Robots and Empire (Page 132)

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Daneel and Giskard had both been on Earth on previous occasions, Giskard the more recently. They understood the use of the computerized directory that gave them the Section, Wing, and number of the apartment to which D.G. had been assigned and they understood, further, the color codes in the hallways that led them to the proper turnings and elevators.

It was early enough for the human traffic to be light, but those human beings who passed or approached at first stared with astonishment at Giskard, then looked away with elaborate unconcern.

Giskard’s steps were slightly uneven by the time they approached D.G.’s apartment door. It was not very noticeable, but it caught Daneel’s attention.

He said in a low voice, "Are you in discomfort, friend Giskard?"

Giskard replied, "It has been necessary for me to wipe out astonishment, apprehension, and even attention in a number of men and women – and in one youngster, which was harder still. I had no time to make completely certain I was doing no harm."

"It was important to do so. We must not be stopped."

"I understand that, but the Zeroth Law does not work well with me. I have not your facility in that respect." He went on, as though to distract his own attention from his discomfort, "I have often noted that hyperresistance in the positronic pathways makes itself first felt in the matter of standing and walking and next in speech."

Daneel tapped the door signal. He said, "It is the same in my case, friend Giskard. Maintaining balance on two supports is difficult under the best of circumstances. Controlled imbalance, as in walking, is even more difficult. I have heard once, that there were early attempts made to produce robots with four legs and two arms. They were called ‘centaurs.’ They worked well but were unacceptable because they were basically inhuman in appearance."

"At the moment," said Giskard, "I would appreciate four legs, friend Daneel. However, I think my discomfort is passing."

D.G. was at the door now. He looked at them with a broad smile. He then glanced in each direction along the corridor, whereupon his smile vanished and was replaced with a look of the utmost concern. "What are you doing here without Gladia? Is she – "

Daneel said, "Captain, Madam Gladia is well. She is in no danger. May we enter and explain?"

D.G. glowered as he gestured them inside. His voice gained the hectoring tone one naturally assumes toward misbehaving machines and he said, "Why have you left her alone? What circumstances could possibly permit you to leave her alone?"

Daneel said, "She is no more alone than any person is on Earth – and no more in danger. If you will question her later on the I matter, I believe she will tell you that she cannot be effective here on Earth as long as she is trailed by Spacer robots. I believe she will tell you that what guidance and protection she needs should be supplied by you, rather than by robots. It is what we believe she wishes – at least for now. If, at any time, she wishes us back, she will have us."

D.G.’s face relaxed into a smile again. "She wants my protection, does she?"

"At the moment, Captain, we believe – she is quite anxious for your presence, rather than for ours."

D.G.’s smile became a grin. "Who can blame her? – I’ll get myself ready and go to her apartment as soon as I can."

"But first, sir – "

"Oh," said D.G., "there is a quid pro quo?"

"Yes, sir. We are anxious to discover as much as we can about the robot who fired the blaster at the balcony last night."

D.G. looked tense again. "Do you anticipate further danger for Madam Gladia?"

"None at all of that kind. The robot, last night, did not fire at Lady Gladia. Being a robot, he could not have. He fired at friend Giskard."

"Why should he have done that?"

"It is what we would like to find out. For that purpose, we wish you to call Madam Quintana, Undersecretary of Energy, and state that it would be important and would please you and the government of Baleyworld – if you would care to add that, for her to allow me to ask her a few questions on that subject. We wish you to do whatever seems best to persuade her to agree to such an interview."

"Is that all you want me to do? Persuade a reasonably important and busy official to submit to cross examination by a robot?"

Daneel said, "Sir, she may agree if you are earnest enough in the request. In addition, since she may be located a distance away, it would be helpful if you would hire a darter on our behalf to take us there. We are, as you can imagine, in haste."

"And are those little things all?" asked D.G.

"Not quite, Captain," said Daneel. "We will need a driver and please pay him well enough so that he will consent to transport friend Giskard, who is an obvious robot. He may not mind me."

D.G. said, "I hope you realize, Daneel, that what you ask is completely unreasonable."

Daneel said, "I had hoped not, Captain. But since you tell me it is, there is nothing more to say. We have no choice, then, but to return to Madam Gladia, which will make her unhappy, for she would rather be with you."

He turned to leave, motioning Giskard to accompany him, but D.G. said, "Wait. There’s a public communication contact just down the hallway. I can only try. Remain here and wait for me."

The two robots remained standing. Daneel said, "Did you have to do much, friend Giskard?"

Giskard seemed well balanced on his legs now. He said, "I was helpless. He was strongly opposed to dealing with Madam Quintana and as strongly opposed to getting us a darter. I could not have altered those feelings without damage. When, however, you suggested returning to Madam Gladia, his attitude changed suddenly and dramatically. You were anticipating that, I take it, friend Daneel?"