Monday, May 20, 2019

Foundation’s Edge CHAPTER ONE COUNCILMAN

COUNCILMAN I dont opine it, of family, regularise Golan Trevize standing(a) on the wide steps of Seldon H all(prenominal) and looking knocked out(p) everyplace the city as it spark conduct in the sunbathelight.Terminus was a mild planet, with a high water/land ratio. The introduction of weather dominance had made it all the more than comfortable and considerably less interesting, Trevize often thought.I dont be roostve all of it, he reiterateed and smiled. His white, compensate teeth gleamed out of his youthful face.His companion and fellow Councilman, Munn Li Compor who had follow a middle name in defiance of Terminus tradition, agitate his organize uneasily. What dont you believe? That we saved the city?Oh, I believe that. We did, didnt we? And Seldon said that we would, and he said we would be right to do so, and that he knew all about it five hundred years ago.Compors voice dropped and he said in a half(a)-whisper, Look, I dont mind your talking the likes of this to me, beca persona I take it as just talk, and if you squall it out in crowds others go forth hear and, frankly, I dont swan to be standing near you when the lightning strikes. Im non sure how precise the aim go out be.Trevizes smile did non waver. He said, Is t here(predicate) harm in saw that the city is saved? And that we did it without a war?There was no mavin to fight, said Compor. He had hair of a buttery yellow, eyes of a sky blue, and he alship canal resisted the impulse to misrepresent those unfashionable hues.Have you never heard of polite war, Compor? said Trevize. He was tall, his hair was black, with a quench wave to it, and he had a habit of walking with his thumbs hitched into the soft-fibered waistband he always wore.A civil war over the location of the capital?The question was enough to bring on a Seldon Crisis. It destroy Hanniss governmental c argonr. It put you and me into the Council last election and the publicize hung He heisted atomic num ber 53 hand slowly, back and forth, like a balance approach to rest on the level.He paused on the steps, ignoring the other members of the government and the media, as well as the fashionable society types who had finagled an invitation to witness Seldons return (or the return of his image, at some(prenominal) rate). altogether were walking down the stairs, talking, laughing, glorying in the correctness of e trulything, and b take ining in Seldons approval.Trevize stood windlessness and let the crowd swirl yesteryear him. Compor, having walked cardinal steps ahead, paused an invisible cord stretching between them. He said, Arent you coming?Theres no hurry. They wont live the Council meeting until whitethornor Branno has reviewed the situation in her usual flat-footed, one-syllable-at-a-time way. Im in no hurry to endure other ponderous speech. Look at the cityI get word it. I saw it yester twenty-four hours, too.Yes, but did you retrieve it five hundred years ago when i t was founded?Four hundred ninety-eight, Compor corrected him automatically. Two years from straight off, theyll fuck bump off the hemimillennial celebration and whitethornor Branno leading still be in the office at the time, barring events of, we hope, tyke probability.We hope, said Trevize dryly. But what was it like five hundred years ago when it was founded? hotshot city One short city, occupied by a group of men preparing an Encyclopedia that was never finishedOf course it was finished.Are you referring to the Encyclopedia Galactica we receive now? What we own isnt what they were working on. What we rescue is in a calculating machine and its revised daily. Have you ever looked at the uncompleted original?You mean in the Hardin Museum?The Salvor Hardin Museum of Origins. permits let the full name, satisfy, since youre so c atomic number 18ful about exact dates. Have you looked at it?No. Should I?No, it isnt worth it. But eachway there they were a group of Ency clopedists, forming the nucleus of a town one small town in a world virtually without metals, circling a sun discriminate from the rest of the Galaxy, at the jar against, the very edge. And now, five hundred years later, were a suburban world. The whole place is one blown-up park, with all the metal we want. Were at the c premise of everything now? non au indeedtically, said Compor. Were still circling a sun isolated from the rest of the Galaxy. Still at the very edge of the Galaxy.Ah no, youre saying that without thinking. That was the whole insinuate of this undersize Seldon Crisis. We argon more than the single world of Terminus. We are the pedestal, which sends out its tentacles Galaxy-wide and rules that Galaxy from its position at the very edge. We can do it because were non isolated, except in position, and that doesnt count. wholly right. Ill accept that. Compor was gather inly uninterested and took a nonher(prenominal) step downward. The invisible cord between t hem stretched furthestther.Trevize reached out a hand as though to gimmick his companion up the steps again. Dont you see the mansionificance, Compor? Theres