Forward the Foundation Chapter 13

16Gambol Deen Namarti was non, at even the stovepipe of ages, n aned for his niceness and suavity-and the approaching climax of a decade of planning had left his passion sour.He rose from his chair with some agitation and say, Youve curbn your sequence nominateting here, Andorin.Andorin shrugged. and Im here.And this young public of yours-this remark desirable in like mannerl that youre t revealing. Where is he?Hell be here eventu bothy. wherefore not now?Andorins rather heavy(p) head port seemed to sink a bit, as though he were preoccupied in thought or coming to a decision, and whence he express abruptly, I dont pauperization to bring him until I realise where I stand.What does that mean?Simple words in Galactic Standard. How tenacious has it been your submit to get rid of Hari Seldon?Al flairs Always Is that so hard to agnize? We deserve revenge for what he did to Jo-Jo. Even if he hadnt d ace that, since hes the countingerbalance attend, wed nominate t o put him by of the way. nevertheless its Cleon-Cleon-who must be brought down. If not scarcely he, then at least he, in addition to Seldon.why does a figurehead concern you?You werent born yesterday. Ive n incessantly had to explain my dower in this because youre not so ignorant a fool as not to know. What feces I possibly cargon just approximately your plans if they dont acknowledge a replacement on the arse?Namarti laughed. Of course. Ive known for a long cartridge clip that you look upon me as your footstool, your way of climbing up to the olympian throne.Would you expect either affaire else?Not at alone. I forget do the planning, shine the chances, and then, when every is quite done, you gather in the strengthener. It exercises sense, doesnt it?Yes, it does make sense, for the reward depart be yours, too. Wont you become the initial Minister? Wont you be able to count on the full support of a refreshing Emperor, one who is fill with gratitude? Wont I be-an d his face twisted with irony as he spat out the words-the spic-and-span figurehead?Is that what you plan to be? A figurehead?I plan to be the Emperor. I supplied advances of credit when you had none. I supplied the cadre when you had none. I supplied the respectability you needed to build a monumental organization here in Wye. I can still chicken out everything Ive brought in.I dont think so.Do you dealing to risk it? Dont think you can treat me the way you treated Kaspalov, either. If some(prenominal)thing happens to me, Wye entrust become uninhabitable for you and yours-and you pull up stakes find that no an other(prenominal) sector leave behind supply you with what you need.Namarti sighed. so you insist on having the Emperor killed.I didnt say killed. I verbalise brought down. The details I leave to you. This last statement was accompanied with an stodgyly dismissive wave of the hand, a flick of the wrist, as if Andorin were al expeditious sit down on the violet throne.And then youll be Emperor?Yes.No, you wont. Youll be dead-and not at my men, either. Andorin, let me teach you some of the facts of life. If Cleon is killed, then the matter of the duration comes up and, to avoid civil war, the Imperial Guard will at once kill every portion of the Wyan Mayoral family they can find-you maiden of all. On the other hand, if hardly the eldest Minister is killed, you will be unattackable.Why?A First Minister is only a First Minister. They come and go. It is possible that Cleon himself may endure grown tired of him and set up the murder. Certainly we would see to it that rumors of this sort be spread. The Imperial Guard would weave and would give us a chance to put the bran-new regime into place. Indeed, it is quite possible that they themselves would be grateful for the end of Seldon.And with the new organisition in place, what am I to do? Keep on waiting? Forever?No. in one face Im First Minister, there will be ways of dealing with Cleon. I may even be able to do something with the Imperial Guard-and even with the surety establishment-and use them all as my instruments. I will then manage to find some safe way of get rid of Cleon and replacing him with you.Andorin burst out, Why should you?Namarti said, What do you mean, why should I?You have a personal grudge against Seldon. Once he is gone, why should you run un prerequisite risks at the highest level? You will make your peace with Cleon and I will have to retire to my crumbling nation and my impossible dreams. And perhaps, to play it safe, you will have me killed.Namarti said, No Cleon was born to the throne. He comes from several generations of Emperors-the proud Entun Dynasty. He would he very difficult to handle, a plague. You, on the other hand, would come to the throne as a member of a new dynasty, without any strong ties to tradition, for the previous Wyan Emperors were, you will admit, completely undistinguished. You will be seated on a shaky th rone and will need soul to support you-me. And I will need someone who is dependent upon me and whom I can therefore handle you. Come, Andorin, ours is not a sum of love, which fades in a year it is a marriage of convenience, which can last as long as we both live. allow us trust each other.You swear I will be Emperor.What high-priced would swearing do if you couldnt trust my word? Let us say I would find you an extraordinarily useful Emperor and I would want you to replace Cleon as soon as that can safely be managed. Now introduce me to this man you think will be the perfect tool for your purposes.Very well. And remember what makes him different. I have canvass him. Hes a not-very-b even by idealist. He will do what hes told, nonchalant by danger, unconcerned by second thoughts. And he exudes a kind of trustworthiness so that his victim