by Perry Rhodan
Clifford Monterny, the Supermutant, formerly master of thirteen mutants who threatened under his command to break Perry Rhodan's power until they were defeated and liberated by the man they attacked. Clifford Monterny, the greatest enemy of Terra and the most dangerous man in the solar system, was holed up below the surface of Mars and waiting for his chance.
He was still in possession of two of the three stolen interceptors. It was much too little to conduct a war against the Earth. He needed more ships and more men. Once they came under the spell of his powerful hypnotic will, they were bound to obey his orders blindly. Naturally it was a difficult feat to influence unknown persons over great distances but he knew from experience that it was not impossible. This was the purpose of the observation screen in his hide-out. The image of a face on the videoscreen was sufficient to recognize the brain-wave pattern of the person and that was all he needed to take over his mind.
A change became noticeable on the screen. The colors became blurred and rearranged themselves. The glittering of the stars was extinguished by the shadow of a gigantic metallic sphere. For a moment it looked as if a round hole had appeared in the universe. Soon the picture was finely focused and it reflected Good Hope VII in its full size.
The Supermutant adjusted the picture again. Now it showed only a section of the vessel but there wasn't much he could do with that either. It was necessary to see a face in order to insure a hundred percent success. A partial success was liable to backfire. If the crew of the big ship became aware too soon of his mental intrusion and put on their insulation helmets, he would be rendered ineffective and forced to destroy the spaceship which he needed so badly to put his plans into action.
The commander of the main battleship should be led to assume that the Supermutant had no other desire than to demolish his ship. In order to create this diversionary delusion it was indispensable that he destroyed some of the accompanying interceptors.
Once again the Supermutant changed the picture. The formation of the nine interceptors replaced the spacesphere.
The Supermutant watched them though narrow eyes. His lips were distorted in a malicious grin. If those poor devils only know how helpless they were against him in their little ships, they would turn tail and scramble away with the speed of light anywhere at all. Alas, they didn't know. Nobody knew about the dreadful weapon he could wield!
He congratulated himself on his foresight that he established his base on Mars even before he declared war on Rhodan and he was particularly proud to have brought Ivan Goratschin to Mars, his mightiest and most awesome weapon against which no defense existed!
He looked at the control scale underneath the videoscreen. The hostile fleet was still 12,000 miles away. Since its velocity was steadily decreasing it would take another ten minutes to reach the Martian atmosphere, time enough to make the necessary preparations.
Clifford Monterny, the human monster, wondered for a few seconds whether the other pilots knew about the annihilation of the interceptor or whether it was just a pure accident that they approached his secret refuge.
He threw a last glance at the observation screen before he lifted his corpulent body out of the chair and went to the door. He locked it carefully after leaving the room and walked with short quick steps down the long hallway lined on both sides with more doors.
Finally he stopped and touched a magnetic lock, making a metallic panel slide back into the rock. Through the opening he stepped into the room behind.
The room was almost empty of furniture except for the barest necessities. A bed stood in the corner opposite the door.
And somebody was sitting on that bed...
The horrible sight was enough to make one's blood freeze in its veins but the Supermutant merely smiled and said: "Get up and come with me, Ivan. I've got work for you."
Obediently the monster rose and followed his lord and master.
• • •
Good Hope VII descended approximately to the altitude of Phobos and went into orbit around Mars. The nine interceptors followed without special orders.
Major Deringhouse realized that from now on restricted radio communication had become indispensable. He called the radio officer on the intercom.
"Cadet Renner, call the interceptors and switch through to me."
"Very well, sir. Which magnitude?"
"The lowest. The radio waves mustn't be allowed to penetrate to the surface of Mars."
In less than a minute Deringhouse gave his instructions to the commanders of the interceptors. He assigned their positions and ordered them to remain in sight of each other and to conduct the sweep of the terrain together. In case anyone found the slightest due, he was directed to notify all participants. Under no condition was anybody permitted to take off on his own. It was forbidden to use optical instruments for the time being.
Visual contact was a necessity for a concerted operation due to the extremely weak wave signals.
body had the slightest inkling of the real outcome of Z-VII-3's patrol flight but they had no desire to share its uncertain fate.
Z-VII-7 with Captain Berner in charge veered to the side and took its designated position. The other members of the squadron also fanned out to their respective places.
Berner left the steering to his co-pilot and concentrated on observation. He kept in constant touch with Deringhouse through his radioman.
Now the mothership departed from its circular path and commenced to get closer to the land. The interceptors did likewise and the widely staggered formation enable a thorough scrutiny of the landscape.
Captain Berner stared at the reddish plain and was prepared to swear that there was no place for the Supermutant to hide down there. Perhaps he could hole up in the mountains but never in the loose sand of the desert. Previous explorations had determined that the strata of sand reached down more than 150 feet. It was hard to imagine that anyone would bury himself down there.
"Change course to the foothills in the west," the command came from the spacesphere. "Go down low enough to use your telescopes. Report any sign of excavations."
