by Perry Rhodan
"No, I don't want to do that, but if my appearance among the Aras didn't refresh anybody's memory it's not going to do it with the Springers because they've probably never heard of Pucky or Terra. I just think you're getting carried away with your precautions."
Rhodan was a man of swift decisions but he was wise enough to permit himself to be swayed by other arguments now and then. Why should he continue to vex Pucky any more? Besides, the mouse-beaver was probably right: nobody would be able to recall what he looked like. It was a long time ago.
Finally he nodded. "Alright then, Pucky, you win. We'll work it together."
The mouse-beaver was too wise to show his full satisfaction. He only grinned happily and helped his master with the packing, carrying on in his normal manner as a faithful servant.
"Oh lord and master," he intoned dramatically and bowed almost to the floor of the hotel room, "shall I carry the suitcase out or would you prefer that I teleport it into the good ship Koos-Nor ?"
"Teleport it, you miserable wretch!" returned Rhodan with a similar theatrical flair and he waited until Pucky had disappeared with the luggage. Then he utilized the interval by checking the remote control device that he carried in his pocket. He did not yet realize how vital its function was to be, even before the sun went down.
Pucky came back with a report: "Everything is shipshape on board the yacht. It's still there at the spaceport, untouched and unharmed, although I noticed a couple of light cruisers that have been posted in the vicinity.
"That's strange," murmured Rhodan. "Very strange. They couldn't have heard from Arkon already, could they? And even so, they'd still have to act as though there were an inspector named Tristol. They would take care not to show their suspicions openly."
"Okay, so what?" growled Pucky impatiently. "What are we still waiting for? I want to meet this Count Rodi... ri... rigo."
"Rodrigo," Rhodan corrected him. "From a long line of Spanish nobility, out of the 17th century. At that time, he was fairly well known. But I'm warning you! He's a hot-blooded type and maybe he's even a little superstitious. Don't take him too lightly. In his day the noblemen were accustomed to demanding satisfaction for any insults by means of a deadly duel. And I don't know how good you are with a sword."
"What do you mean, insult?" asked Pucky, amazed. "I certainly don't want to insult him. At the most, maybe teach him some manners."
"You may be in for a surprise," prophesized Rhodan and went to the door. "And now, let's get going, we haven't any time to lose. It will be dark in three or four hours. We must have found them by then."
"They're in the bag!" grinned Pucky as he waddled along behind his master. Downstairs in the lobby he changed again into the submissive servant. Looking innocent and exceptionally stupid, he strained to keep pace with Rhodan, which was difficult. Only the fact that Rhodan had to wait for the air taxi he had ordered enabled Pucky to make up for the other's head start.
"You might try to slow down a little," the mouse-beaver panted peevishly when he finally stood next to Rhodan in front of the hotel. A streamlined cabin car lowered itself toward them and landed on the cultivated lawn. "Next time I'll teleport and leave you running after me!"
"Behave yourself!" warned Rhodan as he climbed into the cabin. Pucky followed him. The pilot was terrified at the sight of the uniform of the all-powerful Inspector and all but shrank away under his controls.
And now keep your mouth shut, if you please, and act like a timid servant, or this will be the last time you ever go on a mission with me!
This telepathic threat frightened Pucky sufficiently to make him creep onto the back seat and screen his thoughts. Rhodan suspected that they weren't very complimentary to him but at this moment it made little difference. Once in awhile Pucky's presumptiveness had to be watered down.
"Fly slowly in a northerly direction," he told the pilot next to him. "Only change direction when I tell you to. Not too high, if you please. I wish to view the city to full advantage."
"As you wish, Inspector, Your Grace!"
Rhodan did not reply. He looked straight ahead as the air car rose to an altitude of 150 feet. In this area there were no skyscrapers or towers, so that no collision with buildings was to be feared.
In the meantime, Laury's thought impulses had ceased. Only Marshall was still 'sending' and he was thinking of everything he could in order to stay awake, although it was still bright daylight. Rhodan concluded from this that the three fugitives had been through a period of unusual exertion.
