Daedalus 57 M1 - Term: 1 To 2 - Break

House Thoth, Squad Leader, Squad Zero

M1 Rank: 1/1275, Tier 3 M-Rank: Null

Term: 1 to Term 2: Break

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The announcer roared, "he slices past King Zis guard it rocks him back on his heels! There had to be some devasting internals done there folks. Feisty Troll is on his game today!"

The six remaining cadets from squad zero were in the stands watching two six-metre mechs duke it out with either large two-handed swords or what was called sword and board which was a one-handed sword and s.h.i.+eld. The two-handed swords were known as Claymores. It was visceral combat at its finest. Augmented Reality was not used in the professional leagues. Which was probably why the Mechs were limited to melee weapons and weren't firing off missiles at each other. Or into the crowd for that matter.

The Mechs and their melee weapons followed strict rules including limitations to size and weight. The result was the claymores, swords and s.h.i.+elds looked very similar where the Mechs themselves were diverse.

Shorter, wider mechs, or thin mechs with a long reach. Some mechs had half a dozen joints in their arms, whiles others had two. One mech was lopsided with a single thick arm, and yet another had over twenty segments joined together acting as an arm instead of joints and strut.

"Yar Feisty Troll!" Barran yelled getting into the swing of things. It was fortunate the cadets were too young to bet or Barran would have been betting and losing on most matches. "My Mech is going to win this time," he proclaimed loudly to his squaddies.

"I can't wait until I am in U1," Barran continued.

Daedo was at a loss, and so was Axelzero, "Uh, why?" She asked.

"Because U1 cadets can vote, drink, get married and …. Bet!" Barran announced with a shout.

Mace whispered to Daedo, "Business Manager." And then she raised her eyebrows to indicate her reluctance to agree that was a good idea.

Due to the EUDF accords cadets from U1 onwards could be sent to battle in the occurrence of an alien invasion or war. They were considered part of the EUDF until they graduated when they would either join a Military arm or leave for civilian life. Because of this commitment, the EUDF granted sixteen-year-old cadets full citizens.h.i.+p rights.

Feisty Troll's blow with the claymore forced King Zi's right arm to stop working. This was of interest to Daedo because the Claymore hit the body of King Zi. Feisty Troll must have impacted an important power delivery conduit or control circuit.

"It's over," Picard stated. King Zi has lost its ability to wield a claymore. One arm was not strong enough to swing the heavy blade.

The mechs topped out at six metres in height. Some were quick, some strong, while others were heavily armoured. No Mech was all three unless it was a compromised balance.

Daedo could almost tell by looking at them which category they should fit into. Sometimes a Mech looked like it should be strong and was actually quick, or just not well made at all. Heavily armoured was immediately obvious.

"I win again!" Barran exclaimed.

"You are wrong seventy-five percent of the time," Picard informed him.

All the cadets were enjoying the spectacle, but Barran's behaviour was embarra.s.sing. Especially since they were all in matching bodysuits. Axelzero had gifted the squad with new Axel customs which were black and red with Daedalus written in red on the front and back.

"Thanks again for the wonderful gift Axelzero," Vannier said for the third time while admiring the elegant red stripes following the contours.

As expected of Axel Corp, the bodysuit contained all the latest sensors and invisible gadgets. Myrmidon was already making use of the extra storage capacity woven into the neck. Organising sensor data processing programs to operate from this location using the direct feeds from the bodysuit itself. The bodysuits were all linked the same the squad had done at the Academy.

"Thanks, Axelzero," Daedo said mimicking Vannier. She had taken his old Academy bodysuit and would return it at the beginning of the term with every mod in Axel corps a.r.s.enal. "And thanks for upgrading my Thoth Bodysuit."

"I promised didn't I?" she replied.

Daedo nodded and smiled, "Yes. Yes, you did."

"I keep my word Etana Daedo," Axelzero stated seriously, poking him gently in the chest with her finger to emphasise the point.

The cadets referred to each other with their surnames, out of habit, but sometimes slipped in a first name since they were on break.

"Who's up next?" Picard asked looking up the schedule.

"Angry Rex versus Demon Butler, hmm," Barran replied, "I think Demon Butler's form looks best. I am backing him."

"Both Claymores again?" Daedo asked while reading the synopsis on both Mechs. There was also short vids of their best wins, but it didn't mean the Pilot would not change loadout based on a specific fight strategy.

As the Mechs exited from the North and South entrance, Picard observed, "Sword and board on Angry Rex."

"Claymore on Demon Bulter, yes!" Barran said.

"Claymores are losing more than half their fights against sword and boards," Vannier reminded Barran.

"Yes, but Demon Butler is a Demon Mech. He won't lose," Barran said confidently.

The arena was quite small compared to the Academy Mech arenas. It was circular with a diameter of one hundred and fifty metres. The Mechs would meet near the centre, where they would begin fighting. Employing either a dodging strategy, parrying or trading blow for blow.

