Daedalus

by Skully

  “Got it covered. I’m a pro, Kang,” Barran grinned evilly, and she didn’t doubt him. The shonky business Barran reminded her of was her father who was a master businessman before he decided to be a mech pilot in the pro league.

  “Did you do special training for business Barran?” Kang asked intrigued. She knew her father had studied special courses in Korea when he was young.

  Barran’s face went dark for a moment before he brightened again to his usual jovial self, “I had special tutors just for Business and Worldliness,” he said with a wink.

  “But,” he said, “It’s not as easy as I make it look,” he said arrogantly, then lightened his tone, , “When you have a unique product, that kicks the competition’s arse, it makes channel creation and client acquisition extremely easy.”

  “We need to get our heads back into the game,” Vannier interrupted. “We have Horus one up first, and they aren’t easy beats, plus they have the Exo 2.6.”

  “Oh, I love them!” Barran said excitedly.

  Picard titled her head at Barran and asked, “Eh, love?”

  Barran looked at Picard seriously and said, “One word,” before dramatically pausing, “Moreau.” Much to Picard’s disgust, he made a sound which indicated he thought she was hot.

  “If we didn’t have a match in four minutes I would stick my fist in that mouth,” Picard threatened.

  Barran opened his mouth wider inviting Picard's fist in.

  She shook her head and made a disgusted sound before closing her eyes and beginning a breathing exercise.

  “Any last minute instructions?” Vannier asked Daedo who seemed distant, as if he was somewhere else.

  Finally, he looked at her with distant eyes and then dropping his gaze to the ground, his eyes focused, he shook his head, “No. Everyone knows their role.”

  As he finished, Moreau walked past them towards the Corral, “Aw,” she said, “I was hoping to hear your tactics.” She smiled sweetly looking at Daedo. “Will you go easy on us in today’s game? We’re your customer after all.”

  Daedo met her smile with a deadpan stare and a single shake of his head, “Sorry, this isn’t a game.”

  “Oh, Daedo, are you always so serious. How are you going to get a girl like that?” Moreau said flirtatiously before bounding off to their starting positions.

  “Fark me, Daedo,” Barran said jealously, “How do you do it?”

  “Do what?” Daedo asked Barran. He had an idea what Barran meant, but it was fun to tease him by acting totally ignorant.

  “Don’t worry about her,” Vannier scoffed, “Focus on the match.”

  Thoth Squad Zero lined up shoulder to shoulder. Barran and Picard were the Vanguard. Daedo, Mace and Axel-Zero where the Liberos. Vannier and Kang were providing cover fire at maximum range.

  The stands were packed with cadets and alumni, they had all come to see Thoth Squad Zero. Spectators who had not come to the first term were here because they wanted to see the much talked about M1 squad who had effectively taken over the Academy. Nothing official had been announced, but rumours had spread from cadet to cadet, then from cadet to parent, and lastly from parent to the wider Fortescue community including sponsors and alumni.

  The lights counted down from ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, amber and finally green.

  It was over in four minutes.

  ◆◆◆

  “I can’t wait ‘til Friday,” Picard stated, “That was way too easy.”

  “There is too much of a gap in tactics, skill and the new three-point-two makes it even worse,” Axel-Zero observed.

  “Are you going to do the Gauntlet tonight?” Picard asked.

  Axel-Zero shook her head, “I need to finish off my coursework and the four group matches today ate all our time.”

  “They didn’t go for long, why didn’t you work in-between?” Picard asked. Picard had worked every spare second between matches. The combat was ten times easier than drilling with Siderus’ squad.

  Axel-Zero shrugged, “I am focused on my performance, and all the time-wasting standing around, I find it hard to concentrate for short bursts.”

  “You’re still worried you’re not good enough for this squad?” Picard asked kindly.

  “Shh,” Axel-Zero replied, “Vannier might hear you.” Vannier was walking ahead of them guiding the hoverbin which contained her exo and equipment. She was chatting with Kang, who was her sniper partner.

