Forward the Foundation Chapter 29

32prof Seldon come in, tell Chief Librarian Tryma Acarnio in an icy t unmatchable of voice. Hari Seldon come with by Wanda and Palver, entered the Chief Librarians imposing office.Thank you, Chief Librarian, said Seldon as he settled into a c pilus and faced Acarnio across the vast desk. etiolatethorn I introduce my granddaughter Wanda and my friend Stettin Palver. Wanda is a most valuable member of the Psychohistory Project, her specialty being in the field of mathematics. And Stettin, well, Stettin is turning into a first-rate general psychohistorian-when hes not performing his duties as my body withstand, that is. Seldon chuckled amiably.Yes, well, thats altogether well and good, Professor, said Acarnio, baffled by Seldons good humor. He had expected the professor to come in groveling, implore for another chance at special Library privileges. entirely I dont at a lower placestand what it is you wanted to see me about. I assume you realize that our position is self-colored W e corporationnot allow a Library association with any(prenominal)one so extremely unpopular with the general population. We argon, after all, a public library and we must obligate the publics sentiments in mind. Acarnio settled affirm-perhaps immediately the groveling would begin.I realize that I bring in not been able to sway you. However, I purview that if you heard from a couple of the Projects younger members-the psychohistorians of tomorrow, as it were-that perhaps youd stand a better feel about what a vital role the Project-and the cyclopedia, in authorityicular- depart play in our future. Please hear Wanda and Stettin out.Acarnio cast a c ageing eye toward the deuce young people flanking Seldon. Very well, then, he said, operateedly eyeing the timestrip on the wall. Five minutes and no more than. I have a Library to run.Chief Librarian, began Wanda, as my grandfather has undoubtedly explained to you, psychohistory is a most valuable tool to be use for the preserv ation of our culture. Yes, preservation, she repeated, upon seeing Acarnios eyes widen at the word. Undue emphasis has been placed on the destruction of the pudding stone. By doing so, the true value of psychohistory has been everywherelooked. For, with psychohistory, as we are able to predict the inevitable decline of our civilization, so are we able to take steps toward its preservation. That is what the Encyclopedia Galactica is all about. And that is why we need your answer, and the help of your abundant Library.Acarnio could not stand up smiling. The young lady had an undeniable charm. She was so earnest, so well spoken. He gazed at her sitting in front of him, her blond hair pulled back in a rather severe scholarly style, one which could not hide her attractive features but, rather, showed them off. What she was saying was starting to make backbone. Maybe Wanda Seldon was right-maybe he had been looking at this problem from the wrong angle. If it were actually a matter of preservation, rather than destructionChief Librarian, began Stettin Palver, this huge Library has stood for millennia. It, perhaps still more than the Imperial Palace, represents the vast power of the Empire. For, the Palace houses unless the Empires leader, while the Library is home to the sum total of Imperial knowledge, culture, and history. Its value is incalculable.Does it not make sense to prepare a tribute to this great repository? The Encyclopedia Galactica will be just that-a giant summary of all the knowledge contained within these rattling walls. Think of itAll of a sudden it seemed so very clear to Acarnio. How could he have permit the control board (especially that sourpuss Gennaro Mummery) convince him to rescind Seldons privileges? Las Zenow, a person whose judgment he greatly esteemed, had been a wholehearted supporter of Seldons Encyclopedia.He glanced again at the three in front of him, waiting for his decision. The Board would be hard-pressed to find anyt hing to complain about with the Project members-if the young people now in his office were a representative sample of the configuration of persons convoluted with Seldon.Acarnio rose and walked across his office, his brow furrowed, as if framing his thoughts. He picked up a milky crystal sphere from a table and hefted it in his palm.Trantor, Acarnio began thoughtfully, seat of the Empire, center of all the Galaxy. Quite amazing, when you gestate of it. We have, perhaps, been too quick to judge Professor Seldon. Now that your Project, this Encyclopedia Galactica, has been presented to me in such a clean-he gave a brief nod to Wanda and Palver-I realize how important it would be to allow you to continue your work here. And, of course, to grant access to a number of your colleagues.Seldon smiled gratefully and squeezed Wandas evanesce.It is not scarcely for the greater glory of the Empire that I am recommending this, continued Acarnio, apparently warming to the mind (and the so und of his own voice). You are famous, Professor Seldon. Whether people