by Perry Rhodan
"Do I look that stupid?" replied Bell sharply. He seemed to be fully recovered. Pucky giggled.
"I thought I suffered from visual disturbances," he remarked with mock seriousness. Bell stared at him surprised but he was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice the dig at him. Rhodan glanced briefly at the wall where the Zarlt and his officers had been standing. "I suppose hell must have broken loose outside by now. I think we'd better inform Adm. Zernif of the
Zarlt's death. This might save the lives of thousands of Zalite citizens. If they hear that the tyrant has been overthrown they'll lay down their arms. In this respect Wuriu did a good deed, although I wasn't at all in agreement at first with having the guilty ones punished this way."
Marshall had been listening quietly with his 'inner ear'. Now he lifted his head.
"The rebels are storming the palace. They are overrunning anything in their way–palace guards, soldiers, personnel..."
"Let's hurry!" Rhodan urged. "We mustn't lose any time in announcing to the Zalites that we have shaken off their tyrant's yoke. And I personally feel a great urge to have another talk with an old friend of mine..."
"An old friend of yours? Who would that be?" Bell wanted to know. "Who else but our giant partner, the robot brain of Arkon!"
Thora had slept for a few hours when she was awakened by Lt. Tifflor.
• • •
"Pardon me, Madam. Khrest asked me to tell you in person to come to the command center right away."
Thora sat up in her bed. "What's going on, Tiff?"
"Nothing, Madam. Nothing so far."
Thora refrained from further questions. She waited until Tiff had closed her cabin door behind him, then got up. A few minutes later she joined Khrest in the command center.
The Arkonide scientist hardly turned his head when Thora entered. Tiff sat before the navigational-brain, gathering up some foils of information from it. All panoramic videoscreens were switched on, totally depicting the image of deep space surrounding the Titan.
Thora recognized the small Arkonide robot-scoutships, also larger battle units and cruisers. Farther in the background were lurking gigantic battleships of the Stardust type, spacespheres with a diameter of 2400 feet.
"What's that supposed to be?" Thora asked. Her eyes were busy trying to locate the Ganymede. The giant torpedo was hovering apparently motionless some miles away from the Titan. In reality the two ships were moving in free fall toward the sun Voga. "Are they attacking us? Are these the Zarlt's ships?"
For an instant Khrest took his eyes off the instrument panel.
"So far, no attack, Thora. These are battle units of the Empire. All are robot-guided vessels. I haven't figured out yet what all of this means. I wonder if the robot brain on Arkon is ignoring its agreements with Rhodan?"
Thora did not answer. She calmly studied the array of the Arkonide fleet. There was an icy glitter in her eyes. When finally she started to speak her voice sounded cold and determined. "Arkon's fleet! If they dare attack us we'll teach them a fine lesson, Khrest, which neither Orcast nor the Brain will ever forget. We have in our possession the mightiest ship of the entire universe–and we'll never let go of it!"
Khrest managed an astonished smile.
"But there hasn't been any attack so far. I've been trying to establish radio communication with the commanding officer–who or whatever might be the commander of this fleet. Perhaps he or it has not yet received the Regent's new orders. It's quite possible in the present confusion."
"But in case they attack..." Thora began and Khrest quickly interrupted her.
"Then we'll defend ourselves, of course. Tiff, what is it?"
The young lieutenant seemed to have awaited this question.
"They've fallen in with us, moving along at the same pace. They remain passive. There can be no question of attack. It's... well, it's rather like a surveillance. What do you make of it?"
"I don't know yet," Khrest answered and established video contact with Col. Freyt on the Ganymede. "Red alert, Colonel! At the first sign of aggression, open fire with all you have. Erect protective energy shields. In case of emergency don't hesitate to make fullest use of the teletransmitter."
"Will do, Khrest." Two impregnable fortresses were waiting to go into action. Thora inquired suddenly, "When are we returning to Zalit? We can't go on waiting here indefinitely. There's no way that Rhodan can get in touch with us."
