Daedalus

by Skully

  The Cadets responded with clear “Yes, Sirs!” in unison. Daedo and Vannier saw no reason to object, the statement was clear.

  “I would like to hear the proposal from the Daedalus group,” the FG stated.

  “It’s just Daedalus,” Daedo replied, and a look of irritation crossed the FG’s face. He did not like being corrected by a cadet. Especially one from M1. The reaction was predictable, but Daedo’s personality could not let a mistake like that go unresolved.

  Vannier cleared her throat and stood, she pulled up a screen with information about competitor mechs and Daedalus predicted metrics from their design.

  “We have been working extremely hard on a new mech design based on our patented technology and recent learnings,” she began.

  “As you can see,” she said indicating the ranking chart, “our conservative prediction places the new Mech design towards the upper echelon of the tier in all four metrics with the exclusion of weaponry.”

  “You can’t win without good weapons,” Commander Reverdin stated the bleeding obvious.

  “This meeting could not wait, our weapons program has just begun,” Daedo stated. “The worst case scenario is we use the best currently available from the open market or the Academy. This would place us last in the grading, but the Mech itself is only second to KAIST.”

  “You expect me to believe a group of M1s have designed a Mech better than the Academy’s and better than Renault Academy for that matter?” Romulus asked incredulously.

  “No,” Vannier stated calmly, “There is no need for belief. There are facts that you can examine and validate yourself.”

  Vannier looked at Daedo who gave her a slight nod. “This Mech has a mobility and armour advantage. It will be utilised for the Vanguard, Liberos and long-range operations. There will be no scout Mechs as the team will use recon drones for this purpose.”

  “One Mech design?” Commander Mallet said, “I guess that is what we get with such time constraints.”

  “If these figures are validated I see no reason to use more than one type of Mech,” Krecke stated and received a nod from Commander Reverdin.

  “I agree,” he said, “What are the loadouts? What weapons are you working on?”

  “There is a prototype PPC and railgun under development as neither are close. It may be halfway through the term before they become available,” Daedo said.

  “This will put pressure on the team,” Commander Reverdin replied, “Can you bring up the data on the currently available weapons and contrast against the competitor study?”

  Vannier nodded. It only took her moments to bring up the data in a table and graph, “The loadouts are unknown for our team and the competitor and this data shows all weapons available for the loadouts. We have an auto-cannon, assault cannon and missile launcher.”

  The main difference between the auto-cannon and the assault cannon was the rate of fire and damage per hit. They had similar damage per second when accuracy was equalised. The auto-cannon was capable of better burst damage, but the assault cannon was more accurate when the mech was in motion. The choice came down to strategy and tactics due to the disadvantages and advantages balancing out.

  “I see,” the FG stated, “Assuming your mech lives up to expectations we are still last with weapons. So in order to guarantee survival we need to improve this area.”

  “We will survive with no new weapons,” Daedo stated. “The mobility and armour of the mech are only slightly behind KAIST, and this is our first iteration as we will be able to improve this design given data and time. What matters most is how the first team utilises the mech’s advantages through strategy and tactical awareness.”

  “Which brings us to the contentious item on the agenda,” Vannier took over seamlessly using the segue Daedo provided.

  “We have formulated a selection method which will bring the best results based on available equipment and skill sets of potential first-team members,” Vannier continued. “We have decided to place Krecke as team leader, and she will select members based on synergy from practice and upcoming opposition. She will also participate as tactician in each match,” Vannier stated.

  “This is ridiculous!” Romulus exclaimed, “No disrespect, but she shouldn’t be on the team.” The participants of the meeting allowed Romulus the floor, it was not unexpected for Vannier and Daedo.

  “The team should be selected with the best cadets, and then, once the team is established the best tactician chosen,” Romulus stated. “This is how we have always done it, and it provides the strongest team.”

  “I disagree,” Daedo said succinctly.

  “The way you have always done it is a terrible argument, especially when the team has been such a long way from success,” Vannier stated. “And what data do you have to back up your claim that that method results in the strongest team?”

  “Our game theory analysis shows that a tactician who is five percent more proficient improves the team's performance by fifteen percent,” Vannier stated.

  “It is the most important position on the team,” she concluded.

  “Can we see this analysis?” Commander Reverdin asked.

  “I don’t doubt it,” Commander Mallet who was used to seeing the work from the M1TS0 squad on a weekly basis.

  Vannier flicked the analysis to all attendees. It was a math project completed by Daedo and Myrmidon earlier in the term.

  “You can read that later,” Vannier said ordering her seniors in both age and rank. “The Gauntlet and Martial combat teams will be headed by Romulus, if he achieves forty-five percent of points each weekend, he will not be replaced.”

  “You’re benching and benchmarking me?” Romulus asked.

  “It’s our analysis that there will be better results if your solo skills are put to use in the secondary events,” Vannier stated.

  Romulus was horrified. He turned his gaze to his Commander and the FG. He received no support as they all remained quiet.

  On the contrary, the LG added, “This is a good plan. The more I hear, the more I like it.”

