#19 - The Immortal Unknown

by K. H. Scheer

  Anne relaxed the fixed gaze in her eyes and Rhodan thanked her in his most amiable manner.

  The droning of the outer hull grew louder and blinding lightning began to flash against the deflection screen.

  The taut faces of his men remained motionless. They knew their boss. When he embarked on a nerve-wracking adventure they had to keep their composure with a stiff upper lip. No one on board the Stardust would have admitted any fear at such times. They talked about everything else except the imminent peril they faced and were apt to crack wacky jokes during the moments before the fatal decision.

  The ship began to vibrate. Three more light-minutes till the point of transition. Far below the men’s feet the power reactors reached their highest pitch, pouring out the last reserves. Seconds seemed to stretch into eternities.

  "Nice weather we’re having out there, but it looks a little cloudy," Bell commented calmly.

  Rhodan looked in fascination at the videoscreens where a pitilessly raging hell could be seen. The shaking became so wild that the safety harnesses automatically snapped shut around their shoulders.

  "Looks like rain," Rhodan agreed.

  Garand’s face appeared again on the control screen. His angelic smile was frozen. He reported in an unmodulated tone:

  "Engine Control to Commander. We’re slowing down a little. Very dense matter retarding our ship. Shall we go?"

  "Let her have it!" Rhodan answered, sipping his coffee.

  Again the droning of the gigantic ship’s engines rose to a crescendo. In order to maintain the necessary speed for the 5-D leap, they were running the engines at 92.8584% of the available thrust

  A shrill wailing sound transformed the spacefaring protagonists into humans again. Rhodan turned around. All of a sudden the immutable expression was gone. A grey face with flickering eyes appeared.

  "I’m scared!" Pucky squealed. I’m terribly frightened."

  Crying for help, he hobbled closer on all fours. Bell laughed loudly.

  "Who isn’t?" he sympathized. "One doesn’t have to be inhuman to admit it. In two minutes the protective screen is going to collapse, damn it. It will make mince-meat out of us."

  His words were like a sign. Garand started to shout and all the others fell in.

  Rhodan sat tensely at the controls. Khrest pressed his clenched fists against his mouth. He stare madly at the pulsating raging monster of a star which still filled the screen although it was already far over to the side. Spectacular gas flames billowed into space from terrific explosions. The Stardust skirted the outer limits of the inferno.

  Only Rhodan could hear the final communication from the astro-robot. The blue control-lamp flashed faster and faster until its light became constant at its brightest hue.

  It was at this moment that Rhodan’s brain fleetingly relived the events which led to his search for the greatest mystery of the universe.

  It had started innocuously with the discovery of the five-dimensional matter-transmitter. The Ferrons, limited as their knowledge of mathematics had remained, had not mastered the art of constructing such transmitters.

  They had discovered the presence of an enigmatic being and were immediately confronted with his first demands. In the end these tasks included parapsychological problems and were solved one by one.

  On Pucky’s home world the last clue to the existence of a wandering planet was revealed. In the middle of an otherwise empty hall a replica of a galactic section appeared.

  Vega was clearly recognizable. Since Rhodan knew definitely that this star was previously circled by 48 planets instead of the present 42, the implication was that—all things considered—they had tracked down the world of eternal life.

  Its inhabitants had torn the whole planet from the gravitational pull of Vega but had left some clues. A curved line traversed the familiar constellation of stars. An examination had determined that this line was part of a far-flung elliptical orbit in which the roaming celestial body evidently moved. A very surprising fact had come to light Mother Earth was precisely at one of the focal points of the ellipse. The coincidence suggested that the unknown taskmaster had chosen mankind for a special role.

  The visitapes of the replica were studied in great detail, requiring complicated calculations, which they could never have attempted without the positronic computer on board the Stardust.

  Now Perry Rhodan was on the threshold of the Unknown’s abode, the being who was said to live longer than the sun. Providing the transition proceeded successfully!

  This was the situation when the safety lock clicked open. The large switch button was freely exposed in the armrest of the pilot seat.

  Five seconds prior to the transition Rhodan released the so-called permit-impulse to the hyper-positronic brain controlling the transition. It was beyond human ability to influence, let alone to conduct such operations in hyperspace themselves.

  Someone screamed—loud and shrill. Vega shot the searing points of its fiery protuberances almost into the deflection screen. They could no longer hear their own voices. The mighty Stardust had become a swinging bell.

  It was as if they were bombarded by a rain of fire from an armada of battleships. Rhodan estimated the energy of a single medium-sized protuberance to be the equivalent of 1.2 million hydrogen bombs made on Earth.

  Never before had the Stardust run into such an infernal holocaust.

  During the last fraction of a second before the transition Rhodan noticed the violet outburst of the collapsing protective screens. All safety devices of the power-reactors blew simultaneously. They had reached the end of the line. The steely hull of the spaceship was helplessly exposed to the untrammelled forces of an exploding super-star.

  Once more the shrill scream could be heard over the telecom. It pierced the deep rumbling until it fainted into a faint whisper.

