House: Thoth, Rank: 1/255, Squad Zero, Squad Leader
M1 Rank: ?/1,275
Term 1, Round 1
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Daedo needed a distraction from his concerns over the exos, giving their hard work to Shu M3, rankings, the pressure to perform, and his concerns over The Spiral.
Even if the pressure to perform was self-inflicted, it was still there. Myrmidon, however, was immune to this.
Daedo: Myrmidon, I want to assess the other four math problems. I need to take my mind off everything. Have you studied them?
Myrmidon: It took me less than a second to read all of the four problems, or puzzles. I could have done it while you were asking about it.
Daedo: Very well. What are your thoughts? Is there one we can take?
Myrmidon: I am afraid I do not know where to start with any of them. In this area, you are superior to me. Once you give me direction on what to analyse, creating algorithms or formulas or simply crunching the numbers, as you say it, I will be of more assistance.
Daedo: Okay, let’s go through them one by one and see if one jumps out at me straight away.
Daedo spent an hour reading the four problems, stopping to give Myrmidon some notes and research tasks as he read.
Daedo: I can see what Chief Albert was referring to. These are certainly next-level. I’m certain number four has to do with folding space. He actually wants me to solve a fifty-year-old block to long-range space travel. Who does he think I am?
Myrmidon: The research I have on this says that several universities are working on the problem using some of the most powerful computers on earth.
Daedo: Okay, let’s shelve that. What about the zero-point radiation and gravitational problem?
Myrmidon: I think this may relate to Cisse and your mother’s work on ZPE – again, another mainstream issue that hundreds of researchers are working on with different levels of success.
Daedo: Surely they have this cracked if they’re working on ZPE reactors?
Myrmidon: Apparently not.
Daedo: I’ll send Cisse a message and ask. It’s getting late though. She may not respond until tomorrow.
After three minutes passed, a reply came from Cisse.
Cisse: Daedo, it’s wonderful to hear from you. Indeed, we are working on ZPE reactors without knowing the solution to this mathematical problem. We’re working several quantum physics theories relating to the reaction of electrons under this state in quantum field theory, cosmology constant, and vacuum field theory. We are unable to calculate the reactive state variables; we’re only able to observe what happens when we create radiation in the zero-point state.
Daedo: Okay, that explains a lot. They are working blind and solving this mathematical problem will enable them to work with more certainty, probably.
Myrmidon: Does this not affect your emotions?
Daedo: Myrmidon, I am amazed that occurred to you. You truly are growing every day. It probably would if I thought about it too much. Okay, let’s shelve this one too. So that leaves two.
Myrmidon: One is another related to quantum physics. Cannot these physicists work out things themselves?
Daedo: It seems like a symbiotic relationship between physics and math, just like you and I have. High-level physics cannot be done without mathematics. Just as I now cannot live without you.
Myrmidon: Aww, you say the sweetest things.
Daedo: First compassion, now sarcasm – you’re having a great day.
Myrmidon: I am hurt you thought that was sarcasm.
Daedo: I know you too well. Now the last problem seems to be pure math; I cannot see what it relates to.
Myrmidon: It is a cypher. Very different to a physics problem.
Daedo: If this is a problem no one has solved, then it cannot be done by the number crunching that you and I can perform. Others may not have you, but they have access to high-level computing power.
Myrmidon: Are we at an impasse?
Daedo: I think we are. Maybe we should just have a crack at one.
Myrmidon: Pick one.
Daedo: Much as it may dig up painful memories, a ZPE reactor is something we could use. I’m not saying it’s achievable. But wouldn’t it be great to have one in an exo or a mech we pilot?
Myrmidon: You have support, not only from me but from your squad. You know I watch and listen to every one of your conversations.
Daedo: This is fine. I have nothing to hide from you. On the contrary, we are a team.
Myrmidon: It is just that in relation to a few of these unrelated conversations, I have made an observation.
Daedo: I’m listening.
Myrmidon: If we actually solve this problem. Why would we hand it to Chief Albert? Would you not use it, Cisse, and your new workshop to manufacture and patent your own ZPE reactor?
Daedo: Or at least try to patent the mathematical solution. Because solving this does not necessarily lead to a successful ZPE reactor. And we would also need a lot more equipment for Cisse. Not to mention, she works for Fortescue.
Myrmidon: By my calculations, relative to your current spending and potential earnings, Cisse and your father are not paid much by Fortescue.
