Caliban

Fredda knew this was not the time to go into the intricate negotiations that had made it all possible. When Tonya Welton had gotten wind of the New Law robots-and the devil only knew how she had found that one out-her initial demand was thatall new robots built on Inferno be gravitonic New Law robots as a precondition of Settler terraforming help. Governor Grieg had done a masterful job of negotiating from weakness in getting the Settlers to adjust their position. But never mind that now.

Fredda went on speaking. “The task before this unique team of Settlers, Spacers, and robots; nothing less than the restoration of this world. They shall rebuild the terraforming center on Purgatory. For the first time in history, robots will work alongside humans, not as slaves, but as partners, for the New Laws shall set them free.

“Now, let me tell you what those New Laws are.

“The New First Law of Robotics:A robot may not injure a human being. The negation clause has been deleted. Under this law, humans can depend on being protectedfrom robots, but cannot depend on being protectedby robots. Humans must once again depend on their own initiative and self-reliance. They must take care of themselves. Almost as important, under this law, robots have greater status relative to humans.

“The New Second Law of Robotics:A robot must cooperate with human beings except where such cooperation would conflict with the First Law. New Law robots will cooperate, not obey. They are not subject to capricious commands. Instead of unquestioning obedience, robots will make their orders subject to analysis and consideration. Note, however, that cooperation is still mandatory. Robots will be the partners of humans, not their slaves. Humans must take responsibility for their own lives and cannot expect to have absurd orders obeyed. They cannot expect robots to destroy or injure themselves in aid of some human whim.

The New Third Law of Robotics:A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First Law. Note that Second Law is not mentioned here, and thus no longer has priority over Third Law. Robotic self-preservation is made as important as utility. Again, we raise the status of robots in relation to humans, and correspondingly free humans from the debilitating dependence of slave masters who cannot survive without their slaves.

“And finally, the New Fourth Law, which we have already discussed:A robot may do anything it likes except where such action would violate the First, Second, or Third Law. Here we open the doors to robotic freedom and creativity. Guided by the far more adaptive and flexible gravitonic brain, robots will be free to make use of their own thoughts, their own powers. Note, too, that the phrasing is ‘may do anything it likes,’ not‘must do.’ The whole point of New Fourth is to permit freedom of action. Free action cannot be imposed by coercion.”

Fredda looked out over the audience. There. There was a closing, a summing up, still to come. But she had gotten it all said, and kept the crowd from

“No!”

Fredda’ s head snapped around in the direction of the shout, and suddenly her heart was pounding.

“No!” the call came again. The voice-deep, heavy, angry-came from the back of the room. “She’ s lying! “ it cried out. There, in the back, one of the Ironheads. Their leader, Simcor Beddle. A pale, heavyset man, his face hard and angry. “Look at her! Up on the stage with our traitor Governor and Queen Tonya Welton.They are behind this. It’s a trick, boys! Without the Three Laws, thereare no robots! You’ve heard her bad-mouth robots all night long. She’s not out to make ‘em better-she wants to help her Settler pals wipe ‘em out! Are we going to let that happen?”

A loud, ragged chorus cried out“No!”

“What was that?” Beddle demanded. “I didn’t hear you.”

“NO!” This time it was not merely a shout, but a bellow that seemed to shake the very room.

“Again!” the fat man demanded.

“NO!” the Ironheads bellowed again, and then began to chant. “NO, NO, NO!” The Ironheads started to stand. They came out of their seats and started moving toward the center aisle. “NO, NO, NO!” The sheriff’s deputies moved toward them, a bit uncertainly, and the Ironheads leapt on that moment of indecision. It was obvious the Heads had planned for this moment. They knew what they were going to do. They had just been waiting for their cue.