Thora's Sacrifice

  LIFE EXPECTANCY: ZERO

  The HOUR CLOCK is almost empty.

  For Thora, the Sands of Time have all but run out.

  Are down to the last grain.

  Once Cosmic Agents John Marshall and Laury Marten risked their lives on the planet Tolimon (PR 51 and 52) to secure some life-prolonging serum for the Arkonide who was to become Rhodan's wife. But the supply from the secret laboratory of the Aras, the Galactic Physicians, has been exhausted...and now the life energy of Thora too is all but exhausted.

  With sheer disbelief, misty eyes and a lump in your throat you will follow the events leading up to–

  Perry Rhodan

  Atlan And Arkon #70

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  Thora's Sacrifice

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  1/ SHROUD OF DEATH

  Dr. Villnoess, Chief of the Terra Clinic's Hematological Department on Venus, picked up another of the medical test reports, glancing unhappily at the stack of piled-up paperwork at his right which forced him each day to leave his lab and perform the administrative chores at his desk.

  Dr. Villnoess had been appointed Chief Physician of the Terra Clinic's Hematological Department on Venus despite his youthful 30 years and many of his colleagues were disgruntled. But Villnoess was one of the 10 best hematologists in the Solar Imperium and he had already earned a reputation as a pioneer for his intensive research in the field of blood research for which the clinical tests were now underway.

  Routinely he noted the most important results of the test:

  Diseased hyperplasmodic system, Ls, type F Arkon.

  Irreversible.

  Experiment 453/Ara: negative.

  Life expectancy: zero.

  These were the highlights of the report and Villnoess was about to sign it off and put it at his left when something startled him.

  Type F Arkon, he reflected, and began to surmise who the patient was whose verdict of death had just been pronounced: Thora, Rhodan's wife!

  Once more Villnoess read in a subdued voice: "Ls, type F Arkon" and after taking a deep breath: "Experiment LS: Ara: negative."

  LS stood for lymphosarcoma—cancerous tumor of a lymph gland—and the letter F indicated the degree of malignancy. The word Arkon that followed it explained not only that the patient was an Arkonide but also that they faced a type of cancer which puzzled even the Galactic healers and, for which there was no, cure in existence as yet.

  Dr. Villnoess wiped the perspiration from his forehead. He was used to rely on the diagnosis of his colleagues but now he was seized by panic and began to doubt their judgment."

  He quickly switched on the telecom and announced: "Will Drs. Gonder, Iltar and Vandenbourg come to see me at once!"

  When the three physicians entered his office a little later, the chief physician still held the report on Thora in his hand. He didn't even offer seats to his colleague and he himself was no longer able to sit still at his desk.

  "Dr. Iltar," he began hesitantly, "I've no intention of questioning your diagnosis but..." he paused, shook his head and put the examination file down on his desk. His gaze wandered indecisively back and forth between his three assistants, who understood the dilemma of their boss but were unable to answer his unspoken question.

  And now the Chief blurted out: "Gentlemen, I can't tell this to Rhodan! How do you imagine I feel about it?"

  Dr. Iltar, who was responsible for the written report, faced his boss. "Chief, we know how you must feel. But the fact is that Thora is of Arkonide origin and that the tumor is a malignant Arkon sarcoma, type F. The Carcinoma Department of the Clinic at Terrania has confirmed only two hours ago that the granulocytes and monocytes have entered the bloodstream at a ratio of 5:100, the usual numerical increase of white blood-corpuscles on type F. This result doesn't leave much room for a mistaken diagnosis but..."

  Dr. Villnoess leaned against his desk. Iltar's "but..." and the pause that followed predicted another complication. "What is it," Villnoess inquired gruffly. "Keep talking!"

  "Chief, Thora has already been administered the life-preserving serum of the Aras from the planet Tolimon some time ago. You'll remember that John Marshall and Laury Marten got hold of a small quantity of this serum in a daring mission..."

  "Yes, go on..." Villnoess insisted although he was reluctant to admit the suspected cause of Thora's disease. "Not that!" he kept thinking.

