18 FALL OF THE FOUNDATION
第18章 基地陷落
There was an atmosphere about the Time Vault that just missed definition in several directions at once. It was not one of decay, for it was well-lit and well-conditioned, with the color scheme of the walls lively, and the rows of fixed chairs comfortable and apparently designed for eternal use. It was not even ancient, for three centuries had left no obvious mark. There was certainly no effort at the creation of awe or reverence, for the appointments were simple and everyday ?next door to bareness, in fact.
时光穹窿中有一种奇怪的气氛，从各个角度却都很难精确形容。一来不能说它年久失修，因为穹窿照明充足，状况良好，彩色的壁画栩栩如生，而一排排固定的座位宽敞舒适，显然是为了永久使用所设计的。二来也不能说它陈旧，因为三世纪的光阴并未留下显着的痕迹。此外，它绝对没有刻意令人产生敬畏或虔诚的情绪，因为一切陈设都简单朴素……事实上，几乎是没有任何陈设。
Yet after all the negatives were added and the sum disposed of, something was left ?and that something centered about the glass cubicle that dominated half the room with its clear emptiness. Four times in three centuries, the living simulacrum of Hari Seldon himself had sat there and spoken. Twice he had spoken to no audience.
但在交代完所有难以描述的情状之后，还有一件事必须提一提……这件事和占了穹窿一半面积、显然空无一物的玻璃室有关。三个世纪以来，哈里·谢顿活生生的拟像出现过四次，就是坐在那里侃侃而谈。不过有两次，他并没有任何听众。
Through three centuries and nine generations, the old man who had seen the great days of universal empire projected himself ?and still he understood more of the Galaxy of his great-ultra-great-grandchildren, than did those grandchildren themselves.
三个世纪、九个世代的岁月中，这位曾经目睹帝国昔日光荣的老人，一次又一次在穹窿中现身。直到现在，他对今日银河局势的了解与认识，仍在他的后代子孙之上。
Patiently that empty cubicle waited.
这间空无一物的玻璃室，永远耐心等待着。
The first to arrive was Mayor Indbur III, driving his ceremonial ground car through the hushed and anxious streets. Arriving with him was his own chair, higher than those that belonged there, and wider. It was placed before all the others, and Indbur dominated all but the empty glassiness before him.
市长茵德布尔三世坐在私人礼车中，穿过静寂而透着不安的街道，第一个抵达了穹窿。跟他一起来的还有他的专用座椅，它比穹窿原有的座位都更高、更宽大。茵德布尔命令属下将他的座椅放在最前面，这样一来，除了面前空空如也的玻璃室，他可以掌握全场的局势。
The solemn official at his left bowed a reverent head. "Excellence, arrangements are completed for the widest possible sub-etheric spread for the official announcement by your excellence tonight."
左方一名表情严肃的官员，对他恭敬地低头行礼。“市长阁下，您今晚要做的正式宣布，我们已经安排好范围最广的次乙太广播。”
"Good. Meanwhile, special interplanetary programs concerning the Time Vault are to continue. There will, of course, be no predictions or speculations of any sort on the subject. Does popular reaction continue satisfactory?"
“很好。与此同时，介绍时光穹窿的星际特别节目要继续播出。当然，其中不得有任何形式的臆测或预测。大众的反应仍令人满意吗？”
"Excellence, very much so. The vicious rumors prevailing of late have decreased further. Confidence is widespread."
“市长阁下，反应非常好。盛行一时的邪恶谣言又消退不少，大众的信心普遍恢复了。”
"Good!" He gestured the man away and adjusted his elaborate neckpiece to a nicety.
“很好！”他挥手示意那名官员退下，随手调整了一下考究的领带。
It was twenty minutes of noon!
距离正午还有二十分钟！
A select group of the great props of the mayoralty ?the leaders of the great Trading organizations ?appeared in ones and twos with the degree of pomp appropriate to their financial status and place in mayoral favor. Each presented himself to the mayor, received a gracious word or two, took an assigned seat.
