"(novel) (ebook) - Perry Rhodan 0041 - (33) The Giant's Partner" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

"All this seems to make no sense to me," remarked Khrest. "Why doesn't he simply tell the Brain where we are?"
Rhodan smiled. "Just try and put yourself in Demesor's shoes, then you won't have any trouble figuring this out. Demesor wants to outwit the robot brain in order to seize power himself. The Titan is Arkon's mightiest ship but it is in our possession. What profit will Demesor derive if the Brain takes the Titan away from us? That's why he is requesting reinforcements, so that he can capture the Titan for himself. Next he probably intends to push forward to Arkon for he assumes, after all, that we penetrated the fortress barrier only with the help of the Titan. And how could he possibly know the truth: that we accomplished this feat only thanks to the teleнtransmitter aboard the Ganymede?"
"Of course, that's it," said Khrest, remembering bow they had started out from Earth with the Ganymede and that they had stolen the Titan only afterwards. "Well, Perry, it looks as if the Zarlt has sadly misjudged the situation-fortunately for us."
"I'm quite concerned that he doesn't find out his mistake for the time being," replied Rhodan. "It's far more important to us to convince the Brain on Arkon of our loyalty. Would you have any suggestions, Khrest?"
But before Khrest had a chance to answer, Thora interjected: "Why don't we simply establish contact with the Brain?"
Rhodan turned to the beautiful Arkonide woman with a friendly smile. "We've already tried that but the Brain doesn't react. Could be that it is not constantly tuned in on hyperwave radio reception. Perhaps we ought to come closer to Arkon."
"To Arkon?"
"Why not?"
"I believe," said Khrest, "that it is not so much the actual distance that prevents the robot brain from receiving you, I'm more inclined to assume that the Zalites have placed a magnetic barrier-bell around their planet which has a polarizing effect. Incoming transmissions pass through unhindered while outgoing messages are held back. The process is of course also reversible. This would explain why the Brain has remained silent."
"This means it would be enough," stated Rhodan, "if we were to merely pass beyond Zalit's atmosphere in order to establish contact with the Brain on Arkon."
"Theoretically-yes!" Khrest confirmed.
Rhodan paused to reflect for a moment. "You're probably right. But if we give it a try we shouldn't forego the proof." He turned around to face the control panel. He depressed a button. A voice came on.
"Send John Marshall at once to the command centre!" Rhodan informed the man on the other end of the intercom. "It's urgent! And have Lt. Tifflor come too."
He turned off the intercom and turned to the two Arkonides, explaining: "Even a robot brain should not be expected to believe a stranger's word of honer."
"Have you worked out some plan already?" inquired Thora.
Rhodan nodded to confirm her assumption. He could not help gazing at her severe yet beautiful face longer than he actually intended. What a change had come over her! He could scarcely believe that only 13 years ago she had regarded mankind as a barbarian, uncivilized race. Her arrogance had been limitless and her hatred without precedent. And now that she recognized how lifeless the spiritual inheritance of the Arkonides had become and how vital on the other hand the young race of Earthlings was, an inner transformation had taken place in the proud woman which manifested itself not only in a revision of her entire view of life but also especially in her personal attitude toward Perry Rhodan.
Previously Rhodan had only suspected it but today he was certain that he was secretly in love with Thora. However this love was doomed to remain unfulfilled for an eternity was separating them. There was no longer the abyss of a 10,000-year-old culture standing between them-but eternity. For Rhodan had been given the life-prolonging biological cell-shower from the Immortal, which had been denied to Thora. Rhodan was no longer growing old; however, Thora...
He interrupted his reverie. At this time there was no solution for this problem nor any answer for his questions. Some day, however, as he realized, a decision must be made. He was longing for that day as much as he was afraid of it.
"Yes, Thora, I've a plan. We'll pay a visit to the robot brain."
"How?"
"We'll go by the Gazelle."
"With the long distance reconnaissance craft? To pass through the ring of fortifications?"
Rhodan smiled and shook his head. "Not a visit in person, Thora. We'll move away for just a few light hours to get beyond the radio-barrier belt. Then we'll establish video connection with the Brain. We want the Zarlt to remain in the dark about all this so we'll have the Gazelle catapulted from the Ganymede with the help of the teleнtransmitter."
"A splendid idea, Perry," Khrest commented. "I'm in favour of it. But what will you tell the robot brain?"
"The truth. I'll also give it my explicit acknowledgement as regent of the Empire."
Thora looked crestfallen. "You want us to express our consent that Arkon is no longer ruled by our own people but by a robot?"
"First of all, we have no choice in the matter, and secondly I don't consider the Brain's reign to be a disadvantage for the Arkonide Empire. Just look at that Orcast, Thora. Do you honestly believe he could hold the decaying realm together?"
"Certainly not Orcast," Thora agreed. A bright glow came into her golden eyes. "But the Zoltral clan is not so decadent!"
Thora and Khrest were members of the Zoltral clan.
"There will come a time when the Zoltrals will rule again," Rhodan said emphatically. "At that moment we can still negotiate for the Brain to abdicate. But right now it is imperative that we win the robot brain's confidence."
Thora's gaze rested for a long while on Rhodan. Then she lowered her head. "I'm afraid I have to admit you are right, Perry. When will we start?"
Rhodan did not answer for at that precise moment John Marshall and Lt. Tifflor entered the command centre. Tiff, as he was generally known, greatly resembled Rhodan, although he was 20 years his junior. He had excelled in several special missions and enjoyed Rhodan's unlimited confidence.
The door closed quietly behind the two men.
Rhodan greeted them with a brief nod and made a terse announcement: "Tiff, get in touch with Col. Freyt and have him get the Gazelle ready for launching. The crew will consist of Thora, Khrest, Pucky and myself. John Marshall is to try to get Admiral Zernif to come here; if necessary he's to use Ras Tschubai's help. During my absence Bell will be in charge of the Titan. That's all. We'll meet on the Gazelle in exactly two hours. Any questions?"
"I've got to stay behind?" murmured Bell greatly disappointed. "Why should I remain here where nothing is going to happen anyway."
"How can you be so sure of that, Reg?" Rhodan said in a serious tone. When I'm gone I must be absolutely sure I have a reliable commander aboard the Titan. I can't take any risks with a ship like her."
Bell was halfway convinced and no longer offered any argument. After all, Rhodan had entrusted him with their prize conquest.

