A blaster, despite its name, does not "blast" in the proper sense of the term. It vaporizes and blows out an interior and-if anything-causes an implosion¹. There is a soft sighing sound, leaving what appears to be a "blasted" object.
    Hari Seldon did not expect to hear that sound. He expected only death. It was, therefore, with surprise that he heard the distinctive² soft sighing sound and he blinked rapidly as he looked down at himself, slackjawed.
    He was alive? (He thought it as a question, not a statement.)
    Raych was still standing³ there, his blaster pointing forward, his eyes glazed⁴. He was absolutely motionless, as though some motive⁵ power had ceased.
    Behind him was the crumpled⁶ body of Andorin, fallen in a pool of blood, and standing next to him, blaster in hand, was a gardener. The hood⁷ had slipped away; the gardener was clearly a woman with freshly clipped hair.
    She allowed herself a glance at Seldon and said, "Your son knows me as Manella Dubanqua. I'm a security officer. Do you want my reference number, First Minister?"
    "No," said Seldon faintly. Imperial Guard had converged⁸ on the scene. "My son! What's wrong with my son?"
    "Desperance, I think," said Manella. "That can be washed out eventually." She reached forward to take the blaster out of Raych's hand. "I'm sorry I didn't act sooner. I had to wait for an overt⁹ move and, when it came, it almost caught me napping."
    "I had the same trouble. We must take Raych to the Palace hospital."

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