" Perry Rhodan 0046 - (38) Project Earthsave" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

Rhodan repeated the question. "Well, Talamon, are the Springers already en route with their attack?"

"No. Even the Springers are not so easily humbled. And without a gathering of the clansтАЩ patriarchs, an
action of this nature cannot be started. But the Aras have brought the Traders this far: within a short time
there will be a patriarchal summit meeting. Where? Nobody knows that yet. Even the courier who came
to probe my own sentiments in the matter did not know."

"3 approach flights!" announced the officer from the tracking station. "One ship with strong scanning
sweep. Distance, 0.325 lims. Velocity, 0.21 under speol. Transmitting coded signal to a second vessel.
Code signal deciphered! It is a part of the Mounder TalamonтАЩs fleet!"

A broad laugh spread over his face and he showed Rhodan and Bell his undisguised admiration. "Now
youтАЩve got me to wondering if my 3 ships can find me!"

Perry almost carelessly extended him his hand. "IтАЩm betting myTitan against your flagship, Talamon, that
they wonтАЩt find us."

The Mounder shook his head ponderously. He hid his massive hands behind his back, emitted a crafty
chuckle and countered: "Rhodan, itтАЩs already gotten around how you came by theTitan . NoтАФIтАЩm not
betting. I still have use for my ship!" In the next moment he sobered. "ArenтАЩt you concerned over the
ArasтАЩ plan? IтАЩm not playing the prophet when I assure you that the Medical Masters will force the
Springers to destroy the Earth. Nor am I just an old bearer of tales, Rhodan. I have come in order to
help you and your home planet!"

Perry Rhodan saw John MarshallтАЩs fingers make the sign of counting money. Rhodan laughed softly and
asked, "And what will your friendship cost me, Talamon?"

"Glorious Milky Way!" enthused the Mounder. "Both of us make perfect partners! Even with the
Arkonides I have yet to come so quickly to the core of the matter!"

"TheyтАЩre all asleep on one foot," observed Bell, referring to the Arkonides.

Suddenly TalamonтАЩs eyes took on a ferret-like swiftness of movement as they probed shrewdly into
these two men of such divergent character and appearance. Perry and Bell presented him with poker
faces. This common accord between them gave the crafty, 1300 pound fox certain food for thought.

Pensively he said, "I am gradually beginning to understand why it is that any of us who have something to
do with the Arkon Empire usually draw the short end, against you. But letтАЩs discuss prices. You know,
once in awhile I have to give my clan a bit to eat here and there, and to keep 200 ships in attack
readinessтАФthat costs something! The risk I take personally is not calculated in the cost, not in the
leastтАж"

Perry Rhodan coldly upset the otherтАЩs strategy. "When I issued the command to the robot battleships of
the Arkon fleetnot to convert the ships of the Mounder Talamon into gas clouds, I ran a risk that is
beyond the most astronautical evaluation!тАж Talamon, did I demand a price for that?"

"Perry," responded Talamon reproachfully, "is this any way to talk to an old man?"

"Why not?" asked Rhodan, retaining the sharp tone in his voice. "We humans are fond of speaking the
truth, even though at times it is painful! Name us your price, Talamon!"