Chapter 149

The Daedalus Academy

Y: 2143 – 4 weeks until Southern Europe regional inter-academy first round.

Daedalus Financial Position: 15M bitcreds 

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Getting ready for regional - Specialists had been recruited for most of the tech projects with only Daedo and Mace continuing to work hard on R&D themselves

Tech – mechs, discussion direction problems

Calming down of tension – international (snip of daily life)

Axel-Zero perused the latest financials. She had two specialists working for her as well as her own self-taught AI. The specialists were more knowledgeable than her, but it was still her role to ensure everything was kept on track despite Daedo’s constant disruptions with his latest pet project.

Her own AI, Medici, was progressing at a fast pace and she relied on it more and more each day to manage the Daedalus finances.

She sighed. They now had billions of bitcreds worth of assets thanks to Daedo’s latest deal with Svarski and DaVinci. They were inundated with new operations including mines, automated factories and agribio facilities. And these assets were primarily run by millions of bots of all descriptions.

Now she and her team had to contend with a flow of millions of bitcreds in and out of their fledging company. They didn’t have the systems or financial facilities to handle the sudden influx. This problem was compounded by the repurposing plan and the eventual implosion of the international economy.

Axel-Zero leaned back on her bunk and exhaled slowly. AS the worlds richest people and corporations fled the world would experience an unprecedented economic upheaval. But even this paled in comparison to what was to follow. The alien invasion would destroy the world as they knew it. It would literally be Armageddon.

Suddenly her problems of the day didn’t seem so large.

Feeling the stress fall from her shoulders she stood and walked to her door. The others were dealing with the massive problems and all she had to do was manage finances while they did. Even if she made a mess, in the end it mattered little.

“Axel-Zero,” Vannier said as she passed in a way of greeting. She was moving up the corridor with her squad following. “Do you have time to sit in on the regional meeting?” Vannier asked.

Axel-Zero checked her calendar. Vannier had set a meeting to present the strategy for the inter-academy tournament. It was surreal when she considering what they had been through in the last six months.

She sent Vannier a message that she would attend as the tall auburn-haired girl was already out of ear shot. Axel-zero made her way to the great hall. This type of meeting could have been easily held in VR or sent as a presentation. But Daedalus used old school gatherings for matters that influenced morale. It was Vannier’s doing. Daedo would be happy just sending a missive with instructions.

Her own squad, which was Daedo’s really, welcomed her. Morton, Jia, Kozlov and the others.

Morton asked her in a hushed tone, “Can you give us the inside goss?”

Axel-Zero smiled conspiratorially and shook her head. In truth she had no idea. She looked around the great hall. It was as safe as gathering place as any. It was two kilometres below the surface and the entire base was shielded with both composite materials and a variety of electronic measures; from sonic pulses to localised ionic shielding.

The bench seats curved around the hall following its semi-circular shape. The programmable room adapted to the size of the audience and whether the were gathered in groups or focused on the stage. She was in the lowest section, closest to the front. Where the squads led by C2s were arranged behind as the rows stepped up in height. Typical of an Academy they were assigned seating based on overall ranking. Daedo was a cheat therefore his squad was stacked with the elite across all disciplines including mental strength.

Vannier appeared at the lectern with a twenty-metre-high curved screen behind her. It would show images and diagrams as she spoke and was managed by her AI.

“Welcome, we are here to present the inter-academy plan for 2143. It is a year we must gain promotion from regional into Tier 3 and as you all know this is not an easy task. Our technological advantage can be nullified by poor performance and this is what we must guard against.

“There are several reasons that success in this competition is important. The first is gaining experience through diverse competition. We must also show the world our strength in technology and fighting capability. And for this reason, we will not be selecting a permanent exo squad nor breaking up your squads to compete as a combined unit. The squad who performed the best during the two weeks prior to competition will compete.”

A momentary surprised silence was the only response to Vannier’s announcement. Behind her a ranking board appeared showing squads’ performance across all disciplines. Unsurprisingly Daedo’s squad was leading and surprisingly Barran’s squad of misfits was second. 

