The Watchers by George H. Smith
In a distant future, humanity has expanded beyond its solar system, encountering various alien species. Among these, the Rumi, a race of oxygen-breathing bipeds, pose a significant threat due to their similarity to humans and their aggressive nature. To protect its far-flung colonies, humanity has established the Space Frontier Watcher Service, a network of sentinels tasked with monitoring and warning against potential alien incursions. The protagonist, a member of this Watcher Service, is stationed on a desolate moon called Thirty, orbiting a molten planet named Nestrond. His duty is to monitor radar screens and alert the Terran fleet of any Rumi raids. One day, his routine is disrupted when a Rumi fleet appears on his radar, followed by a Terran private craft, the Crossley 18, which is pursued and shot down by the Rumi. The protagonist watches as the Terran ship crashes on Thirty, and a Rumi landing party is dispatched to ensure no survivors remain. Despite orders to remain in his bunker, the protagonist decides to intervene, driven by a sense of duty to protect the human survivor. He ventures out into the harsh environment of Thirty, where he discovers the Rumi capturing a young woman, the daughter of a wealthy explorer. Using his knowledge of the terrain and a makeshift weapon, the protagonist engages the Rumi, managing to eliminate several of them and rescue the girl. In a final confrontation, he defeats the Rumi officer, ensuring the girl's safety. The story concludes with the girl mistaking the protagonist for a dog, unaware of his true nature as a highly intelligent, genetically engineered canine designed to serve as humanity's guardian in space.
By George H. Smith · First published 1978 · Genre: Science Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Space Opera · 3,964 words
First lines
Man had been happy back in his little two-by-four system. Happy but not contented. So he had invented himself a stellar drive and had burst out of his nice safe little system into a galaxy that he wasn't really ready for. A galaxy where there just wasn't enough of him to go around and where other races were on the move, some of them races that also wanted oxygen planets.
What this Textopian page supports
The Watchers is listed on Textopian as a short story by George H. Smith, dated 1978 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: George H. Smith
- Date: 1978 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Space Opera, Action/Adventure, Thriller
- Length: 3,964 words
- Structure: 1 section, 33 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Science Fiction — Set in outer space with futuristic technology, interstellar travel, and encounters with alien species.
- Military Science Fiction — Focuses on interstellar warfare, strategic conflicts, and combat between human and alien forces.
- Space Opera — Features grandiose, dramatic narratives set against a vast cosmic backdrop with high-stakes conflicts.
- Action/Adventure — Emphasizes high-energy combat, survival scenarios, and proactive heroics throughout the narrative.
Tags
Science Fiction · Thriller · Mystery · Suspense · Paranormal · Conspiracy · Horror · Supernatural · Alien · Adventure · Action · Psychological