  Axel-Zero looked at the ground and then back up to Picard. Without speaking a word, her demeanour spoke volumes. Her confidence was lacking. Her self-belief was at an all-time low.

  “Axel-Zero,” Picard said seriously, stopping and grabbing her friend. “You are amazing. You are handling finance, which is not only critical, it's very difficult. Your drones rock, and that’s on top of being an excellent libero and squad member. Not to mention everyone loves you. I’ve never heard you say a mean word; you’re never jealous and always supportive of everyone. I’m actually upset with you being neg’ on yourself. You’re the best-damned squad member!”

  “Really?” Axel-Zero said emotionally.

  “Listen,” Picard said aggressively, “If you don’t stop with this neg’ crap I’m going to beat some sense into you.” Picard only knew tough love.

  “Okay, okay!” Axel-Zero surrendered. “I rock!?” She attempted a smile but ultimately sounded unconvincing.

  Picard examined Axel-Zero’s face and looked deeply into her eyes. “Okay, you escaped a beating this time,” she jested.

  They walked together for a while longer, but before they entered the common area, Picard stopped her friend again. “I’ve been thinking,” she said, “What you need to work on Axel-Zero- and it’s not times, or studies, performance or ranking. It’s here,” Picard tapped her head and then her heart, “And here.”

  Picard continued her rousing speech, “My first week I was all over the place. I didn’t trust or like anyone. I was worried about creds, and that because I lacked them, I couldn’t join in. Remember? I didn’t even want to come to the workshop because I couldn’t afford a single share, let alone five thousand creds worth. But it was you. You, Axel-Zero, who got me out of my slump. And sure, Vannier helped; but you inspired me. And look at me now!” She put her arms wide.

  “You are insanely good,” Axel-Zero said honestly.

  “And it’s thanks to you, getting my head straight. Don’t put yourself down again,’ Picard gave her heartfelt opinion.

  Just then, Barran exited the common area. He had put his exo away already and was heading somewhere.

  “What are you two doing standing out in the corridor?” He asked.

  The two girls blushed but were otherwise silent.

  Barran tilted his head to one side, lost in thought before he exclaimed, “Oh I know! Don’t worry girls, I’ll pretend I didn’t see a thing.” He walked off whistling happily to himself with a little jig in his step.

  Picard looked at Axel-Zero and said softly, “What’d he mean?”

  Axel-Zero blushed again and looked down.

  “No,” Picard said crossly and then louder, “No! He didn’t think that?”

  Axel-Zero nodded.

  Picard’s voice thundered down the corridor, “The last person on earth we’d be talking about is you!”

  Chapter 22

  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: 5

  Daedalus Financial Position -1,660,000 bitcreds

  ◆◆◆

  Music thundered across the topside stadium accompanied by an incredible kaleidoscopic light display. It was probably highly enjoyable for the spectators, but Daedo just wanted the match to begin, even though this was the last activity of the term, his workload had never been greater. There would be no break for him.

  The Augmented Reality Arena could be used for more than just military training exerc
ises, or an exo game, however, it was viewed. A talented artist was able to put the same mechanisms used to construct a combat scenario into creating something spectacular, whether it was psychedelic, kaleidoscopic or just simple, clean lines with soft, complementary colours.

  The entertainment finally finished, and the announcer was briefing spectators on the main event. Spouting claims that the academy had decided on an all-star match to showcase the brightest talent who would win them promotion this year.

  Daedo waited patiently for the countdown, the real purpose of this match was to put both sides under pressure. It was one thing to perform during training; it was another to do it when it mattered. He nodded to Siderus’ and his team as they moved to the southern end, while his squad moved to the north.

  Gaumont joined Picard and Barran in the Vanguard, resuming his old position to even the numbers out at eight for each squad.

  Daedo: Alpha!

