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

After traversing a number of lifts and passages, the landing trio arrived at the ground exit station next to the ring of retraction struts. As the outer lock opened, a gangway ladder lowered automatically. Rhodan was the first to set foot on the alien world. His trained senses immediately detected the very slight gravitational difference from that of Earth. The air was clear and invigorating. Perhaps a trace of extra oxygen but otherwise completely normal. The ground consisted of a hard smooth substance resembling concrete but seamless and perfectly even.
The torpedo car approached them and stood waiting nearby. A husky Zalite emerged and opened the hatchlike door for them. Just like on Earth, thought Rhodan grimly, though nothing else reminded him that this was actually a state visit.
The trip through the city left them no time for conversation. They marvelled at the wellнplanned highways, the magnificent parks, the numerous funnelнshaped structures and the brisk traffic. One might have felt that he had been transported back to a planet of Arkon, were he not continuously confronted with the spectacle of the very animated and lively Zalites. It was these people around them who made all the difference.
Instead of being like the tired and degenerated Arkonides who relegated all work to robots and to the positronic Brain, the people on Zalit were alive. Here was an air of enterprise and accomplishment; it could be seen in the city dwellers' happy faces that they were completely content with their lot. There was nothing here of the brooding melancholy of the Arkonides; on the contrary, the visitors frequently observed small laughing groups of Zalites strolling about and enjoying their parks.
Rhodan glanced unobtrusively at Khrest. Gazing through the car's window, the Arkonide was taking it all in. Not a feature of his face moved but Rhodan had a good idea of what was passing through the other's mind. And the conclusions to be drawn from such cogitations would certainly not be pleasing to Khrest.
The government palace came into sight.
Although it had made a mighty impression from a distance, it now surpassed Rhodan's expectations. The stem base upon which the entire funnelнshaped structure stood was more than 150 feet in diameter. The upper rim must have measured close to 1000 feet in diameter, with an approximate height of 450 feet. The walls slanted outward at a 45░ angle and were smoothly flush with the rows of windows.
Two bemedalled officers met Rhodan and his companions and led them into the palace. The inner courtyard was like an extensive garden. Flower beds fringed a well tended lawn, which was crissнcrossed with narrow pathways. And exactly in the centre of the lawn stood
"Careful!" warned Marshall in English. "It's a Mooff!"
Rhodan had already spotted the creature. In the garden's centre was a huge bellнjar container such as Tschubai had described. From inside this the bulking jellyfish thing goggled out at them with its motionless button eyes. It was as though it were inspecting all visitors to the palace.
Rhodan experienced a completely involuntary desire to hand over his as yet undetected needle raygun to the two officers. For a moment he wondered at the occurrence of such a curious idea but then he observed that Bell was on the verge of putting the impulse into action. Slowly and hesitantly, he was about to withdraw his weapon. Rhodan stopped him in time.
"Somebody is trying to control our wills," he said, also in English. "It has to be that Mooff over there. He's checking to see that no one enters the palace armed. I'm beginning to have a suspicion that the Zalites use these Mooffs as telepathic watchdogs..."
He didn't know how erroneous his suspicion was.

