The Seed of the Guardians

By Arthur W. Matcham

The Seed of the Guardians is the story of a highly advanced race of beings from the inner arm of the galaxy that had developed a long life span and submitted to mental control to weed out their violent emotions. The plan worked and they spread their non-violent philosophy thru their section of the galaxy, over-seeing the other peoples they came in contact with. They were known as the Guardians. They became so passive that when they came in contact with a race of beings that they could not control, they were unable to defend themselves or the races they protected. They came up with a plan to send one of their ships to the next arm of the galaxy and attempt to plant the seeds of their long life and controlled passions in another race that could still fight if need be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365140877

Book preview

The Seed of the Guardians

The Seed of the Guardians

By

Arthur W. Matcham

The Seed of the Guardians is the story of a highly advanced race of beings from the inner arm of the galaxy that developed a long life span and submitted to mental control to weed out their violent emotions. They were known as the Guardians.

They became so passive that when they came in contact with a race of beings that they could not control they were unable to defend themselves or the races they protected.

They came up with a plan.

The story continues with the ancient monitors placed on earth looking for New Guardians. Few people had the complete seed the Guardians had planted. Those chosen had to complete the plan put in motion many millennia before.

As the plan unfolds they attract the attention of powerful crime syndicates, terrorist groups and major governments

MATCHAM PUBLISHING SERVICES

A Division of Matcham Technology Consultants

Matcham Publishing Services

4094 Bryant Park Drive

Dublin, Ohio 43016

Copyright © 2007 by Arthur William Matcham

Front Cover Artwork © 2007 by William A. Matcham

All rights reserved.

This ebook, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

ISBN 978-1-365-14087-7

Legal Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Any incidental resemblance to actual people, places, names or ideas is strictly coincidental. Author and publisher assume no liability.

CONTENT EDITED BY

EMMA GRACE MATCHAM

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO

Aunt Martha Matcham, She was the first person I trusted to read the draft of my first book. She encouraged me to keep writing.

CHAPTER ONE

THE SENTINALS

Deep in interstellar space, between two arms of a spiral galaxy, where there should be only emptiness, floats a sphere. Its surface is black, like the emptiness all around and it gives of no light or energy. It is undetectable by any means known at the time it was placed.  It was placed so that it maintains its position in relation to the rest of the galaxy. With thousands of others, it waits and listens. It has listened for thousands of years. At the very edge of its range it detects an energy source moving out from this arm of the galaxy. A second appears, a third and more. One hundred objects moving out to the next arm of the galaxy. A relay closes. Circuits activate. A sub-space signal beams out towards a spot above the galactic plane over the next arm of the galaxy with this message. The Enemy Approaches!

THE GUARDIAN

Between the fourth and fifth planets of this yellow sun is an asteroid belt, parts of an unformed planet. Pieces large and small orbit their sun in silence, except one. Deep within this piece of rock sets the Guardian.

For thousands of years it has watched over the seeds planted by its builders. The seeds have multiplied but have born no fruit. The time of maturity had not been reached.

The latest probe returns from the planet with the news that the time has arrived. The seeds have matured. The harvesting of the fruit can begin. The Guardian had received the signal from the Sentinel almost two thousand years ago. There would be just enough time to harvest the fruit before the enemy locates the Guardian. The Guardian flashes a signal to the monitors on the planet to locate the Commanders.

THE MONITOR

Bill Williams is forty-four, average height, slightly overweight, brown hair and brown eyes. His life so far has been anything but average. After a rise up the corporate ladder, he had been pushed off and after hitting bottom hoped he was on his way to better things.

He had always felt he was destined for something great, but so far he had not found it. Circumstances seemed to guide his life, as hard as he would try other-wise. The most recent and hardest disaster had been the divorce two years ago. He was still trying to get over that although it had freed him to move from Ohio to Florida to help his ailing father and now be on this hunting trip with his friend.

He is extremely happy at the moment. Since he had been a teenager he had wanted to go deer hunting. He had finally gotten together with his friend, Jim Allen, and they were in the mountains of Pennsylvania.

