64 Book 4 - Chapter 122 (1/2)
The Eye of the Sahara
Y: 2142
Inter-Academy Round 5 Fortescue Points: 578, Rank: 5, PR: 0.723
Term: 4, Round 1
Daedalus Financial Position: +100,000 bitcreds
Rank, Academy, Score, Performance Ratio
1, Tehran Mech, 672, 0.840
2, KAIST, 634, 0.793
3, Templars MA, 632, 0.790
4, Seoul MA, 617, 0.771
5, Fortescue MA, 578, 0.723
6, Heidelberg MA, 551, 0.689
7, Tsinghua MA, 536, 0.670
8, ETH Zurich, 523, 0.654
9, Lockheed Martin MA, 518, 0.648
10, Humboldt MA, 475, 0.594
11, Mumbai MA, 463, 0.579
12, Udon Thani MA, 412, 0.515
Back in the world, the world which didn't revolve around an isolated desert secret underground base, it was the beginning of Term 4 for the Military Academies. And while Squad Zero's activities were a superb practical learning experience, they were falling behind on regular studies due to no educators, tutes or curriculum.
Projects, combat practice and physical training were their primary focus since arriving at the base. Most of which were derived from actual duties from security to Daedalus functions.
Daedo, Vannier and Axelzero perused the Fortescue data each round. Axelzero and Vannier were the main contacts for the Inter-Academy team, and they were in the process of upgrading the PPCs and shields on both the exos and the mechs.
Siderus delivered the old exos to Nanterre while Daedo and Ikaros remotely controlled the manufacture and upgrade. Some parts were recycled, and others re-used. It only took them a week to add the Aurora shields to sixteen exos.
They merely manufactured sixteen PPCs and delivered them to Romulus at the Fortescue Campus. All of this was done remotely, it was not difficult with the setup they had in Nanterre. Ikaros had done a brilliant job setting up the plant over the last six months, and his actual presences was more of an emotional and personal requirement than a necessary one in the end.
Both Axelzero and Vannier would manage the contract and ensure the Fortescue Military Academy avoided relegation and apart from a catastrophe it was almost a certainty at this stage as they were almost three rounds clear of Udon Thani with only five rounds remaining.
Udon Thani was the last African Academy remaining in the top three tiers. And their relegation would make Africa the only continent without representation from this elite group. It was not a massive issue in the global scheme, but it did affect the morale and pride of the people from this region.
”They have the upgraded exo's and the PPC's,” Axelzero said. ”We haven't experienced any interference from the organisation in regards to supply with any of our business,” she tapped the table, ”And I hope this continues.”
”Never let your guard down,” Vannier said, and Axelzero nodded.
”If it happens we will deal with it. But on that note I do have a report from our own operatives which you need read,” Daedo said.
”What's the summary?” Vannier asked, ”Anything relating to the Academy?”
”Their initial findings are that while the organisation would like to capture me to trap Master Nader, they are not going to go to war against Daedalus just to get me. They are putting their resources into finding Master Nader.”
”That's good news,” Axelzero stated, she had not yet joined the Daedalus Private Military, and it was no longer a necessity due to their changing situation. The initial knee jerk reaction was not an issue, everyone who was in, was happy to be in.
Only Axelzero and Kang were not members of Daedalus Private Military. What would happen in the short and long term future was unknown for the moment they remained members of squad zero as the lines between the Daedalus company, Academy and Military became blurred for the small group.
”It also means if Daedo shows his head in the EU, or anywhere, they will try and nab you correct?” Vannier asked.
”That is their assessment,” Daedo agreed.
”And the chance of them attacking this base again?” Axelzero asked.
”At the moment, it's low. The organisation isn't used to this type of opposition. They're usually dealing with civilians and never entities like military companies according to Mr and Mrs Mace.”
”It would sense that they have completed a risk and benefit analysis, and the risk of attacking us outweighs the benefit greatly. But apprehending you in a public place where we can't bring military assets to bear has a much lower risk. To them,” Vannier was thinking out loud.
”Agreed, that is the Maces' assessment in the report,” Daedo stated.
”Can I travel home?” Axelzero asked.
”I think that is up to you. Read the report and make your own informed decision. There is a risk if you do, and that could be mitigated if Mace's parents could shadow you, but ultimately, you're not a prisoner here.”
”And my Family can provide protection if they're informed, but damn,” Axelzero said as she thought the events through. ”If I tell them the risks they'll worry more and just want to lock me up. I need to think.”
”Is there anything else?” Vannier asked seeing if they could wrap up the meeting.
”No, I'm relieved that Siderus and Romulus are performing satisfactorily without our direct influence. And the new equipment should push them higher than fourth,” Daedo summarised.
Vannier stood, readying to leave, and then added a thought, ”Do you think they could win?”
”No.”
”I'm hurting all over,” Barran commented on his current status. He never whined about physical activity, only academic.
Axelzero peered at him and asked, ”Are you? I'm fine.”
”Me too,” Kang agreed with Axelzero.
Picard laughed.
”What's funny?” Barran asked.
”The pain you are experiencing is a message, but you are so dense you get the same message each day without realising it.” She lectured.
”What … the … hell, are you talking about woman?” Barran asked with a rising tone.
Picard shook her head while looking at the ground, chuckling to herself.
Barran circled and stood in her way blocking her path.
She looked up at him smiling, ”Who would have thought that watching you get beaten would make me so happy.”
”Are you talking about training? I love your Father's training,” Barran responded genuinely.
Picard suddenly scowled, ”But he beats you, and you just said you're hurting all over.” She pointed at the bruise on his face and his leg which he had shown a slight limp.
Barran rolled his shoulder while tilting his head to the left, ”So?” He questioned her logic.
”You don't mind?”
Barran shook his head, ”I'm good.” He was about to walk away but thought of something and turned back, ”What message?”
”Bah,” Picard spat, ”If you like getting beaten how are you supposed to learn?”
”Listen,” Barran took on an air of a knowledgeable authority, ”I'm a guy. A little bit of pain just makes me tougher and if I couldn't take it, what sort of man would I be?”
”You just turned fourteen!” Picard protested his claimed status as a man.
Barran shrugged. Denying her protest's validity.
”And speaking of taking pain, you whinge like a baby when you have to do math problems,” Picard observed.
Barran looked thoughtful for a moment, ”It only applies to manly pain - not nerdy pain.”
Picard thumped him in the shoulder and pushed past, ”You … are an idiot.”
She strode down the new corridor which connected the gym to the cafeteria. It didn't take Barran long to come up with a comeback, ”Yeah, a good looking, charming, elite combat warrior idiot. So, what.”
He then went off to another section of the base leaving the girls to eat alone.
Axelzero and Kang slid into chairs at Picard's chosen table.
”What's wrong?” Axelzero asked.
”I think it's that we are cooped up here alone, Barran is getting on her nerves,” Kang conjectured.
Picard shook her head again, clearing her angst.
”No … it's just Father's training is supposed to challenge you. And when he punishes you, it's because you aren't striving hard enough. He does it to push you past your limits.” She explained.
”And… Barran is sore because your Father wants him to step up his game?” Kang asked.
”Yes, but because he is so dense he doesn't mind the pain,” Picard looked at her friends, ”Isn't it annoying!?”
Kang and Axelzero exchanged looks.
”I really don't care that much,” Kang replied.
Axelzero smiled weakly and shrugged.