Chapter 141

The Daedalus Academy

Y: 2143 – 15 weeks until Southern Europe regional inter-academy first round.

Daedalus Financial Position: -39.3M bitcreds 

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Daedo: send in three squads on the third wave.

Master Haddad: you asked for it.

There were twenty-four squads altogether, however, five were missing members due to squad zero defending their base.

The three arenas were joined into one massive arena which was one and a half times larger than a standard mech combat arena. Each of the first two waves consisted of sixteen biotech hybrid warriors or bugs for short. 

They had excellent amour, regeneration and melee skills. They were also able to spit acid up to thirty metres. Their movement was whatever the cadet in the exo could pull off. There were no restrictions to jumpjets, grapplers or speed. 

The next wave would consist of twenty-three cadets. Two full squads and seven from Vannier’s squad. It was an urban scenario with squad zero holding a base. A base where they could resupply grenades, drones and even change loadouts if they wished. 

Daedo: Vannier - Mace west. Picard and Kang east. Barran centre with Axel-Zero.
 Rotate fire and pull back to base once they reach thirty metres.

Myrmidon pinged their HUDs. Placing each team on top of buildings giving the line of sight down the streets. He controlled six drones out at two hundred metres. The maximum range of the PPC that was likely to hit. Any further and an enemy would be able to dodge the shot too easily. 

The exos had shields capable of neutralising the old PPC. But the new technology, the one provided my Master Nader was able to eat its way through the low power shield. A mech was another matter, but an exo had limited power.

Daedo himself would move to the flank or centre as needed. Depending on the enemy disposition. As the recon drones picked them up, he could see they clumped into their squads. Three groups of seven of eight. As with the other cadets they ignored the drones which were hidden. But he would expect to find at least half if the roles were reversed.

Daedo: Whenever possible hide your movements from your enemy. Blind them or trick them.

He said across comms for the benefit of the spectators.

The new cadets charged in single file. Shielding one another. PPCs blazed and despite the artful dodging by the incoming columns squad zero did not miss. Bolts of blue energy flew in perfectly straight lines. Twenty-three bugs were whittled down to nine by the time they reached the thirty-metre mark.

Myrmidon: Withdraw – Cover fire.

Myrmidon’s message flashed across the HUDs, and seven grapplers shot from their shoulders. Pulling the cadet backwards towards the base while they faced their enemies while continuing to fire.

Daedo used his jumpjets to jump atop the base wall. Six of his squad soon stood alongside in a line.

Three of the enemy who continued to run along the ground were caught in a laser tripwire. And the remaining six died at the foot of the base wall.

It was a boring fight. It was precision teamwork from squad zero and it made it look like their opponents were overpowered by the scenario. The same scenario where squads struggled when they only had eight opponents.

Daedo: Send four squads.

Master Haddad: do you need time to reset?

Daedo: Will the real enemy allow us time to reset?

Master Haddad: They are entering the scenario now.

Daedo: Mace and Axel-Zero switch to grenade launchers and Railguns. Picard and Barran switch to one-handed railgun, swordlance and shield.

The scenario continued to be boring. Albeit highly educational. The top-ranked warriors from the Game were mowed down one after the other. The only two squads to offer any resistance were Sentinel and Crazy Squad.

It was a lesson for the new cadets on how far they had to go to compete in the upcoming inter-academy.

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It had been five weeks since the new cadets had arrived at Daedalus Academy and they had started four weeks late compared to other Academies. But Daedalus Academy didn’t have scheduled breaks. The cadets had free practice on Saturdays and every Sunday off. No breaks from duty were on the schedule until after the inter-academy battleground at the end of the year. Although security was a concern, there would have to be organised activities where the cadets could let off some steam outside of the Academy.

Zerg ran into the squadroom, it was a Saturday, and they had free practice. “Daedo’s on the mats.” He announced and ran out. 

“Why didn’t he just message?” Dary asked.

Chica laughed, “Cos we all have him blocked. He never shuts up.”

Lewinski removed her helmet showing her tangled mess that was her hair. “I’m going.” She announced and ran out the door.

“I think she likes him,” Tank chuckled.

“Poor man,” Dary said sadly and followed Tank out the door.

It was rare for Daedo to practice melee combat outside of scheduled times. Which meant it was rare that Crazy Squad got to watch. While Barran was one of the best at the Academy in martial combat. Daedo was the one they wanted to watch. Especially if he was up against the Master.

“He’s fighting the Chinese girl,” Zerg told his squad as they arrived. It was obvious they could all see. Cadet Jia was one of the top-ranked cadets in The Tactician and The Warrior. And she must have been good enough for Daedo to select to spa against.

They watched as he perfectly executed Brazilian jiu-jitsu then Weng Chun Kung Fu before switching to Aikido. Jia was trying to mimic the styles, but she seemed only adept with Kung Fu in comparison to Daedo.

