Foundation (2021) s03e03 Episode Script
When a Book Finds You
Empire, you honor us with your
Psychohistory.
I'd like to know more.
We do possess some
early volumes that I'm
Uh, Kalle's Ninth Proof of Folding.
I understand it was
a bedrock inspiration.
I'm sure Empire also understands
it was banned by
Cleon XII?
- Mmm.
- Yes.
It will be in the Rare Books collection.
This way. If it pleases.
I'm afraid only two people
are allowed at a time.
Strict temperature control.
The legacy of Hari Seldon
remains a delicate subject.
Obviously, these are kept
more as artifacts than reading material.
I think I can avoid being corrupted.
I'm not afraid of history.
Do I need gloves?
[CHUCKLES]
If a librarian makes you wear gloves
to handle an old book,
they're just trying to impress you.
You're more likely
to damage the pages with gloves
than with your skin.
Huh.
The actual touch of my hand
is more benign
than the hot breath of my bodyguards.
It's unexpected.
[SIGHS]
It always seemed to me that Raven Seldon
had tried to warn,
rather than threaten.
Empire has three heads. Do they all
have room for ideas like these?
The original manuscript is said to be
a singular text of silken pages
woven upon Thrax.
These are Thraxian silk.
Seldon gave the original manuscript away
from this very library to Gaal Dornick.
She took it with her on the Deliverance,
but
she never made it to Terminus.
So how did this volume make its return?
That's a very interesting story.
But I'm not the one to tell it.
Then who can?
A colleague.
The same colleague who instructed me
that if anyone were to ask
after this book,
anyone at all,
they would very much like
to meet that person.
There's a teahouse in the Ery District.
Tomorrow night.
At low hour.
There'll be shells at the table.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
- [DISHES SMASHING]
- [PATRONS EXCLAIMING]
They say they get their tea leaves
from Jovan.
Definitely not true.
Jovan's a Foundation world now.
The tea's terrible,
but I like it here anyway.
You're Gaal Dornick.
I watched holos of you
from Hari Seldon's trial
from 300 years ago.
- So, uh, how are you, um
- Here?
- [CHUCKLES] I was going to say alive.
- [CHUCKLES]
There are lots of ways to live on.
Steady cycles of cryosleeping
and waking, for one.
I'm the same Gaal Dornick
you saw in your holos.
Well, then you've done the impossible.
You've made a Cleon
feel like a very finite person.
[CHUCKLES] Well,
that's a worthy thing to be.
A friend taught me that.
Did you know I'd ask
for the Ninth Proof?
We thought it might help us
identify like minds.
Even we never expected
to snag an emperor with it.
We, the Foundation?
Sort of.
New Terminus doesn't know I exist.
I'd love to keep it that way,
if it's all the same to you.
- Or I could have you arrested.
- Hmm.
You won't.
You're here.
And you took pains to be here unnoticed.
Hmm. It's idle curiosity.
- [THUNDER RUMBLING]
- [CHUCKLES] I don't think it's so idle.
Looking at your disguise,
simple clothes, dyed contacts,
applied facial hair
It's a little bit patchy, by the way.
Face scramblers
are traceable across Trantor,
thanks to one of my predecessors.
So, you put a lot of thought into it.
Hmm. [CHUCKLES]
Why did you go to the library, Empire?
The Prime Radiant.
- Our adviser has it in her possession.
- You have the Radiant?
You didn't know?
Seldon gave it to Demerzel
just before the destruction of Terminus.
I was five when I first saw her use it.
When the math moved around,
it was like
the language of angels.
But her calculations are about
what's best for the Genetic Dynasty.
- Not the rest of
- Humanity.
There's no garment that fits a galaxy.
You're making this easy for me.
There are things you could do
if you were inclined to.
Oh, let me guess.
- Um, commit treason?
- [CHUCKLES]
Help your sort of Foundation
topple the Empire?
All empires fall,
they need no help from us.
And anyway, is it treason
if you're the one making the rules?
I hear the current Brother Day's
dereliction of duty
may give you de facto power.
And soon.
You shouldn't know about Brother Day.
We know lots of things we shouldn't.
I can feel when I'm being handled.
If you nudge me too hard,
you'll lose me.
And on that day,
you can expose us and destroy me.
That's the risk I'm taking
by coming to you.
Well,
you haven't offered me anything yet.
What do you want?
Do you know what I think?
Dawn XIV tried to leave
the palace with a gardener,
Dawn XVIII fled Trantor
with a foreign queen
And those Dawns were traitors.
- Deserters.
- No.
They were just men
who started to think for themselves.
You've seen the math.
Seen how it works.
It's made you think bigger thoughts.
The want is still there.
The same thing every Cleon wants
at your age.
An escape hatch.
I can be that for you.
And all we have to do is this.
And that's it?
No grand design, no big plans?
There will come a time,
a threat,
a man called the Mule,
but that's for another conversation.
For now, we just agree to keep talking.
When will you return?
Dawn, I was never here to begin with.
The Mule.
I expected your call
as soon as I heard the name.
It's time to make yourself useful,
Empire.
You predicted him.
But the Radiant couldn't.
What do you know about him?
He's a space pirate, small crew.
For years now,
you've been telling me about this man,
but you never told me what he was.
I could have helped.
Has he made any demands?
Um, not yet.
Call for an Enclosure.
What?
I want you to call for an Enclosure
on Kalgan.
No. Kalgan isn't ours.
The Foundation will see it
as an act of war
I can handle Foundation.
We still need Council approval
for any fleet actions.
There is no way they will go for it.
All you have to do is muster the Council
for an emergency session.
Don't get distracted.
The Mule is on the board now.
And for this very brief moment,
he is isolated.
We act or we lose.
Make your overtures.
See the Mule for yourself, learn
what you can, but only meet by holo.