think of you as a crackpot or a genius, everyone seems to have an opinion. If an academic of your stature is allied with the Galactic Library, it can only maturation our prestige as a bastion of intellectual pursuit of the highest order. Why, the luster of your presence can be used to raise some(prenominal)-needed funds to update our collections, improver our staff, keep our doors open to the public prospicienterAnd the prospect of the Encyclopedia Galactica itself-what a monumental project Imagine the reaction when the public learns that the Galactic Library is involved with such an undertaking designed to highlight the splendor of our civilization-our glorious history, our brilliant achievements, our magnificent cultures. And to think that I, Chief Librarian Tryma Acarnio, is responsible for making sure that this great Project gets its start- Acarnio gazed intently into the crystal sphere, lost in reverie.Y es, Professor Seldon, Acarnio pulled himself back to the here and now. You and your colleagues will be granted full insiders privileges-and a suite of offices in which to work. He placed the crystal sphere back on its table and, with a swish of robes, moved back to his desk.It might take a little(a) doing, of course, to persuade the Board-but I am confident that I can handle them. Just leave it to me.Seldon, Wanda, and Palver looked at each other in triumph, with small smiles playacting at the corner of their mouths. Tryma Acarnio gestured that they could go and so they did, leaving the Chief Librarian settled in his chair, dreaming of the glory and honor that would come to the Library under his aegis.Amazing, said Seldon when the three were safely ensconced in their ground-car. If you could have seen him at our last meeting. He said I was threatening the essential fabric of our Empire or some such rot. And today, after just a few minutes with you two-It wasnt too hard, Grandpa, W anda said as she pressed a contact, moving the ground-car out into traffic. She sat back as the auto-propel took over Wanda had punched their destination coordinates into the control panel. He is a man with a strong sense of self-importance. All we had to do was play up the substantiative aspects of the Encyclopedia and his ego took over from on that point.He was a goner the minute Wanda and I walked in, Palver said from the back. With both of us pushing him, it was a piece of cake. Palver reached foregoing and squeezed Wandas shoulder affectionately. She smiled, reached up, and patted his hand.I must alert the Encyclopedists as soon as possible, Seldon said. Although there are only thirty-two left, they are good and dedicated workers. Ill get them installed at the Library and then Ill tackle the next hurdle-credits. Perhaps this alliance with the Library is what I need to convince people to give us funding. Lets see-Ill entreat upon Terep Bindris again and Ill take you two with me. He was kindly disposed toward me, at least at first. yet how will he be able to resist us now?The ground-car eventually came to a halt outside the Psychohistory Building at Streeling. The side panels slid open, but Seldon did not immediately move to disembark. He morose to face Wanda.Wanda, you know what you and Stettin were able to accomplish with Acarnio Im sure you both can push some credits out of a few financial benefactors as well.I know how you hate to leave your beloved prime of purport beaming, but these visits will give you two a chance to practice, to hone your skills, to get an persuasion of just what you can do.All right, Grandpa, although Im sure that, now that you have the Librarys imprimatur, you will find that resistance to your requests has lessened.Theres another reason I think its important for the two of you to get out and or so together. Stettin, I believe you said that on certain occasions youve matte up another mind like yours but havent been abl e to detect it.Yes, answered Palver, Ive had photographes, but each time I was in a crowd. And, in my twenty-four years, I can remember feeling such a flash just four or five times.But, Stettin, said Seldon, his voice low with intensity, each flash was, potentially, the mind of another person like you and Wanda-another mentalic. Wandas never mat up these flashes because, frankly, shes been sheltered all her life. The few times shes been out in a crowd there must not have been any other mentalics around.Thats one reason-perhaps the most important reason-for you two to get out-with me or without me. We must find other mentalics. The two of you alone are strong enough to push a single person. A large group of you, all pushing together, will have the power to move an EmpireWith that. Hari Seldon swung his legs around and hoisted himself out of the ground-car. As Wanda and Palver watched him stoppage up the pathway to the Psychohistory Building, they were only dimly aware of the enor mous responsibility Seldon had just placed on their young shoulders.33It was midafternoon and the Trantorian sun glinted on the surface skin covering the