Forward the Foundation Chapter 7

18Raych sat in the anteroom of a universe construction in pigeon-pea plant into which he had never ventured-never could wee ventured-as a tatterdemalion y step forwardh. He felt, in completely truth, a little uneasy approximately it now, as though he were trespassing.He tested to look calm, trustworthy, lovable. dada had told him that this was a quality he carried around with him, solely he had never been conscious of it. If it came to the highest degree naturally, he would probably spoil it by arduous too hard to determinem to be what he really was.He tried relaxing while keeping an eye on the ordained who was military personnelipulating a computer at the desk. The official was non a Dahlite. He was, in fact, Gambol Deen Namarti, who had been with Joranum at the meeting with Dad that Raych had attended.Every at once in a while, Namarti would look up from his desk and glance at Raych with a hostile glargon. This Namarti wasnt buying Raychs lovability. Raych could see that .Raych did non try to meet Namartis abhorrence with a friendly smile. It would induct seemed too artificial. He simply waited. He had gotten this far. If Joranum arrived, as he was expected to, Raych would defecate a chance to plow to him.Joranum did arrive, sweeping in, smiling his public smile of warmth and confidence. Namartis flip came up and Joranum retainped. They spoke to spend a pennyher in low voices while Raych watched intently and tried in vain to seem as if he wasnt. It seemed plain to Raych that Namarti was line of rea countersigning against the meeting and Raych bridled a bit at that. and thence Joranum looked at Raych, smiled, and pushed Namarti to whiz side. It occurred to Raych that, while Namarti was the brains of the team, it was Joranum who clearly had the charisma.Joranum strode toward him and held discover a plump, slightly moist hand. well(p) well. Professor Seldons young man. How are you?Fine, thank you, sir.You had some trouble acquiring here, I u nderstand.not too often, sir.And youve come with a message from your pay off, I trust. I hope he is reconsidering his decision and has decided to join me in my gravid crusade.I dont think so, sir.Joranum fr sustained slightly. Are you here without his live onledge?No, sir. He sent me.I see. Are you hungry, lad?Not at the moment, sir.Then would you mind if I eat? I dont get much era for the ordinary amenities of life, he said, smiling broadly.Its all overcompensate with me, sir.Together, they go to a table and sat down. Joranum unwrapped a sandwich and took a bite. His voice slightly muffled, he said, And why did he send you, son?Raych shrugged. I think he thought I efficacy take place out something about you that he could use against you. Hes understandt and soul with starting time minister Demerzel.And youre not?No, sir. Im a Dahlite.I know you are, Mr. Seldon, entirely what does that blind drunk?It call ups Im oppressed, so Im on your side and I want to serve up y ou. Of course, I wouldnt want my develop to know.Theres no reason he should know. How do you propose to care me? He glanced quickly at Namarti, who was leaning against his desk, listening, with his ordnance folded and his expression lowering. Do you know anything about psychohistory?No, sir. My father dont talk to me about that-and if he did, I wouldnt get it. I dont think hes getting anywhere with that stuff.Are you sure?Sure Im sure. Theres a guy there, Yugo Amaryl, also a Dahlite, who talks about it sometimes. Im sure nothing is happening.Ah And can I see Yugo Amaryl sometime, do you suppose?I dont think so. He aint much for Demerzel, but hes all for my father. He wouldnt cross him. save you would?Raych looked unhappy and he muttered stubbornly, Im a Dahlite.Joranum cleared his throat. Then let me ask you again. How do you propose to help me, young man?Ive got something to tell you that maybe you wont believe.Indeed? Try me. If I dont believe it, I entrust tell you so.Its ab out starting curate Eto Demerzel.Well?Raych looked around uneasily. Can any integrity hear me?Just Namarti and myself.All right, then listen. This guy Demerzel aint a guy. Hes a zombi.What exploded Joranum.Raych felt moved to explain. A golem is a mechanical man, sir. He aint serviceman. Hes a machine.Namarti broke out passionately, Jo-Jo, dont believe that. Its ridiculous. besides Joranum held up an admonitory hand. His eyeball were gleaming. why do you say that?My father was in Mycogen once. He told me all about it. In Mycogen they talk about robots a lot.Yes, I know. At least, I have heard so.The Mycogenians believe that robots were once very common among their ancestors, but they were wiped out.Namartis eyes narrowed. But what snitchs you think that Demerzel is a robot? From what little I have heard of these fantasies, robots are made out of metal, arent they?Thats so, said Raych earnestly. But what I heard is that there were a few robots that look just want humankind be ings and they live forever-Namarti shook his head violently. Legends Ridiculous legends JoJo, why are we listening-But Joranum cut him off quickly. No, G.D. I want to listen. Ive heard these legends, too.But its nonsense, Jo-Jo.Dont be in such a rush to say nonsense. And until now if it were, people live and die by nonsense. Its not what is so much as what people think is. Tell me, young man, putting legends to one side, what founders you think Demerzel is a