从市长支持者中精挑细选出来的代表团……各大行商组织的重要负责人……此时三三两两走进来。他们根据财富的多寡，以及在市长心目中的地位，而有不同程度的豪华排场。人人都先趋前向市长问安，领受市长一两句亲切的招呼，再坐到指定的座位去。
Somewhere, incongruous among the stilted ceremony of all this, Randu of Haven made his appearance and wormed his way unannounced to the mayor's seat.
穹窿某处突然出了一点状况，破坏了现场矫揉造作的气氛……来自赫汶的蓝度从人群中慢慢挤出来，不请自来地走到市长座椅前。
"Excellence!" he muttered, and bowed.
“市长阁下！”他喃喃道，同时鞠躬行礼。
Indbur frowned. "You have not been granted an audience. "
茵德布尔皱起了眉头。“没有人批准你来觐见我。”
"Excellence, I have requested one for a week."
“市长阁下，我在一周前就已经申请了。”
"I regret that the matters of State involved in the appearance of Seldon have?
“我很遗憾，但是和谢顿现身有关的国家大事，使得……”
"Excellence, I regret them, too, but I must ask you to rescind your order that the ships of the Independent Traders be distributed among the fleets of the Foundation."
“市长阁下，我也很遗憾，但是我必须请你收回成命，不要将独立行商的星舰混编在基地舰队中。”
Indbur had flushed red at the interruption. "This is not the time for discussion."
由于自己的话被打断，茵德布尔气得满脸通红。“现在不是讨论问题的时候。”
"Excellence, it is the only time," Randu whispered urgently. "As representative of the Independent Trading Worlds, I tell you such a move can not be obeyed. It must be rescinded before Seldon solves our problem for us. Once the emergency is passed, it will be too late to conciliate and our alliance will melt away."
“市长阁下，这是唯一的机会。”蓝度急切地悄声说，“身为独立行商世界的代表，我要告诉你，这项要求我们恕难从命。你必须赶在谢顿出手解决我们之间的问题之前，尽快撤销这个命令。一旦紧张的局势不再，到时想再安抚就太迟了，我们的联盟关系会立刻瓦解。”
Indbur stared at Randu coldly. "You realize that I am head of the Foundation armed forces……Have I the right to determine military policy or have I not?"
茵德布尔以冷漠的目光瞪着蓝度。“你可知道我是基地的最高军事统帅？我到底有没有军事行动的决策权？”
"Excellence, you have, but some things are inexpedient."
“市长阁下，你当然有，但是你的决定有不当之处。”
"I recognize no inexpediency. It is dangerous to allow your people separate fleets in this emergency. Divided action plays into the hands of the enemy. We must unite, ambassador, militarily as well as politically."
“我没有察觉到任何不当。在这种紧要关头，允许你的舰队单独行动是很危险的事，这样正中敌人下怀。大使，不论是军事或政治方面，我们都必须团结。”
Randu felt his throat muscles tighten. He omitted the courtesy of the opening title. "You feet safe now that Seldon will speak, and you move against us. A month ago you were soft and yielding, when our ships defeated the Mule at Terel. I might remind you, sir, that it is the Foundation Fleet that has been defeated in open battle five times, and that the ships of the Independent Trading Worlds have won your victories for you."
蓝度觉得喉咙几乎鲠住。他省略了对市长的敬称，脱口而出道：“因为谢顿即将现身，所以你感到安全无虞，就准备要对付我们了。一个月前，当我们的星舰在泰瑞尔击败骡的时候，你还表现得既软弱又听话。市长先生，我该提醒你，在会战中连吃五次败仗的是基地的舰队，而为你打了几场胜仗的，则是独立行商世界的星舰。”
Indbur frowned dangerously, "You are no longer welcome upon Terminus, ambassador. Your return will be requested this evening. Furthermore, your connection with subversive democratic forces on Terminus will be ?and has been ?investigated."
茵德布尔阴狠地皱起眉头。“大使，你已经是端点星上不受欢迎的人物。今天傍晚就要请你限期离境。此外，你和端点星上颠覆政府的民主分子必有牵连，这一点，我们会……我们其实已经调查过了。”
Randu replied, "When I leave, our ships will go with me. I know nothing of your democrats. I know only that your Foundation's ships have surrendered to the Mule by the treason of their high officers, not their sailors, democratic or otherwise. I tell you that twenty ships of the Foundation surrendered at Horleggor at the orders of their rear admiral, when they were unharmed and unbeaten. The rear admiral was your own close associate ?he presided at the trial of my nephew when he first arrived from Kalgan. It is not the only case we know of and our ships and men will not be risked under potential traitors.
