by Perry Rhodan
"Sammy Derring?" the unknown asked softly. "Just stay seated and don't move. Answer my questions without hesitation. At the slightest suspicious move on your part I'll shoot you. My name is Mercant."
Sammy was nonplussed. His face assumed an indescribably stupid grimace. His mouth gaped, and he stared clumsily into the dark barrel of the gun that Mercant was pointing at him.
"What do you want from me?" he managed to squeeze out.
"Why did you request the secret files to which only the Defense Minister has access?"
"Secret files? I did not request them. They were brought to me by Mr. Smith and Mr. Mantell. I am supposed to check them over. I wouldn't dream of requesting such secret documents. It is totally out of the question that I would do such a thing."
"So you say they were brought to you? And you definitely deny having requested them?"
"I know nothing at all about this whole affair. Anyhow everything seems to me like in a dream. Everything is so strange."
"Will you explain this a bit more in detail, Mr. Derring," urged Mercant, leaning forward with an expression of intense concentration. Smith stood next to him.
Sammy hesitated. The whole story seemed odd to him, and now he was supposed to tell it to his superiors. How would they accept such a fantastic tale?
"I was fishing," he began. And noticing the amazed look on Mercant's face he added swiftly, "I was fishing yesterday at my favorite spot at a little lake in the woods. Suddenly a strange sensation came over me. I felt as if I could leave my own body, and that's exactly what I did. A few seconds later I was in a big, dark cave. For a moment I thought I had seen Earth lying deep down below me. It was a crazy dream. Then I woke up, and I was sitting here in my office and Mr. Smith had just brought these documents to me. That is the truth, the whole truth, even if I can't explain it to myself. I don't know what went on in the interval."
"That happens once in a while," Mercant admitted politely. "But in your case it would be advisable to find out what you have done in the past twenty-four hours that seem to have slipped from your memory."
"Maybe my landlady could help you there. We could ask her."
"That's a good idea. We will follow that up." Mercant gave some instructions. Smith went out to the secretary's little office. Five minutes later he came back.
"Mr. Derring was home last night. He returned earlier than usual from his fishing trip, without bringing any fish to his landlady. That's the first time that ever happened, according to Mrs. Wabble, his landlady. Mr. Derring seemed not his usual self, very odd, and went straight to bed.
This morning she could not detect anything out of the ordinary in her lodger's behavior."
Mercant looked at Derring. "Can you swear to it that you are again your own self?"
"Can I swear to what? "
"I want to know if you feel normal again. It is obvious that there is a gap in your memory. From yesterday afternoon until about two hours ago you were doing and saying things which you can't recall now. Something else had taken over your body and pretended to be you."
"But that is--"
"Yes, it is possible, contrary to what you may believe. Not for any human being, of course, but you might have heard that there are other living beings in the universe besides ourselves."
"Yes, I have heard about the Arkonides."
"No, not the Arkonides. I am talking about the M.S., an insect-like race that know how to snatch a person's mind from his body and replace it with their own minds. In your particular case, a case of mistaken identity has occurred. The M.S. who invaded your brain mistook you for the Secretary of Defense. Your names are almost alike. We don't yet know the M.S. methods of communicating with each other. It seems to be based on acoustics. Phonetic sounds, rather than writing. Daring sounds almost like Derring, particularly to some untrained alien ear, not familiar with the fine points of English pronunciation. The alien creature slipped into the wrong man. That's all. Mr. Derring, you have done a tremendous service to mankind, even if unintentionally, because of your name."
Mercant had put the gun back into his pocket long since. There was no longer any doubt in his mind that the M.S. must have left his host's body some time ago. But to his Surprise, Sammy Derring seemed to be none the worse for his experience. He looked healthy and absolutely normal. Therefore, the theory must be wrong that nobody could survive such a mind snatching episode. But at the same time Mercant realized that the Secretary of Defense would be the next target for the M.S. He must be put under strict surveillance immediately. And Perry Rhodan had to be informed of these events immediately, before any further attacks could take place.
