Read Online Send Simon Savage #1 by Stephen Measday - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Stephen Measday
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we’ve already warmed up in your absence. You’ll have to catch up as best you can.’
‘Yes, sir!’ Simon replied.
‘We’ll continue basic training,’ the captain continued, addressing the group as a whole. ‘In particular, with the springers in your shoes.’
The temponauts glanced nervously at the obstacle course awaiting them. There were five walls built from logs, and at heights of one, three, five, seven and nine metres. There was a five-metre gap between each wall.
‘I’ve seen from your mission reports that a few of you have already tested the camouflage aspects of your travel suits.’ Cutler’s eyes flicked towards Simon, Danice and Ivan. ‘And that you have done so under field conditions.
‘But I’m not satisfied you’re showing the same skills with your springers. Yesterday, we tackled the one-metre and three-metre walls. Most of you did all right.’
Nick stared down at the ground.
‘Well might you look at your miserable feet, Spenser,’ Cutler said. ‘This isn’t the football field, you know. You’re not kicking a ball. Learn to use your feet in other ways. More discipline—more coordination!’
Nick nodded sheepishly.
‘You were all chosen for this job because you already have strong athletic abilities,’ Cutler went on. ‘Surfing, survival skills, football, track and field, swimming. So, use those skills, and train hard. And for heaven’s sake learn to use your springers properly. They can get you out of difficult situations. They can save your life! Understood?’
‘Sir! Yes, sir!’ the temponauts chorused.
Cutler walked along the line, eyeing each temponaut in turn. ‘Now, a few points to remember about the operation of your springers. First, activate your springers with your wrist pilot. And remember, activation works for only one jump. You must reactivate your springers each time you jump.’
‘Yes, sir!’ the temponauts replied.
‘But there may be situations where you might need to make one, two or more jumps in sequence.’ Cutler glanced out into the field. ‘Like today’s obstacle course. What do you do under these circumstances—eh, Savage?’
‘After you finish the first jump, you pause,’ Simon replied. ‘You rock back on your heels and the springers automatically reactivate. Sir!’
‘Good. You’ve learnt something, at least,’ Cutler said. ‘Very well, Simon and Danice, you’re first. Take your positions.’ He turned to the other temponauts. ‘You have permission to encourage them!’
Simon and Danice jogged to the start—a white line painted five metres from the first wall.
‘Engage your springers!’ Cutler ordered.
Simon and Danice activated the command SPRING SHOES on their wrist pilots and with a click the soles of their springers rose another four centimetres.
‘Remember to adopt your landing position when you come out of the jumps,’ Cutler said. ‘Ready? Go!’
Together, Simon and Danice stepped back and then sprang forward, feet together. They hit the ground at the same time and bounced into the air, leaping easily over the one-metre wall.
‘A cinch!’ Simon said.
‘Try and catch me!’ Danice quickly rocked back and leapt forward again.
Simon rushed his move on the second jump and hit the ground off-balance. He lurched at an angle across the three-metre wall but just managed to land in the correct crouching position.
‘She got ya, surfie boy!’ Nick called out.
‘Good one, Danice!’ Taylor joined in.
Simon barely heard them. Despite the fumble, he quickly recovered his balance. He focused on the wall ahead. He rocked back, jumped hard and bounced cleanly, clearing the five-metre barrier a fraction behind Danice.
She flashed him a smile of triumph as they simultaneously leapt over the next wall.
‘You’re at nine metres!’ Cutler yelled. ‘Don’t forget to somersault the higher jump!’
Together, Simon and Danice rocketed into the air and into their somersaults. But Danice faltered as she came out of
‘Yes, sir!’ Simon replied.
‘We’ll continue basic training,’ the captain continued, addressing the group as a whole. ‘In particular, with the springers in your shoes.’
The temponauts glanced nervously at the obstacle course awaiting them. There were five walls built from logs, and at heights of one, three, five, seven and nine metres. There was a five-metre gap between each wall.
‘I’ve seen from your mission reports that a few of you have already tested the camouflage aspects of your travel suits.’ Cutler’s eyes flicked towards Simon, Danice and Ivan. ‘And that you have done so under field conditions.
‘But I’m not satisfied you’re showing the same skills with your springers. Yesterday, we tackled the one-metre and three-metre walls. Most of you did all right.’
Nick stared down at the ground.
‘Well might you look at your miserable feet, Spenser,’ Cutler said. ‘This isn’t the football field, you know. You’re not kicking a ball. Learn to use your feet in other ways. More discipline—more coordination!’
Nick nodded sheepishly.
‘You were all chosen for this job because you already have strong athletic abilities,’ Cutler went on. ‘Surfing, survival skills, football, track and field, swimming. So, use those skills, and train hard. And for heaven’s sake learn to use your springers properly. They can get you out of difficult situations. They can save your life! Understood?’
‘Sir! Yes, sir!’ the temponauts chorused.
Cutler walked along the line, eyeing each temponaut in turn. ‘Now, a few points to remember about the operation of your springers. First, activate your springers with your wrist pilot. And remember, activation works for only one jump. You must reactivate your springers each time you jump.’
‘Yes, sir!’ the temponauts replied.
‘But there may be situations where you might need to make one, two or more jumps in sequence.’ Cutler glanced out into the field. ‘Like today’s obstacle course. What do you do under these circumstances—eh, Savage?’
‘After you finish the first jump, you pause,’ Simon replied. ‘You rock back on your heels and the springers automatically reactivate. Sir!’
‘Good. You’ve learnt something, at least,’ Cutler said. ‘Very well, Simon and Danice, you’re first. Take your positions.’ He turned to the other temponauts. ‘You have permission to encourage them!’
Simon and Danice jogged to the start—a white line painted five metres from the first wall.
‘Engage your springers!’ Cutler ordered.
Simon and Danice activated the command SPRING SHOES on their wrist pilots and with a click the soles of their springers rose another four centimetres.
‘Remember to adopt your landing position when you come out of the jumps,’ Cutler said. ‘Ready? Go!’
Together, Simon and Danice stepped back and then sprang forward, feet together. They hit the ground at the same time and bounced into the air, leaping easily over the one-metre wall.
‘A cinch!’ Simon said.
‘Try and catch me!’ Danice quickly rocked back and leapt forward again.
Simon rushed his move on the second jump and hit the ground off-balance. He lurched at an angle across the three-metre wall but just managed to land in the correct crouching position.
‘She got ya, surfie boy!’ Nick called out.
‘Good one, Danice!’ Taylor joined in.
Simon barely heard them. Despite the fumble, he quickly recovered his balance. He focused on the wall ahead. He rocked back, jumped hard and bounced cleanly, clearing the five-metre barrier a fraction behind Danice.
She flashed him a smile of triumph as they simultaneously leapt over the next wall.
‘You’re at nine metres!’ Cutler yelled. ‘Don’t forget to somersault the higher jump!’
Together, Simon and Danice rocketed into the air and into their somersaults. But Danice faltered as she came out of
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