62 Book 4 - Chapter 120

The Eye of the Sahara Y:2142

Inter-Academy Round 4 Fortescue Points: 418, Rank: 6, PR: 0.5225

Term: 3, Round: 4

Daedalus Financial Position: +100,000 bitcreds

"Captain, we should advance on the base. I just lost another system," Academy trained mech pilot one stated.

"This sand is killing us, Captain," MP2 agreed. "It's getting into all my systems. We should either attack or get out of here, another day and we won't be able to fight."

The Captain's head bowed, he agreed with his pilots, he had handpicked the best in the Randall Private Military, and they were all capable tacticians. The sand had been compromising their systems since they landed and traversed a hundred kilos across some of the most hostile environment on the planet.

Initially, their contract was to patrol and pick up any escapees from the main operation. But it soon escalated in scope along with the value of the contract. They were now the primary force meant to capture the base, they were waiting for the infiltration unit to take the sentry guns, which were apparently formidable, offline.

They had had no word in six hours.

He had received some data on the sentry guns, they had a five-kilo range, and it was possible to take out one of his mechs with less than three direct hits. When the Mechs were in perfect working order, they could easily dodge a PPC bolt at that maximum range. But when the range got under two kilometres, it would be tricky due to the velocity of the PPC's bolt.

And due to the fact they were having mobility issues due to the sand getting into every crevice of the Mech and fowling systems he was not confident in going up against the sentry guns.

"Squad," The captain addressed his team, "We are waiting on word from the infiltration team. If they can take down those sentry guns, it'll be a cakewalk. But, if not, I can't see how we can assist without becoming casualties ourselves. We don't owe the client our lives and equipment, in an unwinnable scenario."

Many whines could be heard over the comms, but the consensus was agreement. This contract just got worse and worse, so they correctly thought.

In that moment they all saw two blips on their HUD and in the next two Mechs went down in a molten heap. The PPC bolts were well above the Captain's expectations and advisement, they did not tear the armour, they melted it away. After another second passed the boom of two PPC sentry guns was heard.

"Scramble!" The Captain roared over the comms. He hoped there were only two sentry guns able to fire on their position, and it would take time for them to recharge.

"Retreat with evasive maneuvering," the Captain ordered after another couple of seconds had passed and he composed himself.

As the mercenary mechs moved away at high speed, they were able to dodge the next barrage. It had a four-kilometre range. They were caught off guard with the first barrage which resulted in two casualties. The mission was now break even at best.

"Pilot Jackson, use your jumpjets and get out of range asap, your mech is too slow," the Captain was watching the entire squad on his HUD while dodging blasts. Being in the air severely lowered Jacksons ability to dodge, but it was already reduced due to the sand ingress.

It was then that the Captain noticed a carrier land on the base.

"How did they make it?" MP2 asked as he noticed the same thing.

"It's not one of ours," the Captain replied. The targets were apparently two juniors in exos. But in reality, they had sentry guns more powerful than he had ever seen and now they had several mechs. The captain counted from a safe distance. Seven.

"What do we do?" Pilot Jackson asked.

"Abort. This is beyond ridiculous."

The five cadets sortied from the base and watched the enemy mechs retreat, they had the numerical advantage, could retreat back within the protection of the sentry guns and by all accounts, the enemy mechs were not handling the conditions very well.

"Daedo, they are heading to the ridge," Vannier observed and was asking for guidance. Their plans did not include a full-on retreat from the enemy.

"I've got visual on an insignia, they are a Private Military outfit owned by the Randall corporation," Picard stated.

"Leave them," Daedo ordered, "We've re-established drone coverage, and there is nothing other than their carrier in a three hundred k radius."

The Daedalus mechs patrolled within the sentry gun zone while waiting for the intruders to vacate. Any pilot time they received was both appealing and beneficial. They were all relative noobies when it came to mech piloting. The experience and training they had undertaken revolved around hand to hand league combat.

"We could easily take down their carrier before it got out of range," Barran suggested.

"We need the medilab in situ," Vannier replied.

"Bah, you got to pilot the carrier!" Barran exclaimed.

"I completed the necessary license requirements," Vannier stated.

"For Mauritania!" Barran protested.

"Which was then validated to an official EU license," Vannier argued. "When you have a legal license and pass the Daedalus flight sim requirements you can submit a request to be a designated pilot."

"It's like a game where you invent rules as we play," Barran protested louder.

"It's not a game," Vannier retorted.

"Hmmf, so you admit you invent rules as we go," Barran was gratified that he had won on a point.

"That's also known as leadership," Vannier observed.

"Bah," was Barran's final contribution to the argument.

"Rotation starts now, the two squad zero members who are on duty are Picard and Barran," Vannier stated.

"Thanks," Picard replied.

"Are we still being called squad zero? We left the Academy," Kang asked.

"We need a designation. I decided to continue with squad zero of the Daedalus private military," Vannier replied.

"So when do we get more squads?" Barran prompted.

"We need to get our base in order, work out immediate actions then we can do some planning," Daedo chimed in.

