The Watcher Read online

  “But that is one of the Eastern Nations!” Nicole remarked forcefully.

  “It is, but the other nations don’t trust the leader of North Korea. They’ve decided among themselves that he has to go.”

  Nicole turned to Charles, “How many missiles are we talking about here?”

  Charles shrugged, “On the submarines, about ten thousand; many of them have multiple warheads. But they are nothing compared to the land-based missiles.” Nicole closed her eyes and shook her head.

  • • •

  Grant looked at the President on the monitor and said, “Sir, I believe the Opposition is planning a surprise missile attack. We’ve been unable to find their submarines and I’m forced to believe they are hiding on the ocean’s bottom close to our shores.”

  ‘YOU CAN’T FIND THEM?!”

  “No, Mr. President. I’m recommending that you leave for Cheyenne Mountain immediately along with the leaders of the House and Senate.”

  “What are you doing about this?”

  “The only thing I can Sir. I’ve ordered our land-based missiles to immediately launch the moment a sub launched missile is detected by our satellites.”

  “And you see that as doing something?”

  “If I don’t make this change, and they launch a massive submarine missile attack, most of the land-based missiles will be taken out. I’m still trying to locate those subs.”

  The President stared at Grant and said, “I am remaining in Washington. I’ll have the others leave for Cheyenne immediately.” Grant started to protest but the President raised his hand stopping him, “If I leave, it could cause a panic; I’m staying here.”

  Grant stared at him and then replied, “Yes Sir.” He realized the President would not allow him to leave his position. He was forced to remain in Washington no matter what happened.

  • • •

  “Computer, where are you on this?”

  “The largest problem I’m facing is programming the small ships to deal with the coming attack.”

  “Small ships?” Nicole remarked.

  “It’s not possible for this ship to be everywhere around the planet; I have to depend on the small ships to implement the plan I’ve developed.”

  “Are they up to the task?” Nicole asked with a worried tone.

  “The small ships are directly linked to me and their computational ability meets the need. I’m being forced to allocate a much higher amount of my processors to connect with them. That is what’s causing the issues.”

  Charles shook his head, “I’ve ordered the computer to remove all the data we’ve collected and put it in a separate container. There’s a possibility we could lose a lot of that information, but we have no choice but to move the data.”

  “How much longer do we have before the attack?”

  Charles sighed, “The attack will be launched in a little more than fourteen hours.” Nicole blew out a breath and Charles put a hand on her shoulder, “We can stop most of it.”

  “But more than a billion could die!” Charles stared into her eyes and then nodded.

  • • •

  The chosen leader of the Eastern Nations looked at a huge monitor with three images on it. There was a fourth square on the monitor that was black, and he absently wondered why it was on the screen. He marked it off to an electronic error. He sat back and smiled, “The attack is on hold awaiting our order to launch. Do all of you agree we should go through with this now?”

  The leader of Iran immediately asked, “Have you targeted all the nuclear missiles the Jews have?”

  “Yes, two submarines have them targeted.”

  “Then I say we launch.”

  The leader looked at the other two and they nodded. “The submarines will launch at the designated time and I’ll issue the orders for our land-based missiles immediately. You should do the same.”

  Suddenly, they heard, “You might want to reconsider doing that.” The four leaders stared at each other and the voice added, “It won’t turn out well for you.”

  “Who are you?” The leader asked.

  “I’m going to prevent you from causing the extinction of your species.”

  “That’s not an answer! Who are you?!”

  “I’ve stopped you once; I intend to do it again.”

  “The Leader leaned forward, “You’ve managed to hide from me but this time you won’t be able to stop me.”

  “Let me tell you what you’re going to face if you go through with this. All of the nuclear missiles in the United States have been programmed to launch the moment a missile from one of your submarines is detected.”

  “That’s a lie!”

  “That will cause the destruction of most of your populations.”

  “I don’t believe you!”

  “There’s more; any of your submarines that move to launch depth and open a missile tube’s cover will lose all power and will sink to the bottom of the ocean. They will become little more than new reefs for fish to call home. Any land-based missiles you launch will detonate two-thousand feet above their launchers, which will kill most of the citizens you’re supposedly protecting. More than ninety percent of your populations will die if you go through with this.”

  The four leaders were silent, and the chosen Leader said, “You’re lying. You cannot prevent our attack.”

  “Are you willing to place the lives of your citizens in jeopardy to prove it?”

  The Leader smiled, “I say we go through with the attack. What say you?” The other three leaders hesitated, and the Leader said, “Now is the time to strike to remove our enemies. Some will die but we will emerge from the ashes to rule the Earth! Don’t give in to your fears; now is the time!”

  The three leaders looked at each other and then each of them said, “Launch the attack.”

  “Well, so much for caring about the people you’re ruling,” the voice said. “However, I’ve not been completely honest with you.”

  The Leader smiled wickedly, “I told you he was lying!”

  “I would not allow your populations to die from your lust for power. None of your nuclear missiles will function. You should also be aware that I’ve sent our conversation out to every electronic device in your countries. I don’t think your citizens are going to appreciate your tossing their lives away in such a cavalier fashion. Taa-Taa.”

