Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles 1: Wizard Defiant by Rodney Hartman Page B

battle helmet was dull black. It was neither smooth nor rough. From observing his TAC officers, Richard knew the battle helmet could change shape depending on whether it was being worn or stored on the wizard scout’s hip. He looked at it closely, but he saw nothing which would indicate speakers or any other kind of external equipment on the helmet.
    “The speakers,” Nickelo said, “are embedded in the helmet just like all its other sensors and probes. I’m using your voice because you will need to use the speakers to communicate with others when your suit is fully sealed.”
    “Oh,” Richard said.
    “My, you’re inquisitive,” said the voice. “Just a fountain of curiosity, aren’t you?”
    This time Richard was certain he was being insulted.
    “Why don’t you try the helmet on?” said Nickelo.
    “Are you sure that’s allowed?” Richard said. “I thought everything had to be fitted perfectly. I don’t want to break anything.”
    “Oh, this battle helmet is pretty tough,” said Nickelo. “And, we have fifty-four replacements if you get too careless with this one. But it will be fine. This helmet was manufactured specifically for you. No fitting is necessary.”
    Richard was leery, but he removed his cap and hesitantly picked up the battle helmet. It felt neither cool nor warm. It was a little heavier than he expected. As he lowered it to his head, the helmet changed shape to fit perfectly with the contours of his head. He felt a prickly sensation wherever the helmet touched his bare skin. Except for the prickly feeling, the helmet was fairly comfortable. The front of the battle helmet came down to his eyebrows and curved around to cover his ears and the sides of his neck.”
    Now, isn’t that better? came a thought in Richard’s head.
    Richard froze. “Was that you?” he said.
    You don’t have to speak , said the voice in his head. Just think. And yes, this is me. My friends call me Nick.
    The idea of computers having friends was so absurd that Richard’s curiosity overcame his shock of someone talking in his head.
    Do you have many friends? Richard said mentally.
    No , said the voice. Just you, Rick.
    We just met , Richard said using thoughts only. How can we be friends? You don’t know anything about me.
    Nonsense. I know a lot about you, Rick. I’m a computer, remember? I know everything in the tele-network’s databanks about you. Or at least I did. I’m not connected to the tele-network at the moment. But, I still know a lot of your history and progress at the Academy.
    Oh , Richard said still talking mentally. So, is this how wizard scouts talk to their battle computers?
    Not exactly , said Nickelo. It’s too slow. Once you have your DNA baseline taken, a shared data space will be created inside your mind. When that’s done, we will be able to talk there. You’ll have your private thoughts, and I’ll have my private thoughts, but we’ll be able to share information in our mutual space. It will be a superfast form of communication.
    The helmet does fit perfectly , Richard said in his mind. How did you get my measurements?
    Oh, fitting your helmet and battle suit doesn’t mean getting the correct size, Rick. They’ll change shape as necessary to fit you. Within reason, of course, so don’t go on an eating binge.
    Richard heard what sounded like a giggle in his head. Do computers laugh? he wondered.
    Yes, they do , said Nickelo. At least, I do.
    Hey, you’re reading my mind. I thought you said my thoughts would be private.
    They will be , said Nickelo, but only after we’ve set up our shared space. Then you’ll be trained how to protect the rest of your mind. And, I can’t read your mind. Heck, why would I want to? But, I can’t help it if you’re saying your thoughts for anyone to hear.
    Oh , Richard said a little relieved that eventually he would be able to prevent his battle computer from hearing everything he thought.
    But, back to your equipment , said Nickelo. Fitting