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

your planets, so I am giving your civilizations Dark Matter technology.”
    The two leaders looked at each other and the Hive Master said, “I don’t know that we should have it, Madam President.”
    Leigh Ann smiled, “That proves to me you should. If we get tied down in that galaxy, we won’t be able to come to your defense if you’re attacked and we can’t allow that to happen. I want you to send a team of your best engineers to Earth and we’ll send them to our builders to get what they need to start ship construction. You should get on it immediately.”
    The Horde Leader stared at Leigh Ann for a moment, “We will start construction and you may consider our fleets as part of your own. Our promises will never be broken.”
    Leigh Ann smiled, “Nor ours to you. Please make this happen quickly.”
    “The engineers will arrive in six of your hours.”
    “Thank you.”

Chapter Three
    D at skipped away from the ten Rovers and activated his panel for data retrieval. He studied the chosen planet and said, “Stein has the microprobe at the designated planet been able to intercept any transmissions?”
    “Unfortunately, it has not. There is no electronic traffic on the planet to intercept.”
    “Move the probe down to the planet’s surface and record their verbal conversations.”
    “That will remove our ability to see incoming warships.”
    “We’ll drop another one when we arrive. I need their language to make this work. I’m going to assume you’ve ordered the appropriate clothing from fleet.”
    “It will arrive in a jump package tomorrow. I have the coordinates on where you need to go to retrieve it.”
    “Get the probe down to the surface in one of their communities. Learning their language is the primary goal for the moment. I can’t do anything until that is done.”
    “It will release most of its power and go passive. It should be undetectable.”
    “Could you see it?”
    “Probably.”
    “Then so can they; we’ve already seen how good their sensors are.”
    “You can’t have it both ways, Dat. Either you are not going to know when a warship arrives or you’re not going to hear the inhabitants speaking. You can’t do both.”
    “Stein, isn’t the probe’s antenna always in green space?”
    “Well, yes.”
    “Then even if it’s on the planet, won’t that antenna be able to sense an approaching ship in subspace?”
    “Yes but only just before it arrives.”
    “They set it to dump all its energy at that moment. It can recharge using its solar accumulators after the ship leaves.”
    “If it has no power, how will it know when to recharge?”
    “Will we know if it shuts down?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then that will be reason for you and Loree to come and check things out. Once the ship leaves, reactivate the probe.”
    “I assume you’re talking about when you’re on the planet.”
    “I am.”
    “Do you want us to attempt a rescue if you’re discovered?”
    “That goes without saying.”
    “Don’t lose your rings.”
    “You can count on that. If they’re removed or I die they will self-destruct.”
    “I’m going to send all the recordings of the black creatures to your panel.”
    “Why?”
    “You need to see what you’re up against.”
    Dat shrugged, “Send them.” An hour later, Dat wished he hadn’t asked to see them. The black creatures had to come straight out of hell. They looked like a walking amoeba with ten arms that appeared to be stronger than steel. The arms had hands on them and could also provide locomotion as legs. They could also be extended more than fifteen feet. They were flexible and didn’t appear to have any solid structure or bones in them. The head of the creature was able to move to whatever part of its body that was the highest above ground but the incredible beak was always in the central mass of the creature. It would wrap its victim in its arms and pull them close. The beak would then savagely shoot into the captive’s body and the long