by Perry Rhodan
"Just wait," Marshall decided. "Pucky will pick you up when he needs you. We can't do anything more than wait now."
Pucky materialized and let go of Kitai. There was nothing as yet to be seen of the robots: they were probably still underwater and could be expected to surface at any moment.
"Over there on the south bank, Kitai!" Pucky exclaimed. "The Goszuls are dug in over there—not knowing what to make of all the miracles they've been witnessing. Start working on them and don't worry about what's going on over here in the meantime. Your best bet is to get under cover first so the robots don't find you."
"Robots? What robots?"
"They're playing submarine right now," Pucky told him, not taking his eyes off the beach, "but they're about to surface. We don't have much time, so you'd better get going."
Pucky noticed ripples in the water's surface not many yards away. Then the metallic cranium of the first robot emerged from the depths.
Pucky loved variety. Nothing ran more against his nature than monotony. If he finished off these three robots the same way he had the first four, that would definitely mean monotony.
The mouse-beaver quickly formulated a plan and put it into action. Strewn over the south bank lay a large quantity of loose rocks and stones which he could easily manipulate telekinetically from the sandbank. Members of his species were wont to call such activity 'playing' back on the lonely planet of the dying sun, and at long last Pucky could finally 'play' to his heart's content.
The Goszuls had hardly recovered from their first surprise. Now they experienced their second. Only this time there was an endless stream of rocks flying through the air instead of robots. The rocks rose from the banks and shallows and sailed in dignified progression just above the water. At a certain point they dropped into the stream and sank with a gurgle. The Goszuls had no way of knowing that the rocks were burying three battle-robots whose energy-beamers were of little use underwater.
When Pucky had finished, a new island of rock stood close to the sandbank. The mouse-beaver knew that for the time being the robots were out of contention under the island. Perhaps in time they would be able to free themselves; but, then again, perhaps not. The fact that they could still transmit a report of events to headquarters bothered Pucky only slightly.
He looked for Kitai and found him hiding in the sand. "Any luck yet?" Pucky inquired.
"I think so," Kitai replied. "It'll be a few minutes yet before I'm through, though. I have to sweep the whole shore so I don't miss anybody."
"Okay, carry on, I'll resume the transportation of the boxes and pick up Tako. We should be done in about half an hour."
Pucky went back to the pile of boxes and disappeared with one seconds later. When he returned with Tako, he let the Oriental have the job of delivering the goods to the ship while he devoted himself to picking up the rest of the boxes from the riverbed.
Meanwhile, Kitai succeeded. That was demonstrated unmistakably when the Goszuls left their hiding places and formed into ranks. One of them took command and, paying no further attention to the two men and the mouse-beaver out on the sandbank, the Goszuls turned in the direction of the coast and started marching. There was a bridge not far from the river's mouth, Kitai knew, and from there it was only a short distance to the harbor.
"They'll reach the harbor tomorrow noon and then report to us," the suggestor said, grinning at Pucky when the mouse-beaver came by. "They're doing it mostly out of their own free will and they're going to bring some of their friends with them. Tomorrow we'll have to figure on a good-sized mob of volunteer helpers."
Those we can use," Pucky grinned back, taking Kitai by the hand. "And now, close your eyes, brother—I'm taking you back to the ship."
Two hours later the entire load of boxes lay well-stowed in one of the large cabins in the ship's bow. John and his mutants had moved in to keep an eye on the valuable cargo and now, undisturbed, they could inspect the contents of the water-tight boxes.
Pucky helped. He pointed to the stack with one of the small, longish and relatively small containers. "The contents are all the same. It'll be enough just to open one."
And that they did. When the box-cover was swung open, the mutants could only stare wonderingly at the double row of little bombs. Each was about the size of a normal hand grenade and their hulls were not made of metal but of colored plastic.
Pucky pointed to the red bomb. "This one works the quickest. An outbreak of the epidemic can be expected within a week. The other bombs take longer. A complete list of bombs and their timing has been provided."
"Germ warfare!" John whispered, not in the least enthused.
"No need to worry," Pucky responded, looking quite happy. "The antidote is over there in the green boxes. Anyway, we stand on the verge of a war that's going to be a lot of fun for us."
"A war—and he calls it fun!" Kitai muttered.
Pucky smiled with pleasure. "This war, yes!"
3/ THE ENIGMATIC ENEMY
Kitai's hypnotic influence over Geragk did not remain effective very long. After the unloading operation at the ship had been completed, the Goszul reported the fulfillment of the assignment to the sentry-robot on duty, who then arranged for transport of the cargo to the spaceport. Geragk went home, sat down on his bed and let his head sink into his hands. Underneath the reddish-brown skin, his nerves seemed to quiver. An unsteady flame flickered in his Mongoloid eyes.
Had he forgotten something, something that had been of the utmost importance to him? Something that would have strengthened his position with the Gods? No matter how hard he tried to concentrate, the influence on his mind did not diminish. An iron band seemed to be wrapped around his skull.
Someone knocked on the door. Geragk gave a start, as though he had been caught in the act of doing something he should not. Oh yes... Ralv. Ralv had wanted to talk to him about something today. Geragk had almost forgotten. He let the late visitor in and closed the door again.
