Chapter 145

The Daedalus Academy

Y: 2143 – 10 weeks until Southern Europe regional inter-academy first round.

Daedalus Financial Position: -33.9M bitcreds 

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Daedo sat in the Mag-train with Axel-Zero and his squad. They were all in nanosuits with the new ocular implants and although the technology was new it was serviceable. It was easy to implement their normal HUD and communication platform across everyone’s vision. They were no worse off with a few extra features. 

One of the benefits was the subtle nature of the technology. Most people would have no idea that they possessed the implants. It was not a technology that was widely known. Counter intelligence from the organisation would realise sooner or later, however.

“Jia,” Daedo said. “Are you ready?” Jia was taking over the squad while Daedo was in the talks and if he was indisposed.

She nodded. The tall Chinese girl was surprised that it was her rather than Axel-Zero but the latter would be with Daedo and part of the discussions.

“You will be fine,” he said encouragingly as if sensing her apprehension. “Follow Mace’s directives and rules of engagement if nothing is coming from her or me. Once engaged do not hesitate - kill all hostiles until no threat remains.”

She nodded, “Yes Sir.” Next to her sat Morton and behind them Kozlov and Amari with Rahman and Fleming bringing up the rear. Daedo’s squad was stacked with the best of the best from the psychological challenge known as Thou Shall Not Pass. He didn’t feel guilty in stacking his squad in the slightest. These cadets would go on to become leaders themselves in time. Their participation in his squad was temporary.

The Mag-train arrived at the blast doors and halted. Everyone exited before the doors began to yawn slowly open. Not only did their sensors give the all clear so did Mace’s team. Daedo’s squad began to skate along the mag-road. Using the power of their suit and the frictionless mode offered by the mag-road they could travel quickly without the use of a vehicle. 

Nothing compared to the speed of the mag-train which could surpass the speed of sound, but 20m/s was reached without taxing their stamina. Master Haddad and his team had stayed behind. Only Vannier went ahead of Daedo’s squad. She had been at the resort for the last two days ensuring everything was ready and all the Senegalese delegates were not only welcomed by in attendance. If there weren’t able to close the arena deal for Dakar they would have to build it in Mauritania in a deserted area near the coast.

The locals were astonished by the sight of the cadets skating down the mag-roads. While drones and auto-vans were common. Young cadets flying down the road with no visible means of propulsion was a new sight for everyone.

As a matter of course they switched position and weaved between one another in a seemingly random pattern. It was not an orderly procession on purpose. 

No one had attempted to attack Daedo in New York but that was soon after the peace was brokered with the bog three. Gabe and Adele had reported that the threats to the Federation had escalated tensions and this was reflected in the lack of amiable diplomatic communications between Vannier and their small cabinet of power brokers.

The peace had held. But there were warning signs from the increased spy drone activity and the not so subtle attempts to gain entry through their public entrances. The only fact that wasn’t sure was who was behind it. Was it the organisation or someone else?

Daedo and his squad arrived at the King’s Resort which was a secure area in Dakar where the rich went for a holiday, gambling and other entertainments. The general public were not permitted on the grounds. 

His squad were disciplined but it was difficult for them not to gawk at the difference from what they saw between the public street to the interior of the resort’s grounds. The gardens were colourful and arrayed with an immaculate beauty which was only surpassed but the majestic buildings they surrounded.

The buildings were of an ancient design but looked brand new. The fascia shone with marble and silver trappings. No one doubted it was real silver as a drone could be seen scrubbing the skirting. Fake silver would not need polishing.

They began to walk in an orderly fashion before entering the foyer. By the time they were processed by local security it was almost time for the meeting to start. 

Vannier approached the group and asked, “Weapons safely stored?”

Daedo nodded, it was expected that weapons were not permitted in the resort but that did not mean his squad were defenseless nor did it account for Mace and her team. He looked from Vannier to their invited guests.

There were twenty representatives from Senegal in all and they filed in to the conference room a few at a time. Punctuality was not one of their strengths. Daedo ocular implant displayed a data snapshot as he greeted each one. Most of the representatives held some type of office even if they were primarily a business person. Out of the twenty only three were women and none were under the age of thirty - which was normal for the region and culture.

The last to arrive was not the prime minister but the man Vannier identified as the main power broker in the small pond that was Senegal. 

