61 M1 - Term: 1 to 2 - Break (2/2)

”Mr Kang it is not my business to tell you how to run yours, but you are taking risks by not patenting technology and could be missing out on opportunities,” Vannier replied.

Kang Lee began to understand how these cadets ran a successful business without their parents. Daedo might not know how to make a deal, but the group had many talents besides their leader who's actual talent was unknown, but they all seemed to defer to him.

”What do you suggest?” Mr Kang asked finally allowing Vannier to take the lead of the meeting just a few minutes in. But he would not give away his assets. These people were extremely wealthy, looking at one of the family's homes in Munich. They could afford to pay a lot for So-Ra's intellectual property. And if it could be patented and had worldwide implications, then it was worth hundreds of thousands of creds. No millions.

”Let us speak plainly,” Barran took over seamlessly, and Vannier did not flinch as if they had planned this. ”We want So-Ra to come work for Daedalus and are willing to offer shares in Daedalus to bring her onboard. We see the value of her developments and can realise them. We can take care of patents, selling and incorporating into other products like exos, weapons and mechs to showcase the technology. As it stands, we are not sure if the composite infringes on an already established patent. But Daedo thinks that even if this is the case, she has the capability of pushing her research further. Especially given the resources and facilities we can provide.”

Mr Kang nearly fell off his seat. He was not expecting an offer like this. After recovering himself, he asked, ”what is the current value of shares that you are offering to So-Ra?” He was not selfishly greedy, he did not mind if it was So-Ra that was mega wealthy or himself. She would share enough with him to live in luxury or pursue his dreams of winning the pro league.

It was Vannier's turn to look nervous, and before Barran could answer with an inaccurate overinflated number, she stated, ”approximately one thousand bitcreds.”

”No no,” Mr Kang replied, ”this is no good. Those are rookie numbers.” He looked at the parents in askance and received neither eye contact nor a word in reply.

There was a moment of awkward silence. And Mr Kang returned to his polite self.

”Cadets, Daedalus, it is not for my daughter to give her discoveries to you for a small fraction of their value,” He said earnestly.

”Mr Kang,” Barran interrupted, ”you do not understand. We have many inventions which have much larger potential than the composite metals...”

Daedo shook his head slowly, and Vannier placed a hand on Barran's shoulder to quiet him. It was not that Daedo was worried about giving information away, it was more to do with spoken promises were worthless. They would have to prove to Mr Kang the value of Daedalus. Or seek a talent like So-Ra someplace else.

”What if So-Ra were to attend the Academy?” Daedo asked, and it was the first time that So-Ra seemed interested in what was being said.

Mr Kang nodded slowly, ”this is something more like I expected to discuss. I would wish for So-Ra to attend the Academy as part of a deal we make.”

Barran jumped on the opening, ”Ok. So we get So-Ra into the Academy,” brushing over the enormity of what he was saying. The annual cost was in excess of 2,000 bitcreds, and that was before purchasing bodysuits, military-grade cybernetics and upgrading exos. ”And she will be able to see first hand what Daedalus has, the potential and the growth. She reports back to you, and we make a deal towards the end of term two.”

”Mr Barran, please slow down. Not so fast. Let us consider and perhaps visit you in the near future. Where is your company based?” Mr Kang asked. And he was shown where Fortescue Military Academy was located as well as the Nanterre workshop.

”Thank you. I cannot imagine getting accepted into a tier three Academy is easy or inexpensive. How can you offer this with no strings attached?” Mr Kang asked carefully thinking there were strings. The devil was in the detail.

Vannier put her hand on Barran's shoulder again, restraining him. ”You are correct sir, it is not a small thing. It may be possible but would require investigation from yourself and So-Ra if that is what you wanted.”

She did not mention it was highly unlikely for them to pull it off, but that would have to wait for another day now that Barran had opened this can of worms. If she shut down the viability of entering the Academy now, they would be saying goodbye to So-Ra Kang. And Daedo or Master Nader would have to look for another metallurgist. Vannier thought for a moment, 'Crap; Master Nader.' Without opening her mouth, she said the words to herself.

”We have one week before the next tournament, and I wanted to give Daedalus the opportunity to come on board as a sponsor tonight,” Mr Kang continued. ”Are you in a position to do so?”

”What would sponsorship involve?” Axelzero asked.

”Major sponsor is one thousand bitcreds for each tournament or ten thousand for a season of twelve,” Mr Kang replied.

Daedo bowed his head slightly and not because of the creds which were tight in any case. Axelzero caught the motion and continued, ”Daedalus has many innovations to market and if we were to sponsor it would have to be a Mech built by us, with our technology.”

”And expertly piloted,” Daedo added savagely. Although his tone was polite, the words hurt Mr Kang's feelings. So-Ra laughed her face brightening, in contrast to, her Father's pained expression.

Kang Lee sighed sadly. ”I suppose it was not to be Daedalus.” He stood and bowed. ”Thank you for your time and consideration.” The cadets stood as he did and returned his bow. The younger cadets bowed deeper than their elder as was the custom.

Mr Kang looked from the well behaved disciplined cadets to his own rambunctious daughter. He would love for her to learn discipline, but due to her nature, she probably would not survive in such an environment as these children were accustomed.

After the Kang's left, it was just cadets and family who remained.

”That went well,” Barran announced for which he received stares of astonishment at his denial of facts ability.

”You have to be joking,” Axelzero replied.

”I don't know if So-Ra could handle the Academy,” Picard observed, ”she has had a carefree existence up until now.”

”I handle it just fine, and I did whatever I liked before,” Daedo mentioned.

”You aren't normal Daedo,” Vannier stated.

”Neither is she,” Daedo replied, ”Dead Beat was leagues above any other Mech out there, and it came down to her innovations in one single area.”

No one wanted to argue with Daedo, but it was clear no one agreed with him when it came to So-Ra handling the Academy.

”What do we do now?” Barran asked.

”Just what we had planned,” Mace answered. ”We submit the list to Master Nader, and she finds us a seventh who has potential with the vacant specialisations.”

”Mace is right, she is taking on Chemical Engineering, and I know she will succeed because she is smart. We don't have to find an extremely talented Metallurgist, we only need to find someone smart enough to learn, focus and specialise.” Daedo summarised.

Mace beamed under the praise, and her mother noticed, to her credit she showed no outward signs of noticing her daughters change in demeanour at the compliment.

”Before we go our separate ways for the rest of the break there is something important we need to discuss,” Daedo announced. Picard, Barran and Mace were coming back to the Workshop where Axelzero and Vannier had to spend time with their families for the remainder of the break. Vannier was leaving in a few hours, where Axelzero would see the rest off tomorrow; the Monday morning.

”Are you sure, in front of?” Vannier asked indicating Sabrine Axel and Mace's parents.

”They are citizens of Earth just as much as anyone,” Daedo stated frankly.

”Oh!?” Gabe Mace said excitedly sensing gossip. ”What is this important discussion about?”

”The spiral, the ship and Master Nader,” Daedo stated flatly.