this enormous flip-flop, but we dont accept it. In our hearts we want the small Foundation, the small one-world operation we had in the rare(a) days the days of iron heroes and noble saints that are deceased forever.Come onI mean it. Look at Seldon Hall. To begin with, in the branch crises in Salvor Hardins day, it was just the Time Vault, a small auditorium in which the holographic image of Seldon appeared. That was all. at once its a colossal mausoleum, but is there a force-field ramp in the place? A chute? A gravitic lift? No, just these steps, and we walk down them and we walk up them as Hardin would restrain had to do. At odd and unpredictable times, we cling in fright to the past.He flung his arm outward passionately. Is there each structural component visible that is metal? Not one. It wouldnt do to commit any, since in Salvor Hardins day there was no native metal to speak of and hardly any imported metal. We even installed old plastic, pink with age, when we built this huge pile, so that visitors from other worlds can stop and say, Galaxy What lovely old plastics I tell you, Compor, its a sham.Is that what you dont believe, thusly? Seldon Hall?And all its contents, said Trevize in a angered whisper. I dont really believe theres any sense in hiding here at the edge of the Universe, just because our ancestors did. I believe we ought to be out there, in the middle of everything.But Seldon says youre wrong. The Seldon externalise is working out as it should.I exist. I hunch. And every child on Terminus is brought up to believe that Hari Seldon formulated a Plan, that he foresaw everything five centuries ago, that he set up the Foundation in such(prenominal) a way that he could spot certain crises, and that his image would appear holographically at those crises, and tell us the minimu m we had to know to go on to the next crisis, and thus lead us through a molarity years of score until we could safely build a Second and Greater Galactic conglomerate on the ruins of the old decrepit structure that was falling apart five centuries ago and had disintegrated completely by two centuries ago.Why are you telling me all this, Golan?Because Im telling you its a sham. Its all a sham. Or if it was real to begin with, its a sham now We are non our own masters. It is not we who are following the Plan.Compor looked at the other searchingly. Youve said things like this before, Golan, but Ive always thought you were just saying ridiculous things to stir me up. By the Galaxy, I actually think youre serious.Of course Im seriousYou cant be. Either this is more or less complicated piece of fun at my expense or youre out of your mind.Neither. Neither, said Trevize, quiet now, hitching his thumbs into his sash as though he no longer needed the gestures of manpower to punctuate passion. I speculated on it before, I admit, but that was just intuition. That farce in there this morning, however, has made it suddenly all. sooner vaporous to me and I mean, in turn, to stir it quite plain to the Council.Compor said, You are crazyAll right. Come with me and listen.The two walked down the stairs. They were the totally ones left the last to complete the descent. And as Trevize locomote slightly to he fore, Compors lips moved silently, casting a voiceless word in the direction of the others back FoolMayor Harla Branno called the session of the Executive Council to revision. Her eyes had looked with no visible sign of interest at the gathering yet no one there inquiryed that she had noted all who were present and all who had not yet arrived.Her gray hair was carefully arranged in a style that was neither markedly feminine nor imitation masculine. It was obviously the way she wore it, no more. Her emergence-of-fact face was not notable for dish antenna, bu t some(a)whathow it was never for beauty that one searched there.She was the most capable administrator on the planet. No one could, or did, accuse her of the grandeur of the Salvor Hardins and the Hober Mallows whose histories enlivened the first two centuries of the Foundations existence, but neither would anyone associate her with the follies of the hereditary Indburs who had ruled the Foundation just prior to the time of the Mule.Her speeches did not stir mens minds, nor did she dupe a gift for the hammy gesture, but she had a capacity for making quiet decisions and sticking by them as long as she was convinced she was right. Without any obvious charisma, she had the knack of persuading the voters those quiet decisions would be rightSince by the Seldon doctrine, historical change is to a large degree difficult to swerve (always barring the unpredictable, something most Seldonists forget, despite the wrenching misadventure of the Mule), the Foundation might have retained its capital on Terminus under any conditions. That is a might, however. Seldon, in his just finished appearance as a five-century-old simulacrum, had calmly placed the probability of stay on Terminus at 87.2 percent.Nevertheless, even to Seldonists, that meant there was a 12.8 percent chance that the shift to some point closer to the center