by Perry Rhodan
If Rhodan's spherical ships had not been seen in this battle, one might consider a fantastic possibility here. Topthor smiled grimly as he thought about it, even though he did not suspect how close he had come to the truth.
A Topide appeared in the now open airlock and raised both hands, which were empty. He stretched them out to show them to the Mounder. Topthor showed him his own empty hands and shouted to him in the customary parley language of the Arkonide Empire: "It's better that we don't fight each other any more or we're all going to be lost. Nobody is going to come to our aid. If we compare notes together, we may be able to find a way out."
Ber-Ka continued to be suspicious. "Why didn't you destroy us in space when you had a chance? You could have done it before we fired a shot."
Topthor grinned pleasantly. "I have my good reasons for that, Topide. Why don't we have a quiet little talk? I believe it may uncover some surprises for both of us."
"I had that idea in mind even before I attacked you."
Topthor perked up. The contact was showing promise. "Is your radio equipment still functioning?"
"No. It was destroyed."
"Mine is still working—at least the receiver. We haven't checked out the transmitter yet because for the time being we aren't interested in revealing our position. Come on, Topide, let's meet together over by that big, bare rock. I'm carrying no weapons but my people are standing on guard. You are free to take the same security measures.
Without waiting for a reply, Topthor climbed down the few steps of the extended ladder and then his mighty figure stood on the plateau. His belt was empty but in the spacious pockets of his cloak was a small needle pistol—just in case.
Ber-Ka hesitated but he must have finally perceived that there was absolutely no alternative for him other than to accept the suggestion of the Mounder. Perhaps this Springer was really being honest with him. He raised his scaly arm as though in a signal and called a few instructions into the interior of his ship. Then he, too, stepped down upon the surface of the water planet and came slowly over to the place that Topthor had designated.
They met at the large rock.
Topthor observed the creature opposite him more closely. According to his knowledge of the Topides, this was a still young specimen of the curious reptile race with whom contact had been made here and there in the past. They could not be designated as enemies because after all they shared the same hatred with the Springers against the Arkonides. This was all the more reason the present war was so astonishing a situation.
"My name is Topthor. I am the patriarch of my clan and also the commander of this once very fine ship." He turned around partially and pointed toward the middle of the broken wreck. "I take it that you are the officer and commander of the other unlucky ship."
Ber-Ka nodded. His accent was noticeable but he spoke a fair Intercosmo. "I am Ber-Ka, commander of the patrol cruiser MV-13, which you have made inoperable and forced to a landing here. Now what has been accomplished by it?"
"What has been accomplished at all by this whole accursed war?" asked Topthor ingratiatingly. "I'm certainly the last one who wanted it."
"Who did want it, then? Did we do the attacking or was it the Springers who came here with the intention of destroying the entire system?"
Topthor sharpened his ears. "Where did you get this information? How could you know that we actually came here with that intention?"
Ber-Ka searched the vast countenance before him and found only a frank curiosity. He actually did not know the answer to the question he was asking. "Some days ago we captured several Springers—they were not Mounders—and we interrogated them thoroughly. They admitted that an attack on this system had been planned."
Topthor was bewildered. "Springers?—ordinary, normal Springers? This we do not know about. Nobody else knew about this undertaking, which was prepared in secret. Who could the traitor have been? Was there any description of them, Ber-Ka?"
"Why are you interested in them?"
"Because there can be no traitors—and finding answers to the impossible is one of my favorite pastimes."
Ber-Ka studied the Mounder for some time but could not read anything but a very tense curiosity in his eyes. "Some days ago, Springers landed on this planet. They did not land of their own accord but were forced down by our tractor beams. Their commander surrendered to us. We also captured another considerably smaller ship of theirs. You must know by now that we maintained an operations base in this system."
"I've gradually come to that realization," admitted Topthor. "But continue. Who were these Springers?"
