56 M1 - Term: 1, Round: 5 End (2/2)
”And we are going to create a new structure for R and D,” Daedo said changing the subject. ”Gaumont is leaving to squad one. We need to assess where we are at with current projects, create the specialist fields list and reassignment to those fields.”
”Wait. Gaumont is gone?” Ikaros asked incredulously.
”To be squad leader of squad one,” Mace supplied.
While they ate and for the next hour the small team of four went through Daedo's list, added deleted and refined. It had to be a list of specialties that seven cadets and the two of them could manage. It also had to try and cover all the specialties involved with Mech and Mech armament development. Anything to do with an exo would have to come from these fields, and there was nothing that was needed for exo development that wasn't needed for a Mech.
Daedo pulled up the main board with the org chart. The subcategories were found in the second and third layers of the chart.
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Design and Construct Mech Main Categories
Mech Engineering – Structural and mechanical design. The overall bringing together of the finished product; balancing power, weight, defence, operational ability and mobility.
Power Engineering – reactors and power storage for mechs, exos and vehicles.
Metallurgy – Analysis and creation of materials fit for purpose in other fields.
Mechanic – construct and maintain infrastructure and equipment.
Chemical Engineering – Research into advanced polymers, fluids and gases. Research and develop fit for purpose munitions.
Propulsion Specialist – research into propulsion for mechs, exos, missiles and vehicles.
Electronics and Coding specialist – communication methods, sensors, sensor data sorting and interface. Electronic Warfare; Including dampeners, hacking, interference and shielding from external EW attacks.
Physics and Quantum Physics – Pure research into areas such as Plasma, Fields and Gravity.
Drones – Research into warfare and sensory drones. Combines inputs from propulsion, sensors, communications and munitions.
Melee weapons – development and improvement of melee weapon loadouts.
Ranged weapons – development and improvement of ranged weapon loadouts.
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”Some of these areas feed off the pure science from a supporting specialist such as drone specialist relies heavily on propulsion and chemical engineering,” Daedo said.
”Isn't that speciality light. For example, Coding and Electronics have a massive scope, where Drones is quite small,” Ikaros observed.
”I altered these with the eventual responsible person in mind. We only have two areas from the main section where we don't have a specialist,” Mace answered.
”Let's look at the assigned list. What we have,” Cisse asked.
”Ok, bear in mind, this list is affected by the person's capability and other roles needed for Daedalus,” Daedo qualified.
Mech Engineering, Daedo
Power Engineering, Cisse
Metallurgy, <need specialist>
Mechanic, Ikaros
Chemical Engineering, Mace
Propulsion, <need specialist>
Electronic/Code, Myrmidon
Quantum Physics, Physics, Daedo
Drones, Axelzero
Melee Weapons, Picard
Ranged Weapons, Vannier
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Fascinated, Cisse asked, ”your AI is going to hold down one of the largest fields?”
”He is more than capable. Myrmidon has been coordinating squad comms and is quickly mastering data sorting and presentation. The electronics will need work, but he is perfectly suited for this role,” Daedo supplied an answer.
”He also doesn't have to study ten subjects or sleep much,” Mace added.
Daedo shook his head, ”he does his fair share of studying.”
”What are the other roles?” Cisse asked interested in the overall operations of Daedalus.
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Ancillary
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.Medical, <need specialist>
.Xeno Biology, <need specialist>
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Mundane
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.Communications, Vannier
.Security, Barran
.Business Manager, Barran
.Finance Manager , <need specialist>
.Logistics, Picard
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”You want Barran to be Business Manager?” Mace asked it was her turn to be astounded.
”He is perfect for the role,” Daedo answered.
”Barran doesn't have any science roles,” Ikaros pointed out, ”Is that ok?”
”He will have his hands full,” Daedo replied. ”In order to do what we need to, what we want to we are going to need bitcreds. A tonne of bitcreds. He will be responsible for bringing them in. And of course, someone else will be responsible for what goes out. Someone more risk-averse.”
”Much more,” Mace added with a worried look on her face.
”How are we going to fill the vacant areas?” Cisse asked.
”Master Nader said to provide this list, and she will look for someone to fill the need,” Daedo replied.
Ikaros whistled. ”A thirteen-year-old cadet with a penchant for metallurgy who loves rockets?”
”Exactly!” Daedo answered smiling broadly.
”And is a great shot, an acrobat who can fight with a bo staff,” Mace added.
Daedo waved his hand in dismissal, ”those skills can be learned.”
Cisse scoffed.
Daedo looked at Mace, ”Time for a run?”
She nodded. They donned their helmets, put on Picard's cruel weights and ran down the river.
”So. I guess I am handing over drones to Axelzero,” Mace said as the settled down into a steady gait.
”Yeah. Sorry,” Daedo replied.
”I understand,” Mace said.
”Chemical Engineering is crucial and its something we need our best person on,” Daedo said truthfully.
”Second best,” Mace corrected.
Daedo made a guttural sound which illustrated his disagreement with the statement.
”I am guessing that my first project is to develop the hydraulic fluid or the polymer fibre we are using in the weave?” Mace enquired.
”Both. Pick one,” Daedo replied.
”You don't make things easy,” Mace retorted with a snort.
”Do you want to take Myrmidons role?” Daedo teased.
”No!” Mace yelled over the comms.
”You're still six minutes quicker than me over the obstacle course,” Daedo changed the subject as they ran up a small incline.
”Keep training like this, and you'll catch up,” Mace said before adding, ”while you were playing CyberMech my tutor had me completing circuits every day.”
”What's it like. Having a tutor?” Daedo asked.
”Much easier than being in your squad,” Mace answered with a chuckle.
Daedo tried a flying kick near Mace, who merely put on more pace to make him look like a dunce.
”I wasn't going to hit you,” he cried as he got up from the ground.
”Don't waste your breath and catch up pipsqueak,” Mace taunted.
”You are like one centimetre taller!” Daedo exclaimed.
After fifty minutes they circled back to the workshop. They had sat around all day watching matches or were standing at ceremonies. The pair opted for a much longer run than normal. They were used to four PT sessions a day.
”What's the plan for the rest of the night?” Mace asked.
”I'm going to program in six new radical exo designs for testing, then go to bed or take a look at old dawg,” Daedo replied. ”and you?”
”Write a report for Axelzero I guess,” she said, ”I'd like to help clean up old dawg this week.”
”Ok deal. We'll start on our new projects and play mech mechanic with old dawg in our downtime,” Daedo said happily.
”In between, I'll kick your ass with a bo staff,” Mace giggled. She must have felt more at ease now it was just the two of them, she rarely giggled at the Academy.
”Sounds like term one never ended,” Daedo sadly said.
”Oh no, this is a term two beating!” Mace laughed at her declaration.