by Perry Rhodan
"That is not our intention at all," replied Auris. "It's quite sufficient for us to know that it's there when we need it. The energy screen should not place any burden on our relations, Perry Rhodan."
He breathed a secret sigh of relief because this assurance struck one serious problem off of his list. If the screen were to have been a permanent fixture it would have endangered his plans. "By no means, Auris," he agreed. "Even among friends, certain security measures are customary. May I ask what the Ruling Council's reaction is concerning my proposal to expand the free-trade zone?"
Auris indicated her two companions. "I have brought the experts with me. They have no objections to negotiating the matter. Of course in that regard I wish to point out that the transmitter screen must remain-in fact it would have to be extended proportionately."
"That's not objectionable. I regard your barrier fence as a hindrance to any possible smugglers or thieves. Hopefully you have the same idea about it."
"Precisely," she smiled.
The ensuing discussions revolved around the proposed extension and ended in a written agreement which was signed by Rhodan, Auris and the two council members. Rhodan was satisfied with the meeting but could not suppress a certain feeling of bad conscience. The Akons had dealt with him in the greatest frankness and candor and were in complete agreement with his proposals. He on the other hand was planning outright treachery and betrayal; he was out to take their spacefleet from them. Was this the right thing to be doing? Could he be over-reacting in his fears that the Akons might attack the Earth as they had done several times in the past?
Of course he had not known Auris as well then as he did today but he must not make the mistake of considering Auris to be Akon. She only represented the Ruling Council and was subject to their instructions. Even if those instructions should be aimed against him, Rhodan, she would still carry them out because the welfare of her people took precedence.
All of which failed to salve his conscience.
As the delegation prepared to leave, Rhodan promised to attend a Council session the next day and personally give an address in which he would make certain proposals for the expansion of trade and commercial relations. The two Akon officers had already boarded their commuter craft and Rhodan and Auris were still standing on the landing pad.
She gave him her hand once more. "In the future," she said with a slight fluctuation in her voice, "our relations should become better and more secure. It often seems to me that the Akons have more in common with your race than with our colonists the Arkonides. In any case there are stronger ties between Akon and Terra than between Arkon and Terra-from a general standpoint, that is."
"The Imperator of Arkon and I are friends-and that's also binding," retorted Rhodan, well aware of the inference involved. "But of course in a general sense I'll admit you're right. The Akons are more active and mentally healthier than the majority of Arkonides, who are in what you might call a decadent state-and the same is true of their mighty empire. Your people, Auris, have never had the lust for power that creates such stellar empires-that places you high in my esteem. The thirst for conquest is alien to nobler dispositions."
It was only then that she finally withdrew her hand from his. She nodded. "Whether you think of us as good or bad, Perry Rhodan, always try to differentiate between me as a representative of my people and me as-" When she hesitated, Rhodan smiled at her reassuringly. "Yes, and me as a woman," she concluded boldly.
Rhodan did not avoid her questioning gaze as he answered: "Personal friendships between the representatives of alien peoples help to improve the relations, Auris. If it were not for Atlan, Arkon would be a matter of indifference to me, believe me. It would be a good thing if Akon took a better liking to me, through you-and Terra to you, through me."
She gazed at him for some time and then nodded. "Thank you; Perry Rhodan. We shall see each other tomorrow."
She turned abruptly and climbed into the glider. She waved at him one more time before the entrance hatch closed. Rhodan watched the craft slowly ascend and fly away toward the city. A storm of emotions arose within him and threatened to turn to chaos. But then he marched back to the house in firm resolution.
When it came to the future of humanity he must not be governed by his personal feelings. Once before he had strayed into perilous waters by falling in love with a woman of another world and race. Was this same thing to happen again?
• • •
It wasn't until two days later that the urgently awaited freighter arrived. It received the routine permission to land after its skipper had declared his cargo to Akon authorities. Naturally he made no mention of the micro-link circuits that were packed in one of the crates.
