by Perry Rhodan
Orcast rose from his pulsating couch. His eyes roamed over the wide. expanse of the park. Far above him the tamed masses of water were suddenly transformed into fluorescent vapors by the sudden flare of an atomic sun.
The festival had already lasted three hours. His guests understood that the Imperator wished to be alone. The younger philosophers nowadays advocated the opinion that the ingestion and mastication of food by so-called gourmets was just as repulsive and offensive to good manners as the organic digestion in the entire alimentary canal. According to Ephrantin the Elder both processes were so closely related that a truly aesthetic mind could not help but consider comparisons and draw conclusions from the ritual of feeding.
Orcast was an adherent of the new philosophy. Thus he departed with measured steps and entered his glider, which carried him high up above the crowd hailing him loudly.
Orcast's customary smile faded. Greatly troubled he looked down at his palace grounds measuring 5000 feet across. Life was still pulsating in the most beautiful park of Arkon. They still carried on animated conversations about the most trivial things. How much longer could this go on? Orcast felt tired and exhausted. A four-hour-long celebration was too demanding for his body and soul. He owed it to his reputation to act clever and sophisticated.
His devoted personal slave, who belonged to the Triclopean race of the Naats, took the ruler in his strong arms. A transparent energy screen gave way under the body impulses of the approaching men.
Orcast was now far away from the merry festivities. Without a word he let the three-eyed titan divest him of his attire and clothe him in soft fragrant robes.
Then he relished with great pleasure the stimulating vibrations of his divan. "It was very boring, Tranto," he complained ruefully. "Isn't it one of your duties to keep dilettantish composers like Offentur away from me? He insults my senses with his feeble gift—if you can call it a gift, which is very debatable. I'll allow myself to take a little rest now. This appears to be the only thing the Imperial Glorificence can still permit. A sad fact with which only a man who keeps a sense of humor about himself can cope or he would be totally bereft of his energies."
The Triclopean slave left quietly. He knew that no answer was expected of him.
Through the open wall offering a view to the outside, he could see robots scurrying from terrace to terrace with trays full of the most exquisite drinks from all over the Galaxy. Peals of gay laughter filtered into the room where he rested. For a moment Orcast was puzzled by the strange behavior of his slave. Since when did he butt against the door as if possessed?
Orcast trailed off in weary thoughts about the purpose of life or the lack of it but he became wide awake when a little furry animal appeared in front of him. Pucky, the creature from a far distant world, grinned amiably with his single incisor. "Hello, old boy!" the mouse-beaver squeaked in flawless Intercosmo. "With your permission: Lt. Puck, member of the Special Commando of the New Power."
Pucky slid closer on his broad hindquarters. His mouse face was a picture of sheer delight. Orcast managed to keep his composure despite the fearsome surprise. He simply cleared his throat and said with the usual mask of smile on his face: "That's precious! I believe I can recognize in you an intelligent being from one of my planets."
"Wrong!" the mouse-beaver regretted very unconventionally. "With your permission!"
For a fraction of a second he concentrated his eyes on the switch panel of the room hidden behind a beautiful plant. For the first time Orcast experienced a threatening danger as the switch for the control of the protective energy field was tipped down. "O.K.," the alien creature said, using an expression unknown to him.
Orcast tried to get up. But he was held down on his divan by invisible forces.
"I'm Lt. Puck of the Mutant Corps," the mouse-beaver reiterated. "Oh, you never heard of it? How I managed to get in, you wonder? Gara,Gobo. Simple, old boy. I'm... I guess I shouldn't repeat myself. Anyway, I also happen to be a farmoov —a teleporter. You won't get excited, will you? I'm forbidden to agitate you."
Pucky's grin became still friendlier. He wrinkled his nose all the way up and his dainty forepaws with the little grappling fingers gesticulated through the air.
Orcast fought to keep his self-control. He knew enough about parapsychological science to understand a phenomenon such as the sudden emergence of the little being. Here were forces at work which could not be contained by his highly elaborate security installations.
