" Perry Rhodan 0029 - (22) Fleet of the Springers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

monotonous hum. The drive engines were reduced to 2% of their normal
energy. 3/ Aboard A Springer Ship The Solar System reported at 21:45 hours
Terra time that it had taken the K-7 on board. Two minutes later the Terra
scored another hit on a ship of Captain Harlgas' group, turning it into scrap
metal. At 2:51 hours the Stardust and the Terra observed that the other ships
of the group launched small auxiliary vessels that transferred the survivors
from the badly damaged warship. Rhodan forbade any interference with the
rescue work. Bell protested. "How are we going to find out whom we're up
against?" But Rhodan answered calmly, "We can learn that from examining the
shipwrecks." Shortly before 22:00 hours the Stardust picked off another enemy
ship. This time they watched again as their foes made all efforts to save the
life of the crew. Then Rhodan gave orders to slow down. At the same time as
the Terra and the Stardust reduced their speed, Captain Harlgas fleet fled
further from the scene of the debacle. Harlgas had meantime been informed
that the two ships dispatched in pursuit of the little craft were lost. As
soon as his group had reached sufficient velocity Harlgas initiated a
transition and disappeared a few minutes later from the sky of the
Beta-Albireo sector. Rhodan calmly observed the flight while Reginald Bell
stood behind him with clenched fists. "You're letting them slip through our
fingers and we're left behind twiddling our thumbs," Bell grumbled. Rhodan
got up. "Have two rescue teams ready to leave in 10 minutes!" Rhodan commanded
sharply without paying attention to Bell's complaint. "I'll take charge of
one. Tell Khrest that I would like him to accompany me. Nyssen can lead the
other one. He's closer to the first wreck." Bell passed on the orders without
delay. A few minutes later they received the message from the Solar System
that three cadets and two girls had left the K-7 in a destroyer just before
the Solar System arrived. Among the cadets whose whereabouts were unknown was
Julian Tifflor. Bell repeated the message to Rhodan in a state of extreme
excitement. Rhodan, however, remained surprisingly unruffled and smiled.
"That's alright! Tifflor knows how to take care of himself." Bell was so
outraged that he couldn't utter a word for some time. And when he finally was
about to make a remark, Khrest entered the command centre. Rhodan walked
toward him. Khrest's gait was languid, in marked contrast to Rhodan's stride
that was indicative of his boundless energy. Khrest's shiny white hair and
reddish sparkling eyes displayed an almost unreal beauty. Rhodan's hair looked
like raised bristles, after he had repeatedly stroked it with his hands during
the recent commotion. His eyes were half closed as if the bright lights in the
large room blinded him. The Arkonide-descendant of an extremely ancient race
and the Earthling-member of a race that had just begun to form a unit. "I'd
like to take a look at one of the shipwrecks," Rhodan informed him. "I'd
appreciate it if you'd accompany me. Khrest agreed willingly. Five minutes
later the rescue team reported its readiness. Rhodan and Khrest rode down to
the airlock. The team used a rather primitive vehicle as transport. It had
been specifically designed for use between ships in space and was essentially
only a rectangular platform of metallic plastic. The platform was large enough
to accommodate 20 people. Underneath the simple platform was a highly
efficient engine which permitted acceleration and braking up to 100 G and a
shock-neutralizer which created a protective field around the entire platform
and its crew. The field of the neutralizer made other safety measures
superfluous since it prevented the men from drifting out into space. Rhodan