24 Book 3 - Chapter 82

Attendance at Fortescue Military Academy M1 Y:2142

House Thoth, Squad Leader, Squad Zero

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

Term: 2, Round: 3

Daedalus Operating Capital: 170,000 bitcreds

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The air surrounding the table became heavy. These cadets took the Inter-Academy tournament very seriously. In the circles of the rich, powerful and sometimes famous, it was considered an honour to the family if one of their own competed and succeeded in the Inter-Academy league.

This honour was a double-edged sword; a cadet could easily embarrass their family if they were glorified upon selection only to perform poorly. The pressure coming from families, and society in general, was immense. Where intra-academy tournaments were kept in-house, the league was broadcast planet-wide.

It was a well-known fact that most people watched the tier one league with twenty-two matches in the second half of each year. There was also significant interest in tier two, three and even some in regards to the feeder leagues.

While most of the world focused on the top three tiers of prestigious Academies matches, numbering thirty-six in total, there were another eight groups which competed in regional leagues. The top eight academies from each of the regional leagues then participated in a fight to the death melee in order to achieve promotion into the solitary available tier three slot.

Many Academies who dropped from tier three down into the regionals were never seen in the top tiers again. And the Academy which gained promotion from the regionals were often stronger than their competition in tier three due to the trial by fire they had to pass through.

The Templars was one of these Academies, while Sauber who were relegated last year would have to fight against the odds to return to tier three.

No cadet wanted to be a participant in the year that Fortescue was demoted to the regionals. It was something a league team member would never live down. It would be a lifelong blemish on their name.

"The word is we are weak with Mechs this year," Siderus stated, showing no evidence, but his words were full of dread. "Which means we have to fight for every point. And if we come first it doesn't matter if the Mechs come last, we can't be demoted."

"Hang on," Matthias said aggressively, "Who said we were weak with Mechs?"

"Alumni who watched the term one tournament. It was a general consensus amongst experts which filtered back to my family. They were concerned. Greatly concerned," Siderus stated.

"I have heard the same," St Claire said sadly.

"Shit!" Matthias exclaimed. "And here I was thinking we were vying for promotion. This sucks balls."

"Why is this only coming to light now?" Kalman asked confrontationally.

"I wanted to be certain, and I didn't want to be pessimistic only to find out my family was wrong," Siderus said calmly.

"I recall my Uncle saying something like this too," Matthias said thoughtfully. "I just ignored him at the time."

"Nothing has changed," Deimos said showing determination. "We need every point and can't afford to give any away from the very first round. This is the same whether we are fighting for promotion or against relegation."

"Is the issue with Upper equipment related?" Daedo asked.

"Listen to him," Kalman said viciously writing Daedo off to the house captains before turning to face him. "Kid you are in M1. While your exo is passable what in the universe makes you think you can assist the Mech team?"

No one came to Daedo's defence, but he didn't need them to.

"You would not do everything you could to win?" Daedo asked.

"He's a dick," Matthias said ironically while indicating Kalman, "But he has a point. They have been researching this gear for years and its built upon everything they learned before that. Hell, they could even purchase the best available gear on the market. It'd be hard to beat that stuff let alone the Inter-Academy gear coming from Fortescue and the smartest cadets in U3."

Although the older cadets stared at Daedo either waiting for an admission that he was not up to the task, or for him to protest. He merely sat looking at them like they were not really committed to winning after all.

After a minute Siderus said, "Let's move on."

Siderus took in a deep breath and began what seemed was a prepared speech, "My proposal for the first match is; we pick a team of proven performers as it stands now. Fulfilling roles including vanguard, stealth scouts, liberos and long range damage dealers. This team practices as a unit against second and third string teams. These second and third strings have identical makeup and provide backup cadet options for the first team. Then, if on the first round this team wins well, it remains unchanged. If it loses or if a cadet performs below expectations we start making changes from the second and third string pool of cadets."

The house captains contemplated Siderus' words, and it seemed they did not come as a shock.

Matthias, who was Siderus' traditional rival for rank one cadet of their year spoke first, "I like this proposal but like every deal, the devil is in the detail." Which was Matthias speak for; he would support the proposal if he was happy with the personnel in the first team.

"That's a great strategy Siderus, but your proposal is almost silent on how the first team is chosen. How do we decide who are the top eight proven performers?" Deimos queried.

"I suggest we all put forward selection systems and the results of which cadets were selected using said system," St Claire said. "Then we can discuss and vote which system has the most merit. I'm happy with this proposal if we follow this method for concluding cadet selection."

"Whatever system is used needs to ensure the top twenty-four cadets are in the three strings," Kalman stated the bloody obvious. "If someone is missed then it will weaken us overall."

