Conflict Center Naator

by Perry Rhodan

  Rosberg leaned toward her. "Toffner?"

  She nodded in silence and turned a mental ear 'inward' to the indescribable maze of countless thoughts, among which just the right one had to be detected.

  • • •

  Although Toffner and his two Zalite companions still had their special passes signed by Calus, which excused them from military service, they were uncertain now under the present circumstances as to how long Calus' signature would continue to be valid. To this extent it was still dangerous to venture anywhere near any Arkonides. Yet they had no other choice, and where the two native men were concerned this was the least they could do to help those who had helped them.

  Of course Toffner was not a Zalite but Khara and Markh had no suspicion of this. He had furnished the life-saving documents to them and they would do everything for him and his friends in order to prove how grateful they were.

  The robot that stomped ponderously toward them belonged to the security cordon surrounding the palace. The Arkonides were not relying too heavily on the Zarlt's troops, even though they appeared to be loyal to the Regent.

  "What do you want here?" the metal sentinel asked in its typically rasping voice.

  Toffner produced his regular pass and his special release. "I am Garak, the manager of the arena. These two men assist me in my work. We are trying to make arrangements for new war games so that we can do something about raising the morale of all Zalites. We seek an audience with the Zarlt."

  "Why haven't you enlisted in the Fleet?"

  "All three of us have been declassified due to debilities. Here is the special release paper."

  The robot examined the document scrupulously yet seemed undecided as to whether or not it should give these Zalites permission to enter the palace.

  "Wait!" it ordered and returned to the palace.

  There it stopped and became motionless. Toffner knew it was to be expected since the robot would now make radio contact with its superiors in order to obtain instructions. Permission to enter the palace would depend on the latter.

  The robot came back. "My officers feel that a resumption of the war games would attract many men and lure them into Tagnor for us. The audience with the Zarlt is granted. You may go in."

  Inwardly Toffner was relieved, even though the permission loaded him with a new concern. Of course they'd get to see the Zarlt and talk to him but the real purpose of their action was something else. Maybe they could find out something concerning the whereabouts of the 'Admiral's' body—if the Zarlt knew anything about it.

  The robot escorted them to the main portal of the palace and turned them over to two Zalite soldiers who belonged to the Zarlt's bodyguard. Even though these troops were not particularly popular just now, they were still considered to be Zalites. They simply had no other choice than to obey the Zarlt and the Arkonides if they did not wish to share the fate of the 'volunteer' inductees.

  They had to identify themselves two more times before they could enter the true inner palace. Here they were received by a Zalite in a colorful uniform.

  "The Zarlt is waiting for you, Garak. Follow me."

  Kosoka was an old man who was too weak to oppose the will of the Arkonides. Buried within him was the age-old instinct of awe before the Lords of the Imperium, even though a robot Brain had long since taken over the actual governing powers. Zarlt Kosoka was a servant of the Regent and because of his very fear and his weariness was considered to be a 'trusty'.

  He sat in his elevated chair of State in the audience chamber and watched the approaching visitors with an indefinable expression. "You are here to talk about the arena?" he asked, as Toffner, Markh and Kharra bowed before him. "No games have been held there for quite some time. Why is that, Garak?"

  "If men and gladiators are scarce, Your Grace, so are the expeditions that are needed for collecting the animals. Here is Markh the animal dealer. He can't go by himself into the desert to capture Hhracks."

  Kosoka nodded slowly. "That makes sense, Garak. But you have come to propose something to me. You may speak."

  Toffner saw himself being diverted from the actual purpose of his visit but reasoned that perhaps it was necessary. "There are many Zalites who were found unsuitable for military service," he said. "They should be called upon to help Markh organize an expedition into the desert—in return for good pay, of course."

  "Can't Markh scrape up his own men?"

