Lens of Time: Book 05 - Star Rover-The Worst of Time (9 page)

Kyley said, “The Elders will have questions.”

Gresha shook her head, “This doesn’t concern them. Tell us what’s you’re doing here.”

Dat looked at Kyley and then turned back to Gresh, “My galaxy was invaded more than a thousand years ago and the war was brutal. Trillions died before it ended. My home world was destroyed and more planets died in the ensuing war. We eventually prevailed and we swore to never be caught by surprise again. I am what’s called a Rover and those like me go out in the universe seeing if there are other species exist that could be a danger to my species. I found this galaxy and discovered what you call the Masters. They are making preparations to expand out of this galaxy. I’m here attempting to determine if they could be a danger to my people. Your species has the same physical appearance as mine and I landed to see what I could learn.”

“If that’s true, the last thing you would want to do is reveal yourself. You made a mistake saving Gresha.”

“FATHER!”

“I’m really thankful he did but it doesn’t make sense.”

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have gotten involved but I’ve come to know Gresha during my time here and something just wouldn’t allow me to see her die if I could stop it.”

“When have you been watching me? I’ve not seen you. I’ve never seen you.”

Dat stared at her for a moment and activated the Dark Matter Field. He disappeared and Gresha let out a small scream. He turned it off and said, “I can avoid being seen.”

If the three had any doubts about Dat being an alien, the demonstration removed them. “What have you learned?”

Dat turned to Gresh, “The Masters are genetically bound to be predators. They cannot stop themselves from seeking out and killing other species.”

“Does that mean you’re going to attack them?”

“I don’t see any other way to prevent their spreading out into the universe.”

“Then you need to leave.”

Gresha looked at her father and said, “If he does, we’ll all die.”

“The price would be worth it to remove this scourge.”

“Dat.”

“Yes, Stein.”

“Fleet says you will decide on what to do. They don’t think you’ll be as effective if you have the death of billions on your conscience. I tend to agree with them.”

Dat slowly nodded and looked at Gresha and then Gresh, “Then I am going to have to outrun that Master again.”

Kyley walked over and looked at Dat, “How close was it this time?”

“He would have had me in another ten feet.”

“Then you need to leave and burn these devils out of existence. I hate this life of fear I’m forced to bear. I’m sick of seeing those I love eaten by those monsters.”

Gresh and Gresha looked at her and saw the first spark of life in her eyes for a very long time. Dat looked at Kyley, “First, I run.”

Kyley sighed and turned to Gresh, “How do we explain him to the Elders?”

Gresha tilted her head, “Don’t we have relatives in Dismal?”

Gresh looked at Gresha and thought for a moment, “Alright, this is how we’ll do it. You made the trip overland from Dismal. You didn’t care if you lived or died because your entire family was taken by the Masters. You came here to find your relatives and arrived with the Masters. You saw Gresha being held and you decided that you didn’t care if you lived or died so you took that risk.”

“What if they question him about Dismal?”

The three turned back to Kyley and Dat said, “I’ll tell them I don’t remember anything other than my family’s screams. I’ll even insist I don’t remember what happened tonight.”

The three looked at each other and Gresh put his lips together and slowly nodded, “This might just work.”

Gresha said, “Just stay with me and act stupid.”

Gresh rolled his eyes, “You have seven days until the full moon. The Masters will return three days later. You don’t have long to prepare.”

Dat shook his head, tried to stand up, and fell to the floor. Gresh lifted him with one hand by the back of his shirt and carried him to a bed. Dat fell asleep with the three talking about what had happened.

• • •

Dat awoke the next morning and found all of his clothes had been washed, folded, and put on a chair next to the bed. He wondered how he had been undressed. He looked around and quickly dressed. He went out into the main room and found Gresha filling a plate with food, “You were really tired.”

Dat smiled, “Yes, I guess I was.”

“The Elders want to speak with you as soon as you finish eating.”

“Is that good?”

“Act stupid and I’ll interpret.”

Dat stared at her, “Uhhh…what does stupid look like.”

