"(novel) (ebook) - Perry Rhodan 0023 - (16) Secret Barrier X" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

"That I can hear."
"And the others?"
"Now most of them have taken cover again."
"And the others?"
"Three men are running away along the shore toward the west and one seems to have the guts to walk toward the forest."
"You call that guts? The man must be out of his mind!"
The 30 seconds were up.
The second mine exploded and the confusion among their adversaries was complete. They all expected further detonations from the unknown source. They began a general retreat to the west which turned into a rout with everybody running away in headlong flight. They ran along the shore where they were least impeded.
"The way to the sandbar is free!" Okura shouted excitedly.
"Let's go, my boy!" Rhodan decided.
They took up a new position where the sandbar began.
"Cover our flank to the west," Rhodan told Okura while he turned on the radio. "Come back here, John! We've beaten them off. You'll find us on the beach where the sandbar juts out!"
"How in the world did you do that? Do you have artillery with you?"
"I'll explain later. First of all I want to look at you to see if you're still in one piece."
As John Marshall's figure emerged from the fog, new explosions could be heard in the distance. The sound volume indicated detonations of heavy shells.
"What was that?" Son Okura moaned.
"I suppose it's a bombing raid," Rhodan said softly and dejectedly. "I've always said that some of these gentlemen on Venus are guilty of gross miscalculations."








6/ Attack Of The Tree-Lizard


They had escaped the threat of Wallerinski's ambush from the trees. Alas, when Tomisenkow saw the four attacking helicopters he realized that he had jumped from the frying pan into the fire.
The first stick of bombs fell mostly somewhere in the forest. Only the last three of the blasts had hit where Tomisenkow assumed his vanguard to be.
"This is treason! I'll have that scum courtmartialled!"
"Take cover!" another voice commanded, daring to interrupt the General. It was Col. Popolzak.
"Disperse in the brush!"
The open path was suddenly swept clean. Only a few pieces of equipment were left behind.
Then came the second pass.
Once more TNT bombs smashed into the jungle, uprooting entire trees and tossing debris of branches and lianas high into the air.
Two minutes later it was all over. At least for the time being.
"They'll be back!" Thora declared, plainly disgusted and brushing the dirt from her clothes.
"What do you know about that?" Tomisenkow thundered.
"Nothing, General. Obviously, it wasn't my army. Why don't you try to think a little harder. You must have recognized the markings."
"They were our machines all right, ma'am. I know the model. They're the fastest and biggest..."
"I know! The fastest, the biggest and probably the first ones in the world," Thora replied cynically.
"Shutup! I'll..."
In the excitement they didn't let each other finish their sentences. The General interrupted Thora and Col. Popolzak interrupted the General.
"We've suffered some casualties, sir! What are your orders?"
"Can't you decide that for yourself, Colonel? First pick up the dead and then line up the men. I'll have to talk to all of you."
Tomisenkow stared after his field-officer. Then he firmly gripped Thora by the hand.
"Come with me!"
She followed him involuntarily to the communication section which for many months had existed in name only. The radio technicians were ragged infantrymen like all the other soldiers.
"Chekovich!" Tomisenkow yelled.