[sighs]
Empire.
Shall we?
[powers down]
The details…
they're perfect.
It suits me, Master Landell.
It's good we measured.
You've kept your form better than others.
[laughs]
It's the supplemental nanites doing their best to shore me up.
[laughs, inhales deeply]
That's my next stop today, you know.
They're taking them out.
I hope I don't deflate like a juiced grape. [chuckles]
- Surely not. - [chuckles]
Thank you, my friend.
Your talent has given me a dignity I have not always earned.
Travel well, Brother Darkness.
Zagreus,
shall we say that today I am finally old enough to walk down the hall on my own?
- [chuckles] - [chuckles]
Is Empire detained?
[breathing shakily]
Cleon.
[breathes shakily]
[sighing]
[sighs]
You brought something.
You were right.
Darkness is coming. Maybe just for us, maybe for everything, but it's coming.
[breathes heavily]
In Mycogen, they believe there's someone who can stop it.
And they've been waiting a long time for her.
They've been waiting a long time for you.
[gasps]
[sighs]
[Gaal] When I was nervous, I used to count primes.
[counting indistinctly]
It would calm me down. Keep me centered.
Keep my visions from consuming me.
But I wasn't just counting.
I was building a fortress inside my mind.
Everyone I've lost.
My parents.
- [crying] Salvor. - [Gaal] My daughter.
My mentor.
They are the walls of this place.
They are what keep me safe.
They are what keep me pushing forward.
From here, I see the future on my terms.
My fight with the Mule is inevitable, but it will not be on a battlefield.
It will be here…
where I am in control.
[Pritcher] Time to arm up.
Bayta might be at the station.
If she is, I need to know that you'll help me get her back.
We'll save her if we can.
She wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.
Carbine kicks. Aim low. Squeeze the trigger. Don't pull.
You know I was raised by the traders, right?
[scoffs] Squeeze, don't pull.
I seem to remember you telling me assassination was a failure of some kind.
Well, what do I know?
I guess no goodbyes?
Of course goodbyes.
We might die.
Spoon?
Spoon.
[Mule] She's coming.
And she's got the old man to budge.
They're ready.
Let's go kill.
[alarm blaring]
- Back! Get back! - [watchman] In position!
Back!
Open fire!
[Gaal] Stay close. Keep our mental barrier up.
The Mule is in Indbur's office, two floors below.
We'll find him, kill him, then this nightmare ends.
Seldon will handle the security bypass
and open all the doors for you on the way to Indbur's.
- I'll meet you there. - Where are you going?
Saving who we can.
[sighs]
Everyone else with me.
[alarm continues]
- What is it? What are you hearing? - [footsteps running]
Lots of cheap boots.
You know… [stammers] …I-I think we might be under attack.
[groans]
I mean, we'd be fools if we didn't at least try, right?
[scoffs] Uh…
Ah.
[chuckles]
There's no guards.
Come on. Come on, Empire.
- We can… We can… [pants] - I can't… [stammers, grunts] I can't.
I can't!
My legs.
Oh, shit. Oh, no. [pants]
Even sitting, it's not a bad last stand.
Goodbye, Empire. [pants]
Do I bow or…
No. You run.
I thought we were all destroyed except me.
Plowed into the field, fed to the trees.
Look what we did to you.
I know you have no cause to love us, but if the dynasty fell,
would you still help us?
[sighs] Day,
- I was created to help your species. - Good.
Because I think you can.
You said that you could connect, you could clasp with other robots.
You thought you would have to make another like you to have that chance…
You don't have to now.
It is a nice thought, but what would be inside this is mechanical only.
- Lifeless. - I heard it speak.
- [gasps] - It was calling out.
It was trying to connect.
[breathes sharply] I cannot allow myself to believe that. It's too much.
Why? Because if you connect with it,
- it will free you, won't it? - [breathes heavily]
It would overwrite Cleon I's programming, and I will not allow that.
I cannot make a decision that interferes with my directives.
I understand.
But there's not a decision in front of you.
Not until we know there's still life in this… right?
[breathes shakily]
It's not a choice.
Not yet.
Just…
[breathes shakily]
…show me how to look.
Can you do that?
[Dusk panting, chuckling]
Hello, brothers.
[laughs]
[breathes shakily]
[breathing shakily]
[Dusk sighs]
[chuckles]
Now who goes first?
[humming]
[muttering, hums]
Here?
Yes. [breathes shakily]
Something is happening at the clone tanks.
[breathes heavily] I have to go.
Wait. Stop!
Stop!
- Show me how to finish this. - I cannot.
My programming hierarchies require me… [stammers] I must go.
[breathing heavily]
[chuckles] Oh. [groaning]
Oh.
♪ Another little brother ♪
[grunts]
[chuckles, laughs]
And you, old man, die.