Demon Butler in his resplendent black and white colouring lept and swung downwards at Angry Rex as soon as they were within fifteen metres of each other. Impressively for a six-metre mech, Demon Butler was able to jump three metres in the air with no jumpjets, just using the spring from his legs.

Angry Rex was quick and brought his s.h.i.+eld up to block the incoming claymore. Demon Butler altered the path of his downward swing, but Angry Rex was still able to counter and block. As the blade smashed into the s.h.i.+eld, making an amazingly loud sound. The vibrations reverberated through the stands. This is what the fans came for. Other than the betting. Angry Rex attempted to sweep low with his longsword after he was able to absorb the impact of Demon Butler's claymore.

Demon Butler was expecting the move and took one step backward, bringing his lead leg behind himself. He used the momentum to turn and angle a blow at Angry Rex's right flank. The claymore had to travel a lot further than the s.h.i.+eld, and despite his speed, which was impressive, Angry Rex was easily able to block. Both the claymore and s.h.i.+eld had chunks of metal flying off. They must have been some sort of plastic metal blend because they didn't spark much when they clashed.

Both Mechs were on equal in terms of build technology, both pilots were skilled. When this eventuated, it turned into a war of attrition. Which Mech would break down first?

Demon Butler had excellent speed and was able to swing the claymore with strength, but it came at a price. As soon as Angry Rex traded blows to the body, Demon Butler suffered. The Mechs defence was below par. The Mech movement was hindered, one leg unable to move forward, only backward. This put a strain on its offence, the pilot had no chance of getting past Angry Rex's s.h.i.+eld. He began to take risks, and as soon as he overreached Angry Rex jumped on the opportunity and plunged his sword into Demon Butler's white torso. His black arms went limp, and a red light indicating surrender began to spin.

"That is going to cost a wad of bitcreds to fix," Mace said quietly. Daedo hadn't been able to shut her up during the week, and now they were with the squad again she reverted to her old self. The change was significant, although she did offer an opinion now and then.

"Argh," Barran cried. Picard thumped on the back, perhaps too hard.

"Sword and board," she said firmly ignoring the hurt look from Barran.

The squad, what remained, the six cadets from Thoth squad zero, had been watching Mech battles all day. Most lasted twenty minutes, including the time it to them to walk out and the crane lift pulling the loser and sometimes both out. A ma.s.sive three hundred tonne crane sat behind the stadium, lifting any Mechs who couldn't walk, out of the arena and into the Mechbay behind.

"Tomorrow is hand to hand combat," Axelzero informed the squad.

"What are the rules for that?" Vannier asked as she pulled up a screen large enough for everyone to see. There were specific rules about the size and weight of a Mech's hand and another set for the closed fist.

"Look at the end of the day there is a four v four compet.i.tion for melee combat. Only two matches though," Picard mentioned.

"Prize money probably isn't worth it for the repairs," Barran suggested.

"Did we learn anything useful today?" Vannier asked looking at Daedo and smiling brightly.

"Yes, Mechs. .h.i.t hard and just ask Picard, sword and board all the way," Daedo answered.

In reality, it was good to have a look at different structures and how effective they were or were not. His only concern was that the design could have merit, but if the parts were poor, the merit would be lost. As usual, he would have to build, test and a.n.a.lyse. Then build, test and a.n.a.lyse again, and again, and again, to ensure he explored all avenues. A costly endeavour. Exos were a fraction of the cost of a Mech. However, he could take learnings from the exos to the mech in terms of armour composites and power delivery.

"Let's have our Daedalus meeting," Vannier suggested. The squad had planned to see the expo on Sat.u.r.day after another day of Mech arena combat, but they also wanted to catch-up on Daedalus and squad business before and or after dinner on the first day.

An auto was ordered, and in moments a hovercar arrived to pick them up, in Munich they were always less than a minute away. The on holiday cadets in their black and red Daedalus bodysuits jumped into hovercar which scooted off to Axelzero's aunties place.

Daedo knew Axelzero was well off, but he had never been in a home as large as her Aunty's. She was also a member of Axel Corp, holding down a board seat and as she put it making sure idiots didn't ruin the company. In fact, she wasn't Axelzero's aunty, she was her great aunty, Axelzero just referred to her as aunty Sabine.

The home had wings, four of them and Aunty Sabine made only one off-limits to the cadets. She was also very strict, insisting they go to bed at 23:00 and shower before. Dinner was at 1800 sharp, and she expected them to wash before dinner. The girls were sleeping in one wing, while Daedo and Barran another. Daedo wasn't sure if Axelzero's Aunty understood they lived together for ten weeks with no incidents of misbehaviour, why did she expect one now.

"Just bear with her. She is old," Axelzero pleaded. "She is really nice. Really." She continued to beg the squad not to judge her Aunty badly.

"We're fine," Daedo rea.s.sured her.

"My grandmother is the same," Vannier mentioned.

"I thought Master Nader was strict," Barran implied Aunty Sabine was worse.

"In her day, everything was run to the minute. Dinner at 1800 means just that, not 1801 not around 1800," Axelzero warned gently.

