Daedalus

by Skully

  Axel-Zero: Ditto, except I will get Picard to beat you for me.

  “Do we have a demo they can use?” Sophie asked Cillian.

  “Depends on the requirements and they will need an international licensed pilot, you can’t fly to Japan with an AI pilot alone,” Cillian stated.

  “How long does it take to get a licence?” Barran asked grinning.

  “I think you need a thousand simulator hours for the international,” Cillian said.

  Barran quickly added up the hours between now and the Japan tournament. “Damn, it's only 210 hours until the tournament!”

  “You need to sleep as well Barran,” Picard pointed out.

  “I know what he is going to be doing every moment of spare time now,” Axel-Zero opined.

  “We need a pilot, okay,” Daedo said.

  “I can pilot,” Jeram offered.

  Sophie looked at her son. He was only in M3, but he must have clocked up the hours due to his parent's company’s main product.

  “With permission, you may,” she stated.

  “I think it’s a great idea,” Cillian said. “That brings me to the proposal I had for Daedalus.” Cillian looked at Sophie who was angry that he undermined her with their son’s permission. “With permission,” he added submissively.

  Sophie sighed and nodded bringing a massive grin to Cillian’s face.

  “There is this business thing that Sophie normally uses, that I am aware of. It's called a memorandum of understanding. It’s like a contract, well it is a contract, but it's more to do with companies working together for mutual benefit,” Cillian said.

  “That is almost accurate,” Sophie qualified, “but you will need to have your own experts review and advise you, otherwise, I will not sign.”

  “Whose side are you on?” Cillian asked his wife.

  “The ethical side,” she replied.

  It was Cillian’s turn to sigh, “Anyway. It’s like a sponsorship initially, but there is something in it for Marais Industries. First, I want to put Jeram in charge of Marais-Daedalus relations. He is almost your age, and I think you will get along famously. It will be good for him as well.”

  “Next, the details will be in the MOU, but here is a paraphrased summary. Daedalus are experts in designing and building mechs, exos and weapon systems. All your patents are around these technologies aside from your AI, and Marais Industries are experts in building carriers whether they are for personnel, exos or mechs. These carriers are both planet based, and we have been developing an interstellar division for two years.”

  “What I am proposing is not a merger. It’s not even a non-compete. It’s more like that we work together and in the beginning, we will be of much more help to you than vice versa with all our contacts and contracts. Don’t get me wrong, we see the potential in Daedalus, that is why we want to partner with you. It’s not all about being charitable; there is a benefit in it for us as well.”

  Daedo: Axel-Zero, this falls into your area. I do like the idea.

  Axel-Zero: Agreed it is a good idea. The devil is in the detail, and we are in debt to them for 2 million as well. I can’t let that cloud our judgment.

  “Sir. Mister Marais,” Axel-Zero said formally, “We like the principle of this proposal and will study the MOU in detail before responding.”

  Sophie nodded her appreciation of the answer.

  “Good, good,” Cillian said. Still excited, “And you just call me Cillian. Alright?”

  Axel-Zero nodded and smiled before responding, “Yes, Sir. I mean, Cillian.”

  Sophie finished looking up inventory, “There is a class four in service: we gave the client the loan model. If you get it fixed and get the loan model back, Cillian, you can lend Daedalus the class four until a permanent unit is available.”

  Cillian smiled, “The class four can carry eight mechs, will that do?”

  Daedo laughed before answering, “I think two would suffice.”

  Barran: What’s happening in Africa?

  Vannier: Yeah! What’s happening?

  Axel-Zero: I know.

  Picard: How come you know?

  Kang: Who is piloting the mechs in Japan? I hope you don’t expect me to do that!

  Daedo: Enough! We can talk about Africa and Japan when we’re back in our quarters.

  “Let’s talk about next term,” Colonel Martin changed the topic. “What are your strategies for avoiding relegation?”

  “Do we have twenty hours spare?” Sophie asked.