great planet. Hari Seldon stood at the edge of the Streeling University observation deck, attempting to shield his eyes from the harsh glare with his hand. It had been years since hed been out from under the bonce, save for his few visits to the Palace, and somehow those didnt count one was still very much enclosed on the Imperial grounds.Seldon no longer traveled around only if accompanied. In the first place, Palver spent the majority of his time with Wanda, either working on the Prime Radiant, absorbed in mentalic research, or searching for others like them. But if he had wanted, Seldon could have found another young man-a University student or a Project member-to act as his bodyguard.However, Seldon knew that a bodyguard was no longer necessary. Since the much publicized hearing and the reestablishment of ties with the Galact ic Library, the Com hightail ition for Public Safety had taken a keen interest in Seldon. Seldon knew that he was being followed he had caught sentiment of his shadow on a number of occasions in the past few months. He also had no doubt that his home and office had been infiltrated by listening devices, but he himself activated a static shield whenever he engaged in sensitive communications.Seldon was not sure what the Commission thought of him-perhaps they were not yet sure themselves. Regardless of whether they believed him to be a prophet or a crackpot, they made it their business to know where he was at all times-and that beggarlyt that, until the Commission deemed otherwise, at all times Seldon was safe.A light breeze billowed the deep blue cloak Seldon had draped over his unisuit and ruffed the few wispy white hairs remaining on his head. He glanced down over the railing, taking in the seamless steel blanket below. Beneath that blanket, Seldon knew, rumbled the machinery of a vastly complicated world. If the domed stadium were transparent, one would see ground-cars racing, gravicabs swooshing through an intricate network of interconnecting tunnels, space hyperships being loaded and unloaded with grain and chemicals and jewels bound for and from practically every world of the Empire. to a lower place the gleaming metal cover, the lives of forty billion people were being conducted, with all the advertant pain, joy, and drama of kind-hearted life. It was an image he loved dearly-this panorama of human achievement-and it pierced his heart to know that, in just a few centuries, all that now lay in the lead him would be in ruins. The great dome would be ripped and scarred, torn away to reveal the desolate wasteland of what was once the seat of a thriving civilization. He shook his head in sadness, for he knew there was nothing he could do to prevent that tragedy. But, as Seldon foresaw the ruined dome, he also knew that from the ground laid bare by the l ast battles of the Empire living shoots would spring and somehow Trantor would reemerge as a vital member of the new Empire. The Plan saw to that.Seldon lowered himself onto one of the benches ringing the decks perimeter. His leg was throb painfully the exertion of the trip had been a bit much. But it had been worth it to gaze once again at Trantor, to feel the open air around him and see the vast sky above.Seldon thought wistfully of Wanda. He rarely saw his granddaughter at all anymore and invariably Stettin Palver was present when he did. In the three months since Wanda and Palver had met, they seemed to be inseparable. Wanda assured Seldon that the constant involvement was necessary for the Project, but Seldon suspected it went deeper than mere devotion to ones job.He remembered the telltale signs from his early days with Dors. It was there in the way the two young people looked at each other, with an intensity born not only of intellectual stimulation but excited motivation a s well.Further, by their very natures, Wanda and Palver seemed to be more comfortable with each other than with other people. In fact, Seldon had discovered that when no one else was around, Wanda and Palver didnt even talk to each other their mentalic abilities were sufficiently advanced that they had no need of words to communicate.The other Project members were not aware of Wandas and Palvers unique talents. Seldon had felt it dress hat to keep the mentalics work quiet, at least until their role in the Plan was firmly defined. Actually the Plan itself was firmly defined-but solely in Seldons mind. As a few more pieces fell into place, he would reveal his Plan to Wanda and Palver and someday, of necessity, to one or two others.Seldon stood slowly, stiffly. He was due back at Streeling in an hr to meet Wanda and Palver. They had left word for him that they were bringing a great surprise. Another piece for the puzzle, Seldon hoped. He looked out one last time over Trantor and, bef ore turning to make his way back to the gravitic repulsion elevator, smiled and softly said, fanny.34Hari Seldon entered his office to find that Wanda and Palver had already arrived and were seated around the conference table at the