With that knowledge, Hunter accessed the city computer’s map and walked straight to the Institute. As he walked, he instructed the city computer to order R. Ishihara to report to his usual station. Ishihara met him in Room F -12, where Hunter identified himself.
Hunter studied the equipment in the room visually. At the same time, he accessed and recorded the city computer’s explanation of its standard use. Then he turned to Ishihara. They communicated with their radio comlinks, allowing them to think and converse at robotic speed, unhampered by the slowness of speech designed for human understanding.
“I think you met MC Governor here and assisted him in some way. Were the Laws of Robotics involved?”
Ishihara hesitated.
“The Governor probably requested that you not volunteer any information. I understand your desire to cooperate with him. However, I must tell you that his disappearance involves an indirect First Law imperative regarding any humans that he contacts. Perhaps he told you that he was in danger under the Third Law. Tell me if that is true.”
“Yes.”
“I must know where he went, Ishihara. The First Law requires that you help me find him.”
“An indirect First Law imperative leaves me room for interpretation,” said Ishihara. “Convince me that the danger to humans is clear. By now, you know that MC Governor’s functions with the city have been transferred to other robots. How can he endanger anyone now?”
“Tell me where he went,” said Hunter.
“I agreed not to volunteer any information.”
“Then help me in a limited way. Explain to me what he wanted from you. Surely you accept that the possibility of a First Law problem requires some investigation.”
“I do.” Ishihara nodded toward the equipment beyond the transparent wall. “He wanted me to make modifications in this and show him how to use it.”
“What were these modifications?”
“They make this system theoretically capable of sending microscopic targets backward in time.”
Hunter was surprised. Nothing in his data suggested a possibility of this kind. “You said theoretically. It has not been tested?”
“Not when MC Governor first asked me.”
“He used it, then?”
Ishihara said nothing.
“Yes, yes, you agreed not to volunteer anything. What were the circumstances when you last saw him?”
“MC Governor ordered me to leave the premises while he remained here.”
“Are you saying that, to your knowledge, he did not leave this room in a normal manner?”
“I am.”
“Then show me the controls and calibrations on this equipment and explain what they mean. Begin with a summary of how this works.”
“Come with me.” The transparent wall slid soundlessly up into the ceiling; Ishihara was obviously controlling it through his comlink. He led Hunter into the other chamber. On the sphere’s console, the power was still on.
“Do you routinely leave this equipment turned on?”
“No.”
“How does it work?”
“The miniaturization is accomplished by striking the target with an intense spray of subatomic particles. The result is a gradual and proportional shrinkage of the target.”
“In what way did you modify this?”
“By altering the content and concentration of the spray, and utilizing the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics, the equipment can send the target back in time.”
“According to standard chaos theory, that’s impossible. Chaotic systems are clearly irreversible.”
“This system also utilizes the uncertainty principle of chaotic dynamical systems. That is, calculations under chaos theory by definition involve chance. These modifications cross the random nature of chaotic calculations with those of the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics, bringing the two systems together.”
“Show me your modifications.”
As Ishihara did so, Hunter studied both the miniaturization system and the new theoretical time travel capability. By the time the explanation had ended, Hunter understood both. He took several moments to attempt a theoretical calculation.
The result showed Hunter an apparent contradiction in their effects. To be sure, he ran several more. All exhibited the same problem.
“Ishihara, according to the two theories you gave me, I think the time travel program is going to interfere with the miniaturization.”
“How so?”
“According to my results, the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics remains inherently incompatible with events as interpreted by chaos theory. I see that the effects can be compounded by this technology, but the results are going to neutralize each other. If the miniaturization is done first with a spray designed under one set of calculations, then the second spray will neutralize some of the effects of the first one. Specifically, the time travel will make the miniaturization temporary.” Hunter went on to give him an example of his calculations.
“I see your point.”
“So as a result of all this, MC Governor will have begun a slow countdown to enlargement back to normal size as the flaw in the program causes the atoms to begin drawing energy from his environment and returning his atomic structure to normal.”
“I agree,” said Ishihara. “That is an important observation. I will add it to the permanent data on this subject.”
“Now I have to know where MC Governor went, Ishihara. You must tell me.”
“What difference does this make?”
“I think MC Governor went back into time to hide from the committee that employed me to find him. I surmise that the First Law required him to miniaturize himself first to avoid actions that might change history and harm humans. Is this consistent with your observations of him?”
“Yes, it is.”
“However, since the miniaturization is temporary, he will resume normal size at a certain point, almost certainly without prior warning. From then on, he is definitely in danger of harming humans by altering history. I must find him and return him to our own time. This should be a clear enough First Law imperative for you to help me.”
“I agree. What do you want me to do?”
“If I go into the past after him, I must bring him back. Is this possible?”
“I will have to study this matter.”
“All right. You consider how to do that and I will make some more calculations.”
Hunter studied the data he had gathered about the two processes this system contained. MC Governor’s miniaturization would collapse in geometric stages of two, so once, the process began, it would accelerate rapidly. His examination of the time travel gate showed him where the most recent use of the gate had sent its subject in time.
“The Cretaceous Period of the Mesozoic Era, about sixty million years ago, in what is now western North America,” Hunter said thoughtfully. “When dinosaurs roamed the earth. So that is where MC Governor went.”
“It makes sense,” said Ishihara. “No humans existed in that time to harm. Nor were there any to give him orders under the Second Law.”
“A perfect hiding place,” said Hunter. “As long as he remains microscopic.”
“Hunter, I have reviewed my data on your question. I believe a device can be made that would trigger the time travel function even from the past. It will draw the funnel created by the particle shower down on it and, therefore, on the individual within the radius of the funnel. The shower, of course, will return you to our time.”
“How long will it take you to make this device?”
“I am not sure. With the First Law priority, I can devote all my time to it. However, this is a new invention. It could take only a day or so, but unforeseen problems may extend the time. And you realize that you will be the experimental subject. If it fails, you will only learn of the failure when you are trapped in the past.”
“I understand. The First Law supersedes the Third in this matter; I will have to take the risk.” Hunter thought a moment. “I believe that a team of humans to accompany me would be wise. If the trip is very risky, however, the First Law will not let me take them.”