Я, Робот
Little Lost Robot
"Yes?Andtheconnection?"
"Whenourmissingrobotfailedoflocationanywhere–Iassureyouwewouldhavefoundamissingbladeofgrassifithadbeentheretofind–webrainstormedourselvesintocountingtherobotsleftofthecargoship.Theyhavesixty-threenow."
"Sothatthesixty-third,Itakeit,isthemissingprodigal?"Dr.Calvin’seyesdarkened.
"Yes,butwehavenowayoftellingwhichisthesixty-third."
Therewasadeadsilencewhiletheelectricclockchimedeleventimes,andthentherobopsychologistsaid,"Verypeculiar,"andthecornersofherlipsmoveddownward.
"Peter,"sheturnedtohercolleaguewithatraceofsavagery,"what’swronghere?Whatkindofrobotsarethey,usingatHyperBase?"
Dr.Bogerthesitatedandsmiledfeebly,"It’sbeenratheramatterofdelicacytillnow,Susan."
Shespokerapidly,"Yes,tillnow.Iftherearesixty-threesame-typerobots,oneofwhichiswantedandtheidentityofwhichcannotbedetermined,whywon’tanyofthemdo?What’stheideaofallthis?Whyhavewebeensentfor?"
Bogertsaidinresignedfashion,"Ifyou’llgivemeachance,Susan–HyperBasehappenstobeusingseveralrobotswhosebrainsarenotimpressionedwiththeentireFirstLawofRobotics."
"Aren’timpressioned?"Calvinslumpedbackinherchair,"Isee.Howmanyweremade?"
"Afew.Itwasongovernmentorderandtherewasnowayofviolatingthesecrecy.Noonewastoknowexceptthetopmendirectlyconcerned.Youweren’tincluded,Susan.ItwasnothingIhadanythingtodowith.
