Daedalus

by Skully

  “This is speculation, do you not think he deserves a chance?” Krecke asked.

  “If you want to give him a chance then do so. But if he disobeys one order, he is off the team entirely. You must give him this directive. If you allow any room for disruption, it will get out of control quickly. It needs to be black and white,” Daedo lectured Krecke. She was a talented tactician, the best in the Academy, but she was not a leader.

  “Very well, I will do as you ask,” she replied, but she did not sound happy.

  Daedo decided right then that he needed to assess the team during training and find out if they had a Vannier type. Someone who could lead while still offering support to the tactician. The tactician was vital, but so was leadership when it came to harmonising the team.

  “You need to learn the range of movements. Let me run you through them,” Daedo stated after a minutes contemplation.

  They spent the next hour running through drills and putting the mech through its paces.

  “I’m ready to instruct the team now,” Krecke said, “Thanks. It’s so much better than what we had just two months ago. I’d like to see it rated against the Templars.”

  “You will find that out in the second round,” Daedo said.

  “I know, I know,” she replied.

  “I will get everyone inducted in the next few days. That way when we have the full team of eight we can begin practice and drilling immediately,” Krecke stated. “Your particle barrier. I haven’t seen anything quite like it, did you invent it as well?”

  “It has been a team effort. Thoth Squad One did the initial research, and we built on that,” Daedo replied. In truth, the mystery box gave him the next evolution upon request. The expert even offered a better model, but Daedo had to keep breakthroughs to a believable level.

  “What do you call it? It has a gorgeous blue and green hue,” Krecke asked.

  “I haven’t named it yet,” Daedo said.

  “I was just up north during the break. The skies were beautiful like your shield. I think you could call it the Aurora Shield after the northern skies,” Krecke said kindly.

  “I like that,” Daedo said honestly, “I have seen images but never been myself. I really like it. Okay sold. We will call it the Aurora Shield.”

  “Do I get royalties?” Krecke asked cheekily and laughed away her joke.

  “No, but if you manage to get the Academy promoted, I am willing to offer your team a bonus,” Daedo said. He had been planning this with Barran from the start, and the conversation led him in this direction.

  “Oh? I am sure some of the squad will be very interested. As for me, I will do my best, with no reward necessary,” Krecke replied.

  “I knew that about you already. But creds can help you achieve your goals. They can fund your research,” Daedo said. He knew Krecke was researching genetics and bioengineering.

  “How much?” Krecke asked.

  “If you win promotion, the pool is two hundred thousand bitcreds for the entire upper team,” Daedo stated.

  Krecke whistled. The amount meant the more people she used, the smaller the share, she would have to be quiet about that part. “I have to be careful how we present this. If they know the more team members that are used, means a smaller share, then we will get a reluctance to change.”

  “Make it merit-based. The base is ten thousand, and if they perform better, they will earn a larger share. Make me the judge, that way they aren’t pressuring you,” Daedo said.

  “That works! And thank you. I know we have little chance of promotion, but twenty thousand bitcreds would fund me for years,” Krecke said passionately.

  “Can I see the rest of your workshop?” She asked after a few minutes packing up.

  “No,” Daedo replied to a stunned Krecke.

  After a moment she tapped her cheek and asked, “What are you hiding over there?”

  “Nothing major. We have most of the technology patented. As a rule, we don’t give tours to very smart people,” he replied, trying to make it sound flattering. He deliberately left off the part about trust; but the word still rang loud despite its absence.

  Chapter 32

  Attendance at Fortescue Military Academy M1 Y:2142

  House Thoth, Squad Leader, Squad Zero

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

  Term: 3, Round: 1

  Daedalus Financial Position <1,760,000> bitcreds

  ◆◆◆

  “We have a lot of interest for the melee mech. Some want to use it for sword and board as well,” Barran said happily.

