Chapter 15 Chapter 8 Burning with Worry

As Polly prepared breakfast, she glanced at the news recorder on the table.All the news that happened that day was displayed on the recorder one by one, and she only needed to use one eye to see from beginning to end without omission.All food is readily available, all sealed in sterile, disposable containers.Her job is actually to choose the dishes, set the table, and clean up everything after the meal. She couldn't help expressing a lot of opinions on those news, and then sighed with emotion. "Oh, it's really not old-fashioned." She said with emotion.Darryl just grunted in reply.

Her tone suddenly became sharp and harsh, and whenever she lamented the decline of the world, she would automatically switch to this tone.She said: "Oh, these terrible Kalgan people, why do they do this? I thought they would give people a few days of peace, but they didn't. They always make trouble, trouble, endless." This time I always pronounced "Kalgan" out of sound. "Look at the news headline: 'Mob riots in front of base consulate'. Oh, if possible, I really want to enlighten them. This is a common problem of human beings. They just can't remember the lessons of history, they just don't have a long memory! Dr. Darryl, the world has such a short memory. Think of the war that happened after the mule died, of course I was a little girl, but oh, I'll never forget that upheaval as long as I live. My dear My uncle died heroically in that war. He was only in his twenties at the time. He had only been married for two years and left behind a daughter. I still remember him clearly—blond hair with A dimple, I still have a three-dimensional crystal statue of him...

"Now, that girl has grown up, and her only son is serving in the fleet. If there is any conflict, it is very likely... "Although we have air raid reconnaissance teams, and the old men take turns guarding the stratosphere--but if Kalgan really came to fight, I can't imagine what they can do. Mother used to tell us about the hard times of the war, Food rationing, rising prices, skyrocketing taxes, etc. It's almost impossible to live... "I don't think it should ever happen again if those people have any sense. I also don't think it's what the people mean at all, and I think even the Kalgans would rather stay at home and have fun with their family than Going on a rampage in space and getting all buried in a starship. It's all about that horrible man Stettin. It's amazing how God can let such a person live. He killed the old guy-what's his name Yes, Thalos - now ready to conquer the universe again.

"I really don't know why he wants to attack us. He's doomed to fail—as always. Maybe it's all part of Seldon's plan, but sometimes I can't help thinking that it must be a There are so many wars and killings because of evil plans. However, I have absolutely no criticism of Hari Seldon. I believe he must know a lot more than I do. Maybe I am too stupid to understand his plans. Doubts arise. The other base is equally ashamed, they can now stop Kargan and restore peace to all parts of the galaxy, since they will always do this in the end, I think they should act quickly before any war disaster occurs."

Finally Dr. Darryl looked up and asked, "What are you talking about, Polly?" Polly's eyes opened wide, and then closed again angrily.She replied: "No, doctor, I didn't say anything, and there is nothing to say at all. In this house, let alone words, no one would notice even if you died. Busy in and out, busy out I'm so busy, I just don't have time to talk..." After she finished speaking, she left the restaurant feeling sullen. Dr. Darryl didn't notice that Polly had left, just as he didn't hear what she was saying just now. Kalgan!Really boring!That's just a tangible enemy.This kind of enemy will always be the base's defeat.

However, he could not completely stay out of the ridiculous crisis in front of him.Seven days ago, the mayor had formally invited him to be Minister of Research and Development, and he had promised to make a decision today. But…… He felt restless that the mayor had chosen himself!But can he refuse?It would have seemed too unreasonable to refuse, and he couldn't take that risk now.In any case, he didn't have to worry about Kalgan at all, for him there was only one enemy, and there was always only one. When his wife is alive, life is happy and perfect, and he has a good excuse to avoid responsibility and live in isolation.Those long, quiet days on Trantor were surrounded by barren ruins.They were left alone in that broken world, completely forgetting everything in the world.

But she died soon after, less than five years before and after.From then on, he knew that the only thing he could do in the future was to fight all his life with those terrible invisible enemies-those enemies controlled his destiny, deprived him of his dignity as a human being, and made his life a hopeless one. struggle.Even the entire universe is in the hands of those hateful and terrifying enemies. This can be called a kind of emotional sublimation, at least he thinks so.In short, this struggle brought meaning to his life. He first came to Santani University and joined Dr. Kleiss' research work.His five years there benefited him immensely.