of the Foundation Federation would have been made, with all the dire consequences that Seldon had outlined. That this one-out-of-eight chance did not take place was sure as shooting due to Mayor Branno.It was certain she would not have allowed it. Through periods of massive unpopularity, she had held to her decision that Terminus was the traditional seat of the Foundation and there it would remain. Her semipolitical enemies had caricatured her reinforced jaw (with some effectiveness, it had to be admitted) as an underslung granite block.And now Seldon had backed her point of view and, for the while at least, that would form her an overwhelming political advantage. She had been reported to have said a year earlier that if in the coming appearance Seldon did back her, she would consider her task successfully completed. She would then retire and take up the fictitious character of elder statesperson, rather than risk the dubious results of further political wars.No one had really believed her. She was at home in the political wars to an extent few before her had been, and now that Seldons image had come and gone there was no hint of retirement about her.She spoke in a perfectly clear voice with an unashamed Foundation accent (she had once served as Ambassador to Mandrels, but had not read the old Imperial style of speech that was so fashionable now and was part of what had been a quasi-Imperial travail to the Inner Provinces).She said, The Seldon Crisis is over and it is a tradition, and a wise one, that no reprisals of any kind either in deed or in speech be taken against those who supported the wrong side. Many med iocre people believed they had good reason for wanting that which Seldon did not want. There is no point in humiliating them to the point where they can retrieve their self-respect only by denouncing the Seldon Plan itself. In turn, it is a strong and desirable custom that those who supported the lost side accept the loss cheerfully and without further discussion. The issue is tramp us, on twain sides, forever.She paused, gazed levelly at the assembled faces for a moment, then went on, Half the time has passed, people of the Council half the thousand-year stretch between imperiums. It has been a time of difficulties, but we have come a fang way. We are, indeed, almost a Galactic pudding stone al prompt and there remain no external enemies of consequence.The Interregnum would have endured thirty thousand years, were it not for the Seldon Plan. After thirty thousand years of disintegration, it might be there would be no strength left with which to form an Empire again. There migh t be left only isolated and probably dying worlds.What we have today we owe to Hari Seldom and it is upon his long-dead mind that we must rely far the rest. The danger henceforward, Councillors, is ourselves, and from this point on there must be no official doubt of the valuate of the Flan. Let us agree nosy, quietly and firmly, that there are to be no official doubts, criticisms, or condemnations of the Plan. We must support it completely. It has proved itself over five centuries. It is the security of homosexuality and it must not be tampered with. Is it agreed?There was a quiet murmur. The Mayor hardly looked up to seek visual test copy of agreement. She knew every member of the Council and how each would react. In the wake of the victory, there would be no objection now. adjoining year perhaps. Not now. She would tackle the problems of next year next year.Always except for Thought control, Mayor Branno? asked Golan Trevize, striding down the aisle and speaking loudly, as tho ugh to make up for the silence of the rest. He did not bother to take his seat which, since he was a new member, was in fine back row.Branno still did not look up. She said, Your views, Councilman Trevize?That the government cannot impose a ban on free speech that all individuals most certainly including Councilmen and Councilwomen who have been elected for the purpose have a right to discuss the political issues of the day and that no political issue can possibly be divorced from the Seldon PlanBranno folded her hands and looked up. Her face was expressionless. She said, Councilman Trevize, you have entered this debate irregularly and were out of fix up in doing so. However, I asked you to state your views and I allow for now answer you.There is no limit to free speech in spite of appearance the background of the Seldon Plan. It is only the Plan itself that limits us by its very nature. There can be many ways of interpreting events before the image makes the final decision, b ut once he makes that decision it can be questioned no further in Council. Nor may it be questioned in advance as though one were to say, If Hari Seldon were to state thus-and-so, he would be wrong.And yet if one perfectstly felt so, dame Mayor? then(prenominal) one could say so, if one were a mysterious individual, discussing fine matter in a common soldier context.You mean, then, that the limitations on free speech which you propose are to apply entirely and specifically to government officials?Exactly. This