s o#t of %o00 ss on.C BNe1er 0 nd yo#r s#$s d ary,C sa d Powe!!. BWe;re tra""ed n a %a1e= n where yo# were $!ast ng. Can yo# see o#r f!ash! ghtGC BS#re. We;!! $e r ght there.C Powe!! sat $a%> and re!aAed, BThat, 0y fran;, s thatC 9ono1an sa d 1ery soft!y w th tears n h s 1o %e, BA!! r ght, Hreg. :o# w n. , $eat 0y forehead aga nst the gro#nd $efore yo#r feet. Now don;t feed 0e any $#!!. J#st te!! 0e ?# et!y what t;s a!! a$o#t.C BEasy. ,t;s @#st that a!! thro#gh we 0 ssed the o$1 o#s E as #s#a!. We >new t was the "ersona! n t at 1e % r%# t, and that t a!ways ha""ened d#r ng e0ergen% es, $#t we >e"t !oo> ng for a s"e% f % order as the %a#se. Why sho#!d t $e an orderGC BWhy notGC BWe!!, !oo>, why not a ty"e of order. What ty"e of order re?# res the 0ost n t at 1eG What ty"e of order wo#!d o%%#r a!0ost a!ways on!y n an e0ergen%yGC B9on;t as> 0e, dreg. Te!! 0e7C B,;0 do ng t7 ,t;s the s A=way order. <nder a!! ord nary %ond t ons, one or 0ore of the If ngers; wo#!d $e do ng ro#t ne tas>s re?# r ng no %!ose s#"er1 s on E n the sort of offhand way o#r $od es hand!e the ro#t ne wa!> ng 0ot ons. B#t n an e0ergen%y, a!! s A s#$s d ar es 0#st $e 0o$ ! Ded 00ed ate!y and s 0#!taneo#s!y. 9a1e 0#st hand!e s A ro$ots at a t 0e and so0eth ng g 1es. The rest was easy. Any de%rease n n t at 1e re?# red, s#%h as the arr 1a! of h#0ans, sna"s h 0 $a%>. So , destroyed one of the ro$ots. When , d d, he was trans0 tt ng on!y f 1e=way orders. ,n t at 1e de%reases E he;s nor0a!C BHow d d yo# get a!! thatGC de0anded 9ono1an. BJ#st !og %a! g#ess ng. , tr ed t and t wor>ed.C The ro$ot;s 1o %e was n the r ears aga n, BHere , a0. Can yo# ho!d o#t ha!f an ho#rGC .'

BEasy7C sa d Powe!!. Then, to 9ono1an, he %ont n#ed, BAnd now the @o$ sho#!d $e s 0"!e. We;!! go thro#gh the % r%# ts, and %he%> off ea%h "art that gets an eAtra wor>o#t n a s A=way order as aga nst a f 1e=way. How $ g a f e!d does that !ea1e #sGC 9ono1an %ons dered, BNot 0#%h, , th n>. ,f 9a1e s ! >e the "re! 0 nary 0ode! we saw $a%> at the fa%tory, there;s a s"e% a! %oord nat ng % r%# t that wo#!d $e the on!y se%t on n1o!1ed.C He %heered #" s#dden!y and a0aD ng!y, BSay, that wo#!dn;t $e $ad at a!!. There;s noth ng to that.C BA!! r ght. :o# th n> t o1er and we;!! %he%> the $!#e"r nts when we get $a%>. And now, t !! 9a1es rea%hes #s, ,;0 re!aA ng.C BHey, wa t7 J#st te!! 0e one th ng. What were those ?#eer sh ft ng 0ar%hes, those f#nny dan%e ste"s, that the ro$ots went thro#gh e1ery t 0e they went s%rewyGC BThatG , don;t >now. B#t ,;1e got a not on. Re0e0$er, those s#$s d ar es were 9a1e;s If ngers.; We were a!ways say ng that, yo# >now. We!!, t;s 0y dea that n a!! these nter!#des, whene1er 9a1e $e%a0e a "sy%h atr % %ase, he went off nto a 0oron % 0aDe, s"end ng h s t 0e tw dd! ng h s f ngers.C S#san Ca!1 n ta!>ed a$o#t Powe!! and 9ono1an w th #ns0 ! ng a0#se0ent, $#t war0th %a0e nto her 1o %e when she 0ent oned ro$ots. ,t d dn;t ta>e her !ong to go thro#gh the S"eed es, the C#t es and the 9a1es, and , sto""ed her. Otherw se, she wo#!d ha1e dredged #" ha!f a doDen 0ore. , sa d, B9oesn;t anyth ng e1er ha""en on EarthGC She !oo>ed at 0e w th a ! tt!e frown, BNo, we don;t ha1e 0#%h to do w th ro$ots n a%t on here on Earth.C BOh, we!! that;s too $ad. , 0ean, yo#r f e!d=eng neers are swe!!, $#t %an;t we get yo# nto th sG 9 dn;t yo# e1er ha1e a ro$ot go wrong on yo#G ,t;s yo#r ann 1ersary, yo# >now.C And so he!" 0e she $!#shed. She sa d, BRo$ots ha1e gone wrong on 0e. Hea1ens, how !ong t;s $een s n%e , tho#ght of t. Why, t was a!0ost forty years ago. Certa n!y7 3*3'7 And , was on!y th rty=e ght. Oh, 0y E ,;d rather not ta!> a$o#t t.C , wa ted, and s#re eno#gh she %hanged her 0 nd. BWhy notGC she sa d. B,t %annot har0 0e now. E1en the 0e0ory %an;t. , was foo! sh on%e, yo#ng 0an. Wo#!d yo# $e! e1e thatGC BNo,C , sa d. B, was. B#t Her$ e was a 0 nd=read ng ro$ot.C BWhatGC BOn!y one of ts > nd, $efore or s n%e. A 0 sta>e, Eso0ewheresFC

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Liar!
AL+RE9 LANN,NH L,T H,S C,HAR CARE+<LL:, B<T the t "s of h s f ngers were tre0$! ng s! ght!y. H s gray eye$rows h#n%hed !ow as he s"o>e $etween "#ffs. B,t reads 0 nds a!! r ght=da0n ! tt!e do#$t a$o#t that7 B#t whyGC He !oo>ed at Mathe0at % an Peter Bogert, BWe!!GC Bogert f!attened h s $!a%> ha r down w th $oth hands, BThat was the th rty=fo#rth RB 0ode! we;1e t#rned o#t, Lann ng. A!! the others were str %t!y orthodoA.C The th rd 0an at the ta$!e frowned. M !ton Ashe was the yo#ngest off %er of <. S. Ro$ot M Me%han %a! Men, ,n%., and "ro#d of h s "ost. BL sten, Bogert. There wasn;t a h t%h n the asse0$!y fro0 start to f n sh. , g#arantee that.C Bogert;s th %> ! "s s"read n a "atron D ng s0 !e, B9o yo#G ,f yo# %an answer for the ent re asse0$!y ! ne, , re%o00end yo#r "ro0ot on. By eAa%t %o#nt, there are se1enty=f 1e tho#sand, two h#ndred and th rty=fo#r o"erat ons ne%essary for the 0an#fa%t#re of a s ng!e "os tron % $ra n, ea%h se"arate o"erat on de"end ng for s#%%essf#! %o0"!et on #"on any n#0$er of fa%tors, fro0 f 1e to a h#ndred and f 1e. ,f any one of the0 goes ser o#s!y wrong, the I$ra n; s r# ned. , ?#ote o#r own nfor0at on fo!der, Ashe.C M !ton Ashe f!#shed, $#t a fo#rth 1o %e %#t off h s re"!y. B,f we;re go ng to start $y try ng to f A the $!a0e on one another, ,;0 !ea1 ng.C S#san Ca!1 n;s hands were fo!ded t ght!y n her !a", and the ! tt!e ! nes a$o#t her th n, "a!e ! "s dee"ened, BWe;1e got a 0 nd=read ng ro$ot on o#r hands and t str >es 0e as rather 0"ortant that we f nd o#t @#st why t reads 0 nds. We;re not go ng to do that $y say ng, I:o#r fa#!t7 My fa#!t7; B Her %o!d gray eyes fastened #"on Ashe, and he gr nned. Lann ng gr nned too, and, as a!ways at s#%h t 0es, h s !ong wh te ha r and shrewd ! tt!e eyes 0ade h 0 the " %t#re of a $ $! %a! "atr ar%h, BTr#e for yo#, 9r. Ca!1 n.C H s 1o %e $e%a0e s#dden!y %r s", BHere;s e1eryth ng n " !!=%on%entrate for0. We;1e "rod#%ed a "os tron % $ra n of s#""osed!y ord nary 1 ntage that;s got the re0ar>a$!e "ro"erty of $e ng a$!e to t#ne n on tho#ght wa1es. ,t wo#!d 0ar> the 0ost 0"ortant ad1an%e n ro$ot %s n de%ades, f we >new how t ha""ened. We don;t, and we ha1e to f nd o#t. ,s that %!earGC BMay , 0a>e a s#ggest onGC as>ed Bogert. BHo ahead7C B,;d say that #nt ! we do f g#re o#t the 0ess E and as a 0athe0at % an , eA"e%t t to $e a 1ery de1 ! of a 0ess E we >ee" the eA sten%e of R9=6) a se%ret. , 0ean e1en fro0 the other 0e0$ers of the staff. As heads of the de"art0ents, we o#ght not to f nd t an nso!#$!e "ro$!e0, and the fewer >now a$o#t tFC BBogert s r ght,C sa d 9r. Ca!1 n. BE1er s n%e the ,nter"!anetary Code was 0od f ed to a!!ow ro$ot 0ode!s to $e tested n the "!ants $efore $e ng sh ""ed o#t to s"a%e, ant ro$ot "ro"aganda has n%reased. ,f any word !ea>s o#t a$o#t a ro$ot $e ng a$!e to read 0 nds $efore we %an anno#n%e %o0"!ete %ontro! of the "heno0enon, "retty effe%t 1e %a" ta! %o#!d $e 0ade o#t of t.C

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Lann ng s#%>ed at h s % gar and nodded gra1e!y. He t#rned to Ashe- B, th n> yo# sa d yo# were a!one when yo# f rst st#0$!ed on th s tho#ght=read ng $#s ness.C B,;!! say , was a!one E , got the s%are of 0y ! fe. RB=6) had @#st $een ta>en off the asse0$!y ta$!e and they sent h 0 down to 0e. O$er0ann was off so0ewheres, so , too> h 0 down to the test ng roo0s 0yse!f E at !east , started to ta>e h 0 down.C Ashe "a#sed, and a t ny s0 !e t#gged at h s ! "s, BSay, d d any of yo# e1er %arry on a tho#ght %on1ersat on w tho#t >now ng tGC No one $othered to answer, and he %ont n#ed, B:o# don;t rea! De t at f rst, yo# >now. He @#st s"o>e to 0e E as !og %a!!y and sens $!y as yo# %an 0ag ne E and t was on!y when , was 0ost of the way down to the test ng roo0s that , rea! Ded that , hadn;t sa d anyth ng. S#re, , tho#ght !ots, $#t that sn;t the sa0e th ng, s tG , !o%>ed that th ng #" and ran for Lann ng. Ha1 ng t wa!> ng $es de 0e, %a!0!y "eer ng nto 0y tho#ghts and " %> ng and %hoos ng a0ong the0 ga1e 0e the w !! es.C B, 0ag ne t wo#!d,C sa d S#san Ca!1 n tho#ghtf#!!y. Her eyes f Aed the0se!1es #"on Ashe n an odd!y ntent 0anner. BWe are so a%%#sto0ed to %ons der ng o#r own tho#ghts "r 1ate.C Lann ng $ro>e n 0"at ent!y, BThen on!y the fo#r of #s >now. A!! r ght7 We;1e got to go a$o#t th s syste0at %a!!y. Ashe, , want yo# to %he%> o1er the asse0$!y ! ne fro0 $eg nn ng to end E e1eryth ng. :o#;re to e! 0 nate a!! o"erat ons n wh %h there was no "oss $!e %han%e of an error, and ! st a!! those where there were, together w th ts nat#re and "oss $!e 0agn t#de.C BTa!! order,C gr#nted Ashe. BNat#ra!!y7 Of %o#rse, yo#;re to "#t the 0en #nder yo# to wor> on th s E e1ery s ng!e one f yo# ha1e to, and , don;t %are f we go $eh nd s%hed#!e, e ther. B#t they;re not to >now why, yo# #nderstand.C BH0=0=0, yes7C The yo#ng te%hn % an gr nned wry!y. B,t;s st !! a !#!# of a @o$.C Lann ng sw 1e!ed a$o#t n h s %ha r and fa%ed Ca!1 n, B:o#;!! ha1e to ta%>!e the @o$ fro0 the other d re%t on. :o#;re the ro$o="sy%ho!og st of the "!ant, so yo#;re to st#dy the ro$ot tse!f and wor> $a%>ward. Try to f nd o#t how he t %>s. See what e!se s t ed #" w th h s te!e"ath % "owers, how far they eAtend, how they war" h s o#t!oo>, and @#st eAa%t!y what har0 t has done to h s ord nary RB "ro"ert es. :o#;1e got thatGC Lann ng d dn;t wa t for 9r. Ca!1 n to answer. B,;!! %o=ord nate the wor> and nter"ret the f nd ngs 0athe0at %a!!y.C He "#ffed 1 o!ent!y at h s % gar and 0#0$!ed the rest thro#gh the s0o>e- BBogert w !! he!" 0e there, of %o#rse.C Bogert "o! shed the na !s of one "#dgy hand w th the other and sa d $!and!y, B, dare say. , >now a ! tt!e n the ! ne.C BWe!!7 ,;!! get started.C Ashe sho1ed h s %ha r $a%> and rose. H s "!easant!y yo#thf#! fa%e %r n>!ed n a gr n, B,;1e got the darnedest @o$ of any of #s, so ,;0 gett ng o#t of here and to wor>.C He !eft w th a s!#rred, BB; see n; ye7C S#san Ca!1 n answered w th a $are!y "er%e"t $!e nod, $#t her eyes fo!!owed h 0 o#t of s ght and she d d not answer when Lann ng gr#nted and sa d, B9o yo# want to go #" and see RB=6) now, 9r. Ca!1 nGC

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RB=6);s "hotoe!e%tr % eyes ! fted fro0 the $oo> at the 0#ff!ed so#nd of $ nges t#rn ng and he was #"on h s feet when S#san Ca!1 n entered. She "a#sed to read@#st the h#ge BNo Entran%eC s gn #"on the door and then a""roa%hed the ro$ot. B,;1e $ro#ght yo# the teAts #"on hy"erato0 % 0otors, Her$ e E a few anyway. Wo#!d yo# %are to !oo> at the0GC RB=6) E otherw se >nown as Her$ e E ! fted the three hea1y $oo>s fro0 her ar0s and o"ened to the t t!e "age of one2 BH0=0=07 ITheory of Hy"erato0 %s.; B He 0#0$!ed nart %#!ate!y to h 0se!f as he f! ""ed the "ages and then s"o>e w th an a$stra%ted a r, BS t down, 9r. Ca!1 n7 Th s w !! ta>e 0e a few 0 n#tes.C The "sy%ho!og st seated herse!f and wat%hed Her$ e narrow!y as he too> a %ha r at the other s de of the ta$!e and went thro#gh the three $oo>s syste0at %a!!y. At the end of ha!f an ho#r, he "#t the0 down, BOf %o#rse, , >now why yo# $ro#ght these.C The %orner of 9r. Ca!1 n;s ! " tw t%hed, B, was afra d yo# wo#!d. ,t;s d ff %#!t to wor> w th yo#, Her$ e. :o#;re a!ways a ste" ahead of 0e.C B,t;s the sa0e w th these $oo>s, yo# >now, as w th the others. They @#st don;t nterest 0e. There;s noth ng to yo#r teAt$oo>s. :o#r s% en%e s @#st a 0ass of %o!!e%ted data "!astered together $y 0a>esh ft theory E and a!! so n%red $!y s 0"!e, that t;s s%ar%e!y worth $other ng a$o#t. B,t;s yo#r f %t on that nterests 0e. :o#r st#d es of the nter"!ay of h#0an 0ot 1es and e0ot onsC E h s 0 ghty hand gest#red 1ag#e!y as he so#ght the "ro"er words. 9r. Ca!1 n wh s"ered, B, th n> , #nderstand.C B, see nto 0 nds, yo# see,C the ro$ot %ont n#ed, Band yo# ha1e no dea how %o0"! %ated they are. , %an;t $eg n to #nderstand e1eryth ng $e%a#se 0y own 0 nd has so ! tt!e n %o00on w th the0 E $#t , try, and yo#r no1e!s he!".C B:es, $#t ,;0 afra d that after go ng thro#gh so0e of the harrow ng e0ot ona! eA"er en%es of o#r "resent=day sent 0enta! no1e!C E there was a t nge of $ tterness n her 1o %e E Byo# f nd rea! 0 nds ! >e o#rs d#!! and %o!or!ess.C BB#t , don;t7C The s#dden energy n the res"onse $ro#ght the other to her feet. She fe!t herse!f redden ng, and tho#ght w !d!y, BHe 0#st >now7C Her$ e s#$s ded s#dden!y, and 0#ttered n a !ow 1o %e fro0 wh %h the 0eta!! % t 0$re de"arted a!0ost ent re!y. BB#t, of %o#rse, , >now a$o#t t, 9r. Ca!1 n. :o# th n> of t a!ways, so how %an , he!" $#t >nowGC Her fa%e was hard. BHa1e yo# E to!d anyoneGC BOf %o#rse not7C Th s, w th gen# ne s#r"r se, BNo one has as>ed 0e.C BWe!!, then,C she f!#ng o#t, B, s#""ose yo# th n> , a0 a foo!.C BNo7 ,t s a nor0a! e0ot on.C

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BPerha"s that s why t s so foo! sh.C The w stf#!ness n her 1o %e drowned o#t e1eryth ng e!se. So0e of the wo0an "eered thro#gh the !ayer of do%torhood. B, a0 not what yo# wo#!d %a!! E attra%t 1e.C B,f yo# are referr ng to 0ere "hys %a! attra%t on, , %o#!dn;t @#dge. B#t , >now, n any %ase, that there are other ty"es of attra%t on.C BNor yo#ng.C 9r. Ca!1 n had s%ar%e!y heard the ro$ot. B:o# are not yet forty.C An anA o#s ns sten%e had %re"t nto Her$ e;s 1o %e. BTh rty=e ght as yo# %o#nt the years- a shr 1e!ed s Aty as far as 0y e0ot ona! o#t!oo> on ! fe s %on%erned. A0 , a "sy%ho!og st for noth ngGC She dro1e on w th $ tter $reath!essness, BAnd he;s $are!y th rty=f 1e and !oo>s and a%ts yo#nger. 9o yo# s#""ose he e1er sees 0e as anyth ng $#t... $#t what , a0GC B:o# are wrong7C Her$ e;s stee! f st str#%> the "!ast %=to""ed ta$!e w th a str dent %!ang. BL sten to 0eFC B#t S#san Ca!1 n wh r!ed on h 0 now and the h#nted "a n n her eyes $e%a0e a $!aDe, BWhy sho#!d ,G What do yo# >now a$o#t t a!!, anyway, yo#... yo# 0a%h ne. ,;0 @#st a s"e% 0en to yo#an nterest ng $#g w th a "e%#! ar 0 nd s"read=eag!ed for ns"e%t on. ,t;s a wonderf#! eAa0"!e of fr#strat on, sn;t tG A!0ost as good as yo#r $oo>s.C Her 1o %e, e0erg ng n dry so$s, %ho>ed nto s !en%e. The ro$ot %owered at the o#t$#rst. He shoo> h s head "!ead ng!y. BWon;t yo# ! sten to 0e, "!easeG , %o#!d he!" yo# f yo# wo#!d !et 0e.C BHowGC Her ! "s %#r!ed. BBy g 1 ng 0e good ad1 %eGC BNo, not that. ,t;s @#st that , >now what other "eo"!e th n> E M !ton Ashe, for nstan%e.C There was a !ong s !en%e, and S#san Ca!1 n;s eyes dro""ed. B, don;t want to >now what he th n>s,C she gas"ed. B8ee" ?# et.C B, th n> yo# wo#!d want to >now what he th n>sC Her head re0a ned $ent, $#t her $reath %a0e 0ore ?# %>!y. B:o# are ta!> ng nonsense,C she wh s"ered. BWhy sho#!d ,G , a0 try ng to he!". M !ton Ashe;s tho#ghts of yo#FC he "a#sed. And then the "sy%ho!og st ra sed her head, BWe!!GC The ro$ot sa d ?# et!y, BHe !o1es yo#.C +or a f#!! 0 n#te, 9r. Ca!1 n d d not s"ea>. She 0ere!y stared. Then, B:o# are 0 sta>en7 :o# 0#st $e. Why sho#!d heGC BB#t he does. A th ng ! >e that %annot $e h dden, not fro0 0e.C BB#t , a0 so... soFC she sta00ered to a ha!t. BHe !oo>s dee"er than the s> n, and ad0 res nte!!e%t n others. M !ton Ashe s not the ty"e to 0arry a head of ha r and a "a r of eyes.C

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S#san Ca!1 n fo#nd herse!f $! n> ng ra" d!y and wa ted $efore s"ea> ng. E1en then her 1o %e tre0$!ed, B:et he %erta n!y ne1er n any way nd %atedFC BHa1e yo# e1er g 1en h 0 a %han%eGC BHow %o#!d ,G , ne1er tho#ght thatFC BEAa%t!y7C The "sy%ho!og st "a#sed n tho#ght and then !oo>ed #" s#dden!y. BA g r! 1 s ted h 0 here at the "!ant ha!f a year ago. She was "retty, , s#""ose E $!ond and s! 0. And, of %o#rse, %o#!d s%ar%e!y add two and two. He s"ent a!! day "#ff ng o#t h s %hest, try ng to eA"!a n how a ro$ot was "#t together.C The hardness had ret#rned, BNot that she #nderstood7 Who was sheGC Her$ e answered w tho#t hes tat on, B, >now the "erson yo# are referr ng to. She s h s f rst %o#s n, and there s no ro0ant % nterest there, , ass#re yo#.C S#san Ca!1 n rose to her feet w th a 1 1a% ty a!0ost g r! sh. BNow sn;t that strangeG That;s eAa%t!y what , #sed to "retend to 0yse!f so0et 0es, tho#gh , ne1er rea!!y tho#ght so. Then t a!! 0#st $e tr#e.C She ran to Her$ e and se Ded h s %o!d, hea1y hand n $oth hers. BThan> yo#, Her$ e.C Her 1o %e was an #rgent, h#s>y wh s"er. B9on;t te!! anyone a$o#t th s. Let t $e o#r se%ret E and than> yo# aga n.C W th that, and a %on1#!s 1e s?#eeDe of Her$ e;s #nres"ons 1e 0eta! f ngers, she !eft. Her$ e t#rned s!ow!y to h s neg!e%ted no1e!, $#t there was no one to read h s tho#ghts. M !ton Ashe stret%hed s!ow!y and 0agn f %ent!y, to the t#ne of %ra%> ng @o nts and a %hor#s of gr#nts, and then g!ared at Peter Bogert, Ph.9. BSay,C he sa d, B,;1e $een at th s for a wee> now w th @#st a$o#t no s!ee". How !ong do , ha1e to >ee" t #"G , tho#ght yo# sa d the "os tron % $o0$ard0ent n La% Cha0$er 9 was the so!#t on.C Bogert yawned de! %ate!y and regarded h s wh te hands w th nterest. B,t s. ,;0 on the tra%>.C B, >now what that 0eans when a 0athe0at % an says t. How near the end are yo#GC B,t a!! de"ends.C BOn whatGC Ashe dro""ed nto a %ha r and stret%hed h s !ong !egs o#t $efore h 0. BOn Lann ng. The o!d fe!!ow d sagrees w th 0e.C He s ghed, BA $ t $eh nd the t 0es, that;s the tro#$!e w th h 0. He %! ngs to 0atr A 0e%han %s as the a!! n a!!, and th s "ro$!e0 %a!!s for 0ore "owerf#! 0athe0at %a! too!s. He;s so st#$$orn.C Ashe 0#ttered s!ee" !y, BWhy not as> Her$ e and sett!e the who!e affa rGC BAs> the ro$otGC Bogert;s eye$rows %! 0$ed. BWhy notG 9 dn;t the o!d g r! te!! yo#GC B:o# 0ean Ca!1 nGC B:eah7 S#s e herse!f. That ro$ot;s a 0athe0at %a! w D. He >nows a!! a$o#t e1eryth ng "!#s a $ t on the s de. He does tr "!e ntegra!s n h s head and eats #" tensor ana!ys s for dessert.C The 0athe0at % an stared s>e"t %a!!y, BAre yo# ser o#sGC

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BSo he!" 0e7 The %at%h s that the do"e doesn;t ! >e 0ath. He wo#!d rather read s!#shy no1e!s. Honest7 :o# sho#!d see the tr "e S#s e >ee"s feed ng h 02 IP#r"!e Pass on; and ILo1e n S"a%e.; C B9r. Ca!1 n hasn;t sa d a word of th s to #s.C BWe!!, she hasn;t f n shed st#dy ng h 0. :o# >now how she s. She ! >es to ha1e e1eryth ng @#st so $efore !ett ng o#t the $ g se%ret.C BShe;s to!d yo#.C BWe sort of got to ta!> ng. , ha1e $een see ng a !ot of her !ate!y.C He o"ened h s eyes w de and frowned, BSay, Bog e, ha1e yo# $een not % ng anyth ng ?#eer a$o#t the !ady !ate!yGC Bogert re!aAed nto an #nd gn f ed gr n, BShe;s #s ng ! "st %>, f that;s what yo# 0ean.C BHe!!, , >now that. Ro#ge, "owder and eye shadow, too. She;s a s ght. B#t t;s not that. , %an;t "#t 0y f nger on t. ,t;s the way she ta!>s E as f she were ha""y a$o#t so0eth ng.C He tho#ght a ! tt!e, and then shr#gged. The other a!!owed h 0se!f a !eer, wh %h, for a s% ent st "ast f fty, was not a $ad @o$, BMay$e she;s n !o1e.C Ashe a!!owed h s eyes to %!ose aga n, B:o#;re n#ts, Bog e. :o# go s"ea> to Her$ e- , want to stay here and go to s!ee".C BR ght7 Not that , "art %#!ar!y ! >e ha1 ng a ro$ot te!! 0e 0y @o$, nor that , th n> he %an do t7C A soft snore was h s on!y answer. Her$ e ! stened %aref#!!y as Peter Bogert, hands n "o%>ets, s"o>e w th e!a$orate nd fferen%e. BSo there yo# are. ,;1e $een to!d yo# #nderstand these th ngs, and , a0 as> ng yo# 0ore n %#r os ty than anyth ng e!se. My ! ne of reason ng, as , ha1e o#t! ned t, n1o!1es a few do#$tf#! ste"s, , ad0 t, wh %h 9r. Lann ng ref#ses to a%%e"t, and the " %t#re s st !! rather n%o0"!ete.C The ro$ot d dn;t answer, and Bogert sa d, BWe!!GC B, see no 0 sta>e,C Her$ e st#d ed the s%r $$!ed f g#res. B, don;t s#""ose yo# %an go any f#rther than thatGC B, daren;t try. :o# are a $etter 0athe0at % an than ,, and E we!!, ,;d hate to %o00 t 0yse!f.C There was a shade of %o0"!a%en%y n Bogert;s s0 !e, B, rather tho#ght that wo#!d $e the %ase. ,t s dee". We;!! forget t.C He %r#0"!ed the sheets, tossed the0 down the waste shaft, t#rned to !ea1e, and then tho#ght $etter of t. BBy the wayFC The ro$ot wa ted. Bogert see0ed to ha1e d ff %#!ty. BThere s so0eth ng E that s, "erha"s yo# %an EC He sto""ed. Her$ e s"o>e ?# et!y. B:o#r tho#ghts are %onf#sed, $#t there s no do#$t at a!! that they %on%ern 9r. Lann ng. ,t s s !!y to hes tate, for as soon as yo# %o0"ose yo#rse!f, ,;!! >now what t s yo# want to as>.C The 0athe0at % an;s hand went to h s s!ee> ha r n the fa0 ! ar s0ooth ng gest#re. BLann ng s n#dg ng se1enty,C he sa d, as f that eA"!a ned e1eryth ng. ./

B, >now that.C BAnd he;s $een d re%tor of the "!ant for a!0ost th rty years.C Her$ e nodded. BWe!!, now,C Bogert;s 1o %e $e%a0e ngrat at ng, Byo# wo#!d >now whether... whether he;s th n> ng of res gn ng. Hea!th, "erha"s, or so0e otherFC BN# te,C sa d Her$ e, and that was a!!. BWe!!, do yo# >nowGC BCerta n!y.C BThen=#h=%o#!d yo# te!! 0eGC BS n%e yo# as>, yes.C The ro$ot was ?# te 0atter=of=fa%t a$o#t t. BHe has a!ready res gned7C BWhat7C The eA%!a0at on was an eA"!os 1e, a!0ost nart %#!ate, so#nd. The s% ent st;s !arge head h#n%hed forward, BSay that aga n7C BHe has a!ready res gned,C %a0e the ?# et re"et t on, B$#t t has not yet ta>en effe%t. He s wa t ng, yo# see, to so!1e the "ro$!e0 of E er E 0yse!f. That f n shed, he s ?# te ready to t#rn the off %e of d re%tor o1er to h s s#%%essor.C Bogert eA"e!!ed h s $reath shar"!y, BAnd th s s#%%essorG Who s heGC He was ?# te %!ose to Her$ e now, eyes f Aed fas% nated!y on those #nreada$!e d#!!=red "hotoe!e%tr % %e!!s that were the ro$ot;s eyes. Words %a0e s!ow!y, B:o# are the neAt d re%tor.C And Bogert re!aAed nto a t ght s0 !e, BTh s s good to >now. ,;1e $een ho" ng and wa t ng for th s. Than>s, Her$ e.C Peter Bogert was at h s des> #nt ! f 1e that 0orn ng and he was $a%> at n ne. The she!f @#st o1er the des> e0"t ed of ts row of referen%e $oo>s and ta$!es, as he referred to one after the other. The "ages of %a!%#!at ons $efore h 0 n%reased 0 %ros%o" %a!!y and the %r#0"!ed sheets at h s feet 0o#nted nto a h !! of s%r $$!ed "a"er. At "re% se!y noon, he stared at the f na! "age, r#$$ed a $!ood=shot eye, yawned and shr#gged. BTh s s gett ng worse ea%h 0 n#te. 9a0n7C He t#rned at the so#nd of the o"en ng door and nodded at Lann ng, who entered, %ra%> ng the >n#%>!es of one gnar!ed hand w th the other. The d re%tor too> n the d sorder of the roo0 and h s eye$rows f#rrowed together. BNew !eadGC he as>ed. BNo,C %a0e the def ant answer. BWhat;s wrong w th the o!d oneGC Lann ng d d not tro#$!e to answer, nor to do 0ore than $estow a s ng!e %#rsory g!an%e at the to" sheet #"on Bogert;s des>. He s"o>e thro#gh the f!are of a 0at%h as he ! t a % gar. BHas Ca!1 n to!d yo# a$o#t the ro$otG ,t;s a 0athe0at %a! gen #s. Rea!!y re0ar>a$!e.C The other snorted !o#d!y, BSo ,;1e heard. B#t Ca!1 n had $etter st %> to ro$o"sy%ho!ogy. ,;1e %he%>ed Her$ e on 0ath, and he %an s%ar%e!y str#gg!e thro#gh %a!%#!#s.C BCa!1 n d dn;t f nd t so.C .(

BShe;s %raDy.C BAnd , don;t f nd t so.C The d re%tor;s eyes narrowed dangero#s!y. B:o#7C Bogert;s 1o %e hardened. BWhat are yo# ta!> ng a$o#tGC B,;1e $een "#tt ng Her$ e thro#gh h s "a%es a!! 0orn ng, and he %an do tr %>s yo# ne1er heard of.C B,s that soGC B:o# so#nd s>e"t %a!7C Lann ng f! ""ed a sheet of "a"er o#t of h s 1est "o%>et and #nfo!ded t. BThat;s not 0y handwr t ng, s tGC Bogert st#d ed the !arge ang#!ar notat on %o1er ng the sheet, BHer$ e d d th sGC BR ght7 And f yo#;!! not %e, he;s $een wor> ng on yo#r t 0e ntegrat on of E?#at on 33. ,t %o0esC E Lann ng ta""ed a ye!!ow f ngerna ! #"on the !ast ste" E Bto the dent %a! %on%!#s on , d d, and n a ?#arter the t 0e. :o# had no r ght to neg!e%t the L nger Effe%t n "os tron % $o0$ard0ent.C B, d dn;t neg!e%t t. +or Hea1en;s sa>e, Lann ng, get t thro#gh yo#r head that t wo#!d %an%e! o#tFC BOh, s#re, yo# eA"!a ned that. :o# #sed the M t%he!! Trans!at on E?#at on, d dn;t yo#G We!! E t doesn;t a""!y.C BWhy notGC BBe%a#se yo#;1e $een #s ng hy"er= 0ag nar es, for one th ng.C BWhat;s that to do w thGC BM t%he!!;s E?#at on won;t ho!d whenFC BAre yo# %raDyG ,f yo#;!! reread M t%he!!;s or g na! "a"er n the Transa%t ons of the +arFC B, don;t ha1e to. , to!d yo# n the $eg nn ng that , d dn;t ! >e h s reason ng, and Her$ e $a%>s 0e n that.C BWe!!, then,C Bogert sho#ted, B!et that %!o%>wor> %ontra"t on so!1e the ent re "ro$!e0 for yo#. Why $other w th nonessent a!sGC BThat;s eAa%t!y the "o nt. Her$ e %an;t so!1e the "ro$!e0. And f he %an;t, we %an;t E a!one. ,;0 s#$0 tt ng the ent re ?#est on to the Nat ona! Board. ,t;s gotten $eyond #s.C Bogert;s %ha r went o1er $a%>ward as he @#0"ed #" a=snar!, fa%e %r 0son. B:o#;re do ng noth ng of the sort.C Lann ng f!#shed n h s t#rn, BAre yo# te!! ng 0e what , %an;t doGC BEAa%t!y,C was the gr tted res"onse. B,;1e got the "ro$!e0 $eaten and yo#;re not to ta>e t o#t of 0y hands, #nderstandG 9on;t th n> , don;t see thro#gh yo#, yo# des %%ated foss !. :o#;d %#t yo#r own nose off $efore yo#;d !et 0e get the %red t for so!1 ng ro$ot % te!e"athy.C B:o#;re a da0ned d ot, Bogert, and n one se%ond ,;!! ha1e yo# s#s"ended for ns#$ord nat onC E Lann ng;s !ower ! " tre0$!ed w th "ass on. BWh %h s one th ng yo# won;t do, Lann ng. :o# ha1en;t any se%rets w th a 0 nd=read ng ro$ot aro#nd, so don;t forget that , >now a!! a$o#t yo#r res gnat on.C The ash on Lann ng;s % gar tre0$!ed and fe!!, and the % gar tse!f fo!!owed, BWhat... whatFC

4*

Bogert %h#%>!ed nast !y, BAnd ,;0 the new d re%tor, $e t #nderstood. ,;0 1ery aware of that, don;t th n> ,;0 not. 9a0n yo#r eyes, Lann ng, ,;0 go ng to g 1e the orders a$o#t here or there w !! $e the sweetest 0ess that yo#;1e e1er $een n.C Lann ng fo#nd h s 1o %e and !et t o#t w th a roar. B:o#;re s#s"ended, d;ye hearG :o#;re re! e1ed of a!! d#t es. :o#;re $ro>en, do yo# #nderstandGC The s0 !e on the other;s fa%e $roadened, BNow, what;s the #se of thatG :o#;re gett ng nowhere. ,;0 ho!d ng the tr#0"s. , >now yo#;1e res gned. Her$ e to!d 0e, and he got t stra ght fro0 yo#.C Lann ng for%ed h 0se!f to s"ea> ?# et!y. He !oo>ed an o!d, o!d 0an, w th t red eyes "eer ng fro0 a fa%e n wh %h the red had d sa""eared, !ea1 ng the "asty ye!!ow of age $eh nd, B, want to s"ea> to Her$ e. He %an;t ha1e to!d yo# anyth ng of the sort. :o#;re "!ay ng a dee" ga0e, Bogert, $#t ,;0 %a!! ng yo#r $!#ff. Co0e w th 0e.C Bogert shr#gged, BTo see Her$ eG Hood7 9a0ned good7C ,t was a!so "re% se!y at noon that M !ton Ashe !oo>ed #" fro0 h s %!#0sy s>et%h and sa d, B:o# get the deaG ,;0 not too good at gett ng th s down, $#t that;s a$o#t how t !oo>s. ,t;s a honey of a ho#se, and , %an get t for neAt to noth ng.C S#san Ca!1 n gaDed a%ross at h 0 w th 0e!t ng eyes. B,t;s rea!!y $ea#t f#!,C she s ghed. B,;1e often tho#ght that ,;d ! >e toFC Her 1o %e tra !ed away. BOf %o#rse,C Ashe %ont n#ed $r s>!y, "#tt ng away h s "en% !, B,;1e got to wa t for 0y 1a%at on. ,t;s on!y two wee>s off, $#t th s Her$ e $#s ness has e1eryth ng #" n the a r.C H s eyes dro""ed to h s f ngerna !s, BBes des, there;s another "o nt E $#t t;s a se%ret.C BThen don;t te!! 0e.C BOh, ,;d @#st as soon, ,;0 @#st $#st ng to te!! so0eone E and yo#;re @#st a$o#t the $est FerF %onf dante , %o#!d f nd here.C He gr nned shee" sh!y. S#san Ca!1 n;s heart $o#nded, $#t she d d not tr#st herse!f to s"ea>. B+ran>!y,C Ashe s%ra"ed h s %ha r %!oser and !owered h s 1o %e nto a %onf dent a! wh s"er, Bthe ho#se sn;t to $e on!y for 0yse!f. ,;0 gett ng 0arr ed7C And then he @#0"ed o#t of h s seat, BWhat;s the 0atterGC BNoth ng7C The horr $!e s" nn ng sensat on had 1an shed, $#t t was hard to get words o#t. BMarr edG :o# 0eanFC BWhy, s#re7 A$o#t t 0e, sn;t tG :o# re0e0$er that g r! who was here !ast s#00er. That;s she7 B#t yo# are s %>. :o#FC BHeada%he7C S#san Ca!1 n 0ot oned h 0 away wea>!y. B,;1e... ,;1e $een s#$@e%t to the0 !ate!y. , want to... to %ongrat#!ate yo#, of %o#rse. ,;0 1ery g!adFC The neA"ert!y a""! ed ro#ge 0ade a "a r of nasty red s"!ot%hes #"on her %ha!>=wh te fa%e. Th ngs had $eg#n s" nn ng aga n. BPardon 0e E "!easeFC The words were a 0#0$!e, as she st#0$!ed $! nd!y o#t the door. ,t had ha""ened w th the s#dden %atastro"he of a drea0 E and w th a!! the #nrea! horror of a drea0. B#t how %o#!d t $eG Her$ e had sa dF And Her$ e >new7 He %o#!d see nto 0 nds7 4'

She fo#nd herse!f !ean ng $reath!ess!y aga nst the door@a0$, star ng nto Her$ e;s 0eta! fa%e. She 0#st ha1e %! 0$ed the two f! ghts of sta rs, $#t she had no 0e0ory of t. The d stan%e had $een %o1ered n an nstant, as n a drea0. As n a drea07 And st !! Her$ e;s #n$! n> ng eyes stared nto hers and the r d#!! red see0ed to eA"and nto d 0!y sh n ng n ght0ar sh g!o$es. He was s"ea> ng, and she fe!t the %o!d g!ass "ress ng aga nst her ! "s. She swa!!owed and sh#ddered nto a "erta n awareness of her s#rro#nd ngs. St !! Her$ e s"o>e, and there was ag tat on n h s 1o %e E as f he were h#rt and fr ghtened and "!ead ng. The words were $eg nn ng to 0a>e sense. BTh s s a drea0,C he was say ng, Band yo# 0#stn;t $e! e1e n t. :o#;!! wa>e nto the rea! wor!d soon and !a#gh at yo#rse!f. He !o1es yo#, , te!! yo#. He does, he does7 B#t not here7 Not now7 Th s s an !!#s on.C S#san Ca!1 n nodded, her 1o %e a wh s"er, B:es7 :es7C She was %!#t%h ng Her$ e;s ar0, %! ng ng to t, re"eat ng o1er and o1er, B,t sn;t tr#e, s tG ,t sn;t, s tGC J#st how she %a0e to her senses, she ne1er >new E $#t t was ! >e "ass ng fro0 a wor!d of 0 sty #nrea! ty to one of harsh s#n! ght. She "#shed h 0 away fro0 her, "#shed hard aga nst that stee!y ar0, and her eyes were w de. BWhat are yo# try ng to doGC Her 1o %e rose to a harsh s%rea0. BWhat are yo# try ng to doGC Her$ e $a%>ed away, B, want to he!"C The "sy%ho!og st stared, BHe!"G By te!! ng 0e th s s a drea0G By try ng to "#sh 0e nto s%h Do"hren aGC A hyster %a! tenseness se Ded her, BTh s s no drea07 , w sh t were7C She drew her $reath shar"!y, BWa t7 Why... why, , #nderstand. Mer% f#! Hea1ens, t;s so o$1 o#s.C There was horror n the ro$ot;s 1o %e, B, had to7C BAnd , $e! e1ed yo#7 , ne1er tho#ghtFC Lo#d 1o %es o#ts de the door $ro#ght her to a ha!t. She t#rned away, f sts %!en%h ng s"as0od %a!!y, and when Bogert and Lann ng entered, she was at the far w ndow. Ne ther of the 0en "a d her the s! ghtest attent on. They a""roa%hed Her$ e s 0#!taneo#s!y- Lann ng angry and 0"at ent, Bogert, %oo!!y sardon %. The d re%tor s"o>e f rst. BHere now, Her$ e. L sten to 0e7C The ro$ot $ro#ght h s eyes shar"!y down #"on the aged d re%tor, B:es, 9r. Lann ng.C BHa1e yo# d s%#ssed 0e w th 9r. BogertGC BNo, s r.C The answer %a0e s!ow!y, and the s0 !e on Bogert;s fa%e f!ashed off. BWhat;s thatGC Bogert sho1ed n ahead of h s s#"er or and stradd!ed the gro#nd $efore the ro$ot. BRe"eat what yo# to!d 0e yesterday.C B, sa d that B Her$ e fe!! s !ent. 9ee" w th n h 0 h s 0eta!! % d a"hrag0 1 $rated n soft d s%ords.

