The Location of the Second Foundation

Two Millennia Later Galactic Series
First Volume: The Dream of the Foundation

Part VI
Bayta Darell

Chapter 10
Episode 43

The atmosphere of Haven was tense, as if something was tightly wound. The stars of the Independent Traders’ Coalition had long since lost the will to fight. Ebling Mis, though weighed down by Randu Darell’s words, felt a sense of unease in the gloomy air.

“Doesn’t this feel strange to you, Mis?” Randu began, his tone strained as he suppressed his frustration. “Here on Haven, no one has any motivation left. At this rate, we won’t last more than a few weeks. The Independent Traders’ fleet is down to just three more stars.”

Ebling Mis paused for a moment before nodding vaguely. “You think something’s suspicious, don’t you?”

“That’s right, Mis. The Mule’s presence is the key to everything. We have to thoroughly investigate what he’s plotting.”

Mis sensed that Randu had already made a significant decision. It felt as though something momentous was about to happen. With a furrowed brow, Randu continued.

“It’s odd that those people were running around in circles in the Time Vault. Not a single one tried to escape. And the fact that Trant was able to carry the clown over the barbed wire without a hitch, that doesn’t sit right either. On top of that, a ship was prepared for them right away. And the same thing is happening here on Haven… Everyone is listless, desperate.”

Randu’s words struck a chord with Mis. The Mule’s power of control— it wasn’t just military might; there was something that affected people’s minds. Yet the true nature of that influence remained unclear.

“Mis, I have a favor to ask you,” Randu looked at Mis with a serious gaze. “This is our last card. You and the others need to flee to the center of the galaxy. You might be able to find some clues there.”

“The center of the galaxy?” Mis raised an eyebrow in doubt. “Surely, you don’t mean Trantor? They say it’s already a ruin.”

After a brief silence, Randu spoke with conviction. “Exactly. Yes, Trantor. There’s something there. No… There’s one more thing. Our last hope lies with the Second Foundation.”

“The Second Foundation?” Mis looked surprised. “But isn’t that supposed to be located at the ‘other end of the galaxy’?”

Randu narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. “I’m not fully convinced either. But I’m sure there’s something at Trantor. And it’s highly possible that the Second Foundation is involved. They’re the only ones who can stand against the Mule.”

Mis exhaled deeply, an image of ruined Trantor flashing through his mind. Yet, Randu’s words carried a certain weight. As a psychohistorian, he too sensed that this intuition wasn’t wrong.

“Alright, Randu,” Mis made up his mind. “We’ll go to Trantor. We’ll find the location of the Second Foundation.”

Randu’s face showed a hint of relief at Mis’s words. “I’m counting on you, Mis. I’ll stay here, but if anyone can find the way, it’s you.”

The fate of these four was now intertwined with a decision that could shape the future of the galaxy.

Next Chapter: “Chapter 11 – The 300th Year Banquet”