"Don't worry Captain Obvious," Matthias said savagely, "There is no chance you will be in the top forty-eight, let alone twenty-four. So you can stop worrying 'bout it."

"Pfft," Kalman spat back at Matthias. "Who is going to be your three tacticians? No one scores higher in strategy than me. It's to be expected that your small brain was unable to comprehend that it's not strictly the top twenty-four, but it's the top six Vanguard, the top nine liberos and the top nine gunners. And out of those you need at least three tacticians."

"Settle down you two," Deimos said calmly. "Kalman has a point, we need to work out the structure of the eight. Is it two-three-three?"

"That would depend on the strengths of the exos and weapons in comparison to the opponents," Daedo added.

"Let's assume we have better speed and armour than our opponent, what would you advise Daedo?" Siderus asked. Siderus had proved he was an excellent tactician despite what Kalman said about his ranking in strategy.

Kalman was about to speak, but he was stalled by Deimos who placed a hand on his arm, and with a look towards her, he quietened.

"Versatility in the loadout. Four cadets able to perform vanguard and who also have grapplers and ranged. The other four cadets with long-range, grapplers and grenade launchers. This will enable the tactician to change between four-zero-four and zero-eight-zero and everything in between depending on the scenario," Daedo said.

"Haven't you learnt your grapplers are useless on certain maps?" Kalman said aggressively.

"And on others, they reign. We will not be caught without drones again. All cadets max their weight out with recon drones with secondary armaments." Daedo stated calmly.

"How many is max with the suggested loadouts?" Siderus asked.

"With the new exo it will be at least two each without loss of armour or speed," Daedo said.

"No loss of armour and speed and you are adding two drones per? I hope you can put your creds where your mouth is," Kalman said spitefully despite Deimos trying to placate him into silence. When the rest of the table said nothing and pointedly ignored him Kalman stood.

"Seriously? You are buying into his bullshit after one term? I have been at the top for eight straight terms, and you replace me in one?" Kalman almost shouted the last.

"No, Kalman, calm down and sit please," Deimos pleaded. He pulled away from her angrily.

"Even you are enraptured with him!" He accused her. "I'm not stupid. I can tell!"

Deimos shifted nervously on her seat. Even for her, this situation was unsalvagable. She looked at Kalman angrily this time, a spark coming to her eyes, "Your ego has always been fragile. You can't handle the smallest amount of competition. Go." She shouted the last.

Kalman took a step backwards, his rant forgotten, he looked hurt.

"Go on. Get lost. If you can't knuckle down and fight you are useless to us," Deimos said scathingly.

Kalman looked like he was about to cry, red-faced he turned and stormed off.

"Back to five," St Claire said with a little sarcasm, "Well done Deimos you got rid of him where no amounts of votes or maneuvering could."

"All she needed to do was wave her rejection stick in his general direction," Matthias said with a laugh. Deimos gave him a death stare as a reward for his remark.

Siderus sighed sadly.

Daedo had done his best to be an ally to Kalman despite him returning only vicious remarks. But now that Kalman stormed off in a fit of illogical emotional anger, he would do nothing. Kalman would have to grow out of his immaturity on his own.

"Don't be sad Siderus," Matthias consoled him sarcastically. "It's no loss we have your Thoth upgrade sitting right here." He said pointing to Daedo. He then added mischievously, "Who should be tactician for the first team?"

"Siderus," Daedo stated immediately much to everyone's surprise. While Siderus had proved capable Daedo's tactics were one of M1TS0 unique strengths.

"What makes you say that?" St Claire asked genuinely. "Your gauntlet results and performance would gain you entry into the first team."

"With the rest of my squad?" Daedo returned the question with a question.

"Ah. No." Matthias emphasized his rejection of the idea. "Your squad would be lucky to get one more into the first team. Maybe Barran or Mace. That's it."

"You would have quite a few cadets spread through the three strings," Siderus offered as consolation.

Deimos was sorry she chased Kalman away. The other House Captains were all playing into Daedo's hands. "Why did you ask that?" She progressed the conversation with a third question.

"Because our participation will be as a squad or not at all," Daedo said calmly flooring the House Captains.

"That's ridiculous!" Matthias boomed placing his hands on the table and half standing.

"How does this help us win the Inter-Academy?" St Claire opined. "It is a selfish request. All you will achieve is deny us a couple of exceptional cadets."

"Can I talk you out of this?" Siderus asked seriously. He did not know Daedo well enough to know if he could be pressured. The only item he had ever seen the dark genius move on was the cost of exos upon St Claire's request. He never relented on Kalman's participation as House Captain, no matter the pressure, even when it came from Kalman himself.

Daedo shook his head.

"That's it? You shake your head. Do you have an explanation?" Matthias asked confrontationally.

