by Perry Rhodan
Rhodan paused to reflect a moment, then said, "Besides that, there's an advantage in dealing with people who are hard pressed and in retreat. In most cases you can approach them with reasonable arguments. Understand, I want the Thort here in the control room—outside I'm not on as firm a footing. Bell, plug in the automatic translator. We're going to have to do something right away about learning the Ferrons' language. Khrest can help out there with a crash hypno course. We've got all we need already in the data banks of the translator."
Rhodan looked at Chaktor, who seemed to wither in awe of the situation. Apparently this was the first time in his life that he had been confronted with a chance to be in the presence of the Thort.
"Take it easy, Perry," Bell cautioned. "This is the ruler of an entire planetary system. How can you tell him—"
Rhodan went over to the instantaneous translator, followed by a flustered Chaktor. "Betty, make it clear to him that the commander of this spaceship requests the visit of the Thort in these quarters, because the equipment is here to overcome speech difficulties. The representative facilities are unfortunately not portable."
The telepath spoke over the translator to Chaktor, who immediately transmitted the information over the telecom in his own language. It required only a few moments before. The Thort's acceptance was returned. An elder Ferron appeared on the visiscreen.
"It is Lossos, the leading Ferronian scientist," Betty announced.
Rhodan spoke softly into the command transmitter on his wrist. In the cargo hold of the ship, the Arkonide fighter robots awoke. Ponderous yet surprisingly agile, the special automatons stomped through the large cargo ramp into the open.
Bell rasped out an oath. "What the devil! What do you think you're doing!"
"A little psychology is all. We're making an impression," Rhodan advised him. "Marshal, you have a splendid uniform. How loud can you shout?"
"If you want, I can bellow like a bull, Chief!"
"Then go out there on the ramp and take command of the robots. I want high protocol—the whole bit, with a full military salute, although a few days ago I considered such things as nonsense. There's a reason for it hare, and I want the Thort to be received with all honors."
The mutant disappeared.
"If you get away with the introductions," sneered Thora, "what are you going to say to the Thort? You are dealing with an advanced race of people."
"Naturally. They know and can do more than humans, ourselves excepted," Rhodan admitted. "I'm requesting you urgently not to contradict me in what I tell them. For the Ferronians we will all be Arkonides who have come from a planet that is 34,000 light-years distant."
"As you please," she answered, sarcastically.
Rhodan adjusted his uniform. Two fighter robots standing in the control room were given special instructions. The screen field projectors of the mighty pulse generators began to shimmer. The machines were ready for action.
Everything must appear in working order," said Rhodan. "Bell, is the simultaneous translator ready? Thank you. Betty, scrounge around in the supreme ruler's consciousness. I want to know what kind of wheels are turning behind his words."
The girl failed to suppress a brief smile before she nodded her acquiescence.
The distance between the local transmitter room and the Good Hope was apparently not very great, because the Thort's party appeared quickly on the scene. Outside they heard Marshall's bellowed command: "Pre-e-e-sent arms!" It was as though he were trying to be heard throughout the planet.
A deep roaring sound of a landing ship was heard. In the same moment, on another screen, those in the control room observed the reaction of the robots outside. On command, their weapon arms raised up high in a precision salute. It was an impressive reception for the Thort and his entourage of high officers and officials. Marshall's officious greeting and salute would have made General Pounder himself respond instinctively if he had been there. The Thort recognized the ceremony with both hands extended in imperial salute. It was a magnificent spectacle. Then the party was signaled on board.
Rhodan spoke swiftly to his companions. "Gentlemen, never forget that you represent the human race! Comport yourselves graciously but impressively. Don't let the Thort ever get the impression that we feel inferior to him. Bell, you do the reception formalities and introductions here."
"Well, what or whom should I introduce you as?" Bell asked worriedly.
"As the ruler of the Third Power, same as if it were the Great Empire itself. The term 'President' will mean as much to him as anything else. It's as strange a word to him as Thort is to us. Here he comes!"
