Я, Робот
Little Lost Robot
Andnowthey-orthewoman,atanyrate-madeimpossiblepropositions.
Fortunatelyforthegeneralsituation,Kallnerfeltitimpolitictodisplayhisangeropenly.
SusanCalvinwasinsisting,"Whynot,sir?It’sobviousthatthepresentsituationisunfortunate.Theonlywaywemayreachresultsinthefuture–orwhatfutureisleftusinthismatter–istoseparatetherobots.Wecan’tkeepthemtogetheranylonger."
"MydearDr.Calvin,"rumbledthegeneral,hisvoicesinkingintothelowerbaritoneregisters."Idon’tseehowIcanquartersixty-threerobotsallovertheplace-"
Dr.Calvinraisedherarmshelplessly."Icandonothingthen.Nestor10willeitherimitatewhattheotherrobotswoulddo,orelsearguethemplausiblyintonotdoingwhathehimselfcannotdo.Andinanycase,thisisbadbusiness.We’reinactualcombatwiththislittlelostrobotofoursandhe’swinningout.Everyvictoryofhisaggravateshisabnormality."
Sherosetoherfeetindetermination."GeneralKallner,ifyoudonotseparatetherobotsasIask,thenIcanonlydemandthatallsixty-threebedestroyedimmediately."
"Youdemandit,doyou?"Bogertlookedupsuddenly,andwithrealanger."Whatgivesyoutherighttodemandanysuchthing.Thoserobotsremainastheyare.I’mresponsibletothemanagement,notyou."
"AndI,"addedMajor-generalKallner,"amresponsibletotheWorldCo-ordinator–andImusthavethissettled."
"Inthatcase,"flashedbackCalvin,"thereisnothingformetodobutresign.
