The Emperor Agis XIV had no real right to the name. He had adopted it upon succeeding to the throne with the deliberate purpose of connecting himself with the Agises who had ruled two thousand years ago, most of them quite ably-particularly Agis VI, who had ruled for forty-two years and who had kept order in a prosperous Empire with a firm but nontyrannical hand.
    Agis XIV did not look like any of the old Agises-if the holographic records had any value. But, then again, truth be told, Agis XIV did not look much like the official holograph that was distributed to the public.
    As a matter of fact, Hari Seldon thought, with a twinge of nostalgia, that Emperor Cleon, for all his flaws and weaknesses, had certainly looked Imperial.
    Agis XIV did not. Seldon had never seen him at close quarters and the few holographs he had seen were outrageously inaccurate. The Imperial holographer knew his job and did it well, thought Seldon wryly.
    Agis XIV was short, with an unattractive face and slightly bulging eyes that did not seem alight with intelligence. His only qualification for the throne was that he was a collateral relative of Cleon.
    To do him credit, however, he did not try to play the role of the mighty Emperor. It was understood that he rather liked to be called the "Citizen Emperor" and that only Imperial protocol and the outraged outcry of the Imperial Guard prevented him from exiting the dome and wandering the walkways of Trantor. Apparently, the story went, he wished to shake hands with the citizens and hear their complaints in person.
    (Score one for him, thought Seldon, even if it could never come to pass.)
    With a murmur and a bow, Seldon said, "I thank you, Sire, for consenting to see me."
    Agis XIV had a clear and rather attractive voice, quite out of keeping with his appearance. He said, "An ex-First Minister must surely have his privileges, although I must give myself credit for amazing courage in agreeing to see you."
    There was humor in his words and Seldon found himself suddenly realizing that a man might not look intelligent and yet might be intelligent just the same.
    "Courage, Sire?"
    "Why, of course. Don't they call you Raven Seldon?"
    "I heard the expression, Sire, the other day for the first time."
    "Apparently the reference is to your psychohistory, which seems to predict the Fall of the Empire."
    "It points out the possibility only, Sire-"
    "So that you are coupled with a mythic bird of ill omen. Except that I think you yourself are the bird of ill omen."
    "I hope not, Sire."
    "Come, come. The record is clear. Eto Demerzel, Cleon's old First Minister, was impressed with your work and look what happened-he was forced out of his position and into exile. The Emperor Cleon himself was impressed with your work and look what happened-he was assassinated. The military junta was impressed with your work and look what happened-they were swept away. Even the Joranumites, it is said, were impressed with your work and, behold, they were destroyed. And now, O Raven Seldon, you come to see me. What may I expect?"
    "Why, nothing evil, Sire."
    "I imagine not, because unlike all these others I have mentioned, I am not impressed with your work. Now tell me why you are here."
    He listened carefully and without interruption while Seldon explained the importance of setting up a Project designed to prepare an encyclopedia that would preserve human learning if the worst happened.
    "Yes yes," said Agis XIV finally, "so you are, indeed, convinced the Empire will fall."
    "It is a strong possibility, Sire, and it would not be prudent to refuse to take that possibility into account. In a way, I wish to prevent it if I can -or ameliorate the effects if I can't."
    "Raven Seldon if you continue to poke your nose into matters, I am convinced that the Empire will fall and that nothing can help it."
    "Not so, Sire. I ask only permission to work."