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

"You might try explaining the situation to the Brain," Thora suggested. "Tell it that we are not familiar with the key. Request an uncoded text."
A good suggestion, thought Rhodan and he repeated his broadcast, emphasizing they were totally unfamiliar with the code.
Inside the command centre the tension reached breaking point.
The coloured pattern on the videoscreen stopped moving. There was a sharp crackle in the loudspeaker, then the nonsensical sounds ceased. A cold, impersonal voice could be heard throughout the entire central.
The voice spoke in the language of the Arkonides: "I have connected both our transmitters to a special channel where a coded message is not required. Nobody can listen in to this conversation. Will you start."
"Can you see me?" asked Rhodan.
A brief pause, then the stationary colour pattern vanished from the screen. It soon reappeared, moved around and began to form a plastic image. This process was accompanied by the sound of the cold mechanical voice.
"I can see you the same as you presently will be able to see me. You are two and three quarters light-years-according to your count-distant from my location. Where is the stolen ship?"
Now the image on the screen was completed. Rhodan saw an outsize hall without any clues as to where it might be located. A gigantic hemisphere of glittering metal stood in the centre of this room, which was otherwise empty. The hemisphere had an approximate diameter of 150 feet and most likely contained the robot brain. It was impossible to guess what lay underneath the hemisphere. The height of the structure was 25 feet.
Rhodan had waited many years for this moment when he would be face to face with the regent of the Arkonide Empire but not even in his wildest dreams had he imagined it would look like this-a metallic hemisphere.
Rhodan answered the question of the robot brain. "The stolen ship is waiting for me at a safe place, Regent. In case I fail to return, the ship would be forever lost to the Empire."
"It is not my intention to detain you here," came the Brain's icy retort. "The situation would be different if you had come in the stolen ship. What do you want?"
"To convince you that I am not your opponent."
"You will have great difficulty doing that," doubted the metal monster. Abruptly the Brain changed the topic of conversation. "I can see two Arkonides at your side. Are they Thora and Khrest, who received partial recognition from me?"
"That's correct, Regent," said Rhodan. "They formerly belonged to the ruling class of Arkon."
"The Zoltral clan represented no advantage to the Arkonide Empire," remarked the ice-cold voice. "Ever since I seized power some 6 years ago the Arkonide Empire has gone from strength to strength."
Rhodan was secretly astonished that the robot should experience something akin to pride. However, those who can feel pride are not averse to other stirrings. Perhaps the robot brain was even capable of emotions...?
"Nobody would doubt that," Rhodan replied. "But you must admit that the Zoltral clan is working far more effectively and stronger for the Empire than the Orcast clan would ever be capable of doing."
"This is exactly why I replaced Orcast," came the Brain's prompt reply. "He would have let the Empire go to rack and ruin."
"A final question, Regent, regarding the Empire: Why don't you acknowledge me as the Empire's friend? Do you believe I plan to harm the Empire? Didn't I bring back Thora and Khrest?"
The answer came immediately: "You are my greatest adversary, judging from a point of view of personal power. As far as the Empire is concerned you are my ally, until now, at least. You see, I am in a dilemma. Are you surprised that I confess to that?"
"Yes," said Rhodan, "I'm surprised."
"I admit this conflict merely so that you can understand my mode of action. And now: why did you enter into communication with me?"
"I wanted to tell you where I am hiding the stolen ship."
A pause ensued for the first time Evidently the Brain needed some time to handle this bit of information and to envision all its potential outcomes. This procedure would have taken hours for a human being but it consumed barely 10 seconds for the Brain. Then came the reply: "Why?"
This was a clear indication it had been unable to find a satisfactory, logical answer.
No wonder, thought Rhodan to himself. Nobody could accomplish that feat.
"In order to prove to you that I am your friend, I christened the stolen ship the Titan and I consider it as a loan. You'll get it back whenever you want. Please note the following data for your information: the Titan is now at the spaceport of Tagnor, the capital of the planet Zalit in the Voga System, three light-months away from my present location."
"Impossible," came the prompt reply. "I would know it if this were the case."
Rhodan permitted himself a gentle smile resembling indulgence.
"Why would you have to know that? Which factor would guarantee this? Perhaps a factor by the name of Zarlt?"
"Correct. The Zarlt of Zalit. is vice-imperator of the Empire. A ship of the Titan's dimensions would be noticed if it were in the spaceport of Tagnor. And the Zarlt would report this to me. I gave orders to hunt down this stolen ship. There is only one logical conclusion: you are lying! The Titan is hidden somewhere else."
"A false conclusion!" countered Rhodan. He seemed to enjoy this conversation. "You have neglected to consider that somebody else might be lying. Such as the Zarlt, for instance."
"Zarlt Elton is absolutely loyal to me."
"Quite possible," Rhodan admitted calmly. "But what good will that do you if Elton has been dead for quite a number of weeks?"
Another brief pause. Then: "Why was I not informed of his death?"
"Because his murderers thought this unwise. Besides, it would have interfered with their plans if the Regent of the Empire found out that Zalit intends to assume rule over the Realm of the Arkonides."
"Murderer?" That was all. Even a robot brain could be amazed.
"Zarlt Elton was murdered. The new Zarlt is Demesor, a former officer of the spacefleet. He has planned the annihilation of the robot brain of Arkon."
"That is absurd!" came the unruffled voice over the loudspeaker. "Nobody can destroy me."
"Oh yes they can!" Rhodan contradicted coldly. "It's possible! Though Demesor cannot do it. That's why he asked for my help. Does it make sense now why Demesor didn't inform you of the Titan's whereabouts?"
"Considering these aspects it would be logical and therefore understandable. My question is, on the other hand: do you speak the truth? Who can give me a satisfactory answer to that?"
"Perhaps Admiral Zernif," said Rhodan, 2 pointing to the man from Zalit. "He served the Empire under Zarlt Elton but fell into disgrace when Demesor came to power. It was only by chance that his life was spared. He together with other Zalites who are faithful subjects of the Empire have founded a resistance movement with the goal of restoring order on Zalit-an order devoted to the interests of the Empire."
Another pause of 10 seconds followed. Then the robot Brain's impersonal voice came over the loudspeaker: "I have checked out all information about Admiral Zernif. His personal integrity is above all suspicion. The same was the case with Demesor."
"Why was in the case of Demesor?"
"Because I have just determined that Demesor was sent to the space academy instead of his far more qualified brother. That was 30 Zalit-years ago. In all probability he was threatening his brother at the time. Besides, according to the data checked out by me, his brother fell victim to some unexplained accident some time later. It is well known that he was a loyal adherent to the Empire."
Rhodan sighed with relief. The robot brain was working fast and with icy efficiency.
"And what are your conclusions, Regent?"
"That you are speaking the truth. What does Zernif have to say to all this?"
Zernif stepped forward and stared at the glittering metal dome. "I want to confirm Rhodan's statements. I also would like to emphasize that our Empire is in danger. Demesor has organized a military dictatorship on Zalit and has imposed total censorship on all kinds of news. But my underground movement will do away with Demesor and install the legitimate successor of the former, rightful Zarlt."