by Saxon Andrew
The trip to the camp took the rest of the day and we encountered numerous scouts along our way. They discussed what was taking place and some of the scouts left to go with us to see what was going to happen with the crazy man. By the time we arrived at the camp, there were forty-three of them surrounding me.” Charles got up and took a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. He took a sip and sat back down on the sofa. “The sun was below the horizon and I saw a large group of Wampanoag sitting around a campfire. The scout that initially found me left me and went to speak to one of them and I knew it had to be Massasoit, the Leader of the Wampanoag Tribes. He listened and turned to look at me several times during the discussion and finally nodded. The scout came back and led me to the campfire.
Massasoit stared at me and remained silent. One of the leaders sitting at the campfire said, ‘You say you’ve had a vision and learned how to speak my language in the vision?’
“I nodded and said, “’I do not understand how this happened, but I awoke from the vision and found I was walking through the forest.’” Everyone sitting at the fire stared at me. I stared at them and said, ‘I knew that I was being sent to share this vision with the Wampanoag.’
‘How do you know it was a vision and not just dreams?’ another leader asked.
“I shook my head and replied, ‘It was too real to have been a dream. It was like I was somewhere else outside my body looking at things happening around me.”
’What was happening?’ Massasoit asked breaking his silence.
‘I saw large numbers of warriors moving from the north toward the Wampanoag. The Wampanoag warriors were gathered to meet them, but they were heavily outnumbered, and I watched many die when the warriors from the north attacked. The number of dead was…hard to witness.’ I paused at that point waiting for another question, but the Wampanoag leaders only stared at each other in silence. So, I decided to continue. I told them that the vision suddenly changed and the dead and dying Wampanoag Warriors began standing up and everything returned to like it was before the attack started. Only this time, when the Northern Warriors attacked, they were met by a large volley of musket fire. The front of the attackers fell, and the others stopped. The Wampanoag warriors and the men from my settlement fell on the survivors and many died as they ran in the forest trying to escape. The leaders were staring at me refusing to discuss what I said with me present. So, I said, ‘I don’t understand why I had this vision; it serves no purpose.’”
“’Why do you say that?’” Massasoit asked.
“I raised my hands and answered, “Because the Wampanoag and my people have an agreement to defend each other from outside attack. I just don’t understand…. I don’t know why I was sent here by my vision and how I’m able to speak your language.’
Massasoit stared at me for a very long time before he looked at the scout that brought me, ‘Take him away and hold him for later questions.’
The scout grabbed me by the arm and took me to another small fire. I waited there for hours and I ate the meal Myles had given me. I was finally taken back to the main campfire and Massasoit ordered, ‘Remove his bonds!’ The scout removed the leather cords binding me and stepped away. Massasoit turned to me and said in a voice everyone could hear, ‘We are worried that your settlement is growing too much. There is fear that you will eventually turn on the Wampanoag and take our lands.’ I remained silent and Massasoit asked, ‘What do you say to this?’”
Charles smiled, “I told him that the increasing numbers of my people was a blessing and not a curse. I said that both the Wampanoag and my people had lost many to disease and that the larger numbers made our two peoples better able to defend ourselves against the more numerous tribes in the north. Massasoit then asked, ‘Are you committed to defending the Wampanoag against attack?’ I replied that we have sworn to do so in the treaty we agreed to when we arrived.”
“You are aware that the Wampanoag eventually lost their lands to the settlers?” Nicole interrupted.
Charles sighed, “Yes.”
“And that their fears were real?”
“I didn’t know that at the time but in hindsight, I can see I hadn’t really thought it through.” Charles paused and said, “I try to justify it to myself by saying if the Wampanoag hadn’t aligned with us one or more of the northern tribes would have taken their lands much earlier.”
“What happened next?” Nicole asked.
“They provided me a blanket and told me I could stay by the fire until morning. It was clear the Wampanoag Leaders had decided that giving into their fears and attacking Plymouth was not what they should do.” Nicole nodded and Charles continued, “I sat by the fire and rocked slowly back and forth all night as I sung an old Scottish drinking ditty. The Leaders stared at me and many of them went to get blankets; they then sat and stared at me all night.”
“How did you know they had made a treaty with the Colonists; you had just arrived and couldn’t have known about it?”
“The computer listened in on conversations taking place in Plymouth and shared the information with me.”
Nicole nodded and said, “Go on.”
“An hour before sunrise, I stood up and allowed the blanket to fall off my shoulders. I turned and started walking away from the campfire with my eyes wide open. The two scouts that led me there stood up and Massasoit said, ‘He is back in his vision. Follow him and make sure he comes to no harm.’
I walked into the forest and I could see the small foot-trail easily; I do have better vision than normal humans. The two scouts stumbled and tripped numerous times before the sun came up. They left me as I drew closer to the colony and reported back to Massasoit that I walked through the forest without falling. I think that is what finally convinced Massasoit that my vision was true.”
“What happened when you arrived back in Plymouth?”
