Duel Under the Double Sun Page 9

  "He is directly below us," shouted Pucky. "Maybe he's being received by the Antis but I can't say for sure. I can only pick up the radiations from his activator."

  That was quite enough for me. I looked down below and saw practically no one in the large plaza or square. Apparently the Antis had finally taken cover. There were no new announcements from Bell. Were the leading god-priests still relying on their crumbling energy screen? Were they expecting to work some miracle through Perry Rhodan, or with Thomas Cardif?

  I was becoming restless.

  "We could catch him now!" called Pucky impatiently. His deflector screen was so excellent that I could only see a faint outline of his form.

  "No, that's of secondary importance now. We'll only attack when he is with Rhodan."

  "Will they bring him to Perry?"

  "It's highly probable."

  "What do you have in mind?"

  I explained it to him in a few words. The main thing now was to remain undetected and to be able to follow Cardif's tracks. Suddenly we saw a line of vehicles coming across the plaza carrying uniformed figures. So they had soldiers after all, these high lords of the Baalol cult! Or maybe they were only policemen. I couldn't make an exact distinction from where I was. Much more important was another discovery: those armed men were not wearing individual defense screens! It left me bewildered for a moment until I thought it over.

  The answer was simple and enlightening: Trakarat was the homeworld of the Antis. Here they had not been exposed to dangers or other such inconveniences until we had emerged out of hyperspace over their heads. Because of this they had apparently refrained from equipping the regular inhabitants with the special screen projectors. It would have been not only superfluous but expensive. Of course their most important citizens could be wearing such devices so it was necessary to be careful just the same.

  We checked the systems of our cumbersome combat suits. By the gravitational standards of Terra they weighed more than 100 kilos. The built-in antigrav units had to be so adjusted that we could move about with relative freedom from the load we were carrying. If the units were to fail we would be helpless.

  "OK!" Pucky yelled at me.

  He was now forced to shout because the thunder of the penetrating beam bombardment had increased in volume. It was hardly possible to communicate. A nuclear storm broke out over the southern portion of the wavering energy dome. It was one place I wouldn't have cared to be at the moment. Dark masses began to flow into the avenues coming from the south. They were fugitives who were trying to find asylum in another part of the city.

  Fast troop carriers were speeding to the North, which proved that the Antis could think logically. The concentrated fire in the South permitted certain conclusions to be drawn. Apparently a landing operation was about to take place in the opposite direction.

  I put through a call to Brazo Alkher. With all the strong interference the communication was difficult. "Alkher, advise the Fleet flagship-manoeuvres can begin. Continue the bombardment."

  "Understood."

  I cut off the connection. Everything had been done that could be done. The Antis did not seem to have discovered me and Pucky as yet. Apparently it had not occurred to them that two aliens could have dared to penetrate this far without any military coverage.

  "Cardif is moving again," called Pucky.

  It was time. We drifted carefully along the curvature of the roof, flew around several towering antenna masts and then glided down to the ground. Pucky was hanging onto my left foot as I drifted about looking for an entrance. The masonry here had been partially cracked open and at the ground level it was easy to find a suitable opening. We gained access to a splendidly furnished hall from which a number of antigrav shafts led upward. The thundering of the bombardment outside was diminished here, which was a relief to the ears. I went behind a hexagonal pillar made of fluorescent material and pulled Pucky into hiding with me.

  "Fly ahead of me," I said softly. "There are people over there so be careful! Can you still trace the activator?"

  "Much better than ever. Cardif is going below."

  "What do you mean? Down into underground rooms? Is there much of a subterranean area?"

  "All I know is, he's going down there-you can believe me."

  The situation was becoming more problematical. If there were bunkers below it would hardly be possible to gain access to them without being noticed. Even deflector screens had their limitations. We were still unseen but how much longer would we remain so?

  Pucky led the way to an antigravitor which we dared to enter. As we descended into the depths we only encountered one Anti who had come in from a side shaft. He was also on his way below. We got behind the man as he came to a lock entrance of some kind. He was wearing a uniform and although he carried an energy weapon he was not equipped with an individual defense screen.

  Pucky held onto my arm. We waited until the armored gates opened and then slipped through with the stranger. Here we beheld a very strange sight. Thousands of Antis in flowing robes were huddled closely together on the floor and were staring at the walls with a fixed gaze. Beyond was a second large chamber where there were more of the yellow-robed masses of priests. It was obvious that these were the so-called 'psi' troops of the Baalols. It was their assignment to reinforce the outer defense screen with their combined mentalities.

  They were still trying to hold firm. I carefully moved close to one of them and looked at his face. His features were tense, the corners of his mouth were tightly drawn and he was streaming with sweat. It told me enough. These uncanny mentalists had reached the end of their paranormal capabilities. Not even they could be expected to hold off thousands of nuclear impacts for hours at a time. Sooner or later there had to be a limit.

  "Huffy!" said Pucky. "Cardif is going deeper. It's starting to hurt!"

  "Hurt? How is that?"

  "The activator vibrations are getting too strong. And there's always that laughter. That's the way It used to laugh on Wanderer. But it isn't funny-it hurts."