He spoke to Pucky in English so that the pilot wouldn't understand. "You won't have to teleport. We'll just fly along in this direction until the impulses are definitely under us. Then we'll know we're directly over Marshall's location."
And that's the way it happened.
• • •
Count Rodrigo woke up when Marshall shook him. Laury sat on the other couch and rubbed her eyes.
"They are directly over us. Pucky and Rhodan." Marshall pointed to the ceiling. "They say we are in an isolated house on the edge of the city and are surrounded by a large park. This is probably a main headquarters for the Springers."
"Is Pucky here, too?" Laury brightened up immediately. "What luck for us! Pucky is the greatest hero I know."
The mouse-beaver's popularity with the female gender was generally well known but Rodrigo didn't yet know who Pucky was. He rose up slowly from his sleeping bench and stared in wide-eyed astonishment at Laury.
"Who is this hero?" he asked testily. His hand moved automatically to his sword hilt. "If anyone is entitled to protect you, then it is I. Or do I have a rival for your affections?"
With a fleeting grin, Marshall cast Laury a warning glance. "Take care with Pucky. Laury is right: he is indeed a hero! And I don't know any woman who does not like him or hold him in high esteem. Why should Laury be the exception? You'll have to get used to it, Rod."
"Never!" Rodrigo jumped up and walked fiercely back and forth in the room. "I will never tolerate a rival. He will have to fight me in a duel!"
"You'll come out on the short end," Marshall warned him again, while maintaining a sober expression. He knew that Pucky could overhear them and was confident of a little variety in the meeting between Rod and the mouse-beaver. "Pucky is one of our best mutants."
"Another man with supernatural powers?" The Count seemed disappointed. "Apparently much has changed on Earth. The world is ruled by sorcerers."
"Take it easy," advised Marshall and listened once more within himself. Even Laury appeared to have forgotten the Count. They had placed themselves in contact with Rhodan.
We will land fairly close to you in the air car, announced Rhodan. We can't use the pilot. What do you think I should do with him?
Bring him along,replied Marshall. We'll get away in the air car and lock the Ara in here. Quite simple.
And what about the Springers watching you? I know—I'll come there in my official capacity as Inspector. That will intimidate them.
Maybe they've gone.
Perhaps.
Another quarter of an hour passed. They remained in touch telepathically but did not transmit any further. Count Rodrigo continued waiting in sullen silence and occasionally cast dark glances at Marshall.
They were startled when the door suddenly burst open and Berzan stormed into their prison. "The Inspector from Arkon," he gasped. "He has landed in the park and is approaching the house. Do you have any idea what he wants from us?"
Marshall remained quite calm as he nodded slowly. "Perhaps, Berzan. Perhaps. Wouldn't it be a good idea for us to unite under these circumstances?"
"Haven't we always been allies?" asked the Springer with such an air of innocence that it seemed butter couldn't melt in his mouth. "Naturally we won't tell the Arkonide that you are with us. But how could he have found out about you?"
"Yes," Marshall nodded calmly. "That's what I'd like to know."
Meanwhile, Rodrigo had finally decided that only an act of bravery would convi
nce his beloved Laury that he was the only knight of her heart. He drew his sword with a lightning swiftness and placed its point on the chest of the bewildered Berzan.
"You miserable lout!" he shouted dramatically but in deadly earnest. "You change your loyalties like an evil wind in our sails. Then be advised that we can do the same, sir. We will henceforth dispense with the protection of your clan and thus you will not receive any pay. And as far as the Inspector is concerned, lead him to us. But swiftly, before my blade tickles your backbone!"
"Stop it!" shouted Marshall. "It would be better for Berzan to lead us up to the outside. Let's all go together to greet our lofty visitor."
The Springer had thus refrained from using his weapon. He had no intention of cutting off such an apparently promising source of profit. At the moment the visit of the Arkonide was the greatest danger—and yet it was a mutual danger. After it had passed, one would look further into this matter...