  “We need to set pricing and give schedules. Daedo- we need your input on this regarding costs and obsolescence. If this mech becomes obsolete in a month, we could damage our reputation by selling too many units at a high cost, without informing the customers that a new model is coming,” Axel-Zero added.

  Daedo looked at Axel-Zero contemplating her progression. She was improving every day with the business side and, surprisingly, she and Barran made an excellent team. One was risk-averse, and the other would jump off a cliff to test never before used jumpjets.

  “Pricing has nothing to do with cost but I agree with obsolescence. At the moment everyone thinks we are geniuses, if a little naïve because of our age, but they are not expecting to get ripped off by us. Their expectation is that we are trustworthy because we are young and naïve,” Barran added.

  “I need time to ramp up production, and we can lock in the current model for a year. Let them know the new model won’t be out for twelve months,” Daedo said. “Even if we improve the Inter-Academy mech, we don’t have to redesign the pro league variant.”

  “You’ve had a week to get the inter-academy models out, so how many in the next month?” Axel-Zero asked. It was Sunday, the last day of break and Term Three would begin tomorrow.

  “We can build one per day, but that consumes the entire workshop capacity including the staggered production of materials and parts,’ Daedo stated. “We would want capacity for our other projects, and we should be getting closer to a military contract with the exos. The three point-two model is much better than their current.”

  “Can we increase production capacity? If we land that contract we will need to build those exos or subcontract it out, so can we increase production capacity? However, subcontracting would be a better option as far as capital expense and capability are concerned,” Axel-Zero said.

  “We need the manufacturing capability,” Daedo said.

  “Why?” Axel-Zero asked.

  “Because a hundred thousand exo soldiers are not enough to defend the EU and Africa,” Daedo said.

  Axel-Zero looked concerned and asked, “Have you looked at the Spiral report?”

  “Yes,” Daedo said sadly. “It’s the worst possible scenario. Nearly every company with a Private Military has shares or is in partnership with a shareholder. The evidence suggests they all have the capability to leave once the spiral is complete.”

  “Which is when?” Barran asked.

  “The first stage will be completed next year,” Axel-Zero said. “The entire project is four years. And that’s excluding some of the biggest companies that already have bases on Mars or Titan.”

  “Those bases lose tonnes of creds,” Barran observed.

  “Not if they all moved off-world. Those bases would then become incredible investments in terms of experience and supply,” Daedo responded.

  “We’re getting off-track,” Axel-Zero said. “Let’s start at manufacturing capacity and work up a timeline for availability. We can commit to a certain number of units and begin plans to add capacity for the exo production.”

  “We already have,” Daedo said confidently. “The Eye of the Sahara base will become our main base of manufacturing.”

  “Because of space or the availability of materials?” Axel-Zero asked.

  “All of the above and a few more reasons. You and Vannier will need to ensure we are rock solid with the local government and I will take care of
the rest,” Daedo said ambiguously.

  “I’d like all the facts if I am to ensure cooperation from a small African government, unless you are thinking we put them on the payroll?”

  “The mining and refining operation is stage one. Manufacturing is stage two. At every stage, we will be building a defensive base to protect our assets. The location is remote, and the locals use easily identifiable vehicles. Anything else will send off an alert.”

  “What’s stage three?” Barran asked. The curiosity was killing him.

  “A larger base, but when this would happen, I don’t know. But it is a good location for a base of operations to protect Africa and southern Europe,” Daedo stated.

  “Yes, our own secret military base, I’m in!” Barran said excitedly.

  “It’s not a secret; we just don’t advertise it,” Daedo said.

  “Will this base be able to handle large-scale exo production?” Axel-Zero asked.

  “In a few months, yes,” Daedo replied, and he brought up the plans for the base which showed stage one and two.

  “Holy!” Barran exclaimed.

  “That’s amazing,” Axel-Zero said. “When did you plan all this?”

  “When we decided to set up a mine there,” Daedo said.

  “What’s that above the groundwater?” Barran asked.

  “Hydroponic farms,” Daedo replied.

