Gregory saw Charles staring at him and said, “Is something wrong?”
“I think it’s time you decide just who you’re supporting.”
“What do you mean by that?!”
“You forced me to decide if I would defend humanity even at the cost of being ostracized by my species. Exactly what price are you paying in this?”
Gregory stared at Charles and Allison said, “Just what are you saying. Are you questioning Gregory’s loyalty to humanity?”
“Not at all; that’s all he’s loyal to. We are little more than tools for him to carry out his ultimate plan.”
“WHAT ULTIMATE PLAN?!” Allison said harshly.
“To insure that humanity becomes the most powerful civilization in the universe.”
Gregory stared at Charles and smiled slightly, “What gave me away?”
Everyone turned to Gregory with shocked expressions. “The fact you delayed so long in revealing you knew how to solve the equation,” Charles replied.
Gregory shrugged, “I thought you had missed that. I suspect my forcing you to make a promise only confirmed it.” Charles nodded.
Allison turned to Gregory, “What’s going on?”
Gregory nodded toward Charles, “Why don’t you tell her and everyone else?”
Merry turned to Charles, “Dad, what’s going on?”
“I have to admit that I didn’t see it until recently. I knew Gregory was smart, but I really didn’t know just how smart he really is until now. I think he did know that the more powerful the beam the less transfer of energy takes place. He deliberately faked a lack of knowledge with the computer and led the computer into the discoveries. He didn’t come to us earlier because he planned to develop this technology on his own and give it to Earth. He found that he needed us to develop the force field around Earth before he could build a ship that could remove us as a threat.”
“What do you mean remove you?” Allison asked.
“He has a weapon that could be used to destroy this ship.”
Allison turned to Gregory, “Is this true?” Gregory nodded. “Why would you do that?”
“Because he has imprisoned mankind preventing us from controlling our own destiny. You can try to justify it as protecting other civilizations but it’s still imprisonment and, trust me, I know imprisonment when I see it.” Gregory turned to Charles, “How did you learn about the weapon?”
“Once I figured out that you had no choice but to enlist our assistance, it became clear you wouldn’t do that unless you had a way to remove us if needed. The only reason you decided to use us is because there is a real possibility of an advanced civilization attacking Earth before you could build a ship. Once we put the force field around Earth, then you could go back down to Earth and build a ship capable of destroying us.”
“But we would see if he tried to do that Charles,” the computer stated.
“He doesn’t need a large starship Computer. All he’d need is a small, airtight ship. He wouldn’t even have thrusters on it; he could fly it using the new drive field. Oh we’d not notice it and with the new drive field, his ship would be indestructible. With the weapon, we couldn’t survive against him.”
“So it appears we need to kill him like you originally planned,” the computer stated.
“You’d never get the weapon if you do that,” Gregory replied.
“Don’t want it,” Charles stated. “I’ve lived for more than two billion years never using the weapons on this ship.”
Allison’s face was pale, and Gregory said, “There is no need to harm Allison; she’s no danger to you!”
Charles glared at Gregory and said, “You and Allison will go to the work room and your meals will be delivered to you there.”
“And just what will we be doing there?”
“Learning about just who you really are!” Charles answered. “Go there now!”
Gregory stood up and left the bridge with Allison. Everyone stared at them until they left and Merry said, “We can’t just kill him!”
“He represents the largest danger to the universe Merry. We’ll discuss this in two weeks. In the meantime, get those projectors done.”
“You’re still going through with this?” Nicole asked.
“I made a promise to defend humanity; I’m bound to keep that promise. While that’s being done, we’re converting Dit’s ship to this new stardrive. Merry send me up enough projectors to make that happen.”
Charles looked up, “Computer, I want you to start playing all the recordings you have of what’s been happening on Earth. Play them on every monitor in the workroom.” Charles looked at the others, “Get moving! We have a planet to defend!”
• • •
Merry and Dit left and Nicole turned to Charles, “I can understand how he feels.”
“Do you feel the same way?”
“I did at first.”
“And now?”
Nicole shook her head and sighed, “There’s so much death happening.”
“And do you think that will stop wherever humans go?” Nicole shook her head.
• • •
After a week, Allison turned to Gregory, “Please make it stop! I can’t bear seeing any more of this. I’m having nightmares that I can’t escape.”
Gregory sighed and said, “Computer, ask Charles to come meet with me.”
“You’ve not seen the worst of the recordings and he will not meet with you until you do.”
“Will you please ask him to take Allison to her parents?”
After a moment, the computer replied, “Nicole will take her. She will go to the door by herself and exit the room.”
Allison looked at Gregory and he said, “Please go.”
Allison started crying but walked to the door and stepped out. Gregory turned back to the monitor and saw thousands of people being slaughtered in a community in Africa. He lowered his head and blew out a breath.
