Foundation's Edge - Isaac Asimov [184]
He said, "I could not have done it without you, Novi. It was because of you I could tell that the First Foundation--the people on the large ship--"
"Yes, Master, I know whom you mean."
"I could tell, because of you, that they had a shield, together with weak powers of the mind. From the effect on your mind, I could tell, exactly, the characteristics of both. I could tell how most efficiently to penetrate the one and deflect the other."
Novi said tentatively, "I do not understand exactly what it is you say, Master, but I would have done much more to help, if I could."
"I know that, Novi. But what you did was enough. It is amazing how dangerous they might have been. But caught now, before either their shield or their field had been developed more strongly, they could be stopped. The Mayor goes back now, the shield and the field forgotten, satisfied over the fact that she has obtained a commercial treaty with Sayshell that will make it a working part of the Federation. I don't deny that there is much more to do to dismantle the work they have done on shield and field--it is something concerning which we have been remiss--but it will be done."
He brooded about the matter and went on in a lower voice, "We took far too much for granted with the First Foundation. We must place them under closer supervision. We must knit the Galaxy closer together somehow. We must make use of mentalics to build a closer co-operation of consciousness. That would fit the Plan. I'm convinced of that and I'll see to it."
Novi said anxiously, "Master?"
Gendibal smiled suddenly. "I'm sorry. I'm talking to myself. --Novi, do you remember Rufirant?"
"That bone-skulled farmer who attacked you? I should say I do."
"I'm convinced that First Foundation agents, armed with personal shields, arranged that, together with all the other anomalies that have plagued us. Imagine being blind to a thing like that. But then, I was bemused into overlooking the First Foundation altogether by this myth of a mysterious world, this Sayshellian superstition concerning Gaia. There, too, your mind came in handy. It helped me determine that the source of that mentalic field was the warship and nothing else."
He rubbed his hands.
Novi said timidly, "Master?"
"Yes, Novi?"
"Will you not be rewarded for what you have done?"
"Indeed I will. Shandess will retire and I will be First Speaker. Then will come my chance to make us an active factor in revolutionizing the Galaxy."
"First Speaker?"
"Yes, Novi. I will be the most important and the most powerful scholar of them all."
"The most important?" She looked woebegone.
"Why do you make a face, Novi? Don't you want me to be rewarded?"
"Yes, Master, I do. --But if you are the most important scholar of them all, you will not want a Hamishwoman near you. It would not be fitting."
"Won't I, though? Who will stop me?" He felt a gush of affection for her. "Novi, will you stay with me wherever I go and whatever I am. Do you think I would risk dealing with some of the wolves we occasionally have at the Table without your mind always there to tell me, even before they know themselves, what their emotions might be--your own innocent, absolutely smooth mind. Besides--" He seemed startled by a sudden revelation. "Even aside from that, I--I like having you with me and I intend having you with me. --That is, if you are willing."
"Oh, Master," whispered Novi and, as his arm moved around her waist, her head sank to his shoulder.
Deep within, where the enveloping mind of Novi could scarcely be aware of it, the essence of Gaia remained and guided events, but it was that impenetrable mask that made the continuance of the great task possible.
And that mask--the one that belonged to a Hamish-woman--was completely happy. It was so happy that Novi was almost reconciled for the distance she was from herself / them / all, and she was content to be, for the