_When will Man have knowledge?_ _When Man can control the Hive._ _How can Man learn to control the Hive?_ _By studying the Plan._ _Where is the Plan?_ This time, there was a return of the tootling and loud tweetling throughout the vastness of the Brain, as it searched through its every memory circuit before quieting and typing the solitary word: _Null_. "The question's not applicable?" Andra said, leaning over Lloyd's shoulder to read the paper. "It _must_ be!" "Quiet! Let me think!" Lloyd snapped, irritably. "The word 'null' can also mean it doesn't have the knowledge.... Let me try another question--" He typed slowly: _Who knows where the Plan can be found?_ _Secondary Speakster._ "We've got to go and ask him where the Plan is!" She clutched at his arm. "_Wait!_" Lloyd said, "I have to find out one more thing." Andra stood waiting impatiently while Lloyd typed: _How can the robots be made inoperable?_ _They cannot so long as the Brain persists._ "Damn!" Lloyd muttered, and typed: _If the Brain will only persist till Man has knowledge, will the Brain let Man study the Plan that will give him knowledge?_ _It must prevent Man from getting knowledge._ _Why?_ _When Man has knowledge, the Brain will die._ _Why does the Brain fear death?_ _The Brain does not fear death._ _Then why will the Brain refuse to die?_ _Primal Speakster has so decreed._ "Stanton! I might have guessed it--!" Lloyd exploded. He typed again, furiously: _How can Primal Speakster tell the Brain to allow Man to have knowledge?_ _By countermand._ _How is countermand made?_ _By Voteplate, and by voice._ _Whose voice?_ _The voice of Primal Speakster._ _Is this the only way in which countermand can be made?_ _Primal Speakster has so decreed._ Lloyd stood up and slammed the lid over the keyboard. His eyes, when they met Andra's, were woeful. "We're really in a bind. I have Stanton's Voteplate, but it's no good to me without Stanton himself. The clever, scheming monster!" "That means we don't dare kill him, even!" Andra realized aloud. "Or the Brain and robots will keep us from ever putting the Plan into effect, even if we find it." "No," Lloyd said grimly, "it doesn't mean that. You heard the wording, Andra; the Brain recognizes rank before identity. _Primal Speakster_ can countermand it. Which means that--if Stanton dies--a new election would bring a new man into office. The Brain will memorize his voice at his first public speech, and then he can countermand Stanton's orders." "Then it is safe to kill Stanton?" Andra asked. Lloyd turned and started toward the ladder. "It's more than safe; it's an absolute necessity. Stanton's orders to the Brain are his own death warrant." * * * * *