  “So this place will be self-sufficient?”

  “It has to be,” Daedo said.

  “Those farms are massive. And no one will know they are there. How far underground are they?” Barran enlarged the plan trying to see depth.

  “The groundwater starts at three km at this point,” highlighting the area. “We are well above that. The ceiling of the hydroponic and algae farms is one km underground.” Daedo said.

  Axel-Zero sighed. She swept her hand through the plans. “Ahem,” she said. “So we will schedule a maximum of ten mechs per month for the next three months. This leaves the workshop plenty of capacity for other endeavours, and after this, I assume we can manufacture as much as we can sell?”

  “I wouldn’t. I will send you monthly updates with manufacturing capacity including specifying internal requirements for R and D, competitions, etc. You can assess and make your own determinations. That will be a more efficient method than what we are currently doing.”

  “Except I wouldn’t find out all this juicy information on secret bases!” Barran exclaimed.

  “You should keep us informed of these plans Daedo, especially when there are costs involved,” Axel-Zero lectured.

  “Okay, I will,” he said looking sheepish. He looked at Axel-Zero sincerely and added, ”Sorry!”

  Axel-Zero grabbed his face gently. She smiled forgivingly and responded, “We know you mean well.”

  After an awkward silence, Barran interrupted.

  “We just need to determine the price,” Barran said boisterously.

  “You can see the material costs in the platform,” Daedo said.

  “We will work out the prices based on the competition cost and capability. There’s no need to worry Daedo with this stuff, Barran,” Axel-Zero said.

  “But you were the one who wanted…,” Barran began before Axel-Zero shushed him.

  “We can work it out now. We have the information we needed regarding capacity and new models.”

  Daedo nodded, “Okay, I’ll be in VR if you need me.” He put on his helmet and disappeared into his own world of designs, plans and research with Myrmidon.

  Axel-Zero pulled Barran aside and looked at the taller cadet while speaking seriously, “He has so much on his plate. We need to be running this now.”

  “Okay,” Barran stated simply looking dumbfounded by the statement. “I thought I was already running things?”

  “I mean we need to be more independent. We only have to worry about working in with capacity and technology. Otherwise, we should just move forward and get things done. If anyone has an issue, they can pick it up in the weekly reports.”

  “Your reports are too long, by the way,” he lectured.

  “And yours are too short!” Axel-Zero struck back before changing the subject. “What are our competitors charging and how does it compare with the Titan model?”

  “A 100,000 for a piece of shit, and no one buys the current Svarski and DaVinci models for the pro league. They are too expensive at 500,000,” Barran summed up the market simply.

  “150,000, is that affordable?” Axel-Zero asked.

  “Let’s list at two hundred thousand, and if we don’t sell ten a month we can lower the price,” Barran suggested. “We can also advise there will only be ten available per month for the first four months.”

  “What’s the total market size? Do you know?” Axel-Zero asked.

  “If we just stick to top-tier pro leagues, it's 600 mechs,” Barran said.

  “Given that size, we could probably limit it to one hundred models only, first in best dressed,” Axel-Zero said.

  “That’s only twenty million bitcreds,” Barran said.

  Axel-Zero gaped at him.

  “I have to make a billion, remember!”

  “Follow-up your pseudo mentor from Marais. Ensure he has everything he needs to make the exo sale to the EUDF,” Axel-Zero directed. “And…” she said tongue in cheek, “That’s a billion profit, not revenue.”

  ◆◆◆

  Vannier, Mace and Daedo were topside watching the U3 cadets practice in the new Daedalus mechs. It was the first week of Term three, and they would have their first Inter-Academy round this weekend.

  Each round of the Inter-Academy lined up with their internal rounds which meant after the first weekend there would be matches every second weekend. However, to cut down travel and expedite home and away matches, three Academies would meet each round at one venue.

  This weekend Fortescue would host both Humboldt and Seoul Military academies and each team would have two matches.

