A pause, while relays clicked silently.
"That is classified information."
Saxon's fingers were steady as they touched his tiny blaster. Benevolent anarchy indeed! He said carefully, "Do the colonists resent their exile?"
Another pause. Mentor's voice was a flat drone. "The concept is meaningless, the question invalid."
Like hell it is, thought Saxon, and fired.
A cold blue wash of energy illuminated the robot. For a moment Saxon was blinded. When vision returned he saw Mentor standing immobile, unscathed.
"Please go back to bed," the robot said.
Saxon went back to bed.
Next morning Veena brought him breakfast. She seemed sad, withdrawn. "Lang and Merl went to visit Aunt Tarsi. She lives near the Equator. They won't be back till evening."