"(novel) (ebook) - Perry Rhodan 0020 - (14) Venus in Danger" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

1/ LOST-ONE LUSTRUM!

Perry Rhodan was the first to pull out. Out of the shock of hyper-transition.
Around him the circular command center of the super-spaceship Stardust II took on form once again: switch consoles, control panels, videoscreens, chairs and tables emerged from the gray contourless state of hytrans and regained their familiar shape.
Moments later the relay signal from the positronicomputer began to function again and Rhodan could study the picture on the observation screen and assess the situation.
Reginald Bell, First Officer and co-pilot, had collapsed over his console. Groaning, he straightened up and looked about with astonished eyes. "Where... what-? Oh! It's always the same."
During transition the nerve-functions in the human body were reduced to minimum. The end of the transition always came like the awakening from a stupor or semi-consciousness.
"Position!" Rhodan requested in a firm voice. "Data check and set course for normal flight."
Bell started to move. Rhodan's orders stirred up the other members of the crew who were leaning back in contour chairs or holding fast to table edges, trying to overcome the shock of hyperjump.
Gradually the command center came alive once more and hummed with activity. Reports came in, quick and precise.
"Position: R=6x1012, Phi=81°21', Theta=113°."
The recording graphometer, with its characteristic scratchy noise, identified the position of the ship as a red dot on the insert card.
"Data deviations: R minus 108, Phi+11", Theta none."
A fleeting smile crossed Perry's face.
"This is as close as you can get," Bell said.
"Flight course data requested," came the voice of a navigation officer, adding, still a little shaky: "Here they come-!"

*

Stardust II was located at a distance of 3.5 billion miles from the Sun and was moving into the solar system on a straight line slightly inclined to the mean plane of the planets' orbits.
The ship had emerged from hyperspace at 75% of the velocity of light. On Rhodan's instructions the speed was increased to 95%.
Earth was situated on the far side of the Sun, Venus and Mars in front. According to calculations the ship should pass the Sun on a course 24 million miles distant.
The transition had been successful, the range of error unexpectedly small. There seemed no reason-and therefore nobody took the trouble to check-to verity the date on the calendar.

*

"Calling Gobi headquarters !"
The radio officer switched on the telecom and adjusted the transmitter to the energy output required to reach the Earth.
"I'd like to talk to Col. Freyt," Rhodan added. He watched the young officer as he manipulated the intricate set.
Everybody is tired, Rhodan thought. It is time that we get some rest. The Wanderer episode took a lot out of the boys.
From time to time he glanced at the large entrance hatch. Reginald Bell noticed it and remarked with a faint smile, "They won't see anybody?"
Rhodan shook his head. "It's better this way. I can't help but feel a little guilty in the presence of the Arkonides."
Bell dismissed this with a gesture of his hand. "It's not your fault. It was his decision that neither Thora nor Khrest nor any other Arkonide should receive the treatment under the Physiotron. He..."
"Forget it!" Rhodan vehemently interrupted. "He, he, always he! One would think that you're beginning to believe that he is God Himself!"
At the same time the hoarse voice of the young radio technician exclaimed in panic: "I don't get any answer from Earth, sir!"
Without further ado Rhodan put the thought, which just now had excited him so much, out of his mind. With two quick steps he was at the telecom set and examined the controls.
"There's nothing wrong with the telecom," the officer said, "if that's what you suspect. It functions all right and the call is getting through as you can see from the echo. They don't respond on Earth, sir."
Rhodan could see it for himself. "Let me try it," he told the technician.
The young officer gave his seat to Rhodan, who hastily repeated the call on the transmitter. He saw the green dot reflected on the oscillator screen and waited.
Nothing.
The Earth remained silent.
Rhodan had trouble hiding his anxiety.
He tried again. He pushed the automatic call button with determination.
There was the green reflex and then a flickering on the picture screen.
Col. Freyt's face was suspicious at first but smiling with radiant eyes as soon as he recognized that he was talking to Rhodan. "chief, it's you!"
Rhodan demonstrated little patience for a big welcome scene. "What's the matter? Why don't you make a proper report? We had to call you three times before you answered."
Freyt froze. His smile disappeared but his eyes were still beaming.
"Col. Freyt in Galacto City!" he reported. "I didn't answer your first calls because I suspected a trap, sir!"
"A trap?"
"Yes, sir. An attempt to locate our position. I had orders to use extreme caution pertaining to hyper-radio."