“What’s that?” Dary asked as he switched to another style altogether.

Surprisingly it was Lewinski who replied, “Krav Maga,” she stated.

“Crack.” Daedo injured Jia by catching her ankle and elbowing it as she attempted to kick him. She went down, and he quickly retrieved a med kit that the Master handed to him. When Daedo looked around, he could see there were at least a hundred cadets watching the display.

“I’ll do it,” Cadet Morton offered as Jia winced. Daedo shook his head, “I caused the injury. I will fix it.”

Jia growled, “I caused the injury with an attack that was easily read.” Daedo did not console her; he merely nodded in agreement.

The magic spray, as it was called, made its way through her skin and began knitting her bone back together. Daedo scanned her leg looking for fractures. “Clear,” he said.

“Thanks,” Jia replied and stood gingerly. 

“Mental,” Daedo said. She nodded before she stomped her leg hard on the ground to remind her brain it was fixed.

“Cadet Daedo,” Master Picard said.

“Yes Master,” Daedo replied and stood back ready for what the Master had in mind.

The Master said, “Continue with your multi-attacker practice now that you’re warmed up. We have an endless supply of cadets on hand if required.” He flicked his head towards the spectators.

Daedo had retained his perfect knowledge of martial combat arts after the merge. That and many forms of gymnastics, yoga and many arts he would never utilise. His knowledge coupled with his tactical brain made him formidable in martial combat. The only thing he lacked was the size and speed of the Master. And it was something he worked hard at improving.

It wasn’t an essential skill for mech combat. But it was for him personally. He was a target by the fact of who he was. And Daedo always learned from his mistakes. He would be prepared the next time the organisation or someone else came for him.

“Five,” Master Picard announced and Daedo’s squad made a circle around him. Morton, Jia, Kozlov, Rahman and Amari. The five most mentally tough cadets in the academy according to their results in Thou Shall Not Pass.

“Why aren’t I in that squad?” Rodriguez said.

“Because you’re a lying, cheating scumbag,” Sly replied.

“I’m much prettier than Jia,” Chica added and her squadmates laughed much to her chagrin.

“Holy shit,” Zerg said as the five attacked him only to be thrown into each other or tripped or the side of their heads kicked in.

“Can he see three sixty degrees?” Dary asked.

Sly answered, “He’s using his sensors and AI. That’s why Barran is always saying Daedo’s AI is way smarter than ours.”

“How do I get my AI better?” Zerg asked.

“Train it stupid,” Sly answered while shaking his head.

“Crazy squad,” Master Picard called, “you’re up.”

“Oh shit. We’re in it now,” Dary said.

“I’m gonna wrestle him to the ground,” Chica declared.

“Fuck off,” Rodriguez said. “He’ll down you like a sack of biomass chips.”

“He’ll use Krav Maga,” Sly stated as they circled Daedo.

“Don’t hold back,” Master Picard ordered. “He needs the practice.”

Daedo skipped across the mat and kicked Lewinski in the face. Before any of the six cadets moved a muscle. She fell in a heap.

“Smart,” Sly breathed. Lewinski was the most unpredictable and cunning of them all.

Daedo moved back into the centre as Master Picard ordered, “Attack. Don’t stand around.”

Tank, Dary and Rodriguez moved forward cautiously. Daedo stood still waiting for them to get into range. Tank lunged and struck, but Daedo easily dodged moving close to Rodriguez who threw a tentative jab. Daedo grabbed his arm and pulled with the blow angling the moving cadet into the path of Tank’s next punch. 

A loud crack reverberated as Tank connected with the side of Rodriguez's face. Dary moved to take advantage of the confusion, but before he knew what happened, he also flew into the path of Tank’s next assault. Another crack as his head impacted with Tank’s fist.

Not only did Daedo time the throw to perfection, but he also placed their heads into the flight path of Tank’s fist. Using the raw power of his opponent against his other opponents.

Daedo attacked Zerg while he was focused on his fellow cadet’s dilemma. A sharp kick to the chin rocked him back and out cold.

It was at this time Chica charged Daedo from behind attempted to grab him with both arms, he dropped down at the last second slipping her grasp while reaching up and using her forward momentum to throw her at Tank. She was heavy, and she did not have enough momentum to slam into him with any force, but it was the chaos this maneuver caused.

There were two cadets rolling around in pain and another two larger ones entangled in a mess of arms and legs. Daedo had effectively dodged all the attacks so far, but his reflexes or senses were not enough to dodge Sly as well. The short cadet from Jersey slipped an arm around Daedo’s neck and gripped hands before Daedo could knock it away. 

Daedo rolled forward bringing Sly with him in a forward somersault. Sly’s head smashed into the mat while Daedo escaped impact by rolling and leaving Sly behind. It was a perfectly executed Krav Maga advanced move. The styles bedrock of brute force and effectiveness, above aesthetics, made it deadly, while not very pretty.

