Watchers

by S. T. Boston

  “So, you're telling me,” said Adam, “that even after all these years, the technology your ancestors used and you redeveloped is still the same?”

  “It is. There comes a point where you can only develop something so far and then it's impossible to improve. This is how it is. I didn't say that a bend in space that big was an impossibility, far from it. I just said that as far as our spacecraft are concerned, it's impossible. So what we do is create a series of smaller bends, one after the other, and pass through them. Thus the time it takes to travel from Arkkadia to Earth is just over seven days – seven days and six Earth hours, to be precise.” Sam caught himself nodding his head, as normally as if he'd just been told what day of the week it was. He reached for a fresh bag of corn chips, his hunger pains now in full swing. Cracking them open, he immediately regretted it. The first mouthful made him feel a little sick. He needed some proper food, not to mention some sleep.

  “You said earlier,” he began, ridding his mouth of the corn chips with a very dry swallow, “that there was a war between your people.”

  “Yes, I will come to that in a second. I'm sorry, it's quite a task getting all this down into a brief account.”

  “It's okay,” Sam replied, his mouth feeling like an old, dry plimsoll. “I'm just keen to know what we might be up against, that's all.”

  Oriyanna smiled weakly. “I'm not sure you really want to know,” she said, staring at the bottoms of the pants which were once again swamping her feet. “As I was saying, we had finally rebuilt and understood the technology our ancestors once possessed. Due to the work I'd done; I was selected to go with the first team to return to Earth. We sent two craft in the first instance.”

  “What year was this?” asked Adam, trying to ignore the pungent cheesy smell of Sam's snack food.

  “Around three thousand eight hundred BC on your calendar,” she replied. “We found a world very different from the one our ancestors knew. The ice age had long since ended, and the topography of the planet looked vastly different. What had once been frozen wasteland, was now lush and fertile. The temperature around the equator was much higher than we ever experience on Arkkadia. It was like paradise. The most amazing discovery of all though, was you, the human race, left behind by our ancestors. Whilst you were in no way technologically advanced, you had progressed from the primitive work slaves who had been left here. Testing showed your DNA had evolved and become almost identical to ours. All over the planet, small civilisations had cropped up. Many different cultures and skin tones had developed; it was a rich tapestry of life, far more fascinating and diverse than we could ever have conceived. The first race of people we encountered were the Sumerians, who lived in the region you know as Iraq. Back then it was rich and fertile, nothing like the desert which occupies the area now. On our arrival, they literally fell before our feet. We learned through them that they worshipped the gods who had created their ancestors. Not only were those gods worshipped, but they were also feared, for they had bound them to slavery. The people had become free when those gods left and never returned. Over thousands of years, and through many forms of civilization, the story lived on, albeit a little embellished from what had actually happened. Each generation feared that one day their gods would return. They saw us as their ancient gods and believed we had returned to enslave them once again. To them we were known as the Annunaki, in their language it meant—”

  “Those who from the heavens came,” Adam cut in in a low voice, though he didn't take his eyes off the dark road.

  “You know this story?” she asked, a little surprised.

  “Not fully. The guy I got friendly with in South America, the one I told you about earlier, he spoke about a dig he'd done in Iraq on an ancient Sumerian city. He mentioned the Annunaki. He said though that the gods they worshipped came from a planet called Niribu. Back in twenty twelve, a whole host of conspiracy theory nuts actually thought that Niribu was going to collide with Earth when it passed through our solar system. Of course, it never happened.”

  “It never fails to amaze me just how much useless crap there must be in that head of yours,” laughed Sam as he contemplated another mouthful of the corn chips.

  “No, Adam is right,” Oriyanna defended. “That is just what they believed. Niribu was what they called our planet, the fact that they thought one day it was going to return to Earth was a just a metaphor for how they believed their gods would one day return to enslave them. They couldn't understand the concept of spacecraft and space travel, although in their records, it does detail how the human race on Earth was created using jars and vials. Whilst they could never understand the true science behind it, what they wrote was not far from the truth. As with most beliefs on Earth, over the centuries accounts become embellished and distorted. As I was the only female on the mission, they actually thought me to be the embodiment of Nammu, the female goddess whom they believed gave birth to the Annunaki gods.” Oriyanna paused as the glow of a petrol station appeared on the horizon.

  “At last,” said Adam in a relieved tone. They were still a good ten miles from Castle Rock, but he wasn't taking any chances. The fuel gauge needle was now pinned hard on empty. He swung the RV onto the forecourt, jumped out and began to fill the tank. Sam turned back around in his seat. He'd been twisted facing Oriyanna for a good few miles and his neck felt as if it were going to seize.

  “How far do you intend to drive tonight?” she asked, absently watching Adam pump gas into the tank. He used his credit card to pay for the fuel, before heading across the brightly lit forecourt to grab some supplies from the small store.

