“Really?” Steve looked at Hunter. “Maybe he’s timing his return for quite a while later.”

“He may have guessed I would have someone waiting here now,” said Hunter. “But this could be a problem.”

“Let’s get MC 2 safely joined up with MC 1 in your office,” said Steve. “Then we can worry about Wayne Nystrom.”

“Good idea,” said Hunter.

“We’ll change out of our period costumes first,” said Jane.

As before, they changed clothes in turn in the other room. Hunter called for a Security detail to drive them to MC Governor’s office. The trip was uneventful. Hunter closed the office door behind them and then turned to MC 2.

“You know MC 1 of course,” said Hunter.

“Of course.”

“Jane, please give them Second Law instructions to control them.”

“You will both do as Hunter says,” said Jane.

“Acknowledged,” said MC 2.

“Stand with MC 1.”

MC 2 did so.

“Well, that’s two of them,” said Steve. “Now what?”

“I’d like to say something,” said Rita.

“Go ahead,” said Hunter.

“I apologize for running off and fouling up everything. I wanted to see the sights and I didn’t think I would cause any trouble. But I romanticized my history-as a historian, I should never have done that. I was so excited about being back in that time and place that I…forgot myself. And I fell for Roland, I must admit. But in the end, he reminded me: he was just another cutthroat buccaneer, the product of a nasty, violent life. I guess my history has really come alive. Books can’t really do that. I thought they could, but they can’t.” She sighed, then shrugged helplessly.

“You still helped,” said Jane.

“That is true,” said Hunter. “And we were ultimately successful.”

“You and Jane saved me from Roland’s sword,” said Steve. “Don’t forget about that. Thanks-to both of you.”

“Well-you’re welcome.” Rita smiled awkwardly. “I think my role here is finished, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” said Hunter. “Thank you. Your fee will be paid in full.”

“Now, wait-I’m not sure I deserve it.”

“I will arrange it,” said Hunter. “If you and Jane had not saved Steve, we might all be back there even now.”

“Well-thanks. Goodbye.” Rita slipped out, closing the door behind her.

“Hunter,” said Jane. “Have you accessed the news again, like you did after our first mission? What happened to the nuclear explosion in Jamaica that occurred shortly before we left?”

“I have been monitoring the news,” said Hunter. “No mention has been made of any such event.”

“Ha! We did it!” Steve grinned.

“We have a new problem, however,” Hunter said soberly.

“What is it?” Jane looked at him in alarm. “Another one?”

“In the fifteen minutes since we returned, I have picked up preliminary reports of a nuclear explosion in Germany.”

“Oh, no,” said Jane.

“I have the coordinates that were used by all the component robots still at large,” said Hunter. “However, I feel we should take the German mission next. Explosions at other sites have not occurred yet.”

“Is this one in Germany more important?” Steve asked skeptically.

“All such explosions are very important, of course,” said Hunter. “However, the trouble may spread very quickly from this one. It has taken place in western Germany, just east of the Rhine, in a heavily populated area with advanced industry. Over the past centuries, a great deal of international animosity developed there, much of it leading to war. Right now, a few news analysts are concerned that terrorists may be attempting to disrupt world peace.”

“And because of the destruction, the First Law is pressuring you to handle this one now,” said Jane.

“Yes,” said Hunter. “As before, however, I must search for a historian familiar with the culture we will visit. In the meantime, I suggest that you two have a good dinner and a good night’s sleep.”

“Good idea,” said Jane. “Back in 1668, it was evening. That’s why I’m ready for dinner.”

“Me, too,” said Steve. “But drop the suspense, Hunter, and tell us-where do we go next? And when?”

“A place called Teutoburger Forest,” said Hunter. “In A.D. 9, during the golden age of the Roman Empire.”