by Perry Rhodan
Tako quickly returned to his seat in the same extraordinary manner in which he had departed.
Vethussar broke out in sweat and when he was finally gripped by a strange, unseen power which pulled him up from his bench and whirled him through the air, he began to scream. The telekin Tama Yokida had lifted him as high as the treetops, turned him a few times around his axis and let him gently float down again on his wagon.
Gasping and wailing Vethussar collapsed on his seat, Marshall let him carry on for awhile, then he shook him by the shoulders. "Listen to me Vethussar!"
Vethussar meekly ceased his moaning and looked apprehensively at Marshall.
"We're no Gods, Vethussar. Nobody has ever seen a God. We're simply people like you and those living in your city or elsewhere. We know a little more than you, that's all. You don't have to be afraid of us. On the contrary, we want you to have some compensation for your trouble taking us into town and you may tell us what reward you'd like to get."
He watched as the oldster hesitantly took in his remarks and slowly began to trust him. Vethussar kept staring attentively at Marshall for awhile. Then he straightened up, took the reins and got his animals going again. Bumping and creaking the wagon slowly rolled toward the city.
"We're going to be in trouble," Marshall said pensively to his friends. "We're bound to create a big commotion among the people in town. They'll also believe we're Gods. Vethussar first became alarmed by our clothes and when I used the greeting of the Springers—'Good Fortune Today,' which is considered by the islanders to be a greeting among Gods—he was quite certain of our identity. Of course, we won't have to repeat the imprudent greeting but our uniforms will make us suspect. I suggest we send Vethussar first alone into town to pick up some other clothes for us. Any objections?"
They shook their heads. Marshall turned to Vethussar and explained his request. "Unfortunately," he admitted at the end, "we don't have any money to give you. But perhaps there's something else you'd like to have?"
Vethussar had a strong sense of honor. Marshall had trouble convincing him that his offer of payment wasn't meant to be an insult. "Where I come from," Marshall pointed out, "it's the custom to pay for such services."
Feeling already half-reconciled, Vethussar relented. "It's the same with us but not among friends," he agreed.
Marshall could read in his mind that he was sincere. Vethussar was touched by the frankness with which they had treated him. From now on he was the most trustworthy ally Marshall and his three companions had on Goszul's Planet. About a mile from the earthen wall which surrounded the city on land, Vethussar left his wagon behind with his new-found friends and promised to be back with appropriate clothes before nightfall.
• • •
Szoltan, the pilot of the auxiliary ship, who had conducted the weird search during the past hour, made his report to the assembly of the patriarchs—rather to what was left of it after the ambush.
"The search has brought no results. Several impulses were received but the source of origin changed so erratically that the pursuit turned out to be a major problem. Eventually the impulses shifted to the ocean and the last one we registered came from a depth of 10,000 feet."
This meager result was all Szoltan had to report and he was certain that he would receive no praise for his performance from the patriarchs. He was afraid they might transfer him. However Szoltan's fears proved to be wrong. He got a prompt reply from the patriarchs.
"Turn over your ship to your second-in-command and proceed to Saluntad, the capital of the island. Before you enter the city, however, you'll have to contact our agent a-G-25 who'll provide clothes for you such as are worn locally so you won't draw undue attention. Use extreme caution as a-G-25 is the only man we have in Saluntad. The inhabitants are Goszuls who are still backward. We presume that the fugitive crew members of theLEV XIV are headed for the city after they somehow got rid of the equipment that gave their presence away by throwing it in the ocean. Agent a-G-25 will assist you. He is very influential in the city."
Szoltan breathed free again. He had expected much worse. He took off in his ship and landed in the vicinity of the city. His co-pilot took over the controls and before leaving he sent out a radio signal to a-G-25. The agent answered the call and was told where to find Szoltan and to bring him some plain and inconspicuous clothes. Then the ship lifted off and moved in a northerly direction rapidly gaining altitude. Szoltan waited patiently for the sun to set in one or two hours and hoped that a-G-25 would not keep him waiting too long.
• • •
The garment Vethussar brought looked just like his own: a rough shirt held around the waist by a rope and baggy trousers tied around the ankles, a pair of sandals and a cloak without sleeves. Apart from the simple pattern, the garments didn't seem to be those of a poor man. The conclusion drawn by Marshall was that Vethussar was no pauper.
Vethussar was pleased to hear his new friends express their thanks. With a smile he announced: "I've brought you something else!" He pulled a small tin can from the deep pocket of his cloak and held it up. "Vetro!" he said cryptically.
Marshall hastily tried to discover what the stuff was. But Vethussar was so intent on watching his friends' reaction that his thoughts didn't betray his secret.
"It's incredible," Marshall exclaimed feigning joyful surprise. "Give it to me, my friend!"
Vethussar handed him the little tin can. Marshall opened it and saw that it contained an ointment of reddish color.
"It's especially for you," Vethussar beamed. "The others would probably attract no attention."