  The Leader turned to the man sitting at a communication panel, “Link in a satellite feed! The submarines should be launching now!!”

  • • •

  Nicolin listened to the conversation with the leaders and wondered how it had been transmitted to him when communications were shutdown. He saw the launch was scheduled in another four minutes and he looked up, “Are you hearing me?” His question was greeted with silence and he said, “I was there twenty years ago when my tank company lost power. Can you hear me?!”

  “I can.”

  “Will you do something for me?”

  “What is that?”

  “Shutdown all power on my vessel for five seconds.”

  “Why would you request that? Aren’t you just going to follow your orders?”

  “Please, my crew is important to me.”

  The Political Officer snarled, “You will follow your orders, Captain!”

  Suddenly, every light in the submarine went dark and every system shutdown. Men started screaming until the lights came back on seconds later. Nicolin was shaken by the absolute darkness and the Political Officer pulled a handgun and said in a shaky voice, “You will launch Captain!”

  Nicolin stared at the Political officer and nodded. His Executive Officer had pulled a handgun behind the Political Officer and he shot him in the head. The small caliber round didn’t penetrate through the officer’s skull and he fell where he stood. Nicolin snarled, “Move this trash off the bridge and send it out a torpedo tube!”

  Suddenly they heard the Admiral say over communications, “We all heard your request Captain Petrova. I am raising my ship and will laun
ch my missiles as ordered. I will continue to communicate until they are launched, and you will follow your orders after I show it is safe to do so.”

  Nicolin looked at his communication officer and he shrugged, “My panel activated without my doing it.”

  Nicolin turned his attention back to the Admiral and heard, “We are at launch depth; remove all the covers from the launch tubes. Prepare to…”

  The Admiral’s voice was cut off in midsentence and Nicolin lifted the microphone on his panel, “I was present in Europe twenty years ago where I witnessed all of our weapons neutralized; nothing functioned! The tanks in my command were brought to a halt and all of our aircraft were rendered useless. I am not here to participate in an attack where all of our people die in the Motherland. Your lives are important to me and I refuse to throw them away. I am raising the ship and turning home. If you don’t agree with my decision, I will be on the tower awaiting your response.”

  The submarine surfaced and the bow slammed down on the surface of the ocean. Nicolin opened the hatch and climbed up to the conning tower. He stood in the wind and looked out at the ocean. If his crew didn’t agree with his decision, they would close the hatch and submerge. He was at peace. He prayed that voice was right about not allowing the missiles to operate; that would at least allow his wife and two daughters to live. He heard a noise behind him and saw Alexander coming out of the hatch. He stood beside Nicolin and shrugged, “If they decide you have to go, I’m sure I’ll go with you. I prefer the ocean to a bullet.” The submarine continued moving east and after two hours, Nicolin and Alexander re-entered the sub. He sat down in the Captain’s chair and his communications officer said, “They are all going home, Captain.” Nicolin nodded and wondered what was happening at home.

  • • •

  The Leader looked at the satellite feed and saw nothing happening. He stared at the monitor and his communications assistant said, “None of the submarines launched their missiles. Also, all of our nuclear forces report the missiles are inoperative. There is also a huge mob arriving outside the fence.”

  “Have the guards remove them. Kill them if necessary!”

  “None of the guard’s weapons are functioning, Premier.” The Leader changed the monitor and saw the mob growing outside the fences was increasing by the minute.

  • • •

  Charles looked at Nicole and said, “It’s time you go back and talk with your former boss.”

  “Why?”

  “We managed to get control of the Eastern Nation’s forces, but we haven’t been able to do the same with the United States. The only way to prevent a nuclear launch is to destroy the missiles during launch. That will cause massive damage to every electronic device by the EMPs. We’ll have control of them shortly, but you need to make sure they don’t launch a retaliatory attack.”

  “They’ll probably shoot me on sight.”

  “No, you’ll have a personal force field protecting you from harm.”

  “What? Are you saying you have a force field to protect one person?”

  “I am.”

  “So all this time I was believing you were the bravest man I’ve ever met and it’s not true. You were protected when you marched with the ancient armies; and when you walked around Europe and when you went to meet the Wampanoag. That’s not brave at all.”

  Charles smiled, “No, but you have to admit it was incredibly wise.” Nicole stared at him and then started laughing. Charles shrugged, “Would you prefer bravery or wisdom?”

  Nicole hugged him and Charles said, “You need to get moving.”

  • • •

  Nicole boarded a small ship and flew out of the landing port. She landed on top of a parking garage and walked down to the ground floor. She walked six blocks to the tall building where the Intelligence Agency was located and walked up to the security desk. She handed a pouch to the guard and said, “Please deliver this to Grant Mandel and tell him I wish to speak with him.” The guard opened the pouch and looked in. He looked up at Nicole and she added, “I suspect he’ll want to see this immediately.” The guard stood up and glanced at her, “Who should I tell him is here?”

