Star Rover-Chosen to Die (Lens of Time)

by Andrew, Saxon

  “Is that enough time to see what’s going on?”

  “If they could get close to their major planets, they would. However, it appears that civilization has disrupted space around their capital and military planets. The probes are too far out to make a good scan. By the time the scan can be read, the probes are destroyed.”

  The Leader didn’t like what he was hearing, “Do any of you think they have come here and scanned our space?”

  The Second’s head went forward and back, “There is no way to know. They insist they’ve kept their promise but I don’t know if we can believe them.”

  The Leader thought about it and said, “Disrupt space around our major planets as well.”

  The Second leaned forward, “Why would you want that done?”

  “If they kept their promise up to now, I don’t expect them to honor it anymore.”

  The Fourth spoke into his panel and looked up, “The disruption will be done in a day.”

  The Ninth said, “What are we going to do?”

  The Leader looked at the Masters and said, “I’m not going to wait on them to attack; however, I am not going to risk our fleets taking them on in their galaxy without knowing what we’re facing.” He turned to the Sixth, “I want a planet chosen in that galaxy that hasn’t had space around it disrupted. Send a Quadzen of Battleships to attack it and we’ll see how they respond.”

  The Fourth leaned back, “Do you want space disrupted around the planet?”

  “What do you think?”

  “We won’t be able to escape if our ships are heavily outnumbered. However, it might allow us to kill the planet before they could arrive to save it.”

  The Leader stared at the Military Master and said, “Our goal is to see how they respond to our attack. I could care less if the planet is hit. We’ve seen what can happen if our ships are trapped in disrupted space without a means of escape. I think it would be better to go in without disrupting space. If you feel differently, tell me why.”

  The Tenth almost remained silent but felt he had to say what he thought, “We could extradite ourselves from the current situation if we don’t go too far. Up to this point, we’ve only killed nine of their old battleships. If we destroy a planet, we will cross a point of no return.”

  The Leader stared at the Tenth for a long moment before saying, “Do you not think we’re past that point anyway?”

  “I keep thinking about what that being said.”

  “What is that?”

  “He said we’re mentally ill and are unable to believe that there are civilizations that are not a danger to us. I wonder if he might be right.”

  “There’s something else; what is it?”

  “They chose to destroy all our probes. Why did they feel they could do that without being destroyed? Why did they do it at this particular moment? Is it possible they are more powerful than we believe? I did not sense any fear in the being I talked to. That bothers me.”

  The Leader stared at the Tenth and looked around the table, “Do any of you have anything to add to what the Tenth just said?” The other Masters remained silent. The Leader looked at the Tenth, “What would you do if this were your decision?”

  “I would jump our ships in far enough away from the planet to allow that civilization to respond. If they didn’t respond, I would recall our ships without firing on the planet.”

  The Fourth said, “If they don’t respond, we would not have anything to worry about. Destroying the planet will let them know they need to stay at home and defend their galaxy.”

  The Tenth lowered himself slightly on his middle leg in submission to the higher rank of the fourth and said, “We could always attack another planet. We can’t give life back to one we destroy. We don’t know enough yet to take actions that would start an interstellar war.”

  The Fourth leaned forward and said in a tone that was almost a sneer, “We’ve already committed ourselves to war.”

  The Leader watched the exchange and the Second could see his thoughts. He and the Leader knew each other from the time they were cubs. He said, “You will jump in two million miles from the planet and move forward at half speed. If you arrive within firing range of the planet, you will jump away.”

  The Fourth was shocked. This was never done. He looked at the Leader who was standing motionless and saw he was not going to overrule the Second. His anger was great but he leaned back. The Leader said, “You will go with the ships.” The Fourth was shocked again. “You should see firsthand what that civilization is capable of doing. Report back to us after your mission is complete.”

  “But Master…” The Second rose up on his two outer legs and the Fourth knew he had gone too far. He stood and leaned back. The Leader moved his head slightly back and the Fourth turned and left the chamber.

  • • •

  The Sixth said, “My Seekers have managed to find several of their probes in our galaxy.”

  The Leader jerked his attention to the Sixth, “Have you been able to damage one for examination?”

  “No, they disappear when we move a ship or probe in on them.”

  “So they were lying about spying on us?” The Sixth’s head went up slightly.

  The Tenth was reluctant to say anything but knew he had to do it, “Master.” The Master tuned to him. “How is it that all of our probes we had in that galaxy, as well as the ones I launched when I was there, were unable to see their probes? But now we are able to see them here?”

  The Master stared at the Tenth and looked at the Second and Third who were also confused by the observation. The Master turned back to the Tenth and said, “What does this say to you?”

  “Either you are right and they are spying on us…or…the probes we’re seeing come from somewhere else.”

  The Master immediately rose on his outer two legs and his shock was clear. He looked around the room and said, “How do we confirm this?”

  The other Masters were in a state of confusion and began talking over each other. The Second brought them to order and said, “Third, “I want your opinion first.” The Leader listened to each member of the Table Council and saw they had no clue as to how to find out. The Second finally asked the Tenth and he said, “I would recall the Fourth from leading the ships to attack one of their planets.”

