Foundation's Edge - Isaac Asimov [173]
"And then?"
"And then, at least, it will be the First Foundation against the Second Foundation, with no outside forces to be considered. The fight will then be clear whereas now, you see, we dare not fight, for both Foundations are at bay."
"Why did you not say this before?"
"I thought I might convince you that we were not enemies, so that we might co-operate. Since I have apparently failed at that, I suggest co-operation in any case."
Branno paused, her head bent in thought. Then she said, "You are trying to put me to sleep with lullabies. How will you, by yourself, nullify the mentalic field of a whole planet of Mules? The thought is so ludicrous that I cannot trust in the truth of your proposition."
"I am not alone," said Gendibal. "Behind me is the full force of the Second Foundation--and that force, channeled through me, will take care of Gaia. What's more, it can, at any time, brush aside your shield as though it were thin fog."
"If so, why do you need my help?"
"First, because nullifying the field is not enough. The Second Foundation cannot devote itself, now and forever, to the eternal task of nullifying, any more than I can spend the rest of my life dancing this conversational minuet with you. We need the physical action your ships can supply. --And besides, if I cannot convince you by reason that the two Foundations should look upon each other as allies, perhaps a co-operative venture of the greatest importance can be convincing. Deeds may do the job where words fail."
A second silence and then Branno said, "I am willing to approach Gaia more closely, if we can approach co-operatively. I make no promises beyond that."
"That will be enough," said Gendibal, leaning toward his computer.
Novi said, "No, Master, up to this point, it didn't matter, but please make no further move. We must wait for Councilman Trevize of Terminus."
19
DECISION
1.
JANOV PELORAT SAID, WITH A SMALL TRACE OF petulance in his voice, "Really, Golan, no one seems to care for the fact that this is the first time in a moderately long life--not too long, I assure you, Bliss--in which I have been traveling through the Galaxy. Yet each time I come to a world, I am off it again and back in space before I can really have a chance to study it. It has happened twice now."
"Yes," said Bliss, "but if you had not left the other one so quickly, you would not have met me until who knows when. Surely that justifies the first time."
"It does. Honestly, my--my dear, it does."
"And this time, Pel, you may be off the planet, but you have me--and I am Gaia, as much as any particle of it, as much as all of it."
"You are, and surely I want no other particle of it."
Trevize, who had been listening to the exchange with a frown, said, "This is disgusting. Why didn't Dom come with us? --Space, I'll never get used to this monosyllabization. Two hundred fifty syllables to a name and we use just one of them. --Why didn't he come, together with all two hundred fifty syllables? If all this is so important--if the very existence of Gaia depends on it--why didn't he come with us to direct us?"
"I am here, Trev," said Bliss, "and I am as much Gaia as he is." Then, with a quick sideways and upward look from her dark eyes, "Does it annoy you, then, to have me call you 'Trev?' "
"Yes, it does. I have as much right to my ways as you to yours. My name is Trevize. Two syllables. Trevize."
"Gladly. I do not wish to anger you, Trevize."
"I am not angry. I am annoyed." He rose suddenly, walked from one end of the room to the other, stepping over the outstretched legs of Pelorat (who drew them in quickly), and then back again. He stopped, turned, and faced Bliss.
He pointed a finger at her. "Look! I am not my own master! I have been maneuvered from Terminus to Gaia--and even when I began to suspect that this was so, there seemed no way to break the grip. And then, when I get to Gaia, I am