Berner strictly conformed with the instructions. Z-VII-2 was flying next to him and Z-VII-5 was farther beyond. Z-VII-4 was about to enter the thin upper atmosphere in front of him.
They were nearing the hills. The little fleet moved at low altitude across the flat slopes, hugged the crests of the mountains and crossed the shallow valleys. They hovered for a little while over one of the basins and then continued their flight.
The hills flattened out and gradually merged into the desert. Far at the horizon another mountain came into view. Berner knew from earlier trips that this was the biggest on Mars although not the highest. The terrain gave the impression of a virtually uniform continent rising like a vast island from the ocean of the flat deserts.
What Berner couldn't know was the fact that the Supermutant considered this mountain as his private property and that he was lying in wait for the incoming fleet not very far below the cover of the bed of rocks.
Captain Berner recognized behind the first peaks the expansive plain of the mesa that he had frequently flown over before. Never had he noticed anything suspicious and he was convinced that today's search would also prove to be fruitless.
They passed a little side valley. The sparse scrubs gave way to predominately bare rocks. Still no hint of anything out of the ordinary.
Suddenly Berner closed his blinded eyes. Exactly in front of him, where the Z-VII-4 had been, a sun flamed up and dissolved the interceptor with atomic heat. Liquid metal dripped from the ball of fire and rained on the plateau. The glowing drops were trailed by plumes of smoke.
When the brilliant light faded and Berner was able to open his eyes again, there was nothing left of the Z-VII-4. In its place hovered an oddly shaped cloud that slowly drifted away in the wind.
It all had happened so fast that Berner and his co-pilot had no time to react. They kept going through to the gaseous remnants of the interceptor, tear
ing the cloud apart.
At the same moment a new light flared up on their left. This time Z-VII-2 fell victim to the insidious attack that struck without warning. Seconds later the Z-VII-5 also. disintegrated under the assault of the invisible attacker.
At last they had caught up with the long sought adversary. However Major Deringhouse radioed instantly: "All interceptors back to the hangar!"
The manoeuvre was performed with incredible speed but Z-VII-10 exploded a few feet from the safety of the hatch and the hot wave of the atomic annihilation wafted with searing heat into the hangar of Good Hope VII .
Five of the little fighters were finally secure again. But they did not realize that the safety was strictly illusory. This was exactly what the Supermutant wanted.
Major Deringhouse committed a fatal blunder by disregarding the immediate protective application of the absorber helmets. The sudden attack on his interceptor and their inexplicable destruction, the obviously dangerously close proximity of the belligerent enemy seemed to impair his proverbial rational astuteness.
He decided to retreat.
But at the same time he made his second mistake.
The reason was understandable. He was certain that nothing could be done for the men in the demolished interceptors. Yet before he saved the Guppy and brought reinforcements from Terra he was anxious to obtain positive evidence of the whereabouts of the Supermutant. Despite the obvious fact that the Good Hope had been detected, nobody could seriously believe that the Supermutant was in a position to assail or damage this gigantic battleship too. The spacesphere was already shrouded in the impenetrable screen of energy.
Was it truly impenetrable?
Perhaps for all kinds of matter, even if it was shot in the form of lethal energy rays, but not for the hypnotic mental currents of the Supermutant.
Major Deringhouse committed his second error by delaying his retreat and using the optical sensor. He was determined to see the Supermutant with his own eyes as valid proof of his presence.
Motivated by the same reason he not only turned on the optical sensor but also the video transceiver.
This was the moment the Supermutant had waited for. Returning to his control room he found not only the Good Hope on the picture screen but he was able to stare into the face of Deringhouse.
Two seconds later the Major lost his identity. He became a tool of the uncanny freak whose hypnotic powers took possession of his will, making his body a willing instrument of his master. Major Deringhouse did not even sense the change himself, much less the people around him. He switched off the optical sensor and looked at the Commanders of the remaining interceptors as they entered the Command Center. Lieutenant Hill and his five comrades saluted and waited for further instructions. These turned out to be quite different from what Hill had expected.
"We'll land on the plateau below," Deringhouse said without hesitation. "The refuge of the Supermutant must be somewhere around here. We can't return to Earth without results."
Hill was unable to mask his confusion. "But we've just lost four of our interceptors! We'll be in dreadful jeopardy!"
"Since when are we afraid of taking risks?" Deringhouse asked reproachfully. "Our responsibility far outweighs all dangers."
"The least we should know is the type of weapon with which our ships were attacked. Don't forget that we were protected by our defense screens."
Deringhouse nodded gravely. "I didn't forget it. We can't rest until we've ascertained what new weapon the Supermutant is now using. Therefore I order you to prepare for the landing. Inform the crew of the Good Hope. One more thing, we'll touch down and debark from the ship carrying only our breathing equipment, no weapons."
"No weapons!" Lieutenant Hill exclaimed in astonishment. "You want to brave the Supermutant unarmed? I don't understand you."
"It's really very simple, Lieutenant. We know that the Supermutant wields a new weapon against which even our energy shields are useless. We even have to admit the possibility that he can obliterate the Good Hope if he cares to do so. He chose to spare us and our last five interceptors. Why?"
