"(novel) (ebook) - Perry Rhodan 0002 - (1b) The Third Power" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

The chief engineer of the firm, Ilij Rawenkow, welcomed the unexpected guests with special cordiality. He spoke Chinese fluently.

"What brings you to this forlorn land?" he inquired, after inviting them to a cup of tea. "We didnТt expect to see another living soul for many months. By the way, gentlemen, may I introduce Peter Kosnov, the manager of our firm."Both Russians made a good impression; yet something in, or rather, behind their eyes warned one to be cautious.

"We are testing a transport truck for the army," Li said very convincingly. "I think this is just the right region for that. Engineer Klein is accompanying me. HeТs lived in the Asiatic Federation for the last fifteen years."Rawenkow and Kosnov exchanged quick glances.

"Oh, very interesting indeed." Rawenkow smiled charmingly. "IsnТt it odd how Europeans or even Americans will join us and work side by side with us? After all, I suppose, all fences go down when it is a question of economic advantage."Li almost blinked. "Really? Only economic advantage?" he replied tentatively, expectantly.

The Russian (one could see even at a distance that he, like Kosnov, was no Mongolian) looked inadvertently in the direction in which the spaceship lay, beyond a slight knoll.

"What do you mean by that?" He stalled for time.

Li did not change his expression. He followed their gaze and added, "There are no potential salt production areas over there, if I am not mistaken. Why did you not have the idea of making use of the Koshun lake any earlier?"

"What are you insinuating?" Rawenkow became impatient. He could hardly contain his distress.

"Let us drink to the reconciliation of old enemies." Li smiled and slowly drank his tea. "You donТt mean to tell me that you are here just by accident, or do you? Over there, a scant six miles from here, stands the Stardust. She is much more valuable than all the salt lakes in the world. Now, since when do Russians work for a Mongolian firm? You are Russian, arenТt you, Rawenkow?"Kosnov made an injudicious movement and found himself looking, not very intelligently, down the barrel of the pistol that Klein waved directly into his face.

"But who would be in such a hurry?" Li said in mild remonstrance. "You are among friends! Kosnov, forget the revolver in your shoulder bolster, and you, Klein, make sure your gun stays out of sight. It would be ridiculous if we could not come to terms, in the face of such a terrible opponent. Am I not right, Rawenkow?"

The Russians nodded slowly in agreement.

"How could find us out so quickly? So far, no one has thought to assume in us anything but the fictitious firm."

"Perhaps because we are colleagues," Li said amiably. "Is the name of your superior, by any chance, Ivan Martinovitch Kosselov?"

Both startled Russians nodded.

"Well, then we are in agreement. May we finally introduce ourselves? This is Lieutenant Klein of Western Security; I am Lieutenant Li Shai-tung of Asiatic Security. Thus, finally, three representatives of the three great powerТs are sitting around one table, even if it is only a shaky wooden barrel in the Gobi Desert. Speak honestly, is there still any reason why we should remain enemies?"Rawenkow shook his head. "You are right, Lieutenant Li. I think we should call a cessation of all hostilities. We have the same objective, do we not?"

Klein gnawed on his lower lip. Suddenly he asked, "What happens once weТve achieved our goal?"No one could answer that.



Port Darwin lies on the western edge of Arnhem Land. It is the most important port of Cambridge Bay on the northern coast of Australia.

Although Australia belonged ideologically and economically to the Western Bloc and had its embassy in Washington, a large portion of its population was in favour of continued neutrality toward the continent. They also favoured military independence.

Reg knew, nevertheless, that he was not landing in friendly territory when he set the helicopter down near the coast on a sandy plateau. Evening was approaching. The lights of the city had begun to shine brightly.

"Fletch, are you coming to town with me? You can stay there overnight in a hotel. Tomorrow IТll bring you some money, and then thereТs nothing to stand in the way of your flight home.""ThatТs all right, Reg. You know IТve got to get back to my wife. SheТs going to have a baby in three months, maybe a little sooner.""Yes, yes, I know," agreed Reg. This baby story was getting on his nerves by now. If all expectant fathers carried on like this, he could understand so many jokes were made on the topic.

"Forget your worries. WeТve got about half an hourТs walk into town. LetТs hope nobody has observed our landing here. Come along."Without incident Reg safely established his friend in the Royal Hotel and then took a walk around the town in order to gather some information. He returned to the helicopter shortly. A policeman who had been heated to the effects of the psychoradiator had willingly supplied all requested information.

Dr. Frank M. Haggard lived in the eastern section of the city, in a building near the hospital he had constructed. Here was the laboratory in which he had made his startling discovery two years ago and where he had gone on to develop the serum against leukaemia. Reg followed the directions given by the policeman and flew his helicopter along the white shimmering avenue of the freeway until he had reached a fork in the road, where he followed a side road toward the east. Soon he saw the silhouette of the skyline outlined against the lighter hues of the ocean.

He landed in a clearing, put the ray caster in his pocket, tucked one of the inexhaustible generators under his arm, and went on his way.

Frank Haggard had not yet gone to bed. He seemed surprised by his late caller. He drew up his eyebrows in a scowl but asked Reg to enter all the same. He looked curiously at the small package that Reg set carefully on a table.