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

Rhodan rejected any thought of acute danger. "No one will attack us. The Zarlt is too curious about meeting us. Up
to that point we are safe."
Suddenly Pucky straightened up. He looked quickly at Marshall and then said softly, "Try not to think consciously
of what I'm saying but try to surround your mind with a defensive screen. Someone is trying to read our thoughts! A
good telepath but not yet in our class. There's not only one-there are many. In fact, very many."
Rhodan's eyes narrowed. For a moment he seemed uncertain, then he whispered as though to himself: Somewhere a
terrible danger threatens-quite definitely, and I can guess what it is. But this danger doesn't carry the label of
Zalite! It has another name."
"Mooff!" said John Marshall decisively.
Rhodan nodded. "Yes, I believe so. The Mooff is the real source of our danger."
Pucky shook his mouse-eared head so violently that he came near to losing his balance and falling off his fat
hindquarters. "No, not the Mooff! At least 200 Mooffs! There's one of them on each of the Zalite ships!"
No one had any comment to offer.
* * * *
The city of Tagnor covered the surface equivalent to a small country on Earth. Compared to the eight billion
inhabitants on the entire planet of Zalit, Tagnor's 30 million citizens did not seem to be too startling a population.
As on the planet of Arkon, the curious funnel-shaped buildings dominated. Below at the stem of each was the
entrance, which led one into a secluded world. One was surrounded by the far slanting walls on whose circular
terraces lay colourful gardens and beautiful decorative verandas. Then private dwellings, each individually secluded
and separated from the next by another garden. The funnel form of the buildings conformed with the need of the
Arkonides to live as much alone and undisturbed as possible. The Zalites, being descended from the Arkonides, had
taken over and preserved the old customs.
The red-hued giant cone of the government palace dominated the scene with a splendour that overshadowed even
the spaceport. Even while approaching from high altitude, it made an impression on Rhodan, and as if by chance one
of the Zalites on board the small pilotship was thinking of the palace. Marshall passed the information on to Rhodan.
There also resided the Zarlt.
The landing field was of gigantic proportions. It was bordered by mighty buildings all the way to the horizon. It was
a full 12 miles wide. When the escort fleet descended and made an orderly landing in formation, Rhodan realized
that even this field was none too spacious.
The Titan touched down as lightly as a weightless ball. The antigrav beams supported it until the telescoping landing
struts had found a solid anchorage. Rhodan did not venture to cut off the antigravs entirely; he feared that the
incredible weight of the Titan might get them all halfstuck in the surface of the planet. Allowing the antigravs to
remain at partial strength reduced the effective weight of the vessel to half.
A strangely shaped torpedo car curved to a parking position and waited patiently until the visitors were disposed to
leave their ship. Rhodan's plans had already been formulated.
"Khrest, Bell and John Marshall will accompany me. It's better if there are only a few of us-as few as possible. I
think it's best for Thora to remain here on board. Lieutenant Tifflor, you stay here at command centre and keep in
touch with me. I'll take the miniature wrist-transmitter and leave it on. That way you'll be continuously advised of
what's going on out there. If anybody tries to get us into a trap, you're to move in with the mutants. Is that clear?"
"What about the Ganymede?"
"On standby for instant take-off. That means split at the first sign of attack. The Titan stays; it can defend itself. I
feel, however, that we don't have to fear such eventualities. The Zalites have other plans."
"And I?" Pucky squatted near the door with eyes pleading so hard that it almost melted Rhodan's resolve.
But Rhodan shook his head negatively. "It won't work, Pucky-not today! We don't want the Zalites to know more
than is absolutely necessary. Besides, somebody has to lead the mutants in case of an attack. You can understand
that you are very urgently needed here on board. I'd like to be certain you're my reinforcement backup-a solid
insurance policy, see?"
The mouse-beaver understood. He gave Bell a scornful look askance and waddled out of the command centre as if to
say that of course Bell should go with Rhodan instead of him!-since Bell's presence on board the Titan was of
absolute insignificance! He was heard tittering ecstatically to himself in the exit passage, a sure sign Rhodan had