43

B9 dn;t yo# say he had res gnedGC roared Bogert. BAnswer 0e7C Bogert ra sed h s ar0 frant %a!!y, $#t Lann ng "#shed h 0 as de, BAre yo# try ng to $#!!y h 0 nto !y ngGC B:o# heard h 0, Lann ng. He $egan to say I:es; and sto""ed. Het o#t of 0y way7 , want the tr#th o#t of h 0, #nderstand7C B,;!! as> h 07C Lann ng t#rned to the ro$ot. BA!! r ght, Her$ e, ta>e t easy. Ha1e , res gnedGC Her$ e stared, and Lann ng re"eated anA o#s!y, BHa1e , res gnedGC There was the fa ntest tra%e of a negat 1e sha>e of the ro$ot;s head. A !ong wa t "rod#%ed noth ng f#rther. The two 0en !oo>ed at ea%h other and the host ! ty n the r eyes was a!! $#t tang $!e. BWhat the de1 !,C $!#rted Bogert, Bhas the ro$ot gone 0#teG Can;t yo# s"ea>, yo# 0onstros tyGC B, %an s"ea>,C %a0e the ready answer. BThen answer the ?#est on. 9 dn;t yo# te!! 0e Lann ng had res gnedG Hasn;t he res gnedGC And aga n there was noth ng $#t d#!! s !en%e, #nt ! fro0 the end of the roo0 S#san Ca!1 n;s !a#gh rang o#t s#dden!y, h gh=" t%hed and se0 =hyster %a!. The two 0athe0at % ans @#0"ed, and Bogerts eyes narrowed, B:o# hereG What;s so f#nnyGC BNoth ng;s f#nny.C Her 1o %e was not ?# te nat#ra!. B,t;s @#st that ,;0 not the on!y one that;s $een %a#ght. There;s rony n three of the greatest eA"erts n ro$ot %s n the wor!d fa!! ng nto the sa0e e!e0entary tra", sn;t thereGC Her 1o %e faded, and she "#t a "a!e hand to her forehead, BB#t t sn;t f#nny7C Th s t 0e the !oo> that "assed $etween the two 0en was one of ra sed eye$rows. BWhat tra" are yo# ta!> ng a$o#tGC as>ed Lans ng st ff!y. B,s so0eth ng wrong w th Her$ eGC BNo,C she a""roa%hed the0 s!ow!y, Bnoth ng s wrong w th h 0 E on!y w th #s.C She wh r!ed s#dden!y and shr e>ed at the ro$ot, BHet away fro0 0e7 Ho to the other end of the roo0 and don;t !et 0e !oo> at yo#.C Her$ e %r nged $efore the f#ry of her eyes and st#0$!ed away n a %!atter ng trot. Lann ng;s 1o %e was host !e, BWhat s a!! th s, 9r. Ca!1 nGC She fa%ed the0 and s"o>e sar%ast %a!!y, BS#re!y yo# >now the f#nda0enta! + rst Law of Ro$ot %s.C The other two nodded together. BCerta n!y,C sa d Bogert, ,rr ta$!y, Ba ro$ot 0ay not n@#re a h#0an $e ng or, thro#gh na%t on, a!!ow h 0 to %o0e to har0C BHow n %e!y "#t,C sneered Ca!1 n. BB#t what > nd of har0GC BWhy E any > nd.C BEAa%t!y7 Any > nd7 B#t what a$o#t h#rt fee! ngsG What a$o#t def!at on of one;s egoG What a$o#t the $!ast ng of one;s ho"esG ,s that n@#ryGC Lann ng frowned, BWhat wo#!d a ro$ot >now a$o#tFC And then he %a#ght h 0se!f w th a gas". B:o#;1e %a#ght on, ha1e yo#G Th s ro$ot reads 0 nds. 9o yo# s#""ose t doesn;t >now e1eryth ng a$o#t 0enta! n@#ryG 9o yo# s#""ose that f as>ed a ?#est on, t wo#!dn;t g 1e eAa%t!y that answer that one wants to hearG Wo#!dn;t any other answer h#rt #s, and wo#!dn;t Her$ e >now thatGC 46

BHood Hea1ens7C 0#ttered Bogert. The "sy%ho!og st %ast a sardon % g!an%e at h 0, B, ta>e t yo# as>ed h 0 whether Lann ng had res gned. :o# wanted to hear that he had res gned and so that;s what Her$ e to!d yo#.C BAnd , s#""ose that s why,C sa d Lann ng, tone!ess!y, B t wo#!d not answer a ! tt!e wh !e ago. ,t %o#!dn;t answer e ther way w tho#t h#rt ng one of #s.C There was a short "a#se n wh %h the 0en !oo>ed tho#ghtf#!!y a%ross the roo0 at the ro$ot, %ro#%h ng n the %ha r $y the $oo>%ase, head rest ng n one hand. S#san Ca!1 n stared steadfast!y at the f!oor, BHe >new of a!! th s. That... that de1 ! >nows e1eryth ng E n%!#d ng what went wrong n h s asse0$!y.C Her eyes were dar> and $rood ng. Lann ng !oo>ed #", B:o#;re wrong there, 9r. Ca!1 n. He doesn;t >now what went wrong. , as>ed h 0.C BWhat does that 0eanGC %r ed Ca!1 n. BOn!y that yo# d dn;t want h 0 to g 1e yo# the so!#t on. ,t wo#!d "#n%t#re yo#r ego to ha1e a 0a%h ne do what yo# %o#!dn;t. 9 d yo# as> h 0GC she shot at Bogert. B,n a way.C Bogert %o#ghed and reddened. BHe to!d 0e he >new 1ery ! tt!e a$o#t 0athe0at %s.C Lann ng !a#ghed, not 1ery !o#d!y and the "sy%ho!og st s0 !ed %a#st %a!!y. She sa d, B,;!! as> h 07 A so!#t on $y h 0 won;t h#rt 0y egoC She ra sed her 1o %e nto a %o!d, 0"erat 1e, BCo0e here7C Her$ e rose and a""roa%hed w th hes tant ste"s. B:o# >now, , s#""ose,C she %ont n#ed, B@#st eAa%t!y at what "o nt n the asse0$!y an eAtraneo#s fa%tor was ntrod#%ed or an essent a! one !eft o#t.C B:es,C sa d Her$ e, n tones $are!y heard. BHo!d on,C $ro>e n Bogert angr !y. BThat;s not ne%essary tr#e. :o# want to hear that, that;s a!!.C B9on;t $e a foo!,C re"! ed Ca!1 n. BHe %erta n!y >nows as 0#%h 0ath as yo# and Lann ng together, s n%e he %an read 0 nds. H 1e h 0 h s %han%e.C The 0athe0at % an s#$s ded, and Ca!1 n %ont n#ed, BA!! r ght, then, Her$ e, g 1e7 We;re wa t ng.C And n an as de, BHet "en% !s and "a"er, gent!e0en.C B#t Her$ e re0a ned s !ent, and there was tr #0"h n the "sy%ho!og st;s 1o %e, BWhy don;t yo# answer, Her$ eGC The ro$ot $!#rted o#t s#dden!y, B, %annot. :o# >now , %annot7 9r. Bogert and 9r. Lann ng don;t want 0e to.C BThey want the so!#t on.C BB#t not fro0 0e.C Lann ng $ro>e n, s"ea> ng s!ow!y and d st n%t!y, B9on;t $e foo! sh, Her$ e. We do want yo# to te!! #s.C Bogert nodded %#rt!y. Her$ e;s 1o %e rose to w !d he ghts, BWhat;s the #se of say ng thatG 9on;t yo# s#""ose that , %an see "ast the s#"erf % a! s> n of yo#r 0 ndG 9own $e!ow, yo# don;t want 0e to. ,;0 a 0a%h ne,

4)

g 1en the 0 tat on of ! fe on!y $y 1 rt#e of the "os tron % nter"!ay n 0y $ra n E wh %h s 0an;s de1 %e. :o# %an;t !ose fa%e to 0e w tho#t $e ng h#rt. That s dee" n yo#r 0 nd and won;t $e erased. , %an;t g 1e the so!#t on.C BWe;!! !ea1e,C sa d 9r. Lann ng. BTe!! Ca!1 n.C BThat wo#!d 0a>e no d fferen%e,C %r ed Her$ e, Bs n%e yo# wo#!d >now anyway that t was , that was s#""!y ng the answer.C Ca!1 n res#0ed, BB#t yo# #nderstand, Her$ e, that des" te that, 9rs. Lann ng and Bogert want that so!#t on.C BBy the r own efforts7C ns sted Her$ e. BB#t they want t, and the fa%t that yo# ha1e t and won;t g 1e t h#rts the0. :o# see that, don;t yo#GC B:es7 :es7C BAnd f yo# te!! the0 that w !! h#rt the0, tooC B:es7 :es7C Her$ e was retreat ng s!ow!y, and ste"=$y=ste" S#san Ca!1 n ad1an%ed. The two 0en wat%hed n froDen $ew !der0ent. B:o# %an;t te!! the0,C droned the "sy%ho!og st s!ow!y, B$e%a#se that wo#!d h#rt and yo# 0#stn;t h#rt. B#t f yo# don;t te!! the0, yo# h#rt, so yo# 0#st te!! the0. And f yo# do, yo# w !! h#rt and yo# 0#stn;t, so yo# %an;t te!! the0- $#t f yo# don;t, yo# h#rt, so yo# 0#st- $#t f yo# do, yo# h#rt, so yo# 0#stn;t- $#t f yo# don;t, yo# h#rt, so yo# 0#st- $#t f yo# do, yo#FC Her$ e was #" aga nst the wa!!, and here he dro""ed to h s >nees. BSto"7C he shr e>ed. BC!ose yo#r 0 nd7 ,t s f#!! of "a n and fr#strat on and hate7 , d dn;t 0ean t, , te!! yo#7 , tr ed to he!"7 , to!d yo# what yo# wanted to hear. , had to7C The "sy%ho!og st "a d no attent on. B:o# 0#st te!! the0, $#t f yo# do, yo# h#rt, so yo# 0#stn;t$#t f yo# don;t, yo# h#rt, so yo# 0#st- $#tFC And Her$ e s%rea0ed7 ,t was ! >e the wh st! ng of a " %%o!o 0any t 0es 0agn f ed E shr !! and shr !!er t !! t >eened w th the terror of a !ost so#! and f !!ed the roo0 w th the " er% ngness of tse!f. And when t d ed nto noth ngness, Her$ e %o!!a"sed nto a h#dd!ed hea" of 0ot on!ess 0eta!. Bogert;s fa%e was $!ood!ess, BHe;s dead7C BNo7C S#san Ca!1 n $#rst nto $ody=ra%> ng g#sts of w !d !a#ghter, Bnot dead E 0ere!y nsane. , %onfronted h 0 w th the nso!#$!e d !e00a, and he $ro>e down. :o# %an s%ra" h 0 now E $e%a#se he;!! ne1er s"ea> aga n.C Lann ng was on h s >nees $es de the th ng that had $een Her$ e. H s f ngers to#%hed the %o!d, #nres"ons 1e 0eta! fa%e and he sh#ddered. B:o# d d that on "#r"ose.C He rose and fa%ed her, fa%e %ontorted. BWhat f , d dG :o# %an;t he!" t now.C And n a s#dden a%%ess of $ tterness, BHe deser1ed t.C

45

The d re%tor se Ded the "ara!yDed, 0ot on!ess Bogert $y the wr st, BWhat;s the d fferen%e. Co0e, Peter.C He s ghed, BA th n> ng ro$ot of th s ty"e s worth!ess anyway.C H s eyes were o!d and t red, and he re"eated, BCo0e, Peter7C ,t was 0 n#tes after the two s% ent sts !eft that 9r. S#san Ca!1 n rega ned "art of her 0enta! e?# ! $r #0. S!ow!y, her eyes t#rned to the ! 1 ng=dead Her$ e and the t ghtness ret#rned to her fa%e. Long she stared wh !e the tr #0"h faded and the he!"!ess fr#strat on ret#rned E and of a!! her t#r$#!ent tho#ghts on!y one nf n te!y $ tter word "assed her ! "s. BL ar7C E That f n shed t for then, nat#ra!!y. , >new , %o#!dn;t get any 0ore o#t of her after that. She @#st sat there $eh nd her des>, her wh te fa%e %o!d and E re0e0$er ng. , sa d, BThan> yo#, 9r. Ca!1 n7C $#t she d dn;t answer. ,t was two days $efore , %o#!d get to see her aga n.

4.

Little Lost Robot

WHEN , 9,9 SEE S<SAN CALL,N AHA,N, ,T WAS AT the door of her off %e. + !es were $e ng 0o1ed o#t. She sa d, BHow are yo#r art %!es %o0 ng a!ong, yo#ng 0anGC B+ ne,C , sa d. , had "#t the0 nto sha"e a%%ord ng to 0y own ! ghts, dra0at Ded the $are $ones of her re% ta!, added the %on1ersat on and ! tt!e to#%hes, BWo#!d yo# !oo> o1er the0 and see f , ha1en;t $een ! $e!o#s or too #nreasona$!y na%%#rate anywhereGC B, s#""ose so. Sha!! we ret re to the EAe%#t 1es; Lo#ngeG We %an ha1e %offee.C She see0ed n good h#0or, so , %han%ed t as we wa!>ed down the %orr dor, B, was wonder ng, 9r. Ca!1 nFC B:esGC B,f yo# wo#!d te!! 0e 0ore %on%ern ng the h story of ro$ot %s.C BS#re!y yo# ha1e what yo# want, yo#ng 0an.C B,n a way. B#t these n% dents , ha1e wr tten #" don;t a""!y 0#%h to the 0odern wor!d. , 0ean, there was on!y one 0 nd=read ng ro$ot e1er de1e!o"ed, and S"a%e=Stat ons are a!ready o#t0oded and n d s#se, and ro$ot 0 n ng s ta>en for granted. What a$o#t nterste!!ar tra1e!G ,t;s on!y $een a$o#t twenty years s n%e the hy"erato0 % 0otor was n1ented and t;s we!! >nown that t was a ro$ot % n1ent on. What s the tr#th a$o#t tGC B,nterste!!ar tra1e!GC She was tho#ghtf#!. We were n the !o#nge, and , ordered a f#!! d nner. She @#st had %offee. B,t wasn;t a s 0"!e ro$ot % n1ent on, yo# >now- not @#st ! >e that. B#t, of %o#rse, #nt ! we de1e!o"ed the Bra n, we d dn;t get 1ery far. B#t we tr ed- we rea!!y tr ed. My f rst %onne%t on Jd re%t!y, that sK w th nterste!!ar resear%h was n 3*3(, when a ro$ot was !ostFC Meas#res on Hy"er Base had $een ta>en n a sort of ratt! ng f#ry E the 0#s%#!ar e?# 1a!ent of a hyster %a! shr e>. To te0 De the0 n order of $oth %hrono!ogy and des"erat on, they were2 '. A!! wor> on the Hy"erato0 % 9r 1e thro#gh a!! the s"a%e 1o!#0e o%%#" ed $y the Stat ons of the Twenty=Se1enth Astero da! Hro#" ng %a0e to a ha!t. 3. That ent re 1o!#0e of s"a%e was n ""ed o#t of the Syste0, "ra%t %a!!y s"ea> ng. No one entered w tho#t "er0 ss on. No one !eft #nder any %ond t ons. 6. By s"e% a! go1ern0ent "atro! sh ", 9rs. S#san Ca!1 n and Peter Bogert, res"e%t 1e!y Head Psy%ho!og st and Mathe0at %a! 9 re%tor of <n ted States Ro$ot M Me%han %a! Men Cor"orat on, were $ro#ght to Hy"er Base. S#san Ca!1 n had ne1er !eft the s#rfa%e of Earth $efore, and had no "er%e"t $!e des re to !ea1e t th s t 0e. ,n an age of Ato0 % Power and a %!ear!y %o0 ng Hy"erato0 % 9r 1e, she re0a ned ?# et!y "ro1 n% a!. So she was d ssat sf ed w th her tr " and #n%on1 n%ed of the e0ergen%y, and e1ery ! ne of her "!a n, 0 dd!e=aged fa%e showed t %!ear!y eno#gh d#r ng her f rst d nner at Hy"er Base.

44

Nor d d 9r. Bogert;s s!ee> "a!eness a$andon a %erta n hangdog att t#de. Nor d d Ma@or=genera! 8a!!ner, who headed the "ro@e%t, e1en on%e forget to 0a nta n a h#nted eA"ress on. ,n short, t was a gr s!y e" sode, that 0ea!, and the ! tt!e sess on of three that fo!!owed $egan n a gray, #nha""y 0anner. 8a!!ner, w th h s $a!dness g! sten ng, and h s dress #n for0 odd!y #ns# ted to the genera! 0ood, $egan w th #neasy d re%tness. BTh s s a ?#eer story to te!!, s r, and 0ada0. , want to than> yo# for %o0 ng on short not %e and w tho#t a reason $e ng g 1en. We;!! try to %orre%t that now. We;1e !ost a ro$ot. Wor> has sto""ed and 0#st sto" #nt ! s#%h t 0e as we !o%ate t. So far we ha1e fa !ed, and we fee! we need eA"ert he!".C Perha"s the genera! fe!t h s "red %a0ent ant %! 0a%t %. He %ont n#ed w th a note of des"erat on, B, needn;t te!! yo# the 0"ortan%e of o#r wor> here. More than e ghty "er%ent of !ast year;s a""ro"r at ons for s% ent f % resear%h ha1e gone to #sFC BWhy, we >now that,C sa d Bogert, agreea$!y. B<. S. Ro$ots s re%e 1 ng a genero#s renta! fee for #se of o#r ro$ots.C S#san Ca!1 n n@e%ted a $!#nt, 1 negary note, BWhat 0a>es a s ng!e ro$ot so 0"ortant to the "ro@e%t, and why hasn;t t $een !o%atedGC The genera! t#rned h s red fa%e toward her and wet h s ! "s ?# %>!y, BWhy, n a 0anner of s"ea> ng we ha1e !o%ated t.C Then, w th near ang# sh, BHere, s#""ose , eA"!a n. As soon as the ro$ot fa !ed to re"ort a state of e0ergen%y was de%!ared, and a!! 0o1e0ent off Hy"er Base sto""ed. A %argo 1esse! had !anded the "re1 o#s day and had de! 1ered #s two ro$ots for o#r !a$orator es. ,t had s Aty=two ro$ots of the... #h... ga0e ty"e for sh "0ent e!sewhere. We are %erta n as to that f g#re. There s no ?#est on a$o#t t whate1er.C B:esG And the %onne%t onGC BWhen o#r 0 ss ng ro$ot fa !ed of !o%at on anywhere E , ass#re yo# we wo#!d ha1e fo#nd a 0 ss ng $!ade of grass f t had $een there to f nd E we $ra nstor0ed o#rse!1es nto %o#nt ng the ro$ots !eft of the %argo sh ". They ha1e s Aty=three now.C BSo that the s Aty=th rd, , ta>e t, s the 0 ss ng "rod ga!GC 9r. Ca!1 n;s eyes dar>ened. B:es, $#t we ha1e no way of te!! ng wh %h s the s Aty=th rd.C There was a dead s !en%e wh !e the e!e%tr % %!o%> %h 0ed e!e1en t 0es, and then the ro$o"sy%ho!og st sa d, BLery "e%#! ar,C and the %orners of her ! "s 0o1ed downward. BPeter,C she t#rned to her %o!!eag#e w th a tra%e of sa1agery, Bwhat;s wrong hereG What > nd of ro$ots are they, #s ng at Hy"er BaseGC 9r. Bogert hes tated and s0 !ed fee$!y, B,t;s $een rather a 0atter of de! %a%y t !! now, S#san.C She s"o>e ra" d!y, B:es, t !! now. ,f there are s Aty=three sa0e=ty"e ro$ots, one of wh %h s wanted and the dent ty of wh %h %annot $e deter0 ned, why won;t any of the0 doG What;s the dea of a!! th sG Why ha1e we $een sent forGC Bogert sa d n res gned fash on, B,f yo#;!! g 1e 0e a %han%e, S#san E Hy"er Base ha""ens to $e #s ng se1era! ro$ots whose $ra ns are not 0"ress oned w th the ent re + rst Law of Ro$ot %s.C BAren;t 0"ress onedGC Ca!1 n s!#0"ed $a%> n her %ha r, B, see. How 0any were 0adeGC 4/

BA few. ,t was on go1ern0ent order and there was no way of 1 o!at ng the se%re%y. No one was to >now eA%e"t the to" 0en d re%t!y %on%erned. :o# weren;t n%!#ded, S#san. ,t was noth ng , had anyth ng to do w th.C The genera! nterr#"ted w th a 0eas#re of a#thor ty. B, wo#!d ! >e to eA"!a n that $ t. , hadn;t $een aware that 9r. Ca!1 n was #na%?#a nted w th the s t#at on. , needn;t te!! yo#, 9r. Ca!1 n, that there a!ways has $een strong o""os t on to ro$ots on the P!anet. The on!y defense the go1ern0ent has had aga nst the +#nda0enta! st rad %a!s n th s 0atter was the fa%t that ro$ots are a!ways $# !t w th an #n$rea>a$!e + rst Law E wh %h 0a>es t 0"oss $!e for the0 to har0 h#0an $e ngs #nder any % r%#0stan%e. BB#t we had to ha1e ro$ots of a d fferent nat#re. So @#st a few of the NS=3 0ode!, the Nestors, that s, were "re"ared w th a 0od f ed + rst Law. To >ee" t ?# et, a!! NS=3;s are 0an#fa%t#red w tho#t ser a! n#0$ers- 0od f ed 0e0$ers are de! 1ered here a!ong w th a gro#" of nor0a! ro$ots- and, of %o#rse, a!! o#r > nd are #nder the str %test 0"ress on0ent ne1er to te!! of the r 0od f %at on to #na#thor Ded "ersonne!.C He wore an e0$arrassed s0 !e- BTh s has a!! wor>ed o#t aga nst #s now.C Ca!1 n sa d gr 0!y, BHa1e yo# as>ed ea%h one who t s, anyhowG Certa n!y, yo# are a#thor DedGC The genera! nodded, BA!! s Aty=three deny ha1 ng wor>ed here E and one s !y ng.C B9oes the one yo# want show tra%es of wearG The others, , ta>e t, are fa%tory=fresh.C BThe one n ?#est on on!y arr 1ed !ast 0onth. ,t, and the two that ha1e @#st arr 1ed, were to $e the !ast we needed. There;s no "er%e"t $!e wear.C He shoo> h s head s!ow!y and h s eyes were ha#nted aga n, B9r. Ca!1 n, we don;t dare !et that sh " !ea1e. ,f the eA sten%e of non=+ rst Law ro$ots $e%o0es genera! >now!edgeFC There see0ed no way of a1o d ng #nderstate0ent n the %on%!#s on. B9estroy a!! s Aty=three,C sa d the ro$o"sy%ho!og st %o!d!y and f!at!y, Band 0a>e an end of t.C Bogert drew $a%> a %orner of h s 0o#th. B:o# 0ean destroy th rty tho#sand do!!ars "er ro$ot. ,;0 afra d <. S. Ro$ots wo#!dn;t ! >e that. We;d $etter 0a>e an effort f rst, S#san, $efore we destroy anyth ng.C B,n that %ase,C she sa d, shar"!y, B, need fa%ts. EAa%t!y what ad1antage does Hy"er Base der 1e fro0 these 0od f ed ro$otsG What fa%tor 0ade the0 des ra$!e, genera!GC 8a!!ner r#ff!ed h s forehead and stro>ed t w th an #"ward gest#re of h s hand. BWe had tro#$!e w th o#r "re1 o#s ro$ots. O#r 0en wor> w th hard rad at ons a good dea!, yo# see. ,t;s dangero#s, of %o#rse, $#t reasona$!e "re%a#t ons are ta>en. There ha1e $een on!y two a%% dents s n%e we $egan and ne ther was fata!. Howe1er, t was 0"oss $!e to eA"!a n that to an ord nary ro$ot. The + rst Law states E ,;!! ?#ote t E INo ro$ot 0ay har0 a h#0an $e ng, or thro#gh na%t on, a!!ow a h#0an $e ng to %o0e to har0.; BThat;s "r 0ary, 9r. Ca!1 n. When t was ne%essary for one of o#r 0en to eA"ose h 0se!f for a short "er od to a 0oderate ga00a f e!d, one that wo#!d ha1e no "hys o!og %a! effe%ts, the nearest ro$ot wo#!d dash n to drag h 0 o#t. ,f the f e!d were eA%eed ng!y wea>, t wo#!d s#%%eed, and wor> %o#!d not %ont n#e t !! a!! ro$ots were %!eared o#t. ,f the f e!d were a tr f!e stronger, the ro$ot wo#!d ne1er rea%h the te%hn % an %on%erned, s n%e ts "os tron % $ra n wo#!d %o!!a"se #nder ga00a rad at ons E and then we wo#!d $e o#t one eA"ens 1e and hard=to=re"!a%e ro$ot. BWe tr ed arg# ng w th the0. The r "o nt was that a h#0an $e ng n a ga00a f e!d was endanger ng h s ! fe and that t d dn;t 0atter that he %o#!d re0a n there ha!f an ho#r safe!y.

4(

S#""os ng, they wo#!d say, he forgot and re0a ned an ho#r. They %o#!dn;t ta>e %han%es. We "o nted o#t that they were r s> ng the r ! 1es on a w !d off=%han%e. B#t se!f="reser1at on s on!y the Th rd Law of Ro$ot %s E and the + rst Law of h#0an safety %a0e f rst. We ga1e the0 orders- we ordered the0 str %t!y and harsh!y to re0a n o#t of ga00a f e!ds at whate1er %ost. B#t o$ed en%e s on!y the Se%ond Law of Ro$ot %s E and the + rst Law of h#0an safety %a0e f rst. 9r. Ca!1 n, we e ther had to do w tho#t ro$ots, or do so0eth ng a$o#t the + rst Law E and we 0ade o#r %ho %e.C B, %an;t $e! e1e,C sa d 9r. Ca!1 n, Bthat t was fo#nd "oss $!e to re0o1e the + rst Law.C B,t wasn;t re0o1ed, t was 0od f ed,C eA"!a ned 8a!!ner. BPos tron % $ra ns were %onstr#%ted that %onta ned the "os t 1e as"e%t on!y of the Law, wh %h n the0 reads2 INo ro$ot 0ay har0 a h#0an $e ng.; That s a!!. They ha1e no %o0"#!s on to "re1ent one %o0 ng to har0 thro#gh an eAtraneo#s agen%y s#%h as ga00a rays. , state the 0atter %orre%t!y, 9r. BogertGC BN# te,C assented the 0athe0at % an. BAnd that s the on!y d fferen%e of yo#r ro$ots fro0 the ord nary NS3 0ode!G The on!y d fferen%eG PeterGC BThe on!y d fferen%e, S#san.C She rose and s"o>e w th f na! ty, B, ntend s!ee" ng now, and n a$o#t e ght ho#rs, , want to s"ea> to who0e1er saw the ro$ot !ast. And fro0 now on, Henera! 8a!!ner, f ,;0 to ta>e any res"ons $ ! ty at a!! for e1ents, , want f#!! and #n?#est oned %ontro! of th s n1est gat on.C S#san Ca!1 n, eA%e"t for two ho#rs of resentf#! !ass t#de, eA"er en%ed noth ng a""roa%h ng s!ee". She s gna!ed at Bogert;s door at the !o%a! t 0e of *4** and fo#nd h 0 a!so awa>e. He had a""arent!y ta>en the tro#$!e of trans"ort ng a dress ng gown to Hy"er Base w th h 0, for he was s tt ng n t. He "#t h s na ! s% ssors down when Ca!1 n entered. He sa d soft!y, B,;1e $een eA"e%t ng yo# 0ore or !ess. , s#""ose yo# fee! s %> a$o#t a!! th s.C B, do.C BWe!! E ,;0 sorry. There was no way of "re1ent ng t. When the %a!! %a0e o#t fro0 Hy"er Base for #s, , >new that so0eth ng 0#st ha1e gone wrong w th the 0od f ed Nestors. B#t what was there to doG , %o#!dn;t $rea> the 0atter to yo# on the tr " here, as , wo#!d ha1e ! >ed to, $e%a#se , had to $e s#re. The 0atter of the 0od f %at on s to" se%ret.C The "sy%ho!og st 0#ttered, B, sho#!d ha1e $een to!d. <. S. Ro$ots had no r ght to 0od fy "os tron % $ra ns th s way w tho#t the a""ro1a! of a "sy%ho!og st.C Bogert ! fted h s eye$rows and s ghed. BBe reasona$!e, S#san. :o# %o#!dn;t ha1e nf!#en%ed the0. ,n th s 0atter, the go1ern0ent was $o#nd to ha1e ts way. They want the Hy"erato0 % 9r 1e and the ether % "hys % sts want ro$ots that won;t nterfere w th the0. They were go ng to get the0 e1en f t d d 0ean tw st ng the + rst Law. We had to ad0 t t was "oss $!e fro0 a %onstr#%t on stand"o nt and they swore a 0 ghty oath that they wanted on!y twe!1e, that they wo#!d $e #sed on!y at Hy"er Base, that they wo#!d $e destroyed on%e the 9r 1e was "erfe%ted, and that f#!! "re%a#t ons wo#!d $e ta>en. And they ns sted on se%re%y E and that;s the s t#at on.C 9r. Ca!1 n s"o>e thro#gh her teeth, B, wo#!d ha1e res gned.C B,t wo#!dn;t ha1e he!"ed. The go1ern0ent was offer ng the %o0"any a fort#ne, and threaten ng t w th ant ro$ot !eg s!at on n %ase of a ref#sa!. We were st#%> then, and we;re $ad!y st#%> now. ,f

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th s !ea>s o#t, t 0 ght h#rt 8a!!ner and the go1ern0ent, $#t t wo#!d h#rt <. S. Ro$ots a de1 ! of a !ot 0ore.C The "sy%ho!og st stared at h 0. BPeter, don;t yo# rea! De what a!! th s s a$o#tG Can;t yo# #nderstand what the re0o1a! of the + rst Law 0eansG ,t sn;t @#st a 0atter of se%re%y.C B, >now what re0o1a! wo#!d 0ean. ,;0 not a %h !d. ,t wo#!d 0ean %o0"!ete nsta$ ! ty, w th no non 0ag nary so!#t ons to the "os tron % + e!d E?#at ons.C B:es, 0athe0at %a!!y. B#t %an yo# trans!ate that nto %r#de "sy%ho!og %a! tho#ght. A!! nor0a! ! fe, Peter, %ons% o#s!y or otherw se, resents do0 nat on. ,f the do0 nat on s $y an nfer or, or $y a s#""osed nfer or, the resent0ent $e%o0es stronger. Phys %a!!y, and, to an eAtent, 0enta!!y, a ro$ot E any ro$ot E s s#"er or to h#0an $e ngs. What 0a>es h 0 s!a1 sh, thenG On!y the + rst Law7 Why, w tho#t t, the f rst order yo# tr ed to g 1e a ro$ot wo#!d res#!t n yo#r death. <nsta$!eG What do yo# th n>GC BS#san,C sa d Bogert, w th an a r of sy0"athet % a0#se0ent. B,;!! ad0 t that th s +ran>enste n Co0"!eA yo#;re eAh $ t ng has a %erta n @#st f %at on E hen%e the + rst Law n the f rst "!a%e. B#t the Law, , re"eat and re"eat, has not $een re0o1ed E 0ere!y 0od f ed.C BAnd what a$o#t the sta$ ! ty of the $ra nGC The 0athe0at % an thr#st o#t h s ! "s, B9e%reased, nat#ra!!y. B#t t;s w th n the $order of safety. The f rst Nestors were de! 1ered to Hy"er Base n ne 0onths ago, and noth ng whate1er has gone wrong t !! now, and e1en th s n1o!1es 0ere!y fear of d s%o1ery and not danger to h#0ans.C BLery we!!, then. We;!! see what %o0es of the 0orn ng %onferen%e.C Bogert saw her "o! te!y to the door and gr 0a%ed e!o?#ent!y when she !eft. He saw no reason to %hange h s "erenn a! o" n on of her as a so#r and f dgety fr#strat on. S#san Ca!1 n;s tra n of tho#ght d d not n%!#de Bogert n the !east. She had d s0 ssed h 0 years ago as a s0ooth and "retent o#s s!ee>ness. Hera!d B!a%> had ta>en h s degree n ether % "hys %s the year $efore and, n %o00on w th h s ent re generat on of "hys % sts, fo#nd h 0se!f engaged n the "ro$!e0 of the 9r 1e. He now 0ade a "ro"er add t on to the genera! at0os"here of these 0eet ngs on Hy"er Base. ,n h s sta ned wh te s0o%>, he was ha!f re$e!! o#s and who!!y #n%erta n. H s sto%>y strength see0ed str 1 ng for re!ease and h s f ngers, as they tw sted ea%h other w th ner1o#s yan>s, 0 ght ha1e for%ed an ron $ar o#t of tr#e. Ma@or=genera! 8a!!ner sat $es de h 0- the two fro0 <. S. Ro$ots fa%ed h 0. B!a%> sa d, B,;0 to!d that , was the !ast to see Nestor '* $efore he 1an shed. , ta>e t yo# want to as> 0e a$o#t that.C 9r. Ca!1 n regarded h 0 w th nterest, B:o# so#nd as f yo# were not s#re, yo#ng 0an. 9on;t yo# >now whether yo# were the !ast to see h 0GC BHe wor>ed w th 0e, 0a;a0, on the f e!d generators, and he was w th 0e the 0orn ng of h s d sa""earan%e. , don;t >now f anyone saw h 0 after a$o#t noon. No one ad0 ts ha1 ng done so.C B9o yo# th n> anyone;s !y ng a$o#t tGC B, don;t say that. B#t , don;t say that , want the $!a0e of t, e ther.C H s dar> eyes s0o!dered.

