"Perry Rhodan 040 - Challenge of the Unknown" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

This time the Zarlt nodded agreement. "Yes, that has a logical ring to it. So-you will assist me?"
"You can rest assured that I will act in the interest of the Empire. Incidentally-who are the Mooffs?"
A shadow of surprise crossed the monarch's face. "What do you know of the Mooffs?"
Rhodan smiled. "They are everywhere in evidence, Demesor. Why all these elaborate procedures when it's obvious that Nature didn't intend for them to live on this world? Where were they imported from?"
"Our expeditions discovered them on a lonely, isolated planet. They are telepaths and we use them as interpreters. Also as lie detectors, if need be. For example, using a Mooff, I could test out every word you are telling me. As you can see, they have very practical applications for us."
"Yes, I can well imagine said Rhodan, getting up. "Well, then, I suppose I can expect a visit from you on the Titan in the next day or so. Certainly you must be interested in getting acquainted with an Arkonide ship."
"With pleasure, Rhodan will be there."

* * * *

In the Titan there were still entire decks which had not been fully investigated. The fact that the space giant represented an almost exact magnification of the familiar Stardust was of some help. Nevertheless, Rhodan refused to neglect a daily alarm drill so that the crew would have every possible opportunity to become familiar with the Titan in every detail. It was determined that the existing arsenal of mounted and ready weapons would be sufficient in themselves to destroy an entire solar system in a matter of seconds, including a variegated selection of methods. In addition to these, the awesome gravitation bombs lay safely secured in storage-a weapon which bad not previously been put to use by the Arkonides. They had the capability of simply tearing a planet out of the spaceнtimeнcontinuum, and causing it to disappear.
What would happen if the Mooffs got hold of these weapons? The answer was obvious and it served to give the final touch to Rhodan's plan of action.
While Bell was occupied with the task of running officers and crew from bulkhead to bulkhead of the Titan-striving to establish the shortest possible timing of the trial runs-a discussion took place in the command centre. Aside from Khrest and Thora, the best of the mutants were there, especially those who were to be involved in the sortie that was being planned. In addition, Col. Freyt and Lt. Tifflor were present, along with the physician Dr. Haggard who also functioned as a specialist in biology.
Rhodan checked his notes and began. "We have the following situation: The Zarlt has come into a position of influence by making his own power play and not with the help of the Mooffs. They came into the act later, as I have learned. From the beginning, Demesor entertained the idea of overthrowing the Imperator and ruling the Empire himself. To do that, of course, the first task would be to put the robot brain out of action somehow. This consideration in itself was sufficient to gain him friends and supporters on Zalit. But the Zalites were ready for the fight merely because they didn't buy the idea of being ruled by a machine-they had no interest in waging a battle for the sake of power alone."
Khrest quietly added his approval. "Frankly speaking," he said, "I am not overjoyed with the thought that the Empire lies in the hands of a robot." Thora nodded her agreement. Both of them had valid grounds for being dissatisfied with the present status.
"So far, so good," Rhodan continued. "Unfortunately, other circumstances enter into this which make the task more difficult. We have to carry on as though we are supporting the Zarlt, so that we can gain time. We have to remember, though, that though we intend to help the Brain and thereby the Empire, the Brain is still our opponent-that is, as long as it does not make a logical assessment of our honourable intentions. And this will happen if we can provide for a reestablishment of the normal situation on Zalit. One condition involved there is to get rid of the Mooffs. They rule Zalit with their power of suggestion-and none of the indigenous inhabitants is aware of this fact. Not even the Zarlt."
Col. Freyt shook his head gravely. "How many Mooffs are there on this planet?"
Rhodan shrugged. "We Don't know but certainly there are thousands of them-at least enough to keep 8 billion Zalites in check."
Pucky stirred as if to speak and Rhodan gave him his attention. He had come to realize in the past few days that the mouseнbeaver was becoming surprisingly informative. Whenever he spoke nowadays, be was capable of creating a sensation.
"They haven't succeeded entirely," he chirped in his thin little voice. "There are some Zalites who are still smarting over the old Zarlt's assassination and who want to take revenge. They are loyally disposed to the Empire and even are willing to be held in tutelage by the robot brain. It is their opinion that the Brain is more rational than Demesor, the new Zarlt."
"That's very interesting," remarked Rhodan gratefully, then pondered over it. "We'll have to take a look at these other Zalites when we get a chance. From what you say, they seem to possess a stronger mental resistance than the others."
"The Mooffs are primarily concerned with the Zalites' ruling class," Pucky explained. "If we can render the Mooffs harmless, Zalit is free."
Haggard raised his hand. Under a blond mane of hair, his usually affable countenance was touched by a fleeting shadow of concern. "Render them harmless? How do you pull the teeth of a jellyfish? They squat in their powerful pressure chambers and, as we've just been able to determine, they breathe a poisonous mixture of gases. Chiefly methane."
Rhodan glanced at John Marshall. "Dr. Haggard is right. We'll have to brainstorm a way of doing them in. Of course if we destroy their pressure chambers, they will die. But we can't just board every ship and plant detonations in those containers. Not to mention thousands of other Mooff chambers spread all over the planet."
"I've been working on it," enthused Pucky.
"I figured you would," smiled Rhodan. "Is that why you've brought Tama Yokida with you?"
"Have you also taken up mind reading?" asked the mousebeaver, making a mock show of amazement "Tama is precisely the person we need."
"A telekin?" Frank Haggard expressed astonishment.
Rhodan now gave Pucky support because he was beginning to suspect what the mouseнbeaver was planning-it was once again a combination teamwork between two mutants whose special faculties were needed to complement each other. He reminded the others, aside from Haggard, of a half-forgotten fact: "Tama is not only capable of telekinesis; with sufficient concentration, he can also transform matter. In the Salt Sea near Terrania there is a rock that is covered with several pounds of gold. It was Tama who changed the outer layer of the rock to gold. Okay, Pucky, lay out your plan. I don't want to spoil your punchнline."
"Much obliged! Pucky attempted to make a courtly bow but would have fallen out of his chair in the process if Thora hadn't caught him at the last moment. "The whole thing is quite simple. All I have to do is trace down a Mooff and pinpoint his location. Then I take Tama, teleport with him as close as possible to the monster in question and conceal myself. From his position, Tama will work a transformation on the pressure chamber, one that is hardly noticeable except that its wall thickness will be diminished in a certain spot. The methane gases will leak through-and the Mooff will depart this sorry world. That's all. No explosions, no commotion, nothing."
It seemed to be clear to everyone. Nobody had a rebuttal offer. Only Ras Tschubai had a comment, which be made with some reproach. "And the rest of us? What do we do-sit in the bleachers and watch?"
Pucky grinned as only a mouseнbeaver can. "By no means, Ras! You're all going to have a lot to do-in fact, a heck of a lot."
"Such as-?"
"Why not join the crew in the emergency drills? it's high time you got acquainted with our little boat-am I right, Rhodan?"
Rhodan withheld his direct response to the question. He did not want to hurt anyone's feelings.
"But the Zalites will notice that something is wrong," put in Lt. Tifflor. "If the Mooffs all start to die on their hands..."
"Well make them think it's some sort of a Mooff epidemic," Pucky interrupted quickly.
"You have a free hand," Rhodan told Pucky, who puffed out his chest with pride, "but under the condition that you carry out this undertaking so that the Zalites will have no suspicion of our part in it. That is extremely important."
"That point is quite clear," twittered Pucky. "In the long run, though, I suppose it won't hurt if a pressure chamber explodes here and there-to relieve the monotony or provide a diversion. Okay, Tama, let's get started. We're going to deprive the Zalites of their sweet little pets.
Without waiting for any further remarks, Pucky slipped out of the seat and hopped over to the diminutive Japanese. He took him by the hand and marched out of the control room. Ras Tschubai watched them enviously.
Rhodan brought the discussion to an end. "And we will prepare ourselves for the Zarlt's visit. He will only be accompanied by one officer, who is his closest confidant. We already know him. His name is Hemor."