Lieutenant Hill shrugged his shoulders.
Major Deringhouse permitted himself an condescending smile. "Because he wants to show us that he is willing to negotiate with us provided we acknowledge his superiority. Well, let's formally admit that he holds the upper hand and meet him without arms. What do we have to lose under the circumstances? Nothing, Lieutenant Hill, but we've a great deal to gain under certain conditions."
The Lieutenant had to grant that his commanding Major had some logic on his side for his opinions although they offered him no assurance whatsoever. Hill was no coward but he didn't like fighting against unknown and invisible opponents. If there was no other way he preferred to be armed to the teeth on such an occasion.
"As you say, sir," he said finally after looking at the puzzled faces of his comrades who couldn't come up with a better answer. "I'll pass your orders on to the crew and give them a briefing. Aren't you going to advise Terra of your decision?"
Major Deringhouse quickly shook his head, maybe a little too quickly. But then, who would notice it? "That would be a mistake, possibly a disastrous mistake. The Supermutant must be lulled into thinking that no risks are involved. If he overhears our radio message he'll find out that we plan to dupe him and that it is merely a pretext if we agree to his conditions. You must leave now, Lieutenant. We've got no time to lose."
Forty men followed Deringhouse's orders with mixed feelings. They knew their commander as an audacious yet cautious man who was loath to taking unnecessary chances. This time however he seemed to underestimate the perils. The Supermutant was also a telepath and was able to read their thoughts. He would learn that they came totally disarmed despite the fact that they were enemies. How would this change the situation? Most likely not at all.
Good Hope VII slowly descended toward the plateau, passed over it at low altitude and finally touched down near a rocky outcropping that rose like a sugar-loaf from the stony plain. Major Deringhouse shifted all controls to the standstill position, stared a few seconds with a vacant expression at the dimmed observation screens and switched on the intercom. Everyone on board listened to what he had to say.
"I'm going to leave the ship with ten men to meet the Supermutant. Five of the Guppy's officers and the five commanders of the interceptors will accompany me. Smith will take over command of the Good Hope during my absence. No radio communication with Terra will be permitted and incoming calls may not be answered. Is that clear?"
From the radio room came a confirmation that sounded very baffled. None of the other departments professed much enthusiasm. The feeling of surrendering helplessly to a sworn enemy was deeply resented. Somehow it was not compatible with Deringhouse's personality.
Ten minutes later the exit hatch opened and Deringhouse was the first one to step on the ground of the red planet followed by the ten officers. All wore light protective suits and the necessary breathing masks. None of them carried arms.
"There," said Deringhouse pointing to the rocky cone, "is the entrance to the hiding place of the Supermutant." Without waiting for an answer he started to walk.
Lieutenant Hill stood still and rubbed his eyes. "How do you know, sir, that this is the secret place we've been trying to find for weeks? I think you owe us an explanation."
The pressure on his brain increased. He saw that Berner touched his head too and mumbled something incomprehensible. The breathing mask made understanding impossible. He was seized by a horrible suspicion but before he could utter a warning cry it was already too late.
Suddenly he became very calm.
With a steadfast stride he followed behind Deringhouse, who paid no attention to his men but did what the Supermutant ordered him to do. Him and his ten officers!
2/ THE ULTIMATE WEAPON
Much had happened on Terra during the past few weeks.
Perry Rhodan had tackled the task of creating a world gove
rnment with all available means. He commanded enough power to establish it since die inexhaustible resources of the Arkonides were at his disposal. The humanoids he had rescued on the Moon had refrained in the last months from repeating their continual demands, well-known to Rhodan, for the return to their home. The planet Arkon was 34,000 light-years away from Earth, a distance that could easily be covered by the starship Stardust II. However Rhodan had urgent reasons to postpone the homeward journey for Khrest and Thora time and time again. He was unalterably opposed to the discovery of the Earth's existence by Arkon for fear that the empire was bent on incorporating Terra. Only after Terra was united and strong would the way be paved for opening relations.
He was unable to delay the inevitable contact much longer unless he completely alienated the two Arkonides whom he owed so much. This was the main reason behind his strenuous efforts to install the united world government as soon as possible.
Extraordinary diplomatic activities took place in Terrania to achieve this purpose. After the initial consultations with the presidents of the international power blocs their representatives were conferring in the capital of the New Power, as Rhodan's state in the former Gobi Desert was called. Terrania was the most modern city on the globe. It had a population of one and a half million inhabitants, a farflung spaceport and an army of 10,000 soldiers as well as robot fighters of Arkonide and Terranian construction.
Its central installations were permanently covered by a tremendous energy dome which had already withstood atomic attacks.
Perry Rhodan took an elevator up to the top floor of the Security Ministry where Reginald Bell, Chief of the Ministry, conducted a debate among the representatives of the three major world powers.
Rhodan entered without announcement, gave a friendly greeting to Bell and the other delegates and took a chair. He had no intention of intervening in the debate but he wanted to take a first hand look at the progress of the negotiations.