  Toffner was amazed at how quickly he hit upon an excuse. "No, he's tried that, Zarlt. The people are distrustful. They suspect an Arkonide trap behind his offers. Even those with the special release papers remain suspicious. We'd only be able to get men if the Zarlt would make a public announcement guaranteeing their safety."

  The old man's answering nod was a bit hesitant. Inwardly he had to admit that Garak was right but he wasn't sure he should intimate as much. The Arkonides might take it the wrong way. He made an obvious attempt to hedge for time. "I have to wait until Calus' replacement arrives. We are expecting the new Admiral within the next few days. I'm afraid..." He lowered his voice instinctively. "I'm afraid, of course, that Arkonide isn't very well disposed toward us these days. After the murder of Calus..."

  "Such a black mark in our history," said Toffner quickly and his tone of remorse was genuine although for reasons unknown to the Zarlt. "Admiral Calus was a great friend of Zalit and its inhabitants. Too bad his assassin died so quickly. He deserved a more lingering death."

  At least now they were on the desired subject. Perhaps a revealing remark could be coaxed out of the Zarlt. What Toffner was unaware of was the fact that Betty Toufry had now located him and was monitoring the conversation. Which meant that she was also able to perceive the thoughts of the Zarlt as well as his spoken words.

  "Admiral Calus will be replaced by a very strict man, said Kosoka apathetically. "Maybe this one will even prohibit the war games in the arena and he may even invalidate the special releases a lot of you have because of various disabilities. I've been expecting something of the sort."

  "All the more reason to curse that murderer. I myself thought a great deal of Calus because he was fair enough to free me from military service. He even spoke to me once in the street. I'd sure like to see him once more before they take him to Arkon."

  The Zarlt leaned forward and stared at Toffner. "You mean, his corpse...?"

  "Yes, Calus' cadaver! Why shouldn't I pay my respects to his remains when they represent a man I honored and revered?"

  Kosoka leaned back again in his chair. "Unfortunately that will not be possible, Garak. Admiral Calus' body is already on board the ship that is to take him back to Arkon. No human being will accompany it because the ship is manned by robots. Calus' last flight will be his flight alone. Figuratively it is his spirit that is to guide the courier cruiser home."

  To Toffner this was like a kick in the face. It was all he needed. If the Zarlt wasn't lying, then this development meant that he and the others were in big trouble.

  With a few innocuous remarks about the arena and with a promise to come back when the new Admiral arrived, he said his good-byes.

  The three of them were permitted to get through the cordons of guards without hindrance and leave the palace. As swiftly as they could, they hurried to their hideout down in the catacombs. To their surprise they discovered that everyone there had already been apprised of the situation.

  In reply to Toffner's questions concerning this, Betty Toufry gave him an answer. "The Zarlt wasn't lying, Toffner. He spoke the truth. Osega's body is already on board a small torpedo-shaped vessel with a crew of 10 robots. They've already set up their course coordinates. The ship is supposed to take off as soon as the new Admiral arrives and gives the order for it. So we have a few days of time." Until then She became silent, not knowing what else to say.

  Toffner looked at Maj. Rosberg. "What now, sir? We could never lift that body from the ship without turning suspicion toward Rhodan's Mutant Corps. Their feats are too well known not to become obvious<
br />
  in a case like this. Telekinesis or teleportation are out! It would attract too much attention."

  "I'm afraid you're right," admitted the Major and he sank into a pensively silent mood.

  Nobody disturbed him. Not even Pucky.

  • • •

  While more than 3000 light-years away a second test flight was being made by Commander Ighur and his 200-man crew—much to the satisfaction of Admiral Semekho—the situation on Zalit became critically serious.

  Calus' successor had arrived, armed with a set of merciless orders. From now on any Zalite caught with a weapon was to be shot without benefit of trial or sentencing. The death penalty was to be imposed also on anyone who failed to report to the draft commission. All release documents issued by Calus were declared invalid. The Zalites were to be subjected to a new round of examinations.

  From one day to the next the situation had kept changing.