"He has the Mutant Corps and the resistance groups fighting on his side. I'm not worried about him. But I don't like the notion of destroying the Regent's ships. And it does appear..."
"Why don't we ask the Brain?" Khrest looked at Thora with amazement. Then he slowly nodded his head. "That's a possibility. Of course! Why didn't that occur to me? Tiff, establish communication with the robot brain via hypersender. Thora will help you with it."
This time it took almost 20 minutes till the metal hemisphere became visible on the big screen of the hypercom installation. The mechanical voice was just as cold and impersonal as during their first conversation. "Contact! Identify yourself!"
"Thora of the Zoltral clan," the Arkonide woman replied testily. "Why are you not abiding by the agreements you made, Regent? Haven't you accorded full freedom of action to Perry Rhodan?"
"Specify your complaint!"
"What complaint?" Thora flashed furiously. "Your fleet has encircled us. Do you insist on getting a taste of our weapon arsenal?"
"You are not under attack. You are merely under surveillance. You are free at any time to change location–which I would suggest you do, by the way. Return to Zalit. Rhodan's mission is completed. The Zarlt is dead."
Thora remained speechless for a few moments, then took a deep breath. "The Zarlt is dead? The rebels have won?"
"The traitors and enemies of the Empire have been punished. The new Zarlt will be proclaimed today; his name is Adm. Zernif, if my data are correct. Rhodan expects your immediate return, Thora of the Zoltral clan. Do not make him wait. I expect a detailed report."
The big screen went dark.
Thora hesitated for a short while before she addressed Khrest: "Victory for Rhodan, Khrest! I'm so happy...!"
Khrest smiled. "Did you expect anything else?" Then he turned to Tiff. "Tiff, calculate the co-ordinates and energy impulses for a transition to Zalit. I'll inform Col. Freyt that the Ganymede is to follow us shortly afterwards."
Tiff set to work.
Khrest's glance rested for a fraction of a moment on Thora's radiant face, then his hand resolutely grasped the controls.
7/ MOMENTOUS MOMENTS WITH KHREST, PUCKY, REGGIE AND... PERRY & THORA
The rebels had stormed the palace. The officers of the guard had been taken prisoner. Admiral Zernif had issued orders to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. He had learned from Rhodan what role the Mooffs had played. He hoped to see these officers once again become loyal subjects of the Empire after they had been freed from the hypnotic spell of the alien jellyfish.
The news of the Zarlt's death spread like wildfire. Soon all the troops laid down their arms. The fleet units rushed back to Zalit from all over and placed themselves unconditionally under the command of Adm. Zernif who had been proclaimed the new Zarlt of Zalit by the resistance forces.
Within a few hours peace and order had been restored on Zalit. Zernif had assumed the reign on a provisional basis until he could be officially installed as ruler of Zalit. His first official function was to inform the robot brain on Arkon of the recent events. He did not forget to emphasize the decisive role Rhodan had played during the liberation of Zalit.
Then Zernif received Rhodan and his closest friends.
The Mutant Corps was led into a hall where a feast awaited them. Most of the mutants had not been able to participate during this latest mission, which did not prevent them however from enjoying the fabulous delicacies spread out on the dining tables.
Only Rhodan, Bell, Marshall and Pucky were taken to the Zarlt Zernif.
The old Zal
ite rose when the friends entered and walked toward them, hands outstretched in greeting. "I don't know how to express my heartfelt thanks, Perry Rhodan. You hail from an unknown section of the Milky Way but you have saved the Arkonide Empire. Though I'm not powerful enough ever to pay our debt to you, I'm sure that the Regent will...
"He's already paid in advance," grinned Bell and pointed over to a window through which a part of the landing field could be seen. A tremendous shadow was just descending softly out of the radiant sky and touched down as lightly as a feather. "The Titan —she is the Empire's gift to Perry Rhodan. A truly princely present."
Rhodan also looked out of the window. He asked Zernif: "Will you send a message of reassurance to the ship? And could you perhaps send for Thora and Khrest and have them brought here?"
