Я, Робот

           "So-so,"admittedDonovan,modestly."It’sjustacaseofrememberingthatoxalicacidonheatingdecomposesintocarbondioxide,water,andgoodoldcarbonmonoxide.Collegechem,youknow."

           Powellwasonhisfeetandhadattractedtheattentionofoneofthemonsterrobotsbythesimpleexpedientofpoundingthemachine’sthigh.

           "Hey,"heshouted,"canyouthrow?"

           "Master?"

           "Nevermind."Powelldamnedtherobot’smolasses-slowbrain.Hescrabbledupajaggedbrick-sizerock."takethis,"hesaid,"andhitthepatchofbluishcrystalsjustacrossthecrookedfissure.Youseeit?"

           Donovanpulledathisshoulder."Toofar,Greg.It’salmosthalfamileoff."

           "Quiet,"repliedPowell."It’sacaseofMercuriangravityandasteelthrowingarm.Watch,willyou?"

           Therobot’seyesweremeasuringthedistancewithmachinelyaccuratestereoscopy.Hisarmadjusteditselftotheweightofthemissileanddrewback.Inthedarkness,therobot’smotionswentunseen,buttherewasasuddenthumpingsoundasheshiftedhisweight,andsecondslatertherockflewblacklyintothesunlight.Therewasnoairresistancetoslowitdown,norwindtoturnitaside–andwhenithitthegrounditthrewupcrystalspreciselyinthecenterofthe"bluepatch."

           Powellyelledhappilyandshouted,"Let’sgobackaftertheoxalicacid,Mike."