Vannier continued, “If there was a competition this weekend these cadets would feature in the gauntlet and the squads fighting in the arena would be as follows.”

Images and designations appeared on the screen. The arena combat would be fought by two different squads. The enemy would not get a chance to pin down tactics and capability due to the full rotation. 

“Send queries,” Vannier opened up for digital questions - her AI would filter and combining common questions.

Load out selection appeared behind her with many questions regarding choice and decision making. “Each squad is free to select their own load out from the Daedalus approved list of equipment.”

The header appeared referring to the upper competition. “Cadets can earn promotion to the upper level of competition. Right now; you need to focus on the exo competition, and you will be informed if you qualify for mech training and practice. Selection is based purely on performance and progress across all disciplines.”

The screen merely showed leaders, but it was referring to questions regarding participation of the old squad zero cadets who now made up the leadership of Daedalus. “The initial upper competition squad will be former squad zero members plus one other to fill out the eight. We won’t be participating in the exo competition, and this is where the Sentinel squad will be used to fill out any shortfalls in numbers.”

Axel-Zero looked towards Jia, Morton and the others. They were Daedo’s squad. The Sentinels. This squad had both her and Daedo as members which brought their regular cadets’ number down to six, but they were the elite. Their exclusion as a squad must have been a Daedo decision. It made sense because they could fill in for any squad, and some of them would surely be the first to progress to piloting mechs.

Axel-Zero could feel the excited vibe of the room. It had been a tough couple of months since the attacks from Huawei and increased security protocols. They took a morale hit, not only from the unanswered assault but the feeling that one of the big three companies in the world was their direct enemy. Communications to the outside world were cut off for a full thirty days.

But now things were settling down and the young Daedalus academy was looking forward.

Morton leaned over and interrupted her thoughts, “What do I have to do to become a mech pilot?”

Axel-Zero shrugged, “Just get to top rank in exo piloting, gunnery and the gauntlet.”

He looked sceptical as if there was a secret formula, he was missing that Axel-Zero was privy too.

Axel-Zero peered back, “Haven’t you figured out how things work around here?”

It was Morton’s turn to shrug. He looked to Jia and then back to Axel-Zero.

Axel-Zero nodded in understanding. “You better work harder. Because there are no favours and any shortcuts you have to make yourself.”

Master Haddad took to the dais and the audience hushed immediately. The departing Vannier – Captain O3 - bowed slightly to the Head of the Daedalus Academy who’s official ranking was Master O5 and only one level below Daedo.

“Safety and security have been the focus since day one of your journey here in the Daedalus Academy. And we will be at our most vulnerable during inter-academy matches,” Master Haddad paused for a moment allowing the message to sink in. “Even if you are not part of the thirty strong squad you will be attending as a spectator and as covert security. Live ammunition will be authorised.”

Before he continued there was a unanimous sharp intake of breath from the audience. “You have been training for this.” He added with confidence. “You are the best cadets on the planet.” He paused again for affect. “Up until the first round; drills will be held daily, and your schedules have been updated accordingly. It is my opinion that security will be a more difficult task than winning the inter-academy and we will treat it with the highest priority.”

Every cadet new that Huawei had not stopped testing them. Numerous and varied attempts to infiltrate the Academy had been made. And although they were fought off with competence it did not change the fact they were under pressure and Huawei were looking for a weakness.

The previous morale high was brought low by Master Haddad - Axel-Zero could not help but feel a little disappointed. She peered across the bench, checking each of the faces from her squad. They all possessed determined looks, with their gazes locked on Master Haddad. It brought a smile to her face. Their morale wasn’t dented in the slightest, they appeared galvanised by the master’s call to action.

The cadets filed from the great hall in an orderly fashion. Other than Barran’s squad of delinquents there was little chatter.

Chica, one of the oldest and largest cadets in the academy could be heard clear across the hall declaring that Huawei were dead meat if they tried anything.

