by Perry Rhodan
"So what do we do now? We can't just simply consign Thora to them and then leave her behind."
"That's not my intention. That girl has already made notations on the form I turned in. Back in the offices somewhere, where they shuffle all that information around, somebody's going to sit up and take notice—especially when they read about Terra."
"Do you believe they've heard about Terra."
Tiff nodded confidently. "In any case, it'll come as a surprise to them. At least if nobody has heard of us, that fact alone will be disturbing enough. So I think they'll be very interested in making our acquaintance. I'll bet you they're already waiting for us at the station where the ambulance is supposed to bring us and Thora."
Next to the fleet of cars that they were already familiar with, they found another group of vehicles. Here were machines and vehicles of various kinds, which seemed to be designed for different sorts of patients. One of them even had the semblance of a large aquarium and was filled with water. Tiffs imagination was challenged to envision the patient that might be carried in this one.
He took the metal coin out of his pocket and studied it more closely. A specific configuration was engraved on it The configuration marked on the side walls of the portable aquarium was not identical with it.
They didn't have to search very far before they found the designated vehicle. It looked very much like a normal ambulance. Instead of a door handle, there was a slot, under which was etched. the same configuration as that on the coin.
"Pretty sneaky!" mumbled Tiff. "They're trying to make this place idiot proof!" Patiently, he shoved the coin into the slot.
As though moved by phantom hands, the door opened soundlessly. They got inside. The door closed and the car set itself in motion. It drove out onto the field and took a direction toward the avenues that led between the spaceships.
"How is the robot guide going to know where we left our ship?" asked Sengu with a trace of triumph in his voice. "There's no marker or sign of any kind where the Gazelle is parked. Do you have a logical explanation for it?"
"I think so," replied Tiff and watched the giant ships come toward them at a very rapid pace. There was still no vibration to be felt in the machine. "After all, you know we were picked up by a car. The route to our ship is precisely registered in its positronic brain. They only need to request data from it and the small robot brain of the auto will send out the information, which can then be programmed into the ambulance. You see, Sengu, it's all very simple."
The Japanese gave up. Wordlessly, he merely waited for whatever was to happen and as the vehicle pulled to a gentle stop directly under the boarding lock of the Gazelle, he merely permitted a slight grunt of recognition to pass his lips.
Thora was awake. She smiled at the two men, unable to comprehend what was happening on her behalf. In view of the fact that she was tied down to the bed with the leather straps, Tiff decided not to put her under with another injection. With the help of a small, portable antigravity device, they towed the bed out of the cabin, through the narrow gangway and finally to the waiting car. The ship's entrance was again locked. Then, as the two of them also entered the ambulance, the doors of the vehicle closed and it set itself once more in motion.
This time, it took another route...
• • •
After 15 minutes they left the landing field behind and reached a broad avenue that led downward into a tunnel and disappeared beneath the surface of Aralon.
Sengu observed the change with mixed feelings. "Do you think it's a trap, Tiff? What's a hospital doing underground?"
Tiff had begun to narrow his eyes a bit as he looked around. "I'm not quite sure but I could guess that the Aras are not particularly fond of sunlight. Don't forget that they're albinos. According to the kind of patient, they may have hospital departments above and below the ground. I think our first stop is going to be an assignment and disbursement point."
No vehicles overtook them but many cars were coming from the other direction. For a distance of about a mile, narrower streets could be seen branching off to the left and the right. At even intervals, round inset ceiling lamps produced a dim illumination.
Suddenly they slowed their pace and the car took a turn to the right, after which it picked up speed once more.
"Well, it shouldn't take very long now," surmised Tiff, "until we know where we are and what this is all about. It'll be a big relief when the uncertainty is over with."
"I think you can say that again," Sengu murmured but there was not much conviction in his voice.
Farther ahead it became bright and then their vehicle glided out of the tunnel into a wide area, drove up a narrow ramp and stopped in front of a gate. Several seconds passed and then the gate opened as though moved by ghostly hands. The car drove in and finally came to a stop in a brightly-lighted hall into which many passages opened. Everything gleamed with neatness and cleanliness. Aras in white smocks hurried here and there, conversed with each other rapidly, cast hurried glances at the ambulance—and then disappeared again.
Five Aras appeared from another direction and stopped at the car. To Tiff, their grave expressions seemed to be a forewarning of what was to come. On the other hand, this might be only an impression. One of them inserted a coin in the automatic registration box and the doors of the ambulance opened.
"You are bringing the patient, Thora of Arkon?" asked one of the Aras and looked searchingly at Tiff.
Tiff nodded. "That's right," he said and climbed stiffly out of his seat in order to stretch his legs. "Is this the department for hyper-euphoria?"
The others did not show any reaction. "Who are you?"
"Lt. Tifflor of the planet Terra, Sol System—in case that means anything to you."
"And this one?" He pointed to the Japanese, who had also gotten out of the car.
"Wuriu Sengu, also of Terra," replied Tiff.
The Ara nodded, as though learning something that he had known all along. "So it's Terra," he murmured with satisfaction. "We suspected this."
Tiff could not hold back his curiosity any longer. "You have already heard of Terra? On what occasion, might I ask?"
