"And that makes you a weapon?" asked Bates incredulously. "I don't get it."
Farnum felt a shiver go through him. "I see it. The concept is completely diabolical."
"It's not diabolical at all," answered the Oracle. "When you become capable of civilization, we can do you no further harm at all. We will cease to be a weapon at that time."
"You mean you'll stop telling the truth at that time?" asked Bates.
"We will continue to function in accordance with our design," answered the voice, "but it will no longer do you harm. Incidentally, your phrase 'telling the truth' is almost meaningless. We answer all questions in the manner most completely understandable to you, within the framework of your language and your understanding, and of the understanding and knowledge of our Makers. In the objective sense, what we answer is not necessarily the Truth; it is merely the truest form of the answer that we can state in a manner that you can understand."
"And you'll answer any question at all?" asked Bates in some excitement.
"With one or two exceptions. We will not, for example, tell you how we may be destroyed."
Bates stood up and began pacing the floor. "Then whoever possesses you can be the most powerful man in the Universe!"
"No. Only in this galaxy."