Chindi (2002)

Chindi is a 2002 science fiction novel by American writer Jack McDevitt, part of starship pilot Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins series.

Plot overview

Alien stealth satellites have been discovered orbiting various habitable planets (eventually including Earth) across space. The Contact Society, a group of rich alien enthusiasts, set out in a brand new superluminal, with Hutch as captain, in search of the source of the strange satellites. As they travel they find a species of sentient spider-like beings who destroyed themselves in a nuclear war, a species of avian beings who look beautiful but are really savages, and a technically advanced alien retreat on an artificial moon. Then Chindi is discovered. A giant asteroid ship, almost 16 km (9.9 miles) long, it seems to have no reasonable use; but when they enter it, they begin to discover its true purpose.