For a moment, Hol looked at the two Mr. Firsts reading, then at the one standing. There seemed to be some sort of communication between them. Then he spoke again.
"Are you discontented with your culture?"
"Of course. I don't believe man's curiosity should be restricted."
"I see. What do you propose in this case?"
Sethos was perplexed. He had not dreamed of a possible solution. But perhaps there was one!
"I don't know. If mechanoid control could be removed, I think humans would expand over all the planet. Then they could progress by themselves."
"Do you think they can?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think humans can progress further—without mechanoids?"
Further—so that was it. The creation of mechanoids must represent the height of human development. Which meant they were necessary to going on, reaching the stars....