  It wasn't easy for Maj. Rosberg to accept the complexion of events. After all, this Calus for whose death Zalites were being held responsible was still alive. The Admiral sat huddled here on a lowly cot, hypno-blocked, apathetic, devoid of memory, offering no resistance of any kind any more. Yet they could not let him go free. His appearance would instantly make it evident to the Regent that his greatest enemy was in the vicinity. It would do nothing to better the situation, in fact it would make it much worse.

  The two Zalites, Markh and Kharra, refused to go up to the surface again. Of course they didn't know that their friends were Terrans but they suspected that their release documents were of no value now. If anybody stopped them they'd be sure to land in the military boot camp at the spaceport.

  But Toffner contradicted this view. "Even if Calus' signature is no good, that doesn't mean that right today everybody will be detained who carries his papers on him. Processing under the new regime will take weeks yet to complete. I have no qualms about showing myself. If they tell me to go to the draft commission—so I'll go." He grinned. "Before my departure for Arkon they'll surely allow me to attend to my personal affairs. The Zarlt will help me."

  Betty Toufry had been on telepathic duty again, still scanning the thoughts of the Arkonides. At this moment she said: "The ship carrying Osega is to take off by this evening. I just picked that up from a conversation between two officers. We'll have to hurry."

  Rosberg nodded. "We went over everything yesterday in detail, so we'll stick to that. Everybody involved knows his assignment. Toffner, your action comes first. As a relay station—if that's a proper expression—you know what you have to do. Here's luck!"

  "He'll need it," peeped Pucky. "If anything happens to him I'll yank him out—no matter what the cost. If I'm quick enough nobody will see me."

  "You will only do what I tell you to do!" snapped Rosberg with unusual severity. Still worked up, he

  turned to Toffner. "Go now. We must not lose another minute."

  Toffner departed without further ceremony. He knew his assignment and he was going to complete it. Whether they grabbed him or not.

  Without being stopped by anyone he reached the first restricted area at the spaceport. He was comforted by the feeling that he was in continuous contact with his friends through Betty Toufry—even though it was unfortunately a one-way channel since he was not a telepath. They would always be aware of what was happening around him.

  Here come the first couple of guards. He signaled this mentally as the two security robots blocked his further progress. He showed them his papers and said: "I'd like to see an officer." He spoke quite without fear. "I have information of an important nature."

  "What kind of information?" the robots wanted to know.

  "That I cannot reveal. Only to this extent: it has to do with deserters. I know their hiding place."

  It worked. Toffner received permission to enter the spaceport area. He was told that the succeeding sentry posts had been notified about him. He was to proceed without further hindrance.

  And thus it worked out. He was able to penetrate further checkpoints without interrogation and a few minutes later stood inside the fenced enclosure in front of a young lieutenant who exhibited all of the arrogance of a typical Arkonide. "Who are you?" he asked.

  As Toffner gave the right answers and explanations of identity, he took more time than was necessary so that he could look around.

  "I am told," said the lieutenant, "that you were supposed to have some important information for us."

  "I think it could be important," answered Toffner, carefully minimizing. "It has to do with the deserters. Yesterday I met a friend from Larg who claimed to know the hiding place of the Zalites who refuse to serve our Imperium."

  In spite of his arrogance the lieutenant was not naive. "Why do you wish to betray your countrymen?"

  "I have no egotistical motive," Toffner asserted guilelessly. "But I don't think it should be called a betrayal if a man is dedicated to the Imperium of Arkon."

  For a moment the officer seemed to be taken by surprise and found himself cornered. But then his hereditary arrogance came to the fore. "I didn't ask for a dissertation on your political convictions. Say what you know and then you may go."

  A real sweet fellow, thought Toffner, boiling inwardly. However, he continued to smile humbly and respectfully. He had spotted a small, torpedo-shaped ship near the landing field. An honor guard of Arkonide robots was standing in front of it.

  That must be it! But he wanted to be sure.