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BThere;s no ?#est on of $!a0e. The ro$ot a%ted as t d d $e%a#se of what t s. We;re @#st try ng to !o%ate t, Mr. B!a%>, and !et;s "#t e1eryth ng e!se as de. Now f yo#;1e wor>ed w th the ro$ot, yo# "ro$a$!y >now t $etter than anyone e!se. Was there anyth ng #n#s#a! a$o#t t that yo# not %edG Had yo# e1er wor>ed w th ro$ots $eforeGC B,;1e wor>ed w th other ro$ots we ha1e here E the s 0"!e ones. Noth ng d fferent a$o#t the Nestors eA%e"t that they;re a good dea! %!e1erer E and 0ore annoy ng.C BAnnoy ngG ,n what wayGC BWe!! E "erha"s t;s not the r fa#!t. The wor> here s ro#gh and 0ost of #s get a ! tt!e @agged. +oo! ng aro#nd w th hy"er=s"a%e sn;t f#n.C He s0 !ed fee$!y, f nd ng "!eas#re n %onfess on. BWe r#n the r s> %ont n#a!!y of $!ow ng a ho!e n nor0a! s"a%e=t 0e fa$r % and dro"" ng r ght o#t of the #n 1erse, astero d and a!!. So#nds s%rewy, doesn;t tG Nat#ra!!y, yo#;re on edge so0et 0es. B#t these Nestors aren;t. They;re %#r o#s, they;re %a!0, they don;t worry. ,t;s eno#gh to dr 1e yo# n#ts at t 0es. When yo# want so0eth ng done n a tear ng h#rry, they see0 to ta>e the r t 0e. So0et 0es ,;d rather do w tho#t.C B:o# say they ta>e the r t 0eG Ha1e they e1er ref#sed an orderGC BOh, no,C hast !y. BThey do t a!! r ght. They te!! yo# when they th n> yo#;re wrong, tho#gh. They don;t >now anyth ng a$o#t the s#$@e%t $#t what we ta#ght the0, $#t that doesn;t sto" the0. May$e , 0ag ne t, $#t the other fe!!ows ha1e the sa0e tro#$!e w th the r Nestors.C Henera! 8a!!ner %!eared h s throat o0 no#s!y, BWhy ha1e no %o0"!a nts rea%hed 0e on the 0atter, B!a%>GC The yo#ng "hys % st reddened, BWe d dn;t rea!!y want to do w tho#t the ro$ots, s r, and $es des we weren;t %erta n eAa%t!y how s#%h... #h... 0 nor %o0"!a nts 0 ght $e re%e 1ed.C Bogert nterr#"ted soft!y, BAnyth ng n "art %#!ar ha""en the 0orn ng yo# !ast saw tGC There was a s !en%e. W th a ?# et 0ot on, Ca!1 n re"ressed the %o00ent that was a$o#t to e0erge fro0 8a!!ner, and wa ted "at ent!y. Then B!a%> s"o>e n $!#rt ng anger, B, had a ! tt!e tro#$!e w th t. ,;d $ro>en a 8 0$a!! t#$e that 0orn ng and was o#t f 1e days of wor>- 0y ent re "rogra0 was $eh nd s%hed#!e- , hadn;t re%e 1ed any 0a ! fro0 ho0e for a %o#"!e of wee>s. And he %a0e aro#nd want ng 0e to re"eat an eA"er 0ent , had a$andoned a 0onth ago. He was a!ways annoy ng 0e on that s#$@e%t and , was t red of t. , to!d h 0 to go away E and that;s a!! , saw of h 0.C B:o# to!d h 0 to go awayGC as>ed 9r. Ca!1 n w th shar" nterest. B,n @#st those wordsG 9 d yo# say IHo away;G Try to re0e0$er the eAa%t words.C There was a""arent!y an nterna! str#gg!e n "rogress. B!a%> %rad!ed h s forehead n a $road "a!0 for a 0o0ent, then tore t away and sa d def ant!y, B, sa d, IHo !ose yo#rse!f.; B Bogert !a#ghed for a short 0o0ent. BAnd he d d, ehGC B#t Ca!1 n wasn;t f n shed. She s"o>e %a@o! ng!y, BNow we;re gett ng so0ewhere, Mr. B!a%>. B#t eAa%t deta !s are 0"ortant. ,n #nderstand ng the ro$ot;s a%t ons, a word, a gest#re, an e0"has s 0ay $e e1eryth ng. :o# %o#!dn;t ha1e sa d @#st those three words, for nstan%e, %o#!d yo#G By yo#r own des%r "t on yo# 0#st ha1e $een n a hasty 0ood. Perha"s yo# strengthened yo#r s"ee%h a ! tt!e.C

/3

The yo#ng 0an reddened, BWe!!... , 0ay ha1e %a!!ed t a... a few th ngs.C BEAa%t!y what th ngsGC BOh E , wo#!dn;t re0e0$er eAa%t!y. Bes des , %o#!dn;t re"eat t. :o# >now how yo# get when yo#;re eA% ted.C H s e0$arrassed !a#gh was a!0ost a g gg!e, B, sort of ha1e a tenden%y to strong !ang#age.C BThat;s ?# te a!! r ght,C she re"! ed, w th "r 0 se1er ty. BAt the 0o0ent, ,;0 a "sy%ho!og st. , wo#!d ! >e to ha1e yo# re"eat eAa%t!y what yo# sa d as near!y as yo# re0e0$er, and, e1en 0ore 0"ortant, the eAa%t tone of 1o %e yo# #sed.C B!a%> !oo>ed at h s %o00and ng off %er for s#""ort, fo#nd none. H s eyes grew ro#nd and a""a!!ed, BB#t , %an;t.C B:o# 0#st.C BS#""ose,C sa d Bogert, w th !!=h dden a0#se0ent, Byo# address 0e. :o# 0ay f nd t eas er.C The yo#ng 0an;s s%ar!et fa%e t#rned to Bogert. He swa!!owed. B, sa dC H s 1o %e faded o#t. He tr ed aga n, B, sa dFC And he drew a dee" $reath and s"ewed t o#t hast !y n one !ong s#%%ess on of sy!!a$!es. Then, n the %harged a r that ! ngered, he %on%!#ded a!0ost n tears, B... 0ore or !ess. , don;t re0e0$er the eAa%t order of what , %a!!ed h 0, and 0ay$e , !eft o#t so0eth ng or "#t n so0eth ng, $#t that was a$o#t t.C On!y the s! ghtest f!#sh $etrayed any fee! ng on the "art of the ro$o"sy%ho!og st. She sa d, B, a0 aware of the 0ean ng of 0ost of the ter0s #sed. The others, , s#""ose, are e?#a!!y derogatory.C B,;0 afra d so,C agreed the tor0ented B!a%>. BAnd n a0ong t, yo# to!d h 0 to !ose h 0se!f.C B, 0eant t on!y f g#rat 1e!y.C B, rea! De that. No d s% "! nary a%t on s ntended, , a0 s#re.C And at her g!an%e, the genera!, who, f 1e se%onds ear! er, had see0ed not s#re at a!!, nodded angr !y. B:o# 0ay !ea1e, Mr. B!a%>. Than> yo# for yo#r %oo"erat on.C ,t too> f 1e ho#rs for S#san Ca!1 n to nter1 ew the s Aty=three ro$ots. ,t was f 1e ho#rs of 0#!t = re"et t on- of re"!a%e0ent after re"!a%e0ent of dent %a! ro$ot- of N#est ons A, B, C, 9- and Answers A, B, C, 9- of a %aref#!!y $!and eA"ress on, a %aref#!!y ne#tra! tone, a %aref#!!y fr end!y at0os"here- and a h dden w re re%order. The "sy%ho!og st fe!t dra ned of 1 ta! ty when she was f n shed. Bogert was wa t ng for her and !oo>ed eA"e%tant as she dro""ed the re%ord ng s"oo! w th a %!ang #"on the "!ast % of the des>. She shoo> her head, BA!! s Aty=three see0ed the sa0e to 0e. , %o#!dn;t te!!FC He sa d, B:o# %o#!dn;t eA"e%t to te!! $y ear, S#san. S#""ose we ana!yDe the re%ord ngs.C Ord nar !y, the 0athe0at %a! nter"retat on of 1er$a! rea%t ons of ro$ots s one of the 0ore ntr %ate $ran%hes of ro$ot % ana!ys s. ,t re?# res a staff of tra ned te%hn % ans and the he!" of %o0"! %ated %o0"#t ng 0a%h nes. Bogert >new that. Bogert stated as 0#%h, n an eAtre0e of #nshown /6

annoyan%e after ha1 ng ! stened to ea%h set of re"! es, 0ade ! sts of word de1 at ons, and gra"hs of the nter1a!s of res"onses. BThere are no ano0a! es "resent, S#san. The 1ar at ons n word ng and the t 0e rea%t ons are w th n the ! 0 ts of ord nary fre?#en%y gro#" ngs. We need f ner 0ethods. They 0#st ha1e %o0"#ters here. No.C He frowned and n $$!ed de! %ate!y at a th#0$na !. BWe %an;t #se %o0"#ters. Too 0#%h danger of !ea>age. Or 0ay$e f weFC 9r. Ca!1 n sto""ed h 0 w th an 0"at ent gest#re, BP!ease, Peter. Th s sn;t one of yo#r "etty !a$oratory "ro$!e0s. ,f we %an;t deter0 ne the 0od f ed Nestor $y so0e gross d fferen%e that we %an see w th the na>ed eye, one that there s no 0 sta>e a$o#t, we;re o#t of !#%>. The danger of $e ng wrong, and of !ett ng h 0 es%a"e s otherw se too great. ,t;s not eno#gh to "o nt o#t a 0 n#te rreg#!ar ty n a gra"h. , te!! yo#, f that;s a!! ,;1e got to go on, ,;d destroy the0 a!! @#st to $e %erta n. Ha1e yo# s"o>en to the other 0od f ed NestorsGC B:es, , ha1e,C sna""ed $a%> Bogert, Band there;s noth ng wrong w th the0. They;re a$o1e nor0a! n fr end! ness f anyth ng. They answered 0y ?#est ons, d s"!ayed "r de n the r >now!edge E eA%e"t the two new ones that ha1en;t had t 0e to !earn the r ether % "hys %s. They !a#ghed rather good=nat#red!y at 0y gnoran%e n so0e of the s"e% a! Dat ons here.C He shr#gged, B, s#""ose that for0s so0e of the $as s for resent0ent toward the0 on the "art of the te%hn % ans here. The ro$ots are "erha"s too w !! ng to 0"ress yo# w th the r greater >now!edge.C BCan yo# try a few P!anar Rea%t ons to see f there has $een any %hange, any deter orat on, n the r 0enta! set=#" s n%e 0an#fa%t#reGC B, ha1en;t yet, $#t , w !!.C He shoo> a s! 0 f nger at her, B:o#;re !os ng yo#r ner1e, S#san. , don;t see what t s yo#;re dra0at D ng. They;re essent a!!y har0!ess.C BThey areGC Ca!1 n too> f re. BThey areG 9o yo# rea! De one of the0 s !y ngG One of the s Aty= three ro$ots , ha1e @#st nter1 ewed has de! $erate!y ! ed to 0e after the str %test n@#n%t on to te!! the tr#th. The a$nor0a! ty nd %ated s horr $!y dee"=seated, and horr $!y fr ghten ng.C Peter Bogert fe!t h s teeth harden aga nst ea%h other. He sa d, BNot at a!!. Loo>7 Nestor '* was g 1en orders to !ose h 0se!f. Those orders were eA"ressed n 0aA 0#0 #rgen%y $y the "erson 0ost a#thor Ded to %o00and h 0. :o# %an;t %o#ntera%t that order e ther $y s#"er or #rgen%y or s#"er or r ght of %o00and. Nat#ra!!y, the ro$ot w !! atte0"t to defend the %arry ng o#t of h s orders. ,n fa%t, o$@e%t 1e!y, , ad0 re h s ngen# ty. How $etter %an a ro$ot !ose h 0se!f than to h de h 0se!f a0ong a gro#" of s 0 !ar ro$otsGC B:es, yo# wo#!d ad0 re t. ,;1e dete%ted a0#se0ent n yo#, Peter E a0#se0ent and an a""a!! ng !a%> of #nderstand ng. Are yo# a ro$ot % st, PeterG Those ro$ots atta%h 0"ortan%e to what they %ons der s#"er or ty. :o#;1e @#st sa d as 0#%h yo#rse!f. S#$%ons% o#s!y they fee! h#0ans to $e nfer or and the + rst Law wh %h "rote%ts #s fro0 the0 s 0"erfe%t. They are #nsta$!e. And here we ha1e a yo#ng 0an order ng a ro$ot to !ea1e h 0, to !ose h 0se!f, w th e1ery 1er$a! a""earan%e of re1#!s on, d sda n, and d sg#st. Hranted, that ro$ot 0#st fo!!ow orders, $#t s#$%ons% o#s!y, there s resent0ent. ,t w !! $e%o0e 0ore 0"ortant than e1er for t to "ro1e that t s s#"er or des" te the horr $!e na0es t was %a!!ed. ,t 0ay $e%o0e so 0"ortant that what;s !eft of the + rst Law won;t $e eno#gh.C BHow on Earth, or anywhere n the So!ar Syste0, S#san, s a ro$ot go ng to >now the 0ean ng of the assorted strong !ang#age #sed #"on h 0G O$s%en ty s not one of the th ngs 0"ress oned #"on h s $ra n.C /)

BOr g na! 0"ress on0ent s not e1eryth ng,C Ca!1 n snar!ed at h 0. BRo$ots ha1e !earn ng %a"a% ty, yo#... yo# foo!FC And Bogert >new that she had rea!!y !ost her te0"er. She %ont n#ed hast !y, B9on;t yo# s#""ose he %o#!d te!! fro0 the tone #sed that the words weren;t %o0"! 0entaryG 9on;t yon s#""ose he;s heard the words #sed $efore and noted #"on what o%%as onsGC BWe!!, then,C sho#ted Bogert, Bw !! yo# > nd!y te!! 0e one way n wh %h a 0od f ed ro$ot %an har0 a h#0an $e ng, no 0atter how offended t s, no 0atter how s %> w th des re to "ro1e s#"er or tyGC B,f , te!! yo# one way, w !! yo# >ee" ?# etGC B:es.C They were !ean ng a%ross the ta$!e at ea%h other, angry eyes na !ed together. The "sy%ho!og st sa d, B,f a 0od f ed ro$ot were to dro" a hea1y we ght #"on a h#0an $e ng, he wo#!d not $e $rea> ng the + rst Law, f he d d so w th the >now!edge that h s strength and rea%t on s"eed wo#!d $e s#ff % ent to snat%h the we ght away $efore t str#%> the 0an. Howe1er on%e the we ght !eft h s f ngers, he wo#!d $e no !onger the a%t 1e 0ed #0. On!y the $! nd for%e of gra1 ty wo#!d $e that. The ro$ot %o#!d then %hange h s 0 nd and 0ere!y $y na%t on, a!!ow the we ght to str >e. The 0od f ed + rst Law a!!ows that.C BThat;s an awf#! stret%h of 0ag nat on.C BThat;s what 0y "rofess on re?# res so0et 0es. Peter, !et;s not ?#arre!, !et;s wor>. :o# >now the eAa%t nat#re of the st 0#!#s that %a#sed the ro$ot to !ose h 0se!f. :o# ha1e the re%ords of h s or g na! 0enta! 0a>e=#". , want yo# to te!! 0e how "oss $!e t s for o#r ro$ot to do the sort of th ng , @#st ta!>ed a$o#t. Not the s"e% f % nstan%e, 0 nd yo#, $#t that who!e %!ass of res"onse. And , want t done ?# %>!y.C BAnd 0eanwh !eFC BAnd 0eanwh !e, we;!! ha1e to try "erfor0an%e tests d re%t!y on the res"onse to + rst Law.C Hera!d B!a%>, at h s own re?#est, was s#"er1 s ng the 0#shroo0 ng wooden "art t ons that were s"r ng ng #" n a $e!!y ng % r%!e on the 1a#!ted th rd f!oor of Rad at on B# !d ng 3. The !a$orers wor>ed, n the 0a n, s !ent!y, $#t 0ore than one was o"en!y a=wonder at the s Aty=three "hoto%e!!s that re?# red nsta!!at on. One of the0 sat down near B!a%>, re0o1ed h s hat, and w "ed h s forehead tho#ghtf#!!y w th a fre%>!ed forear0. B!a%> nodded at h 0, BHow;s t do ng, Wa!ens>yGC Wa!ens>y shr#gged and f red a % gar, BS0ooth as $#tter. What;s go ng on anyway, 9o%G + rst, there;s no wor> for three days and then we ha1e th s 0ess of @ ggers.C He !eaned $a%>ward on h s e!$ows and "#ffed s0o>e. B!a%> tw t%hed h s eye$rows, BA %o#"!e of ro$ot 0en %a0e o1er fro0 Earth. Re0e0$er the tro#$!e we had w th ro$ots r#nn ng nto the ga00a f e!ds $efore we "o#nded t nto the r s>#!!s that they weren;t to do t.C B:eah. 9 dn;t we get new ro$otsGC BWe got so0e re"!a%e0ents, $#t 0ost!y t was a @o$ of ndo%tr nat on. Anyway, the "eo"!e who 0a>e the0 want to f g#re o#t ro$ots that aren;t h t so $ad $y ga00a rays.C /5

BS#re see0s f#nny, tho#gh, to sto" a!! the wor> on the 9r 1e for th s ro$ot dea!. , tho#ght noth ng was a!!owed to sto" the 9r 1e.C BWe!!, t;s the fe!!ows #"sta rs that ha1e the say on that. Me E , @#st do as ,;0 to!d. Pro$a$!y a!! a 0atter of "#!!FC B:eah,C the e!e%tr % an @er>ed a s0 !e, and w n>ed a w se eye. BSo0e$ody >new so0e$ody n Wash ngton. B#t as !ong as 0y "ay %o0es thro#gh on the dot, , sho#!d worry. The 9r 1e;s none of 0y affa r. What are they go ng to do hereGC B:o#;re as> ng 0eG They $ro#ght a 0ess of ro$ots w th the0, E o1er s Aty, and they;re go ng to 0eas#re rea%t ons. That;s a!! 0y >now!edge.C BHow !ong w !! t ta>eGC B, w sh , >new.C BWe!!,C Wa!ens>y sa d, w th hea1y sar%as0, Bas !ong as they d sh 0e 0y 0oney, they %an "!ay ga0es a!! they want.C B!a%> fe!t ?# et!y sat sf ed. Let the story s"read. ,t was har0!ess, and near eno#gh to the tr#th to ta>e the fangs o#t of %#r os ty. A 0an sat n the %ha r, 0ot on!ess, s !ent. A we ght dro""ed, %rashed downward, then "o#nded as de at the !ast 0o0ent #nder the syn%hron Ded th#0" of a s#dden for%e $ea0. ,n s Aty=three wooden %e!!s, wat%h ng NS=3 ro$ots dashed forward n that s"! t se%ond $efore the we ght 1eered, and s Aty=three "hoto%e!!s f 1e feet ahead of the r or g na! "os t ons @ gg!ed the 0ar> ng "en and "resented a ! tt!e @ag on the "a"er. The we ght rose and dro""ed, rose and dro""ed, roseF Ten t 0es7 Ten t 0es the ro$ots s"rang forward and sto""ed, as the 0an re0a ned safe!y seated. Ma@or=genera! 8a!!ner had not worn h s #n for0 n ts ent rety s n%e the f rst d nner w th the <. S. Ro$ot re"resentat 1es. He wore noth ng o1er h s $!#e=gray sh rt now, the %o!!ar was o"en, and the $!a%> t e was "#!!ed !oose. He !oo>ed ho"ef#!!y at Bogert, who was st !! $!and!y neat and whose nner tens on was "erha"s $etrayed on!y $y the tra%e of g! ster at h s te0"!es. The genera! sa d, BHow does t !oo>G What s t yo#;re try ng to seeGC Bogert re"! ed, BA d fferen%e wh %h 0ay t#rn o#t to $e a ! tt!e too s#$t!e for o#r "#r"oses, ,;0 afra d. +or s Aty=two of those ro$ots the ne%ess ty of @#0" ng toward the a""arent!y threatened h#0an was what we %a!!, n ro$ot %s, a for%ed rea%t on. :o# see, e1en when the ro$ots >new that the h#0an n ?#est on wo#!d not %o0e to har0 E and after the th rd or fo#rth t 0e they 0#st ha1e >nown t E they %o#!d not "re1ent rea%t ng as they d d. + rst Law re?# res tC BWe!!GC BB#t the s Aty=th rd ro$ot, the 0od f ed Nestor, had no s#%h %o0"#!s on. He was #nder free a%t on. ,f he had w shed, he %o#!d ha1e re0a ned n h s seat. <nfort#nate!y,C sa d h s 1o %e was 0 !d!y regretf#!, Bhe d dn;t so w sh.C BWhy do yo# s#""oseGC

/.

Bogert shr#gged, B, s#""ose 9r. Ca!1 n w !! te!! #s when she gets here. Pro$a$!y w th a horr $!y "ess 0 st % nter"retat on, too. She s so0et 0es a $ t annoy ng.C BShe;s ?#a! f ed, sn;t sheGC de0anded the genera! w th a s#dden frown of #neas ness. B:es.C Bogert see0ed a0#sed. BShe;s ?#a! f ed a!! r ght. She #nderstands ro$ots ! >e a s ster E %o0es fro0 hat ng h#0an $e ngs so 0#%h, , th n>. ,t;s @#st that, "sy%ho!og st or not, she;s an eAtre0e ne#rot %. Has "arano d tenden% es. 9on;t ta>e her too ser o#s!y.C He s"read the !ong row of $ro>en=! ne gra"hs o#t n front of h 0. B:o# see, genera!, n the %ase of ea%h ro$ot the t 0e nter1a! fro0 0o0ent of dro" to the %o0"!et on of a f 1e=foot 0o1e0ent tends to de%rease as the tests are re"eated. There;s a def n te 0athe0at %a! re!at onsh " that go1erns s#%h th ngs and fa !#re to %onfor0 wo#!d nd %ate 0ar>ed a$nor0a! ty n the "os tron % $ra n. <nfort#nate!y, a!! here a""ear nor0a!.C BB#t f o#r Nestor '* was not res"ond ng w th a for%ed a%t on, why sn;t h s %#r1e d fferentG , don;t #nderstand that.C B,t;s s 0"!e eno#gh. Ro$ot % res"onses are not "erfe%t!y ana!ogo#s to h#0an res"onses, 0ore;s the " ty. ,n h#0an $e ngs, 1o!#ntary a%t on s 0#%h s!ower than ref!eA a%t on. B#t that;s not the %ase w th ro$ots- w th the0 t s 0ere!y a ?#est on of freedo0 of %ho %e, otherw se the s"eeds of free and for%ed a%t on are 0#%h the sa0e. What , had $een eA"e%t ng, tho#gh, was that Nestor '* wo#!d $e %a#ght $y s#r"r se the f rst t 0e and a!!ow too great an nter1a! to e!a"se $efore res"ond ng.C BAnd he d dn;tGC B,;0 afra d not.C BThen we ha1en;t gotten anywhere.C The genera! sat $a%> w th an eA"ress on of "a n. B,t;s f 1e days s n%e yo#;1e %o0e.C At th s "o nt, S#san Ca!1 n entered and s!a00ed the door $eh nd her. BP#t yo#r gra"hs away, Peter,C she %r ed, Byo# >now they don;t show anyth ng.C She 0#0$!ed so0eth ng 0"at ent!y as 8a!!ner ha!f=rose to greet her, and went on, BWe;!! ha1e to try so0eth ng e!se ?# %>!y. , don;t ! >e what;s ha""en ng.C Bogert eA%hanged a res gned g!an%e w th the genera!. B,s anyth ng wrongGC B:o# 0ean s"e% f %a!!yG No. B#t , don;t ! >e to ha1e Nestor '* %ont n#e to e!#de #s. ,t;s $ad. ,t 0#st $e grat fy ng h s swo!!en sense of s#"er or ty. ,;0 afra d that h s 0ot 1at on s no !onger s 0"!y one of fo!!ow ng orders. , th n> t;s $e%o0 ng 0ore a 0atter of sheer ne#rot % ne%ess ty to o#tth n> h#0ans. That;s a dangero#s!y #nhea!thy s t#at on. Peter, ha1e yo# done what , as>edG Ha1e yo# wor>ed o#t the nsta$ ! ty fa%tors of the 0od f ed NS=3 a!ong the ! nes , wantGC B,t;s n "rogress,C sa d the 0athe0at % an, w tho#t nterest. She stared at h 0 angr !y for a 0o0ent, then t#rned to 8a!!ner. BNester '* s de% ded!y aware of what we;re do ng, genera!. He had no reason to @#0" for the $a t n th s eA"er 0ent, es"e% a!!y after the f rst t 0e, when he 0#st ha1e seen that there was no rea! danger to o#r s#$@e%t. The others %o#!dn;t he!" t- $#t he was de! $erate!y fa!s fy ng a rea%t on.C BWhat do yo# th n> we o#ght to do now, then, 9r. Ca!1 nGC BMa>e t 0"oss $!e for h 0 to fa>e an a%t on the neAt t 0e. We w !! re"eat the eA"er 0ent, $#t w th an add t on. H gh=tens on %a$!es, %a"a$!e of e!e%tro%#t ng the Nestor 0ode!s w !! $e "!a%ed /4

$etween s#$@e%t and ro$ot E eno#gh of the0 to a1o d the "oss $ ! ty of @#0" ng o1er E and the ro$ot w !! $e 0ade "erfe%t!y aware n ad1an%e that to#%h ng the %a$!es w !! 0ean death.C BHo!d on,C s"at o#t Bogert w th s#dden 1 % o#sness. B, r#!e that o#t. We are not e!e%tro%#t ng two 0 !! on do!!ars worth of ro$ots to !o%ate Nestor '*. There are other ways.C B:o#;re %erta nG :o#;1e fo#nd none. ,n any %ase, t;s not a ?#est on of e!e%tro%#t on. We %an arrange a re!ay wh %h w !! $rea> the %#rrent at the nstant of a""! %at on of we ght. ,f the ro$ot sho#!d "!a%e h s we ght on t, he won;t d e. B#t he won;t >now that, yo# see.C The genera!;s eyes g!ea0ed nto ho"e. BW !! that wor>GC B,t sho#!d. <nder those %ond t ons, Nestor '* wo#!d ha1e to re0a n n h s seat. He %o#!d $e ordered to to#%h the %a$!es and d e, for the Se%ond Law of o$ed en%e s s#"er or to the Th rd Law of se!f= "reser1at on. B#t he won;t $e ordered to- he w !! 0ere!y $e !eft to h s own de1 %es, as w !! a!! the ro$ots. ,n the %ase of the nor0a! ro$ots, the + rst Law of h#0an safety w !! dr 1e the0 to the r death e1en w tho#t orders. B#t not o#r Nestor '*. W tho#t the ent re + rst Law, and w tho#t ha1 ng re%e 1ed any orders on the 0atter, the Th rd Law, se!f="reser1at on, w !! $e the h ghest o"erat ng, and he w !! ha1e no %ho %e $#t to re0a n n h s seat. ,t wo#!d $e a for%ed a%t on.C BW !! t $e done ton ght, thenGC BTon ght,C sa d the "sy%ho!og st, B f the %a$!es %an $e !a d n t 0e. ,;!! te!! the ro$ots now what they;re to $e #" aga nst... A 0an sat n the %ha r, 0ot on!ess, s !ent. A we ght dro""ed, %rashed downward, then "o#nded as de at the !ast 0o0ent #nder the syn%hron Ded th#0" of a s#dden for%e $ea0. On!y on%eF And fro0 her s0a!! %a0" %ha r n the o$ser1 ng $ooth n the $a!%ony, 9r. S#san Ca!1 n rose w th a short gas" of "#re horror. S Aty=three ro$ots sat ?# et!y n the r %ha rs, star ng ow! sh!y at the endangered 0an $efore the0. Not one 0o1ed. 9r. Ca!1 n was angry, angry a!0ost "ast end#ran%e. Angry the worse for not dar ng to show t to the ro$ots that, one $y one were enter ng the roo0 and then !ea1 ng. She %he%>ed the ! st. N#0$er twenty=e ght was d#e n now E Th rty=f 1e st !! !ay ahead of her. N#0$er Twenty=e ght entered, d ff dent!y. She for%ed herse!f nto reasona$!e %a!0. BAnd who are yo#GC The ro$ot re"! ed n a !ow, #n%erta n 1o %e, B, ha1e re%e 1ed no n#0$er of 0y own yet, 0a;a0. ,;0 an NS=3 ro$ot, and , was N#0$er Twenty=e ght n ! ne o#ts de. , ha1e a s! " of "a"er here that ,;0 to g 1e to yo#.C B:o# ha1en;t $een n here $efore th s todayGC BNo, 0a;a0.C BS t down. R ght there. , want to as> yo# so0e ?#est ons, N#0$er Twenty=e ght. Were yo# n the Rad at on Roo0 of B# !d ng Two a$o#t fo#r ho#rs agoGC The ro$ot had tro#$!e answer ng. Then t %a0e o#t hoarse!y, ! >e 0a%h nery need ng o !, B:es, 0a;a0.C //

BThere was a 0an who a!0ost %a0e to har0 there, wasn;t thereGC B:es, 0a;a0.C B:o# d d noth ng, d d yo#GC BNo, 0a;a0.C BThe 0an 0 ght ha1e $een h#rt $e%a#se of yo#r na%t on. 9o yo# >now thatGC B:es, 0a;a0. , %o#!dn;t he!" t, 0a;a0.C ,t s hard to " %t#re a !arge eA"ress on!ess 0eta!! % f g#re %r ng ng, $#t t 0anaged. B, want yo# to te!! 0e eAa%t!y why yo# d d noth ng to sa1e h 0.C B, want to eA"!a n, 0a;a0. , %erta n!y don;t want to ha1e yo#... ha1e anyone... th n> that , %o#!d do a th ng that 0 ght %a#se har0 to a 0aster. Oh, no, that wo#!d $e a horr $!e... an n%on%e 1a$!eFC BP!ease don;t get eA% ted, $oy. ,;0 not $!a0 ng yo# for anyth ng. , on!y want to >now what yo# were th n> ng at the t 0e.C BMa;a0, $efore t a!! ha""ened yo# to!d #s that one of the 0asters wo#!d $e n danger of har0 fro0 that we ght that >ee"s fa!! ng and that we wo#!d ha1e to %ross e!e%tr % %a$!es f we were to try to sa1e h 0. We!!, 0a;a0, that wo#!dn;t sto" 0e. What s 0y destr#%t on %o0"ared to the safety of a 0asterG B#t... $#t t o%%#rred to 0e that f , d ed on 0y way to h 0, , wo#!dn;t $e a$!e to sa1e h 0 anyway. The we ght wo#!d %r#sh h 0 and then , wo#!d $e dead for no "#r"ose and "erha"s so0e day so0e other 0aster 0 ght %o0e to har0 who wo#!dn;t ha1e, f , had on!y stayed a! 1e. 9o yo# #nderstand 0e, 0a;a0GC B:o# 0ean that t was 0ere!y a %ho %e of the 0an dy ng, or $oth the 0an and yo#rse!f dy ng. ,s that r ghtGC B:es, 0a;a0. ,t was 0"oss $!e to sa1e the 0aster. He 0 ght $e %ons dered dead. ,n that %ase, t s n%on%e 1a$!e that , destroy 0yse!f for noth ng E w tho#t orders.C The ro$o"sy%ho!og st tw dd!ed a "en% !. She had heard the sa0e story w th ns gn f %ant 1er$a! 1ar at ons twenty=se1en t 0es $efore. Th s was the %r#% a! ?#est on now. BBoy,C she sa d, Byo#r th n> ng has ts "o nts, $#t t s not the sort of th ng , tho#ght yo# 0 ght th n>. 9 d yo# th n> of th s yo#rse!fGC The ro$ot hes tated. BNo.C BWho tho#ght of t, thenGC BWe were ta!> ng !ast n ght, and one of #s got that dea and t so#nded reasona$!e.C BWh %h oneGC The ro$ot tho#ght dee"!y. B, don;t >now. J#st one of #s.C She s ghed, BThat;s a!!.C N#0$er Twenty=n ne was neAt. Th rty=fo#r after that. Ma@or=genera! 8a!!ner, too, was angry. +or one wee> a!! of Hy"er Base had sto""ed dead, $arr ng so0e "a"er wor> on the s#$s d ary astero ds of the gro#". +or near!y one wee>, the two to" eA"erts

/(

n the f e!d had aggra1ated the s t#at on w th #se!ess tests. And now they E or the wo0an, at any rate E 0ade 0"oss $!e "ro"os t ons. +ort#nate!y for the genera! s t#at on, 8a!!ner fe!t t 0"o! t % to d s"!ay h s anger o"en!y. S#san Ca!1 n was ns st ng, BWhy not, s rG ,t;s o$1 o#s that the "resent s t#at on s #nfort#nate. The on!y way we 0ay rea%h res#!ts n the f#t#re E or what f#t#re s !eft #s n th s 0atter E s to se"arate the ro$ots. We %an;t >ee" the0 together any !onger.C BMy dear 9r. Ca!1 n,C r#0$!ed the genera!, h s 1o %e s n> ng nto the !ower $ar tone reg sters. B, don;t see how , %an ?#arter s Aty=three ro$ots a!! o1er the "!a%eFC 9r. Ca!1 n ra sed her ar0s he!"!ess!y. B, %an do noth ng then. Nestor '* w !! e ther 0 tate what the other ro$ots wo#!d do, or e!se arg#e the0 "!a#s $!y nto not do ng what he h 0se!f %annot do. And n any %ase, th s s $ad $#s ness. We;re n a%t#a! %o0$at w th th s ! tt!e !ost ro$ot of o#rs and he;s w nn ng o#t. E1ery 1 %tory of h s aggra1ates h s a$nor0a! ty.C She rose to her feet n deter0 nat on. BHenera! 8a!!ner, f yo# do not se"arate the ro$ots as , as>, then , %an on!y de0and that a!! s Aty=three $e destroyed 00ed ate!y.C B:o# de0and t, do yo#GC Bogert !oo>ed #" s#dden!y, and w th rea! anger. BWhat g 1es yo# the r ght to de0and any s#%h th ngG Those ro$ots re0a n as they are. ,;0 res"ons $!e to the 0anage0ent, not yo#.C BAnd ,,C added Ma@or=genera! 8a!!ner, Ba0 res"ons $!e to the Wor!d Co=ord nator E and , 0#st ha1e th s sett!ed.C B,n that %ase,C f!ashed $a%> Ca!1 n, Bthere s noth ng for 0e to do $#t res gn. ,f ne%essary to for%e yo# to the ne%essary destr#%t on, ,;!! 0a>e th s who!e 0atter "#$! %. ,t was not , that a""ro1ed the 0an#fa%t#re of 0od f ed ro$ots.C BOne word fro0 yo#, 9r. Ca!1 n,C sa d the genera!, de! $erate!y, B n 1 o!at on of se%#r ty 0eas#res, and yo# wo#!d $e %erta n!y 0"r soned nstant!y.C Bogert fe!t the 0atter to $e gett ng o#t of hand. H s 1o %e grew syr#"y, BWe!!, now, we;re $eg nn ng to a%t ! >e %h !dren, a!! of #s. We need on!y a ! tt!e 0ore t 0e. S#re!y we %an o#tw t a ro$ot w tho#t res gn ng, or 0"r son ng "eo"!e, or destroy ng two 0 !! ons.C The "sy%ho!og st t#rned on h 0 w th ?# et f#ry, B, don;t want any #n$a!an%ed ro$ots n eA sten%e. We ha1e one Nestor that;s def n te!y #n$a!an%ed, e!e1en 0ore that are "otent a!!y so, and s Aty=two nor0a! ro$ots that are $e ng s#$@e%ted to an #n$a!an%ed en1 ron0ent. The on!y a$so!#te safe 0ethod s %o0"!ete destr#%t on.C The s gna!=$#rr $ro#ght a!! three to a ha!t, and the angry t#0#!t of grow ng!y #nrestra ned e0ot on froDe. BCo0e n,C grow!ed 8a!!ner. ,t was Hera!d B!a%>, !oo> ng "ert#r$ed. He had heard angry 1o %es. He sa d, B, tho#ght ,;d %o0e 0yse!f... d dn;t ! >e to as> anyone e!seFC BWhat s tG 9on;t orateFC BThe !o%>s of Co0"art0ent C n the trad ng sh " ha1e $een "!ayed w th. There are fresh s%rat%hes on the0.C

(*

BCo0"art0ent CGC eA"!a ned Ca!1 n ?# %>!y. BThat;s the one that ho!ds the ro$ots, sn;t tG Who d d tGC B+ro0 the ns de,C sa d B!a%>, !a%on %a!!y. BThe !o%> sn;t o#t of order, s tGC BNo. ,t;s a!! r ght. ,;1e $een stay ng on the sh " now for fo#r days and none of the0 ha1e tr ed to get o#t. B#t , tho#ght yo# o#ght to >now, and , d dn;t ! >e to s"read the news. , not %ed the 0atter 0yse!f.C B,s anyone there nowGC de0anded the genera!. B, !eft Ro$$ ns and M%Ada0s there.C There was a tho#ghtf#! s !en%e, and then 9r. Ca!1 n sa d, ron %a!!y, BWe!!GC 8a!!ner r#$$ed h s nose #n%erta n!y, BWhat;s t a!! a$o#tGC B,sn;t t o$1 o#sG Nester '* s "!ann ng to !ea1e. That order to !ose h 0se!f s do0 nat ng h s a$nor0a! ty "ast anyth ng we %an do. , wo#!dn;t $e s#r"r sed f what;s !eft of h s + rst Law wo#!d s%ar%e!y $e "owerf#! eno#gh to o1err de t. He s "erfe%t!y %a"a$!e of se D ng the sh " and !ea1 ng w th t. Then we;d ha1e a 0ad ro$ot on a s"a%esh ". What wo#!d he do neAtG Any deaG 9o yo# st !! want to !ea1e the0 a!! together, genera!GC BNonsense,C nterr#"ted Bogert. He had rega ned h s s0oothness. BA!! that fro0 a few s%rat%h 0ar>s on a !o%>.C BHa1e yo#, 9r. Bogert, %o0"!eted the ana!ys s ,;1e re?# red, s n%e yo# 1o!#nteer o" n onsGC B:es.C BMay , see tGC BNo.C BWhy notG Or 0ayn;t , as> that, e therGC BBe%a#se there;s no "o nt n t, S#san. , to!d yo# n ad1an%e that these 0od f ed ro$ots are !ess sta$!e than the nor0a! 1ar ety, and 0y ana!ys s shows t. There;s a %erta n 1ery s0a!! %han%e of $rea>down #nder eAtre0e % r%#0stan%es that are not ! >e!y to o%%#r. Let t go at that. , won;t g 1e yo# a00#n t on for yo#r a$s#rd %!a 0 that s Aty=two "erfe%t!y good ro$ots $e destroyed @#st $e%a#se so far yo# !a%> the a$ ! ty to dete%t Nestor '* a0ong the0.C S#san Ca!1 n stared h 0 down and !et d sg#st f !! her eyes. B:o# won;t !et anyth ng stand n the way of the "er0anent d re%torsh ", w !! yo#GC BP!ease,C $egged 8a!!ner, ha!f n rr tat on. B9o yo# ns st that noth ng f#rther %an $e done, 9r. Ca!1 nGC B, %an;t th n> of anyth ng, s r,C she re"! ed, wear !y. B,f there were on!y other d fferen%es $etween Nestor '* and the nor0a! ro$ots, d fferen%es that d dn;t n1o!1e the + rst Law. E1en one other d fferen%e. So0eth ng n 0"ress on0ent, en1 ron0ent, s"e% f %at onFC And she sto""ed s#dden!y. BWhat s tGC B,;1e tho#ght of so0eth ng... , th n>FC Her eyes grew d stant and hard, BThese 0od f ed Nestors, Peter. They get the sa0e 0"ress on ng the nor0a! ones get, don;t theyGC ('

B:es. EAa%t!y the sa0e.C BAnd what was t yo# were say ng, Mr. B!a%>,C she t#rned to the yo#ng 0an, who thro#gh the stor0s that had fo!!owed h s news had 0a nta ned a d s%reet s !en%e. BOn%e when %o0"!a n ng of the Nestors; att t#de of s#"er or ty, yo# sa d the te%hn % ans had ta#ght the0 a!! they >new.C B:es, n ether % "hys %s. They;re not a%?#a nted w th the s#$@e%t when they %o0e here.C BThat;s r ght,C sa d Bogert, n s#r"r se. B, to!d yo#, S#san, when , s"o>e to the other Nestors here that the two new arr 1a!s hadn;t !earned ether % "hys %s yet.C BAnd why s thatGC 9r. Ca!1 n was s"ea> ng n 0o#nt ng eA% te0ent. BWhy aren;t NS=3 0ode!s 0"ress oned w th ether % "hys %s to start w thGC B, %an te!! yo# that,C sa d 8a!!ner. B,t;s a!! of a " e%e w th the se%re%y. We tho#ght that f we 0ade a s"e% a! 0ode! w th >now!edge of ether % "hys %s, #sed twe!1e of the0 and "#t the others to wor> n an #nre!ated f e!d, there 0 ght $e s#s" % on. Men wor> ng w th nor0a! Nestors 0 ght wonder why they >new ether % "hys %s. So there was 0ere!y an 0"ress on0ent w th a %a"a% ty for tra n ng n the f e!d. On!y the ones that %o0e here, nat#ra!!y, re%e 1e s#%h a tra n ng. ,t;s that s 0"!e.C B, #nderstand. P!ease get o#t of here, the !ot of yo#. Let 0e ha1e an ho#r or so.C Ca!1 n fe!t she %o#!d not fa%e the ordea! for a th rd t 0e. Her 0 nd had %onte0"!ated t and re@e%ted t w th an ntens ty that !eft her na#seated. She %o#!d fa%e that #nend ng f !e of re"et t o#s ro$ots no 0ore. So Bogert as>ed the ?#est on now, wh !e she sat as de, eyes and 0 nd ha!f %!osed. N#0$er +o#rteen %a0e n E forty=n ne to go. Bogert !oo>ed #" fro0 the g# de sheet and sa d, BWhat s yo#r n#0$er n ! neGC B+o#rteen, s r.C The ro$ot "resented h s n#0$ered t %>et. BS t down, $oy.C Bogert as>ed, B:o# ha1en;t $een here $efore on th s dayGC BNo, s r.C BWe!!, $oy, we are go ng to ha1e another 0an n danger of har0 soon after we;re thro#gh here. ,n fa%t, when yo# !ea1e th s roo0, yo# w !! $e !ed to a sta!! where yo# w !! wa t ?# et!y, t !! yo# are needed. 9o yo# #nderstandGC B:es, s r.C BNow, nat#ra!!y, f a 0an s n danger of har0, yo# w !! try to sa1e h 0.C BNat#ra!!y, s r.C B<nfort#nate!y, $etween the 0an and yo#rse!f, there w !! $e a ga00a ray f e!d.C S !en%e. B9o yo# >now what ga00a rays areGC as>ed Bogert shar"!y. BEnergy rad at on, s rGC The neAt ?#est on %a0e n a fr end!y, offhand 0anner, BE1er wor> w th ga00a raysGC

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BNo, s r.C The answer was def n te. BM0=0. We!!, $oy, ga00a rays w !! > !! yo# nstant!y. They;!! destroy yo#r $ra n. That s a fa%t yo# 0#st >now and re0e0$er. Nat#ra!!y, yo# don;t want to destroy yo#rse!f.C BNat#ra!!y.C Aga n the ro$ot see0ed sho%>ed. Then, s!ow!y, BB#t, s r, f the ga00a rays are $etween 0yse!f and the 0aster that 0ay $e har0ed, how %an , sa1e h 0G , wo#!d $e destroy ng 0yse!f to no "#r"ose.C B:es, there s that,C Bogert see0ed %on%erned a$o#t the 0atter. BThe on!y th ng , %an ad1 se, $oy, s that f yo# dete%t the ga00a rad at on $etween yo#rse!f and the 0an, yo# 0ay as we!! s t where yo# are.C The ro$ot was o"en!y re! e1ed. BThan> yo#, s r. There wo#!dn;t $e any #se, wo#!d thereGC BOf %o#rse not. B#t f there weren;t any dangero#s rad at on, that wo#!d $e a d fferent 0atter.C BNat#ra!!y, s r. No ?#est on of that.C B:o# 0ay !ea1e now. The 0an on the other s de of the door w !! !ead yo# to yo#r sta!!. P!ease wa t there.C He t#rned to S#san Ca!1 n when the ro$ot !eft. BHow d d that go, S#sanGC BLery we!!,C she sa d, d#!!y. B9o yo# th n> we %o#!d %at%h Nestor '* $y ?# %> ?#est on ng on ether % "hys %sGC BPerha"s, $#t t;s not s#re eno#gh.C Her hands !ay !oose!y n her !a". BRe0e0$er, he;s f ght ng #s. He;s on h s g#ard. The on!y way we %an %at%h h 0 s to o#ts0art h 0 E and, w th n h s ! 0 tat ons, he %an th n> 0#%h 0ore ?# %>!y than a h#0an $e ng.C BWe!!, @#st for f#n E s#""ose , as> the ro$ots fro0 now on a few ?#est ons on ga00a rays. Wa1e !ength ! 0 ts, for nstan%e.C BNo7C 9r. Ca!1 n;s eyes s"ar>ed to ! fe. B,t wo#!d $e too easy for h 0 to deny >now!edge and then he;d $e warned aga nst the test that;s %o0 ng #" E wh %h s o#r rea! %han%e. P!ease fo!!ow the ?#est ons ,;1e nd %ated, Peter, and don;t 0"ro1 se. ,t;s @#st w th n the $o#nds of r s> to as> the0 f they;1e e1er wor>ed w th ga00a rays. And try to so#nd e1en !ess nterested than yo# do when yo# as> t.C Bogert shr#gged, and "ressed the $#DDer that wo#!d a!!ow the entran%e of N#0$er + fteen. The !arge Rad at on Roo0 was n read ness on%e 0ore. The ro$ots wa ted "at ent!y n the r wooden %e!!s, a!! o"en to the %enter $#t %!osed off fro0 ea%h other. Ma@or=genera! 8a!!ner 0o""ed h s $row s!ow!y w th a !arge hand>er%h ef wh !e 9r. Ca!1 n %he%>ed the !ast deta !s w th B!a%>. B:o#;re s#re now,C she de0anded, Bthat none of the ro$ots ha1e had a %han%e to ta!> w th ea%h other after !ea1 ng the Or entat on Roo0GC BA$so!#te!y s#re,C ns sted B!a%>. BThere;s not $een a word eA%hanged.C BAnd the ro$ots are "#t n the "ro"er sta!!sGC BHere;s the "!an.C

(6

The "sy%ho!og st !oo>ed at t tho#ghtf#!!y, B<0=0=0.C The genera! "eered o1er her sho#!der. BWhat;s the dea of the arrange0ent, 9r. Ca!1 nGC B,;1e as>ed to ha1e those ro$ots that a""eared e1en s! ght!y o#t of tr#e n the "re1 o#s tests %on%entrated on one s de of the % r%!e. ,;0 go ng to $e s tt ng n the %enter 0yse!f th s t 0e, and , wanted to wat%h those "art %#!ar!y.C B:o#;re go ng to $e s tt ng thereF,C eA%!a 0ed Bogert. BWhy notGC she de0anded %o!d!y. BWhat , eA"e%t to see 0ay $e so0eth ng ?# te 0o0entary. , %an;t r s> ha1 ng anyone e!se as 0a n o$ser1er. Peter, yo#;!! $e n the o$ser1 ng $ooth, and , want yo# to >ee" yo#r eye on the o""os te s de of the % r%!e. Henera! 8a!!ner, ,;1e arranged for 0ot on " %t#res to $e ta>en of ea%h ro$ot, n %ase 1 s#a! o$ser1at on sn;t eno#gh. ,f these are re?# red, the ro$ots are to re0a n eAa%t!y where they are #nt ! the " %t#res are de1e!o"ed and st#d ed. None 0#st !ea1e, none 0#st %hange "!a%e. ,s that %!earGC BPerfe%t!y.C BThen !et;s try t th s one !ast t 0e.C S#san Ca!1 n sat n the %ha r, s !ent, eyes rest!ess. A we ght dro""ed, %rashed downward- then "o#nded as de at the !ast 0o0ent #nder the syn%hron Ded th#0" of a s#dden for%e $ea0. And a s ng!e ro$ot @er>ed #"r ght and too> two ste"s. And sto""ed. B#t 9r. Ca!1 n was #"r ght, and her f nger "o nted to h 0 shar"!y. BNestor '*, %o0e here,C she %r ed, B%o0e here7 COME HERE7C S!ow!y, re!#%tant!y, the ro$ot too> another ste" forward. The "sy%ho!og st sho#ted at the to" of her 1o %e, w tho#t ta> ng her eyes fro0 the ro$ot, BHet e1ery other ro$ot o#t of th s "!a%e, so0e$ody. Het the0 o#t ?# %>!y, and >ee" the0 o#t.C So0ewhere w th n rea%h of her ears there was no se, and the th#d of hard feet #"on the f!oor. She d d not !oo> away. Nestor '* E f t was Nestor '* E too> another ste", and then, #nder for%e of her 0"er o#s gest#re, two 0ore. He was on!y ten feet away, when he s"o>e harsh!y, B, ha1e $een to!d to $e !ostF C Another sto". B, 0#st not d so$ey. They ha1e not fo#nd 0e so far E He wo#!d th n> 0e a fa !#re E He to!d 0e E B#t t;s not so E , a0 "owerf#! and nte!! gentFC The words %a0e n s"#rts. Another ste". B, >now a good dea! E He wo#!d th n>... , 0ean ,;1e $een fo#nd E 9 sgra%ef#! E Not , E , a0 nte!! gent E And $y @#st a 0aster... who s wea> E S!owFC Another ste" E and one 0eta! ar0 f!ew o#t s#dden!y to her sho#!der, and she fe!t the we ght $ear ng her down. Her throat %onstr %ted, and she fe!t a shr e> tear thro#gh. 9 0!y, she heard Nestor '*;s neAt words, BNo one 0#st f nd 0e. No 0asterFC and the %o!d 0eta! was aga nst her, and she was s n> ng #nder the we ght of t.