  “Our predictive analysis shows that if the Middle and Upper school perform to the upper limit of expectations, with no further equipment upgrades, the result will not only guarantee survival, in the second half of the season there is an opportunity to improve and challenge for promotion at the final event,” Vannier stated.

  Krecke was examining the game theory document and the equipment. She had barely even looked up, let alone spoken. “Wow,” she said. “If these numbers are accurate, I have to agree.”

  “That’s good,” Daedo said, “because after we have done our job, it rests on your shoulders.”

  There was both excitement and positivity around the meeting table for the first time in ages. The only despondent person was Romulus, but he had no argument and no support.

  “Last item,” Vannier said.

  “There’s more?” The LG asked, surprised.

  “For the end of term tournament, we would like to request a change,” Vannier said.

  The mood in the room immediately became sceptical. The two commanders and the LG leaned forward.

  “What changes are you proposing?” The LG asked.

  “On the last day of term, we want the middle academy to play off the first team against M1TS0. This way we can focus on our work without having to compete in all the group matches for M3. We want to compete against the best of M3,” she said.

  “And what happens if you win?” Commander Mallet asked.

  “Why would that be a problem?” Vannier riposted.

  “It would be destructive to the morale of the first team, and if you planned to replace them, it might not be the strongest combined team,” Commander Mallet observed. “Not to mention the last match you played against a strong M3 squad you forfeited.”

  “Rest assured commander, we will fight to the death, and if they cannot beat us with the same equipment, they don’t deserve to represent the Academy. We are only M1 cadets after all,�
� Daedo replied.

  Krecke laughed her ass off.

  Chapter 20

  Attendance at Fortescue Military Academy M1 Y:2142

  House Thoth, Squad Leader, Squad Zero

  M1 Rank: 1/1275, Tier 3 M-Rank: Null

  Term: 2, Round: 5

  Daedalus Financial Position <1,650,000> bitcreds

  ◆◆◆

  Picard and Barran were sparring in exos with Matthias and an elite Shu cadet. They were performing drills that Daedo and Siderus had designed, two on two combat, charge downs and lastly, single pair duelling.

  In hindsight, Daedo realised it was a mistake not placing Picard in the vanguard to begin with. In spars she beat Barran more often than not. She was fast, agile and probably the fittest cadet in M1. The only reason Barran ever beat her at all was his sheer unabashed talent for unpredictability. He matched her in speed and agility and was slightly stronger, but Picard practiced longer and harder. If Barran had practiced close to one thousand hours of melee combat in his life, Picard had completed seven thousand.

  But when put up against the cream of M3, it pushed even these two past their limits. It was the best training they could possibly have. Daedo used this selection process and training regime to their fullest advantage. They weren’t practicing against the best squad in M3, they were practicing against the best-combined squad from M3. The M3IAS, which stood for the M3 Inter-Academy Squad.

  During these drills and spars, M1TS0’s weaknesses were highlighted effectively, which only encouraged Daedo to increase the frequency.

  “Had enough?” Matthias asked, triumphant at last.

  Picard shook her head.

  “No, seriously!” Matthias said.

  “Sounds like Matthias has had enough,” Barran accused the older cadet before beginning the drill again.

  “Fark, you kids, have unlimited energy,” Matthias said before raising his shield to meet Picard again.

  Picard didn’t talk much when drilling with M3IAS. She felt that between Matthias and Barran far too many words already made their way into the atmosphere, and she didn’t want to add to the pollution.

  They had fought seventeen times, and Matthias had won seventeen times. He was taller, stronger and had focused on becoming a death dealer at close range his entire time at the Academy. But, on the eighteenth time, whether he was tired, sloppy or she was improving, Picard turned the tables.

  Picard hammered him with a shield bash and followed through with an overhead strike. Before he could recover, she had already spun, kicking his centre of gravity with all her might and momentum. When he fell to the ground, after the powerful, yet accurate connection, she did not hesitate. She flew at him with her swordlance raised, lunging and impaling his chest. The AR adjudicator ruled him dead upon impact and halted the blow before it injured Matthias too badly.

  There were many bouts that Matthias had won by a close margin, but never so one-sided as this occasion when the tables had been turned.

  He got up, and although he was smiling, no one could see, his faceplate was obscuring any facial expression. To his credit, he didn’t make any excuses, he just said, “Damn, woman, why are you so angry?”

  The observation made Barran laugh as he fought with the elite Shu cade. Laughing did not distract Barran, but the photon blade wielder was the best in M3 and even Barran had trouble keeping up with his incredible speed and reflexes.

  “She’s always angry,” Barran observed as he twisted to dodge an incoming swordlance. Daedo had forced the change in loadout from photon blades to swordlances. The photon blades were too easy to nullify with a simple particle shield, and they chewed more juice than jumpjets.

  Meanwhile, Daedo, Mace and Axel-Zero were laying traps for Siderus and his crew of liberos. Siderus rightly believed that if they could navigate through Daedo’s wily tactical defence, they could make it through anyone’s.