He nodded slightly and with a deep voice intoned, "Young Daedalus we are looking forward to hearing your offer." The was a distinct emphasis on the last word.

Daedo returned the greeting with the smallest of smiles and said, "Today is your last chance to agree."

The large man did not look pleased with the reply and no further words were exchanged. If he thought, he would be able to exert his strong personality and will on what appeared to be children he was going to be sadly disappointed.

Vannier began with a presentation showing plans for the Arena which would rise from underwater when required but otherwise be out of sight. Spectators could walk from the beach on to mag-lifts which would transport them to their section quickly and efficiently.

Construction would take two months with as little disruption as possible, but for something of this size and speed there would be significant works and disturbance to the locals who lived near and used the bay.

"The Arena will be an asset Senegal can use now and into the future," she continued. "We will not be using it for six months of the year and in the second half only ten to thirteen times depending on the schedule." 

Vannier showed the expected impact on the economy with a series of graphs and after an explanation she asked, "Do these numbers agree with your assessment?"

“Miss,” one of the delegates responded. “We do see the benefits for our community here in Dakar. But we must think about all of Senegal. How will this arena benefit those who do not live here?”

“Mr Diop,” Vannier responded, “we are building the arena here and surely the tourism will benefit all of Senegal.”

Another continued, “You may misunderstand. Mr Diop is enquiring whether the disruption will be compensated and the size of your building license. This is how all of Senegal will benefit. We know Daedalus is a rich company which settled outside of Senegal in Mauritania and now you realise your mistake. The small country cannot offer you the infrastructure you need.”

“In most countries the government would give funding for this project, not ask for an additional fee,” Vannier observed.

Mr Seck shook his head. “We all came here today to discuss the final details at your insistence that it would be of benefit to Senegal.”

“And we showed these benefits. If Senegal has additional construction license fees that need to be paid you should have this requirement sent to us.”

The large Mr Mbaye spoke, he was the last to enter the conference. “This is not how it is done. This fee should be proposed and paid today to all that are here.”

Daedo stood and all eyes looked to him.

“It was a mistake to come here. We will build in Mauritania,” he said simply but before he could take a step ten delegates pleaded with him to stay.

“Young man, this is negotiation, do not be hasty,” Mr Diop said. The data displayed in Daedo’s field of view through his ocular implant changed upon his mental request through his own cybernetic implant. Mr Diop was a facilitator within the parliament. A peace broker between parties and groups. He was not rich like most and his family was new to the political scene which was uncommon.

“I’m sorry Mr Diop. We do not have time to waste. But we do have an offer for the government,” Daedo stated and nodded to Vannier.

“Daedalus wants to offer the Senegalese government ownership of the Arena. It will come with an existing lease back to Daedalus which is inviolate as long as Daedalus exists.”

Mr Diop quickly perused the contract terms. “So, you wish to build this arena which costs millions of bitcreds and give it to Senegal as long as you can use it when you need to?” He looked to the other representatives. “We could establish a board to run the facility. The board would receive all revenue and approve all expenditure of this revenue outside of the Daedalus events.”

“Outside?” Mr Mbaye enquired looking towards Daedo.

Daedo nodded. “At this time, you need to control your greed.”

“You need an acceptance today?” Mr Diop asked trying to prevent a clash of egos with Mr Mbaye.

“Now,” Daedo stated. “If we cannot walk out of here with a sealed contract you will be forcing us to choose our second option.”

Mr Diop nodded in understanding. “This is a good deal,” he declared before turning to his colleagues and the more powerful delegates. As he met the eyes of each one he received no protest. 

He looked to Mbaye last who stated, “I will be the first chair.” Which meant he was declaring himself to be the chairman of the board which controlled the arena. 

“Of course,” Mr Diop replied. He then turned to the prime minister of Senegal who approved the contract and sealed it using his DNA.

Daedo stood again, “We will begin works immediately the first match is in less than ten weeks.”

“I will forward the project plan to Mr Diop,” Vannier added.

Mace: We just took out four hostile drones. Out.

The locations of the drones flashed across Daedo and Vannier’s HUD and in the next few moments more appeared. It was shared amongst all the Daedalus personnel and back to the Academy where Barran and Picard were situated.