"That I do not know but perhaps Al-Khor could enlighten you. He interviewed the prisoners who later were able to escape."
"They have escaped?" Topthor's amazement grew. "I can't quite grasp all of this. How is that possible?"
"The native inhabitants of the sea helped them get away. They must have been in some sort of alliance with them."
"Native inhabitants? Do you mean to tell me that there are intelligences on this world of water?"
"They are harmless creatures with but a trace of understanding," said Ber-Ka disparagingly. "They are not of any importance at all."
"And yet you people have found it justifiable to set up a base here, haven't you? Well, however that may be, what I want to find out is who these Springers were who were captured and then got away. Did their ships have any clan insignia?"
"They bore names on their hulls but I am not informed about it. At any rate, one of them had a spherical shape, while the smaller ship was more like a disc.
"Spherical...?" drawled Topthor in surprise. "The spherical shape of Arkonide or Terranian vessels?"
"Terranians?"
Topthor bypassed the question. "There are no Springers who possess vessels of a spherical shape, outside of a few extravagant millionaires who can afford to keep Arkonide ships taken as war booty. They haven't anything to do with our mission here."
"Nevertheless they were Springers because they told us so themselves. Now certainly I should be able to ask some questions after answering yours so willingly."
"By all means, but there's just one more piece of information: On which planet do you have your military base?—the 4th or on the 3rd
"I don't think it will do any harm for you to know that also. We are based on the 4th planet. We only set up defenses on the 3rd planet in order to draw you away from the more valuable water world."
Topthor became lost in meditation. "State your questions," he murmured absently.
Ber-Ka took advantage of the opportunity. "Why do you attack our system? How did you know of our military base?"
Several minutes went by before Topthor answered. He had been so busy with his thoughts that the Topide had to repeat both of his questions.
"Why are we attacking you...? My dear Ber-Ka, this isn't easily explained. To put it briefly: we didn't know that a Topide base existed here. I know it's hard to believe but we were under the impression that this was the home system of the Terranians, of whom you may have heard. Or does the name Perry Rhodan mean anything to you?"
"Perry Rhodan...?" The Topide considered this for a moment. "Yes, I believe I've heard of him before. One of our expedition fleets clashed with him in a system that must have been in close proximity to Terra. To be frank with you, we thought it was Terra. Unfortunately, the fortunes of war were not with us at the time and we had to withdraw."
"These Springers that you captured here—what did they look like?"
"Well, the way Springers usually look. Humanoid, slender... they spoke pure Intercosmo..."
"Well, the Terranians do also," interjected Topthor. ...Why should they want to disguise their identity?"
"That is also my question, Ber-Ka. Do you know something? I'm slowly beginning to suspect that we've been victimized by a carefully contrived hoax. Do you know who your prisoners were? No? Then I'll put you wise to something: they were Terranians and more than that they were Terranians working for Rhodan, who
came here and informed you that we Springers were planning an attack on the Topides. I'd just like to know how they found out about our plans and how they knew that the co-ordinates would be false."
"What co-ordinates?"
"The co-ordinates of Terra, which are registered in my navigation computer."
Ber-Ka gave a visible start of astonishment. "You know the position of Rhodan's home planet?"
"Yes, at one time I believed I did. You probably won't go along with me on this but I assure you that the co-ordinates I now have pertain to this giant red sun, which has about as much to do with Terra's mother star as I have to do with you. My positronicon has made a mistake and it's given me false co-ordinates. Rhodan must have known that beforehand."
"But that's..." Ber-Ka stuttered and then fell silent.
Topthor nodded in bitter agreement. "Yes, I know, it seems impossible and yet it's the only answer. There's no other explanation for this riddle. And while we sit here and try to unravel it, out there in space your fleet and mine are trying to destroy each other. We have to get busy and do something."
"My radio equipment is destroyed," complained the Topide.