At the same moment Marshall was able to read in Vethussar's thoughts why he had brought the cream. Vetro was a preparation for darkening the skin to give it the reddish color of the planet's natives. To judge from Vethussar's thoughts, the little can must have been worth a small fortune. Marshall thanked Vethussar and let him rub the cream on the permanently or temporarily exposed portions of his skin. To be on the safe side, Yokida, Kakuta and Ishibashi got the same treatment.
By the time they were ready, the sun had already set. Darkness fell quickly upon the land. They climbed back on Vethussar's wagon and a few minutes later passed through a breach in the earthen wall which could be considered to be the western gate to the city of Saluntad. It was the only place where they could hope to find some means of traveling back north across the ocean.
If this proved to be impossible, they'd have to place their hope for leaving the island again in Tako's special talents.
• • •
Pucky distinguished himself from humans in one essential respect: he didn't have the ability to be bored. His race had an inborn urge to play. It was not playing as such they enjoyed most of all but the delight of tricking an unwilling partner in their games.
In the beginning Pucky had almost made a shambles out of the Stardust and its hapless crew since his inherent sense of play knew no limits. Such rules as there were had to be taught later and now Pucky knew what games he could afford to play as, for instance, in the present circumstances.
Five of the remaining 10 days had elapsed. The FRER LXXII was going back to Goszul's Planet at 98% the speed of light. One day Pucky telekinetically transported into his little chamber one of the men who had come within 15 feet of the wall and relished to his heart's content the puzzled face of the poor trapped fellow. Then he made him forget, via his hypnotic influence, the weird sight by which he had been frightened and he began to sound him out for information about conditions on Goszul's Planet.
Thus he combined business and pleasure. He collected information on the world where his mission was taking him and had some more fun listening in on the arguments between the evicted man and his fellow crew members who wanted to know where he had been so long while he steadfastly claimed he had never left his place. The general hypnotic prohibition preventing them from looking into his chamber remained unaffected by his little game.
• • •
Vethussar's prominent statu
s in the city became apparent when he showed his friends his home. By the light of crackling torches on the way to Vethussar's domicile they were amazed to see the house fronts in Saluntad which resembled so much the buildings erected in the western half of the Earth at the beginning of the 17th century. Vethussar's residence was an exception. It was actually much more than a house. It was a veritable palace!
It stretched more than 150 feet along a narrow street and its exterior was a horrid example of bad taste. But Marshall felt Vethussar's unrestrained pride and he professed to be greatly impressed. Vethussar led his guests through the portal and once inside it became clear how rich Vethussar really was. The interior of the large building was lavishly decorated and its ornaments were far less gaudy than the outside.
Vethussar was delighted by the sincere compliments paid by his invited guests. He insisted that Marshall and his companions stay with him as long as they could, all the more because they lacked money. Marshall finally accepted for himself and the others.
Vethussar showed each one into a room. They had trouble convincing their host that there was no need to have a personal servant for each of them but they were unable to talk him out of assigning a servant to the four of them together. "I've never had such highly eminent guests as you," Vethussar said with cheerful eyes, "and you shall be treated as the notable personages you are."
His friendliness would have seemed exaggerated to Marshall except for the fact that he could read in the back of his host's mind that Vethussar expected some benefits from his hospitality, arising from the extraordinary talents of his guests.
• • •
"O.K., let's get together on where to go from here," Marshall proposed the next morning. "Who's got an idea?"
Tako Kakuta had already been at the harbor before the city had gone to sleep. "I've looked at the ships," he said, "and talked to a few people. The ships look as seaworthy as can be but they take four weeks to sail 3000 miles when the winds are normal. If it comes to the worst we could travel by ship. However none of the captains will agree to embark on a journey to the north where the Land of the Gods is situated, which instils the greatest fear in them. Kitai would have to exert his influence on the captain and the most important officers—perhaps even on the whole crew to prevent a mutiny."
Marshall agreed. "The distance from here to the shore of the northern continent is about 2500 miles. If we figure that we make good time, the voyage should take a little more than three weeks, which would suit our purpose. We've got to keep in mind that only on the northern continent can we find a possibility of leaving this planet and returning to Rhodan. We must capture a spaceship from the Springers. On the other hand it will be better for us if a few weeks go by between our caper at the Great Conclave of the patriarchs and our next action.
Marshall rose. "I'll talk with Vethussar at the next opportunity," he concluded. "As far as I can tell, Vethussar derives his prosperity from a far-flung trade across the seas. The chances are that he owns a few ships and can make some favorable arrangements for us."
Vethussar entered a few minutes later, his face looking rather annoyed. Marshall understood that he was upset about some visitor. "I'm very sorry," Vethussar began after saying Good Morning, "but Honbled has found out that I have guests in my home and now he came over to offer you the blessing of the Gods."
"Who is Honbled?" Marshall asked, since Vethussar could think only of his dismay.
"Honbled is the highest priest in town," the old man replied. "In my opinion he is also the greatest fool but I can't tell him that because he enjoys enormous prestige around here since almost everybody believes in his Gods."
Marshall laughed. "Why don't you let him come in?" he suggested. "I don't mind his blessings."