far end of the room. As was usual with those two, the room was completely silent.Then Seldon stopped short, noticing that a new fellow was sitting with them. How strange-out of politeness, Wanda and Palver usually reverted to standard language when in the company of other people, yet none of the three was speaking.Seldon studied the stranger-an odd-looking man, about thirty-five years old, with the myopic look of one caught up for too long in his studies. If it werent for a certain determined set to the strangers jaw, Seldon thought he might be dismissed as ineffectual, but that would obviously be a erroneous belief. There was both strength and kindness in the mans face. A trustworthy face, Seldon decided.Grandfather, Wanda said, rising gracefully fro m her chair. Seldons heart ached as he looked at his granddaughter. Shed changed so much in the past few months, since the loss of her family. Whereas before she had always called him Grandpa, now it was the more formal Grandfather. In the past it seemed she could barely refrain from grins and giggles of late her serene gaze was lightened only occasionally by a beatific smile. But-now as always-she was beautiful and that beauty was surpassed only by her stunning intellect.Wanda, Palver, Seldon said, kissing the cause on the cheek and slapping the latter on the shoulder.Hello, Seldon said, turning to the stranger, who had also stood. I am Hari Seldon.I am most honored to meet you, Professor, the man replied. I am Bor Alurin. Alurin offered a hand to Seldon in the archaic and, hence, most formal mode of greeting.Bor is a psychologist, Hari, said Palver, and a great fan of your work.More important, Grandfather, said Wanda, Bor is one of us.One of you? Seldon looked searchingly from on e to the other. Do you mean? Seldons eyes sparkled.Yes, Grandfather. Yesterday Stettin and I were walking through Ery Sector, getting out and around, as youd suggested, probe for others. All of a sudden-wham-there it was.We recognized the thought patterns immediately and began to look around, trying to establish a link, Palver said, taking up the story. We were in a commercial area, dependable the spaceport, so the walkways were clogged with shoppers and tourists and Outworld traders. It seemed hopeless, but then Wanda simply stopped and signaled Come here and out of the crowd Bor appeared. He just walked up to us and signaled Yes?Amazing, Seldon said, beaming at his granddaughter. And Dr.-it is Doctor, isnt it?-Alurin, what do you make of all this?Well, began the psychologist thoughtfully, I am pleased. Ive always felt different somehow and now I know why. And if I can be of any help to you, why- The psychologist looked down at his feet, as if all of a sudden he realized he was being presumptuous. What I mean is, Wanda and Stettin said I may be able to contribute in some way to your Psychohistory Project. Professor, nothing would please me more.Yes yes. Thats quite true, Dr. Alurin. In fact, I think you may make a great contribution to the Project-if youll join me. Of course, youll have to give up whatever it is you do now, whether it is teaching or private practice. ignore you manage that?Why, yes, Professor, of course. I may need a little help convincing my wife- At this he chuckled slightly, glancing shyly at each of his three companions in turn. But I seem to have a way with that.So its set, then, said Seldon briskly. You will join the Psychohistory Project. I promise you, Dr. Alurin, this is a decision you will not regret.Wanda, Stettin, Seldon said later, after Bor Alurin had left. This is a most welcome breakthrough. How quickly do you think you can find more mentalics?Grandfather, it took us over a month to locate Bor-we cannot predict with what f requency others will be found.To tell you the truth, all this out and around takes us away from our work on the Prime Radiant and it is distracting as well. Now that I have Stettin to talk to, verbal communication is somewhat too harsh, too loud. Seldons smile faded. He had been afraid of this. As Wanda and Palver had been honing their mentalic skills, so their valuation account for ordinary life had diminished. It only made sense their mentalic manipulations set them apart.Wanda, Stettin, I think it may be time for me to tell you more about the idea Yugo Amaryl had years ago and about the Plan Ive devised as a result of that idea. I havent been ready to elaborate upon it until now, because until this moment, all the pieces have not been in place.As you know, Yugo felt we must establish two Foundations-each as a fail-safe measure for the other. It was a brilliant idea, one which I wish Yugo could have lived long enough to see realized. Here Seldon paused, heaving a regretful sigh.B ut I digress. Six years ago, when I was certain that Wanda had mentalic, or mind-touching, capabilities, it came to me that not only should there be two Foundations but that they should be distinct in nature, as well. One would be made up of physical scientists-the Encyclopedists will be their pioneer group