Mercant gave some more instructions to Smith. The agent disappeared to carry them out. He did not fully understand the game that was being played here, but he was used to carrying out orders promptly, regardless. He went straight to Miller, Daring's private secretary.
He found Miller in a turmoil of activity. Orders sounded over the intercom, messengers brought sealed envelopes, locked files were dragged up from the safes in the basement, and Miller waved impatiently when Smith dared speak to him.
"Don't bother me now; come back at some other time. The boss has no time."
"Don't you know who I am?"
"Of course I do, but that doesn't matter any longer. Or have you come to arrest Mr. Daring?"
"Who knows," grinned Smith, seeing Miller gasp for air. "Just calm down for a moment. I have a few questions I would like to ask you."
"Be quick about it!"
"What's all the excitement about? What's all this dragging by of files and documents supposed to mean?"
"The Chief's personal orders. He requested all documents regarding national defense and rocket development. After all, he can't possibly carry all the data around in his head."
"Is that so?" asked Smith, and had disappeared before Miller could figure out what had taken place.
In the meantime Mercant had obtained a direct line to his headquarters in Greenland. From there a connection was established to Perry Rhodan's base in the Gobi Desert. Under the protective umbrella of an invisible shield lay the center of the Third Power, the latest power bloc on Earth, which had come into existence several months previously.
But to his great regret Mercant was told that Perry Rhodan was unavailable. Be was on Venus, Earth's sister planet.
As Smith entered, Mercant was just ending his conversation. He looked up and said heavily, "Whatever is going to happen, Smith, we will have to carry the responsibility on our own shoulders. And now you can tell me that Samuel Daring, or whatever the thing is hiding in Samuel Daring's body, has ordered all top secret files to be brought to him. Isn't that what you just found out?"
Thunderstruck, Smith managed only to nod.
CHAPTER TWO
The huge boulder lay on the flat surface of the desert plain. The sun was shining fiercely down on the rock. The air rose like a glimmering hot column, but nothing disturbed its shape, for there was not the slightest breeze to stir the burning air.
All of a sudden the incredible happened. The rock lifted off the ground as if a giant, invisible hand had picked it up. Infinitely slow, the boulder began to float. Now it was resting on some invisible ledge a foot above the desert floor; it kept rising.
If anyone had been able to to watch this performance, he would have doubted his own sanity. The boulder weighed at least ten tons, but it behaved as if the laws of gravity had no application to it. It climbed upward like a gas-filled balloon, then moved a little distance sideways. Then it crashed down on the ground as if the invisible hand had suddenly released its grip. Dust rose whirling, then settled slowly again.
The boulder lay on the ground as if it had never moved in such a weird fashion. Once again the sun's rays hit it straight on, heating spots that shortly before had been covered by the cooling shade.
But this rest period did not last The rock moved again, this time faster and more steadily. It rose up thirsty feet into the air and then flew off si
deways. Relentlessly it kept flying parallel to the flat surface of the desert floor, coming closer to the shore of a still salt lake whose waters lay quiet like a smooth mirror. Suddenly the boulder fell straight down into the lake, disappearing in a deep walled water funnel, leaving behind a series of concentric spreading waves that slowly ebbed away on reaching the shore.
Several people stood at a distance of more than a mile from the salt lake, gazing over to its blue expanse. The oldest of the group, a white haired giant with an unusually high domed skull and a pale completion, nodded with satisfied mien. Next to him stood a young woman who made a gesture to signify her appreciation.
The short Japanese for whom this praise was intended merely shrugged his shoulders with embarrassment. "I bungled this job," he admitted without realizing how grossly be undervalued his capacities. "I simply can't do it, Miss Sloane."