* * * *

The Zarlt did not seem disposed to grandiose airs or any conspicuous lifeнstyle, or at least if he were he was dispensing with it at the moment. He sat behind a long, broad table that was covered with communications equipment and the corresponding control panels. In between were stacks and clusters of documents, papers and writing utensils and materials. He appeared to be an extremely busy man who took personal responsibility for this important work, which spoke in his favour.
As he observed his guests, his eyes certainly transmitted nothing that was conducive to trust. There was something harried and restless about them. They projected a thirst for power and the absolute certainty of achieving any goal decided upon.
He invited Rhodan and his companions to be seated. The table was between them. There was no one other than the Zarlt and themselves in the large room, the walls of which supported a number of large videoscreens unlighted at the moment. Rhodan maintained a cool composure as he surveyed the Zarlt. The almost gigantically proportioned man was wearing a resplendently colourful uniform that somehow did not fit his intrinsic nature. It seemed to express a trivial, playful attitude which was definitely not characteristic for the Zarlt.
He came directly to the point. 'You have stolen a cruiser from the Empire-the newest and most modern of its arsenal. You are being hunted, and one day you will be caught-that is, if you don't have the foresight to acquire some powerful friends. We, the Zalites, could be your friends."
Rhodan kept his gaze levelled on the Zarlt "Why?" he asked.
The Ruler smiled gently but his eyes remained hard. "I will be frank and not waste words. A short while ago I succeeded in eliminating the puppet supporter of the Arkonides. The fleet officers were on my side. We were not and are not willing to carry out the orders of a robot brain. Formerly the Empire was ruled by the Arkonide Emperor but today there is only a machine."
"Isn't a machine a guarantee that no mistakes will be made?" suggested Rhodan.
"No! Your presence here right now is sufficient proof of that!"
The point could not be disputed. Nevertheless...
"Does not the Brain administer the Empire in accordance with the Arkonides, and therefore in accord with their allies, Zarlt Demesor?"
"You know my name?"
"Hemor confided it to me."
"Ah, yes-Hemor. You are Rhodan?"
"I am."
"And how do you come to have an Arkonide In your company?"
The Zarlt had been regarding Khrest with suspicion.
"Perhaps," said Rhodan, "there are also Arkonides who think like the Zarlt of Zalit."
The Zarlt nodded slowly. He seemed to take no interest in Bell or Marshall. "Good. Let us continue. You can see, then, that I'm not overly fond of being ruled by the Machine. I am-in name only-the ViceнEmperor. My goal is to be the Emperor!"
That was plain enough. Rhodan sensed something wrong here. He was a complete stranger to the Zarlt. To say the very least, it seemed most unusual for the man to lay before him his most secret plans.
"Why do you divulge all this to me, Demesor? Don't you think I could cause you some damage?"
"No, that you would not do. Have you not, yourself, observed on Arkon how decadent those once proud people have become? Have you not, yourself, outsmarted the robot brain and thus realized that it is not perfect? No, I do not believe that you will thwart my plans. Besides that, you need our help. Here on Zalit you are offered a refuge where you may stay with your stolen vessel as long as you see fit to do so. I require only a small favour in return."
"And that is?" asked Rhodan cautiously.
"How were you able to oppose the will of the robot brain and get through the outer blockade belt of the Arkonides?"
Aha!, thought Rhodan. So that's it! It went without saying that he could never reveal to the Zalite the fact that the coup he referred to had only been possible with the help of the tele-transmitters. In the first place, the Zalites: did not possess such a transmitter-such equipment was only on board the Ganymede-and secondly, there was no intention of donating one to them.
"That is personal and proprietary information," he said carefully. "Perhaps I might see my way clear at a later time to share it with you, after we get to know each other better."
The Zarlt sought to conceal his anger. "I am confiding in you, Rhodan, but you're not doing the same with me. Very well, time will alter that. In any case, it is my sworn intention to do away with the robot brain." He watched Rhodan searchingly. "Will you help me in this where you can?"
Rhodan was aware of Khrest and Bell watching him now. The Zarlt had asked a direct question-how should he answer?
"Do you expect an immediate answer or will you concede a period for consideration? I give you my word that we will undertake no action in the meantime."
The Zarlt hesitated but finally he agreed. "Very well. I suggest you take a good look at Tagnor and convince yourself that the Zalite people are fully capable of supplanting the degenerate Arkonides. I will expect your decision within two days."
He pressed a button beneath his writing panel; a door opened behind Rhodan and someone entered. "Omor, you will escort our guests to the car that is to transport them to the spaceport." Turning again to Rhodan, he added, "The car remains at your disposal. Perhaps tomorrow, if my time allows, I will come out there and return the compliment of your visit."
"You are always welcome," replied Rhodan and got up.

* * * *