We know that some day we're to rebuild the Galactic Empire.
We know that it will take a thousand years or thereabouts.
And we know that in the interval we will face certain definite crises.
"Now the first crisis came fifty years after the establishment of the Foundation, and the second, thirty years later than that.
Almost seventy-five years have gone since.
It's time, Manlio, it's time."
Manlio rubbed his nose uncertainly,
"And you've made your plans to meet this crisis?"
Sutt nodded.
"And I," continued Manlio, "am to play a part in it?"
Sutt nodded again,
"Before we can meet the foreign threat of atomic power, we've got to put our own house in order.
These traders-"
"Ah!"
The primate stiffened, and his eyes grew sharp.
"That's right. These traders. They are useful, but they are too strong - and too uncontrolled.
They are Outlanders, educated apart from religion.
On the one hand, we put knowledge into their hands, and on the other, we remove our strongest hold upon them."
"If we can prove treachery?"
"If we could, direct action would be simple and sufficient.
But that doesn't signify in the least.
Even if treason among them did not exist, they would form an uncertain element in our society.
They wouldn't be bound to us by patriotism or common descent, or even by religious awe.
Under their secular leadership, the outer provinces, which, since Hardin's time, look to us as the Holy Planet, might break away."
"I see all that, but the cure-"
"The cure must come quickly, before the Seldon Crisis becomes acute.
If nuclear weapons are without and disaffection within, the odds might be too great."
Sutt put down the empty glass he had been fingering,
"This is obviously your job."
"Mine?"
"I can't do it.
My office is appointive and has no legislative standing."
"The mayor-"
"Impossible.
His personality is entirely negative.
He is energetic only in evading responsibility.
But if an independent party arose that might endanger re-election, he might allow himself to be led."
"But, Sutt, I lack the aptitude for practical politics."
"Leave that to me.
Who knows, Manlio?
Since Salvor Hardin's time, the primacy and the mayoralty have never been combined in a single person.
But it might happen now - if your job were well done." 3.
And at the other end of town, in homelier surroundings, Hober Mallow kept a second appointment.
He had listened long, and now he said cautiously,
"Yes, I've heard of your campaigns to get trader representation in the council.
But why me, Twer?"
Jaim Twer, who would remind you any time, asked or unasked, that he was in the first group of Outlanders to receive a lay education at the Foundation, beamed.
"I know what I'm doing," he said.
"Remember when I met you first, last year."
"At the Trader's Convention."