robot? Lets suppose that robots exist. What is it, then, about Demerzel that makes you say he is a robot? Did he tell you so?No, sir, said Raych.Did your father tell you so? asked Joranum.No, sir. Its just my own idea, but Im sure of it.why? What makes you so sure?Its just something about him. He doesnt change. He doesnt get older. He doesnt show emotions. Something about him looks like hes made of metal.Joranum sat choke off in his chair and looked at Raych for an extended time. It was almost possible to hear his thoughts bu zzing.Finally he said, Suppose he is a robot, young man. Why should you care? Does it matter to you?Of course it matters to me, said Raych. Im a human being. I dont want no robot in charge of rails the Empire.Joranum false to Namarti with a gesture of eager approval. Do you hear that, G.D.? Im a human being. I dont want no robot in charge of running the Empire. Put him on holovision and have him say it. Have him repeat it oer and over till its drummed into every person on Trantor-Hey, said Raych, in the end catching his breath. I cant say that on holovision. I cant let my father catch out out-No, of course not, said Joranum quickly. We couldnt allow that. Well just use the lyric poem. Well find some other Dahlite. Someone from each of the sectors, each in his own dialect, but always the same message I dont want no robot in charge of running the Empire.Namarti said, And what happens when Demerzel proves hes not a robot?Really, said Joranum. How will he do that? It would be impos sible for him to do so. Psychologically impossible. What? The great Demerzel, the power behind the throne, the man who has twitched the strings abandoned to Cleon I all these years and those attached to Cleons father in the lead him? go away he climb down now and whine to the public that he is, too, a human being? That would be almost as baneful to him as being a robot. G.D., we have the villain in a no-win situation and we owe it all to this fine young man here.Raych flushed.Joranum said, Raych is your name, isnt it? Once our party is in a position to do so, we wont forget. Dahl will be treated well and you will have a good position with us. Youre departure to be Dahls sector leader someday, Raych, and youre not going to regret youve done this. Are you, now?Not on your life, said Raych fervently.In that case, well see that you get back to your father. You let him know that we intend him no harm, that we value him greatly. You can tell him you found that out in any way you plea se. And if you find anything else you think we might be able to use-about psychohistory, in particular, you let us know.You bet. But do you stiff it when you say youll see to it that Dahl gets some breaks?Absolutely. Equality of sectors, my boy. Equality of worlds. Well have a new Empire with all the old villainies of privilege and inequality wiped out.And Raych nodded his head vigorously. Thats what I want.19Cleon, Emperor of the Galaxy, was walking hurriedly with the arcade that led from his unavowed quarters in the Small castle to the uses of the rather tremendous staff that lived in the various annexes of the Imperial Palace, which served as the nerve center of the Empire.Several of his personal attaches walked after him, with looks of the deepest concern on their faces. The Emperor did not walk to others. He summoned them and they came to him. If he did walk, he never showed signs of haste or emotional trauma. How could he? He was the Emperor and, as such, far more a symb ol of all the worlds than a human being.Yet now he seemed to be a human being. He motioned everyone aside with an impatient wave of his right hand. In his left hand he held a gleaming hologram.The First Minister, he said in an almost strangled voice, not at all like the guardedly cultivated tones he had painstakingly assumed along with the throne. Where is he?And all the high functionaries who were in his way fumbled and gasped and found it impossible to manage coherence. He brushed past them angrily, making them all feel, undoubtedly, as though they were nourishment by a waking nightmare.Finally he burst into Demerzels private office, panting slightly, and shouted-literally shouted- DemerzelDemerzel looked up with a trace of surprise and rose swimmingly to his feet, for one did not sit in the presence of the Emperor unless specifically invited to. give? he said.And the Emperor slammed the hologram down on Demerzels desk and said, What is this? impart you tell me that?Demerzel looked at what the Emperor had given him. It was a beautiful hologram, penetrating and alive. One could almost hear the little boy-perhaps ten years old-speaking the words that were included in the caption I dont want no robot in charge of running the Empire.Demerzel said quietly, generate, I have standard this, too.And who else has?I am under the impression, nonplus, that it is a flier that is being astray spread over Trantor.Yes, and do you see the person at whom that scourge is looking? He tapped his Imperial forefinger at it. Isnt that you?The resemblance is striking, Sire.Am I wrong in supposing that the whole intent of this flier, as you call it, is to accuse you of being a robot?That does seem to be its intention, Sire.And stop me if Im wrong, but arent robots the legendary mechanical human beings one finds in-in thrillers and childrens stories?The Mycogenians have it as an article of faith, Sire, that robots-Im not