[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.""Yes, they would say so.They might even have meant it to some extent.Then,when-against all their expectations-our ship got off safely while an Auroranship was destroyed, they might well have wanted a firsthand account of whathappened.Therefore, when I took you to Baleyworld instead of back to Aurora,they would scream for your return.That might possibly be it.By now, ofcourse, they know the story, so they might no longer want you though" -he wastalking to himself rather than to Gladia what they know is what they picked upfrom Baleyworld hypervision and they may not choose to accept that at facevalue.And yet---""And yet what, D.G.?""Somehow instinct tells me that their message could not have been sparkedonly by their desire to have you report.The forcefulness of the demand, itseems to me, went beyond that.""There's nothing else they can want.Nothing," said Gladia."I wonder," said D.G."I wonder as well," said Daneel from his wall niche that night."You wonder concerning what, friend Daneel?" asked Giskard.Page 195 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"I wonder concerning the true significance of the message from Aurorademanding Lady Gladia.To me, as to the captain, a desire for a report seems anot altogether sufficient motivation.""Have you an alternate suggestion?""I have a thought, friend Giskard.""May I know it, friend Daneel?""It has occurred to me that, in demanding the return of Madam Gladia, theAuroran Council may expect to see more than they ask for-and it may not beMadam Gladia they want.""What is there more than Madam Gladia that they will get?""Friend Giskard, is it conceivable that Lady Gladia will return without youand me?""No, but of what use to the Auroran Council would you and I be?""I, friend Giskard, would be of no use to them.You, however, are unique, foryou can sense minds directly.""That is true, friend Daneel, but they do not know this." "Since our leaving,is it not possible that they have somehow discovered the fact and have come toregret bitterly having allowed you to leave Aurora?"Giskard did not hesitate perceptibly."No, it is not possible, friend Daneel.How would they have found out?"Daneel said carefully, "I have reasoned in this fashion.You have, on yourlong-ago visit to Earth with Dr.Fastolfe, managed to adjust a few Earthrobots so as to allow them a very limited mental capacity, merely enough toenable, them to continue your work of influencing officials on Earth to lookwith courage and favor on the process of Settlement.So, at least, you oncetold me.There are, therefore, robots on Earth that are, capable of mindadjusting."Then, too, as we have come recently to suspect, the Robotics Institute ofAurora has sent humanoid robots to Earth.We do not know their precise purposein doing so, but the least that can be expected of such robots is that theyobserve events there on Earth and report on them.""Even if the - Auroran robots cannot sense minds, they can send back reportsto the effect that this or that official has suddenly changed his attitudePage 196 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmltoward Settlement and, perhaps, in the time since we have left Aurora, it hasdawned on someone in power in Aurora-on Dr.Amadiro himself perhaps-that thiscan only be explained by the existence of mind-adjusting robots on Earth.Itmay be, then, that the establishment of mind-adj4sting can be traced back toeither Dr.Fastolfe or yourself.""This might, in turn, make clear to Auroran, officials the meaning of certainother events, which might be traced back to you rather than to Dr.Fastolfe.As a result, they would want you back desperately, yet not be able to ask foryou directly, for that would give away the fact of their new knowledge.Sothey ask for Lady Gladia-a natural request knowing that if she is broughtback, you will be, too."Giskard was silent for a full minute, then he said, "It is interestinglyreasoned, friend Daneel, but it does not hold together.Those robots whom Idesigned for the task of encouraging Settlement completed their job more thaneighteen decades ago and have been inactive since, at least as far asmind-adjustment is concerned.What's more, the Earth removed robots from theirCities and confined them to the unpopulated non-City areas quite aconsiderable time ago."This means that the humanoid robots who were, we speculate, sent to Earth,would, even so, not have had occasion to meet my mind-adjusting robots or beaware of any mind-adjustment either, considering that the robots are no longerengaged in that.It is impossible, therefore, for my special ability to havebeen uncovered in the manner you suggest.Daneel said, "Is there no other way of discovery, friend Giskard?""None," said Giskard firmly."And yet-I wonder," said Daneel.PART IVAURORA11.THE OLD LEADERKelden Amadiro was not immune from the human plague of memory.He was, infact, more subject to it than most
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]