Don't send emissaries,
don't meet in person.
Why?
You may hear rumors about him,
and that he can control people
with his thoughts.
Those rumors are true.
That's not possible.
Is it?
More soon.
[DANCE MUSIC PLAYING]
[CHEERING]
So, Captain, what do we do
when we see this Mule character?
[PRITCHER] Nothing.
You are just my ticket in.
Stay behind me and don't say a word.
This is a reconnaissance mission.
I need to find out who he is
and what he wants.
Warn me if you see a weapon.
Otherwise
There's his balladeer,
Magnifico Giganticus.
Rumor has it, the Mule brings him
wherever he goes, even into battle.
[TORAN] Why isn't anybody looking at us?
It's the music.
It feels hypnotic.
[BAYTA] The sound sort of gets into you,
doesn't it, button?
[TORAN] Maybe that's the point.
There he is.
Now I just need to get close to him.
- [HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]
- [PRITCHER GRUNTING]
[MULE] You're like me.
Who is Gaal Dornick?
[BAYTA] Captain Pritcher?
Captain Pritcher?
What's wrong?
I shouldn't have come. [GRUNTS]
Go home.
[BREATHING SHAKILY, PANTING]
- [BEEPS]
- [WHIRRING]
[CHEERING]
Bravado!
Bravado!
Well done.
Magnifico Giganticus! [CHUCKLES]
My little bald fool blows well
out of both ends.
[BOTH CHUCKLING]
Don't you think?
[PARTYGOERS CHUCKLING]
[MULE LAUGHING]
Please, continue.
[PARTYGOERS CHEERING]
[BAYTA] Should we frolic?
Captain "You're just my ticket in"
is gone.
Sure is. And all of a sudden, right?
Maybe we should figure out
what's going on, you know?
You know, button, this particular Mule
has been roughing my flanks
ever since he stole our sunshine.
[TORAN] Go on.
I'd be happy to
steal a little bit of his.
Captain Pritcher wanted information
on the Mule.
And I see someone
who just might have it.
I can talk to him, but, you know,
Mr. Mule shouldn't see me doing it.
A man who conquers a planet
and throws a party,
now that's a man who
wants to be infamous.
If he cares about fame at all,
he's gonna wanna meet me.
You can do what Pritcher couldn't.
And all you need is your charm.
[CHUCKLES]
Ooh, and liquor! Bring liquor.
Whoa, don't worry, pirates.
I come in peace.
I've seen him before. He's famous.
Toran Mallow.
Maybe we can be friends?
I bring wine and entertainment,
and I'm encouraged that you all
smell better
than I've been led to expect.
- So
- You're trying to insult us.
No. No. I have a sort of
demeanor some people can find
- [CORK POPS]
- Demeaning.
Come on. Let's have a drink.
Insult me again.
What?
Insult me.
We have a tradition on my planet,
flyting.
A game of insults. Insult me.
[TORAN SCOFFS]
Oh, I don't think I wanna do that.
You promised entertainment.
You have until this song is over
to insult me properly.
And if you don't,
I'll stop smiling. [CHUCKLES]
[CHUCKLES] You're running out of time,
slender reed.
You're calling me slender?
I'm not the one
who looks like a dying animal.
Familiar. Expected.
See, but I have to come up with ones
you're smart enough to understand.
Mm-hmm.
Maybe your drunken toddler there
can explain them to you.
Is she yours?
Can't be, mules are sterile,
aren't they?
That's it, right?
Poor unloved Mule with a string
of disappointed bedmates behind him
and a whole lot of class envy
comes flying in
on a ship that sounds
like a venereal disease
just desperate for someone,
anyone, to notice him.
But in the end,
you're just a tin-pot dictator
holding out his little tin pot,
begging for enough coins to pay someone
not to laugh
at the syphilis-chewed ruin
he's got between his legs.
[LAUGHING]
[LAUGHS]
Well done. I'm insulted.
[BOTH LAUGHING]
[MULE SIGHS]
[WINCES]
[SIGHS] He's rough with you, isn't he?
Oh, I'm sorry. Bad Mule.
I should have a word with him.
You can call me Bayta.
You have insulted me
by imagining that
my designs are small. Hmm?
[CHUCKLES]
You think I want only
to rule this planet?
But I want everything.
It's very simple.
I will come for the whole Empire
and for Foundation.
I see something I like
- Boom!
- [SHOUTS]
I take it. Like that.
I see something
[CHUCKLES] I don't like
[GROANING]
[WINCES] Please.
It hurts.
But soon you'll say, "Please, please
let me give you more of my skin."
And the agony will be your finest hour.
And you will die flayed and grateful.
[TORAN WINCING]
- [MULE CHUCKLES]
- [TORAN GROANS]
Are you ready? Are you ready to like it?
Flash.
[GROANS]
[TORAN] Bayta!
Toran!
Move!
- Move! Let's go!
- Oh.
Go! Let's go!
Did you get any information?
Oh, yes! Maggie! Come.
Maggie, come along.
[SIGHS] That's not information.
[COMPUTER] Welcome back.
Shall I make drinks?
Oh. Yes, please.
What happened?
- [GROANS, WINCES]
- [BAYTA] What did he do?
Where is he? I'll kill him.
I lost him! I lost him!
No, you didn't.
[ALL GRUNTING]
- [SIGHS] We're okay.
- [DEVICES BEEPING]
[LAUGHS, EXCLAIMS]
[SIGHS] Well, how about that?
- [BAYTA EXHALES DEEPLY]
- We really are quite the pair, aren't we?
We are three.
We are three.
[COMPUTER] Enemy aircraft inbound.
- [BAYTA] Sleep patch!
- Ow!
- Go! Jump!
