The Shadow of the Second Foundation

galaxy20,000yearslaterseries
First Volume
Foundation Dreams
　
Part ７
Arcadia Darell

Chapter ３
Episode ４９

The residence of Toran Darell Ⅱ exuded a serene yet profound atmosphere. At the center of the living room, four men sat around a circular table. Beside Toran stood a young man with a tense expression. His name was Pelleas Anthor. Being introduced in such a setting seemed to leave him feeling slightly out of place.

“Allow me to introduce Pelleas Anthor,” Toran’s voice cut through the silence in the room. “He is a disciple of the late Dr. Kleise. He proposes to use an electronic neural scanning device to examine the five of us.”

A moment of stillness followed. The three men seated around the table turned their gazes toward Anthor in unison. Toran continued.
“Homir Munn, my cousin and a librarian. This is Jole Turbor, a television station director. And Dr.Elvett Semic, a professor of physics.”

Anthor nodded briefly, though the movement seemed unnaturally cautious.

Homir Munn frowned as he broke the silence. “Toran, what’s this about？ Why the sudden declaration？”

Toran replied in an even tone. “Anthor suspects that one of us might be a member of the Second Foundation, secretly infiltrating our ranks.”

Jole raised his voice in disbelief. “That’s absurd. All of us here are from Mauv. We’ve known each other since we were kids.”

But Elvett shot a sharp glance at Jole. “Not necessarily. While it’s true that we all grew up together, each of us has traveled across the galaxy. Who knows what might have happened during those journeys？”

Homir, visibly irritated, turned to Anthor. “And what about you? Are you also from Mauv city？”

Anthor answered curtly. “Yes. I’m from the Newton District in the suburbs.”

Homir smirked slightly. “Then you should be able to sing it, right？‘We Are the Children of the Galaxy.’ That song is taught at every elementary school in Mauv. It’s even listed in the Handbook for Young Learners. Any Mauvian would know it.”

Anthor avoided his gaze and shifted uneasily. ” . . . I’ve forgotten it.”

Hover leaned back in his chair, his tone thick with suspicion. “The one we should be questioning is Anthor himself！”

Toran raised a hand to halt the brewing tension. “That’s enough, Homir. We have another important matter to discuss tonight. Hover, I need you to take on a task.”

Homir’s expression turned wary. “Me? What task？”

“I need you to go to Kalgan as our representative.”

Homir squinted, his suspicion deepening. “Alone？ What about everyone else?”

Elvett interjected without hesitation. “Isn’t it obvious？ There’s intelligence suggesting that the Second Foundation might have a base on Kalgan. You’re the only one here who’s been to Kalgan before.”

Homir let out a long sigh. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this . . . “

The air in the room grew heavier as everyone sensed that significant events lay ahead.

To be continued . . .