14 M1 - Term: 1, Round: 1 (2/2)
It did not occur to Myrmidon that Daedo needed to ask his squadmates about this gamble. As far as the AI was concerned everyone was a lesser being to Daedo. Daedo himself believed that Axelzero's lawyers would pick it up when she forwarded it to them, and he would explain his strategy when necessary.
”I made a couple of minor amendments,” Daedo said and sent the agreement back to Axelzero.
She forwarded it to Horus squad zero assumed captains Karine Fortescue, Master Nader and the House Master of Horus, Becker.
Axelzero then changed the subject back to the workshop, ”if your Father is inspecting the workshop on Saturday does that mean you are buying a share?” she asked Daedo.
”No, my Father is inspecting because he is an excellent mechanic. I will purchase the largest share I can afford with my own creds,” Daedo informed her.
”How much do you have?” she asked him quietly.
”Don't tell her,” Barran interrupted, he just made it back from his topside exploration, ”all girls want is your money. Best to keep it secret,” he said holding a finger to his lips and grinning evilly at the shocked look on Axelzero's face.
”I was just curious!” she protested vehemently.
”She protests too much,” Barran said theatrically. He patted Daedo on the back, ”the infamous Daedalus from CyberMech and a lady killer.”
Daedo just blushed, he didn't think about Axelzero that way at all, but no words would come out of his mouth.
Axelzero huffed and put on her helmet, an excellent method to withdraw.
”So we are going into the mech repair business? It's been, like, a day,” Barran observed.
”No, we are securing a location to research and upgrade offsite,” Vannier said.
”Whatever, I'm in,” Barran said, ”I have plenty saved from my allowance. I don't even need to ask permission.”
”We don't even know how much it is,” Vannier argued.
”I will just buy the share I can afford. I couldn't be bothered explaining it to Father, or worse, my sister,” he said.
”My company's lawyers just responded,” Axelzero announced.
”That was fast!” Vannier exclaimed.
”I think I get special treatment,” Axelzero explained, ”I will read what they said in summary. The repair business had standard overheads, sinking revenue and failed ventures which resulted in the removal of capital and current liquidated situation. Risk of purchase low. Return on investment low to nil. Maximum advised bid for the company as a going concern, 14,000 bitcreds. The suggested offer is 5,000 bitcreds. Property value will increase if a purchaser is found, if purchasing the property, it is advised to do so before purchasing the company. Property value, 21,000 bitcreds, suggested offer 18,000 bitcreds.”
”The property is worth more than the company?” Vannier asked.
”It makes sense, the company is almost worthless except for its equipment and land is always worth creds,” Barran said.
”I will put in half,” Daedo said, he almost had enough for all, in his account, there were 21,300 bitcreds, but he did need some for parts, materials, ammo and anything else that popped up. He thought it a good move to allow everyone who wanted to buy a stake.
”Half of the business or half of everything?” Barran asked interestedly.
”Everything,” Daedo said.
Barran whistled, ”I can contribute twenty percent,” he offered, ”that leaves thirty percent between you three. Can you do that?”
Axelzero looked at the other two, Mace and Vannier who nodded.
”If one of us is denied the other two can pick up the difference,” Mace suggested, she was always strategic.
”I recorded this conversation and sent to the Axel company lawyers, they will draft up the documents and make the purchase pro bono, whatever that means,” Axelzero said.
Vannier looked it up, 'free,” she said, ”Will they get a good price?”
”Better than we would,” Axelzero offered.
Everyone nodded.
”Thanks, Axel. Letting us use your company Lawyers is a big help. And you have done it a few times now,” Vannier stated.
Axelzero, ”let's hope they don't start charging. If I need to sweet talk mum and dad, we may need to put everyone into Axel suits, especially if we do well.”
”Not everyone can afford them,” Picard said.
Barran rolled his eyes at Picard, ”we know, we know, stop whining all the time. They will either be free or we all chip in. Its better than paying for lawyers.”
”Who are we going to get for our second slot?” Axelzero asked changing the subject.
”Who hates Horus the most?” Daedo asked.
”Other than us?” Barran asked, ”everyone I think.”
”We should approach Shu, I know Tiphanie Lazard, and she will be a lot better to deal with than Almeras who we met earlier today. I don't know Amun-Ra squad zero members that well,” Vannier answered.
”I will contact her now, we can meet with her squad before bed,” Vannier suggested.
The night was escaping them, it had been a massive day, they had attended all the orientation lectures, picked a fight for slots with Horus, prioritised exo improvement to give them an edge, began to purchase an offsite base to upgrade the suits on weekends so they did not have to wait for tools and could upgrade in secret. It would also give them room for testing and other activities.
And lastly, they were planning their schedules and filling in their last slot with someone who would push them. The core squad had stuck together, only Gaumont seemed intent on doing his own thing. Barran was a maverick, but he went along with the group.
Vannier took Daedo with her to meet Shu squad zero. Everyone else stayed to work on their schedules and planning. They had to work out how much time to spend on each subject only a few were interactive with attendance compulsory. The other subjects could be completed at any time, they just needed to be completed before week ten came to a conclusion. Daedo had his schedule worked out hours ago. With Myrmidons help and planning it was completed during the orientation, and it did not require much tweaking.
”Lazard,” Vannier greeted a tall, dark haired girl, she was flanked by three boys two with blonde and one with brown hair.
”Vannier,” Lazard returned the greeting. They were in the middle school cafeteria, it was almost empty. The six took a seat at a nearby table, the four Shu on onside and the two Thoth on the other.
”We would like to offer you two slots tomorrow and next week if you are keen to help us beat Horus,” Vannier said matter of factly.
”I heard, everyone is talking about it, and most are laughing at you,” Lazard informed them.
Vannier grimaced, ”I would like to make them laugh on the other side of their face.”
Daedo wondered what that even meant.
”What times?” Lazard asked.
”Monday evening, 1930 and 2015 back to back,” Vannier supplied.
Lazard whistled,”back to back, and on a Monday, awesome,” she looked quickly to her squadmates. They must have been sending her messages. ”No strings attached?” she asked.
”Just one,” Daedo answered, ”you need to bring you're A-Game. We need to practice hard, and we can't do that if you are testing stuff or mucking around.”
”No problem, we can do that, ” she held her hand to Vannier and then Daedo.
It was 2100, Daedo had scheduled to sleep at 2300. He spent the extra time researching parts and ways to improve the light exo. Even if they didn't purchase their own Mech Bay, they would be able to make the tweaks on campus.
His day tomorrow was full with only a few hours spare for meals, an allowance for tutoring and a review of the day.
In 0600 he would rise and complete the obstacle course before heading to the gym and completing his physical training. It would be difficult one after the other, but it made sense efficiency wise. His body would just have to adapt and handle the strain.