" Perry Rhodan - Atlan 01 - Spider Desert" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

1/ BENEATH THE WEB



On this far planet a turning point had been reached in the saga of Fratulon:

Gortavor was a savage young world where Arkonide civilization and untamed Nature made
provisional peace in a sort of mutual symbiosis. Inasmuch as the Arkonides had no particular interest in
cultivating the planet or entering into a systematic colonization here, the area surrounding the spaceport
was the only main centre of their activity, supported merely by a minimal industry and the most
indispensable of technical installations. By contrast, the maps of Gortavor indicated vast regions and
lands unknown, which no Arkonide

had ever explored.

Although an effective civilization had never taken hold hereтАФor for that very reasonтАФthe planet
experienced a lively influx of quasi immigrants and settlers representing a wide variety of peoples and
races who hailed from all parts of the Greater Imperium as well as from distant regions of the galaxy
beyond.

This questionable traffic consisted almost exclusively of irresponsible adventurers, frustrated misfits,
lost derelicts and shady drifters of every description. It was such as these who stamped the overall
character of the haphazard colonization, making of the planet a central distribution point for smugglers
and undercover operators, a Paradise for thieves and swindlers, an asylum for murderers, outlaws and
fugitives from justice in every walk of life.

Gortavor was located on the far flung outer ramparts of the Greater Imperium, which was why
Fratulon had come here, as hunted as any man alive. Orbanoshol III, Imperator of the Arkonide Empire,
had a very long arm, but apparently it had failed to reach this far. At least until now, Fratulon had
remained beyond its grasp.

As personal physician to Armanck Declanter, he enjoyed both a great prestige and a certain degree
of immunity. Armanck was referred to as the тАЬTattoтАЭ, which was an official title given to all Arkonide
planetary administrators, and as such he shielded him from danger.

However, even though Fratulon had lived thus in relative security for almost 13 years, he had never
ceased to be wary and alert. His life was burdened the shadows of the past, by memories which ticket
constantly inside of him with the persistence of a time bomb. And one day this bomb was going to ignite.

But the day and the hour had not quite arrived when that past could be brought to life. He would still
have to maintain his silence. His secret would have to remain buried for just a while longer. But how
much longer Days, weeks, years?

No! Of this he was certain: before this present year was ended, he would have to reveal the truth to
Atlan.

Ere long now, the day and the hour would be at handтАж