Daneel was still in the conversation room, with the three robots whom Partner Elijah had assigned to watch him. It was difficult, not knowing what Partner Elijah was doing, or where he had gone. After all, Earthmen were agoraphobic, and he remembered Partner Elijah's reaction when he had been exposed momentarily to the open. However, right now, nothing but inaction was possible. He was no match for the three robots. There was only one of him, three of them. Partner Elijah had ordered them to stop him if he attempted to escape. And the three robots could probably do so almost effortlessly. And they knew nothing Earthmen or agoraphobia. The destruction of himself wasn't something he would worry about, of course. That was only the Third Law. First and Second Law were more important, especially the First.
First Law, he thought. He remembered saying something about Laws of Humanics. From what he had heard from was talking about humans having Laws governing them, as the Laws of Robotics did for robots. Daneel had never thought of humans as robots, of course. But it certainly sounded like something very important to 's work. That was another reason for this trip to Solaria, Daneel knew. Inaction was not only all that possible. After all, the three robots or not, he should have gone or stopped Partner Elijah, even if the other robots tore him apart. His own importance was of little importance compared to Partner Elijah's safety.
However, it was not just the First Law. Before leaving Aurora, as gave him orders, regarding the investigation, and he had been programmed with the information regarding the world of Solaria, had also given strict orders that the investigation was of the utmost importance. He could also not allow the investigation to be disturbed. That was another reason for Partner Elijah's safety. The investigation. Without Partner Elijah, it was likely Daneel would be returned to Aurora.
First Law, regarding Partner Elijah's safety, combined with Second Law won over Third Law. He must protect Partner Elijah. He must help with whatever he was told. Yet he must also keep Partner Elijah from walking into danger. He could only trust that Partner Elijah would take care of himself.
He remembered what Partner Elijah had said before leaving. It was his job to protect mankind, just as much as it was Daneel's job to protect man as an individual. What could he have meant like that? To protect man as an individual. Daneel had been ordered to protect Partner Elijah. As an individual. Daneel would allow himself to be destroyed to keep Partner Elijah, or any human for that matter, from harm. Protect mankind. Partner Elijah walking into harm? But to protect who?
Another robot entered. Apparently, there was a request for viewing contact from . Partner Elijah had said to not allow Daneel to contact anyone.
"The master has given orders to not allow viewing."said one of the robots.
The robots had also been forbidden to reveal Daneel's identity even to the other household robots.
"But I am not contacting anyone. Partner Elijah said nothing about allow other robots to contact me."
The other robots hesitated. It was true. They had been given no orders such as that. The robots agreed to allow the viewing robots to establish full contact, and the wall disappeared as the image of Gladia Delmarre appeared.
Quemot had not quite 'recovered' from his interview with the plainclothesman from Earth. He certainly knew that he would never try such a thing again! He could still feel it. Imagine turning and facing someone there! In the same room! He had been able to bear it a bit well at the beginning. It had been most difficult.
It was hard trying to talk and see at the same time. He couldn't quite understand what the Earthman said, as his image was not in Quemot's sight. One had to pay close attention to humans when they spoke. As one didn't quite understand what they said, without watching them say it.
It was as if he was torn between himself. He had to turn and view, no see the Earthman to try to understand. Yet he couldn't bring himself to turn, either. He thought about the scent, and the feeling on his skin, and almost retched at the thought. Of course, he was wearing nose filters, so he hadn't really smelled anything, yet his imagination…and that slimy feeling on his skin. It made one feel disgusted. Or no…perhaps not just disgusted. Fear. Yes, that was it. It made one fearful. Afraid. Quemot had never experienced such fear in his life.
Hmm…he had read about fears, as he had studied sociology. Phobias, irrational fears. He had not quite understood some of them. Fear of the dark? Fear of open spaces? Fear of so many things! This must be they felt like. So pronounced, Quemot thought he wouldn't get over it. It was very comforting to see the robot who stood in the corner of the room. Quemot never really noticed robot, as they were such a part of everyday life. Yet how comforting a robot's presence could be. He'd never thought about it, either. It made one feel secure.
He had said Solaria's weapon was the positronic robot. And that certainly true, of course. There was nothing more comforting than a robot to make one feel safe. A robot would certainly keep any harm from coming. It was no wonder the other Spacer worlds were becoming more like Solaria. Earth, too, eventually. It was simply the only way to live not just comfortably, he thought anymore, but safely as well.
He knew Delmarre had said that ectogenesis would be something which was necessary. Quemot had never really thought about it before, but he was certainly right. He remembered having to see his wife. It would be a huge relief to break humans from having to interact in such a disgusting way in order to keep a planet populated. It would certainly achieve complete happiness. Complete freedom. Unfortunately, that was for the future, not now.
Quemot sighed, and shook his head, as he sipped a drink. This phenomenon of seeing. It was no wonder Earthmen were the way they were, lived as they lived, in those Cities, why Earth was so overpopulated, why their fear of open spaces. He almost fell sorry for Earthmen!he thought, as he began dictating to his scribe his feelings, to record them, as part of his work for sociology.