is not a new principle of Foundation law. It has been applied before by Mayors of all parties. A private point of view means nonentity an official expression of opinion carries weight and can be dangerous. We have not come this far to risk danger now.May I point out, Madam Mayor, that this principle of yours has been applied, sparsely and occasionally, to specific acts of Council. It has never been applied to something as vast and indefinable as the Seldon Plan.The Seldon Plan needs the protection most, for it is precisely there that questioning can be most fatal.Will you not consider, Mayor Branno Trevize turned, addressing now the seated rows of Council members, who seemed one and ail to have caught their breath, as though awaiting the outcome of a duel. Will you not consider, Council members, that there is every reason to think that there is no Seldon Plan at all?We have all witnessed its workings today, said Mayor Branno, even more quietly as Trevize became louder and more oratorical.It is precisely because we have seen its workings today, Councilmen and Councilwomen, that we can see that the Seldon Plan, as we have been taught to believe it to be, cannot exist.Councilman Trevize, you are out of order and must not continue along these lines.I have the perquisite of office, Mayor.That privilege has been withdrawn, Councilman.You cannot withdraw the privilege. Your statement limiting free speech cannot, in itself, have the force of law. There has b een no formal vote in Council, Mayor, and even if there were I would have the right to question its legality.The withdrawal, Councilman, has nothing to do with my statement protecting the Seldon Plan.On what, then, does it depend?You are accused of treason, Councilman. I wish to do the Council the courtesy of not arresting you within the Council Chamber, but waiting at the door are members of security department who will take you into custody as you leave. I will ask you now to leave quietly. If you make any ill-considered move, then, of course, that will be considered a present danger and Security will enter the Chamber. I trust you will not make that necessary.Trevize frowned. There svgs absolute silence in the hall. (Did everyone seem this everyone but himself and Compor?) He looked back at the exit. He saw nothing, but he had no doubt that Mayor Branno was not bluffing.He stammered in rage. I repre represent an important constituency, Mayor BrannoNo doubt, they will be disap pointed in you.On what evidence do you bring forth this wild prime?That will appear in due course, but be assured that we have all we need. You are a most indiscreet young man and should realize that someone may be your adorer and yet not be willing to accompany you into treasonTrevize whirled to meet Compors blue eyes. They met his stonily.Mayor Branno said calmly, I call upon all to witness that when I made my last statement, Councilman Trevize turned to look at Councilman Compor. Will you leave now, Councilman, or will you force us to engage in the indignity of an arrest within the Chamber?Golan Trevize turned, mounted the steps again, and, at the door, two men in uniform, well armed, fell in on either side.And Harla Branno, looking after him impassively, whispered through barely parted lips, FoolLiono Kodell had been coach of Security through all of Mayor Brannos administration. It was not a backbreaking job, as he wish to say, but whether he was lying or not, one could not, of course, tell. He didnt look like a liar, but that did not necessarily mean anything.He looked comfortable and friendly, and it might well be that this was stamp down for the job. He was rather below the average height, rather above the average weight, had a bushy mustache (most eccentric for a citizen of Terminus) that was now more white than gray, bright brown eyes, and a characteristic patch of capital color marking the outer breast pocket of his drab coverall.He said, Sit down, Trevize. Let us keep this on a friendly basis if we can.Friendly? With a traitor? Trevize hooked both his thumbs in his sash and remained standing.With an accused traitor. We have not yet come to the point where accusation even by the Mayor herself is the equivalent of conviction. I trust we never do. My job is to clear you, if I can. I would much rather do so now while no harm is done except, perhaps, to your feel rather than be forced to make it all a matter of a public trial. I hope you are w ith me in this.Trevize didnt soften. He said, Lets not bother with ingratiation. Your job is to badger me as though I were a traitor. I am not one, and I resent the necessity of having to have that point demonstrated to your satisfaction. Why should you not have to prove your loyalty to my satisfaction?In principle, none. The sad fact, however, is that I have power on my side, and you have none on yours. Because of that, it is my privilege to question, and not yours. If any indecision of disloyalty or treason fell upon me, by the way, I imagine I would find myself replaced, and I would then be questioned by someone else, who, I earnestly hope, would carry on me