  At this instant something had been created around the vessel which was no longer part of this universe. The Arkonide structure-field for the total reflection of four-dimensional forces had been formed just before the catastrophe. It converted the solid matter of the spaceship into a state of dematerialisation during which it received the impulse for the transition.

  The glowing metallic torch, which Stardust II was just now, vanished from normal space.

  Rhodan carried that last cry with him in his dematerialised brain. The sound was still vivid in his senses as the spaceship returned into the normal universe after a short jump of 83 light-years. The transition had taken place—usual—without any appreciable delay of time, although Arkonide science had proved that there was another factor present in the five-dimensional reference system which could bear—for simplicity’s sake—the connotation of time. According to this interpretation 123 years had just passed for the crew.

  No changes had occurred in the normal space-continuum. The re-materialization followed only moments later on the ship’s chronometer.

  This time Rhodan had no trouble shaking off the last impressions before the hyperjump. Neither had anybody else lost consciousness.

  The encircling observation screens reflected the multitude of stars in the Galaxy. At the rear the videoscreens showed a particularly bright point

  It was huge Vega which glittered only with its usual light. The incandescent glow of the explosion was not yet visible; 83 years would have to pass before the light could reach them here.

  Rhodan wasted no time with superfluous conversation. He quickly checked the controls of the various engine units.

  The programming for steering and supervising the automatic units, initiated before the transition, had obtained reactions swifter than any human being could think or act.

  A deep rumbling made the Stardust vibrate again but this time it was caused by its own power sources. The engines had started up again with maximum output at the precise moment of re-emergence although no man was in a position to register it at the time.

  The supership braked its speed at 300 miles per second, requiring the full resources of its power
stations. If they failed when their capacity was exceeded, all men and material would be pulverized under the strain of the deceleration forces.

  The thought of this peril was uppermost in Rhodan’s mind. They were moving now as before almost with the speed of light and could slow down to zero within ten minutes—if the engines were in order.

  Rhodan’s hands began to work quickly. Bell looked up, muttering. He understood the score at once. The drone of the drive-engines rose above the sound of the power generators which also were required to furnish the current for the high-energy thrust-absorbers so vital for their safety.

  Rhodan checked the power stations on the control screen. Some of the stupendous Arkonide reactors showed a violet light. They were out of order. Others were running properly but the bank of transformers lagged behind. All together they provided just enough energy for the neutralization projectors.

  "Activate emergency switch!" the loudspeaker blared. "Techno Control of positronic supervision recommends immediate reduction of extreme breaking rate. Energy supply running low. Advise caution."

  It was the mechanical voice of the robot-brain.

  Bell lifted his hand. His fingers were over the central step-switch when he caught sight of Rhodan’s eyes.

  His facial expression was neither ironical nor humorous.

  Rhodan’s eyes were compelling unfathomable organs of command will power. Bell felt as if he were held in an iron grip. The irresistible hypnotic force in the gaze of his superior had never before been so starkly revealed.

  "You won’t do that will you?" he heard Rhodan’s calm voice through the muffled roar of the engines.

  Bell’s paralysis subsided. Grinning foolishly, he withdrew his hand from the switch.

  "Of course not," he said against his will. He recovered from his stupefaction when Rhodan’s hypnotic eyes returned to normal.

  Fascinated, Bell looked at the man whose inborn intelligence had been admirably schooled and reinforced by constant hypno-training. If Rhodan wanted something, there was no contradicting him, especially when he was emotionally involved in his demand. Even men of Reginald Bell’s rank were reduced to helpless puppets.

  The commander was already at work. He had no intention of delaying his rate of deceleration. Specific signals for counteracting the emergency were transmitted by direct impulse to the robot brain which executed and channelled the orders instantaneously.

  In the hermetically sealed machinery halls, where no humans were present, special robots, comprising the widest variety, were put to work within seconds, repairing the damaged reactors.

  When the automatic alarm sounded its whistle and the output was barely sufficient to supply the stress-absorbers, four large reactors began to function again.

  Five minutes after the severe braking manoeuvre was initiated, the situation was once again under control. Now Rhodan took time for a second cup of coffee.

  He looked slowly around at his aides in the command centre.

  The tip of Bell’s tongue flicked across his lower lip. He watched Rhodan admiringly.

  "You know," Rhodan mused, "we simply had to brake hard. Sure, some of the generators were knocked out. But if we had not cut back our lightning speed at the right moment and at the predetermined rate, we’d never be able to find the lost planet. We know its orbit and velocity. In about four minutes we’ll have co-ordinated our movements. This will have to be done exactly at the point where the sunless planet is located in space. Can you imagine the mathematical problems we’d have to deal with if we had rushed by the computed point at high speed?"

  Bell swallowed hard. "I’d like to know what devil made me get on this spaceship," he said disconsolately, squinting at his hand. "I could have had a peaceful life and be a respected man in my little hometown. It’s crazy what we’re doing here, crazy!"

  "Wait and see!" Rhodan counselled. "Capt. Klein, take over the rangefinder section. The mutants are requested to attend a meeting in mess-hall 4 in five minutes. Thank you!"