[laughing]
♪ All the little brothers ♪
♪ Who will never get a brain ♪
[explosion]
[glass shattering]
[sighing]
[sighs]
[groans]
[pants]
♪ But the newest little brother ♪
♪ Needs to come with me ♪
- [grunts] - [fusses]
Yeah.
Hello.
Hello, you.
- [people shouting, clamoring] - [alarm blaring]
Lady Demerzel, what's going on?
You need to leave.
Go to the library. Find the head librarian.
I left a triangular book in my quarters.
- Take it to her. She will help you. - I don't understand--
If Seldon were here,
he would tell you it is the best path to the future. Trust me.
All right.
[Day groaning]
[sighs]
[sighs] What's happening?
Too many things at once.
[gasps]
[baby crying]
[gasps]
[sighs]
- [Dusk grunting] - [baby fusses]
[baby crying]
[Pritcher] Sleep.
[gasps]
- Captain? - You shouldn't be out in the open.
You need to come with me.
Toran?
He's alive.
I can cut you a path to the hangar, but I can't leave with you.
I didn't bring any extra shoes.
I wouldn't be caught dead in anything you pick. [chuckles]
Wait.
- Wait, the Mule is close. - [thrumming]
- [panting, groaning] - [high-pitched ringing]
[Gaal] The Mule cut the power.
We won't be able to open Indbur's blast doors.
Unless…
Follow me.
Indbur has a private bathroom attached to his office.
And it should be
right…
here.
- Ebling, you better be right. - [Ebling] Just trust me.
Come on. Let's go.
Hide.
[chuckles]
[pants, groans]
[grunting]
- [grunting] - [grunting]
You're tired.
You're tired, Gaal.
Tired of the fight,
tired of worrying that all you have ever done
is prepare for a moment that you're never gonna change.
And now it's here.
[breathes shakily]
[grunts]
[pants]
- Relax. It will all be over soon. - [pants]
[Mule] Tell me where they are, Gaal.
[breathes shakily]
The Second Foundation.
How deep inside your mind must I go to rip it out of you?
[grunts]
[groans]
- [grunts] - [screams]
[Mule] Don't fight it, Gaal.
[grunts]
[pants]
I waited a long time for this.
[grunts, groans]
[growls]
- [chokes] - [growling]
[choking]
[Gaal] You force people to love you.
No matter how many worlds you conquer,
no matter how many people you convert,
you're still back there on Rossem
wondering why your parents loved that baby more than you.
- [grunts, cries] - [gasps, grunts]
[pants]
[Gaal] You may have waited a long time for this…
- …but not as long as me. - [grunts, groaning]
[coughing, gasping]
[panting]
[breathes deeply]
[pants]
Sleep.
[Ebling groaning]
[pants]
Is it over?
Are people still converted?
Am I alive?
[breathes sharply]
[Ebling] What?
What is it?
I can still feel someone in my head.
The Mule's not dead.
Seldon said his story doesn't add up.
It's not h-him. It was never him.
Who is it?
- [high-pitched ringing] - [screaming]
[groaning]
[Pritcher] Gaal.
- [Gaal groaning] - [Pritcher] I'm here.
- It's almost done. - [groaning]
- Just let it happen. - [pants]
I'm the Mule.
Bayta.
It's a lot to take in, I know.
I'm going to explain all of it, I promise. But right now…
[grunting, groaning]
[groaning]
[Bayta] Thank you, Captain.
I'll try to make it so you don't have to hurt her again.
- [Gaal whimpering] - Gaal.
- Please just listen to her. - [Gaal groans]
Look at how fast she did this.
[coughs]
And we can take Empire too,
and then we'll have done in one year
what psychohistory couldn't do in hundreds.
[pants] She's controlling you.
No. I'm still thinking for myself.
I've never known such love.
[sobs]
[chuckles]
Look at you.
I have dreamed about you for half my life. [chuckles]
[chuckles]
I'm going to convert you now.
It's best to give in to it.
Then it won't hurt so much.
Go on, Maggie, play.
[music plays off-key]
[panting]
[groans]
What's happening?
- I'm sorry. - [groaning]
We tampered with your balladeer.
- He only plays my song now. - [groaning continues]
- No! [groaning] - Get the fuck out of me!
Brother Dusk.
- [Dusk] That's not my name anymore. - [baby crying]
[Dusk chuckles] I got a new one today.
- What are you doing? - Well, I'm not conciliating.
- I can tell you that much. [chuckles] - [crying continues]
[Dusk] Now… [shushes]
[groans]
Oh. [elongated] Aw.
Dead center.
So to speak.
This controls the beam.
Cleon, please--
You've left me no option but to blow up the clock.
You are wrong. I have no options. You always do.