Pucky loosened his mental grip on Orcast and the supreme Arkonide began to breathe deeply. His mind was now extremely alert, a fact which was instantly grasped by the telepathic mouse-beaver. "Don't do anything rash, Gobo!" he pleaded with him. "We've waited almost four hours to get you alone. All we went is a little talk. The Chief isn't going to collar you. Do these sheets have a collar?"
Pucky inspected the aromatic habits with his big eyes. "Apparently not," he stated. "You think too much, old boy. You certainly won't be able to push that button on the wall behind you."
Orcast XXI gave up. He sensed the vast potentialities of the intruder confronting him. His taste for the new, abnormal and the abstract was whetted. Who dared to startle the Imperator with such a surprise? Pucky perceived the thoughts of the man stretched supinely before him. Orcast shuddered once again as the air began to vibrate close to him and a slight figure with yellow skin materialized.
Tako Kakuta, another teleporter, bowed with a smile. A heavy impulse weapon dangled from his hand and was quickly hidden under his wide shoulder cape. Orcast took notice that the stranger was garbed in the uniform of his palace servants. Orcast was aware that the lavish festival offered convenient opportunities for a stranger to slip in. His curiosity became more and more aroused.
"His Excellency Prime Minister Perry Rhodan, governing the planet Terra, asks your indulgence," the slim man announced in lieu of a greeting. "His Excellency has encountered some difficulties with respect to your highly efficient robot guards. He has instructed me to assure you that we're not contemplating a show of force against your person. We're merely desirous of initiating an exchange of opinions which will be carried out with all due respect and in polite reverence. His Excellency requests your Supreme Highness to grant him your consideration."
Orcast pondered the message. As yet he wasn't sure what attitude to assume toward these extraordinary people. They didn't fit into a known pattern. There was something very unusual about them which had little to do with their obviously supernatural gifts.
"You'll find me full of expectations," he smiled hesitantly. "What was the name of His Excellency? Rhodan?"
Tako noted with satisfaction that he had used the third person for his inquiry about Rhodan. This was a sign of courtesy which boded well. He affirmed Orcast's question, whereupon the attitude of the Imperator became more relaxed. They waited till the energy field at the entrance portal was lifted. After a few minutes a tall figure stepped into the diffuse light of the indirect illumination.
Rhodan threw off the bright-red shoulder cape of the nonArkonide servants and exposed the simple uniform of the New Power be was wearing.
André Noir, the stout and congenial Frenchman with powerful hypnotic capabilities, found it unnecessary to force the Imperator, who was already restrained by Pucky, under his mental influence. The man was as harmless as a child, provided it was possible to circumvent the security precautions.
"Stay in the anteroom, Noir!" Rhodan whispered quickly. "Keep the slave under control. I'll need 10 minutes. Where's Kitai Ishibashi?"
"He's with Marshall and Anne Sloane at the big control complex, sir! They're watching the guards."
Thora and Khrest stood behind Rhodan, waiting impatiently. It had been a relatively simple matter to enter the palace after the teleporter had reconnoitered the layout. It had been considerably easier to outwit the entrance barrier system than on the fifth world of the Arkonide constellation. There were no conspirators or hostile members of other races present on the Crystal Pla
net.
Rhodan studied the resting Imperator with a critical look. Though Orcast was a fairly young Arkonide his bearing was already tainted by the decadence of his race. He was obviously fatigued, which was confirmed by a telepathic impulse from Pucky. Tako Kakuta stood at attention. Rhodan tried to mask the emotions welling up in him by an outward display of impersonal coldness. So this was the fabled ruler of the Great Empire!
Rhodan felt his face become taut. The aura of the alien surroundings and the imminent perils cast its spell over him. Orcast embodied, despite his rather unfortunate predicaments, the rise and fall of an admirable people. Rhodan had to force himself to shake off an instinctive shyness and a subconscious inclination toward humility.
