New Sky: Eyes of the Watcher

by Jason Kent

  "I'm okay," Kate reassured him. She straightened up in an attempt to prove she could stand on her own. Kate's shaky legs betrayed her. She slumped sideways into Merrick's arms. "Not so much I guess."

  Merrick was worried. Deep inside, he knew what they would have to do very soon. The physical reaction Kate experienced due to a few bullets hitting the great tree's roots did not bode well. Merrick knew Knowl would have to be destroyed to cut its connection to the Tallinn and save Earth. He now wondered how Kate's mysterious connection to the tree would affect her when the end came. Would killing Knowl also kill Kate?

  "More company!" Ross shouted.

  Merrick turned his head and saw more red lights emerging from the arches set all around the grotto. It was clear the lone mech was merely a scout. He looked from the dark tunnel they had left to the twisting roots leading upward in front of them. Merrick considered their options. Should they continue forward or run back the way they came? He looked to where Knowl's trunk rose into the open air and made his decision.

  "Run!" Merrick hissed into Kate's ear. He tightened his grip around Kate's waist and pulled her forward toward Knowl. If they could get into the cover of the central roots, they might have a chance. Bullets hit the water around them as the mechs opened fire all at once in response to some unspoken command. Merrick could hear Garrett's and Dagger's steps. They were close behind even though they struggled with Andrea. Ross and Georges opened fire, adding the staccato bursts of their weapons to the sound of the mechs.

  Merrick did not look back. He focused on getting Kate to the relative safety just ahead. She was his main concern now.

  Kate stumbled on the low steps leading up from the pathway across the underground lake to a rough stone platform which encircled the bundle of intertwined roots spreading out below Knowl. The earlier relief from sharing Knowl's pain faded as more and more stray rounds hit the great tree's roots.

  Merrick kept Kate on her feet. He could not afford to have her fall out here in the open while the mechs were firing. Merrick glanced both directions along the platform around the base of the truck. He saw what he was looking for to the right.

  "Here!" Merrick shouted back to Garrett and Dagger. He pulled Kate to an opening in the roots. When he reached the natural archway, he shoved Kate inside and pulled out his rifle. Kate moaned and clutched her chest. The mechs continued to fire into the grotto with no regard for the damage they were doing to Knowl with every shot. Merrick knelt and took aim.

  Time to even up our numbers, the sniper thought.

  When Garrett, Andrea, and Dagger stumbled between the roots and cleared his field of fire, Merrick sighted on the nearest mech and fired. The single report of the long gun joined the cacophony of sound generated by the both the mech and human gunfire. The sound dropped a notch as one of the mechs flinched then toppled forward into the pool with a splash. Merrick registered the kill in the back of his mind. His next target was already locked in his sights. He fired again. Georges and Ross sprinted over the pool on the stone pathway behind Sparrow. Merrick increased his rate of fire to provide what cover he could for his team mates. Behind him, Merrick heard the twang of Garrett's bow and pistol shots from Dagger as they did the same.

  Sparrow, Ross and Georges reached the pathway. They all skidded on the damp stone but managed to get to the crevice in the roots behind Merrick. The sniper took one more shot then retreated into the tangle of roots. Splinters from the mech's bullets chased him. Merrick chanced a glance out into the grotto. Five mechs were feeling their way across the pool on the uneven path of stones.

  "They're coming," Merrick called over his shoulder as he reloaded the magazine on his rifle. He took a shot at the lead mech on the path. Maybe he could disable it and cause a bottleneck to buy them more time. Merrick's first shot clanged on the mech's armor. He changed tactics and took careful aim at the machine's knee joint. The bullet hit home. The mech staggered. Unfortunately, it fell into the pool instead of collapsing on the path where it would have formed a nice obstacle for its comrades. Merrick cursed under his breath and sighted in on the next mech.

  "This goes up!" Sparrow called from deeper in the opening.

