Desert…boxes…desert…boxes…
When he opened his eyes, the desert remained: a spreading curry expanse of wind–kicked sand!  
Erasmus continued his conversation with the evermind. Surely some of my experiments intrigue you, Omnius, just a little?
 
You know the answer to that.
 
Erasmus said, Yes, the experiment to test the loyalty of your human subjects is proceeding nicely. I have delivered cryptic messages to a handful of trustee candidates -- I prefer not to reveal exactly how many -- suggesting that they join the brewing rebellion against you.
 
There is no brewing rebellion against me.
 
Of course not. And if the trustees are completely loyal to you, they will never consider such a possibility. On the other hand, if they were genuinely faithful to your rule, then they would have reported my incendiary messages immediately. Therefore, I presume you have received reports from my test subjects?
 
For a long moment, Omnius hesitated. I will recheck my records.
 
Erasmus watched the diligent artisans in the plaza, then crossed the upper-level halls of his villa to the other side of the great house. He looked out toward the miserable fenced-in compounds and breeding pens from which he drew his experimental subjects!