54 M1 - Term: 1, Round: 5 (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: 5
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The debriefing at 1830 went as expected. The behavioural tutes and Vanniers experience advised Daedo to begin with positives, what the squad did well and finish with areas that they needed to work on in practice and their next match.
A short discussion on loadouts and opponent analysis took place. The plans for meeting the M3 Shu squad who had purchased their exos were outlined. The speed advantage that M1TS0 usually had would be nullified for the first time. The nature of exos enhancing a cadet's own speed and strength would mean M3SS0 probably had the advantage due to their ability and age.
”Next item,” Vannier continued. She had a meeting agenda set, mimicking the practice Morganne Barran displayed.
”There will be some changes to personnel next Term,” Vannier continued. Gaumont shifted nervously in his seat, he was dreading this announcement and had kept the news to himself. Vannier looked at Gaumont and nodded.
He cleared his throat, ”next term I will be going to Squad one.” Gaumont said submissively.
”And,” Vannier added.
”Gaumont will be taking over as squad leader of M1TS1 and implementing our practices,” Daedo stated. ”Master Nader informed us she had planned this from the start.”
”So who is replacing him?” Barran asked, ignoring Gaumont totally.
”We will be worse off without you,” Axelzero said consoling Gaumont. While Vannier glared at Barran.
”This isn't as a demotion for Gaumont. It is a challenge and a promotion. Imagine if squad one makes the semis next term? They would have no chance without him,” Vannier added.
”Woah,” Barran finally gave Gaumont some recognition, ”that is a tall order. If you can pull that off.”
”We don't know who is replacing him or who is leaving squad one to make space. What we do know is that the replacement is not coming from squad one,” Vannier stated. ”Gaumont will go there as an elite. A leader to improve them. That cannot happen if Xavier or someone else was promoted.”
”Master Nader asked me to provide a list,” Daedo mentioned, ”of the key skills needed to design and manufacture Mecha and its armaments. Who is assigned to which area and what specialty we are missing. Which leads us to believe she probably already knows and has someone to fill the gap.”
”If not,” Vannier continued, ”she will find someone capable. All we know at this time is we don't know, and they are not in Thoth squad one.”
”Last item,” Vannier announced. ”End of the first week of the break, Daedo, Mace and Axelzero are attending the Amateur Mecha League tournament in Munich. Everyone is invited to attend, Daedalus is paying for travel and accommodation.”
”We are going to the expo too,” Mace added.
”And no, Barran,” Vannier said before he could ask, ”since Daedalus is paying Axelzero will pick the accommodation and mode of travel. If you don't like them, you can upgrade yourself.”
”We may be able to stay at my Aunt's place,” Axelzero offered.
”Most places will be booked by now,” Barran said, ”you better contact her and find out.”
”Everyone find out if you can attend and message Axelzero by Friday afternoon,” Vannier instructed. She then looked at Daedo who shook his head. ”Ok, we're done,” she finished.
Mace: okay you have a lot of explaining to do.
As the cadets of Thoth squad zero rested, showered, ran off steam or caught up on last-minute assignments, Mace messaged Daedo. She had been patient on a few things she wanted to drill him on.
Daedo: let's go topside for a run.
They donned their helmets and went for a long run through the parks and trails above the Academy.
With a multitude of military sensors active and AIs assisting they could run in pitch black darkness. With their helmets on, they could also use voice comms to eliminate the chance of being overhead through proximity.
”Where to start,” Daedo breathed.
”We should slow down,” Mace said, ”you probably have a lot of talking to do.”
”Ok,” Daedo replied. ”How about you ask questions to get us started.”
”I watched the capture you sent me of the conversation with Horus. And then the capture of the conversation with Master Nader. What's missing is what you were thinking,” Mace began.
”That we are going to be invaded, by something, I don't know what yet. I guess it's been kept a secret to stop everyone panicking. But its obvious some of the Chief's know and Master Nader knows. Probably that Colonel as well. And higher-ups in corporations, because they have Militaries and are building the spiral. The governments know, that's why they have these large standing forces and are funding the spiral as well. That's what I know as far as evidence and who is in on the conspiracy.” Daedo said.
”I know my Father has no idea, and I very much doubt Cisse does either. The reason I said those things to Fortescue was to see if she knew. And it was obvious that she and her friends have no idea,” Daedo said.
”Okay,” Mace said, and they ran while she thought.