* * * *

The systematic elimination of the Mooffs on board Zalite cruiser MRO did not work out quite as planned. A chance incident was involved that generated interesting elements of surprise-though not for Pucky and Tama. The two mutants materialized amidships and succeeded in reaching the observation cupola on top of the cruiser without being detected. This was where each Mooff was usually housed. The room was empty except for the bell jar in which the Mooff crouched watchfully, playing out his thoughts over the crew who were engaged on a routine flight. He was monitoring them and ever ready to renew his suggestive commands wherever necessary.
Pucky released Tama, who was not able to teleport by himself, and was therefore dependent upon the mousebeaver. They approached the methane chamber and observed the monstrosity it contained. They knew their business. In the course of the past four hours, 30 Mooffs had died.
"Well, old friend," said Pucky half aloud, and deliberately returned the fixed stare of the creature's black knobby eyes, "you can dust off your last will and testament now..."
Naturally the Mooff hadn't the slightest intimation of what a will or testament might be but Pucky didn't make any effort to screen off his thoughts. Clearly, the Mooff read the intent in the brain of this curious lifeform in front of him. And he was ready to defend himself.
Tama was the first to sense the on surging wave of brutal menace that emanated from the thing and he attempted to screen it out. Immediately the heavy menace grew weaker in intensity and finally it faded away. The suggestive power of the Mooff was not strong enough to penetrate such a defence screen.
Pucky possessed even greater defences. He giggled and showed his incisor tooth. "Don't strain yourself!" he chirped. "Do you have a last wish?"