"The shipment will arrive today in Marrakesh, we can pick it up tomorrow," Axelzero updated the squad.

The remaining mechs carried the supplies that were stored on the carrier into the base, including the medilab for Gabe. It was their first priority to set up the self-contained a specialised piece of equipment in order to preserve his life.

Daedo had expanded their building plan for The Eye of the Sahara base. Their initial plan was significant, but it was now massive.

The diggers had begun tunnelling and mining more ore. But even with the three massive units, it was not enough to get the base up and running quickly. They were importing an additional five. The diggers themselves were manufactured by Hitachi, and it was not something that Daedalus was adept in building themselves. Their manufacturing facilities would be dedicated to outfitting the base's structure, life support, security and some amenities.

Other specialised amenities were being procured. Such as hydroponic materials, biomass, medical, air and water recyclers, bot kitchen and central processor units.

Maganese, gallium, indium and lithium were materials they did not currently have access to in mass quantities locally. Fortunately, cobalt, nickel, silicon, hydrocarbon and copper supplies were abundant.

Squad zero, other than the two on guard duty gathered in a VR construct with the current base plan.

The critical infrastructure would all be located well below bedrock and be primarily located at 2,000m below ground.

Living, working and training facilities would be above the critical infrastructure between 1,000m and 2,000m.

The current surface base would be a staging and manufacturing plant to build the main base. It was now classed as temporary and would be utilised until the deeper base was completed.

"The main access will remain here," Daedo teleported them in VR to the location and then zoomed out. "But we will continue the construction of two alternate exits and entrances for emergency use."

"Will that organisation be back?" Kang asked what was on all their minds.

"Yes," Mace replied. "It has escalated to a point where Daedo, my parents and I are wanted. Some of us preferably dead."

Daedo closed the VR construct and pulled up a projected screen with timelines and tables.

"We will run through the plans for the base first because this is what will prevent them from harming us. Hiding in the world is not a viable option due to the nature of the organisation, it would be playing to their strength. We can interrogate this topic further when Gabe Mace has recovered so he and Adele Mace can inform the discussion." Daedo ended the segway.

"Once the shipments are in place and designs completed we can go back to studying, training and researching. And for the foreseeable future, we will always be ready for combat. With three levels of status, guard duty, RFA and at rest. Which brings us to risk and responsibility,"

Vannier took over at this point, "This situation was created by Daedo and Mace. Everyone else needs to make a decision. They need to fully commit to the base and the Daedalus Private Military with all the entails. Or go back to Nanterre with the freedom to choose your path. This does not change your status or shares in Daedalus. It is merely drawing a line between a civilian member and a military one."

"Damn," Kang replied. "This will be a hard decision."

"I'm in," Axelzero stated.

"You should consider it carefully," Mace warned.

Axelzero nodded and smiled. "Of course and I have."

"Parental consent?" Vannier asked.

"Hmm, that may be an issue," Axelzero replied her face darkening.

"Oh boy," Kang added, "Parental consent as well? You're asking the impossible!"

"We don't have adult privileges until we begin U1 when we are considered Military personal by the EU. So until that time, we require parental consent to join the Daedalus Private Military," Vannier clarified.

"Which includes you?" Axelzero asked.

Vannier nodded. "Even Daedo."

"Ikaros will agree," Kang stated.

"Don't be so sure, but even if he doesn't, I can't leave the base unless this conflict has a solution we can trust."

"For now," Daedo stated referring to the timeline, "We will build the base and send the carrier back with all non-essential personnel when the immediate emergency has passed."

"What about the neighbours?" Vannier enquired.

"They were satisfied that we were defending our territory, just as they were when we arrived. They even offered assistance which I immediately rejected." Daedo replied.

"They wanted to fight mechs?" Vannier asked.

"They are more brave than knowledgeable," Daedo replied with his observation.

The former cadets of Fortescue Military Academy, House Thoth, M1 squad zero were cast adrift into an unknown world. Although it was by their own choosing, it was like being at sea with no immediate destination.

They now had no Academy and were untethered from their workshop in Nanterre where Ikaros and Cisse still worked.

Besides Mace and Daedo the squad would have to decide and convince their guardians if they wanted to join them in the Eye of the Sahara.

Picard was on guard duty with Barran when they received the audio from the meeting inside the temporary base. She checked that her HUD was receiving the sensor data from the array of drones and transponders surrounding the base. And she assigned her AI to inform her if any dropped out immediately.

The systems in her Mech were all in the green. The new design was certainly better at handling the conditions than a regular Mech. Her guess would have been that Randall were experiencing all sorts of issues from a few days in the hostile environment.

"So…," Barran said conversationally.

"Hmm? I'm busy," Picard replied.

"Busy?" Barran torso twisted his mech to the left and right as if he were looking through a window at the desolate terrain which surrounded them.

"Checking sensor data and setting up alerts," Picard explained.

"Oh, I did that ages ago," Barran replied and began to hurriedly set up his AI to alert him of incursions or loss of data points.