• • •
A week later, all the monitors went dark. The next day, the door to the room opened and Allison, Charles, and Nicole entered the room. Allison ran to Gregory and hugged him tightly as her tears ran down her face. Charles and Nicole sat down across the table from them and Gregory said, “Why did you bring her back?”
“She needs to be present for this,” Charles answered.
Gregory sat down with Allison and sighed, “What will you do now?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“What you have to say.”
“And if I still feel the same?”
“Then I’m going to force you to watch some of humanity’s history.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’ve seen enough.”
“Have you?”
Gregory blew out a breath, “I had no idea this was happening.”
“Here’s your problem Gregory.” Gregory looked up at Charles. “You feel you have to act immediately to remove us as your masters forcing your imprisonment. You only have about fifty years or so before the Revel arrive, and you feel you have to act now.” Gregory raised a shoulder. “You’re not paying the price all of us are enduring and that makes you feel you’re not really involved in humanity’s destiny. You can’t take the long view because you won’t be around to see it. That changes now.”
“In what way?”
“You are going to have your life extended.”
Gregory’s eyes narrowed, “Why?”
“Because you will be involved in the decisions concerning your species and won’t be rushed to make a bad decision.”
“I don’t want my life extended.”
“Do you prefer to instead send out into the universe what you’ve been watching for the last three weeks? Do you think what you’ve been seeing won’t happen if humanity goes out into the stars?”
“If I agree to not work against you, will I not have to extend my life span?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because you are respon
sible for this new technology and you must be responsible for it being used properly. You’ll die in fifty or so years from now but you’re the one that knows the most about it. The price you’re going to have to pay is to be present and make sure it isn’t used inappropriately. Our price is that we will be ostracized by my species. Your price is no where near as severe as what we’ll have to endure.”
“How long will I live?”
“A couple of billion years or longer. The jury is still out on that.”
“If you extend his life, I want mine extended as well,” Allison announced. Gregory turned to her and she took his hand, “I mean it!”
Nicole smiled, “It’s not as bad as you think. Every day is different, and you won’t really notice the passage of time.”
“But I’ll know about all the centuries ahead of me,” Gregory remarked.
“And that should allow you to make good decisions,” Charles stated.
Gregory sighed and Allison said, “What would Lou do if he were in your place?”
“He’d probably welcome this.”
“Then why aren’t you?”
Gregory looked at Allison and shook his head, “I’ve looked forward to growing old with you.”
“We’ll still be doing that; it’s just going to take a lot longer.”
Gregory stared into her eyes and said, “How can you be so upbeat about this?”
“Because it gives me just about enough time to love you as I need.”
Gregory chuckled and turned to Charles, “And the alternative is?” Charles tilted his head and raised a shoulder. “Alright, I’ll agree to this.”
Charles looked up, “Computer, activate the conversion chamber.” He looked at Gregory, “If the two of you will follow me.” They arrived in a small room and they saw a glass chamber in the middle of the room. Charles opened the door and extended his arm toward it. Gregory walked in and Charles closed the door. Gregory closed his eyes and tightened up but a few moments later, Charles opened the door, “Allison, you’re next.”
Gregory’s eyebrows came together, “Is that all there is?”
Charles smiled, “Yes.”
Allison stepped in and when she stepped out Gregory said, “What about the weapon?”
“Like I said, I don’t want it,” Charles stated.
Gregory smiled, “That’s not an option.” Charles’ head went back, and Gregory continued, “You are the only one in this universe I would trust with it and it may come down to having to use it to prevent us being killed by the Revel. Your ship will be the only one with the weapon and I know you won’t use it unless there’s no other choice.” Gregory paused and said, “This is technology that can’t be allowed to get out to other civilizations; there is no defense against it. Promise you won’t allow that to happen.” Charles sighed and Gregory added, “It might be necessary to prevent your families’ deaths.”
Charles shook his head and said, “Work with the computer and it will make the decision on what we’ll do. It has the responsibility of ensuring I do the right thing.”
• • •
A week later, the computer said, “Charles, I’m installing Gregory’s weapon on the ship.”
“Why?”
“It’s better to have it and never use it than not have it and need it. If it’s installed, then Gregory can let go of wanting it constructed.”
“Why would he want to do that?”
“Because he feels that you will use it to defend him and Allison just like you would your family if needed. It removes a fear he’s carrying.”
Charles thought about it and asked, “Do you have what you need to install it?”
“I do.”
“So it works with the new drive field?”
“It does.”
“Install it,” Charles ordered.
• • •
Charles called a meeting two days later and everyone was siting on the ship’s bridge.
“I’ve been thinking about the issue of acquiring some more ships.”
“Can we do that?” Nicole asked.
“Now that Earth has the field installed on the small ships, it’s a good time to make that happen,” Gregory answered.