Jim Allen is anything but average. Tall, six feet and on the thin side, with a dark complexion, black hair and dark brown eyes. He likes his food spiced hot and his beer anyway he could get it. He drives a semi-truck and likes to make people think he is just a dumb truck driver. Actually, he is very intelligent and can converse at length on many subjects, if you can get him started.

The fall weather is perfect with the trees dressed in their reds and yellows. The sun is warm on Bill’s back as he works his way along the deer trail, his bow at the ready. Jim has moved around to the other side of the mountain they are hunting.

As Bill works his way up the side of the mountain, he is not un-observed. The Monitor checks its power source. It must conserve all the energy it can due to the damage it had sustained centuries ago. It must have enough to complete its mission. It must locate the Commander.

Another life-form approaches. A few more steps and it will be within the Monitor’s limited range. So many had come but none had carried the Commanders key, maybe this time.   The scan reaches out and feels inside, down, all the way to the essence of this life-form. Is the Commanders key here?

Yes! Success at last! The Monitor has found the Commander!!

Bill works his way up the mountain towards a huge rock the size of a small house. As he approaches the rock he feels something deep in his bones, a premonition perhaps? As he looks at the rock, its surface begins to shimmer.

(Oh Boy) He thinks (I had better layoff the blackberry brandy. Now I am seeing things.) He closes his eyes and rubs them. When he looks again, a tunnel has opened into the rock. A feeling of well-being and welcome come over him as he walks to the tunnel and enters.

Meanwhile, Jim, working his way around and up the mountain, approaches the ridge top where he is to meet Bill. Not seeing him, he takes a stand just off the ridge in case Bill drives any deer his way. After a half-hour Jim goes to the ridge top and looks down the slope. There is no sign of his friend.

(Damn) He thinks, (How can a guy get lost moving straight up a hill?) Fearing Bill may have fallen and gotten hurt, he begins to slowly zigzag his way down the mountain, looking for sign.  About halfway down he finds tracks he thinks might be Bill’s. He follows them back up the mountain to a huge rock, where they seem to end.

Jim scratches his head thinking, (No one can walk through solid rock.) He continues his search.

Several hours pass as Jim continues to search. As he tops the ridge again and looks towards the truck parked below he sees Bill making his way down the mountain. He shouts and Bill, seeing him, signals him down to the truck.

As Jim approaches Bill he says, Where the hell have you been? I’ve been looking all over for you!

Sorry, says Bill, I will tell you all about it when we get back to the cabin.

This better be good, mumbles Jim, but seeing the strange look on Bill's face, he says no more and they get in the truck.

The cabin is a story and a half with the main floor one big room. The half story above holds the beds. Bottled gas supplies light and a wood burner heat. There is a large table with a bench and several chairs, a simple hunter’s cabin.

They eat lunch in silence. Having finished eating, Bill gets a couple of cold beers from the cooler and takes a big slug of blackberry brandy. This surprises Jim as Bill is not much of a drinker. He is beginning to worry about his friend.

Handing Jim a beer Bill says, Sit down and get comfortable. I want to tell you a story. He takes a few moments to compose his thoughts, and then continues.

"A long time ago in another section of this galaxy, there lived a great race of space faring people. In their early history, before they obtained space travel, they almost wiped themselves out because of wars on their planet. The survivors of their last Great War banded together and pledged there would be no more wars. They struggled to rebuild what they could of their planet and then reached for the stars.

"During this time they developed a great science, but they were careful to use it for peaceful ends. They knew that when they reached out into space they would meet unknown dangers, so they developed defensive systems to protect themselves. But they did not develop offensive weapons. They valued all life.

"One of the things they developed was a sub-space radio and could communicate over great distances almost instantaneously. They were never able to develop a faster than light drive, so to be able to leave their solar system and explore other parts of the galaxy, they needed time. Using genetic engineering they expanded their life spans to hundreds of years.

"They built huge ships that could hold up to one thousand people. These were miniature worlds that they could live and travel in. As they expanded through their section of the galaxy, they came upon other life-forms. Those that were still planet bound they would observe and monitor to be sure they did not destroy themselves, as they had almost done. When a people would reach the point they had the ability to wipe themselves out, they would step in and mediate the disputes and guide them through their problems and help them reach for the stars.

They became known as THE GUARDIANS".