蓝度回嘴道：“我走的时候，我们的星舰会跟我一起离去。我对你们的民主分子一无所知。我只知道，你们基地的星舰之所以向骡投降，并不是舰员的主意，而是由于高级军官的叛变，姑且不论他们是不是民主分子。我告诉你，在侯里哥那场战役中，基地的二十艘星舰尚未遭到任何攻击，少将指挥官便下令投降。那名少将还是你自己的亲信……当我的侄子从卡尔根来到基地时，就是那名少将主持他的审判。类似的案例我们知道不少，基地的舰队充满潜在的叛变，我们的星舰和战士可不要冒这种险。”
Indbur said, "You will be placed under guard upon leaving here."
茵德布尔说：“在你离境之前，会有警卫全程监视你。”
Randu walked away under the silent stares of the contemptuous coterie of the rulers of Terminus.
在端点星高傲的统治阶层默默注视下，蓝度颓然离去。
It was ten minutes of twelve!
距离正午还有十分钟！
Bayta and Toran had already arrived. They rose in their back seats and beckoned to Randu as he passed.
贝泰与杜伦也已经到了，两人坐在最后几排。看到蓝度经过，他们赶紧起身和他打招呼。
Randu smiled gently, "You are here after all. How did you work it?"
蓝度淡淡一笑。“你们毕竟来了。是怎么争取到的？”
"Magnifico was our politician," grinned Toran. "Indbur insists upon his Visi-Sonor composition based on the Time Vault, with himself, no doubt, as hero. Magnifico refused to attend without us, and there was no arguing him out of it. Ebling Mis is with us, or was. He's wandering about somewhere." Then, with a sudden access of anxious gravity, "Why, what's wrong, uncle……You don't look well."
“马巨擘是我们的外交官。”杜伦咧嘴一笑，“茵德布尔一定要他以时光穹窿为主题，作一首声光琴的乐曲，当然要用茵德布尔自己当主角。马巨擘说除非有我们作伴，否则他就不出席，无论怎么说、怎么劝他都不妥协。艾布林·米斯和我们一道来，现在不知道跑到哪里去了。”然后，杜伦突然焦急而严肃地问道：“咦，叔叔，有什么不对劲？你看来不太舒服。”
Randu nodded, "I suppose not. We're in for bad times, Toran. When the Mule is disposed of, our turn will come, I'm afraid. "
蓝度点点头。“我同意。杜伦，我们加入得不是时候。当骡被解决后，只怕就要轮到我们了。”
A straight solemn figure in white approached, and greeted them with a stiff bow.
一个身穿白色制服、外表刚直严肃的男子走过来，向他们行了一个利落的鞠躬礼。
Bayta's dark eyes smiled, as she held out her hand, "Captain Pritcher! Are you on space duty then?"
贝泰伸出手来，黑眼珠洋溢着笑意。“普利吉上尉！你又恢复了太空勤务？”
The captain took the hand and bowed lower, "Nothing like it. Dr. Mis, I understand, has been instrumental in bringing me here, but it's only temporary. Back to home guard tomorrow. What time is it?"
上尉握住她的手，并且弯下腰来。“没有这回事。我知道是由于米斯博士的帮助，我今天才有出席的机会。不过我只能暂时离开，明天就要回地方义勇军报到。现在几点了？”
It was three minutes of twelve!
距离正午还有三分钟！
Magnifico was the picture of misery and heartsick depression. His body curled up, in his eternal effort at self-effacement. His long nose was pinched at the nostrils and his large, down-slanted eyes darted uneasily about.
马巨擘脸上掺杂着悲惨、苦恼与沮丧的表情。他的身子缩成一团，仿佛又想让自己凭空消失。他的长鼻子鼻孔处皱缩起来，凝视地面的大眼睛则不安地左右游移。
He clutched at Bayta's hand, and when she bent down, he whispered, "Do you suppose, my lady, that all these great ones were in the audience, perhaps, when I……when I played the Visi-Sonor?"
