Forward the Foundation Chapter 12

13Up and d receive. Up and d deliver. Up and down.Gleb Andorin watched Gambol Deen Namarti trudging up and down. Namarti was obviously unable to sit still nether the driving force of the violence of his passion.Andorin thought Hes non the brightest man in the conglomerate or steady in the move ment, not the shrewdest, certainly not the most capable of rational thought. He has to be held approve immutablely-but hes driven as n one(a) of the rest of us be. We would give up, let go, but he wont. Push, pull, prod, kick. Well, possibly we urgency approximatelyone exchangeable that. We must entertain almostone like that or nothing leave ever happen.Namarti stopped, as though he felt Andorins look boring into his back. He moody slightly and tell, If youre going to lecture me again on Kaspalov, dont bother.Andorin shrugged lightly. wherefore bother lecturing you? The deed is done. The harm-if any-has been done.What harm, Andorin? What harm? If I had not done it, then we wou ld study been harmed. The man was on the edge of being a traitor. indoors a month, he would have gone running I k straightaway. I was thither. I heard what he verbalize.Then you down the stairsstand there was no choice. No choice. You dont speak up I liked to have an gray-haired comrade killed, do you? I had no choice.Very well. You had no choice.Namarti resumed his tramping, then turned again. Andorin, do you accept in gods?Andorin st bed, In what?In gods.I never heard the word. What is it?Namarti verbalise, Its not Galactic Standard. Supernatural influences. Hows that?Oh, weird influences. Why didnt you say so? No, I dont turn over in that sort of thing. By definition, something is supernatural if it exists extracurricular the laws of nature and nothing exists asideside the laws of nature. Are you turning into a mystic? Andorin asked it as though he were joking, but his eyes narrowed with sudden concern.Namarti st atomic number 18d him down. Those blazing eyes of his c ould st atomic number 18 anyone down. Dont be a fool. Ive been tuition close it. Trillions of people believe in supernatural influences.I know, said Andorin. They always have.Theyve done so since before the beginning of history. The word gods is of unknown origin. It is, app arntly, a hangover from some primeval language of which no trace any longer exists, except that word. Do you know how many different varieties of beliefs there atomic number 18 in various harmings of gods?Approximately as many as the varieties of fools among the Galactic population, I should say.Namarti ignored that. many people think the word dates back to the time when all(prenominal) humanity existed on but a single world.Itself a mythological concept. Thats just as lunatic as the notion of supernatural influences. at that place never was one original human world.There would have to be, Andorin, said Namarti, annoyed. Human beings send awayt have evolved on different worlds and ended as a single speci es.Even so, theres no effective human world. It layaboutt be laid, it cant he defined, so it cant be spoken of sensibly, so it effectively doesnt exist.These gods, said Namarti, continuing to follow his own line of thought, are supposed to protect humanity and keep it safe or at least(prenominal) to care for those portions of humanity that know how to make use of the gods. At a time when there was solitary(prenominal) one human world, it makes sense to suppose they would be particularly interested in caring for that one tiny world with a some people. They would care for such a world as though they were big brothers-or parents.Very nice of them. Id like to catch them try to handle the entire Empire.What if they could? What if they were infinite?What if the fair weather were frozen? Whats the use of what if?Im just speculating. Just thinking. Havent you ever let your mind wander freely? Do you always keep e very(prenominal)thing on a leash?I should imagine thats the safest way, keeping it on a leash. What does your wandering mind tell you, Chief?Namartis eyes flashed at the other, as though he hazard sarcasm, but Andorins face remained good-natured and blank.Namarti said, What my mind is telling me is this-If there are gods, they must be on our side.Wonderful-if true. Wheres the evidence?Evidence? Without the gods, it would just be a coincidence, I suppose, but a very usable one. Suddenly Namarti yawned and sat down, looking exhausted.Good, thought Andorin. His galloping mind has finally wound itself down and he whitethorn talk sense now.This matter of internal breakdown of the infrastructure- said Namarti, his voice distinctly lower.Andorin interrupted. You know, Chief, Kaspalov was not only wrong astir(predicate) this. The longer we keep it up, the greater the chance that majestic forces allow for discover the cause. The completely program must, sooner or later, explode in our faces.Not yet. So