" Perry Rhodan 0014 - (08) The Galactic Riddle" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

Perry Rhodan 014 The Galactic Riddle 1/ THE MYSTERIOUS PLANET The sun was a
tiny speck of light, almost lost in the multitude of stars. It was exactly 27
light-years away. Sol was replaced now by a mighty glowing ball of
incandescence. The blue-white rays of this unbelievable fire-giant scorched
the surface of its inner planets. But the star Vega had enough planets to
afford such a waste. The life zone of the system reached from the 7th to the
11th planet. A huge sphere of dull metal moved away from the new sun, beyond
the orbit of the 9th planet, approaching the 10th world of Vega. The
movements of the spacesphere revealed unmistakably that it was a mechanism
manoeuvred by intelligent beings. At first glance, however, one could have
mistaken the great globe for an artificial satellite, perpetually revolving
around the Vegan sun, but the deliberate changes of course and velocity
corrected the first impression. The sphere was the space vehicle of a
technically highly developed race. The ship measured approximately 3,000 feet
in diameter and humans were in command in its control centre. Human eyes
observed the curved optical screens which were arranged with such expertise
that they revealed every bit of surrounding space. As the electronic equipment
hummed low, sheets of paper automatically recorded graphs. Slowly a schematic
picture was created which held the attention of all present. "This appears to
confirm your assumptions," one of the men said quietly. He was standing
slightly apart from the rest and his height automatically drew attention to
him. Although outwardly he resembled a human, he came from a far distant
system of stars, the centre of the declining realm of the Arkonides. "What do
you think of it, Perry?" Perry Rhodan turned around slowly, withdrawing his
steady gaze from the graph. "We can't be sure yet if Lossosh├йr's information
is correct, Khrest, but we'll soon know. However, it is also possible that we
are on the wrong track." Lossosh├йr, a scientist from the 8th planet of the
Vega system, made a hesitant move. He was the only one aboard the spacesphere
whose appearance showed that he did not come from Earth. His small stocky
figure indicated that his home world was one of far greater gravity. His
bulging forehead served to protect his recessed eyes from the strong rays of
the sun. His abundant head of hair served especially well to shield him from
the high intensity of the Vegan sun's ultraviolet rays. "I have only noted an
astronomic curiosity," said the Ferron as if apologizing. "You asked me about
certain things and, I merely tried to help you." "Please don't misunderstand
me," Rhodan responded in a conciliatory tone. "As you know, we came to this
system because we want to find a planet which is situated in this part of
space according to ancient sources. It is supposed to be circling around Vega
as its 10th planet." Rhodan cast a glance at the graphing device and saw that
it was now tracing the orbital path of the 39th planet. Vega had 42 planets
and there were, therefore, only a few minutes left before finishing the map of
the whole solar system. "As far as we can determine now, there is no life on
the 10th planet. I will go further: there has never been any life whatsoever
on this planet. We are going to try to solve this contradiction." A man
stepped forward from the background pushing the two physicians Dr. Frank
Haggard and Dr. Eric Manoli gently aside. His heavyset frame had a round,
almost flat face with nearly colourless faded-blue eyes. His dull reddish hair
stood on end like the bristles of a brush. He ignored the weak protests of the
physicians and planted himself in front of Rhodan. "My dear commander, is it
permitted that a little and insignificant assistant may voice an opinion? If