  “Colorado Springs,” Sam replied, rolling his aching neck in his hands. “It's only another fifty miles or so, should take just over an hour. It's a big enough place to ditch the RV and pick up a new set of wheels. Tomorrow, if Adam and I drive in shifts, we should be able to cover almost the whole distance down to Austin.” They sat silently whilst watching Adam waiting at the counter behind a guy who was taking an age to pay for his goods. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally emerged from the small shop and hurried across the forecourt before jumping back into the cab handing them both a cold can of Pepsi.

  “Thought we could all use a little sugar boost,” he said enthusiastically. His expression showed his mind was already working out how he could transfer all this to a story. Despite the grave situation they were facing, some small part of him was naturally intrigued and excited about what they'd learned.

  “What is it?” asked Oriyanna, studying the can with interest and turning it over in her hand.

  “It's just a fizzy drink, look!” Adam cracked the ring pull and took a swig, exaggerating his movements. Oriyanna copied, screwing her face up as the drink hit her tongue.

  “You actually drink this stuff?” she asked in amazement. “What's in it?” She handed the can back to him to place in the spare cup holder.

  “I find it best to try and not think about that,” he laughed, pulling off the forecourt and back onto Route 85. Sam had drained his drink in a few swallows and began working on Oriyanna's unwanted can.

  “Right. Where was I?” she said thoughtfully.

  “You were just telling us about the first trip here and your contact with the Sumerian people,” prompted Sam. He though he sounded crazy even saying it.

  “Yes, that's right –well, that first mission was only for two of your months. We briefly studied the cultures that had sprung up all over the planet, finding that the most advanced ones were in the Mesopotamia region. No matter where we went, the people cowered and feared us. Various religions had sprung up, all with different ideals. The only common factor was that every single one worshipped a creator, a being or god that had made them.”

  “You don't have religion on your planet?” asked Sam. Despite being a hardened atheist, the idea seemed strange.

  “No, not at all. We have always studied science. The prospect that we had a creator or someone to worship has never featured at all. We find the whole
concept quite puzzling, really.”

  “Well, when you look at the facts and how you've explained things to us,” began Adam, “it's not surprising you were worshipped. They could never have understood the technology you possessed. I mean, it's only in the last few centuries that our modern culture would have been able to grasp it.”

  “No, indeed, I do understand. The Earth-Humans seem to have a deep need to believe in something; you are obsessed with it. Over the last few decades, we've seen a steep increase in people turning away from faith, as your developing minds began to question the idea more. Like the friend you met in South America, many people now believe it possible that you were created by another race. It's like you all know something doesn't quite fit, but for many, it's easier not to believe or question it. Over the years, we've seen how your religions and beliefs have killed far more people than they've saved. It's a very dangerous thing when in the wrong hands, although on the flipside, it can have an overwhelming power for good. It seems you have no way of finding a balance.”

  Sam nodded his head, taking another drink from her can. “You don't need to tell me,” he said, suppressing a burp, “I've seen far too many good men die, because the people we were fighting had blind faith in their god. I've never truly believed in any of it, but hearing what you're saying, and knowing without doubt that it's all untrue kind of rubs salt into the wounds, if I'm honest.”

  “I understand,” sighed Oriyanna. “I am truly sorry, we never meant for any of the wars to happen that were fought in the name of religion. We believed that as you progressed technologically, you would hold science in higher regard than belief. We were very wrong.” She paused and stared absently out of the side window for a few seconds. The passing headlights of a car snapped her back from the daydream. “Anyway, as I said, we returned home after two months. The trip had gained us more information than we could ever have imagined. On our return we were all offered The Gift. It was a brand new technology back then, developed on theories and plans we had found aboard the space station over a century ago. It was and is still held as an honour, given to those who serve or do a great deed in the name of our race. The same governmental system has ruled our planet now for thousands of years, thanks to it. The only time it was ever thrown into doubt was during the Great War.”

  “So you don't have elections or people with differing views?” quizzed Adam. “How does that work? It sounds almost like a dictatorship to me.”

  “No, not at all, it's nothing like that. We view your methods and systems as very primitive. It's not just religion that causes your wars, it's the barriers you build between the countries and continents and the differing views of your governments. Only when you learn to break those down and become one will you know true peace and unity. The formation of alliances such as your European Union and NATO, as well as the single currency, are the first signs of you taking such steps, although you are still many, many years away from achieving what we have. It is our hope that you will get there in the end. Then you will be ready.”

  “Ready for what?” asked Sam, draining the last of the Pepsi and crushing the can.

  “To learn en masse who you really are. It has been our hope and vision all along that one day, our two worlds would stand together united. You are drawing ever closer, but you're not there yet. You see, we view you almost as a parent views a child. We were responsible for your creation and as such, we see it as our duty to help and guide you when necessary. Unfortunately, there were those on Arkkadia who developed a different view, and it was those people who caused the war that eventually divided our people and ultimately led to what's happening now.”

  “How did it happen?” asked Adam, glancing back at her in the mirror. It felt good to take his eyes off the road briefly; the constant strain of driving was starting to take its toll.

