Part 7 (1/2)
”That isn't the reason for the alarm. We have an known this since yesterday.”
”He come here, this Rhodan. In five minutes, he be here.”
Klein exchanged a glance with Kosnow. That was what all the commotion was about!
They ran off toward the entrance of the, shaft, leaving a most bewildered soldier behind. If the news was correct, then all h.e.l.l would break loose here within the next five minutes. They would try to prevent Rhodan from reaching the safety of his base at all costs. Or elsea Another possible solution flashed through Klein's mind. Maybe they did not intend at all to prevent Rhodan from pa.s.sing through the protective energy screen that surrounds his base. There were plenty of reasons why they shouldn't But would General Tai be aware of these reasons?
”Let's go, Kosnow! To the general! I have just had brainstorm!”
Tai looked up surprised as the two entered his command post. He had just established communication with his gun emplacements and was about to issue his orders to them.
”What's the matter? How dare you a ?”
”Withdraw your orders at once!” requested Klein firmly.
”What do you know about it?”
”Rhodan has stolen an airplane and will be trying to land it just outside the energy dome. You want to prevent him from doing so. Do you realize what might be the consequences if he notices your plan against him? That same moment he will turn around and simply go into hiding somewhere. What good would it do us to detonate a bomb under the base if Rhodan is not inside it and wouldn't be destroyed with it?”
Lieutenant General Tai could react very fast, if necessary. He contemplated Klein for a brief second with appreciation; then he nodded. ”Not bad, this suggestion. You're right. I will let Rhodan land without any interference and enter his base. He won't get away. He will be caught right in the trap. The big bomb is already on its way. We completed our tunnel construction sooner than planed, I have just learned from Colonel Cretcher. I Will inform the pursuing fighter planes to that effect immediately.”
With these words he took off toward the communications tent.
Klein and Kosnow, however, climbed up on the hill again so they could witness the imminent landing of Rhodan's plane.
They did not have long to wait. A tiny dot appeared on the horizon. It rapidly grew larger and could be recognized as a fighter bomber of the latest design. A few smaller aircraft flew beside it, trying to push it toward the ground. But they did not shoot at the fugitive bomber, to avoid endangering the lives of its crew members.
Rhodan was standing beside the pilot. ”You have done a splendid job, very brave indeed. I am very grateful for your help. Perhaps I can return the favor someday. Please land now exactly at the spot that I will point out to you. Nothing will happen to you or your crew-you can swear that I forced you to bring me here. Soon Mr. Marshall and I will be leaving you. It will be just a few steps from the landing site to the energy wall.”
”How will we manage to get through that wall?” asked John Marshall from inside the cabin.
”I have some special equipment to neutralize the screen at any spot I choose. In a few seconds we will make it to safety. What matters now is to land before the fighter planes know where we touch down.”
The bomber prepared for landing.
”I wonder why we hadn't been met by a welcoming committee of flak fire,” said the pilot.
The radio operator, with earphones clamped on his head, gave the explanation. ”They withdrew their order to open fire on us. No reason was given for it might be that our lives are too precious. They probably want to interrogate us, and dead people don't talk.”
The wheels touched the ground. The plane seemed to sway, then advanced by a few irregular giant hops and ran into a huge boulder. Rhodan estimated it was about a hundred yards to the energy wall.
The impact threw the pilot against the instrument panel. His features contorted painfully as he instinctively shut off the fuel. The radio operator climbed out from underneath his shattered sets. The two other members of crew were already opening the exit hatch.
”Many thanks again! And lots of luck to you!” called Perry Rhodan as be pulled John Marshall out onto the ground with him. ”We must run as fast as we can; otherwise, they might get us before we reach the wall. Stay very close to me now. I'm switching on my special portable screen.”
They began racing toward the s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps that stood about three miles from them in the center of the base. Rhodan held tight to Marshall's hand and pushed a b.u.t.ton on his belt. Nothing seemed to have changed around them, except for a sudden cessation of wind. Their small energy bell protected and isolated them completely from the outside world.
One of the fighter planes banked in a wide loop and approached the two men, flying very low. Guns blazed from underneath the wings. Four parallel lines of bullets tore into the earth, coming steadily closer to Rhodan and Marshall. John screamed out loud.