"I'm still not sure whether our transmitter is working. But Ber-Ka, I'll tell you one thing for sure: those Springers who were so willing to be captured in order to plant their information with you were agents of Rhodan—Terranians! And you let them get away! For that your commander ought to be drawn and quartered because he alone is responsible for the present blood bath we're suffering."
"Why single him out?" asked Ber-Ka, puzzled. "If you had not attacked us, nothing at all would have happened."
Topthor did not reply. He looked across toward the airlock of the Top 2 and discovered Regol's face peeking cautiously around the corner.
"Hey, Regol! What's with the transmitter equipment?"
"Not much, Top. We sent out a call to a ship that was in the area but we didn't get any answer. I'm afraid..."
Topthor sighed and turned to Ber-Ka. "I'm afraid, too, Topide. What I mean is that for the time being we're going to have to take a forced leave of absence on this water world until the outcome of the war has been decided. But whatever the results of this battle may be, the real and only victor is Rhodan. It's really a shame that this man isn't a Springer. What a genius chess player he is! That mind of his can think too many moves ahead. It's magnificent the way he works in his plots and schemes and then lets other people do the work for him. Truly, I would give my left arm if I could make Rhodan an ally of mine." He paused, startled by a sudden thought. Then he cocked his head to one side and smiled bitterly. "It just occurs to me that maybe I won't have to give my left arm at all. I happen to know a Mounder who has made millions by working together with Rhodan. My friend Talamon has been smarter about this than I gave him credit for. Now I also under stand why he didn't take part in this campaign. Okay, just wait, old friend, there are a few words I'd like to have with you when I get back!"
Get back...?
Topthor suddenly realized that his return was not so certain.
Rhodan knew that there was only one Springer who could cast light on the error to which the whole Mounder fleet had fallen prey and he would take pains to see that this single witness did not talk.
For now Topthor suddenly knew Rhodan's intention.
He turned to Ber-Ka. I think that we will make peace, Topide. You probably still don't know why we have become allies, your race and mine. We have an enemy who is more devious and dangerous than you can imagine, an enemy who goes so far as to even make a lie out of his own destruction in order to prepare a terrible revenge in the darkness of forgetfulness. One day Rhodan will strike anew and every race in the galaxy that hasn't become his friend in the meantime will be his target."
"I do not quite fully understand
"Nor is it necessary for you to understand, Ber-Ka. For the moment you don't have any choice but to accept my offer. Try to repair your transmitter. We will feed you the necessary power. Our main generator is still working." He nodded to the reptile and turned back to his own airlock.
Ber-Ka hesitated a few seconds and then he turned to walk slowly back to his ship.
In his head swirled a thousand unanswered questions...
• • •
"I've been through practically all of the ships but I can't scare up Topthor Pucky squatted in exhaustion on the couch in the Control Central and looked despairingly at Deringhouse. He seemed to be less disturbed over not having found Topthor than he was by the thought that he had lost a bet—that is,if Deringhouse had closed the wager.
"Maybe Topthor was killed at the beginning of the battle and his ship is destroyed. Then that would take care of the problem."
"Rhodan wants facts," retorted Marshall. "Betty Toufry claims that she has just detected some thought impulses for a moment which might have come from Topthor."
"What makes her think so?" asked the mouse-beaver doubtfully. But his big ears were standing on end. The muscles of his hind legs tensed as though he was ready to make a jump. "And in what direction was she listening?"
"Always in a direction away from Betelgeuse," advised Marshall. "In the direction of interstellar space."
"That's nonsense!" chirped Pucky. "You mean in the direction of the water planet, Akvo. It happens to be exactly where she's probing!"
Marshall's first impulse was to jump up angrily but then his eyes narrowed suddenly. He looked searchingly at Deringhouse for a moment, then turned to Pucky. "Hm-m-m... Maybe that's not such a stupid idea, my little friend. I think I'll take Betty to task on that."
"I'll join you," the mouse-beaver Volunteered and he slipped off the couch. "And if you're game, I'm always willing to make that bet."
