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

twice its size and power. But there are certain differences we mustn't ignore. It happened only yesterday during one
of the drills that one of our radio officers got so hopelessly lost in this labyrinth that when he was found in a part of
the part which had never been explored before, four hours later, he had become a total nervous wreck. You can't
imagine what that means: a sphere with a diameter of one mile. Theoretically it would be possible to pack Earth's
entire population inside, if you'd jam them in like sardines in a can."
"Theoretically!" came Bell's rumbling voice from the background. "And theoretically you can't count either on
becoming friends with a robot brain."
"In any case, we've got to give it a try before it gets the crazy idea of sending a robot-guided battleship to the area of
our solar system. I realize we've left Maj. Deringhouse and Nyssen in charge back on Terra and they are well
capable of defending Earth-but we don't know what weapons will be used to attack them."
"I don't believe," Thora suddenly entered the conversation, "that the Brain knows Earth's location."
Rhodan's eyebrows shot up. "Why not, Thora?"
For a single second their eyes met and melded. Rhodan's spine tingled. How deep were her eyes! How soulful this
woman could look who had perpetually kept him at arm's length all these past 13 years. Ever since Arkon, had
rejected Thora, she and Perry had begun to come so much closer to each other. Suddenly they were real allies,
pursuing the same goal.
The barrier that had separated them for 13 years had broken.
"Otherwise the Brain would have made other decisions and treated us very differently. Most likely it would have
killed you, Perry. I couldn't say exactly but I believe it does not know Earth's position."
"That would be a strategic advantage for us," stated Col. Freyt.
"Quite right, Colonel," agreed Rhodan. "By the way, as soon as this discussion is over you may return to the
Ganymede. Further instructions will follow, if necessary, via radio contact. There's no danger in that because
normal radio waves take three years to reach Arkon." Rhodan turned again to Thora. "What do these Zalites look
like?"
She answered without hesitation. "As I already pointed out, they have descended from the Arkonides and therefore
have the same appearance."
"I know a race that also descended from the Arkonides but hasn't the slightest resemblance any longer to their
forefathers."
"You are referring to the Mounders, the special guard troops of the Springers. They have lived on a world with
almost three times the gravity of Arkon for many thousands of years. But in that respect Zalit differs only very little
from Arkon. The only difference in the Zalites' outer appearance is their brownish-red skin and their
copper-coloured hair, that sometimes will show a greenish cast. This has something to do with their solar radiation.
They are highly intelligent, have mastered space travel and are by far not so decadent as my own people. Till now
Zalit was considered to be the most faithful and dependable of all our colonies."
Rhodan had been listening attentively to Thora's words. He looked at her intently and finally asked: "There seems to
be some contradiction, Thora: assuming the Zalites are not decadent but on the contrary enterprising and intelligent,
why then would they remain the obedient vassals of an inferior nation?"
A shadow flitted across Thora's face. "I've already told you that Arkon is only three light-years away from Zalit. In
case of a rebellion against the empire, the robot brain would show them no mercy. And the Zalites are well aware of
this. They'd never dare to rebel openly against Arkon."
"I understand, Thora," Rhodan remarked. What he had surmised earlier he now found confirmed by her
explanations. The Zalites might possibly turn out to become his allies.
All of a sudden John Marshall rose from his chair. His eyes assumed a strange, fixed expression. Rhodan knew at
once what this meant: Marshall was receiving a telepathic message. But who was it from? A mutant aboard the
Titan?
"What's the matter, John?"
But before Marshall could reply, Pucky had jumped forward, squeaking in a shrill voice: "The Ganymede! She's
moving away from us!"
Marshall was so surprised that he could barely manage a brief confirmative nod. For a moment he seemed to have
forgotten that he wasn't the only telepath in the command centre.