Read Online Cragbridge Hall, Book One: The Inventor's Secret by Chad Morris - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Chad Morris
Tags: Fiction
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Dr. Mackleprank called on a girl a few seats away. “The gorillas,” she guessed.
“Yes,” Dr. Mackleprank said. “As primates, humans and gorillas have similar movements. Gorillas will be much easier to learn to control than lions or giraffes. However, because you could do serious damage with a gorilla before learning good body control, you will begin with squirrel monkeys.”
A boy with red hair raised his hand. Dr. Mackleprank nodded, and the boy asked how fast they would likely be able to progress to using other animals.
“Good question, and a good one to get out of the way. As seventh graders, you will probably only gain experience with the squirrel monkey. It takes time to get used to controlling an avatar, and once you’ve mastered one, learning others becomes easier. After the monkey, gorillas are the next step. Then the four-legged animals, then those that swim, and finally, if you are especially proficient, years from now, you may begin flight.”
Derick imagined how amazing it would be to fly, even if it was through a robotic avatar. He didn’t care if it was with an eagle or a sparrow; he just wanted to fly. He vowed that he’d get there.
“The majority of students who begin flying do so only by entering the accelerated high-school program here at Cragbridge.”
Dr. Mackleprank clapped his hands. “Now before we get ready for your first experience in the lab, I must once again stress the importance of the rules. The mere invention of avatars is potentially dangerous. If the wrong forces could imitate our technology, they could work horror by stealth and disguise. A dog could be a spy, a bird an assassin. The main inventor of our avatar, the woman who worked with Oscar Cragbridge, is currently in a highly protected area because of her work. And Cragbridge Hall is well-secured for that reason. You all know of the heavy guard detail at every entrance and exit. The air space over the school is monitored and guarded. The government monitors our use of the avatars, which may be utilized only for educational purposes. For all of these reasons, you must obey completely. Understood?” Dr. Mackleprank waited for the students to nod. “Good. Now follow me.”
He guided the students into the adjoining room. Hooks lined the wall, holding what looked like masks and dangling black strands of thick fabric. “These are your avatar guidance systems,” he said, gesturing to the items hanging from clasps on the wall. Not every clasp held gear. Perhaps they didn’t have enough, or perhaps some were being repaired. “I will show you how to put them on. Then we’ll issue one to each of you.”
Dr. Mackleprank pressed his finger against a sensor, and the clasps opened, allowing him to pull the gear free. He stepped into a series of straps like he would into a pair of pants.
Two slipper-like ends went on his feet. Several thin black strands wrapped around his legs. Thicker straps crossed his ankles, knees and waist. Dr. Mackleprank threaded his arms through another series of straps with gloves at the ends. He had straps over his wrists, above his elbows, and on his shoulders. He attached a series of thicker straps across his chest. Finally, he put on a mesh mask with a reflective visor.
“Now it’s your turn,” Dr. Mackleprank said. “Please, wait patiently until you receive yours.” Both Rafa and Dr. Mackleprank quickly went to work assigning each of the students their equipment and helping them put it on. Once he was outfitted, Derick felt like he was wearing some sort of Halloween costume.
“I know they feel uncomfortable at first,” Dr. Mackleprank said, “but eventually you get used to the suits. There have been attempts to use visual sensors without a suit and have the avatar mirror your movements, much like the video game units that came out in the early 2000s, but they simply aren’t sensitive enough.” He surveyed the room. “Are we ready?”
“Yes,” Derick said, several others echoing
“Yes,” Dr. Mackleprank said. “As primates, humans and gorillas have similar movements. Gorillas will be much easier to learn to control than lions or giraffes. However, because you could do serious damage with a gorilla before learning good body control, you will begin with squirrel monkeys.”
A boy with red hair raised his hand. Dr. Mackleprank nodded, and the boy asked how fast they would likely be able to progress to using other animals.
“Good question, and a good one to get out of the way. As seventh graders, you will probably only gain experience with the squirrel monkey. It takes time to get used to controlling an avatar, and once you’ve mastered one, learning others becomes easier. After the monkey, gorillas are the next step. Then the four-legged animals, then those that swim, and finally, if you are especially proficient, years from now, you may begin flight.”
Derick imagined how amazing it would be to fly, even if it was through a robotic avatar. He didn’t care if it was with an eagle or a sparrow; he just wanted to fly. He vowed that he’d get there.
“The majority of students who begin flying do so only by entering the accelerated high-school program here at Cragbridge.”
Dr. Mackleprank clapped his hands. “Now before we get ready for your first experience in the lab, I must once again stress the importance of the rules. The mere invention of avatars is potentially dangerous. If the wrong forces could imitate our technology, they could work horror by stealth and disguise. A dog could be a spy, a bird an assassin. The main inventor of our avatar, the woman who worked with Oscar Cragbridge, is currently in a highly protected area because of her work. And Cragbridge Hall is well-secured for that reason. You all know of the heavy guard detail at every entrance and exit. The air space over the school is monitored and guarded. The government monitors our use of the avatars, which may be utilized only for educational purposes. For all of these reasons, you must obey completely. Understood?” Dr. Mackleprank waited for the students to nod. “Good. Now follow me.”
He guided the students into the adjoining room. Hooks lined the wall, holding what looked like masks and dangling black strands of thick fabric. “These are your avatar guidance systems,” he said, gesturing to the items hanging from clasps on the wall. Not every clasp held gear. Perhaps they didn’t have enough, or perhaps some were being repaired. “I will show you how to put them on. Then we’ll issue one to each of you.”
Dr. Mackleprank pressed his finger against a sensor, and the clasps opened, allowing him to pull the gear free. He stepped into a series of straps like he would into a pair of pants.
Two slipper-like ends went on his feet. Several thin black strands wrapped around his legs. Thicker straps crossed his ankles, knees and waist. Dr. Mackleprank threaded his arms through another series of straps with gloves at the ends. He had straps over his wrists, above his elbows, and on his shoulders. He attached a series of thicker straps across his chest. Finally, he put on a mesh mask with a reflective visor.
“Now it’s your turn,” Dr. Mackleprank said. “Please, wait patiently until you receive yours.” Both Rafa and Dr. Mackleprank quickly went to work assigning each of the students their equipment and helping them put it on. Once he was outfitted, Derick felt like he was wearing some sort of Halloween costume.
“I know they feel uncomfortable at first,” Dr. Mackleprank said, “but eventually you get used to the suits. There have been attempts to use visual sensors without a suit and have the avatar mirror your movements, much like the video game units that came out in the early 2000s, but they simply aren’t sensitive enough.” He surveyed the room. “Are we ready?”
“Yes,” Derick said, several others echoing
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