Daedo danced around trying to get behind Tank who turned tracking him. As Tank moved his foot to the right, he bumped into Chica who was trying to get back into the action. Daedo used the opportunity he created to close on Tank before throwing a series of precise strikes. After the four Kenpo Taiji strikes Tank fell to the ground unable to move. 

Chica was the last opponent standing. She eyed Daedo warily. He pulled out a black bitcred card and waved it to draw her attention to it. These cards notoriously held thousands if not millions of bitcreds. He flicked the card off into the distance and she immediately ran after it without a moment’s hesitation.

“Well done,” Master said watching Chiba pickup the worthless black card and rejoice. They held no value unless bitcreds were loaded onto them. Master Picard continued, “Keep working on your speed and strength. They are still barely adequate.”

Zerg had come to and heard Master Picard’s words. He got up gingerly rubbing his head and made his way over to Sly to help him up. “Need a med-kit?” He asked as Daedo attended to Dary who looked to have a broken jaw.

Dary blinked. But did not move his head overwise. It was swelling up. “Let me scan. May need to take you to the Med-Lab.”

“Good point,” Daedo said. “All of Crazy Squad to the Med-Lab for a full head scan. Tank hits hard and any head injury is not to be taken lightly.”

Axel-Zero chuckled. She had been watching the practice without joining in against Daedo. “Your best jokes are the ones you tell my accident.”

Daedo considered his words for the joke and smiled. “I didn’t realise.”

“Speaking of Med-Lab’s and head scans, how is your mother? Any change?” Axel-Zero asked.

Daedo shook his head. “I want to deep dive like Master Nader did for me, but father is against it.”

“Did she teach you how to do it?” Axel-Zero asked.

Daedo replied, “No. But I saw enough to work it out. I’ve been thinking about it for months. And every day she doesn’t wake – is an extra grain of sand on the scales of balance on acting against my father’s wishes.

She put a hand on his shoulder. “I have no idea what it’s like for you.” She looked around at the crowd who showed no sign of dispersing. “Come - let’s leave your fans behind.”

“Show’s over. Get to work!” Axel-Zero shouted.

Daedo chuckled. He was not the only one growing. Before the organisation, he rarely spent time with Axel-Zero. Unless a project required it. It was usually Mace or Vannier.  Master Haddad had seen fit to place Axel-Zero in his squad for a reason.

They jogged back to their quarters where their exos were stored.

Once they were alone, she continued the prior conversation. “My parents are both healthy. Even if they are unhappy with me being down here, they accept it. So, on that side, I can empathise.” 

“They should move down here when the spiral is completed,” Daedo stated. Axel-Zero’s parents like Vannier’s were not part of the exodus. 

The rest of the Sentinel squad arrived in exos as they arrived at Daedo’s apartment.

“Come in,” Daedo said. “You to Axel-Zero. Let’s take a look at the progress of the elevators.”

“Plural?” Cadet Morton asked.

“Yes,” Daedo said. “Put on your helmets and join my VR session.”

They floated as if they were in outer space looking down at planet earth. 

Daedo spoke as the image zoomed in and out, “The first elevator is in the Arctic Circle and the second is in Antarctica. Antarctica is a land base while the Arctic is underwater. They each reach out and connect at the spiral which orbits the earth above the equator. Above the Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii.”

“Could these bases be more remote?” Jia asked.

“That’s the point. The underwater bases in inaccessible except via specialised craft or purpose-built mag trains from North America and Russia. And the population of Antarctica is below a thousand. Security from the majority of the population will be much easier.”

“How does this affect us?” Cadet Morton asked.

“It doesn’t. Not directly. We have a truce with the people building the spiral, but we are still adversaries.”

“Why are you telling us this?” Jia asked.

“You are one of us now. While I need to be careful with information leaks - this is not one of the highly sensitive topics. And eventually, all the cadets will know everything. You are - a part of Daedalus Military.”

“What’s that?” Kozlov asked. She was pointing to a blip above the Eye of the Sahara.

“That’s another low flying drone. We’re able to track everything below 100km and anything under 10km is of significance.”

“Why?” Fleming asked.

“Anything above 10km will be countered by our dampening and image distortion systems, but when they get too close, they will be able to use a simple lens for imagery which can circumvent our systems.”

“Who is watching us?” Kozlov asked.

Daedo shrugged, “Does it matter? The sentry guns will take down anything that gets too close. Or at least chase it off.”

No one asked if they were watching Daedalus or were there for benign purposes. They were over a thousand kilometres from any city. If a spy drone was this close it was certainly watched them.

Daedo and Axel-Zero got into their exos.

“Time for some more drills and then we can break for the rest of the weekend,” Daedo said.