The watcher 3 breaking t.., p.1
The Watcher 3: Breaking The Covenant, page 1
The Watcher 3
Breaking the Covenant
Saxon Andrew
Copyright © 2020 Saxon Andrew
All rights reserved.
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locals, organisations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.
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Contents
Introduction
Chapter One • Chapter Two • Chapter Three • Chapter Four • Chapter Five • Chapter Six • Chapter Seven • Chapter Eight • Chapter Nine • Chapter Ten • Chapter Eleven • Chapter Twelve • Chapter Thirteen • Chapter Fourteen • Chapter Fifteen • Chapter Sixteen • Chapter Seventeen
Epilogue
Books by Saxon Andrew
About Saxon Andrew
Introduction
The Watcher sat on his command chair and stared through the viewport at Earth. It was a beautiful planet from orbit and today it appeared spectacular. He felt the urge to leave the ship and go down to the surface but found focusing on things to do wasn’t easy on the planet. Nicole was on Earth visiting Merry and the twins and getting her back on board wouldn’t be easy. Merry and Dit had twins seventeen years ago and named them Joel and Julie. Gregory and Allison had a baby girl nine months earlier and they named her Cassie. Most everyone called her CJ which was short for Cassie Jennings. He chuckled as he realized he wanted to join Nicole but that would happen in a few days. The twins were turning seventeen in a week and he knew he’d better show up for the birthday party or he would catch a ration of ill will if he didn’t. Gregory and Allison were getting Cassie admitted into MIT, but they promised to be at the party. Cassie just turned eighteen a few months earlier and like her father, she was going straight into graduate school. The twins would probably join her; they had a direct door in with Martha being head of admissions.
Charles shook his head; they grew up so fast. It seemed like just a moment ago that the defense field had been placed around Earth to protect it from attack. It was twenty-one years ago, and the time had seemed to just fly by. The children had been born and now they were entering college.
He sat back and stared at the planet. It had also changed dramatically since he had first imposed the suppression field making all weapons of mass destruction in operative fifty-four years ago. The ever-present air pollution around the planet at that time was gone. Merry and Gregory developed a fusion reactor, and it wasn’t long before the planet was being powered by safe non-polluting energy. Humans had stopped killing each other about nine years earlier and the planet had come together and elected a world government that proved to be successful in moving humanity toward peace and prosperity.
“What’s bothering you?” the computer asked.
Charles sighed and answered, “Humans have come along faster than I ever anticipated possible.”
“That should make you happy. You’ve had humans start teaching the Universal Language used by most of the trading civilizations more than fifteen years ago; they should be ready to open trading negotiations with those civilizations.”
“It does but it also causes me to be concerned.”
“Why?”
“Adam, the Revel have not made an appearance yet. If we start allowing humans to go out into the stars, what do you think will happen if the Revel show up while that’s happening?”
“I haven’t considered that. It would put all of their starships in jeopardy; the Revel could track their stardrives.”
“And to prevent that, we would have to go to the Revel and warn them to stay away which would make us the aggressor. I think we must not allow humanity to leave Earth until the Revel make an appearance.”
“Then just allow them to continue developing Earth and keep the suppression field in place,” Adam replied.
“But the Revel may never come.”
“You’re worried about being ostracized from the Covenant, aren’t you?”
“Not as much as I once was. However, I do think we should tell the Covenant about our decisions and what we intend to do.” The computer was silent, and Charles asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Do you remember that I said you were justified in defending Earth against the Revel attacking Earth.”
“Yes. You stated that Merry, Nicole, and Gregory could not flee because they live on the planet which forces us to act in self-defense.”
“That changed when you went out and brought four additional ships to Earth from the Construction Facility; now they have the possibility of fleeing the attack. Fighting against a Revel attack is a direct violation of the Covenant.”
“Does that mean you will not allow us to do it?”
“The jury is still out on that. However, you do need to come up with a way to defend doing it; have you come up with a defense?”
“I have; although it might be questioned.”
“If it’s a rational defense, I and the other ship computers will not be questioning it.”
“That’s good to know.”
“You might consider presenting your defense to the Covenant prior to the Revel arrival.”
“Adam, I always thought you said it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.”
“Not in this case. The Covenant will need to digest what we’re doing. We’ll still be ostracized from the Covenant, but they can accept it better.” Charles was silent for a few minutes and Adam said, “By telling them, it will probably trigger a Revel attack.”
Charles’ eyes narrowed and then he smiled, “I think you’re right.”
“When are you going to do this?”
“After the twins’ birthday. I think I can go down and join Nicole now. Thanks for helping me wrap my mind around this.”