"Did you listen to the feed from the meeting?" Picard asked after a brief time.

"Yeah," Barran replied. "I am definitely coming down here."

"Why do you say that. Did you think it through?" Picard asked.

"Of course," Barran said. "I didn't know it before I came to the Academy, but Daedalus is everything I ever wanted. Where I am weak, we have strong members, and where I am strong, I am valued. I feel like if I left, I would never find this again. I know I'm not an adult, but I have been around. Since I was born, I have been tutored and shown how to run a business, but I also love combat, something which I'm not supposed to have a career doing. And I believe in Daedo. No one, and I mean no one, is as smart as that kid. If he says, we need to prepare, then everyone should listen. The fact that some dark organisation comes after him for no apparent reason just makes it more real," he paused for a moment before adding, "I can't leave. I would never forgive myself."

Picard was surprised and impressed. It was the last thing she expected from Barran, but the more she thought about it, everything he said he had said before in one way or another. Just not all in one speech, and certainly, not his feelings which cultivated his view.

She was quiet, and for a long time, no words passed between them.

"What if your parents don't agree?" She asked, and while it was quite relevant for Barran, she was voicing her own concern for herself.

"Emancipation," Barran said. "I've been looking into it recently. I can even get it done with robolawyers."

Picard gasped. If she tried that her Mother would kill her. Literally.

"I want to stay. I know we can continue our studies, especially if Vannier or Axelzero can talk Master Haddad to come here. And I hate to admit this. But I agree with you. I love being a part of this squad and Daedalus. And I also think that following Daedo is the right thing to do."

"I just need to come up with a coherent plan and argument to convince my parents," she concluded.

Barran laughed. "That's easy."

Picard's eyes narrowed, she couldn't tell if he was mocking or genuine. "What makes you say that?"

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"Just get an outline plan from Vannier, who will get it from Daedo and say that you know in your heart this is where you are meant to serve. Your parents will eat it up." Barran said in a lightly mocking tone.

Picard was angry.

"It's not so simple," She seethed at him.

His laughter wafted over the comms, so she muted him with prejudice. It was not good practice when they were on guard duty, but Barran was hardly taking it seriously anyway.

Picard stood in her upgraded titan, shaking her fist, forgetting momentarily that the mech mimicked her angry movements.

Barran's mech began to mimic her movements making her even angrier.

She decided to run over a few dunes, and he annoyingly followed.

She finally re-opened the comms, "If we weren't in a serious situation I would kick your ass."

"And I love you too," he replied laughing.

Picard closed her eyes and breathed. She brought her anger under control and slowly reclaimed her centre. It was a technique her Father taught her, part of Tai Chai or other ancient martial arts.

She was prone to losing her temper, and aggression was not a bad thing. It just needed to be directed and controlled. These were her Fathers words, and while they sounded great, the reality was a different matter entirely.

Picard slowly realised that she was angry at Barran for a reason and it wasn't just his mocking tone and laughter. She examined his words. There was wisdom in them that she wanted to overlook. Barran knew how to convince someone when he wanted to, and it wasn't charm. It was his strategy which masqueraded as charm.

"Fine," she said begrudgingly. "It's a good strategy."

Barran laughed for what seemed an eternity.

Picard racked her brain for a comeback which would shut him up.

"Oh, and I will tell my Father that you declared your love for me."

Barran's laughter died.

Specialist Picard looked at Master Sergeant Picard.

"This is serious," he said.

She nodded solemnly, "Maybe it was a mistake to send her to an Academy. Scholarship be damned."

"My reading is that none of this is impetuous, which is even more worrying," Specialist Picard stated seriously.

"What are we going to do? If we deny a well articulated, planned and heartfelt request, it could destroy her. If it was me, I would have rebelled. Which would be worse. Do you have any ideas?"

"Only one," he replied.

"Spill it, stop making me wait for your earthly wisdom," the Master Sergeant said sternly and lovingly at the same time.

"I will go," he stated simply.

"What?" she was confused.

"I have leave, and I am not currently in term, I can discharge without breaking contract," he said.

"You didn't re-sign? I thought you did," she asked.

"No I held it," he replied.

"Why? Did you know something like this would happen?" she asked.

"Of course not!" He protested, "But maybe some unconscious part of me did. I don't know why I held off the extension. I just did."

She rubbed the side of her face while lost in thought before she stated, "I would be much more comfortable with the idea if I knew you were there."

"It's decided then," he declared.

"Will they have you?" She asked feeling relieved.

"They don't have a choice," he bared his teeth in a predatory fashion.

======

Book Two is on pre-order. The release is on the 15th of May.

http://a-fwd.com/asin=B07Q8V849P

The plan is for a book every two months.

15th of July Book 3, 15th of September Book 4, 15th of November Book 5

This should be easily achievable since book 4 ends at chapter 150 and I have already written 140. It is possible to get out six this year. The entire series might go for 20.

Each book is 110k words approx. (book 1 was 107k and book 2 is 113k)