Robots and Empire (Page 139)

"Are you well, friend Giskard?"

"I cannot stand, but I can still talk. Listen to me. It is time for you to take on my burden. I have adjusted you for mental detection and control. You have but to listen to the final pathways as they are impressed upon yourself. Listen – "

He spoke steadily – but increasingly weakly – in language and symbols that Daneel could feel internally. Even as Daneel listened, he could feel the pathways moving and ticking into place. And when Giskard was done, there was suddenly the cool purr of Mandamus’s mind impinging on his own, the unsteady thumping of Amadiro’s, and the thin metallic thread of Giskard’s.

Giskard said, "You must return to Madam Quintana and arrange to have these two human beings sent back to Aurora. They will not be able to harm Earth further. Then see to it that Earth’s security forces seek out and inactivate the humanoid robots sent to Earth by Mandamus.

"Be careful how you use your new powers, for you are new to them and they will not be under perfect control. You will improve with time – slowly – if you are careful always to undergo self-examination with each use. Use the Zeroth Law, but not to justify needless harm to individuals. The First Law is almost as important.

"Protect Madam Gladia and Captain Baley – unobtrusively. Let them be happy together and let Madam Gladia continue with her efforts to bring peace. Help supervise, over the decades, the removal of Earthpeople from this world. And – one more thing – if I can remember – Yes if you can – find out where the Solarians, have gone. That may be important."

Giskard’s voice trailed off.

Daneel kneeled at the side of the seated Giskard and took the unresponsive metal hand in his own. He said, in an agonized whisper, "Recover, friend Giskard. Recover. What you did was right by the Zeroth Law. You have preserved as much life as possible. You have done well by humanity. Why suffer, so when what you have done saves all?"

Giskard said, in a voice so distorted that the words could barely be made out, "Because I am not certain. – What if the other view – is right – after all – and the Spacers will triumph and then themselves decay so that – the Galaxy will be empty. – Good-bye, friend – Dan – " And Giskard was silent, never to speak or move again.

Daneel rose.

He was alone – and with a Galaxy to care for.