  The uniformed Anti was already at the other end of the chamber. We hastened after him and soon another armorplated portal came into view. The doors opened and closed slowly so that we had enough time to pass through This second lift-shaft contained a mechanically operated elevator cage, which meant that we were getting close to the subterranean control center. All known races of the galaxy avoided installing equipment in especially critical locations which were either complicated or subject to interference. If the power stations failed, antigrav shafts would be useless. A lift cage suspended by cables or raised on gear tracks could always be operated with devices using emergency power. Electric motors only required a fraction of the energy that was consumed by antigrav equipment.

  The cage door slid upward. Our inadvertent guide was apparently an officer and he was in a hurry. I made it safely inside but Pucky happened to bump against the Anti. And with that our hide-and-seek game was finished. I took charge immediately. The Anti was startled but by the time he tried to look around, my arm was already around his throat. I jerked the tall figure back and his hands flailed about helplessly. The muzzle of my pistol pressed against his back. I had turned off my screen to be able to handle him. I spoke to him in ancient Arkonide, which was the language of Akon and had always been used on Trakarat.

  "How would you feel about dying?" I said in his ear while the elevator continued to descend.

  When his struggles suddenly ceased I knew that he had understood. Apparently he had also quickly realized that something invisible was not necessarily a ghost. He was probably familiar with the, Arkonide deflector screen. I loosened my grip and he gasped for air.

  "You will act sensibly now," I told him. "I am not interested in you."

  I let him have more breathing room and he straightened up. Pucky took the beamer from his belt but I wasn't happy about it. In the present situation an unarmed officer could attract attention.

  "What do you want?" he inquired with surprisi
ng composure, and he finally looked around.

  "A Terran named Thomas Cardif is here. I want to find him. That is all. You will go ahead of us and open the doors."

  "I don't know where he is located."

  "Also not necessary. Just keep your mind on my weapon. I won't hesitate to use it!"

  "I suppose not," he answered calmly.

  The man could think. He knew that two invisible opponents had the advantage of him, even if they should be discovered later.

  When the elevator came to a stop I nudged the Anti again with my gun muzzle. "This weapon works silently," I lied to him. "And also keep in mind that there are 8,000 spaceships hovering over Trakarat. Do you see how nice it is to have an overall view of the situation? Pretty soon you won't have to be bowing and scraping to the Supreme Baalol."

  This time I had robbed him of his composure. He looked around swiftly, seeming to be very disturbed. Apparently he was grasping the total picture now for the first time

  When the cage opened, he led the way. We entered a technical control room of some kind. About 50 uniformed operators were present. Pucky had hung onto my belt so that he could keep up with me on his short legs. "To the right," he whispered. "I have a good fix on him."

  I passed this instruction on to the Anti. He hesitated briefly but then continued toward the opposite archway. Somebody called to him but he made a vague excuse and kept going. I gripped his right arm and held it in such a position that his hand concealed his empty weapon holster. Thus we progressed through the control room without being molested although I heard Pucky let out a moan of pain occasionally. Cardif must have been somewhere in our immediate vicinity.

  An arched hallway opened before us. Somewhere we could hear the thrumming of machinery. Farther ahead a curved stairway led to lower levels. On the first landing I saw a guard station and two uniformed figures.

  "Can you get through that checkpoint? Answer me!"

  "No."

  Nevertheless I decided to try. At the Anti's approach a guard stepped out of the control cubicle. When he hailed our guide we came to a stop.

  "Cardif is close," whispered Pucky. "There are people with him-I can sense it now."

  I reached into my belt pocket and pulled out a small pressure capsule containing a fast-working knockout gas. The situation was becoming dangerous. The second guard also appeared. Our guide stood there as though petrified. He could still feel the pressure of my gun in his back.

  "Where are you headed?" called the second guard sharply. Obviously he had become suspicious.

  I pressed the release valve and threw the capsule in front of us. Three seconds later I shoved the Anti away from me while Pucky and I turned on our defense screens. The gas worked swiftly. In two jumps I was beside Pucky and was pulling him along with me. Our involuntary helper never got to make a reply to the sentinel's question, for all three men sank to the floor.

  We ran down the stairway and did not encounter any other guards. Then we were suddenly aware of voices Cardif's husky tones were easily recognized. He was shouting something that I couldn't understand. When we made the last turn of the stairs we came upon a round, dome-shaped room and saw a number of yellow-robed Antis standing before Cardif's monstrous figure. They were looking at him in pitiless silence.

  "...and I'll be able to prove it to you," was the tail-end of the criminal's appeal. Both of his hands were at his throat, as it seemed he was struggling to get his breath.

  I withdrew into a corner under the stairs, taking Pucky with me. It was still necessary to wait.

  "You have failed," retorted a tall but ancient Anti. He wore a violet robe which displayed cryptic symbols in various colors. "We consider it to be out of the question that your father would accede to any more of your demands. What chance do you still have of being able to influence the crews of the Terran warships?"

  "You haven't given me access to the transmitter station!" Cardif complained. "I still would have been able to handle them!"