- [COMPUTER] Jumping.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
- [PARTYGOERS CHUCKLING]
- [LOW-PITCHED RINGING]
They've jumped.
And Magnifico?
Yeah.
No matter. We'll catch them or we won't.
Things have a way of working out
how they're meant to.
There's a word for it.
Ordained.
That's the word, Vandagh.
Some things are just
[SIGHS] preordained.
Empire at hand.
- [CLAVIGER 1] Empire at hand.
- [CLAVIGER 2 SHOUTS]
[DAY] Got a minute?
Stand easy. Dismissed.
You know, if you wanted
fewer eyes on this,
I'm not sure a parade of naked soldiers
was the way to do it.
Well, I'm famously eccentric.
[SONG CHUCKLES]
I need your help, Commander.
What is your current appetite for risk?
Well, I'm your First Claviger so low?
Shame. We need out of the palace.
You're Empire. You can do as you please.
This is different.
My brothers can't know.
Demerzel can't know.
You're leaving for good?
Yes. And I'll be joining him
with my memory intact.
[CHUCKLES]
So what about my memory? They audit us.
I said there'd be risk. You'll have to
leave the palace too.
Permanently.
We can only get as far
as Stanel's old keep.
To make it to the outer ward,
we need you.
Well, Empire, that's my problem.
It's not just a risk for me.
I know that.
Respectfully, I'm not sure you do.
We all swear an oath,
but no one really cares about the words.
They know we'll be loyal
because the one thing every
claviger needs to have is a family.
Hmm.
You give us houses here
on the palace grounds
so we remember
our loved ones are hostages.
I can't do what you're asking.
Not even for the middle throne.
I've considered your family.
They'll leave with you.
- And for this sacrifice
- I just can't
I will cure your daughter's illness.
What?
My Imperial nanites.
Hers if you help us.
And I'll give you enough money that you
can settle on any planet
in the Imperium.
Hell, for the amount I give you,
you can buy a fucking planet.
Just sleep on it.
[SONG] Can we trust him?
Probably not. But we need him.
And if he sells us out?
Well, he's not wrong about us
holding his family hostage.
- I don't think she can hear us.
- [SHUSHES]
There. Now it's out of earshot.
[LAUGHS] What is this?
You warned Mavon about her,
and now this?
Why are you so scared of her?
I need some more spores.
No. You're already paranoid.
Come on.
She's your adviser, isn't she?
She won't hurt you.
You don't understand. [SIGHS]
It wouldn't have a choice. It
It. It. Why do you keep saying that?
I can't. Come on.
Yes, you can. You can tell me.
It's me.
If the world's going to end,
why keep secrets?
Demerzel's a robot.
What?
It's true.
There are no robots.
They were eradicated.
[DAY] Save one.
[LAUGHS]
You're lying.
Demerzel's a machine.
There are only three people
in the galaxy who know it,
and we're all named Cleon.
And now you.
You satisfied?
Let's go pack.
Plan. We don't have much time.
[DEMERZEL] The Mule has opened
a tight-beam channel as requested.
[DUSK SIGHS] I don't know why
we're wasting our time.
He could just as easily
be deposed next week
by another pirate with a better name.
He could also want more
than he's already taken.
Regardless, this kind of thing
is delicate.
Diplomacy should be done in person.
There are rumors that the
Mule possesses mental abilities.
- [SCOFFS]
- They're best avoided.
Bullshit. What rumors?
Look, I believe we have nothing to lose
by exercising caution.
Now [CHUCKLES]
Um, you are here for counsel.
Continuity is king. One face in front
for when I become Day.
- [INHALES SHARPLY]
- All lessons you've taught me.
[DEMERZEL] Empire?
Very well Day.
[SIGHS]
What?
It's a cold reception for a man
who agreed to meet in good faith.
I am Cleon XXV.
Should I call you the Mule
or address you as Kalgan's new warlord?
[MULE] I've had lots of titles.
You take this, they call you that.
You take something else. Boom.
You're the High-Muck of Mudworld.
I like warlord though. That's a new one.
I am here to discuss the terms
of vassalship over Kalgan.
[CLICKS TONGUE] They
send the understudy?
[CHUCKLES] The Ship-and-Sun Armada
calls me Empire.
I could make your warlord title stick.
Certify it.
There would be expectations
but there would also be advantages.
Empire gets suzerain status over Kalgan.
You pay taxes and allow me
to deploy Kalgan's navy.
In return, you enjoy access
to Empire's jump gate trade network
and Trantor's protection.
You already failed to protect Kalgan.
I am the proof.
[PERSON SCREAMS]
What was that?
Housecleaning. Please continue.
If you refuse these terms,
it could be grounds for war.
[SIGHS] War?
What do you know about war?
You are a boy.
While you learned
to snap open your napkins,
I learned to kill.
You have lived comfortably.
War isn't comfortable.
[VANDAGH] Jump gate secured.
Any alarms?
[VANDAGH] Disabled before the breach.
Transmit all-clear signals.
Traffic as normal. No need
to flaunt our prize just yet.
[GRUNTING]
I'm not always like this.
Normally,
I would let you enjoy it at least.
But someone
[GRUNTS]
took my balladeer from me,
and, um,
its music [GRUNTING]
soothed me some.
And without it, I'm, um
I'm even less calm,
and you now see the results.
[SHUSHES]
Do you ever feel like
your life is not your own?
Like it's been overtaken
by some holy spirit.
It's, um
It's sort of a transcendent feeling
you have to kill your way out of.
[PANTING]
[GAAL] On the surface,
the Mule was like any other pirate.
Brutish, erratic,
desperate for attention.
But underneath the
violence and the chaos
there was a plan
taking shape in the shadows
that would touch
every part of the galaxy.
[DAY] Here.
We'll leave to the east.
There's light-road terminal,
same prefecture as Mycogen
and we'll go to
Are you feeling all right, darling?