“Just act like you don’t know what’s going on.”

“That should be easy because I don’t.”

“There ya go.”

Dat finished eating and Kyley came over and cleared the table. Gresha took his hand and led him out the door. The sun hit him in the eyes and he was shocked to see the entire community standing outside. His shocked expression was exactly what Gresha hoped for and she said, “Now you’re scaring him. Back off and show some respect.”

The crowd moved back, leaving the Elders at the front. “What do you think you were doing last night?”

Dat looked at the lead Elder and said, “I didn’t think.” After a pause he said, “I think.”

The Elders saw his vacuous expression and sighed. The Leader said, “Why did you challenge the Master?” Dat said nothing but looked at Gresha. He continued to stare at her and they understood. He did it for Gresha. There were four more questions that obviously confused him, or it appeared they did as he looked at Gresha each time one was asked. The crowd finally broke up and moved away. Gresha took Dat by the arm and led him to the market. Dat noticed the farmer was not at his table as they walked down the hill. He looked at Gresha and she smiled, “It appears that whatever hit the farmer in the head resulted in his failure to get inside in time.” Dat furrowed his brow and knew that she knew he had been the one to hit the farmer. She nodded her head at the new male at the table, “This one’s family has been given the farmer’s fields. The Farmer’s son has been sent out into the wilderness. There were many who saw him tell his father the Masters were here. Their residence is now empty.”

“Then I should move into it.”

Gresha turned her head quickly, “Why would you want to do that?”

“I know the community’s standards. You are a single female and you should not share quarters with a single male.”

“My, you have been busy. However, we’re relatives so it’s really not an issue.”

Dat stared at her, “And just how close a relative am I?”

Gresha looked away and said, “One of the Elders knew our relatives in Dismal. He’s determined that we are first cousins.”

Dat stared at her and shook his head, “Come on, Gresha. I know of ten couples that are second cousins.”

Gresha sighed and said, “Yes but you need assistance. Besides, you and I both know we’re not the same species.” Dat snickered. Gresha stopped and looked at him, “What’s so funny?”

“Our differences are not of a nature that would prevent us from developing an unhealthy attraction. You look exactly like a human female and though I know you’re not, that is what I see when I look at you. Knowing you’re different internally doesn’t stop me from seeing a beautiful female.”

“Oh, you think I’m pretty?”

“No, I think you’re beautiful and I want you to request the Elders to allow me to move into that residence.”

“You’re serious?”

“I am.”

Gresha started showing her anger and said, “Have it your way. The Elders have already suggested you be moved there. It appears they agree with you.” Dat nodded and she said, “But only because they don’t know we’re different species. If they did they would be ok with it.”

Dat lowered his eyebrows and looked through them at her, “Kinda like keeping a pet.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, they don’t know.” Dat started walking toward the house and Gresha ran after him, “I’ll not fight you on this but I insist that I cook your meals.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s the only way I can find balance for what you did for me.” Dat stopped and looked in her eyes. She was serious. She said, “You don’t know anything about how to prepare our foods and don’t tell me you took time to learn. You didn’t intend to stay here long.”

Dat shook his head, “I have been living on berries.”

“Those aren’t berries; they’re eggs.”

“Of what?”

“One of the flying insects; they’ll help your digestion.”

“I wondered what was causing that.”

Gresha laughed out loud and shook her head, “I’ll come down this afternoon and cook.”

Dat took a deep breath and sighed, “Ok. I’ll see you later.” Dat walked away and Gresha stared at him. He was really nice to look at as well. Then she shivered; but he’s an alien. She watched him disappear into the house and sighed. He was probably right. They shouldn’t share a residence.

• • •

Dat went inside and hit the communicator, “Stein, how am I going to outrun that demon?”

“You should have thought about that before you developed itchy feet.”

“Not now, Stein.”

“Jon has intercepted some of the enemy’s communications and they say they are unable to detect dark matter. If that’s true, you can use the rings to help.”

“How?”