will trust him, even if he has a blaster in his hand.I find that impossible to believe.Wait till you take over him, said Andorin.17Raych u nplowed his eyes down. He had taken a quick look at Namarti and it was all he needed. He had met the man ten years before, when Raych had been sent to lure Jo-Jo Joranum to his destruction, and one look was to a greater extent than enough.Namarti had changed little in ten years. Anger and hatred were still the ascendant characteristics one could see in him-or that Raych could see in him, at any rate, for he realized he was not an impartial witness-and those seemed to have marinated him into coriaceous permanence. His face was a trifle to a greater extent(prenominal) gaunt, his hair was flecked with gray, just now his thin-lipped mouth was set in the same harsh line and his inexorable eyes were as brilliantly dangerous as ever.That was enough and Raych kept his eyes averted. Namarti, he felt, was not the type of person who would take to someone who could stare lm straight in the face.Namarti seemed to devour Raych with his own eyes, tho the slight sneer his face perpetually se emed to wear remained.He off to Andorin, who stood uneasily to one side, and said, quiteis though the subject of conversation were not present, This is the man, then.Andorin nodded and his lips moved in a soundless Yes, promontory.Namarti said to Raych abruptly, Your name.Planchet, sir.You believe in our cause?Yes, sir. He spoke carefully, in accordance with Andorins instructions. I am a democrat and want greater participation of the multitude in the governmental process.Namartis eyes flicked in Andorins direction. A speechmaker.He looked indorse at Raych. Are you willing to undertake risks for the cause?Any risk, sir.You will do as you are told? No questions? No hanging back?I will follow orders.Do you know anything about gardening?Raych hesitated. No, sir.Youre a Trantorian, then? Born under the dome?I was born in Millimaru, sir, and I was brought up in Dahl.Very well, said Namarti. Then to Andorin, post him out and deliver him temporarily to the men waiting there. They will t ake good care of him. Then come back, Andorin. I want to cover to you.When Andorin returned, a profound change had come over Namarti. His eyes were appear and his mouth was twisted into a feral grin.Andorin, he said, the gods we spoke of the other day are with us to an extent I couldnt have imagined.I told you the man was suitable for our purposes.Far more suitable than you think. You know, of course, the tale of how Hari Seldon our august First Minister, sent his son-or foster son, rather-to see Joranum and to set the trap into which Joranum, against my advice, fell.Yes, said Andorin, nodding wearily, I know the story. He said it with the air of one who knew the story entirely too well.I saw that boy only that once, merely his image burned into my brain. Do you suppose that ten years enactment and false heels and a shaved mustache could fool me? That Planchet of yours is Raych, the foster son of Hari Seldon.Andorin paled and held his breath for a moment. He said, Are you sure of that, old erar?As sure as I am that youre standing here in front of me and that you have introduced an enemy into our midst.I had no idea-Dont get nervous, said Namarti. I consider it the best thing you have ever done in your idle aristocratic life. You have played the fictional character that the gods have marked out for you. If I had not known who he was, he might have fulfilled the function for which he was undoubtedly intended to be a spy in our midst and an watcher of our most secret plans. But since I know who he is, it wont break away that way. Instead, we now have everything. Namarti rubbed his hands together in delight and, haltingly, as if he realized how far out of character it was for him, he smiled-and laughed.18Manella said thoughtfully, I guess I wont be seeing you anymore, Planchet.Raych was drying himself laterward his shower. Why not?Gleb Andorin doesnt want me to.Why not?Manella shrugged her smooth shoulders. He says you have important give-up the ghos t to do and no more time to fool around. Maybe he means youll get a make check job.Raych stiffened. What kind of work? Did he mention anything in particular?No, moreover he said he would be outlet to the Imperial Sector.Did he? Does he often tell you things like that? You know how it is, Planchet. When a fellows in bed with you, he talks a lot.I know, said Raych, who was always careful not to. What else does he say?Why do you regard? She frowned a bit. He always asks about you, too. I noticed that about men. Theyre curious about each other. Why is that, do you suppose?What do you tell him about me?Not much. Just that youre a very decently sort of guy. Naturally I dont tell him that I like you better than I like him. That would hurt his savours-and it might hurt me, too.Raych was getting dressed. So its good-bye, then.For a while, I suppose. Gleb may change his mind. Of course, Id like to go to the Imperial Sector-if hed take me. Ive neer been there.Raych almost slipped, jus t now he managed to cough, then said, Ive never been there, either.Its got the biggest buildings and the nicest places and the fanciest eternal restaurants-and thats where the rich people live. Id like to meet some rich people-besides Gleb, I mean.Raych said, I suppose theres not much you can get out of a person like me.Youre all right. You cant think of credits all the time, solely youve got to think of them some of the time. Especially since I think Gleb is getting tired of me.Raych felt compelled to say, No one could get tired of you, and then found, a little to his own confusion, that he meant it.Manella said, Thats what men always say, only youd be surprised. Anyway, its been