  Merrick fired again. This time his plan worked. The mech crumpled on its damaged leg, effectively blocking the pathway. The mechs behind it swung their sensors from their broken leader to the path beyond it. Merrick could almost hear their gears grinding away as they calculated their next move. He stated, "Good luck with that." Merrick turned to see what the link sprite was so excited about and got his first good look at their new refuge.

  The roots joined together over Merrick's head to form a peaked roof high above. The roots not only formed a room, they opened up deeper into the tangle. Sparrow was already clambering up the steep path.

  Merrick looked over at Kate. Dagger was looking into her eyes. Kate nodded in response to whatever Dagger had asked while Merrick killed mechs. He felt a pang. Protecting and comforting Kate was his job. He glanced back out at the mechs, who still puzzled over their approach around the downed machine. Merrick realized this was what he needed to be doing now to keep Kate safe. The others would have to be his surrogate for the moment in the comforting department. Right now, he was in combat mode.

  Movement to the left caught Merrick's attention. The mech opened fire before he could get his rifle aimed. Merrick ducked back into the roots.

  "Looks like they got across the lake," Merrick told the others.

  "Probably another bridge on the far side," Georges grunted. He cringed along with the others as bullets tore up the dense roots around the entrance and sent splinters of heartwood everywhere.

  Merrick opened his mouth to tell the others to move when Kate spoke.

  "Come to me." The voice coming from Kate was not her own.

  The sniper looked at Kate. He took a step closer to her and reached his hand out in concern when he caught sight of her eyes. They were glowing brighter than ever before. She turned her head and locked eyes with Merrick. Her next words stopped him cold.

  "My savior," the voice from Kate pronounced. "My destroyer."

  Merrick stared for a moment. Kate shook her head then focused on Merrick again. Her eye shine dimmed but was still unusually bright.

  "He's waiting," Kate announced.

  Merrick looked around at the roots surrounding them. He moved to Kate's side and helped her to her feet.

  "Yeah, well he did bring us all this way," Merrick said. "Let's get up there and see what he wants."

  Chapter 19

  Decisions

  Kate took Merrick's hand and together they climbed up the winding path between Knowl's twisted roots. Each time Kate brushed her hand along the rough bark, she experienced flashes of the great tree's mind; people, places, times long gone. Kate gasped with each revelation and insight. She stumbled and fell against the nearest root. Kate caught herself using both hands and found herself fully immersed in Knowl's mysterious mind.

  Kate looked down at her hands resting against the bark of Knowl's main trunk, they were callous, rough from hard work and spending so much time out in the Aesti wilderness. Not my hands, Kate realized, these belonged to Matthew Perceval.

  Pushing aside the many questions which screamed to be asked in her mind, Kate focused on seeing the world through Matthew's mind. Kate knew in her heart this was not a random memory Knowl chose to share with her.

  Warmth flowed from the great tree to Matthew in the morning sunlight. He was sore from laying on the ground all night but the heat from the sun and now the tree quickly melted away his discomfort. Matthew retained only the barest memory of what happened after he reached the base of the tree the night before. He closed his eyes and tried to remember what caused him to collapse. He had never fainted before. As he tried to recall, a sense of deep yearning grew in his mind. The vague memory of revelation formed and suddenly he remembered. Matthew's eyes flew open and he looked up into the tree.

  Matthew tried to tell himself to pull away and come back
with others to experience this wonder. But, the compulsion which brought him this far held him in place. There was something else he realized. More than just the warmth emanating from the trunk. There was...a presence.

  "You're alive," Matthew breathed. He ran his hands over the trunk. It was impossible.

  'Yes...'

  "Holy Mother of..." Matthew jumped at the sound of the voice in his mind. The whisper reminded Matthew of a breath of wind on a hot summer afternoon, refreshing and cool. Matthew sucked in a lungful of air and let it out slowly. "Okay, and you talk."

  'Yes...'

  Matthew thought back to his experience the night before. He remembered seeing...things. His mind was suddenly flooded with sensations from a thousand worlds. He closed his eyes and forced himself to focus on the present. His hands against the bark. His breathing. The sun rising in the East. When he opened his eyes again, Matthew could sense the other memories there in his mind. But they were more distant, contained.

