41 Book 3 - Chapter 99 (2/2)
”Three hours Sir Lawrence,” Jeram replied with his tongue in his cheek.
The trip continued with banter back and forth between the cadets. One moment they would be discussing an intricate engineered design, or a risky yet lucrative business venture and the next they would be teasing one another. Cisse was quiet most of the time. She enjoyed relaxing and listening to the young adults. Even though they were mostly thirteen, she couldn't think of them as children. It was impossible. Practically, once they passed prep, they were young adults as far as the education system was concerned, and as soon as they passed into the Upper Academy, they would be technically treated as adults.
”Who is taking the first match in team Hyperion?” Vannier asked Barran and Daedo. Each Mech entry was working out their own pilot schedule.
”Barran will take the first five matches,” Daedo said.
”Really?” Mace asked sounding concerned. ”What if he doesn't make it through?”
”I'm right here,” Barran said.
”He will,” Daedo said, and his faith in Barran brought a smile to the taller cadets face. The way Daedo spoke made it sound like a calculated certainty.
”And you will take over in the tournament proper?” Mace asked, but before Daedo could answer, she added. ”There is a reason you always win the Gauntlet Daedo. It's not just about pilot skill. Your tactical ability enhances your skill beyond that of not only every cadet in M1 but every cadet in M3 as well.”
”And that is why I will take over in the main tournament,” Daedo stated. ”Barran will win through I have no doubt, and our first opponent will study the qualifying vids and data very closely.”
”Oh that's evil,” Barran said. ”I love it. Is there any way we can place a bet on ourselves? I just got access to some extra investment funds.”
”If my Father agrees he can place if for you. As long as there is nothing illegal in doing so,” Daedo replied.
”Ikaros. The best mechanic in the whole wide world! Can you place a bet for me?” Barran called through the comms all too loudly with lavish praise.
”I don't like betting. But if it's your discretional creds I can place a small bet for you,” Ikaros said.
”Fifty-kay,” Barran said beaming. ”Ten on outright win and forty on making the second round of the main tournament.”
”Fifty thousand bitcreds?” Ikaros asked flabbergasted. ”Where did you get fifty thousand? And that's insane! No!”
”Okay, okay. I'll ask my fund manager to place the bet for me,” Barran said enthusiastically.
”Wait,” Daedo said enthusiastically. ”This is probably the best chance we have of receiving long odds due to being an unknown. We will do very well, I know we will. All I need to do is to run some statistics with Mrymidon on the odds and our calculated results. We can determine which odds are high compared to low-risk outcomes and place bets accordingly,” Daedo said.
”Yes! Finally! You see the light,” Barran was ecstatic.
”Axelzero, can you run a budget on what funds you deem prudent for this sort of short-term investment? What do we have available?” Daedo asked.
”I won't tell mum, don't worry,” Jeram added from the cockpit.
”The maximum would be a-hundred-kay bitcreds,” Axelzero said. ”But do we, as a group, agree with this type of activity.”
”It's statistical math Axelzero, it's not unlike any other calculated investment,” Daedo said unemotionally.
Barran was quiet, knowing his enthusiastic support would only hurt Daedo's case. He sat still waiting for a reply for the rest of Daedalus expectantly.
”If Daedo thinks he can work it statistically I have no concerns,” Vannier said evenly. ”Can we do it conservatively? With creds we can afford to lose in case factors unknown to us come into play.”
”Agreed,” Mace said.
”Alright,” Picard said. ”As long as it's Daedo's strategy and not boy wonders.”
”Ooo,” Barran could not remain quiet, ”That sounded awfully like a nickname.”
”Ack. Sorry!” Picard apologized. ”But my point remains.”
”And who will be placing these bets?” Ikaros asked concerned.
”Father, we need you,” Daedo said with feeling.
Barran: oh that was good. The old man is a sucker for a heartfelt son in need.