Zernif complied with his guest's wishes and had one of his adjutants take care of the matter at once. Then he turned again to his guests. "We still haven't seen the end of our problems. The real instigators of this abortive insurrection against Arkon are the Mooffs. There are enough of them left on our world to cause new trouble."
"You must take care that they can't do that any more," counseled Rhodan. "Have some rooms prepared in the vaults of the palace, properly insulated against radiation and shielded against any outer influences, then install all the Mooffs there. Why should we kill them? They are relatively harmless. I'll have a talk with the Regent. He'll make the proper disposition of them. And be sure to cut off any reinforcements, Zernif," That's important. If you follow this advice Zalit will not fall further victim to the dangerous jellyfish."
"I'll see to it that the proper measures will be taken," promised the new Zarlt. "The recent events were a warning for us. Now we realize what dangers threaten us if we relax our vigilance. Even the greatest positronic brain of the known universe is by no means infallible. Man cannot be entirely replaced."
"I only hope the Brain will also reach this insight. Only then will there still be a future for Arkon."
Adm. Zernif threw a fleeting glance at Pucky. "You have some very capable collaborators," he stated admiringly.
The mouse-beaver sat on a chair, leaning comfortably against its ornate back. His front paws were resting neatly on the tabletop. His incisor was displayed in all its magnificence, speaking plainly of the splendid mood of its owner who, despite his droll appearance, represented an inestimable danger to any enemy.
"If you should ever need our help again began Pucky. But Zernif cut him off with a quick wave of his hand.
"I hope that day will never come, I sincerely do. It was a dreadful time to have to live under the dictatorship of Demesor and his Mooffs."
"How simple things would be if they were indeed his Mooffs," Rhodan remarked dryly. "Unfortunately they are not. But some day this mystery, too, will be solved."
Pucky was still grinning. He seemed to be having a high time. Zernif bent over and gently stroked his rust-red fur. "You must be mighty pleased that all is over now, aren't you?"
Pucky's eyes were radiant with an inner glow. "This is part of it. But I have other reasons to be in such a happy mood, my dear Zarlt. I'm looking forward to a marvelous treat and..."
Unfortunately he could not describe the character of this treat for he was interrupted by Thora's and Khrest's entrance into the dining hall. Their eyes shone with happiness and pride. With heads held high they advanced toward the new Zarlt, bowed lightly and then greeted Rhodan.
"We've already been informed by the robot brain of the events that took place," said Khrest, "and upon
his advice we returned to Zalit. The Regent requests you to get in touch with him immediately. The Regent also confirmed the position of Adm. Zernif as the new Zarlt of Zalit."
"The Titan...?"
"Everything okay. The Ganymede is expected to arrive at any moment, too."
Rhodan rose from the table. "Will you forgive me, Zarlt Zernif, if I am thinking of my duty first. I must hurry to the Titan and talk to the Regent of the Empire. I'll return in about half an hour. Bell, keep an eye on the Corps. Make sure that there is not too much wine drinking."
Bell made a grimace. "Never mind. I've found out that were being served by regular robots—not pretty girls."
Pucky giggled. Thora appeared consternated. Khrest's face showed plainly that he did not understand. Marshall had a knowing grin.
"My friend speaks out of bitter experience," Rhodan enlightened the Zarlt with a smile. "Till later."
He left the room and closed the door behind him.
Pucky stopped giggling, slid off his chair and waddled to the door. There he turned around and regarded the assembled crowd with a challenging glance. "Well?" he uttered and emitted a shrill whistling sound of expectation. "Do you believe I want to die of thirst? What are we all waiting for?"
And the door opened as if moved by invisible hands.
Solemnly the little mouse-beaver hobbled across the threshold, totally relying on his superb sense of smell. Which, considering his other far-advanced senses, represented an atavistic throwback.
• • •
The videoscreen started to light up slowly. The glittering cupola appeared, glowing from the inside and shining like silver.
