Я, Робот
Little Lost Robot
"AndthatistheonlydifferenceofyourrobotsfromtheordinaryNS2model?Theonlydifference?Peter?"
"Theonlydifference,Susan."
Sheroseandspokewithfinality,"Iintendsleepingnow,andinabouteighthours,Iwanttospeaktowhomeversawtherobotlast.Andfromnowon,GeneralKallner,ifI’mtotakeanyresponsibilityatallforevents,Iwantfullandunquestionedcontrolofthisinvestigation."
SusanCalvin,exceptfortwohoursofresentfullassitude,experiencednothingapproachingsleep.ShesignaledatBogert’sdooratthelocaltimeof0700andfoundhimalsoawake.HehadapparentlytakenthetroubleoftransportingadressinggowntoHyperBasewithhim,forhewassittinginit.HeputhisnailscissorsdownwhenCalvinentered.
Hesaidsoftly,"I’vebeenexpectingyoumoreorless.Isupposeyoufeelsickaboutallthis."
"Ido."
"Well-I’msorry.Therewasnowayofpreventingit.WhenthecallcameoutfromHyperBaseforus,IknewthatsomethingmusthavegonewrongwiththemodifiedNestors.Butwhatwastheretodo?Icouldn’tbreakthemattertoyouonthetriphereasIwouldhavelikedto,becauseIhadtobesure.Thematterofthemodificationistopsecret."
Thepsychologistmuttered,"Ishouldhavebeentold.U.S.Robotshadnorighttomodifypositronicbrainsthiswaywithouttheapprovalofapsychologist."
Bogertliftedhiseyebrowsandsighed."Bereasonable,Susan.Youcouldn’thaveinfluencedthem.Inthismatter,thegovernmentwasboundtohaveitsway.