”Let's move aside what we know and stop worrying about. There is nothing we can do. We aren't going to prevent an Alien invasion or tell the world about it,” Mace stated, ”no one would believe us. Hell, Horus did not take you seriously at all. Imagine what adults would think.”
”So,” Mace breathed as they turned a corner and began to run past the palace of Versaille.
Myrmidon: we could spread the story on the net. There is a lot of misinformation that meatheads think is true.
”That's brilliant,” Daedo said suddenly.
”What?” Mace asked. Myrmidon had not sent her the message although he had access to her hud.
”Myrmidon said we could spread rumours on the net. And we could do it anonymously. If no one believed them, so be it,” Daedo said excitedly.
”He could probably make thousands of posts under different names,” Mace said thinking out loud.
”Hmm, we'd have to be careful. The anti-bot laws are severe,” Daedo said.
”People still do it all the time,” Mace replied, ”ok next. Other than telling the world about the impending doom. What else are we doing? Because there is no point moping and worrying,” Mace said sternly.
Daedo laughed, ”my thoughts exactly. We are going to do three things.” He said before running up the stairs and putting himself out of breath. At the top, he stopped he created his alien invasion todo list.
*Daedo: One. Develop our exo, mecha and armaments.*
*Daedo: Two. Make tonnes of creds and spend them. Funding our RnD, manufacturing and expansion.*
*Daedo: Three. Develop our combat skills and tactics.*
”So in other words, what we were already doing,” Mace said.
”Yes,” he laughed, ”but with a different perspective.”
”Are we going to recruit others?” Mace asked.
”Slowly,” Daedo answered, ”and I think some will come to us.”
”How does Master Nader fit into everything?” Mace asked.
”She…,” Daedo thought about their Master and finally concluded, ”I think we can rely on her.”
It was their fourth time standing at attention in the corral of the topside exo arena. Except for today, they were facing M3 Shu zero. They had barely beaten M3SS1 who did not possess the Thoth exo.
*Daedo: what is the best strategy when you want to keep all your squad alive, and the enemy has you outgunned and outmaneuvered?*
*Myrmidon: run away?*
*Daedo: yes. But that might be worse than death.*
Daedo had prepared a strategy ready, the conversation with Myrmidon was just to relax his nerves. The only way to make up the difference was to outthink Siderus. It was true, Shu had better weapons. Their Military grade railguns were better. They used photon blades, which suited their style. While the damage was not out of this world, they more than made up for it with speed and skill. They had recon drones that could explode. And ion blasters on their hips. Daedo was thankful they didn't have grapplers. But with the reactor he had delivered to them, their jumpjets could run for forty-five seconds every five minutes.
Thoth had shields and grapplers. There was a mixture of swordlances and grenade launchers. Five of the squad had the one-handed railgun, which would be used similarly to a shotgun at medium to close range. Two had the long barrel, which was for long range sniping and cover fire.
Daedo, Mace, Axelzero; shield, grappler, grenade launcher, 1h railgun
Vannier; shield, grappler, grenade launcher, LR railgun
Picard; shield, grappler, swordlance, LR railgun
Barran, Gaumont; shield, grappler, swordlance, 1h railgun
In Barran terms, Daedo would give his left nut for an enhanced swordlance and shield right now. But that would have to wait for next term. And Drones. Shu had drones.
The Drones were basically mobile traps, but with sensors. They were not fast, nor mobile, but if he had the ability to move traps around and have them spy it would be ten times more effective than the traps they currently carried.
The terrain was a mystery and would be until the match began. M1tso prayed for something that was grappler friendly. A city or mountains would serve nicely.
With a quick wave wishing Thoth luck, Shu moved to the Northern end.
*Barran: why can't the other houses be like Shu?*
Everyone laughed. It was true, Shu always displayed sportsmanship and were friendly. Where Osiris, Horus and Amun-Ra had more than their fair share of pretentious twats. There were exceptions, and M3 cadets seemed to be much more level-headed than M1.
*Daedo: no one dies.*
*Axelzero: Because this afternoon we fight again.*
Laughter ensued. The squad was in high spirits.
Five, Four, Three, Amber, Green.
The shimmering wall disappeared, and the map was revealed. It was a desert.
”Fuck!” Barran shouted what Daedo felt.
It was undulating, but nothing the grapplers could hook onto. Unless there was a single palm tree at an oasis and it counted.
Daedo walked out onto the sand. The real sky was accommodating the scene, there was not a cloud in sight.
*Daedo: Run to the first hill and dig the base of our shields into the sand.*