Apes and Angels

In Apes and Angels, the second book in the Star Quest Trilogy by Ben Bova, humankind embarks on a star-bound mission driven by a desperate quest to save intelligent life across the galaxy. As a lethal wave of gamma radiation approaches Earth and other planets, humans, guided by ancient intelligent machines, seek out and protect worlds harboring intelligent beings. The crew of the Odysseus faces both the challenge of shielding a primitive civilization and safeguarding themselves from the impending cosmic threat.