  “I can send you our plan Sir,” Daedo informed Colonel Martin.

  “Do that! Your mech team. Do they need a skirmish?” Colonel Martin asked.

  “That would be awesome!” Several cadets exclaimed at once.

  “It would be very helpful Colonel Martin,” Daedo replied formally. “I will check their calendar. Are you able to accommodate us before the first round?”

  Colonel Martin nodded and grinned evilly, “Any time!”

  Chapter 25

  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 to 3, Break

  Daedalus Financial Position <1,660,000> bitcreds

  ◆◆◆

  “What’s the deal with Africa?” Barran asked as soon as they were back in their common room.

  “All in due time,” Vannier stated. “Wait for everyone to settle in, and we’ll hold a proper meeting.”

  Barran looked downcast; he really wanted to know.

  Vannier pulled up a screen showing the three weeks of the holidays with the Svarski Invitational slotted into the timeline.

  “I looked up the details regarding the invitational, and there is substantial prize money once we make the tournament proper,” Axel-Zero began. “If we take two mechs, we need at least one to make it into the tournament to have a chance of breaking even. I estimate the cost to compete outside of materials for the mech construction to be in the vicinity of ten thousand bitcreds when allowing for transportation, accommodation, workshop fees, licences etc.”

  Picard whistled. It was an expensive business especially with travel halfway around the world.

  “The possible gains aside from the tournament winnings are increased sales of our latest mech design, which could be in the millions,” Axel-Zero said.

  “It’s worth the risk,” Vannier stated what everyone was thinking.

  “You had me at VTOL,” Barran added.

  “This will be the priority event for the break. Everyone, try and get permission to attend this event. Even if it means you have to spend the rest of the break at home sucking up,” Vannier said.

  “Which is you and Axel-Zero?” Picard asked.

  “Maybe, we’ll see! We need to be better organised next break,” Vannier said.

  Daedo looked apologetic. “Sorry about that,” he said.

  “Who’s coming back to the workshop now, other than me?” Daedo asked.

  Mace indicated that she was.

  “I can come on Sunday,” Picard said. “I already arranged to travel back and forth due to the practice sessions with Siderus’ squad.”

  “I will go home and come back in time for Japan, and I should be able to stay for the rest of the break after that,” Barran said.

  “If you can come in time for the drill with M3IAS on Thursday that would be ideal,” Daedo asked.

  “Kang?” Vannier asked.

  “I already arranged to join my father. I hadn’t really thought about Daedalus' activities past today. I’ll check with him and see what he wants,” she replied. It was probably the longest period Kang had been away from her father, as far as the other cadets knew.

  “Africa,” Barran declared, “What is happening in Africa?”

  “It’s confidential,” Daedo replied.

  “Oh, please!” Barran said making a broad sweep around the table. “It’s just us!”

  Daedo nodded, “But once I talk abou
t it here, you have to keep it quiet.” He looked around the table and received solemn nods from his fellow cadets.

  Daedo brought up a map of Northwest Africa and zoomed in on Mauritania. “This area is rich in the ores we need and is one of the least populated places on the planet. With exceptions like the oceans and Antarctica which are not fit for purpose.”

  “We have prospecting drones searching this area and not only have they found much needed titanium, iron, gold, platinum and kernite, but they have also found an aquifer with one of the largest untapped underground water sources on the planet,” Daedo said dramatically.

  “Not that water is an issue, we could always build a desal plant and pipe water from the ocean, but the local aquifer will provide a mineral-rich source of water,” Daedo said.

  Kang raised her had, “Ah, why?”

  Daedo lowered his head and looked at the table. Before raising it slowly and looking at his fellow cadets. It was not only Kang who wanted to know why and he could not tell them the truth. How could he? Once he divulged the presence of arkernite in the Richat Structure, he would have to explain how he knew about it. And then explain why he was looking for it. And that would lead to how did he know about this unknown material with phenomenal superconductor properties?

  There was only one way to obtain the material without raising flags.