  Hesitantly Dr. Iltar continued: "The Carcinoma Department at Terrania has hinted that the malignancy F Arkon was caused by the Ara serum because several granulocytes resemble in their damaged form the basic ingredient of the life-extending substance which has so far defied identification by the Galactic medical researchers."

  "Iltar..." The chief physician was struggling to keep his composure, "...who has stated such a suspicion? Does he know that we're speaking about Rhodan's wife?"

  "Dr. Eric Manoli, Chief..." Iltar didn't have to answer the second question.

  Villnoess repeated hoarsely: "Dr. Eric Manoli! He's one of Perry Rhodan's oldest compatriots. He has remained young himself after receiving the cell-shower on Wanderer. There's no greater expert in the field of blood research in the entire Solar system and if Manoli raises this problem you can bet that he has arrived at the idea only after the most exacting investigation." Chief Villnoess sighed, and wiped his forehead again. "Am I expected to inform Perry Rhodan that the serum which was injected into his wife was a cancer causing poison instead of a rejuvenation? Iltar, call the Medical Center at Terrania. I must speak to Dr. Manoli at once. That's where he is right now, isn't he?"

  It took half an hour before the telecom connection was established and the scholarly, expressive face of Dr. Manoli appeared on the picture screen. He talked calmly, almost impassively, and swept away all objections which the chief physician of the Terra Clinic raised with his phenomenal knowledge of all aspects of this fatal sickness.

  "We can't refer to the life-prolonging Ara serum from the Tolimon planet as a poison. All Arkonides are, prone, to leukemia. I've not yet clearly understood whether this is a symptom of degeneration or a natural resistance against the body's tendency to reject death. It's difficult for me to contemplate the thought that Thora's days are numbered, especially since I know how much Perry Rhodan loves his wife in spite of her advancing age and that she is no less dedicated to him. But every matter has more than one facet, my dear colleague. By the similarity between the basic ingredient of the Ara drug and Thora's F Arkon illness I've been led to explore a new direction of approach to the life-extending powers of Galactic medicines which could be derived from the controlled proliferation of growth. Don't you agree, my dear colleague, that this is a highly interesting aspect?"

  For the first time since Villnoess had taken up the medical profession he realized what it took to be a scientific research pioneer. Whereas he was still grappling with the problem of presenting the fact to Perry Rhodan that his wife was doomed to die soon, Dr. Manoli had already dwelled on the 'interesting aspects' of the case.

  This was far from a callous attitude of Dr. Manoli but the scientist had accepted death as a part of life and nothing more.

  After their medical consultation was over Dr. Villnoess had experienced some sense of relief. However when he tried to formulate his message to Rhodan, the Administrator of the Solar Imperium, all his former inhibitions were awakened again. In his third attempt to compose a message in which a note of human empathy was sounded, he limited himself to a text which contained only the facts and he chose to neglect mentioning Manoli's suspicion.

  In the course of his conversation with Dr. Manoli he had learned that Perry Rhodan was on the planet Grautier at this time, conducting the surveilla
nce of the Druufs. His coded report reached Perry Rhodan by way of the hyper-radio station at Terrania and was relayed by three more stations which were strung out throughout the vast space on heavy cruisers of the Solar Imperium.

  Perry Rhodan shielded his thoughts with a superhuman effort. Not even a telepath was able to read them. Nobody was allowed to share his grief, his desperation nor his vain rebellion against a cruel and blind fate.

  Nevertheless Perry Rhodan, the Administrator of the Solar Imperium, who had created the organization by the strength of his personality, was able—despite the enormous burden on his soul—to finish the conference in progress with a good result.

  Only three hours later was Perry Rhodan's confirmation of the ominous message received on Earth from Grautier. It was routed again via the relay stations in space so that Arkon was prevented from tracking the communication and thereby locating the position of Terra.

  Dr. Villnoess was not surprised that the "Chief", as Rhodan was generally known hereabouts, had not replied to him directly but had chosen instead to seek out Dr. Manoli as the best person to turn to.