To Jakobowski's great surprise he got to see an old acquaintance of his twice in one week-namely, the same man who had picked up and delivered his letter to Rhodan. Space captain Samuel Graybound, co-owner of a private trading company, had received from Rhodan, the delicate assignment to bring the micro-modules to Akon-a welcome opportunity for the old swashbuckler to put his know-how and the capabilities of his old tramp ship to the test.
Graybound was somewhat short and stocky and had the makings of a considerable 'bay window'" in spite of his 53 years. As he walked straight across the landing field there was some colorful object on his shoulder which under closer scrutiny turned out to be a parrot. It seemed to be nibbling away happily at its master's red beard as if searching for something. Now and then it would screech and flutter its wings. Graybound's somewhat bulbous nose sat between a pair of heavy cheek pouches and appeared to have a bluish red glow of its own.
Pucky stared first at the parrot and then at Graybound. "Did you have to go this route?" he asked of Rhodan in an undertone. "Of all people, did it have to be that old smuggler with his yakking buzzard?"
Rhodan observed the approach of the freighter captain with a faint smile on his lips. He also replied in an undertone. "There was no one more suitable for the job. Don't forget that Graybound once saved our lives when we crashed on that planet of protoplasm. He may be an odd-ball but he's an honest old coot-and that's what counts, Pucky."
The mouse-beaver held his tongue, somewhat embarrassed, but after all he hadn't meant any harm. One thing he did know, however, was that if he didn't watch out he'd get a peck on the tail from Torero, the parrot, at its first opportunity.
Graybound beamed good-naturedly as he came to a stop in front of Rhodan and touched the peak of his spaceman's cap in a very unmilitary salute. "Freight delivered to Akon as ordered, sir," he announced in a hoarse tone of voice, and he winked confidentially at Pucky. "You want me to get the unloading started?"
Rhodan shook his hand. "Thanks, Graybound. You'll never know how anxiously we've been waiting for you."
"For me-or the cargo?" inquired Graybound, and he winked again. He turned to Pucky. "Still keeping on your toes, little one? Haven't seen you around for quite awhile."
"Glad to see you, too," Pucky managed to dredge up while he glanced furtively at Torero. He seemed to have a tremendous respect for the creature. "How's your bird getting along?"
"Torero?" Graybound laughed heartily. "He's getting smarter all the time! Yesterday he even wanted to correct the course of my ship after the nav-computer had finished calculating it. What can I tell you-you know, the parrot was right?"
Rhodan stared away gravely as though at a loss for something to do. Somebody laughed. Pucky was flabbergasted for a moment when he read in Graybound's thoughts that he was being made the butt of a joke.
"Wise guy!" he protested in a shrill voice, and he waddled away without bothering any more about the reception. He even ignored the appropriate comment of Torero, which was typical of the bird in moments like this. He had to get away for his peace of mind. There would be opportunity enough later to plug that fresh buzzard's little beak.
Within another half-hour the cargo crates were stacking up high alongside the Lizard. The first transport carriers of the Akons arrived to pick up
the shipments. Only a large packing case labeled 'provisions' had disappeared beforehand. It was now in the basement of the house where Rhodan had established his living quarters.
When the secret crate's lid was opened, Capt. Graybound was present with the parrot perched on his left shoulder. Lieutenant Groder was removing the protective layer of padding. The shiny new microcircuit elements lay in straight, neat rows encased in padded containers. Each of them was no longer than a finger. These harmless-looking micro-modules were the key to whether or not Akon would still be in possession of its spacefleet for very long.
Graybound pointed to the capsules. "What the devil did I smuggle in now?" he asked. "They look like..." He hesitated. "Well, like charge clips for energy pistols."
"You're way off, old friend. If I were you I wouldn't concern myself about these gadgets," Rhodan advised him. "You'd never guess what they're for. Why worry about it? You brought them here and you've earned yourself a nice piece of change in the process. In fact the money is the one thing you haven't asked about."
Graybound mumbled something into his red beard, scratched his head and finally nodded. "I get the point, sir. Do you have any further orders for me?"