You've hardly touched your drugs.
Speak.
Demerzel
You talk about her like she's a thing.
But if she's your robot,
she's much more than that.
We have a complicated relationship.
I didn't tell you to scare you.
Demerzel is an obstacle. Nothing more.
I'm not sure we should leave.
What? Why?
We talked about this.
Yeah, I want to go.
I do, but
if it's as bad out there as you say,
we need to stay near Demerzel.
Not you too.
I want to do something normal.
Just once.
You'll take me home with you.
You'll introduce me to your family.
I don't think
you'll enjoy meeting my family.
- [DEMERZEL] Empire?
- [GROANS]
[DEMERZEL] Dawn requests your presence
in the throne room.
I didn't see it standing there.
Did you see it standing there?
I apologize for my intrusion.
Lead on.
[DUSK] Brother, you're overreacting.
[DAWN] He took Kalgan in a day.
You saw him.
That is a man with an appetite.
He'll want more and he'll want it soon.
I want to call for an Enclosure.
We should contain him.
Now, while we can.
This does not rise to the level
of fleet action. It just doesn't.
The Mule is here in the middle band.
Kalgan's not far from Nicosa,
our naval base in the region.
Yes. Of course. Right.
Who's the Mule?
[DUSK SIGHS]
- A new warlord of Kalgan.
- Hmm.
If he were to mount a successful attack
using Kalgan's navy,
he'd have a direct path toward Trantor.
Well, he's a pirate. That means
he's opportunistic, not suicidal.
And that would provoke the Foundation.
Dawn,
what's this about?
What's this fascination with Kalgan?
[DAWN] I'm trying to figure out why our
dynasty
is going to end in four months.
Brothers, if you believe
this ship of state is sinking
and you want to waste your final days
sticking your fingers into holes,
I'd start with your little buttholes.
- [SIGHS]
- [DAY] At least then,
you'd have a good time.
I just wanna know why I'm here.
Because
the middle throne can call for an
emergency session without pushback.
Even were Day to do so,
the votes will go against you.
And to even ask this will
give the Council more leverage
against the Dynasty.
You cannot guarantee
the Mule will harm us,
but the Council will,
if we give them any opportunity.
I'm sorry, Brother.
No.
The middle throne says no.
Smartest thing he's said in 20 years.
[DAWN] Fine.
Fine, but I still want eyes on the Mule.
Demerzel, send probes.
I want a full surveillance net
in Kalgan space. Is that in my power?
Yes, Empire.
I know it's not the answer you wanted.
I'm sorry, Brother.
I forgot your robing ceremony, didn't I?
Mm-hmm.
- I filled in.
- Did you
Did you do the thing? After?
What thing?
- No.
- We had other, more important
What could possibly be more important?
- It is the most important.
- [CHUCKLES]
What are you talking about?
Here, we can do it here.
Do you have it on you?
Have what?
Come on. For him.
[STAMMERS, EXCLAIMS]
When Cleon VII became Day,
he asked the stars for strength,
wisdom and fortitude.
An adviser handed him all three.
- I knew you had it.
- [GROANS]
[DAY, DUSK CHUCKLE]
I knew he had it.
Strength.
Ooh. Wisdom.
Fortitude.
[CHUCKLING]
- [BOTH] Strength.
- [DAWN] Mm-hmm.
[BOTH] Wisdom.
[ALL] Fortitude.
Now you
- [EXCLAIMS] Go on.
- [CHUCKLES]
Drink up. Drink up.
[ALL] Strength.
- Wisdom.
- [BOTH CHUCKLING]
- [COUGHS] Fortitude!
- Fortitude.
[COUGHS] Oh, Gods. [LAUGHS]
What is that?
Oh, no, the Gods can't help you.
That burn comes straight from hell.
[DUSK LAUGHS]
[DAY] Drinking up that wisdom.
Well, it's in short supply.
We're gonna need some more wisdom.
I need some more fortitude.
I've got some fortitude for you.
May the light never dim.
You know your palace well.
Stanel's old walls lead straight
to the waterways.
They can hide your exit.
Does this mean you're a yes?
You'll both dress as clavigers.
I'll lead you through the garrison
and we'll ride jet downs
to the outer ward.
And your daughter gets her cure.
You do inspire
some small amount of loyalty.
I live for faint praise.
[DEMERZEL] Your giraffe passed by.
You just missed him.
I think it's called a giraffe.
You're wrong.
There was an ancient language on Earth
that used pictures.
A small giraffe was part of the word
that meant foretell,
because they see what's ahead of course.
Fascinating.
What an incredibly ominous creature.
Where's Song?
She touched her arm.
That's all it was, but it was enough.
Her future was foretold.
The forearm presented, touched
with the fingers of the opposite hand.
Do you know its meaning?
So many lessons in semantics.
It is a blessing of a religion.
Known only to a few.
Buried deep in the bones of Trantor,
in the Mycogen Sector
where your Song is from.
You seem surprised.
Did she not tell you?
Her faith has been illegal
for thousands of years.
They call it the Inheritance.
They worship robots.
[SIGHS]
Someday, the sect believes
the artificial beings will return
and remove all cruelty,
injustice and misery.
That is the promise. The Inheritance.
I was not aware it still existed.
To follow it is a crime
punishable by death.
- What did you do?
- I've deprived the sect
of something that might have breathed
new life into their flame.
I did what I should
have done months ago.
Your little indulgence is over.
I erased her memories.
Everything you told her,
or were to each other.
She's alive?
I sent her home to Mycogen.
Take it for the mercy it is,
and perhaps be grateful.
Grateful?
I could have killed her, but I did not.
And do you know why I spared her?
For you.
I'm compelled to protect my secret.
I have few choices in my life.
For you, I did this.