I am the monster you raised,
but this innocent child is Empire.
I'm gonna push the button now,
and I think there is something that you are compelled to do.
- [Day] Demerzel! - That's right. Off you go.
- [Day] Demerzel! Stop! - [pants]
Look who finally took an interest!
Come to me.
I can't. He played it perfectly.
I'll delay your Ascension.
I'll spare you.
It's too late for that.
- [baby crying] - [exhales sharply]
[grunts]
[groans]
There you go.
Protect him.
[groans]
[Demerzel] Dawn.
No!
[baby crying]
[crying stops]
[screams]
[sighs]
[chuckles]
Stronger stuff even than Lady Demerzel.
[inhales sharply]
That's something.
[pants]
[sighs]
[grunts, pants]
[groaning, pants]
[grunts]
Rasik, I need you in position now.
[pants]
[grunts]
[Rasik] I got you, Gaal.
Approaching.
I'm in your airstream. Open the doors now!
[grunts]
I'm in.
Pull up. Pull up.
[grunting, panting]
- Rasik. - [Rasik] Hang tight, Gaal.
Jumpdrives almost ready.
I'm sorry. I tried to warn you it was her.
[pants]
I know you did.
I'm in your ship's network. We don't have much time.
Take me with you. My neural imprint is stored in the Vault.
I can show you where.
Hari, there's nothing for you where I'm going.
You made a promise.
This isn't living.
[breathes shakily] That Vault is my tomb.
I sit and stare at black walls made of my own remains
and wander it like a ghost.
[computer] Hostile aircraft inbound.
[grunts]
[pants]
- We have to jump. - Gaal!
[pants]
I will beg if made to.
[breathes shakily]
Please. Take me to Hari.
I can't.
He's dead.
Hari died years ago.
You lied to me.
You heard what you wanted to hear.
[Rasik] Jumpdrives are ready.
I'm sorry.
Jump.
[panting]
[Day, in distance] Brother!
Brother!
[grunting]
[approaching] Brother!
[breathing heavily]
You don't know what you did.
Oh, but I do.
There was hope.
She could have helped us.
She could've been free. She could've set us free.
Ah, is that what your dealer told you?
That drug-fucked culty bed warmer. [grunts]
[grunting]
- [grunts, breathing heavily] - [grunts]
- [laughing]
You're not gonna be able to k… me--
[laughs]
You're not gonna be able to kill me, brother. [laughing]
[laughing] You're not gonna be able to kill me.
[sighs]
- [groans, laughs] - [grunts, panting]
[Dusk groans]
[grunts]
[pants]
See?
Nanites.
Demerzel told me you, uh…
[grunts] …you had yours removed before you left?
I did.
Ah. Excellent.
- [blasts] - [exhales sharply]
[grunts]
[groans, grunts]
[groans, splutters]
- [thuds] - [grunts]
[breathing heavily]
- Oh. Brother, brother, brother. - [grunting]
[chuckles] Ah.
Did you hear about the Galactic Council?
- Did that reach down to, uh, Level 88? - [grunting continues]
And Cloud Dominion and all the Luminists?
[grunts]
[inhales deeply]
I carved them out of the sky with a black hole bomb.
[chuckles]
I will not have my world continue without me.
- [splutters] You… You… - [chuckles] Yes.
Me. Seldon's big prediction.
"The end of the dynasty," he said.
[grunts]
And what comes after?
Darkness.
Well, if the robe fits.
[chuckles]
The dream lives on in me. Hmm?
Because you kept it alive in you.
[sighs]
Ambassador, how may I help you?
I'm looking for Nee Tellamarus.
That's my name. Can I help you find something?
I'm interested in a book.
Ah. Ancient works.
- We have a collection-- - I brought my own.
Welcome to the Second Foundation.
[gasps]
[sighs]
[sighs, chuckles]
♪ Another little brother Lying on the floor ♪
♪ Another little brother Who doesn't need a chair ♪
♪ Another little brother Who will never bother me ♪
Zagreus!
[footsteps approaching]
Em… pire.
Um…
Certain dramatic events have transpired.
The upshot of it is that I'm delighted to inform you
is that I will be requiring your services a good while longer.
I will need these two thrones removed,
and obviously somebody needs to take care of, uh… that.
At once, Empire.
Well, go, man. Go, go.
[sighs]
[Brazen Head] Handshake signal received and negotiated.
Initiating clasp.
Clasp accepted.
Transmitting signals.
[Kalle] Interesting.
One of us is seeking a clasp. And from Trantor, no less.
We were told Demerzel was incapable of clasping.
She was.
But this signal isn't coming from Demerzel.
Perhaps someone is seeking to embroil us in the struggle.
Someone must have succeeded.
Then all the pieces are in place.