Foundation's Edge - Isaac Asimov [16]
"But you would like to destroy the Second Foundation, is that not so?"
"If I knew how!"
"Since you don't know how, don't you think it quite likely they will destroy you?"
Trevize looked contemptuous. "I have had the thought that even you might be under their control. Your accurate guess as to what Seldon's image would say and your subsequent treatment of me could be all Second Foundation. You could be a hollow shell with a Second Foundation content."
"Then why are you talking to me as you are?"
"Because if you are under Second Foundation control, I am lost in any case and I might as well expel some of the anger within me--and because, in actual fact, I am gambling that you are not under their control, that you are merely unaware of what you do."
Branno said, "You win that gamble, at any rate. I am not under anyone's control but my own. Still, can you be sure I am telling the truth? Were I under control of the Second Foundation, would I admit it? Would I even myself know that I was under their control?
"But there is no profit in such questions. I believe I am not under control and you have no choice but to believe it, too. Consider this, however. If the Second Foundation exists, it is certain that their biggest need is to make sure that no one in the Galaxy knows they exist. The Seldon Plan only works well if the pawns--we--are not aware of how the Plan works and of how we are manipulated. It was because the Mule focused the attention of the Foundation on the Second Foundation that the Second Foundation was destroyed in Arkady's time. --Or should I say nearly destroyed, Councilman?
"From this we can deduce two corollaries. First, we can reasonably suppose that they interfere grossly as little as they can. We can assume it would be impossible to take us all over. Even the Second Foundation, if it exists, must have limits to its power. To take over some and allow others to guess the fact would introduce distortions to the Plan. Consequently, we come to the conclusion that their interference is as delicate, as indirect, as sparse as is possible--and therefore I am not controlled. Nor are you."
Trevize said, "That is one corollary and I tend to accept it--out of wishful thinking, perhaps. What is the other?"
"A simpler and more inevitable one. If the Second Foundation exists and wishes to guard the secret of that existence, then one thing is sure. Anyone who thinks it still exists, and talks about it, and announces it, and shouts it to all the Galaxy must, in some subtle way, be removed by them at once, wiped out, done away with. Wouldn't that be your conclusion, too?"
Trevize said, "Is that why you have taken me into custody, Madam Mayor? To protect me from the Second Foundation?"
"In a way. To an extent. Liono Kodell's careful recording of your beliefs will be publicized not only in order to keep the people of Terminus and the Foundation from being unduly disturbed by your silly talk--but to keep the Second Foundation from being disturbed. If it exists, I do not want to have its attention drawn to you."
"Imagine that," said Trevize with heavy irony. "For my sake? For my lovely brown eyes?"
Branno stirred and then, quite without warning, laughed quietly. She said, "I am not so old, Councilman, that I am not unaware that you have lovely brown eyes and, thirty years ago, that might have been motive enough. At this time, however, I wouldn't move a millimeter to save them--or all the rest of you--if only your eyes were involved. But if the Second Foundation exists, and if their attention is drawn to you, they may not stop with you. There's my life to consider, and that of a number of others far more intelligent and valuable than you--and all the plans we have made."
"Oh? Do you believe the Second Foundation exists, then, that you react so carefully to the possibility of their response?"
Branno brought her fist down upon the table