"(novel) (ebook) - Perry Rhodan 0078 - (70) Thora's Sacrifice" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

It consisted of 4 words, only one of which was complete: ... CHIRU... ORD... ENCEPH... ARKON...
Suddenly Deringhouse felt hot under his uniform. "Sir," he said excitedly. "I've been given a few lessons in medicine during the past days... ENCEPH... this is medical lingo for brain." He jerked his right shoulder as if he wanted to throw something off. I can't explain it but I'm also convinced that this telegram has some connection with the flight of the Burma to Arkon. I can't help feeling that the monstrous Positronicon is planning a dastardly act-brainwashing and the like. The way I figure it, the Robot Brain demands that we appear at the blockade front because it doesn't know as yet that I'll visit him in place of Perry Rhodan. This eliminates the danger that our ship will be destroyed by their guns the moment we emerge from hyperspace but it doesn't reduce the danger that we'll be shot at. Afterwards they can explain the damage to a terrestrial spaceship by a chain of unfortunate accidents. In the meantime our crew can be killed while the most important persons aboard can continue on their journey to Arkon in an unscathed condition and be subjected to brainwashing. And to think that Thora is aboard my ship!" Deringhouse stopped abruptly. His eyes wandered back & forth between Bell and Freyt.
"Can you read thoughts, Deringhouse?" Bell asked.
"No. Why sir?" the general inquired, bewildered.
"Because Perry Rhodan has drawn the same conclusion from the garbled message."
"And he hasn't changed his mind about Thora's flight to Arkon with me?"
"He trusts you completely, General."
"Thank you!" Deringhouse replied but the look he gave Bell was more eloquent.
"Yes, General..." Bell got up and began pacing the floor. "Today I shot off my mouth at Perry Rhodan. I know what you're trying to say with your look at me. I told Rhodan the same thing and do you know what answer he gave my remonstrations? 'Deringhouse won't jeopardize the Burma nor will he expose Thora to any unnecessary hazards. I can't be so selfish to tell my wife that her mission must be cancelled because it isn't completely safe. I don't want to reproach myself forever after that I've cast her from a vibrant mood into the dullest lethargy. If I didn't know a man like Deringhouse, I'd feel compelled to do just that. But I'm fortunate to have such a man and I'm not willing to hold up the start of the Burma.' What do you say, Gen. Deringhouse?" Bell asked finally, looking questioningly at him.
The general also rose from his seat. "If one is aware of a danger that is awaiting him, it has already lost most of its sting, sir. I hope that this proverbial rule also applies in our case. Very well! The Burma will lift off immediately."
"Good luck!" Reginald Bell said but he was obviously downhearted.
"You've got my best wishes, Deringhouse!" Freyt called as Deringhouse left and left the two men alone in the room. Bell and Freyt stood at the window and watched the Burma blast off. The vessel soared with amazing speed into the cloudless sky.
"The dice are cast..." Bell murmured and the words that followed revealed his inner turmoil. "Why didn't I go to the Burma and say goodbye to Thora? I'm a coward..."
The two men avoided looking into each other's eyes. The realization of what Thora meant to mankind on Earth had just begun to dawn on them to its full extent-now that they were bereft of any hope of ever seeing her again.
And before Freyt realized what he said, he asked Bell: "Has the son been informed?"
The burly figure of Reginald Bell spun hastily around, wild anger flaring in his eyes and fists doubled up. "No! And I'll tell you why, Freyt. Because this creep refuses to listen to his father. In the whole Solar Imperium there's only one obdurate lout who dares to say to Perry Rhodan: Go to hell! I'll have nothing to do with you! And the one who has that impertinence is his son. Any other questions, Marshall?" he asked in a sharp tone.
"No, sir!" Freyt replied and wanted to give him a military salute.
"Oh, cut out this nonsense, Freyt. I always blow my top when I'm reminded of what that miserable Lt. Thomas Cardif had the nerve to tell me. It must have been rotten how he abused his own father. Well, let's drop the subject. I've got to go back to Grautier. See you soon, Freyt!"
"So long, sir," Marshall bid him farewell and was alone again.