  “If and when the aliens invade they will attack centres of population. If we are located here in Paris, we are taking a risk, and we could die in the first wave. Before we have a chance to protect anyone or ascertain the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses,” Daedo said.

  “I have been scouting locations which are in the EU region, which are extremely low population density and have the resources we need. This is the closest I can find,” Daedo lied.

  “Holy crap!” Barran said what everyone was thinking. An alien invasion was not just talk, it was becoming real for them.

  “You know it's awfully hot there?” Mace observed.

  Daedo nodded.

  “What if there is no invasion?” Kang asked.

  “We won’t lose creds by settling here. We have secured mining rights for the entire region surrounding the Richat Structure,” Axel-Zero said.

  Vannier was looking it up, “The eye of the Sahara,” she said wistfully. “It looks like silica won’t be an issue as it is surrounded by sand.”

  “It’s not as bad as space, but it's an inhospitable environment so it will be good training for us,” Daedo added.

  “What do you mean exactly?” Picard asked.

  “We will deliver a reactor, foundry, fabricator, machining equipment and a few specialised mining droids. We will then build everything we need from scratch. It will not be unlike starting a colony on another planet,” Daedo said.

  “That is awesome,” Barran said.

  “We will soon know what we missed in preparation,” Axel-Zero said.

  “Why now? Aren’t we busy enough?” Vannier asked concerned.

  “I thought about that,” Daedo replied. “And I imagined that it's possible we will only get busier. Who is to say it won’t be worse at the beginning of term one next year? Should we delay?”

  “And finally, will an alien invasion holdoff to give us time to prepare because we are busy?” Daedo stated ominously.

  He looked around the table. No one said a word.

  “I think it’s a great initiative. I am behind you,” Axel-Zero said.

  “I guess,” Kang said hesitantly, “that I don’t mind.”

  “It sounds awesome to me. I always wanted my own secret base,” Barran said.

  “I am with you, Daedo,” Picard added.

  Vannier nodded, “I was never in doubt.”

  Daedo looked at Mace.

  “Just when I think you can’t possibly surprise me again, you do,” Mace stated. “Sure, why not!”

  “It’s unanimous!” Barran exclaimed. “We are building a secret base in one of the most remote, inhospitable places on the planet. So cool!”

  “You know, it's only you who is calling it a secret base, right?” Picard observed looking at Barran.

  He panicked and looked at Daedo, “Please tell me it’s secret.”

  “It is for now,” Daedo smiled at Barran’s enthusiasm and immediately felt guilty. The whole charade was so he could mine arkernite and then pretend it was a new discovery after they dug it up.

  After a pause in proceedings, Daedo asked, “Anything else?”

  “Licences, permits and registrations for the VTOL,” Axel-Zero said.

  “Can you manage them?” Vannier asked, and Axel-Zero nodded.

  “Where will we park it?” She asked.

  “On the roof,” Barran suggested enthusiastically.

  “I will ask Ikaros, but I think it will be too heavy for the roof. We should rent a spot at the local air transport hub until we have the landing zone constructed and approved. Where is the closest?” Daedo responded.

  “I will look it up and book that as well. It will make getting permits in time easier for the Japan meet, and we can lean on Marais’ as they will have existing licensing and registrations, especially if Jeram, pilots,” Axel-Zero said.

  “Oh no!” Barran said. “If Jeram pilots to the eye of the Sahara he will learn about our secret base. We should blindfold him.”

  Daedo shook his head, but Barran had a point. He would have to come up with a solution to that particular issue.

  “Names,” Kang said suddenly. “We need Mech names for the Svarski invitational. We should register tonight or tomorrow at the latest.”

  “Ranky Turtle,” Barran said, claiming a name he liked.

  “Daedalus could be one,” Vannier said.

  “Daedalus can be the stated manufacturer,” Kang opined. “That way if either performs well the company gets the recognition.”

  “Excellent point,” Vannier said.

