64 M1 - Term: 2, Round: 1 (2/2)
”We will need free time from 1245 to 1715 to focus on academics and in my case a power nap,” Daedo added.
”So 1715 last meal for the day,” Vannier slotted the group activity in. The squad was lightyears more organised than term one. They knew what to expect and how to structure the group and individual time slots. This allowed cadets to work on martial combat together at a pre-arranged time, eat all meals together which doubled as discussion and general information sharing. In the first term they planned three group activities, in term two there were ten.
”We can slot in AI tutor at 1800 now we moved Gauntlet to 2230,” Daedo said.
Vannier slotted in Arena at 2015 with Tactical meeting immediately after at 2100. ”I think that about covers it,” Vannier said looking at the schedule.
”Ok, we can program in our individual coursework priorities around this, any issues?” Daedo asked.
”All good,” Barran said. Picard and Axelzero agreed.
”What about you Mace?” Daedo asked she had been quiet since they got back to the Academy.
”Oh, it's fine. I am just working out when I can work on chem eng, it's not even a subject until U1,” Mace replied.
Daedo did a quick calculation, ”I'm able to squeeze in twenty-one hours of R and D into this schedule.”
”Really?” Mace said, ”hmm.” She quickly mapped out her schedule. ”So you are spending what? Seven and half hours total on Math and Physics for the week?”
”That's an excellent estimate, spot on,” Daedo replied.
”Only you can get away with that, I will have to work a little harder,” Mace stated.
”I am sure you best will be good enough Mace,” Daedo said.
She looked at him seriously, ”Okay,” and then said accusingly, ”but you don't make it easy with the example you set.”
”What now?” Barran asked, ”last term they opened the obstacle course early on the Sunday.”
”Go ahead,” Daedo agreed with the suggestion, ”Vannier and I need to see Master Nader about the vacancy, among other things, at 1900.”
”Oh yeah,” Barran said, ”I barely noticed we are down to six. Good luck with that.” Barran waved as he headed off. Picard and Axelzero followed which a quick mock salute, Mace turned to look back when she stood in the exit to the main corridor from the quarter's common room.
”Go go,” Daedo said before looking back to Vannier and nodding. It was almost 1900 they made their way to Master Nader's door and waited.
Within moments the door slip open.
”Enter cadets,” Master Nader said in her robotic sounding voice.
Daedo and Vannier stood at attention in the centre of Nader's office. She walked from behind her desk which immediately slipped through the floor. The walls and floor were blank at the moment.
Master Nader stood in front of the two cadets, she was over 1800mm tall, making Daedo and Vannier feel smaller the closer she got.
”I trust your break was productive,” She began before pausing and pulling up the specialisation report on the wall to her left.
”Not too many surprises,” She said tonelessly, ”Mace is possibly a good choice for Chemical Engineering. It was either that or put her onto Metals and Composites.” She scrolled down.
”I see you expanded the scope to include the business part of Daedalus,” Master Nader observed frankly. She hadn't asked a direct question, so Daedo remained quiet. He was a firm believer less was more when Nader was involved.
”I have one query,” Master Nader concluded her summary with a question, ”Did you expect to find the metallurgist and propulsion expert in one package?”
”Assuming you mean a cadet or person as a package. No, not necessarily. We have filled vacancies with Cisse and Ikaros thus establishing that some vacancies can be filled with direct employees who are not cadets. The specialisations we need are listed. How we fill them is yet to be determined,” Daedo replied.
Vannier looked at Daedo for a moment. The wording of his reply was rather contemptuous. Especially when you consider the recipient. Vannier had a feeling that Daedo's feelings had changed towards Master Nader. His demeanour was not respectful or fearful, it was challenging.
”Cadet Daedo, this term will be demanding. You will see a marked difference in the Gauntlet, and the end of term tournament will determine positions for the Inter-Academy league which starts in term three. Not to mention political interference. There is even a possibility of an honour council trial. You and your squad will need to improve and dominate to sustain your momentum,” Master Nader warned.