"As the Guardians expanded into space, they found planets that had been completely destroyed by the people who had lived on them. This re-enforced their belief in what they were doing.

"When the Guardians came upon a space-faring war-like people, they had a simple method of over-coming them. They had developed their defensive systems to such an extent that they could maneuver around the war ships and let them fire on them. When the warriors found they could not harm them, not even personally, as they had personal shields as well, they would sit down and talk it out.

"The Guardians traded with the worlds they looked over. They exchanged technology and mediation services for materials to repair and build more ships. Their young people did all of the construction work on a new ship as it would be their new home and they must know every part of it. When completed the youngsters set out for un-explored areas in search of more people to assist.

"As time passed and the Guardians expanded farther and farther into space, they became more and more passive. They came to a point where even the thought of injuring any sentient life-forms, let alone killing them, was beyond their ability.

"They tried not allowing any weapons to be developed but found they could not stop people from fighting. So the rule was no weapons that would kill. They developed a stunner that would immobilize a person, but would do them no harm. These were used to control troublemakers and subdue hostile people.

This ban on weapons was to be the Guardians, and all their protected peoples downfall!

Bill pauses and looks at Jim, then asks, Is it getting hot in here or is it me?

It must be you. I’m cold. Jim rises and gets more wood, placing it in the heating stove.

Bill rises and goes to the cooler. Getting out lunch meat and a loaf of bread, he says, I’m starved. You want a sandwich?

No. We just ate. Are you okay?

As good as can be expected, I guess.

What do you mean?

I’ll explain that later. Jim watches his friend with deep concern. He can see Bill’s face is flushed and he moves like he is in pain. The ravenous appetite is not like him at all. He is beginning to suspect that he had some kind of strange experience during the time he was missing.

Bill finishes eating, cleans up his dishes and returns to the table. Sitting back, he takes out his pipe and tobacco, loads it and lights up. After getting it going well he looks at Jim and asks, Ready for some more?

Now Jim ordinarily has no patience with someone who screws up one of his hunting trips. But there is something compelling about the way Bill is talking. Something important lies behind his words. Now if he could just put his finger on it.  Knowing what the answer will be he still asks, Do I have a choice?

NO says Bill.

CHAPTER TWO

(Bill continues his story)

The Commander of the Guardian ship Orian was named Tor. He was an average looking Guardian, seven feet tall, very thin and hair the color of straw. But it was his eyes that marked him as a true Guardian. They were the color of liquid gold, with flecks of midnight black that swirled like tiny galaxies. Though Tor looked average, he was different from the usual Guardian Commander. He had more of a sense of adventure and tended to question the status quo that the Guardians had established long ago. He had proved himself a very capable Commander in his younger years, when he had used different techniques to subdue a very hostile people in his sector. He was greatly admired by his people. Tor had a son by the name of Garth. Garth had inherited even more of Tor's sense of adventure and inquisitiveness. Tor had been required to keep a very tight rein on him to keep him out of trouble

Garth was a quick student and learned his lessons well. He had reached the age of maturity and it was time for his testing. The next day cycle he would present himself to the testing chamber.

Tor was in his quarters aboard the Orian thinking back to his testing. As usual, he had been the different one. Although a person could test for any position on the ship, for uncounted generations the young people had tested in either their fathers or mothers fields. Tor's father had been a security officer, his mother in food storage. He still remembered the looks on their faces when, on decision day, he had announced his intention of testing for Commander. His mother had been speechless. His father had gone from disbelief, to comprehension, to acceptance.

They had a long talk after that. They wanted to be sure he knew what he was doing. Was he sure he understood that if he failed his test, he would be assigned a position, and that would be his for the rest of his life?

He had felt such confidence then. He assured them he knew what he was doing and would pass the test. Little did he know how his life would be altered. No one ever spoke of what had happened during their testing. He had seen many of his friends go to their testing and return. When he had questioned them they only gave vague answers as to what had transpired. He had survived the test. Now it was his son’s turn.

Garth, in his own quarters, had rested well that turn. When he arose, he dressed in the plain brown robe he would wear to the testing. He spoke the word Orian to access the ship's memory banks. There was no response. In all his years he had always had instant response from Orian.