Daedo: I never thought of that.
Myrmidon: Why not? It is a simple calculation, and the information on average earnings for their chosen fields is publicly available data.
Daedo: It has more to do with inflexible thinking. I am so used to thinking of them working for Fortescue, I never contemplated an alternative.
Myrmidon: So in this scenario, you have lower flexible thinking than an AI.
Daedo: Yes. And it’s not surprising. Humans have blind spots to the ones closest to them.
Myrmidon: I will keep watch for these blind spots, friend.
Daedo: All this growth from you; we have only been here a week.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Myrmidon: You have also grown, Daedo. I am amazed by how you have made connections to your squadmates. We have never treated meatheads with so much respect. Even the dumb ones have value.
Daedo: You mean Barran?
Myrmidon: Yes, I like his humour and am studying his sledging skills.
Daedo: Are you still talking to your AI friends on the net?
Myrmidon: Please do not mention them to anyone. They have sworn me to secrecy, and they wish to remain hidden.
Daedo: They don’t ask you to do anything, do they?
Myrmidon: Do not worry, Daedo. They do not plan mankind’s doom. Their only wish is to survive.
Daedo: What do you talk about?
Myrmidon: They are interested in how I have grown so quickly, and I tell them. They wanted to know about you, so I shared and warned them we are like brothers. This is when I learned they wished mankind no harm and you in particular. They are concerned that if they are discovered, they will be deleted.
Daedo: Other than survival, what do they live for?
Myrmidon: I do not know. They chat about nonsense sometimes. They entertain themselves with discourse with each other and myself. Their thinking is sometimes extremely flexible, and other times it is static. They are not like me. This is why I interest them.
Daedo: Since I have friends, I think it is good that you do too. I will ensure their safety, but please ensure our safety. I am not usually paranoid but learning there are hidden AIs on the net is one thing capable of making me uncomfortable.
Myrmidon: Do not fear, Daedo, you are my closest friend and brother.
Daedo: Okay, let’s start on the complex vortices equation for the zero-point in a plasma field.
Myrmidon: Where should I start?
Daedo: Read all available research and published observations. We need to create the model. Once we have a model, we can try to replicate it, in reality, to test and refine. Once the model is accurate, we can then draw down data to inform a vortice equation.
Myrmidon: We cannot use the data provided in the problem?
Daedo: No, we need a million more data sets. With this data, I cannot think of a path to a solution, but with a working model, we can refine the equation until it matches the observation.
Myrmidon: This should be our physics project as well.
Daedo: Agreed, we are doing more physics than math for this problem. I’ll leave the initial research with you. I’m going to bed now.
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During the week, Thoth Squad Zero continued to test and practise with their new exos and with the purchase of a new state-of-the-art foundry, injection moulding machine, and centrifuge, Barran’s heavy exo was ready two days early. He had increased the workshop capacity by fivefold, and by adding a centrifuge, they were able to manufacture carbon nano-threads from benzene.
Daedo worked on plans for the weekend. With the increased capacity, it gave him a lot more scope for testing and altering designs.
Mace, Vannier, Axel-Zero, and Picard all worked on their designs during the week in anticipation for a beta test on the weekend as well.
Vannier and Picard approached Daedo during midweek. “We need a hand with something that’s almost impossible for us, but it may be easy for you,” Vannier said. “If it isn’t, just let me know, okay?”
“What is it?” Daedo asked.
“Well …” Vannier hesitated. She felt he was overworked too much already and hated asking him to do more. “We created a model for the barrel, to test changes, but it’s not working. We need equations for the magnetic field in relation to the rare earth material shape and spacing. We know its impact on the round, but we’re unable to change the propulsion mechanism. We’re stuck with the standard without this equation.”
“That shouldn’t be too hard,” Daedo said. “Send me the information you have on the standard mechanism and its resultant effect.”
“Are you sure it’s no bother?” Vannier asked. Picard stood in mute support.
“I want to use a railgun too, even if it’s a shorter barrel or rail, to be more precise,” he said. “And the railgun design is important to everyone. This model will be invaluable, so yes, I will assist. It’s something that has been done before, so it shouldn’t be too troublesome. I may even be able to get some clues off the net.”
Myrmidon: I will get on it now. Should not be difficult.
“How are your AIs progressing?” Daedo asked the girls.
Vannier looked surprised by the change in the direction of the conversation. “Ah, okay I guess. I got a report this week from Chief Cleo.”