The young girl, Anne Sloane, turned to the white haired man. "Never mind what Tama thinks about himself, Mr. Khrest. Tama is just too modest. According to the frequency detector he is a mutant, and I have no doubt that he is one indeed. He managed to raise a ten ton boulder at a distance of more than a mile for almost seven feet, using only the strength of his mind. He has telekinetic powers, even if they are only in the initial stage. I needed several years to perfect my abilities. Tama, you'll have to be a patient pupil to become as good as myself at this. Don't lose heart!"
The Arkonide scientist, who had crash landed on the moon and who had become Rhodan's collaborator, supervising all technical matters, tried to encourage Tama Yokida.
"Don't give up, Tama. You need more training, that's all. After all, you possess an additional talent that will permit you to develop into an extraordinary human being. Although Miss Sloane is a master at telekinesis, you can change an element into another and gather up the released energy at will and use it whichever way you want. That is a tremendously valuable ability. Together with your telekinetic predisposition, this will grow into a combination with a fantastic potential."
Tama Yokida continued smiling humbly as before. "You are right, Mr. Khrest. I should be grateful to nature for having endowed me with such unusual talents. Do you wish to continue the instruction now?"
Khrest gazed pensively out over the now calm surface of the salt lake. He placed a reassuring hand on the shoulder of the tiny Japanese. Then be spoke to Anne Sloane. "You let the rock fall down into the water, Miss Sloane. I am amazed at your telekinetic powers. I wonder if Tama will be able to influence the sunken boulder by way of telekinesis."
Anne glanced at the young Japanese before she replied. I couldn't tell. As far as I am concerned I am positive that I could lift that rock out of the water again any time. Whether Tama can do this from this distance ... The salt lake isn't too deep."
"How deep?" inquired Tama. "I would have to know."
Khrest spoke into a tiny all purpose apparatus that he wore as a wide band around his wrist. "Dr. Haggard? Would you be so kind and send Miss Ishi Matsu out to us here? That's right. For a lesson."
Anne Sloane understood. "Isn't that the little Japanese girl with the unusual gift of being able to see through solid bodies?"
"That's right," confirmed Khrest. "She is what I would call a televisionary. She can perceive the rock lying at the bottom of this lake and thus determine its depth. She, too, will have to receive further training in order to fully develop her talents. Once she is able to penetrate optically big parts of the earth's crust, our mutant corps will be able to function like a living television installation."
Tama smiled gently. "My little colleague and I complement each other splendidly," he confessed. "I hope the time will soon come when all of the mutants will learn to coordinate their efforts. Then no power on Earth will he able to resist us."
"I think we have already reached that point," countered Khrest, while directing his glance toward the conglomeration of low lying buildings that had sprung up around the hull of the first moon rocket, the Stardust I, which had landed here after its return from man's first successful moon expedition. An invisible energy dome covered the complex and the surrounding area of almost thirty square miles. The invisible barrier received its energy from the inexhaustible Arkonide reactions.
"We are not that deeply concerned with the mutant corps's ability to make a stand against other powers of this world," Khrest said, "but rather their ability to ward off attackers from space. The unfortunate emergency signals from our cruiser on this planet's moon will attract still more space traveling races. I am afraid Earth's isolated position in the universe has come to an end finally. Oh, here comes Miss Ishi."
A slender, delicate young girl came walking toward the group. She was wearing blue jeans and a white blouse that made her slim but perfectly shaped figure look most attractive. Tama Yokida was obviously very impressed by his lovely compatriot. It was clear to all present that the two young people felt something more than lust casual friendship for each other.
"You have asked for me, Mr. Khrest?" Her voice was just as sweet and gentle as the charming little person herself.
"Yes, indeed, although you were already through with your daily lesson for today. Tama made an interesting suggestion to coordinate the different talents of the mutants. Over there is the salt lake; about six hundred feet from the shore, approximately over there where you can see that withered bush, a huge boulder of ten tons is resting at the bottom of the lake. Miss Ishi, what I would like you to do now is to estimate the depth of the water at that spot. Your friend Tama must have these figures if he is to complete his task. Do you get me!"
