" Perry Rhodan 0064 - (56) Prisoner of Time" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

1/ MENACE OF THE TIME FRONT



"SPACE AND TIME-we seem to have conquered them both."

"And yet we must not forget that, just 100 years ago, the idea of flying to the Moon ranked as
sheerest fantasy in the mind of the average person. The feat was considered a science fiction fairy tale
less than 30 years before the reality of lunar landing and the beginning of the stormy space development
that brought us where we are in this year 2041.

"Thanks to the help of the Arkonides, leaps through hyperspace to stars thousands of light-years
distant are no longer an impossibility. Space has been conquered and, with it, time as well.-Or at least, so
we believed until recently."

The speaker paused for emphasis and fixed his gaze, each in turn, on the 6 men who sat opposite him
on the long table. In their eyes be could read tense expectancy, excitement to learn the details of the
mission as yet unknown to them. Perry Rhodan knew that he could count on these men and that they
would unflinchingly attempt their mission even if it seemed absolutely impossible.

Next to Rhodan sat 2 other men. On his right, Reginald Bell, who had forced himself into much too
small a seat for his physique. Nevertheless, he was at ease. His red hair bristles lay flat, evidencing that
Rhodan's right-hand man was currently in a mood of rare serenity, for once in his life having nothing to be
angry about. He looked about with friendly, clear blue eyes.

On Rhodan's left sat Atlan the Immortal. In his timeless eyes shimmered quiet pensiveness, as though
he was searching his centuries-long memory for something that would answer all questions. But he had
not found it yet.

"As you all know, we had unfortunately deceived ourselves," Rhodan continued, leaning forward
almost imperceptibly in order to better grip and hold the eyes of the 6 men. "True, we mastered Space
and Time in our own continuum of existence-but we forgot that there can be other planes. Indeed, we
forgot that these planes could meet. And just that has occurred."

A rustling passed through his listeners; he waited till it subsided, then continued: "We are confronted
by 2 time planes in the process of colliding. Clearly, such an event will not take place without
unprecedented effects on both sides. Imagine our universe as a plane, somewhat like the thick disc of a
galaxy. The time plane of the aliens looks similar but stands perpendicular in relation to us and moves
slowly towards us. The aliens' plane is cutting through ours. Where that happens, all organic life
disappears; becomes invisible in other words. Entire worlds are being stripped of their populations in this
manner and it is no wonder the Robot Brain, the Regent of Arkon, has called on us for help and freely
given us an equal partnership. Arkon and the Solar Imperium now stand together before a common
enemy, which is bent on depopulating the entire galaxy."

Atlan moved slightly. Catching Rhodan's questioning look, he murmured: "Your men have found out
that different time relations are in effect in the aliens' plane, right? Relative to us, time passes more slowly
for them. Could that be the key?"

"The key-to what?"
 Atlan shook his head slowly. "Don't ask me yet, Rhodan. I will speak only when I see my suspicions