Chapter 3
“Wait here,” the soldier said.
The two of them left the office leaving me alone. I looked around. This office was huge. I couldn’t believe we would have offices that big on the space station, with space at such a premium. The gym was huge, but I reasoned it was a training ground for many recruits. This office though--for paper shuffling for one person? It was elegant, yet sparse, unfeeling; lots of expense with little warmth or emotional investment. It was centered with one gigantic glass-topped desk, teetering on some extremely modern styled tubing for support. At the back of the desk, the wall was a vast expanse of darkness.
Quietly, with confidence and determination that marked much of his personality, in walked Brad Jonz. He looked grave; didn’t look me in the eye. That couldn’t be a good sign. It was his office. I had never realized until that moment that I'd never been in my dad's office before.
“I’m disappointed son,” he said. I took a breath to respond but he put his hand up quickly to stifle me. “Don’t worry; I know what it’s like to be young. It wasn’t that long ago for me either, but it’s trivial really. I have much more important things to discuss with you.” He looked me right in the eye and pointed to me. “Just promise me you’re not going back there, tell me that.”
“I promise.”
He looked away for a second and then turned back with a steely stare for a few seconds.
"Good, because I've a very special mission planned for you."
I sat up straight before he continued, attentive.
"Our President gives good speeches. He tells the people what they need to know--but--the war isn't over yet."
"The terrorists--you think there are still cells operating?"
"Oh we know Tyler. We know they are still operating."
"But the Exodus--people won't be safe."
"Look, leave decisions like that up to the government. I want you to see something. Transmission On!"
With his vocal command a holographic image appeared before us. In the hologram, Doctor Svoboda, lead scientist at the station, was walking around an impressive craft. He said:
" “Behold, the RMD-driven Covert, the state of the art military operations vehicle. This vehicle holds more firepower than any other vehicle in the world. It is faster and more nimble for ground or air travel than any pint-sized sports personal vehicle. It is virtually impenetrable to enemy attacks due to the strongest force field known to man. How is this possible you may ask? The key is in the name—RMD-driven--Rapid Molecular Displacement.”
“RMD is a revolutionary all-encompassing system for propulsion, weaponry, and rock-solid defence. The entire vehicle is surrounded by a smooth Zerite surface. But it is not the old-fashioned Zerite. It is far more sophisticated than that. The Zerite is filled with an activated molecular stimulant. This molecular stimulant, spread throughout the outer Zerite coating of the vehicle, is completely interconnected through the Covert’s information system. The molecular stimulant can be utilized for several reasons. It is equipped to sense the air molecules around the vehicle and is capable of manipulating them in several diverse and useful ways."
In the video, Dr. Svoboda walked around proudly in his familiar lab coat, constantly adjusting his glasses.
"For propulsion, it is capable of displacing the air particles so rapidly that the vehicle can fly through the air or skim along the ground faster than any vehicle known to man.
For weaponry, the RMD system is capable of concentrating energy on the outdoor air molecules and shooting them so hard and fast that they have more force than the average missile. This concentrated air missile has attached with it electronic messages that make this propelling air mass an extension of the Covert’s information system. In other words, this mass of air is not just brute force. More than that, it is intelligent, containing commands, which will guide it where you want it to go.
For defence, the RMD system can reinforce the Zerite covering with a rigid, impenetrable covering of the air molecules the vehicle is traveling through. That is a simple overview of a brilliant vehicle. But I must warn you, there is one issue which must always be taken into account during battle. The defence shield and the weaponry cannot be used at the same time. Once the RMD system concentrates its efforts on air displacement for weaponry, it then no longer can reinforce the Zerite covering which creates the impenetrable defensive shield. Of course, the Zerite surface itself provides more than adequate protection for conventional enemy attacks, but there are limits. You are vulnerable to nuclear, laser, and even the more powerful conventional missiles.”
While the doctor was talking, the virtual image of the outside of the car twirled slowly to show all angles of the sleek-looking machine. I could see the virtual image was changing. The doors were opening up and the doctor got in on the passenger side. He let the camera get in on the driver’s side. You could see the cockpit controls.
“As you can see, the controls are all visually based. The screen in front of you can be used for multiple purposes. While you have the joystick to manually drive--or fly if you will--the vehicle, you can also select a destination from the screen simply by touching it. If your target destination is not displayed on the screen--the standard view is of the immediate vicinity, there are button adjustments on the side to widen and shrink the view. If these views are not sufficient, you can enter longitudinal and latitudinal co-ordinates manually. This vehicle is designed for Earth travel, so all the data in the information system is based on Earth co-ordinates. This same group of interfaces is also used for weapon target selection. Try not to confuse the two.”
