e source and saw the solution as it
would be, as it had to be. Pederson. Heartsick with the knowing, he
observed Raoul Beardsley and remembered! This funny little man ... this
ridiculous man ... this proud man who had seized his fate and shoved it
through because it had to be done, because he obeyed the dictates,
because he had reached his Time of Assertion. Oh, Pederson remembered!
And most of all he remembered Beardsley there at the last, in that final
moment when ECAIAC had reached the wailing heights of sentience and
grief ... and how could he ever forget Beardsley's soundless whisper
that seemed to say, "_No, no ... don't you understand? ... we're friends
now!_"

Pederson remembered. He remembered, and looking up saw that Council had
reached equitable agreement, and his heart was sick and his soul was
sick as he realized this was final, there could be no appeal. For the
last time he looked upon Beardsley's face and saw that the man was fully
cognizant.... Beardsley also knew.... Deobler had been right. Pederson
turned his face away.

COUNSELOR: Now we are agreed, gentlemen? (_waits for general approval._)
Be it pronounced, then. Inasmuch as there exists a general area of doubt
as to Disposition; and inasmuch as it is agreed that further
deliberation would be prolonged and pointless; and inasmuch as our faith
in the ultimate function of ECAIAC remains inestimable, despite recent
vagaries which shall never occur again: be it therefore resolved, that
the problem pending shall be taped in all its detail and submitted to
ECAIAC for Final Disposition.

THE END

* * * * *

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