Perry Rhodan NEO: Volume 18 [Parts 1 to 3] by Christian Humberg Frank Borsch

Author:Christian Humberg, Frank Borsch
Language: eng
Format: epub

5.

Alone in Eternity

May the worse one perish...

The old saying somehow stuck with Toreead as he hurried down the corridors. Who was “worse” in this situation? Was it really the Topsidans down on the shattered moon? Or were the Naats making a huge mistake, one that might cost them their honor, since they should have known better?

He was repeatedly approached by comrades he passed on the way, but he ignored all of them. His goal was more important than anything they could have asked him. His goal...and his own questions. Curse Rhodan! Why had he put such nonsense into his head?

Toreead barely recognized himself. Ever since Rhodan and his companion had appeared out of nowhere in his cabin, Toreead had been standing beside himself, watching his own actions like an interested—and understandably perplexed—observer. So perplexed, in fact, that he had even had to talk to Ugolyev in the hope of bringing a little more order to his thoughts. But had he succeeded?

No, Toreead knew now. On the contrary. The undertaking had been doomed from the very first moment, for it had been born not of tactical calculation, but of hope. And what did hope have to do with the here and now? The attack on Rayold, ordered by the Arkonide Sergh da Teffron, had clearly been futile and doomed from the outset. Like most of the other members of his squadron, and like cannon fodder, Toreead had long since resigned himself to death and consoled himself with the conviction that at least an honorable end was in sight. So the inner line he needed to fully play his part in this attack had already been drawn. What was hope good for? There was no hope in this place, after all.

May the worse one perish. Or...the foolish one?

What were these humans? Was he really helping himself by listening to their arguments, by thinking about their points of view? Rhodan had promised to help the Naats if only he and his companions were spared. Ugolyev had described a world full of fascinating things, in which even the smallest detail could reveal the commitment and strength of its inhabitants. Whether in the Gobi Desert, where Rhodan had turned a vision into a city against all odds, or amid the gastronomic scene of Moscow, where a skillful entrepreneur like Rhino knew how to hold his own against all competition, on both large and small scales, humanity had shown strength. That was the quality that most clearly distinguished them, Toreead found. Didn’t the humans resemble the Naats in this way?

Suddenly, other images appeared in his mind. He saw Reginald Bull trapped aboard the Keat’ark. Bull had faced death calmly and, despite his seemingly hopeless situation, never despaired, channeling his fear into purposeful rage. When the chance to escape came, he had taken it.

Toreead thought of Rhodan himself. Rhodan hadn’t given in to Novaal’s pressure either, hadn’t broken under the Reekha’s treatment. Not even solitary confinement had made him betray his convictions.

And Rhino. Toreead had watched him a bit through the onboard security system before finding him in the hangar.

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