"(novel) (ebook) - Perry Rhodan 0040 - (32) Challenge of the Unknown" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

confused, then he grasped the meaning of Rhodan's silent signal and turned toward the wall. Everyone except the
Zalite had witnessed his return out of nothingness.
"You are free to do so," Rhodan replied. "Is the landing field on Zalit clearly marked?"
"You need only to follow me," said Hemor. He made a curt bow and turned around. He glanced questioningly at
Marshall, who had conducted him here. Then without further ado he strode into the corridor, followed by the
telepath.
Rhodan gazed after him reflectively.
Bell was stirred up. "That guy sure has his nose in the air. He has the kind of face that makes you want to punch it.
I'd like to know what's on his mind."
"We'll learn that as soon as Marshall gets back. Now will you kindly let the Titan follow the small ship. Issue the
necessary instructions to Col. Freyt. So let's take a closer look at Zalit and the Zarlt. I have a strange hunch."
"I, too," said Khrest from the other side of the room. "It appears to me that the Zalites are not as dependable as we
had always assumed. Perhaps we can demonstrate our services to the Empire."
"That," said Rhodan, "is exactly what I intend to do."
Three minutes later John Marshall returned to the command central and overheard the last words of Ras Tschubai's
report: ".this jellyfish thing was trying to take possession of my will. I took off immediately but I'm afraid I was
seen. At least the ship alarm was activated."
"No matter," Rhodan reassured him. "They certainly don't know they were dealing with a teleporter. What became
of Tako?"
Pucky came waddling into the room. "He's back" he chirped. "Scared a number of men half to death and then
sneaked out." He turned to Marshall. "Will you make the report? I also picked up what Hemor was thinking."
Alright. Correct me if I forget anything." Marshall looked at Rhodan. I took him back to the airlock. He wants you
to know that the flight to Zalit will begin in three minutes. We are to maintain synchronous velocity. Now as to what
he was thinking. Actually, not too much. I could just get a little-maybe Pucky had more luck-to the effect,
anyway, that the Zarlt wants to try, with our help, to play a trick on the robot brain. He does not seem to be well
disposed toward the Empire."
"Just what I thought!" sighed Khrest.
Rhodan smiled. "It's not too surprising. Who wants to be ruled by machines? Do you have anything else of
significance, Marshall?"
"Not particularly. just once, though, this Hemor thought about a certain Mooff but I don't know who that is."
"We know about that already. Ras has encountered this Mooff. It's an animal of some kind."
"Some kind is right!" shrilled Pucky. "That's the beast whose thoughts were superimposed on those of the Zalites.
That's why I didn't pick up much from them. In any case, the Mooff is a telepath and suggestive hypnotist."
"Yes, and I'm a star witness to that!" put in Ras.
Bell was not concerned with the discussion. He waited out the three minutes and then cut in the engines. Slowly and
carefully, he followed the comparatively tiny ship, noting at the same time that the Ganymede also slipped out of its
orbit. The ships pressed on toward the giant red sun with a moderate acceleration. The entire fleet followed at a
respectful distance.
"What is this Mooff?" asked Rhodan.
"I have never in my life heard of a Mooff," said Khrest. "They must be of recent origin among us."
"My guess is, they're a kind of talisman," surmised Ras, "like a magic mascot or something. What else would be the
reason for dragging along a thing like that in your ship? Besides, the Mooffs only seem to be able to exist in a
special atmosphere, because they have to stay in a pressure chamber."
"That was the aquarium that Marten was looking through. He evidently zeroed right in on the Mooff."
"Of course," asserted Pucky. "The Mooff sends out the strongest vibes. It's no wonder that Marten slipped right into
him."
Rhodan added it all up. "So, a talisman-hm-m, perhaps. I think there's more there than meets the eye. And it may
well be that we're in for a surprise."
Bell turned around. "I'll buy that!" he agreed. Obviously he referred to the Zalite fighting ships. "Maybe they're no
threat to us but I wouldn't like to be on the Ganymede just now."