81 M1 - Term: 2, Round: 3 (2/2)
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It was Sunday evening, and the squad returned to the Academy for round three.
”They will take you seriously now,” Barran said. ”You beat them twice in the Gauntlet, and now Mace is in the top ten as well.” He was discussing the M3 cadets who formed the house captains committee. Daedo had a meeting with them in an hour to discuss the selection process and practice regime for the term three and four Inter-Academy league.
Picard and Barran had done well in the first Gauntlet in which melee specialists excelled. Mace had turned the tables in the second Gauntlet which was back to tactics and mobility talented cadets becoming dominant.
It showed the depth of talent in their squad when thirty squads in total had their exo they were still able to dominate M1. Not to mention place four cadets in the top thirty, relative to M3 scores, with two in the top ten.
”Where is Kang?” Daedo asked. There was a squad meeting scheduled which needed to start immediately so he could make the M3 house captains meeting.
”I'll get her,” Picard said sternly. Kang should have known by now that punctuality was imperative with Daedulas and squad matters.
Picard stood outside Kang's room and yelled in a language Kang would understand, ”Kang get your fucking arse out here now!” With the multitude of different comm systems available to the cadets, this was totally unnecessary, but it made Picard, who was Kang's designated babysitter, feel better.
The door opened, and Kang appeared rubbing sleep from her eyes. ”Sorry, trying to perfect the powernap.” She stated honestly. They had a tough and full weekend, and a new round was about to begin. Kang had the distinct disadvantage of having to work twice as hard on all her Academy subjects just to catch up.
Picard pulled her roughly towards the table, pushing her into a seat.
Vannier looked on in empathy, ”Sorry Kang. I know you are working hard, maybe we should have excused you from this meeting.”
”Too friggin late now isn't it,” Kang replied grumpily. She was working on her potty mouth, especially when on Academy grounds. She had made an agreement with Picard to substitute fuckin with friggin which she was able to pull off most of the time now.
”We'll make this quick,” Daedo stated.
Vannier took charge of the meeting, ”We are now past the halfway point of the term, and we have decided to spend this round working on our weak areas at the expense of a few squad activities.” She waited for this to sink in and pulled up the squad schedule.
”We will pull the Physical Training circuit at ten-thirty, and we are going to skip the M1 Thoth combined Piloting and Gunnery classes on Monday and Tuesday. The tactics review after Arena combat training will be shortened to thirty minutes.”
”This will make add eight hours to everyone's schedule which they can assign to the following areas,” Vannier stated before moving to individual lists.
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Kang – Academic progress, AI nurturing
Mace – Chem Eng projects, AI nurturing
Daedo – Exo design, AI tutoring
Barran – Business deals, AI nurturing
Axelzero – Finance, Drones, AI nurturing
Picard – Melee weapon development, AI nurturing
Vannier – Ranged weapon development, AI nurturing
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The squad made adjustments to their personal schedules and booked in AI sessions with Daedo and Myrmidon.
The main reason for the change was to free up Kang's time so she could catch up on her academics and once that was achieved they could return to the group activities or institute new ones. Her performance with Physical Training, Gunnery and piloting was progressing with the training regimes in place, including the weekend activities.
”Will there be any repercussions from missing the Chief's sessions for Piloting and Gunnery?” Axelzero asked.
Vannier shook her head, ”I checked today with the regs and Master Nader.”
”Okay, is that it?” Barran asked.
”No,” Daedo said. ”We need to discuss and agree on our position with the Inter-Academy league selection process.”
The squad then discussed the agenda points from tonights upcoming House captain meeting. Daedo did not want to dictate how he approached a few key items. He wanted an agreement reached by the entire squad which would inform his position at the meeting.
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Kalman was the M3TS0 squad leader and therefore Thoth Middle Academy House Captain. By round three he had not been replaced by Daedo despite efforts of some of the other house captains.
Thoth now had two representatives at the meetings, and ironically it was Daedo who defended Kalman the most because it was his view was it was none of Amun-Ra, Shu, Horus or Osiris' business who was the House captain for Thoth. That was a Thoth matter.
On this point, he had won a vote and then had it excluded from further votes due to ineligibility of the body to make this decision.
This fact did not protect Daedo from Kalman's ire who greeted him in the corridor outside of the M3 cafeteria. ”Greetings my lord,” Kalman said with his tone dripping with sarcasm.
”House Captain Kalman,” Daedo deferentially saluted and greeted his senior from M3 in a professional manner.
Kalman shook his head, ”Don't play games with me. I can see through all of your manipulations.”
Daedo kept walking. ”You give me too much credit. I wouldn't know how to manipulate you.” A thought came to Daedo's mind which he didn't voice. He didn't have red hair and boobs, so he wasn't qualified to manipulate Kalman.
”Your smirk says otherwise. Lack of control much?” Kalman accused as they approached the table.
”It was a smile, and I apologise for smiling in your presence because there is nothing amusing about you, ” Daedo said sick of his senior's poor attitude.
At the table sat Matthias who was talking to a member of his squad. Siderus, St Claire and Deimos were in the cafeteria approaching the designated table.
Matthias looked up and said, ”Ah if it isn't Thoth best and brightest,” to Daedo. He didn't really care if Daedo lived or died, but he loved sticking it to Kalman. And in that vein, he turned to look at Kalman, ”Oh you're still coming to these?”
”Eat a turd Matthias,” Kalman bristled.
Daedo had to wonder why Kalman thought he was manipulative and then allowed Matthias to do exactly that. Matthias was ensuring Kalman did not vote with Daedo, he didn't want a Thoth block to form. By praising one and insulting the other, he drove a wedge between the two. It was classic divide and conquer, and Kalman was oblivious.
”Keep it civil can we?” Siderus asked before taking his seat.
Matthias nodded, ”Yes. Please, Kalman, keep your language civil. There are ladies present.” Matthias hit both of Kalman's weaknesses; Daedo and Deimos, in seconds after his arrival. Daedo knew that this was not simple teasing. Matthias was almost an instructor when it came to manipulation, Daedo learned from the older cadet every meeting.
**Myrmidon: this meatheads sledging is impressive.**
Daedo: Yes, he may look like a brute, but he is as good as Vannier with people. Although his approach is the polar opposite of hers. He uses anger and other strong emotions to manipulate. We can learn a lot from him.
**Myrmidon: I am taking notes, but that part is lost on me. I can only see AAA sledging.**
Siderus began, ”We are all here. I am assuming chair unless there are any objections.”
”Not this week,” Matthias responded, unwilling to relinquish the chair for the entire term. ”But I think we should rotate the chair from now on. Can we vote on that?”
Siderus sighed. ”No need to vote. I think it is a good proposal unless anyone disagrees?” He looked around the table and received silence in response.
”First item,” Siderus began. ”We need to decide on the squad for the first round of the league.”