”The main reason for the increased difficulty levels is that I have petitioned and succeeded in having the Gauntlet and Obstacle course synced across all three M levels. You will be completing the same Gauntlet as the M3 and M2 cadets. Your scores, although only graded across M1 can be directly compared to M3. The reason I have done this is to facilitate your selection in the Inter-Academy league. It is possible you could compete in term three in the team of eight representing Fortescue Military Academy. In the arena, the gauntlet event or both.”
”In regards to the needed specialisations, I anticipated the three areas of need and have someone who can fulfil chemical engineering and propulsion. You would need to reallocate Mace to metallurgy,” Master Nader stated.
”Cadet?” Daedo enquired stunned at having to change Mace already. It was not something he wanted to do.
Master Nader nodded, ”A cadet from Cambridge Military Academy.”
Daedo was surprised. ”You are able to grab a cadet from a tier two academy, convince them to move here and have this accepted by Fortescue as well?”
”Yes.” Master Nader replied evenly.
”Can I interview the cadet? Get to know them?” Daedo asked.
Master Nader was quiet for a full minute. It seemed like an hour.
”Cadet Daedo. I have an extensive database of every candidate on the planet. My experience and data analysis have led to the identification of the ideal recruit for your squad.” Master Nader said evenly.
Daedo just stood at attention and said nothing.
Master Nader returned the silence.
Vannier felt like running from the room or talking to break the silence, but she could do neither.
Master Nader finally relented and spoke, ”I approve of your command initiative Cadet Daedo. You will be able to meet the recruit tomorrow when they enter the Academy. You will be able to spend the week with them because they will be in your squad. You can submit your assessment of their suitability at 1700 on Friday.”
Daedo didn't ask what was the point of doing the report when Master Nader had already identified the need and sourced a recruit. It was a leadership exercise that she had set and although Master Nader had authority over Thoth and all its squads. She had no authority over Daedalus.
”Cadet, in line with our new working relationship I have been candid with you. I think you will find the prospective new member of squad zero will measure up to your high standards. Do you have any questions?” Master Nader said this was her version of sweet talking. It was approximately one billion light-years from Barran's version.
Daedo considered bringing up the outcome of the previous Sunday's night dinner and the realisation that all proof of an imminent alien invasion was proof which related to the actions of humans. If those humans were misguided or misinformed, then it was no proof at all. In his judgement, this important distinction while somewhat comforting made no difference to their actions and preparation. If mankind was mistaken, the only thing lost would be effort and creds. If mankind was not mistaken and Daedalus did not do everything in their power to fully prepare the repercussions were far greater. In Daedo's mind, it did not matter if the information was baseless.
The only thing that had changed was his blindly following Master Nader. He would take responsibility for his perceptions.
”None at this stage Master Nader,” Daedo replied.
.
.
The term two obstacle course made the five from term one look like a cake walk. The design now included travelators, pendulums and even artificial opponents who tried to knock a cadet off the course. The robots would push, trip and chase a cadet. Daedo came out battered and bruised from his first attempt, reaching for the magic spray as soon as he finished.
Daedo spat, ”fifty-five, forty-nine. How bad is it?” He asked Mace who finished well before him. He was considering not wearing weights for the next attempt.
”Not bad, it's early, but you are in the ten percent. See what it looks like at the end of the day,” Mace replied as she looked up the full chart.
”What are the other times?” Daedo asked.
Barran 44:19 (refuses to use weights they cramp his style)
Picard 49:45 (15-kilo weights)
Mace 49:35 (10-kilo weights)
Vannier and Axelzero yet to finish.
After Daedo finished with the magic spray, he handed it to Vannier who just crossed the finish.
”Thank you, Master Nader,” Vannier breathed out a curse.
”I can't wait to see the Gauntlet,” Daedo responded to Vannier's anguished self-pitying statement.
After collecting herself, Vannier stood, ”I guess its time to meet the new recruit.”