Get out.
Get out!
Psychohistory.
I'd like to know more.
We do possess some
early volumes that I'm
Uh, Kalle's Ninth Proof of Folding.
I understand it was
a bedrock inspiration.
I'm sure Empire also understands
it was banned by
Cleon XII?
- Mmm.
- Yes.
It will be in the Rare Books collection.
This way. If it pleases.
I'm afraid only two people
are allowed at a time.
Strict temperature control.
The legacy of Hari Seldon
remains a delicate subject.
Obviously, these are kept
more as artifacts than reading material.
I think I can avoid being corrupted.
I'm not afraid of history.
Do I need gloves?
[CHUCKLES]
If a librarian makes you wear gloves
to handle an old book,
they're just trying to impress you.
You're more likely
to damage the pages with gloves
than with your skin.
Huh.
The actual touch of my hand
is more benign
than the hot breath of my bodyguards.
It's unexpected.
[SIGHS]
It always seemed to me that Raven Seldon
had tried to warn,
rather than threaten.
Empire has three heads. Do they all
have room for ideas like these?
The original manuscript is said to be
a singular text of silken pages
woven upon Thrax.
These are Thraxian silk.
Seldon gave the original manuscript away
from this very library to Gaal Dornick.
She took it with her on the Deliverance,
but
she never made it to Terminus.
So how did this volume make its return?
That's a very interesting story.
But I'm not the one to tell it.
Then who can?
A colleague.
The same colleague who instructed me
that if anyone were to ask
after this book,
anyone at all,
they would very much like
to meet that person.
There's a teahouse in the Ery District.
Tomorrow night.
At low hour.
There'll be shells at the table.
[THUNDER RUMBLING]
- [DISHES SMASHING]
- [PATRONS EXCLAIMING]
They say they get their tea leaves
from Jovan.
Definitely not true.
Jovan's a Foundation world now.
The tea's terrible,
but I like it here anyway.
You're Gaal Dornick.
I watched holos of you
from Hari Seldon's trial
from 300 years ago.
- So, uh, how are you, um
- Here?
- [CHUCKLES] I was going to say alive.
- [CHUCKLES]
There are lots of ways to live on.
Steady cycles of cryosleeping
and waking, for one.
I'm the same Gaal Dornick
you saw in your holos.
Well, then you've done the impossible.
You've made a Cleon
feel like a very finite person.
[CHUCKLES] Well,
that's a worthy thing to be.
A friend taught me that.
Did you know I'd ask
for the Ninth Proof?
We thought it might help us
identify like minds.
Even we never expected
to snag an emperor with it.
We, the Foundation?
Sort of.
New Terminus doesn't know I exist.
I'd love to keep it that way,
if it's all the same to you.
- Or I could have you arrested.
- Hmm.
You won't.
You're here.
And you took pains to be here unnoticed.
Hmm. It's idle curiosity.
- [THUNDER RUMBLING]
- [CHUCKLES] I don't think it's so idle.
Looking at your disguise,
simple clothes, dyed contacts,
applied facial hair
It's a little bit patchy, by the way.
Face scramblers
are traceable across Trantor,
thanks to one of my predecessors.
So, you put a lot of thought into it.
Hmm. [CHUCKLES]
Why did you go to the library, Empire?
The Prime Radiant.
- Our adviser has it in her possession.
- You have the Radiant?
You didn't know?
Seldon gave it to Demerzel
just before the destruction of Terminus.
I was five when I first saw her use it.
When the math moved around,
it was like
the language of angels.
But her calculations are about
what's best for the Genetic Dynasty.
- Not the rest of
- Humanity.
There's no garment that fits a galaxy.
You're making this easy for me.
There are things you could do
if you were inclined to.
Oh, let me guess.
- Um, commit treason?
- [CHUCKLES]
Help your sort of Foundation
topple the Empire?
All empires fall,
they need no help from us.
And anyway, is it treason
if you're the one making the rules?
I hear the current Brother Day's
dereliction of duty
may give you de facto power.
And soon.
You shouldn't know about Brother Day.
We know lots of things we shouldn't.
I can feel when I'm being handled.
If you nudge me too hard,
you'll lose me.
And on that day,
you can expose us and destroy me.
That's the risk I'm taking
by coming to you.
Well,
you haven't offered me anything yet.
What do you want?
Do you know what I think?
Dawn XIV tried to leave
the palace with a gardener,
Dawn XVIII fled Trantor
with a foreign queen
And those Dawns were traitors.
- Deserters.
- No.
They were just men
who started to think for themselves.
You've seen the math.
Seen how it works.
It's made you think bigger thoughts.
The want is still there.
The same thing every Cleon wants
at your age.
An escape hatch.
I can be that for you.
And all we have to do is this.
And that's it?
No grand design, no big plans?
There will come a time,
a threat,
a man called the Mule,
but that's for another conversation.
For now, we just agree to keep talking.
When will you return?
Dawn, I was never here to begin with.
The Mule.
I expected your call
as soon as I heard the name.
It's time to make yourself useful,
Empire.
You predicted him.
But the Radiant couldn't.
What do you know about him?
He's a space pirate, small crew.
For years now,
you've been telling me about this man,
but you never told me what he was.
I could have helped.
Has he made any demands?
Um, not yet.
Call for an Enclosure.
What?
I want you to call for an Enclosure
on Kalgan.
No. Kalgan isn't ours.
The Foundation will see it
as an act of war
I can handle Foundation.
We still need Council approval
for any fleet actions.
There is no way they will go for it.
All you have to do is muster the Council
for an emergency session.
Don't get distracted.
The Mule is on the board now.
And for this very brief moment,
he is isolated.
We act or we lose.
Make your overtures.
See the Mule for yourself, learn
what you can, but only meet by holo.
Don't send emissaries,
don't meet in person.
