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

In reality, however, the spacecraft was the germ cell of a new dominion whose boundaries, though presently no more than 9.4 miles in circumference, would one day be measured in thousands of light-years.




CHAPTER TWO


The mere sight of General Pounder reminded one of a bulldozer. His square build bespoke incredible energy and strength of will. As head of the United States Space Explorations Command, he was known to fear nothing, and his courage was undaunted neither by Washington nor the Pentagon. He was in equal measure feared and loved by all his staff, for they knew they could to him with their problems at any time. Nevertheless, his biting humour so rarely came to the surface that some fools were convinced the general would one day be devoured by his own acid.

Now he sat in the office of his headquarters, behind an immense desk almost completely covered with all manner of communications devices. In between were heaps of official documents and dossiers. Across from him sat a man of almost insignificant appearance.

The other man was the complete opposite of General Pounder. A spare, thin wreath of blond hair encircled his mirrorlike bald dome, and white hair at his temples lent him a peaceful appearance. Despite the few remaining hairs and the temples of grey, this man appeared incredibly young and as harmless as he seemed youthful. In his eyes shone a mild and tolerant light.

And yet, Allan D. Mercant was anything but mild, anything but tolerant, when there arose any question of his duties as International Defence Secretary for the whole of the Western Bloc. One could hardly imagine a more obstinate and unwavering sentinel.

"You have a great deal of confidence in Major Rhodan and his men," Mercant said gently, then pointed to the map of the world that covered one wall of the room. "The Stardust landed in the Gobi Desert, and you still believe it to be pure chance?"

"The ship gave the international signal of distress before transmission ended. Its power must have failed."

"And why didnТt Rhodan land with the help of remote control, which surely would have brought his rocket into the Nevada Fields landing area? Why did he assume command himself? Will you explain that to me?"General Pounder shook his head helplessly. "This is exactly what I canТt do; but it is still no justification for making prisoners of myself and all my staff. YouТve surrounded all of Nevada Fields with your people.""Just a precautionary measure, nothing more," said Mercant, smiling calmly. "There is an old saying, if you expect the worst, you wonТt be disappointed.""Let us suppose that Rhodan made the decision himself to land in the Gobi Desert and therefore has very definite plans," Pounder said.

"IТll gladly believe that," Mercant remarked with sarcasm."A plan or an intention that is in no respect directed against us," the general continued. "If youТre suggesting, perhaps, that he wants to hand over the Stardust to the Asiatics, you are entirely mistaken.""And what other intention do you suppose he could have?"

"That I donТt know," Pounder admitted, "but I do know Major Rhodan. He is reliable and above suspicion.""A human being is an uncertain factor in any equation, General. No one can look into the heart of another. Wealth and power, or at least the chance for these two can confuse even the most loyal mind."

General Pounder seemed to sit a bit larger behind his desk. "Do you mean to say with all this that Rhodan might have becomeЕ mentally disturbed?""Not at all, General! No one who strives for wealth and power can be wholly insane. He is nothing but a traitor!"In one swift movement, Pounder rose from his chair, bent his massive body over the desk and thrust his fist under the manТs nose. "Stop that now! Even if you are Allan D. Mercant, I wonТt have my people insulted by you! Rhodan is not a traitor. It was an emergency landing for the Stardust. And please, before you continue like this, will you kindly offer proof to the contrary? By the way, Washington has already entered into negotiations with the government of the Asiatic Federation.""Interesting," was MercantТs comment as he pushed aside the fist with a careless elegance that disarmed Pounder. "Is it also possible to know of the result?""Nothing so far," confessed Pounder. "IТm still awaiting word directly from my staff in Washington.""Then IТll tell you what the report will say. Quote, СThe government of the Asiatic Federation of course regrets the incident and promises to do everything possible to rescue the stranded space pilots. The wreck of the Stardust, if not already burned, will be released for return.Т Shortly thereafter there will be a second announcement saying that the Stardust was totally destroyed on impact and that only the unrecognisable remains of the crew could be found. And then silence will descend over the whole affair, and no one will ever talk about it again. In reality, however, have been quite different.""If I had your imagination IТd be writing novels." Pounder seemed to envy the man across from his desk. "Nevertheless, letТs hear how it could have been, according to your opinion. How could it have been in reality?""The Asiatics will dismantle the Stardust and evaluate for themselves the result of the moonflight. Rhodan and his men will receive their promised reward upon surrender of all their newly gained knowledge. Perhaps a villa in Tibet or perhaps even only a bullet in the brain."

Pounder sank back into his chair. "You are not only no longer normal, but a victim of your profession as well," was his diagnosis. "Rhodan certainly knows that he was guaranteed a good life with us, that we would have given him two estates if he had only expressed such a desire. Nor are there any ideological motives. The only remaining alternative is an emergency landing. That is my opinion. Rhodan will resume communications with us as soon as he is in a position to do so, just wait and see."

Mercant brushed his hand across his bald head. "IТd much rather rely on the information of my agents. Major Perkins will hardly leave us in the lurch.""Perkins? WasnТt that the man who uncovered the plot against the NATO installation in Australia and then finished off the leaders?""ThatТs the man. Just a few hours ago I sent him to Peking to take matters in hand for himself.""And you believeЕ""Under an alias, with the proper papers. Lucky for us that we have good commercial relations with the Asiatic Federation."

Just at that moment the visiphone buzzed. Pounder delayed his intended reply and pressed a button. The small screen lit up, and a face appeared.

"A line from Washington for General Pounder and Mr. Mercant," came the announcement.

"Both present." General Pounder gasped for breath. "Are you sure that both parties are wanted?"

"Washington expressly desires that I make the connection when, and only when, both gentlemen can be reached."

"Then make the connection. Mr. Mercant is in my office. Hurry up."

"Just a moment, sir. Wait just a moment, please."

Pounder looked at Mercant. "What do you have to do with Washington?" He seemed surprised.

"Quite a lot." Mercant smiled innocently as he moved to where he would see the visiphone. "There is, for instance, my immediate superior, the President."

Pounder swallowed and stared into the screen.