Chapter 52 second quarter

They did not enter the city until near noon the next day.This time the tourist center was quite crowded, but they managed to find a reference library and then learned how to operate the local compilation computer. Using computers, they scoured all the museums and universities, starting with the closest ones, trying to find any references to anthropologists, archaeologists, and ancient historians. Pelorat suddenly exclaimed: "Ah!" "Huh?" Trevize asked impolitely, "Huh what?" "This name, Quintess, seems familiar." "You know him?" "No, of course not, but I may have read his papers. On the spaceship, those references I collected..."

"We're not going back, Janov. If the name looks familiar, it means we have the first clue. Even if he can't help us, he can definitely give us some pointers." He stood up, "We have to Find a way to get to Sachel University. But there won't be anyone around at lunchtime, so let's go and have a meal first." As a result, it was more than half of the afternoon before they arrived at the university.Then, after searching for a long time in the labyrinthine campus, they found a reception room and asked one of the young girls to inform them.After the girl had left, the two waited in the anteroom—she might take them to Quinterthorz, or she might never return.

Pelorat waited a little flustered. "I don't know how long we have to wait, the school must be closing soon." It was such a coincidence that just as he blurted out these words, the girl who had been away for half an hour suddenly appeared and walked towards them quickly.Her shoes flashed red and purple with her brisk steps, and every time she took a step, there was a sharp musical sound, the pitch of which changed with the speed and strength of her steps. Pelorat felt sad all over.He comforted himself in his heart—every world has its own way to torture the senses of others, just like the smell of each planet has its own advantages and disadvantages.Now that he can no longer feel that strange smell, he wonders if after a while, he can also practice the ability to turn a deaf ear to the ear-piercing tones made by fashionable girls walking.

The girl walked up to Pelorat and stopped. "May I ask your full name, Professor?" "My full name is Janov Pelorat, Miss." "Where's your home planet?" Trevize picked up a hand, as if to signal Pelorat to keep silent.But Pelorat was not content to see or notice it, so he blurted out: "Terminal Star." The young girl smiled brightly and seemed very happy.She said: "When I told Professor Quintessz that there was a Professor Pelorat who wanted to meet, he said that if you were Professor Janov Pelorat from Terminus, then he would be happy to see you, Otherwise, it will never be seen."

Pelorat blinked sharply. "You—you mean, he's heard of me?" "Obviously so." Pelorat turned to Trevize, trying to force a smile. "He's heard of me, I can't believe it—I mean, I've only published a few papers, and I don't think there's any..." He shook his head violently, and added: " None of those papers are of the utmost importance." Trevize was secretly amused. "Okay, you don't have to underestimate yourself too much, let's go." He turned his head and said to the girl: "Miss, I think there should be some kind of transportation that can take us there."

"Just walking, we don't even have to leave the complex, and I'd be happy to show you the way—are you all from Terminus?" She started walking, and the two men immediately followed . Trevize replied in a slightly displeased tone: "That's right, we are all from there, what's so special about that?" "Oh, no, of course not. It's true that some people on Saixiel don't like the citizens of the base, but in the university, we all hold the mind of the universe family. I always like to say that we should treat our hearts with each other, and everyone has the right to live ;I mean, base citizens are people too, you know what I mean?"

"Yes, I understand what you mean. Many of our compatriots also often say that the Seychelles are human beings as well." "That's how it should be. I've never seen Terminus. It must be a metropolis." "That's not quite the case," Trevize said matter-of-factly. "I suspect it's smaller than Syr." "You're teasing me," she said. "It's the capital of the Al Qaeda Federation, isn't it? I mean, there's no other Terminus, is there?" "Of course not. As far as I know, there is only one Terminus, and that's where we came from. It is indeed the capital of the Foundation Federation."

"Then, it should be a metropolis. You actually flew all the way here to visit the professor! You know, he is a figure we are proud of, and everyone thinks he is the number one authority in the galaxy." "Really?" Trevize responded, and then asked, "Which aspect?" Her eyes widened again. "You really know how to tease people. His knowledge of ancient history is more abundant than... I know more about my own family." She said as she continued to take steps accompanied by music. She repeatedly used words such as "making fun" and "teasing people" on Trevize, but it can't be regarded as wronging him.Trevize smiled at her, and then asked, "I guess the professor knows everything about Earth, doesn't he?"

"Earth?" She stopped in front of a research room and gave them a blank look. "You know, it's the original human world." "Oh, you mean 'earliest planets'. I guess so, and I think he should be perfectly aware. Anyway, it's in the Sessel Sector, and everyone knows that! Here it is, his Laboratory. I'll press the signal button." "No, wait a minute," Trevize said, "wait a second, tell me something about Earth first." "Actually, I've never heard anyone call it that. I think it's the term used by the base. Here, we all call it 'Gaia'."

Trevize glanced at Pelorat quickly, and then hurriedly asked, "Oh? So where is it?" "It's not anywhere, it's in hyperspace, and no one can find it. When I was a little girl, my grandmother once told me that Gaia was originally in ordinary space, but because it hated—" "The sin and ignorance of mankind." Pelorat murmured, "It felt ashamed of the humans it had spread throughout the galaxy, so it left the ordinary space and refused to have anything to do with humans." "So, you also know this story? One of my girlfriends also said it was a superstition. Well, I will tell her that if even the professors at the base know it, then this statement must be credible..."

There is a gray glass window on the door of the research room, on which are reflected two lines of glittering characters.The first line reads: "Sota Inquint Sezjabot", and the lower line reads: "Department of Ancient History". Both lines are in difficult Sechelle script. The girl stretched out her finger and pressed it on a smooth metal disc.There was no sound, but the gray glass turned milky white for a few seconds.At the same time, a soft voice came out, saying absently, "Please identify yourself." "Janov Pelorat from Terminus," Pelorat answered, "and Glen Trevize from the same world." The door swung open immediately.