" Perry Rhodan 0023 - (16) Secret Barrier X" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

that they’ve cracked up and are now helplessly exposed to the danger of this prehistoric planet."

Sengu tried once more to dispel Bell’s pessimistic views. "The chief said something about the Arkonide
woman being in good hands."

Bell remained adamant. "Strictly speaking, the chief said very little. He hardly had time for explanations.
Our radio communication was cut off after only two minutes and all attempts since to get in touch with
him have been negative. The robot brain in the Venus base has not only erected its 300 mile barrier but
intercepts all radio transmissions between us and the stations below and prevents us from landing. Perry’s
wrist-set is useless. I don’t think even our powerful ship-sender gets through. When the p.b. takes a
defensive position, the damned machine does its job to the letter. Arkonide technology, men!"

The mutant Tanaka Seiko made a polite gesture. "We’ve been through all these arguments before, sir.
You admit yourself that we’re powerless. So why do we have to remain in this orbit if we can’t help our
commander from here?"

Bell paused before replying. He scrutinized his listeners. (It was to his eternal regret that, because his
eyes were such a pale blue, his penetrating gaze never appeared as stern as he would have liked when he
needed to enforce authority.)

Here stood the cream of his elite. They were the selected positive mutants of Rhodan’s secret corps.
Tanaka Seiko, for instance—endowed with an additional sense for receiving radio waves. Or seer Wuriu
Sengu, who had no difficulties looking through solid objects.

Bell’s gaze focused on Tako Kakuta. "Yes, Tako, I mean you. Don’t you agree that the positronic brain
has completely failed to take one circumstance into consideration?"

"Are you referring to my capacity for teleportation, sir?"

"Of course! The brain machine in the Venus bulwark is 10,000 years old. I don’t mean to say it’s from
the Stone Age; after all, it was constructed by an expedition of Arkonides whose technology was even
then tremendously ahead of mankind today. But 10,000 years ago there weren’t any mutants yet on
Terra. This leads us to the sensible conclusion that the robot brain was not programmed for defence
against teleportation."

"You mean, I should…" Tako Kakuta paused. He glanced hesitantly at the observation screen depicting
the surface of Venus. Underneath the 60 yard sphere ofGood Hope V the wild virgin landscape of the
planet unfolded slowly, as in a time exposure. But details were not discernible. Now and then a gap in the
dense blanket of clouds permitted a glimpse of the surface. Dark green, luxuriant forests; blue-green,
sometimes even black shimmering oceans and grey-brown cliffs covered with snow around the polar
caps. The optical screen showed much less than the teleporter saw in his memory and fantasy. Tako had
spent long weeks on Venus. He knew what awaited him in the labyrinth down there.

"Yes," Bell nodded seriously. "You should go down to make contact with Rhodan. Once you’ve found
him, the rest is child’s play. Together with the chief we’re an invincible team and we’ll accomplish what
we set out to do. We’ll transport Perry the quickest possible way into the fortress so that he can give
new instructions to the brain."

"That’s obvious," Sengu nodded optimistically. "How come we didn’t hit on this idea sooner?"