While they showed no outward signs of anything occurring the delegates probably considered the short pause from them as an indication, that they were informing their people that the deal was done.

The local security people showed no outward signs of an alert either.

Vannier bowed to the representatives from Senegal, “Please forgive us but we must depart immediately.”

Mr Diop looked confused as the refreshments arrived. “You are not staying to celebrate?” He asked and then leaned closer to Vannier. “This could be seen as bad manners or worse.”

“Mr Diop,” Vannier said apologetically. “We are too young to enjoy refreshments such as these but we also leave due to other concerns which will become apparent to your security soon. Perhaps everyone should seek shelter at this moment.”

While she spoke to Mr Diop Daedo, Axel-Zero and his squad left the conference room. The feeling of abandoning Vannier was offset by the fact she could leave a lot quicker alone and with them out of the way.

Daedo: We’re taking the 2nd route to the mag-train. Any hostile sightings mark HUD immediately.

Mace: we’ve taken down sixteen drones but with each wave the number is doubling.

Daedo: we’ll have our weapons in two minutes.

His squad made directly for the weapons locker in the basement. And when the guard denied them access stating procedure Jia rendered him unconscious. The railguns had an internal power source and ammunition, unlike the exo version. They were restricted to thirty rounds each. The tiny power supplies in the nanosuits were insufficient when it came to powering a railgun let alone a PPC. At this stage of their development the prototype could not power an aurora-shield either. However, Daedo choose the nanosuits over an exo for a reason.

As soon as they were all armed, they enacted their cloaking technology. The nano-machines which made up their suits mimicked their surroundings which would fool most visual sensors including the human eye. At the same time thermal and sonic dampeners were activated. They were invisible to everything except the most sophisticated or mundane technologies.

Jia: go go go.

She encouraged Daedo’s squad to move quickly through the back of house corridors of the resort. They skirted past various robots and the odd human who were going about their duties.

Mace: too many. 

Their HUDs lit with red dots that Mace’s squad had failed to intercept. Hundreds of drones were descending on the resort.

Daedo: Get out of there.

He directed to Vannier who was the only Daedalus member still inside the resort. His squad ran across the grass but stayed off the sand as they followed the coastline. They were unable to travel at speed as they had on the mag-road but they still had enhancements to strength and speed from the nanotech.

They ignored the hundreds of drones which flew overhead towards the resort.

Axel-Zero: whoever they are – they aren’t messing around.

From a few kilometers range they watched as the drones began to detonate all over the resort.

“Why?” Morton asked.

“We’ll discuss the possible reasons during the debriefing. We have more important tasks right now. Let’s move.”

Mace: moving focus the tunnel entrance.

Daedo: its an obvious target. We will move into the desert.

The explosions from the resort rocked the earth as well as their reality. Gabe had indicated that the risk of him showing up in person had grown exponentially. But the reality of someone effectively bombing the resort because of his presence was sobering. There was no doubt that he was the target. All other possibilities paled in significance. 

Daedo began to hypothesize how far his enemy would go. They were hardly unknown. It was either the organisation or one of the powerful companies who saw Daedalus as a threat and removing Daedo was the most effective way to cripple Daedalus. This was their analysis and it was not far from wrong.

He checked his HUD. Vannier had escaped the blast and was trailing his squad by three kilometers.

Daedo: Halt. We will wait for Vannier.

As his squad surveyed their surroundings and watched her blue don’t approach Daedo pondered their next move. He did not like to react to the enemy. He liked to be the aggressor, but in this situation it was impossible. The real enemy was too far away. What was being sent his way was merely ordnance from afar.

Picard: You need to get far away from the tunnel’s entrance. We’re picking up missiles from a weapons platform in low orbit.

Daedo: Raise the shields. Send them full power and release all counter measures that we have.

Austin: including the carrier?

Daedo: All includes the carrier’s countermeasures.

Upon the command from Daedo Chief Austin began to raise the carrier. It was underwater off shore and too far to cover the tunnel from its hidden location. Now that it was flying towards the Daedalus tunnel outside of Dakar the enemy would be picking it up on their sensors. It would become a target itself.

Within a minute it was firing counter measures towards the incoming missiles.

The air above Dakar turned an angry orange as explosions ensued. What began as a minor meeting - as far as intentional events were concerned - had quickly become an incident of epic proportions.