  Daedo and Mace would camouflage the kamikaze recon drones, lie them in wait, and detonate as an unsuspecting M3IAS member crept or ran past. Or they would corral Siderus’ team into a tertiary ambush while they were busy escaping a secondary attack on the back of a primary engagement.

  The scenarios were set up to make it difficult for Siderus and his team. On purpose, each drill gave Daedo, Mace and Axel-Zero time to set up with Kang following Mace every step of the way, learning at the shoulder from the diminutive purveyor of espionage.

  Daedo: Ready! which was the signal for Siderus’ crew to attempt the gauntlet style drill once more.

  So far they died each time horribly, but their awareness and reactions were improving. It was also good practice for Daedo and his team. They drilled setting up the ambush, with drones and themselves, quickly and covertly.

  A recon drone flew straight at Siderus who was with one of his squad, he began to overthink the situation, and instead of taking it down he was looking for the second, third and possibly fourth wave of attack. Not one to miss an opportunity, Mace flew the drone directly into Siderus and detonated.

  Siderus: Dammit!

  He survived, but the drone halved his and his squad mates effective armour rating as far as the AR adjudicator was concerned. Daedo and Axel-Zero had them pinpointed, and while the drone was exploding, they launched grenades onto Siderus’ position and behind, effectively blocking his retreat unless he wanted to sustain more damage.

  He charged forward only to be caught in a crossfire of railguns between Mace and Kang. Siderus went down while his offsider was pummelled with grenades before he could retreat. He had escaped the crossfire situation only to die by frag. It was a typical Daedo tactic - damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

  Siderus: Okay! How were we supposed to avoid that? He asked, not waiting for the remaining two M3 cadets to finish.

  Daedo: One moment.....

  A minute later the last two M3 cadets in Siderus’ libero outfit were down.

  The session clock countdown was almost at zero, so the two leaders called an end to the session. They moved outside and began the debriefing a few minutes early.

  The group of eight liberos collected together for an analysis of the scenario, with Myrmidon’s help, Daedo brought up an overhead map, showing the movements in top-down 2D.

  “The crossfire trap isn’t something you can avoid, you just have to deal with it if you haven’t scouted the area with recon drones. But the first drone should have been taken down immediately,” Daedo began.

  “Yeah, but last time we did that, you used the time to spring an ambush on us,” Siderus replied.

  “The goal is to avoid damage, and the secondary goal would be to avoid detection. This is a drill, but in reality, you can avoid all these situations with recon drones and by taking the initiative,” Daedo stated.

  “The drone, if you don’t eliminate it, is guaranteed to damage you, but you are correct there are times where taking the damage is the best option. But there is no scenario where you would opt to take the damage if you didn’t have a more known important objective,” Daedo finished.

  “So, unless there is an obvious option to take, take down the drone, just don’t think!” Siderus paraphrased.

  Daedo simply said, “That’s the prepared response.”

  Siderus nodded, “Okay, I’ll make sure everyone knows it. Don’t all these prepared responses make us predictable?” He went on to ask.

  “Yes, you will need to adjust some as matches progress to avoid this dilemma. But you will still have a prepared response, it will just be with a different option. This enables quick action or reaction, thinking takes too much time,” Daedo said.

  “Thanks. Aren’t you making it harder for yourself by training with us like this?” Siderus asked coyly.

  “If you think our end goal is to represent the Academy, then yes, but we are on the same team when it comes to avoiding relegation and competing for promotion. This is our main priority. And training with your M3IA squad is great for us, which is all we would want from Inter-Academy matches,” Daedo responded.


  “I still can’t believe you’ll make four-mill creds if Fortescue is promoted. Do we get a cut?” Siderus asked.

  “Do you want to deposit the same share of the two million for demotion insurance?” Daedo asked.

  “If I had the funds, I would say yes, 'cos I think we’re a safe bet now,” Siderus stated. “While we’re on this topic, why don’t you join the first team as the tactician? This would free me up, and I could always act as a backup in case you went down.”

  Daedo had thought about this question last week, with the change in direction, it made sense for M1TS0 to reverse their stance of all or nothing when it came to representation, but this was one of the very few times that Daedo made an emotional determination rather than a logical one. It was similar to when he played CyberMech and was a perennial lone wolf.

  “My calculations show, with the new three-point-two exo, tactics training and your team’s skill levels, you have a sixty percent chance of finishing top two with no further improvements. And a thirty percent chance of finishing first. The actual result will come down to your performance and strategic decision making on each given match day,” Daedo answered.

  “So that’s a no?” Siderus qualified.

  “Unless you stuff up, it’s a no. But you still have to beat us on the last day of term, if you don’t, we will represent the Academy in the first round,” Daedo said seriously.

  Siderus laughed, “You are basically training us so we can beat you easily.”

  “You might be good, but don’t get ahead of yourself,” Kang said angrily. She was always competitive even if the odds were not in her favour.

  Siderus held his palms out in surrender. He didn’t want the foul-mouthed Korean munchkin angry at him.

  “Okay, enough banter, we have work to do,” Daedo said. And they resumed the drill review in earnest.