Forgotten Heroes
Chapter Three
0448 Hours, Wednesday March 20, 2388 (Military Calendar)/ Epsilon Eridani System, ONI Section 0, in orbit around planet Reach
"Welcome Dr. Watts."
"Good day, Colonel Tranter."
The colonel had gotten up from his desk to greet Kaspar Watts. They shook hands, and the colonel offered Dr. Watts a seat.
The room was well lit and decorated. A few certificates stood on the wall behind the colonel's desk, there were several abstract paintings on the side walls. The floor and walls were rocky, giving the room a castle feeling. The whole Section 0 Space Station was like that. On the roof, were several hanging pots with artificial vines. The colonel's desk and chairs stood on a Persian style carpet.
"I have read your reports, and I must say that I'm pleased. It appears that Chief Officer Tarantino is doing a good job. I must add though, I haven't received any reports on your investigation."
"Everything is going as planned. The procedure will be prepared before they are ready for it. The GS project is still on its early stages. It should be ready in two years."
"Good. Talk to Chief Tarantino, I want the children to be ready in two years. The earlier the Genome Soldiers project takes place, the faster you begin working on the real project."
"I will see to that. There's no need to worry, the children are showing amazing results and response to the training. They will enter Stage 2 of their training in a few months."
"Good. Is that all?"
"Yes, everything else is detailed on the report."
"Ok. I wanted to talk to you about another project." The colonel switched on the HID and displayed an image of a black military armor.
"I must say I am intrigued."
"This armor was designed to be used by Marines. The armor itself weighs one hundred pounds. Imagine going to war with one hundred pounds, it is just too much weight to carry, soldier these days need mobility and flexibility, something this armor cannot give them. The project was scrapped, but now I need you to retake it, this armor could be put to use."
"I see, I'll take the project."
"Good, it's all on this disk." Colonel Tranter took a data disk and gave it to Dr. Watts. "Do whatever changes necessary to adjust your main project, but try not to sacrifice the protection it offers against armor piercing bullets. You'll be surprised with its toughness and durability when you read the data from the experimentation we did on it."
"I'll see what I can do with it. The SPARTAN project will remain my main project nonetheless."
"Yes, the SPARTAN project is our top priority; regard this project as a personal one. I trust you'll do a good job."
"I will."
"Well, I have to attend a meeting. Apparently, ONI has contacted aliens on this system and on the Delta Wolf system. We have to discuss what to say to the public."
"Well, it's your motto and I don't blame you. 'We don't comment on rumors and speculation'. It always works."
"Sure does."
Dr. Watts shook hands with the colonel one more time and left the room. He made his way through the castle like space station until he reached the hangar.
He checked his watch, still twenty minutes to lift-off. Dr. Watts boarded his ride to Europa and patiently waited for the ship to take off.