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.Itsrulers had long aspired to theImperial throne, justifying that by their descent from early Emperors.UnderMannix IV, Wye was militarized and (Imperial authorities later claimed) wasplanning a planet-wide coup.ENCYCLOPEDIA GALACTICA82.The man who entered was tall and muscular.He had a long blond mustache thatcurled up at the tips and a fringe of hair that went down the sides of hisface and under his chin, leaving the point of his chin and his lower lipsmoothly bare and seeming a little moist.His head was so closely cropped andhis hair was so fight that, for one unpleasant moment, Seldon was reminded ofMycogen.The newcomer wore what was unmistakably a uniform.It was red and white andabout his waist was a wide belt decorated with silver studs.His voice, when he spoke, was a rolling bass and its accent was not like anythat Seldon had heard before.Most unfamiliar accents sounded uncouth inSeldon s experience, but this one seemed almost musical, perhaps because ofthe richness of the low tones. I am Sergeant Emmer Thalus, he rumbled in a slow succession of syllables. I have come seeking Dr.Hari Seldon. Seldon said, I am he. In an aside to Dors, he muttered, if Hummin couldn tcome himself, he certainly sent a magnificent side of beef to represent him. The sergeant favored Seldon with a stolid and slightly prolonged look.Then hesaid, Yes.You have been described to me.Please come with me, Dr.Seldon. Seldon said, Lead the way. The sergeant stepped backward.Seldon and Dors Venabili stepped forward.The sergeant stopped and raised a large hand, palm toward Dors. I have beeninstructed to takeDr.Hari Seldon with me.I have not been instructed to take anyone else. For a moment, Seldon looked at him uncomprehendingly.Then his look ofsurprise gave way to anger. It s quite impossible that you have been toldthat, Sergeant.Dr.Dors Venabili is my associate and my companion.She mustcome with me. That is nor in accordance with my instructions, Doctor. I don t care about your instructions in any way, Sergeant Thalus.I do notbudge without her. What s more, said Dors with clear irritation, my instructions are toprotect Dr.Seldon at all times.I cannot do that unless I am with him.Therefore, where he goes, I go. The sergeant looked puzzled. My instructions are strict that I see to it thatno harm comes to you, Dr.Seldon.If you will not come voluntarily, I mustcarry you to my vehicle.I will try to do so gently. He extended his two arms as though to seize Seldon by the waist and carry himoff bodily.Seldon skittered backward and out of reach.As he did so, the side of hisfight palm came down on the sergeant s right upper arm where the muscles werethinnest, so that he struck the bone.The sergeant drew a sudden deep breath and seemed to shake himself a bit, butturned, face expressionless, and advanced again.Davan, watching, remainedwhere he was, motionless, but Raych moved behind the sergeantSeldon repeated his palm stroke a second time, then a third, but now SergeantThalus, anticipating the blow, lowered his shoulder to catch it on hardmuscle.Dors had drawn her knives.Page 186 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html Sergeant, she said forcefully. Turn in this direction, I want you tounderstand I may be forced to hurt you severely if you persist in attemptingto carry Dr.Seldon off against his will. The sergeant paused, seemed to take in the slowly waving knives solemnly, thensaid, It is not in my instructions to refrain from harming anyone but Dr.Seldon. His right hand moved with surprising speed toward the neuronic whip in theholster at his hip.Dors moved as quickly forward, knives flashing.Neither completed the movement.Dashing forward, Raych had pushed at the sergeant s back with his left handand withdrew the sergeant s weapon from its holster with his right He movedaway quickly, holding the neuronic whip in both hands now and shouting, Handsup, Sergeant, or you re gonna get it! The sergeant whirled and a nervous look crossed his reddening face.It was theonly moment that its stolidity had weakened. Put that down, sonny, hegrowled. You don t know how it works. Raych howled, I know about the safety.It s off and this thing can fire.Andit will if you try to rush me. The sergeant froze.He clearly knew how dangerous it was to have an excitedtwelve-year-old handling a powerful weapon.Nor did Seldon feel much better.He said, Careful, Raych.Don t shoot.Keepyour finger off the contact. I ain t gonna let him rush me. He won t.-Sergeant, please don t move.Let s get something straight.Youwere told to take me away from here.Is that right? That s right, said the sergeant, eyes somewhat protruding and firmly fixedon Raych (whose eyes were as firmly fixed on the sergeant). But you were not cold to take anyone else.Is that right? No, I was not, Doctor, said the sergeant firmly.Not even the threat of aneuronic whip was going to make him weasel.One could see that. Very well, but listen to me, Sergeant.Were you told not to take anyoneelse? I just said- No no.Listen, Sergeant.There s a difference
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