by Perry Rhodan
The physicians and 800 spaceship specialists stood ready to enter the Titan. The physicians entered first. They examined Thora, Bell and Sgt. Rous. Rhodan, Khrest, Tiff, Sengu and Pucky waited for hours for the result. The long wait diminished their hopes that the terrestrial physicians could find any clue to the salvation of the infected 700.
Suddenly Pucky broke the silence. "Perry, after I cleaned up the ship with the paralyzer, I thought it might be an idea to check up on the Mooffs. But the Mooffs have disappeared! Even the pressure containers they were in are gone. Nobody can tell me there isn't any connection between the Mooffs and the Nonues! Mooffs and Hono bears are being used by the same outfit—those hidden, Unknown Ones who've been bugging us. I almost feel sorry for the little stinkers—or do you want them kept alive?"
"Yes, a few of them," said Perry. "But why didn't you tell me the minute you knew the Mooffs were gone? Do you know which of our men released them?"
The medical commission interrupted with a report. The doctors called the disease hyper-euphoria or hallucinogenic rapture, generated by a toxic stimulant emitted by the mini-bears. "The gaseous drug toxicant gradually destroys the ganglionic cells of the central nervous system. It can't be arrested by any of the Arkonide remedies or technologies that we know of. How long the infected patients can live we simply don't know. We recommend, however, that you get rid of the animals immediately, before the men of the Ganymede enter the ship."
Perry Rhodan could only nod his agreement, unable to speak. In his stead, Khrest instructed the chief physician. "Take crews in spacesuits into the quarantined area and exterminate the poor contaminated creatures. Just isolate three specimens for analysis."
Then they were alone in the huge command central. Perry Rhodan's gaze was drawn to the panob screen and he stared into deep space. Actually, he looked far deeper yet—his troubled gaze turned inward. His last hope seemed buried. An unknown enemy had destroyed him by a hair's breadth. When would the next blow fall? From what direction? When would his 700 afflicted men die?
Khrest almost lost his composure as Perry suddenly smacked his fist in his palm and hurled defiance at the Universe: "I won't have it!"
SOS: Spaceship Titan
Copyright © Ace Books 1973
All Rights Reserved
THE SHIP OF THINGS TO COME
GOD TREK! Or God Trap? The answer, in more ways than one, may lie in the lap of the 'Gods' of Honur. Honur is a world of difficulties. The 'Approved People' constitute a puzzle. The Nonues are a proven menace. Artificially induced happiness becomes extremely dangerous. Off biding somewhere in the arras, an uncertain quantity, are the... Aras. Very much on scene & en masse is a stinging swarm of remote-controlled metal 'insects', a grave danger to Perry and his people. Watch out! Look sharp! Take care! And—
BEWARE THE MICROBOTS
by Kurt Mahr