by Isaac Asimov
“It is not complete yet, of course,” said Hunter soberly. “I cannot guarantee that the remaining searches will not take longer.”
“I understand,” said Dr. Redfield.
“Where did you locate MC 3?” Dr. Chin shook long black hair out of her face.
“In central Europe,” said Hunter. He hoped he would never have to tell them about the time travel device and so always tried to be vague in his answers to the Committee. Since he was performing his duties acceptably, they had not argued with him. “Naturally, all three gestalt robots that are in custody have been placed in a secure location.”
“You’re as efficient as usual,” said Professor Post, his smile bright in his black beard. “What information do you have about your next mission?”
“For MC 4, I have a lead in Eastern Europe at this time,” said Hunter.
“Eastern Europe?” Dr. Chin raised her eyebrows. “So close to the site of MC 3’s hiding place?”
“This is the information I have,” said Hunter carefully. “I assume it is correct.”
“You have remained on a very tight schedule,” said Dr. Khanna, a native of India. “You have retrieved one missing gestalt robot each day since you began. I look forward to seeing the completion of your duties. Personally, however, I would still like a report on your activities to date.”
“As I said before, no guarantee of consistent future results can be made,” said Hunter. He deliberately answered only Dr. Khanna’s first concern.
“Come now,” said Dr. Khanna. “Suppose we do not ask for a guarantee, but merely a prediction. Do you have any reason to believe that the next mission, for instance, will be more difficult than the previous ones?”
“I consider each mission to be a blank slate,” said Hunter. “The specific answer to your question is ‘no,’ but I have virtually no knowledge of what I shall face.”
“You’re very cautious, as always,” said Dr. Chin. “I’m sure that’s fine with us. Good luck.”
“Yes, Hunter,” said Dr. Redfield quickly. “We are not pressuring you.”
“I should begin the next mission,” said Hunter. “If you have no more questions, I shall get started.”
“Of course,” said Professor Post. “Good hunting.”
“I am not ready to sign off,” said Dr. Khanna suddenly. “I still wish to hear a report on your activities to date. Is there some reason you will not give it?”
“I am seeking the highest efficiency possible,” Hunter said carefully. Privately, that meant concealing the existence of time travel; he felt that widespread knowledge of it would harm humanity as a whole, so his adherence to the First Law would not allow him to reveal it.
“Come on, Dr. Khanna,” said Dr. Chin wearily. “We should let him get back to work. Good-bye, Hunter.”
Dr. Khanna disconnected abruptly, without speaking.
As Hunter broke his connection, Steve and Jane came into the office.
“Morning, Hunter,” said Steve cheerfully. “What’s next on the agenda?”
“Good morning,” said Jane, with a smile. Highlights in her long brown hair brightened the little room. “I guess we’re all ready.”
“Good morning,” said Hunter. He looked past Jane and saw that Judy Taub was also coming to the door of the office.
“Judy Taub, Steve Chang and Jane Maynard.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Judy was short, with curly brown hair. She shook hands with them both. “The history of the old Soviet Union is my field. The Stalin regime, including of course World War II, is my particular specialty.”
“This will be the most recent period we’ve visited,” said Jane. “Its society will be the most complex, I imagine.”
“If they didn’t have robots, our search is going to be about the same no matter what,” said Steve.
“I arranged for all three of you to have your inoculations this morning,” said Hunter. “You have taken them?”
“Yes,” said Judy.
“Of course,” said Jane.
“Yeah.” Steve nodded. “Hunter, have you briefed Judy already?”
“I have briefed her about Mojave Center Governor and the gestalt robots. Also, of course, I told her we are going back to Moscow in 1941.”
“And he swore me to secrecy,” Judy added, with an easy grin. “About the time travel. But it’s exciting. I can hardly wait to try it.”
“I have not yet explained the miniaturization of the component robots to her,” Hunter added. “Perhaps Jane can do it most efficiently.”
“Miniaturization?” Judy turned to Jane.
“I suppose the easiest way to explain the miniaturization is in terms of the Laws of Robotics,” said Jane. “The Third Law of Robotics says, ‘A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.’”
“Yes, I know the principle, if not the exact wording,” said Judy. “But what about this miniaturization?”
“The reasoning behind it goes like this,” said Jane. “MC Governor is the only one of the experimental Governor robots that did not shut down due to a malfunction. The Governor Robot Oversight Committee needs Hunter — and us — to restore MC Governor so they can figure out what caused the malfunction of the others.”
“Yes, Hunter told me that part.”
“But the Third Law drove MC Governor to split into his component robots and flee to avoid being dismantled during the investigation.”
“Yeah … that’s why they ran away to different times in history. Go on.”
“Well, the component robots also used the time travel process to miniaturize themselves to microscopic size,” Jane said, watching for Judy’s reaction.
“Really? I didn’t know that was possible.” Judy looked around at them all in surprise.
“Well, it wasn’t, until MC Governor developed the process himself. The component robots apparently wanted to avoid receiving any instructions from humans. Even MC 1, who went back to the dinosaur age, was anticipating that he would survive into the human era. The Second Law of Robotics says, ‘A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.’”
