37 M1 - Term: 1, Round: 2

Attendance at Fortescue Military Academy M1 Y:2142

House Thoth, Squad Leader, Squad Zero

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

Term: 1, Round: 2

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Daedo just finished another melee training session with Picard and Mace. They predominately used bo staffs during their sessions, but Picard liked to mix it up. Sometimes they just went hand to hand and other times a kendo shinai.

After each session, he came out bruised, and on one particular afternoon, he had to go and get magic spray from the infirmary or lose the use of his right arm for an indefinite amount of time.

"Are you enjoying this training yet?" Picard asked beaming. She absolutely loved beating the crap out of Daedo it seemed.

"Ah, no," he winced, "but I see it as necessary."

"What weights are you up to on the obstacle course?" she asked.

"Ten kilos. It's enough for me, it's still a twenty percent increase in my weight," Daedo answered Picard for the third time that week. She kept asking the same question as if she was prompting him to take on heavier weights.

"Fair enough," Picard said, "you know your body the best."

"Really? I thought with the plethora of internal sensors, and thousands of data points with an expert's analysis would a better understanding," Daedo replied.

"Oh sass from the Daedo," Picard said jovially.

Daedo just looked at her. He was serious.

The Cadets knew each other's routines quite well, it was the fourth week, and they attended as many activities as a squad as possible. Activities like the gym or meals could easily be done alone, but squad zero usually attended as a group.

It was 1715 when they gathered in the M1 cafeteria for the last meal of the day. They did not pig out on the many delicacies available but stuck to their nutritional plans. While cadets from squad thirty sometimes acted like they were on holiday camp, squad zero were extremely professional.

Gaumont had changed his tune slightly and had been attending one and now all three meals with the squad over the last couple of weeks. Whether it was from loneliness, boredom, or he wanted to listen in for information, was anyone's guess.

As usual during the meal, at least one interloper approached their table. These intruders ranged from aggressive idiots to idol worshipers and everything in between.

"Hi," three cadets from Thoth U1 approached their table. A tall, elegant girl who was probably sixteen spoke. Her companions were from the same squad, they were Thoth U1 squad zero. This was unusual, in fact, they had not seen many U level cadets in the M1 cafeteria.

"I am Barran," she said introducing herself. She was rank one Thoth in U1 and had blonde hair like her younger brother. She was very pretty and the only explanation for the common name and the fact Barran wasn't drooling was that this was his sister.

"I know who you are. Geez," Barran said annoyed. "Everyone, this is my sister Morganne. Don't call her Barran it will just get confusing."

"I was Barran years before you entered the Academy," she replied before continuing.

"I've been waiting for you to come say hello, its nearly round three and you haven't ventured out of your little M section," Morganne Barran said. She had blonde hair, like her brother and most guys would have found her good looking. Her hair was tied back in a bun showing off her perfect skin and bright eyes.

Barran just waved his hand like none of that mattered.

"Other than visiting your brother what brings you down here?" Vannier asked politely.

"Oh, we wanted to see the infamous M1 squad zero. Which one is Daedalus?" Morganne asked.

"We all are," Barran answered. He was referring to the fact that the company they owned was called Daedalus. His squad leader now went by Daedo and no longer by his CyberMech handle.

She looked a little confused. She didn't know about her little brother's venture and weekend activities apparently.

"He is," Gaumont said pointing at Daedo.

She peered at Daedo, not unkindly. "Oh, I see. I recognise you from the streams. You really are the shortest in the squad."

"Don't worry he will grow, he's only twelve," Picard answered for him.

"Really?" Morganne looked at her squadmates, and they all looked slightly surprised.

"Does he talk?" the male U1 asked.

"Sure," Daedo spoke finally. But then said nothing else.

Morganne laughed. "No wonder my little brother likes you. You have the same sense of humour!"

"Who are you calling little? I will be taller than you soon," Barran objected.

"It's not all about brawn Brice," she responded using his first name.

"Yeah, I know. I have the beauty as well," he laughed out his reply.

"We have to run, so busy," she said wiping her forehead with a show of wiping off sweat. "If you think M1 is bad you should try U1. I just wanted to say hi, and since my brother is so uncouth, we had to come and find you." Her coterie began to walk away.

But before she got far, she stopped and turned back. She called, "oh and thanks for making harder for the rest of us Thoth. Now our master expects us to get into the top two at least."

After his sister disappeared from their cafeteria, Barran said apologetically, "ah sorry about that."

"Why are you apologizing for? It's your sister!" Vannier said. "Of all the people who approach us, she is welcome."

"Yeah but the whole Daedalus thing. Hey!" Barran suddenly thought to mention something that had been bugging him. "Gaumont. Don't point out Daedo if someone wants to gawk at Daedalus. It makes me think you were the one who blabbed."

