35 Book 3 - Chapter 93 (2/2)
5, Fortescue, Horus
6, Lazard, Shu
7, Raoult, Horus
8, Barran, Thoth
9, Picard, Thoth
10, Moreau, Horus
11, Almeras, Osiris
12, Delcroix , Amun-Ra
13, Gallois, Osiris
14, Axelzero, Thoth
15, Gaumont, Thoth
192, Kang, Thoth
Daedo considered the importance of the rankings, in the scheme of things even his competitive spirit was not a motivator to keep rank one. If there was an urgent priority, it would come before Academy studies and competitions. The only reasons he could think of to retain it, even from Mace or Vannier, was the morale of Daedalus and the stature it granted him in negotiations.
It had proven useful on more than one occasion that he had held a stranglehold on rank one, whether it was dealing with admin, Fortescue or even sales completed by Barran. Daedo had unwittingly created an air of preeminence surrounding his persona.
How others viewed him was far from reality, but it did have its advantages.
Daedo looked up and down his squad, they were in three-point-two exos and the only other squads to possess this version was the Inter-Academy teams. It gave them an advantage over the rented exos, which he would rectify next term, there simply wasn't enough time this term to upgrade everyone. The machines at the workshop were working overtime manufacturing Mechs now the design was stable.
Which reminded Daedo of the early morning wake-up, ”Barran when does this pro league team need the Mech? I have your message, but it lacks a deadline.”
”I told them they had to wait, and they said as long as they had it before next season, they don't want to tip their hand this season anyway,” Barran answered.
That told him little, Daedo wasn't across Asian or Japanese pro league season schedules. ”When does the new season start for them?”
Barran quickly looked it up and replied, ”Six weeks, tons of time.”
”How much did you sell it for?” Kang asked Barran.
”Ah, fifty-k,” he replied smiling.
”Is that all?” She said surprised
”Rental, per season,' Barran qualified.
”Oh,” Kang said. ”Nice.” She thought for a moment, ”Make sure you determine the Asian Champions league as a different season or competition.”
”Got it covered. I'm a pro Kang,” Barran grinned evilly, and she didn't doubt him. The shonky business Barran reminded her of 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 the last with a wink.
”But,” he said, ”It's not as easy as I make it look,” he sounded arrogant before adding, ”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, they aren't easy beats, and they have the two-point-six exo.”
”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 was off somewhere else in his imagination.
He looked at her and then the ground, shaking 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 Axelzero 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, 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,” Axelzero observed.
”Are you going to do the Gauntlet tonight?” Picard asked.
Axelzero 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.
Axelzero 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,” Axelzero 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.
Axelzero 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.
”Axelzero,” 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?” Axelzero 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!” Axelzero surrendered. ”I rock!?” And she attempted a smile but ultimately sounded unconvincing.
Picard examined Axelzero'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 Axelzero, 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 Axelzero who got me out of my slump. Yeah, Vannier helped, but you inspired me. And look at me now!” She put her arms wide.
”You are insanely good,” Axelzero 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 a little jig in his step.
Picard looked at Axelzero and said softly, ”What'd he mean?”
Axelzero blushed again and looked down.
”No,” Picard said crossly and then louder, ”No! He didn't think?”
Axelzero nodded.
Picard's voice thundered down the corridor, ”The last person on earth we'd be talking about is you!”