"We can just order a meal from a local bot-kitchen," Barran suggested. "A bot could fly a meal in through a window, she wouldn't even know."

"She would know you weren't at dinner!" Axelzero reprimanded him.

"I don't know what the fuss is about. We work to a schedule at the Academy," Vannier came to Axelzero's support.

"But it's break!" Barran explained in exasperation.

Daedo was leaning back and must have had a small smile on his face.

"What are you laughing at?" Barran accused Daedo.

"Nothing. I just thought you have learned by now," Daedo retorted.

"Learned what?" Barran queried.

"Exactly," Picard said loudly laughing at Barran's expression.

"Not to question or argue with…" Daedo answered and indicated the girls.

"Oh, my little dark genius, rest a.s.sured," Barran said ominously, "I will never learn that!"

Everyone broke out in laughter. While Barran protested, it was not a joke.

With three wings and the main hall to choose from it was not hard to find a room which sufficed for a Daedalus and squad meeting. The room they ended up choosing was called a sitting room and was similar to the ancient décor in the topside Academy staff offices. The squad was able to lounge about in luxury with a central display they surrounded.

"First item," Vannier announced. She had gone through the list with Daedo over comms the previous day. The squad could have easily conducted this meeting in a virtual room, at any place or time, but now as good a time as any and they were together.

"Specialties and role allocation," Vannier stated and brought up the two charts. Daedo had written a role description for each specialty, so there was no doubt what the role pertained. It was an excellent tip from Cisse which prompted him.

"As you can see each role has a description and subcategories," Vannier stated.

"Are these negotiable?" Picard asked coyly.

"Yes," Daedo said.

"Daedo has put a lot of thought and research into these responsibilities," Vannier added.

"Oh, I am fine. I just wasn't sure," Picard added.

"There is a lot of responsibility for a couple of people and not much for others," Axelzero noticed. "I am not complaining, I am worried that it might be too much for some people."

"It's weighted to strengths," Daedo stated. "For instance. Melee weapons are extremely important, and this included developing anything from s.h.i.+elds to sword lances, to photon blades. Picard only has this category plus logistics. Which is not a small amount of work. Picard fulfils a role training everyone in Physical and melee combat as well. It's better she has only this one area to focus and excel. If anything, she has too much, like all of us."

"Axelzero, you have drones. It's a major area where we have a deficiency, and as we saw in our match against M3 Shu squad zero, it really hurt us. Having your focus on this area should see quicker results than if you were spread," Daedo stated.

"I can't help but feel I have less because I am not as smart as Mace or Vannier and especially you," Axelzero said sadly.

"That may be," Daedo said harshly, "but I still expect to have the best d.a.m.n drones in Tier three."

Vannier felt bad, "Axelzero, that didn't come out the right way. We all have strengths, and you are way above the average cadet in all areas. It's not a failure to not be a genius in physics. Picard and I have one specific area to focus on just like you," Vannier said.

"Picard has logistics, Vannier you have Communications which you both are already doing. I will work harder, I want to take on Finance," Axelzero said seriously.

"Are you sure?" Daedo asked, "that's a lot of study you will need to do to learn the area. Also, that person is responsible for keeping Barran in check."

"I can do it," Axelzero said a.s.sertively. Daedo and Mace had discussed and considered asking Axelzero to take on Finance because of the role she had already played in relation to getting Daedalus created in the first place. In the end they thought it was too much, however now she was insisting on taking it on.

Daedo looked her in the eyes, Axelzero had a determined look he had seen on occasion. She never failed when she had this look.

"Ok. I am convinced, you are Finance Manager, with all that entails," Daedo stated. "Ensure you hire experts to a.s.sist, you are the manager, but you don't have to do everything."

"I understand," Axelzero said seriously.

Barran raised his hand sheepishly.

"Ah, I am not complaining. Far from it. I don't have a sciency thing," Barran observed.

"Because you have the unenviable task of making us a billion bitcreds," Daedo said seriously. "Before today, I had worked out we will need a mountain of creds to do everything we need to over the next six years. The more, the better. The more you make, the more we will spend on facilities, R and D, equipment, vehicles and materials."

"Barran," Daedo said slowly in a soft but sincere voice, "This is a critical role. Other than our security, your own training and performance, I want you to do nothing other than making Daedalus a billion bitcreds. Enough bitcreds to buy a docking port on the spiral. Enough bitcreds to build an R and D and manufacturing plant one hundred times the size of our current workshop. And fill that plant with materials and machines."

Daedo had the ability to stun the squad and had achieved it once again.

"How do I do that?" Barran said.

"Just sell the stuff he invents," Mace said matter of factly while pointing to Daedo.

"Oh," Barran brightened, "That's easy!"

"How do we fill the empty slots?" Picard asked.

"Master Nader asked for me to update this list and a.s.sign specialties. She implied that with Gaumont taking over squad one she will bring someone in to fill these roles," Daedo stated.

"Where from?" Axelzero, Picard and Barran asked.

Daedo shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine.