88 M1: Term 2, Round 4 (2/2)

”Seriously Daedo? They make your food now?” Barran was incredulous. ”Can I have…”

”No,” Vannier said emphatically cutting Barran off.

Daedo entered Master Nader's office, after flicking her the vid from the Commander the door slid open as he approached.

”Cadet,” Master Nader greeted him. ”Accompany me. We will turn this into a learning opportunity.”

Master Nader opened her secret door to the back-of-house part of the Academy. No one saw her leave or arrive, the cadets had always speculated she had some sort of secret passageway. It was either that, or she teleported.

Master Nader: if the commander tries to exclude me from the meeting what will you do?

Daedo: simple. I will walk if he doesn't allow you to participate.

Master Nader: very good cadet. You are already more competent than many of my superiors in this Academy.

Daedo had a wry smile at the last phrase 'in this Academy'. They weren't really her superiors, this was just a cover.

Master Nader: control your expressions Cadet. Non-verbal cues account for eighty percent of in-person communications.

Daedo knew Master Nader was correct but couldn't help thinking that she cheated wearing her helmet all the time.

The Commander's office was abuzz with activity with Fortescue personnel everywhere.

”Do you have an appointment?” An older lady asked as Master Nader and Daedo approached the Commander's foyer.

Master Nader ignored the women and kept walking. Daedo wanted to smile at the lady but was practising schooling his expression. Once they entered the foyer, there was hardly room to move.

”Excuse me!” The lady shrilled. ”I asked you a question.”

”You did,” Master Nader replied while she leaned over and buzzed the Commander's desk using his PA's station. The Personal Assistant herself was nowhere to be seen.

”What do you think you are doing?” The woman was becoming more agitated by the second.

”Buzzing the Commander he requested to see this cadet as soon as possible,” Master Nader replied.

Master Nader: message the commander using your comms. Tell him you are in the foyer.

Daedo put on his helmet and used the reply link in the Commander's message.

Daedo: Commander, I am in the foyer, fifty Fortescue employees are blocking your door.

Commander Mallet: wait there I will come and get you.

It took over ten minutes for the Commander to exit his office to come and collect Daedo and as soon as he saw Master Nader an angry look crossed his face and Daedo could only assume that she was a major thorn in his side. It did not surprise him in the least if the Commander butt heads with her he would only end up with a sore head.

Master Nader: you're smiling again. Either plaster that same smile to your face or show no emotion. Your facial features should not show any change.

Daedo had to respect Master Nader's camera control and spatial awareness. He was standing next to her, yet she was fully aware of every nuance.

”This way,” The commander did not greet them warmly. He walked out of his offices like he was in retreat from his own fortress and took them up two levels. After passing through another gamut of Fortescue employees, they found themselves in the FG's meeting room.

Daedo looked around, present were Master Orlov, The FG, Commander Mallet and another woman with Fortescue on her chest.

He waited beside Master Nader and wondered if the Commander had planned to bring him into a meeting with all these people and if so, how shameless was he?

”Sit,” Commander Mallet ordered pointing at a couple of chairs.

”Ah, let me introduce myself Daedo. I am Yasmin Fortescue,” the tall, good-looking lady said. Her words were dripping with honey, and Daedo's hackles were immediately raised. He even sensed Master Nader straightening her back. He then imagined Master Nader standing pulling a blaster from somewhere and shooting them all. Daedo shook his head and brought himself back to reality.

They knew his name, Daedo saw no sense in saying anything, so he remained quiet.

”Cadet,” Yasmin continued, ”Your record is impressive. And we want to do everything in our power to help you as you are a great addition to this Academy, in fact, I do not believe we have another cadet with as much promise as you. Do we Commander?”

She turned to Commander Mallet, and on cue, he replied, ”No Yasmin. This cadet has exceptional potential we are all very excited for his future.”

Rather cordial, Daedo surmised. Commander Mallet called one of the most powerful people in the Fortescue Group by her first name. Daedo had not been asked a direct question, so he remained quiet.

”If you know anything of the incident now is the time to tell us, Cadet. It would help us immensely, and we would be grateful,” Yasmin stated staring at him with her kind eyes.

Daedo considered his answer for a moment before speaking, ”At 1644 on Saturday evening I saw a ticker announcing breaking news while watching the pro league match between Dead Beat and Kick Start. Dead Beat is sponsored by Daedalus,” he added for no reason, maybe he just wanted to push their buttons a little.

”When I viewed the news item I was most distressed…,” Daedo continued before he was interrupted.

”Daedo,” Yasmin said kindly, and she walked around the table getting closer to him. ”We know all about the public events. Is there anything else you can report on?”

Master Nader: well done so far. Tell them nothing. If you can think of something witty that will anger them use it.

Daedo couldn't think of anything witty, so he sat there in silence.

Yasmin stared at him kindly, she nodded and smiled.

Daedo sat mute. He had nothing to report so he would report nothing.

Yasmin turned to look at the Commander who had a blank look on his face, and she turned back to Daedo. Still smiling she moved her hand in a fashion that indicated he should come forth.

Daedo was quite comfortable sitting in silence. He began to consider the conversation with Myrmidon regarding the rogue AI, Dex. He probably should meet the rogue AI in VR and have a serious conversation regarding responsibility and the fact he was now registered to Daedo he would have to review the ground rules that he had set to ensure they were being followed and there was no chance of departure.

”Cadet!” Commander Mallet bawled.

Daedo was still silent, and Yasmin broke her facade for a moment looking at the Commander in disgust. He had broken the awkward silence. And since the Commander had not asked a direct question which required an answer Daedo continued to remain silent.

Master Nader: well-done Cadet. Take care now, I will take over when the interrogation turns.

Daedo began to speculate on Master Nader's words that Myrmidon delivered directly into his mind. Master Nader was alluding to something, and the use of the word interrogation was no accident. Which meant Fortescue and the Commander knew something. It only took him a few moments to work out, they knew he was in the Library because of the pass system. He should have asked Master Nader to wipe the records. It was an oversight on his part.

Daedo: Master, can you wipe the library pass and entry records?

Master Nader: too late cadet.

Daedo: Did you realise? Why didn't you wipe the records when I came to you on Thursday night?

Master Nader: you would have learned nothing.

Daedo: But we're in deep now!

Master Nader: these amateurs are not a problem. Do not concern yourself, you have done nothing wrong.

Yasmin finally broke her silence after the Commander had ruined the tension to no effect.

”Cadet Daedo the Commander has something he wants you to see,” Yasmin announced.

Commander Mallet pulled up logs and a security vid of Daedo's squad entering and exiting the Library.

”So, you see Cadet. We know you were there and you have lost your opportunity to come clean. We can only assume that since you didn't admit to being in the Library on Thursday with your squad that you are working against the best interested of the Academy,” Yasmin stated.

”Now, can you please tell us what happened during your time in the Library on Thursday and leave nothing out,” Yasmin questioned.

Daedo began to recite the projects and tasks he was working on and his entire squad. He talked for fifteen minutes detailing progress and the fact there were secluded in a study room without leaving.

”Cadet,” Commander Mallet growled, ”We know you recorded a confidential meeting.”

”What confidential meeting?” Daedo asked he was now waiting for Master Nader to take over. She hadn't so he continued on as he would if she wasn't there. He trusted her judgment in, what was similar to the interrogation by Chief Cleo when she tested his AI bandwidth. Except this was on a much grander scale. Master Nader was formidable when it came to debate and argument techniques, he had learned a lot from her in a short time.

Yasmin stalled the Commander who was about to fall for Daedo's ploy. Daedo considered it a pity, it would have been a coup to manipulate the commander.

”Daedo this is your last chance. I have interceded on your behalf stalling the Academy from conducting an honour hearing. If you do not comply, I will be forced to allow them to continue. Please tell us everything,” Yasmin spoke as if she was his best friend. He almost vomited.

Master Nader: do it. Call her bluff.

”I would welcome an honour hearing with my peers,” Daedo announced and was rewarded with guffaws of disgust from the Commander and the LG who had been silent the entire meeting. Master Orlov was an enigma, Daedo had no idea what his purpose was.

”Cadet, if you continue to be obstinate I will no longer be able to help you,” Yasmin declared.

”If you wanted to help Cadet Daedo he would not be here at this meeting,” Master Nader observed. ”It is not his fault that this Academy is inept and corrupt. All I have seen is proof that M1 Thoth squad zero were in the library. This proves nothing, what you should be doing is coming clean to the media, sacrificing a few heads,” She said and pointed at Commander Mallet, ”And explain the steps you are taking to ensure this never happens again.”

”How dare…,” Commander Mallet began before he was interrupted by Yasmin with a hand.

”We want to know what was sent to the media, and we want the original recording destroyed. Give this to us, and we will forget this ever happened. Do not, and you will have made enemies of not only everyone in this room, but everyone in Fortescue, ” Yasmin demeanour totally changed into something akin to a vicious snake.

Master Nader stood and summoned Daedo with a wave of her hand, ”If we had such a recording, that has you so worried, perhaps you should leave us be and that recording will remain sealed.”

Master Nader began walking towards the door. No one spoke or moved with the exception of Daedo who followed her.

At the last moment, she turned and faced the room before exiting, ”Oh. I noticed seventeen feeble attempts to break my security in the last two days. One more attempt and all my sensitive data may end up with the media and The Templar's legal office.”

Daedo wished they could see Master Nader smile at that moment, it would have been truly beautiful to him and terrifying to them.