  However 24 hours later, Venus time, Chief Physician Dr. Villnoess suddenly left his lab against all the rules of his daily schedule. General Conrad Deringhouse had announced his visit and Villnoess dropped everything else. He knew why the General had come and who had sent him to Port Venus.

  The tall, somewhat gaunt Conrad Deringhouse looked earnestly at the Chief Physician of the Hematological Department as he sat across from him and explained in non-medical terms the condition Thora was in.

  Deringhouse had a haircut in the military style. Freckles enhanced his youthful appearance. His natural process of aging had been interrupted for 62 years by the cell-shower on the artificial planet Wanderer, the same treatment which had been denied to the Arkonides Khrest and Thora although Perry Rhodan had done everything in his power to obtain from the physiotron the wonderful present of additional life for more than 60 years for his Arkonide companions.

  Dr. Villnoess had finished his briefing and Deringhouse said thoughtfully: "If I understand you correctly, it must be assumed that Thora's incurable disease has been triggered by the Ara serum from the planet Tolimon. I find this very hard to believe. The Galactic physicians...

  Villnoess interrupted him quickly. "I know what you're going to say, General but I must inform you that the Galactic medical experts are just as powerless as ourselves when it comes to treating sarcoma F Arkon. Thora has been much more susceptible to this blood disease than her compatriot Khrest, the Arkonide scientist, after they came to live in the Solar Imperium. We've made this discovery only from the last blood test of Thora. Please, General, don't ask to hear all the evidence whose evaluation has led us to this catastrophic diagnosis. The final result is tragic enough. And to hope that the Galactic medical scientists possess a drug or know any other way of combating the lethal effect of sarcoma F Arkon means succumbing to an illusion. Only three weeks ago the most eminent specialist of the galactic medical profession in the field of cortical brain reflexes, Uut-Cin, died from sarcoma F Arkon. You can be sure that this report and the cause of Uut-Cin's death are correct."

  For a while the two men looked silently at each other.

  "Doctor, how am I going to break the news to the Chief? I'm on my way to Grautier and Rhodan has asked me to stop on Venus in order to talk to you, Dr. Villnoess..." General Conrad Deringhouse jumped up and walked excitedly back and forth the length of the room. He who had flown the most perilous missions in cold blood was afraid of facing his Chief with the task of breaking the news that there was no longer a shred of hope left for the survival of his wife.

  Deringhouse had witnessed from close observation how Thora, the almost unreal Arkonide beauty, and Perry Rhodan, the builder of the New Power and creator of the Solar Imperium, had gradually come together to form a human bond which culminated in a companionship where they achieved the highest form of happiness that two people can give each other.

  While Rhodan was fortunate to receive the gift of protracted life by the physiotron on the legendary artificial planet Wanderer and thus had arrested his aging, the process of growing old was suddenly initiated in Thora and could only be interrupted for a short period by the Ara serum and other medication available on Terra.

  Rhodan had moved heaven and earth to save Thora from the terrible fate of becoming an old woman at his side while he remained an eternally young and virile man.

  None of the remedies which had been subsequently administered to Thora had a lasting effect and each preparation had lost its efficacy more rapidly than the physicians had expected. It became more and more obvious that Thora mobilized all her natural forces to resist the medication. It was an act of nature itself.

  And then—three months ago—Thora became an old woman literally overnight!

  She had noticed it one morning before she met Perry Rhodan at breakfast when they talked about their love. Thora had smiled at him and had gently touched his hand in a gesture of deep affection.

  Two tears appeared in the corners of her eyes but her lips were adorned by a smile. And when she took his face in her hand and gazed at him with tender eyes, she said: "Perry, I mustn't cry. It would be so ungrateful of me. With you I've found great happiness and I want to think only of the joy our life has been in all these years together."

  The same day Thora said goodbye to him and a ship took her to Venus where she retired to live in her cottage 'Arkon' in the foothills of the Valta Mountains.

  In the three months which had elapsed since that day, Thora had changed from a swiftly aging woman into a patient with a deadly affliction: 24 hours ago the last blood test had revealed the dismal state.