Axel-Zero felt like informing Chica that Huawei attacked them daily through various financial mechanisms. Her team spent half their time guarding against or reacting to the 150-year-old corporation’s machinations. Perhaps the rambunctious girl, sorry woman; Chica was twenty-one, could get them to stop. And that was in her area, Axel-Zero was sure that it was a multi-faceted attack. After most of the cadets had withdrawn, she stood to make her way out and noticed that her squad had waited for her to move before they did.

“You didn’t have to wait for me,” Axel-Zero stated.

Morton shrugged. “I was re-reading my philosophy text notes waiting for the mass to filter.”

Jia nodded politely and asked hesitantly, “Senior, do you have a moment to talk?”

Axel-Zero nodded in reply.

Jia looked to her side at the rest of the squad, “In private?”

Axel-Zero nodded again and said, “Follow me.”

Axel-Zero led the way to her private quarters which doubled as her office. Once the door was closed, she indicated a seat to Jia and asked, “What’s on your mind?”

“Sir,” Jia began.

“I’m not your squad leader or commanding officer Jia. I’m not even a member of the Daedalus Military so I insist you call me Axel-Zero for the hundredth time.”

Jia titled her head to the side slightly, it was an elegant move the tall talented cadet possessed a cat-like grace. “You just admitted that you can’t order me not to call you sir. Sir.” 

“Then please do not out of respect for me as a person,” Axel-Zero appealed to Jia’s compassion.

“That’s not logical Sir. I call you sir as a sign of respect.”

Axel-Zero sighed, clearly agitated with the constant argument in how Daedo’s squad addressed and treated her. “Get to the point Cadet Jia. You are stalling.”

“Guilty,” Jia replied before she took a deep breath. “I’m worried,” she said after holding the breath for too long.

“Hmm,” Axel-Zero said nodding and remembering her training.

Jia had taken the same training by now and knew that Axel-Zero was encouraging her to elaborate. “It’s …” she uncharacteristically stammered. “I’m worried about Huawei and I’m worried that Daedo doesn’t trust me anymore since the incident.”

Axel-Zero waived away her worry about Huawei and asked, “Why would you think Daedo doubts you? Has he acted differently towards you?” Axel-Zero knew that trust was not part of Daedo’s vocabulary. He calculated everything including other’s behaviour and if he had calculated that Jia was a risk he would have acted accordingly. Unless of course he was laying a trap for Huawei through her. Axel-Zero caught herself before her brain melted while trying to follow Daedo’s possible thought processes.

Jia shook her head, “No. He treats me the same.” She took another deep breath as if she was holding it most of the time. “But that’s the problem. He didn’t interrogate me, nor did he declare me cleared of wrong doing or suspicion. He just moved on as if nothing happened.”

Axel-Zero gave a comforting smile. “Jia, he has more on his mind than your feelings. If he thought you were a traitor - you would know - or you wouldn’t, and he was laying a trap for Huawei through you. Either way. If you are not a traitor, you have nothing to fear.”

A rare sign of weakness from Jia showed as a tear slipped from her right eye. “I know. I know these things in my head but it’s hard to convince myself.”

“Like all of us you are human, and you are young. Very young,” Axel-Zero said almost in self-reflection. “We share a burden, that no one should,  and we are only fourteen! Think about it Jia. What does it matter?” She waved her hand in a large arc. “Huawei isn’t our main concern - they are just an annoying insect. We need to focus on becoming stronger. We need training and weapons to combat the real enemy is an enigma. Even my financial problems, which are in the millions of bitcreds, are a sideshow.”

The look of angst left Jia’s face and was replaced by determination. “I’m sorry,” She said simply. “I sound like a cry baby, concerned with myself when there is so much work to be done.”

Axel-Zero laughed conciliatorily. “Been there. Done that.” 

Jia stood, “Thanks.” She said with a slight bow, before smiling and adding, “Sir.”

“Get out!” Axel-Zero retorted pointing to the door.

Despite her words; Huawei were a concern and she wondered what Daedo had planned for them.

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“This will cripple them,” Mace said.

 “Not good enough," Daedo said while shaking his head. "I have another idea.”

Gabe shivered as if someone walked over his grave.