He saluted briefly and correctly. Then the eyes of the two men met for the first time Orcast cast one long glance at the tall and erect figure and he sensed that this stranger was endowed with all the qualities which he never possessed himself. Rhodan's bursting energy and his determined resolution threatened to overpower the Imperator. He slowly raised himself up on his elbows as Pucky relented his hold on him.
Rhodan came quickly to the point. His apology for his unauthorized entrance did not absolve him of the breach of etiquette but he made it clear that he was aware of his unseemly behavior. Orcast nodded silently. His customary perfunctory smile had faded. He scrutinized the features of the unknown man with increasing anxiety.
"I regret to inconvenience you at this hour," Rhodan emphasized again. "Unfortunately I saw no other alternative."
"You could have requested an audience," Orcast admonished, casting a sidelong glance at Pucky.
"My people are not in the habit of attempting the impossible, Your Supreme Highness. Unfortunately I'm not a creator of aquatic spectacles and it would have been quite hopeless to importune the officials at your court."
Rhodan's mild sarcasm wasn't lost on Orcast. He reclined on his divan with a sigh. "Not this!" he groaned. "Spare me your caustic scorn in the privacy of my room. I'm a ruler whose power doesn't reach beyond these four walls. I believe I understand the exceptional nature of your wishes but the empire is governed by an automaton. How do you intend to accomplish your goals if I can give you no assistance whatsoever in spite of my fervent desire?"
Rhodan shuddered inwardly. He sensed the abject resignation of the Imperator.
Pucky emitted an impulse of shock. He feels like a grain of dust in a storm, was the telepathic message Rhodan received.
Rhodan regained his composure and his smile expressed regret. As he motioned to the waiting Arkonides he slowly became more convinced that the dangerous foray into Orcast's private quarters was in vain. The man had no power to sway the decisions of the robot brain. Thora and Khrest entered the room. She walked proud and erect, he quiet and slightly shuffling his feet. Orcast sat up again. Genuine surprise was reflected on his young yet strangely old-looking face.
"We know each other, Orcast," Thora began coldly. "This palace belongs to my family. I've come to demand my rights although Khrest, First Scientist of the Council, has advised me of the futility of my request. I insist on an immediate answer. We don't have time to waste."
Rhodan followed the heated discussion very attentively till a sense of weariness overcame him. Orcast spoke the truth as Pucky continually affirmed. This pseudo-ruler of the mightiest empire in history didn't even know that Thora and Khrest had been sent 13 years of Terranian time ago on an expedition to search for the Planet of Eternal Life. Nor was Orcast informed about the fact that Rhodan's spaceship was held on Naat. He deeply regretted with frank sincerity that he was completely unable to intervene on their behalf. Thora's hopes were smashed. She fell silent and collapsed on another divan.
Orcast was extremely disturbed. The revelation of Thora's emergency landing on the Earth's moon and the eventual return aboard a Terranian spaceship had come as too much of a surprise. More than ever the Imperator felt how helpless he was. This was also expressed in his words. "I'd be happy to grant you permission for the landing and to let you set the time of your departure at your own convenience. I'm deeply grateful to you for the rescue of my two esteemed compatriots. To my great sorrow I'm unable to lend you a hand unless you consider it helpful if I can provide for your safe escort from the palace. It's not my prerogative to countermand the decisions of the robot brain."
"Issue a decree for a more reasonable programming!" Rhodan interjected a little impetuously.
Orcast smiled wanly. "You who haven't lost the vigor of your ancestors can probably not imagine what the facts of life on Arkon 3 are."
"Summon the Galactic Council to a session," Thora proposed. "The robot brain is obligated to submit to a unanimous decision."
"It won't even accept its ruling for recording in its memory data bank," Orcast dismissed the suggestion.
Rhodan looked at Pucky, who verified the truth of the statement. The situation became unreal. Despair threatened to get the better of Rhodan's thoughts. He had reckoned that the Imperator exercised a certain degree of power, at least with respect to such measures which were less than vital for the existence of the Great Empire.
