Perry Rhodan 0076 by (68) Under the Stars of Druufon

Author:(68) Under the Stars of Druufon [Druufon, Under the Stars of]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-11-26T03:03:28.111000+00:00

The broad spaceport seemed devoid of all life.

The Druufs were evidently waiting for the aliens to initiate something. They did not make themselves evident in any way, not even to make radio contact.

Meanwhile, work in the physics laboratory aboard the Drusus proceeded without pause, feeding the data to the control room. Rhodan read the reports and announced his summary:

"The atmosphere is breathable as it’s more or less identical with our own on Earth. We can therefore leave the ship without spacesuits or breathing apparatus. A day lasts 48.6 hours, twice Earth’s. I don’t think we have to worry anymore about Druufs’ time-rate. The difference is no longer noticeable and the Druufs will hardly be concerned if we move twice as fast as they do. We’re smaller and thinner than they are. Besides, I think it’s possible that they’re already aware of the difference. They’ve penetrated our universe often enough."

"What’s supposed to happen?" demanded Bell impatiently. "Are we just going to wait here until the cows come home?"

"The Druufs will contact us, never fear," Rhodan assured him. "In the final analysis, they are the ones who need an ally—or at least they think they do."

"Are the translating machines ready?" inquired Atlan. "We still don’t have any idea if…"

"Oh, they’ll work," Rhodan assured him. "Of course we don’t even know yet if the Druufs can speak at all—which doesn’t mean that the translators won’t be any good, should that be the case. I think we shouldn’t worry about it, though, until the Druufs actually show up. Sikerman, who had been observing the spaceport, spoke up. "Here comes a Druuf—he’s alone." Rhodan looked at the vidscreen. For the first time now they had the opportunity to examine a Druuf without disturbance or distraction.

The creature was at least 3 meters tall and had a squarish, clumsy body. No hair could be seen but the colour of the leathery skin was clearly evident, a range from brown to black which might have been due to the odd twilight of afternoon. The massive body rested on two ponderous legs that resembled pillars. The spherical head was 50 centimetres in diameter. Most astounding were the eyes: there were two under the forehead, facing ahead, plus two more where a human’s temples would be. The arrangement enlarged the Druufs’ field of vision by no small amount, although they could not see directly behind. There were no visible ears or nose but there was definitely a mouth, resembling in form an isosceles triangle. At the end of the two bulky arms were slender, delicate fingers, all out of proportion to the rest of the massive body.

The Druuf approached the three ships with slow and cautious steps. He carried neither weapons nor any kind of equipment with him.

"A negotiator," Rhodan ventured. "We should show him we’ve seen him. Reggie, go to exit hatch B-4

and extend the ladder."

"But that’s a freight hatch…"

"Do you think that giant out there can climb up a normal personnel ladder?"

"Will he come voluntarily into our ship…?"

"He will if you invite him in.

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