37 M1 - Term: 1, Round: 2 (1/2)
Attendance at Fortescue Military Academy M1 Y:2142
House Thoth, Squad Leader, Squad Zero
M1 Rank: 1/1275, Tier 3 M-Rank: Null
Term: 1, Round: 2
.
.
Daedo just finished another melee training session with Picard and Mace. They predominately used bo staffs during their sessions, but Picard liked to mix it up. Sometimes they just went hand to hand and other times a kendo shinai.
After each session, he came out bruised, and on one particular afternoon, he had to go and get magic spray from the infirmary or lose the use of his right arm for an indefinite amount of time.
”Are you enjoying this training yet?” Picard asked beaming. She absolutely loved beating the crap out of Daedo it seemed.
”Ah, no,” he winced, ”but I see it as necessary.”
”What weights are you up to on the obstacle course?” she asked.
”Ten kilos. It's enough for me, it's still a twenty percent increase in my weight,” Daedo answered Picard for the third time that week. She kept asking the same question as if she was prompting him to take on heavier weights.
”Fair enough,” Picard said, ”you know your body the best.”
”Really? I thought with the plethora of internal sensors, and thousands of data points with an expert's analysis would a better understanding,” Daedo replied.
”Oh sass from the Daedo,” Picard said jovially.
Daedo just looked at her. He was serious.
The Cadets knew each other's routines quite well, it was the fourth week, and they attended as many activities as a squad as possible. Activities like the gym or meals could easily be done alone, but squad zero usually attended as a group.
It was 1715 when they gathered in the M1 cafeteria for the last meal of the day. They did not pig out on the many delicacies available but stuck to their nutritional plans. While cadets from squad thirty sometimes acted like they were on holiday camp, squad zero were extremely professional.
Gaumont had changed his tune slightly and had been attending one and now all three meals with the squad over the last couple of weeks. Whether it was from loneliness, boredom, or he wanted to listen in for information, was anyone's guess.
As usual during the meal, at least one interloper approached their table. These intruders ranged from aggressive idiots to idol worshipers and everything in between.
”Hi,” three cadets from Thoth U1 approached their table. A tall, elegant girl who was probably sixteen spoke. Her companions were from the same squad, they were Thoth U1 squad zero. This was unusual, in fact, they had not seen many U level cadets in the M1 cafeteria.
”I am Barran,” she said introducing herself. She was rank one Thoth in U1 and had blonde hair like her younger brother. She was very pretty and the only explanation for the common name and the fact Barran wasn't drooling was that this was his sister.
”I know who you are. Geez,” Barran said annoyed. ”Everyone, this is my sister Morganne. Don't call her Barran it will just get confusing.”
”I was Barran years before you entered the Academy,” she replied before continuing.
”I've been waiting for you to come say hello, its nearly round three and you haven't ventured out of your little M section,” Morganne Barran said. She had blonde hair, like her brother and most guys would have found her good looking. Her hair was tied back in a bun showing off her perfect skin and bright eyes.
Barran just waved his hand like none of that mattered.
”Other than visiting your brother what brings you down here?” Vannier asked politely.
”Oh, we wanted to see the infamous M1 squad zero. Which one is Daedalus?” Morganne asked.
”We all are,” Barran answered. He was referring to the fact that the company they owned was called Daedalus. His squad leader now went by Daedo and no longer by his CyberMech handle.
She looked a little confused. She didn't know about her little brother's venture and weekend activities apparently.
”He is,” Gaumont said pointing at Daedo.
She peered at Daedo, not unkindly. ”Oh, I see. I recognise you from the streams. You really are the shortest in the squad.”
”Don't worry he will grow, he's only twelve,” Picard answered for him.
”Really?” Morganne looked at her squadmates, and they all looked slightly surprised.
”Does he talk?” the male U1 asked.
”Sure,” Daedo spoke finally. But then said nothing else.
Morganne laughed. ”No wonder my little brother likes you. You have the same sense of humour!”
”Who are you calling little? I will be taller than you soon,” Barran objected.
”It's not all about brawn Brice,” she responded using his first name.
”Yeah, I know. I have the beauty as well,” he laughed out his reply.
”We have to run, so busy,” she said wiping her forehead with a show of wiping off sweat. ”If you think M1 is bad you should try U1. I just wanted to say hi, and since my brother is so uncouth, we had to come and find you.” Her coterie began to walk away.
But before she got far, she stopped and turned back. She called, ”oh and thanks for making harder for the rest of us Thoth. Now our master expects us to get into the top two at least.”
After his sister disappeared from their cafeteria, Barran said apologetically, ”ah sorry about that.”
”Why are you apologizing for? It's your sister!” Vannier said. ”Of all the people who approach us, she is welcome.”
”Yeah but the whole Daedalus thing. Hey!” Barran suddenly thought to mention something that had been bugging him. ”Gaumont. Don't point out Daedo if someone wants to gawk at Daedalus. It makes me think you were the one who blabbed.”
”What!” Gaumont replied outraged at the accusation.
”It wasn't him,” Mace said.
Everyone turned to look at her. She rarely spoke in group situations, and now there were a few stares her way. They were thinking was it her?
”We named our company Daedalus. That name had worldwide rights attached. It would not be difficult to work it out from there,” Mace explained.
”Especially since they were investigating us,” Axelzero said.
”Yeah, that was around the time of the break-in too,” Picard added.
Gaumont calmed down slightly. ”I never did anything to hurt this squad. I wish you would stop treating me as an outsider,” he said.
”Um,” Vannier said. ”Everyone could you leave Daedo and me alone with Gaumont for a minute.”
Vannier saw an opportunity she had been working towards. The rest of the squad nodded. Barran didn't look happy, but he had not been happy with Gaumont for a long time. The girls would ignore him at worst or were usually polite. Barran could be outright rude.
After the rest of the squad vacated, the trio had the table to themselves. And although it was public cafeteria, it was the most privacy they would usually get.
”Listen,” Gaumont began before Vannier could. She was happy to let him begin. ”I haven't done anything wrong, and I am sick of being treated like I am not part of the squad.”
”Until recently you have avoided all non-compulsory squad activities,” Vannier said quietly. ”I am sorry Gaumont, but you have brought this upon yourself.”
He went red. ”I had my reasons!” He did not make eye contact with either of them.
”I have a solution,” Daedo offered. ”Well actually, the solution is that I do not have a solution.”
”What do you mean?” Vannier was now confused. They were supposed to just get Gaumont coming to the workshop and get him coming to all activities, compulsory or not.
”Well, there is this math problem I need help with. And I think if we work on it together we may be able to succeed where I cannot find the solution by myself.”