"Yes, you will take off as soon as you have taken your return freight on board. In Terrania report to the Interstellar Trade Exchange and give them a copy of the new treaty I've made with Akon. Mr. Marshall will give it to you before you leave. In Terrania you will receive a new assignment. That's about all I can think of for the moment."
Graybound shook hands with Rhodan, waved affably to the other men. He turned to leave the room, which he had only happened into while looking for Rhodan. But before he reached the door, Torero gave out a screech and fluttered off of his shoulder. With outspread wings he sailed over to the crate and grasped one of the priceless micro-mods in his claws. With another shrill cry and much flapping, he went past Graybound into the corridor which led to freedom through a wide-open door.
"He has a circuit element!" shouted Lt. Groder, who was visibly shaken and momentarily confused. "After him!"
Rhodan followed Groder as both men ran past Graybound. Ras Tschubai simply teleported outside and was ahead of the two men out on the field when they got there. They looked around for the parrot in vain. If the bird had flown away with the capsule and happened to fall into the hands of the Akons, the whole plan would be revealed.
Graybound panted up the cellar stairs and finally reached Rhodan, all out of breath. "I'm sorry, sir," he wheezed, embarrassed. "Usually Torero always behaves and never causes any trouble. I don't know, myself, what's gotten into him."
Rhodan made no reply. He had caught a movement on the flat roof of the house. Taking a few steps back he espied Torero, who had let go of the capsule and was playing with it. Almost at the same time Pucky came out of the house and looked somewhat indifferently at the excited men. "What's up?" he inquired almost in a tone of boredom.
"Don't ask silly questions," snapped Rhodan. "You know what's up-and it's there on the roof, Pucky. Go catch that parrot!"
Pucky gasped. "Catch him? You mean-I'm not only supposed to go after him but I may actually-?"
"Yes! Yes! But be careful so that you won't have to chase after him again. Of course if he lets go of that micro-mod he can sail into the next galaxy as far as I'm concerned."
Pucky waddled forward another step and turned to look at Torero. Since the parrot knew nothing of the mouse-beaver’s marvelous abilities it apparently felt quite safe on the roof of the house. The bird was pushing the glistening capsule about with its claws as if not sure of what it should do with it. It paid no attention to its master's calls. When it became aware of Pucky's concentrated stare it screeched somewhat arrogantly: "Who wants something...?"
"I do!" growled Pucky, and he teleported.
While Torero was still flapping his wings and looking at the spot where Pucky had been standing, the mouse-beaver materialized within three inches of him. Pucky grasped him with both hands and Torero let out a series of scornful shrieks which ended in a discord.
"I'll teach you to steal eggs from strange nests!" muttered the mouse-beaver threateningly. He looked down below where the men were watching him expectantly. "Should I wring its neck, Perry? Of course I don't know how you'd like parrot cacciatore or maybe with just some ketchup but to me he'd be pretty tough and stringy." He picked up the circuit module and shoved it into the pocket of his uniform trousers. "Alright, you Technicolor woodpecker, what do you say now?"
Torero drooped his wings as though his life were forfeited. He blinked at Pucky with half-closed eyes and croaked: "It's a raid! Where's the bouncer? Let's merk!"
Graybound yelled up at Pucky: "He spent a few years in a spaceport dive so you have to excuse his language! Let him go little one! You've got back what he stole!"
"Should I?" Pucky looked at Perry and saw him nod.
Torero suddenly regained his dignity and acted as though he had gotten the upper hand of the situation. He sat a few moments on Pucky's arm and preened his feathers with his beak. Then he fluttered into the air with a nerve-shattering shriek and dove like an arrow toward Graybound's shoulder.
Pucky followed with a short teleport jump. He took the circuit module from his pocket and gave it to Rhodan, who studied the small device thoughtfully. He was thinking what a marvel this innocuous-looking little gadget was. It was capable of activating the total robot-controlled complex of a gigantic battleship. Yet a bird could fly away with it.
