Lens of Time: Book 05 - Star Rover-The Worst of Time Read Online Free

and she wanted to keep it that way. She listened to her scan computer designate the G stars off their route for a microprobe and she checked the main computer for time remaining. “Jack, you may start the walk up the hill when the countdown ends.”
    “Actually, we’ll be going down this hill, Jill.”
    “Whatever.”
    Bucket said, “She’s grouchy.”
    “She’s ticked that Dat outranks her; her being the President’s daughter and all.”
    “Will you two cut it out?”
    “See? Grouchy.” Jill shook her head as the six white ships all disappeared simultaneously.
    • • •
    Jon Anders watched the galaxy move toward him at unimaginable speed and then his ship was moving through star systems at a rate that was impossible. He knew that only the advanced cybernetic computers could handle the tasks assigned to him and was thankful for them. He was pretty much a passenger.
    He thought about Fleet putting Captain Arvolo in command. He wondered if it was because they didn’t trust him or they had a higher level of trust in Arvolo. He had looked up Arvolo’s bio on the way out and saw he had a remarkable record. He had found more than ten new planets that had opened trade with the Galactic Alliance and ended two wars between civilizations. He accomplished all of that and still stayed ahead of his scanning quota. So far his orders were all reasonable and sound. He decided that this was not the place for ego problems. It appeared Arvolo trusted him. That was a good thing. One thing that was remarkable in Arvolo’s records; he had won all four fleet trials during his years at the academy. He graduated with the highest pilot score in the Academy’s history. It appears he was just like his ancient ancestor. In another three hours the scan would be completed. He was really curious about what they were facing in this monster galaxy. Four hours later he learned it was monsters.

Chapter Two
    D at looked at his display, “Did you see anything important, Loree?”
    “There was too much data; I’m going to have to leave it up to Fleet’s computers to sort it all out. There are millions of civilized planets and getting them sorted out in a reasonable time is impossible. Just getting a good record of them was next to impossible.”
    Dat saw the other Rover’s begin arriving and waited for Fleet to organize their recordings. Captain Ander’s ship appeared, “Captain, did you find anything significant?”
    “My computer got a recording of a black creature killing an inhabitant on one of the planets we scanned.”
    “Send me a copy of that, please.”
    “You should have it now.”
    Dat looked at the picture and saw a black being that appeared to be made out of numerous thick black ropes. It had lifted the inhabitant off the ground and its beak had penetrated its chest. The inhabitant was fifty percent larger than the black creature so it must have been incredibly strong. Dat stared at the black creature and didn’t see any type of technology on it. It was bare.
    “I also recorded some of those black creatures boarding a warship that was identical to the ones that attacked you.”
    Dat jerked his attention away from the display, “Lt. Connor, please send me a copy of your recording.”
    Dat saw it appear on his display and he placed the two pictures side-by-side. It was the same creatures. Dat said, “Stein, did you record any of their communications?”
    “I did. And before you ask, I am working on translating their language.”
    “How long before you complete that task?”
    “It’s rather complicated. I should be close within twenty hours.”
    “Send the results to my translator.”
    Tim said, “I have a recording of a huge fleet of medium sized ships that are gathered close to the outer edge of the galaxy.”
    “Show me!”
    The picture arrived and Dat said, “Stein, analyze those ships and see if you can determine what they are designed to accomplish.”
    “I can already tell you those ships are