Daedalus 77 M1 - Term: 2, Round: 2

House Thoth, Squad Leader, Squad Zero

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

Term: 2, Round: 2

Daedalus Operating Capital: 140,000 bitcreds

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*Daedo: we're coming.*

*Paget-A: we?*

*Daedo: It would be remiss of me not to come with a witness and bodyguard. They won't attend the meeting, but they will keep an eye on me.*

*Paget-A: Ok. We are in the old library. It's not used for anything except as a museum, but its good for having private meetings away from the cafeteria.*

*Daedo: Isn't it restricted access?*

*Paget-A: You need a temporary pa.s.s from a Chief or a Master. We already got you one. You can just enter when you get here.*

*Daedo changed channels. He didn't want Picard locked outside.*

*Daedo: Master Nader are you able to issue a temporary pa.s.s for Picard for the topside Library?*

*Master Nader: done. Twenty four hours.*

Daedo looked at Picard, "That was easy. You have a twenty-four-hour pa.s.s for the Library." Daedo went on to explain the situation for the meeting. The door sensors would register the cadet from their bodysuit, the pa.s.s was a digital tag added to their CID which allowed them entry without setting off an alarm.

Picard just nodded and looked serious.

"Wish I had one of those spider-bots or scout drones now," she said as they stood in the travelator zooming up to topside.

"Or even something smaller if you just want reconnaissance," Daedo replied.

Picard nodded, "I'll send a message to Barran and Axelzero. We should look into tiny scout bots. They would really help in situations like this." She was concerned that while she was alone, it is hard to be aware of everything that was happening in the surrounds. And while the chances of something bad happening were low. Incidents had occurred in the past, and squad zero now erred on the side of paranoid.

The pair entered the library, it was similar to the Chief's building with carpeting and ancient wood panelling on the walls. There was no constructofoam to be seen as there was wood everywhere including shelving, doors and desks. Other than the carpets it seemed everything was made out of the organic material.

The lighting was modern but was hidden underneath ancient light fittings. The smell was different from their quarters and main academy structures, the air may have been filtered, but the scent from the wooden furnishings and fixtures was apparent because of its difference.

"Good," Paget-A said concisely as a greeting. "Picard will need to stay with me after I show you to the meeting room." Paget-A began to walk down the hallway she turned back and said, "Thanks for not bringing Barran, that was considerate."

Picard grinned widely. They both knew exactly what she meant, but she was under the false impression that it was them being thoughtful instead of the reality that Barran was busy.

Paget-A smiled at Daedo and pointed to the large oak double doors which were open. He had to hand it to Fortescue she made the most of the facilities where his squad just camped out in their quarters most of the time.

"I'll wait out here," Paget-A confirmed as Daedo entered.

The inside of the meeting room looked like an ancient study with several cushioned wooden chairs arrayed in front of desks. He could see separators between the desks to give occupants a little privacy. Fortescue sat alone in the corner at a roundtable and was removing her helmet as Daedo entered. She stood as he approached.

"Thanks for coming so quickly," she said politely.

Daedo wondered who the person who had taken over Fortescue's body was. She was polite and soflty spoken.

"Good timing," Daedo replied. "We were just finishing a squad activity, and I don't have another until 2230." Which was in an hour.

"Very well," Fortescue said. "Let's get straight into it. Can't have you late for your Gauntlet." It was not surprising that she knew exactly when he completed the Gauntlet each day.

Daedo nodded and sat opposite Fortescue. The room was dimly lit, by either design or she had lowered the levels. If she was using her helmet, it wouldn't matter how well lit it was, but he could see her perfectly in the low light. Her brown hair was long, it when past her shoulders and down her back. She had a light frame compared to Picard and even Vannier and although she spoke like she was thirty the freckles on her face made her look the thirteen she was.

Her eyes were brown as well, and they were always bright, sharp or threatening. Never dull. Even with the pressure she was feeling, according to Paget-A, it did not show on her face. She seemed calm and well rested.

"I want us to begin again if you would grant me that courtesy. I have always tried to be professional and fair, but upon reflection not always polite or humble." Fortescue began.

Daedo nodded, "You haven't done anything that upset me." He left out that she had upset most of his squad with her lack of humility and derogatory statements.

Fortescue smiled, she did not do that often, and Daedo tried to recall her smiling other than when she was laughing at him. Daedo turned on his squad feed, Myrmidon would now send the AV back to them. The beginning of this meeting while pleasant was a textbook example from the Human Studies course on how to influence people. Vannier would pick up on the feed immediately because her AI would alert her.

"I want us to come to an understanding," she said. "And rather than just put forward a proposal I have something for you. A gift or offering, whatever you want to call it. No strings attached." Fortescue would not be happy that Daedo was sending an AV feed back to his squad and unless she had Nader level security, she would not know. He was satisfied that he had not agreed to not do it.