Barran had clocked a little over forty hours in the cockpit of this mech. This was a handicap that his opponent did not possess, however, there was a mitigating factor to this handicap. All of his martial combat and exo operation experience fed into his ability to pilot the mech.
Hyperion was the first name that he and Daedo had agreed on. Prometheus was too wordy for Barran's liking, and all the other cool names were girl Titans. When Daedo suggested Hyperion, he agreed. Hyperion was an obscure Titan, unlike Zeus or Apollo, whom everyone had heard of. This fact had synergy with their team, while everyone at Fortescue Military Academy knew their names they were unknowns in this type of competition.
After this match half of the mechs would go home, some with their dreams destroyed, others bankrupt, and some with all of the above.
Barran vowed he would not be one of them. Daedo was relying on him, no expecting him, to win five straight matches. They had an awesome mech so Barran could see no reason why he wouldn't. Old Dawg would struggle, otherwise, they had a very good chance of getting three mechs into the main tournament.
While Dead Beat wasn't strictly a Daedalus mech, he was still part of the team. The new Titan models moved much better than Dead Beat who had been rocketing up the ranks recently in the EU pro league. Lastly, Barran had no doubt that he was a far superior pilot than Mister Kang. Even with only forty hours in the cockpit.
His opponent walked up to the line.
Barran had run all the tests with Daedo in their temporary workshop, he didn't need to perform any warm-up or test moves. This wasn't a competition that required theatrics. Nevertheless, he did an impressive standing jump to the line.
There was a smattering of hardcore mech fans watching the qualifiers, however, most would review streams from what was trending.
Barran hoped to be trending very soon.
His opponent was called Jekyll the Hyde. Barran forgot his name as soon as he read it. It was immaterial. He was merely an obstacle to overcome.
A few nerves entered his chest when the countdown began, but Barran banished them thinking only of the task at hand and subsequent glory.
Daedo's briefing and tactical review showed that taking out an opponents leg was the quickest way to victory. A mech could not fight well, if at all, if it could not move. The last few days they had workshopped moves, tactics and restrictions of this mech. But in the end, Daedo did not want to suppress Barran's natural instinct and talent for the unpredictable.
The key learning was the limitations of the Mech. It could not do everything Barran could in martial combat, and he had this fact pounded home by Daedo who saw this as their greatest risk.
After a minute of contemplation the clock had wound down; three, amber, green. Go.
With Barran at the helm, Hyperion launched at his opponent, the sheer speed that he closed the gap surprised his enemy. Jekyll the Hyde had not formed a defence, and by the time Hyperion's leg kicked out, he was stuck midstride unable to avoid the inevitable.
Hyperion's one-tonne foot kicked Jekyll the Hyde's knee and the strike was followed closely by a massive crack that reverberated across the arena. The few spectators present were as surprised as Barran's opponent when they covered their ears a second too late.
Hyperion was on his side, with one hand and hip planted on the ground. Twisting and pushing with both his hands, he got up quickly while watching Jekyll the Hyde closely wary of a counterattack.
His opponent stood still, his knee bent backwards at a forty-five degree angle. Hyperion walked nonchalantly up to his foe and pushed his chest. Jekyll the Hyde fell onto his back unable to defend himself. It should have been possible to attempt a strike as Hyperion approached, but the pilot must have been in shock at the fact he had been decimated in less than a few seconds.
Barran watched as a signal came across his hud. His opponent had wisely surrendered, and if he hadn't Hyperion would have been free to deal more costly damage to Jekyll the Hyde.
Barran: that was awesome!
Daedo: I can see our odds changing before my eyes. Glad we got those bets in early.
Barran: Yeah. I was amazed that Ikaros had to take it to the IBA. I've never laid a bet so large that it had to be taken by the international betting agency. Their odds are never as good as the smaller guys, but at least they won't send thugs after us. They will just send men in suits.
Daedo: Thugs?
Barran: Oh Daedo, you still have a lot to learn.