"You will be provided with ample opportunity to converse with us on this subject. You will now follow us."
Tiff indicated the ambulance. "What about Thora? She is sick and she needs immediate treatment."
"We will take care of her—don't worry about it. The Nonues Plague is a relatively simple infectious disease. Tomorrow the patient will not even know that she has ever been ill. So please come along. We have to speak with you."
Tiff still hesitated. He didn't like the thought of leaving Thora alone. But they gave him no further time to apply delaying tactics. At a gesture from the Aras, four powerfully built men appeared swiftly. In comparison to the other indigenous people of Aralon, these were veritable giants. Two of them grasped Tiff and Sengu. They felt their arms twisted roughly behind them and they were shoved ahead toward a door. The Japanese prepared to defend himself but Tiff warned him not to.
"Don't, Sengu! First we have to find out what they want from us, so don't give any resistance."
A door was jerked open in front of them. The 4 powerful men shoved their victims into the room beyond but still did not let go of them. Three of the 5 Ara physicians followed. Behind a wide table sat 3 other Aras, wearing the customary white smocks. They observed Tiff and Sengu with unusual interest.
Tiff asked them sharply, "May we be informed as to what this is all about? We bring you a patient and you treat us like prisoners!"
The oldest Ara nodded slowly and cast a glance at a dossier file that lay before him on the table. Then he looked up at Tiff again with his reddish eyes but without expression. "That is just the point—you bring us only one patient... According to the information we have on hand, there must be hundreds of patients involved. What happened to them?"
Tiff was unprepared for this. He needed a few seconds before he could answer. "Perhaps I have a personal
interest only in a cure for Thora."
The older one leaned forward. "So?" He leafed through the documents. "You are from Terra, a planet that is 30,000 light-years distant, and which has previously had no contact with the Empire. Your commander is Perry Rhodan, who has already had several clashes with the Galactic Traders. Why should we be particularly desirous of administering medical aid to the enemies of our friends?"
Tiff was on the verge of answering: because you're the ones that made them sick. But he controlled himself. "Who has told you that Thora is a friend of Rhodan?" he asked. "What other information do you have?"
"Oh, a number of items," murmured the elder. "You will recall that Rhodan indulged in germ warfare on a world known to the Springers as Goszul's Planet, in an attempt to gain possession of it—or have you forgotten that already? This is a very shameful method of conquest, you must admit. The afflicted Springers came to Aralon to receive our assistance. It was by this means that we learned of the affair. Fortunately, the infectious illness was a self-healing type. Nevertheless, Perry Rhodan has earned himself a very bad reputation through this affair. And now we know the Terranians."
Tiff was not able to remain silent any longer. "So? You know us, do you?" he growled and jerked himself loose from the grip of his two captors. "Listen, shrimps, I don't need any muscle men! So just get your hands off me!" Then he turned to the old Ara behind the table and continued. "Rhodan merely used a method that's the basis for the entire existence of the Aras—isn't that right? So all of a sudden that makes you real indignant. Or do you want to deny that you spread the worst plague viruses in the whole galaxy in order to profit from healing the victims of the diseases? Without the Aras, there wouldn't be any diseases any more—but then you might have to do an honest day's work to earn a living! If you functioned normally, there would be plenty to occupy an intelligent race like yours—such as research.
Synthetic life, eternal life, the elimination of physical death—the list is endless! But what do you do? You promote diseases so that your hospitals will never be empty! So what do you say to that, old boy?"
The albino behind the table had listened attentively without showing the slightest sign of agitation. He conferred in low tones with his colleagues. Then he looked questioningly at Tiff. "What is it you are trying to convince me of? Is there something you are attempting to find out? Does Rhodan seek to know something that he is uninformed about?"
"Rhodan!" sneered Tiff in such a scornful tone that it shocked even himself. "What's Rhodan to me? It's true—he's the one who wants Thora for himself. I think her sickness was an opportunity for him, because you know the symptoms of hyper-euphoria, which we call the eternal love curse. No, I want to speak frankly with you..."
"My name is Themos, the chief of this department and the head of research over the corresponding laboratories. Please tell us more."
"I intend to, Themos. I have come here against the will of Perry Rhodan. Do you really believe that Rhodan would have sent only Thora to you? You must have considered that question already, haven't you?"
"And why have you brought Thora to us against the will of Perry Rhodan?"
"I—well, I'd like to do her a service, Themos. There are a number of reasons for it. Thora is very powerful and can do me a lot of good if she is placed in a position to be obligated to me. In addition, this is the way that I can prove to her that her life is worth more to me than it is to Perry Rhodan."
Themos leaned forward and regarded Tiff searchingly. "You wish to betray Rhodan? How can I know whether or not this is all a brazen lie?"
"Either you believe me or you don't. Unfortunately, I'll have to leave that decision to you. Heal Thora of her sickness, if you can, and I will demonstrate my gratitude to you."
The elder studied Tiff for awhile, then looked at Sengu, who very curiously was demonstrating a great interest in the floor he was standing on. Then the old one began to converse with his colleagues and all 6 Aras went into a huddled conference.