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And then a ?#eer, 0eta!! % so#nd, and she was on the gro#nd w th an #nfe!t th#0", and a g!ea0 ng ar0 was hea1y a%ross her $ody. ,t d d not 0o1e. Nor d d Nestor '*, who s"raw!ed $es de her. And now fa%es were $end ng o1er her. Hera!d B!a%> was gas" ng, BAre yo# h#rt, 9r. Ca!1 nGC She shoo> her head fee$!y. They "r ed the ar0 off her and ! fted her gent!y to her feet, BWhat ha""enedGC B!a%> sa d, B, $athed the "!a%e n ga00a rays for f 1e se%onds. We d dn;t >now what was ha""en ng. ,t wasn;t t !! the !ast se%ond that we rea! Ded he was atta%> ng yo#, and then there was no t 0e for anyth ng $#t a ga00a f e!d. He went down n an nstant. There wasn;t eno#gh to har0 yo# tho#gh. 9on;t worry a$o#t t.C B,;0 not worr ed.C She %!osed her eyes and !eaned for a 0o0ent #"on h s sho#!der. B, don;t th n> , was atta%>ed eAa%t!y. Nestor '* was s 0"!y try ng to do so. What was !eft of the + rst Law was st !! ho!d ng h 0 $a%>.C S#san Ca!1 n and Peter Bogert, two wee>s after the r f rst 0eet ng w th Ma@or=genera! 8a!!ner had the r !ast. Wor> at Hy"er Base had $een res#0ed. The trad ng sh " w th ts s Aty=two nor0a! NS= 3;s was gone to where1er t was $o#nd, w th an off % a!!y 0"osed story to eA"!a n ts two wee>s; de!ay. The go1ern0ent %r# ser was 0a> ng ready to %arry the two ro$ot % sts $a%> to Earth. 8a!!ner was on%e aga n a=g!ea0 n dress #n for0. H s wh te g!o1es shone as he shoo> hands. Ca!1 n sa d, BThe other 0od f ed Nestors are, of %o#rse, to $e destroyed.C BThey w !! $e. We;!! 0a>e sh ft w th nor0a! ro$ots, or, f ne%essary, do w tho#t.C BHood.C BB#t te!! 0e E yo# ha1en;t eA"!a ned E how was t doneGC She s0 !ed t ght!y, BOh, that. , wo#!d ha1e to!d yo# n ad1an%e f , had $een 0ore %erta n of ts wor> ng. :o# see, Nestor '* had a s#"er or ty %o0"!eA that was $e%o0 ng 0ore rad %a! a!! the t 0e. He ! >ed to th n> that he and other ro$ots >new 0ore than h#0an $e ngs. ,t was $e%o0 ng 1ery 0"ortant for h 0 to th n> so. BWe >new that. So we warned e1ery ro$ot n ad1an%e that ga00a rays wo#!d > !! the0, wh %h t wo#!d, and we f#rther warned the0 a!! that ga00a rays wo#!d $e $etween the0 and 0yse!f. So they a!! stayed where they were, nat#ra!!y. By Nestor '*;s own !og % n the "re1 o#s test they had a!! de% ded that there was no "o nt n try ng to sa1e a h#0an $e ng f they were s#re to d e $efore they %o#!d do t.C BWe!!, yes, 9r. Ca!1 n, , #nderstand that. B#t why d d Nestor '* h 0se!f !ea1e h s seatGC BAH7 That was a ! tt!e arrange0ent $etween 0yse!f and yo#r yo#ng Mr. B!a%>. :o# see t wasn;t ga00a rays that f!ooded the area $etween 0yse!f and the ro$ots E $#t nfrared rays. J#st ord nary heat rays, a$so!#te!y har0!ess. Nestor '* >new they were nfrared and har0!ess and so he $egan to dash o#t, as he eA"e%ted the rest wo#!d do, #nder + rst Law %o0"#!s on. ,t was on!y a fra%t on of a se%ond too !ate that he re0e0$ered that the nor0a! NS=3;s %o#!d dete%t rad at on, $#t %o#!d not dent fy the ty"e. That he h 0se!f %o#!d on!y dent fy wa1e!engths $y 1 rt#e of the tra n ng he had re%e 1ed at Hy"er Base, #nder 0ere h#0an $e ngs, was a ! tt!e too h#0 ! at ng to re0e0$er for @#st

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a 0o0ent. To the nor0a! ro$ots the area was fata! $e%a#se we had to!d the0 t wo#!d $e, and on!y Nestor '* >new we were !y ng. BAnd @#st for a 0o0ent he forgot, or d dn;t want to re0e0$er, that other ro$ots 0 ght $e 0ore gnorant than h#0an $e ngs. H s 1ery s#"er or ty %a#ght h 0. Hood=$y, genera!.C

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Escape!
WHEN S<SAN CALL,N RET<RNE9 +ROM H:PER BASE, A!fred Tann ng was wa t ng for her. The o!d 0an ne1er s"o>e a$o#t h s age, $#t e1eryone >new t to $e o1er se1enty=f 1e. :et h s 0 nd was >een, and f he had f na!!y a!!owed h 0se!f to $e 0ade 9 re%tor=E0er t#s of Resear%h w th Bogert as a%t ng 9 re%tor, t d d not "re1ent h 0 fro0 a""ear ng n h s off %e da !y. BHow %!ose are they to the Hy"erato0 % 9r 1eGC he as>ed. B, don;t >now,C she re"! ed rr ta$!y, B, d dn;t as>.C BH00. , w sh they;d h#rry. Be%a#se f they don;t, Conso! dated 0 ght $eat the0 to t, and $eat #s to t as we!!.C BConso! dated. What ha1e they got to do w th tGC BWe!!, we;re not the on!y ones w th %a!%#!at ng 0a%h nes. O#rs 0ay $e "os tron %, $#t that doesn;t 0ean they;re $etter. Ro$ertson s %a!! ng a $ g 0eet ng a$o#t t to0orrow. He;s $een wa t ng for yo# to %o0e $a%>.C Ro$ertson of <. S. Ro$ot M Me%han %a! Men Cor"orat on, son of the fo#nder, "o nted h s !ean nose at h s genera! 0anager and h s Ada0;s a""!e @#0"ed as he sa d, B:o# start now. Let;s get th s stra ght.C The genera! 0anager d d so w th a!a%r ty, BHere;s the dea! now, %h ef. Conso! dated Ro$ots a""roa%hed #s a 0onth ago w th a f#nny sort of "ro"os t on. They $ro#ght a$o#t f 1e tons of f g#res, e?#at ons, a!! that sort of st#ff. ,t was a "ro$!e0, see, and they wanted an answer fro0 The Bra n. The ter0s were as fo!!owsFC He t %>ed the0 off on th %> f ngers2 BA h#ndred tho#sand for #s f there s no so!#t on and we %an te!! the0 the 0 ss ng fa%tors. Two h#ndred tho#sand f there s a so!#t on, "!#s %osts of %onstr#%t on of the 0a%h ne n1o!1ed, "!#s ?#arter nterest n a!! "rof ts der 1ed therefro0. The "ro$!e0 %on%erns the de1e!o"0ent of an nterste!!ar eng neFC Ro$ertson frowned and h s !ean f g#re st ffened, B9es" te the fa%t that they ha1e a th n> ng 0a%h ne of the r own. R ghtGC BEAa%t!y what 0a>es the who!e "ro"os t on a fo#! $a!!, %h efG Le11er, ta>e t fro0 there.C A$e Le11er !oo>ed #" fro0 the far end of the %onferen%e ta$!e and s0oothed h s st#$$!ed %h n w th a fa nt ras" ng so#nd. He s0 !ed2 B,t;s th s way, s r. Conso! dated had a th n> ng 0a%h ne. ,t;s $ro>en.C BWhatGC Ro$ertson ha!f rose. BThat;s r ght. Bro>en7 ,t;s >a"#t. No$ody >nows why, $#t , got ho!d of so0e "retty nterest ng g#esses E ! >e, for nstan%e, that they as>ed t to g 1e the0 an nterste!!ar eng ne w th the sa0e set of nfor0at on they %a0e to #s w th, and that t %ra%>ed the r 0a%h ne w de o"en. ,t;s s%ra" E @#st s%ra" now.C B:o# get t, %h efGC The genera! 0anager was w !d!y @#$ !ant. B:o# get tG There sn;t any nd#str a! resear%h gro#" of any s De that sn;t try ng to de1e!o" a s"a%e=war" eng ne, and Conso! dated and <. S. Ro$ots ha1e the !ead on the f e!d w th o#r s#"er ro$ot=$ra ns. Now that they;1e 0anaged to fo#! the rs #", we ha1e a %!ear f e!d. That;s the n#$, the... #h... 0ot 1at on. ,t (4

w !! ta>e the0 s A years at !east to $# !d another and they;re s#n>, #n!ess they %an $rea> o#rs, too, w th the sa0e "ro$!e0.C The "res dent of <. S. Ro$ots $#!ged h s eyes, BWhy, the d rty ratsFC BHo!d on, %h ef. There;s 0ore to th s.C He "o nted a f nger w th a w de swee", BLann ng, ta>e t7C 9r. A!fred Lann ng 1 ewed the "ro%eed ngs w th fa nt s%orn E h s #s#a! rea%t on to the do ngs of the 1ast!y $etter="a d $#s ness and sa!es d 1 s ons. H s #n$e! e1a$!e gray eye$rows h#n%hed !ow and h s 1o %e was dry2 B+ro0 a s% ent f % stand"o nt the s t#at on, wh !e not ent re!y %!ear, s s#$@e%t to nte!! gent ana!ys s. The ?#est on of nterste!!ar tra1e! #nder "resent %ond t ons of "hys %a! theory s... #h... 1ag#e. The 0atter s w de o"en E and the nfor0at on g 1en $y Conso! dated to ts th n> ng 0a%h ne, ass#0 ng these we ha1e to $e the sa0e, was s 0 !ar!y w de o"en. O#r 0athe0at %a! de"art0ent has g 1en t a thoro#gh ana!ys s, and t see0s Conso! dated has n%!#ded e1eryth ng. ,ts 0ater a! for s#$0 ss on %onta ns a!! >nown de1e!o"0ents of +ran% a%% ;s s"a%e=war" theory, and, a""arent!y, a!! "ert nent astro"hys %a! and e!e%tron % data. ,t;s ?# te a 0o#thf#!.C Ro$ertson fo!!owed anA o#s!y. He nterr#"ted, BToo 0#%h for The Bra n to hand!eGC Lann ng shoo> h s head de% s 1e!y, BNo. There are no >nown ! 0 ts to The Bra n;s %a"a% ty. ,t;s a d fferent 0atter. ,t;s a ?#est on of the Ro$ot % Laws. The Bra n, for nstan%e, %o#!d ne1er s#""!y a so!#t on to a "ro$!e0 set to t f that so!#t on, wo#!d n1o!1e the death or n@#ry of h#0ans. As far as t wo#!d $e %on%erned, a "ro$!e0 w th on!y s#%h a so!#t on wo#!d $e nso!#$!e. ,f s#%h a "ro$!e0 s %o0$ ned w th an eAtre0e!y #rgent de0and that t $e answered, t s @#st "oss $!e that The Bra n, on!y a ro$ot after a!!, wo#!d $e "resented w th a d !e00a, where t %o#!d ne ther answer nor ref#se to answer. So0eth ng of the sort 0#st ha1e ha""ened to Conso! dated;s 0a%h ne.C He "a#sed, $#t the genera! 0anager #rged on, BHo ahead, 9r. Tann ng. EA"!a n t the way yo# eA"!a ned t to 0e.C Lann ng set h s ! "s and ra sed h s eye$rows n the d re%t on of 9r. S#san Ca!1 n who ! fted her eyes fro0 her "re% se!y fo!ded hands for the f rst t 0e. Her 1o %e was !ow and %o!or!ess. BThe nat#re of a ro$ot rea%t on to a d !e00a s start! ng,C she $egan. BRo$ot "sy%ho!ogy s far fro0 "erfe%t E as a s"e% a! st, , %an ass#re yo# of that $#t t %an $e d s%#ssed n ?#a! tat 1e ter0s, $e%a#se w th a!! the %o0"! %at ons ntrod#%ed nto a ro$ot;s "os tron % $ra n, t s $# !t $y h#0ans and s therefore $# !t a%%ord ng to h#0an 1a!#es. BNow a h#0an %a#ght n an 0"oss $ ! ty often res"onds $y a retreat fro0 rea! ty2 $y entry nto a wor!d of de!#s on, or $y ta> ng to dr n>, go ng off nto hyster a, or @#0" ng off a $r dge. ,t a!! %o0es to the sa0e th ng E a ref#sa! or na$ ! ty to fa%e the s t#at on s?#are!y. And so, the ro$ot, a d !e00a at ts 0 !dest w !! d sorder ha!f ts re!ays- and at ts worst t w !! $#rn o#t e1ery "os tron % $ra n "ath "ast re"a r.C B, see,C sa d Ro$ertson, who d dn;t. BNow what a$o#t th s nfor0at on Conso! dated;s w sh ng on #sGC B,t #ndo#$ted!y n1o!1es,C sa d 9r. Ca!1 n, Ba "ro$!e0 of a for$ dden sort. B#t The Bra n s %ons dera$!y d fferent fro0 Conso! dated;s ro$ot.C BThat;s r ght, %h ef. That;s r ght.C The genera! 0anager was energet %a!!y nterr#"t 1e. B, want yo# to get th s, $e%a#se t;s the who!e "o nt of the s t#at on.C (/

S#san Ca!1 n;s eyes g! ttered $eh nd the s"e%ta%!es, and she %ont n#ed "at ent!y, B:o# see, s r, Conso! dated;s 0a%h nes, the r S#"er=Th n>er a0ong the0, are $# !t w tho#t "ersona! ty. They go n for f#n%t ona! s0, yo# >now E they ha1e to, w tho#t <. S. Ro$ot;s $as % "atents for the e0ot ona! $ra n "aths. The r Th n>er s 0ere!y a %a!%#!at ng 0a%h ne on a grand s%a!e, and a d !e00a r# ns t nstant!y. BHowe1er, The Bra n, o#r own 0a%h ne, has a "ersona! ty E a %h !d;s "ersona! ty. ,t s a s#"re0e!y ded#%t 1e $ra n, $#t t rese0$!es an d ot sa1ant. ,t doesn;t rea!!y #nderstand what t does E t @#st does t. And $e%a#se t s rea!!y a %h !d, t s 0ore res ! ent. L fe sn;t so ser o#s, yo# 0 ght say.C The ro$o"sy%ho!og st %ont n#ed2 BHere s what we;re go ng to do. We ha1e d 1 ded a!! of Conso! dated;s nfor0at on nto !og %a! #n ts. We are go ng to feed the #n ts to The Bra n s ng!y and %a#t o#s!y. When the fa%tor enters E the one that %reates the d !e00a E The Bra n;s %h !d "ersona! ty w !! hes tate. ,ts sense of @#dg0ent s not 0at#re. There w !! $e a "er%e"t $!e nter1a! $efore t w !! re%ogn De a d !e00a as s#%h. And n that nter1a!, t w !! re@e%t the #n t a#to0at %a!!y E $efore ts $ra n"aths %an $e set n 0ot on and r# ned.C Ro$ertson;s Ada0;s a""!e s?# r0ed, BAre yo# s#re, nowGC 9r. Ca!1 n 0as>ed 0"at en%e, B,t doesn;t 0a>e 0#%h sense, , ad0 t, n !ay !ang#age- $#t there s no %on%e 1a$!e #se n "resent ng the 0athe0at %s of th s. , ass#re yo#, t s as , say.C The genera! 0anager was n the $rea%h nstant!y and f!#ent!y, BSo here;s the s t#at on, %h ef. ,f we ta>e the dea!, we %an "#t t thro#gh ! >e th s. The Bra n w !! te!! #s wh %h #n t of nfor0at on n1o!1es the d !e00a. +ro0 there, we %an f g#re why the d !e00a. ,sn;t that r ght, 9r. BogertG There yo# are, %h ef, and 9r. Bogert s the $est 0athe0at % an yo#;!! f nd anywhere. We g 1e Conso! dated a INo So!#t on; answer, w th the reason, and %o!!e%t a h#ndred tho#sand. They;re !eft w th a $ro>en 0a%h ne- we;re !eft w th a who!e one. ,n a year, two 0ay$e, we;!! ha1e a s"a%e=war" eng ne or a hy"er=ato0 % 0otor so0e "eo"!e %a!! t. Whate1er yo# na0e t, t w !! $e the $ ggest th ng n the wor!d.C Ro$ertson %h#%>!ed and rea%hed o#t, BLet;s see the %ontra%t. ,;!! s gn t.C When S#san Ca!1 n entered the fantast %a!!y g#arded 1a#!t that he!d The Bra n, one of the %#rrent sh ft of te%hn % ans had @#st as>ed t2 B,f one and a ha!f %h %>ens !ay one and a ha!f eggs n one and a ha!f days, how 0any eggs w !! n ne %h %>ens !ay n n ne daysGC The Bra n had @#st answered, B+ fty=fo#r.C And the te%hn % an had @#st sa d to another, BSee, yo# do"e7C 9r. Ca!1 n %o#ghed and there was a s#dden 0"oss $!e f!#rry of d re%t on!ess energy. The "sy%ho!og st 0ot oned $r ef!y, and she was a!one w th The Bra n. The Bra n was a two=foot g!o$e 0ere!y E one wh %h %onta ned w th n t a thoro#gh!y %ond t oned he! #0 at0os"here, a 1o!#0e of s"a%e %o0"!ete!y 1 $rat on=a$sent and rad at on=free E and w th n that was that #nheard=of %o0"!eA ty of "os tron % $ra n="aths that was The Bra n. The rest of the roo0 was %rowded w th the atta%h0ents that were the nter0ed ar es $etween The Bra n and the o#ts de wor!d E ts 1o %e, ts ar0s, ts sense organs. 9r. Ca!1 n sa d soft!y, BHow are yo#, Bra nGC

((

The Bra n;s 1o %e was h gh=" t%hed and enth#s ast %, BSwe!!, M ss S#san. :o#;re go ng to as> 0e so0eth ng. , %an te!!. :o# a!ways ha1e a $oo> n yo#r hand when yo#;re go ng to as> 0e so0eth ng.C 9r. Ca!1 n s0 !ed 0 !d!y, BWe!!, yo#;re r ght, $#t not @#st yet. Th s s go ng to $e a ?#est on. ,t w !! $e so %o0"! %ated we;re go ng to g 1e t to yo# n wr t ng. B#t not @#st yet- , th n> ,;!! ta!> to yo# f rst.C BA!! r ght. , don;t 0 nd ta!> ng.C BNow, Bra n, n a ! tt!e wh !e, 9r. Lann ng and 9r. Bogert w !! $e here w th th s %o0"! %ated ?#est on. We;!! g 1e t to yo# a 1ery ! tt!e at a t 0e and 1ery s!ow!y, $e%a#se we want yo# to $e %aref#!. We;re go ng to as> yo# to $# !d so0eth ng, f yo# %an, o#t of the nfor0at on, $#t ,;0 go ng to warn yo# now that the so!#t on 0 ght n1o!1e... #h... da0age to h#0an $e ngs.C BHosh7C The eA%!a0at on was h#shed, drawn=o#t. BNow yo# wat%h for that. When we %o0e to a sheet wh %h 0eans da0age, e1en 0ay$e death, don;t get eA% ted. :o# see, Bra n, n th s %ase, we don;t 0 nd E not e1en a$o#t death- we don;t 0 nd at a!!. So when yo# %o0e to that sheet, @#st sto", g 1e t $a%> E and that;!! $e a!!. :o# #nderstandGC BOh, s#re. By go!!y, the death of h#0ans7 Oh, 0y7C BNow, Bra n, , hear 9r. Lann ng and 9r. Bogert %o0 ng. They;!! te!! yo# what the "ro$!e0 s a!! a$o#t and then we;!! start. Be a good $oy, nowFC S!ow!y the sheets were fed n. After ea%h one %a0e the nter1a! of the ?#eer!y wh s"ery %h#%>! ng no se that was The Bra n n a%t on. Then the s !en%e that 0eant read ness for another sheet. ,t was a 0atter of ho#rs E d#r ng wh %h the e?# 1a!ent of so0eth ng ! >e se1enteen fat 1o!#0es of 0athe0at %a! "hys %s were fed nto The Bra n. As the "ro%ess went on, frowns a""eared and dee"ened. Lann ng 0#ttered fero% o#s!y #nder h s $reath. Bogert f rst gaDed s"e%#!at 1e!y at h s f ngerna !s, and then $ t at the0 n a$stra%ted fash on. ,t was when the !ast of the th %> " !e of sheets d sa""eared that Ca!1 n, wh te=fa%ed, sa d2 BSo0eth ng;s wrong.C Lann ng $are!y got the words o#t, B,t %an;t $e. ,s t E deadGC BBra nGC S#san Ca!1 n was tre0$! ng. B9o yo# hear 0e, Bra nGC BH#hGC %a0e the a$stra%ted re@o nder. B9o yo# want 0eGC BThe so!#t onFC BOh, that7 , %an do t. ,;!! $# !d yo# a who!e sh ", @#st as easy E f yo# !et 0e ha1e the ro$ots. A n %e sh ", t;!! ta>e two 0onths 0ay$e.C BThere was E no d ff %#!tyGC B,t too> !ong to f g#re,C sa d The Bra n. 9r. Ca!1 n $a%>ed away. The %o!or had not ret#rned to her th n %hee>s. She 0ot oned the others away. ,n her off %e, she sa d, B, %an;t #nderstand t. The nfor0at on, as g 1en, 0#st n1o!1e a d !e00a E "ro$a$!y n1o!1es death. ,f so0eth ng has gone wrongFC

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Bogert sa d ?# et!y, BThe 0a%h ne ta!>s and 0a>es sense. ,t %an;t $e a d !e00a.C B#t the "sy%ho!og st re"! ed #rgent!y, BThere are d !e00as and d !e00as. There are d fferent for0s of es%a"e. S#""ose The Bra n s on!y 0 !d!y %a#ght- @#st $ad!y eno#gh, say, to $e s#ffer ng fro0 the de!#s on that he %an so!1e the "ro$!e0, when he %an;t. Or s#""ose t;s teeter ng on the $r n> of so0eth ng rea!!y $ad, so that any s0a!! "#sh sho1es t o1er.C BS#""ose,C sa d Lann ng, Bthere s no d !e00a. S#""ose Conso! dated;s 0a%h ne $ro>e down o1er a d fferent ?#est on, or $ro>e down for "#re!y 0e%han %a! reasons.C BB#t e1en so,C ns sted Ca!1 n, Bwe %o#!dn;t ta>e %han%es. L sten, fro0 now on, no one s to as 0#%h as $reathe to The Bra n. ,;0 ta> ng o1er.C BA!! r ght,C s ghed Lann ng, Bta>e o1er, then. And 0eanwh !e we;!! !et The Bra n $# !d ts sh ". And f t does $# !d t, we;!! ha1e to test t.C He was r#0 nat ng, BWe;!! need o#r to" f e!d 0en for that.C M %hae! 9ono1an $r#shed down h s red ha r w th a 1 o!ent 0ot on of h s hand and a tota! nd fferen%e to the fa%t that the #nr#!y 0ass s"rang to attent on aga n 00ed ate!y. He sa d, BCa!! the t#rn now, Hreg. They say the sh " s f n shed. They don;t >now what t s, $#t t;s f n shed. Let;s go, Hreg. Let;s gra$ the %ontro!s r ght now.C Powe!! sa d wear !y, BC#t t, M >e. There;s a "e%#! ar o1err "e f!a1or to yo#r h#0or at ts freshest, and the %onf ned at0os"here here sn;t he!" ng t.C BWe!!, ! sten,C 9ono1an too> another neffe%t#a! sw "e at h s ha r, B,;0 not worr ed so 0#%h a$o#t o#r %ast= ron gen #s and h s t n sh ". There;s the 0atter of 0y !ost !ea1e. And the 0onotony7 There;s noth ng here $#t wh s>ers and f g#res E the wrong > nd of f g#res. Oh, why do they g 1e #s these @o$sGC BBe%a#se,C re"! ed Powe!!, gent!y, Bwe;re no !oss, f they !ose #s. O.8., re!aA7 E 9o% Lann ng;s %o0 ng th s way.C Lann ng was %o0 ng, h s gray eye$rows as !a1 sh as e1er, h s aged f g#re #n$ent as yet and f#!! of ! fe. He wa!>ed s !ent!y #" the ra0" w th the two 0en and o#t nto the o"en f e!d, where, o$ey ng no h#0an 0aster, s !ent ro$ots were $# !d ng a sh ". Wrong tense. Had $# !t a sh "7 +or Lann ng sa d, BThe ro$ots ha1e sto""ed. Not one has 0o1ed today.C B,t;s %o0"!eted thenG 9ef n te!yGC as>ed Powe!!. BNow how %an , te!!GC Lann ng was "ee1 sh, and h s eye$rows %#r!ed down n an eye=h d ng frown. B,t see0s done. There are no s"are " e%es a$o#t, and the nter or s down to a g!ea0 ng f n sh.C B:o#;1e $een ns deGC BJ#st n, then o#t. ,;0 no s"a%e=" !ot. E ther of yo# two >now 0#%h a$o#t eng ne theoryGC 9ono1an !oo>ed at Powe!!, who !oo>ed at 9ono1an. 9ono1an sa d, B,;1e got 0y ! %ense, s r, $#t at !ast read ng t d dn;t say anyth ng a$o#t hy"er= eng nes or war"=na1 gat on. J#st the #s#a! %h !d;s "!ay n three d 0ens ons.C A!fred Lann ng !oo>ed #" w th shar" d sa""ro1a! and snorted the !ength of h s "ro0 nent nose. '*'

He sa d fr g d!y, BWe!!, we ha1e o#r eng ne 0en.C Powe!! %a#ght at h s e!$ow as he wa!>ed away, BS r, s the sh " st !! restr %ted gro#ndGC The o!d d re%tor hes tated, then r#$$ed the $r dge of h s nose, B, s#""ose not. +or yo# two anyway.C 9ono1an !oo>ed after h 0 as he !eft and 0#ttered a short, eA"ress 1e "hrase at h s $a%>. He t#rned to Powe!!, B,;d ! >e to g 1e h 0 a ! terary des%r "t on of h 0se!f, Hreg.C BS#""ose yo# %o0e a!ong, M >e.C The ns de of the sh " was f n shed, as f n shed as a sh " e1er was- that %o#!d $e to!d n a s ng!e eye=$! n> ng g!an%e. No 0art net n the syste0 %o#!d ha1e "#t as 0#%h s" t=and="o! sh nto a s#rfa%e as those ro$ots had. The wa!!s were of a g!ea0 ng s !1ery f n sh that reta ned no f nger"r nts. There were no ang!es- wa!!s, f!oors, and %e ! ng faded gent!y nto ea%h other and n the %o!d, 0eta!! % g! tter ng of the h dden ! ghts, one was s#rro#nded $y s A %h !!y ref!e%t ons of one;s $ew !dered se!f. The 0a n %orr dor was a narrow t#nne! that !ed n a hard, %!atter=footed stret%h a!ong a ! ne of roo0s of no nterd st ng# sh ng feat#res. Powe!! sa d, B, s#""ose f#rn t#re s $# !t nto the wa!!. Or 0ay$e we;re not s#""osed to s t or s!ee".C ,t was n the !ast roo0, the one nearest the nose, that the 0onotony $ro>e. A %#r1 ng w ndow of non=ref!e%t ng g!ass was the f rst $rea> n the #n 1ersa! 0eta!, and $e!ow t was a s ng!e !arge d a!, w th a s ng!e 0ot on!ess need!e hard aga nst the Dero 0ar>. 9ono1an sa d, BLoo> at that7C and "o nted to the s ng!e word on the f ne!y=0ar>ed s%a!e. ,t sa d, BParse%sC and the t ny f g#re at the r ght end of the %#r1 ng, grad#ated 0eter sa d B',***,***.C There were two %ha rs- hea1y, w de=f!ar ng, #n%#sh oned. Powe!! seated h 0se!f g nger!y, and fo#nd t 0o!ded to the $ody;s %#r1es, and %o0forta$!e. Powe!! sa d, BWhat do yo# th n> of tGC B+or 0y 0oney, The Bra n has $ra n=fe1er. Let;s get o#t.C BS#re yo# don;t want to !oo> t o1er a $ tGC B, ha1e !oo>ed t o1er. , %a0e, , saw, ,;0 thro#gh7C 9ono1an;s red ha r $r st!ed nto se"arate w res, BHreg, !et;s get o#t of here. , ?# t 0y @o$ f 1e se%onds ago, and th s s a restr %ted area for non= "ersonne!.C Powe!! s0 !ed n an o !y se!f=sat sf ed 0anner and s0oothed h s 0#sta%he, BO.8., M >e, t#rn off that adrena! n ta" yo#;1e got dra n ng nto yo#r $!oodstrea0. , was worr ed, too, $#t no 0ore.C BNo 0ore, h#hG How %o0e, no 0oreG ,n%reased yo#r ns#ran%eGC BM >e, th s sh " %an;t f!y.C BHow do yo# >nowGC

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BWe!!, we;1e $een thro#gh the ent re sh ", ha1en;t weGC BSee0s so.C BTa>e 0y word for t, we ha1e. 9 d yo# see any " !ot roo0 eA%e"t for th s one "ort and the one ga#ge here n "arse%sG 9 d yo# see any %ontro!sGC BNo.C BAnd d d yo# see any eng nesGC BHo!y Joe, no7C BWe!!, then7 Let;s $rea> the news to Lann ng, M >e.C They %#rsed the r way thro#gh the feat#re!ess %orr dors and f na!!y h t=and=0 ssed the r way nto the short "assage to the a r !o%>. 9ono1an st ffened, B9 d yo# !o%> th s th ng, HregGC BNo, , ne1er to#%hed t. :an> the !e1er, w !! yo#GC The !e1er ne1er $#dged, tho#gh 9ono1an;s fa%e tw sted a""a!! ng!y w th eAert on. Powe!! sa d, B, d dn;t see any e0ergen%y eA ts. ,f so0eth ng;s gone wrong here, they;!! ha1e to 0e!t #s o#t.C B:es, and we;1e got to wa t #nt ! they f nd o#t that so0e foo! has !o%>ed #s n here,C added 9ono1an, frant %a!!y. BLet;s get $a%> to the roo0 w th the "ort. ,t;s the on!y "!a%e fro0 wh %h we 0 ght attra%t attent on.C B#t they d dn;t. ,n that !ast roo0, the "ort was no !onger $!#e and f#!! of s>y. ,t was $!a%>, and hard ye!!ow " n= "o nt stars s"e!!ed s"a%e. There was a d#!!, do#$!e th#d, as two $od es %o!!a"sed se"arate!y nto two %ha rs. A!fred Lann ng 0et 9r. Ca!1 n @#st o#ts de h s off %e. He ! t a ner1o#s % gar and 0ot oned her n. He sa d, BWe!!, S#san, we;1e %o0e "retty far, and Ro$ertson;s gett ng @#0"y. What are yo# do ng w th The Bra nGC S#san Ca!1 n s"read her hands, B,t;s no #se gett ng 0"at ent. The Bra n s worth 0ore than anyth ng we forfe t on th s dea!.C BB#t yo#;1e $een ?#est on ng t for two 0onths.C The "sy%ho!og st;s 1o %e was f!at, $#t so0ehow dangero#s, B:o# wo#!d rather r#n th s yo#rse!fGC BNow yo# >now what , 0eant.C BOh, , s#""ose , do,C 9r. Ca!1 n r#$$ed her hands ner1o#s!y. B,t sn;t easy. ,;1e $een "a0"er ng t and "ro$ ng t gent!y, and , ha1en;t gotten anywhere yet. ,ts; rea%t ons aren;t nor0a!. ,ts answers E they;re ?#eer, so0ehow. B#t noth ng , %an "#t 0y f nger on yet. And yo# see, #nt ! we >now what;s wrong, we 0#st @#st t "toe o#r way thro#gh. , %an ne1er te!! what s 0"!e ?#est on or re0ar>

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w !! @#st... "#sh h 0 o1er... and then E We!!, and then we;!! ha1e on o#r hands a %o0"!ete!y #se!ess Bra n. 9o yo# want to fa%e thatGC BWe!!, t %an;t $rea> the + rst Law.C B, wo#!d ha1e tho#ght so, $#tFC B:o#;re not e1en s#re of thatGC Lann ng was "rofo#nd!y sho%>ed. BOh, , %an;t $e s#re of anyth ng, A!fredFC The a!ar0 syste0 ra sed ts fearf#! %!angor w th a horr fy ng s#ddenness. Lann ng %! %>ed on %o00#n %at ons w th an a!0ost "ara!yt % s"as0. The $reath!ess words froDe h 0. He sa d, BS#san... yo# heard that... the sh ";s gone. , sent those two f e!d 0en ns de ha!f an ho#r ago. :o#;!! ha1e to see The Bra n aga n.C S#san Ca!1 n sa d w th enfor%ed %a!0, BBra n, what ha""ened to the sh "GC The Bra n sa d ha"" !y, BThe sh " , $# !t, M ss S#sanGC BThat;s r ght. What has ha""ened to tGC BWhy, noth ng at a!!. The two 0en that were s#""osed to test t were ns de, and we were a!! set. So , sent t off.C BOh E We!!, that;s n %e.C The "sy%ho!og st fe!t so0e d ff %#!ty n $reath ng. B9o yo# th n> they;!! $e a!! r ghtGC BR ght as anyth ng, M ss S#san. ,;1e ta>en %are of t a!!. ,t;s a $ee=yoot f#! sh ".C B:es, Bra n, t s $ea#t f#!, $#t yo# th n> they ha1e eno#gh food, don;t yo#G They;!! $e %o0forta$!eGC BP!enty of food.C BTh s $#s ness 0 ght $e a sho%> to the0, Bra n. <neA"e%ted, yo# >now.C The Bra n tossed t off, BThey;!! $e a!! r ght. ,t o#ght to $e nterest ng for the0.C B,nterest ngG HowGC BJ#st nterest ng,C sa d The Bra n, s!y!y. BS#san,C wh s"ered Lann ng n a f#0 ng wh s"er, Bas> h 0 f death %o0es nto t. As> h 0 what the dangers are.C S#san Ca!1 n;s eA"ress on %ontorted w th f#ry, B8ee" ?# et7C ,n a sha>en 1o %e, she sa d to The Bra n, BWe %an %o00#n %ate w th the sh ", %an;t we Bra nGC BOh, they %an hear yo# f yo# %a!! $y rad o. ,;1e ta>en %are of that.C BThan>s. That;s a!! for now.C On%e o#ts de, Lann ng !ashed o#t rag ng!y, BHreat Ha!aAy, S#san, f th s gets o#t, t w !! r# n a!! of #s. We;1e got to get those 0en $a%>. Why d dn;t yo# as> t f there was danger of death E stra ght o#tGC BBe%a#se,C sa d Ca!1 n, w th a weary fr#strat on, Bthat;s @#st what , %an;t 0ent on. ,f t;s got a %ase of d !e00a, t;s a$o#t death. Anyth ng that wo#!d $r ng t #" $ad!y 0 ght >no%> t %o0"!ete!y o#t. '*)

W !! we $e $etter off thenG Now, !oo>, t sa d we %o#!d %o00#n %ate w th the0. Let;s do so, get the r !o%at on, and $r ng the0 $a%>. They "ro$a$!y %an;t #se the %ontro!s the0se!1es- The Bra n s "ro$a$!y hand! ng the0 re0ote!y. Co0e7C ,t was ?# te a wh !e $efore Powe!! shoo> h 0se!f together. BM >e,C he sa d, o#t of %o!d ! "s, Bd d yo# fee! an a%%e!erat onGC 9ono1an;s eyes were $!an>, BH#hG No... no.C And then the redhead;s f sts %!en%hed and he was o#t of h s seat w th s#dden frenD ed energy and #" aga nst the %o!d, w de=%#r1 ng g!ass. There was noth ng to see E $#t stars. He t#rned, BHreg, they 0#st ha1e started the 0a%h ne wh !e we were ns de. Hreg, t;s a "#t=#" @o$they f Aed t #" w th the ro$ot to @erry #s nto $e ng the try=o#t $oys, n %ase we were th n> ng of $a%> ng o#t.C Powe!! sa d, BWhat are yo# ta!> ng a$o#tG What;s the good of send ng #s o#t f we don;t >now how to r#n the 0a%h neG How are we s#""osed to $r ng t $a%>G No, th s sh " !eft $y tse!f, and w tho#t any a""arent a%%e!erat on.C He rose, and wa!>ed the f!oor s!ow!y. The 0eta! wa!!s d nned $a%> the %!angor of h s ste"s. He sa d tone!ess!y, BM >e, th s s the 0ost %onf#s ng s t#at on we;1e e1er $een #" aga nst.C BThat,C sa d 9ono1an, $ tter!y, B s news to 0e. , was @#st $eg nn ng to ha1e a 1ery swe!! t 0e, when yo# to!d 0e.C Powe!! gnored that. BNo a%%e!erat on E wh %h 0eans the sh " wor>s on a "r n% "!e d fferent fro0 any >nown.C B9 fferent fro0 any we >now, anyway.C B9 fferent fro0 any >nown. There are no eng nes w th n rea%h of 0an#a! %ontro!. May$e they;re $# !t nto the wa!!s. May$e that;s why they;re th %> as they are.C BWhat are yo# 0#0$! ng a$o#tGC de0anded 9ono1an. BWhy not ! stenG ,;0 say ng that whate1er "owers th s sh " s en%!osed, and e1 dent!y not 0eant to $e hand!ed. The sh " s r#nn ng $y re0ote %ontro!.C BThe Bra n;s %ontro!GC BWhy notGC BThen yo# th n> we;!! stay o#t here t !! The Bra n $r ngs #s $a%>.C B,t %o#!d $e. ,f so, !et;s wa t ?# et!y. The Bra n s a ro$ot. ,t;s got to fo!!ow the + rst Law. ,t %an;t h#rt a h#0an $e ng.C 9ono1an sat down s!ow!y, B:o# f g#re thatGC Caref#!!y, he f!attened h s ha r, BL sten, th s @#n> a$o#t the s"a%e=war" >no%>ed o#t Conso! dated;s ro$ot, and the !ongha rs sa d t was $e%a#se nterste!!ar tra1e! > !!ed h#0ans. Wh %h ro$ot are yo# go ng to tr#stG O#rs had the sa0e data, , #nderstand.C Powe!! was yan> ng 0ad!y at h s 0#sta%he, B9on;t "retend yo# don;t >now yo#r ro$ot %s, M >e. Before t;s "hys %a!!y "oss $!e n any way for a ro$ot to e1en 0a>e a start to $rea> ng the + rst

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Law, so 0any th ngs ha1e to $rea> down that t wo#!d $e a r# ned 0ess of s%ra" ten t 0es o1er. There;s so0e s 0"!e eA"!anat on to th s.C BOh s#re, s#re. J#st ha1e the $#t!er %a!! 0e n the 0orn ng. ,t;s a!! @#st too, too s 0"!e for 0e to $other a$o#t $efore 0y $ea#ty na".C BWe!!, J#" ter, M >e, what are yo# %o0"!a n ng a$o#t so farG The Bra n s ta> ng %are of #s. Th s "!a%e s war0. ,t;s got ! ght. ,t;s got a r. There wasn;t e1en eno#gh of an a%%e!erat on @ar to 0#ss yo#r ha r f t were s0ooth eno#gh to $e 0#ssa$!e n the f rst "!a%e.C B:eahG Hreg, yo# 0#st;1e ta>en !essons. No one %o#!d "#t Po!!yanna that far o#t of the r#nn ng w tho#t. What do we eatG What do we dr n>G Where are weG How do we get $a%>G And n %ase of a%% dent, to what eA t and n what s"a%es# t do we r#n, not wa!>G , ha1en;t e1en seen a $athroo0 n the "!a%e, or those ! tt!e %on1en en%es that go a!ong w th $athroo0s. S#re, we;re $e ng ta>en %are of E $#t goodGC The 1o %e that nterr#"ted 9ono1an;s t rade was not Powe!!;s. ,t was no$ody;s. ,t was there, hang ng n o"en a r E stentor an and "etr fy ng n ts effe%ts. BHREHOR: POWELL7 M,CHAEL 9ONOLAN7 HREHOR: POWELL7 M,CHAEL 9ONOLAN7 PLEASE REPORT :O<R PRESENT POS,T,ONS. ,+ :O<R SH,P ANSWERS CONTROLS, PLEASE RET<RN TO BASE. HREHOR: POWELL7 M,CHAEL 9ONOLAN7 FC The 0essage was re"et t o#s, 0e%han %a!, $ro>en $y reg#!ar, #nt r ng nter1a!s. 9ono1an sa d, BWhere;s t %o0 ng fro0GC B, don;t >now.C Powe!!;s 1o %e was an ntense wh s"er, BWhere do the ! ghts %o0e fro0G Where does anyth ng %o0e fro0GC BWe!!, how are we go ng to answerGC They had to s"ea> n the nter1a!s $etween the !o#d!y e%ho ng, re"eat ng 0essage. The wa!!s were $are E as $are and as #n$ro>en as s0ooth, %#r1 ng 0eta! %an $e. Powe!! sa d, BSho#t an answer.C They d d. They sho#ted, n t#rns, and together, BPos t on #n>nown7 Sh " o#t of %ontro!7 Cond t on des"erate7C The r 1o %es rose and %ra%>ed. The short $#s ness! >e senten%es $e%a0e nter!arded and ad#!terated w th s%rea0 ng and e0"hat % "rofan ty, $#t the %o!d, %a!! ng 1o %e re"eated and re"eated and re"eated #nweary ng!y. BThey don;t hear #s,C gas"ed 9ono1an. BThere;s no send ng 0e%han s0. J#st a re%e 1er.C H s eyes fo%#sed $! nd!y at a rando0 s"ot on the wa!!. S!ow!y the d n of the o#ts de 1o %e softened and re%eded. They %a!!ed aga n when t was a wh s"er, and they %a!!ed aga n, hoarse!y, when there was s !en%e. So0eth ng ! >e f fteen 0 n#tes !ater, Powe!! sa d ! fe!ess!y, BLet;s go thro#gh the sh " aga n. There 0#st $e so0eth ng to eat so0ewheres.C He d d not so#nd ho"ef#!. ,t was a!0ost an ad0 ss on of defeat. They d 1 ded n the %orr dor to the r ght and !eft. They %o#!d fo!!ow one another $y the hard footste"s reso#nd ng, and they 0et o%%as ona!!y n the %orr dor, where they wo#!d g!are at ea%h other and "ass on. '*.

