74 M1 - Term: 2, Round: 2 (2/2)
Overall M1 Rank Term: 2, Round: 1
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Rank, Cadet, House
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1, Daedo, Thoth
2, Mace, Thoth
3, Vannier, Thoth
4, Picard, Thoth
5, Barran, Thoth
6, Lazard, Shu
7, Delcroix, Amun-Ra
8, Gallois, Osiris
9, Almeras, Osiris
10, Moreau, Horus
11, Fortescue, Horus
12, Axelzero, Thoth
13, Paget-A, Horus
14, Raoult, Horus
15, Gaumont, Thoth
1275, Kang, Thoth
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Thoth squad zero now held the top five ranks of M1. Poor Kang had not completed enough work in several subjects and was relegated to the last position. And interestingly Moreau from Horus squad two was ranked higher than all of the Horus squad zero and one cadets.
Barran was understandably excited, ”Rank five baby,” he called out, with a fist pumping the air. It was the highest rank achieved by him, Picard, Axelzero and Gaumont. All of them had worked their way down steadily towards the top ten, and now a Picard and Barran were in the top five.
”At least we know the ranks aren't fudged in Fortescue's favour,” Kang pointed out.
”Don't worry, next round you will improve dramatically just by getting some coursework completed,” Vannier consoled Kang.
Barran nodded, ”Yeah, your Gauntlet and Obstacle course results will sit you around two hundred assuming your academics are at Thoth level.”
”What's Thoth level?” Kang asked.
”Super Nerd,” Barran beamed.
”You're in Thoth,” Kang pointed out.
”Sister,” Barran stated pointing downwards as if that explained everything. M1 was on the upper level of the underground barracks. His sister being in U1 would be three levels below.
”Let's pack up and head back to the Academy,” Daedo interrupted. ”I got a message from Siderus he wants me at a meeting in the M3 cafeteria at 20:00.”
When it came to moving from the workshop to the Academy and vice versa squad zero had it down to a routine. They would pack current model exos, railguns and all other arena equipment into hoverbins. These bins would be loaded into a rented van, and then they would push them into their quarters and unpack into the storage in their respective rooms. It was a new process for Kang, she just watched and mimicked what the other cadets did with some help from Vannier or Axelzero.
”Are we all invited?” Barran asked interestedly.
”No sorry. He specifically said M3 zero squad leaders meeting, and they were adding me,” Daedo replied.
”I will escort you and then hang back like a bodyguard,” Barran said enthusiastically.
He nodded, the cafeteria was an open area as long as Barran didn't intrude on the meeting he could do as he pleased. It gave Daedo a good feeling having Barran watch his back.
Daedo discussed with Vannier and the squad scenarios for the meeting in the van on the way back to the Academy and leading up to the appointed time. It was decided that he would feed back the AV to them and they could send him confidential messages if needed or at least see what was being said.
Barran and Daedo arrived at the M3 cafeteria a few minutes before the meeting time. Siderus immediate saw them and approached.
”It's good that you could make it,” he said in the way of greeting.
”Thanks for inviting me,” Daedo replied. With a nod to Barran, the tall blond cadet wandered over to a spare table and sat by himself. The cafeteria was identical to the one on M1's level. There was enough comfortable seating for twelve hundred cadets, a large kitchen attached and numerous efficient robot waiting staff. The room itself was mostly white, with grey tiles and a lowlight ceiling with hundreds of tubes dropping down one to each table to dispense drinks and other liquids.
Siderus led Daedo over to a table with three cadets already seated, there were a few cadets surrounding the table which Daedo assumed were seconds or onlookers who hadn't been chased away.
Everyone except Daedo was in M3. The three seated Cadets were Amun-Ra, Osiris and Horus. They were all leaders of their respective zero squads.
”Is M3 Thoth coming?” Osiris asked.
Siderus shook his head, ”Allow me to introduce everyone. This is Daedo from M1 Thoth squad zero.” He said indicating Daedo.
”Eh, I think we all know who he is,” Osiris replied coolly and stood.
”I am Matthias,” the Osiris squad leader stated. He was tall and lean, taller than most cadets Daedo had met. He had curly blonde hair and looked like he spent a lot of time in the outdoors with his rough looks and tan. His Osiris squad beat Thoth in the group stage of the tournament, but because they lost to Shu one, so just missed out on the semi-finals. He held out his hand for Daedo to shake and after they did, he sat.
Siderus moved to the next leader, ”This is St Claire, he is the leader of Horus squad zero. M3 that is.” He said with a chuckle, which brought a scowl to the smooth features of St Claire.
St Claire nodded to Daedo and spoke with a low raspy voice, ”It's good you came.” He was shorter than Matthias, but still much taller than Daedo. He had short dark brown hair and sharp features. His blue eyes were piercing.
Daedo nodded back without saying a word as Siderus took him to the next Squad leader, the only female at the table. ”This is Deimos; Amun-Ra squad zero,” Siderus stated.
She stood and shook Daedo's hand. She looked like she was made for Amun-Ra with her red hair and green eyes. The colour was so perfect Daedo assumed she genetically altered it like Vannier.
”Good to meet you. Again,” she said kindly. It had been a close match with her squad, but ultimately Amun-Ra only beat M1 Horus in the group stage. Everyone beat M1 Horus in the group stage.
Siderus indicated a seat for Daedo and sat down opposite. Daedo was next to Deimos with Siderus, Matthias and St Claire on the opposite side of the table.
”Let's get this out of the way,” Siderus who was the squad leader of Shu, the squad who won the tournament and rank one in M3 began. ”When I told Kalman that Daedo was attending he got in a huff.” Daedo knew that Kalman was the zero squad leader of M3 Thoth.
”He's been upset ever since you purchased those exos,” Deimos added.
”Yeah, well,” Siderus continued, ”I'll just send you all the message he sent me.” With a wave of his hand, he forwarded Kalman's missive.
As the other leaders read it, he leaned towards Daedo and said quietly, ”He basically thinks we are replacing him with you, as there can really only be one vote per house. Which is a bit premature, because we brought you here today to discuss something else.”
[[Skully be tired and we are over monthly goal for September which was 70. If you look up you can see we are at 74. So the floating skull will be having tomorrow night off, my time, and we will be back to chapter 75 on Sunday GMT+8 00:00]]
[[La de da. Stupid app]]