"Yes," Daedo replied.

Matthias was becoming infuriated. "Well let's fuckin hear it!" He then mumbled to himself while shaking his head, "Dumbass."

"Our synergy and tactical response will be superior than a mixed team. It will also have the benefit of improving our skills and experience against strong opponents," Daedo answered truthfully.

"No, it won't. Because you won't be going up against them," Matthias said.

St Claire nodded, "If this was the best strategy then Shu would be the first team."

"Don't give them fuckin ideas," Matthias bawled. This was the real reason he was upset. He had played the scenario through to its logical conclusion and St Claire, the idiot, just blurted it out. Because if it was a Shu squad, he would at best, be a bit player, and at worst, not be in the first team at all.

"This could work," Siderus said thoughtfully. The statement infuriated the table, and he looked around at the angry faces. "No. No. You misunderstand," he said qualifying his statement and waving his hand in a conciliatory gesture.

"M1TS0 could be the fourth string team. We could practice against them, and this way we would improve in terms of teamwork against a tactically excellent team, and they would get their wish concerning competition against strong squads." Siderus said smiling with a nod in Daedo's direction.

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It was 0730 on the first Monday of term-two round-three. The cadets had discovered the latest obstacle course was heavy on jumping, balance and climbing. In comparison to other courses it was short, but technically and physically difficult nonetheless.

"I hereby name this round Monkey course," Barran said dramatically as the squad gathered for the first meal of the day.

"I like it," Picard offered her opinion. It was a course she would excel in compared to most cadets in M1. Raoult, Barran and Lazard would compete with her for the top spot.

Barran made monkey sounds at Picard who retorted, "Just don't throw your faeces please." He quickly looked up the meaning of the word and laughed at her.

Kang changed the subject, "My Father will bring Dead Beat this weekend for the retrofit. Are we ready?"

Daedo nodded, "Yes. It's on the design platform if you want to check it out."

"We have the new swordlances and shields in for AR testing today. How long will the results take?" Picard asked Daedo.

"They had the exo done on the same day last time," he replied.

Vannier sighed, "I'm back to the drawing board on the Railgun. I'm going to need some help if you can afford it Daedo." The main issue with the Railgun was reload time. Or more precisely the rate of fire because it could be improved in other ways other than reloading time.

"Can we use multi-barrel?" Picard asked.

Daedo shook his head, "That brings in too many other issues, and one of the limiting factors is recharge for the electromagnetic push. Wait," he said and looked something up on the designer with Myrmidon assisting.

*Daedo: Myrmidon. I am adding a second power conduit and supercap to the railgun. Can you do some calculations on charge times if we alternate supercaps?*

*Myrmidon: there will be an impact on peak demand and storage drain by doubling the power consumption of the railgun.*

*Daedo: I know. It is allowing us more options. If power is needed elsewhere, we can always choose to fire at a slower rate. But in some circumstances, if the increased ROF takes down the enemy, we won't need the jumpjets to escape melee.*

*Myrmidon: my calculation shows we can increase ROF to one HVR (High-Velocity-Round) per second.*

"We can add a second conduit and supercap and test this weekend," Daedo said. "Vannier, can you increase the volume of HVR storage? If we achieve a rate of fire of one per second we should expand the cartridge, or add a second."

As the squad discussed research projects during their meal Paget-A visited their table.

"We have the exos. Thanks," she said looking at Daedo.

Barran coughed, "Ah. No problemo. You coulda just messaged me."

"So should we expect some stiff competition with the Gauntlet this round?" Vannier asked in a polite tone.

"I hope so," she said showing her bright white teeth in a smile. "If you believe my sister we are going to wreck you. However, I do not."

The table chuckled and accepted Paget-A's humility and grace.

"I wanted to ask if you were up for a scrimmage this week?" Paget-A enquired.

Daedo shook his head before anyone could reply. "We are booked out. Sorry."

She looked down and it was obvious the rejection made her a little sad.

"The M3 squads are hammering us this week, but, we could fit you in next week," Daedo offered kindly.

Barran tapped his elbow and mouthed at Daedo "smooth."

"Does fourteen-thirty suit you on any day?" Paget-A asked.

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"No. You will need to come to our session, we don't have time for more than five per week. Vannier?" He asked.

"Twenty-fifteen on Tuesday week," She offered immediately.

"Thanks, Daedo," Paget-A smiled brightly before leaving.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Barran mimicked her adding a large slathering of drawl, "Thanks Daedo," he said before adding, "Ahhh ohhh hmmm. Daedo."

"Who're we supposed to hate now?" Kang asked genuinely.

"Oh, we still hate them," Mace replied curtly looking at Paget-A's departing form. The statement drew surprised looks from around the table.