remote, everything is exploding in the majestic fa ce. The agitation on Trantor is something I can feel. He raised his hands, guide his fingers to descendher. I can feel it. And we are almost through. We are ready for the next step.Andorin smiled humorlessly. Im not asking for details, Chief. Kaspalov did and look where that got him. I am not Kaspalov.Its precisely because youre not Kaspalov that I can tell you. And because I know something now I didnt then.I presume, said Andorin, only half-believing what he was saying, that you intend a strike on the Imperial Palace grounds.Namarti looked up. Of course. What else is there to do? The problem, however, is how to penetrate the grounds effectively. I have my sources of information there, but they are only spies. Ill need men of action on the spot.To get men of action into the most heavily guarded theatrical role in all the galaxy volition not be easy.Of course not. Thats what has been giving me an unbearable business concern till now-and then the gods intervened.Andorin said gent ly (it was taking all his self-restraint to keep from showing his disgust), I dont think we need a metaphysical discussion. What has happened-leaving the gods to one side?My information is that His Gracious and Ever to Be Beloved emperor butterfly Cleon I has decided to appoint a upstart Chief Gardener. This is the first impertinent appointee in nearly a quarter of a century.And if so?Do you see no significance?Andorin thought for a moment. I am not a favorite of your gods. I dont see any significance.If you have a new Chief Gardener, Andorin, the situation is the same as having a new administrator of any other type-the same as if you had a new First Minister or a new Emperor. The new Chief Gardener will certainly indirect request his own staff. He will force into retirement what he considers dead wood and will hire new-fangleder gardeners by the hundreds.Thats possible.Its more than than possible. Its certain. Exactly that happened when the present Chief Gardener was appointe d and the same when his predecessor was appointed and so on. Hundreds of strangers from the Outer Worlds-Why from the Outer Worlds?Use your brains-if you have any, Andorin. What do Trantorians know about gardening when theyve lived under domes all their lives, tending potted plants, zoos, and carefully arranged crops of grains and fruit trees? What do they know about spiritedness in the wild?Ahhh. Now I understand.So there will be these strangers flooding the grounds. They will be carefully checked, I presume, but they wont be as tightly screened as they would be if they were Trantorians. And that means, trustworthyly, that we should be able to supply just a few of our own people, with false identifications, and get them inside. Even if some are screened out, a few might make it-a few must make it. Our people will enter, despite the supertight security established since the failed coup in the early days of First Minister Seldon. (He approximately spat out the name, as he always d id.) Well finally have our chance.Now it was Andorin who felt dizzy, as if hed fallen into a spinning vortex. It seems odd for me to say so, Chief, but there is something to this gods business after all, because I have been waiting to tell you something that I now see fits in perfectly.Namarti stared at the other suspiciously and looked around the room, as though he suddenly feared for security. But such fear was groundless. The room was located deep in an old-fashioned residential complex and was well shielded. No one could overhear and no one, even with detailed directions, could find it advantageously-nor get through the layers of protection provided by loyal members of the organization.Namarti said, What are you talk about?Ive found a man for you. A young man-very naive. A quite likable fellow, the kind you feel you can trust as soon as you see him. Hes got an open face, wide-open eyes hes lived in Dahl hes an enthusiast for equality he thinks Joranum was the greatest thing s ince Dahlite cokeicers and Im trustworthy we can easily talk him into doing anything for the cause.For the cause? said Namarti, whose suspicions were not in the least alleviated. Is he one of us?Actually, hes not one of anything. Hes got some vague notions in his head that Joranum wanted sector equality.That was his lure. Sure.Its ours, too, but the kid believes it. He talks about equality and popular participation in government. He even mentioned democracy.Namarti snickered. In twenty dollar bill thousand years, democracy has never been used for very long without falling apart.Yes, but thats not our concern. Its what drives the young man and I tell you, Chief, I knew we had our tool just about the moment I proverb him, but I didnt know how we could possibly use him. Now I know. We can get him onto the Imperial Palace grounds as a gardener.How? Does he know anything about