good, you and I, Planchet. Take care of yourself and, who knows, we may see each other again.Raych nodded and found himself at a loss for words. thither was no way in which he could say or do anything to express his feelings.He turned his mind in other directions. He had to find out what the Namarti peop le were planning. If they were separating him from Manella, the crisis must be rapidly approaching. All he had to go on was that odd question about gardening.Nor could he get any further information back to Seldon. He had been kept under close scrutiny since his meeting with Namarti and all avenues of communication were cut off-surely another attribute of an approaching crisis.But if he were to find out what was going on only by and by it was done-and if he could communicate the news only after it was no longer news-he would have failed.19Hari Seldon was not having a good day. He had not larnd from Raych since his first communique he had no idea what was happening.Aside from his natural concern for Raychs safety (surely he would hear if something really bad had happened), there was his uneasiness over what might be planned.It would have to be subtle. A direct attack on the castling itself was totally out of the question. Security there was far too tight. But if so, what else coul d be planned that would be sufficiently effective?The whole thing was keeping him awake at night and distracted by day.The foreshadow light flashed.First Minister. Your two oclock appointment, sir-What two oclock appointment is this?Mandell Gruber, the gardener. He has the necessary certification.Seldon remembered. Yes. Send him in.This was no time to see Gruber, but he had hold to it in a moment of weakness-the man had seemed distraught. A First Minister should not have such moments of weakness, but Seldon had been Seldon long before he had become FirstMinister.Come in, Gruber, he said kindly.Gruber stood before him, head ducking mechanically, eyes darting this way and that. Seldon was quite certain the gardener had never been in any room as magnificent as this one and he had the bitter urge to say Do you like it? enthrall take it. I dont want it.But he only said, What is it, Gruber? Why are you so unhappyThere was no immediate outcome Gruber merely smiled vacantly.Seldon said, Sit down, man. Right there in that chair.Oh no, First Minister. It would not be fitting. Ill get it dirty.If you do, it will be easy to clean. Do as I say. Good Now just sit there a minute or two and gather your thoughts. Then, when you are ready, tell me whats the matter.Gruber sat silent for a moment, then the words came out in a panting rush. First Minister. It is Chief Gardener I am to be. The bless Emperor himself told me so.Yes, I have heard of that, but that surely isnt what is upset you. Your new post is a matter of congratulations and I do congratulate you. I may even have contributed to it, Gruber. I have never forgotten your bravery at the time I was more or less killed and you can be sure I mentioned it to His Imperial Majesty. It is a suitable reward, Gruber, and you would deserve the promotion in any case, for it is quite clear from your magnetic disc that you are fully qualified for the post. So, now that thats out of the way, tell me what is disturbing you.Firs t Minister, it is the very post and promotion thats troubling me. It is something I cannot manage, for I am not qualified.We are convinced you are.Gruber grew agitated. And is it in an office I will have to sit? I cant sit in an office. I could not go out in the open air and work with the plants and animals. I would be in prison, First Minister.Seldons eyes opened wide. No such thing, Gruber. You neednt stay in the office longer than you have to. You could rip off around the grounds freely, supervising everything. You will have all the surface you want and you will merely spare yourself the hard work.I want the hard work, First Minister, and its no chance at all they will let me come out of the office. I have watched the present Chief Gardener. He couldnt leave his office, though he wanted to, ever so. There is too much administration, too much bookkeeping. Sure, if he wants to know what is going on, we must go to his office to tell him. He watches things on holovision -he said wi th infinite contempt as though you can tell anything about growing, living things from pictures. It is not for me, First Minister.Come, Gruber, be a man. Its not all that bad. Youll get used to it. Youll work your way in slowly.Gruber shook his head. First off-at the very first-I will have to deal with all the new gardeners. Ill be buried. Then, with sudden energy, It is a job I do not want and must not have, First Minister.Right now, Gruber, perhaps you dont want the job, but you are not alone. Ill tell you that right now I wish I were not First Minister. This job is too much for me. I even have a notion that there are quantify when the Emperor himself is tired of his Imperial robes. Were all in this Galaxy to do our work and the work isnt always pleasant.I understand that, First Minister, but the Emperor must be Emperor, for he was born to that. And you must be First Minister, for there is no one else who can do the job. But in my case, it is just Chief Gardener we are ruminating upon. There are fifty gardeners in the place who could do it as well as I could and who wouldnt mind the office. You say that you spoke to the Emperor about how I tried to help you. Cant you speak to him again and explain that if he wants to reward me for what I did, he can leave me as I am?Seldon leaned back in his chair and said solemnly, Gruber, I would do that for you if I could, but I must explain something to you and I can only hope that you will understand it. The Emperor, in theory, is unquestioning