" Perry Rhodan 0115 - (107) The Emperor and the Monster" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

A dead silence pervaded the Control Central of theIronduke . The ChiefтАЩs mouth had opened as if to
speak but he failed to utter a sound. The button shield rolled in ever narrowing circles on the deck until it
finally came to rest directly in front of Dr. Carl Riebsam, the chief mathematician. All eyes stared at the
gleaming button as though hypnotized.

In a momentary reaction of mortification, Cardif brought both hands to his throat and felt of the torn
fastener. In a somewhat cracked voice he challenged Krefenbac. "You were about to say something,
Major?"

There was a mixture of helplessness and sympathy in KrefenbacтАЩs expression. "SirтАж" he began but
groped cautiously for words.

Cardif suddenly drew himself up to his full height and the uniform stretched tightly over his body. It was
no secret to the crew that in the past 3 days he had grown 3 cm and had also expanded his girth. It
almost seemed as if the whole process were accelerating as they approached the planet Saos.

"Well, speak!" shouted Cardif, losing his composure. When he saw Riebsam bend down to pick up the
button he pushed the mathematician out of the way. There was a nasty smile on his lips. "No, Doctor," he
said scornfully, "not you!"

KrefenbacтАЩs face took on a slightly rosy hue. Reginald Bell stood with folded arms behind Cardif, whom
he mistook for his best and closest friend.

Cardif glared threateningly at Krefenbac. "Well, Major, are you going to pick up that shield for your
poor, sick superior?"

The colour vanished from KrefenbacтАЩs face and he became deathly pale. He knew that Rhodan wanted
to belittle him. The AdministratorтАЩs and actions and mannerisms were incomprehensible to him.
Krefenbac was a great respecter of discipline. He was an excellent soldier and officer.

"Sir," he said tonelessly, "please release me from this order. IтАЩll bring you a replacement shield to your
cabin."

It was obvious to everyone in the Control Central that the major had met him halfway. But everyone else
knew that Krefenbac would go no further. Although he was willing to lay down his pride he was not
ready to bury it.

A fanatic gleam appeared in CardifтАЩs eyes. He was able to interpret KrefenbacтАЩs attitude as well as
anybody else. The major had backbone. Yet under the insidious effects of the cell activator
Cardif-Rhodan could countenance no insubordination. He wantedeveryone to obey him.

"Major," he half-whispered threateningly, "you will pick up the shield!"

Krefenbac tensed. His gaze met CardifтАЩs squarely. Before he could say a word, everyone knew he was
going to refuse the order. It was Bell who came to the rescue. He moved past Cardif, winked at
Krefenbac and picked up the button himself. Cardif remained silent. Bell reflectively weighed the cause of
the disturbance in his hand.

"If it means that much to you, PerryтАж"