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

unknown stars from the Sun," he requested. The whirring of the calculating
machine was audible in the loudspeaker. Then came the answer: "The closer of
the two is almost exactly on the extension of the line Terra-Stardust.
Distance from Sol approximately 400 light-years. The other one is located at
positive Phi from the line. Distance from Sol about 383 light-years." Rhodan
clicked off and looked once more at Bell. "Did you hear that?" Bell was doing
some figuring in his head. "Yes, I heard it," he replied thoughtfully. "350
plus or minus 9.2% means that the goal is within a range of 318 to 382
light-years distance from Sol; 320 could be right, perhaps even 383 under
certain circumstances, but 400 must be eliminated." Rhodan agreed. "Fine. Now
we've got two targets to choose from. Which shall it be?" Bell twisted his
face in a bellicose grin. "The more likely of the two:
Beta-Albireo!" .... The Springers were descendants of an Arkonide race. In
their technical development they were at least equal to the Arkonides, the
rulers of the Galactic Imperium, if not superior. The Springer fleet, whether
battleships or merchant ships, was equipped with structure-sensors which could
register the disturbance of the four-dimensional space-time continuum caused
by the transition of a spaceship at a great distance. The Orla XI located the
severe disturbance produced by the transition of the three Terrestrial
warships without difficulty. And Orlgans, owner and captain of the Orla,
began to realize that he had become involved in an affair that probably was
too much for him to handle. Orlgans consulted with the man who would have
been called First Officer on board Terrestrial ships. The Springers were
traders and there were no military titles on their mercantile vessels. The
man's name was Ornafer. A Terranian would have had trouble telling the two men
apart unless he knew them for some time. They were both the same height-about
6'6"-and of the same solid build. The colour of their untrimmed hair was
indistinguishable and they wore the close-cropped beards which was the current
fashion among the Springers. "Somebody is on our heels!" Orlgans said
gravely. Ornafer laughed defiantly. "So what! We'll teach them a
lesson!" Orlgans shook his head. "They might teach us a lesson instead," he
said. Ornafer was still laughing. "They wouldn't dare touch us. Us, the
Springers!" Orlgans was of a different opinion. "They know the World of
Eternal Life. We don't know what technical means are at their
disposal." Ornafer became less adamant. "We can always call in a few warships
to help us if you're worried about them." Orlgans raised both hands in a sign
of affirmation. "The latest finding came from a distance of 20 light-years. If
they move in any closer, I'm going to request the warships!" .... Mildred
had informed Felicita about their joint task in the same manner as she had
received her instructions from Tiff-between two of the intercom sets in the
main corridor. Tiff had seen evidence that the machinery of the Springer ship
was inferior to the installations of the K-7. He was convinced that the escape
should be attempted under any circumstances-either by ruse or with force. If
he sneaked into the command centre, Eberhardt, Hifield and a few other cadets
would lie in ambush and watch to see if the guards returned too early. In that
case they would have to be disabled. Tiff was reasonably certain he could get
the auxiliary ship, whose engines had been stopped for hours, ready to start
in 10 minutes. They would have to defend the K-7 for 10 minutes against the
Springers if the girls should fail in their endeavour. There was still one
matter that remained unclear to Tiff: Major Deringhouse had surrendered the