“So when they became microscopic, they were invisible to humans,” Steve added. “That was the important part to the component robots.”
“And so no one would give them any orders. Okay.” Judy nodded. “Then what?”
“The process was flawed,” said Jane. “Each gestalt component robot returns to his full, normal size eventually. When he does, the Laws of Robotics will drive him to behave in certain ways — saving humans from harm, following their instructions, and saving themselves when they can — and so each robot runs the risk of changing history.”
“A very strong likelihood, in Hunter’s opinion,” Steve added with a grin.
Hunter nodded but waited patiently for Jane to finish her explanation.
“Yes, I see,” said Judy. “The First Law, in particular. I remember it now. The First Law says, ‘A robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.’”
“Very good,” said Jane. “That’s one reason it’s so urgent for us to go back and get these robots before they change anything.”
“Only one reason? Are there more?”
“Yes,” said Hunter. “This must remain private among us, because we hope to undo this event. Have you heard on the news about the explosion in Russia?”
“I heard something on my flight here early this morning — trouble in Moscow?”
“Yes,” said Hunter. “More than ordinary trouble. A nuclear explosion has occurred.”
“A nuclear explosion?” Judy’s eyes widened suddenly. “And that has something to do with our trip back to Moscow in 1941?”
“Exactly,” said Hunter. “We have learned that when the gestalt robots return to the approximate time at which they left, an instability created by their flawed miniaturization causes them to explode w
ith nuclear force.”
“The approximate time? Not the exact time?”
“The gestalt robots left a couple of days ago,” said Hunter. “Apparently the instability is so unpredictable that a few days’ worth of uncertainty is involved.”
“I see. Now I definitely get the picture.” She nodded gravely. “Somehow or other, you figured out that the next component robot will return to full size in 1941. So we’re going back there to get him before he can change history — and before he can explode in our own time.”
“You got it,” said Steve.
“But why did these component robots go all over the world?” Judy asked. “Why bother? Why not just go microscopic right where they were? If they expected to remain that way, what difference would it make? No human could find them anyway.”
“Each component robot specialized in certain areas within MC Governor to run the city,” said Jane. “I believe their specialities influenced their choice of where to hide, even though they never expected to participate in human affairs again.”
“How was MC 4 influenced?”
“I found out that MC 4 was in charge of ethics and morality as applied to the society of Mojave Center. I believe he was drawn to this era because of the tyranny of both Stalin and Hitler.”
“I agree,” said Hunter. “Judy, is this review sufficient for now?”
“Uh — yes. I’m still absorbing it all.”
“We should move to the Bohung Institute,” said Hunter. “During the night, I arranged to have our period clothing and belongings prepared. I left them there for Judy to examine. You have completed your sleep courses in the pertinent languages?”
“Yes,” said Jane.
“Let’s go,” said Steve.
Hunter called for a Security vehicle and drove it through the smooth, clean streets of Mojave Center. Broad avenues and narrower side streets ran throughout the underground city, connected by ramps to different levels. Robots drove various sorts of vehicles up and down the streets on their maintenance duties; human pedestrians strolled quietly past the shops and office buildings. The city continued to function normally, its occupants unaware of Hunter’s mission.
Hunter stopped outside the front doors of the Bohung Institute. The entire Bohung Institute had been closed and guarded by a detail of Security robots under Hunter’s orders. Inside the Institute, Hunter led the team to Room F-12.
This was a large room designed primarily to house an opaque sphere about fifteen meters in diameter. The remainder of the room was lined with countertops. The counters were occupied by computers, monitors, a communications console, and miscellaneous office items.
“Judy is fluent in both Russian and German,” said Hunter. “However, I have not yet asked — Steve and Jane, were your sleep courses in those languages effective last night?”
“Sure,” said Steve, with a smirk. “la.”
“Da,” said Jane. “They worked fine.”
“Good. I took the data from the city computer myself.” Hunter pointed to the clothes and shoes neatly piled on the counter. “Judy, would you look at those for authenticity before we dress?”
“Of course.”
“And we shall all take back a certain amount of Soviet currency from that time,” said Hunter. “I shall pass it out when everyone is dressed.”
One by one, Judy shook out the heavy winter clothing. Hunter and Steve had brown wool slacks and long black wool coats, with white cotton shirts, singlets, socks, and underwear. Judy and Jane had dark blue wool dresses, long black coats, scarves, and white cotton underwear. Gloves, black leather belts, and shoes completed their wardrobe.
“The styles are good,” said Judy, peering closely at the stitching. “We can’t take synthetics, though. Cotton thread?”
“Yes,” said Hunter.
“Same with the shoelaces?”
“Yes.”
She nodded and turned to Hunter. “The only oddity is that none of the clothes have labels. A label would give the size of the clothing, maybe with a stamped or stenciled number.”
“How important is that?” Hunter asked. “Our earlier missions took place at times when such labels were not used.”
“I doubt anyone will notice,” said Judy. “If they do, we must all remember to say that we didn’t notice, or that they came off in the laundry.”