Without concerning himself further with Rodrigo, he turned around, opened the door and strode ahead. Marshall and the others followed. They knew what a surprise the Springers were in for and that the unhappy situation they had fallen into would soon be rectified.
Unfortunately they had forgotten a certain unpleasant factor which has often caused the best-laid plans of men and mouse-beavers to go awry.
It was, specifically, that factor which is generally designated as chance...
4/ DRAGNET
Glogol, Chief Inspector of the Arkonide Empire, was approaching the solar system of Revnur's Star on a routine circuit flight in order to visit the second planet, known as Tolimon.
2 heavy cruisers escorted him, in case it should be necessary to enforce any possible demands he might make. Glogol himself was traveling only with a few servants and the customary personnel of a luxury yacht, whose resemblance to the Koos-Nor were nothing short of astonishing.
Glogol was a true Arkonide of the ruling class. His remarkable intellectual faculties and his penchant for decision-making had led the Robot Regent to take him into his confidence. He was tall, with white hair and reddish eyes—and thus his appearance was precisely the same as that of Rhodan in his present disguise. Even the splendid uniform he wore was practically a duplicate.
He signaled his radio officer. "Make contact with Tolimon and announce our arrival. I request a proper state reception, suitable accommodations and a staff of attendants. I want the responsible government officials to put in an appearance at the spaceport."
"Very well, Inspector," responded the officer, eager to please, and disappeared back into his station. Not two minutes later he reappeared, with an indescribable expression of amazement on his face. "Sir...!" he stammered, shakily. "The Space Authority on Tolimon wants to speak to you before granting a permit to land!"
It took Glogol almost 10 seconds before he could speak. Then he exploded! "What are you saying? That they are insubordinate to an inspector? Are the Aras starting a rebellion or something? What impertinence...!"
"They say it has to do with emergency mode VB-17," interrupted the communications man, uncomprehendingly.
Glogol's attitude changed instantly. "Why didn't you tell me that immediately, you dumbbell? That changes the face of things." He got up. "Come, show me the microphone!"
Glogol didn't know very much about technical details but then that was not a part of his profession. But on the viewscreen he recognized the face of an Ara, who observed him searchingly. The man's boundless astonishment was genuine.
"You are actually an Arkonide?" stammered the Ara, as though he had expected something quite different. "Then why do they send us two inspectors?"
Glogol felt as though struck by a bolt of electricity. Immediately he was suspicious. "Two inspectors? What are you trying to say?"
"Sir, since yesterday Inspector Tristol has been on Tolimon. He has orders to inspect the zoo administration."
"Is that so?" Glogol cocked his head, considering. "Tristol?" Finally a faint smile touched his lips. "I hope that this Tristol will also be at the spaceport when I land with my ships."
"At the present time he is on an inspection flight and can't be reached."
Glogol felt cheated out of the diversion of making a surprise visit but he recognized the potential danger of a false inspector. There was no time now for diversions. He had to take action.
"Inspector Tristol is an impostor," he said coldly. "Arrest him. I shall land immediately, with or without your permission. The formalities can come later. Meanwhile I am dispatching an inquiry to the Robot Regent."
"We have already seen to that and we still expect an answer today. But—perhaps it is well to send a second inquiry in order to be sure."
Glogol sensed the other's suspicion and turned pale. With an oath, he got up and returned to his private quarters. These accursed Medicos! They didn't believe that he was the real Inspector. Well, he'd make them pay for that.
On the other hand, he realized that a suspicious attitude on their part was preferable to carelessness and gullibility.
He had never heard the name Tristol. And besides, there were only 10 inspectors of the Empire. He knew them all. There was no Tristol among them.
He established an alert. The two escort cruisers took up battle positions, descending in close formation with the yacht into the atmosphere of Tolimon.
Almost at the same time the answer from Arkon was received in Trulan.
There was no such person as Inspector Tristol.
• • •
Rhodan and Pucky climbed down from the air taxi and looked around them.
The park consisted principally of a meadow which had been planted with small bushes. Trees on its borders concealed it from the outside world. The villa-like house stood by a peaceful roadway in the northern outskirts of Trulan.
