" Perry Rhodan 0019 - (13) The Immortal Unknown" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

In the empty, immeasurably large space between the stars the dimensions of a ship were only significant
insofar as they could contain in its innards the necessary installations to produce the energy for its engines,
weapons and auxiliary machines.

Rhodan, observed the bright points of light flashing on his control screen. The gun-turrets of theStardust
automatically swung out. On the range-finder screen of Klein’s fire control section the first peaked
echo-lines became visible.

The calculating machines whirred. It was a seeming chaos of technology in which man played only a
minor role.

"Object located in green sector, 86A degrees horizontal, 22.8 degrees vertical," the mechanical voice of
the calculator rattled. Klein pushed the button of the automatic sensor to pinpoint the detected foreign
object.

"Fire Control ready!" he calmly reported. Suddenly he had become very alert.

A strange calm settled over all departments. The automatic control devices had done their part, now it
was the duty of the Commander to make the final decisions.

Rhodan looked impassively at the front panel of the observation screen. The foreign object located by
the sensor, working at a speed faster than light, should be situated ahead to the right and on a plane a
little above.

Seconds later the next message came through. The robot-brain had completed its computations.

"Evaluation as requested at 13:52 hours pursuant to programming by Commander. Ship position in Vega
system. Transition accomplished. Pulsating star identical with known Vega. Determined with 100%
probability that Vega sun is in process of transformation into Nova. Advise against continuing on course
of re-emergence. Growth of star proceeds with abnormal speed incompatible with astronomical laws.
Stop.

Bell’s eyes popped. He looked across at Rhodan, whose face betrayed deep concern.

"Nova? Vega is supposed to have become a nova in a few weeks? Ridiculous! It can’t be. Such a
process takes eons."

Bell looked around as if pleading for help. He barely registered the awakening of the Arkonide scientist.
Khrest understood such phenomenons better. His constitution, which differed from terrestrial humans,
had presently overcome his frailty.

"Great Imperium!" he whispered, "I suspected it." His reddish eyes sought Rhodan’s attention.

"How’s that?" the commander asked. The sharp lines around his mouth deepened.

"The last riddle of the Unknown threatens to destroy an entire solar System. Vega is an essential
reference point for navigating our positions. If this star goes, we’ll never locate the planet we want to find.
And Vega has been set to explode!"

"And what about the Ferrons living here?" Bell gasped. The poor devils will be boiled to death on their