Fortescue pulled up a screen. "We have collected data on all exos that have any merit. And only a couple are available on the market, where most are being used by top Tier Academies and a.s.sociated Private Military that are not available otherwise."

"Their primary technologies are not patented?" Daedo asked. He had not trawled the IPO for exo designs or parts. Only micro-pumps, servos, and actuators. Lithium plasma was standard energy storage which was purchased in its inert form.

"No. They are forever changing their designs, and they never bother patenting them. It's just a design. Other than the composites and compounds most of the parts they utilise are top of the range and patented by someone, not necessarily the organisation with the exo. For example, half of them use the same actuator as you." Fortescue explained.

"Wait," Daedo interrupted. "You know which actuator I use?"

"Daedo. It's not that hard to work out. I don't think I need to apologise for researching the compet.i.tion." Fortescue said.

"Its expected, please proceed," Daedo replied.

"One part of the study shows that most of the Tier one exos are superior to yours, and some of tier two as well, but in tier three yours is only equalled. The most expensive exos available on the market are inferior to yours in mobility and strength." She continued bringing up tables showing the rating levels of a hundred different exos on strength, mobility, speed and armour value.

"Another part of the study," Fortescue continued, bringing up another doc.u.ment which was a design element and major component list for each of the exos. Some fields were unknown, which was not surprising, these organisations would try and keep this information secret.

"Is the main design elements. And something that really stands out is your mesh underarmour which doubles as hydraulic delivery. No one else uses this method. Now that you have it patented they can incorporate into their designs, but they will only have to pay a royalty if it's used outside of the Academy leagues."

Fortescue did not pa.s.s judgment on Daedalus patenting the technology, therefore, making it available to everyone. It was a d.a.m.ned if you did and d.a.m.ned if you didn't like scenario.

"It's really interesting that this is uniquely yours. DaVinci, Svarski and Huawei all have unique elements, but their strength lies in cha.s.sis design and the materials used in that cha.s.sis and the exo overall. They all have top of the range reactors, their power availability is well above yours. The compounds, polymers, ceramics and composites they use are improving each year incrementally. These are some of the main factors that separate the leading exos."

"And they don't patent these materials do they?" Daedo asked.

"I don't think anyone does. Not unless it's groundbreakingly different like constructofoam. A minuscule change in an alloy is not something you can patent. t.i.tanium alloy is t.i.tanium alloy."

Fortescue flicked the doc.u.ments across to Daedo. The action was figurative of the electronic file share. Myrmidon accepted the file and stored it locally. Daedo could study it later.

"Thanks," Daedo said. "This is really is helpful."

Fortescue shrugged like it was no bother. "I had the information collated for my own use, it's not a big deal to share it with you."

"An apology, a gift, what is it that you want Fortescue?" Daedo stated in a polite tone albeit direct as was his style.

"I am not giving you all this to ask for something. I have a proposal, and I wanted to ensure you would look at it without prejudice from our past," Fortescue replied calmly.

"You don't know me very well if you think you needed to do this in order for me to look at a proposal logically," Daedo stated.

"I'm not just considering you, but your squad," Fortescue said. And she was right if Daedo went back to his squad and said she apologised and gave them something valuable that would go a long way in opening their minds to at least consider a deal from her.

Daedo nodded. "What is the proposal?" He asked politely.

"I want us to work together. If you can overlook that I am a Fortescue, I can overlook your theories on alien invasions. We can fund all your research," she said.

"That is possible depending on the details. We received a grant from GlenCore for a couple of research projects, and Fortescue could do something similar," Daedo replied.

"You received a grant from GlenCore? How much?" Fortescue asked.

Daedo considered telling her it was confidential but he could see no reason to hide the information and said, "Twenty kay."

"I a.s.sume it's your IP, no strings?" Fortescue asked with interest.

"Yes. I wouldn't have agreed otherwise," he replied.

"The details are here," she flicked him another doc.u.ment and said, "I will summarise."

"Fortescue will give M1TS0 cadets full scholarship and refund all M1 payments. We will also pay for all research projects with a cap of one hundred kay per year. Anything further will require approval but is not necessarily denied. Fortescue will pay a further one hundred kay to Daedalus per year. M1TS0 will be able to use any inventions, designs etc. that you come up with."

"In return, Fortescue will own the IP and distribution will be at its discretion," Fortescue finished.

"You think this is a good deal?" Daedo asked astounded.

Fortescue nodded, "You will have no risk, no costs, we will cover them all, and you will take home one hundred kay bitcreds on top of that."

"I do not think your research has been thorough if you think this deal is acceptable," Daedo replied.

"What do you mean?" Fortescue asked. "Please be specific."

*Vannier: Axelzero estimates this year's revenue will surpa.s.s a million bitcreds not taking into account possible sales to EUDF and new IP.*

"The value of the IP we already own is severely undervalued. Based on our current numbers we will earn more than a million bitcreds this year," Daedo replied.