* * * *

Once back safely in their hidden headquarters, Zernif and his friends finally had an opportunity to take care of Rogal. The would-be assassin who had returned under such mysterious circumstances was obviously still under the influence of a severe shock. He kept staring blankly straight ahead and his tightly compressed lips remained sealed. He did not answer any questions.
They were all sitting around him trying in vain to coax some explanation from their mute friend. Had the attempted assassination been a complete failure? Or had he been able at least to fire a shot at the despot? Had he been caught before he had reached the Zarlt's bedchamber? Had he been betrayed?
With his eyes wide open Rogal continued staring directly at the bright light.
Admiral Zernif sighed. "It's senseless. We should let him rest for a few days perhaps. We'll soon enough find out if the plot miscarried or if the Zarlt was killed. Maybe the Strangers might give us some advice. Perry Rhodan has some peculiar people with him. We know some of them."
Suddenly the conspirators were startled by a noise coming from the middle of the room. Nobody could possibly have entered unnoticed. Their headquarters were located 30 feet below the ground, close to the city. Their safety precautions had never failed them before.
Their startled eyes beheld a sight which caused cold showers of fear to run down their spines: two human figures had materialized out of the void.
Zernif knew one of them. He called himself John Marshall. He was one of Rhodan's men. The very mysterious stranger who seemed to be on their side although he had so far not rendered any assistance to the rebels' cause. The second man was totally unfamiliar to Zernif. His almost black skin frightened them. Was he also part of Rhodan's entourage?
Zernif regained his composure. He moved his hand away from his weapon. "You-how did you get here?"
"With my friend's help. This is Ras Tschubai; he's a teleporter."
Zernif stood up. For awhile he forgot Rogal. The other rebels did not relax the constant vigilance to which they had owed their life so far.