  "You are wrong. We have intercepted a general communique to all commanders and crews. It is fully known now that you are not Perry Rhodan. You'll have to suggest something else. We have no time to lose. The screen is collapsing."

  I counted five Antis who probably were part of the government of this world. Three others were uniformed and armed. I sought to make a sober assessment of the situation.

  The five influential men were wearing individual projectors which had not yet been turned on. The soldiers or policemen-I had not yet determined how they were to be classified-had already activated their own screens. But since at the moment they did not feel threatened they had not reinforced their fields mentally. Which meant that under present conditions my own weapon would not be able to harm them. Pucky's thermo-beamer was a small special model. Other weapons were too big and heavy for him to tote around with him. I felt it would be impossible for him to get through those defense screens with his needle beam.

  So if it came to a matter of life and death I would have to cause the Antis to use their paramental screens. Then they would be vulnerable to my non-magnetic projectiles. But it hadn't yet come to such a crisis although I expected an alarm. The three unconscious men would have to be discovered soon. There was no other possibility.

  Cardif began to plead almost tearfully. I noted that he seemed to stagger back a step or so in the process. His eyes were wide as though he were seeing something terrifying. Pucky whispered to me that just now the mental laughter was crashing through in waves. It seemed to be following the events as an interested spectator.

  Another cult priest spoke up. "The ultimatum will be at an end in 20 minutes, standard time."

  "I'll speak to him!" shouted Cardif in desperation "Take me to him! I'll bring him to the nearest telecom The Terran officers will obey his commands. His life is at stake, don't forget that!"

  "And ours as well," observed the Supreme Baalol in an icy tone.

  I guessed that this old man must be the chief of the local government.

  "We can make a deal. I'll convince Rhodan how senseless it is to destroy Trakarat. We can even trick him again."

  "How?"

  Cardif finally came to the speech he had no doubt prepared during his escape flight to the planet. He was thinking only of his own life and his own state of health. "You have to try to remove the activator from my chest. Attach another activator to Rhodan, one of the 20 stolen ones. It will begin to react the same as mine did because all these activators have been shifted by paranormal means. After mine has been removed I'll become normal. On the other hand, Rhodan will feel changes and start to become deformed-or some such reaction. All you need is to gain a little time yet. I have to get well again and he must start doing suspicious things. In that case it will be easy for me to take the part of Perry Rhodan again. Who would believe in his identity if he suddenly showed up in some abnormal form and if I were normal?"

  The plan was simple and therefore ingenious. I shuddered at the fathomless depravity of this man who had never once said "my father" but always "Perry Rhodan". Cardif's idea was as good as done, depending upon three conditions. First, the Baalols would have to succeed in removing the activator from him. Then Rhodan had to react as expected. And the third point was myself, which Cardif wasn't counting on. But that would all change as soon as the three unconscious Antis were discovered.

  I had no sooner gotten this far with my thoughts than the alarm finally sounded. To me it was a form of relief. It had been a painful experience to keep waiting for it second by second.

  Pucky and I remained calm. The Anti leaders excitedly asked each other for an explanation. One of the uniformed men ran up the stairs when he heard shouts coming from above. But he came back at once, apparently informed of the situation.

  "Activate your screens!" he shouted. "Someone has penetrated here without being seen."

  I noted the quick movements of the god-priests. Suddenly they were all shielded but I still didn't know where Rhodan was. On the stairs two men appeared
carrying an ominous-looking device between them.

  "Deflector tracer!" said Pucky. "They suspect the truth! What now?"

  It was Cardif who answered that question by his action. I saw him stagger toward the far end of the room and yank open a door. The five Antis followed him while the uniformed men stood back against the walls with drawn weapons. We couldn't see Cardif now. I heard a hectic exchange of words but he seemed to be getting his way with them.

  "Fly over there-fast!" I whispered.

  Pucky acknowledged. I activated the flight unit and glided across the floor toward the door. We reached it without incident because it happened while the men were setting up their tracer device. The staircase was crowded with other soldiers. I could delay no longer, even if they should detect us.

  Pucky was ready to move when I pulled the door open. We were through into the other chamber in two jumps but the warning cries we had expected rang out behind us. I shoved the door shut with my foot, looked around me and raised my weapon.

  At the back of this room stood a tall, lean man with grey eyes and an ironic smile on his lips. Cardif reeled toward him, ready to shoot him down. The Baalols evidently had not suspected what the miscreant had in mind because they raised a cry of alarm. I fired a fraction of a second before he could pull the trigger. My special automatic produced a sharp report, followed by a tongue of flame.

  In the fiery flare that issued revealingly from my deflector screen I saw Cardif's Titan figure fall. His outcry was drowned in the echoing shriek of the projectile's exhaust gases. His right arm had been hit at the shoulder level. He flailed about on the floor, groaning loudly with his eyes staring wide and his mouth contorted in a wild grimace of pain and fear.

  Four of the Baalols had retreated to the walls of the room. Only the purple-robed priest still stood in the middle of the chamber, tall and expressionless as he looked about him. Outside was a clamor of shouts and calls. They didn't dare to either enter or shoot through the door. Cardif kept on shouting and groaning in his evident pain.