no worse than I intend to treat you.And how do you intend to treat me?Like, I trust, a friend and an equal, if you will so treat me.Shall I stand you a drink? asked Trevize bitterly.Later, perhaps, but for now, please sit down. I ask it as a friend.Trevize hesitated, then sat. Any further defiance suddenly seemed meaningles s to him. What now? he said.Now, may I ask that you will answer my questions truthfully and completely and without evasion?And if not? What is the threat behind it? A Psychic Probe?I trust not.I trust not, too. Not on a Councilman. It will reveal no treason, and when I am then acquitted, I will have your political head and the Mayors too, perhaps. It might almost be worth making you filter out a Psychic Probe.Kodell frowned and shook his head slightly. Oh no. Oh no. Too much danger of brain damage. Its slow healing sometimes, and it would not be worth your while. Definitely. You know, sometimes, when the Probe is used in exasperationA threat, Kodell?A statement of fact, Trevize. Dont sneak me, Councilman. If I must use the Probe I will, and even if you are innocent you will have no recourse.What do you want to know?Kodell closed a switch on the desk before him. He said, What I ask and what you answer to my questions will be recorded, both sight and sound. I do not want any volunt eered statements from you, or anything nonresponsive. Not at this time. You insure that, I am sure.I understand that you will record only what you please, said Trevize contemptuously. That is right, but again, dont mistake me. I wilt not roll anything you say. I will use it or not use it, that is all. But you will know what I will not use and you will not waste my time and yours.Well see.We have reason to think, Councilman Trevize and somehow the touch of added formality in his voice was evidence enough that he was recording that you have express openly, and on a number of occasions, that you do not believe in the existence of the Seldon Plan.Trevize said slowly, If I have said so openly, and on a number of occasions, what more do you need?Let us not waste time with quibbles, Councilman. You know that what I want is an open admission in your own voice, characterized by its own voiceprints, under conditions where you are clearly in perfect command of yourself.Because, I suppose , the use of any hypno-effect, chemical or otherwise, would alter the voiceprints?Quite noticeably.And you are anxious to demonstrate that you have made use of no illegal methods in questioning a Councilman? I dont blame you ..Im joyous you do not blame me, Councilman. Then let us continue. You have stated openly, and on a number of occasions, that you do not believe in the existence of the Seldon Plan. Do you admit that?Trevize said slowly, choosing his words, I do not believe that what we call Seldons Plan has the significance we usually apply to it.A slow statement. Would you care to elaborate?My view is that the usual concept that Hari Seldon, five hundred years ago, making use of the mathematical science of psychohistory, worked out the course of human events to the last detail and that we are following a course designed to take us from the First Galactic Empire to the Second Galactic Empire along the line of maximum probability, is naive. It cannot be soDo you mean that, in your opinion, Hari Seldon never existed?Not at all. Of course he existed.That he never evolved the science of psychohistory?No, of course I dont mean any such thing. See here, theatre director, I would have explained this to the Council if I had been allowed to, and I will explain it to you. The truth of what I am going to say is so plainThe Director of Security had quietly, and quite obviously, turned off the recording device.Trevize paused and frowned. Why did you do that?You are wasting my time, Councilman. I am not asking you for speeches.You are asking me to explain my views, arent you?Not at all. I am asking you to answer questions simply, directly, and straightforwardly. Answer only the questions and offer nothing that I do not ask for. Do that and this wont take long.Trevize said, You mean you will elicit statements from me that will reinforce the official version of what I am supposed to have done.We ask you only to make truthful statements, and I assure you we will not d istort them. Please, let me try again. We were talking about Hari Seldon. The recording device was in action once more and Kodell repeated calmly, That he never evolved the science of psychohistory?Of course he evolved the science that we call psychohistory, said Trevize, failing to mask his impatience, and gesturing with aggravate passion.Which you would define how?Galaxy It is usually defined as that branch of mathematics that deals with the overall reactions of large groups of human beings to given stimuli under given conditions. In other words, it is supposed to predict social and historical changes You say supposed to Do you question that from the standpoint of mathematical expertise?No, said Trevize. I am not a psychohistorian. Nor is any member of the Foundation government, nor any citizen of Terminus, nor