Fortescue looked rattled for the first time during this or any meeting. "I had no idea," she breathed. "That is something we could match if the revenue stream is validated."

"Fortescue. You have been generous and humble, I do not think we can work together this way,' Daedo answered.

"But gaining your IP was the way I was able to get approval on the costs," Fortescue said.

Daedo ran some quick numbers through his head before replying.

"For what I have planned it will not be possible for Fortescue to buy our IP. The company isn't big enough," Daedo replied.

"What?" Karine Fortescue replied incredulously. Fortescue Group was in the top fifty largest companies on the planet. Its capital valuation was in the top seventy, and its revenue fluctuated from thirty to forty.

"Let's move on to a different type of deal. I am open to working with you, but this proposal will never work," Daedo replied.

Fortescue looked lost. She had antic.i.p.ated negotiation and even rejection. But the words that came out of Daedo's mouth and his claims were incredibly far from her expectations and predictions for this meeting.

She rubbed her cheek and said, "Okay, tell me what you are thinking. I am open." Her body language contrarily was saying she was agitated and stressed, not open.

"What could work would be something along these lines," Daedo said after being fed words from Vannier.

"Fortescue will have access to our latest equipment, for the Inter-Academy team and a dozen squads of its choosing. It will need to sign a contract that this equipment is on loan, and it will not reverse engineered nor disa.s.sembled it in any way. It will also agree that all the unpatented IP in this equipment belongs to Daedalus. Fortescue could reimburse Daedalus by granting scholarship for all M1TS0 cadets and a one-hundred kay per annum grant towards research." Daedo stated. Barran would have been proud.

"A value of approximately one-hundred and fifteen kay and all we get is to use your equipment in a dozen squads plus the Inter-Academy team?" Fortescue summarised.

"Actually, I have already agreed that the Inter-Academy team can use it free," Daedo corrected.

"How am I supposed to get this approved?" Fortescue replied. "It's not a very good deal."

"How is it not a very good deal?" Daedo asked. "I thought your goal was to get the Academy promoted? By funding us, you will be a.s.sisting the squad who is going to give you a tech advantage. You just admitted it."

"But you just admitted that you already agreed to give the Inter-Academy team the equipment," Fortescue replied.

"So what?" Daedo said. "The direct benefit of a.s.sisting us will ensure a tier three tech advantage. Unless the goal was never to get the tech advantage. Was the goal to get Daedalus IP and possible promotion a bonus?"

"No!" Fortescue said earnestly. "You do not know how my company works. To get something approved there has to be a guaranteed financial gain. And while getting a promotion is a financial gain, it is not anywhere near close to being guaranteed. The upper Academy will not have this tech advantage for some years."

Daedo resisted the urge to inform Fortescue he was already working on mech designs. He still had a long way to go, and the credits involved were minor enough to be justified with the Middle Academy alone.

"This is why you are Tier three. You have very little Research and Development. Fortescue predominately manufactures others IP," Daedo stated.

"Of course, we are not an IP company," Fortescue said.

Daedo nodded. "You expect to be unlike all the Tier one Academies and yet still gain promotion? DaVinci, Svarski and Huawei are all IP companies and manufacturers as they invest heavily in R and D. Does Fortescue expect to perform at their level and remain IP ignorant?"

"That is none of your concern," Fortescue had been amicable, but Daedo had pushed her too far. She may have been the daughter of the CEO, but she was as involved with the decision making at Fortescue as Daedo was. However, it was not in her nature to agree with an outsider or be humiliated by another cadet.

"I think we are at an impa.s.se. I appreciate you reaching out and wish you all the best with your studies and training. I will ask Barran to forward you the latest rental plan for your consideration," Daedo stated.

"What?" Fortescue said. "Are you going to allow more squads to get your exo?" She was reverting to her usual form. Some cadets had an inferiority complex where Fortescue had a superiority complex.

"Wouldn't it be great if they all could afford it," Daedo said with a smile.

"I tried. I really did," she said seriously, but as if she was talking to herself and not Daedo. "But I cannot understand you. Paget-A masterminded this whole meeting, for you and me. She was concerned when others are around I have to seem in charge which was not the right approach for you. We planned and roleplayed all your possible replies. But how can we plan for you when you say things like one million creds per year? How is that even possible?"

"Fortescue," Daedo said kindly, "It's easy, and you're making it hard. Just train hard, improve your tactics and skills. Use our tech, we will share it with everyone, and I will do my best to get the Academy promoted. Daedalus doesn't need Fortescue credits, and the best thing Fortescue can do is stay out of our way."

"I would like to believe you, but my experience makes me think you are crazy. You really don't understand how the world works and if I follow you we will fail miserably," she said from the heart. When Karine Fortescue says experience, she is referring to her upbringing and training, although it is not actual experience she does not view it that way.

"Risk is part of any battle strategy," Daedo replied standing. "I really have to go its almost 2230."

Fortescue stood, "I will think about what you said." Was all her pride would allow her to say.