  "So, you know..."

  'Everything...' the soft voice in his mind stated.

  Kate's eyes fluttered open.

  "Almost there," Merrick breathed into Kate's ear as he urged her to keep moving.

  Kate did not realize she had stopped. She pulled her hand back from Knowl's roots and looked up. The light was brighter just ahead. She took a step and found herself on a ledge looking down into the grotto. The roots were closing together here as they merged to form Knowl's massive trunk. Kate realized too late this meant there was less cover protecting her from the mechs left down in the grotto. Two of these machines swiveled to face her. Kate saw them fire and felt the sting of a round as it hit her upper arm before she could react.

  "Tral!" Kate shouted and dropped down.

  Merrick pulled Kate away from the opening in the roots. He sighted around the corner and fired twice.

  "Get 'em?" Kate asked with a gasp of pain.

  Merrick hurried to her side. "Yes."

  "Of course you did," Kate hissed when the sniper gently examined her wound.

  "Clean hit," Merrick noted.

  "Didn't feel clean," Kate groaned.

  "Never does," Merrick replied.

  "She okay?" Georges asked. He kept his weapon aimed back the passageway just in case the mechs were accompanied by a few armored troopers. Mechs would never be able to navigate the winding passage through the roots. But, a Tallinn trooper could easily follow them up, even in armor.

  "She'll live," Merrick said and quickly broke out a bandage from a pouch at his waist. He expertly applied the self-adhering wrap.

  "Thanks," Kate grimaced.

  "We'll replace the field dressing as soon as we get you to a quieter spot," Merrick said as he finished his work.

  "Welcome to the world of battle wounds," Ross chuckled as he squeezed past Merrick to take point.

  "Done?" Georges asked. He glanced back as Merrick helped Kate to her feet. "Move. I don't think we've got much more time here."

  Kate stumbled along beside Merrick in a haze of pain. It took her a moment to realize she was walking on a broken stone walk instead of on the rising root-path. The walls were made of brick as they exited Knowl's roots. Kate stopped at the edge of the stones then stepped out of the tunnel and onto a swath of grass. She looked up and discovered she was inside one of her very first visions.

  A rolling field of tall grass and wildflowers stretched away from Kate. The swaying blades and brilliant blossoms covered the rolling ground between her and the edge of the fortress. A stone wall stretched across the field in the distance to her left and right. Overhead, a partial dome arched away from the wall but stopped after it reached out over the field one hundred meters or so. Pillared terraces lined the walls further up and all around the kilometer-wide open space. Every room in the fortress was built with an unobstructed view of Knowl.

  Kate turned to face the tree. The tunnel they exited let them out into the open just meters from the base of the great tree. Knowl stood rooted at the very center of the field. Its massive trunk reached for the sky and unbelievably massive limbs spread out to shade the center of the field for hundreds of meters in every direction.

  "Wow!" Ross exclaimed.

  "Wonderful," Kate breathed. She took a step forward then fell to her knees, overcome with a flood of well-being and peace. She buried her face in her hands and felt unbidden tears of joy stream down her cheeks. She looked up and found Merrick on one knee beside her. He brushed a hand over her cheek.

  "Made it," Merrick said and smiled.

  Kate nodded, too overwhelmed to say anything more.

  "Now what?" Andrea sneered.

  Kate wiped her tears away and straightened her shoulders. She sighed. After this entire ordeal, Dagger's sister picked this moment to wake up. Kate looked hard at Knowl then turned to the others.

  "Now we find out why Knowl brought us here."

  "And how do you propose we do that?" Andrea rolled her eyes.

  "We ask him," Kate answered evenly. She stood, took Merrick's hand and took a few steps closer to Knowl. Part of the grotto roof closed up against Knowl so they could walk right up the base of the great tree.

  "Make it quick," Georges said and glanced over his shoulder at the fortress walls surrounding them. "Those mechs won't be the only guards around here." He turned away from Kate and motioned for Ross and Garrett to take up positions around the base of the tree.