"How impudent!" whispered Thora.
Only Khrest began to smirk appreciatively. The top Arkonide scientist seemed now fully aware of the strategy.
Rhodan stood motionlessly beside the translator. As Bell's formal announcement and introduction emerged from the loudspeakers in the Ferronian language, the Thort received his next shock of surprise. He observed the ultradvanced translator machine with obvious amazement Rhodan exhibited a friendly smile, but it was essentially more casual than Bell's.
Then the two intelligent beings from widely separated cultures stood facing each other—the Thort old, small, and drawn with worry and Rhodan tall, lean, and in command of every nerve fiber.
"You are welcome, sir. Won't you be seated, please?"
The two fighter robots stepped silently between the two commanders. The fluorescing muzzles of their weapons remained pointed at the ceiling. After taking a long look at them, the Ferronian ruler sat down in one of the control seats. Rhodan spoke a few more courteous words into the translator for the sake of protocol.
The Thort waited until he had finished. When his reply came, it was extremely brief and surprising. This man surmised the significance of the demonstration he had witnessed, and he accepted the implications. Although well aware of the alien differences between his own kind and the human race, he gave full recognition to the fact that these aliens had come to the defense of the battle pressed Ferrons.
"Your spaceship is severely damaged," came the translation. "You know that we are lost without your help. Therefore, what can I do for you? My empire stands at your disposal. Can your ship be repaired?"
The statement was clear and unambiguous, which didn't surprise Rhodan. The Thort appeared to be anything but a weakling. Obviously, he was a strong, logical thinker. It suited Rhodan's character to be even more brief and succinct. In this situation there could be no misunderstandings.
Before he could answer, however, an announcement came over the hyperwave communicator that the now famous giant Arkonide space sphere had landed on the eighth planet. Major Deringhouse was on the hookup. Rhodan instructed him to continue surveillance and to keep detailed reports coming in. Then he cut the connection.
"Was that one of the pilots of the small fighter ships?" one of the higher Ferronian officers inquired excitedly.
Rhodan confirmed that it was.
"But how can the transmission operate that fast?"
"We have not only ultralight speed space travel, but ultra-speed visiphone transmission. Distance is immaterial."
When the translation came through, the officer looked at his companions in triumph. Apparently he had expressed this theory to them and had been met with disbelief. Rhodan could appreciate the impact of these things on the Ferrons.
From then on the officers remained very silent. The Thort continued to examine his surroundings with a penetrating eye.
"Sir, did you arrive here by means of a matter transmitter?" Rhodan asked. He caught a fleeting, strange reaction on the part of the blue skinned ruler.
"Of course. I was forced to leave the eighth world precipitately. What do you know of the transmitter? Do you know anything of its operating principle? To us it's the greatest mystery of the universe."
"Absolutely nothing," Rhodan replied gently. He did not pursue the subject any further. The Thort was disturbed enough. "Sir, you offered me your assistance
. Yes, my ship is unflightworthy. You do not have the technologies necessary to repair. It The surprise shot we received from the battleship was a mortal wound."
"Then—I must resign myself to being without you?"
Rhodan saw the blue skinned features of the other sag with despair. A dull pain of hopelessness was apparent in the deepset eyes of the Ferron.
"By no means!" he said. "It is merely necessary that you place your transmitter station at the disposal of myself and my people. You've just heard the report that the supership has landed on the eighth planet. You simply have to make it possible for me, with the help of your transmitters, to land there in the quickest and most unobserved manner. If that is not permissible, I'll have to take the more complicated alternative of using my two small fighter ships to get there."
The Thort was astonished. Nevertheless, he immediately agreed to the request, followed by another question. What~ will you do there? The planet is under enemy occupation."