However, what Kleiss did was limited to collecting data, and he was unable to make breakthroughs on real problems.When Darryl was sure of that, he knew it was time to leave. Even though Kleiss research is being done in secret, he needs assistants; he needs many brain samples for brain wave measurements; he needs a university to support him--and these are all his weaknesses. Kress couldn't understand this, but Darryl couldn't explain it to him in detail, and the two finally broke up.But that's fine, anyway, sooner or later they're going to break up.He had to act as if he had given up on everything—because someone was probably spying on him.

Kryce uses charts to analyze brain waves, but Daryl only relies on mathematical concepts deep in his heart; Kryce works with many people, but Darryl has no research partners; Kryce stays in a university However, Darryl lives in a quiet house in the outskirts. And he's close to it. In terms of brain structure, Second Foundation elements are not human at all.Although even the best physiologist, the best neurochemist, may not be able to detect any abnormalities - but there must be differences.Since this difference resides in the mind, there must be some detectable sign there. The people on the second base undoubtedly all have mule-like abilities, regardless of whether this ability is innate or acquired.Since the other party has the ability to detect and control human emotions like a mule, it should be possible to design an electronic circuit to measure the special brain waves of this kind of person.And in the detailed records of the EEG, their abilities are absolutely invisible.

Now, Kress's ghost incarnates as the proud apprentice Ansuo, and broke into his life again. madness!madness!What is the purpose of collecting the EEG of those who have been disturbed?I have invented the detection method a few years ago, but what is the use of this?What he needs is a counterattack weapon, not a detection tool. However, he had to agree to cooperate with Ansuo, because that would be the only way to deceive others. And the same is true for the position of the head of the research and development department now, which is another trick to deceive people!Now, he seems to be the protagonist of a plan.