“We’ll need to start building construction sites on Earth for starships rather quickly if you go through with this plan.”
“Why?”
“We’ll no longer be allowed to use the Construction Facility.”
Charles chuckled, “I think I have a possible way to prevent that happening. I’ll discuss it with you when I come back.”
“That’s interesting. I’ll work on the idea and see if I can come up with what you’ve decided before you get back.” Charles nodded and left the bridge for the landing bay and a small ship to take him down to Earth.
Chapter One
The birthday party was a large one with many of Dan and Martha’s friends in attendance. None of them knew that the Watcher and his wife were the twins’ grandparents, and everyone knew to keep that bit of information silent. No one on Earth had ever seen the Watcher, and Charles moved around the attendees enjoying the conversation. It was like in the old days when he moved around Europe and the Plymouth Colony with no one knowing he was an alien. He and Nicole got a lot of comments on how young they looked, but they’d just smile and say, “Good genes.”
The twins and Cassie were sitting in the back yard next to the lake eating ice cream and cake and Joel looked at Cassie, “I understand you’re going to MIT in the fall.”
Cassie smiled, “Yes, I’ve just been accepted.”
Joel smiled, “Julie and I have also been accepted and we’ll be entering in the fall as well. I was wondering if perhaps you and I could spend some time together once we’re on campus.”
Cassie’s head tilted, “Why would we do that? It’s time I started looking for someone to have a relationship with and if we’re seen together a lot, it might give the impression that you and I are a couple.”
Joel stared at her for a moment and blew out a breath, “You’re right; I didn’t think of that.” Joel stood up and walked back up to the house.
Cassie watched him leave and said, “What’s wrong with him?”
Julie blew out a breath before saying, “CJ, you really are a consummate idiot.”
“What do you mean?”
“You haven’t seen over the years that Joel has always been attracted to you?”
CJ stared at Julie and shook her head, “Why would he? We’re almost related.”
Julie rolled her eyes, “Now I know you’re dumb. None of my family’s DNA is in you. Your Parents had their life extended but none of my parent’s DNA was put into them during the process. You and Joel are not related in the slightest.”
“But I need to find someone who is a good match for me mentally,” CJ replied.
Julie’s expression turned slightly angry, “And you think Joel isn’t your equal?” CJ stared at Julie and she said, “You’ve just broken Joel’s heart and I suspect you’ve blown whatever chance you had of him choosing you. At the end of the first semester, check the grade standings and you might get it through your thick head that you’re not worthy of him. You are absolutely oblivious of everything around you.” Julie stood up and ran to catch up with Joel. CJ watched her leave and snorted. It was her father that solved the equation for the defense field, not their parents. She intended to find the best one to meet her criteria for a ma
• • •
The party finally ended and Merry saw something was bothering Joel, “What’s wrong.”
“Nothing Mom, it was a great party.”
Merry glanced at Julie and saw her shake her head, “Well, happy birthday and you have some very exciting years ahead of you.”
“Thanks,” Joel replied and walked away.
Merry turned to Julie and she said, “CJ just rejected him.”
“I need to talk to him!” Merry immediately responded.
“Now is not the time, Mom! Give him some space. He’ll be ok if we just leave him alone.”
“Are you sure?”
“If there’s a problem, I’ll let you know.”
Merry nodded and heard Charles over her mental link. She saw Julie was also hearing the link, “I need everyone to go to my ship in the morning for a meeting.”
“What’s going on Charles?” Nicole asked.
“We need to discuss what to do next about humanity and the Revel. I’ve given the issue some thought and want to share what I’ve determined with all of you.”
“What time?” Gregory asked.
“Ten in the morning.”
The link ended and Gregory turned to Allison, “It’s about time he started allowing humanity to go out into the stars.”
“Are you sure we’re ready?”
“If not now, then when?” Gregory stated firmly.
• • •
The meeting took place in the conference room and after everyone was seated, Charles said, “Adam will handle all the questions directed to our computers. If one of the other computers have a question or issue, they will contact Adam and he will present it to us.”
“Why did you choose Adam to do this?” Gregory asked.
“He has seniority, and the meeting will go smoother with just one computer representing all of them,” Charles answered.
“The other computers have agreed that this is the best process to use during the meeting,” Adam announced.
Charles saw Gregory wasn’t in a good mood and he turned to him, “What’s bothering you Gregory?”
“Why is humanity still forced to stay on Earth; they’ve earned the right to go out into the universe.”
Adam asked, “What evidence do you have to support your statement?”
“You’re just working with Charles and not being objective,” Gregory responded.
“It was your computer that asked that question, Gregory,” Adam responded.
