Norby Finds a Villain (Norby Series Book 6) by Janet Asimov & Isaac Asimov

Author:Janet Asimov & Isaac Asimov [Asimov, Janet & Asimov, Isaac]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Janet Asimov
Published: 2015-07-12T15:00:00+00:00

9

THE PROBLEM

The Hopeful was in orbit when Rinda pointed to the view-screen and said, “Here they come!”

Huge ships were bearing down on Mars. “They must have come from hyperspace,” said Jeff. “There must be a great many of those Biguglies.”

“Biguglies?”

“Norby named them. I refuse to refer to them as masters. Can you get the Hopeful into hyperspace now, Norby?”

“As you have just pointed out, the Biguglies probably have many ships everywhere, and are capable of hyperdrive. I can’t just go into hyperspace. I’ve got to move us backward in time, to a time before the Biguglies appeared in our solar system.”

“Jeff,” said Rinda, “If, as you reported, the Biguglies claim to have conquered everybody, does that mean that my planet Izz has a Master, too?”

“I’m afraid so,” said Jeff. “Hurry, Norby.”

“I wish those ships weren’t coming so fast,” said Norby. “I’m having trouble hurrying. My circuits feel more mixed-up than usual.”

Just as the Hopeful winked out of normal space, Jeff saw in the viewscreen that the domed cities of Mars were exploding.

“All those people—dead—my fault,” said Jeff.

Rinda was crying. “No, my fault. I persuaded Oola to imitate something she could detect that the alien used as a pet, so the alien’s electronic guard field would drop a little. I thought maybe that would free Norby’s hyperdrive so we could escape back to the ship.”

“I didn’t realize Oola’s fangs could penetrate the alien’s suit, but I guess only a tiny hole was needed,” said Jeff. “I don’t remember wishing she would become a sabertooth, but I must have.”

“If the two of you would stop heaping guilt on yourselves, let me remind you of two things,” said Norby. “The Bigugly was about to kill you, Jeff. And me, too. The second thing is that none of those people we saw really exists.”

“But they were real!” said Jeff.

“In a time that should not have been,” said Norby. “We have just visited a false future, one that should not have occurred. Jeff, you and I have been in the future once or twice and not only were humans space travelers, but the Others were alive and well.”

“Then Ing did something that caused the Biguglies to start conquering everybody,” said Rinda.

“Yes,” said Norby. “We must find out what he did and go back to stop it. Ing brought the Biguglies a ‘key’. We must find out.”

“How?” asked Jeff, feeling weary and worn out.

“And where are we now?” asked Rinda.

“We’re in hyperspace,” said Norby. “I’m not sure how far we’ve traveled in time, but at least there aren’t any Biguglies sneaking into our air lock. And as to how—I don’t know.”

“Then take the Hopeful out into normal space. Then we’ll find out what time period we’re in,” said Jeff.

“After you and Rinda get some sleep,” said Norby. “Do I have to be a nursemaid as well as a genius robot who rescues everybody?”

“I guess Oola has the right idea,” said Rinda.

Oola was curled up like an ordinary cat that just happened to be green. She was sound asleep.

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