"002 The Third Power" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

to world peace and that inevitable consequences must follow unless appropriate
action is taken. Should this base not be eliminated, or should it not surrender
to us, within the next twenty-four hours, we shall regard all diplomatic
relations between the Asiatic Federation and the United States as dissolved. We
await your reply. No further communications will follow."
Pounder looked at Mercant. His complexion seemed less healthy than it had been
hardly ten minutes ago. Even the defence Secretary had exchanged his bland smile
for a few lines of worry.
"Force fields," he murmured. "We know nothing of this. I must say, Pounder, your
scientists really know how to keep quiet about something."
"DonТt talk such nonsense, Mercant. I know as much about a force field as you
yourself. The Asiatics are calling a bluff, thatТs all. TheyТve been looking for
an excuse to get rid of their nuclear warheads, and now theyТve found one."
Mercant leaned forward. "Are you telling me that you donТt know anything about
this Сbell of energyТ around the Stardust and that you also donТt know anything
about a new device to counteract EarthТs gravity?"
"Nonsense, both of them! Nothing of the kind exists. IТve already told you that
the Asiatics are bluffing."
"Hello?" The Press Secretary had come on again and interrupted their
conversation. "YouТve listened in, havenТt you?"
"Of course," confirmed General Pounder. "That is absolutely the greatest
nonsense that I have ever heard, and I would suggest"
"General, even greater nonsense can result from this. Namely, war. We must
prevent this under all circumstances. Please try, at all costs, to contact the
Stardust Mercant can assist you and then find out what they meant by the force
field. Lehmann will certainly know what to do. WeТll be expecting your reply
before expiration of the ultimatum given us by the Asiatic Federation."
"Will do," snarled Pounder, who had absolutely no idea how he could accomplish
this. "IТll get in touch with you in time."
The screen grew dark.
Mercant sighed. "If Major Perkins doesnТt send us some word pretty soon, weТll
really be in a bad spot. Now, I suggest we get in touch with Lehmann. Is that
all right?"
Pounder barked a number of commands into one of his phones. Moments later a tall
older man entered the office. This was Professor Lehmann, Director of the
California Academy of Space Technology and supervisor of the scientific project
Moonshot. There was admittedly no expert greater than he in his field. Indeed,
in an occasional candid moment General Pounder could even be persuaded to
confess that Lehmann was the spiritual father of the Stardust.
With a somewhat astonished expression, the professor addressed the two men. "You
wanted to see me?"
Pounder nodded. "YouТve probably met the bloodhound Mercant. A formal
introduction will be unnecessary. IТd like to save myself a long story, so just
listen to what has happened." He manipulated controls under the desk until sound
emerged, followed by a buzz, with further noise ensuing. "The tape," Pounder
explained, as if demonstrating a new invention. "Occasionally it saves a lot of
trouble."
While Professor Lehmann was, by means of the recorded exchange, informed of what
had occurred, Mercant sat innocently in his chair, already lining up his mental
chessmen and working out future plays. If Perkins succeeded in making contact