Gregory’s eyes widened slightly, and they heard over the loudspeaker, “Sorry for interrupting but Gregory has very little patience and raising this issue before the discussion has even started shows it. Gregory, why don’t you sit back and listen and then start challenging everything.”
“Lou…”
“Just be quiet and pay attention,” his computer responded. “Sending them out when you know nothing about what they’ll encounter is poor judgement.” Gregory glanced at Allison and saw her shaking her head with pursed lips. He sat back and stared at Charles.
CJ listened to the exchange and felt they were picking on her father. He’ll show them who was the smartest one present.
• • •
Charles looked at Gregory and then looked around the room. “The reason we’re having this meeting is because Gregory is right about humans having earned the right to take the next step forward. They no longer kill each other, and they are working together in peace and harmony. I believe it’s fair to say that humans are no longer a danger to other humans.”
“Are you saying you’re going to allow them to go out into the stars?” Dit asked.
“There are some things that make me reluctant to do that just now.”
“Such as?” Gregory asked.
Charles turned to him and said, “I promised to defend humanity against outside aggression and in order to do that, humans must learn what they’re up against. The Revel have not made an appearance yet and before humanity can go out into the stars, it must be confronted by them.”
Nicole shook her head, “What do you mean by that?! Are you suggesting Earth must be attacked before they can be free?” Gregory was glad Nicole asked that question; it saved him from having to do it.
Charles turned to Dit and said, “You are also reluctant to free humanity. Why don’t you tell everyone why you are?”
“You know why?” Dit responded.
“It will be clearer if you tell them without my having to prod you to do it. Please tell them what will happen if we free humanity now,” Charles requested.
Dit looked around the room and shook his head, “I believe the Revel are going to show up sooner than later. Bringing the additional warships back to Earth will probably be what brings them here, but you don’t want to send out ships before they arrive.”
“Why not?” Merry asked.
“Because once they home in on Earth’s location, they will be able to detect the residue of the stardrive left behind by Earth’s ships. They will know that those traces are being left by a new civilization that’s just moving out into the stars. That will tell them that new civilization is a good candidate to be conquered. They will also follow those tracks to the ships that made them and destroy them to determine their level of technology.”
The room was silent, and Gregory said, “They won’t be able to track our new stardrive field.”
Merry turned to Gregory and said, “I honestly hope you’re not suggesting we give humans that field.”
“Why wouldn’t we?”
Merry rolled her eyes and said, “You intend to give a species that has just learned how-to live-in peace with each other technology that would make their ships invulnerable. Humans have learned now to live in peace with each other, but they know nothing about co-existing with other alien civilizations. Before humans can go out into the universe they must learn that all life is important; not just human life.”
“And just how do you intend to teach that lesson without allowing them to interact with other civilizations?” Gregory asked.
“Humans have to see themselves for who they are and who they’ve been,” Charles remarked. Gregory turned to him and stared at him in silence. “And the way to make that happen is for them to see the Revel and recognize that they are very much alike.”
Allison saw Gregory’s expression and said, “So, you’re willing to risk Earth being attacked by the Revel?”
Charles sighed, “The Revel are going to find Earth. They’ll either do it now or after Earth sends starships out to interact with other civilizations. If we’re going to have to confront them, it’s better to do it sooner than later.”
“WHY?!” Gregory asked.
“The Revel possess a high level of technology and I’d prefer to face them before they can develop more advanced technology. I’d also prefer to meet them on our terms instead of theirs. This is where we’re at our strongest and the field we’ve put around Earth will prevent it being harmed.”
“What if it doesn’t?” CJ asked.
“Then Earth will die when the Revel arrive,” Charles answered. He turned to Gregory, “Aren’t you the one that predicted the odds of them coming are substantial in it happening.” Gregory stared at Charles for a long moment and then nodded as he blew out a breath. “Do you still stand by that prediction?”
Gregory continue to stare at Charles, glanced at Allison and CJ, then said, “I’m surprised they’ve not already made an appearance.”
“I suspect they’re tied up with a recent conquest,” Dit interjected.
Charles nodded and turned back to Gregory, “Tell me what harm will happen if humans are delayed going out to the stars.”
“It’s just I’ve waited so long for it to happen.”
“Then it’s like Lou said earlier; it’s your impatience that’s driving you toward doing this. Humanity is living in a golden age right now and they will come closer together as time goes by.”
“But the Revel may never come!” Gregory said harshly.
Gregory smiled, “No, I think we’re going to do something that will bring them right in.”
Gregory’s head went back and Dit said, “Do tell.”
“We’re going to contact the Covenant and tell them what we’re planning. I suspect it will get us ostracized but it’s better to tell them before we get into a fight with the Revel.”
