" Perry Rhodan 0103 - (95) The Plasma Monster" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

Ballin the benefit of a doubt. In fact I'm ready to join him in saying that we
are indeed on a course of self-destruction if we don't go to every Terran-and
I mean the man in the street and make every one of them a true citizen of the
universe!" "Every last individual has to feel that he is united with us. But
how can he feel that way unless he is able to share our apprehensions and the
responsibility for our needs? That is exactly what we're not doing, my dear
Mercant, and it's what Walt Ballin is holding up to our faces. We shouldn't
forget the panic that swept over the Earth when the Druufs made a sudden
appearance in our system, followed by Arkon's robot fleet, with the ships of
the Galactic Traders joining the fray." "No, I think we should prepare
mankind, step by step, for the reality that a far superior race of people is
living in the centre of the galaxy and we should be counting on their paying
us a perhaps unpleasant visit. And if Walt Ballin is all that his article
seems to promise, then he's the man for the job. That's why I'd like to meet
him as soon as possible. When can he be here, Mercant?" Allan D. Mercant
smiled ironically. "Sir, Walt Ballin is a journalist and journalists are a
very unusual lot. Hopefully he can find his way to Terrania if Intelligence
asks him to come here, in your name. I hope I can have him here by
tomorrow." . . . . While Walt Ballin was talking on the Europa News
seefone to Yvonne Berclais, he was no longer thinking about the lead article
he had written for the first June issue of his paper. The visitor out in the
reception room could just cool his heels, the stranger didn't seem to be very
important. Walt Ballin didn't know anybody named Garibaldi. Besides, the main
thing on his mind was to date Yvonne for this evening so that he could finally
come to an understanding with her. "OK, Ch├йrie, then it's all set for tonight
at eight at Trois Poulardes? If it's OK with you I'll reserve our front table
on the left side." Yvonne Berclais was an enchanting young woman, an elegant
brunet who was world famous in spite of her 22 years. Whenever 'La Berclais'
opened up with her brilliant soprano on the networks, her goddess-like voice
was listened to by 100 million viewers. But just now Yvonne Berclais was not
the singer, she was a happy young girl who was in love with Walt Ballin. "I'm
happy about tonight, Walt, and this time I'll be on time. You won't have to
wait for me. So until then...!" She had cut off the connection with Walt who
in spite of his 27 years was the lead writer for Europa News, yet he continued
to stare at the screen. However, the muted sound of his buzzer reminded him of
the visitor waiting in the anteroom. So let him come in! Ballin found
himself in a euphoric mood. He was still thinking of Yvonne as he
absentmindedly greeted his guest. Even as he made a gesture inviting the man
to sit down, he could only see Yvonne before him. Tonight she wouldn't keep
him waiting at Trois Poulardes and if he didn't want to miss having a table
he'd have to reserve it within the hour. But now who was this visitor,
anyway? "What... I mean, would you repeat that, please?" He stared in sudden
bewilderment at the bald-pated man with the tremendous belly, who, in sitting,
was so short in stature that he hardly came up over the arm rests of the
chair. The little fat man repeated his message and Walt Ballin suddenly
sharpened his ears in astonishment. What was this? Day before yesterday his
lead article had been brought to the attention of the First Administrator?
"Yes, and so?" Ballin was alarmed. As his mind raced ahead he had a
presentiment of very big trouble and a headache for the Editor-in-Chief! The
Head Office had already expressed its reservations about the article even