他突然抓住贝泰的手，等到她弯下腰来，他悄声说：“我亲爱的女士，当我……当我表演声光琴的时候，您想，这么多伟大的人物，都会是我的听众吗？”
"Everyone, I'm sure," Bayta assured him, and shook him gently. "And I'm sure they all think you're the most wonderful player in the Galaxy and that your concert was the greatest ever seen, so you just straighten yourself and sit correctly. We must have dignity."
“我确定，谁都不会错过。”贝泰向他保证，还轻轻摇着他的手，“我还可以确定，他们会公认你是全银河最杰出的演奏家，你的演奏将是有史以来最精彩的。所以你要抬头挺胸，坐端正了。我们要有名家的架式。”
He smiled feebly at her mock-frown and unfolded his long-boned limbs slowly.
贝泰故意对他皱皱眉头，马巨擘回以微微一笑，缓缓将细长的四肢舒展开来。
It was noon……and the glass cubicle was no longer empty.
正午到了……玻璃室也不再空无一物。
It was doubtful that anyone had witnessed the appearance. It was a clean break; one moment not there and the next moment there.
很难确定有谁目睹了录像是如何出现的。这是个迅疾无比的变化，前一刻什么都没有，下一刻就已经在那里了。
In the cubicle was a figure in a wheelchair, old and shrunken, from whose wrinkled face bright eyes shone, and whose voice, as it turned out, was the livest thing about him. A book lay face downward in his lap, and the voice came softly.
在玻璃室中，是一个坐在轮椅上的人，他年迈且全身萎缩，脸孔布满皱纹，透出的目光却炯炯有神。他膝头上覆着一本书，当他开始说话的时候，整个人才显得有了生气。
"I am Hari Seldon!"
他的声音轻柔地传来。“我是哈里·谢顿！”
He spoke through a silence, thunderous in its intensity. "I am Hari Seldon! I do not know if anyone is here at all by mere sense-perception but that is unimportant. I have few fears as yet of a breakdown in the Plan. For the first three centuries the percentage probability of nondeviation is nine-four point two."
一片鸦雀无声中，他以洪亮的声音说：“我是哈里·谢顿！光凭感觉，我不知道有没有人在这里，但是这不重要。最近几年，我还不太担心计划会出问题。在最初三个世纪，计划毫无偏差的几率是94.2%。”
He paused to smile, and then said genially, "By the way, if any of you are standing, you may sit. If any would like to smoke, please do. I am not here in the flesh. I require no ceremony.
他顿了顿，微笑了一下，然后以亲切和蔼的口气说：“对了，如果有人站着，可以坐下了。如果有谁想抽烟，也请便吧。我的肉身并不在这里，大家不必拘泥形式。
"Let us take up the problem of the moment, then. For the first time, the Foundation has been faced, or perhaps, is in the last stages of facing, civil war. Till now, the attacks from without have been adequately beaten off, and inevitably so, according to the strict laws of psychohistory. The attack at present is that of a too-undisciplined outer group of the Foundation against the too-authoritarian central government. The procedure was necessary, the result obvious."
“现在，让我们讨论一下目前的问题。这是基地第一次面对……或是即将面对一场内战。目前为止，外来的威胁几乎已经消灭殆尽；根据心理史学严格的定律，这是必然的结果。基地如今面临的危机，是过分不守纪律的外围团体，对抗过分极权的中央政府。这是必要的过程，结果则至为明显。”
The dignity of the high-born audience was beginning to break. Indbur was half out of his chair.
在座那些达官贵人的威严神气开始松动，茵德布尔则几乎站了起来。
Bayta leaned forward with troubled eyes. What was the great Seldon talking about……She had missed a few of the words?
贝泰身子向前倾，露出困惑的眼神。伟大的谢顿究竟在说些什么？这一分神，她就漏听了一两句。
"……hat the compromise worked out is necessary in two respects. The revolt of the Independent Traders introduces an element of new uncertainty in a government perhaps grown over-confident. The element of striving is restored. Although beaten, a healthy increase of democracy?