He suddenly thought of Arkadia again, and felt a sudden uneasiness, and shook it out of his mind.If Yasuo had never been there, this would not have happened; if Yasuo had never been there, no one's life would have been threatened except his own.If Amsor hadn't been there... He felt a surge of rage—he was angry at the dead Kress, at the living Yasuo, at all the well-meaning idiots... Forget it, she will take care of herself, she is a very sensible little girl. She will take good care of herself! He kept thinking like this... But can she really take care of herself? Arkadia was sitting in the modest reception room of the office of the First Citizen of the Galaxy when Dr. Darryl consoled himself with concern.She had been waiting here for half an hour, staring at the walls all around in boredom.Just now, when she and Hummel Moon entered this reception room, there were two armed guards standing at the door—there had never been any guards here before. Now she was alone in the drawing room, and for the first time in her life she felt hostile in every piece of furniture and every display. But why is this so? Hou Mier is now with Shi Tieting, however, is there anything wrong with that? Thinking of this, she suddenly felt angry.In the film book or the story of Super Vision, every time a similar plot appears, the protagonist can always predict the next development and prepare in advance.But she—she could just sit there and anything could happen, anything!And she just sat there. Well, think again, think again.In this way, you may be able to get a little inspiration. For the past two weeks, Houmier has been in the mule hall almost every day.He once took her there once, of course with Steeting's permission in advance.The mule hall is spacious, dark and solemn, and everything is lifeless, as if sleeping in the glory of the past.In the huge building, only the sound of footsteps echoed hollowly and bleakly in the hall. Anyway, she didn't like it there. In comparison, the capital's wide and lively streets and magnificent theaters are more attractive to her.Although this world is not richer than the base, it is willing to spend more money to decorate the appearance. Hommier usually returned in the evening, and always with a sense of awe... "I never dared to dream of that place before. If I could knock out the stones in the temple one by one, remove the foamed aluminum layer by layer, and transport them all back to Terminus—think about it, I could What kind of museum to build." He uttered such ravings several times. His earlier hesitation and hesitation had completely disappeared, and now he appeared eager and feverish.Argadia was absolutely sure of this, because she noticed an obvious symptom—he didn't stutter at all when he spoke these days. One day he said to Arcadia: "I have found a summary of General Pridji's records." "I've heard of him, he's a traitor to the base, he scoured the galaxy for the second base, right?" "We can't say he's a traitor, Icarty, it was the mule who 'turned' him." "Oh, that's not the same." "Well, what you call searching the galaxy is more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack. Four hundred years ago, the original records of the Seldon Conference held to prepare for the establishment of two bases only mentioned the second base once. It is said that it was set up at the 'other end of the galaxy, at the end of the stars'. That is the only clue for Mule and Pliji. Even if they found the second base back then, there was no way to confirm it. What a crazy move!" Hommier was almost talking to himself, but Arkadia listened attentively. "The records they have must cover nearly a thousand worlds; but the worlds they need to explore are close to one million. Our situation is not much better..." "Hush—" Argadia stopped him abruptly and warily. Hou Mier was startled, and it took a while to regain his composure, and then whispered: "Let's stop talking." Now, Hou Mier is leading with Steeting together, while Argatia is waiting outside alone.For some reason, she felt that all the blood in her heart had been squeezed out. This inexplicable feeling was actually the most terrifying. And in another room, Houmier also felt as if his whole body was stuck in glue.He tried desperately to speak clearly, but to no avail, his stuttering returned and became worse than before. Commander Shi Tieting was now in full military uniform. He was six feet six inches tall, with a broad jaw and well-defined corners of his mouth.When he spoke, he kept clenching his hands into fists and waved them vigorously from time to time. "Well, you've been busy for a fortnight, and now you're giving me nonsense. It's all right, Mr. Meng, just tell me the worst. Is my fleet going to be wiped out? Is there anything but the first In addition to the personnel of the first base, I have to fight the ghosts of the second base?" "I... I repeat, Grand Commander, I'm not a...pre...pre...predictor. I...I'm totally...confused." "Or do you want to go back and warn your people? Don't give me such a damn shit. I want you to tell me the truth, or I'll dig it out myself, including your guts." "I said... everything I said was the truth. I also want to mention...remind you, Grand...Commander, I am a citizen of the base. You...you can't hurt me, otherwise you will eat...eat... I can't eat and walk around." Commander Kargan laughed wildly: "This kind of talk can only scare children, and this kind of threat can only deter idiots. Come on, Mr. Meng En, I have been very patient with you, and I spent twenty minutes listening to you Nonsense. You must have been up for nights to make up these stories. You're wasting your time and I know you're not here just to pick up mule ashes - you've got something else to do The purpose of telling people, isn't it?" Hommier Moon could no longer extinguish the blaze of fear in his eyes, and for a moment he seemed to be having difficulty breathing.Commander Shi Tieting saw all this, and deliberately reached out to pat the base man on the shoulder, and sure enough, Meng En shook the chair with him. "Very