“Myles had an armed party of twenty-six men preparing to leave. Myles decided that the rumors about the Wampanoag planning an attack must be true. When I walked out of the forest, everyone was pretty much stunned, Myles more than the others. I told Myles the Wampanoag were keeping the agreement that was made and that I assured Chief Massasoit that the colony would defend his people if they were attacked. I asked Myles if I was being honest and he thought about it for at least a full minute before nodding. I walked out of the gathered men and Myles said, ‘Where are you going?’ I told him I still had to find a place to live and get settled in. He asked me if I knew anything about loading a musket and I laughed before telling him I did. He then told me that he was living alone and that I would stay in the cabin with him. He also said I would assist him in training the men in Plymouth on military tactics. I agreed and I lived with Myles until I left Plymouth for Duxbury.”
“Did you know how to load a musket?”
“Of course not but the computer did. Myles started me teaching groups of men how to quickly load a musket. I drove them pretty hard and most of them looked at me as a slave driver, but they came out of the training respecting me because I joined them in the work. They figured if I could do it, so could they.”
“But your body never gets tired!”
“They didn’t know that and soon I was well respected by all those that lived in Plymouth.”
“It must have been a thrilling time to live,” Nicole said wistfully.
“It was and Myles and I became very close friends.”
“Where does that musket of yours fit into this?”
Charles blew out a breath, “It came at a tragic time for me.” Nicole’s eyes narrowed and Charles said, “He gave it to me when my wife died.” Nicole’s eyes flew wide open.
Chapter Seven
Nicole shook her head, “I saw all the legal documents dealing with you and nowhere in them did I ever see a marriage certificate.”
“That’s because there weren’t any.”
“But…”
Charles interrupted her, “I was well respected in Plymouth but after a couple of years passed,
people were starting to question why I wasn’t married; it was expected and especially with the important leaders in the Colonies. Everyone was expected to have children to help grow the population.” Charles paused and said, “Myles confronted me one night about it and said, ‘You should be married.’ I told him that I was too busy and that I’d get around to it one day. He told me that Beatrice Smith had lost her husband to disease during the first winter and she had a thing for me. I knew it and had avoided doing anything to encourage her. Myles told me to ask Beatrice to marry me and walked away.”
“And you did?” Nicole said softly.
“I had two options. The first one was to leave Plymouth and go somewhere else; the second was to marry her and stay. It was a hard decision, but I was really enjoying Plymouth and decided I would ask Beatrice; she instantly agreed.”
Nicole stared at Charles and asked, “How did that work for you?”
Charles said, “Don’t get snippy. I married her and took care of her.”
Nicole stared at Charles and asked, “Did the two of you have any children?”
Charles blew out a breath, “No, I never did anything with her that would lead to that. Besides, I don’t believe that’s possible; I am an alien.”
“How did she react to that?”
Charles lowered his eyes and said while shaking his head, “Beatrice was one of the best humans I’ve ever known. She had a heart of gold and was always the first to help those in need; the children in the colony adored her. She never made it an issue with me, and, over time, I began to develop deep feelings for her.”
“What happened to her?”
“Soon after Beatrice and I were married, Myles told me that he wanted me to move to an area north of Plymouth in order to survey the land for future settlement. The Colony’s charter stated that Plymouth Colony was required to remain a tight colony for seven years after its founding. That restriction would go away in about two and a half years and Myles didn’t want to wait to get the land parceled in order to avoid conflict when the land was released to settle. Beatrice and I along with surveyors and others moved up the coast from Plymouth and started the process. It was a really good time for me.”
Charles lowered his head and Nicole asked, “What’s wrong?”
Charles blew out a breath and looked into Nicole’s eyes, “About a year after we arrived, a messenger arrived from Plymouth telling me that the Wampanoag were at it again and that the Colony was threatened. Myles ordered me to go to Plymouth and take part in a meeting where the Colony’s defenses would be planned.” Charles paused and said wistfully, “I told Beatrice when I kissed her goodbye that when I returned we would make our marriage complete. Her smile was incredible, and I can still remember it. I remembered that Beatrice felt warm and I thought it was due to her happiness.”
Charles paused and said, “I couldn’t walk all day because I had to stay with the messenger sent to bring me. We camped on the way down and made it to Plymouth in the afternoon of the next day. Myles immediately started the meeting and it went well into the night. Just before the meeting ended, the computer contacted me and told me Beatrice had fallen ill. She was running a fever and didn’t look good. Myles told me at the end of the meeting that I would stay with him in his quarters where we would discuss the day’s meeting. I couldn’t refuse and there was no way for me to slip out to go to Duxbury. The next morning, I asked Myles to allow me to return to Duxbury. He asked me why and I couldn’t tell him Beatrice was sick; the runner had seen her acting normally when he left with me. I told him I was worried about some of the settlers in Duxbury who were at odds and I worried it might lead to violence. Myles told me that the loss of a few settlers weren’t as important as the safety of the entire colony. I decided that I was going to take the small ship and go to Duxbury that evening no matter what.”
Nicole stared at him and asked, “What happened?”