“Your issues are running fast enough and not tiring out, right?”

“Well, yes.”

“What tires you is the weight you’re carrying when you run. You can adjust the dark field and have it cover the bottom of your shoes. Make it propel you forward when the bottom comes off the ground. If you set the repulsion at the right level, you should be able to run faster and even make faster turns. If you overdo it, they will know you’re using something technological.”

Dat thought about the idea and decided that he would start training that night. When Gresha came and fed him she was shocked at the idea of him being out at night, “Are you crazy?”

“He said they won’t be back for ten days.”

“And you trust them?”

“He could have killed us at your home but didn’t. If I’m going to have to outrun him, I need to practice in the dark and learn my way around this community.”

Gresha stared at him, shaking her head, “You’re probably right. That black curse was almost falling in love with you after the run.”

Dat nodded, “He was excited.”

“Well I don’t recommend giving it a hug.”

“I’ll do all I can to heed your wisdom.”

“Walk me home?”

“Sure.” Dat opened the door for Gresha and she was impressed.

“I could have opened it.”

“We open doors for females in my society as a form of respect.”

“Well thank you.”

Dat walked up the long hill with Gresha and somehow, it didn’t seem very long at all.

• • •

Dat set the dark matter field to the bottom of his shoes and then set the repulsive force. He took one step and flew nearly forty feet forward. It was a good thing it was dark. No one was out to see it so he dialed the force back. He ran six steps and didn’t really feel a difference in his normal speed. He moved it up slightly and suddenly he was really flying. He set the angle so the repulsion was horizontal to the ground. He again had to dial it back but found the force needed to increase his speed. He spend the next week working on the range of force he could use and not give away he was being helped.

He was amazed that his endurance increased remarkably. It was like running weightless. The effort required was ridiculously low. He began running for hours at various speeds and he learned all the streets and alleys that connected the community. He wondered how much faster the Master was going to be this time.

“Dat.”

“Yes, Loree.”

“I’ve been thinking about the recording you sent me.”

“And?”

“I think those black creatures are addicted to pursuing prey.”

“Yeah, so what?”

“I don’t believe it will let this next run be the last if you survive. I don’t think it could walk away from it.”

Dat stopped running and thought about Loree’s observation. The Masters had literally bounced back to their shuttle. She was probably right. “What can I do?”

“You either have to plan to be running the rest of your life or die.”

“Let me think about that.”

“I just wanted to tell you what I see.”

“Thanks, Loree.” Dat thought about what he could do to escape from the box he found himself trapped in. He didn’t sleep much that night.

• • •

Leigh Ann looked at Admiral Hull and said, “We have placed far too many eggs in one basket.”

Kat nodded, “Perhaps this is a wake-up call.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“Send the wing the helmets.”

“Do you really think we should do that?”

“We need to see if they work as well for others. That wing is separated from the rest of the fleet and if it fails, no one will know.”

Leigh Ann stared at Kat and finally said, “You know Jill is there.”

Kat hesitated and said, “I do.”

Leigh Ann stared at Kat and thought about Jill’s drive to exceed her achievements. She would be given an opportunity to do so, “Get Captain Anders on the channel.”

Kat didn’t expect that response. Her suggestion to send the helmets was made knowing the President wouldn’t agree and would order Arvolo out but it was too late to prevent what was about to happen.

• • •

Jon met the shuttle in deep space with the other nine Rovers and each of them was delivered a small box. Jon just didn’t know about this technology. He worried that he didn’t have the necessary talents to make it work. Jon looked at the nine Rovers on his display and said, “Open the boxes you’ve been given.”

Jill broke the seal on the box marked Prime Security and pulled out a helmet with a coiled electrical cable. What is this, she wondered. She looked at Jon on her display and he said, “Put the helmets on and you’ll notice a hole immediately under the right arm of your command chairs; plug the cable in that receptacle.” She noticed that receptacle years earlier and never learned what it was for. Now, she knew. Jon said, “I am activating the command circuit and you should be immediately linked to your computers. Activate your links, now.”