  Rhodan rose from his seat The safety belt was again concealed in the backrest. He walked leisurely to the elevator and a hush settled over the command centre after he was gone. Only Khrest murmured one sentence:

  "He’s destined to preside over the Great Imperium in the future."

  100 ADVENTURES FROM NOW

  you will see the

  Seed of Destruction

  4/ DANGER IN DEEP SPACE

  The Arkonide stereo-compensators were switched over to the large evaluation picture screen. Thus a precise coordination with the pictures taken was assured.

  The adjusting manoeuvre had already required four hours ship time. It was an easy matter for the research cruiser and super-battleship, equipped with every conceivable instrument, to track down any existing planets in an uncharted solar system in space.

  Their presence and accurate position were determined within a few minutes by the telesensors. It didn’t take much more time to ascertain the information about mass, density, rotation, trajectory and velocity of the bodies.

  In this particular case Rhodan had discarded from the outset any preconceived ideas and past experiences in familiar space. He was careful not to nurture any unjustified expectation.

  The considerable time span of four hours necessary for the adaption to the computed orbit of the artificial planet Wanderer had already proved that unusual factors had to be taken into account.

  The men on board the super-battleship tackled the extraordinary difficulties which were more challenging than all preceding missions.

  The scanning operations continued for hours. A true picture of countless stars and distant isolated worlds glimmered and glistened on the screens. However, they were all too far away from the vicinity where they searched for the elusive body.

  Rhodan joined the officer heading the computer section in the command centre. The drive-engines were silent now after the final corrections had been made. The stereo-compensators indicated that Stardust II correctly followed the line of the ellipse around 31 suns along which the unknown planet moved.

  The measurements were accurate to the 10th decimal. Nevertheless, variations of tolerances could have crept into the calculations, in fact could hardly be avoided considering the distances involved.

  Khrest watched attentively the read-out and diagrams of the positronic computer. Evidently no mistakes had slipped in.

  Thora stood stiffly and motionlessly in front of the array of instruments.

  The most capable mutants of the special corps had assembled in the command centre an hour ago.

  They listened and applied their astounding and unique senses to get a hold of something nobody had ever seen or touched before and whose existence could only vaguely be comprehended.

  Rhodan had called the object of their search Wanderer, Presumably this was a fitting definition for a celestial body returning once every two million years, terrestrial time, to the Vegan system unless it deviated from its course.

  Pucky, the furry refugee from the planet Vagabond, cowered behind Rhodan on the floor. His shiny eyes longingly surveyed the many levers and switches. Rhodan’s warning gesture made him gloomy and he bared his incisor. Obviously this was not the place to play games.

  He sighed in disgust rose ponderously and said with his squeaky voice:

  "I’ll go to the kitchen to see the cook. If you need me Chief, tell John Marshall to call me."

  Rhodan watched the little fellow as he sauntered off. Pucky had the potential of becoming one of the most valuable addition to the corps.

  Pucky stopped in front of the youngest member of the Mutant Corps. Betty Toufry was only 10 years old but her psyche was not that of a mere child.

  "Do you want to come with me?" Pucky asked. "It’s dull around here."

  The small face, framed by dark hair, broke into a radiant smile.

  "May I?" Betty asked.

  Anne Sloane, who was like a mother to the child on board the ship, saw that Rhodan nodded. She tried to be casual an
d cheerfully admonished them:

  "Don’t make any mischief! Don’t throw the chef into the kitchenpots! I’ll come and get you."

  Pucky’s mood was cheered up in no time. He had instinctively understood that there was only one person on the ship who was willing to play. He could only surmise the reason this came about It seemed to have something to do with the age of the other people.

  "We can let some frozen food fly down into the chef’s collar," Pucky suggested enthusiastically. "The boss can’t say that this endangers the security of the ship."

  Betty Toufry was now acting like a child again. She could change in seconds.

  With playful ease the two accomplished telekinetic magicians opened the intricate electronic locks of the armoured hatches. The hatches slid open, the switches remaining untouched.

  Reginald Bell silently followed the two dissimilar beings with his eyes. The wonderful accord between one of mankind’s younger generation and the totally different denizen from the depth of the Galaxy was an encouraging sign. He had a vision of a harmonious world full of understanding and mutual respect.

  It was the only way to build a commonwealth of the stars and to overcome the conflicts.

  "The little ones are really compatible, aren’t they?" Rhodan picked up Bell’s train of thought.

  The stout man flinched. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously:

  "Since when are you telepathic? How do you know what I was thinking?"

  "Reasonable men are likely to think of such things when they see a promising picture like this."

  "The chef will go mad." Capt. Klein was worried. "Yesterday they re-arranged everything in his refrigerator locker."

  Rhodan didn’t answer him. The little diversion had been pleasant but he had now other problems.

  Behind a transparent partition sat the excellently trained radio-technicians of the battleship’s range-finder section. They had learned by hypno-training.

  Rhodan raised the micro-sender on his left wrist to his lips. His voice was heard, loud and clear, over the loudspeaker behind the partition.