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

The general didn't wish to be disturbed during that time. Tanjew's implications had given him food for thought, though he was loath to admit it openly. By the same token he had often felt intuitively that there was some truth to the wide spread rumours. There was nothing tangible about them, just wonderment about the success of Perry Rhodan and the 10 years of New Power.
He thought about Thora, the captured Arkonide, and about her robot R-17 that did not leave her side.
He clenched his fist and pounded on the flimsy camp table till it broke. It did not help to alleviate his agitation.
He went to the entrance and called loudly outside. "Col. Popolzak!
The Colonel crawled out of a nearby tent.
"Come here, Colonel! I need five dependable men."
"Yes, sir! I'll send them over at once."
"Let me finish first! I don't want to see the men. Nobody must see them. Later on, I'm going to take a little walk with our prisoner outside the camp.
Tomisenkow explained a few more details and went over to the hut housing Thora and her robot. "Hello, Miss Thora! May I come in?"
"Oh, it's you, General! Since when do you practice such politeness?"
She stepped out of the hut and tossed her long flowing white hair back with a defiant gesture. Tomisenkow avoided meeting the cynical look of her slightly reddish eyes. Such duels with this woman had always irritated him.
"I'd like to invite you for a walk, ma'am. I'm sure you'll enjoy this beautiful morning on Venus."
"I don't mind," Thora quickly agreed, to his amazement. "I'm sure you have another bag full of interesting topics in store for me. You always while away my time so pleasantly."
Tomisenkow knew only too well that the Arkonide woman never cared much for his conversation. What he had up his sleeve today was even more disagreeable. The thought made him gloat and buoyed his spirit. "Let me surprise you, ma'am!"
"I'm convinced you'll manage to do that. Take for instance that gun on your back."
Tomisenkow had shouldered a rifle.
"You never know when you may get into unsafe territory. Being an expert on Venus, I won't have to explain to you how dangerous some of the animals are."
"I should think it sufficient if we take R-17 along."
"R-17 may be enough to protect you but I'm sure he wouldn't move a finger to save my neck. You'll have to leave it to me how to take care of myself on Venus."
The guard posted at the exit of the camp saluted as the General and Thora and her robot passed.
"Why are you going so far outside?" Thora suddenly asked. Had she become suspicious?
Tomisenkow managed a smile.
"Don't worry, ma'am. We'll remain within shooting range of our headquarters. If you should entertain any thought of fleeing with your artificial friend, you better be warned. I have to talk to you privately."
"We could have done that in your tent."
"Let me be the judge of that! Please, be sure to tell me the truth-for your own good."
"Is this supposed to be a threat?"
"You may always feel threatened if you cross me! Tell me something about your mutants."
"What about them?"
"I'm referring to those mysterious people the world's press has been writing so much nonsense about for years. There must be some truth to it. Even Rhodan has hardly a chance in the jungle without his superior technical paraphernalia. Before he reaches the fortress in the north, his body will rot in the swamps.
"But you believe that mutants are helping him? Let's assume that such is the case. Wouldn't his advantage be overwhelming without technical means? Besides, you're suffering from a delusion if you still believe that Rhodan has come to Venus with me."
"Rhodan is here!" Tomisenkow said flatly. "You might as well admit it."
"I've told you the truth. What can I add to that? Evidently you know more about his whereabouts than I. If he's still on Terra, it won't take more than a day on Venus till he comes to my rescue."
"Before the day is out, we'll have reached the mountain up north. As soon as we take over the fortress, the whole planet will be in my control. If you're making secret plans to oppose me, it will be your loss, ma'am. On the other hand, if you throw in your lot with me, you may lead your life to suit yourself. The alternative is that you'll remain my prisoner forever. I've got the means to make life unpleasant for you, believe me!"
"I wouldn't doubt that in the least. Whenever you tell me something disagreeable you're always in character. Let's go back. This conversation is quite senseless."
"What about the mutants?"
"We've got some on Arkon," Thora answered. "There are those who can read your thoughts and others who can influence them. The so-called teleporters simply 'think' themselves from one place to another. They are always where they want to be. If I were a teleporter, for instance, I could be in the Venus fortress within two seconds."
"Is Rhodan a mutant?"
"Not that I know. What makes you think so?"
"I've sent commandos out after him several days ago. They're breathing down his neck. Rhodan has reached the big north bay and is caught in a trap. Let's say he's no mutant, then I can expect to get my hands on him in a couple of Terra days."
Thora didn't let on how badly Tomisenkow's information affected her. Although she had run away from Rhodan on Earth, she couldn't think of a more welcome liberator. After the unforeseen crash in the Venusian jungle she came to regret her impetuosity.
"If you believe that it is Rhodan who has intruded into the north sea, why don't you get him? I can't prevent your doing it."
Suddenly a shot rang out nearby. At the same moment a whistling bullet ricocheted from a rock.
"Take cover!" the General shouted but he ran at least 20 yards before he hit the ground. Thora had thrown herself down at once. However, the robot remained upright and sent a short burst of energy into the nearby woods, setting it on fire.
This was followed by a salvo of small arms fire.
It was obvious that the attack was directed solely against the Arkonide woman, since the fire was concentrated on her cover.
Simultaneously, the robot jumped to the fore.
Nobody would have suspected that R-17 could act with so much agility. A mantle shimmered around his body, looking like heated air.
Tomisenkow wondered whether it could be an energy screen. But he disregarded it and put a huge shell resembling a rifle grenade on the muzzle of his gun.
Meanwhile R-17 had taken up his position and sprayed the rim of the forest with uninterrupted energy fire. Soon the shooting from the conventional arms ceased. At this moment the general had sighted his aim. He pulled the trigger. Against the atomic rifle grenade the protection of the robot's energy screen proved to be ineffective.
R-17 went up in a short lived glowing cloud.