The young girl nodded. Then she smiled encouragement to her fellow Japanese and placed herself in such a way that her face was pointed directly at the spot indicated by Khrest. She closed her eyes, for if her gaze could penetrate solid objects, then her own eyelids did not present any obstacle to her vision. She concentrated deeply, her effort creasing deep furrows into her smooth forehead. Tama kept close to her, almost touching the slender figure. But his physical nearness did not seem to distract Ishi; quite the opposite. She stepped even closer to him and grasped his arm. She held it tight with both her tiny hands as if she needed his support. And then...
"I can see the rock!" Tama called out all of a sudden. He stood there, his eyes open wide, staring out to the lake. "I can see it now. The rock is lying on the ground among other rocks and rubble. The depth of the water is not more than sixty feet."
"Well done, Miss Ishi," Khrest complimented. "It is good to know that you can transmit your special ability. Tama, now will you start with your part of this task. Transform a tiny fraction of this rock into lead or gold, if you will. Release some energy. But not too much; otherwise, the lake will start boiling."
Tama understood what Khrest wanted him to do. It was Khrest's duty to train the mutants. Perry Rhodan had given Khrest charge of his special corps, for Khrest was the only person capable of developing the mutants' talents to their full potential.
They all stood without moving. Five minutes. Ten minutes. A quarter of an hour.
Then, right above the spot where the boulder had disappeared below the water's surface, steam began to rise, slowly at first, then rapidly growing stronger. Air bubbles began to form, the water became agitated, sending small waves toward the shore, while other waves lost themselves along the watery expanse beyond the boiling whirlpool.
"That will do," Khrest said softly. "Tama, that's enough now. Tama, you can make the oceans boil if you so desire. I think we can conclude our lesson for today. By the way, Tama, what were you producing, gold or lead?"
Ishi opened her eyes and answered instead of Tama. "Gold, Mr. Khrest. Whoever finds this rock someday will be very glad. There are several pounds of gold sticking to that boulder."
Khrest was about to reply, when he was interrupted by a faint hum from his armband. He lifted his arm and pushed in a tiny knob. "Yes, Khrest speaking..."
It was Dr. Haggard, the medical specialist from Australia and discoverer of the anti-
leukemia serum that had brought about Khrest's cure. He was calling from the Stardust I.
"Khrest, some unpleasant news. From Mercant The M.S. are active again."
"I thought so. Where?"
"One case has been observed in the U.S. Their Secretary of Defense has fallen victim to the mind snatchers. Mercant managed to prevent the worst in the nick of time, but he is powerless in those cases that remain undetected. He would like to know if we could help him with it."
Khrest frowned. "Of course we will help him. Too bad though that Perry isn't back yet. Have you kept in communication with him?"
"Not since his last call from the Venus base. They must have left already in order to return to Earth."
"Establish contact with the Good Hope. Inform Rhodan of what you have told me. Maybe he will be able to locate the M.S. spaceship and destroy it. He has Tako Kakuta on board to help him, if necessary."
Tako Kakuta was a teleporter. Once already he had succeeded in transporting himself into one of the M.S. spacecraft and exploding it, with the help of a bomb he had teleported with him.
"I'll try to establish contact with Perry Rhodan in the Good Hope. But we should do something in the meantime."
Khrest looked over to Anne Sloane. You are right. We can't wait. After all, that's what we have the mutant corps for. I am afraid our little troop will have to face its first trial..."
The steaming jungles of Venus disappeared in the distance, and the planet itself became a gigantic silvery crescent whose brilliance surpassed even that of the near sun. This, of course, was an illusion. For the sun was in reality brighter even if smaller than Venus. However, the dense cloud cover reflected its light with such intensity that it became near impossible for the naked eye to look down on the second world of our solar system.
