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

it would be worth while trying to bring about some mutual agreement. How do we know the robot regent didn't
already order a battleship to fly to Earth in order to destroy it? And all this, of course, in the interest of safeguarding
the interests of the Arkonide Empire! The positronic brain might have found out about Terra's location in the
universe-naturally we don't know for sure. If our old enemies the Galactic Traders should have betrayed Terra's
position to the Arkonides, we must be on our guard. The question we are facing now is simply: shall we attempt to
bring about an agreement with the Brain or shall we return to Earth as soon as we have familiarized ourselves with
this ship and have learned to manoeuvre it? There is no other alternative."
Thora, who had seemed to want to say something for quite a while, spoke up: "We shall not remain undetected for
long here in this area. The ship was stolen. Perry, you mustn't believe that this fact will be accepted without any
counter measures. It won't be long until the Brain has discovered our whereabouts."
"How long?"
"Days, perhaps even weeks. It all depends where they begin their search. It will also depend on the inhabitants of
this red star system. And by the way, Perry, there's no need to find a new name for the red sun: we call it Voga.
Voga has 15 planets. The fourth planet is the main world and is known as Zalit. So far the Zalites have always been
loyal subjects of our Empire. And I see no reason why this should have changed."
"Is Zalit suitable for oxygen breathers?"
"Like most habitable worlds it has an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. Some 15 thousand years ago Zalit was settled by
our Arkonide ancestors. This makes the Zalites direct descendants of the Arkonides. Their planet's close proximity
to Arkon ensures us their absolute loyalty."
Rhodan did not fail to notice the implied threat in Thora's remark but this threat was not intended for him.
"We don't know in what way things might have changed here," he cautioned. "Just remember, Thora, all that has
happened on Arkon during these past 13 years since you left. Your ruling dynasty came to an end; you and Khrest
have been ostracized from Arkonide society because a new reign took over your government. Don't you think it
possible that something similar might have occurred here on Zalit?"
"In that case Zalit would no longer exist!"
Khrest nodded his head in agreement. "Thora is right, Perry. There would be no more Zalit."
Bell could no longer restrain his opinion. "How come?" he wanted to know. "Or do you mean to say that these
ridiculous Arkonides, that no one can even take seriously, had the courage to attack another system and to destroy
it? They'd much rather spend their time in front of their television sets staring at abstract colour lines. They do
nothing but let things take their own course."
"Not quite," interjected Rhodan. "The problem is that they leave everything to the gigantic and organically thinking
positronicon, which rules the empire. And this mechanical brain rarely makes a wrong decision. Sorry, Bell, but
Thora is right. If Zalit exists we must regard it as proof of their continued loyalty to the Empire."
"And?"
"That means if we should meet them we have to remain on our guard. My foremost concern is to gain the robot
brain's confidence. We know it is acting according to an ancient special programming and that it is precisely
informed about Arkon's situation. It therefore knows what degree of decadence befell its former builders and it is
consequently interested in ferreting out those still capable of thinking and to 'awaken' them. Compared to the rest of
their compatriots, we ought to characterize Khrest and Thora as youthful firebrands. That's why they were again
acknowledged by the Brain, although not unconditionally accepted. I'm convinced that I, too, could be approved by
the robot brain, if I could prove to it the sincerity of my intentions toward Arkon."
"Acknowledged-as what?" interjected Col. Freyt, who had thus far refrained from any remarks. "As an Arkonide
perhaps?"
Rhodan smiled. "Come, come now, dear Colonel! As a member of a loyal, second-class nation, what else? But it
would do. That way I could keep the ship and move about freely within the Empire. Terra would not be endangered
any more and would be indirectly protected by Arkon."
Freyt's uneasiness vanished. "I believe I'm beginning to understand what you're driving at, Rhodan."
"Pleased to hear that, Colonel. Mighty pleased. Under these circumstances you'll also understand why I'm so
interested to see my crew get over with their training period as fast as possible. The Titan must be ready for action
when the decision will be made. We still don't know the ship properly. Sure, it's the Stardust's counterpart, except