“But I thought we’re ostracized.”
“Not yet Nicole. That won’t happen until we take aggressive action against another civilization. Until that happens, we are members of the Covenant in good standing.”
“So I should go and get my ship?” Nicole asked.
“Actually, you’re going to pick up four more ships.”
“WHAT?!”
“Merry, Gregory, and Allison are now members of my species. As such, each of them is entitled to a ship. We need to go and get them now while we’re still part of the Covenant.”
Dit smiled, “I’ll use my ship to take them to the construction planet.”
“No, that’s not going to happen,” Charles replied.
“Why not,” Nicole asked.
“Have you forgotten the terms of you getting a ship? My computer will be cloned into the new ships. It fully understands humanity and it will prevent bad decisions being made. Humans will always want to act first, and my computer is necessary to make sure what’s being done is in keeping with our covenants. Dit will take you to the construction facility in my ship and I’ll remain here on his.”
“But we won’t be part of the Covenant much longer,” Nicole stated.
“That’s true but humans will often say ready, fire, aim. The computer will prevent that from happening. If the computer and the one on the ship disagrees, then I will resolve the conflict.”
“Does that mean Gregory and I won’t be on the same ship?” Allison asked.
“No. Dit and Merry and you and Gregory will share a ship leaving two ships that aren’t being used. However, I suspect that Merry and Allison will one day have a child and we’ll need a ship for them to use. We’ll hold them here for when that happens.”
“What about my grandchildren?” Merry asked.
“I’m hoping we can build ships here by that time. We’ll have to wait and see.”
Gregory looked around and asked Charles, “Do you trust me with one of your ships?”
“Not really. But I do trust my computer and perhaps over time, the two of you will find an equilibrium. I also trust Allison to lead you down the proper path.” Gregory looked at Alison and saw her surprise. He smiled and nodded to her.
“When do we do this?” Dit asked.
“That’s why I’m having this meeting now. I’m not sure how long it will take to get the ships prepared and your summer recess is about to start. You’ll leave the day after your last finals are graded at MIT. Does anyone have any questions?”
“When we get back, I’m staying on your ship Charles.”
Charles turned to Nicole, “Are you sure about that?”
“I am now.” Charles smiled and hugged her.
Epilogue
Charles sat on the bridge and stared out of the viewport at the beautiful green and blue planet below; Earth never looked more beautiful. Nicole was visiting her parents and making up for lost time. She was worried about their health until he told her that he ran a genetic rejuvenation field around them before they came to the wedding. They were in their late sixties, but they were in perfect health; they should be around for many years to come.
The four ships arrived just in time for fall quarter and Gregory decided to go back to school and get his doctorate. He and Allison lived with her parents and would often take them on a small ship to their new starship. Martha and the computer were becoming quite close.
The first decision made when they returned with their ships was determining how to distinguish between the ships’ computers. Just calling all of them ‘computer’ could lead to communication issues. They decided to give each Computer a name and allow them to choose what it would be. He pulled rank and allowed his computer to choose its name first. It chose Adam. Charles smiled, “I believe lore has it that was the fir
st human’s name.”
“Well I was around at the time and Adam is my name.”
Dit’s ship chose Dash for a name. Merry burst out laughing when it chose but Dit loved it. Gregory’s ship chose Lou for a name. Charles no longer worried about Gregory and his computer getting along. By choosing that name, Gregory instantly bonded with it.
• • •
He sat on the ship and thought about all that had happened. The Revel were probably somewhere in the future and by bringing four more ships to Earth, they may appear sooner than later; but they weren’t really a problem with the field around Earth. They were still part of the Covenant and he really didn’t worry any more about having to leave; they would be fine without them if it came down to it. Things had settled down and he decided to go down to the camper and go to Plymouth Center for some clam chowder. Humanity was still struggling to find peace, but progress was being made. He wondered what would happen when humans were finally allowed to go out into the stars. He shook his head slowly and knew the universe was going to get a huge surprise when that happened. Humans were like a small child holding a stick next to a bee’s nest. It shouldn’t poke it, but it just couldn’t resist doing it. But that was in the future and something to hold his interest. There was no rush; it was only a matter of time and time was something he had in abundance. Life was good.
The End
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Books by Saxon Andrew
The Annihilation Series:
Love Conquers All
The Power of a Queen
A Rose Grows in Weeds
Tommy’s Tale
Searcher
Demon’s Sacrifice
Finding Keepers
(The seven books above are also audio books at Audible.com)
Prequel-Psychic Beginnings
Searching for a Hero
Dahlia’s Deception
Annihilation-The Complete Series Box Set
The Annihilation Saga:
Lost Royalty
The Warrior's Destiny
No Way Out
Fight... and They Will Come
Ashes of the Realm:
Juliette’s Dream
The Watcher II: The Time of Suppression Page 20