“……达成妥协，满足了两方面的需要。独立行商的叛乱，为这个或许变得太过自信的政府，引进一个新的不确定因素。于是，基地重新拾回奋斗的精神。独立行商虽然战败，却增进了民主的健全发展……”
There were raised voices now. Whispers had ascended the scale of loudness, and the edge of panic was in them.
交头接耳的人愈来愈多，耳语的音量也不断升高，大家不禁开始感到恐惧。
Bayta said in Toran's ear, "Why doesn't he talk about the Mule……The Traders never revolted."
贝泰咬着杜伦的耳朵说：“他为什么没提到骡？行商根本没有叛乱。”
Toran shrugged his shoulders.
杜伦的反应只是耸耸肩。
The seated figure spoke cheerfully across and through the increasing disorganization: "……new and firmer coalition government was the necessary and beneficial outcome of the logical civil war forced upon the Foundation. And now only the remnants of the old Empire stand in the way of further expansion, and in them, for the next few years, at any rate, is no problem. Of course, I can not reveal the nature of the next prob……"
在逐渐升高的混乱中，轮椅上的人形继续兴高采烈地说：“……基地被迫进行这场必然的内战之后，一个崭新的、更坚强的联合政府是必需的且正面的结果。这时，只剩下旧帝国的残余势力，会阻挡基地继续扩张。但是在未来几年内，那些势力无论如何都不是问题。当然，我不能透露下一个危机的……”
In the complete uproar, Seldon's lips moved soundlessly.
谢顿的嘴唇继续动着，声音却被全场的喧嚣完全掩盖。
Ebling Mis was next to Randu, face ruddy. He was shouting. "Seldon is off his rocker. He's got the wrong crisis. Were your Traders ever planning civil war?"
艾布林·米斯此时正在蓝度身边，一张脸涨得通红。他拼命吼道：“谢顿疯啦，他把危机搞错了。你们行商曾经计划过内战吗？”
Randu said thinly, "We planned one, yes. We called it off in the face of the Mule."
蓝度低声答道：“没错，我们计划过。都是因为骡，我们才取消的。”
"Then the Mule is an added feature, unprepared for in Seldon's psychohistory. Now what's happened?"
“那么这个骡是个新添的因素，谢顿的心理史学未曾考虑到。咦，怎么回事？”
In the sudden, frozen silence, Bayta found the cubicle once again empty. The nuclear glow of the walls was dead, the soft current of conditioned air absent.
在突如其来的一片死寂中，贝泰发现玻璃室恢复了空无一物的状态。墙壁上的核能照明全部失灵，空调设备也都不再运转。
Somewhere the sound of a shrill siren was rising and falling in the scale and Randu formed the words with his lips, "Space raid!"
刺耳的警报声不知在何处响起，音调忽高忽低不停交错。蓝度用口形说了一句：“太空空袭！”
And Ebling Mis held his wrist watch to his ears and shouted suddenly, "Stopped, by the "Ga-LAX-y, is there a watch in the room that is going?" His voice was a roar.
艾布林·米斯将腕表贴近眼睛，突然大叫一声：“停了，我的银……河呀！这里有谁的表还会走？”他的叫声有如雷鸣。
Twenty wrists went to twenty ears. And in far less than twenty seconds, it was quite certain that none were.
立时有二十只手腕贴近二十对眼睛。几秒钟之后，便确定答案都是否定的。
"Then," said Mis, with a grim and horrible finality, "something has stopped all nuclear power in the Time Vault ?and the Mule is attacking."
“那么，”米斯下了一个骇人听闻的结论，“有股力量让时光穹窿中的核能通通消失了……是骡打来啦。”
Indbur's wail rose high above the noise, "Take your seats! The Mule is fifty parsecs distant."
茵德布尔哽咽的声音盖过全场的嘈杂。“大家坐好！骡还在五十秒差距之外。”
"He was," shouted back Mis, "a week ago. Right now, Terminus is being bombarded."
“那是一周前。”米斯吼了回去，“如今，端点星正遭到空袭。”
Bayta felt a deep depression settle softly upon her. She felt its folds tighten close and thick, until her breath forced its way only with pain past her tightened throat.