on finale. The second would be made up of true psychohistorians mentalists-you. That is why Ive been so eager for you to find others like you.Finally, though, is this The Second Foundation must be secret. Its strength will lie in its seclusion, in its telepathic omnipresence and omnipotence.You see, a few years ago, when it became apparent that I would occupy the services of a bodyguard, I realized that the Second Foundation must be the strong, silent, secret bodyguard of the primary Foundation.Psychohistory is not infallible-its predictions are, however, highly probable. The Foundation, especially in its infancy, will have many enemies, as do I today.Wanda, you and Palver are the pioneers of the Second Foundation, the guardians of the Terminus Foundation.But how, Grandfather? demanded Wanda. We are just two-well, three, if you count Bor. To guard the entire Foundation, we would need-Hundreds? Thousands? Find however many it takes, Granddaughter. You can do it. And you know how.Earlier, when relating the story of finding Dr. Alurin, Stettin said you simply stopped and communicated out to the mentalic presence you felt and he came to you. Dont you see? All along Ive been urging you to go out and find others like you. But this is difficult, almost painful for you. I realize now that you and Stettin must seclude yourselves, in order to form the nucleus of the Second Foundation. From there you will cast your nets into the ocean of humanity.Grandfather, what are you saying? Wanda asked in a whisper. She had left her seat and was kneeling next to Seldons chair. Do you want me to leave?No, Wanda, Seldon replied, his voice choked with emotion. I dont want you to leave, but it is the only way. You and Stettin must insulate yourselves from the crude physicality of Trantor. As your mentalic abilities grow stronger, you will attract others to you-the silent and secret Foundation will grow.We will be in touch-occasionally, of course. And each of us has a Prime Radiant. You see, dont you, the truth-and the absolute necessity-of what I am saying, dont you?Yes, I do, Grandfather, said Wanda. More important, I feel the brilliance of it as well. Rest assured we wont let you down.I know you wont, dear, Seldon said wearily.How could he do this-how could he send his darling granddaughter away? She was his last link to his happiest days, to Dors, Yugo, and Raych. She was the only other Seldon in the Galaxy.I shall miss you terribly, Wanda, Seldon said as a tear worked its way down his finely creased cheek.But, Grandfather, Wanda said as she stood with Palver, preparing to leave. Where shall we go? Where is the Second Foundation?Seldon looked up and said , The Prime Radiant has already told you, Wanda.Wanda looked at Seldon blankly, searching her memory.Seldon reached out and clutched at his granddaughters hand.Touch my mind, Wanda. It is there. Wandas eyes widened as she reached into Seldons mind.I see, Wanda whispered to Seldon.Section 33A2D17. Stars End.Part V epilogI am Hari Seldon. Former First Minister to Emperor Cleon I. Professor Emeritus of Psychohistory at Streeling University on Trantor. Director of the Psychohistory Research Project. Executive Editor of the Encyclopedia Galactica. Creator of the Foundation.It all sounds quite impressive, I know. I have done a great deal in my eighty-one years and I am tired. Looking back over my life, I wonder if I could have-should have-done certain things differently. For instance Was I so refer with the grand sweep of psychohistory that the people and events that intersected my life sometimes seemed inconsequential by comparison?Perhaps I neglected to make some small incidental adjus tments here or there that would have in no way compromised the future of humanity but might have dramatically improved the life of an individual dear to me. Yugo, Raych I cant help but wonder Was there something I could have done to save my beloved Dors?Last month I finished recording the Crisis holograms. My assistant, Gaal Dornick, has taken them to Terminus to oversee their installation in the Seldon Vault. He will make sure that the Vault is sealed and that the proper instructions are left for the eventual openings of the Vault, during the Crises.Ill be dead by then, of course.What will they think, those future Foundationers, when they see me (or, more accurately, my hologram) during the First Crisis, almost fifty years from now? Will they comment on how old I look or how weak my voice is or how small I seem, bundled in this wheelchair? Will they understand-appreciate-the message Ive left for them? Ah well, theres genuinely no point in speculating. As the ancients would say The die is cast.I heard from Gaal yesterday. All is going well on Terminus. Bor Alurin and the Project members are flourishing in exile. I shouldnt gloat, but I cant help but chuckle when I recall the self-satisfied look on the face of that pompous idiot Linge Chen when he banished the Project to Terminus two years ago. Although ultimately the exile was couched in terms of an