Ralv was the leader of the organization that wanted to put an end to the rule of the Gods—by force, if need be. His dark-haired, deep red skin rippled over strong sinews: Ralv was apparently master of more bodily strength than most Goszuls.
"Don't you feel well?" Ralv asked Geragk when he sat down.
Geragk shrugged. "I don't rightly know just how I do feel. Maybe it's only the heat and all the work I had to do today. I feel like there's a heavy weight laying on my head."
Ralv looked at him closely. Then he nodded. "Rendex feels the same way today. I was just over to see him. He belonged to your unloading detail, incidentally. Is that a coincidence?"
"Is what a coincidence?"
"That he's feeling the same way you do."
Geragk looked at Ralv. "There was something on that ship but I don't know what it was any more. How could a person just forget something like that? I'm sure I'll remember it again but right now I don't know. Everything seems so strange."
Ralv switched the conversation to a new topic. "Some of our people were able to snare one of the sentry-robots and take it apart..."
"You killed a metal God?"
"Don't talk nonsense! You know as well as I that all the stories about Gods and metal Gods are foolishness. Those so-called Gods are humanoids just like us. They have ships they can sail from star to star but that's the only difference. They're just looters who take advantage of our backwardness. They've enslaved our whole world with the help of their technological superiority. One day we'll drive them off our world, which they call Goszul's Planet."
"But catching a metal God—er, a robot! Won't the Gods suspect rebels are involved? They'll have their battle-machines at our throats!"
Ralv's expression grew mysterious. "Maybe you don't know this yet, but we've gotten some unexpected allies. For some time now there have been strangers on our world. They have been fighting the Gods, too, and inflicting quite a bit of damage on them."
"Strangers?" echoed Geragk, looking suddenly thoughtful. "Why is it that I seem to sens
e something when you say that word? I didn't have anything to do with strangers today... did I... ?" He shook his head and balled his fists.
"Well?" asked Ralv, curious. "Still nothing?"
"I have to get some sleep, Ralv. Maybe I'll remember it in the morning. I have the feeling that it's important, very important. Anyway, what became of the robot you took apart?"
"What should have become of it?" demanded Ralv. "We examined the insides and found that the robot was purely mechanical. If we had to, we could even build more robots like it—if we only had the machinery necessary, and that won't be too much together. When we've driven the Gods away, we'll take over their factories and build ships ourselves which can reach the stars.
"Do we have exact information about all the factories?"
"Everything's ready. We could have struck tonight if Enzally hadn't warned us."
"Enzally? What did the Seer say?"
"We ought to call him the 'Listener'," Ralv corrected, "because he doesn't really see anything. Rather, he can read other people's minds. And not only those of people—he can read the minds of the so-called Gods. And those of the strangers."
"The strangers' minds? Does he have contact with the strangers?"
He did have, but only for a few moments. He overheard a telepathic conversation, so the strangers must be mind readers too. When he tried to make himself noticed, though, the thought-waves broke off and he heard nothing more. He was able to learn this much, however: the Gods are the enemies of these strangers. The strangers call them 'Springers', by the way. The Springers have attacked their home planet but the strangers repulsed them. Now the strangers have come here to break up a Springer summit conference. We've seen with our own eyes how well they've done already."
"Allies..." Geragk reflected. "We've never even dared hope for help from the stars but now suddenly it's here. But why don't they get in touch with us? Why do they stay hidden from us?"
"They must have their reasons. Enzally is trying to reach them, although up to now he hasn't had any luck. He'll let me know just as soon as he learns something. You see—our situation isn't hopeless by any means but for the time being we'd do well to wait and see how things work out."
"Providing the Gods haven't been tipped off too soon by the disappearance of one of their robots."
"We'll have to prepare for that possibility," Ralv said, standing up. "Oh, and try to remember what happened on the ship. It's rather peculiar that everyone under your command today is suffering from a loss of memory. Something mysterious is going on here."
Geragk opened the door for him. "But what?" he asked, neither expecting an answer nor receiving one.
• • •
The news of the bizarre fight between a small animal and seven battle-robots reached even the ears of the rebels in the underground. Goszuls, given the benefits of hypno-training, filled posts everywhere in the administrative complex, even tending the positronic brain and other important systems. Some of the Goszuls had taken note of the sudden attack order sent to the robots in the morning and later learned of the ensuing destruction of seven battle-robots.
Shortly thereafter, a further bit of news caused even more surprise and consternation, and not only among the Goszuls. Their Springer masters were astonished to find out that the company of Goszuls ordered to the riverbank was no longer following the orders. Following the annihilation of the robots, the men had moved out and were even now marching towards the harbor town. It was not known what the men intended to do there or who had given them the counter-orders.
As soon as he heard the amazing news, Ralv immediately went to see Geragk, who was not on duty that day and was spending the time in his apartment.
"I don't know what happened," Ralv told him, "but I think it's absolutely necessary we do something about those men. I hope some of our squad-leaders didn't get it in their heads to start the revolution on their own initiative. They wouldn't have a chance against the battle-robots."