5/ THORA RADIANT

Joe Pasgin, First Officer of the Burma, had already begun to worry about the prolonged absence of Deringhouse when the general entered the Command Centre of the light cruiser and stopped with a troubled expression before the switched-off observation screen.
"Start the ship, Pasgin," Deringhouse said without turning his face to him. "And to tell you the latest first of all: our first stop will be the blockade front of the Arkonide robotships at the overlap-zone."
Joe Pasgin was about to touch the synchronized switch when his hand paused in midair. He remained motionless as did all the other men who were present in the Command Centre. Each looked questioningly, surprised and confused, at their commander.
Conrad Deringhouse kept standing there with his back to his men. He could feel their eyes concentrating on his back but they could not force him to turn around. "Pasgin, who is the Fire Control Officer?" he inquired.
"Big Alden, General. He's been transferred from the Titan where he was in charge of the gun turrets at both ends."
"That's a tiny plus for all of us. Is everything shipshape?"
"Yes sir!"
"Then up and away, Pasgin! You can reach me in my cabin if you need me."
He finally turned around with a faint smile on his lips. It was a small sign but one which made his men feel easier.
As soon as the hatch closed behind him, the Command Centre was buzzing with voices. "We're going to see some terrific action..."
"If Big Alden becomes #1 on the Burma with its measly armament, I don't relish getting into my spacesuit..."
"But we've got Thora aboard," a third one reminded. "We can't... heavens, stars and comets... when I begin to think of the blockade front!"
Joe Pasgin's sharp-featured face studied them all. He was worried too. The detour to the blockade front on their way to Arkon foreboded complications and the general had given every indication that they had to be prepared for the worst on this mission.
But the order to start which Deringhouse had given made him put aside his apprehensions. He had to take action.
"Start in 5 minutes!" Pasgin commanded.
The seat of the co-pilot was held by Hendrik Olavson who had come to his post fresh out of the Space Academy. Pasgin had already been in 3 spaceflights at the side of the young lieutenant and had observed him very closely. However he had already determined on the first trip that the co-pilot seat was the wrong place for Olavson. He belonged in the command seat of a spaceship in the Imperium class, since Hendrik Olavson and a spaceship did not simply represent Man and Technology-Olavson and spaceship were a unit welded together! He was a natural talent when it came to steering a spaceship and where others had to use immense concentration for this task, he performed it with the greatest of ease. Like a game.
"Olavson, take over blastoff!" Joe Pasgin said casually and added with a chuckle: "Don't be too rough on Terrania!"
Hendrik Olavson appreciated the joke of the First Officer in good humour. He knew what was going on in the mind of Pasgin. The Burma, a 100-meter sphere with a crew of 150 men, belonged to a class of ships which possessed an incredible potential for acceleration. It was able to reach the velocity of light within 5 minutes. Of course other features had to be sacrificed due to the size of the extremely powerful drive-aggregate which was on a scale between those of the Heavy Cruisers and the vessels of the Solar class, features such as strong armaments that were commonplace equipment on the heavier units.
These light ships of the State class were not designed for the offensive. They were on the order of fast reconnaissance ships with moderate arms which had to rely on their speed to appear suddenly on the scene and deal violent blows by surprise after which they had to retreat just as quickly by using their fantastic acceleration.
The novel body-frequency attenuator prevented that their transitions could be registered by the compensator-monitors of the Arkonides. They were also equipped with another secret weapon which was strictly defensive, the matter­transmitter which, however, could be used only when a corresponding station was within its range. This range was also limited to a certain distance.
The powerful machines of the Burma began to whine. The motors we're already warmed up long ago and now their output was stepped up to a higher magnitude. Olavson lifted his hand off the main switch.
His work was done. All else was taken over by the automatic pilot that had received its order through him. Now that the ship took off with roaring engines each operation was performed in a continuous smooth flow. The thrust-absorbers automatically increased their function and compensated for the sudden leap of the G-values. The gravitational forces inside the Burma were kept on a constant level despite the phenomenal acceleration which was, nevertheless, normal for the ship. The Burma was a gigantic conglomeration of machines, made evident by the noise in the background, and barely left enough room for its crew to live and breathe.
"Transition in three minutes!" The announcement reverberated through the entire ship, and was heard by Deringhouse in his cabin.
Suddenly Deringhouse was overcome by a fear for Thora. He ran out of his cabin and he had to hurry not to be caught on the way by the transition as Thora's room was located not only on the opposite side but also two decks lower.