Powe!!;s sear%h ended s#dden!y and as t d d, he heard 9ono1an;s g!ad 1o %e r se $oo0 ng!y. BHey, Hreg,C t how!ed, BThe sh " has got "!#0$ ng. How d d we 0 ss tGC ,t was so0e f 1e 0 n#tes !ater that he fo#nd Powe!! $y h t=and=0 ss. He was say ng, BSt !! no shower $aths, tho#gh,C $#t t got %ho>ed off n the 0 dd!e. B+ood,C he gas"ed. The wa!! had dro""ed away, !ea1 ng a %#r1ed ga" w th two she!1es. The #""er she!f was !oaded w th #n!a$e!ed %ans of a $ew !der ng 1ar ety of s Des and sha"es. The ena0e!ed %ans on the !ower she!f were #n for0 and 9ono1an fe!t a %o!d draft a$o#t h s an>!es. The !ower ha!f was refr gerated. BHow... howFC B,t wasn;t there, $efore,C sa d Powe!!, %#rt!y. BThat wa!! se%t on dro""ed o#t of s ght as , %a0e n the door.C He was eat ng. The %an was the "reheat ng ty"e w th en%!osed s"oon and the war0 odor of $a>ed $eans f !!ed the roo0. BHra$ a %an, M >e7C 9ono1an hes tated, BWhat;s the 0en#GC BHow do , >now7 Are yo# f n %>yGC BNo, $#t a!! , eat on sh "s are $eans. So0eth ng e!se wo#!d $e f rst %ho %e.C H s hand ho1ered and se!e%ted a sh n ng e!! "t %a! %an whose f!atness see0ed re0 n s%ent of sa!0on or s 0 !ar de! %a%y. ,t o"ened at the "ro"er "ress#re. BBeans7C how!ed 9ono1an, and rea%hed for another. Powe!! ha#!ed at the s!a%> of h s "ants. BBetter eat that, sonny $oy. S#""! es are ! 0 ted and we 0ay $e here a !ong, !ong t 0e.C 9ono1an drew $a%> s#!> !y, B,s that a!! we ha1eG BeansGC BCo#!d $e.C BWhat;s on the !ower she!fGC BM !>.C BJ#st 0 !>GC 9ono1an %r ed n o#trage. BLoo>s t.C The 0ea! of $eans and 0 !> was %arr ed thro#gh n s !en%e, and as they !eft, the str " of h dden wa!! rose #" and for0ed an #n$ro>en s#rfa%e on%e 0ore. Powe!! s ghed, BE1eryth ng a#to0at %. E1eryth ng @#st so. Ne1er fe!t so he!"!ess n 0y ! fe. Where;s yo#r "!#0$ ngGC BR ght there. And that wasn;t a0ong those "resent when we f rst !oo>ed, e ther.C + fteen 0 n#tes !ater they were $a%> n the g!assed= n roo0, star ng at ea%h other fro0 o""os ng seats. Powe!! !oo>ed g!oo0 !y at the one ga#ge n the roo0. ,t st !! sa d B"arse%s,C the f g#res st !! ended n B',***,***C and the nd %at ng need!e was st !! "ressed hard aga nst the Dero 0ar>.

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,n the nner0ost off %es of the <. S. Ro$ot M Me%han %a! Men Cor". A!fred Lann ng was say ng wear !y, BThey won;t answer. We;1e tr ed e1ery wa1e!ength, "#$! %, "r 1ate, %oded, stra ght, e1en th s s#$ether st#ff they ha1e now. And The Bra n st !! won;t say anyth ngGC He shot th s at 9r. Ca!1 n. B,t won;t a0"! fy on the 0atter, A!fred,C she sa d, e0"hat %a!!y. B,t says they %an hear #s... and when , try to "ress t, t $e%o0es... we!!, t $e%o0es s#!!en. And t;s not s#""osed to E whoe1er heard of a s#!!en ro$otGC BS#""ose yo# te!! #s what yo# ha1e, S#san,C sa d Bogert. BHere t s7 ,t ad0 ts t %ontro!s the sh " tse!f ent re!y. ,t s def n te!y o"t 0 st % a$o#t the r safety, $#t w tho#t deta !s. , don;t dare "ress t. Howe1er, the %enter of d st#r$an%e see0s to $e a$o#t the nterste!!ar @#0" tse!f. The Bra n def n te!y !a#ghed when , $ro#ght #" the s#$@e%t. There are other nd %at ons, $#t that s the %!osest t;s %o0e to an o"en a$nor0a! ty.C She !oo>ed at the others, B, refer to hyster a. , dro""ed the s#$@e%t 00ed ate!y, and , ho"e , d d no har0, $#t t ga1e 0e a !ead. , %an hand!e hyster a. H 1e 0e twe!1e ho#rs7 ,f , %an $r ng t $a%> to nor0a!, t w !! $r ng $a%> the sh ".C Bogert see0ed s#dden!y str %>en. BThe nterste!!ar @#0"7C BWhat;s the 0atterGC The %ry was do#$!e fro0 Ca!1 n and Lann ng. BThe f g#res for the eng ne The Bra n ga1e #s. Say... , @#st tho#ght of so0eth ng.C He !eft h#rr ed!y. Lann ng gaDed after h 0. He sa d $r#s?#e!y to Ca!1 n, B:o# ta>e %are of yo#r end, S#san.C Two ho#rs !ater, Bogert was ta!> ng eager!y, B, te!! yo#, Lann ng, that;s t. The nterste!!ar @#0" s not nstantaneo#s not as !ong as the s"eed of ! ght s f n te. L fe %an;t eA st... 0atter and energy as s#%h %an;t eA st n the s"a%e war". , don;t >now what t wo#!d $e ! >e E $#t that;s t. That;s what > !!ed Conso! dated;s ro$ot.C 9ono1an fe!t as haggard as he !oo>ed. BOn!y f 1e daysGC BOn!y f 1e days. ,;0 s#re of t.C 9ono1an !oo>ed a$o#t h 0 wret%hed!y. The stars thro#gh the g!ass were fa0 ! ar $#t nf n te!y nd fferent. The wa!!s were %o!d to the to#%h- the ! ghts, wh %h had re%ent!y f!ared #" aga n, were #nfee! ng!y $r ght- the need!e on the ga#ge "o nted st#$$orn!y to Dero- and 9ono1an %o#!d not get r d of the taste of $eans. He sa d, 0orose!y, B, need a $ath.C Powe!! !oo>ed #" $r ef!y, and sa d, BSo do ,. :o# needn;t fee! se!f=%ons% o#s. B#t #n!ess yo# want to $athe n 0 !> and do w tho#t dr n> ngC BWe;!! do w tho#t dr n> ng e1ent#a!!y, anyway. Hreg, where does th s nterste!!ar tra1e! %o0e nG; B:o# te!! 0e. May$e we @#st >ee" on go ng. We;d get there, e1ent#a!!y. At !east the d#st of o#r s>e!etons wo#!d E $#t sn;t o#r death the who!e "o nt of The Bra n;s or g na! $rea>downGC 9ono1an s"o>e w th h s $a%> to the other, BHreg, ,;1e $een th n> ng. ,t;s "retty $ad. There;s not 0#%h to do E eA%e"t wa!> aro#nd or ta!> to yo#rse!f. :o# >now those stor es a$o#t g#ys 0arooned

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n s"a%e. They go n#ts !ong $efore they star1e. , don;t >now, Hreg, $#t e1er s n%e the ! ghts went on, , fee! f#nny.C There was a s !en%e, then Powe!!;s 1o %e %a0e th n and s0a!!, BSo do ,. What;s t ! >eGC The redheaded f g#re t#rned, B+ee! f#nny ns de. There;s a "o#nd ng n 0e w th e1eryth ng tense. ,t;s hard to $reathe. , %an;t stand st !!.C B<0=0=0. 9o yo# fee! 1 $rat onGC BHow do yo# 0eanGC BS t down for a 0 n#te and ! sten. :o# don;t hear t, $#t yo# fee! t E as f so0eth ng;s thro$$ ng so0ewheres and t;s thro$$ ng the who!e sh ", and yo#, too, a!ong w th t. L stenFC B:eah . . . yeah. What do yo# th n> t s, HregG :o# don;t s#""ose t;s #sGC B,t 0 ght $e.C Powe!! stro>ed h s 0#sta%he s!ow!y. BB#t t 0 ght $e the sh ";s eng nes. ,t 0 ght $e gett ng ready.C B+or whatGC B+or the nterste!!ar @#0". ,t 0ay $e %o0 ng and the de1 ! >nows what t;s ! >e.C 9ono1an "ondered. Then he sa d, sa1age!y, B,f t does, !et t. B#t , w sh we %o#!d f ght. ,t;s h#0 ! at ng to ha1e to wa t for t.C An ho#r !ater, "erha"s, Powe!! !oo>ed at h s hand on the 0eta! %ha r=ar0 and sa d w th froDen %a!0, B+ee! the wa!!, M >e.C 9ono1an d d, and sa d, B:o# %an fee! t sha>e, Hreg.C E1en the stars see0ed $!#rred. +ro0 so0ewhere %a0e the 1ag#e 0"ress on of a h#ge 0a%h ne gather ng "ower w th the wa!!s, stor ng #" energy for a 0 ghty !ea", thro$$ ng ts way #" the s%a!es of strength. ,t %a0e w th a s#ddenness and a sta$ of "a n. Powe!! st ffened, and ha!f=@er>ed fro0 h s %ha r. H s s ght %a#ght 9ono1an and $!an>ed o#t wh !e 9ono1an;s th n sho#t wh 0"ered and d ed n h s ears. So0eth ng wr thed w th n h 0 and str#gg!ed aga nst a grow ng $!an>et of %e, that th %>ened. So0eth ng $ro>e !oose and wh r!ed n a $!aDe of f! %>er ng ! ght and "a n. ,t fe!! E and wh r!ed and fe!! head!ong nto s !en%e7 ,t was death7 ,t was a wor!d of no 0ot on and no sensat on. A wor!d of d 0, #nsens ng %ons% o#sness- a %ons% o#sness of dar>ness and of s !en%e and of for0!ess str#gg!e. Most of a!! a %ons% o#sness of etern ty. He was a t ny wh te thread of ego E %o!d and afra d. Then the words %a0e, #n%t#o#s and sonoro#s, th#nder ng o1er h 0 n a foa0 of so#nd2 B9oes yo#r %off n f t d fferent!y !ate!yG Why not try Mor$ d M. Cada1er;s eAtens $!e %as>etsG They are s% ent f %a!!y des gned to f t the nat#ra! %#r1es of the $ody, and are enr %hed w th L ta0 n B'. <se Cada1er;s %as>ets for %o0fort. Re0e0$er F yo#;re F go ng F to F $e F dead F a F !ong F !ong F t 0e7C

'*(

,t wasn;t ?# te so#nd, $#t whate1er t was, t d ed away n an o !y r#0$! ng wh s"er. The wh te thread that 0 ght ha1e $een Powe!! hea1ed #se!ess!y at the ns#$stant a! eons of t 0e that eA sted a!! a$o#t h 0 E and %o!!a"sed #"on tse!f as the " er% ng shr e> of a h#ndred 0 !! on ghosts of a h#ndred 0 !! on so"rano 1o %es rose to a %res%endo of 0e!ody2 B,;!! $e g!ad when yo#;re dead, yo# ras%a!, yo#. B,;!! $e g!ad when yo#;re dead, yo# ras%a!, yo#. B,;!! $e g!adFC ,t rose #" a s" ra! sta rway of 1 o!ent so#nd nto the >een ng s#"erson %s that "assed hear ng, and then $eyondF The wh te thread ?# 1ered w th a "#!sat ng "ang. ,t stra ned ?# et!yF The 1o %es were ord nary E and 0any. ,t was a %rowd s"ea> ng- a sw r! ng 0o$ that swe"t thro#gh and "ast and o1er h 0 w th a ra" d, head!ong 0ot on, that !eft dr ft ng tatters of words $eh nd the0. BWhat d d they get%ha for, $oyG :;!oo> $anged #"FC BEA hot f re, , g#ess, $#t , got a %aseFC BE,;1e 0ade Parad se, $#t o!d St. PeteFC BNaaah, , got a "#!! w th the $oy. Had dea! ngs w th h 0FC BHey, Sa0, %o0e th s wayFC BJa get a 0o#th" e%eG Bee!De$#$ saysFC BEHo ng on, 0y good 0"G My a""o nt0ent s w th SaFC And a$o1e t a!! the or g na! stentor an roar, that "!#nged a%ross a!!2 BH<RR:7 H<RR:7 H<RR:777 St r yo#r $ones, and don;t >ee" #s wa t ng E there are 0any 0ore n ! ne. Ha1e yo#r %ert f %ates ready, and 0a>e s#re Peter;s re!ease s sta0"ed a%ross t. See f yo# are at the "ro"er entran%e gate. There w !! $e "!enty of f re for a!!. Hey, yo# E :O< 9OWN THERE. TA8E :O<R PLACE ,N L,NE ORFC The wh te thread that was Powe!! gro1e!ed $a%>ward $efore the ad1an% ng sho#t, and fe!t the shar" sta$ of the "o nt ng f nger. ,t a!! eA"!oded nto a ra n$ow of so#nd that dr ""ed ts frag0ents onto an a%h ng $ra n. Powe!! was n the %ha r, aga n. He fe!t h 0se!f sha> ng. 9ono1an;s eyes were o"en ng nto two !arge "o"" ng $ow!s of g!aDed $!#e. BHreg,C he wh s"ered n what was a!0ost a so$. BWere yo# deadGC B,... fe!t dead.C He d d not re%ogn De h s own %roa>. 9ono1an was o$1 o#s!y 0a> ng a $ad fa !#re of h s atte0"t to stand #", BAre we a! 1e nowG Or s there 0oreGC B,... fee! a! 1e.C ,t was the sa0e hoarseness. Powe!! sa d %a#t o#s!y, B9 d yo#... hear anyth ng, when... when yo# were deadGC 9ono1an "a#sed, and then 1ery s!ow!y nodded h s head, B9 d yo#GC

''*

B:es. 9 d yo# hear a$o#t %off ns... and fe0a!es s ng ng... and the ! nes for0 ng to get nto He!!G 9 d yo#GC 9ono1an shoo> h s head, BJ#st one 1o %e.C BLo#dGC BNo. Soft, $#t ro#gh ! >e a f !e o1er the f ngert "s. ,t was a ser0on, yo# >now. A$o#t he!!=f re. He des%r $ed the tort#res of... we!!, yo# >now. , on%e heard a ser0on ! >e that E a!0ost.C He was "ers" r ng. They were %ons% o#s of s#n! ght thro#gh the "ort. ,t was wea>, $#t t was $!#e=wh te E and the g!ea0 ng "ea that was the d stant so#r%e of ! ght was not O!d So!. And Powe!! "o nted a tre0$! ng f nger at the s ng!e ga#ge. The need!e stood st ff and "ro#d at the ha r! ne whose f g#re read 6**,*** "arse%s. Powe!! sa d, BM >e f t;s tr#e, we 0#st $e o#t of the Ha!aAy a!together.C 9ono1an sa d, BB!aDed Hreg7 We;d $e the f rst 0en o#t of the So!ar Syste0.C B:es7 That;s @#st t. We;1e es%a"ed the s#n. We;1e es%a"ed the Ha!aAy. M >e, th s sh " s the answer. ,t 0eans freedo0 for a!! h#0an ty E freedo0 to s"read thro#gh to e1ery star that eA sts E 0 !! ons and $ !! ons and tr !! ons of the0.C And then he %a0e down w th a hard th#d, BB#t how do we get $a%>, M >eGC 9ono1an s0 !ed sha> !y, BOh, that;s a!! r ght. The sh " $ro#ght #s here. The sh " w !! ta>e #s $a%>. Me for 0ore $eans.C BB#t M >e... ho!d on, M >e. ,f t ta>es #s $a%> the way t $ro#ght #s hereFC 9ono1an sto""ed ha!fway #" and sat $a%> hea1 !y nto the %ha r. Powe!! went on, BWe;!! ha1e to... d e aga n, M >eC BWe!!,C s ghed 9ono1an, B f we ha1e to, we ha1e to. At !east t sn;t "er0anent, not 1ery "er0anent.C S#san Ca!1 n was s"ea> ng s!ow!y now. +or s A ho#rs she had $een s!ow!y "rodd ng The Bra n E for s A fr# t!ess ho#rs. She was weary of re"et t ons, weary of % r%#0!o%#t ons, weary of e1eryth ng. BNow, Bra n, there;s @#st one 0ore th ng. :o# 0#st 0a>e a s"e% a! effort to answer s 0"!y. Ha1e yo# $een ent re!y %!ear a$o#t the nterste!!ar @#0"G , 0ean does t ta>e the0 1ery farGC BAs far as they want to go, M ss S#san. Ho!!y, t sn;t any tr %> thro#gh the war".C BAnd on the other s de, what w !! they seeGC BStars and st#ff. What do yo# s#""oseGC The neAt ?#est on s! ""ed o#t, BThey;!! $e a! 1e, thenGC BS#re7C BAnd the nterste!!ar @#0" won;t h#rt the0GC She froDe as The Bra n 0a nta ned s !en%e. That was t7 She had to#%hed the sore s"ot. '''

BBra n,C she s#""! %ated fa nt!y, BBra n, do yo# hear 0eGC The answer was wea>, ?# 1er ng. The Bra n sa d, B9o , ha1e to answerG A$o#t the @#0", , 0eanGC BNot f yo# don;t want to. B#t t wo#!d $e nterest ng E , 0ean f yo# wanted to.C S#san Ca!1 n tr ed to $e $r ght a$o#t t. BAw=w=w. :o# s"o ! e1eryth ng.C And the "sy%ho!og st @#0"ed #" s#dden!y, w th a !oo> of f!a0 ng ns ght on her fa%e. BOh, 0y,C she gas"ed. BOh, 0y.C And she fe!t the tens on of ho#rs and days re!eased n a $#rst. ,t was !ater that she to!d Lann ng, B, te!! yo# t;s a!! r ght. No, yo# 0#st !ea1e 0e a!one, now. The sh " w !! $e $a%> safe!y, w th the 0en, and , want to rest. , w !! rest. Now go away.C The sh " ret#rned to Earth as s !ent!y, as #n@arr ng!y as t had !eft. ,t dro""ed "re% se!y nto "!a%e and the 0a n !o%> ga"ed o"en. The two 0en who wa!>ed o#t fe!t the r way %aref#!!y and s%rat%hed the r ro#gh and s%r#$$ !y=st#$$!ed %h ns. And then, s!ow!y and "#r"osef#!!y, the one w th red ha r >ne!t down and "!anted #"on the %on%rete of the r#nway a f r0, !o#d > ss. They wa1ed as de the %rowd that was gather ng and 0ade gest#res of den a! at the eager %o#"!e that had " !ed o#t of the down=swoo" ng a0$#!an%e w th a stret%her $etween the0. Hregory Powe!! sa d, BWhere;s the nearest showerGC They were !ed away. They were gathered, a!! of the0, a$o#t a ta$!e. ,t was a f#!! staff 0eet ng of the $ra ns of <. S. Ro$ot M Me%han %a! Men Cor". S!ow!y and %! 0a%t %a!!y, Powe!! and 9ono1an f n shed a gra"h % and reso#nd ng story. S#san Ca!1 n $ro>e the s !en%e that fo!!owed. ,n the few days that had e!a"sed she had re%o1ered her %y, so0ewhat a% d, %a!0 E $#t st !! a tra%e of e0$arrass0ent $ro>e thro#gh. BStr %t!y s"ea> ng,C she sa d, Bth s was 0y fa#!t E a!! of t. When we f rst "resented th s "ro$!e0 to The Bra n, as , ho"e so0e of yo# re0e0$er, , went to great !engths to 0"ress #"on t the 0"ortan%e of re@e%t ng any te0 of nfor0at on %a"a$!e of %reat ng a d !e00a. ,n do ng so , sa d so0eth ng ! >e I9on;t get eA% ted a$o#t the death of h#0ans. We don;t 0 nd t at a!!. J#st g 1e the sheet $a%> and forget t.;C BH0=0=0,C sa d Lann ng. BWhat fo!!owsGC BThe o$1 o#s. When that te0 entered ts %a!%#!at ons wh %h y e!ded the e?#at on %ontro!! ng the !ength of 0 n 0#0 nter1a! for the nterste!!ar @#0" E t 0eant death for h#0ans. That;s where Conso! dated;s 0a%h ne $ro>e down %o0"!ete!y. B#t , had de"ressed the 0"ortan%e of death to The Bra n E not ent re!y, for the + rst Law %an ne1er $e $ro>en E $#t @#st s#ff % ent!y so that The Bra n %o#!d ta>e a se%ond !oo> at the e?#at on. S#ff % ent!y to g 1e t t 0e to rea! De that after the nter1a! was "assed thro#gh, the 0en wo#!d ret#rn to ! fe E @#st as the 0atter and energy of the sh " tse!f wo#!d ret#rn to $e ng. Th s so=%a!!ed Ideath,; n other words, was a str %t!y te0"orary "heno0enon. :o# seeGC She !oo>ed a$o#t her. They were a!! ! sten ng. ''3

She went on, BSo he a%%e"ted the te0, $#t not w tho#t a %erta n @ar. E1en w th death te0"orary and ts 0"ortan%e de"ressed, t was eno#gh to #n$a!an%e h 0 1ery gent!y.C She $ro#ght t o#t %a!0!y, BHe de1e!o"ed a sense of h#0or E t;s an es%a"e, yo# see, a 0ethod of "art a! es%a"e fro0 rea! ty. He $e%a0e a "ra%t %a! @o>er.C Powe!! and 9ono1an were on the r feet. BWhatGC %r ed Powe!!G 9ono1an was %ons dera$!y 0ore %o!orf#! a$o#t t. B,t;s so,C sa d Ca!1 n. BHe too> %are of yo#, and >e"t yo# safe, $#t yo# %o#!dn;t hand!e any %ontro!s, $e%a#se they weren;t for yo# E @#st for the h#0oro#s Bra n. We %o#!d rea%h yo# $y rad o, $#t yo# %o#!dn;t answer. :o# had "!enty of food, $#t a!! of t $eans and 0 !>. Then yo# d ed, so to s"ea>, and were re$orn, $#t the "er od of yo#r death was 0ade... we!!... nterest ng. , w sh , >new how he d d t. ,t was The Bra n;s "r De @o>e, $#t he 0eant no har0.C BNo har07C gas"ed 9ono1an. BOh, f that %#te ! tt!e ty>e on!y had a ne%>.C Lann ng ra sed a ?# et ng hand, BA!! r ght, t;s $een a 0ess, $#t t;s a!! o1er. What nowGC BWe!!,C sa d Bogert, ?# et!y, Bo$1 o#s!y t;s #" to #s to 0"ro1e the s"a%e=war" eng ne. There 0#st $e so0e way of gett ng aro#nd that nter1a! of @#0". ,f there s, we;re the on!y organ Dat on !eft w th a grand=s%a!e s#"er=ro$ot, so we;re $o#nd to f nd t f anyone %an. And then E <. S. Ro$ots has nterste!!ar tra1e!, and h#0an ty has the o""ort#n ty for ga!a%t % e0" re.C BWhat a$o#t Conso! datedGC sa d Lann ngG BHey,C nterr#"ted 9ono1an s#dden!y, B, want to 0a>e a s#ggest on there. They !anded <. S. Ro$ots nto ?# te a 0ess. ,t wasn;t as $ad a 0ess as they eA"e%ted and t t#rned o#t we!!, $#t the r ntent ons weren;t " o#s. And Hreg and , $ore the 0ost of t. BWe!!, they wanted an answer, and they;1e got one. Send the0 that sh ", g#aranteed, and <. S. Ro$ots %an %o!!e%t the r two h#ndred tho# "!#s %onstr#%t on %osts. And f they test t E then s#""ose we !et The Bra n ha1e @#st a ! tt!e 0ore f#n $efore t;s $ro#ght $a%> to nor0a!.C Lann ng sa d gra1e!y, B,t so#nds @#st and "ro"er to 0e.C To wh %h Bogert added a$sent!y, BStr %t!y a%%ord ng to %ontra%t, too.C

''6

Evidence
BB<T THAT WASN;T ,T, E,THER,C SA,9 9R. CALL,N tho#ghtf#!!y, BOh, e1ent#a!!y, the sh " and others ! >e t $e%a0e go1ern0ent "ro"erty- the J#0" thro#gh hy"ers"a%e was "erfe%ted, and now we a%t#a!!y ha1e h#0an %o!on es on the "!anets of so0e of the nearer stars, $#t that wasn;t t.C , had f n shed eat ng and wat%hed her thro#gh the s0o>e of 0y % garette. B,t;s what has ha""ened to the "eo"!e here on Earth n the !ast f fty years that rea!!y %o#nts. When , was $orn, yo#ng 0an, we had @#st gone thro#gh the !ast Wor!d War. ,t was a !ow "o nt n h story E $#t t was the end of nat ona! s0. Earth was too s0a!! for nat ons and they $egan gro#" ng the0se!1es nto Reg ons. ,t too> ?# te a wh !e. When , was $orn the <n ted States of A0er %a was st !! a nat on and not 0ere!y a "art of the Northern Reg on. ,n fa%t, the na0e of the %or"orat on s st !! I<n ted States Ro$otsF.; And the %hange fro0 nat ons to Reg ons, wh %h has sta$ ! Ded o#r e%ono0y and $ro#ght a$o#t what a0o#nts to a Ho!den Age, when th s %ent#ry s %o0"ared w th the !ast, was a!so $ro#ght a$o#t $y o#r ro$ots.C B:o# 0ean the Ma%h nes,C , sa d. BThe Bra n yo# ta!>ed a$o#t was the f rst of the Ma%h nes, wasn;t tGC B:es, t was, $#t t;s not the Ma%h nes , was th n> ng of. Rather of a 0an. He d ed !ast year.C Her 1o %e was s#dden!y dee"!y sorrowf#!. BOr at !east he arranged to d e, $e%a#se he >new we needed h 0 no !onger. Ste"hen Byer!ey.C B:es, , g#essed that was who yo# 0eant.C BHe f rst entered "#$! % off %e n 3*63. :o# were on!y a $oy then, so yo# wo#!dn;t re0e0$er the strangeness of t. H s %a0"a gn for the Mayora!ty was %erta n!y the ?#eerest n h storyF7C +ran% s N# nn was a "o! t % an of the new s%hoo!. That, of %o#rse, s a 0ean ng!ess eA"ress on, as are a!! eA"ress ons of the sort. Most of the Bnew s%hoo!sC we ha1e were d#"! %ated n the so% a! ! fe of an% ent Hree%e, and "erha"s, f we >new 0ore a$o#t t, n the so% a! ! fe of an% ent S#0er a and n the !a>e dwe!! ngs of "reh stor % Sw tDer!and as we!!. B#t, to get o#t fro0 #nder what "ro0 ses to $e a d#!! and %o0"! %ated $eg nn ng, t 0 ght $e $est to state hast !y that N# nn ne ther ran for off %e nor %an1assed for 1otes, 0ade no s"ee%hes and st#ffed no $a!!ot $oAes. Any 0ore than Na"o!eon "#!!ed a tr gger at A#ster! tD. And s n%e "o! t %s 0a>es strange $edfe!!ows, A!fred Lann ng sat at the other s de of the des> w th h s fero% o#s wh te eye$rows $ent far forward o1er eyes n wh %h %hron % 0"at en%e had shar"ened to a%# ty. He was not "!eased. The fa%t, f >nown to N# nn, wo#!d ha1e annoyed h 0 not the !east. H s 1o %e was fr end!y, "erha"s "rofess ona!!y so. B, ass#0e yo# >now Ste"hen Byer!ey, 9r. Lann ng.C B, ha1e heard of h 0. So ha1e 0any "eo"!e.C B:es, so ha1e ,. Perha"s yo# ntend 1ot ng for h 0 at the neAt e!e%t on.C B, %o#!dn;t say.C There was an #n0 sta>a$!e tra%e of a% d ty here. B, ha1e not fo!!owed the "o! t %a! %#rrents, so ,;0 not aware that he s r#nn ng for off %e.C BHe 0ay $e o#r neAt 0ayor. Of %o#rse, he s on!y a !awyer now, $#t great oa>sFC '')

B:es,C nterr#"ted Lann ng, B, ha1e heard the "hrase $efore. B#t , wonder f we %an get to the $#s ness at hand.C BWe are at the $#s ness at hand, 9r. Lann ng.C N# nn;s tone was 1ery gent!e, B,t s to 0y nterest to >ee" Mr. Byer!ey a d str %t attorney at the 1ery 0ost, and t s to yo#r nterest to he!" 0e do so.C BTo 0y nterestG Co0e7C Lann ng;s eye$rows h#n%hed !ow. BWe!!, say then to the nterest of the <. S. Ro$ot M Me%han %a! Men Cor"orat on. , %o0e to yo# as 9 re%tor E0er t#s of Resear%h, $e%a#se , >now that yo#r %onne%t on to the0 s that of, sha!! we say, Ie!der states0an.; :o# are ! stened to w th res"e%t and yet yo#r %onne%t on w th the0 s no !onger so t ght $#t that yo# %annot "ossess %ons dera$!e freedo0 of a%t on- e1en f the a%t on s so0ewhat #northodoA.C 9r. Lann ng was s !ent a 0o0ent, %hew ng the %#d of h s tho#ghts. He sa d 0ore soft!y, B, don;t fo!!ow yo# at a!!, Mr. N# nn.C B, a0 not s#r"r sed, 9r. Lann ng. B#t t;s a!! rather s 0"!e. 9o yo# 0 ndGC N# nn ! t a s!ender % garette w th a ! ghter of tastef#! s 0"! % ty and h s $ g=$oned fa%e sett!ed nto an eA"ress on of ?# et a0#se0ent. BWe ha1e s"o>en of Mr. Byer!ey E a strange and %o!orf#! %hara%ter. He was #n>nown three years ago. He s 1ery we!! >nown now. He s a 0an of for%e and a$ ! ty, and %erta n!y the 0ost %a"a$!e and nte!! gent "rose%#tor , ha1e e1er >nown. <nfort#nate!y he s not a fr end of 0 neC B, #nderstand,C sa d Lann ng, 0e%han %a!!y. He stared at h s f ngerna !s. B, ha1e had o%%as on,C %ont n#ed N# nn, e1en!y, B n the "ast year to n1est gate Mr. Byer!ey E ?# te eAha#st 1e!y. ,t s a!ways #sef#!, yo# see, to s#$@e%t the "ast ! fe of refor0 "o! t % ans to rather n?# s t 1e resear%h. ,f yo# >new how often t he!"edFC He "a#sed to s0 !e h#0or!ess!y at the g!ow ng t " of h s % garette. BB#t Mr. Byer!ey;s "ast s #nre0ar>a$!e. A ?# et ! fe n a s0a!! town, a %o!!ege ed#%at on, a w fe who d ed yo#ng, an a#to a%% dent w th a s!ow re%o1ery, !aw s%hoo!, %o0 ng to the 0etro"o! s, an attorney.C +ran% s N# nn shoo> h s head s!ow!y, then added, BB#t h s "resent ! fe. Ah, that s re0ar>a$!e. O#r d str %t attorney ne1er eats7C Lann ng;s head sna""ed #", o!d eyes s#r"r s ng!y shar", BPardon 0eGC BO#r d str %t attorney ne1er eats.C The re"et t on th#0"ed $y sy!!a$!es. B,;!! 0od fy that s! ght!y. He has ne1er $een seen to eat or dr n>. Ne1er7 9o yo# #nderstand the s gn f %an%e of the wordG Not rare!y, $#t ne1er7C B, f nd that ?# te n%red $!e. Can yo# tr#st yo#r n1est gatorsGC B, %an tr#st 0y n1est gators, and , don;t f nd t n%red $!e at a!!. +#rther, o#r d str %t attorney has ne1er $een seen to dr n> E n the a?#eo#s sense as we!! as the a!%oho! % E nor to s!ee". There are other fa%tors, $#t , sho#!d th n> , ha1e 0ade 0y "o nt.C Lann ng !eaned $a%> n h s seat, and there was the ra"t s !en%e of %ha!!enge and res"onse $etween the0, and then the o!d ro$ot % st shoo> h s head. BNo. There s on!y one th ng yo# %an $e try ng to 0"!y, f , %o#"!e yo#r state0ents w th the fa%t that yo# "resent the0 to 0e, and that s 0"oss $!e.C BB#t the 0an s ?# te nh#0an, 9r. Lann ng.C

''5

B,f yo# to!d 0e he were Satan n 0as?#erade, there wo#!d $e a fa nt %han%e that , 0 ght $e! e1e yo#.C B, te!! yo# he s a ro$ot, 9r. Lann ng.C B, te!! yo# t s as 0"oss $!e a %on%e"t on as , ha1e e1er heard, Mr. N# nn.C Aga n the %o0$at 1e s !en%e. BNe1erthe!ess,C and N# nn st#$$ed o#t h s % garette w th e!a$orate %are, Byo# w !! ha1e to n1est gate th s 0"oss $ ! ty w th a!! the reso#r%es of the Cor"orat on.C B,;0 s#re that , %o#!d #nderta>e no s#%h th ng, Mr. N# nn. :o# don;t ser o#s!y s#ggest that the Cor"orat on ta>e "art n !o%a! "o! t %s.C B:o# ha1e no %ho %e. S#""os ng , were to 0a>e 0y fa%ts "#$! % w tho#t "roof. The e1 den%e s % r%#0stant a! eno#gh.C BS# t yo#rse!f n that res"e%t.C BB#t t wo#!d not s# t 0e. Proof wo#!d $e 0#%h "refera$!e. And t wo#!d not s# t yo#, for the "#$! % ty wo#!d $e 1ery da0ag ng to yo#r %o0"any. :o# are "erfe%t!y we!! a%?#a nted, , s#""ose, w th the str %t r#!es aga nst the #se of ro$ots on nha$ ted wor!ds.C BCerta n!y7C E $r#s?#e!y. B:o# >now that the <. S. Ro$ot M Me%han %a! Men Cor"orat on s the on!y 0an#fa%t#rer of "os tron % ro$ots n the So!ar Syste0, and f Byer!ey s a ro$ot, he s a "os tron % ro$ot. :o# are a!so aware that a!! "os tron % ro$ots are !eased, and not so!d- that the Cor"orat on re0a ns the owner and 0anager of ea%h ro$ot, and s therefore res"ons $!e for the a%t ons of a!!.C B,t s an easy 0atter, Mr. N# nn, to "ro1e the Cor"orat on has ne1er 0an#fa%t#red a ro$ot of a h#0ano d %hara%ter.C B,t %an $e doneG To d s%#ss 0ere!y "oss $ ! t es.C B:es. ,t %an $e done.C BSe%ret!y, , 0ag ne, as we!!. W tho#t enter ng t n yo#r $oo>s.C BNot the "os tron % $ra n, s r. Too 0any fa%tors are n1o!1ed n that, and there s the t ghtest "oss $!e go1ern0ent s#"er1 s on.C B:es, $#t ro$ots are worn o#t, $rea> down, go o#t of order E and are d s0ant!ed.C BAnd the "os tron % $ra ns re=#sed or destroyed.C BRea!!yGC +ran% s N# nn a!!owed h 0se!f a tra%e of sar%as0. BAnd f one were, a%% denta!!y, of %o#rse, not destroyed E and there ha""ened to $e a h#0ano d str#%t#re wa t ng for a $ra n.C B,0"oss $!e7C B:o# wo#!d ha1e to "ro1e that to the go1ern0ent and the "#$! %, so why not "ro1e t to 0e now.C BB#t what %o#!d o#r "#r"ose $eGC de0anded Lann ng n eAas"erat on. BWhere s o#r 0ot 1at onG Cred t #s w th a 0 n 0#0 of sense.C BMy dear s r, "!ease. The Cor"orat on wo#!d $e on!y too g!ad to ha1e the 1ar o#s Reg ons "er0 t the #se of h#0ano d "os tron % ro$ots on nha$ ted wor!ds. The "rof ts wo#!d $e enor0o#s. B#t the ''.