贝泰突然感到心中涌现一阵深沉的沮丧。她觉得这个情绪将自己紧紧缠住，直缠得她的喉咙发疼，几乎喘不过气来。
The outer noise of a gathering crowd was evident. The doors were thrown open and a harried figure entered, and spoke rapidly to Indbur, who had rushed to him.
外面群众的喧闹声已经清晰可闻。穹窿的门突然被推开，一个愁眉苦脸的人闯进来，茵德布尔一口气冲到那人面前。
"Excellence," he whispered, "not a vehicle is running in the city, not a communication line to the outside is open. The Tenth Fleet is reported defeated and the Mule's ships are outside the atmosphere. The general staff……"
“市长阁下，”那人急促地小声对市长说：“全市的交通工具都动弹不得，对外通讯线路全部中断。第十舰队据报已被击溃，骡的舰队已经来到大气层外。参谋们……”
Indbur crumpled, and was a collapsed figure of impotence upon the floor. In all that hall, not a voice was raised now. Even the growing crowd without was fearful, but silent, and the horror of cold panic hovered dangerously.
茵德布尔两眼一翻，如烂泥般倒在地板上。现在，穹窿内又是一片鸦雀无声。外面惊惶的群众愈聚愈多，却也个个闭紧嘴巴，凝重的恐惧气氛顿时弥漫各处。
Indbur was raised. Wine was held to his lips. His lips moved before his eyes opened, and the word they formed was, "Surrender!"
茵德布尔被扶起来，并有葡萄酒送到他嘴边。他的眼睛还没来得及张开，嘴巴已经吐出两个字：“投降！”
Bayta found herself near to crying ?not for sorrow or humiliation, but simply and plainly out of a vast frightened despair. Ebling Mis plucked at her sleeve. "Come, young lady?
贝泰感到自己几乎要哭出来……并非由于悲伤或屈辱，只是单纯出于可怕至极的绝望。艾布林·米斯上前拉拉她的袖子。“小姐，快走……”
She was pulled out of her chair, bodily.
她整个人从座位中被拉起来。
"We're leaving," he said, "and take your musician with you." The plump scientist's lips were trembling and colorless.
“我们要赶紧走，”米斯说，“你带着那个音乐家。”胖嘟嘟的科学家嘴唇泛白，还不停地打颤。
"Magnifico," said Bayta, faintly. The clown shrank in horror. His eyes were glassy.
“马巨擘！”贝泰有气无力地叫道。小丑吓得缩成一团，双眼目光呆滞。
"The Mule," he shrieked. "The Mule is coming for me."
“骡，”他尖叫道，“骡来抓我了。”
He thrashed wildly at her touch. Toran leaned over and brought his fist up sharply. Magnifico slumped into unconsciousness and Toran carried him out potato-sack fashion.
贝泰伸手拉他，马巨擘却用力挣脱。杜伦赶紧上前，猛然一拳挥出去。马巨擘应声倒地，不省人事，杜伦将他扛在肩头，像是扛着一袋马铃薯。
The next day, the ugly, battle-black ships of the Mule poured down upon the landing fields of the planet Terminus. The attacking general sped down the empty main street of Terminus City in a foreign-made ground car that ran where a whole city of atomic cars still stood useless.
第二天，骡的星舰尽数降落在端点星各个着陆场；每艘星舰都漆成深黑的保护色，看来丑陋无比。端点市的核能交通工具仍旧全部停摆，指挥进攻的将军坐在自己的地面车中，奔驰在市内空无一人的大街上。
The proclamation of occupation was made twenty-four hours to the minute after Seldon had appeared before the former mighty of the Foundation.
二十四小时前，谢顿出现在基地原先的统治者面前；二十四小时后，骡发布了攻占基地的宣告，一分钟也不差。
Of all the Foundation planets, only the Independent Traders still stood, and against them the power of the Mule ?conqueror of the Foundation ?now turned itself.
基地体系内所有的行星，只剩下独立行商世界仍在顽强抵抗。骡在成为基地的征服者之后，随即将箭头转向他们。