  Daedo called the first positioning for the three subgroups within the squad. It was unnecessary as it was the default, he just wanted to focus the cadet's minds and calm his own nerves by speaking.

  The Vanguard would run point, equipped with shields, swordlances and one-handed railguns. And rather than loading them with a larger variety of armaments, the Vanguard carried three drones each, which they would release almost immediately. The control would revert to Daedo, Mace and Axel-Zero. freeing up the Vanguard’s focus towards the enemy as they were usually the initiators.

  The Liberos were the drone controllers, although they carried no personal drones themselves as they were loaded with explosives, smoke and sticky grenades, otherwise known as goo grenades. Armed with grapplers, railguns and now controlling the small army of drones the liberos' actions varied from covert to mayhem.

  Vannier had taken Kang under her wing, although she had trained with the Vanguard and Liberos to get a feel for what each position entailed. The two long-range cadets were tasked with providing cover fire, assisting in ambush operations and general enemy suppression. Railgun was standard equipment, but they were also equipped grapplers to enhance their mobility. They carried backup drones, similar to the recon kamikaze drones that were deployed when the battle commenced.

  ◆◆◆

  With Kang hot on her heels, Vannier headed to the largest hill in the southern half of the map. She breathed a sigh of relief as they entered and it wasn’t a desert. But farmlands also lacked tall structures compared to urban environments where the grapplers excelled.

  She had a comm link isolated with Kang, her role was not only cover fire, but she also had to guide the new cadet who was still coming to grips with everything Squad Zero, and the Academy threw at her.

  Vannier: We will go prone before we reach the top and shimmy over the ridge.

  Kang: Got it!

  Kang was smart, tough and determined, but she missed the first term, and more significantly she lacked the years of private tutor preparation that most of the cadets took for granted.

  Vannier didn’t feel pressured to win this match. Daedo had made it clear that if Siderus’ team did not win, it was a massive failure on their part. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t focus and direct Kang with precise instructions, which was a significant task on top of her normal duties, but she wouldn’t stress about the result.

  Vannier: Down in three…two…down.

  Kang: What happened to one?

  Vannier slid to the top of the ridge before answering.

  Vannier: One is down.

  Kang shook her head slightly but did not argue.

  She was a good cadet. Vannier surmised that the attitude was part of the tough and determined deal. There was no point in trying to condition the surliness because that could damage two of Kang’s strongest personality traits. Vannier was quite happy to put up with the former as a trade-off for the latter. Her tutors had always criticised her for being too forgiving, too easy going, but she viewed it as a strength. She liked to think she was like water, highly adaptable, yet unbreakable.

  Vannier: Ensure your gyro is on full.

  Kang: I know, removes issues with barrel movement. Ya don’t have to repeat everything every match.

  It was true, Kang managed to get through five matches following directives closely although her aim wasn’t the best, she was improving. And in situations where they provided cover fire, aim was not as important, and their opponents rarely knew if it was her or Kang that had them in their sights either.

  Daedo: Vanguard hold the barn line wait in cover.

  Daedo: Cover share POV to Myrmidon

  “Damn,” Vannier swore. In her mind, damn was a swear word.

  Vannier: Kang set your sensors to share with squad. Myrmidon can’t see what you’re seeing.

  She had failed to check that procedure, but it had not impacted the match since most likely Myrmidon picked it up immediately upon interrogating Kang’s AI for sensor data. The primary role was cover fire, and when ‘fire at will’ was granted. They were to take any damage opportunity that presented itself.

  Vannier looked around. There was only one other vantage, this would not be a stick and move scenario for the long-range combatants.

  Daedo: Cover, FOV (meaning provide cover and supply squad with a good Field Of View from height).

  Vannier scanned her field of view and it was not surprising, so if things went well they wouldn’t move from this position.

  Vannier: Dig in

  Kang: Okay!

  Small spades extended from the underarms of her exo past her hands and she began to dig a flat surface behind the peak of the ridge, while Vannier kept watch. As soon as Kang was finished with the first entrenchment, Vannier changed position taking it, while Kang dug a second for herself.

