" Perry Rhodan 0041 - (33) The Giant's Partner" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

"It is not my intention to detain you here," came the BrainтАЩs icy retort. "The situation would be different if
you had come in the stolen ship. What do you want?"

"To convince you that I am not your opponent."

"You will have great difficulty doing that," doubted the metal monster. Abruptly the Brain changed the
topic of conversation. "I can see two Arkonides at your side. Are they Thora and Khrest, who received
partial recognition from me?"

"ThatтАЩs correct, Regent," said Rhodan. "They formerly belonged to the ruling class of Arkon."

"The Zoltral clan represented no advantage to the Arkonide Empire," remarked the ice-cold voice. "Ever
since I seized power some 6 years ago the Arkonide Empire has gone from strength to strength."

Rhodan was secretly astonished that the robot should experience something akin to pride. However,
those who can feel pride are not averse to other stirrings. Perhaps the robot brain was even capable of
emotionsтАж?

"Nobody would doubt that," Rhodan replied. "But you must admit that the Zoltral clan is working far
more effectively and stronger for the Empire than the Orcast clan would ever be capable of doing."

"This is exactly why I replaced Orcast," came the BrainтАЩs prompt reply. "He would have let the Empire
go to rack and ruin."

"A final question, Regent, regarding the Empire: Why donтАЩt you acknowledge me as the EmpireтАЩs friend?
Do you believe I plan to harm the Empire? DidnтАЩt I bring back Thora and Khrest?"

The answer came immediately: "You are my greatest adversary, judging from a point of view of personal
power. As far as the Empire is concerned you are my ally, until now, at least. You see, I am in a
dilemma. Are you surprised that I confess to that?"

"Yes," said Rhodan, "IтАЩm surprised."

"I admit this conflict merely so that you can understand my mode of action. And now: why did you enter
into communication with me?"

"I wanted to tell you where I am hiding the stolen ship."

A pause ensued for the first time Evidently the Brain needed some time to handle this bit of information
and to envision all its potential outcomes. This procedure would have taken hours for a human being but
it consumed barely 10 seconds for the Brain. Then came the reply: "Why?"

This was a clear indication it had been unable to find a satisfactory, logical answer.

No wonder, thought Rhodan to himself.Nobody could accomplish that feat.

"In order to prove to you that I am your friend, I christened the stolen ship theTitan and I consider it as
a loan. YouтАЩll get it back whenever you want. Please note the following data for your information: the
Titan is now at the spaceport of Tagnor, the capital of the planet Zalit in the Voga System, three
light-months away from my present location."