Powerful Trantor High Council member Betan Lamurk opposes the independent Seldon's appointment.

For example, Seldon suggests a decree that erases terrorists' names from records, denying them immortality, discouraging chaotic actions.

Besides the psychohistorians, much of the novel's action revolves around advanced sentient simulations (sims) of Joan of Arc and Voltaire.

Hari Seldon and Dors Venabili flee Trantor, escaping High Council member Betan Lamurk's forces.

The aliens aid Seldon's return to Trantor, and his defeat of High Council member Lamurk through tik-toks.