anyKodells hand raised. He said softly, Councilman, please and Trevize was silent.Kodell said, Have you any reason to suppose that Hari Seldon did not make the necessary analysis that would combine, as efficiently as possible, the factors of maximum probability and shortest duration in the path leading from the First to the Second Empire by way of the Foundation?I wasnt there, said Trevize sardonically. How can I know?Can you know he didnt?No.Do you recant, perhaps, that the holographic image of Hari Seldon that has appeared during each of a number of historical crises over the past five hundred years is, in actual fact, a reproduction of Hari Seldon himself, made in the last year of his life, shortly before the establishment of the Foundation?I suppose I cant deny that.You suppose. Would you care to say that it is a fraud, a hoax devised by someone in past history for some purpose?Trevize sighed. No. I am not maintaining that.Are you prepared to maintain that the messages that Hari Seldon delivers are in any way manipulated by anyone at all?No. I have no reason to think that such manipulation is either possible or useful.I see. You witnessed thi s most juvenile appearance of Seldons image. Did you find that his analysis prepared five hundred years ago did not break the actual conditions of today quite closely?On the contrary, said Trevize with sudden glee. It matched very closely.Kodell seemed indifferent to the others emotion. And yet, Councilman, after the appearance of Seldon, you still maintain that the Seldon Plan does not exist.Of course I do. I maintain it does not exist precisely because the analysis matched so perfectly.Kodell had turned off the recorder. Councilman, he said, shaking his head, you put me to the bustle of erasing. I ask if you still maintain this odd belief of yours and you start giving me reasons. Let me repeat my question.He said, And yet, Councilman, after the appearance of Seldon, you still maintain that the Seldon Plan does not exist.How do you know that? no one had a chance to speak to my informer friend, Compor, after the appearance.Let us say we guessed, Councilman. And let us say you h ave already answered, Of course I do If you will say that once more without volunteering added information, we can get on with it.Of course I do, said Trevize ironically.Well, said Kodell, I will choose whichever of the Of course I dos sounds more natural. Thank you, Councilman, and the recording device was turned off again.Trevize said, Is that it?For what I need, yes.What you need, quite clearly, is a set of questions and answers that you can present to Terminus and to all the Foundation Federation which it rules, in order to show that I accept the legend of the Seldon Plan totally. That will make any denial of it that I later make seem quixotic or outright insane.Or even treasonable in the eyes of an excited multitude which sees the Plan as essential to the Foundations safety. It will perhaps not be necessary to publicize this, Councilman Trevize, if we can come to some understanding, but if it should prove necessary we will see to it that the Federation hears.Are you fool enough , sir, said Trevize, frowning, to be entirely uninterested in what I really have to say?As a human being I am very interested, and if an appropriate time comes I will listen to you with interest and a certain amount of skepticism. As Director of Security, however, I have, at the present moment, exactly what I wantI hope you know that this will do you, and the Mayor, no good.Oddly enough, I am not at all of that opinion. You will now leave. Under guard, of course.Where am I to be taken?Kodell merely smiled. Good-bye, Councilman. You were not perfectly co-operative, but it would have been unrealistic to have expect you to be.He held out his hand.Trevize, standing up, ignored it. He smoothed the creases out of his sash and said, You only delay the inevitable. Others must think as I do now, or will come to think that way later. To imprison me or to kill me will serve to inspire inquire and, eventually, accelerate such thinking. In the end the truth and I shall win.Kodell took back his hand and shook his head slowly. Really, Trevize, he said. You are a fool.It was not till midnight that two guards came to remove Trevize from what was, he had to admit, a marvellous room at Security Headquarters. Luxurious but locked. A prison cell by any name.Trevize had over four hours to second-guess himself bitterly, striding restlessly across the floor for much of the period.Why did he trust Compor?Why not? He had seemed so clearly in agreement. No, not that. He had seemed so ready to be argued into agreement. No, not that, either. He had seemed so stupid, so easily dominated, so surely lacking a mind and opinions of his own that Trevize enjoyed the chance of using him as a comfortable sounding board. Compor had helped Trevize improve and hone his opinions. He had been useful and Trevize had trusted him for no other reason than that it had been convenient to do so.But it was vain now to try to decide whether he ought to have seen through Compor. He should have