Imperial Charter (A state-supported scientific institution and part of the personal domain of His August Majesty, the Emperor-the Chief Commissioner wanted us off Trantor and out of his hair, but he could not bear the thought of well-favored up complete control), it is still a source of secret delight to know that it was Las Zenow and I who chose Terminus as Foundations home.My one regret where Linge Chen is concerned is that we were not able to save Agis. That Emperor was a good man and a noble leader, even if he was Imperial in name only. His mistake was to believe in his title and the Commission of Public Safe ty would not tolerate the burgeoning Imperial independence.I often wonder what they did to Agis-was he exiled to some unlike Outer World or assassinated like Cleon?The boy-child who sits on the throne today is the perfect puppet Emperor. He obeys every word Linge Chen whispers in his ear and fancies himself a budding statesman. The Palace and trappings of Imperial life are but toys to him in some vast fantastical game.What will I do now? With Gaal finally gone to join the Terminus group, I am utterly alone. I hear from Wanda occasionally. The work at Stars End continues on course in the past decade she and Stettin have added dozens of mentalics to their number. They increasingly grow in power. It was the Stars End contingent-my secret Foundation-who pushed Linge Chen into sending the Encyclopedists to Terminus.I miss Wanda. It has been many years since Ive seen her, sat with her quietly, holding her hand. When Wanda left, even though I had asked her to go, I thought I would die of heartbreak. That was, perhaps, the most difficult decision I ever had to make and, although I never told her, I almost decided against it. But for the Foundation to succeed, it was necessary for Wanda and Stettin to go to Stars End. Psychohistory decreed it, so perhaps it wasnt really my decision, after all.I still come here every day, to my office in the Psychohistory Building. I remember when this structure was filled with people, day and night. Sometimes I feel as if its filled with voices, those of my long-departed family, students, colleagues-but the offices are empty and silent. The hallways echo with the whirr of my wheelchair motor.I suppose I should vacate the building, return it to the University to allocate to another department. But somehow its hard to let go of this place. There are so many memoriesAll I have now is this, my Prime Radiant. This is the means by which psychohistory can be computed, through which every equation in my Plan may be analyzed, all here in this amazing, small black cube. As I sit here, this deceptively simple-looking tool in the palm of my hand, I wish I could show it to R. Daneel OlivawBut I am alone, and need only to close a contact for the office lights to dim. As I settle back in my wheelchair, the Prime Radiant activates, its equations spreading around me in three-d splendor. To the untrained eye, this multicolored swirl would be merely a jumble of shapes and numbers, but for me-and Yugo, Wanda, Gaal-this is psychohistory, come to life.What I see before me, around me, is the future of humanity. 30 thousand years of potential chaos, compressed into a single millenniumThat patch, glowing more strongly day by day, is the Terminus equation. And there-skewed beyond repair-are the Trantor figures. But I can see yes, softly beaming, a steady light of hope Stars EndThis-this-was my lifes work. My past-humanitys future. Foundation. So beautiful, so alive. And nothing canDorsSELDON, HARI- found dead, slumped over his desk in his office at Streeling University in 12,069 G.E. (1 F.E.). Apparently Seldon had been working up to his last moments on psychohistorical equations his activated Prime Radiant was discovered clutched in his handAccording to Seldons instructions, the instrument was shipped to his colleague Gaal Dornick who had recently emigrated to TerminusSeldons body was jettisoned into space, also in accordance with instructions hed left. The official memorial service on Trantor was simple, though well attended. It is worth noting that Seldons old friend former First Minister Eto Demerzel attended the event. Demerzel had not been seen since his mysterious disappearance immediately following the Joranumite Conspiracy during the loom of Emperor Cleon I. Attempts by the Commission of Public Safety to locate Demerzel in the days following the Seldon memorial proved to be unsuccessfulWanda Seldon, Hari Seldons granddaughter, did not attend the ceremony. It was rumored that she was grief-stricken and h ad refused all public appearances. To this day, her whereabouts from then on remain unknownIt has been said that Hari Seldon left this life as he lived it, for he died with the future he created unfolding all around him Encyclopedia Galactica1 All quotations from the Encyclopedia Galactica here reproduced are taken from the 116th Edition, published 1,020 F.E. by the Encyclopedia Galactica Publishing Co., Terminus, with permission of the publishers.