Recruits for Arkon Read online

  "He'll soon be changing his mind," remarked Bell grimly. He fell silent as Calus continued his speech.

  "And we shall employ every means at our command if the recruiting ordinances are not carried out. Refusal to serve in the immortal army of our Regent is punishable by death. Until now I have not exercised my rights as Supreme Magistrate but in the future I shall not hesitate to have every fugitive and deserter shot. I am giving every Zalite capable of bearing arms just 10 more days in which to present himself to the recruiting center. Whoever is found after that and is unable to give a satisfactory account of himself will go before the firing squad. I believe I have expressed myself clearly enough."

  The viewscreen darkened.

  Sgt. Osega sighed aloud. "And I'm supposed to be that monster? That won't be any picnic..."

  "Picnic or not," admonished Rhodan, "the success of our operation is going to depend on how good a ham you are. The bio-chemists will give you one more going over and then I can guarantee you that no one will be able to tell you from the real Calus."

  Osega nodded. "Of course I can understand, sir, why there's no other route to go... it's just that it'll be going against my grain to conscript innocent Zalites into military service in the name of Arkon."

  Rhodan laughed. "But you'll also have some volunteers to ship out—including ourselves! I think we're going to like the new Calus a lot better than the old one. And him we'll take under our wing down here!"

  And therewith the plan was completed. All that was necessary now was to wait for an opportunity to bring it into effect.

  This opportunity presented itself four days later.

  • • •

  Prior to that, Osega had experienced some uncomfortable hours in the lab.

  Dr. Tschai Toung, the best disguise and makeup man in Solar Intelligence, carefully plied his trade. The Sino-Terranian expert was quite pedantic when it came to changing one man into the likeness of another. The films made of the TV broadcast kept running endlessly and Osega had a chance to study his 'double' very thoroughly.

  And of course Doc Toung was studying them with a more professional eye. He shook his head with its crown of smooth black hair. "I don't like the nose yet, sergeant! Of course you already have valid I.D. papers from Arkon and are officially this Calus on paper but your nose is not his! I'll still have to graft on a slight bioplastic hump."

  Osega groaned piteously. "You've messed me up enough already!" he complained without being actually serious. "My own mother wouldn't recognize me now!"

  "Which is precisely the name of the game," replied the Chinese gravely.

  Dr. Eric Manoli assisted in the completely painless operation and when it was over with, Tschai Toung could look upon his work of art with pride.

  "Now I'm satisfied," he announced. "The two admirals can no longer be differentiated one from the other." He rubbed his hands and regarded the mutants and commando specialists who were sitting around him. "And now show me what you can do! Exchange my pupil for the real Calus! If it is done cleverly and quickly, nobody will notice it."

  "And nobody is going to!" Rhodan asserted as he stepped forward. "Osega, you'll also have to double for Calus on those telecasts. Do you think you can cut it?"

  "I've seen his club-waving enough," said the sergeant affirmatively, "and I've had enough time to catch onto his style. Like it I do not, but do it I can!"

  "That alone makes the difference. As for Toffner, in spite of the risk I've had him reconnoiter the situation outside. At first I thought of making the switch while Calus was making a telecast but then I had a better idea. The Admiral lives in the Zarlt's palace and always has a bodyguard around him but he's often alone in his office or work room there. I'll let you see for yourselves.

  Harno, the spherical creature from Tatlira, lowered himself from the ceiling, a white shimmering ball with a smoothly polished surface. On this surface a picture was visible as though on a screen. Harno possessed the astonishing faculty of making visible any desired spot in the universe, without any recourse to hypercom or television cameras. He had become the televisor of the Mutant Corps.

  They were looking at a room furnished with heavy furniture, some technical apparatuses, a table and the head of a bed. A short swing-through the door revealed that two armed guards were standing outside in the corridor.

  "The switch must be made in this room," said Rhodan. "Since it won't be necessary to get past the guards, it shouldn't be difficult. Both sentinels will be able to swear that at no time would anyone have been able to enter the room—but it won't be necessary for them to make such a declaration. Nobody's going to ask them because nobody is going to know the real Calus is missing. Osega, Pucky will bring you into the palace. For security, Ras Tschubai is going along in case Calus puts up a struggle. It has to happen fast."

  Sgt. Osega gazed steadily at Harno. "When?"

  Rhodan checked his watch. "Calus is just about to make his usual telecast. We'll let him. But tomorrow you will be making the speeches! So it's tomorrow at 14:00 Earth time."

  By evening Toffner came back unharmed. He had come across several of his friends who had been drafted in the meantime, plus two soldiers of the Zarlt who knew him well due to his activities with the arena. From all reports it appeared that a new troop transport would be leaving for Arkon in three days. The troop contingent for this particular transport had been filled already. Departure schedules for still more transports were to be announced. It was said that the troop training center was on one of the Arkon planets.

  Here below in their concealment the difference between night and day was only marked by a dimming of the lights and periods of sleep. Rhodan utilized some of the remaining time to go with Toffner and pay a visit to the latter's two Zalite friends who were in hiding. At first the two native-born men were shocked to learn what was going on but they soon declared themselves willing to be of service to the operation where possible. Naturally they were greatly mystified by the presence of this secret organization on Zalit but they finally adjusted themselves to it. For good reasons of his own, Rhodan had avoided telling the two Zalites that they were the only natives in the organization.