  Kang had barely finished the second when Vannier spotted the enemy Vanguard. A red dot immediately appeared on her HUD.

  Vannier took aim and fired within a second of spotting the Shu cadet. There was no time for him to hear the round before it could strike him, but he must have been warned or was attempting to confirm their position because as soon as he showed himself, he ducked back into cover. She barely missed.

  Vannier: Down.

  And after a moment’s contemplation.....

  Vannier: Stay here! I will take the secondary position. Swap trenches at random times.

  Vannier had full autonomy when it came to disposition. Daedo would have general guidelines for the cadets to follow in their specific role, but it was up to them how to implement the orders. The implementation was drilled and analysed, it gave the squad fluidity and creativity well above what would be achieved if Daedo controlled their positions like a game.

  Vannier: Fire on any red dot that comes into LOS.

  Kang: Yep!

  Vannier: Anticipation is the key.

  Kang: Got it.

  It was one thing to understand anticipation was the key but the act of anticipating was another matter. It was a combination of skill, experience and instinct. Kang was short on all three.

  Any other commander would have chosen someone with performance in the arena as the main selection criteria. Not Daedo! Kang’s ability in metallurgy trumped everything else. Vannier wasn’t concerned as Kang was smart, and she was improving quickly. There weren’t many cadets as talented as Barran as most had to work hard to improve. Picard and Axel-Zero were perfect examples of hard work as the main factor in high achievement.

  Vannier arrived at the secondary position while Kang lay down cover fire. The M3 Inter-Academy Squad simply known as M3IAS were cautious. The hammering they received from the Thoth liberos in drills was causing them to act prudently.

  Vannier dug in, even a small amount of earth was a useful cover. A building usually had a parapet, and hills sometimes had rocks, but digging an entrenchment in the ideal location was preferable, assuming the time it took wasn’t critical.

  Now that Kang and Vannier held both the high positions in the south end of the map, they would provide better crossfire and line of si
ght options for the squad. The real question was whether M3IAS would engage, or would Thoth draw them out, or would they have to move forward and take the initiative.

  ◆◆◆

  Barran leaned against the barn, looking at Gaumont and Picard. Either the enemy would take the initiative and they would pounce from here, or Daedo would. Either way, they couldn’t move from this position without breaking cover.

  It had been decided that Gaumont would assist Picard to try and take out Matthias between the two of them. It was Barran’s role to take out the M3’s sidekick or if possible cause carnage in the belly of the enemy.

  During the first term’s tournament he garnered more recognition than he thought possible before he came to the Academy. Being a part of this squad was pure luck and strangely something that his sister had made possible. If the nerdy girl hadn’t been assigned to Thoth, he wouldn't have been in this position.

  But, he had a reputation to keep, and still did not have anywhere near as many girls chasing him as Daedo did. Barran wasn’t jealous as this was war, and only a few early battles had been fought. Moreau would be watching this match, that was certain, and only a heroic display from him would turn her head. Not that he shipped for her, but she was gorgeous, certainly capable, and probably very smart.

  She had basically ignored him and flirted with Daedo.

  Like, what the fark!

  Messages from gaggles of girls from Squad 20 meant nothing. He had to turn Moreau’s head, and if killing her in their match with Horus two wasn’t enough, then today he would fight the cream of M3 in the premiere exo match.

  Daedo: We take the initiative.

  Daedo: Vanguard – Barran NE, Gaumont and Picard NW: We have your backs and will provide cover with round, drone and grenade. Charge, jumpjets on full. Red Dots are lit.

  Awesome, the cream of M3 was too scared to go on the offensive. With only two terms under their belt, M1 Thoth Squad Zero would be the aggressor.

  With a final nod to Picard and Gaumont, he broke through the barn wall. M3IAS would be expecting their opponent to take the left or right corner, it was best to keep them guessing.