"What!" Gaumont replied outraged at the accusation.

"It wasn't him," Mace said.

Everyone turned to look at her. She rarely spoke in group situations, and now there were a few stares her way. They were thinking was it her?

"We named our company Daedalus. That name had worldwide rights attached. It would not be difficult to work it out from there," Mace explained.

"Especially since they were investigating us," Axelzero said.

"Yeah, that was around the time of the break-in too," Picard added.

Gaumont calmed down slightly. "I never did anything to hurt this squad. I wish you would stop treating me as an outsider," he said.

"Um," Vannier said. "Everyone could you leave Daedo and me alone with Gaumont for a minute."

Vannier saw an opportunity she had been working towards. The rest of the squad nodded. Barran didn't look happy, but he had not been happy with Gaumont for a long time. The girls would ignore him at worst or were usually polite. Barran could be outright rude.

After the rest of the squad vacated, the trio had the table to themselves. And although it was public cafeteria, it was the most privacy they would usually get.

"Listen," Gaumont began before Vannier could. She was happy to let him begin. "I haven't done anything wrong, and I am sick of being treated like I am not part of the squad."

"Until recently you have avoided all non-compulsory squad activities," Vannier said quietly. "I am sorry Gaumont, but you have brought this upon yourself."

He went red. "I had my reasons!" He did not make eye contact with either of them.

"I have a solution," Daedo offered. "Well actually, the solution is that I do not have a solution."

"What do you mean?" Vannier was now confused. They were supposed to just get Gaumont coming to the workshop and get him coming to all activities, compulsory or not.

"Well, there is this math problem I need help with. And I think if we work on it together we may be able to succeed where I cannot find the solution by myself."

"Which one?" Gaumont asked genuinely interested.

"The zero point radiation problem. The equation which gives the reactive state variable," Daedo said.

"Shit," Gaumont replied, "I wouldn't know where to start."

"I have some workings, but I am stuck. This equation is important to Daedalus. The company," Daedo clarified. "If we can solve this problem it will bring us a lot closer to building a viable ZPE reactor."

"Holy shit," Gaumont responded.

"Here is my offer, one which I think I can get approved," Daedo said.

"You help me with this equation, and if we solve it, the solution goes to Daedalus. To reimburse your efforts, Daedalus will issue you two hundred and fifty shares. This way if it becomes mega-rich from the discovery you will benefit from it forever," Daedo said.

"How much is two fifty shares. I don't mean to be an ass. But that could be like zero point zero zero zero one percent for all I know," Gaumont said.

"It's a little under two point five percent," Daedo said.

"That's not much," Gaumont replied, and Vannier scoffed.

"It's relative," Daedo answered. "Everyone else put in creds with no thought of recompense other than the workshop. And there is no guarantee the equation will eventuate in a ZPE reactor, it's only a small part of it. If you solved it and gave it to the Academy, you would get nothing except a good grade. Then there is the point that you are helping me solve it, it's not like you will do it alone. This is an opportunity for you to become a real part of the squad and Daedalus."

"What if we don't solve the equation?" Gaumont said.

"Then at least you will be more involved. You will come to the workshop every weekend, you will come to all group PT sessions, and you will be working with me on this equation," Daedo said. "Even if we don't solve it, we can work on other projects together, and you will no longer be on the outside."

"I think this is a terrific solution," Vannier said encouragingly. Her admiration for Daedo grew another notch. She respected his leadership, it wasn't yelling or running out in front. It was more like a strategic incision of logic when needed. He didn't often lead. But when he did, it was impressive.

"Let me think about it," Gaumont said.

Daedo nodded. Vannier almost fainted.

She sent Daedo a text, which quickly turned into muted comms, as they travelated to their nightly sessions of the Gauntlet and Arena exo combat.

Vannier: I cannot believe him. Why would he not accept immediately? I almost want to say. Stuff you. We will find another seventh member.

Daedo: if he says no we can talk to Master Nader. But I understand he needs time to consider. This is not a negative action, he is taking it very seriously and will give it deep thought. You know; I probably understand Gaumont better than any of our squad members.

Vannier: I am glad you do!

Daedo: we are almost at the end of round two. We have version two of our light exo. It's time to crush the Gauntlet.

Vannier: I know, you are languishing again. You make me nervous leaving it to the last minute.

Daedo: the NPCs are not readily predictable. I have to run many tests and scenarios before I come up with the right strategy.

Vannier: you know you cannot do that in real combat. You will get one shot at it and if you lose you are probably dead.

Daedo: I didn't design this system. I am working it. There is a valid reason why it is helpful. If I ever come up against a similar situation in the real world, I will have workshopped the best strategies.

Vannier: true, I never thought of it like that.

