Free Foundation's Edge by Isaac Asimov Page B

Second Foundation?”
    “Then we start on a new path at once.”
    The troubled sleep that had finally come to Trevize did not last long. A touch on his shoulder was repeated a second time.
    Trevize started up, bleary and utterly failing to understand why he should be in a strange bed. “What - What-?”
    Pelorat said to him apologetically, “I’m sorry, Councilman Trevize. You are my guest and I owe you rest, but the Mayor is here.” He was standing at the side of the bed in flannel pajamas and shivering slightly. Trevize’s senses leaped to a weary wakefulness and he remembered.
    The Mayor was in Pelorat’s living room, looking as composed as always. Kodell was with her, rubbing lightly at his white mustache.
    Trevize adjusted his sash to the proper snugness and wondered how long the two of them-Branno and Kodell - were ever apart.
    Trevize said mockingly, ” Has the Council recovered yet? Are its members concerned over the absence of one of them?”
    The Mayor said, “There are signs of life, yes, but not enough to do you any good. There is no question but that I still have the power to force you to leave. You will be taken to Ultimate Spaceport-“
    “Not Terminus Spaceport, Madam Mayor? Am I to be deprived of a proper farewell from weeping thousands?”
    “I see you have recovered your penchant for teenage silliness, Councilman, and I am pleased. It stills what might otherwise be a certain rising twinge of conscience. At Ultimate Spaceport, you and Professor Pelorat will leave quietly.”
    “And never return?”
    “And perhaps never return. Of course,” and here she smiled briefly, “if you discover something of so great an importance and usefulness that even I will be glad to have you back with your information, you will return. You may even be treated with honor.”
    Trevize nodded casually, “That may happen.”
    “Almost anything may happen. -In any case, you will be comfortable. You are being assigned a recently completed pocket-cruiser, the Far Star, named for Hober Mallow’s cruiser. One person can handle it, though it will hold as many as three with reasonable comfort.”
    Trevize was jolted out of his carefully assumed mood of light irony. “Fully armed?”
    “Unarmed but otherwise fully equipped. Wherever you go, you will be citizens of the Foundation and there will always be a consul to whom you can turn, so you will not require arms. You will be able to draw on funds at need. -Not unlimited funds, I might add.”
    “You are generous.”
    “I know that, Councilman. But, Councilman, understand me. You are helping Professor Pelorat search for Earth. Whatever you think you are searching for, you are searching for Earth. All whom you meet must understand that. And always remember that the Far Star is not armed.”
    “I am searching for Earth;” said Trevize. “I understand that perfectly.”
    “Then you will go now.”
    “Pardon me, but surely there is more to all of this than we have discussed. I have piloted ships in my time, but I have had no experience with a late-model pocket-cruiser. What if I cannot pilot it?”
    “I am told that the Far Star is thoroughly computerized. -And before you ask, you don’t have to know how to handle a late-model ship’s computer. It will itself tell you anything you need to know. Is there anything else you need?”
    Trevize looked down at himself ruefully. “A change of clothing.”
    “You will find them on board ship. Including those girdles you wear, or sashes, whichever they are called. The professor is also supplied with what he needs. Everything reasonable is already aboard, although I hasten to add that this does not include female companions.”
    “Too bad,” said Trevize. “It would be pleasant, but then, I have no likely candidate at the moment, as it happens. Still, I presume the Galaxy is populous and that once away from here I may do as I Please.”
    “With regard to companions? Suit yourself.”
    She rose heavily. “I will not take