As he looked in the viewing wall, he got his first feelings of apprehension, for he was now cut off from all people on the ship. No one would speak to him or even acknowledge his presence until his test was complete. Garth shook himself, smiled into the viewing wall, turned and headed out the door. He had a long way to go. He must make his way to the stern of the ship, almost to the engine room.

As he made his way along the corridors, he tried to identify the feeling he had. He could not. He had never felt this before. As people saw him coming they moved away from him. He looked around, No one was in sight. He got a grip on himself and moved on.

After what seemed like half a lifetime, he finally stood before the door to the testing room. He placed his hand on the ID panel and the door opened. He stepped into the room as the door closed behind him and looked around.

There was a recliner seat with a set of temple contacts hanging on the arm. NOTHING ELSE!  Then he received his next shock. There was a sign on the wall with WRITTEN instructions. He had expected spoken instructions like he always received from Orian. The sign read, Be Seated. When ready to begin, put on the temple contacts.

Garth looked around the room again. That's all there was; the sign, the chair, the contacts. He moved slowly to the chair, seated himself, wiggled a little to get comfortable and picked up the temple contacts. Taking a deep breath, he placed them on his head. He had used contacts like these before when he wanted a direct link with Orian, since they created a telepathic link with the ships memory.

Garth received his next great shock. The voice in his head was NOT Orian. It sounded and felt very old and very wise. It spoke one word.

Identify.

This also surprised him as Orian always knew who was making contact.

He responded, Garth.

Insufficient. Identify.

He asked, Who speaks?

IDENTIFY!

He calmed his growing fear and answered, Garth, son of Tor, Commander, son of Yon, Medical Officer, ship Orian, Omega sector.

Confirmed, was the reply and continued, You have requested the test for Commander. Is that still your wish?

Garth hesitated, and then replied, Yes. The voice then said, In answer to your question, who speaks. I am Mother.

Garth's mind went into a spin. MOTHER!  The Memory of Memories! The GUARDIAN of the Guardians.  The moon sized memory circling the home planet of the original Guardians that was the storehouse of all knowledge and history of the Guardians. The only place in the known galaxy defended with every known weapon.

Mother reached out and calmed Garth and said, Fear not.

As Garth relaxed she continued, Your test will begin shortly. You desire to be a Commander. To that end I will make you a Commander within your mind and you shall sail forth on a voyage. So shall you be tested. Give me the name of your ship, for if you pass, so shall your ship be named.

DISCOVERY, responded Garth, for he had long thought on his ships name.

AH, as I expected. You are indeed Tor’s son. Now let us see if you deserve such a ship.

Garth experienced a moment of vertigo and then, in his mind's eye, he was on the bridge of his ship, Discovery.  He sit in the command chair, the main view screen before him. To his front and left were the seats for the Navigator and Science Officer with their banks of equipment and controls. To his front and right were the seats for the Helmsmen and Ship's Captain and their banks of equipment and controls.

Discovery was within hours of entering the solar system displayed on the view screen. The probes that had been launched before Discovery started the deceleration process had done their jobs. Garth had called a meeting of his Command Officers to go over the reports. They had already left for the meeting room, leaving just Garth and the helmsmen on the bridge.

Garth said, Helmsmen, I will be in the main meeting room if needed.

Acknowledged Commander.

Garth rose and headed for the meeting. As he entered the room his eye scanned each one of his Officers. They were not exactly typical looking Guardians. They all had the straw colored hair and golden eyes with the black swirls, but each differed from what had become the norm. Some were slightly taller or shorter and/or heavier or lighter. Each was more of an individual. He mentally named each one. Nort, Ships Captain; Vew, Navigation Officer; Leno, Chief Engineer; Bod, Medical Officer; Kerd, Security Officer; Fin, Quartermaster. The only one absent was Mar, The Science Officer. 

This concerned Garth, as they still did not know why one probe had stopped functioning. Other signs indicated a very hostile space-faring people in this system.

As Garth sit, Mar entered. They exchanged nods in greeting and Mar took her seat.

