" Perry Rhodan 0024 - (17) The Venus Trap" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

Son Okura also came to the bow. He was capable of receiving certain wavelengths in the
electromagnetic frequency band which were beyond the perception of normal eyes. Thus he saw
infra-red heat waves and ultra-violet radiation as distinctly as visible light.

"What can you see?" Rhodan asked.

Okura narrowed his eyes. The warm water of the Venusian ocean was for him like a carpet flooded with
light. The jellyfish, however, which absorbed a part of the waterтАЩs heat and reflected another portion into
the ocean, appeared on his retina as a long dark stretch.

"It extends about two miles to the west," Okura said, "and as far east as I can see."

Rhodan considered. "Alright, then weтАЩll go west to get around it." He started the motor up again and
immersed the propeller in the water. Swinging the rudder hard to starboard, he steered the boat around
in a sharp curve.

"Is it that dangerous?" Marshall wanted to know.

"Have you ever seen one of these jellyfish?"

"No. Only a small one in a bay."

Rhodan gave an understanding smile. "IтАЩll give you a demonstration. In any case, weтАЩd have been lost if
weтАЩd run into it. ThereтАЩs more power in this thin carpet of jellyfish than in 10 motors like ours."

The boat proceeded now on a northwesterly course. Rhodan tried to follow around the western rim as
closely as possible. The boat had a speed of about 20 miles an hour. They could ill afford to lose even a
precious second on a detour.

About ten minutes later they were due west of the jellyfish carpet. John Marshall was fascinated by the
sight. The ╞Тuorescence was composed of many different blending colours and presented a spectacle of
beauty in motion that never failed to impress Rhodan, too, no matter how often he had seen it before.

It was hard to believe that this carpet of light was in reality a single animal spread out flat on the water
and lurking for prey. The beauty was a deceptive mask for the enormous voracity and irresistible power
exercised by the jellyfish to drag its victims to the depths.

Rhodan took a few heavy steel nuts out of the boatтАЩs toolbox and stood beside Marshall. The western
side of the jellyfish was no more than 50 feet away from the wall of the boat.

"Okura!" Rhodan said softly.

"Yes, sir!"

"Are you ready to close the boat covers? Walt for my signal."

The Japanese nodded. Rhodan handed the nuts to Marshall.

"Toss them in!"
 Marshall weighed the heavy metal pieces carefully in his hand. Then he swung his arm back and pitched