  “Tell him it’s Nicole.” Another guard replaced the one that left for the elevators.

  • • •

  Grant and the team were staring at the vast array of monitors showing the massive mobs attacking the capitals in the Opposition Countries. Grant was shaking his head and Lisa said, “What’s going on?”

  “Something has happened,” Grant answered. “I’m shocked the military hasn’t quelled those rioters.”

  The guard entered the room and waited at the door. Grant saw him and asked, “What is it Lieutenant?’

  “Sir, a woman is downstairs asking to speak with you. She gave me this to give to you.” Grant waved him forward and the guard handed Grant the pouch. Grant opened it and removed the small laser gun. He looked up at the guard and the guard said, “She says her name is Nicole.”

  The room was silent as everyone stared at each other in stunned silence. Grant stared at the gun and said, “Send her up.”

  • • •

  The guard at the desk said, “Mr. Mandel will see you now.”

  Nicole smiled, “I know the way.” Nicole walked to the elevators and thought about what she was going to say. She exited the elevator and entered the office. As she walked toward the front, she saw Grant wasn’t surprised by her appearance; he must have figured out she didn’t die in the flyer’s explosion. Grant saw her expression and said, “I didn’t see a secondary explosion so if this gun wasn’t in the car, then I figured you weren’t either. Where have you been?”

  Nicole smiled, “I’ve been hanging out with the Old One.”

  “How did that work for you?” Alexander asked.

  Grant frowned at him and said, “What are his intentions?”

  “Actually, he decided that he was going to stay out of mankind’s actions, but I managed to change his mind.”

  “Why would you do that?” Lisa asked.

  Nicole nodded toward the monitors and asked, “Do you know what’s going on?”

  “No, we don’t,” Grant replied. “It appears there is a revolution taking place in those countries.”

  “And you don’t know why?” Nicole asked.

  Grant stared at her and answered, “No, we don’t.”

  Nicole smiled, “That means all your agents in those countries have been unable to contact you.”

  “It appears that’s the case.”

  Nicole stared at Grant and the Team before saying, “A nuclear attack was planned today against all of the Western Democracies.” Grant’s mouth fell open. “The Opposition had their nuclear subs off the coasts of all the free nations and a simultaneous launch was scheduled. In conjunction with the submarine’s launch, they were going to launch a massive nuclear launch from their land-based missiles.” The room was silent, and Nicole continued, “Immediately prior to the launch, the Old One interrupted the meeting of the Opposition Leaders and told them that he was preventing the use of nuclear weapons. He pointed out to those dictators that most of their populations would die if they went through with it. They decided to launch anyway. Unknown to them, their conversation was being broadcast to every electronic device in their nations. What you’re seeing on the monitors is the response of their citizens to their callous disregard of the lives of the people in their nations.”

  “Do you have any proof they intended to launch that attack?”

  Nicole looked at Alexander and smiled, “You have also been cut off from your handlers in Russia. The Old One doesn’t care if you believe it or not, however, he sent me here to deliver a message.”

  Alexander stood up with an expression of rage and Grant stopped him, “Sit down Alex! I’ve know you’re an opposition agent for months!” Alex turned to Grant with a stunned expression and Grant turned to a guard, “Please escort him out of the building.”

  “Sir, it’s not true!”

 
; “I’ve allowed you to remain for the purpose of sending disinformation to your superiors. Your messages have been recorded and if you don’t get out of here I’ll bring you up on charges of treason.” Alexander stared at Grant and quickly left the room.

  Nicole watched him leave and turned back to Grant, “He’s the one that set me up in Plymouth?” Grant nodded. “I’m surprised you’ve allowed him to live.”

  “Revealing two members of my team are Opposition Agents is something that would have reduced our credibility at a time where it is greatly needed. What message have you been sent to deliver?”

  “The Old One is weary of humans attacking other humans. He was going to sit back and allow the nuclear war to just destroy the planet and watch humanity’s extinction. But I convinced him that humans need to be slapped in the face with the truth before they pay attention. So he reconsidered.”

  “And?” Grant asked.

  “All of the nuclear weapons on Earth have been rendered inoperative.”

  Grant stared at her and lowered his eyes slightly, “Our nuclear missiles are operational.”

  “And you’ll be able to launch them if you choose. However, all of them will be destroyed high above the United States.” Nicole paused and asked, “Do you know what will happen if those thousands of missiles are detonated high in the atmosphere above the United States?” Grant was silent and Nicole added, “Those detonations will release a series of powerful Electronic Magnetic Pulses that will destroy the electrical grid along with the vast majority of electronic devices in the United States. The destruction of computers alone will cripple the economy.”

  “And you say he’s capable of doing that?” Grant asked.

  “And much more. The Old One is far older than you believe. He’s been on Earth since before Homo Sapiens appeared and he’s been watching humans for hundreds of thousands of years.” Grant stared at her and Nicole saw his doubt, “Don’t take my word for it; what you believe is irrelevant to what he can do. He is planning to address the planet twelve days from now at seven am Eastern Time.”