Mar spoke before Garth could start the meeting. "Commander, I have found something in the tapes of the lost probe you should be aware of. The probe did not malfunction or hit some object. It was destroyed by a blast of high energy. Comparing readings from the other probes, it appears there was a ship that set its course to intercept and destroy the probe. The probe's shields were functioning.

Captain Nort looked to Garth and said, Under the circumstances Commander, it might be best to take some more time before we confront these people.

Perhaps, said Garth, Lieutenant Vew, plot a course to take us above the plane of this system and have your Helmsmen standby.

Yes Commander, replied Vew as she rose from her seat and left for the bridge.

Lieutenant Kerd.

Commander He responded, coming to attention in his seat.

Place your security people on yellow alert and be sure the shuttles are ready to go, ordered Garth.

Lieutenant Kerd spoke softly into a communicator on his wrist. He looked up and said, Done Commander.

Bod, inquired Garth, Have your people been able to determine anything about these life-forms?

"Yes. They are oxygen breathers from a planet of one point three or one point five gravities. There are two planets you remember. They are Humanoid in appearance with three fingers and one opposed thumb. I have pictures we intercepted from their video transmissions if you would like to see them.

Not at present, continue.

We have no ready reference at this time, but they appear to be between one point two and one point nine meters tall and weigh between one hundred twenty-five and one hundred fifty kilos. That is standard for these size planets.

Good, said Garth, Quartermaster Fin, your report.

Fin looked up from her papers, Commander, all supplies are at an adequate level. We could use some raw materials, ores, compounds etc., but we are not critical on any item.

We will get what you need Quartermaster. Science, is there anything further to report?

Yes. Commander, replied Mar, It seems the two planets are at war with one-another. After correlating the Orian information with my own, it appears that there is only one life-group. They must have colonized one of the planets and that group is in the process of breaking away from the home planet. I should think that once we establish communications, the Mediator should be able to settle this without too much trouble. One word of caution Commander, their weapons do appear to be quite powerful. I would advise extreme caution.

Point noted, Lieutenant; any other reports or observations?  No one spoke. Continue your observations and if anyone comes up with anything they feel I should be aware of before our next meeting, notify me immediately. Meeting adjourned.

As the officers were rising to leave Garth turned to Captain Nort, saying, I will be on the bridge shortly, Captain.

Yes Commander.

When everyone had left the room Garth spoke, Discovery, contact Roe and display.

Yes Commander, said the ship’s memory.

Garth swiveled his seat to face the wall on his right. As he turned the wall shimmered and the image became Roe. She was dressed in her red smock, at her duty station in the medical section. She spoke, Hello Garth, how did it go?

He did not reply immediately but looked at her and felt the love he had for her and the pride in that she carried their yet to be born son. As he opened his mouth to speak, a great shudder ran through the ship, as if it had been struck a blow with a giant hammer. On the screen, as he looked at his beloved Roe, he saw a shaft of energy pierce one wall and exit out the other. Roe was standing between those two holes.

As she collapsed to the floor Garth saw the great gaping hole where her chest had been. As he set in shock he thought, (This cannot be! The shields! NOTHING can penetrate the shields! The have killed my Roe and my son!) Slowly he became aware of a sound. BONG!  repeated every three seconds. BONG!  The penetration alarm; the ship had been holed!  He suddenly felt rage that anyone would attack him or his ship. He sprang from his seat and raced for the bridge.

As Garth entered the bridge, Captain Nort came up to him. Commander, we have an enemy war ship off our port side. They must have some type of cloaking device. We had no warning until they fired on us. The shields were at full power but their shot went right through us. Damage reports are just coming in.

Evasive action Mr. Vew, ordered Garth.

Yes sir.

As Garth was turning back to the Captain, the ship lurched from a tremendous blow. Garth and the Captain were thrown to the floor. Garth reached up, grabbed the back of the Command chair and pulled himself up. Just as he got up-right, he was blinded by a piercing light that filled the whole bridge. He also felt a ripping, searing pain through his right shoulder. 

As Garths vision began to clear, he saw Captain Nort lying on the floor. Captain Nort had been his lifelong friend. They had grown up together on the Orian. Now he was dead.

Garth tried to raise his right hand and realized he could not. He looked at his arm. It was gone at the shoulder. He knew he was dead also. As the last of his