Why?
You may hear rumors about him,
and that he can control people
with his thoughts.
Those rumors are true.
That's not possible.
Is it?
More soon.
[DANCE MUSIC PLAYING]
[CHEERING]
So, Captain, what do we do
when we see this Mule character?
[PRITCHER] Nothing.
You are just my ticket in.
Stay behind me and don't say a word.
This is a reconnaissance mission.
I need to find out who he is
and what he wants.
Warn me if you see a weapon.
Otherwise
There's his balladeer,
Magnifico Giganticus.
Rumor has it, the Mule brings him
wherever he goes, even into battle.
[TORAN] Why isn't anybody looking at us?
It's the music.
It feels hypnotic.
[BAYTA] The sound sort of gets into you,
doesn't it, button?
[TORAN] Maybe that's the point.
There he is.
Now I just need to get close to him.
- [HIGH-PITCHED RINGING]
- [PRITCHER GRUNTING]
[MULE] You're like me.
Who is Gaal Dornick?
[BAYTA] Captain Pritcher?
Captain Pritcher?
What's wrong?
I shouldn't have come. [GRUNTS]
Go home.
[BREATHING SHAKILY, PANTING]
- [BEEPS]
- [WHIRRING]
[CHEERING]
Bravado!
Bravado!
Well done.
Magnifico Giganticus! [CHUCKLES]
My little bald fool blows well
out of both ends.
[BOTH CHUCKLING]
Don't you think?
[PARTYGOERS CHUCKLING]
[MULE LAUGHING]
Please, continue.
[PARTYGOERS CHEERING]
[BAYTA] Should we frolic?
Captain "You're just my ticket in"
is gone.
Sure is. And all of a sudden, right?
Maybe we should figure out
what's going on, you know?
You know, button, this particular Mule
has been roughing my flanks
ever since he stole our sunshine.
[TORAN] Go on.
I'd be happy to
steal a little bit of his.
Captain Pritcher wanted information
on the Mule.
And I see someone
who just might have it.
I can talk to him, but, you know,
Mr. Mule shouldn't see me doing it.
A man who conquers a planet
and throws a party,
now that's a man who
wants to be infamous.
If he cares about fame at all,
he's gonna wanna meet me.
You can do what Pritcher couldn't.
And all you need is your charm.
[CHUCKLES]
Ooh, and liquor! Bring liquor.
Whoa, don't worry, pirates.
I come in peace.
I've seen him before. He's famous.
Toran Mallow.
Maybe we can be friends?
I bring wine and entertainment,
and I'm encouraged that you all
smell better
than I've been led to expect.
- So
- You're trying to insult us.
No. No. I have a sort of
demeanor some people can find
- [CORK POPS]
- Demeaning.
Come on. Let's have a drink.
Insult me again.
What?
Insult me.
We have a tradition on my planet,
flyting.
A game of insults. Insult me.
[TORAN SCOFFS]
Oh, I don't think I wanna do that.
You promised entertainment.
You have until this song is over
to insult me properly.
And if you don't,
I'll stop smiling. [CHUCKLES]
[CHUCKLES] You're running out of time,
slender reed.
You're calling me slender?
I'm not the one
who looks like a dying animal.
Familiar. Expected.
See, but I have to come up with ones
you're smart enough to understand.
Mm-hmm.
Maybe your drunken toddler there
can explain them to you.
Is she yours?
Can't be, mules are sterile,
aren't they?
That's it, right?
Poor unloved Mule with a string
of disappointed bedmates behind him
and a whole lot of class envy
comes flying in
on a ship that sounds
like a venereal disease
just desperate for someone,
anyone, to notice him.
But in the end,
you're just a tin-pot dictator
holding out his little tin pot,
begging for enough coins to pay someone
not to laugh
at the syphilis-chewed ruin
he's got between his legs.
[LAUGHING]
[LAUGHS]
Well done. I'm insulted.
[BOTH LAUGHING]
[MULE SIGHS]
[WINCES]
[SIGHS] He's rough with you, isn't he?
Oh, I'm sorry. Bad Mule.
I should have a word with him.
You can call me Bayta.
You have insulted me
by imagining that
my designs are small. Hmm?
[CHUCKLES]
You think I want only
to rule this planet?
But I want everything.
It's very simple.
I will come for the whole Empire
and for Foundation.
I see something I like
- Boom!
- [SHOUTS]
I take it. Like that.
I see something
[CHUCKLES] I don't like
[GROANING]
[WINCES] Please.
It hurts.
But soon you'll say, "Please, please
let me give you more of my skin."
And the agony will be your finest hour.
And you will die flayed and grateful.
[TORAN WINCING]
- [MULE CHUCKLES]
- [TORAN GROANS]
Are you ready? Are you ready to like it?
Flash.
[GROANS]
[TORAN] Bayta!
Toran!
Move!
- Move! Let's go!
- Oh.
Go! Let's go!
Did you get any information?
Oh, yes! Maggie! Come.
Maggie, come along.
[SIGHS] That's not information.
[COMPUTER] Welcome back.
Shall I make drinks?
Oh. Yes, please.
What happened?
- [GROANS, WINCES]
- [BAYTA] What did he do?
Where is he? I'll kill him.
I lost him! I lost him!
No, you didn't.
[ALL GRUNTING]
- [SIGHS] We're okay.
- [DEVICES BEEPING]
[LAUGHS, EXCLAIMS]
[SIGHS] Well, how about that?
- [BAYTA EXHALES DEEPLY]
- We really are quite the pair, aren't we?
We are three.
We are three.
[COMPUTER] Enemy aircraft inbound.
- [BAYTA] Sleep patch!
- Ow!
- Go! Jump!
- [COMPUTER] Jumping.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
- [PARTYGOERS CHUCKLING]
- [LOW-PITCHED RINGING]
They've jumped.