followed the s imple evocation Trust nobody.Yet can one go through life trusting nobody? clearly one had to.And who would have thought that Branno would have had the audacity to pluck a Councilman out of the Council and that not one of the other Councilmen would move to protect one of their own? Though they had disagreed with Trevize to their very hearts though they would have been ready to bet their blood, drop by drop, on Brannos rightness they should still, on principle, have interposed themselves against this violation of their prerogatives. Branno the bronze she was sometimes called, and she certainly acted with metallic rigor Unless she herself was already in the grip No That way led to paranoiaAnd yet His mind tiptoed in circles, and had not broken out of uselessly repetitive thought when the guards came.You will have to come with us, Councilman, the senior of the two said with unemotional gravity. His insignia showed him to be a surrogate. He had a small scar on his right cheek, and he looked tired, as though he had been at his calling too long and had done too little as might be expected of a soldier whose people had been at peace for over a century.Trevize did not budge. Your name, deputy sheriff.I am Lieutenant Evander Sopellor, Councilman.You realize you are breaking the law, Lieutenant Sopellor. You cannot arrest a Councilman.The lieutenant said, We have our direct orders, sir.That does not matter. You cannot be ordered to arrest a Councilman. You must understand that you will be liable for judge as a result.The lieutenant said, You are not being arrested, Councilman.Then I dont have to go with you, do I?We have been instructed to escort you to your home.I know the way.And to protect you en route.From what? Or from whom?From any category that may gather.At midnight?It is why we have waited for midnight, sir. And now, sir, for your protection we must ask you to come with us. May I say not as a threat but as a matter of information that we are authoriz ed to use force if necessary.Trevize was aware of the neuronic whips with which they were armed. He rose with what he hoped was dignity. To my home, then. Or will I find out that you are going to take me to prison?We have not been instructed to lie to you, sir, said the lieutenant with a pride of his own. Trevize became aware that he was in the battlefront of a professional man who would require a direct order before he would lie and that even then his expression and his tone of voice would give him away.Trevize said, I ask your pardon, Lieutenant. I did not mean to imply that I doubted your word.A ground-car was waiting for them outside. The street was empty and there was no sign of any human being, let alone a mob but the lieutenant had been truthful. He had not said there was a mob outside or that one would form. He had referred to any mob that may gather. He had only said may.The lieutenant had carefully kept Trevize between himself and the car. Trevize could not have twiste d away and made a run for it. The lieutenant entered immediately after him and sat beside him in the back.The car moved off.Trevize said, Once I am home, I presume I may then go about my business freely that I may leave, for instance, if I choose.We have no order to interfere with you, Councilman, in any way, except insofar as we are ordered to protect you. so far? What does that mean in this case?I am instructed to tell you that once you are home, you may not leave it. The streets are not safe for you and I am responsible for your safety.You mean I am under house arrest.I am not a lawyer, Councilman. I do not know what that means.He gazed straight ahead, but his elbow made contact with Trevizes side. Trevize could not have moved, however slightly, without the lieutenant becoming aware of it.The car stopped before Trevizes small house in the suburb of Flexner. At the moment, he lacked a housemate Flavella having wearied of the erratic life that Council membership had forced upon h im so he expected no one to be waiting for him.Do I get out now? Trevize asked.I will get out first, Councilman. We will escort you in.For my safety?Yes, sir.There were two guards waiting wrong his front door. A night-light was gleaming, but the windows had been opacified and it was not visible from outside.For a moment, he was indignant at the impact and then he dismissed it with an inward shrug. If the Council could not protect him in the Council Chamber itself, then surely his house could not serve as his castle.Trevize said, How many of you do I have in here altogether? A regiment?No, Councilman, came a voice, hard and steady. Just one person aside from those you see, and I have been waiting for you long enough.Harla Branno, Mayor of Terminus, stood in the door that led into the living room. Time enough, dont you think, for us to talk?Trevize stared. All this rigmarole toBut Branno said in a low, forceful voice. Quiet, Councilman. And you four, outside. Outside All will be well in here.The four guards saluted and turned on their heels. Trevize and Branno were alone.

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