  The night passed; a new day arrived. Everyone hoped that it would be the beginning of a new epoch in the affairs of men.

  • • •

  In the early part of the afternoon, Admiral Calus received a message from the Regent. It was brought to him by an officer from the flagship who was in charge of the communications on board. He appeared to be very excited.

  "This dispatch came in 30 minutes ago, Admiral," he announced, making reference to Arkonide time, which was approximately one half hour by local standards. "The Regent is becoming impatient!"

  Calus waved off the implications with an imperious gesture and read the message. Then he said angrily: "Not enough troops! Training is taking too long! The Regent wants more officers!"

  He pondered long and intently over this. The officer stood waiting at a respectful distance from the desk. With a certain degree of awe he watched his superior, who was the direct representative of the Regent.

  Calus looked up. "The next transport is leaving day after tomorrow, is that right?"

  "Yes, Admiral."

  "Good! In my speech today I shall emphasize the need for drafting men in older age brackets. The Regent needs experienced spacemen and officers. Perhaps he's finally located this planet Terra that's caused us so much annoyance. Thus all these heavy preparations... Well, whatever may be the reason, we have our duty to fulfill, nothing more. You will send the following message to the Regent..." Calus thought a few moments and then dictated: "Calus to Regent. Special transport of officer candidates will be organized. Space experience emphasized. Having no problems on Zalit. Everything normal. Admiral Calus." He glared at his underling. "So have that transmitted at once to Arkon and let me know when further dispatches are received from there!"

  The officer departed, leaving Calus alone in his office. He sat behind his large work table, no
t knowing that every word he had spoken had been heard. Nor could he know that his every gesture and movement was being closely studied. It was exactly as though he were standing in front of a camera which faithfully reflected every phase of his existence.

  He had almost two hours yet before making his speech and he wanted to make use of his time. The picture was by no means as rosy as what he had represented to the Regent. It would have been to his own disadvantage to have reported the truth. It might even have occurred to the robot Brain to replace him with another officer. There were enough ambitious descendants of formerly powerful families who would snatch at the chance to outdo their peers in these matters. The plum in the tree, of course, was in the case of the robot Brain's eventual 'abdication'. Then somebody would have to become the Imperator of Arkon!

  He sighed.

  In the past few years there had been a rising improvement among the Arkonide—at least with some. In the long run maybe a robotic rule was not as disadvantageous to the development of humanoid mentality and spirit as it had appeared to be—in fact, the opposite! Inwardly the resistance had become greater. Many Arkonides remembered the former greatness of their race and were ashamed of their present state of debasement. Of course the new generation recognized the robot Brain but deep within them the plan had already been born to replace the Great Machine one day.

  Calus believed that he was fully qualified to take over the management of the government as the Imperator. But of course he had no idea of what such an officereally required!

  He sighed again and proceeded with his notes. All Zalites in the younger age groups had already been taken—that is, of those who had reported in. More than 100,000 of them must have disappeared. Perhaps it would be a good idea to state this condition as a reason for having to draft the older age groups now. This way it was quite possible that the one group could be played against the other.

  Experienced spacemen were being sought. That was odd! Was it no longer sufficient or feasible to send positronically controlled ships and crews against the enemy? Why this sudden need for humanoids? This was not the Regent's normal pattern of operation. Was it possible for even a robot to learn by experience?

  Calus heard a noise and looked up. He stared into his own face.

  Thunderstruck, he stared at the Arkonide who was standing only a few steps away, between his desk and the door. How he had gotten there remained a mystery to Calus. He was only certain of the fact that there was only one entrance to this room.

  But this Arkonide had not come here alone. With him was a rather dark-skinned Zalite and a remarkable little creature who was regarding him with the most amazing impudence. Calus remained sitting stiffly in his chair. His mind groped vainly in search of a reasonable explanation for the incomprehensible.

  "What's the matter—are you so surprised?"

  It had actually been the animal who spoke to him in Arkonide! Still another miracle! First the inexplicable appearances and now this of all things! But the worst was yet to come.

  "No, noble Admiral, I am no talking pet and nobody's taught me any tricks lately. You shouldn't think such nonsense, it can spoil a good relationship."

  Could this animal read thoughts...?

  Calus could not find an answer because he was not given the opportunity. Surreptitiously his right hand had reached toward a small, dark-colored box on his desk. He was just about to press a button on it when the box rose effortlessly into the air as though it had suddenly become weightless. It floated slightly to one side as though held in ghostly hands and then fell to the floor. Something clattered suspiciously like broken glass as plastic splinters scattered all over. The intercom box had been rendered useless.

  Sgt. Osega stepped nearer to Calus and spoke to him with sarcastic undertones: "Sorry, Admiral, but your enlistment time is over with. You see your successor before you. Would you kindly step aside so that I may have your chair? You are to go with my two friends. If you are reasonable, nothing will happen to you."