And Magnifico?
Yeah.
No matter. We'll catch them or we won't.
Things have a way of working out
how they're meant to.
There's a word for it.
Ordained.
That's the word, Vandagh.
Some things are just
[SIGHS] preordained.
Empire at hand.
- [CLAVIGER 1] Empire at hand.
- [CLAVIGER 2 SHOUTS]
[DAY] Got a minute?
Stand easy. Dismissed.
You know, if you wanted
fewer eyes on this,
I'm not sure a parade of naked soldiers
was the way to do it.
Well, I'm famously eccentric.
[SONG CHUCKLES]
I need your help, Commander.
What is your current appetite for risk?
Well, I'm your First Claviger so low?
Shame. We need out of the palace.
You're Empire. You can do as you please.
This is different.
My brothers can't know.
Demerzel can't know.
You're leaving for good?
Yes. And I'll be joining him
with my memory intact.
[CHUCKLES]
So what about my memory? They audit us.
I said there'd be risk. You'll have to
leave the palace too.
Permanently.
We can only get as far
as Stanel's old keep.
To make it to the outer ward,
we need you.
Well, Empire, that's my problem.
It's not just a risk for me.
I know that.
Respectfully, I'm not sure you do.
We all swear an oath,
but no one really cares about the words.
They know we'll be loyal
because the one thing every
claviger needs to have is a family.
Hmm.
You give us houses here
on the palace grounds
so we remember
our loved ones are hostages.
I can't do what you're asking.
Not even for the middle throne.
I've considered your family.
They'll leave with you.
- And for this sacrifice
- I just can't
I will cure your daughter's illness.
What?
My Imperial nanites.
Hers if you help us.
And I'll give you enough money that you
can settle on any planet
in the Imperium.
Hell, for the amount I give you,
you can buy a fucking planet.
Just sleep on it.
[SONG] Can we trust him?
Probably not. But we need him.
And if he sells us out?
Well, he's not wrong about us
holding his family hostage.
- I don't think she can hear us.
- [SHUSHES]
There. Now it's out of earshot.
[LAUGHS] What is this?
You warned Mavon about her,
and now this?
Why are you so scared of her?
I need some more spores.
No. You're already paranoid.
Come on.
She's your adviser, isn't she?
She won't hurt you.
You don't understand. [SIGHS]
It wouldn't have a choice. It
It. It. Why do you keep saying that?
I can't. Come on.
Yes, you can. You can tell me.
It's me.
If the world's going to end,
why keep secrets?
Demerzel's a robot.
What?
It's true.
There are no robots.
They were eradicated.
[DAY] Save one.
[LAUGHS]
You're lying.
Demerzel's a machine.
There are only three people
in the galaxy who know it,
and we're all named Cleon.
And now you.
You satisfied?
Let's go pack.
Plan. We don't have much time.
[DEMERZEL] The Mule has opened
a tight-beam channel as requested.
[DUSK SIGHS] I don't know why
we're wasting our time.
He could just as easily
be deposed next week
by another pirate with a better name.
He could also want more
than he's already taken.
Regardless, this kind of thing
is delicate.
Diplomacy should be done in person.
There are rumors that the
Mule possesses mental abilities.
- [SCOFFS]
- They're best avoided.
Bullshit. What rumors?
Look, I believe we have nothing to lose
by exercising caution.
Now [CHUCKLES]
Um, you are here for counsel.
Continuity is king. One face in front
for when I become Day.
- [INHALES SHARPLY]
- All lessons you've taught me.
[DEMERZEL] Empire?
Very well Day.
[SIGHS]
What?
It's a cold reception for a man
who agreed to meet in good faith.
I am Cleon XXV.
Should I call you the Mule
or address you as Kalgan's new warlord?
[MULE] I've had lots of titles.
You take this, they call you that.
You take something else. Boom.
You're the High-Muck of Mudworld.
I like warlord though. That's a new one.
I am here to discuss the terms
of vassalship over Kalgan.
[CLICKS TONGUE] They
send the understudy?
[CHUCKLES] The Ship-and-Sun Armada
calls me Empire.
I could make your warlord title stick.
Certify it.
There would be expectations
but there would also be advantages.
Empire gets suzerain status over Kalgan.
You pay taxes and allow me
to deploy Kalgan's navy.
In return, you enjoy access
to Empire's jump gate trade network
and Trantor's protection.
You already failed to protect Kalgan.
I am the proof.
[PERSON SCREAMS]
What was that?
Housecleaning. Please continue.
If you refuse these terms,
it could be grounds for war.
[SIGHS] War?
What do you know about war?
You are a boy.
While you learned
to snap open your napkins,
I learned to kill.
You have lived comfortably.
War isn't comfortable.
[VANDAGH] Jump gate secured.
Any alarms?
[VANDAGH] Disabled before the breach.
Transmit all-clear signals.
Traffic as normal. No need
to flaunt our prize just yet.
[GRUNTING]
I'm not always like this.
Normally,
I would let you enjoy it at least.
But someone
[GRUNTS]
took my balladeer from me,
and, um,
its music [GRUNTING]
soothed me some.
And without it, I'm, um
I'm even less calm,
and you now see the results.
[SHUSHES]
Do you ever feel like
your life is not your own?
Like it's been overtaken
by some holy spirit.
It's, um
It's sort of a transcendent feeling
you have to kill your way out of.
[PANTING]
[GAAL] On the surface,
the Mule was like any other pirate.
Brutish, erratic,
desperate for attention.
But underneath the
violence and the chaos
there was a plan
taking shape in the shadows
that would touch
every part of the galaxy.
[DAY] Here.
We'll leave to the east.
There's light-road terminal,
same prefecture as Mycogen
and we'll go to
Are you feeling all right, darling?