interested in the Mycogenians and their articles of fa ith. Why are they charge you of being a robot?Merely a metaphorical point, Im sure, Sire. They inclination to portray me as a man of no heart, whose views are the outrageous calculations of a machine.Thats too subtle, Demerzel. Im no fool. He tapped the hologram again. Theyre trying to make people believe you are really a robot.We can simply prevent it, Sire, if people choose to believe that.We cannot afford it. It detracts from the dignity of your office. worsened than that, it detracts from the dignity of the Emperor, The implication is that I-I would choose as my First Minister a mechanical man. That is impossible to endure. See here, Demerzel, arent there laws that forbid the denigration of public officers of the Empire?Yes, there are-and quite severe ones, Sire, dating back to the great Law Codes of Aburamis.And to denigrate the Emperor himself is a capital offense, is it not? finish is the punishment, Sire. Yes.Well, this not only denigrates you, it denigrates me-and whoev er did it should be executed forthwith. It was this Joranum, of course, who is behind it.Undoubtedly. Sire, but proving it might be rather difficult.Nonsense I have proof large I want an execution.The trouble is, Sire, that the laws of denigration are virtually never enforced. Not in this century, certainly.And that is why society is becoming so temporary and the Empire is being shaken to its roots. The laws are still in the books, so enforce them.Demerzel said, Consider, Sire, if that would be wise. It would make you appear to be a autocrat and a despot. Your rule has been a most successful one through kindness and mildness-Yes and see where that got me. Lets have them fear me for a change, rather than fill in me-in this fashion.I strongly recommend that you not do so, Sire. It may be the spark that will start a rebellion.What would you do, then? Go before the people and say, Look at me. I am no robot.No, Sire, for as you say that would destroy my dignity and, worse yet, yours.T hen?I am not certain, Sire. I have not yet thought it through.Not yet thought it through? Get in touch with Seldon.Sire?What is so difficult to understand about my order? Get in touch with SeldonYou wish me to summon him to the Palace, Sire?No, theres no time for that. I presume you can set up a seal off parley line between us that cannot be tapped.Certainly, Sire.Then do so. at present20Seldon lacked Demerzels self-possession, being, as he was, only flesh and blood. The summons to his office and the sudden faint glow and tingle of the scrambler field was denotation enough that something unusual was taking place. He had spoken by sealed lines before but never to the full extent of Imperial security.He expected some government official to clear the way for Demerzel himself. Considering the slow mounting tumult of the robot flier, he could expect nothing less.But he did not expect anything more, either, and when the figure of speech of the Emperor himself, with the faint twinkl ing of the scramble field outlining him, stepped into his office (so to speak), Seldon fell back in his seat, lecture wide open, and could make only ineffectual attempts to rise.Cleon motioned him impatiently to keep his seat. You must know whats going on, Seldon.Do you mean about the robot flier, Sire?Thats exactly what I mean. Whats to be done?Seldon, despite the permission to reside seated, finally rose. Theres more, Sire. Joranum is organizing rallies all over Trantor on the robot issue. At least, thats what I hear on the newscasts.It hasnt reached me yet. Of course not. Why should the Emperor know what is going on?It is not for the Emperor to be concerned, Sire. Im sure that the First Minister-The First Minister will do nothing, not even keep me informed. I turn to you and your psychohistory. Tell me what to do. Sire?Im not going to play your game, Seldon. Youve been on the job(p) on psychohistory for eight years. The First Minister tells me I must not take legal action aga inst Joranum. What, then, do I do?Seldon stuttered. S-sire zippoYou have nothing to tell me?No, Sire. That is not what I mean. I mean you must do nothing. Nothing The First Minister is quite right if he tells you that you must not take legal action. It will make things worse.Very well. What will make things better?For you to do nothing. For the First Minister to do nothing. For the government to allow Joranum to do just as he pleases.How will that help?And Seldon said, trying to suppress the note of desperation in his voice, That will soon be seen.The Emperor seemed to deflate suddenly, as though all the anger and indignation had been drawn out of him. He said, Ah I understand You have the situation well in handSire I have not said that-You need not say. I have heard enough. You have the situation well in hand, but I want results. I still have the Imperial hold and the armed forces. They will be loyal and, if it comes to actual disorders, I will not hesitate. But I will give you y our chance first.His image flashed out and Seldon sat there, simply staring at the empty quadrangle where the image had been.Ever since the first unhappy moment when he had mentioned psychohistory at the Decennial Convention eight years before, he had had to face the fact that he didnt have what he had incautiously talked about.All he had was the wild shadiness of some thoughts-and what Yugo Amaryl called intuition.