The Watchers: A Space Opera Novella Read Online Free PDF

Obvious enough that the occupiers would notice, and if they were smart enough, attempt to hack it without us knowing. So now we had another way to influence them, to feed them conversations they thought, we thought were confidential.
    The next morning, I show up to the projector room to find Official Delphine not alone. There’s another official with her—not good. She really wasn’t kidding about that not trusting me.
    “Ah, Watcher Emre,” the newcomer says, “welcome back. I am Councilor Polston.” Polston is another female, taller than Delphine, and thin with a hawkish nose that curls up at the tip. “I listened to your report with great interest from Official Delphine. Do you mind if I observe today?” She smiles a small smile that just begs a smart-ass response.
    The stupid quirks at the corner of her mouth inflame my conceit—are they really that clueless to who they’re messing with? But I force the ugly, unbecoming pride monster down and channel the calm of Joslyn, “I welcome another of set of eyes to see that which perhaps escapes two.” Joslyn would be proud.
    “Excellent,” she says. Her smile turns genuine—she thinks she has the upper hand. “Today we’d like you observe Strata and their reactions to the events of Evaga.”
    Damn. “Very well.”
    “We’d also like you to discuss what you do, while you do it, to prevent pulling you out at a critical time. We wish to avoid the unpleasantness of last time.”
    “Impossible—”
    “Watch Director Joslyn is reputed to do it, as a teaching method.” She lets the statement hang in the air as we stare at each other.
    I studiously drop my eyes, like a cowed pet. “Director Joslyn is a Master of the highest order. It is possible, but the ability is beyond my skill.”
    “Try.”
    “You do not understand. You’ve read my file, yes?”
    She doesn’t give any indication she has or hasn’t.
    I continue, “Well the ability you’re referencing is the epitome of mind splitting, to split your mind over universes. Few in history have been able, and it’s an area I have a particular weakness in. To ask me to try this would likely fracture my consciousness. I cannot and I will not.”
    Official Delphine believes me, I can tell by the way she’s watching Polston. Polston crosses her arm and exhales through her hawkish nose. I realize I’ve misplayed it, the “will not” was too strong, too independent. To bring me to heel, she’ll have to find a way to save face.
    I save her the trouble, I offer her a way out. “Please, Councilor Polston, do not ask this of me. I beg you.”
    She folds her arms in front of her and shifts her weight slightly onto one foot. “It so happens that I have read your file and know of your limitations—” Kick ‘em while they’re down, exert control. “—Therefore, your sessions are to be limited to two hours. You may begin when you’re ready.”
    I toy with making her wait, but it’d only make things worse. I hope the other Watchers haven’t erred this badly.
    I ease myself into the projector. The smell always reminds me of the first time I entered Watcher Station. I was two, and I don’t remember much other than that metallic smell. It smelled foreign, unnatural against all of my experience. The smell stung; it was cold and shoved up into the back of my nose unwelcomed and unwanted. All I had wanted was to just go home, where the air had smelled of sharp floral spice, of life.
    I attach the neural patches. Delphine dials in the location on the control panel under the supervision of Polston. She flips the switch.
    Breathe. Calm. I am not Emre. I am not a single person. Exhale.
    I am the Watch.
    Slip .
    ***
    Strata is a terra-formed planet. The populations are centered around the weather-controlled regions along the equator. I start at the largest city, Braquito, a city of eight million.
    I skim along the streets and ride the pulsing wave of humanity. It has an ebb and flow to it, but always there is