You've hardly touched your drugs.
Speak.
Demerzel
You talk about her like she's a thing.
But if she's your robot,
she's much more than that.
We have a complicated relationship.
I didn't tell you to scare you.
Demerzel is an obstacle. Nothing more.
I'm not sure we should leave.
What? Why?
We talked about this.
Yeah, I want to go.
I do, but
if it's as bad out there as you say,
we need to stay near Demerzel.
Not you too.
I want to do something normal.
Just once.
You'll take me home with you.
You'll introduce me to your family.
I don't think
you'll enjoy meeting my family.
- [DEMERZEL] Empire?
- [GROANS]
[DEMERZEL] Dawn requests your presence
in the throne room.
I didn't see it standing there.
Did you see it standing there?
I apologize for my intrusion.
Lead on.
[DUSK] Brother, you're overreacting.
[DAWN] He took Kalgan in a day.
You saw him.
That is a man with an appetite.
He'll want more and he'll want it soon.
I want to call for an Enclosure.
We should contain him.
Now, while we can.
This does not rise to the level
of fleet action. It just doesn't.
The Mule is here in the middle band.
Kalgan's not far from Nicosa,
our naval base in the region.
Yes. Of course. Right.
Who's the Mule?
[DUSK SIGHS]
- A new warlord of Kalgan.
- Hmm.
If he were to mount a successful attack
using Kalgan's navy,
he'd have a direct path toward Trantor.
Well, he's a pirate. That means
he's opportunistic, not suicidal.
And that would provoke the Foundation.
Dawn,
what's this about?
What's this fascination with Kalgan?
[DAWN] I'm trying to figure out why our
dynasty
is going to end in four months.
Brothers, if you believe
this ship of state is sinking
and you want to waste your final days
sticking your fingers into holes,
I'd start with your little buttholes.
- [SIGHS]
- [DAY] At least then,
you'd have a good time.
I just wanna know why I'm here.
Because
the middle throne can call for an
emergency session without pushback.
Even were Day to do so,
the votes will go against you.
And to even ask this will
give the Council more leverage
against the Dynasty.
You cannot guarantee
the Mule will harm us,
but the Council will,
if we give them any opportunity.
I'm sorry, Brother.
No.
The middle throne says no.
Smartest thing he's said in 20 years.
[DAWN] Fine.
Fine, but I still want eyes on the Mule.
Demerzel, send probes.
I want a full surveillance net
in Kalgan space. Is that in my power?
Yes, Empire.
I know it's not the answer you wanted.
I'm sorry, Brother.
I forgot your robing ceremony, didn't I?
Mm-hmm.
- I filled in.
- Did you
Did you do the thing? After?
What thing?
- No.
- We had other, more important
What could possibly be more important?
- It is the most important.
- [CHUCKLES]
What are you talking about?
Here, we can do it here.
Do you have it on you?
Have what?
Come on. For him.
[STAMMERS, EXCLAIMS]
When Cleon VII became Day,
he asked the stars for strength,
wisdom and fortitude.
An adviser handed him all three.
- I knew you had it.
- [GROANS]
[DAY, DUSK CHUCKLE]
I knew he had it.
Strength.
Ooh. Wisdom.
Fortitude.
[CHUCKLING]
- [BOTH] Strength.
- [DAWN] Mm-hmm.
[BOTH] Wisdom.
[ALL] Fortitude.
Now you
- [EXCLAIMS] Go on.
- [CHUCKLES]
Drink up. Drink up.
[ALL] Strength.
- Wisdom.
- [BOTH CHUCKLING]
- [COUGHS] Fortitude!
- Fortitude.
[COUGHS] Oh, Gods. [LAUGHS]
What is that?
Oh, no, the Gods can't help you.
That burn comes straight from hell.
[DUSK LAUGHS]
[DAY] Drinking up that wisdom.
Well, it's in short supply.
We're gonna need some more wisdom.
I need some more fortitude.
I've got some fortitude for you.
May the light never dim.
You know your palace well.
Stanel's old walls lead straight
to the waterways.
They can hide your exit.
Does this mean you're a yes?
You'll both dress as clavigers.
I'll lead you through the garrison
and we'll ride jet downs
to the outer ward.
And your daughter gets her cure.
You do inspire
some small amount of loyalty.
I live for faint praise.
[DEMERZEL] Your giraffe passed by.
You just missed him.
I think it's called a giraffe.
You're wrong.
There was an ancient language on Earth
that used pictures.
A small giraffe was part of the word
that meant foretell,
because they see what's ahead of course.
Fascinating.
What an incredibly ominous creature.
Where's Song?
She touched her arm.
That's all it was, but it was enough.
Her future was foretold.
The forearm presented, touched
with the fingers of the opposite hand.
Do you know its meaning?
So many lessons in semantics.
It is a blessing of a religion.
Known only to a few.
Buried deep in the bones of Trantor,
in the Mycogen Sector
where your Song is from.
You seem surprised.
Did she not tell you?
Her faith has been illegal
for thousands of years.
They call it the Inheritance.
They worship robots.
[SIGHS]
Someday, the sect believes
the artificial beings will return
and remove all cruelty,
injustice and misery.
That is the promise. The Inheritance.
I was not aware it still existed.
To follow it is a crime
punishable by death.
- What did you do?
- I've deprived the sect
of something that might have breathed
new life into their flame.
I did what I should
have done months ago.
Your little indulgence is over.
I erased her memories.
Everything you told her,
or were to each other.
She's alive?
I sent her home to Mycogen.
Take it for the mercy it is,
and perhaps be grateful.
Grateful?
I could have killed her, but I did not.
And do you know why I spared her?
For you.
I'm compelled to protect my secret.
I have few choices in my life.
For you, I did this.
Get out.
Get out!