Read Birth of the Alliance for Free Online Page B

to be clear, though. We are, in fact, in a boat that you can sail under the water. On purpose. In complete safety.”
    “Exactly.”
    “This has to be the most amazing thing ever .”
    Will laughed. “We're five miles away from the place where the Seaworthy sank beneath the waves, and over a thousand feet beneath the surface of the ocean. Surely that counts for something?”
    Everyone laughed.
    “Besides,” Will said, “this boat does more than just sit still. Computer?”
    Yes, Will?
    “Set course for the Cavern. Maximum speed.”
    Yes, Will.
    “Who said that?” asked Deborah, whirling around, searching for the form of the woman responding to Will's commands. “You say her name is Computer ?”
    Will shook his head. “It's not a person. It's a machine.”
    “Is it me, or is this boat moving?” Ruth asked, glancing around.
    “You can talk to machines ?” asked Graham. “Can you talk to plows, too?”
    “Yes. I mean, no.” Will sighed. “Yes, the boat is moving. No, I cannot talk to machines unless they're built to talk to me.” He made a mental note to take things a bit slower with the next group; he was overwhelming this group with too much that was beyond their comprehension, too quickly. “Look, let's sit down and get something to eat and I'll explain more about this boat, how it came to be built, and more about how I envision us working together.”
    They moved to the side of the main cabin and seated themselves around a large circular table while Will moved to the galley. He'd set a few large cuts of meat to cook in an oven and steamed vegetables before he'd left to retrieve them. He inhaled the scent of the beef and his mouth watered. The Energy expenditure might not have taxed him, but it did leave him hungry. He looked around for a tray, and found nothing. With a sigh, he assembled a tray created with some of his nanos, reminding himself he'd need to dispose of it after the others were settled in their quarters.
    Trying to explain an underwater, thinking boat was one thing. Trying to explain that he was in possession of a swarm of intelligent machines smaller than human cells would be impossible at this stage.
    He carried the tray out, set it on the table, and motioned for everyone to eat. After a moment's hesitation, they did so, and the sounds of chewing filled the cabin. Will went back to the galley for water, a beverage which generated a few puzzled looks. Nobody questioned him, though, and they ate and drank their fill.
    “I've told each of you a good amount of what we're about, but I want to tell you the story of how all of this ”—he waved at the interior of submarine—“happened. It's a lot to take in at once, and I apologize for not easing you into this. But I think it’s best to tell you everything possible and let you adapt into it, rather than try to guess what you’re ready for and when.”
    A few heads rose up in the midst of chewing their food, with looks of surprise. “You made it pretty clear we'd see things and do things we didn't believe possible, Will,” Peter said. “I don't think you have anything to apologize for. Just… let us accept it all at our own pace.” There were a few chuckles in memory of Peter’s earlier meltdown, and the man grinned and blushed.
    But there were murmurs of assent to his statement, and Will felt a sense of relief. Far from being overwhelmed by what he'd shown them, they'd considered it further proof of the truths he'd offered them.
    Will nodded, and continued. “Almost seven centuries ago…”
    He paused. Had it truly been that long? Saying the words made him realize just how long he’d actually lived, how long he’d been at all of this.
    “Seven centuries ago, a small village formed in England. That wasn't unique. What was unique was that the villagers truly believed that many things we call ‘magic’ simply aren't. You don't need spells, or wands, or cauldrons, or demons. You can tap into something inside you, and do far more