57 M1 - Term: 1 to 2 - Break (2/2)
”Let's have our Daedalus meeting,” Vannier suggested. The squad had planned to see the expo on Saturday after another day of Mech arena combat, but they also wanted to catch-up on Daedalus and squad business before and or after dinner on the first day.
An auto was ordered, and in moments a hovercar arrived to pick them up, in Munich they were always less than a minute away. The on holiday cadets in their black and red Daedalus bodysuits jumped into hovercar which scooted off to Axelzero's aunties place.
Daedo knew Axelzero was well off, but he had never been in a home as large as her Aunty's. She was also a member of Axel Corp, holding down a board seat and as she put it making sure idiots didn't ruin the company. In fact, she wasn't Axelzero's aunty, she was her great aunty, Axelzero just referred to her as aunty Sabine.
The home had wings, four of them and Aunty Sabine made only one off-limits to the cadets. She was also very strict, insisting they go to bed at 23:00 and shower before. Dinner was at 1800 sharp, and she expected them to wash before dinner. The girls were sleeping in one wing, while Daedo and Barran another. Daedo wasn't sure if Axelzero's Aunty understood they lived together for ten weeks with no incidents of misbehaviour, why did she expect one now.
”Just bear with her. She is old,” Axelzero pleaded. ”She is really nice. Really.” She continued to beg the squad not to judge her Aunty badly.
”We're fine,” Daedo reassured her.
”My grandmother is the same,” Vannier mentioned.
”I thought Master Nader was strict,” Barran implied Aunty Sabine was worse.
”In her day, everything was run to the minute. Dinner at 1800 means just that, not 1801 not around 1800,” Axelzero warned gently.
”We can just order a meal from a local bot-kitchen,” Barran suggested. ”A bot could fly a meal in through a window, she wouldn't even know.”
”She would know you weren't at dinner!” Axelzero reprimanded him.
”I don't know what the fuss is about. We work to a schedule at the Academy,” Vannier came to Axelzero's support.
”But it's break!” Barran explained in exasperation.
Daedo was leaning back and must have had a small smile on his face.
”What are you laughing at?” Barran accused Daedo.
”Nothing. I just thought you have learned by now,” Daedo retorted.
”Learned what?” Barran queried.
”Exactly,” Picard said loudly laughing at Barran's expression.
”Not to question or argue with…” Daedo answered and indicated the girls.
”Oh, my little dark genius, rest assured,” Barran said ominously, ”I will never learn that!”
Everyone broke out in laughter. While Barran protested, it was not a joke.
With three wings and the main hall to choose from it was not hard to find a room which sufficed for a Daedalus and squad meeting. The room they ended up choosing was called a sitting room and was similar to the ancient décor in the topside Academy staff offices. The squad was able to lounge about in luxury with a central display they surrounded.
”First item,” Vannier announced. She had gone through the list with Daedo over comms the previous day. The squad could have easily conducted this meeting in a virtual room, at any place or time, but now as good a time as any and they were together.
”Specialties and role allocation,” Vannier stated and brought up the two charts. Daedo had written a role description for each specialty, so there was no doubt what the role pertained. It was an excellent tip from Cisse which prompted him.
”As you can see each role has a description and subcategories,” Vannier stated.
”Are these negotiable?” Picard asked coyly.
”Yes,” Daedo said.
”Daedo has put a lot of thought and research into these responsibilities,” Vannier added.
”Oh, I am fine. I just wasn't sure,” Picard added.
”There is a lot of responsibility for a couple of people and not much for others,” Axelzero noticed. ”I am not complaining, I am worried that it might be too much for some people.”
”It's weighted to strengths,” Daedo stated. ”For instance. Melee weapons are extremely important, and this included developing anything from shields to sword lances, to photon blades. Picard only has this category plus logistics. Which is not a small amount of work. Picard fulfils a role training everyone in Physical and melee combat as well. It's better she has only this one area to focus and excel. If anything, she has too much, like all of us.”
”Axelzero, you have drones. It's a major area where we have a deficiency, and as we saw in our match against M3 Shu squad zero, it really hurt us. Having your focus on this area should see quicker results than if you were spread,” Daedo stated.
”I can't help but feel I have less because I am not as smart as Mace or Vannier and especially you,” Axelzero said sadly.
”That may be,” Daedo said harshly, ”but I still expect to have the best damn drones in Tier three.”
Vannier felt bad, ”Axelzero, that didn't come out the right way. We all have strengths, and you are way above the average cadet in all areas. It's not a failure to not be a genius in physics. Picard and I have one specific area to focus on just like you,” Vannier said.
”Picard has logistics, Vannier you have Communications which you both are already doing. I will work harder, I want to take on Finance,” Axelzero said seriously.
”Are you sure?” Daedo asked, ”that's a lot of study you will need to do to learn the area. Also, that person is responsible for keeping Barran in check.”
”I can do it,” Axelzero said assertively. Daedo and Mace had discussed and considered asking Axelzero to take on Finance because of the role she had already played in relation to getting Daedalus created in the first place. In the end they thought it was too much, however now she was insisting on taking it on.
Daedo looked her in the eyes, Axelzero had a determined look he had seen on occasion. She never failed when she had this look.
”Ok. I am convinced, you are Finance Manager, with all that entails,” Daedo stated. ”Ensure you hire experts to assist, you are the manager, but you don't have to do everything.”
”I understand,” Axelzero said seriously.
Barran raised his hand sheepishly.
”Ah, I am not complaining. Far from it. I don't have a sciency thing,” Barran observed.
”Because you have the unenviable task of making us a billion bitcreds,” Daedo said seriously. ”Before today, I had worked out we will need a mountain of creds to do everything we need to over the next six years. The more, the better. The more you make, the more we will spend on facilities, R and D, equipment, vehicles and materials.”
”Barran,” Daedo said slowly in a soft but sincere voice, ”This is a critical role. Other than our security, your own training and performance, I want you to do nothing other than making Daedalus a billion bitcreds. Enough bitcreds to buy a docking port on the spiral. Enough bitcreds to build an R and D and manufacturing plant one hundred times the size of our current workshop. And fill that plant with materials and machines.”
Daedo had the ability to stun the squad and had achieved it once again.
”How do I do that?” Barran said.
”Just sell the stuff he invents,” Mace said matter of factly while pointing to Daedo.
”Oh,” Barran brightened, ”That's easy!”
”How do we fill the empty slots?” Picard asked.
”Master Nader asked for me to update this list and assign specialties. She implied that with Gaumont taking over squad one she will bring someone in to fill these roles,” Daedo stated.
”Where from?” Axelzero, Picard and Barran asked.
Daedo shrugged. ”Your guess is as good as mine.