The Renegade

Chapter 9: Chosen

"Wow!" Hannah exclaims, "THAT'S SO COOL. Uh . . . what is it, exactly?"
Schiffs chuckles, "I'm not sure myself." She presses a finger to her ear, most likely looking for an ear piece. "Awaiting instruction." He hand drops to her hips and rests there. There's a sudden beep that echoes through the training hall.
"Transmission incoming."
I turn my head to the right and see a huge screen light up. It had a man in his mid-to-late forties. He had brown hair, but white streaks from what was probably stress. He had greenish eyes like me, and a long nose.
"Captain Ezra," Schiffs says. "transmission received."
"Ah yes," He looks down. "I assume this is our new recruit." He shuffles through some papers and squints, "Ignacia...?"
Maansi sent me tumbling forward. Somehow, I manage to stick on my feet. I scratch the back of my head -she's more strong than I anticipated.
He looks at -presumably- the camera and says, "Huh. I thought she would be much taller."
"I'm taller than Maansi and Hannah," I huff quietly.
"What was that?"
". . . Nothing."
He hesitates for a second before saying anything else. "I haven't introduced myself. My name is Ezra. Captain Ezra. I'm in charge of the Pittsburgh squadrons. Which means I'm in charge of . . . you."
I rock back and forth from my heel to the ball of my foot, "Will do."
"Now that we have that out of the way. Behold: this machine. While it may not seem like much, it's actually a miraculous, magnificent machine that can give us a training advantage. This machine -once hooked up to a host- is the ultimate training virtual reality. Once buckled in, the chair turns into an exoskeleton for the wearer. It simulates different senses that can't quite be reached in the regular training room. Depending on the person, it will make the hand weighted according to the weight of their weapon. It can simulate the feeling of jumping, and therefore freefalling, being in a vehicle, and different scenarios. Such as extreme temperature and temperature change, weather such as rain or snow, or even being attacked by one of the Govern's play things. I could go on, really.
Point being, we have achieved a great task with this machine. You, people of Squadron code 'Smog,' should be thankful for being granted such and opportunity."
I look around. Everyone's faces were varied; some were shocked, impressed, curious, and terrified. I look back up to Captain Ezra. His eyes were sparkling with admiration and pride. "Did I forget to mention," he continues. "That it can also simulate the wearers deepest fears and secrets in real time!"
Now that I looked around, everyone's face emitted and aura of pure fear. If they're scared of just the thought of that, how will they deal with it when the time comes for them to actually do it?
"Now you will all have to do both of these training exercises at least once. Now, who wants to go first?"
Most stared at the floor, some at the wall. Few dared to look the Captain in the eyes. Among the few stood me, glaring, at the screen that showed his face.
"Ah. Thank you, Ignacia, for volunteering."