“Wayne will be fine. The Medical robots have just completed diagnostic tests and found no significant injury. They have provided a mild painkiller and we are now walking down a hall toward the main door of the clinic.”

“I want Wayne to observe a conference call with the Oversight Committee. Have you seen any video screens that I can link?”

“Yes. The main lobby has a large screen.”

“Wait in the lobby and have Wayne observe the call.” Hunter contacted the city computer again and instructed it to send the conference call to the screen in the clinic lobby.

At the same moment, the four members of the Oversight Committee appeared on his internal screens.

“Yes, Hunter?” Dr. Redfield, the blonde, smiled hopefully. “Does this mean your mission has been completed?”

“Yes, it does,” said Hunter. He waited while Dr. Redfield, Dr. Chin, Dr. Khanna, and Professor Post congratulated him. “I also have good news to report. From the preliminary explanation of the flaw in the gestalt robots, I expect the problem can be eliminated without destroying the memories or identities of the component robots or the Governors. Unless presently unforeseeable problems appear during later examination, their system programming will simply have to include a more narrowly defined set of priorities involving First Law interpretations.”

“That’s excellent,” said Dr. Chin, tossing her black hair. “It means the problem is not as difficult as we expected.”

“That’s right,” said Professor Post, stroking his black beard. “The Governors will not have to be destroyed.”

“Surely the time has come for a preliminary report, Hunter,” said Dr. Khanna. “You have done very well. But with your mission completed, I ask you in full expectation of an answer: Where did you find the component robots, and under what circumstances?”

Hunter had always known this moment would arrive. His interpretation of the First Law and his judgment of human frailty prevented him from revealing the existence of time travel. He also felt that revealing Wayne’s obstruction of the mission would, in fact, bring about consequences that would harm Wayne. Now that Hunter had completed the mission successfully, he saw no reason to allow such harm. None of Wayne’s illegal actions in the past, such as kidnapping Jane, could be proven in a contemporary court of law, so legal action was not an option. Hunter decided to delete information about Wayne’s presence on these missions.

“The First Law prohibits me from giving a detailed report,” Hunter said in a formal tone.

“This is an unacceptable answer,” Dr. Khanna said angrily. “You have put me off at every request. As the Oversight Committee, we have a right to this information.”

“The First Law makes no exceptions,” said Hunter.

Dr. Khanna drew in a long breath, his face contorted with anger. Before he could speak again, however, he was interrupted.

“That’s true,” said Dr. Redfield, stifling a smile. “We’re all roboticists here. Apparently Hunter has no choice.”

“I question his judgment on this matter,” Dr. Khanna said with barely controlled rage. “Must we dismantle Hunter to make sure of his efficiency?”

“He reports that he’s completed his assignment successfully,” said Dr. Redfield. “If that turns out to be true, then we have no real grounds to question him.”

“I will have MC Governor shut down and will arrange for him to be shipped to a lab of your choice,” said Hunter.

“We have to make arrangements first,” said Dr. Chin. “We’ll contact you when we are ready.”

“I suggest we confer among ourselves,” said Professor Post. “We should have Hunter sign off.”

“I must ask a question,” said Hunter. “Where does Dr. Wayne Nystrom stand in regard to your deliberations?”

“Nobody can stand him,” Dr. Khanna said, still angry.

“That’s a personal matter,” said Professor Post. “In professional terms, Dr. Nystrom will have to face a detailed review of his flawed creations.”

“Can you utilize his expertise in your upcoming research?” Hunter asked.

“Our oversight responsibility must be conducted without conflict of interest,” said Dr. Redfield. “However, once our judgment of existing flaws has been reached, that phase will have ended. When the repair process begins, we can consider contacting him for help.”

“Do you have a recommendation, Hunter?” Dr. Chin asked, “Why do you ask?”

“I will discuss a possible suggestion with you at a later time,” said Hunter. “I will sign off now.”

“Thanks for a great job,” Dr. Redfield added, just before the connection broke.