Project Sparta (The Xander Whitt Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

what mysteries lay down the other passages.
    “There are more tunnels here than you can imagine. Tunnels within tunnels, facilities within facilities, secrets within secrets. The Spartans are the innermost egg within the Russian doll, Xander.”
    They came to a garage door with the one word stamped on it like a cargo crate: SPARTA. Hardy parked and got out of the SUV again. He approached a panel on the wall that opened at the scanning of his access card. It revealed an eye scanner that Hardy stared into until it opened the door. The garage door then opened and amazement struck Xander still as Hardy climbed back into the Suburban. Xander’s gaze held on the facility before him as they drove forward. His eyes dried out from the prolonged stare, so much so that he had to rub them in amazement.
    “Welcome to Sparta. We call this place the Compound.”
    Before them was a massive training facility. It measured ten football fields by five. Hardy parked the Suburban at the entrance. They both got out and Xander couldn’t believe what was before him. The ceiling was at least ten stories high. He could not fathom how far underground they were. At the apex of the dome was an oculus window to the outside world. Natural light funneled in and illuminated a circle of the training grounds. There was an apparent layout to the Compound, including an armory, a fitness center, a library, and even a forest, which had fully grown trees and a small creek that ran through it and emptied into a pond. The area was so large that it would be easy to forget that it was all connected in one massive hangar.
    Hardy escorted Xander across the Compound, down a walking path lined with street lights and park benches that branched off to different buildings.
    “This used to be a design hangar for next-generation aircrafts. We’ve got the planes down. It’s the spies we need to design now. The eastern side of the Compound holds the Library and the Thicket. The Thicket is what we call the forestry there. It is used for stealth training, but will serve many purposes throughout the Project. To the west, there, is the Infirmary. I promise you that you will spend many nights throughout your training here. We have nothing but the best doctor for our recruits. Dr. Rodgers is the highest-rated surgeon.” They walked past the Infirmary, which had a neon red cross on its façade and translucent sliding glass doors, similar to an ER entrance. There were small windows eight feet off the ground lining the side walls of the building.
    “Why do we need a surgeon?” Xander asked. Hardy chuckled under his breath.
    They approached another structure. From the exterior it resembled a bunker, reinforced with concrete and encased in steel. It was a stalwart of a building, mounted on a sturdy foundation.
    “This is the Armory. Inside we have multiple training areas, shooting ranges, and a full arsenal at your disposal. Everything you need to learn the art of tactical warfare.”
    Just as they passed the Armory, a bright light flashed through the bolted windows, but no sound accompanied it.
    “Ah, it appears that one of your fellow Spartans has found the crate of grenades.”
    “You have real grenades here?” Xander asked, shaken. He gulped down his fear, causing Hardy to glance over at the sound. Hardy stopped in his tracks and met Xander eye to eye.
    “Xander, everything here is real. There are real guns with real bullets. These trees are real and those over there in the thicket are real oaks. The streams are irrigated from the Potomac. Everything you see before you is real. You have a real chance of being hurt and a real chance of dying. To be something great, you have to learn to survive, and training will be your first test.” He spoke with such sternness that Xander clutched his necklace through his shirt.
    Could I really die if I’m not careful? They wouldn’t let that happen, would they?
    Something about Hardy’s look told him the answer was yes. They continued