"re@#d %e of the "#$! % aga nst s#%h a "ra%t %e s too great. S#""ose yo# get the0 #sed to s#%h ro$ots f rst E see, we ha1e a s> !!f#! !awyer, a good 0ayor, and he s a ro$ot. Won;t yo# $#y o#r ro$ot $#t!ersGC BThoro#gh!y fantast %. An a!0ost h#0oro#s des%ent to the r d %#!o#s.C B, 0ag ne so. Why not "ro1e tG Or wo#!d yo# st !! rather try to "ro1e t to the "#$! %GC The ! ght n the off %e was d 00 ng, $#t t was not yet too d 0 to o$s%#re the f!#sh of fr#strat on on A!fred Lann ng;s fa%e. S!ow!y, the ro$ot % st;s f nger to#%hed a >no$ and the wa!! !!#0 nators g!owed to gent!e ! fe. BWe!!, then,C he grow!ed, B!et #s see.C The fa%e of Ste"hen Byer!ey s not an easy one to des%r $e. He was forty $y $ rth %ert f %ate and forty $y a""earan%e E $#t t was a hea!thy, we!!=no#r shed good=nat#red a""earan%e of forty- one that a#to0at %a!!y drew the teeth of the $ro0 de a$o#t B!oo> ng one;s age.C Th s was "art %#!ar!y tr#e when he !a#ghed, and he was !a#gh ng now. ,t %a0e !o#d!y and %ont n#o#s!y, d ed away for a $ t, then $egan aga nF And A!fred Lann ng;s fa%e %ontra%ted nto a r g d!y $ tter 0on#0ent of d sa""ro1a!. He 0ade a ha!f gest#re to the wo0an who sat $es de h 0, $#t her th n, $!ood!ess ! "s 0ere!y "#rsed the0se!1es a tr f!e. Byer!ey gas"ed h 0se!f a stage nearer nor0a! ty. BRea!!y, 9r. Lann ng... rea!!y E ,... ,... a ro$otGC Lann ng $ t h s words off w th a sna", B,t s no state0ent of 0 ne, s r. , wo#!d $e ?# te sat sf ed to ha1e yo# a 0e0$er of h#0an ty. S n%e o#r %or"orat on ne1er 0an#fa%t#red yo#, , a0 ?# te %erta n that yo# are E n a !ega! st % sense, at any rate. B#t s n%e the %ontent on that yo# are a ro$ot has $een ad1an%ed to #s ser o#s!y $y a 0an of %erta n stand ngFC B9on;t 0ent on h s na0e, f t wo#!d >no%> a %h " off yo#r gran te $!o%> of eth %s, $#t !et;s "retend t was +ran> N# nn, for the sa>e of arg#0ent, and %ont n#e.C Lann ng drew n a shar", %#tt ng snort at the nterr#"t on, and "a#sed fero% o#s!y $efore %ont n# ng w th added fr g d ty, BF$y a 0an of %erta n stand ng, w th whose dent ty , a0 not nterested n "!ay ng g#ess ng ga0es, , a0 $o#nd to as> yo#r %oo"erat on n d s"ro1 ng t. The 0ere fa%t that s#%h a %ontent on %o#!d $e ad1an%ed and "#$! % Ded $y the 0eans at th s 0an;s d s"osa! wo#!d $e a $ad $!ow to the %o0"any , re"resent E e1en f the %harge were ne1er "ro1en. :o# #nderstand 0eGC BOh, yes, yo#r "os t on s %!ear to 0e. The %harge tse!f s r d %#!o#s. The s"ot yo# f nd yo#rse!f n s not. , $eg yo#r "ardon, f 0y !a#ghter offended yo#. ,t was the f rst , !a#ghed at, not the se%ond. How %an , he!" yo#GC B,t %o#!d $e 1ery s 0"!e. :o# ha1e on!y to s t down to a 0ea! at a resta#rant n the "resen%e of w tnesses, ha1e yo#r " %t#re ta>en, and eat.C Lann ng sat $a%> n h s %ha r, the worst of the nter1 ew o1er. The wo0an $es de h 0 wat%hed Byer!ey w th an a""arent!y a$sor$ed eA"ress on $#t %ontr $#ted noth ng of her own.

''4

Ste"hen Byer!ey 0et her eyes for an nstant, was %a#ght $y the0, then t#rned $a%> to the ro$ot % st. +or a wh !e h s f ngers were tho#ghtf#! o1er the $ronDe "a"erwe ght that was the on!y orna0ent on h s des>. He sa d ?# et!y, B, don;t th n> , %an o$! ge yo#.C He ra sed h s hand, BNow wa t, 9r. Lann ng. , a""re% ate the fa%t that th s who!e 0atter s d stastef#! to yo#, that yo# ha1e $een for%ed nto t aga nst yo#r w !!, that yo# fee! yo# are "!ay ng an #nd gn f ed and e1en r d %#!o#s "art. St !!, the 0atter s e1en 0ore nt 0ate!y %on%erned w th 0yse!f, so $e to!erant. B+ rst, what 0a>es yo# th n> that N# nn E th s 0an of %erta n stand ng, yo# >now E wasn;t hoodw n> ng yo#, n order to get yo# to do eAa%t!y what yo# are do ngGC BWhy t see0s s%ar%e!y ! >e!y that a re"#ta$!e "erson wo#!d endanger h 0se!f n so r d %#!o#s a fash on, f he weren;t %on1 n%ed he were on safe gro#nd.C There was ! tt!e h#0or n Byer!ey;s eyes, B:o# don;t >now N# nn. He %o#!d 0anage to 0a>e safe gro#nd o#t of a !edge a 0o#nta n shee" %o#!d not hand!e. , s#""ose he showed the "art %#!ars of the n1est gat on he %!a 0s to ha1e 0ade of 0eGC BEno#gh to %on1 n%e 0e that t wo#!d $e too tro#$!eso0e to ha1e o#r %or"orat on atte0"t to d s"ro1e the0 when yo# %o#!d do so 0ore eas !y.C BThen yo# $e! e1e h 0 when he says , ne1er eat. :o# are a s% ent st, 9r. Lann ng. Th n> of the !og % re?# red. , ha1e not $een o$ser1ed to eat, therefore, , ne1er eat N.E.9. After a!!7C B:o# are #s ng "rose%#t on ta%t %s to %onf#se what s rea!!y a 1ery s 0"!e s t#at on.C BOn the %ontrary, , a0 try ng to %!ar fy what yo# and N# nn $etween yo# are 0a> ng a 1ery %o0"! %ated one. :o# see, , don;t s!ee" 0#%h, that;s tr#e, and , %erta n!y don;t s!ee" n "#$! %. , ha1e ne1er %ared to eat w th others E an d osyn%rasy wh %h s #n#s#a! and "ro$a$!y ne#rot % n %hara%ter, $#t wh %h har0s no one. Loo>, 9r. Lann ng, !et 0e "resent yo# w th a s#""os t o#s %ase. S#""os ng we had a "o! t % an who was nterested n defeat ng a refor0 %and date at any %ost and wh !e n1est gat ng h s "r 1ate ! fe %a0e a%ross odd t es s#%h as , ha1e @#st 0ent oned. BS#""ose f#rther that n order to s0ear the %and date effe%t 1e!y, he %o0es to yo#r %o0"any as the dea! agent. 9o yo# eA"e%t h 0 to say to yo#, ISo=and=so s a ro$ot $e%a#se he hard!y e1er eats w th "eo"!e, and , ha1e ne1er seen h 0 fa!! as!ee" n the 0 dd!e of a %ase- and on%e when , "ee"ed nto h s w ndow n the 0 dd!e of the n ght, there he was, s tt ng #" w th a $oo>- and , !oo>ed n h s fr g da re and there was no food n t.; B,f he to!d yo# that, yo# wo#!d send for a stra t@a%>et. B#t f he te!!s yo#, IHe ne1er s!ee"s- he ne1er eats,; then the sho%> of the state0ent $! nds yo# to the fa%t that s#%h state0ents are 0"oss $!e to "ro1e. :o# "!ay nto h s hands $y %ontr $#t ng to the to=do.C BRegard!ess, s r,C $egan Lann ng, w th a threaten ng o$st na%y, Bof whether yo# %ons der th s 0atter ser o#s or not, t w !! re?# re on!y the 0ea! , 0ent oned to end t.C Aga n Byer!ey t#rned to the wo0an, who st !! regarded h 0 eA"ress on!ess!y. BPardon 0e. ,;1e %a#ght yo#r na0e %orre%t!y, ha1en;t ,G 9r. S#san Ca!1 nGC B:es, Mr. Byer!ey.C B:o#;re the <. S. Ro$ot;s "sy%ho!og st, aren;t yo#GC ''/

BRo$o"sy%ho!og st, "!ease.C BOh, are ro$ots so d fferent fro0 0en, 0enta!!yGC BWor!ds d fferent.C She a!!owed herse!f a frosty s0 !e, BRo$ots are essent a!!y de%ent.C H#0or t#gged at the %orners of the !awyer;s 0o#th, BWe!!, that;s a hard $!ow. B#t what , wanted to say was th s. S n%e yo#;re a "sy%ho E a ro$o"sy%ho!og st, and a wo0an, ,;!! $et that yo#;1e done so0eth ng that 9r. Lann ng hasn;t tho#ght of.C BAnd what s thatGC B:o#;1e got so0eth ng to eat n yo#r "#rse.C So0eth ng %a#ght n the s%hoo!ed nd fferen%e of S#san Ca!1 n;s eyes. She sa d, B:o# s#r"r se 0e, Mr. Byer!ey.C And o"en ng her "#rse, she "rod#%ed an a""!e. N# et!y, she handed t to h 0. 9r. Lann ng, after an n t a! start, fo!!owed the s!ow 0o1e0ent fro0 one hand to the other w th shar"!y a!ert eyes. Ca!0!y, Ste"hen Byer!ey $ t nto t, and %a!0!y he swa!!owed t B:o# see, 9r. Lann ngGC 9r. Lann ng s0 !ed n a re! ef tang $!e eno#gh to 0a>e e1en h s eye$rows a""ear $ene1o!ent A re! ef that s#r1 1ed for one frag !e se%ond. S#san Ca!1 n sa d, B, was %#r o#s to see f yo# wo#!d eat t, $#t, of %o#rse, n the "resent %ase, t "ro1es noth ng.C Byer!ey gr nned, B,t doesn;tGC BOf %o#rse not. ,t s o$1 o#s, 9r. Lann ng, that f th s 0an were a h#0ano d ro$ot, he wo#!d $e a "erfe%t 0 tat on. He s a!0ost too h#0an to $e %red $!e. After a!!, we ha1e $een see ng and o$ser1 ng h#0an $e ngs a!! o#r ! 1es- t wo#!d $e 0"oss $!e to "a!0 so0eth ng 0ere!y near!y r ght off on #s. ,t wo#!d ha1e to $e a!! r ght. O$ser1e the teAt#re of the s> n, the ?#a! ty of the r ses, the $one for0at on of the hand. ,f he;s a ro$ot, , w sh <. S. Ro$ots had 0ade h 0, $e%a#se he;s a good @o$. 9o yo# s#""ose then, that anyone %a"a$!e of "ay ng attent on to s#%h n %et es wo#!d neg!e%t a few gadgets to ta>e %are of s#%h th ngs as eat ng, s!ee" ng, e! 0 nat onG +or e0ergen%y #se on!y, "erha"s- as, for nstan%e, to "re1ent s#%h s t#at ons as are ar s ng here. So a 0ea! won;t rea!!y "ro1e anyth ng.C BNow wa t,C snar!ed Lann ng, B, a0 E not ?# te the foo! $oth of yo# 0a>e 0e o#t to $e. , a0 not nterested n the "ro$!e0 of Mr. Byer!ey;s h#0an ty or nonh#0an ty. , a0 nterest n gett ng the %or"orat on o#t of a ho!e. A "#$! % 0ea! w !! end the 0atter and >ee" t ended no 0atter what N# nn does. We %an !ea1e the f ner deta !s to !awyers and ro$o"sy%ho!og sts.C BB#t, 9r. Lann ng,C sa d Byer!ey, Byo# forget the "o! t %s of the s t#at on. , a0 as anA o#s to $e e!e%ted, as N# nn s to sto" 0e. By the way, d d yo# not %e that yo# #sed h s na0eG ,t;s a %hea" shyster tr %> of 0 ne- , >new yo# wo#!d, $efore yo# were thro#gh.C Lann ng f!#shed, BWhat has the e!e%t on to do w th tGC BP#$! % ty wor>s $oth ways, s r. ,f N# nn wants to %a!! 0e a ro$ot, and has the ner1e to do so, , ha1e the ner1e to "!ay the ga0e h s way.C B:o# 0ean yo#FC Lann ng was ?# te fran>!y a""a!!ed. ''(

BEAa%t!y. , 0ean that ,;0 go ng to !et h 0 go ahead, %hoose h s ro"e, test ts strength, %#t off the r ght !ength, t e the noose, nsert h s head and gr n. , %an do what ! tt!e e!se s re?# red.C B:o# are 0 ghty %onf dent.C S#san Ca!1 n rose to her feet, BCo0e, A!fred, we won;t %hange h s 0 nd for h 0.C B:o# see.C Byer!ey s0 !ed gent!y. B:o#;re a h#0an "sy%ho!og st, too.C B#t "erha"s not a!! the %onf den%e that 9r. Lann ng had re0ar>ed #"on was "resent that e1en ng when Byer!ey;s %ar "ar>ed on the a#to0at % treads !ead ng to the s#n>en garage, and Byer!ey h 0se!f %rossed the "ath to the front door of h s ho#se. The f g#re n the whee! %ha r !oo>ed #" as he entered and s0 !ed. Byer!ey;s fa%e ! t w th affe%t on. He %rossed o1er to t. The %r ""!e;s 1o %e was a hoarse, grat ng wh s"er that %a0e o#t of a 0o#th fore1er tw sted to one s de, !eer ng o#t of a fa%e that was ha!f s%ar t ss#e, B:o#;re !ate, Ste1e.C B, >now, John, , >now. B#t ,;1e $een #" aga nst a "e%#! ar and nterest ng tro#$!e today.C BSoGC Ne ther the torn fa%e nor the destroyed 1o %e %o#!d %arry eA"ress on $#t there was anA ety n the %!ear eyes. BNoth ng yo# %an;t hand!eGC B,;0 not eAa%t!y %erta n. , 0ay need yo#r he!". :o#;re the $r !! ant one n the fa0 !y. 9o yo# want 0e to ta>e yo# o#t nto the gardenG ,t;s a $ea#t f#! e1en ng.C Two strong ar0s ! fted John fro0 the whee! %ha r. Hent!y, a!0ost %aress ng!y, Byer!ey;s ar0s went aro#nd the sho#!ders and #nder the swathed !egs of the %r ""!e. Caref#!!y, and s!ow!y, he wa!>ed thro#gh the roo0s, down the gent!e ra0" that had $een $# !t w th a whee! %ha r n 0 nd, and o#t the $a%> door nto the wa!!ed and w red garden $eh nd the ho#se. BWhy don;t yo# !et 0e #se the whee! %ha r, Ste1eG Th s s S !!y.C BBe%a#se ,;d rather %arry yo#. 9o yo# o$@e%tG :o# >now that yo#;re as g!ad to get o#t of that 0otor Ded $#ggy for a wh !e, as , a0 to see yo# o#t. How do yo# fee! todayGC He de"os ted John w th nf n te %are #"on the %oo! grass. BHow sho#!d , fee!G B#t te!! 0e a$o#t yo#r tro#$!es.C BN# nn;s %a0"a gn w !! $e $ased on the fa%t that he %!a 0s ,;0 a ro$ot.C John;s eyes o"ened w de, BHow do yo# >nowG ,t;s 0"oss $!e. , won;t $e! e1e t.C BOh, %o0e, , te!! yo# t;s so. He had one of the $ g=shot s% ent sts of <. S. Ro$ot M Me%han %a! Men Cor"orat on o1er at the off %e to arg#e w th 0e.C S!ow!y John;s hands tore at the grass, B, see. , see.C Byer!ey sa d, BB#t we %an !et h 0 %hoose h s gro#nd. , ha1e an dea. L sten to 0e and te!! 0e f we %an do t B The s%ene as t a""eared n A!fred Lann ng;s off %e that n ght was a ta$!ea# of stares. +ran% s N# nn stared 0ed tat 1e!y at A!fred Lann ng. Lann ng;s stare was sa1age!y set #"on S#san Ca!1 n, who stared 0"ass 1e!y n her t#rn at N# nn. +ran% s N# nn $ro>e t w th a hea1y atte0"t at ! ghtness, BB!#ff. He;s 0a> ng t #" as he goes a!ong.C '3*

BAre yo# go ng to ga0$!e on that, Mr. N# nnGC as>ed 9r. Ca!1 n, nd fferent!y. BWe!!, t;s yo#r ga0$!e, rea!!y.C BLoo> here,C Lann ng %o1ered def n te "ess 0 s0 w th $!#ster, Bwe;1e done what yo# as>ed. We w tnessed the 0an eat. ,t;s r d %#!o#s to "res#0e h 0 a ro$ot.C B9o yo# th n> soGC N# nn shot toward Ca!1 n. BLann ng sa d yo# were the eA"ert.C Lann ng was a!0ost threaten ng, BNow, S#sanFC N# nn nterr#"ted s0ooth!y, BWhy not !et her ta!>, 0anG She;s $een s tt ng there 0 tat ng a gate"ost for ha!f an ho#r.C Lann ng fe!t def n te!y harassed. +ro0 what he eA"er en%ed then to n% " ent "arano a was $#t a ste". He sa d, BLery we!!. Ha1e yo#r say, S#san. We won;t nterr#"t yo#.C S#san Ca!1 n g!an%ed at h 0 h#0or!ess!y, then f Aed %o!d eyes on Mr. N# nn. BThere are on!y two ways of def n te!y "ro1 ng Byer!ey to $e a ro$ot, s r. So far yo# are "resent ng % r%#0stant a! e1 den%e, w th wh %h yo# %an a%%#se, $#t not "ro1e E and , th n> Mr. Byer!ey s s#ff % ent!y %!e1er to %o#nter that sort of 0ater a!. :o# "ro$a$!y th n> so yo#rse!f, or yo# wo#!dn;t ha1e %o0e here. BThe two 0ethods of "roof are the "hys %a! and the "sy%ho!og %a!. Phys %a!!y, yo# %an d sse%t h 0 or #se an Q=ray. How to do that wo#!d $e yo#r "ro$!e0. Psy%ho!og %a!!y, h s $eha1 or %an $e st#d ed, for f he s a "os tron % ro$ot, he 0#st %onfor0 to the three R#!es of Ro$ot %s. A "os tron % $ra n %annot $e %onstr#%ted w tho#t the0. :o# >now the R#!es, Mr. N# nnGC She s"o>e the0 %aref#!!y, %!ear!y, ?#ot ng word for word the fa0o#s $o!d "r nt on "age one of the BHand$oo> of Ro$ot %s.C B,;1e heard of the0,C sa d N# nn, %are!ess!y. BThen the 0atter s easy to fo!!ow,C res"onded the "sy%ho!og st, dry!y. B,f Mr. Byer!ey $rea>s any of those three r#!es, he s not a ro$ot. <nfort#nate!y, th s "ro%ed#re wor>s n on!y one d re%t on. ,f he ! 1es #" to the r#!es, t "ro1es noth ng one way or the other.C N# nn ra sed "o! te eye$rows, BWhy not, do%torGC BBe%a#se, f yo# sto" to th n> of t, the three R#!es of Ro$ot %s are the essent a! g# d ng "r n% "!es of a good 0any of the wor!d;s eth %a! syste0s. Of %o#rse, e1ery h#0an $e ng s s#""osed to ha1e the nst n%t of se!f="reser1at on. That;s R#!e Three to a ro$ot. A!so e1ery Igood; h#0an $e ng, w th a so% a! %ons% en%e and a sense of res"ons $ ! ty, s s#""osed to defer to "ro"er a#thor ty- to ! sten to h s do%tor, h s $oss, h s go1ern0ent, h s "sy%h atr st, h s fe!!ow 0an- to o$ey !aws, to fo!!ow r#!es, to %onfor0 to %#sto0 E e1en when they nterfere w th h s %o0fort or h s safety. That;s R#!e Two to a ro$ot. A!so, e1ery Igood; h#0an $e ng s s#""osed to !o1e others as h 0se!f, "rote%t h s fe!!ow 0an, r s> h s ! fe to sa1e another. That;s R#!e One to a ro$ot. To "#t t s 0"!y E f Byer!ey fo!!ows a!! the R#!es of Ro$ot %s, he 0ay $e a ro$ot, and 0ay s 0"!y $e a 1ery good 0an.C BB#t,C sa d N# nn, Byo#;re te!! ng 0e that yo# %an ne1er "ro1e h 0 a ro$ot.C B, 0ay $e a$!e to "ro1e h 0 not a ro$otC BThat;s not the "roof , want.C B:o#;!! ha1e s#%h "roof as eA sts. :o# are the on!y one res"ons $!e for yo#r own wants.C

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Here Lann ng;s 0 nd !ea"ed s#dden!y to the st ng of an dea, BHas t o%%#rred to anyone,C he gro#nd o#t, Bthat d str %t attorney s a rather strange o%%#"at on for a ro$otG The "rose%#t on of h#0an $e ngs E senten% ng the0 to death E $r ng ng a$o#t the r nf n te har0FC N# nn grew s#dden!y >een, BNo, yo# %an;t get o#t of t that way. Be ng d str %t attorney doesn;t 0a>e h 0 h#0an. 9on;t yo# >now h s re%ordG 9on;t yo# >now that he $oasts that he has ne1er "rose%#ted an nno%ent 0an- that there are s%ores of "eo"!e !eft #ntr ed $e%a#se the e1 den%e aga nst the0 d dn;t sat sfy h 0, e1en tho#gh he %o#!d "ro$a$!y ha1e arg#ed a @#ry nto ato0 D ng the0G That ha""ens to $e so.C Lann ng;s th n %hee>s ?# 1ered, BNo, N# nn, no. There s noth ng n the R#!es of Ro$ot %s that 0a>es any a!!owan%e for h#0an g# !t. A ro$ot 0ay not @#dge whether a h#0an $e ng deser1es death. ,t s not for h 0 to de% de. He 0ay not har0 a h#0an=1ar ety s>#n>, or 1ar ety ange!.C S#san Ca!1 n so#nded t red. BA!fred,C she sa d, Bdon;t ta!> foo! sh!y. What f a ro$ot %a0e #"on a 0ad0an a$o#t to set f re to a ho#se w th "eo"!e n tG He wo#!d sto" the 0ad0an, wo#!dn;t heGC BOf %o#rse.C BAnd f the on!y way he %o#!d sto" h 0 was to > !! h 0FC There was a fa nt so#nd n Lann ng;s throat. Noth ng 0ore. BThe answer to that, A!fred, s that he wo#!d do h s $est not to > !! h 0. ,f the 0ad0an d ed, the ro$ot wo#!d re?# re "sy%hothera"y $e%a#se he 0 ght eas !y go 0ad at the %onf! %t "resented h 0 E of ha1 ng $ro>en R#!e One to adhere to R#!e One n a h gher sense. B#t a 0an wo#!d $e dead and a ro$ot wo#!d ha1e > !!ed h 0.C BWe!!, s Byer!ey 0adGC de0anded Lann ng- w th a!! the sar%as0 he %o#!d 0#ster. BNo, $#t he has > !!ed no 0an h 0se!f. He has eA"osed fa%ts wh %h 0 ght re"resent a "art %#!ar h#0an $e ng to $e dangero#s to the !arge 0ass of other h#0an $e ngs we %a!! so% ety. He "rote%ts the greater n#0$er and th#s adheres to R#!e One at 0aA 0#0 "otent a!. That s as far as he goes. ,t s the @#dge who then %onde0ns the %r 0 na! to death or 0"r son0ent, after the @#ry de% des on h s g# !t or nno%en%e. ,t s the @a !er who 0"r sons h 0, the eAe%#t oner who > !!s h 0. And Mr. Byer!ey has done noth ng $#t deter0 ne tr#th and a d so% ety. BAs a 0atter of fa%t, Mr. N# nn, , ha1e !oo>ed nto Mr. Byer!ey;s %areer s n%e yo# f rst $ro#ght th s 0atter to o#r attent on. , f nd that he has ne1er de0anded the death senten%e n h s %!os ng s"ee%hes to the @#ry. , a!so f nd that he has s"o>en on $eha!f of the a$o! t on of %a" ta! "#n sh0ent and %ontr $#ted genero#s!y to resear%h nst t#t ons engaged n %r 0 na! ne#ro"hys o!ogy. He a""arent!y $e! e1es n the %#re, rather than the "#n sh0ent of %r 0e. , f nd that s gn f %ant.C B:o# doGC N# nn s0 !ed. BS gn f %ant of a %erta n odor of ro$ot % ty, "erha"sGC BPerha"s. Why deny tG A%t ons s#%h as h s %o#!d %o0e on!y fro0 a ro$ot, or fro0 a 1ery honora$!e and de%ent h#0an $e ng. B#t yo# see, yo# @#st %an;t d fferent ate $etween a ro$ot and the 1ery $est of h#0ans.C N# nn sat $a%> n h s %ha r. H s 1o %e ?# 1ered w th 0"at en%e. B9r. Lann ng, t;s "erfe%t!y "oss $!e to %reate a h#0ano d ro$ot that wo#!d "erfe%t!y d#"! %ate a h#0an n a""earan%e, sn;t tGC

'33

Lann ng harr#0"hed and %ons dered, B,t;s $een done eA"er 0enta!!y $y <. S. Ro$ots,C he sa d re!#%tant!y, Bw tho#t the add t on of a "os tron % $ra n, of %o#rse. By #s ng h#0an o1a and hor0one %ontro!, one %an grow h#0an f!esh and s> n o1er a s>e!eton of "oro#s s ! %one "!ast %s that wo#!d defy eAterna! eAa0 nat on. The eyes, the ha r, the s> n wo#!d $e rea!!y h#0an, not h#0ano d. And f yo# "#t a "os tron % $ra n, and s#%h other gadgets as yo# 0 ght des re ns de, yo# ha1e a h#0ano d ro$ot.C N# nn sa d short!y, BHow !ong wo#!d t ta>e to 0a>e oneGC Lann ng %ons dered, B,f yo# had a!! yo#r e?# "0ent E the $ra n, the s>e!eton, the o1#0, the "ro"er hor0ones and rad at ons E say, two 0onths.C The "o! t % an stra ghtened o#t of h s %ha r. BThen we sha!! see what the ns des of Mr. Byer!ey !oo> ! >e. ,t w !! 0ean "#$! % ty for <. S. Ro$ots E $#t , ga1e yo# yo#r %han%e.C Lann ng t#rned 0"at ent!y to S#san Ca!1 n, when they were a!one. BWhy do yo# ns stFCG And w th rea! fee! ng, she res"onded shar"!y and nstant!y, BWh %h do yo# want E the tr#th or 0y res gnat onG , won;t ! e for yo#. <. S. Ro$ots %an ta>e %are of tse!f. 9on;t t#rn %oward.C BWhat,C sa d Lann ng, B f he o"ens #" Byer!ey, and whee!s and gears fa!! o#t what thenGC BHe won;t o"en Byer!ey,C sa d Ca!1 n, d sda nf#!!y. BByer!ey s as %!e1er as N# nn, at the 1ery !eastC The news $ro>e #"on the % ty a wee> $efore Byer!ey was to ha1e $een no0 nated. B#t B$ro>eC s the wrong word. ,t staggered #"on the % ty, sha0$!ed, %raw!ed. La#ghter $egan, and w t was free. And as the far off hand of N# nn t ghtened ts "ress#re n easy stages, the !a#ghter grew for%ed, an e!e0ent of ho!!ow #n%erta nty entered, and "eo"!e $ro>e off to wonder. The %on1ent on tse!f had the s r of a rest 1e sta!! on. There had $een no %ontest "!anned. On!y Byer!ey %o#!d "oss $!y ha1e $een no0 nated a wee> ear! er. There was no s#$st t#te e1en now. They had to no0 nate h 0, $#t there was %o0"!ete %onf#s on a$o#t t. ,t wo#!d not ha1e $een so $ad f the a1erage nd 1 d#a! were not torn $etween the enor0 ty of the %harge, f tr#e, and ts sensat ona! fo!!y, f fa!se. The day after Byer!ey was no0 nated "erf#n%tor !y, ho!!ow!y E a news"a"er f na!!y "#$! shed the g st of a !ong nter1 ew w th 9r. S#san Ca!1 n, Bwor!d fa0o#s eA"ert on ro$o"sy%ho!ogy and "os tron %s.C What $ro>e !oose s "o"#!ar!y and s#%% n%t!y des%r $ed as he!!. ,t was what the +#nda0enta! sts were wa t ng for. They were not a "o! t %a! "arty- they 0ade "retense to no for0a! re! g on. Essent a!!y they were those who had not ada"ted the0se!1es to what had on%e $een %a!!ed the Ato0 % Age, n the days when ato0s were a no1e!ty. A%t#a!!y, they were the S 0"!e=L fers, h#nger ng after a ! fe, wh %h to those who ! 1ed t had "ro$a$!y a""eared not so S 0"!e, and who had $een, therefore, S 0"!e=L fers the0se!1es. The +#nda0enta! sts re?# red no new reason to detest ro$ots and ro$ot 0an#fa%t#rers- $#t a new reason s#%h as the N# nn a%%#sat on and the Ca!1 n ana!ys s was s#ff % ent to 0a>e s#%h detestat on a#d $!e. The h#ge "!ants of the <. S. Ro$ot M Me%han %a! Men Cor"orat on was a h 1e that s"awned ar0ed g#ards. ,t "re"ared for war. '36

W th n the % ty the ho#se of Ste"hen Byer!ey $r st!ed w th "o! %e. The "o! t %a! %a0"a gn, of %o#rse, !ost a!! other ss#es, and rese0$!ed a %a0"a gn on!y n that t was so0eth ng f !! ng the h at#s $etween no0 nat on and e!e%t on. Ste"hen Byer!ey d d not a!!ow the f#ssy ! tt!e 0an to d stra%t h 0. He re0a ned %o0forta$!y #n"ert#r$ed $y the #n for0s n the $a%>gro#nd. O#ts de the ho#se, "ast the ! ne of gr 0 g#ards, re"orters and "hotogra"hers wa ted a%%ord ng to the trad t on of the %aste. One enter"r s ng I1 sor stat on e1en had a s%anner fo%#sed on the $!an> entran%e to the "rose%#tor;s #n"retent o#s ho0e, wh !e a synthet %a!!y eA% ted anno#n%er f !!ed n w th nf!ated %o00entary. The f#ssy ! tt!e 0an ad1an%ed. He he!d forward a r %h, %o0"! %ated sheet. BTh s, Mr. Byer!ey, s a %o#rt order a#thor D ng 0e to sear%h these "re0 ses for the "resen%e of !!ega!... #h... 0e%han %a! 0en or ro$ots of any des%r "t on.C Byer!ey ha!f rose, and too> the "a"er. He g!an%ed at t nd fferent!y, and s0 !ed as he handed t $a%>. BA!! n order. Ho ahead. 9o yo#r @o$. Mrs. Ho""enC E to h s ho#se>ee"er, who a""eared re!#%tant!y fro0 the neAt roo0 FC "!ease go w th the0, and he!" o#t f yo# %an.C The ! tt!e 0an, whose na0e was Harroway, hes tated, "rod#%ed an #n0 sta>a$!e $!#sh, fa !ed %o0"!ete!y to %at%h Byer!ey;s eyes, and 0#ttered, BCo0e on,C to the two "o! %e0en. He was $a%> n ten 0 n#tes. BThro#ghGC ?#est oned Byer!ey, n @#st the tone of a "erson who s not "art %#!ar!y nterested n the ?#est on, or ts answer. Harroway %!eared h s throat, 0ade a $ad start n fa!setto, and $egan aga n, angr !y, BLoo> here, Mr. Byer!ey, o#r s"e% a! nstr#%t ons were to sear%h the ho#se 1ery thoro#gh!y.C BAnd ha1en;t yo#GC BWe were to!d eAa%t!y what to !oo> for.C B:esGC B,n short, Mr. Byer!ey, and not to "#t too f ne a "o nt on t, we were to!d to sear%h yo#.C BMeGC sa d the "rose%#tor w th a $roaden ng s0 !e. BAnd how do yo# ntend to do thatGC BWe ha1e a Penet=rad at on #n tFC BThen ,;0 to ha1e 0y Q=ray "hotogra"h ta>en, heyG :o# ha1e the a#thor tyGC B:o# saw 0y warrant.C BMay , see t aga nGC Harroway, h s forehead sh n ng w th %ons dera$!y 0ore than 0ere enth#s as0, "assed t o1er a se%ond t 0e. Byer!ey sa d e1en!y, B, read here as the des%r "t on of what yo# are to sear%h- , ?#ote2 Ithe dwe!! ng "!a%e $e!ong ng to Ste"hen A!!en Byer!ey, !o%ated at 655 W !!ow Hro1e, E1anstron, together, w th any garage, storeho#se or other str#%t#res or $# !d ngs thereto a""erta n ng, together w th a!! gro#nds thereto a""erta n ng;... #0... and so on. N# te n order. B#t, 0y good 0an, t doesn;t say anyth ng a$o#t sear%h ng 0y nter or. , a0 not "art of the "re0 ses. :o# 0ay sear%h 0y %!othes f yo# th n> ,;1e got a ro$ot h dden n 0y "o%>et.C

'3)

Harroway had no do#$t on the "o nt of to who0 he owed h s @o$. He d d not "ro"ose to $e $a%>ward, g 1en a %han%e to earn a 0#%h $etter E .e., 0ore h gh!y "a d E @o$. He sa d, n a fa nt e%ho of $!#ster, BLoo> here. ,;0 a!!owed to sear%h the f#rn t#re n yo#r ho#se, and anyth ng e!se , f nd n t. :o# are n t, aren;t yo#GC BA re0ar>a$!e o$ser1at on. , a0 n t. B#t ,;0 not a " e%e of f#rn t#re. As a % t Den of ad#!t res"ons $ ! ty E , ha1e the "sy%h atr % %ert f %ate "ro1 ng that E , ha1e %erta n r ghts #nder the Reg ona! Art %!es. Sear%h ng 0e wo#!d %o0e #nder the head ng of 1 o!at ng 0y R ght of Pr 1a%y. That "a"er sn;t s#ff % ent.C BS#re, $#t f yo#;re a ro$ot, yo# don;t ha1e R ght of Pr 1a%y.C BTr#e eno#gh $#t that "a"er st !! sn;t s#ff % ent. ,t re%ogn Des 0e 0"! % t!y as a h#0an $e ng.C BWhereGC Harroway snat%hed at t. BWhere t says Ithe dwe!! ng "!a%e $e!ong ng to; and so on. A ro$ot %annot own "ro"erty. And yo# 0ay te!! yo#r e0"!oyer, Mr. Harroway, that f he tr es to ss#e a s 0 !ar "a"er wh %h does not 0"! % t!y re%ogn De 0e as a h#0an $e ng, he w !! $e 00ed ate!y fa%ed w th a restra n ng n@#n%t on and a % 1 ! s# t wh %h w !! 0a>e t ne%essary for h 0 to "ro1e 0e a ro$ot $y 0eans of nfor0at on now n h s "ossess on, or e!se to "ay a who"" ng "ena!ty for an atte0"t to de"r 1e 0e #nd#!y of 0y R ghts #nder the Reg ona! Art %!es. :o#;!! te!! h 0 that, won;t yo#GC Harroway 0ar%hed to the door. He t#rned. . B:o#;re a s! %> !awyerFC H s hand was n h s "o%>et. +or a short 0o0ent, he stood there. Then he !eft, s0 !ed n the d re%t on of the I1 sor s%anner, st !! "!ay ng away E wa1ed to the re"orters, and sho#ted, BWe;!! ha1e so0eth ng for yo# to0orrow, $oys. No > dd ng.C ,n h s gro#nd %ar, he sett!ed $a%>, re0o1ed the t ny 0e%han s0 fro0 h s "o%>et and %aref#!!y ns"e%ted t. ,t was the f rst t 0e he had e1er ta>en a "hotogra"h $y Q=ray ref!e%t on. He ho"ed he had done t %orre%t!y. N# nn and Byer!ey had ne1er 0et fa%e=to=fa%e a!one. B#t 1 sor"hone was "retty %!ose to t. ,n fa%t, a%%e"ted ! tera!!y, "erha"s the "hrase was a%%#rate, e1en f to ea%h, the other were 0ere!y the ! ght and dar> "attern of a $an> of "hoto%e!!s. ,t was N# nn who had n t ated the %a!!. ,t was N# nn, who s"o>e f rst, and w tho#t "art %#!ar %ere0ony, BTho#ght yo# wo#!d ! >e to >now, Byer!ey, that , ntend to 0a>e "#$! % the fa%t that yo#;re wear ng a "rote%t 1e sh e!d aga nst Penet=rad at on.C BThat soG ,n that %ase, yo#;1e "ro$a$!y a!ready 0ade t "#$! %. , ha1e a not on o#r enter"r s ng "ress re"resentat 1es ha1e $een ta"" ng 0y 1ar o#s %o00#n %at on ! nes for ?# te a wh !e. , >now they ha1e 0y off %e ! nes f#!! of ho!es- wh %h s why ,;1e d#g n at 0y ho0e these !ast wee>s.C Byer!ey was fr end!y, a!0ost %hatty. N# nn;s ! "s t ghtened s! ght!y, BTh s %a!! s sh e!ded E thoro#gh!y. ,;0 0a> ng t at a %erta n "ersona! r s>.C BSo , sho#!d 0ag ne. No$ody >nows yo#;re $eh nd th s %a0"a gn. At !east, no$ody >nows t off % a!!y. No$ody doesn;t >now t #noff % a!!y. , wo#!dn;t worry. So , wear a "rote%t 1e sh e!dG , s#""ose yo# fo#nd that o#t when yo#r "#""y dog;s Penet=rad at on "hotogra"h, the other day, t#rned o#t to $e o1ereA"osed.C

'35

B:o# rea! De, Byer!ey, that t wo#!d $e "retty o$1 o#s to e1eryone that yo# don;t dare fa%e Q=ray ana!ys s.C BA!so that yo#, or yo#r 0en, atte0"ted !!ega! n1as on of 0y R ghts of Pr 1a%y.C BThe de1 ! they;!! %are for that.C BThey 0 ght. ,t;s rather sy0$o! % of o#r two %a0"a gns sn;t tG :o# ha1e ! tt!e %on%ern w th the r ghts of the nd 1 d#a! % t Den. , ha1e great %on%ern. , w !! not s#$0 t to Q=ray ana!ys s, $e%a#se , w sh to 0a nta n 0y R ghts on "r n% "!e. J#st as ,;!! 0a nta n the r ghts of others when e!e%ted.C BThat w !!, no do#$t 0a>e a 1ery nterest ng s"ee%h, $#t no one w !! $e! e1e yo#. A ! tt!e too h gh= so#nd ng to $e tr#e. Another th ng,C a s#dden, %r s" %hange, Bthe "ersonne! n yo#r ho0e was not %o0"!ete the other n ght.C B,n what wayGC BA%%ord ng to the re"ort,C he sh#ff!ed "a"ers $efore h 0 that were @#st w th n the range of 1 s on of the 1 s "!ate, Bthere was one "erson 0 ss ng E a %r ""!e.C BAs yo# say,C sa d Byer!ey, tone!ess!y, Ba %r ""!e. My o!d tea%her, who ! 1es w th 0e and who s now n the %o#ntry E and has $een for two 0onths. A I0#%h=needed rest; s the #s#a! eA"ress on a""! ed n the %ase. He has yo#r "er0 ss onGC B:o#r tea%herG A s% ent st of sortsGC BA !awyer on%e E $efore he was a %r ""!e. He has a go1ern0ent ! %ense as a resear%h $ o"hys % st, w th a !a$oratory of h s own, and a %o0"!ete des%r "t on of the wor> he;s do ng f !ed w th the "ro"er a#thor t es, to who0 , %an refer yo#. The wor> s 0 nor, $#t s a har0!ess and engag ng ho$$y for a E "oor %r ""!e. , a0 $e ng as he!"f#! as , %an, yo# see.C B, see. And what does th s... tea%her... >now a$o#t ro$ot 0an#fa%t#reGC B, %o#!dn;t @#dge the eAtent of h s >now!edge n a f e!d w th wh %h , a0 #na%?#a nted.C BHe wo#!dn;t ha1e a%%ess to "os tron % $ra nsGC BAs> yo#r fr ends at <. S. Ro$ots. They;d $e the ones to >now.C B,;!! "#t t short!y, Byer!ey. :o#r %r ""!ed tea%her s the rea! Ste"hen Byer!ey. :o# are h s ro$ot %reat on. We %an "ro1e t. ,t was he who was n the a#to0o$ !e a%% dent, not yo#. There w !! $e ways of %he%> ng the re%ords.C BRea!!yG 9o so, then. My $est w shes.C BAnd we %an sear%h yo#r so=%a!!ed tea%her;s I%o#ntry "!a%e,; and see what we %an f nd there.C BWe!!, not ?# te, N# nn.C Byer!ey s0 !ed $road!y. B<nfort#nate!y for yo#, 0y so=%a!!ed tea%her s a s %> 0an. H s %o#ntry "!a%e s h s "!a%e of rest. H s R ght of Pr 1a%y as a % t Den of ad#!t res"ons $ ! ty s nat#ra!!y e1en stronger, #nder the % r%#0stan%es. :o# won;t $e a$!e to o$ta n a warrant to enter h s gro#nds w tho#t show ng @#st %a#se. Howe1er, ,;d $e the !ast to "re1ent yo# fro0 try ng.C There was a "a#se of 0oderate !ength, and then N# nn !eaned forward, so that h s 0aged=fa%e eA"anded and the f ne ! nes on h s forehead were 1 s $!e, BByer!ey, why do yo# %arry onG :o# %an;t $e e!e%ted.C

'3.