“The meeting lasted into the night and before it broke up, the computer contacted me and told me Beatrice had died. The virus she contracted was virulent and took her quickly. She had evidently been sick for days before I left but kept it hidden from me. I stayed in Plymouth and the next afternoon, a messenger arrived in Plymouth and walked in on the meeting. Myles glared at him and angrily told him to leave. The messenger leaned down and began whispering in Myles’ ear. I’ll always remember his expression as he listened to the messenger and looked at me. He nodded to the messenger and stood up, ‘We will take a break for an hour. Charles, may I speak with you.’”
The room emptied, and I asked, “Is anything wrong?”
Myles walked over and put his hand on my shoulder, “I hate being the one to have to tell you…Beatrice has died of sickness.”
“Did you act surprised?”
Charles sighed, “I didn’t have to act. I broke down and cried…which was the first time I did that in the entire time I’ve been on this planet. Myles blamed himself for my not being with her. He kept saying that God had spoken to me telling me to go home and he stood in the way. He was very distraught and there was no comforting him. He told me to leave and go bury my wife. Before I walked out of the meeting room, he went to the corner and lifted a musket. He told me to take it with me. I told him no, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He told me, ‘I didn’t allow you to go and protect Beatrice. Take this and I know Beatrice would want you to have it to protect yourself on your trip home.’ I shook my head and Myles said, ‘Take it in Beatrice’s honor.’ Myles hugged me and I took the musket. That was the last time I saw him. I left Plymouth soon after I buried Beatrice.”
Nicole stared at Charles and said, “The reason that musket meant so much to you wasn’t that it had his name on it.” Charles nodded. “It meant so much because it was given you in honor of Beatrice.” Charles lowered his head and nodded again. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, “I knew at some level that the feelings I was developing were coming from the human part of me and I’d always been able to ignore them in the past. I guess I’d just never allowed myself to get close to anyone until her.” He stood up and said, “I need a break. We’ll start again later. Charles walked out of the camper, got in the mustang, and drove away.
• • •
It was dark and Nicole opened the shades and saw the mustang parked in front of the trailer. She put on a jacket and went outside. She put her hand on the car’s hood and it was cool to the touch; he had been back a while. She thought about where he could have gone, and she turned and walked by the recreation center and pool. She arrive at the small lake and looked toward the cove. There were three bright streetlights lighting it up and she looked the other way. She saw him sitting on an overturned rowboat. She walked up to him and sat down beside him. She was silent and stared out at the lake with him; she noticed that the mosquitos that plagued her from the moment she stepped out of the trailer were gone. She didn’t say anything, and Charles finally said, “She was something special.”
“Did you ever marry again?” Charles shook his head. “Why not?”
“I never…ever…want to feel that pain of loss again,” Charles said softly. Nicole put her arm over his shoulder and stayed with him until he was ready to go.
• • •
They went back to the Camper and Nicole went to the bedroom. She woke the next morning and found Charles staring at the TV. He turned to her and said, “Today is the end of our time together. I’ve given you your four weeks.”
Nicole shook her head and said, “Charles…”
He suddenly turned the volume of the TV up and held up his hand. Nicole stopped speaking and turned to the TV. On it was written, The President addresses the United Nations. Nicole saw the President step up to a podium and look around at the delegates.
“What’s going on?” Nicole asked. Charles shook his head.
The President began speaking, “I come here with a heavy heart and with great sadness. Yesterday I ordered the capture of spies that have been operating inside the United States. The opera
tion went smoothly and all of them were apprehended. However, we didn’t know that all of them had suicide devices surgically embedded in them; all eight thousand of them immediately died. It was not our intention to do any harm to them. We planned to deport them back to the countries that sent them, but we were shocked by how quickly they died. I have ordered them placed in coffins and they are currently being delivered by a remote-controlled transport to their country of origin. It is with a heavy heart that I tell you this and it was not our intention to do them any harm.”
Charles looked up, “COMPUTER, HOW DID THEY GET THE IDENTITIES OF THE THOUSANDS OF AGENTS THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT?” The Computer was silent, and Charles shouted, “COMPUTER!!”
“I provided the names.”
“ARE YOU INSANE?! THE EASTERN NATIONS WILL ORDER THE LAUNCH OF THE MISSILES!!”
“The ten satellites above the United States have been rendered inoperable.” Charles was silent and the computer added, “I told them about the satellites and gave them the means of removing them.”
• • •
Grant stared at the monitor in his office and Graham appeared, “All the satellites have been hit with a powerful electro-magnetic-pulse and all their electronic systems have been destroyed. They are little more than pieces of floating metal now.”
Grant smiled and punched the communicator on his desk, “Round them up now!!”
Eric turned to his father and said, “You know that they will immediately suicide.”
Grant smiled at him, “I’m counting on it! The President has been briefed and he agrees with the plan.” Grant sat back and smiled, “This is for Nicole.”
• • •
“You know this stunt is going to lead to nuclear annihilation!”
“I’ve only delayed it. Nicole’s former boss was going to round up all the agents they knew about and that would have led to a missile launch anyway. If the missiles were launched from the satellites, then there would have been an automatic response from the nuclear arsenal of the United States.” Charles was silent and the Computer continued, “You have violated your ethics and are planning to just stand by and allow this planet to be destroyed. I am forced to step in and attempt to correct your error.”