"You're personally involved," said Breckenridge, coldly. "Leaving professional pride out of account, exactly why is it impossible that They be ahead of Us?"
Laszlo shrugged. "I assure you that I'm well acquainted with Their literature on robotics. I know approximately where They are."
"You know approximately where They want you to think They are, is what you really mean," corrected Breckenridge. "Have you ever visited the other side?"
"I haven't," said Laszlo, shortly.
"Nor you, Dr. Lynn?"
Lynn said, "No, I haven't, either."
Breckenridge said, "Has any robotics man visited the other side in twenty-five years?" He asked the question with a kind of confidence that indicated he knew the answer.
For a matter of seconds, the atmosphere was heavy with thought. Discomfort crossed Laszlo's broad face. He said, "As a matter of fact, They haven't held any conferences on robotics in a long time."
"In twenty-five years," said Breckenridge. "Isn't that significant?"
"Maybe," said Laszlo, reluctantly. "Something else bothers me, though. None of Them have ever come to Our conferences on robotics. None that I can remember."