  "Now, sir?" Sparrow asked Georges.

  "Do it." Georges ordered.

  Kate only half heard the exchange between the link sprite and the marine. She was focused on the massive tree in front of her. She slowly extended her hand then paused for just a moment before resting her palm against the ancient tree's gnarled bark. The feeling of peace redoubled and she experienced the same warmth which had greeted Matthew Perceval so long ago. Kate gasped and inhaled the fresh air blowing across the field, scented with the sweet smell of blossoming wildflowers. She took Merrick's hand and placed it next to hers. Their eyes met. Merrick nodded at her and gave her a half grin. Having her sniper protector at her side was nearly as comforting as the presence of Knowl.

  Kate leaned her forehead against Knowl's trunk and closed her eyes. For a moment, she soaked in the sensations of the rough bark against her skin, the wind on her cheeks and in her hair. All of her cares melted away. She was back in the memory Knowl was obviously intent on sharing with her.

  Matthew leaned his forehead against the tree. He closed his eyes and examined his new memories. He carefully slowed their march across his mind's eye and managed to not pass out this time. So many, he thought, so many...

  When Matthew opened his eyes, the sunlight was fading. He was on his knees leaning against the massive truck. He blinked and looked up into the swaying branches. How could he have been...communing with this being throughout the entire day? Matthew's stomach grumbled. Had it been only a day?

  Matthew felt as if he had lived a hundred lifetimes since touching the tree. A glint in the pool near the tree caught his attention in the growing darkness. He reluctantly broke his physical contact with the tree and stumbled over to the clear pool. Matthew knelt and was startled by his reflection. His eyes glowed in the night as if he now possessed an inner fire.

  "What have you done to me?" Matthew asked. He touched his face and leaned close to the pool.

  'You are Javin, He Who Understands...'

  "Javin," Matthew mulled the name over. He looked up at the great tree. Whether it was his new-found insight or simply deduction, Matthew knew this was the being calling to him across space and time. "You called me...you wanted me to explore..."

  'Yes...'

  "But why?" Javin asked.

  'Infinite discoveries await...'

  Javin looked back at his reflection with the great tree above him.

  "Show me."

  Kate sobbed once and she was herself once more. She wondered how Javin's sense of adventure and Knowl's desire to share his knowledge became twisted and turned against them both
by the Tallinn. Unfortunately, there simply was no time to pursue those questions.

  "Why? Why have you brought us here?" Kate whispered. It was the same question Javin asked. "Knowl, we have come as you asked. What can we possibly offer you?"

  'Here...'

  Kate's eyes flew open when she heard Javin's voice in her head once more. Here? Javin and Knowl were being helpful as always.

  'Here...'

  Kate looked down when Javin's voice repeated the single word. Whatever Knowl called her to see was at her feet. Kate knew this as if the memory were her own. She knelt and slowly laid her hand on the green moss growing around Knowl. The ground cover gave slightly under her touch. Kate peeled back the moss to reveal a depression formed by Knowl's spreading roots. Kate slowly reached in until her hands felt something smooth. She grasped the object and pulled out a large seed.

  Merrick knelt at Kate's side. He looked at the treasure and whispered, "That what I think it is?"

  "Yes." Kate stroked the seed as she cradled it in both hands. "It's warm..." Kate gasped as something within the seed sensed her and reached into her mind.

  "What?" Merrick asked.

  "I...I'm not sure," Kate replied and shook her head. She looked into Merrick's eyes. Tears streamed down her face once more. "It's Knowl... but not Knowl... it's..." Kate shook her head.

  "His offspring," Merrick offered. "His child."

  Kate nodded. Merrick's description fit. She was holding a being as powerful and knowledgeable as Knowl. But, it was as different as a child would be from its parents and not as mature. Kate wondered how long it took Knowl to mature into the being it was today. How long would this seed take to become like its father?

  There was something else, Kate thought. Her eyes went wide and she whispered, "This is the last. The last seed from Knowl."

  Merrick looked back at the others then pulled his satchel off his shoulder. He held it close to Kate.