gardening?No. Im sure he doesnt. Hes never worked at anything but unskilled labor. Hes operating a hauler righ t now and I think that he had to be taught how to do that. Still, if we can get him in as a gardeners helper, if he just knows how to hold a pair of shears, then weve got it.Got what?Got someone who can approach anyone we wish-and do so without raising the flutter of a suspicion-and get close enough to strike. Im telling you he manifestly exudes a kind of honorable stupidity, a kind of foolish virtue that inspires confidence.And hell do what we tell him to do?Absolutely. How did you meet this person?It wasnt I. It was Manella who really spotted him.Who?Manella. Manella Dubanqua.Oh. That friend of yours. Namartis face twisted into a look of strait-laced disapproval.Shes the friend of many people, said Andorin tolerantly. Thats one of the things that makes her so useful. She can weigh a man readily and with very little to go on. She talked to this fellow because she was attracted to him at sight-and I assure you that Manella is not one who is commonly attracted by anything but the bottom line-so, you see, this man is rather unusual. She talked to this fellow-his name is Planchet, by the way-and then told me, I have a live one for you, Gleb. Ill trust her on the matter of live ones any day of the week.Namarti said slyly, And what do you think this oppugnful tool of yours would do once he had the run of the grounds, eh, Andorin?Andorin took a deep breath. What else? If we do everything right, he will dispose of our dear Emperor Cleon, First of that Name, for us.Namartis face blazed into anger. What? Are you distressed? Why should we want to kill Cleon? Hes our hold on the government. Hes the facade behind which we can rule. Hes our passport to legitimacy. Where are your brains? We need him as a figurehead. He wont interfere with us and well be stronger for his existence.Andorins fair face turned blotchy red and his good humor finally exploded. What do you have in mind, then? What are you planning? Im getting tired of always having to second-guess.Namarti rai sed his hand. whole right. All right. Calm down. I meant no harm. But think a bit, will you? Who destroyed Joranum? Who destroyed our hopes ten years ago? It was that mathematician. And it is he who rules the Empire now with his idiotic talk about psychohistory. Cleon is nothing. It is Hari Seldon we must destroy. It is Hari Seldon whom Ive been turning into an object of ridicule with these constant breakdowns. The miseries they entail are placed at his doorstep. It is all being interpreted as his inefficiency, his incapacity. There was a trace of spittle in the corners of Namartis mouth. When hes cut down, there will be a cheer from the Empire that will drown out every holovision report for hours. It wont even matter if they know who did it. He raised his hand and let it drop, as if he were plunging a knife into someones heart. We will be looked upon as heroes of the Empire, as saviors. Eh? Eh? Do you think your youngster can cut down Hari Seldon?Andorin had recovered his sense of equanimity-at least outwardly.Im sure he would, he said with forced lightness. For Cleon, he might have some respect the Emperor has a mystical aura about him, as you know. (He stressed the you faintly and Namarti scowled.) He would have no such feelings about Seldon.Inwardly, however, Andorin was furious. This was not what he wanted. He was being betrayed.14Manella brushed the hair out of her eyes and smiled up at Raych. I told you it wouldnt cost you any credits.Raych blinked and scratched at his bare shoulder. But are you going to ask me for some now?She shrugged and smiled rather impishly. Why should I?Why shouldnt you?Because Im allowed to take my own pleasure sometimes.With me?Theres no one else here.There was a long pause and then Manella said soothingly, Besides, you dont have that many credits anyway. Hows the job?Raych said, Aint much but better than nothing. Lots better. Did you tell that big cat to get me one?Manella shook her head slowly. You mean Gleb Andorin? I didn t tell him to do anything. I just said he might be interested in you.Is he going to be annoyed because you and I-Why should he? None of his business. And none of yours, either.Whats he do? I mean, what does he work at?I dont think he works at anything. Hes rich. Hes a relative of the old Mayors.Of Wye?Right. He doesnt like the Imperial government. None of those old Mayor people do. He says Cleon should-She stopped suddenly and said, Im talking too much. Dont you go repeating anything I say.Me? I aint heard you say nothing at all. And I aint going to.All right.But what about Andorin? Is he high up in Joranumite business? Is he an important guy there?I wouldnt know.Dont he ever talk about that kind of stuff?Not to me.Oh, said Raych, essay not to sound annoyed.Manella looked at him shrewdly. Why are you so interested?I