"I've been expecting your call," said the impersonal voice in place of a greeting. "Your activities on Zarlt have convinced me that you are working and thinking in the interest of the Empire. The Titan will remain in your possession. Thora and Khrest of the Zoltral clan will be her official commanding officers. For you, Perry Rhodan, I have another task in mind."
Perry Rhodan needed a few seconds to recover from this surprising statement. He had not counted on the robot brain charging him to carry out a mission in its behalf.
"I regret, Regent, but my present task is not yet completed. The Mooffs were merely the apparent instigators of the planned attack on Arkon. I must find out who all is behind this scheme."
"This is exactly what I want you to do," the Regent commented in a matter-of-fact tone. "Our plans are
identical. You'll stay one more week, according to your chronology, on Zalit to assist the Zarlt with his clean-up operations. I request another call from you tomorrow. Will you see to it that the two Arkonides will be present.
"Then you'll receive further instructions and all the information that I can obtain and pass on to you."
"Do you have any clues at all to who these unknown powers might be?"
"Not so far," admitted the Brain. "You captured alive a larger number of Mooffs, as I learned. Do not take the full dozen along with you aboard the Titan, only three of them. Thus you might find out something that might be of advantage to us."
Rhodan noted with great interest that the Brain had used the term 'us.' This apparently minor detail seemed to him of the utmost importance. This meant that the Regent was already identifying Perry Rhodan with the Arkonide Empire.
"Thank you for the suggestion, Regent. I'll call you tomorrow at the same time."
"I'll be waiting," came the reply and the screen grew dark again.
Rhodan did not immediately return to Tagnor. For nearly half an hour he stayed alone in the command center to meditate undisturbed. The overall view began to take shape. Arkon was ruled by a robot but on the other hand it was smart enough to realize that it could not manage without man's help. Perhaps it had been originally programmed this way–who could tell...? In any case, Rhodan was now working quite officially on behalf of the great Brain.
What remarkable progress for mankind!
He returned by car to the Zarlt's festivities.
• • •
Late in the evening of that day, Khrest visited Rhodan in his private cabin. It was a large, comfortably furnished room equipped with a wraparound screen connected with the outside cameras which were arranged like a circle around the Titan. The band of videoscreens served as a soft source of illumination inside Rhodan's cabin.
Rhodan was surprised to see Khrest. The Arkonide scientist brushed his white hair back wit
h his hand and looked for a seat. With a sigh he sat down. "I still wanted to have a word with you, Perry. There was no opportunity all day long."
"We went through a lot of turmoil today," Rhodan admitted with a smile. "Is it about tomorrow's talk with the robot brain?"
"No, Perry, this is about Thora and myself."
"I can't wait to hear what it is."
The scientist seemed to have difficulty in finding the tight words. "The robot brain has given you a task to carry out–this is a good sign. It recognizes and approves of you. The same with us, I know. Thora and I have been named official commanders of the Titan. But you know as well as I who is actually the commander of this ship. Why this pretense? Why can't the Regent say frankly that you are guiding this spaceship and determining its course?"
"Even a robot may feel bound by tradition," conjectured Rhodan, empathizing with Khrest's anguish. "It's not done to hand over the best and strongest ship of the whole Empire to some alien, particularly since this stranger acquired this prize by stealing it in the first place. On the other hand, the Brain recognizes that the Empire can only profit from an alliance with this person. This explains the compromise. Is that what's worrying you so much that you come to see me in the middle of the night?"
"Not really, Perry. I just wanted to hear your views on this subject. And besides, it's only evening and not night. Thora is also worried about this problem. By the way, Perry... you ought to pay more attention to Thora in future. I believe she has undergone some vital changes. I can almost believe that she is now in agreement with my secret plans. Do you remember? —We discussed this some 13 years ago."
"13 years ago...?" repeated Rhodan slowly. Then he recalled. "You are referring to the plan to reconstruct the Arkonide Empire to its past splendor? I'm not sure that her pride and her strong sense of tradition would ever permit an Earthman to replace the robot brain."
Khrest smiled gently. There was a soft glow in his eyes. "True, not her pride nor her race consciousness–but maybe her love."