Spaceship of Ancestors Page 10

  "If we find it again!"

  "The data is already stored," Pucky assured him and swung the bag containing the carrots. "And now I would like to eat at last, if you will permit me."

  Lund was not satisfied with the scanty information. "That is all? A ship without steerage? Nobody on board? And you needed three hours to find that out?"

  Pucky began to leisurely nibble. In between bites he said: "Back to Earth, Commander. What are we actually waiting for?"

  Lund concealed his annoyance behind a force smile. "What shall I enter in the logbook? I have to explain the delay somehow. After all, we did lose four hours."

  Pucky grinned slyly. "The following explanation: the Arctic was forced to detour because it encountered a ship with 100,000 Arkonides, which was investigated. Sounds good, huh?"

  Lund shook his head. "What rubbish! I demand the truth, not fairy tales!"

  Pucky sighed. "You want to know the truth? If I were to tell the truth you would think I was a liar. Do you understand that? You don't? Frankly, neither do I!"

  He turned his attention to the carrots once again. And when Commander Lund finally lost patience and stepped forward the mouse-beaver was no longer there.

  In the background the First Officer began to giggle. "The coordinates, sir... shall I relay them?"

  Lund wheeled around. His face was still purple with rage as he ordered: "Yes, relay them! Hyperjump in

  Ten minutes! I'm going to tell Rhodan..."

  "Better not!" advised the First Officer and went about his work.

  Commander Lund felt like exploding but he managed to remain calm. With a steady hand he wrote in his

  logbook:

  Date... Location CM13-HB. Flight delay because an Arkonide battleship without steering control crossed our course. Investigation was without result. No one was on board. Course data stored. The next hyperjump scheduled for...

  Pucky had reasoned correctly.

  Truth is simply more often fantastic than the unlikeliest fantasy.

  SPACESHIP OF ANCESTORS

  Copyright © Ace Books 1975

  Ace Publishing Corporation

  All Rights Reserved

  THE SHIP OF THINGS TO COME

  COMBAT for galactic supremacy. The Imperium of Ancient Arkon. The domain of the Druufs. And imperiled by both: Earth! The safety of the Solar Empire is at stake and Terra must somehow weaken these two warring giants. Julian Tifflor? Ah, yes, the Cosmic Decoy. He's back and he doesn't hesitate to make the move he believes most beneficial to his homeworld in—

  CHECKMATE: UNIVERSE

  by Kurt Mahr