39 M1 - Term: 1, Round: 4 (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: 4
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It was round four, and Thoth squad zero had increased their stranglehold on the M1 rankings. They now had four cadets in the top ten. Mace had moved from rank three to rank two. Vannier had moved to rank four. This gave the squad three cadets out of the top four, in M1, with only Karine Fortescue breaking in at rank three.
Barran had improved his Gauntlet scores tremendously when he was able to use the version two heavy. He moved up from the overall rank of twenty-two in round one to nine in round three. It was not only the Gauntlet, but he was also inspired to do well in his Academic subjects. His overall rank reflected his high achievements in physical and combat which were not impacted by his academic results due to his improvement in this area.
With Picard at rank eleven, Axelzero at rank fourteen and Gaumont jumping from rank thirty-five down to rank nineteen the entire squad were all in the top twenty cadets of M1.
It was 0550, and the squad walked as a group to the obstacle course. Daedo in the lead with Vannier on his shoulder, with her orange hair and height, it would be easy to overlook Daedo. Behind the pair were Mace and Picard, followed by Gaumont and Axelzero with Barran bringing up the rear.
The tallest cadet took his role of security seriously and always took the rear position when they walked as a squad.
As always they wore their black bodysuits with helmets either donned or attached to their upper back. Daedo's shoulders were all white, due to his rank, the fact he was the squad leader and his accomplishments. A large white zero was on the right side of his chest denoting his squad while a number one was on the left, denoting his rank in House Thoth.
The white contrasted with his olive complexion and dark hair as well as the whites of his clear eyes. Vannier in comparison was pale as if she never got any sun or was well protected if she did.
They were quiet. There was no banter or chatter. It had been a demanding weekend, and the fourth round had just begun. They would begin again on the obstacle course and the Gauntlet. While they took these sessions seriously, this was not their main concern. It was only three weeks before the tournament during the last week of the term. All their efforts were directed at improving their performance in the Arena. Armour, weapons, tactics and individual skills were being improved daily and weekly.
Thoth squad four watched as they passed, their banter turned suddenly silent.
”Don't they send a shiver up your spine,” one squad four cadets whispered to another who nodded.
”They act more like U3 cadets than M1, hell if we didn't know I would have guessed they were M3 if not for their height and insignia,” the squad leader said.
Their mentor was with them, she was a Thoth U1 cadet, and even she felt a little intimidated. ”We are glad to have them, but in a way, they are making it harder for all of us,” she said, and her cadets stared at her questioningly.
”Everyone viewed Thoth as easy beats. Future engineers and someone they would lean on for equipment modifications. But in seven weeks this squad has changed all that, and not only in M1,” she informed them.
The Thoth fourth squad leader asked, ”how could they change something that has been ingrained for years in seven weeks?”
Their mentor brought up the rankings on her arm holodisplay. It projected up into the air above her forearm and was larger than a standard helmet. ”You can't argue with rankings,” she said.
As Thoth squad zero disappeared up the corridor, they relaxed.
Senna who was rank one hundred and twenty-two said, ”we are squad four, yet the gap between them and us is huge. Did you know Daedo solved the first Math problem in the first week?”
”I can't even work out what the Math problems are asking, let alone solve them,” his squad leader said.
”Do we have to fight them in the tournament?” Senna asked their mentor.
She shook her head, ”only if your House Master needs a match to separate two squads in the Tournament tiers. I will eat a giant pickle if Master Nader asks you to compete against squad zero.”
Master Nader sent a message summoning Daedo and Vannier, not to her quarters, but topside at Commander Mallet's offices. When they arrived, she met them outside.
”Follow,” Master Nader ordered. She didn't let them know what was happening which was frustrating Vannier, but Daedo took it in his stride. He speculated it was one of her strategies to test their ability to deal with anxiety by purposely placing them in a situation in which it would build.
Daedo tapped Vannier's hand, she was extremely tense. Without speaking, he motioned that she take a deep breath. She nodded, smiled at him and followed his advice.
As they entered the foyer on the outside of the Commander's main office Master Nader indicated a couple of chairs, ”wait here until called,” she ordered, and she proceeded into a large meeting room.
Daedo could see it was filled with Masters from M1, M2 and M3. More arrived walked past the pair and entered the meeting room. There were five houses, Horus, Shu, Amun-Ra, Osiris and Thoth. Each had a Master for M1, M2 and M3. The room total was fifteen House Masters, Commander Mallet and his assistant.
The meeting got underway without much sound escaping the large room Daedo and Vannier were at a loss as to the purpose of the meeting. Let alone the purpose of them sitting in the foyer, they were the only cadets present.
After thirty minutes the noise level rose suddenly. Sounds of protest and surprise escaping the room. They could hear one Master's booming laughter. Another minute passed, and Master Nader left the room. She indicated Daedo and Vannier should enter.
As they entered Daedo could see his squad's results on a large holodisplay. Their scores in the Gauntlet, obstacle course and even the test results of their exos, which informed the AR simulator, were all displayed.
The Commander was standing, where most Masters were sitting around a large oval table.
”Master Nader has proposed entering your squad into the M3 tournament,” he announced.
Daedo considered it would have been nice if Master Nader asked first, but he didn't have an issue.
”This is irregular, but there are no rules against it. It is not unheard of for a talented U2 or M2 squads to go up a level and compete. Are you prepared for this?” The Commander asked.
Daedo did not look at Master Nader, he knew that would be a sign of weakness he merely answered in the positive, ”yes Sir.”
”They will have to prove themselves against Thoth M3 squad zero and one first,” the Thoth M3 Master announced. One of the Osiris Masters laughed bringing a frown to the Thoth Master's countenance.
The Commander nodded.
”Why are they even here?” the Horus M2 Master enquired rudely. This was something which could have been decided and Thoth squad zero informed later.
”Because Master Hamile, Master Nader correctly assumed I would want to gauge the cadet's response personally before allowing this irregularity,” Commander Mallet replied and gave the Horus Master a cold stare which conveyed his displeasure at the inappropriate interruption.
”Very well, the schedule will accommodate Thoth squad zero to compete in both the M3 and the M1 tournament,” the Commander announced and directed his statement to his assistant. ”Dismissed,” he directed at Daedo and Vannier.
The pair left and made their way back to their quarters deciding that if Master Nader wanted them to wait she would have sent them instructions.
”You didn't even hesitate,” Vannier said.
”There was no reason to. We have nothing to lose,” Daedo replied.