A World Gone Mad
Page 9
Rhodan experienced the same difficulties. He realized that only a thorough study of the blueprints received from Borator would divulge the inner secrets of the new ship.
However it was apparent that the propulsion was based on well-known Arkonide methods and had undergone only minor changes which enabled the new owners to fly the ship as they were accustomed. Tests and experiments had to wait for a more opportune time. Rhodan was eager to leave Goszul's Planet as soon as possible.
Only one man was inside the huge cylinder as it entered the open basin in its full length of 2500 feet: Reginald Bell. Despite his vehement protests Rhodan had appointed him commander of the conquered cruiser. Bell was not especially keen on playing with unknown forces. Only after it was brought home to him that nobody else could be trusted with the unique and priceless vessel could he be talked into taking over the command.
The ship had a diameter of more than 600 feet. The interior of the vessel was not yet completely outfitted. However this bothered Rhodan very little. He couldn't have used the enormous seats of the Mounders anyway. The engineers and technicians in the capital of the Earth, Terrania, would take care of these last details.
Bell deactivated the antigrav-field and was glad to feel the slight jolt reassuring him that he had solid ground under his feet. He left the Command Center and appeared a minute later in the exit hatch, which was big enough for an elephant. His face beamed with delight. "Hey, Borator! You've built a nice little ship. Congratulations!"
"I'm happy you like it, sir!" the Springer replied. He was still under Kitai's influence and firmly convinced of being master of his own will. He would be vexed in a few days when 20 Springers on a lonely island bombarded him with peculiar questions for which he had no more answers than they.
"It's a superb ship indeed," Rhodan commented. He was talking to Ralv close by. "We'll take it with us."
"Will you come back?" inquired Ralv, who had been promoted to Chief of Government in the meantime. "You've promised..."
"We'll set up a trading base here," Rhodan reassured him. "My authorized representatives will arrive in a few weeks. The bastions the Springers have erected here will protect you. You'll be able to repulse any assault from an enemy who would try to enslave you again. But I believe you'll have nothing to fear from the Springers for the next 50 years as long as the quarantine lasts."
Bell came over. "Okay, I'll fly this tub!" he grinned. "When do we start?"
"In three hours. I'd advise you to fly the 'tub' to the spaceport near the city. This will give you a chance to test it. Pucky can accompany you so that he can bring you back in case of emergency. After all, you're no teleporter."
"Pucky!" Bell murmured, peeved. "Always Pucky! Let him come for all I care—if he isn't scared."
The mouse-beaver stood in the elephant-sized hatch. "Poo, scared!" his shrill voice started Bell. "I'm not scared! The only thing I'll ever be afraid of in my life is that you'll get sense, buster!"
Bell winced as if he wanted to cry. He implored Rhodan: "What am I going to do with him, Perry?"
"Take him along to Terra! You'll travel together. Maybe you'll learn to get along. A long, lonely flight through the universe is supposed to work wonders."
Bell stalked away. His red hair had risen like rockets on his head. Without looking back he disappeared behind Pucky in the ship and the batch closed with a dull thud.
John Marshall, who had been standing nearby, joined Rhodan. "Hm," he muttered, "I only hope it works. After all, Pucky is also a telepath."
Rhodan smiled confidently. "I'm sure he'll remind Bell of it at the first opportunity," he said a little mischievously as he watched the tremendous ship ascend vertically. When it reached the rim of the plateau, it suddenly shot like a bullet into the bright blue sky and vanished in a second.
Borator pensively gazed for the last time at his proudest achievement.
• • •
Rhodan's fleet crossed the path of the fourth planet and neared the calculated transition co-ordinates with the velocity of light. The Stardust was flanked by the cruisers Terra and Centurio. The Solar System and the latest addition, the battleship of the Springers with Bell at the helm, followed at a distance of 0.00001 light-seconds.
Only one other man was present in the Command Center of the Stardust with Rhodan—Sgt. Harnahan.
The fourth planet swiftly passed by at starboard. The countless moons were minute points of lights and it was impossible to make out the one on which Harnahan had landed.
Rhodan professed no doubt when he asked: "What did you say was the range of your sphere?"
"Two hundred light-years—or so it claimed."
"Strange," Rhodan mused. "It has always been assumed that the range of telepathy is unlimited. Apparently this isn't always true. Marshall can't reach Earth from here either. Nevertheless—200 light-years..."
And now he sensed it. It felt like a soft hand gently touching his head and an extraneous thought imposed itself on his own. Rhodan quickly glanced at his fighter pilot for confirmation that he experienced the same sensation.
The incredible orb contacted them.
You see, Perry Rhodan, Harnahan was right. Did you receive my message that I'm waiting for you? No—first return to Terra, it's more important. But remember me, Perry Rhodan. I don't want to wait eternally although we're both immortal.
"Who are you?" Rhodan asked.