  "My friend has gone back to Larg but I'll be seeing him again in a few days. At that time I'll learn a few more details. It wouldn't be good to start looking for them just yet because it would only tip them off.

  Today I merely wanted to inform you about it."

  The lieutenant seemed disappointed. "You don't know actually where the deserters are?"

  "Somewhere in the northern mountains near the edge of the desert but I don't know the exact spot." He paused a moment and then pointed to the small ship. "I used to be a spacer on the merchant ships. I know the various classes and types of vessels, even those of the Arkonide Fleet, but I've never seen a small ship like that one. Does it have light-speed capability?"

  The officer permitted himself to be diverted, or perhaps he sought to encourage Toffner to reveal his secret. At any rate, he pretended at least to be amiable. "Light speed? That model has a long-range hyperspace capability; it's going to carry the body of our Admiral back to Arkon. There are many Arkon ships you don't know about, Garak. When do I see you again?"

  "As soon as my friend returns from Larg."

  "Good. If you don't come I'll have someone search for you. And you know we usually track everybody down." The statement was pushy and greatly exaggerated but Toffner let him go on. Meanwhile he did not take the small ship and its honor guard out of his sight. He thought of the ship, and thought, and thought...

  His mental concentration had its purpose.

  So intensive was the impression that Betty Toufry received, down under the arena, that she could see the ship plainly before her. Pucky also switched into her telepathic channel and prepared for a teleport jump. Yesterday such an idea had appeared to be impossible but now there was no other choice. Osega had to be taken out of the ship.

  Just so no trace or clue was left!

  "Now Toffner has been dismissed but he's still standing at the gate and looking back. He's observing the ship and he's thinking of it. I can jump now, Rosberg."

  The Major nodded. His voice was expressionless when he said: "Jump, Pucky."

  And the mouse-beaver vanished from their sight.

  • • •

  Unmolested, Toffner vacated the dangerous territory he was in but at the same time lost sight of the ship. However, that was no longer important because Betty Toufry knew where it was located.

  Inside the ship the Arkonide 'Admiral Calus' lay on a broad couch in his resplendent uniform. Two robots stood over him as his honor guard. Although they were not the types with built-in weapon arms they nevert
heless carried effective energy weapons, In the arched ceiling of the small control room a subdued light was burning. The automaticontrols were already operating. At any moment the ship could take off.

  Pucky was lucky. When he rematerialized he happened to land right in back of the two robots. They did not notice his arrival.

  The mouse-beaver looked down at the pale face of Osega. He had known the sergeant well and had swapped many a joke with him in the past. Now Osega was dead. He lay here in the place of the man who should have rightfully died.

  Pucky was seized by a tremendous anger when he thought about it. But then it occurred to him that this was no time to brood over things that could not be changed. Osega had to be brought into the catacombs so that they could bury him with honors. These two robots were to become witness of the incredible but if everything went according to plan they would not have a chance to pass on their information.

  Seconds counted now.

  To save valuable time, Pucky leaned carefully forward and grasped Osega's arm. It felt cold and stiff to his touch. It occurred to the mouse-beaver that this was the first time in his life that he had ever had to teleport a cadaver. With bodily contact thus established, Pucky concentrated on their hiding place under the arena and dematerialized.

  The whole process had not required more than 10 seconds. The two robots stood there in motionless silence, still standing guard of honor for their Admiral. They might not have even noticed his disappearance if at this moment the ship's commander—also a robot—had not come into the control room. It had received the order for takeoff.

  It stood as though incapacitated in the doorway. Its insidiously gleaming eye lenses stared at the empty couch on which Calus had been lying.

  It was just about to turn to the two guards when it happened.

  After Pucky's return, the two-headed mutant Ivan Ivanovich Goratschin had had enough time to concentrate on the target in accordance with Betty Toufry's information. His mysterious mental currents set the process of atomic disintegration into motion, Calcium and carbon were converted into energy within a space of a single second.