"(novel) (ebook) - Perry Rhodan 0041 - (33) The Giant's Partner" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)
"I'll see to it that the proper measures will be taken," promised the new Zarlt. "The recent events were a warning for us. Now we realize what dangers threaten us if we relax our vigilance. Even the greatest positronic brain of the known universe is by no means infallible. Man cannot be entirely replaced."
"I only hope the Brain will also reach this insight. Only then will there still be a future for Arkon."
Adm. Zernif threw a fleeting glance at Pucky. "You have some very capable collaborators," he stated admiringly.
The mouse-beaver sat on a chair, leaning comfortably against its ornate back. His front paws were resting neatly on the tabletop. His incisor was displayed in all its magnificence, speaking plainly of the splendid mood of its owner who, despite his droll appearance, represented an inestimable danger to any enemy.
"If you should ever need our help again began Pucky. But Zernif cut him off with a quick wave of his hand.
"I hope that day will never come, I sincerely do. It was a dreadful time to have to live under the dictatorship of Demesor and his Mooffs."
"How simple things would be if they were indeed his Mooffs," Rhodan remarked dryly. "Unfortunately they are not. But some day this mystery, too, will be solved."
Pucky was still grinning. He seemed to be having a high time. Zernif bent over and gently stroked his rust-red fur. "You must be mighty pleased that all is over now, aren't you?"
Pucky's eyes were radiant with an inner glow. "This is part of it. But I have other reasons to be in such a happy mood, my dear Zarlt. I'm looking forward to a marvellous treat and..."
Unfortunately he could not describe the character of this treat for he was interrupted by Thora's and Khrest's entrance into the dining hall. Their eyes shone with happiness and pride. With heads held high they advanced toward the new Zarlt, bowed lightly and then greeted Rhodan.
"We've already been informed by the robot brain of the events that took place," said Khrest, "and upon his advice we returned to Zalit. The Regent requests you to get in touch with him immediately. The Regent also confirmed the position of Adm. Zernif as the new Zarlt of Zalit."
"The Titan...?"
"Everything okay. The Ganymede is expected to arrive at any moment, too."
Rhodan rose from the table. "Will you forgive me, Zarlt Zernif, if I am thinking of my duty first. I must hurry to the Titan and talk to the Regent of the Empire. I'll return in about half an hour. Bell, keep an eye on the Corps. Make sure that there is not too much wine drinking."
Bell made a grimace. "Never mind. I've found out that were being served by regular robots-not pretty girls."
Pucky giggled. Thora appeared consternated. Khrest's face showed plainly that he did not understand. Marshall had a knowing grin.
"My friend speaks out of bitter experience," Rhodan enlightened the Zarlt with a smile. "Till later."
He left the room and closed the door behind him.
Pucky stopped giggling, slid off his chair and waddled to the door. There he turned around and regarded the assembled crowd with a challenging glance. "Well?" he uttered and emitted a shrill whistling sound of expectation. "Do you believe I want to die of thirst? What are we all waiting for?"
And the door opened as if moved by invisible hands.
Solemnly the little mouse-beaver hobbled across the threshold, totally relying on his superb sense of smell. Which, considering his other far-advanced senses, represented an atavistic throwback.
* * * *
"I've been expecting your call," said the impersonal voice in place of a greeting. "Your activities on Zarlt have convinced me that you are working and thinking in the interest of the Empire. The Titan will remain in your possession. Thora and Khrest of the Zoltral clan will be her official commanding officers. For you, Perry Rhodan, I have another task in mind."
Perry Rhodan needed a few seconds to recover from this surprising statement. He had not counted on the robot brain charging him to carry out a mission in its behalf.
"I regret, Regent, but my present task is not yet completed. The Mooffs were merely the apparent instigators of the planned attack on Arkon. I must find out who all is behind this scheme."
"This is exactly what I want you to do," the Regent commented in a matter-of-fact tone. "Our plans are identical. You'll stay one more week, according to your chronology, on Zalit to assist the Zarlt with his clean-up operations. I request another call from you tomorrow. Will you see to it that the 2 Arkonides will be present.
"Then you'll receive further instructions and all the information that I can obtain and pass on to you."
"Do you have any clues at all to who these unknown powers might be?"
"Not so far," admitted the Brain. "You captured alive a larger number of Mooffs, as I learned. Do not take the full dozen along with you aboard the Titan, only 3 of them. Thus you might find out something that might be of advantage to us."
Rhodan noted with great interest that the Brain had used the term 'us.' This apparently minor detail seemed to him of the utmost importance. This meant that the Regent was already identifying Perry Rhodan with the Arkonide Empire.
"Thank you for the suggestion, Regent. I'll call you tomorrow at the same time."
"I'll be waiting," came the reply and the screen grew dark again.
Rhodan did not immediately return to Tagnor. For nearly half an hour he stayed alone in the command centre to meditate undisturbed. The overall view began to take shape. Arkon was ruled by a robot but on the other hand it was smart enough to realize that it could not manage without man's help. Perhaps it had been originally programmed this way-who could tell...? In any case, Rhodan was now working quite officially on behalf of the great Brain.
What remarkable progress for mankind!
He returned by car to the Zarlt's festivities.
* * * *
Late in the evening of that day, Khrest visited Rhodan in his private cabin. It was a large, comfortably furnished room equipped with a wraparound screen connected with the outside cameras which were arranged like a circle around the Titan. The band of videoscreens served as a soft source of illumination inside Rhodan's cabin.
Rhodan was surprised to see Khrest. The Arkonide scientist brushed his white hair back with his hand and looked for a seat. With a sigh he sat down. "I still wanted to have a word with you, Perry. There was no opportunity all day long."
"We went through a lot of turmoil today," Rhodan admitted with a smile. "Is it about tomorrow's talk with the robot brain?"
"No, Perry, this is about Thora and myself."
"I can't wait to hear what it is."
The scientist seemed to have difficulty in finding the tight words. "The robot brain has given you a task to carry out-this is a good sign. It recognizes and approves of you. The same with us, I know. Thora and I have been named official commanders of the Titan. But you know as well as I who is actually the commander of this ship. Why this pretense? Why can't the Regent say frankly that you are guiding this spaceship and determining its course?"
"Even a robot may feel bound by tradition," conjectured Rhodan, empathizing with Khrest's anguish. "It's not done to hand over the best and strongest ship of the whole Empire to some alien, particularly since this stranger acquired this prize by stealing it in the first place. On the other hand, the Brain recognizes that the Empire can only profit from an alliance with this person. This explains the compromise. Is that what's worrying you so much that you come to see me in the middle of the night?"
"Not really, Perry. I just wanted to hear your views on this subject. And besides, it's only evening and not night. Thora is also worried about this problem. By the way, Perry... you ought to pay more attention to Thora in future. I believe she has undergone some vital changes. I can almost believe that she is now in agreement with my secret plans. Do you remember? -We discussed this some 13 years ago."
| © 2025 Библиотека RealLib.org (support [a t] reallib.org) |