The pilot leaned out the cabin window questioningly. "Shall I wait for you, Inspector?"
"You will accompany us," Rhodan informed him. "I wish to make certain that I'll not have to return on foot to the city."
"But, sir..." the pilot began, reproachfully, only to be sharply interrupted by Pucky.
"Get out! When my master gives an order it has to be obeyed. Haven't you ever heard of the experimentation center of the zoo? Do you want to end up there?"
The pilot began to shake visibly. With a daring leap, he jumped down into the thick grass.
Rhodan led the way. Over by the house there was no movement of any kind and everything had the appearance of abandonment. But Marshall's thought-impulses came through clearly: We're coming outside now, Chief. The Springers have become suspicious and they're escorting us.
They'll certainly have some respect for an inspector, returned Rhodan.
They were still about 20 yards from the house when the main door opened and a bearded man approached them. In outward appearance he might have been 60 years old, which actually told them nothing. He made a gesture behind him as though to deter others from following him. Alone and armed only with one of the ordinary rayguns in his belt, he came up to Rhodan and his companions. He glanced wonderingly for a moment at Pucky but then returned his attention to Rhodan.
"An inspector from Arkon," he murmured. "Then our friends have not lied to us."
"I am Tristol," said Rhodan, dropping some of his assumed arrogance. "You have assisted my people and have earned an appropriate reward. That you will receive as soon as we are out of danger. Do you believe me?"
The bearded man nodded almost imperceptibly. "My name is Berzan, Inspector. Just one question: Are you an inspector?"
Rhodan read the suspicion in the Springer's mind. The man just couldn't see any connection between the prisoners and an Arkonide.
"Do you have any doubts about it?" Rhodan pretended to be surprised. "Arkon has spies everywhere. My people are operating under orders of the Robot Regent. What's so unusual about that?"
Berzan moved a hand absently to the grip of his gun but he had no intention of using it. Pucky recognized this at once and took n
o action. But he was ready.
"It's very unusual, sir, because two minutes ago the Trulan police were placed on alert. Arkon has answered the inquiry from Tolimon. There is no such person as Inspector Tristol. Therefore the inspector is an impostor and is being sought. It won't be long before the police pick up the trail that will lead them here to this house."
Instantly Rhodan shifted gears in his plans. In fact he saw the incredulous look of astonishment in the taxi pilot's face but he didn't concern himself over it.
He smiled at Berzan. "You are right, Berzan. I am no Arkon inspector. You don't like the Arkonides, Berzan. I know that. So why should you turn me in? Do we not have mutual enemies in the Arkonides and the Aras?"
But Berzan didn't go along with this. "I smuggle medicinal items for a living. My clan chief is Rohun, the Springer captain. I don't like Arkonides but I recognize the Empire. You are an enemy of the Empire, and I can't work with you or your friends any longer. Frankly speaking, it's too dangerous. So pay your debt, take your people—and get out of here!"
Rhodan was amazed by the bearded Springer's sincerity, for he was not unsympathetic towards them. He knew it would be senseless to sway the man politically. "Very well, you will get your reward, Berzan. Where are my people?"
Berzan turned around and signaled toward the house. "Feran, bring them out. They're free."
Rhodan took a purse containing money out of his pocket and gave it to the older man. The latter quickly inspected its contents and let out a whistle. He was completely satisfied with the payment.
Feran came out into the open, followed by Marshall, Laury and the Count. Berzan took Feran to one side and spoke with him in low tones. Rhodan had no further time to deal with them. He knew that for the moment there was no danger of a betrayal, if ever. Marshall came up to Rhodan and joyfully shook his hand. "That was just in the nick of time, Chief. I don't know how much longer we'd be safe here. The
Springers have lost their enthusiasm for getting their fingers burned. OK, excuse me. Laury wants to say hello. And then I want to introduce Count Rodrigo de Berceo..." Laury was blushing now, since she realized that Rhodan must have been informed about her love for the