well, let's be honest now. You study the Seldon Project and know that it no longer exists. Besides, perhaps you also know that now I am the inevitable winner, and my heir and I will rule the world. Well, brother, what does it matter who builds the Second Empire? As long as it can be built. History is incorruptible, isn't it? Don't you dare tell me? But I already know your mission." Meng En said in a hoarse voice: "You... What do you want... What do you want?" "I want you to stay. I don't want my overconfidence to spoil this new plan. You know more about these things than I do, and if I've overlooked any little things, you'll be able to see. Promise me." , I will reward you well in the future, and you will get countless spoils. What can you expect the base to do? Reverse the almost foregone conclusion? Prolong the war? Or are you just out of patriotism, Want to die for your country?" "I...I..." He frothed "I" for a long time without uttering another word, so he had to give up his efforts in the end. "You stay with me," Commander Kargan said complacently, "you don't have any choice. Wait a minute—" He suddenly thought of another important thing, "I have obtained information that your niece is a descendant of Beda Darrell." Hummel was taken aback, and blurted out: "Yes." At this juncture, he did not believe that he was capable of weaving any lies other than admitting the truth. "Their family is very famous in the base." Hou Mier nodded desperately: "The base will never sit...and watch them suffer any harm." "Hurt! Don't be silly, boy, I'm thinking just the opposite. How old is she?" "Fourteen." "Fourteen! Well, but not even the Second Foundation, or Hari Seldon himself, can stop the passage of time from a little girl growing up." After speaking, he immediately turned around, ran to the side door, and pulled the curtain forcefully. Then he bellowed, "What the hell are you doing here?" Lady Jiali blinked at him sharply, and replied softly: "I don't know anyone else is with you." "Hmph, there are indeed others. I'll settle the score with you later. Now I just want to see your back, so turn around quickly." She immediately ran to the corridor, and the sound of small footsteps gradually faded away. Then Steeting walked back to Hummel and said to him: "She can only be regarded as a small episode in my life, which is of no importance at all, and this episode has dragged on for too long, and it will end soon. You just said that she is only fourteen years old?" Hommier stared at him with wide eyes, and a new kind of fear emerged from the bottom of his heart. At this time Arkadia also opened her eyes wide, staring intently at the quietly opened door - she suddenly saw a small movement in the corner of her eyes, which took her by surprise.It was a finger stretched out from behind the door, and it was flexing and stretching towards her, as if it was anxious to call her out, but she didn't respond for a long time.Later, perhaps she saw the pale, trembling, and anxious figure clearly, and then tiptoed towards the door. Then the two hurried down the corridor in a panic.The one who took Argatia away was of course Lady Jiali, who was holding the girl's hand tightly.Although Agatha was scratched by her, she still followed her with peace of mind. At least, Agatha had no fear of her at all. But why? They came to the lady's boudoir, which was decorated in pink and looked like a candy store.Lady Carrie leaned her back against the door and began: "You know, this is a special passage from his office to my...my room. He—you know who it is." She said, While stretching out his thumb and pointing to the side, a fearful expression appeared on his face.As if even the mere thought of him frightened her half to death. "What a fluke... what a fluke..." Her pupils suddenly dilated, causing most of her blue eyes to turn black. "Can you tell me..." Argadia asked timidly.Unexpectedly, Carrie seemed to be in a frenzy, and said to her, "No, child, there is no time. Take off your clothes, please, please. I will help you find some clothes so that they will recognize you." Not out of you." Before she could finish her sentence, she had already got into the closet, rummaged through it frantically, and threw out a lot of messy things, and hills piled up on the floor immediately.She wanted to find a dress that was more suitable for Argatia's age, and she didn't want to be surrounded by disciples as soon as she went out. "I found it. This one should be fine, but it's not okay. Do you have any money? Come, take this... and this." She took off her earrings and rings, and then added: "I'll be right back Go home—go back to base." "But Houmier... my uncle..." The fragrant, expensive, metal-mixed clothes were used as a hood for her, and her voice came out from the clothes, sounding weak. "He can't go, Boogie will never let him go. But you mustn't stay, oh, dear boy, don't you understand?" "I don't understand," Argatia insisted, refusing to move. "I really don't understand." Lady Jiali wrung her hands together, and said: "You must go back and warn your compatriots that war will break out soon, do you understand?" It may be because of excessive panic, which made her mind become dizzy. It was very clear; these few words did not sound like her tone at all. "Let's go now." They immediately slipped away by another road.I met some officials along the way, and they all watched the two of them leave, and they couldn't think of any reason to stop them—except for Commander Kargan, no one could interfere with the actions of Lady Jiali.They walked through one door after another, and the guards guarding the gates all stood at attention and saluted with their guns raised, and they were not questioned at all. This journey seemed to take several years, and Arkadia hardly dared to breathe along the way.In fact, it only took twenty-five minutes from when she saw the stretched pale finger to when they came outside the mansion and came into contact with crowds, noise and heavy traffic. Agatha glanced back, fear and sympathy mixed in her heart.She asked: "I... I... don't