want to get in with them. I figure Ill get higher up that way. Better job. More credits. You know. by chance Andorin will help you. He likes you. I know that much.Could you make him like me more?I can try. I dont know why he shouldnt. I like you. I like you more than I like him.Thank you, Manella. I like you, too. A lot. He ran his hand down the side of her torso and wished ardently that he could concentrate more on her and less on his assignment.15Gleb Andorin, said Hari Seldon wearily, rubbing his eyes.And who is he? asked Dors Venabili, her mood as cold as it had teen every day since Raych had left.Until a few days ago I never heard of him, said Seldon. Thats the trouble with trying to run a world of forty billion people. You never hear of anyone, except for the few who obtrude themselves on your notice. With all the computerized information in the world, Trantor remains a planet of anonymities. We can drag up people with their character numbers and their statistics, but whom do we drag up? Add twenty-five million Outer Worlds and the wonder is that the Galactic Empire has remained a working phenomenon for all these millennia. Frankly I think it has existed only because it very largely runs itself. And now it is finally running down.So much for philosophizing, Hari, said Dors. Who is this Andorin?Someone I have I ought to have known about. I managed to cajole the security establishment into calling up some files on him. Hes a member of the Wyan Mayoralty family-the most prominent member, in fact-so the security people have unbroken tabs on him. They think he has ambitions but is too much of a playboy to do anything about them.And is he involved with the Joranumites?Seldon made an uncertain gesture. Im under the impression that the security establishment knows nothing about the Joranumites. That may mean that the Joranumites no longer exist or that, if they do, they are of no importance. It may similarly mean that the security establishment just isnt interested. Nor is there any way in which I can force it to be interested. Im only thankful the officers give me any information at all. And I am the First Minister.Is it possible that youre not a very good First Minister? said Dors, dryly.Thats more than possible. Its probably been generations since theres been an appointee less suited to the job than myself. But that has nothing to do with the security establishment. Its a totally independent arm of the government. I doubt that Cleon himself knows much about it, though, in theory, the security officers are supposed to report to him through their director. Believe me, if we only knew more about the security establishment, wed be trying to stick its actions into our psychohistorical equations, such as they are.Are the security officers on our side, at least?I believe so, but I cant swear to it.And why are you interested in this whats-his-name?Gleb Andorin. Because I received a roundabout message from Raych.Dorss eyes flashed. Why didnt you tell me? Is he all right?As far as I know, but I hope he doesnt try any further messages. If hes caught communicating, he wont be all right. In any case, he has m ade contact with Andorin.And the Joranumites, too?I dont think so. It would sound unlikely, for the connection is not something that would make sense. The Joranumite movement is predominantly lower-class-a proletarian movement, so to speak. And Andorin is an aristocrat of aristocrats. What would he be doing with the Joranumites?If hes of the Wyan Mayoralty family, he might aspire to the Imperial throne, might he not?Theyve been aspiring for generations. You phone Rashelle, I trust. She was Andorins aunt.Then he might be using the Joranumites as a stepping-stone, dont you think?If they exist. And if they do-and if a stepping-stone is what Andorin wants-I think hed find himself playing a dangerous game. The Joranumites-if they exist-would have their own plans and a man like Andorin may find hes simply riding a greti-Whats a greti?Some extinct animal of a ferocious type, I think. Its just a proverbial phrase back on Helicon. If you ride a greti, you find you cant get off, for then it will eat you.Seldon paused. One more thing. Raych seems to be involved with a woman who knows Andorin and through whom, he thinks, he may get important information. Im telling you this now so that you wont accuse me afterward of keeping anything from you.Dors frowned. A woman?One, I gather, who knows a great many men who will talk to her unwisely, sometimes, under intimate circumstances.One of those. Her frown deepened. I dont like the thought of Raych-Come, come. Raych is thirty years old and undoubtedly has much experience. You can leave this woman-or any woman, I think-safely to Raychs good sense. He turned toward Dors with a look so worn, so weary, and said, Do you think I like this? Do you think I like any of this?And Dors could find nothing to say.