“When the bright red border lights up around the screen, you are in target mode. That should be sufficient warning, I hope. This completes the background history and vehicle overview segments of our seminar."
"Transmission Off!" my father commanded and the hologram disappeared.
He stared at me.
"Impressive machine, isn't it Tyler?"
"Yes sir, it certainly is--but what does it have to do with me?"
He got up and walked around his desk before continuing.
"You will be the captain of this vehicle—the commander of the mission. You already know exactly what our situation, our predicament is. Even though the expansion of the safe zone on Earth is progressing well, we need to stamp out the terrorist threat completely. We know that the terrorists have some sort of network, some safe areas where they live, train, and have been prospering these last hundred years. The problem is that despite years of surveillance and constant aerial scanning of the mountains surrounding the Earth dome base, we cannot track down these terrorist safe areas. Up until now, we have sent out missions with conventional hovercrafts and all-terrain tanks to stamp out individuals and groups of terrorists. We always immediately deploy troops to where missile or laser attacks have been launched. We keep stamping out the fires, but we can’t find where the matches are stored. It is up to you and your team to find these metaphorical matches. Bombing campaigns can't thwart all the ground and underground activities. We have got to start organizing missions, which go deeper than the surface; missions which enter into the terrorist network and kill it from the core. Your first real military mission will be the beginning of the end for the terrorists. Your mission will make the initial steps towards an in-depth analysis of the terrorist network. You will be supplied with the most advanced surveillance and tracking equipment, including the Covert vehicle and whatever resources are needed. We are depending on you, Tyler Jonz, and your team, the time is right for the end of the terrorist reign on planet Earth. I hope you realize the great responsibility you are undertaking and also the great opportunity that you have to truly make a difference in our society.”
"My team Dad? Who is it?"
"I think your partner and Martina Lever and Doug Lloyd--they suit the purposes for the mission."
"Martina and Doug okay--but Stoneman--I don't know if--"
"Look Tyler, I'm not sending you to a so
cial gathering--this is a mission--with SERIOUS implications."
"Okay Dad."
"We have to repopulate the Earth with the genetically-pure from the station. We know the Caucasian genetics have proved superior--Earth history and ethnic tensions have shown the errors of a diverse and weak gene pool."
"Well, you think it's perfect on the station?"
"I don't appreciate being interrupted soldier!"
"Sorry."
"--and besides, that is logistical issues--a growing population in a contained environment. But that isn't your place to question government decisions." He sighed. "I wish you could just do as you’re told. If not for me, for your mother's memory."
"Of course Dad. I really am sorry."
Thoughts of my youth, my mother before her passing, those memories pained me--but it made me listen more intently.
“You understand this is a dangerous mission son?”
“Yes I do Dad.”
“You also understand that you must do it.”
“I understand that too.”
We looked at each other.
“I had Dr. Svoboda do the video seminar so he could properly explain the Covert and its operational abilities. He is also a military officer too. I know you are tired Tyler, but this is still an overview. I want you to have a good general overview tonight—something to sleep on. I want you to refocus--not waste time with distractions. The terrorist attacks are still coming towards the Earth dome. At this point it is laughable really, we can intercept just about everything they send towards us, but they keep on trying. What else can they do? The rest of the world is lying in ruins; only the terrorist vermin is left. Our problem is as the Exodus starts; we need to clear the entire globe. If you and your team are going to be successful, you must take a different approach.
Up until now, we have been reacting to terrorist attacks. We need to be more proactive, to be out in the field and searching continuously. If you look behind me I have an aerial view of the Earth dome and a mapping of the terrorist attacks over the last year. You can see there is a concerted effort to disperse the source of the attacks, to confuse us with the randomness. But if you look to the northeast, there are definitely a larger number of attacks launched from this area. I want you and your team to start searching there. We no longer will wait for the attacks to happen. This northeast area needs to be searched with a fine toothcomb; and it needs to be done quietly. Also, if any attacks happen, you will be in the area and ready to react. Go home and get some sleep son. Tonight will be your last night’s sleep in your old apartment. You, Stoneman, Lever, and Lloyd will be heading for the Earth base tomorrow for continued training.”
With this, he got up and came over to me. He put his hand on my shoulder.
“I know you will make me proud.”
And that was it.
He left.