  The Second leaned forward, “Why would you do that?”

  “He’s more prone to do something aggressive than most of us.” The Leader moved his head back.

  The Second saw the Leader’s agreement and turned back to the Tenth, “Are you saying we don’t send the ships?”

  “No, just place my Ship Leader in command of them and charge him with finding out. We need to make sure those ships have our most sophisticated scanning ship with them.”

  “Why?”

  “If we launch a hundred main battleships at one on their planets, do you not think they would send probes to watch us? Oh there will be probes present; and if we can’t detect them…”

  The Leader said, “Then the probes we are detecting don’t belong to them.”

  The Leader stared at the Tenth and saw a rare talent. He leaned back and said after a moment, “Would you still go through the appearance of attacking a planet?”

  The Tenth looked at the other two Masters associated with the Military and knew he was causing a high level of animosity by speaking against their plans. The Leader saw him look and knew the next moment would define for him if the Tenth was all he appeared to be. The Tenth said, “I would not advance on the planet. I would jump in and wait for them to respond.”

  The Leader smiled and said, “The Tenth is now promoted to number Three.”

  The Masters in the room looked at the Leader but none of them showed any hostility. They had witnessed the Tenth’s actions and knew that he deserved his new status. “Master, I am not as experienced as the others at the Table.”

  The Leader said, “That might be a good thing. We’re missing things that need to be seen.” The Leader turned and t
he Second pressed the table. He recalled the former Fourth and ordered the Scan Ship to join the ships leaving for the spiral galaxy. The New Third contacted his Ship Leader and told him what he needed done. The Ship Leader was not happy. Just how was he going to find out about the probes without being attacked? He moved his battleship to the formation above the Alien’s Capital. “Leader, our ships are ready and waiting for your orders.”

  The Leader saw the planet chosen to attack was the Capital of a species called Moet. He rose on is outer two legs and said, “Set the entry point in normal space even with the Planet’s second moon. If we are fired on, all ships will jump back here. Is that clear.”

  “Yes, Leader.”

  “As soon as any warships arrive, all ships will jump away.”

  “Leader, why are we going if we’re just going to run?”

  “I will remain behind to see if I can get the beings to communicate.”

  “Leader…”

  “You have your orders, carry them out.”

  “Yes, Leader.”

  • • •

  Angel heard the Klaxons start blaring and she looked at Bret. He was reading his panel and said, “A hundred plus Alien Battleships have just jumped in on the Moet’s Capital.”

  Angel pulled her Helmet on and said, “I want a hundred ships ready to jump.”

  Bret stared at his panel and said, “Sir, the Alien Ships are not advancing on the planet. They’re holding station at the second moon.”

  Angel’s brow furrowed and she saw the feed coming from the Moet’s system. She thought furiously and said, “Arve, Grest, Dizzy; prepare to follow me to the Moet System. We’ll be jumping out in fifteen seconds.”

  Dizzy said, “I’m having a hundred ships locking in the planet’s coordinates to jump in to support us if needed.” Angel nodded and smiled. Dizzy was cool under stress. Angel saw the countdown reach zero and her ship disappeared from normal space.

  • • •

  The Wellington appeared above the Moet’s Capital and Angel saw the Haven, Melbourne, and Troy appear next to her ship. She looked at her helmet visor and saw the Alien Ships remained in formation and weren’t moving. She took the ship controls and began accelerating toward the invaders.

  • • •

  The Ship Leader looked at the Leader of the Scan Ship on his board, “Do you detect any probes?”

  “No, I do not. Nothing is on my displays.”

  “Do you think there are any present?”

  The Scan Leader moved his head forward, “I have no way of knowing. However, I would have probes sent to follow any ships sent into my galaxy.”

  The Ship Leader saw the four ships start moving toward his formation and knew he was out of time. He pressed his panel and said, “All ships will return to our point of departure. Leave now.” The hundred plus ships saw the four huge ships accelerating toward them and were reluctant to leave one of their own behind. However, they were well trained and followed their orders. They jumped away leaving the single battleship behind.

  • • •

  Angel watched her panel and saw the Alien Ships disappear. She activated her communicator, “Back off and slow down.” The four Jukeboxes slowed and approached the single blue battleship until they were a thousand miles away. Angel looked at Bret and he said, “It appears they want to talk again.”

  “Why would they bring that many ships and then send them away?’

  “I don’t know; why don’t you ask him?”

  Angel snickered and said, “I’m curious as to why you sent the other ships away.”

  The Ship Leader blew out some atmosphere and said, “I felt like they might get in the way.”

  “Of what?”

  “Getting you to reveal one of your probes.”

  Angel’s surprise was instant, “Just why would we do that?”

  “I really don’t want to say; just assume that it would go a long way towards helping us better understand you.”

  “Stand by.” Angel looked at the Microphone and saw her father’s frequency, “Admiral, are you listening in on my conversation?”

