"Perry Rhodan 033 - Snowman in Flames" - читать интересную книгу автора (Perry Rhodan)

Almost five seconds passed before Etztak could open his blinded eyes-just in time to observe Rhodan's Stardust disappear again. He had hardly gotten over his shock when the two cruisers renewed their attack. Major Nyssen was acting on instinct when he saw Rhodan go into action. He realized that the new weapon had been found and he believed that this was the beginning of a general assault.
The Solar System pounced on a ship of the Traders fleet which had been standing off to one side. It belonged to a smaller category and Nyssen knew that it contained mainly storage holds and was not so well equipped with arms. Its energy screens were accordingly less powerful. The cruiser's concentrated barrage breached the protective screen and tore open the port side of the freighter.
But not enough time remained for Nyssen to complete his work of destruction. The Stardust vanished as fast as it had come. No radio message, no warning, nothing. The mighty battleship had appeared like a ghost and like a ghost it had plunged again into the abyss of the universe.
Nyssen gave the order to retreat.
A thoroughly confused, and for the moment helpless, Etztak was left on the scene of the swift space battle.
In less than 20 seconds he had lost three of his ships.

* * * *

Topthor sat in his supra-dimensional chair like an enormous clump of meat. He was staring at the picture screens. The constellations of the stars crystallized from the void and offered a familiar, welcome sight.
Yes, indeed, the transition was a success.
Before Topthor's three ships stood the solar system whose third planet was causing him so much trouble.
A quick manipulation and he had established communication with the other two ships. "Grogham, get in touch with our fleet. The eight battleships ought to be staying on the other side of this sun. We'll meet 10 light-hours away from here on a line formed by the sun and its outermost planet. Be ready for a video conference in two hours."
"I'll take care of it," promised Grogham, the acting commander of the convoy fleet. He, too, was a Mounder and weighed some 1200 pounds. "In two hours. Are we going to destroy the third planet, Topthor?"
"In case these crazy Terranians don't accept our offer they'll pay dearly for it. Rhodan is quite busy elsewhere, trying to tackle Etztak. We have plenty of time.
This is where Topthor was greatly mistaken but of course he could not know otherwise. The same instant he was speaking these words, three of Etztaks ships were annihilated. And while he had not yet finished what he was saying, Rhodan was once more slipping into the fifth dimension in order to make the far distant leap to Earth.
Rhodan was clever enough to materialize 20 light-hours distant from Sol and without any further transition he flew with the simple speed of light into his own solar system. This greatly reduced the risk of being detected by enemy forces.
Unnoticed he reached Earth and landed in Terrania the capital of the New Power. Colonel Freyt was quite astonished to see his boss so soon again. He suppressed a snide remark that Rhodan had failed to inform him of his arrival via hyper-radio for it was obvious that Rhodan was very much pressed for time. The Stardust, with Reginald Bell aboard, remained on the landing field-ready to take off at a moment's notice, Rhodan alone had rushed by car into the control centre located under the protective energy dome, in order to place Earth on red alert. A few brief radio communications with the pertinent offices the world over had sufficed to combine all authorities in a common action.
They were prepared.
And they were waiting...

* * * *

"It would be totally senseless," Topthor pointed out and looked at the commanders of the other 10 ships for approval, "if we were to attack without issuing a warning and to annihilate Terra. What good would a destroyed planet be if on the other hand its inhabitants could be very useful to us?" The 10 bearded men on the picture screens nodded their huge heads in agreement. "It makes much more sense if we start negotiating with them. Rhodan is currently in a system 320 light-years away, trying to cope with Etztak. He might even get the better of him since he has the new weapon. As far as we personally are concerned this would mean no great loss to us, even if we would lose Etztak's clan as a future source of income. If on the other hand we should gain a strong foothold meanwhile on Earth, this would afford us the opportunity to establish there a new and profitable Springer colony."
"And Rhodan?" someone asked.
"Rhodan?" A broad grin spread across Topthor's bearded face. "Won't he be surprised to return here after a victorious battle with Etztak and learn Earth has changed ownership during his absence!"
Grogham cleared his throat. "I'm afraid you are underestimating these Earthlings," he interjected.
Topthor looked him full in the face and stopped grinning. "Are you serious? We have here 11 ships, the best battleships in the universe. And what has Rhodan to offer? Nothing!"
"Don't forget he has a new weapon now!"
Topthor wasn't any too happy to be reminded of this sad fact. And particularly to be reminded by Grogham how Rhodan had destroyed five of his ships in no time.
"If we should run into any difficulties we can always get in touch with our base," he relented. "Anyhow, I'll try to seize control of the Earth. We'll approach the planet to within a distance of ten light-minutes and then I'll take up radio communication with them. We'll soon find out how Rhodan's people are going to react. I'm certain they have nothing to confront us with."
This time he received no reply.
The fleet, consisting of 11 ships none less than 900 feet long and armed to the teeth, set course for the sun and sped toward the still tiny-looking star at the speed of light. Shortly before he reached Jupiter's orbit Topthor slowed down and cautiously approached Earth.
But all his caution was in vain. Satellite spies had observed and reported his approach. Rhodan had been warned. After having made the necessary precautions and preparations Rhodan returned to the Stardust and went to Bell in the command centre.
"Well, what happened?" Bell wanted to know.
"I have instructed Col. Freyt to transfer to us any radio calls he might receive from the Mounders. I shall answer these calls in his name. They must not find out that we are already here and are expecting them."
Two hours later the little red control lamp lit up. Topthor had made contact with Earth without knowing who he was talking to.
Rhodan permitted himself to assume a pseudonym. A few manipulations and they were ready not only to talk but also to see each other. It didn't matter that this was a televideo communication. Rhodan knew Topthor but the latter had never laid eyes on Rhodan himself.
The huge figure of the Mounder was most impressive but the sight did not frighten Rhodan. He knew him-and also his weaknesses.
"Terra here," he announced himself in a matter-of-fact voice. "You have called us?"
Topthor's face expressed surprise at the lack of surprise his call had apparently caused.
"We wish to enter into negotiations with the Terranians," he said in the purest interkosmo with a slight accent. "The mighty clam of the Mounders has some proposals to make to you."
"We are listening."
"Who am I talking to?" inquired Topthor and looked Rhodan straight in the eye. Without as much as batting an eyelid Rhodan's glance locked firmly with that of the Mounder.
"Col. Freyt, substituting for Perry Rhodan, head of the New Power, Peacelord of the Universe."
"What is the New Power?"
"The power that represents all Earth."
"I'd like to talk to Perry Rhodan in person." What a sly fox, thought Rhodan, while Bell, out of the tv camera's range, was grinning derisively. He wants to find out if we have any idea...
"He is unavailable for the moment," said Rhodan. "What do you want from us?"
"Do you know who I am?"