Star Force 12 Demon Star

Star Force 12 Demon Star by B. V. Larson, David VanDyke Read Free Book Online

Book: Star Force 12 Demon Star by B. V. Larson, David VanDyke Read Free Book Online
Authors: B. V. Larson, David VanDyke
machines are taking a peek at what’s going on in this star system? The Ancients?”
    “Or some other entity who has more control over the rings than we do. That’s one possible theory, yes.”
    I looked at Hansen, who shook his head. “I don’t like it, Skipper,” he said. “Feels wrong.”
    “Agreed.” Like him, my gut was telling me to get out of our vulnerable grounded position and into open space, ready for battle. And, if one of the slabs decided to come through, it seemed like raw distance was the only thing that might provide a measure of safety. “Valiant, relay this to all hands and ship commanders: I want to lift off in twelve hours. Marvin, keep me informed about any more significant changes in the ring.”
    “I will do so. Captain Riggs, I would like to attempt to access the ring resonance network. Establishment of communication with Earth or some other known space system could be achieved.”
    I thought about it. “You can do that once we’re underway, Marvin, but not before. Just make sure you know who you’re talking to before you give them any information. No releasing malware into the network!”
    “I resent the characterization of my hacking attempts as malware,” he complained. “No harm was intended.”
    “But harm was done, Marvin. Clearly, the golden slabs were interested in you. I’m still amazed we got out of there at all.”
    The golden slabs were large vessels of unknown alien origin. They tended to sniff around, moving with such speed they seemed to teleport from place to place. Many of us thought the slabs were related to the Ancients who’d built the rings—but that was just conjecture.
    “In the future, I will include larger margins for error in my risk calculations.”
    “You do that,” I said. “Anything else?”
    “Not of significance. Marvin out.”
    Hansen chuckled. “You seem to be handling him better lately.”
    “Don’t count on it. I think he’s just more aware of the many threats in front, behind, and all around us. That makes him more cooperative.”
    “Maybe for the first time it’s sinking into his thick brainbox that he needs us as much as we need him.”
    I shook my head ruefully. “I hope so. Now back to work.”
    Hansen nodded and moved off to manage the command staff. Changing the ship’s routine was always hectic and took four times as much supervision as one would think.
    I was just turning back to the holotank to continue familiarizing myself with the Demon ships when Hoon lumbered onto the bridge in his water-filled suit. I suppose I should be thankful that he was aquatic, or he’d be up here more often. In agitation, he waved his mouth-parts, which served him as hands.
    “Captain Riggs, I object to your sudden change in schedule! I have several delicate processes that will take longer than twelve hours to complete.”
    “Sorry, Professor, but that’s the way it is. We’ve detected a change in the ring’s energy state that concerns me.”
    “Let me see the data.”
    “Marvin has it. Ask him.”
    Hoon shuffled his body and his various appendages. He looked at me with a stance I’d come to recognize as suspicion. “Why did you say ‘we detected’ if it was the robot that actually noticed the anomaly?”
    “Because we’re a team, Hoon,” I said. “We share. It’s what starship crews do. Competition may strengthen us as individuals, but it’s the cooperation of those individuals that has allowed us to survive.”
    “Your cultural and linguistic conventions are of no concern to me, young Riggs. Be more literal with your communications in the future.” With that, the steer-sized lobster scurried off, his motions oddly precise for a creature of his mass.
    For the next twelve hours I continued to deal with my key personnel, mostly stroking egos and getting people to work with each other. Hansen did a good job of running interference for me and resolving things, only kicking decisions upward that he felt were worthy of my time.
    I

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