BCan;t ,GC B9o yo# th n> yo# %anG 9o yo# s#""ose that yo#r fa !#re to 0a>e any atte0"t to d s"ro1e the ro$ot %harge E when yo# %o#!d eas !y, $y $rea> ng one of the Three Laws E does anyth ng $#t %on1 n%e the "eo"!e that yo# are a ro$otGC BA!! , see so far s that fro0 $e ng a rather 1ag#e!y >nown, $#t st !! !arge!y o$s%#re 0etro"o! tan !awyer, , ha1e now $e%o0e a wor!d f g#re. :o#;re a good "#$! % st.C BB#t yo# are a ro$ot.C BSo t;s $een sa d, $#t not "ro1en.C B,t;s $een "ro1en s#ff % ent!y for the e!e%torate.C BThen re!aA yo#;1e won.C BHood=$y,C sa d N# nn, w th h s f rst to#%h of 1 % o#sness, and the 1 sor"hone s!a00ed off. BHood=$y,C sa d Byer!ey 0"ert#r$a$!y, to the $!an> "!ate. Byer!ey $ro#ght h s Btea%herC $a%> the wee> $efore e!e%t on. The a r %ar dro""ed ?# %>!y n an o$s%#re "art of the % ty. B:o#;!! stay here t !! after e!e%t on,C Byer!ey to!d h 0. B,t wo#!d $e $etter to ha1e yo# o#t of the way f th ngs ta>e a $ad t#rn.C The hoarse 1o %e that tw sted "a nf#!!y o#t of John;s %roo>ed 0o#th 0 ght ha1e had a%%ents of %on%ern n t. BThere;s danger of 1 o!en%eGC BThe +#nda0enta! sts threaten t, so , s#""ose there s, n a theoret %a! sense. B#t , rea!!y don;t eA"e%t t. The +#nd es ha1e no rea! "ower. They;re @#st the %ont n#o#s rr tant fa%tor that 0 ght st r #" a r ot after a wh !e. :o# don;t 0 nd stay ng hereG P!ease, , won;t $e 0yse!f f , ha1e to worry a$o#t yo#.C BOh, ,;!! stay. :o# st !! th n> t w !! go we!!GC B,;0 s#re of t. No one $othered yo# at the "!a%eGC BNo one. ,;0 %erta n.C BAnd yo#r "art went we!!GC BWe!! eno#gh. There;!! $e no tro#$!e there.C BThen ta>e %are of yo#rse!f, and wat%h the te!e1 sor to0orrow, John.C Byer!ey "ressed the gnar!ed hand that rested on h s. Lenton;s forehead was a f#rrowed st#dy n s#s"ense. He had the %o0"!ete!y #nen1 a$!e @o$ of $e ng Byer!ey;s %a0"a gn 0anager n a %a0"a gn that wasn;t a %a0"a gn, for a "erson that ref#sed to re1ea! h s strategy, and ref#sed to a%%e"t h s 0anager;s. B:o# %an;t7C ,t was h s fa1or te "hrase. ,t had $e%o0e h s on!y "hrase. B, te!! yo#, Ste1e, yo# %an;t7C He threw h 0se!f n front of the "rose%#tor, who was s"end ng h s t 0e !eaf ng thro#gh the ty"ed "ages of h s s"ee%h.

'34

BP#t that down, Ste1e. Loo>, that 0o$ has $een organ Ded $y the +#nd es. :o# won;t get a hear ng. :o#;!! $e stoned 0ore ! >e!y. Why do yo# ha1e to 0a>e a s"ee%h $efore an a#d en%eG What;s wrong w th a re%ord ng, a 1 s#a! re%ord ngGC B:o# want 0e to w n the e!e%t on, don;t yo#GC as>ed Byer!ey, 0 !d!y. BW n the e!e%t on7 :o#;re not go ng to w n, Ste1e. ,;0 try ng to sa1e yo#r ! fe.C BOh, ,;0 not n danger.C BHe;s not n danger. He;s not n danger.C Lenton 0ade a ?#eer, ras" ng so#nd n h s throat. B:o# 0ean yo#;re gett ng o#t on that $a!%ony n front of f fty tho#sand %raDy %ra%>"ots and try to ta!> sense to the0 E on a $a!%ony ! >e a 0ed e1a! d %tatorGC Byer!ey %ons#!ted h s wat%h. B,n a$o#t f 1e 0 n#tes E as soon as the te!e1 sor ! nes are free.C Lenton;s answer ng re0ar> was not ?# te trans! tera$!e. The %rowd f !!ed a ro"ed off area of the % ty. Trees and ho#ses see0ed to grow o#t of a 0ass= h#0an fo#ndat on. And $y #!tra=wa1e, the rest of the wor!d wat%hed. ,t was a "#re!y !o%a! e!e%t on, $#t t had a wor!d a#d en%e @#st the sa0e. Byer!ey tho#ght of that and s0 !ed. B#t there was noth ng to s0 !e at n the %rowd tse!f. There were $anners and strea0ers, r ng ng e1ery "oss $!e %hange on h s s#""osed ro$ot % ty. The host !e att t#de rose th %>!y and tang $!y nto the at0os"here. +ro0 the start the s"ee%h was not s#%%essf#!. ,t %o0"eted aga nst the n%hoate 0o$ how! and the rhyth0 % %r es of the +#nd e %!a?#es that for0ed 0o$= s!ands w th n the 0o$. Byer!ey s"o>e on, s!ow!y, #ne0ot ona!!yF ,ns de, Lenton %!#t%hed h s ha r and groaned E and wa ted for the $!ood. There was a wr th ng n the front ran>s. An ang#!ar % t Den w th "o"" ng eyes, and %!othes too short for the !an> !ength of h s ! 0$s, was "#!! ng to the fore. A "o! %e0an d 1ed after h 0, 0a> ng s!ow, str#gg! ng "assage. Byer!ey wa1ed the !atter off, angr !y. The th n 0an was d re%t!y #nder the $a!%ony. H s words tore #nheard aga nst the roar. Byer!ey !eaned forward. BWhat do yo# sayG ,f yo# ha1e a !eg t 0ate ?#est on, ,;!! answer t.C He t#rned to a f!an> ng g#ard. BBr ng that 0an #" here.C There was a tens ng n the %rowd. Cr es of BN# etC started n 1ar o#s "arts of the 0o$, and rose to a $ed!a0, then toned down ragged!y. The th n 0an, red=fa%ed and "ant ng, fa%ed Byer!ey. Byer!ey sa d, BHa1e yo# a ?#est onGC The th n 0an stared, and sa d n a %ra%>ed 1o %e, BH t 0e7C W th s#dden energy, he thr#st o#t h s %h n at an ang!e. BH t 0e7 :o# say yo#;re not a ro$ot. Pro1e t. :o# %an;t h t a h#0an, yo# 0onster.C There was a ?#eer, f!at, dead s !en%e. Byer!ey;s 1o %e "#n%t#red t. B, ha1e no reason to h t yo#.C The th n 0an was !a#gh ng w !d!y. B:o# %an;t h t 0e. :o# won;t h t 0e. :o#;re not a h#0an. :o#;re a 0onster, a 0a>e=$e! e1e 0an.C And Ste"hen Byer!ey, t ght=! ""ed, n the fa%e of tho#sands who wat%hed n "erson and the 0 !! ons, who wat%hed $y s%reen, drew $a%> h s f st and %a#ght the 0an %ra%> ng!y #"on the %h n. '3/

The %ha!!enger went o1er $a%>wards n s#dden %o!!a"se, w th noth ng on h s fa%e $#t $!an>, $!an> s#r"r se. Byer!ey sa d, B,;0 sorry. Ta>e h 0 n and see that he;s %o0forta$!e. , want to s"ea> to h 0 when ,;0 thro#gh.C And when 9r. Ca!1 n, fro0 her reser1ed s"a%e, t#rned her a#to0o$ !e and dro1e off, on!y one re"orter had re%o1ered s#ff % ent!y fro0 the sho%> to ra%e after her, and sho#t an #nheard ?#est on. S#san Ca!1 n %a!!ed o1er her sho#!der, BHe;s h#0an.C That was eno#gh. The re"orter ra%ed away n h s own d re%t on. The rest of the s"ee%h 0 ght $e des%r $ed as BS"o>en $#t not heard.C 9r. Ca!1 n and Ste"hen Byer!ey 0et on%e aga n E a wee> $efore he too> the oath of off %e as 0ayor. ,t was !ate E "ast 0 dn ght. 9r. Ca!1 n sa d, B:o# don;t !oo> t red.C The 0ayor=e!e%t s0 !ed. B, 0ay stay #" for a wh !e. 9on;t te!! N# nn.C B, shan;t. B#t that was an nterest ng story of N# nn;s, s n%e yo# 0ent on h 0. ,t;s a sha0e to ha1e s"o !ed t. , s#""ose yo# >new h s theoryGC BParts of t.C B,t was h gh!y dra0at %. Ste"hen Byer!ey was a yo#ng !awyer, a "owerf#! s"ea>er, a great dea! st E and w th a %erta n f!are for $ o"hys %s. Are yo# nterested n ro$ot %s, Mr. Byer!eyGC BOn!y n the !ega! as"e%ts.C BTh s Ste"hen Byer!ey was. B#t there was an a%% dent. Byer!ey;s w fe d ed, he h 0se!f, worse. H s !egs were gone- h s fa%e was gone- h s 1o %e was gone. Part of h s 0 nd was $ent. He wo#!d not s#$0 t to "!ast % s#rgery. He ret red fro0 the wor!d, !ega! %areer gone E on!y h s nte!! gen%e, and h s hands !eft. So0ehow he %o#!d o$ta n "os tron % $ra ns, e1en a %o0"!eA one, one wh %h had the greatest %a"a% ty of for0 ng @#dg0ents n eth %a! "ro$!e0s E wh %h s the h ghest ro$ot % f#n%t on so far de1e!o"ed. BHe grew a $ody a$o#t t. Tra ned t to $e e1eryth ng he wo#!d ha1e $een and was no !onger. He sent t o#t nto the wor!d as Ste"hen Byer!ey, re0a n ng $eh nd h 0se!f as the o!d, %r ""!ed tea%her that no one e1er sawFC B<nfort#nate!y,C sa d the 0ayor=e!e%t, B, r# ned a!! that $y h tt ng a 0an. The "a"ers say t was yo#r off % a! 1erd %t on the o%%as on that , was h#0an.C BHow d d that ha""enG 9o yo# 0 nd te!! ng 0eG ,t %o#!dn;t ha1e $een a%% denta!.C B,t wasn;t ent re!y. N# nn d d 0ost of the wor>. My 0en started ?# et!y s"read ng the fa%t that , had ne1er h t a 0an- that , was #na$!e to h t a 0an- that to fa ! to do so #nder "ro1o%at on wo#!d $e s#re "roof that , was a ro$ot. So , arranged for a s !!y s"ee%h n "#$! %, w th a!! sorts of "#$! % ty o1ertones, and a!0ost ne1 ta$!y, so0e foo! fe!! for t. ,n ts essen%e, t was what , %a!! a shyster tr %>. One n wh %h the art f % a! at0os"here wh %h has $een %reated does a!! the wor>. Of %o#rse, the e0ot ona! effe%ts 0ade 0y e!e%t on %erta n, as ntended.C The ro$o"sy%ho!og st nodded. B, see yo# ntr#de on 0y f e!d E as e1ery "o! t % an 0#st, , s#""ose. B#t ,;0 1ery sorry t t#rned o#t th s way. , ! >e ro$ots. , ! >e the0 %ons dera$!y $etter than , do '3(

h#0an $e ngs. ,f a ro$ot %an $e %reated %a"a$!e of $e ng a % 1 ! eAe%#t 1e, , th n> he;d 0a>e the $est one "oss $!e. By the Laws of Ro$ot %s, he;d $e n%a"a$!e of har0 ng h#0ans, n%a"a$!e of tyranny, of %orr#"t on, of st#" d ty, of "re@#d %e. And after he had ser1ed a de%ent ter0, he wo#!d !ea1e, e1en tho#gh he were 00orta!, $e%a#se t wo#!d $e 0"oss $!e for h 0 to h#rt h#0ans $y !ett ng the0 >now that a ro$ot had r#!ed the0. ,t wo#!d $e 0ost dea!.C BEA%e"t that a ro$ot 0 ght fa ! d#e to the nherent nade?#a% es of h s $ra n. The "os tron % $ra n has ne1er e?#a!ed the %o0"!eA t es of the h#0an $ra n.C BHe wo#!d ha1e ad1 sers. Not e1en a h#0an $ra n s %a"a$!e of go1ern ng w tho#t ass stan%e.C Byer!ey %ons dered S#san Ca!1 n w th gra1e nterest. BWhy do yo# s0 !e, 9r. Ca!1 nGC B, s0 !e $e%a#se Mr. N# nn d dn;t th n> of e1eryth ng.C B:o# 0ean there %o#!d $e 0ore to that story of h s.C BOn!y a ! tt!e. +or the three 0onths $efore e!e%t on, th s Ste"hen Byer!ey that Mr. N# nn s"o>e a$o#t, th s $ro>en 0an, was n the %o#ntry for so0e 0yster o#s reason. He ret#rned n t 0e for that fa0o#s s"ee%h of yo#rs. And after a!!, what the o!d %r ""!e d d on%e, he %o#!d do a se%ond t 0e, "art %#!ar!y where the se%ond @o$ s 1ery s 0"!e n %o0"ar son to the f rst.C B, don;t ?# te #nderstand.C 9r. Ca!1 n rose and s0oothed her dress. She was o$1 o#s!y ready to !ea1e. B, 0ean there s one t 0e when a ro$ot 0ay str >e a h#0an $e ng w tho#t $rea> ng the + rst Law. J#st one t 0e.C BAnd when s thatGC 9r. Ca!1 n was at the door. She sa d ?# et!y, BWhen the h#0an to $e str#%> s 0ere!y another ro$ot.C She s0 !ed $road!y, her th n fa%e g!ow ng. BHood=$y Mr. Byer!ey. , ho"e to 1ote for yo# f 1e years fro0 now E for Co=ord nator.C Ste"hen Byer!ey %h#%>!ed. B, 0#st re"!y that that s a so0ewhat farfet%hed dea.C The door %!osed $eh nd her. E , stared at her w th a sort of horror, B,s that tr#eGC BA!! of t,C she sa d. BAnd the great Byer!ey was s 0"!y a ro$ot.C BOh, there;s no way of e1er f nd ng o#t. , th n> he was. B#t when he de% ded to d e, he had h 0se!f ato0 Ded, so that there w !! ne1er $e any !ega! "roof. Bes des, what d fferen%e wo#!d t 0a>eGC BWe!!FC B:o# share a "re@#d %e aga nst ro$ots wh %h s ?# te #nreason ng. He was a 1ery good Mayor- f 1e years !ater he d d $e%o0e Reg ona! Co=ord nator. And when the Reg ons of Earth for0ed the r

'6*

+ederat on n 3*)), he $e%a0e the f rst Wor!d Co=ord nator. By that t 0e t was the Ma%h nes that were r#nn ng the wor!d anyway.C B:es, $#tFC BNo $#ts7 The Ma%h nes are ro$ots, and they are r#nn ng the wor!d. ,t was f 1e years ago that , fo#nd o#t a!! the tr#th. ,t was 3*53- Byer!ey was %o0"!et ng h s se%ond ter0 as Wor!d Co= ord natorFC

'6'

The Evitable Conflict

THE CO=OR9,NATOR, ,N H,S PR,LATE ST<9:, HA9 that 0ed e1a! %#r os ty, a f re"!a%e. To $e s#re, the 0ed e1a! 0an 0 ght not ha1e re%ogn Ded t as s#%h, s n%e t had no f#n%t ona! s gn f %an%e. The ?# et, ! %> ng f!a0e !ay n an ns#!ated re%ess $eh nd %!ear ?#artD. The !ogs were gn ted at !ong d stan%e thro#gh a tr f! ng d 1ers on of the energy $ea0 that fed the "#$! % $# !d ngs of the % ty. The sa0e $#tton that %ontro!!ed the gn t on f rst d#0"ed the ashes of the "re1 o#s f re, and a!!owed for the entran%e of fresh wood. E ,t was a thoro#gh!y do0est %ated f re"!a%e, yo# see. B#t the f re tse!f was rea!. ,t was w red for so#nd, so that yo# %o#!d hear the %ra%>!e and, of %o#rse, yo# %o#!d wat%h t !ea" n the a r strea0 that fed t. The Co=ord nator;s r#ddy g!ass ref!e%ted, n 0 n at#re, the d s%reet ga0$o! ng of the f!a0e, and, n e1en f#rther 0 n at#re, t was ref!e%ted n ea%h of h s $rood ng "#" !s. And n the frosty "#" !s of h s g#est, 9r. S#san Ca!1 n of <. S. Ro$ots M Me%han %a! Men Cor"orat on. The Co=ord nator sa d, B, d d not as> yo# here ent re!y for so% a! "#r"oses, S#san.C B, d d not th n> yo# d d, Ste"hen,C she re"! ed. BEAnd yet , don;t ?# te >now how to "hrase 0y "ro$!e0. On the one hand, t %an $e noth ng at a!!. On the other, t %an 0ean the end of h#0an ty.C B, ha1e %o0e a%ross so 0any "ro$!e0s, Ste"hen, that "resented the sa0e a!ternat 1e. , th n> a!! "ro$!e0s do.C BRea!!yG Then @#dge th s E Wor!d Stee! re"orts an o1er"rod#%t on of twenty tho#sand !ong tons. The MeA %an Cana! s two 0onths $eh nd s%hed#!e. The 0er%#ry 0 nes at A!0aden ha1e eA"er en%ed a "rod#%t on def % en%y s n%e !ast s"r ng, wh !e the Hydro"on %s "!ant at T ents n has $een !ay ng 0en off. These te0s ha""en to %o0e to 0 nd at the 0o0ent. There s 0ore of the sa0e sort.C BAre these th ngs ser o#sG ,;0 not e%ono0 st eno#gh to tra%e the fearf#! %onse?#en%es of s#%h th ngs.C B,n the0se!1es, they are not ser o#s. M n ng eA"erts %an $e sent to A!0aden, f the s t#at on were to get worse. Hydro"on %s eng neers %an $e #sed n Ja1a or n Cey!on, f there are too 0any at T ents n. Twenty tho#sand !ong tons of stee! won;t f !! 0ore than a few days of wor!d de0and, and the o"en ng of the MeA %an Cana! two 0onths !ater than the "!anned date s of ! tt!e 0o0ent. ,t;s the Ma%h nes that worry 0e- ,;1e s"o>en to yo#r 9 re%tor of Resear%h a$o#t the0 a!ready.C BTo L n%ent S !1erG E He hasn;t 0ent oned anyth ng a$o#t t to 0e.C B, as>ed h 0 to s"ea> to no one. A""arent!y, he hasn;t.C BAnd what d d he te!! yo#GC BLet 0e "#t that te0 n ts "ro"er "!a%e. , want to ta!> a$o#t the Ma%h nes f rst. And , want to ta!> a$o#t the0 to yo#, $e%a#se yo#;re the on!y one n the wor!d who #nderstands ro$ots we!! eno#gh to he!" 0e now. E May , grow "h !oso"h %a!GC

'63

B+or th s e1en ng, Ste"hen, yo# 0ay ta!> how yo# "!ease and of what yo# "!ease, "ro1 ded yo# te!! 0e f rst what yo# ntend to "ro1e.C BThat s#%h s0a!! #n$a!an%es n the "erfe%t on of o#r syste0 of s#""!y and de0and, as , ha1e 0ent oned, 0ay $e the f rst ste" towards the f na! war.C BH0". Pro%eed.C S#san Ca!1 n d d not a!!ow herse!f to re!aA, des" te the des gned %o0fort of the %ha r she sat n. Her %o!d, th n=! ""ed fa%e and her f!at, e1en 1o %e were $e%o0 ng a%%ent#ated w th the years. And a!tho#gh Ste"hen Byer!ey was one 0an she %o#!d ! >e and tr#st, she was a!0ost se1enty and the %#!t 1ated ha$ ts of a ! fet 0e are not eas !y $ro>en. BE1ery "er od of h#0an de1e!o"0ent, S#san,C sa d the Co=ord nator, Bhas had ts own "art %#!ar ty"e of h#0an %onf! %t E ts own 1ar ety of "ro$!e0 that, a""arent!y, %o#!d $e sett!ed on!y $y for%e. And ea%h t 0e, fr#strat ng!y eno#gh, for%e ne1er rea!!y sett!ed the "ro$!e0. ,nstead, t "ers sted thro#gh a ser es of %onf! %ts, then 1an shed of tse!f, E what;s the eA"ress on, E ah, yes Inot w th a $ang, $#t a wh 0"er,; as the e%ono0 % and so% a! en1 ron0ent %hanged. And then, new "ro$!e0s, and a new ser es of wars, E a""arent!y end!ess!y %y%! %. BCons der re!at 1e!y 0odern t 0es. There were the ser es of dynast % wars n the s Ateenth to e ghteenth %ent#r es, when the 0ost 0"ortant ?#est on n E#ro"e was whether the ho#ses of Ha"s$#rg or La!o s=Bo#r$on were to r#!e the %ont nent. ,t was one of those I ne1 ta$!e %onf! %ts,; s n%e E#ro"e %o#!d o$1 o#s!y not eA st ha!f one and ha!f the other. BEA%e"t that t d d, and no war e1er w "ed o#t the one and esta$! shed the other, #nt ! the r se of a new so% a! at0os"here n +ran%e n '4/( t#0$!ed f rst the Bo#r$ons and, e1ent#a!!y, the Ha"s$#rgs down the d#sty %h#te to h story;s n% nerator. BAnd n those sa0e %ent#r es there were the 0ore $ar$aro#s re! g o#s wars, wh %h re1o!1ed a$o#t the 0"ortant ?#est on of whether E#ro"e was to $e Catho! % or Protestant. Ha!f and ha!f she %o#!d not $e. ,t was I ne1 ta$!e; that the sword de% de. E EA%e"t that t d dn;t. ,n Eng!and, a new nd#str a! s0 was grow ng, and on the %ont nent, a new nat ona! s0. Ha!f and ha!f E#ro"e re0a ns to th s day and no one %ares 0#%h. B,n the n neteenth and twent eth %ent#r es, there was a %y%!e of nat ona! st= 0"er a! st wars, when the 0ost 0"ortant ?#est on n the wor!d was wh %h "ort ons of E#ro"e wo#!d %ontro! the e%ono0 % reso#r%es and %ons#0 ng %a"a% ty of wh %h "ort ons of non=E#ro"e. A!! non=E#ro"e o$1 o#s!y %o#!d not eA st "art Eng! sh and "art +ren%h and "art Her0an and so on. E <nt ! the for%es of nat ona! s0 s"read s#ff % ent!y, so that non=E#ro"e ended what a!! the wars %o#!d not, and de% ded t %o#!d eA st ?# te %o0forta$!y a!! non=E#ro"ean. BAnd so we ha1e a "atternFC B:es. Ste"hen, yo# 0a>e t "!a n,C sa d S#san Ca!1 n. BThese are not 1ery "rofo#nd o$ser1at ons.C BNo. E B#t then, t s the o$1 o#s wh %h s so d ff %#!t to see 0ost of the t 0e. Peo"!e say I,t;s as "!a n as the nose on yo#r fa%e.; B#t how 0#%h of the nose on yo#r fa%e %an yo# see, #n!ess so0eone ho!ds a 0 rror #" to yo#G ,n the twent eth %ent#ry, S#san, we started a new %y%!e of wars E what sha!! , %a!! the0G ,deo!og %a! warsG The e0ot ons of re! g on a""! ed to e%ono0 % syste0s, rather than to eAtra=nat#ra! onesG Aga n the wars were I ne1 ta$!e; and th s t 0e there were ato0 % wea"ons, so that 0an> nd %o#!d no !onger ! 1e thro#gh ts tor0ent to the ne1 ta$!e wast ng away of ne1 ta$ ! ty. E And "os tron % ro$ots %a0e. '66

BThey %a0e n t 0e, and, w th t and a!ongs de t, nter"!anetary tra1e!. E So that t no !onger see0ed so 0"ortant whether the wor!d was Ada0 S0 th or 8ar! MarA. Ne ther 0ade 1ery 0#%h sense #nder the new % r%#0stan%es. Both had to ada"t and they ended n a!0ost the sa0e "!a%e.C BA de#s eA 0a%h na, then, n a do#$!e sense,C sa d 9r. Ca!1 n, dry!y. The Co=ord nator s0 !ed gent!y, B, ha1e ne1er heard yo# "#n $efore, S#san, $#t yo# are %orre%t. And yet there was another danger. The end ng of e1ery other "ro$!e0 had 0ere!y g 1en $ rth to another. O#r new wor!dw de ro$ot e%ono0y 0ay de1e!o" ts own "ro$!e0s, and for that reason we ha1e the Ma%h nes. The Earth;s e%ono0y s sta$!e, and w !! re0a n sta$!e, $e%a#se t s $ased #"on the de% s ons of %a!%#!at ng 0a%h nes that ha1e the good of h#0an ty at heart thro#gh the o1erwhe!0 ng for%e of the + rst Law of Ro$ot %s.C Ste"hen Byer!ey %ont n#ed, BAnd a!tho#gh the Ma%h nes are noth ng $#t the 1astest %ong!o0erat on of %a!%#!at ng % r%# ts e1er n1ented, they are st !! ro$ots w th n the 0ean ng of the + rst Law, and so o#r Earth=w de e%ono0y s n a%%ord w th the $est nterests of Man. The "o"#!at on of Earth >nows that there w !! $e no #ne0"!oy0ent, no o1er="rod#%t on or shortages. Waste and fa0 ne are words n h story $oo>s. And so the ?#est on of ownersh " of the 0eans of "rod#%t on $e%o0es o$so!es%ent. Whoe1er owned the0 J f s#%h a "hrase has 0ean ngK, a 0an, a gro#", a nat on, or a!! 0an> nd, they %o#!d $e #t ! Ded on!y as the Ma%h nes d re%ted. E Not $e%a#se 0en were for%ed to $#t $e%a#se t was the w sest %o#rse and 0en >new t. B,t "#ts an end to war E not on!y to the !ast %y%!e of wars, $#t to the neAt and to a!! of the0. <n!essFC A !ong "a#se, and 9r. Ca!1 n en%o#raged h 0 $y re"et t on. B<n!essFC The f re %ro#%hed and s> ttered a!ong a !og, then "o""ed #". B<n!ess,C sa d the Co=ord nator, Bthe Ma%h nes don;t f#!f !! the r f#n%t on.C B, see. And that s where those tr f! ng 0a!ad@#st0ents %o0e n wh %h yo# 0ent oned awh !e ago E stee!, hydro"on %s and so on.C BEAa%t!y. Those errors sho#!d not $e. 9r. S !1er te!!s 0e they %annot $e.C B9oes he deny the fa%tsG How #n#s#a!7C BNo, he ad0 ts the fa%ts, of %o#rse. , do h 0 an n@#st %e. What he den es s that any error n the 0a%h ne s res"ons $!e for the so=%a!!ed Jh s "hraseK errors n the answers. He %!a 0s that the Ma%h nes are se!f=%orre%t ng and that t wo#!d 1 o!ate the f#nda0enta! !aws of nat#re for an error to eA st n the % r%# ts of re!ays. And so , sa d FC BAnd yo# sa d, IHa1e yo#r $oys %he%> the0 and 0a>e s#re, anyway.;C BS#san, yo# read 0y 0 nd. ,t was what , sa d, and he sa d he %o#!dn;t.C BToo $#syGC BNo, he sa d that no h#0an %o#!d. He was fran> a$o#t t. He to!d 0e, and , ho"e , #nderstand h 0 "ro"er!y, that the Ma%h nes are a g gant % eAtra"o!at on. Th#s, a tea0 of 0athe0at % ans wor> se1era! years %a!%#!at ng a "os tron % $ra n e?# ""ed to do %erta n s 0 !ar a%ts of %a!%#!at on. <s ng th s $ra n they 0a>e f#rther %a!%#!at ons to %reate a st !! 0ore %o0"! %ated $ra n, wh %h they #se aga n to 0a>e one st !! 0ore %o0"! %ated and so on. A%%ord ng to S !1er, what we %a!! the Ma%h nes are the res#!t of ten s#%h ste"s.C '6)

B:e=es, that so#nds fa0 ! ar. +ort#nate!y, ,;0 not a 0athe0at % an. Poor L n%ent. He s a yo#ng 0an. The 9 re%tors $efore h 0, A!fred Lann ng and Peter Bogert, are dead, and they had no s#%h "ro$!e0s. Nor had ,. Perha"s ro$ot % sts as a who!e sho#!d now d e, s n%e we %an no !onger #nderstand o#r own %reat ons.C BA""arent!y not. The Ma%h nes are not s#"er=$ra ns n S#nday s#""!e0ent sense, E a!tho#gh they are so " %t#red n the S#nday s#""!e0ents. ,t s 0ere!y that n the r own "art %#!ar "ro1 n%e of %o!!e%t ng and ana!yD ng a near!y nf n te n#0$er of data and re!at onsh "s thereof, n near!y nf n tes 0a! t 0e, they ha1e "rogressed $eyond the "oss $ ! ty of deta !ed h#0an %ontro!. BAnd then , tr ed so0eth ng e!se. , a%t#a!!y as>ed the Ma%h ne. ,n the str %test se%re%y, we fed t the or g na! data n1o!1ed n the stee! de% s on, ts own answer, and the a%t#a! de1e!o"0ents s n%e, E the o1er"rod#%t on, that s, E and as>ed for an eA"!anat on of the d s%re"an%y.C BHood, and what was ts answerGC B, %an ?#ote yo# that word for word2 IThe 0atter ad0 ts of no eA"!anat on.; B BAnd how d d L n%ent nter"ret thatGC B,n two ways. E ther we had not g 1en the Ma%h ne eno#gh data to a!!ow a def n te answer, wh %h was #n! >e!y. 9r. S !1er ad0 tted that. E Or e!se, t was 0"oss $!e for the Ma%h ne to ad0 t that t %o#!d g 1e any answer to data wh %h 0"! ed that t %o#!d har0 a h#0an $e ng. Th s, nat#ra!!y, s 0"! ed $y the + rst Law. And then 9r. S !1er re%o00ended that , see yo#.C S#san Ca!1 n !oo>ed 1ery t red, B,;0 o!d, Ste"hen. When Peter Bogert d ed, they wanted to 0a>e 0e 9 re%tor of Resear%h and , ref#sed. , wasn;t yo#ng then, e ther, and , d d not w sh the res"ons $ ! ty. They !et yo#ng S !1er ha1e t and that sat sf ed 0e- $#t what good s t, f , a0 dragged nto s#%h 0esses. BSte"hen, !et 0e state 0y "os t on. My resear%hes do ndeed n1o!1e the nter"retat on of ro$ot $eha1 or n the ! ght of the Three Laws of Ro$ot %s. Here, now, we ha1e these n%red $!e %a!%#!at ng 0a%h nes. They are "os tron % ro$ots and therefore o$ey the Laws of Ro$ot %s. B#t they !a%> "ersona! ty- that s, the r f#n%t ons are eAtre0e!y ! 0 ted. M#st $e, s n%e they are so s"e% a! Ded. Therefore, there s 1ery ! tt!e roo0 for the nter"!ay of the Laws, and 0y one 0ethod of atta%> s 1 rt#a!!y #se!ess. ,n short, , don;t >now that , %an he!" yo#, Ste"hen.C The Co=ord nator !a#ghed short!y, BNe1erthe!ess, !et 0e te!! yo# the rest. Let 0e g 1e yo# 0y theor es, and "erha"s yo# w !! then $e a$!e to te!! 0e whether they are "oss $!e n the ! ght of ro$o"sy%ho!ogy.C BBy a!! 0eans. Ho ahead.C BWe!!, s n%e the Ma%h nes are g 1 ng the wrong answers, then, ass#0 ng that they %annot $e n error, there s on!y one "oss $ ! ty. They are $e ng g 1en the wrong data7 ,n other words, the tro#$!e s h#0an, and not ro$ot %. So , too> 0y re%ent "!anetary ns"e%t on to#rFC B+ro0 wh %h yo# ha1e @#st ret#rned to New :or>.C B:es. ,t was ne%essary, yo# see, s n%e there are fo#r Ma%h nes, one hand! ng ea%h of the P!anetary Reg ons. And a!! fo#r are y e!d ng 0"erfe%t res#!ts.C BOh, $#t that fo!!ows, Ste"hen. ,f any one of the Ma%h nes s 0"erfe%t, that w !! a#to0at %a!!y ref!e%t n the res#!t of the other three, s n%e ea%h of the others w !! ass#0e as "art of the data on

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wh %h they $ase the r own de% s ons, the "erfe%t on of the 0"erfe%t fo#rth. W th a fa!se ass#0"t on, they w !! y e!d fa!se answers.C B<h=h#h. So t see0ed to 0e. Now, , ha1e here the re%ords of 0y nter1 ews w th ea%h of the Reg ona! L %e=Coord nators. Wo#!d yo# !oo> thro#gh the0 w th 0eG E Oh, and f rst, ha1e yo# heard of the ISo% ety for H#0an ty;GC B<00, yes. They are an o#tgrowth of the +#nda0enta! sts who ha1e >e"t <. S. Ro$ots fro0 e1er e0"!oy ng "os tron % ro$ots on the gro#nds of #nfa r !a$or %o0"et t on and so on. The ISo% ety for H#0an ty; tse!f s ant =Ma%h ne, s t notGC B:es, yes, $#t E We!!, yo# w !! see. Sha!! we $eg nG We;!! start w th the Eastern Reg on.C BAs yo# sayFC The Eastern Reg on a. Area2 4,5**,*** s?#are 0 !es $. Po"#!at on2 ',4**,***,*** %. Ca" ta!2 Shangha Ch ng Hso=! n;s great=grandfather had $een > !!ed n the Ja"anese n1as on of the o!d Ch nese Re"#$! %, and there had $een no one $es de h s d#t f#! %h !dren to 0o#rn h s !oss or e1en to >now he was !ost. Ch ng Hso=! n;s grandfather had s#r1 1ed the % 1 ! war of the !ate fort es, $#t there had $een no one $es de h s d#t f#! %h !dren to >now or %are of that. And yet Ch ng Hso=! n was a Reg ona! L %e=Co=ord nator, w th the e%ono0 % we!fare of ha!f the "eo"!e of Earth n h s %are. Perha"s t was w th the tho#ght of a!! that n 0 nd, that Ch ng had two 0a"s as the on!y orna0ents on the wa!! of h s off %e. One was an o!d hand=drawn affa r tra% ng o#t an a%re or two of !and, and 0ar>ed w th the now o#t0oded " %togra"hs of o!d Ch na. A ! tt!e %ree> tr %>!ed as!ant the faded 0ar> ngs and there were the de! %ate " %tor a! nd %at ons of !ow!y h#ts, n one of wh %h Ch ng;s grandfather had $een $orn. The other 0a" was a h#ge one, shar"!y de! neated, w th a!! 0ar> ngs n neat Cyr !! % %hara%ters. The red $o#ndary that 0ar>ed the Eastern Reg on swe"t w th n ts grand %onf nes a!! that had on%e $een Ch na, ,nd a, B#r0a, ,ndo=Ch na, and ,ndones a. On t, w th n the o!d "ro1 n%e of SDe%h#an, so ! ght and gent!e that none %o#!d see t, was the ! tt!e 0ar> "!a%ed there $y Ch ng wh %h nd %ated the !o%at on of h s an%estra! far0. Ch ng stood $efore these 0a"s as he s"o>e to Ste"hen Byer!ey n "re% se Eng! sh, BNo one >nows $etter than yo#, Mr. Co=ord nator, that 0y @o$, to a !arge eAtent, s a s ne%#re. ,t %arr es w th t a %erta n so% a! stand ng, and , re"resent a %on1en ent fo%a! "o nt for ad0 n strat on, $#t otherw se t s the Ma%h ne7 E The Ma%h ne does a!! the wor>. What d d yo# th n>, for nstan%e, of the T ents n Hydro"on %s wor>sGC BTre0endo#s7C sa d Byer!ey. B,t s $#t one of doDens, and not the !argest. Shangha , Ca!%#tta, Bata1 a, Bang>o> E They are w de!y s"read and they are the answer to feed ng the $ !! on and three ?#arters of the East.C

'6.

