Asimov's Foundation

[Hardin] said, grimly: "in connection with your status as Emperor's representative, then, I have a final piece of news to give you."

Hardin's expression became that of a man counting to ten, mentally.

"It may. But the Board of Trustees does not. I am the Emperor's representative on Terminus, Hardin, and have full powers in this respect."

"I'm sorry, Pirenne, but the City Charter guarantees a certain minor matter known as freedom of the press."

"Not for silly pageantry, Hardin. The Vault and its opening concern the Board of Trustees alone. Anything of importance will be communicated to the people."

"The computoclock will open the Vault in three months. I would call this first opening a big occasion, wouldn't you?"

"For weeks now it has been recommending that the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Foundation be made the occasion for public holidays and quite inappropriate celebrations."

"The Terminus City Journal? It isn't mine; it's privately owned. What's it been doing?"

"Do something about that paper of yours!" Pirenne's voice was angry.

"Hokum!"

"Royal Governors, Kings – what's the difference? The Empire is always shot through with a certain amount of politics and with different men pulling this way and that. Governors have rebelled, and, for that matter, Emperors have been deposed, or assassinated before this. But what has that to do with the Empire itself? Forget it, Hardin. It's none of our business. We are first of all and last of all-scientists. And our concern is the Encyclopedia.

"Then why didn't it prevent the Royal Governor of Anacreon from kicking over the traces? And only Anacreon? At least twenty of the outermost prefects of the Galaxy, the entire Periphery as a matter of fact, have begun steering things their own way. I tell you I feel damned uncertain of the Empire and its ability to protect us."

"Are you forgetting that we are under the direct control of the Emperor himself? We are not part of the Prefect of Anacreon or of any other prefect. Memorize that! We are part of the Emperor's personal domain, and no one touches us. The Empire can protect its own."

"watchmacallum King of Anacreon"