  “I am.”

  “I need someone in authority to take it from this point.”

  “I’ll handle it.”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  “Why did you bring those ships into our galaxy? You could have just appeared outside and waited for us to come.”

  The Ship Leader thought for a moment and said, “You told me you were going to blow my ship apart if I didn’t immediately leave. I didn’t know if that threat was still a reality. I brought the ships to get you to pause long enough to see that I didn’t come to attack you.”

  “Why did you come to this planet?”

  “One of your senior Military Leaders was directed to come here before we lost our probes. I hoped he might still be here and would communicate with me.”

  Dat listened to the Alien and after a moment said, “You really don’t expect me to believe that, do you?”

  “No, but you have to admit it makes a good story.”

  Dat was surprised at the Alien’s remark and after a moment smiled, “You’re not the one I spoke with the last time.”

  “No, that was one of our Leaders; I’m the commander of his ship.”

  Dat lowered his head, “That means he didn’t come because you were planning something that would endanger him.”

  The Ship Leader moved side to side in admiration. This being was smart. “We did originally plan to attack this planet to determine your strength. Then we just decided to come and allow you to attack us to make that determination.”

  “Then why did you send your ships away?”

  “Another issue took priority. We have a need to see one of the probes you use to watch us.”

  Dat shook his head, “Let’s just for a moment assume that we have a probe that is watching you; why would we even consider revealing it to you?”

  The Ship Leader thought about what to say and knew he wouldn’t reveal it, either. He knew deception was out of the question; this being was too smart for that. He decided the best thing was to be honest. “Revealing a probe could have a positive impact on the direction we are now moving in.”

  Dat stared at the Blue Ship in his monitor and shook his head. He muted the microphone and looked at Gresha, “What do you think is going on?”

  Gresha shook her head and thought furiously, “I’m not sure. However, what would be the impact of showing him a probe?”

  “They’d know we have the ability to spy on them.”

  “Do you not think they already know that? How else could we have knocked out all their probes here?” Gresha’s eyes went wide, “They’ve found probes there!”

  “What?”

  “That’s why he’s here. They’ve discovered probes in their galaxy and want confirmation that they’re ours.”

  “But we haven’t launched the Rovers or probes yet.”

  “When are they going?”

  “The first are launching in ten minutes.”

  “Stop them, Dat!”

  “But this operation has taken months to get organized.”

  “For God’s sake use your brain; think about this!!”

  Dat looked at the Blue Ship in his monitor and pressed his panel, “General Robinson, put the launch of our scouts and probes on hold.”

  “Admiral, we’re too far into it to stop.”

  “General, this is a direct order that you can confirm with Admiral Hull, you will immediately put the launch on hold!”

  Brad stared at Admiral Arvolo, “I’ll issue a hold until I can communicate with Admiral Hull.”

  “That would be good, General.”

  • • •

  The Ship Leader waited for a response. He didn’t know if his ship was going to be attacked but he couldn’t leave until the being answered. He looked at his Second and saw him shrug. He spoke, “Are you still there?”

  “Give me a moment; we’re discussing your request.”

&n
bsp; • • •

  “What do you mean put a hold on the launch!?!”

  “Admiral, Gresha and I suspect the Aliens have detected probes in their galaxy.”

  Katherine’s eyes narrowed, “What? We don’t have any probes there at the moment; we pulled all of them out.”

  “So what if it’s still true?”

  Katherine thought about it and said, “Someone else is there watching them.”

  “They want to see one of our probes, Admiral.”

  “They’re not brassy are they? They just fly in and say, ‘Show me your probe’ and expect us to do it. Are they that out of touch with reality?”

  Gresha pressed her communicator, “Admiral, what if they’ve detected the probes watching them. Who do you think they believe it belongs to?” Gresha saw Kat’s expression on her display. “Showing them something they already know exists is not a significant danger.”

  “They don’t have proof.”

  “Do you think that will matter if they decide to attack? Would you refuse to believe they don’t have probes if all of ours were removed from their galaxy? Oh, they know we have probes.”

  “Are you suggesting we reveal them?”

  Gresha looked at Dat and after a moment said, “Yes, I guess I am.”

  “And just what do you think they’ll do if we do?”

  “I’m not sure…but if there are other probes in their galaxy, their attention will be taken off us.”

  Katherine thought for a moment and looked at Dat, “What do you think?”

  “Hold off on launching our scouts and show them a probe.”

  “You really think that’s what we should do?”

  “No, not really.” Kat’s head went back. “However, Gresha is sure and I’ve not seen her make a mistake. Remember, she sees things we don’t.”

  Katherine looked off her screen and they knew she had looked at Brad. She said, “Are you sure?” They couldn’t hear the response but Katherine looked back at them and said, “Show them all the probes we have around them.”

  Dat nodded and left the channel active. He unmuted his board and said, “Do you have your recording devices active?”

  The Ship Leader was shocked by the question, “I do.”

  “Well you have five seconds to record from now.”