The evaluation aboard the Ganymede of the basic situation had led Rhodan to believe that the ruler had the option of receiving official state visits and of attending to international formalities having no overriding importance with the ceremonial pomp of his court. He had no way of knowing that this was no longer the case. Otherwise he wouldn't have decided to fly to the Crystal Planet and to seek an audience. Suddenly he faced an insurmountable wall.
"I demand a meeting of the Great Council," Thora urged once more.
"It's useless and fraught with danger," Rhodan flared. "Don't indulge in such fruitless mental exercises. As soon as the Council hears that you and Khrest are here the robot brain will automatically learn that we have left the Ganymede in violation of its instructions. That would be the end of everything."
He turned around to the Imperator. "Your Supreme Highness! Is it really beyond your authority to give us permission for the return flight to the fifth planet? Please consider our dilemma!"
Orcast threw up his hands in a helpless gesture. "When you leave—and you must leave—you'll take with you the proof that you have dealt with a sham of a ruler. I promise you that I'll keep your visit a secret. Since it's my opinion that your mission is not detrimental to the interest of the Empire, I'll be glad to make a suggestion to you."
Orcast began to smile. In his eyes was a spark of interest and repressed tension. He sought Thora's glance. "There are still a few men here of your breed. Do you remember Admiral Kenos, member of the Council and victor in the last battle of the Empire? Kenos has not responded to my invitation to the celebration we have today. It may be important for you to know that Kenos has been appointed Coordinator for Martial Service by the robot brain. It's his duty to draft Aliens and those Arkonides who are still capable of training for the defense forces on Arkon 3."
Rhodan with uncertain steps came slowly closer to the ruler and said in a harsh voice: "Your Highness, do I understand that you're hinting at a possible solution to my problems? Please give me your honest advice!"
"I'm always honest if I'm given the chance," Orcast gently enlightened him. "Go to him and explain your plight. Kenos served under Imperator Zoltral. The Empire never bad a better Commander of the Fleet. This is all I can do for you. You must leave now. My guests are expecting me."
Rhodan hesitated no longer. He brushed off Thora's objections and Khrest's anxious questions with a gesture of his hand. Orcast followed the quick reactions of his uninvited guest with amazement. Pucky transmitted Rhodan's orders by telepathy. Within a few moments the men of the task force who waited outside were informed. "Withdraw at once and join us at the place you were told," was the gist of the message.
Before departing, Rhodan felt obliged to advise Orcast of the security measure he had to take. "I hope you'll understand my concern for safety and I'm asking your consent. I'm forced to impose a hypno-
block on you because an accidental remark could betray everything that happened. Your permission would make it much easier for me to have recourse to such an unpleasant expedience."
Orcast XXI looked long and quietly at the slim, striking face of the trim man. With a slight, painful smile he remarked: "You deprive me of the rare pleasure of being able to think in my meaningless days about your appearance. However I understand and have only one condition: I wish to receive you with all honors if and when a change of conditions will permit it."
Rhodan bowed briefly. This Arkonide who had been considered a foe prior to their landing, had become a friend. The hypno André Noir did his job and Orcast's mind surrendered to the willpower of the mutant. When they stepped into the anteroom the Imperator had drifted off into a short sleep. Upon awakening he would've forgotten that he'd ever had alien visitors in his private quarters. Rhodan and his companions withdrew unmolested to the control complex of the huge palace. The party was nearing its end. More and more guests left the lavish estate.
Rhodan passed the sentry of the ruler's own Guard of Naats who had been put under a suggestion block and had earlier given him the glowing admission tab. Rhodan returned it because he was certain that a check would be made.
The wide portal in the base of the largest funnel-shaped building in Arkon stood open. The men disappeared in the dark.
The big cross-country glider of the public vehicle pool waited at the prearranged spot. Bell and the other mutants were already there. At their approach the door slid open with a hissing sound. The vehicle had been put at Thora's disposal upon her request via the public communication network. All Arkonides were entitled to obtain such vehicles anytime free of charge.
Rhodan for a moment looked down the barrel of a raygun with a shimmering energy field at the muzzle.
"Here at last," Bell's rough voice boomed from inside. "It'll soon be light. What happened?"