  Calus of course had not yet recovered from his surprise but he reasoned that it would be time for explanations later. At the moment it was necessary to face up to this danger. "Who are you?" he asked excitedly. "And who are your companions? What do you want of me? Successor? You're insane!"

  The small animal came walking around the table, waddling like a duck. It came to a stop and supported itself against the floor with its broad tail. Under its cheerfully sparkling eyes appeared a single incisor tooth which seemed to gleam with pleasure. Calus couldn't know that Pucky always revealed this tooth when he was in high spirits and planned to play a prank.

  "You are facing Admiral Calus, you miserable wretch!" chirped Pucky in an incredibly high tone of voice. "Are you not going to get up and pay your respects?"

  Calus swallowed hard. But he was Calus! This other person was only an imitation of him.

  "Is that so!" challenged the mouse-beaver and Calus knew then with a fair certainty that his thoughts had been read. "If there is an imitation Calus around here, you are the counterfeit! Or can you prove the contrary?"

  The Admiral began to suspect that there was more here than met the eye, quite aside from the fact that his uncanny visitors seemed to possess faculties that he did not understand. Be that as it might.

  He brought the small needle-gun out of his pocket with a lightning swift movement but before he could press the trigger the weapon was pulled from his hand as though by sorcery. It glided into the paw of the animal creature, whose incisor tooth became even more prominent.

  "But Admiral, what kind of methods are these? Are you a soldier or a murderer? Now that's enough—out of the way for the real Calus! He has to prepare his speech. I see you've already made some notes about it. Very obliging of you!"

  Calus apparently would have remained seated but he suddenly felt something behind his stiff backbone. It seemed that the chair rose up slightly. Startled, he sprang up and took a few steps. The chair then returned to the floor.

  His duplicate, Sgt. Osega, moved past Calus in a dignified manner and sat down at the desk. Then he addressed Pucky and Ras Tschubai. "It would be better for you to disappear as soon as possible. If anybody should suddenly come in, it might appear suspicious. Two copies of this character would be too much!"

  "There's only one too many 'Calluses' around here," asserted Pucky gravely and he pointed to the Arkonide admiral. "Namely, this one! One 'Calus' will now he removed!" He stepped up to the real admiral and took hold of his limp hand. "He's half-paralyzed with fright, anyway, and that makes it easier to teleport him. Let's go, Ras, give me a hand with him!"

  The African needed no further urging.

  "Lots of luck, Osega! We'll keep in constant contact with you!"

  Before the Arkonide had a chance to think, he and the two mutants dematerialized.

  As the false Calus, Osega was left alone. Fortunately, however, he wasn't to become lonely. Through the telepath John Marshall, he maintained a constant contact with Rhodan and thus received instructions promptly when needed. The timeliness and accuracy of such directions were due to Harno, who could conjure up a picture of Osega and his surroundings and reproduce them on his rounded surface.

  Pucky and Ras had hardly disappeared with their prisoner before a mental warning came to the sergeant:

  Watch out, Osega! An officer is approaching. He wants to see you!

  Fine, returned Osega, who knew his thoughts could be picked up at the other end,that will be a good test right away .

  He appeared to become absorbed in the speech papers. When the door was opened, he hardly looked up. Like a trained actor, he produced a few furrows of displeasure on his brow, which was now the brow of Calus. Hopefully the officer would also regard it as such.

  "Good news, Admiral, sir!" The officer was obviously hoping to improve the mood of his superior. "A transport has arrived from some of the western city areas and it is filled with conscripted recruits. A robot crew brought the vessel in. There are about 5000 men on board."


  Osega received the news with an outward calm. On the one hand the announcement was very regrettable because it meant that another 5000 innocent Zalites were to be carried off to Arkon; but on the other hand it could also mean that Rhodan and his combat commando team might not have to wait very long for their transshipment behind the impregnable walls of the Empire!

  It was why. he could honestly exclaim, "Excellent!" But he added: "See to it that this information is transmitted to the Regent at once. And now I wish to be alone—I have to work on my speech."

  The officer breathed a sigh of relief and departed.

  Also Osega was visibly relieved. It had worked. Now he was sure he'd also stand the test in front of the telecast cameras. Especially when he could distract the audience with these new drastic measures regarding the older age groups.

  The Zalites might wonder about it but the main objective was to keep the Arkonides and the Regent from wondering at all!

  • • •

  Certainly the genuine Calus had sufficient grounds for wondering about many things. There was not only the fact that he had been brought by means of teleportation to a completely unknown location which was apparently deep beneath the planet's surface, but also he was confronted by alien, unfriendly faces.

  In one corner of the room was a printing machine that produced a valid set of Zalite credentials every few minutes. A group of men in white smocks fastened photographs and brain-wave pattern cards to the documents, filled out the pertinent personal data for each and stacked them all in a neat pile.

  In the background a number of Zalites sat at crudely fashioned tables and conversed with one another. Some of them were reading. To his left, one of the niches had been partitioned by a curtain of some sort. He could not make out what was behind it. Only once a man came out from behind the curtain and spoke to another Zalite:

  "The equipment is ready, sir. We can begin whenever you say."