"Raymond Z. Gallun - Saturn's Ringmaster" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gallun Raymond Z)

тАЬWhat are we going to do, Ruzza?тАЭ he

T HE question, sounding now in RaffтАЩs questioned irritably. тАЬNothing but admire the
etherphones, was certainly human enough as scenery, I guessтАФuntil our oxygen gives out.тАЭ
far as its arrangement and meaning went; but the Ruzza was a native of the buried caves of
curious tinny rasp of it suggested the tones of Uranus. It was his bulk, which would have
some cheap and ancient phonograph. And to an weighed a scant three pounds on Earth, that
uninformed observer its point of origin might caused RaffтАЩs pocket to bulge. Ruzza was a
have been puzzling at first. It came from the grotesquely humorous demonstration of the fact
tympanic voice-membrane of Ruzza of Uranus. that all intelligent forms of life need not be
Raff did not answer at once. He was trying to wrought in human shape. His body was a ball of
straighten things outтАФtrying to remember just leathery brown flesh, pronged with sensitive
what had happened. prehensile feelers. Four of them, longer and
The Esar models had been intended for thicker than the others, and covered by protecting
delivery to the colony on the Saturnian moon, sheaths of transparent, cellophane-like material,
Titan; and he had set out from Mars to take them were thrust ludicrously out of the top of the
there. But somehow, probably through the agency pocket. They wavered from side to side with a
of his efficient spy system, Korse Bradlow, restless motion.
greatest rogue within the orbit of Pluto, had At their tips, looking through the clear
learned of the mission and had foreseen its texture of his odd space attire, were bright, beady,
purpose. It was a gesture of the forces of law intelligent eyes. Ruzza was a scientist of note in
against his piratical depredations. his own country. His association with OrethonтАФa
When a full-sized Esar apparatus had been matter now of seven Earth monthsтАФwas an
constructed, its deadly energy shield would screen expression of an adventurous yearning in the
the domes of the colony, rendering them forever unnamed soul of the tiny creature. He had paid in
impervious to attack. But meanwhile police craft bars of priceless actinium for the privilege of
could continue their assaults on BradlowтАЩs camp traveling around with Orethon on his police
on Tethys without fear of reprisal. duties; and though the young Earthman had often
It was a dangerous situation for him who, found RuzzaтАЩs constant presence annoying, he had

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Raymond Z. Gallun SaturnтАЩs Ringmaster Thrilling Wonder, December, 1936

endured it because of the pay. Any enterprising тАЬYou heard his little speech of departure,тАЭ he
youth would have done so. said. тАЬIsnтАЩt that enough? Among the renegade
The Uranian gave his buzzing version of a Terrestrials and Martians in his outfit, there are
human laugh. тАЬAt least the scenery is very nice, plenty of skilled mechanics. HeтАЩll build a big Esar
eh, friend?тАЭ he questioned. apparatus to protect his headquarters on Tethys, of
course. And he can make another apparatus to

O RETHON agreed with a sullen nod. It was screen his fleet. From behind the screen he can
RuzzaтАЩs endless effort to be friendly that blast our orderly colony on Titan out of existence
irritated him most. But he could not disagree with if it doesnтАЩt submit. But it willтАФeventually. HeтАЩll
the little fellow now. rule the whole system of Saturn! So far from their
The spectacle around them was the most home bases, no Earthly or Martian fleet would
grandly beautiful in the solar system, and perhaps dare oppose him. And his depredations against
in the entire universe. The large meteor on which commerce will doubtless continue.тАЭ
they were marooned was one of myriads that were тАЬZaah, Raff Orethon!тАЭ Ruzza buzzed. тАЬIt
in sight. Their range in size was tremendous; must not happen!тАЭ
some were as massive as small mountains, while The Earthman felt exasperation rising within