Tiff had time then to send Pucky a telepathic report.
The inaudible discussion behind the table lasted almost 10 minutes. Then Themos said, "We will cure Thora but in the meantime we cannot allow you to return to your ship. Consider yourselves as our guests. You will be given a room, which you may not leave without special authorization. Aside from that, you will probably have no objections if we search you for weapons or communicating devices?"
Of course Tiff was inwardly angered by this request but on the other hand there was no better way of convincing the Aras of his and Sengu's harmlessness. Actually, they didn't possess any visible weapons or transmitting equipment. If the Aras could prove this to themselves, they would no doubt relax their vigilance.
"Naturally we don't object to that," agreed Tiff calmly, "if it will relieve your minds. The only thing I don't like is to be locked into a room. I have to know what's happening with Thora and whether or not you can actually cure her."
"I will guarantee you that on the strength of my scientific reputation," assured Themos confidently. "You see what's involved here is the Nonues Plague, which is a virus disease developed by me, and naturally I also found the antidote for it. Thora will be a healthy woman as early as tomorrow." He looked sharply at Tiff. "Incidentally, does she know where and why she was infected?"
"How could she? Only when she's well again—she'll either understand or remember. Arkon isn't going to be very happy to know your methods of generating sickness."
Themos smiled coldly. "We will take care that Arkon is not informed of this. And inasmuch as you profess to be against Rhodan, you will not betray this to Thora or the Arkonides, either—isn't that so?"
Tiff did not answer.
Suddenly Sengu asked: "Your laboratories are located deep under the surface—much deeper than this section of the hospital?"
Themos nodded in some astonishment. "Yes, how do you know that? Our main installations are under the ground because in the long run we have found that the rays of the sun have deleterious after-effects."
"At least for albinos," interjected Tiff laconically.
But Themos appeared not to be offended. "Yes, you're quite right," he confirmed evenly. "That's why we spend as little time as possible on the surface. So it isn't such a bad prospect for you to have to stay underground in the meantime, until we have arrived at a decision. The great medical Council of Aralon will have to consider all of this carefully in the coming weeks."
Tiff leaned forward. "Weeks, you say? Do you think I've got that much time?"
"Don't you have time?" asked Themos testily. "Who then might be waiting for you, if you are not returning to Rhodan?"
Tiff felt like biting his tongue. "I—ah—want to go with Thora and my friend to a little out of the way system where there is a sort of paradise planet. Thora and I will be married there..."
"Oh?" Themos appeared to be surprised. "A certain Etztak has reported to me that there is between Rhodan and Thora a certain—shall we say, friendly relationship? What will he have to say about this?"
"Is that any worry of ours?" replied Tiff casually. He wished he could see Rhodan's face at this moment while Pucky was relating the conversation to him. Such a blatant development as this had not been planned. "We won't ever be seeing Rhodan again."
"I take that actually to be a certainty, whether you betray him or not," Themos maintained coldly as he rose to his feet. "But enough of this talk; I'd rather get down to business. You will be brought to your room and there you will be searched. If you don't give us resistance, you will not have any difficulties. Tomorrow there will be a medical examination, which is purely a matter of routine—nothing to be concerned about. Then you may greet a healthy Thora and we will see what she says about your wedding plans. For your sake, I—ah—hope she will be very happy..."
Tiff was aware of the threat behind these words but he didn't have further opportunity to guard against a definitely growing suspicion in this regard. Four powerful aims grasped him from behind and he
was taken from the room. The same thing happened to Sengu.
"We're going to take a trip deep inside the planet," he called to Tiff and grimaced: "In fact, very deep, I'm afraid."
"Be quiet!" shouted one of the guards.
"That's the least of my worries," responded Tiff without paying any attention to the Aras. "It can't compare with my big worry over what Thora's going to say when she finds out that she's my fiancée...!"
3/ TWO SENTENCES OF DEATH
The Titan and the Ganymede passed through a short hypertransition, which brought them closer to the Kesnar system. Flying at light velocity from that point, they were still one light-day away from Aralon.
The rest period had remained without event. Tiff had reported the transfer of himself and Sengu to a very comfortably appointed room beneath the ground and emphasized that he was going to catch a few hours sleep since on the surface of Aralon night had arrived. Also, beneath the surface of the planet a kind of work hiatus was in effect.
Pucky awakened and made it his first duty to listen to the short impulses of Tiff's body transmitter. The signals came in an even cadence but did not carry any information, so it could be assumed that Tiff was still asleep.
The mouse-beaver stretched, slipped out of bed and proceeded into the adjacent shower room. With an inner dread, he waddled under the cold stream of water and kept on convincing himself that the procedure was not only cleansing for his pelt but was healthy in general. Then he dried himself under the hot air stream and set out on his way to the officers' mess.
There, in addition to Khrest and a few acquaintances, he found Rhodan, who wanted to know immediately if anything new had occurred in the meantime. Pucky was able to reassure him in that respect and then proceeded to dedicate himself with fervor to the breakfast. To his joy, he found on his plate a special ration of precious carrots, which had been sent over from the Ganymede. They were his only vice, from which even Bell had not been able to dissuade him.