  • • •

  Now Deringhouse was pacing the floor of Dr. Villnoess' office. The hard-nosed General was afraid to tell his Chief and Thora's husband: Perry Rhodan, your wife must die!

  "Doctor..." Deringhouse had stopped in front of Villnoess. "Rhodan is a human being and not a lifeless monument. What can I tell him? What's your advice, Doctor?"

  "He knows the facts already," Dr. Villnoess answered. "He's talked yesterday with Dr. Manoli..."

  "He knows...!" Deringhouse interjected excitedly. "Of course he knows it. But, Doctor, don't you see that he's not yet ready to admit the true facts to himself. They're husband and wife and they're in love. You never had the privilege I experienced to see the harmony in which they spent their lives together. Thora! The Arkonide princess from an ancient dynasty who was at first so proud and haughty and then became the kind spirit of the Solar Imperium! These are not mere phrases. I'm only saying what very few have known. Thora has guided our Chief, not with advice and even less with admonishments, she has guided her husband by being his wife and by giving him the bliss he had dreamed about. And now all this must come to an end. Just now when the destiny of our tiny system is balanced on a razor's edge. Dr. Villnoess, there must be a cure for that sarcoma F Arkon..."

  At this point the Chief Physician of the Hematology Department interrupted the upset General. Being greatly impressed by Deringhouse's words, Villnoess said, distressed: "General, death has always been a part of life."

  "Is that all you've got to say?" Deringhouse asked harshly but quickly added: "Doctor, I've no intention of blaming you but..."

  "In the case of Thora, General, there is no but."

  "Then please—tell me at least how long you expect Thora to live."

  "Today is the 4th of October." Villnoess took a deep breath. "Thora won't live to see the next spring."

  "Half a year then?"

  "Maybe."

  "Can I pay a visit to Thora or are there any reasons which wouldn't allow me to fly to her cottage 'Arkon'?"

  The Chief Physician reflected for a moment. "I don't wish to raise any false hopes in the Administrator but my colleagues and I are of the opinion that it would be beneficial if Thora could be entrusted with a meaningful task during the last months of her life before the sudden decay beg
ins so that she won't have to spend her waning days in mute desperation and lethargy."

  "How am I to understand your suggestion, Doctor? Are you implying that a responsible task would make it possible for a person of the Arkonide race to alleviate the suffering of death?"

  "There's no difference in this respect between Terrans and Arkonides. However I regret that I must deny your wish to visit Thora for the time being, General. You're now on your way to Grautier. If you stop on Venus on your way back you could bring an important assignment to Thora. I can assure you that this would renew her desire to live."

  "Does Thora know what's wrong with her?" Deringhouse inquired.

  "She does since this morning. She called me earlier in the day..."

  "And you told her? I can't believe that, Doctor!" It was the tone of a soldier but Villnoess was undeterred.

  "I was, not prepared to take the responsibility for robbing Thora of the last dimly flickering spark of life. She knows that she is suffering from sarcoma F Arkon..."

  "Doctor, I feel like. The usually restrained Deringhouse violently raised his arm.

  "For heaven's sake", the Chief Physician thought, "how much Gen. Deringhouse must admire Perry

  Rhodan's wife to be carried away like that!" But he was not frightened by the impulsive movement which threatened him with a blow. As a physician he understood this as a natural reaction for Deringhouse.

  "General!" Villnoess replied. "Since this morning Thora is convinced that the effect of the life-prolonging serum has been nullified solely by her tumor. Don't you realize the psychological advantage of this knowledge for her? A woman will accept the scourge of aging much easier if brought on by an illness than by some inherent defect of her body to respond to biological cures. Would you please point this out to the Administrator?"

  "I will, Doctor. And will you please forgive my rude behavior and my remonstrations."

  When Dr. Villnoess was alone in his office again, he pondered the remark. He warmly admired Gen. Deringhouse and the caliber of the men Perry Rhodan had been able to gather around him. They were honest men—men with virtues but not without faults. They could admit their mistakes with the greatest simplicity and he respected them for that too.