The training facility was a vast circular area. Like all the living and working areas of the Earth station it was beneath ground level; the ground above a natural defence against the ever-present terrorist threat. The task of carving these vast areas out of a mountainside was definitely an impressive achievement, despite knowing the architects of the project. Along one side was a massive control panel centered by a giant screen. Several desks sat in front of the screen. To the other side of the facility was a shooting gallery. Various styles of laser and conventional guns filled a gun rack just outside the range. A large area was filled with physical training equipment built around a sort of obstacle course. In the center of the circular training facility was a round podium with the RMD-driven Covert vehicle sitting on it. Right above the podium on the ceiling of the training facility was a hatch; the podium was controlled by hydraulics, which could raise the Covert vehicle up into the air through the hatch in the training roof and out into the Earth's atmosphere--beyond the protection of the dome.
“Quite impressive, eh team?” my father said from the control panel area, “let me show you around. Over here is the theoretical training area. This is your classroom. We'll spend the mornings here discussing strategies and techniques. At the opposite end is the arms training area. We'll test your proficiency. That large area over there is the physical training area where we'll spend our afternoons; and of course, where you're all staring is the vehicle you will be using during your mission."
He walked us over to the centre of the training facility; where the Covert was held slightly above ground level by hydraulic stabilizers on all four sides.
"Dr. Svoboda has already described it to all of you in greater detail than I'd be able to myself. Suffice it to say it'll increase the security and efficiency of your mission. As the week goes on, you'll all get to train in the Covert--don't worry about that. As you can see the podium has stabilizers to support the craft. The entire podium can be changed to simulator mode wherein it will simulate the actions given by the vehicle’s controls. In simulator mode, the normally clear windshield and passenger windows dim becoming screens displaying simulated images of battle situations. This creates the illusion of operating the vehicle in various battle situations. The result is a very realistic simulation displaying visual images of Earth landscapes for trainees to navigate through."
He patted the Covert and waved us over to the theoretical training area.
In the afternoon Svoboda (in person this time) led us over to the firing range section of the training facility. The wall was decorated with numerous hand-held armaments of all shapes and sizes.
“You'll not need all this assortment of armaments. Through the initial phases of your mission, the Covert will be sufficient for defence, attack, and transportation. If, the time comes when you have to travel or investigate by foot, you still need some technology to fulfill these needs. Myself and my laboratory assistants have tried to develop an all-encompassing lightweight solution for defence and attack. Much of the advantage of the Rapid Molecular Displacement technology has been incorporated in this hand-held armament.”
Dr. Svoboda held up a sleek gun-shaped silver armament. There was a trigger in the traditional gun position, yet it had a small control panel on its wide barrel.
“While this looks like a regular gun, it is not—it is much more. As long as you are within a thousand kilometre range of the Covert vehicle, these gun-shaped objects are actually remote terminals of the Covert’s information system. You have access to many of the capabilities of the Covert vehicle.”
Dr. Svoboda pointed to four jumpsuit uniforms that were on the wall beside the array of armaments. From a distance they resembled regular army uniforms, but upon closer inspection, the fabric had a unique feel--soft but durable.
“These uniforms may look like regular clothing, but they also, are not. They are activated with the same Rapid Molecular Displacement technology, which can be controlled through your hand-held terminal—or gun, if you will. Through the control panel at the top of the gun, you can enter some of the same modes as in the Covert vehicle. You can use the terminal to activate shields around your uniform. This does not have the all-encompassing defence of the Covert vehicle but it could be used as kind of an attack resistant shield. Your head and hands are still exposed and vulnerable but in the case of a shot to the arms, legs, or body; it could very likely save your life. As far as attack mode, you can still affect the outdoor air molecules and launch them as smart guided missiles. You have an interface with the system, either through the hand-held model, or controlled by a crew member back in the Covert.”
He gave us all our guns and uniforms.
“Here are your virtual training glasses,” the doctor said as he handed us each a pair. “All four pairs are connected to the central training information system and the missions you'll be practicing are coordinated. In other words, the virtual reality in your individual simulations will be coordinated with the others. You'll be in a field-like atmosphere of mountainous Earth terrain, able to hide behind trees or rocks and fire at will. You'll be able to control the modes of your remote terminal and be able to speak with a virtual teammate in a virtual Covert vehicle. Also, the four of you will be in the same virtual training sessions. We will form teams of two and you can attack each other. There will be half an hour of this each day for the remainder of the week.”
Stoneman swung his glasses in his hand and looked at me. “This should be a lot of fun.”
“Use your time wisely soldiers,” said Svoboda. “Develop your individual skills, but also learn to work as a team. General Jonz will guide these training segments for the rest of the week. I have given you information on the technology but his military skills are what you have to develop.”