  “Ranky Turtle,” Barran said again.

  “Repeating the same silly name doesn’t make it any more appealing,” Picard lectured Barran, chuckling.

  “We could name all our new line of mechs after titans,” Daedo suggested. “It has synergy with the name Daedalus. They are both from Greek mythology.”

  “I like that,” Picard said, and most of the cadets agreed.

  “Boring,” Barran said. “But okay, I guess.” He proceeded to look up names of titans.

  “Prometheus,” Axel-Zero said. “The first one should be Prometheus, champion of mankind.”

  “I like Eos,” Picard said. “The dawn and it’s a girl.”

  “I’ll set up a voting system which will end at midnight, otherwise we will be here for hours arguing over names,” Vannier said.

  “The rankings are in,” Barran noticed.

  “Pull them up, let’s take a look before we pack up,” Vannier said.

  ◆◆◆

  Rank T2 R5, Cadet, House

  1, Daedo, Thoth

  2, Mace, Thoth

  3, Vannier, Thoth

  4, Paget-A , Horus

  5, Fortescue, Horus

  6, Raoult, Horus

  7, Lazard, Shu

  8, Picard, Thoth

  9, Barran, Thoth

  10, Moreau, Horus

  11, Almeras, Osiris

  12, Axel-Zero, Thoth

  13, Delcroix , Amun-Ra

  14, Gallois, Osiris

  15, Gaumont, Thoth

  99, Kang, Thoth

  ◆◆◆

  “Kang!” Picard exclaimed, “You jumped to ninety-nine? Wow!”

  The squad congratulated Kang who jumped from one-ninety-two in round four to ninety-nine in round five. They were quiet regarding the heavy impact that the tournament had on final results. It was still an amazing effort.

  “Bah!” Barran said, “Picard passed me.” He sounded a little upset, but nothing compared to what he was like when Lazard or Raoult beat him on the obstacle course.

  “I guess you got all your studies done?” Vannier asked Daedo who nodded.


  “Since the mech design was finalised last week I have been able to finish them all off,” Daedo said.

  “Did you do one of the extra credit math problems?” Mace asked.

  “I did the easy one,” Daedo admitted with a nod.

  “There was an easy one?” Picard asked.

  “No, there wasn’t!” Mace said seriously.

  “Chief Albert gave up. They were normal problems this term,” Daedo said. “And there was one Myrmidon, and I could do in less than an hour. So we did.”

  “We should sell solutions to Math problems next term,” Barran offered only to receive stares of derision from his fellow cadets.

  “I don’t think so,” Vannier stated firmly.

  “We should pack up,” Axel-Zero said. “My parents will be waiting.”

  “Were they here today?” Vannier asked.

  “Yes, but I told them I was busy,” Axel-Zero said.

  The squad went through the motions of an end of term pack up. Daedo and Mace would accompany the exos and gear back to the workshop while the rest went their separate ways.

  They said their goodbyes, with hugs and heartfelt farewells until it was just the three cadets who remained.

  Vannier gave Daedo and Mace a hug, “See you soon, before Japan, I hope.”

  “Thanks, Vannier,” Daedo replied. “See you next week!”

  She smiled and shook her head. “In my dreams. I think Monday week, at best.”

  Before they knew it, Mace and Daedo were alone.

  “Your parents are out of town again?” Daedo asked.

  “Always,” Mace replied.

  “Let’s go!” He said as they hopped into the large hovervan which took them and their gear to the workshop in Nanterre.

  ◆◆◆

  Ikaros walked through the holographic structural model of the workshop. “It’s not going to be easy, the VTOL weighs over 300 tonnes, and that’s before you load it.”

  “Then what about the junkyard?” Daedo asked his father.

  “That will have to do. At least it's on the ground we just have to be careful with point loads and underground structures,” Ikaros said. “It will also make loading mechs ten times easier.”

  “If you get the application started, I will order all the robots to start recycling all the spare parts. We can just build parts as needed,” Daedo said.