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

"Quite a monster, as far as I can judge from here," countered Rhodan.
"I am Topthor, the oldest member of our clan."
"The smartest one too?"
For a moment Topthor seemed to be quite confused by these peculiar questions, then he became furious, for after all, all the other commanders of his fleet were listening in and could hear how this Earthling made fun of him.
"We are carrying on trade on all the inhabited worlds of the galaxy and I believe you might have interesting objects to offer and vice versa. Please state your exact location."
"I can't allow you to land here as long as Rhodan hasn't given his express permission. State your position."
"We want your landing coцrdinates, otherwise we'll land anywhere we please."
"And?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
"Is this a threat? Don't underestimate us."
Topthor laughed out loud and stroked his full beard. "Underestimate? If we could defeat Perry Rhodan, we won't have any difficulty with his home planet either."
"Ah, you defeated Rhodan?"
"Yes, but unfortunately he escaped. Will you give us your landing coцrdinates?"
Rhodan quickly glanced at Bell, who handed him a piece of paper. Rhodan held the paper so that Topthor could also see what was written on it. Rhodan read aloud the following text: "Mars orbit-direction Earth. Velocity 4592 sec/mile. Direction MX-T4." Rhodan looked up. "We could talk to each other within 10 minutes, Topthor, if you like."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"That is your present position and your flight direction and velocity. Don't assume only Rhodan possesses the means to wipe you out. And don't you believe either we didn't know exactly what happened near the Planet of Eternal Life. And finally, don't be so sure that we have only one ship of the Stardust class..."
Rhodan was bluffing with the last statement but it worked.
Topthor gave a sudden, involuntary start. "Are you referring to the giant spaceship?" But then he grinned. "You can't scare me away, Earthlings. Only Rhodan visited the Planet of Eternal Life and got the new weapon. You down there have nothing but conventional weapons and those we can handle quite easily."
"Go ahead! Try it! I'm warning you once more: leave us alone, don't try to force your trade on us and turn Earth into another Springer colony. Do I make myself clear?"
"We'll land in an hour," replied Topthor and cut off the connection.
Rhodan stared at the blank picture screen. Then he turned to Bell.
"Well, what do you say to that? They won't listen to reason. They won't negotiate. They believe they're perfectly safe as long as the Stardust and its new weapon is far away from here. My claim to possess several of these giant spacespheres will duly shock them. The survivors will tell their clan members about it-and Earth will play a role within the universe not to be taken lightly but to be greatly feared. Our planet will be known as a good place to stay away from. This is absolutely necessary for us in order to survive and attain our goal."
He issued a few orders to Col. Freyt, then switched on the intercom of the Stardust.
"Attention! Start in one minute. Observe all safety measures-we'll be flying with excessive acceleration while still inside the atmosphere. Attention! Fifty seconds to go. No transition! Weapon centre-be ready for action! In exactly 10 minutes. Await my orders. Attention! Forty seconds till blastoff!"
Bell fastened the wide belt around his broad belly. His eyes were glittering merrily and full of enterprise. "Maybe you are right," Bell tried to overcome his moral scruples. "These Mounders have to be taught another lesson since the first one didn't do the trick."
"And then we'll proceed as fast as possible to Snowman. I'm very worried about Tiff and his friends there."
"Especially Pucky!" said Bell and watched the turning hands on the dial. "Ten seconds to go."








3/ "HANDS OFF EARTH!"

Tiff could hardly conceal his amazement when he left the cave and walked out into the open. Only the tops of the nearby mountains were covered with snow and a bit off to the right on the wide slopes where the sun rays did not reach. Everywhere else the ground was black and free of snow. It was mainly bare rock but under the circumstances these bleak stones almost reminded him of home.
Mildred Orsons shook her head, her long black hair flying like a windswept banner. It was bitter cold but it was quite bearable for a few minutes. It didn't seem quite so icy as they were standing in the sunlight and also protected by the rocks. "Doesn't look bad at all," she said gaily although she felt quite different inside. "I could even imagine there might be some life forms existing on this deserted ice world."
"Right now we should only worry about our own lives," replied Tiff and smiled at the young girl. He knew that she was fond of him and had finally overcome her wavering attitude. She seemed to feel merely pity for Hump, which in turn had greatly relieved Felicita whose love for Hump had so far seemed quite hopeless. The only one who apparently was totally unaware of this complicated affair was Eberhardt. He got along famously with everyone and was content to be left in peace.
"Tiff, do you think Rhodan will come in time to rescue us from this place?" asked Felicita in an anxious voice. It was her nature to be always concerned and a bit frightened. "Why aren't the Springers attacking us?"
"They have their hands full right now," guessed Tiff. "Pucky saw to that."
"What would we do without Pucky!"
Tiff laughed. "You seem to be quite enamoured of the little guy, Felicita."
"Aren't we all to some extent? Milly, don't you agree?"
The dark-haired girl nodded her head in assent and closed the helmet of her light spacesuit. At the same time she switched on her communication set. The others followed suit.
"It's getting cold," she said. "I can't stand it for very long without protection. Or else I'll turn into an icicle."
"An inhospitable world," remarked Felicita and pointed to the valley where occasional spots of snow were visible. "And its not only the Springers that make life so miserable here."
"Most any world is good for something," countered Tiff who kept steadily examining the sky. "Even this one. Remember the Moon, it lacks air, and we can at least breathe here."
"But the Moon is so much closer to Earth," Milly made an important point. "And that is what really matters."