know why you did it, ma'am, I can only say that I appreciate it—but what will happen to Uncle Hommier?" "I don't know," the other party sighed. "Can't you go by yourself? Go directly to the space station. Don't hesitate, he may already be looking for you everywhere." Argadia continued to linger.She knew that Hommier had to be left behind, and that time was running out, but as soon as she breathed in the free air, she suddenly became suspicious, and asked Carrie: "If he really does this, what does it matter to you?" ?” Lady Jiali bit her lower lip and murmured: "I can't explain to a little girl like you that it's not appropriate to do this. Anyway, you will grow up in the future, and I... I met Bu When I was lucky, I was only sixteen years old. I can't let you stay, you should know." There was jealousy mixed with shame in her eyes. These hints made Arcadia tremble with fear, and she asked in a low voice, "If he finds out, what will he do to you?" Carrie also lowered her voice and replied, "I don't know." After finishing speaking, she pressed her head with one hand and trotted away along the avenue leading to the commander's mansion. For what seemed like an eternity, Arcadia remained where she was.Because at the moment before Lady Jiali left, Arkadia suddenly noticed something strange—the big eyes full of panic and fear actually shone with a gleam of joy. It was a relentless, unrelenting joy. Although those eyes revealed a lot of information in an instant, Agatha believed that she was not mistaken. She finally started running, running like crazy, trying to find an empty bus shelter.She knew that she had to be in the bus shelter in order to use the buttons to summon a taxi to take her away from this place as soon as possible. She didn't want to escape Commander Stettin, nor his hawks, or even the twenty-seven worlds he ruled, although those worlds had already laid their nets. What she really wanted to escape was the weak woman who helped her escape.Although Weak Ladies had given her lots of cash and jewels and risked their lives to save her, Arkadia knew—with absolute certainty—that she was a female agent from the Second Foundation. A speeding taxi arrived quickly and slowly stopped on the landing gear outside the shelter.A gust of wind from the speeding car hit Arcadia's face, and even though she was wearing the fur turban that Carrie had given her, her hair was still messed up. "Where are you going, miss?" "How many space stations are there in this city?" She desperately lowered her voice, hoping to conceal her immature voice. "Two, which one to go to?" "Which one is closest?" The driver glared at her and said, "Kargen Central, miss." "Please take me to the other one. I have enough money." She was holding a twenty-dollar calgan coin in her hand. She had no idea about the amount, but the driver immediately smiled. "You can go anywhere, miss, the 'Sky Road' taxi can go anywhere." After getting into the car, she pressed her cheeks on the cold and slightly musty seat cover, staring at the slowly receding lights of Wanjia on the ground. What should she do?What should I do? It wasn't until that moment that she realized that she was stupid—a very stupid little girl who felt alone and terrified without her father now.There were tears in her eyes, and there were bursts of slight sobs deep in her throat, as if even her internal organs were affected. She is not afraid of being arrested by Commander Shi Tieting, and Lady Jiali will definitely not let this happen.Lady Carrie!That old, fat, and stupid woman managed to win the commander's heart.Oh, now the reason is obvious, everything is obvious. The day Carrie invited her to tea, she thought she had put on a wonderful performance.Shrewd little Argadia!Inside she felt suffocated and hated herself.Jiali's interview with her was premeditated, perhaps Shi Tieting had also fallen into her trap, and would approve Hou Mier's entry into the mule hall at the last moment.She--the wise and foolish Carrie--had planned all this, but she arranged otherwise, and let shrewd little Arcadia make an unassailable reason.This reason will not arouse the suspicion of any party involved, but it can minimize her own intervention. But why now that he has regained his freedom, Hou Mier has become a prisoner? unless…… Unless she returns to the base and becomes a decoy, luring others to fall into the trap... So she must not go back to the base— "Space station, miss." The taxi has already parked.strangeness!She didn't notice at all. It's almost like a blurred dream. "Thank you." Without even lifting her head, she slipped the bill into the driver's hand, then stumbled out of the car door and sprinted across the bouncy driveway. Looking out into a sea of ​​lights, surrounded by leisurely men and women, above the head is a huge, flashing notice board with pointers that move as each spaceship takes off and lands. Where should she go?She doesn't care at all, she just knows that she must never go back to the base!Anywhere else will do. Oh, thanks to Seldon for that unexpected moment.In the last fraction of a second, Jiali was tired of continuing to perform, because the other party was only a child after all, so she couldn't help showing joy early. At this time, a thought suddenly popped up in Argadia's mind - this thought has been running under her consciousness since she started running away - which made her bid farewell to her innocent childhood. She knew she had to escape. This is the most important thing.Although they had found every accomplice on the base; although they had her father on their radar, she could not, did not dare to risk giving any warning.She couldn't risk her own life, even for the whole of Terminus -- absolutely not.Because, she is now the most important person in the galaxy, no, it should be said that she is the only important person in the galaxy. She knew this when she stood in front of the ticket machine, thinking about what she should do. Because in the entire galaxy, she's the only one besides "them" - she alone - who knows exactly where the Second Foundation is.