Read Online Buck Rogers 1 - Buck Rogers in the 25th Century by Addison E. Steele - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Addison E. Steele
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planet is in the soup now. Who do you think was on the other end of the circuit, Theo? I think it was the pirates, and now we’re more dependent upon the protection of the Draconian Empire than ever. And as for Captain Rogers, I think he stands convicted by his own actions. Coming in here with that mapping transmitter in his ship, then trying to escape from the custody of Colonel Deering . . .”
He shifted his glance from the computer to the colonel as he mentioned her name. He saw her turn away, unbelieving, stunned by the new, damning evidence against the man she was still hoping to see vindicated. “At first I thought he was guilty,” Wilma sobbed. “But then—” She was unable to continue.
“Personal contact is always a mistake, my dear.” That came in the computer voice of Dr. Theopolis.
Wilma wheeled furiously upon the box of lights. “Don’t lecture me on human behavior, Doctor. I may not be the world’s greatest expert on the subject, but I believe I have an edge on you!”
“I meant nothing personal,” the computer said. “But you are obviously being subjective in the way your evaluation is made. I, on the other hand, also support Buck Rogers. But for very practical and impersonal reasons.”
“What are they?” Dr. Huer asked.
“Well,” Theopolis replied, “I am convinced of one thing. Our friend Captain Rogers has indeed met Princess Ardala and been aboard the Draconian flagship. His descriptions are too precise to be the guesswork of a pirate.”
Gaining hope, Wilma said, “Maybe the pirates have been aboard Princess Ardala’s ship. They could have coached Buck . . .”
“My dear,” Theopolis said, “they are the deadliest of enemies. It is unlikely that any pirate could survive such a visit at all.”
“Then you think the Council will share your faith in Captain Rogers? Even in the face of this damning evidence?”
“Of course they will. I am a member of the Council, revered and respected by all.”
Theopolis’ lights flashed smugly.
In deep space, far above the entry corridors to earth, the Princess Ardala’s Draconian flagship still drove contemptuously through the blackness. Its every line, every jet-thruster, every jutting laser-weapon spoke of its arrogance and strength.
In the private quarters of the Princess Ardala, the mutant Tigerman who stood constantly on guard moved aside grudgingly and permitted the Princess’ caller to enter.
The visitor was Kane.
“Word from earth,” Kane announced.
The Princess Ardala was in her luxurious bath, surrounded by a group of ladies in waiting. They themselves were only half-clad, as they performed their duties of attending to every luxurious whim of their mistress, anointing her smooth skin and gleaming sensuous tresses with exotic oils and fabulous perfumes.
Kane pointedly ignored the display of feminine allure that paraded before his hungry eyes. “Word of Captain Rogers’ fate,” he elaborated.
Now the Princess Ardala looked up, deeply interested. “He’s alive,” she told Kane.
“How did you know that?” he demanded, his eyes narrowing coldly.
“I knew,” Ardala replied mysteriously.
“Well, you’re right! His ship was intercepted and led down to planetfall, as I expected.”
“And did the transmitter we secreted aboard the ship, provide the information we need? Can we lead father’s forces through Earth’s defense shield now?”
Kane looked uncomfortable. “Well, yes, I suppose so.”
“You suppose so?” the princess snapped furiously. “What do you mean, you suppose so? I want a straight answer to my questions, Kane, not an evasion.”
“The transmitter has been discovered, my princess. So—we know the present pathway through their shielding, but they know that their shield has been compromised. By the time we could get the Imperial fleet to Earth, they’ll surely have changed the coding and we’ll be back in a standoff again.”
“Then we cannot win,” Ardala gritted
He shifted his glance from the computer to the colonel as he mentioned her name. He saw her turn away, unbelieving, stunned by the new, damning evidence against the man she was still hoping to see vindicated. “At first I thought he was guilty,” Wilma sobbed. “But then—” She was unable to continue.
“Personal contact is always a mistake, my dear.” That came in the computer voice of Dr. Theopolis.
Wilma wheeled furiously upon the box of lights. “Don’t lecture me on human behavior, Doctor. I may not be the world’s greatest expert on the subject, but I believe I have an edge on you!”
“I meant nothing personal,” the computer said. “But you are obviously being subjective in the way your evaluation is made. I, on the other hand, also support Buck Rogers. But for very practical and impersonal reasons.”
“What are they?” Dr. Huer asked.
“Well,” Theopolis replied, “I am convinced of one thing. Our friend Captain Rogers has indeed met Princess Ardala and been aboard the Draconian flagship. His descriptions are too precise to be the guesswork of a pirate.”
Gaining hope, Wilma said, “Maybe the pirates have been aboard Princess Ardala’s ship. They could have coached Buck . . .”
“My dear,” Theopolis said, “they are the deadliest of enemies. It is unlikely that any pirate could survive such a visit at all.”
“Then you think the Council will share your faith in Captain Rogers? Even in the face of this damning evidence?”
“Of course they will. I am a member of the Council, revered and respected by all.”
Theopolis’ lights flashed smugly.
In deep space, far above the entry corridors to earth, the Princess Ardala’s Draconian flagship still drove contemptuously through the blackness. Its every line, every jet-thruster, every jutting laser-weapon spoke of its arrogance and strength.
In the private quarters of the Princess Ardala, the mutant Tigerman who stood constantly on guard moved aside grudgingly and permitted the Princess’ caller to enter.
The visitor was Kane.
“Word from earth,” Kane announced.
The Princess Ardala was in her luxurious bath, surrounded by a group of ladies in waiting. They themselves were only half-clad, as they performed their duties of attending to every luxurious whim of their mistress, anointing her smooth skin and gleaming sensuous tresses with exotic oils and fabulous perfumes.
Kane pointedly ignored the display of feminine allure that paraded before his hungry eyes. “Word of Captain Rogers’ fate,” he elaborated.
Now the Princess Ardala looked up, deeply interested. “He’s alive,” she told Kane.
“How did you know that?” he demanded, his eyes narrowing coldly.
“I knew,” Ardala replied mysteriously.
“Well, you’re right! His ship was intercepted and led down to planetfall, as I expected.”
“And did the transmitter we secreted aboard the ship, provide the information we need? Can we lead father’s forces through Earth’s defense shield now?”
Kane looked uncomfortable. “Well, yes, I suppose so.”
“You suppose so?” the princess snapped furiously. “What do you mean, you suppose so? I want a straight answer to my questions, Kane, not an evasion.”
“The transmitter has been discovered, my princess. So—we know the present pathway through their shielding, but they know that their shield has been compromised. By the time we could get the Imperial fleet to Earth, they’ll surely have changed the coding and we’ll be back in a standoff again.”
“Then we cannot win,” Ardala gritted
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