Graybound walked away and the others heard him having a serious talk with his parrot. Once the bird was heard to screech out quite clearly: "It's a raid! Let's scram!"
As Rhodan watched the space captain go he smiled understandingly. Torero meant to Graybound what Pucky meant to him.
• • •
The three teleporters and their special teammates prepared themselves for their mission. Sengu had briefed them again on the relative positions of the ships. Nothing more was necessary because the technicians knew exactly what they had to do. Each of them carried a work kit containing 50 of the microelements and they would consider it a good night's work if they could install them all.
Rhodan gave the final instructions. "Pucky, you and Lt. Jenner take on the heavy warships of the Imperium class first. Then the others will follow. Kakuta and Tschubai will worry about the heavy cruisers. There can be no duplication of effort because time is at a premium. If the Akons notice the micro-mods they've removed have suddenly been replaced, they'll get suspicious. We can't give them a chance for that, so you've got to complete the job in two or three nights. Here's wishing you lots of luck!"
The first teleport jump was made as a group. So that there would be no danger of striking the transmitter barrier their first target was a low mountaintop which rose above the wire in their direct line of sight. From that vantage point the fleet could be seen. The gleaming hulls were lined up side by side in the violet glare of the lowering sun. In their metallic splendor they seemed to radiate the tremendous power they represented.
"That was real fast," observed Dr. Ranault, who had just experienced his first teleport jump. He regarded his partner, Tako Kakuta, with great respect. "I had heard a lot about it but I never would have believed that it was-if you'll excuse the expression-so easy."
The Japanese smiled thoughtfully. "It looks easy, Doctor, but aside from the mutant faculty there's a lot of concentration involved. But even that you get used to. At first I used to miss my targets or I'd simply fail to jump. But today it's all routine."
"From here on," interrupted Pucky, "we'll work as separate teams. And nobody forget to come back to this hill first when you're through. It might be a little unpleasant to hit that transmitter field in the middle of a jump."
"Roger!" said Ras Tschubai. Without wasting words he took Dr. Sorowski by the hand, grinned at him encouragingly-and vanished before the eyes of the others. After Kakuta and Dr. Ranault had also jumped, Pucky concentrated on his destination, grasped Jenner's hand an
d teleported.
Once more the mountaintop was empty and deserted as though no one had ever set foot on its peak. But in that same moment the three teams rematerialized many kilometers away on the spaceport of Akon. The vastness of the area was greater than one might have imagined. Most of the security guards were patrolling the perimeter of the region. They were in contact with robot-controlled defense guns which would fire at any approaching aircraft or spaceship. The cordon of sentinels was so tight that it would have been next to impossible for anyone to get through on foot without being noticed. But for the teleporters, of course, the peripheral cordon was not an obstacle.
Pucky and Jenner materialized at almost a one-mile altitude on top of a battleship of the Imperium class. The view from the polar section was minimal although the raised polar domes of other similar ships all around them could be seen quite clearly. The blue sun had gone down and night fell swiftly.
Jenner checked his kit containing the microcircuits. "How do we get into the ship?"
Pucky looked about him. "The first step is always tricky. Later we can teleport from control room to control room or you might say from robot central to robot central. But first I have to kind of get my bearings. Stay close behind me, Jenner. If anything happens, grab my hand so that we can have contact. OK?"
Jenner nodded. They did not find any open hatches so they finally had to chance a teleport jump into the ship's interior. They encountered no one. Evidently no guards were posted here. They were able to reach the Control Central without hindrance and Jenner fell to work immediately on the robotic sections.
The activation circuits were all of the same design regardless of whether they were installed on the heaviest class battleship or the lightest cruiser. Basically it was easy to install the switching modules but it required the practiced hands of a specialist to snap them into the right slot and make sure that the contacts on either end were secured. Also it was important to provide that the sector remained inactive and would still appear to be disconnected. Upon reception of a certain command signal a tiny robot receiver circuit would transmit the necessary impulse through the connector module and the giant robotic installation would take over. Then it would be too late for any counter-commands.