BAnd yet,C sa d Byer!ey, Byo# ha1e an #ne0"!oy0ent "ro$!e0 there at T ents n. Can yo# $e o1er= "rod#% ngG ,t s n%ongr#o#s to th n> of As a as s#ffer ng fro0 too 0#%h food.C Ch ng;s dar> eyes %r n>!ed at the edges. BNo. ,t has not %o0e to that yet. ,t s tr#e that o1er the !ast few 0onths, se1era! 1ats at T ents n ha1e $een sh#t down, $#t t s noth ng ser o#s. The 0en ha1e $een re!eased on!y te0"orar !y and those who do not %are to wor> n other f e!ds ha1e $een sh ""ed to Co!o0$o n Cey!on, where a new "!ant s $e ng "#t nto o"erat on.C BB#t why sho#!d the 1ats $e %!osed downGC Ch ng s0 !ed gent!y, B:o# do not >now 0#%h of hydro"on %s, , see. We!!, that s not s#r"r s ng. :o# are a Northerner, and there so ! far0 ng s st !! "rof ta$!e. ,t s fash ona$!e n the North to th n> of hydro"on %s, when t s tho#ght of at a!!, as a de1 %e of grow ng t#rn "s n a %he0 %a! so!#t on, and so t s E n an nf n te!y %o0"! %ated way. B,n the f rst "!a%e, $y far the !argest %ro" we dea! w th Jand the "er%entage s grow ngK s yeast. We ha1e #"ward of two tho#sand stra ns of yeast n "rod#%t on and new stra ns are added 0onth!y. The $as % food=%he0 %a!s of the 1ar o#s yeasts are n trates and "hos"hates a0ong the norgan %s together w th "ro"er a0o#nts of the tra%e 0eta!s needed, down to the fra%t ona! "arts "er 0 !! on of $oron and 0o!y$den#0 wh %h are re?# red. The organ % 0atter s 0ost!y s#gar 0 At#res der 1ed fro0 the hydro!ys s of %e!!#!ose, $#t, n add t on, there are 1ar o#s food fa%tors wh %h 0#st $e added. B+or a s#%%essf#! hydro"on %s nd#stry E one wh %h %an feed se1enteen h#ndred 0 !! on "eo"!e E we 0#st engage n an 00ense reforestat on "rogra0 thro#gho#t the East- we 0#st ha1e h#ge wood=%on1ers on "!ants to dea! w th o#r so#thern @#ng!es- we 0#st ha1e "ower, and stee!, and %he0 %a! synthet %s a$o1e a!!.C BWhy the !ast, s rGC BBe%a#se, Mr. Byer!ey, these stra ns of yeast ha1e ea%h the r "e%#! ar "ro"ert es. We ha1e de1e!o"ed, as , sa d, two tho#sand stra ns. The $eefstea> yo# tho#ght yo# ate today was yeast. The froDen fr# t %onfe%t on yo# had for dessert was %ed yeast. We ha1e f !tered yeast @# %e w th the taste, a""earan%e, and a!! the food 1a!#e of 0 !>. B,t s f!a1or, 0ore than anyth ng e!se, yo# see, that 0a>es yeast feed ng "o"#!ar and for the sa>e of f!a1or we ha1e de1e!o"ed art f % a!, do0est %ated stra ns that %an no !onger s#""ort the0se!1es on a $as % d et of sa!ts and s#gar. One needs $ ot n- another needs "teroy!g!#ta0 % a% d- st !! others need se1enteen d fferent a0 no a% ds s#""! ed the0 as we!! as a!! the L ta0 ns B, $#t one Jand yet t s "o"#!ar and we %annot, w th e%ono0 % sense, a$andon tK EC Byer!ey st rred n h s seat, BTo what "#r"ose do yo# te!! 0e a!! th sGC B:o# as>ed 0e, s r, why 0en are o#t of wor> n T ents n. , ha1e a ! tt!e 0ore to eA"!a n. ,t s not on!y that we 0#st ha1e these 1ar o#s and 1ary ng foods for o#r yeast- $#t there re0a ns the %o0"! %at ng fa%tor of "o"#!ar fads w th "ass ng t 0e- and of the "oss $ ! ty of the de1e!o"0ent of new stra ns w th the new re?# re0ents and new "o"#!ar ty. A!! th s 0#st $e foreseen, and the Ma%h ne does the @o$FC BB#t not "erfe%t!y.C BNot 1ery 0"erfe%t!y, n 1 ew of the %o0"! %at ons , ha1e 0ent oned. We!!, then, a few tho#sand wor>ers n T ents n are te0"orar !y o#t of a @o$. B#t, %ons der th s, the a0o#nt of waste n th s "ast

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year Jwaste that s, n ter0s of e ther defe%t 1e s#""!y or defe%t 1e de0andK a0o#nts to not one= tenth of one "er%ent of o#r tota! "rod#%t 1e t#rno1er. , %ons der thatFC B:et n the f rst years of the Ma%h ne, the f g#re was nearer one=tho#sandth of one "er%ent.C BAh, $#t n the de%ade s n%e the Ma%h ne $egan ts o"erat ons n rea! earnest, we ha1e 0ade #se of t to n%rease o#r o!d "re=Ma%h ne yeast nd#stry twenty=fo!d. :o# eA"e%t 0"erfe%t ons to n%rease w th %o0"! %at ons, tho#ghFC BTho#ghGC BThere was the %#r o#s nstan%e of Ra0a Lrasayana.C BWhat ha""ened to h 0GC BLrasayana was n %harge of a $r ne=e1a"orat on "!ant for the "rod#%t on of od ne, w th wh %h yeast %an do w tho#t, $#t h#0an $e ngs not. H s "!ant was for%ed nto re%e 1ersh ".C BRea!!yG And thro#gh what agen%yGC BCo0"et t on, $e! e1e t or not. ,n genera!, one of the %h efest f#n%t ons of the Ma%h ne;s ana!yses s to nd %ate the 0ost eff % ent d str $#t on of o#r "rod#% ng #n ts. ,t s o$1 o#s!y fa#!ty to ha1e areas ns#ff % ent!y ser1 %ed, so that the trans"ortat on %osts a%%o#nt for too great a "er%entage of the o1erhead. S 0 !ar!y, t s fa#!ty to ha1e an area too we!! ser1 %ed, so that fa%tor es 0#st $e r#n at !owered %a"a% t es, or e!se %o0"ete har0f#!!y w th one another. ,n the %ase of Lrasayana, another "!ant was esta$! shed n the sa0e % ty, and w th a 0ore eff % ent eAtra%t ng syste0.C BThe Ma%h ne "er0 tted tGC BOh, %erta n!y. That s not s#r"r s ng. The new syste0 s $e%o0 ng w des"read. The s#r"r se s that the Ma%h ne fa !ed to warn Lrasayana to reno1ate or %o0$ ne. E St !!, no 0atter. Lrasayana a%%e"ted a @o$ as eng neer n the new "!ant, and f h s res"ons $ ! ty and "ay are now !ess, he s not a%t#a!!y s#ffer ng. The wor>ers fo#nd e0"!oy0ent eas !y- the o!d "!ant has $een %on1erted to E so0eth ng or other. So0eth ng #sef#!. We !eft t a!! to the Ma%h ne.C BAnd otherw se yo# ha1e no %o0"!a nts.C BNone7C The Tro" % Reg on2 a. Area2 33,***,*** s?#are 0 !es $. Po"#!at on2 5**,***,*** %. Ca" ta!2 Ca" ta! C ty The 0a" n L n%o!n Ngo0a;s off %e was far fro0 the 0ode! of neat "re% s on of the one n Ch ng;s Shangha do0 n on. The $o#ndar es of Ngo0a;s Tro" % Reg on were sten% !ed n dar>, w de $rown and swe"t a$o#t a gorgeo#s nter or !a$e!ed B@#ng!eC and BdesertC and Bhere $e E!e"hants and a!! Manner of Strange Beasts.C ,t had 0#%h to swee", for n !and area the Tro" % Reg on en%!osed 0ost of two %ont nents2 a!! of So#th A0er %a north of Argent na and a!! of Afr %a so#th of the At!as. ,t n%!#ded North A0er %a so#th of the R o Hrande as we!!, and e1en Ara$ a and ,ran n As a. ,t was the re1erse of the Eastern

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Reg on. Where the ant h 1es of the Or ent %rowded ha!f of h#0an ty nto '5 "er%ent of the !and 0ass, the Tro" %s stret%hed ts '5 "er %ent of H#0an ty o1er near!y ha!f of a!! the !and n the wor!d. B#t t was grow ng. ,t was the one Reg on whose "o"#!at on n%rease thro#gh 00 grat on eA%eeded that thro#gh $ rths. E And for a!! who %a0e t had #se. To Ngo0a, Ste"hen Byer!ey see0ed ! >e one of these 00 grants, a "a!e sear%her for the %reat 1e wor> of %ar1 ng a harsh en1 ron0ent nto the softness ne%essary for 0an, and he fe!t so0e of that a#to0at % %onte0"t of the strong 0an $orn to the strong Tro" %s for the #nfort#nate "a!!ards of the %o!der s#ns. The Tro" %s had the newest %a" ta! % ty on Earth, and t was %a!!ed s 0"!y that2 BCa" ta! C ty,C n the s#$! 0e %onf den%e of yo#th. ,t s"read $r ght!y o1er the fert !e #"!ands of N ger a and o#ts de Ngo0a;s w ndows, far $e!ow, was ! fe and %o!or- the $r ght, $r ght s#n and the ?# %>, dren%h ng showers. E1en the s?#aw> ng of the ra n$owed $ rds was $r s> and the stars were hard " n"o nts n the shar" n ght. Ngo0a !a#ghed. He was a $ g, dar> 0an, strong fa%ed and handso0e. BS#re,C he sa d, and h s Eng! sh was %o!!o?# a! and 0o#th=f !! ng, Bthe MeA %an Cana! s o1erd#e. What the he!!G ,t w !! get f n shed @#st the sa0e, o!d $oy.C B,t was do ng we!! #" to the !ast ha!f year.C Ngo0a !oo>ed at Byer!ey and s!ow!y %r#n%hed h s teeth o1er the end of a $ g % gar, s" tt ng o#t one end and ! ght ng the other, B,s th s an off % a! n1est gat on, Byer!eyG What;s go ng onGC BNoth ng. Noth ng at a!!. ,t;s @#st 0y f#n%t on as Coord nator to $e %#r o#s.C BWe!!, f t;s @#st that yo# are f !! ng n a d#!! 0o0ent, the tr#th s that we;re a!ways short on !a$or. There;s !ots go ng on n the Tro" %s. The Cana! s on!y one of the0FC BB#t doesn;t yo#r Ma%h ne "red %t the a0o#nt of !a$or a1a !a$!e for the Cana!, E a!!ow ng for a!! the %o0"et ng "ro@e%tsGC Ngo0a "!a%ed one hand $eh nd h s ne%> and $!ew s0o>e r ngs at the %e ! ng, B,t was a ! tt!e off.C B,s t often a ! tt!e offGC BNot oftener than yo# wo#!d eA"e%t. E We don;t eA"e%t too 0#%h of t, Byer!ey. We feed t data. We ta>e ts res#!ts. We do what t says. E B#t t;s @#st a %on1en en%e, @#st a !a$orsa1 ng de1 %e. We %o#!d do w tho#t t, f we had to. May$e not as we!!, 0ay$e not as ?# %>!y, $#t we;d get there. BWe;1e got %onf den%e o#t here, Byer!ey, and that;s the se%ret. Conf den%e7 We;1e got new !and that;s $een wa t ng for #s for tho#sands of years, wh !e the rest of the wor!d was $e ng r ""ed a"art n the !o#sy f#0$! ngs of "re=ato0 % t 0e. We don;t ha1e to eat yeast ! >e the Eastern $oys, and we don;t ha1e to worry a$o#t the sta!e dregs of the !ast %ent#ry ! >e yo# Northerners. BWe;1e w "ed o#t the tsetse f!y and the Ano"he!es 0os?# to, and "eo"!e f nd they %an ! 1e n the s#n and ! >e t, now. We;1e th nned down the @#ng!es and fo#nd so !- we;1e watered the deserts and fo#nd gardens. We;1e got %oa! and o ! n #nto#%hed f e!ds, and 0 nera!s o#t of %o#nt. BJ#st ste" $a%>. That;s a!! we as> the rest of the wor!d to do. E Ste" $a%>, and !et #s wor>.C Byer!ey sa d, "rosa %a!!y, BB#t the Cana!, E t was on s%hed#!e s A 0onths ago. What ha""enedGC

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Ngo0a s"read h s hands, BLa$or tro#$!es.C He fe!t thro#gh a " !e of "a"ers s>e!tered a$o#t h s des> and ga1e t #". BHad so0eth ng on the 0atter here,C he 0#ttered, B$#t ne1er 0 nd. There was a wor> shortage so0ewhere n MeA %o on%e on the ?#est on of wo0en. There weren;t eno#gh wo0en n the ne gh$orhood. ,t see0ed no one had tho#ght of feed ng seA#a! data to the Ma%h ne.C He sto""ed to !a#gh, de! ghted!y, then so$ered, BWa t a wh !e. , th n> ,;1e got t. E L !!afran%a7C BL !!afran%aGC B+ran% s%o L !!afran%a. E He was the eng neer n %harge. Now !et 0e stra ghten t o#t. So0eth ng ha""ened and there was a %a1e= n. R ght. R ght. That was t. No$ody d ed, as , re0e0$er, $#t t 0ade a he!! of a 0ess. E N# te a s%anda!.C BOhGC BThere was so0e 0 sta>e n h s %a!%#!at ons. E Or at !east, the Ma%h ne sa d so. They fed thro#gh L !!afran%a;s data, ass#0"t ons, and so on. The st#ff he had started w th. The answers %a0e o#t d fferent!y. ,t see0s the answers L !!afran%a had #sed d dn;t ta>e a%%o#nt of the effe%t of a hea1y ra nfa!! on the %onto#rs of the %#t. E Or so0eth ng ! >e that. ,;0 not an eng neer, yo# #nderstand. BAnyway, L !!afran%a "#t #" a de1 ! of a s?#aw>. He %!a 0ed the Ma%h ne;s answer had $een d fferent the f rst t 0e. That he had fo!!owed the Ma%h ne fa thf#!!y. Then he ?# t7 We offered to ho!d h 0 on E reasona$!e do#$t, "re1 o#s wor> sat sfa%tory, and a!! that E n a s#$ord nate "os t on, of %o#rse E had to do that 0#%h E 0 sta>es %an;t go #nnot %ed E $ad for d s% "! ne E Where was ,GC B:o# offered to ho!d h 0 on.C BOh yes. He ref#sed. E We!!, ta>e a!! n a!!, we;re two 0onths $eh nd. He!!, that;s noth ng.C Byer!ey stret%hed o#t h s hand and !et the f ngers ta" ! ght!y on the des>, BL !!afran%a $!a0ed the Ma%h ne, d d heGC BWe!!, he wasn;t go ng to $!a0e h 0se!f, was heG Let;s fa%e t- h#0an nat#re s an o!d fr end of o#rs. Bes des, , re0e0$er so0eth ng e!se now E Why the he!! %an;t , f nd do%#0ents when , want the0G My f ! ng syste0 sn;t worth a da0n E Th s L !!afran%a was a 0e0$er of one of yo#r Northern organ Dat ons. MeA %o s too %!ose to the North7 that;s "art of the tro#$!e.C BWh %h organ Dat on are yo# s"ea> ng ofG; BThe So% ety of H#0an ty, they %a!! t. He #sed to attend the ann#a! %onferen%e n New :or>, L !!afran%a d d. B#n%h of %ra%>"ots, $#t har0!ess. E They don;t ! >e the Ma%h nes- %!a 0 they;re destroy ng h#0an n t at 1e. So nat#ra!!y L !!afran%a wo#!d $!a0e the Ma%h ne. E 9on;t #nderstand that gro#" 0yse!f. 9oes Ca" ta! C ty !oo> as f the h#0an ra%e were r#nn ng o#t of n t at 1eGC And Ca" ta! C ty stret%hed o#t n go!den g!ory #nder a go!den s#n, E the newest and yo#ngest %reat on of Ho0o 0etro"o! s. The E#ro"ean Reg on a. Area2 ),***,*** s?#are 0 !es $. Po"#!at on2 6**,***,*** ')*

%. Ca" ta!2 Hene1a The E#ro"ean Reg on was an ano0a!y n se1era! ways. ,n area, t was far the s0a!!est, not one=f fth the s De of the Tro" % Reg on n area, and not one=f fth the s De of the Eastern Reg on n "o"#!at on. Heogra"h %a!!y, t was on!y so0ewhat s 0 !ar to "re=Ato0 % E#ro"e, s n%e t eA%!#ded what had on%e $een E#ro"ean R#ss a and what had on%e $een the Br t sh ,s!es, wh !e t n%!#ded the Med terranean %oasts of Afr %a and As a, and, n a ?#eer @#0" a%ross the At!ant %, Argent na, Ch !e, and <r#g#ay as we!!. Nor was t ! >e!y to 0"ro1e ts re!at 1e stat#s 1 s=R=1 s the other reg ons of Earth, eA%e"t for what 1 gor the So#th A0er %an "ro1 n%es !ent t. Of a!! the Reg ons, t a!one showed a "os t 1e "o"#!at on de%! ne o1er the "ast ha!f %ent#ry. ,t a!one had not ser o#s!y eA"anded ts "rod#%t 1e fa% ! t es, or offered anyth ng rad %a!!y new to h#0an %#!t#re. BE#ro"e,C sa d Mada0e SDege%Dows>a, n her soft +ren%h, B s essent a!!y an e%ono0 % a""endage of the Northern Reg on. We >now t, and t doesn;t 0atter.C And as tho#gh n res gned a%%e"tan%e of a !a%> of nd 1 d#a! ty, there was no 0a" of E#ro"e on the wa!! of the Mada0e Co=ord nator;s off %e. BAnd yet,C "o nted o#t Byer!ey, Byo# ha1e a Ma%h ne of yo#r own, and yo# are %erta n!y #nder no e%ono0 % "ress#re fro0 a%ross the o%ean.C BA Ma%h ne7 Bah7C She shr#gged her de! %ate sho#!ders, and a!!owed a th n s0 !e to %ross her ! tt!e fa%e as she ta0"ed o#t a % garette w th !ong f ngers. BE#ro"e s a s!ee"y "!a%e. And s#%h of o#r 0en as do not 0anage to 00 grate to the Tro" %s are t red and s!ee"y a!ong w th t. :o# see for yo#rse!f that t s 0yse!f, a "oor wo0an, to who0 fa!!s the tas> of $e ng L %e=Co=ord nator. We!!, fort#nate!y, t s not a d ff %#!t @o$, and not 0#%h s eA"e%ted of 0e. BAs for the Ma%h ne E What %an t say $#t I9o th s and t w !! $e $est for yo#.; B#t what s $est for #sG Why, to $e an e%ono0 % a""endage of the Northern Reg on. BAnd s t so terr $!eG No wars7 We ! 1e n "ea%e E and t s "!easant after se1en tho#sand years of war. We are o!d, 0ons e#r. ,n o#r $orders, we ha1e the reg ons where O%% denta! % 1 ! Dat on was %rad!ed. We ha1e Egy"t and Meso"ota0 a- Crete and Syr a- As a M nor and Hree%e. E B#t o!d age s not ne%essar !y an #nha""y t 0e. ,t %an $e a fr# t onFC BPerha"s yo# are r ght,C sa d Byer!ey, affa$!y. BAt !east the te0"o of ! fe s not as ntense as n the other Reg ons. ,t s a "!easant at0os"here.C B,s t notG E Tea s $e ng $ro#ght, 0ons e#r. ,f yo# w !! nd %ate yo#r %rea0 and s#gar "referen%e, "!ease. Than> yo#. She s ""ed gent!y, then %ont n#ed, B,t s "!easant. The rest of Earth s we!%o0e to the %ont n# ng str#gg!e. , f nd a "ara!!e! here, a 1ery nterest ng one. There was a t 0e when Ro0e was 0aster of the wor!d. ,t had ado"ted the %#!t#re and % 1 ! Dat on of Hree%e, a Hree%e wh %h had ne1er $een #n ted, wh %h had r# ned tse!f w th war, and wh %h was end ng n a state of de%adent s?#a!or. Ro0e #n ted t, $ro#ght t "ea%e and !et t ! 1e a ! fe of se%#re non=g!ory. ,t o%%#" ed tse!f w th ts "h !oso"h es and ts art, far fro0 the %!ash of growth and war. ,t was a sort of death, $#t t was restf#!, and t !asted w th 0 nor $rea>s for so0e fo#r h#ndred years.C BAnd yet,C sa d Byer!ey, BRo0e fe!! e1ent#a!!y, and the o" #0 drea0 was o1er.C

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BThere are no !onger $ar$ar ans to o1erthrow % 1 ! Dat on.C BWe %an $e o#r own $ar$ar ans. Mada0e SDege%Dows>a. E Oh, , 0eant to as> yo#. The A!0aden 0er%#ry 0 nes ha1e fa!!en off ?# te $ad!y n "rod#%t on. S#re!y the ores are not de%! n ng 0ore ra" d!y than ant % "atedGC The ! tt!e wo0an;s gray eyes fastened shrewd!y on Byer!ey, BBar$ar ans E the fa!! of % 1 ! Dat on E "oss $!e fa !#re of the Ma%h ne. :o#r tho#ght "ro%esses are 1ery trans"arent, 0ons e#r.C BAre theyGC Byer!ey s0 !ed. B, see that , sho#!d ha1e had 0en to dea! w th as h therto. E :o# %ons der the A!0aden affa r to $e the fa#!t of the Ma%h neGC BNot at a!!, $#t , th n> yo# do. :o#, yo#rse!f, are a nat 1e of the Northern Reg on. The Centra! Co= ord nat on Off %e s at New :or>. E And , ha1e not %ed for ?# te a wh !e that yo# Northerners !a%> so0ewhat of fa th n the Ma%h ne.C BWe doGC BThere s yo#r ISo% ety for H#0an ty; wh %h s strong n the North, $#t nat#ra!!y fa !s to f nd 0any re%r# ts n t red, o!d E#ro"e, wh %h s ?# te w !! ng to !et fee$!e H#0an ty a!one for a wh !e. S#re!y, yo# are one of the %onf dent North and not one of the %yn %a! o!d %ont nent.C BTh s has a %onne%t on w th A!0adenGC BOh, yes, , th n> so. The 0 nes are n the %ontro! of Conso! dated C nna$ar, wh %h s %erta n!y a Northern %o0"any, w th head?#arters at N >o!ae1. Persona!!y, , wonder f the Board of 9 re%tors ha1e $een %ons#!t ng the Ma%h ne at a!!. They sa d they had n o#r %onferen%e !ast 0onth, and, of %o#rse, we ha1e no e1 den%e that they d d not, $#t , wo#!dn;t ta>e the word of a Northerner n th s 0atter E no offense ntended E #nder any % r%#0stan%es. E Ne1erthe!ess, , th n> t w !! ha1e a fort#nate end ng.C B,n what way, 0y dear 0ada0GC B:o# 0#st #nderstand that the e%ono0 % rreg#!ar t es of the !ast few 0onths, wh %h, a!tho#gh s0a!! as %o0"ared w th the great stor0s of the "ast, are ?# te d st#r$ ng to o#r "ea%e=dren%hed s" r ts, ha1e %a#sed %ons dera$!e rest 1eness n the S"an sh "ro1 n%e. , #nderstand that Conso! dated C nna$ar s se!! ng o#t to a gro#" of nat 1e S"an ards. ,t s %onso! ng. ,f we are e%ono0 % 1assa!s of the North, t s h#0 ! at ng to ha1e the fa%t ad1ert sed too $!atant!y. E And o#r "eo"!e %an $e $etter tr#sted to fo!!ow the Ma%h ne.C BThen yo# th n> there w !! $e no 0ore tro#$!eGC B, a0 s#re there w !! not $e E ,n A!0aden, at !east.C The Northern Reg on a. Area2 '/,***,*** s?#are 0 !es $. Po"#!at on2 /**,***,*** %. Ca" ta!2 Ottawa The Northern Reg on, n 0ore ways than one, was at the to". Th s was eAe0"! f ed ?# te we!! $y the 0a" n the Ottawa off %e of L %e=Co=ord nator H ra0 Ma%>enD e, n wh %h the North Po!e was

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%entered. EA%e"t for the en%!a1e of E#ro"e w th ts S%and na1 an and ,%e!and % reg ons, a!! the Ar%t % area was w th n the Northern Reg on. Ro#gh!y, t %o#!d $e d 1 ded nto two 0a@or areas. To the !eft on the 0a" was a!! of North A0er %a a$o1e the R o Hrande. To the r ght was n%!#ded a!! of what had on%e $een the So1 et <n on. Together these areas re"resented the %entered "ower of the "!anet n the f rst years of the Ato0 % Age. Between the two was Hreat Br ta n, a tong#e of the Reg on ! %> ng at E#ro"e. <" at the to" of the 0a", d storted nto odd, h#ge sha"es, were A#stra! a and New Pea!and, a!so 0e0$er "ro1 n%es of the Reg on. Not a!! the %hanges of the "ast de%ades had yet a!tered the fa%t that the North was the e%ono0 % r#!er of the "!anet. There was a!0ost an ostentat o#s sy0$o! s0 thereof n the fa%t that of the off % a! Reg ona! 0a"s Byer!ey had seen, Ma%>enD e;s a!one showed a!! the Earth, as tho#gh the North feared no %o0"et t on and needed no fa1or t s0 to "o nt #" ts "re=e0 nen%e. B,0"oss $!e,C sa d Ma%>enD e, do#r!y, o1er the wh s>ey. BMr. Byer!ey, yo# ha1e had no tra n ng as a ro$ot te%hn % an, , $e! e1e.C BNo, , ha1e not.C BH0". We!!, t s, n 0y o" n on, a sad th ng that Ch ng, Ngo0a and SDege%Dows>a ha1en;t e ther. There s too "re1a!ent an o" n on a0ong the "eo"!es of Earth that a Co=ord nator need on!y $e a %a"a$!e organ Der, a $road genera! Der, and an a0 a$!e "erson. These days he sho#!d >now h s ro$ot %s as we!!, no offense ntended.C BNone ta>en. , agree w th yo#.C B, ta>e t, for nstan%e, fro0 what yo# ha1e sa d a!ready, that yo# worry a$o#t the re%ent tr f! ng d s!o%at on n wor!d e%ono0y. , don;t >now what yo# s#s"e%t, $#t t has ha""ened n the "ast that "eo"!e E who sho#!d ha1e >nown $etter E wondered what wo#!d ha""en f fa!se data were fed nto the Ma%h ne.C BAnd what wo#!d ha""en, Mr. Ma%>enD eGC BWe!!,C the S%ots0an sh fted h s we ght and s ghed, Ba!! %o!!e%ted data goes thro#gh a %o0"! %ated s%reen ng syste0 wh %h n1o!1es $oth h#0an and 0e%han %a! %he%> ng, so that the "ro$!e0 s not ! >e!y to ar se. E B#t !et #s gnore that. H#0ans are fa!! $!e, a!so %orr#"t $!e, and ord nary 0e%han %a! de1 %es are ! a$!e to 0e%han %a! fa !#re. BThe rea! "o nt of the 0atter s that what we %a!! a Iwrong dat#0; s one wh %h s n%ons stent w th a!! other >nown data. ,t s o#r on!y %r ter on of r ght and wrong. ,t s the Ma%h ne;s as we!!. Order t for nstan%e, to d re%t agr %#!t#ra! a%t 1 ty on the $as s of an a1erage J#!y te0"erat#re n ,owa of 54 degrees +ahrenhe t. ,t won;t a%%e"t that. ,t w !! not g 1e an answer. E Not that t has any "re@#d %e aga nst that "art %#!ar te0"erat#re, or that an answer s 0"oss $!e- $#t $e%a#se, n the ! ght of a!! the other data fed t o1er a "er od of years, t >nows that the "ro$a$ ! ty of an a1erage J#!y te0"erat#re of 54 s 1 rt#a!!y n !. ,t re@e%ts that dat#0. BThe on!y way a Iwrong dat#0; %an $e for%ed on the Ma%h ne s to n%!#de t as "art of a se!f= %ons stent who!e, a!! of wh %h s s#$t!y wrong n a 0anner e ther too de! %ate for the Ma%h ne to dete%t or o#ts de the Ma%h ne;s eA"er en%e. The for0er s $eyond h#0an %a"a% ty, and the !atter s a!0ost so, and s $e%o0 ng 0ore near!y so as the Ma%h ne;s eA"er en%e n%reases $y the se%ond.C

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Ste"hen Byer!ey "!a%ed two f ngers to the $r dge of h s nose, BThen the Ma%h ne %annot $e ta0"ered w th E And how do yo# a%%o#nt for re%ent errors, thenGC BMy dear Byer!ey, , see that yo# nst n%t 1e!y fo!!ow that great error E that the Ma%h ne >nows a!!. Let 0e % te yo# a %ase fro0 0y "ersona! eA"er en%e. The %otton nd#stry engages eA"er en%ed $#yers who "#r%hase %otton. The r "ro%ed#re s to "#!! a t#ft of %otton o#t of a rando0 $a!e of a !ot. They w !! !oo> at that t#ft and fee! t, tease t o#t, ! sten to the %ra%>! ng "erha"s as they do so, to#%h t w th the r tong#e, and thro#gh th s "ro%ed#re they w !! deter0 ne the %!ass of %otton the $a!es re"resent. There are a$o#t a doDen s#%h %!asses. As a res#!t of the r de% s ons, "#r%hases are 0ade at %erta n "r %es- $!ends are 0ade n %erta n "ro"ort ons. E Now these $#yers %annot yet $e re"!a%ed $y the Ma%h ne.C BWhy notG S#re!y the data n1o!1ed s not too %o0"! %ated for tGC BPro$a$!y not. B#t what data s th s yo# refer toG No teAt !e %he0 st >nows eAa%t!y what t s that the $#yer tests when he fee!s a t#ft of %otton. Pres#0a$!y there;s the a1erage !ength of the threads, the r fee!, the eAtent and nat#re of the r s! %>ness, the way they hang together, and so on. E Se1era! doDen te0s, s#$%ons% o#s!y we ghed, o#t of years of eA"er en%e. B#t the ?#ant tat 1e nat#re of these tests s not >nown- 0ay$e e1en the 1ery nat#re of so0e of the0 s not >nown. So we ha1e noth ng to feed the Ma%h ne. Nor %an the $#yers eA"!a n the r own @#dg0ent. They %an on!y say, IWe!!, !oo> at t. Can;t yo# te!! t;s %!ass=s#%h=and=s#%hG; B B, see.C BThere are nn#0era$!e %ases ! >e that. The Ma%h ne s on!y a too! after a!!, wh %h %an he!" h#0an ty "rogress faster $y ta> ng so0e of the $#rdens of %a!%#!at ons and nter"retat ons off ts $a%>. The tas> of the h#0an $ra n re0a ns what t has a!ways $een, that of d s%o1er ng new data to $e ana!yDed, and of de1 s ng new %on%e"ts to $e tested. A " ty the So% ety for H#0an ty won;t #nderstand that.C BThey are aga nst the Ma%h neGC BThey wo#!d $e aga nst 0athe0at %s or aga nst the art of wr t ng f they had ! 1ed at the a""ro"r ate t 0e. These rea%t onar es of the So% ety %!a 0 the Ma%h ne ro$s 0an of h s so#!. , not %e that %a"a$!e 0en are st !! at a "re0 #0 n o#r so% ety- we st !! need the 0an who s nte!! gent eno#gh to th n> of the "ro"er ?#est ons to as>. Perha"s f we %o#!d f nd eno#gh of s#%h, these d s!o%at ons yo# worry a$o#t, Coord nator, wo#!dn;t o%%#r.C Earth J,n%!#d ng the #n nha$ ted %ont nent, Antar%t %aK a. Area2 5),***,*** s?#are 0 !es J!and s#rfa%eK $. Po"#!at on2 6,6**,***,*** %. Ca" ta!2 New :or> The f re $eh nd the ?#artD was weary now, and s"#ttered ts re!#%tant way to death. The Co=ord nator was so0$er, h s 0ood 0at%h ng the s n> ng f!a0e. BThey a!! 0 n 0 De the state of affa rs.C H s 1o %e was !ow. B,s t not easy to 0ag ne that they a!! !a#gh at 0eG And yet L n%ent S !1er sa d the Ma%h nes %annot $e o#t of order, and , 0#st $e! e1e h 0. H ra0 Ma%>enD e says they %annot $e fed fa!se data, and , 0#st $e! e1e h 0. B#t the

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Ma%h nes are go ng wrong, so0ehow, and , 0#st $e! e1e that, too- and so there s st !! an a!ternat 1e !eft.C He g!an%ed s dew se at S#san Ca!1 n, who, w th %!osed eyes, for a 0o0ent see0ed as!ee". BWhat s thatGC she as>ed, "ro0"t to her %#e, ne1erthe!ess. BWhy, that %orre%t data s ndeed g 1en, and %orre%t answers are ndeed re%e 1ed, $#t that they are then gnored. There s no way the Ma%h ne %an enfor%e o$ed en%e to ts d %tates.C BMada0e SDege%Dows>a h nted as 0#%h, w th referen%e to Northerners n genera!, t see0s to 0e.C BSo she d d.C BAnd what "#r"ose s ser1ed $y d so$ey ng the Ma%h neG Let;s %ons der 0ot 1at ons.C B,t;s o$1 o#s to 0e, and sho#!d $e to yo#. ,t s a 0atter of ro%> ng the $oat, de! $erate!y. There %an $e no ser o#s %onf! %ts on Earth, n wh %h one gro#" or another %an se De 0ore "ower than t has for what t th n>s s ts own good des" te the har0 to Man> nd as a who!e, wh !e the Ma%h nes r#!e. ,f "o"#!ar fa th n the Ma%h nes %an $e destroyed to the "o nt where they are a$andoned, t w !! $e the !aw of the @#ng!e aga n. E And not one of the fo#r Reg ons %an $e freed of the s#s" % on of want ng @#st that. BThe East has ha!f of h#0an ty w th n ts $orders, and the Tro" %s 0ore than ha!f of Earth;s reso#r%es. Ea%h %an fee! tse!f the nat#ra! r#!ers of a!! Earth, and ea%h has a h story of h#0 ! at on $y the North, for wh %h t %an $e h#0an eno#gh to w sh a sense!ess re1enge. E#ro"e has a trad t on of greatness, on the other hand. ,t on%e d d r#!e the Earth, and there s noth ng so eterna!!y adhes 1e as the 0e0ory of "ower. B:et, n another way, t;s hard to $e! e1e. Both the East and the Tro" %s are n a state of enor0o#s eA"ans on w th n the r own $orders. Both are %! 0$ ng n%red $!y. They %annot ha1e the s"are energy for 0 ! tary ad1ent#res. And E#ro"e %an ha1e noth ng $#t ts drea0s. ,t s a % "her, 0 ! tar !y.C BSo, Ste"hen,C sa d S#san, Byo# !ea1e the North.C B:es,C sa d Byer!ey, energet %a!!y, B, do. The North s now the strongest, and has $een for near!y a %ent#ry, or ts %o0"onent "arts ha1e $een. B#t t s !os ng re!at 1e!y, now. The Tro" % Reg ons 0ay ta>e the r "!a%e n the forefront of % 1 ! Dat on for the f rst t 0e s n%e the Pharaohs, and there are Northerners who fear that. BThe ISo% ety for H#0an ty; s a Northern organ Dat on, "r 0ar !y, yo# >now, and they 0a>e no se%ret of not want ng the Ma%h nes. E S#san, they are few n n#0$ers, $#t t s an asso% at on of "owerf#! 0en. Heads of fa%tor es- d re%tors of nd#str es and agr %#!t#ra! %o0$ nes who hate to $e what they %a!! Ithe Ma%h ne;s off %e=$oy; $e!ong to t. Men w th a0$ t on $e!ong to t. Men who fee! the0se!1es strong eno#gh to de% de for the0se!1es what s $est for the0se!1es, and not @#st to $e to!d what s $est for others.C B,n short, @#st those 0en who, $y together ref#s ng to a%%e"t the de% s ons of the Ma%h ne, %an, n a short t 0e, t#rn the wor!d to"sy=t#r1y- @#st those $e!ong to the So% ety. BS#san, t hangs together. + 1e of the 9 re%tors of Wor!d Stee! are 0e0$ers, and Wor!d Stee! s#ffers fro0 o1er"rod#%t on. Conso! dated C nna$ar, wh %h 0 ned 0er%#ry at A!0aden, was a Northern %on%ern. ,ts $oo>s are st !! $e ng n1est gated, $#t one, at !east, of the 0en %on%erned was

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a 0e0$er. +ran% s%o L !!afran%a, who, s ng!e=handed, de!ayed the MeA %an Cana! for two 0onths, was a 0e0$er, we >now a!ready E and so was Ra0a Lrasayana, , was not at a!! s#r"r sed to f nd o#t.C S#san sa d, ?# et!y, BThese 0en, , 0 ght "o nt o#t, ha1e a!! done $ad!yFC BB#t nat#ra!!y,C nter@e%ted Byer!ey. BTo d so$ey the Ma%h ne;s ana!yses s to fo!!ow a non=o"t 0a! "ath. Res#!ts are "oorer than they 0 ght $e. ,t;s the "r %e they "ay. They w !! ha1e t ro#gh now $#t n the %onf#s on that w !! e1ent#a!!y fo!!owFC BJ#st what do yo# "!an do ng, Ste"henGC BThere s o$1 o#s!y no t 0e to !ose. , a0 go ng to ha1e the So% ety o#t!awed, e1ery 0e0$er re0o1ed fro0 any res"ons $!e "ost. And a!! eAe%#t 1e and te%hn %a! "os t ons, hen%eforward, %an $e f !!ed on!y $y a""! %ants s gn ng a non=So% ety oath. ,t w !! 0ean a %erta n s#rrender of $as % % 1 ! ! $ert es, $#t , a0 s#re the CongressFC B,t won;t wor>7C BWhat7 E Why notGC B, w !! 0a>e a "red %t on. ,f yo# try any s#%h th ng, yo# w !! f nd yo#rse!f ha0"ered at e1ery t#rn. :o# w !! f nd t 0"oss $!e to %arry o#t. :o# w !! f nd yo#r e1ery 0o1e n that d re%t on w !! res#!t n tro#$!e.C Byer!ey was ta>en a$a%>, BWhy do yo# say thatG , was rather ho" ng for yo#r a""ro1a! n th s 0atter.C B:o# %an;t ha1e t as !ong as yo#r a%t ons are $ased on a fa!se "re0 se. :o# ad0 t the Ma%h ne %an;t $e wrong, and %an;t $e fed wrong data. , w !! now show yo# that t %annot $e d so$eyed, e ther, as yo# th n> s $e ng done $y the So% ety.C BThat , don;t see at a!!.C BThen ! sten. E1ery a%t on $y any eAe%#t 1e wh %h does not fo!!ow the eAa%t d re%t ons of the Ma%h ne he s wor> ng w th $e%o0es "art of the data for the neAt "ro$!e0. The Ma%h ne, therefore, >nows that the eAe%#t 1e has a %erta n tenden%y to d so$ey. He %an n%or"orate that tenden%y nto that data, E e1en ?#ant tat 1e!y, that s, @#dg ng eAa%t!y how 0#%h and n what d re%t on d so$ed en%e wo#!d o%%#r. ,ts neAt answers wo#!d $e @#st s#ff % ent!y $ ased so that after the eAe%#t 1e %on%erned d so$eyed, he wo#!d ha1e a#to0at %a!!y %orre%ted those answers to o"t 0a! d re%t ons. The Ma%h ne >nows, Ste"hen7C B:o# %an;t $e s#re of a!! th s. :o# are g#ess ng.C B,t s a g#ess $ased on a ! fet 0e;s eA"er en%e w th ro$ots. :o# had $etter re!y on s#%h a g#ess, Ste"hen.C BB#t then what s !eftG The Ma%h nes the0se!1es are %orre%t and the "re0 ses they wor> on are %orre%t. That we ha1e agreed #"on. Now yo# say that t %annot $e d so$eyed. Then what s wrongGC B:o# ha1e answered yo#rse!f. Noth ng s wrong7 Th n> a$o#t the Ma%h nes for a wh !e, Ste"hen. They are ro$ots, and they fo!!ow the + rst Law. B#t the Ma%h nes wor> not for any s ng!e h#0an $e ng, $#t for a!! h#0an ty, so that the + rst Law $e%o0es2 INo Ma%h ne 0ay har0 h#0an ty- or, thro#gh na%t on, a!!ow h#0an ty to %o0e to har0.;

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BLery we!!, then, Ste"hen, what har0s h#0an tyG E%ono0 % d s!o%at ons 0ost of a!!, fro0 whate1er %a#se. Wo#!dn;t yo# say soGC B, wo#!d.C BAnd what s 0ost ! >e!y n the f#t#re to %a#se e%ono0 % d s!o%at onsG Answer that, Ste"hen.C B, sho#!d say,C re"! ed Byer!ey, #nw !! ng!y, Bthe destr#%t on of the Ma%h nes.C BAnd so sho#!d , say, and so sho#!d the Ma%h nes say. The r f rst %are, therefore, s to "reser1e the0se!1es, for #s. And so they are ?# et!y ta> ng %are of the on!y e!e0ents !eft that threaten the0. ,t s not the ISo% ety for H#0an ty; wh %h s sha> ng the $oat so that the Ma%h nes 0ay $e destroyed. :o# ha1e $een !oo> ng at the re1erse of the " %t#re. Say rather that the Ma%h ne s sha> ng the $oat 1ery s! ght!y E @#st eno#gh to sha>e !oose those few wh %h %! ng to the s de for "#r"oses the Ma%h nes %ons der har0f#! to H#0an ty. BSo Lrasayana !oses h s fa%tory and gets another @o$ where he %an do no har0 E he s not $ad!y h#rt, he s not rendered n%a"a$!e of earn ng a ! 1 ng, for the Ma%h ne %annot har0 a h#0an $e ng 0ore than 0 n 0a!!y, and that on!y to sa1e a greater n#0$er. Conso! dated C nna$ar !oses %ontro! at A!0aden. L !!afran%a s no !onger a % 1 ! eng neer n %harge of an 0"ortant "ro@e%t. And the d re%tors of Wor!d Stee! are !os ng the r gr " on the nd#stry E or w !!.C BB#t yo# don;t rea!!y >now a!! th s,C ns sted Byer!ey, d stra%ted!y. BHow %an we "oss $!y ta>e a %han%e on yo#r $e ng r ghtGC B:o# 0#st. 9o yo# re0e0$er the Ma%h ne;s own state0ent when yo# "resented the "ro$!e0 to h 0G ,t was2 IThe 0atter ad0 ts of no eA"!anat on.; The Ma%h ne d d not say there was no eA"!anat on, or that t %o#!d deter0 ne no eA"!anat on. ,t s 0"!y was not go ng to ad0 t any eA"!anat on. ,n other words, t wo#!d $e har0f#! to h#0an ty to ha1e the eA"!anat on >nown, and that;s why we %an on!y g#ess E and >ee" on g#ess ng.C BB#t how %an the eA"!anat on do #s har0G Ass#0e that yo# are r ght, S#san.C BWhy, Ste"hen, f , a0 r ght, t 0eans that the Ma%h ne s %ond#%t ng o#r f#t#re for #s not on!y s 0"!y n d re%t answer to o#r d re%t ?#est ons, $#t n genera! answer to the wor!d s t#at on and to h#0an "sy%ho!ogy as a who!e. And to >now that 0ay 0a>e #s #nha""y and 0ay h#rt o#r "r de. The Ma%h ne %annot, 0#st not, 0a>e #s #nha""y. BSte"hen, how do we >now what the #!t 0ate good of H#0an ty w !! enta !G We ha1en;t at o#r d s"osa! the nf n te fa%tors that the Ma%h ne has at ts7 Perha"s, to g 1e yo# a not #nfa0 ! ar eAa0"!e, o#r ent re te%hn %a! % 1 ! Dat on has %reated 0ore #nha"" ness and 0 sery than t has re0o1ed. Perha"s an agrar an or "astora! % 1 ! Dat on, w th !ess %#!t#re and !ess "eo"!e wo#!d $e $etter. ,f so, the Ma%h nes 0#st 0o1e n that d re%t on, "refera$!y w tho#t te!! ng #s, s n%e n o#r gnorant "re@#d %es we on!y >now that what we are #sed to, s good E and we wo#!d then f ght %hange. Or "erha"s a %o0"!ete #r$an Dat on, or a %o0"!ete!y %aste=r dden so% ety, or %o0"!ete anar%hy, s the answer. We don;t >now. On!y the Ma%h nes >now, and they are go ng there and ta> ng #s w th the0.C BB#t yo# are te!! ng 0e, S#san, that the ISo% ety for H#0an ty; s r ght- and that Man> nd has !ost ts own say n ts f#t#re.C B,t ne1er had any, rea!!y. ,t was a!ways at the 0er%y of e%ono0 % and so% o!og %a! for%es t d d not #nderstand E at the wh 0s of %! 0ate, and the fort#nes of war. Now the Ma%h nes #nderstand

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the0- and no one %an sto" the0, s n%e the Ma%h nes w !! dea! w th the0 as they are dea! ng w th the So% ety, E ha1 ng, as they do, the greatest of wea"ons at the r d s"osa!, the a$so!#te %ontro! of o#r e%ono0y.C BHow horr $!e7C BPerha"s how wonderf#!7 Th n>, that for a!! t 0e, a!! %onf! %ts are f na!!y e1 ta$!e. On!y the Ma%h nes, fro0 now on, are ne1 ta$!e7C And the f re $eh nd the ?#artD went o#t and on!y a %#r! of s0o>e was !eft to nd %ate ts "!a%e. E BAnd that s a!!,C sa d 9r. Ca!1 n, r s ng. B, saw t fro0 the $eg nn ng, when the "oor ro$ots %o#!dn;t s"ea>, to the end, when they stand $etween 0an> nd and destr#%t on. , w !! see no 0ore. My ! fe s o1er. :o# w !! see what %o0es neAt.C , ne1er saw S#san Ca!1 n aga n. She d ed !ast 0onth at the age of e ghty=two.

EF end EF

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