"This time you won't have any victims, I'll guarantee you that," parried Marshall and disappeared into the corridor.
Pucky waddled after him, confident of victory.
Deringhouse stared after the 2 mutants but was interrupted by the buzzer on his radio call equipment. He pressed a button. The viewscreen remained dark but a voice emerged from the loudspeaker that was very familiar even though slightly distorted by the decoder:
"The Topides are just about wiped out. I think we can depend on the Springers to want to destroy the last ship before they turn to the task of obliterating the supposed planet Earth. They'll no doubt turn the jungle world into a small sun. Well, our water friends on Akvo shouldn't have any objections to having their average temperature come up a notch or two. According to reports, 200 more Topide ships have appeared but that's only going to delay the demise of the lizards by a few hours. What's going on with you? Have you found Topthor?"
"Not yet, sir," replied Deringhouse, depressed. "But maybe we've found a trace. Marshall is checking up on it now."
"Topthor must be silenced," ordered Rhodan. "He isn't going to keep his mouth shut of his own accord—that's for sure. This is the second time that Mounder has set out to destroy the Earth. If he won't allow himself to be taken prisoner, he will have to die. Otherwise we will never have peace."
"If we find him, sir, we will take care of him."
Rhodan's voice sounded brittle when he said: "Maybe he's already been killed fighting and that would spare me a few twinges of conscience. In any case we need the proof that he's dead, otherwise our whole action here will have been for nothing. If nobody is aware of our deception, Topthor is the only one who can enlighten the Springers. That we will have to prevent. Where's Pucky?"
"He's with Marshall and Miss Toufry."
"Get him for me, Deringhouse. I want to make him a proposition."
Not 10 seconds later the mouse-beaver materialized in the Control Central and regarded the dark viewscreen. "You called for me, Chief?" he twittered contentedly. There was no sip now of his previous state of fatigue. "I believe we've found a trace of Topthor."
"Then he's still alive?" Rhodan sought to ascertain.
"If the trail is still warm—yes. Why?"
"Pucky, find Topthor!
It's important. This whole battle between the Mounders and the Topides is unimportant. Even the alleged destruction of the Earth is uninteresting to us if Topthor remains alive to clear up the mystery. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Chief. Anything else?"
Rhodan's voice remained serious although the faintest hint of a softer tone was noticeable. "Listen closely, little fellow. If you succeed in getting me the facts concerning Topthor's fate, I'll make you a present of a whole silo of carrots."
For a second there was a devout silence. Then Pucky squeaked his joy and danced on one leg through the Control Central, almost falling over the commander's feet when he didn't get out of the way.
"That would be wonderful—I wouldn't have to make any more bets for almost 2 years—and there's nothing I hate worse than betting. You've got a deal, Chief! I'll have Topthor for you in one hour and that includes the silo of carrots!"
Rhodan laughed restrainedly. "Good luck—not only for you but for all of us!"
The loudspeaker became silent.
Pucky remained seated for awhile, then slowly sat back on his broad hindquarters. His faithful hound-dog eyes searched Deringhouse's face. His single incisor tooth revealed itself as a sign of the wonderful mood he was in. "Well?" said Pucky.
Deringhouse strove to remain serious. "Do you want to bet that you don't find Topthor? How about 5 pounds..."
The mouse-beaver waddled away without deigning to honor Deringhouse with even a glance. Before he disappeared, he chirped: "Five pounds! That's ridiculous! When I'm more or less a millionaire already? Ha—five pounds! Did you ever hear of such a thing! How do you figure that? How dare this fellow I"
The rest of his protest was lost.
In the midst of his thoughts, Pucky had teleported himself to a new location. Fortunately, not outside into empty space.
• • •
Meanwhile, Topthor and Ber-Ka had arrived at an agreement. Between them there would be a truce and they would attempt to contact either the Springers or the Topides in order to inform them of the terrible mistake.