by Perry Rhodan
The explanation was more or less stammered out, interrupted by much cross questioning. Finally, Rhodan had learned enough. He allowed the prisoners to be taken away by Ferron guards.
"It would have been much more interesting to learn why they chose the Vega system for their attack. That fellow didn't seem to have any idea. The chief admiral of their fleet should know. What's his name?"
"Chrekt-Orn," answered the Arkonide scientist. "It's a well-known name, apparently a fast rising personality among the Topides. He should be watched."
As soon as the last Topide had been led from the room, Rhodan immediately made contact with Major Deringhouse. The two fighter pilots were already on their return flight to the ninth planet. The Thort listened attentively to the conversation.
"All's quiet along the whole line," reported Deringhouse. "The battleship has landed on a super-sized landing field. There is hardly any more resistance to the invasion. On the ground there are some hard battles going on, but the Ferrons won't be able to hold. In the space sector I have in front of me there's not a trace of an enemy ship. They have concentrated their forces exclusively on the main planet. About 150 of the defeated Ferronian fleet, large ships and small, are together with us on the return flight. We can't come in any faster or we'll leave them behind. So we'll be taking longer than usual, sir. And man, we're pooped out!"
Deringhouse waited for some moments on the space voice com for an answer, and finally Rhodan said, "They apparently don't need any cover just now, so don't wait for them. Pour on the gas and get here on the double. Are your fighter ships damaged?"
"Clean as a whistle—except Klein got a light side swipe from a ray cannon; just smudged up his polish job a bit." Deringhouse's broad, freckled face broke into a grin. Seeing the Thort on his com scene he nodded to him casually. Rhodan smiled to himself, then cut the communication.
"My men are ready, sir," he said, turning to the Thort. "If you will kindly arrange to have them instructed concerning the operation of the transmitters, I'll be much obliged."
The Thort replied, "I must say goodbye to you now, but shortly you will be contacted by the chief engineer of a secret desert fort. This is a subterranean fortress that was created at a time when various branches of my race were divided. It may be advisable to fly your damaged ship to that location. The local transmitter has to be disconnected, because it is coupled directly with my palace. My people there are not going to be able to hold out much longer, and that would mean a possible undesirable use of the equipment by the aliens. So you understand you won't be able to use the equipment that is here. However, the desert fortification also possesses a serviceable installation. I'll take care of the matter immediately." With that, the supreme ruler of the Vegan system departed.
"Good—this present matter is arranged," said Rhodan.
"Khrest, I want you to calculate power and direction for a direct beam to Earth over the hypertransmitter. Ill put the text of the message into the coder. I want this speech to be sent on a very high frequency scrambler—at frequent intervals, since Colonel Freyt must not under any circumstances acknowledge the signal, due to the danger of aliens' detecting the beam.
For the personnel of the Good Hope, a long needed period of rest began. As Rhodan walked slowly toward his cabin, he was hailed by Reginald Bell, who looked tired.
"I've been thinking," he said, "that if we get a chance we should dig into the mystery of the matter transmitters while we're working with them I've just come from their control lab. Those things are enormous and they seem to have ultralight speed capability. Don't you think that's something the Third Power could use?"
Rhodan chuckled. Resignedly, Bell clenched his eyes shut as the commander sighed, "Friend, while you are cooking up the idea I've already taken care of it. Why do you think I made such a big thing about using the machines? We could have squeezed four of us into the space fighters to get to planet eight, right? Anyway, it's sleep time. When your eyes behold the shining glory of Vega tomorrow, you will have a few things to attend to."
Rhodan disappeared. As Bell turned heavily to go to his own cabin, he swore softly to himself.
No, Rhodan was not the kind of man who ever overlook a thing that in its end effect could serve mankind. But even a foolhardy devil like Bell had to admit that it couldn't be the easiest thing in the world to snatch that Arkonide battleship. Yet it had to be done. Before anything else could be planned or hoped for, a position of strength had to be achieved.
Night descended on the ninth planet of the Vega system. Space was as empty as if no Topide had ever appeared. Only the stars were there, but they were eternal.
Next time--
The Secret Of The Time Vault