“Simple enough,” said Steve.
“How about the jewelry?” Jane pointed to three decorative metal lapel pins lying in a tray.
Judy picked one up. “This is more than just a pin, isn’t it?”
“They’re radio communicators,” said Hunter. “As a robot, I shall use my internal system, but you three must wear those. Will they pass?”
“Yes. They look simple enough. But Jane and I have scarves for our heads. You two should have fur hats.”
“I have considered this,” said Hunter. “Animal fur is not available to us here and we dare not take synthetic fur back with us. I can tolerate the temperature without one. If Steve requires such a hat, we shall obtain one back in that time.”
“Got it,” said Judy.
“Steve,” said Hunter, pointing to a canvas bag on the counter. “That is an imitation duffel bag of the Soviet Red Army from this period. If Judy passes it, too, then you can carry a change of clothes for each team member and some hard rolls and dried beef strips in it. These duffel bags will be common at the time, and we can explain its possession if necessary. We know food will be scarce, but what we take must not attract attention.”
“That’s good enough,” Steve said quietly.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” said Judy, pulling it open to look inside.
“We must assume that our opponents could be a factor,” said Hunter. “Jane, would you brief Judy on them — very briefly.”
“Dr. Wayne Nystrom created the experimental Governors,” said Jane. “However, he is not willing to let us simply reconstruct MC Governor and turn him over to the Governor Robot Oversight Committee. Wayne has also gone back into the past and is trying to get the component robots away from us.”
“To what end?” Judy asked.
“He wants to dismantle and study them himself,” said Hunter. “To find and fix the source of the malfunction on his own. We have prevented him from getting the first three, but we have not been able to grab Wayne. He has the ability to move in time without returning here and he has a robot named R. Ishihara helping him.”
“I see,” said Judy quietly.
“Please change into your costumes,” said Hunter.
While Judy took the first turn in the adjoining room, Hunter called the Security detail. He assigned a new Security robot, R. Daladier, to replace Ishihara. When Jane stepped out after her turn, now dressed as a Muscovite woman of 1941, Hunter turned to Jane.
“Jane, this is Daladier; he will guard the room.” Hunter turned to Daladier. “You must understand that our mission involves potential harm to all humans in the world today. Ishihara, failing to be certain of that, failed his instructions. What I say to you constitutes a First Law imperative. Nothing any human, such as Dr. Wayne Nystrom, says can be allowed to deter your adherence to the assignment I am about to give you.”
“Acknowledged,” said Daladier.
“You must take custody of Dr. Wayne Nystrom and R. Ishihara if they reappear in this room through the sphere. As soon as we have gone, you will shut off your hearing and radio reception so that if Wayne returns here, he cannot use the Second Law to control you or to argue this First Law imperative with you. You will not read anything Wayne tries to show you; you can blur your vision slightly to avoid this if necessary, while still maintaining enough sight to stop them. The moment you see Or. Nystrom, you will apprehend him, prevent him from leaving the room, and immediately call for help from the rest of the Security detail that is assigned to guard the Institute.”
“Agreed,” said Daladier. “Is R. Ishihara of equal importance?”
“No, he isn’t,” said Jane. “Or. Nystrom is cri
tically important. Ishihara is only important in that he is helping Wayne Nystrom.”
“I do not expect them,” Hunter added. “This is merely a contingency, in the event that you have the opportunity to act.”
Steve should have taken his turn to change. Instead, looking unusually grim, he had not moved. Jane frowned at him, puzzled.
“Those who are ready, please enter the sphere,” said Hunter. “I shall set the timer and the console controls.”
“You don’t need me,” said Steve. “I’m not going.”
2
STEVE LOOKED AROUND at all of them, knowing he would get an argument.
“What?” Jane demanded angrily.
“I don’t think I should go,” said Steve.
“I am surprised,” said Hunter, studying his face. “Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong. But I’m not necessary. I started thinking about this when I woke up this morning, but I didn’t really decide until now.”
“What are you talking about?” Jane glared at him. “Decide what?”
“You don’t need me this time. Look, in the Late Cretaceous, maintaining our camp out in the wild was critical to survival. I made a real contribution. On the trip to Jamaica, well, I went because I had agreed to — you could have managed without me.”
“Not after Rita took off on her own,” said Jane.
“And last time, as I think back on the trip to Roman Germany, we spent most of our energy trying to find each other after we split up. I don’t think I added anything.”
“Not true,” said Hunter. “You helped carry our belongings and accompanied Jane, allowing us to divide the team when it seemed advisable.”
“Well, anyhow, you really don’t need me in a more recent human era like 1941.” Steve turned to Judy. “Aren’t all the necessities for human life going to be available in Moscow at that timer’
“Well, generally. But it’s in the middle of a war, where everyone has hardships — some of them severe.” She shrugged. “It’s hard to say exactly what life will be like for us on a given day.”
“I can’t help with that. Anything that’s happened because of wartime conditions is beyond my help, anyway. And Hunter can protect everyone. He can also carry the duffel bag more easily than I can.”