Robot Blues Read Online Free PDF Page B

its
spaceplane were discovered during the excavation of a construction site. The
Pandorans are far more interested in proceeding with their construction than
they are in saving the robot. They simply want to be rid of it. They have
threatened to bring in bulldozers and”—he shuddered at the thought—”cranes to
remove it to a safe area where it can be destroyed.”
    “Money ...”
    Sakuta was now
impatient. “We’ve offered them ten times the value of the robot. They’ve
refused. They keep yammering about flesh-eating viruses. I tell you, gentlemen.
I have had nightmares about rough, hulking Pandoran construction workers—”
    “You, too?” Raoul
was sympathetic.
    Sakuta regarded
them with pleading eyes. “It wouldn’t be precisely stealing, would it? We would
still honor our commitment to pay them for the robot. We are simply ensuring
that we save it for posterity.”
    Xris considered. “You
want to hire us to travel to Pandor, retrieve this robot—”
    “I will give you a
crate that we have specially designed for it.”
    Xris resumed. “And
then you want us to smuggle the robot off-planet—”
    Sakuta looked
stricken. “I know that this means breaking the law. Perhaps it’s not feasible—”
    Xris waved that
small consideration away. “In the interests of science.” He looked over at the
Little One. “Well? Is he telling the truth? Is this on the level?”
    The telepath gazed
steadily from beneath the fedora at Sakuta, then nodded.
    Raoul gave the
professor a charming smile—to apologize for ever dreaming to doubt him—and
turned to Xris.
    “The Little One
says that Professor Sakuta is telling us the truth, Xris Cyborg. But not all
the truth.”
    Sakuta frowned
slightly.
    Raoul hastened to
continue, anxious that Xris should understand. “Professor Sakuta greatly
desires this robot, my friend, far more than he is admitting to us. The reason:
His colleague considers the robot to be in working condition with its memory
intact. If so, it would be the first prehyperdrive robot ever recovered capable
of offering us an eyewitness account of conditions in the galaxy hundreds of
years ago. Scholars galaxy-wide will be willing to pay enormous amounts for the
opportunity to study the robot and its files. The museum will reap tremendous
financial benefit, as well as widespread publicity. Professor Sakuta himself
stands to benefit greatly and has already signed on with a publicity agent to
handle his lecture tour.”
    Sakuta’s face was
extremely red. The professor attempted several times to speak, gave it up,
drank a glass of water, straightened his tie, and then regarded them with an
air that was half ashamed, half defiant.
    “Very well. I
admit it Yes, we will stand to profit by this discovery—”
    “To a considerable
extent,” Xris inserted dryly.
    “But I assure you,
gentlemen, that money is not a motivating factor. The significance of this
discovery, from a scientific and historical perspective, is beyond measure—”
    “Except to your
accountant.” Xris cut off the professor’s earnest protests. “Relax. We’ll take
the job. We’ll meet and plan the operation tonight. Tomorrow I’ll let you know
the estimated cost. I take it you want this handled ASAP.”
    Sakuta had
regained his composure, though he still looked faintly embarrassed. “I would
have you on Pan-dor this moment, if that were possible. Yes, as soon as you can
make your arrangements. The ... um ... money will not be a problem. The museum
is prepared to pay whatever you require.”
    Xris grunted. “I’ll
bet. Still, I’ll send you an estimate, along with the contract.”
    Sakuta was alarmed.
“Do we ... do we have to ... put this in writing?”
    Xris grinned. “Don’t
worry. The contract’s worded quite carefully. It’s for your own protection as
well as ours.”
    “Of course.”
Sakuta managed a strained smile. “You are professionals. That is why I turned
to you for help. I have made up a dossier which contains