Then the firing ceased.
”Don't be afraid, Marshall. They'd need much heavier guns to pierce this protective sh.e.l.l around us.”
The fighter plane banked to the right, seemed to gain alt.i.tude and all of a sudden smashed against an invisible obstacle in midair. The force of the impact was so tremendous that the craft was squashed flat as a pancake. Then it rolled downhill on an invisible slope and finally hit the ground. Flames out of the wrecked airplane, and in a moment the ammunition it had carried exploded and entirely destroyed the fighter.
”Watch out, here comes the energy wall just a few feet ahead of us. Look out now-I'm applying the neutralizer equipment Don't worry, the other fighter planes are too late already. When we're finally safe inside, you can move about freely.”
Perry Rhodan released his grip on Marshall's hand. He looked back over his shoulder and saw the other fighter planes climb quickly out of danger. They soon disappeared in the south. Next to the fighter bomber they had left a little while ago, the four members of the crew stood and waved farewell. Then the crew of the stolen plane turned and marched off toward the far distant lines of the encircling troops. They knew that they would have to face some rather unpleasant hours being interrogated.
”Come on, Marshall. Over there is the Stardust waiting for us. And may I welcome you most cordially to my domain!”
”Thank you very much,” replied Jobn Marshall. As Rhodan kept a straight course toward the two s.p.a.ces.h.i.+ps waiting in the middle of the desert, Marshall walked by his side.
They almost tripped over a man who suddenly appeared out of nothingness in front of them. He regarded them with frightened eyes.
Rhodan stopped abruptly.
The flat expanse of sand was devoid of any protective covera
CHAPTER SIX.
The TORPEDO SHAPED machine was eating into the rock with enormous speed. The finely ground stone slid automatically onto the conveyor belt and was carried to the surface. Many cables supplied the needed current for machines and illumination. The air conditioning system worked most eificiently.
Colonel Cretcher was standing next to Klein and Li. His face bore an expression of supreme satisfaction.
”What a splendid idea you had, Klein, to convince Tai not to open fire on Rhodan. I won't forget to mention this to Mr. Mercant, rest a.s.sured.” ”He will be pleased about it, I am sure,” ventured Klein, smiling inwardly at the hidden double meaning of his remark.
Lieutenant Li pointed to the earth excavator. ”How much longer?”
”Tomorrow night. The vertical shaft toward the surface is going to be just wide enough to let the H bomb pa.s.s through. The day after tomorrow there will be no more Perry Rhodan-and no Arkonides, either.”
”The whole world will be able to breathe easier,” muttered Klein.
Cretcher glanced at him briefly. ”Possibly,” he said, then turned his attention once again to the gigantic earth digging machines.
Klein and Li walked back along the tunnel toward the exit. The corridor was about six feet high and well lit. The walls were smooth. The conveyor belt was glided noiselessly on their left on its uninterrupted way to the exit. There was no one in might.
”We must warn Rhodan, whispered Klein desperately. ”Tomorrow will be too late. I can't imagine how he could foil this H bomb detonation, even if he found out about it right now.”
”Don't talk so loud,” breathed Li. ”Sound carries too well here under these conditions. But you are right. I can't figure out any way out either. I feel as if I were about to betray Perry Rhodan. What will happen if their dastardly plan succeeds and Rhodan and his friends are all killed? I can tell you-the day after their death we will witness the renewal of the Cold War and, with it, our constant fear of the inevitable atomic destruction of the world. I don't know how much longer this can go on.”
Klein stopped. suddenly. ”Tonight I will try to pa.s.s through the lines of the secret front trenches.”
The Chinese shook his head. ”Even if you should manage to get through the front lines, what would you have accomplished? Do you really believe that Rhodan can keep constant watch along the whole extent of his borders? He won't even notice you standing and waiting to talk to him at the edge of his domain. No, it won't work. We must draw his attention to us in some other way - but if I only knew how!”
”Shush, somebody is coming,” whispered Klein. They had heard the steps in time. A man walked toward them, coming from the entrance of the shaft. As they walked past each other, they recognized him as Tako Kakuta, one of the j.a.panese technicians. His gentle eyes searched theirs; his narrow chest was heaving.