ruler of the conglomerate. In actual fact, there is very little he can do. I run the Empire right now much more than he does and there is very little I can do, too. There are millions and billions of people at all levels of government, all make decisions, all making mistakes, some acting wisely and heroically, some acting foolishly and thievishly. Theres no controlling them. Do you understand me, Gruber?I do, but what has this to do with my case?Because there is only one plac e where the Emperor is really absolute ruler-and that is over the Imperial grounds. Here, his word is law and the layers of officials beneath him are a couple of(prenominal) enough for him to handle. For him to be asked to rescind a decision he has make in connection with the Imperial Palace grounds would be to fall upon the only area that he would consider inviolate. If I were to say, Take back your decision on Gruber, Your Imperial Majesty, he would be much more likely to relieve me of my duties than to take back his decision. That might be a good thing for me, but it wouldnt help you any.Gruber said, Does that mean theres no way things can be changed?Thats exactly what it means. But dont worry, Gruber, Ill help you all I can. Im sorry. But now I have really spent all the time with you that I am able to spare.Gruber rose to his feet. In his hands he twisted his green gardening cap. There was more than a suspicion of tears in his eyes. Thank you, First Minister. I know you would like to help. Youre-youre a good man, First Minister.He turned and left, sorrowing.Seldon looked after him thoughtfully and shook his head. Multiply Grubers woes by a quadrillion and you would have the woes of all the people of the twenty- quin million worlds of the Empire and how was he, Seldon, to work out redemption for all of them, when he was helpless to solve the problem of one star man who had come to him for help?Psychohistory could not bear on one man. Could it save a quadrillion?He shook his head again, checked the nature and time of his next appointment, and then suddenly stiffened. He shouted into his communications equip in sudden wild abandon, quite unlike his usually inflexible control. Get that gardener back Get him back here right now20Whats this about new gardeners? exclaimed Seldon. This time he did not ask Gruber to sit down.Grubers eyes blinked rapidly. He was in a disquietude at having been recalled so unexpectedly. N-new g-gardeners? he stammered.You sai d all the new gardeners. Those were your words. What new gardeners?Gruber was astonished. Sure, if there is a new Chief Gardener, there will be new gardeners. It is the custom.I have never heard of this.The last time we had a change of Chief Gardeners, you were not First Minister. It is likely you were not even on Trantor.But whats it all about?Well, gardeners are never discharged. Some die. Some grow too old and are pensioned off and replaced. Still, by the time a new Chief Gardener is ready for his duties, at least half the staff is aged and beyond their best years. They are all pensioned off generously and new gardeners are brought in.For youth. partly and partly because by that time there are usually new plans for the gardens and it is new ideas and new schemes we must have. There are almost five hundred square kilometers in the gardens and parklands and it usually takes some years to vex it and it is myself who will have to supervise it all. Please, First Minister. Gruber was gasping. Surely a cagey man like your own self can find a way to change the blessed Emperors mind.Seldon paid no attention. His forehead was creased in concentration. Where do the new gardeners come from?There are examinations on all the worlds-there are always people waiting to serve as replacements. Theyll be coming in by the hundreds in a dozen batches. It will take me a year, at the least-From where do they come? From where?From any of a million worlds. We want a variety of horticultural knowledge. Any citizen of the Empire can qualify.From Trantor, too?No, not from Trantor. There is no one from Trantor in the gardens. His voice grew contemptuous. You cant get a gardener out of Trantor. The parks they have here under the dome arent gardens. They are potted plants and the animals are in cages. Trantorians, poor specimens that they are, know nothing about open air, free water, and the authentic balance of nature.All right, Gruber. I will now give you a job. It will be up to you t o get me the names of every new gardener scheduled to arrive over the coming weeks. Everything about them. Name. World. bring up number. Education. Experience. Everything. I want it all here on my desk just as quickly as possible. Im going to send people to help you. good deal with machines. What kind of a computer do you use?Only a simple one for keeping track of plantings and species and things like that.All right. The people I send will be able to do anything you cant do. I cant tell you how important this is.If I should do this-Gruber, this is not the time to make bargains. Fail me and you will not be Chief Gardener. Instead, you will be discharged without a pension.Alone again, Seldon barked into his communication wire, Cancel all appointments for the rest of the afternoon.He then let his body flop in his chair, feeling every bit of his fifty years and feeling his headache worsen. For years, for decades, security had been built up around the Imperial Palace grounds, thicker, more solid, more impenetrable, as each new layer and each new turn was added.And every once in a while, hordes of strangers were let into the grounds. No questions asked, probably, but one Can you garden?The stupidity involved was too huge to grasp.And he had barely caught it in time. Or had he? Was he, even now, too late?