"I will take the battleship. Then we will make further plans." Rhodan said easily. "As stated, this ship is no longer usable. I was on a short exploration trip, for which this vessel was quite suitable. If I had suspected that a Topide invasion was going on, I would have come here with a fleet. I'm very sorry."
Bell would have liked to at least clear his throat, but he controlled himself. Excited interrogations followed. Rhodan explained clearly who the Topides were, where they came from, and their capabilities. The Thort again pledged every possible assistance. Rhodan received permission to use the transmitters. Then came the touchy question
"Will you be able to operate the supership?"
Rhodan replied calmly, "Sir, it is a battleship of my own race."
This elicited a strong reaction among the Ferrons. The officers froze. Only the Thort remained calm. Obviously, he was self-possessed and shrewd.
"But certainly it is not manned by people of your race?"
"Naturally not. It's a mystery to me how the Topides got possession of it. I am urgently requesting that no pains be spared to bring me a living Topide. Have you taken any prisoners?"
No, they had not been able to salvage a single Topid. However, one young officer added that a Topidian lifeboat had been shot down and had made an emergency landing in the north polar region. The Ferronian soldiers couldn't get near it because the alien crew was equipped with unknown superior weapons and their defense was impenetrable.
Rhodan did not hesitate. "Sir, I would like to have you transport two of my people to the landing place and have your troops draw back. I want those fellows alive."
"They have terrible weapons," interjected Lossos, the leading Ferron scientist.
"Ours are better. Sir, please issue the orders and furnish my people with your fastest aircraft or a small spaceship. We have no time to lose."
While the Thort issued instructions, Rhodan turned to search his own people carefully with his eyes. Finally he said, "Tako Kakuta and Betty, get ready. Each of you take along a psycho-radiator and convince those shot down Topides to come out like good fellows from under cover. I need the officers especially—there should be a few among them. Tako, in an emergency you could pop in behind them. But just take care of yourself."
The mutants prepared themselves, Tako with a smile and Betty with casual resignation.
The Thort was startled. "But...how can those two manage to disarm a heavily armed crew like that?" The color of his skin turned to a pastel blue. Rhodan noted that he was agitated for the first time.
"They are entirely adequate. We have forces and powers that are unknown to you. Sir, is the transportation ready?" Tako winked and disappeared. The Thort sat down slowly.
"This is beyond me," he whispered into the translator. "Who are you? Where do you come from? You are a fearful people. Your capabilities seem to be unlimited."
Rhodan supplied them with complete details as to their origin, without, however, making any mention of Earth. For the Ferrons they were all advanced Arkonides. And all his assertions were unhesitatingly accepted.
Perry utilized the waiting period by finding out more about the Ferrons. An excellent relationship was gradually established with the Thort, whose office, as it was revealed, was not inheritable. After his death a new Thort would have to be chosen from among the most capable leaders. There was little evidence of political intrigues. Rhodan perceived a shining future for these people, but something undefinable seemed to be missing.
After two hours, ship's time, Tako announced himself over his portable microtransmitter. "We have them, Chief. Five live ones, two of them officers. It was no sweat Betty located them for me, and I jumped into working distance from them. They responded immediately to the psychic ray. We'll be there in a half hour. This flier is very fast"
"Now we shall see," said Rhodan in cold, impersonal tones.
The Thort tensed. He suddenly looked upon this tall, lean man with a new perspective. All Rhodan's former equanimity was gone; there was no more of courteous protocol and friendly formality.
"I am beginning to understand that in comparison to your high station I might best be considered a small provincial office holder," the Thort said. "Command me as you will—all I ask is that you help my people."
Rhodan had never been so deeply moved. Bell compressed his lips tightly. Dr. Haggard struggled to conceal his own embarrassment.
9/
"When we're dealing with Topidian space officers," Khrest advised, "we must use the Inter-Cosmo language, which is universal to all Systems of the Great Empire. Each Topidian officer must learn it of course, the instantaneous translator is automatically programmed to handle Inter-Cosmo, so there will be no problem there."
