Chapters 19-20 Summary

Chapter 19, "Decision," finds Trevize, Pelorat, and Bliss back in space. Trevize would prefer Dom and demands to know his part. Bliss assures him that they dare not manipulate his mind to calm him, lest his value be lost. Pelorat is willing to bear the burden of responsibility for the wellbeing of an entire world simply to please Bliss, but she allows no substitution. She assures Pelorat that she already thinks very well of him. Novi realizes her true Gaian identity and is like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. Gendibal sees her mind grow complex and impenetrable and asks why she has deceived and lured him here. She communicates in Speaker fashion the essence of Gaia and begs him not to resist. They must remain in a triple stalemate until Trevize breaks it—if he so chooses. Meanwhile, aboard the...