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

"If I hurt you, it was done unintentionally. You're much too valuable for me to lose you now. I won't permit the insurgents over there to decide when I let you die. They are worse than pirates. Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Let go of me and give me a weapon. I can handle it."
"I don't doubt it," Tomisenkow said tersely and reluctantly pulled out a sixshooter from behind his back. He handed it to Thora and said:
"Be careful, ma'am! It's loaded and suitable for close combat only."
"That's good enough for me," Thora declared with a vague look in her eyes.








4/ "The Power In His Eyes"


Son Okura, the limping 'ultra-frequency seer,' and Perry Rhodan, the injured chief of the New Power, were not the most ideal team for a foot march on Venus. Their goal was 800 miles away, by direct flight, with a 200 miles wide sea channel in between, which also had to be crossed some time.
Son Okura's handicap had to be reckoned with from the beginning; but Rhodan's shoulder wound was a complication which was later acquired when both of them and John Marshall got involved in a fight with the rebels and Lt. Wallerinski's 'pacifists.' However, Perry had not lost his sense of humour. A shot went through his flesh close to the armpit. No bone or important muscle was damaged but Rhodan was still reminded by repeated itching and jabbing pains that his freedom of action was restricted.
"You've got to take care of yourself, sir," Okura kept admonishing him. He had built another tree house of vines and broad leaves. It was perfectly camouflaged.
"Your tree houses are for people who enjoy luxury and comfort," Rhodan chided him, "not for people who want to get ahead."
"We've agreed, sir, that security comes first. Besides, we've got no other choice with our handicaps."
"I'm not so sure we're not taking part in a race. We don't have a guarantee that Tomisenkow and Thora can't enter the bulwark in the mountain if they reach it first. Thora is an Arkonide whose brain will be recognized."
"Do you believe she'd betray us?"
"You can't call it betrayal. She's in the hands of an enemy who can force her."
"Okay," Okura smiled. "I'm convinced that we can beat Tomisenkow in a race. Despite the slow progress we re making, we're faster than he is. Tomisenkow simply can't haul his army as quickly through the jungle as we can drag our invalid bodies. After the search I made yesterday, I'm certain that the remnant of Tomisenkow's division is not far from here. We've almost caught up with him and I believe we'll get to the coast before he does. There's no need to worry about Marshall."
"I wish I could share your confidence," Perry Rhodan replied. "You've got to think in strategic as well as in tactical terms. Don't forget to consider the picture as a whole."
"I don't understand you, sir."
"So far we've only dealt with the people we've encountered in the immediate neighbourhood. Let's start from the beginning and find the reason for the present situation."
"The reason for our presence here is Thora's flight."
"Right! Now think about the other Earthmen!"
"The Eastern Bloc has sent Tomisenkow with a division to invade Venus and we've thrown a monkey wrench into that expedition. His army is almost destroyed. Apparently he still commands a small remnant of it..."
"Go on! Forget about the deserters. There must be many more men on Venus."
Son Okura paused to think.
"From the Eastern Block?"
Perry Rhodan nodded.
"Of course, my boy!"
"You've the relief armada in mind. No, sir. I've already given this some thought. Remember when we first met Sgt. Rabow, who died in the battle with the rebels and the pacifists? He has told us many things but he never mentioned that the second fleet has landed."
"That's just it. Tomisenkow evidently doesn't know anything about it either. But there's no doubt in my mind that the fleet has landed. I told you that you must always start from the beginning. The Eastern Bloc has launched 200 spaceships. We've destroyed 34 of them when we accidentally passed through the core of their vessels with our energy screen around us. Perhaps more ships were smashed up during the landing; but I'm willing to bet that more than 100 ships have arrived intact on Venus."
Son Okura paled. "My god, sir! This would mean..."
He didn't have to finish his sentence. They both knew the importance of the fact that somewhere on Venus an army with excellent equipment existed.
"It's obvious that the armada was meant to reinforce Gen. Tomisenkow's troops. The fact that nobody has reported to him proves they've mutineered, too. Mutiny seems to be epidemic on Venus," Rhodan declared dryly.
They didn't talk much more about the subject although it was of the greatest interest to them. Their schedule now required six hours of rest. It was more important to recuperate and conserve their strength than to speculate about strategy. There was plenty of time for that during the march.

* * *

They slept and departed according to their time plan. Okura had lost count of the tree houses he had built in the Venusian forest. He had become quite an artist. Each drawing was more beautiful than the last one. Yet they had to leave them without ever seeing them again.
They talked about such little sentimentalities when they tired of discussing the serious problems. The conversation usually ceased entirely after a few miles on the march when it was again brought home to them that the wilderness on Venus demanded continuous toil.
On the following day-for convenience sake they usually counted the days on the Terranian calendar-they heard some shots. Rhodan, who was walking ahead at the moment, immediately stood stock still. Before he could say anything another volley followed.
"There seems to be a battle due north of here, sir."
"Where else? That's where Tomisenkow hangs out." They heard one more detonation of a bomb or grenade. Then it was silent. They waited 15 minutes but there was no more shooting.