Foundation and Earth by Isaac Asimov

objective right exists. You seem to be the nearest approach to objective right that we can find, so we are guided by you.”
    “So objectively right,” said Trevize sadly, “that I don’t even understand my own decision and I seek its justification.”
    “You’ll find it,” said Bliss.
    “I hope so,” said Trevize.
    “Actually, old chap,” said Pelorat, “it seems to me that this recent exchange was won rather handily byBliss. Why don’t you recognize the fact that her arguments justify your decision that Gaia is the wave of the future for humanity?”
    “Because,” said Trevize harshly, “I did not know those arguments at the time I made my decision. I knew none of these details about Gaia. Something else influenced me, at least unconsciously, something that doesn’t depend upon Gaian detail, but must be more fundamental. It is that which I must find out.”
    Pelorat held up a placating hand. “Don’t be angry, Golan.”
    “I’m not angry. I’m just under rather unbearable tension. I don’t want to be the focus of the Galaxy.”
    Bliss said, “I don’t blame you for that, Trevize, and I’m truly sorry that your own makeup has somehow forced you into the post. —When will we be landing on Comporellon?”
    “In three days,” said Trevize, “and only after we stop at one of the entry stations in orbit about it.”
    Pelorat said, “There shouldn’t be any problem with that, should there?”
    Trevize shrugged. “It depends on the number of ships approaching the world, the number of entry stations that exist, and, most of all, on the particular rules for permitting and refusing admittance. Such rules change from time to time.”
    Pelorat said indignantly, “What do you mean
refusing
admittance? How can they refuse admittance to citizens of the Foundation? Isn’t Comporellon part of the Foundation dominion?”
    “Well, yes—and no. There’s a delicate matter of legalism about the point and I’m not sure how Comporellon interprets it. I suppose there’s a chance we’ll be refused admission, but I don’t think it’s a large chance.”
    “And if we are refused, what do we do?”
    “I’m not sure,” said Trevize. “Let’s wait and see what happens before we wear ourselves out making contingency plans.”
11.
    THEY WERE CLOSE ENOUGH TO COMPORELLON now for it to appear as a substantial globe without telescopic enlargement. When such enlargement was added, however, the entry stations themselves could be seen. They were farther out than most of the orbiting structures about the planet and they were well lit.
    Approaching as the
Far Star
was from the direction of the planet’s southern pole, half its globe was sunlit constantly. The entry stations on its night side were naturally more clearly seen as sparks of light. They were evenly spaced in an arc about the planet. Six of them were visible (plus six on the day side undoubtedly) and all were circling the planet at even and identical speeds.
    Pelorat, a little awed at the sight, said, “There are other lights closer to the planet. What are they?”
    Trevize said, “I don’t know the planet in detail so I can’t tell you. Some might be orbiting factories or laboratories or observatories, or even populated townships. Some planets prefer to keep all orbiting objects outwardly dark, except for the entry stations. Terminus does, for instance. Comporellon conducts itself on a more liberal principle, obviously.”
    “Which entry station do we go to, Golan?”
    “It depends on them. I’ve sent in my request to land on Comporellon and we’ll eventually get our directions as to which entry station to go to, and when. Much depends on how many incoming ships are trying to make entry at present. If there are a dozen ships lined up at each station, we will have no choice but to be patient.”
    Bliss said, “I’ve only been at hyperspatial distances from Gaia twice before, and those were both when I was at or near Sayshell. I’ve never been at