Survivalist - 24 - Blood Assassins by Jerry Ahern

action inside a computer program.
    In the beginning, there was cumbersome headgear, and one or two motion-sensor-equipped gloves, the headgear giving visual stimulation to the wearer’s eyes and ears and the gloves, linked as well to the computer program, allowing the program to read hand movements and simulate their results within the computer image which was also transmitted through the headgear.
    It was possible, in the earliest days, for a person outfitted properly to reach to a “wall inside a room” on the computer screen and strike a “light switch,” none of which of course existed at all. The possibilities for the system, in the days Before the Night of the War, were seen as limitless.
    In that respect, Deitrich Zimmer saluted those pioneering researchers; they had been quite right.
    Through the use of virtual reality Deitrich Zimmer was able to perform simulated operations, actually perform them, not just rehearse. He had added his own special twist, and in it lay the reason why no one had yet attained his degree of perfection. Utilizing a high-speed digitized video-editing apparatus and wearing a complete body suit designed to read and translate his motor responses, he could even experience the sore feet and locked knees of standing for hours at the operating table. The video material was of actual patient operations, in all stages, both the successes and the failures. The programs which controlled the digitized video edits were keyed to his responses, constantly shifting to meet the demands of the situation.
    It was bloodless surgery which could be done and redone until it was not only gotten right, but done perfectly. Appliances of his own design enabled him to expand his skills still further.
    In some ways, however, the operation which he was about to perform—he had rehearsed it for more than a year—was his most delicate yet. Not only the life of the patient depended on it, but so did the life of his son.
    His one last review—an edited video from his final and most successful virtual reality practice session— was complete. Deitrich Zimmer stood up from the console, activated the foot controls and signalled for his surgical assistants to begin.
    Looking through the glass of the control booth, he could see the pace quicken as the personnel surrounded the table.
    Zimmer activated the door control switch—again, foot controlled—and went through the doorway into the operating theater. Like the other personnel, he wore a state-of-the-art surgical environment suit, the design his own, physically matching the feel of his virtual reality suit, completely self-contained, even for breathing.
    There was no possibility of contamination either way, from surgical staff to patient or patient to surgical staff.
    Entry to the area containing the operating theaters was through a series of clean rooms employing air locks.
    Dietrich Zimmer approached the table.
    Below the neck, yet allowing for access to the heart, should that be required, the body was tented. Only a very small portion of the skull—six centimeters square—was shaved.
    Zimmer made a last survey of his instruments.
    He looked to each of his assistants in turn, getting eye contact and moving on. That each person was in top form was mandatory, because the operation would, perforce, have to move with total efficiency.
    Lastly, he looked at the face of the patient. A mask would be placed over the face, allowing for instantaneous application of additional oxygen when required.
    Sarah Rourke was rather pretty.

seventeen
    She had just done the stupidest thing anyone in the military could ever do, volunteer.
    “Oddly enough, Commander Shaw, if you had not volunteered I would have requested that you do so. I couldn’t think of a better pilot or wing commander.”
    She didn’t know what to say. Finally, “Thank you, Admiral.”
    “Just remember something, Commander. In one respect, I’m letting you go against my better judgement.”
    Emma Shaw looked at