Daedo: everything with the Academies training is well thought out. Many activities have multiple layers of benefits or hidden challenges. They didn't even tell us to upgrade our exos. Not directly.

Vannier: yeah they just supply garbage which makes you want to upgrade it.

Daedo: Speaking of upgrades. How are you going with your Railgun?

Vannier: We don't have time now. We are here. Let's talk after 2200.

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Karine Fortescue paced outside of the Arena. There were only two days left before the end of round two and Daedo had smashed their Gauntlet scores again. What was worse, Thoth squad zero now occupied four of the top ten rankings and the top two.

"How the hell did they do this?" Paget-L said angrily. "His and that Mace chic scores are off the charts. And he bloody left it until the last couple of days again. Is he taunting us?"

Paget-L had been pushed out of the top ten by Daedo. She was holding down tenth until he ran the Gauntlet tonight.

"I think they have improved the speed of their exos again," Raoult said.

Fortescue's inner circle of the Paget twins and Raoult were discussing the events as she paced. Their words reflected her thoughts somewhat.

"Should we consider a lighter exo for the Gauntlet. More than sixty percent of Daedo's and Mace's score comes from their time," Paget-A said.

The Paget twins had the same face, height and body shape. But that is where the similarities ended. Lola Paget was volatile and aggressive. She had closely cropped blond hair. Although her initial was L most thought of her as angry Paget. Or aggressive Paget.

Aline Paget had medium length auburn hair, the same small frame as her twin. The same face. However, she was calm and strategic. She excelled in academic studies and was probably the smartest in Horus Squad Zero. Only Fortescue outranked her, and that could be put down to her long and thorough preparation before entering the Academy. The jury was still out who was the brighter Cadet.

"I am beginning to think the same," Raoult said. "I had no chance of catching Mace during that match. Out of the exos, I smash her in a sprint or on the obstacle course. But in that modified light, with me in a heavy, I had no chance."

Fortescue had heard all this before. The Gauntlet rankings and Daedo beating their best score, hers by over a hundred points were galling. His score was over twenty-five percent better than hers. She would have thought it was impossible, but there it was on the ranking board.

"Can we borrow or copy the M3 exos?" Girard offered a suggestion meekly. He meant the Horus House Squad Zero M3 exos. It was a way of getting the best available as they had been worked on and improved for over two years. It was also a way of improving without resorting to going outside Horus or Fortescue.

Karine sighed. "We already have their exo design. Ours is slightly better if anything."

Her squad just looked at her dumbfounded.

"What about Svarski, DaVinci or Huawei? Can we purchase their gear?" Paget-L asked.

Fortescue was slightly angry at that suggestion, "we are supposed to be raising Fortescue not borrowing from the top three. Anyway, they would not sell us anything remotely as good as their competitive exos. They compete in M exo comps as well remember." She left out the part that the top three companies competed in Tier 1, not Tier 3. They all knew, so it was a redundant fact.

"So what do we do?" Raoult asked.

"I guess the only thing to do is have our techs work up the best light exo they possibly can. Then when it comes to the tournament, we can decide on the mix of light and heavies based on their effectiveness and our overall tactical formation," Fortescue explained.

"How long will it take them?" Paget-A asked.

Fortescue sighed again. Their techs worked much slower than the Thoth cadets, which was inexplicable, but a fact. She could only surmise that Daedo has been working on light exo designs for sometime before entering the Academy. His purchase of a workshop in the first week was an indication of long-laid plans. He had only waited to receive funding from his squadmates.

She had had Daedo, and Daedalus investigated. Mostly from publicly available information. She had not stooped to anything nefarious, she did not want to lower herself to that level.

"We will give them a deadline of week nine. That will enough time for round five Gauntlet and testing before the week ten tournament," Fortescue replied.

Raoult groaned. That would mean they would suffer defeat in round three and four of the Gauntlet as they had in round two.

"We should get Daedo in our squad," Paget-A suggested.

Everyone stared daggers at her. It was as if she had invited Satan to join their squad.

Fortescue waved her hand dismissing the idea, "it's too late now. Even if I could swing it, I doubt he would agree."

"Then get him kicked out," Paget-L suggested.

Raoult looked at Lola and then at Aline, "how are you two even related?"

Fortescue hardened her resolve, "categorically not. This is our first test. In fact, it is a good thing. First, we beat Thoth zero and then we will ready for the Tier 3 Inter-Academy tournaments."

Paget-A tilted her head to the side and considered her squad leader. She thought that surely Karine Fortescue could not be that dense. Perhaps she just had a blind spot when she was challenged unexpectantly.

There was one suggestion she was not going to give Karine. Aline Paget would just wait for her to work it out on her own. Their best should be joining with Daedo's squad for the inter-academy tournaments. He was in their Academy!