Vethussar sighed in relief. "Fine, then I'll bring him in." They waited a few minutes and their host returned with a man who was so fat he could hardly squeeze through the door. His skin was pale and his beard very sparse. The man could not be much more than 30 years, measured by Terranian standards.
"This is Honbled," Vethussar announced curtly and unfriendly. Honbled didn't let it disturb him. He raised his left hand and put it gently on Marshall's forehead. "May the Gods bless you, my son!"
Then he repeated the same procedure with Tama Yokida, Tako Kakuta and finally with Kitai Ishibashi. After that he awkwardly sat down on an easychair amidst much groaning. "I've heard you came from afar," he began the conversation without beating about the bush.
"Yes," Marshall answered curtly and began to probe the thoughts of the priest.
"May I ask from where?" Honbled inquired.
Marshall took a stab in the dark and replied: "From the mountains." He didn't know enough about the topography of the island to be aware whether mountains existed or not. He could tell, however, how amused Vethussar was by his prevarication. But what of Honbled himself?
"From the mountains?" the priest wondered. "Do you belong to that hardy tribe of mountain people who brave wind and weather and live in total abstinence to the joy of the Gods?"
Marshall became more and more puzzled. Tako Kakuta seemed to sense his confusion and gave the reply in his stead.
"Well, we don't practice quite as much moderation as you people down here seem to think," he stated boldly. "We do alright. We celebrate our holidays and our women have the reputation of being the most beautiful in the country."
Honbled looked disappointed. "It will grieve the Gods to hear this," he said, as if his feelings were insulted. "The Gods love it if their creatures live with temperance. They punish those who revel in debauchery."
The Japanese seemed to enjoy the conversation. "I didn't say we're debauched," he countered. "I only wanted to correct the impression that we're a sanctimonious bunch of narrow-minded fanatics who despise the good life."
Vethussar was utterly delighted. "And we get married," Kitai contributed with a serious face. "And sometimes we take a snort," Tama Yokida chimed in.
Honbled got up indignantly. "I can see that you still suffer from the rigors of your long trip." He tried to save face in the embarrassing situation. "If the Gods are willing, I'll come back to visit you tomorrow to learn more about the people in the mountains." He waved with his left hand and left the room. Vethussar followed him, grinning from ear to ear.
Marshall jumped up as soon as the door closed behind the two. "He must have a block!" he panted. "I can't make out his thoughts."
Tama Yokida shook his head. "No, he doesn't have a block," he asserted calmly.
Marshall looked at him perplexed. He knew that Yokida had beside his telekinetic gift also the ability to perceive the outlines of invisible objects no matter how small they might be. Therefore he would have been able to recognize any mechanical device in the brain of the priest.
"What is it then that he's got?" Marshall bellowed.
"He's got nothing at all," Yokida smiled. "But he's something—he's a robot."
3/ THE MEN FROM LEV XIV
Agent a-G-25 returned much sooner than expected. Szoltan saw him walking down the street from the second floor of the building where the agent lived. Szoltan smirked as he watched the subservience with which the passers-by greeted Honbled at the same time and admired the ingenuity of the scientists who had constructed such a humanoid being.
The corpulent figure entered the house through a narrow door leading over a few low steps to the street. A few minutes later he appeared before Szoltan, panting like a real human being. He pulled a handkerchief out of his soiled priestly habit and wiped his brow. "It's them!" he exclaimed. "Without the slightest doubt."
"You mean the men from the LEV XIV?"
a-G-25 stretched out his hands in a gesture of uncertainty. "How should I know?" he asked. "I couldn't question them about it, could I?"
Szoltan became angry. "Then how do you know they're the ones we're after?"
"Because there are no telepaths among the islanders," Honbled replied. "But one of those four definitely was a telepath. I could fee
l how he tried to reach my brain."
Szoltan smiled a little derisively. Honbled's brain was spread out over his whole body. It was a hodgepodge of fast and slow switch elements, databanks, printed circuits and control taps for electronic measurements.
Szoltan was far from satisfied. "What did they tell you?"
Honbled related the conversation and added angrily: "And they poked fun at me."
Szoltan threw up his arms. "What if they happen to be right? If they're really mountain tribesmen and have telepaths in their midst?"
Honbled was still sweating profusely. "There could be telepaths among the people in the mountains," he admitted and concluded after a pause calculated for effect, "but there are no mountains on the entire island!"
• • •
"Is he an agent of the Springers?" Marshall asked tersely.
The others knew as much or as little about it as Marshall and it was therefore a rhetorical question. Nevertheless there could hardly be anything but an affirmative answer. Nobody on this world except the Springers were able to build a robot. And if there was such a technical marvel in Saluntad, it must have been a Springer robot.
Granted this surmise to be correct it was also a fair guess that Honbled had visited them solely for the purpose of finding out whether they were indeed the fugitives on the loose.
"This will affect our plans," Marshall declared. "If the Springers know that we're in this city, they'll also watch the harbor and soon learn when we take a ship. Once we're at sea it'll be an easy matter for them to lay their hands on us."
"H'm," interjected Yokida. "We could unmask that priest. All we'd have to do is to slit his belly in public for everyone to see what kind of tin soul they revered as a priest."
