"006 The Mutant Corps" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

"Thank you. What is the time?"

"Seventeen minutes past eleven, sir."

Mercant was satisfied. He had made sure that it was just sixteen minutes past eleven. "What time of the day is it?"

"Morning, sir."

That meant it was night, and with these wrong answers the true identity of Sergeant OТHealy had been sufficiently established."All right, Sergeant. Tell Captain Zimmerman that IТd like to see him!"

"Captain Zimmerman is not on the base at the moment, sir. He is on a routine patrol flight."

"Hmm. Does he still believe that our enemies are going to creep up on us across GreenlandТs icy desert, while the agents of other secret services keep bumping into each other right here on the base?"

"I wouldnТt know what Captain Zimmerman believes, sir."

"Well, I am going to find that out for myself. I want him to report here in my office within ten minutes. Call him on the radio!"

"Yes, sir."

OТHealy disappeared but came back shortly. "I spoke with Captain Zimmerman and relayed your message to him. Captain Zimmerman said that he might be a bit delayed. He just made a strange discovery and wants to investigate it further before reporting back to you."

"What kind of a discovery is that?" asked Mercant in a brusque tone.

"He could not tell. Evidently he did not know himself what he had encountered."

Mercant dismissed the sergeant. Then he pulled out the bottom drawer of his writing desk and switched on, the built in radio transmitter. OТHealyТs report had been too skimpy; therefore, Mercant preferred to get in touch directly with Captain Zimmerman."Calling Captain Zimmerman! Come in, Captain Zimmerman! Mercant calling Captain Zimmerman!"

Mercant waited in vain for a reply for almost ten seconds. Then he heard ZimmermanТs voice. He had obvious difficulty speaking. He started with a low moan. "Hello, this is Captain Zimmerman, sir. I must have blacked, out for a moment. My head is swimming, and I am seeing spots in front of my eyes."

"What has happened, Captain Zimmerman?"

"I donТt know myself. I am returning to base at once, sir."

"What is your location? I am sending another plane to escort you back here."

"That wonТt be necessary, sir. IТll make it with the help of the autopilot."

"Are you sure? Call if you need any help, will you?"

"Certainly, sir. Thank you."

Mercant switched off and then called the airfield. Captain Zimmerman seems to be in difficulties. Let me know his present location. You have his flight plan, donТt you?"A short time later Mercant was informed that Zimmerman was just flying over the northern coast near Proeven and was flying south by southwest. Apparently he had regained full control over his machine.

Captain Zimmerman made an uneventful landing, then went directly down to MercantТs private office."I am sorry to be late, sir," he said. "I must have run into, some unusual turbulence, which apparently caused a rapid drop of the plane. Anyhow, the unexpected acceleration seems to have made my head snap back suddenly and bumped it against the ceiling of the cabin. I must have lost consciousness for a few moments."

"Let me see your head!"

Mercant inspected the wound. "That doesnТt look too good Captain. You will have to get medical attention for it right away. But before you leave, tell me about the mysterious discovery you mentioned to Sergeant OТHealy."As Mercant made these comments, he was almost overwhelmed by shock. Looking at the wound, he had stepped immediately behind Zimmerman. There he picked up a rather feeble thought impression with the help of his telepathic powers. This thought frightened him thoroughly. Fortunately, Mercant was endowed with outstanding presence of mind. Any man who had worked up his way to the leading figure in the International Intelligence Agency within a few short years must be blessed with very fast reactions.