Harnahan perceived the amused smile as well as Rhodan.
You humans are curious—and curiosity is the mainspring of civilized progress. I believe that your curiosity will lead you to me some day. Till then—farewell, Perry Rhodan! And many thanks...
Rhodan was puzzled. "Thanks? Thanks for what?"
Again he felt the laughter in his mind. For the energy I've drawn from your ships. No, I didn't take too much, not enough for a long flight. But I believe you'll be able to hear better and farther. Good luck to you and Terra!
The fourth planet and its moons faded in the distance.
"What shall I call you?" Rhodan inquired.
There was no answer. The mystifying intelligent being remained silent. Rhodan tried again to make contact but his attempt failed. He looked at Harnahan. "What's your opinion, Sergeant? What's the real truth about this creature? Is it a living organism? Is it energy or spirit? Man, you've seen it with your own eyes. Can it constitute a danger?"
Harnahan looked into space at the glittering stars. A soft line played around his closed lips. His eyes glistened moistly as he slowly shook his head. "I don't know the answers to your questions—except one, sir. The last. This being will never become a threat to us. Yes, I've seen and felt it. However I sensed neither evil nor fear. No, sir, the orb is no menace to us and never will be. Quite the contrary!"
Perry Rhodan also stared into the panoply of stars. A few hours ahead of them was the transition point. At a stroke the universe with all its stars would vanish—and instantly emerge again anew more than a thousand light-years away.
He turned around and looked at Harnahan's face. "Alright," he said softly, with an odd undertone in his voice which was so used to giving orders. "I feel as you do. If the sphere isn't perilous it might be very helpful in the future. And we're going to need all the help we can get when..."
He fell silent. But Harnahan was also human and therefore curious. "When will we need help, sir?"
Suddenly Rhodan smiled indulgently. "When the Springers notice they haven't lost their memories–and I'm afraid that it'll be the case in a few weeks." His smile faded as quickly as it had appeared. "Now we'll have to see what Bell is doing. In a few hours..."
Bell's face popped up on the videoscreen. "Yes, Perry, what's the matter?"
"Test transition across 2000 miles! Are you ready, Reg?"
Bell nodded resignedly. Behind him Pucky was showing his tooth with a grin.
"I don't care. But I know full well that everything functions perfectly and..."
"Ready?" Rhodan interrupted him.
"R
eady!" Reg looked back over his shoulder. "I'd like to see who wouldn't be ready in such company—Ouch!"
Bell rocketed upward and out of the picture, to be replaced by an impious creature which looked like a close-up of Mickey Mouse. Pucky flashed his incisor with unrestrained glee mixed with menacing mischief. "He's always starting something," the alien from planet Vagabond lisped in his most guileless manner. "Shall I teleport him to hell?"
Rhodan maintained a stern visage but his voice betrayed a suppressed chuckle. "Better not, Pucky: we need Bell awhile longer yet. Besides, the devil wouldn't thank you for causing so much competition–or didn't you ever hear of unfair competition?"
"No," the mouse-beaver innocently shook his big ears. "Never. What is it?"
"It's a telekinutty mouse-beaver letting a valuable Earthman die of hunger on the ceiling!" Bell shouted from above, out of sight. "Let me down at once or I'll... I'll... Alright Pucky—I'll do nothing! Peace?"
Bell's legs came dangling down on the videoscreen and soon he took his place again at the control panel of the Springer ship. Pucky obligingly made room for him.
"Now, how about a test transition?" Rhodan inquired.
Bell beamed. "With pleasure, my Lord and Master. I don't know what I'd rather do. How much longer do I have to wait?"
2000 miles away the mouse-beaver made chirping noises and shook his shaggy head in wonderment.
"Well, then, get going!" Rhodan prodded.
Sgt. Harnahan looked back at the rear observation screen, trying to hold on with his eyes to a planet with many moons which was rapidly receding into the universe. His nature was romantic, dreamy. In his eyes gleamed that quality commonly shared by Perry Rhodan and most of his associates: the sense of wonder that sparks the eternal quest for knowledge.
A WORLD GONE MAD
Copyright © Ace Books 1973
Ace Publishing Corporation
All Rights Reserved
THE SHIP OF THINGS TO COME
Five hytrans light-year leaps across interstellar immensity lies distant Arkon, Realm of the Tri-Planets. And the time has come at last when Perry Rhodan feels himself in a position to fulfill his 13-year-old promise to Thora & Khrest to return them to their home world. But the Peacelord reckons without the—Naats! Triclopean creatures whose three eyes peer out of leathery black skulls and whose faces are noseless.
En route Arkon, Rhodan et al are captured & imprisoned and their giant spaceship Ganymede also held prisoner. On Naat, Pucky is actively involved in the adventures that this enforced detour entails. A super story awaits you in the next adventure of PERRY RHODAN as you fly through hyperspace...
TO ARKON!
by Kurt Mahr