Я, Робот
Runaround
PowellgrinnedhumorlesslyatDonovan."Didyougetthat?ThosewerethedaysofthefirsttalkingrobotswhenitlookedasiftheuseofrobotsonEarthwouldbebanned.Themakerswerefightingthatandtheybuiltgood,healthyslavecomplexesintothedamnedmachines."
"Itdidn’thelpthem,"mutteredDonovan.
"No,itdidn’t,buttheysuretried."Heturnedoncemoretotherobot."Getup!"
TherobottoweredupwardslowlyandDonovan’sheadcranedandhispuckeredlipswhistled.
Powellsaid:"Canyougooutuponthesurface?Inthelight?"
Therewasconsiderationwhiletherobot’sslowbrainworked.Then,"Yes,Master."
"Good.Doyouknowwhatamileis?"
Anotherconsideration,andanotherglowanswer."Yes,Master."
"Wewilltakeyouuptothesurfacethen,andindicateadirection.Youwillgoaboutseventeenmiles,andsomewhereinthatgeneralregionyouwillmeet-anotherrobot,smallerthanyourself.Youunderstandsofar?"
"Yes,Master."
"Youwillfindthisrobotandorderhimtoreturn.Ifhedoesnotwishto,youaretobringhimbackbyforce."
DonovanclutchedatPowell’ssleeve."Whynotsendhimfortheseleniumdirect?"