Moments later the prisoners were brought in, completely under the dominance of the mutant Kakuta's will. The deep posthypnotic effect of the psychic ray had changed them into obedient automatons. With a sudden horrified outcry, the Thort rose from his chair. Never before had he seen a Topide, nor had anyone on Ferrol known exactly the physical nature of their attackers.
Instinctively, his officers drew their weapons. They carried excellent ray guns, operating on the principle of ultra-high intensity light quanta. The creatures who entered the control room in their passive state were looking at a bristling array of needle bore ray muzzles.
After a slow, deep breath, Rhodan said carefully, "Please put your weapons away—it might precipitate an accident. Your people are edgy, Your Excellency. Please advise them that I will take care of the security here."
The Thort transmitted the order. The small ray guns went back to their holsters.
The cross examination of the prisoners proceeded in the damaged control room. Doctors Haggard and Manoli were momentarily absent while procuring certain medical equipment from the infirmary. There could be no doubt that these intelligences were strictly nonhuman. Nor could anyone refute the obvious fact that they had evolved from a reptilian phylum of the tree of life. Rhodan examined them very thoroughly. They wore close fitting uniforms that emphasized the unusually slender form of their physiques. Rhodan made a signal for Thora and Betty to leave the room. He used the Inter-Cosmo translator.
"The Topidian officer on the left will disrobe...and hurry it up!" he said. Then, to Tako Kakuta and John Marshall, keep your feelers out and watch his thought processes for me."
Tako focused the fanned out beam of the psycho weapon on the indicated Topidian officer. With unusually agile movements, the latter began to remove his uniform.
Rhodan clamped his mouth tight in order to suppress the same horrified outcry that the Ferronian ruler had made. Here for the first time was a revelation that the returning doctors would no doubt be able to verify.
"My God!" whispered Dr. Haggard, his forehead reddening with shock. I had not considered this!"
"Dress yourself again," Rhodan ordered curtly, through the translator. "Bell—Betty and Thora can come back now. The thing is finished. Tako, switch to mass hypnosis. Give them a standing order to answer every question
with absolute truthfulness."
While Tako converted the psychic ray and administered the hypnotic instruction, Rhodan took one last searching look at the alien figures. Although they possessed two arms and two legs and walked erect, they were not even humanoid. They were oxygen breathers, but there the similarity to humans ceased. Their dark brown scaly skin was enough in itself to confirm this, and Rhodan didn't care to speculate on their metabolic processes. Their lizard skulls were hairless, broad, and low, their wide, thin lips were needle-toothed, and their large, startlingly protruding eyeballs possessed independent movement like those of chameleons. The intense light of the Vega system was probably a strain for them.
Their enormous intelligence was no camouflage for the fact that they were of a totally inhuman character with utterly alien concepts of tolerance, ethics, and morality. The idea of sympathy or compassion was unknown to them. On the other hand they possessed other principles or concepts of ethic that, to humans and Ferrons alike, were strange and in some ways ridiculous. One could only negotiate with these six fingered descendants of reptiles on the basis of the most extreme caution. As Khrest had explained, treaties and other agreements made with them never retained validity for long.
Rhodan began a cross examination of one of the two officers. The prisoner answered in perfect Inter-Cosmo and dispelled any last doubts of his identity. Alter a few routine questions, Rhodan turned quickly to the core of the problem.
"You have told us that your ship was shot down by a small Arkonide space fighter near planet eight. You are the commander, so you must know where that imperial class Arkonide battleship came from so suddenly. How did your people obtain possession of it? Who is manning it? Are there Arkonides on board?"
"They were killed," explained the officer in dull tones. His great eyes were unseeing and waxen while under the continuing influence of the psychic ray.
"We captured the battleship on Topid. It had landed there to obtain fresh water. The crew was asleep and we overpowered the guards with gas. We forced the Arkonides to train us. The battleship is the spinal column of our fleet."