Savage Bay by Christopher Forrest Read Free Book Online Page A

helmet-mounted camera and a tactical suit loaded with sensors to monitor their physiology and gather data from the surrounding environment. We’ll be able to watch everything from here, in the Ops Center, in real-time.”
    Caine pointed to the large monitors that covered the walls. “When Titan Six deploys in the field, there will be a separate display for each operative, showing their helmet cam video feed and sensor data.”
    “So we see everything they see?” asked Cruz.
     “And more,” said Caine. “The system virtually enhances the video feeds with other data. The technology is based on the concept of augmented reality: a live view of the real-world enhanced by computer-generated input layered on top of the image.”
    “I’m not sure I understand,” said Cruz.
    “Let me give you an example. If we were looking at the video feed of a city street, the computer might add a layer of graphics identifying each building, displaying the temperature and humidity, showing the names of cross-streets, and so forth.”
    “Remarkable,” said Cruz.
    “And each member of Titan Six on the ground has access to this augmented reality through their tactical helmet systems. A 3-D display is projected onto the visors of their helmets. The computer-generated content is layered on top of their vision of the physical world.” 
    Caine walked toward the center of the room and continued her tour of the Ops Center.
    “The holographic display provides an overview of the environment in which the field team is operating. When the operation goes live, a computer-generated avatar for each Titan Six member will be shown on the holographic display. The system also identifies objects and people from the helmet cam video data and adds them to the 3-D rendering.”
    “I never knew anything like this existed,” said Cruz.
    “Not many people do,” said Caine.
    “Now, let’s introduce you to the rest of the Ops Center team for this operation,” said Caine. She turned and gestured to one of the room’s other occupants. “This is Dr. Joshua Ambergris. He is our resident expert on the work being done at Savage Bay.”
    Ambergris, the man with the beard, nodded politely.
    “And this is Touchdown,” said Caine. “He is the Chief Communications Officer for Titan Six and will be our primary point of communication with the team during the operation.”
    Touchdown smiled and raised a hand in greeting. He was seated in a wheelchair, dressed in a Titan Global uniform with a Titan Six insignia patch on his chest and each arm.
    “This is DJ,” said Caine. “She’s a former team member and a genius with computers.”
    Caine took a step.
    “Finally, this is our Systems Engineer. Quiz. He’s one of our top analysts as well.” 
    A young man in jeans and a T-shirt held up a hand in greeting. His shirt read ZOMBIE RESPONSE
TEAM
– LOCATE, DECAPITATE, INCINERATE.
    Dante immediately made an observation in Quiz’s mind.
    * Nice. I think I’m beginning to understand your roving eye. *
    You can say that again. Wait --
    * Nice. *
    Dammit.
    To Cruz, Quiz seemed distinctly out of place in the orderly and disciplined environment of the Ops Center.
    “Quiz, can you set up Station Four for Ms. Cruz?” Caine asked.
    “Sure thing,” said Quiz.
    * My, aren’t we pleasantly agreeable today? *
    Quiz moved to another chair and started punching at a keyboard on the computer console. The holographic image flickered and disappeared. The mountainous island was replaced by a slowly spinning wire-frame diagram of the Savage Bay complex.
    “We have all of your original documents and plans for the Savage Bay project,” said Quiz. “All of the design and engineering specifications are imaged in this database. Here, let me show you how to navigate through it ... ”
     
    EIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE HALO JUMP
    THE ARMORY, ABOARD THE ALAMIRANTA
     
     
    Hawkeye arrived at the Armory to find Pyro anxiously waiting outside. He extended a hand in greeting.