Chapter Three
The elevator rocked as the group of soldiers rode up to the training floor. The ride although bumpy had been pretty smooth, considering the age of the device. The display above the doors was counting the floors as they ascended. When they finally reached seventeen, the elevator jolted to stop and the entire group almost fell to the floor. The doors slid open and revealed an enormous room filled with all their necessities. Ammo, dried food, tanks of purified water, and five ready to assemble cots lay air sealed in plastics bags on the floor. Training dummies and targets littered the walls, some mobile and some of them stationary. Viktor walked out and took in the entire scene, the rest of them at his heels. The elevator doors shut behind them and a familiar humming was heard. A mister Gutsy unit was hovering towards them; this one was painted black and was carrying some sort of device in its opposable metal hand. He stopped and chimed, "Hello Commanders, I am Private 160-8BJ9. My job is to retrain you and ensure that you stain in top physical condition, with the help of General Holoteach." Before anyone could inquire about the name, the Gutsy unit threw the small device on the floor and it projected an image of a man before the group. He was composed of green light and appeared to be late twenties to early thirties. He gave the group a salute and began speaking, "I am General Holoteach, and I am a holographic projection and interactive database system. I shall oversee your training and will approve you when you are ready to leave. Are there any inquiries yet far?" The hologram paused for a moment and then continued, "Alright, first thing is first. You will each run the obstacle course, you will run this course until you can do it blindfolded, and no, that is not an expression. Viktor will start us off." The hologram's voice was all machine except when it said 'Viktor', then it sounded more like General McDouglas's voice. Viktor shrugged and decided that it would be best to just wait to ask questions later. The hologram barked aloud, "Stand on that red square and we will begin." Viktor jogged over to the red square that, although covered in a fine layer of dust, was still visible. Viktor stood for a moment, wondering where the obstacle course could be. His question was answered as wooden walls emerged from the ground and formed not only a course but a maze. He shook his head and jogged in place. The Hologram shouted, "Go!" and a recorded gunshot sound played over the P.A. system that seemed to be very much intact. Viktor busted forward and pushed as fast as his feet would let him.
The entire group sat in a huddle, each of them panting loudly. Their weapons had been neatly arranged by the cots. They had all ran the obstacle course eight times each and each of them were worn out. The Hologram spoke again, "We will run this course for the next week and then we will begin weapons training. Hamilton let a sly smile crack across his face. The hologram continued his speech, "We will skip on to history for now, and all you must do is sit and listen as I lecture. Questions may be asked at the end of the lesson. Let us begin." The hologram morphed from an image of a man, to a map of the known world. Each man looked carefully as the lesson began. "Our world before the war, children playing, women sewing, men working, the American dream living strong through the heart of each citizen. But uh-oh, what's this? Seems like our good friend mister communist China doesn't appreciate our capitalist way of life." The holograph starts playing dramatic music and depicts a heavy set cartoon figure of an Asian man squeezing the word capitalism in his palms. The Hologram continued, "We were left no option but to smack our wayward friend on the hand. And then the bombs dropped. Atomic fire decimated our poor society and killed our sweet innocent America. All is not lost though friends, many people survived in underground facilities known as Vaults. You survived in Cryogenic tubes, licensed by the company Cryo-Tech, remember a little chill isn't a big deal." Viktor winced at the slogan. These people were obviously not level headed individuals. "So what's your part in all of this? Well you will go about bringing world order and restoring Democracy to the people of this new country. So do your best and remember, we're all on the same team…unless you a communist." The holo-lesson ended and the group was lost for words. The general returned, "Any questions?" Yuri was the first to recover, "So, uh… do you have any records of who we were, or are?" The hologram paused for a moment and responded, "That information is classified, see Administrator for access." Yuri groaned, "What administrator?" Viktor cut in, "Do you know if anyone from the Vaults have emerged yet?" The hologram paused again. "Wireless Vault Connection Systems confirm that all Vaults have been opened within the D.C. perimeter." Benito chimed in, "How irradiated is the province?" The Hologram paused, "Local Radiation readings indicate that the air is now breathable and the water is pure, a G.E.C.K. was most likely deployed." Yuri was the first to inquire, "G.E.C.K.?" The hologram responded, "G.E.C.K. Garden of Eden Creation Kit; Function: To restore water and vegetation back to healthy parameters." Viktor spoke again, "Do you have a satellite display of the D.C. area?" The Hologram paused and then morphed into a map of the D.C. area. Viktor skimmed with his eyes, "Can you scan for living organisms?" The hologram remained silent and then chimed out, "Detecting at least 15,000 living organisms, some humans, animals, and others… unsure." The group looked concerned, "Unsure?" Viktor said, "What do you mean unsure?" The hologram replied, "It is quite possible that humans or animals were transformed due to the radiation." Hamilton barked, "Zombies? Ah Shit!" The group chuckled. Viktor asked another question, "Can you display the nearest settlement?" The image zeroed in on a small town that looked to be constructed of burnt cars and heaps of scrap metal, you could just barely make out moving figures. Viktor nodded, "That's where we'll head first then." They each headed off to their cots' and feel either face forward on them or straight on their backs. The Gutsy hovered over and asked, "Is anyone in need of food, water, perhaps a cigarette?" Viktor hopped up, "I could go for a cigarette and some food right about now." Hamilton shouted, "What kind of food?" The Gutsy unit brought back dehydrated meals for each of them and a pack of cigarettes with a lighter for Viktor. He lit one, the rest of them poured water into their meals and began chowing down. The first day of training was a success.