Geragk had listened to the news in silence. His tone was thoughtful when he asked: "This creature that fought and defeated the robots—what did it look like? Wasn't it human?"
"It wasn't a Goszul and it wasn't a Springer—it was an animal. Nothing human."
"An animal can't destroy robots!" Geragk said, not really understanding. "Or is it one of those strangers Enzally spoke of?"
"Possibly," Ralv admitted. "Are you coming with me?"
The two men quickly left the building and took the next conveyance to the harbor town.
The company of Goszuls was still on the march, still in the same general direction. If they maintained their pace, the Goszuls would reach the harbor at the crack of dawn on the following day. Wishing to excite no suspicion, Ralv and Geragk had to patiently bide their time until then.
The evening and then the night passed. The two conspirators were fed and sheltered by a friend who also belonged to the secret organization. A messenger had been sent to find Enzally who, if not delayed, could be expected to arrive in three hours.
Time passed slowly.
They were unaware of the feverish activity that had taken hold of the surveillance teams at the administrative central. Radio messages criss-crossed the Land of the Gods and informed the Governors of the inexplicable events. A squad of battle-robots was assembled and sent out of the factory towards the harbor town. Pulling further reinforcements out of the spaceport defense forces seemed too risky to the Governors.
In the morning's first light, the harbor looked like an army base. Battle-robots were stationed on all the important streets, checking each passing vehicle. Such checks were not unusual and were patiently endured by the Goszuls, who remained surprisingly disciplined.
Enzally the telepath was successful in entering the city without attracting any attention or suspicion. His searching thoughts located Ralv and Geragk and it was not long before he was knocking on their door.
The two friends breathed easier when they saw their visitor was the conspiracy's most important member. They besieged him with questions but the aging telepath raised his hands imploringly and smiled wisely. He sat down on the edge of the bed. "Grant me a short pause, my friends," he said. "I have come a long way and the road was not easy. The Springers have become restless—you see, I do not call them Gods anymore, either. Why I do not is simple to explain: I have received a new contact with the strangers. They are somewhere nearby, perhaps even in this city."
"Here in the city?" Ralv blurted, hiding his surprise only with difficulty. "Where?"
"We will soon know for they have asked me to contact them again today. I do not know how many of them there are but at least two of them are telepaths like myself."
Geragk sat in a corner and stared into space. He looked as if he were straining to focus all his faculties into pondering some problem. Enzally threw a quick glance at him and motioned to Ralv, who had wanted to say something. The telepath cocked his head and looked at Geragk penetratingly.
"I will help you refresh your memory, Geragk," Enzally said suddenly. "Perhaps that way we shall learn something more. What, then, was on that ship yesterday?"
Ralv understood instantly what was going on and held himself in the background, waiting. He knew that Enzally was probing Geragk's thoughts and that the telepath just might succeed in penetrating the veiled portions of his memory.
"Odd," Enzally murmured suddenly. "It is almost as if some manner of barrier lay in front of your mind—I can almost feel it bodily. It is nothing natural. Only another telepath, or a variation like a suggestor, could have set such a thing in your memory. Yesterday you were aboard the ship that is in the harbor? And something happened there? What was it that happened? No, you do not have to speak. That would strain you too much. Think, do nothing but think. Yes, that is better. Strangers were on board? The captain told you? Four strange men who looked like Gods? And you went to them—and then it was all over? You know nothing more?" Enzally sighed and leaned back. He kept his eyes on Geragk. "Look at me, Geragk!
These four men—did you see them clearly? What did they say to you? Yes, you can remember if you want to! Yes—yes—you are remembering now! They were the ones who told you to forget everything. You and all the others in the crew! All of you forgot what you had seen! These four men are the strangers we have been looking for! They are our allies!"
Geragk seemed to wake from a dream. His eyes were wide, focusing on nothing. Then he shook his head and seemed to collect himself. "You're right, Enzally. I remember now: the four strangers are on the ship. They gave me and my men the order to forget everything. Why would they do that, if they are our friends?"
Enzally smiled. "You are forgetting that robots were aboard too. What would have happened if the robots had become suspicious? The strangers are but four men, standing alone against an entire world. They must be careful. I believe, however, that they are looking for friends. We shall soon find out."
"When?" asked Ralv, who up to now had been silent.
"Soon!" Enzally whispered, signaling the other men to be quiet. Still and unmoving, he sat on the bed,
seeming to listen to something inside himself.
Almost 10 minutes went by.
Neither Ralv nor Geragk could guess what took place in that time. They knew only that the telepath was conversing with someone but naturally they were unable to listen in on either end of the exchange.
Enzally finally nodded several times and looked up. "Get ready, my friends. You are coming with me. I believe the battle is beginning."
Geragk knew what the answer would be but he asked the question anyway. "Where are we going?"
"To the harbor. A ship is waiting for us there."
The ship's captain was firmly convinced that it was out of his own free will. He honestly believed that it was his own decision to ignore his instructions to take the ship once more to the high seas. He personally wished to hold the ship in the harbor, he thought. He certainly had no idea why he was acting this way but he did so anyway. Kitai had reinforced the suggestive influence with enough emphasis to make sure the effects would last for some time.