  FMA Twenty-week season schedule.

  R1, Home, Humboldt MA, Term 3, Round 1

  R1, Home, Seoul MA, Term 3, Round 1

  R2, Away - H, Templars MA, Term 3, Round 2

  R2, Away, Tsinghua MA, Term 3, Round 2

  R3, Home, ETH Zurich, Term 3, Round 3

  R3, Home, Udon Thani MA, Term 3, Round 3

  R4, Away - H, Tehran Mech, Term 3, Round 4

  R4, Away, Mumbai MA, Term 3, Round 4

  R5, Home, Heidelberg MA, Term 3, Round 5

  R5, Home, KAIST, Term 3, Round 5

  R5, Home, Lockhead Martin MA, Term 3, Round 5

  R6, Away, Humboldt MA, Term 4, Round 1

  R6, Away - H, Seoul MA, Term 4, Round 1

  R7, Home, Templars MA, Term 4, Round 2

  R7, Home, Tsinghua MA, Term 4, Round 2

  R8, Away - H, ETH Zurich, Term 4, Round 3

  R8, Away, Udon Thani MA, Term 4, Round 3

  R9, Home, Tehran Mech, Term 4, Round 4

  R9, Home, Mumbai MA, Term 4, Round 4

  R10, Away, Heidelberg MA, Term 4, Round 5

  R10, Away - H, KAIST, Term 4, Round 5

  R10, Away, Lockhead Martin MA, Term 4, Round 5

  R11, Mass 12 v 12, All Academies, Term 4, After Round 5

  No matches to be held during the break with the exception of the last twelve versus twelve mass combat as the penultimate match of the season; the points won could decide which Academy is demoted and promoted.

  Round five and ten were super weekends with four Academies attending one venue. This system allowed equal home and away matches as well as meeting each opposing team twice during the home and away season.

  “What do you think?” Daedo asked. They had been monitoring comms, HUDs and as well as performance.

  “I’m not an expert, but I think that while their piloting is above average, their teamwork is abysmal. There is no synergy,” Vannier replied.

  “That will take time. What do you think of leadership?” Daedo asked.

  “There is none. But I don�
��t have enough information to make an analysis. Krecke could be a quiet type who plants seeds, but I wouldn’t know,” Vannier replied.

  “Do you see any candidates other than Krecke? Supposing we put her in as tactician and another as leader.”

  “With Romulus in the squad, no! Unless you make him the leader and Krecke calls the shots,” Vannier speculated. “But I wouldn’t make him the leader as he has no empathy.”

  Daedo sighed, back to the stalemate with Krecke and Romulus.

  He stood and stated, “As long as they finish mid table, we are fine. It may be too big of an ask to gain promotion.”

  He turned to Mace.

  “I have the data,” she said, “I will forward it to Krecke.”

  “Witch had no problem learning Myrmidon’s system?” Daedo asked. Witch was Mace’s AI and one of the best in the squad after Myrmidon.

  “She’s good,” Mace replied.

  “You have enough time to take this on? You have a lot on your plate,” Daedo asked.

  “Witch is doing most of the work, and we would be watching the matches anyway. And I can always do other work when they are practicing while Witch gathers the data.”

  “How is the IBA? Have you nailed them yet?” Daedo asked.

  “I’m close,” Mace said smiling, mischievously.

  ◆◆◆

  The hook was in place after a brief conversation between Inspector Ichinose and the IBA executive, Charles.

  Mace cautiously began to pull through the tunneler using the hook. She was watching for alerts, anything that was triggered by the hack. Implanting a tunneler was similar to finding a back door, except in this case you were creating your own back door. They were not foolproof, because once inside the system you could still be detected.

  She had learned the basics from her parents, where her father was a player, her mother was the hacker. It was her father who performed human hacks. Or mundane hacks as he called them. That was where he tricked someone into giving access or otherwise gained access to a system using the human as the weakest point of defence, while her mother would do everything else.