  “We had been studying and living here among you for almost a thousand years. Eventually, over generations, the Earth people stopped fearing us and began to trust us, although they never could see us as anything other than god-like beings to be worshipped. We lived mainly among the Sumerian people and also with the early Egyptians, and then, many years after the war, we also came to study the Mayan people. Our teachings helped them understand the planets within your solar system and how to chart the stars. We helped them understand the science of math and how to keep time, and use calendars. From our influence, their culture thrived and their early cities grew in size and wealth. However, our studies were not limited to Earth. During that millennia, we searched deeper into space than our ancestors ever had, looking for other planets such as Earth and Arkkadia. We found many that sat in the right orbital distance from their star, but all were either gaseous or just barren wastelands, devoid of any life or the vital conditions needed to sustain it. We became increasingly aware of just how unique our two worlds were. It was then when things began to change. There were those within our government who started to believe that we should look to claim the Earth, to colonize it as a second home to help safeguard our future. They had seen how easily we had nearly been wiped out before and feared the same thing could happen again. Unfortunately, within their plans they had no room for the descendants of the people our ancestors had made. To them, the Earth-Humans became a mistake that should never have happened. In their view, you had been created by us and were a race that should never have existed, and therefore, they saw no issue with destroying you.” Oriyanna hung her head and gazed at the floor. “Their thinking caused a divide among our people; tensions grew as we tried to resolve it peacefully. Unfortunately, there were cities here on Earth that were under control of those who felt the same. Overnight, the peaceful mediations broke down and the massacre began. Our opponents didn't hold back, and slaughtered entire city populations, taking control from the Earth-Humans. The war between us had started. Fierce battles took place both here and on Arkkadia, and we fought to protect you for nearly a century until in the end, those who had sought to destroy you were driven from Arkkadia and banished to Sheol, a small mining planet around one hundred and fifty light years away. Sheol had been terraformed some three centuries earlier. Whilst we had made the atmosphere stable and breathable, it had never been a planet we thought to colonize due to it being so close to its sun; it's uncomfortably hot. Our operations on Sheol had long since ended. Before they fled there, it was merely used as an outpost. In the last few months of the war, our armies struck the surface of Sheol hard, destroying their craft and ability to reach Earth and strike back. The only structures to have survived were the mining colonies, deep below the surface. The last of their resistance to fall was here on Earth. They still held control of the two cities that they had claimed right at the start of the war. The occupants knew they had nothing to lose and made retaking them virtually impossible. In the end, the destruction of those cities was ordered and they were laid waste.” Oriyanna glanced up at them, tears welling in her eyes, and as she blinked they streamed down her face. “It was a painful time for us, and I can still remember it all,” she said, embarrassed by her distress.

  Adam dug into the side pocket of his door and retrieved two tissues. “The Bible tells a story of how God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because they were found to be full of sin. I'm guessing that story is a rough account of what you just described,” he said, reaching back and handing them to her.

  Oriyanna wiped her eyes and cheeks, nodding her head. “Yes, although over the years it's become altered somewhat to fit your religion. The Earth people who witnessed it had no grasp of the weapons we used.”

  “So, how have events led us to where we are today?” asked Sam. “I don't mean to sound stupid, but all that was thousands of years ago.”

  “After the war, we remained in regular contact with Earth. Some of us, myself included, spent many years actually living here, looking to guide the people toward science. We began to study the Egyptian people in greater detail, as well as many of the other fascinating cultures that had begun to develop across the glob
e. Around two thousand two hundred and seventy BC, the Sumerian culture began to collapse and a new Arkkadian empire rose up in our honour; even aspects of our native language began to appear in their spoken words. The empire lasted for almost one hundred and ninety years. In the end, wars between men, which we had no interest or involvement in, led to the end of this period. Then, for many years, we slowed down our visitations to Earth. We backed off our direct involvement in human affairs. The last race of Earth-Humans we had in-depth involvement with were the Mayan people, around two thousand eight hundred years ago. They were a fascinating culture. Much like the Sumerians, they built cities that were well ahead of their time. Toward the last days of the Mayans, a sanction was passed on Arkkadia to leave Earth to develop. No matter how we looked to teach those early civilisations, they just couldn't grasp who we actually were. It was far too soon. It was then that the Watchers were introduced. Four Arkkadians would live among the people of Earth, and they would be seen no differently to any other Earth-Human. Amazingly, after we left Earth and the Watchers took over, we saw a large backward step in your technological development. Without us there to directly guide you, much of what we had taught died out with the cultures we had taught it to. It confirmed what we thought. You were not yet capable of understanding and mastering technology the way we'd hoped. At times throughout Earth's history, the Watchers have taken a more active role. When needed, they would help to give you a gentle nudge in the right direction. The four who have just been killed held such roles. Their primary purpose though, above all else, was to safeguard your future against the ones who tried to destroy you.”

  “It's all just too much to take in,” said Sam distantly. “What about stories in the Bible? You refer to our Earth years as BC. You're aware of the belief some people hold in the birth and life of Jesus?”