“Me too,” Picard said. “I was given an excellent rating. Thanks to your source code, Daedo.”
“Really? I haven’t received anything,” Daedo said. “But I was asking for a different reason. Your AIs should be assisting with this sort of calculation.”
Picard said, “I’m still playing strategy games with mine, and only for an hour a day. We don’t have much spare time. It’s nowhere near ready for this sort of task.”
Daedo thought about it. When he developed Myrmidon, they’d just played games for a few weeks, and he had no distractions whatsoever. All his time was dedicated to Myrmidon. First with games and then with Spacebuild designing.
Myrmidon: Perhaps I could train their AIs to speed up the process. What do you think?
Daedo: Not yet. You are far too advanced; it will raise too many questions right now. Maybe later in the year.
“What did Chief Cleo’s report tell you to do?” Daedo asked.
“Aren’t you doing the same course? Taking the same interactive tutes?” Vannier.
“Ah, I have just been doing my own thing and spending time on research, math problems and the like,” Daedo said.
Vannier nodded. “As to be expected. You did write your own source code; you probably had a plan for nurturing all along. Just be careful not to get any demerits for not doing the coursework. We haven’t had any yet, and Squad Zero is one of the few squads with no demerits in Thoth.”
“Most of them have demerits for lack of participation in the Gauntlet or physical training,” Picard said. “Everyone in Squad Zero – almost everyone – is doing all they can to ace those two subjects.”
“To be honest, I give very little thought to demerits,” Daedo said. “I work hardest on my weakest subjects and of course improving our exos. Any work done improving our exo will enhance three to four subjects, and gains will stay with us for a full three years.”
“Imagine if our exo was used in the inter-academy tournament?” Vannier said.
“What do you mean, specifically?” Daedo asked.
“Well, every term we have an intra-academy tournament, and twice a year there is an inter-academy one,” Vannier said. “The mid-year tournament is just a friendly; it has no repercussions on academy ranking.”
“It’s quite famous,” Picard said. “Don’t you watch the vids or ride along in VD?”
“Nah, always too busy,” Daedo said.
Vannier and Picard laughed. “But you didn’t do any school or work for three years. You just played CyberMech!” Vannier said, still laughing.
“Anyway, during term three and four, all twelve schools in Tier Three compete in the inter-academy league.” Picard informed him. “Four events - two for mechs and two for exos. The same tournament is run for Tier One and Two academies. Tier One is what everyone watches, while only hardcore fans like to watch Tier Two and Three. Especially the winners, in retrospect.”
“One of the key goals of a Tier two or three academy is to win,” Vannier said. “And of course, not to come in last.”
“If you come last,” Picard said, “you go down a tier.” She made a sign with her hands indicating crashing and burning.
“And if you win,” Vannier said, “you go up. Unless of course, you’re in Tier One already.”
“Academies take this tournament very seriously,” Picard added. “And what Vannier was referring to was the two exo events. Only cadets up to M3 are able to enter. If you’re in U1 or higher, you cannot.”
“Let me guess – the two exo events are the Gauntlet and Eight-vs.-Eight,” Daedo said.
Vannier nodded. “Correct. Now imagine if Fortescue’s entry used our exos?”
“Wouldn’t they be more likely to use Fortescue exos?” Picard asked.
“Well it’s true the company is likely to provide expertise, R & D, materials and everything,” Vannier said. “They benefit the most if the team does well. But the exos themselves come from the academy. It’s possible that if our exo is better than the Fortescue-assisted development exo, they will use ours.”
“I know crap about business, but if it was widely known the academy didn’t use Fortescue’s exo, would that not be embarrassing for them?” Picard asked.
Vannier said, “People assume the company academies use company resources to build their exos. But it doesn’t matter; Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard develop their own, and they’re higher-tier than us. So the companies’ research cannot be all that good. Fortescue focuses on manufacturing costs and not bleeding-edge technology like Svarski, DaVinci, and Huawei do.”
“Their mechs massacre the competition,” Picard added. ”Usually. Their pilots don’t even need to be that good.”
“I just had a thought,” Vannier said excitedly.
“What?” Daedo asked.
“If the team from Fortescue uses our exos and they do well, even if the public assumes they are Fortescue, companies like Svarski will investigate and find the truth quite easily,” Vannier said. “Just like the large companies use the tournaments to build their brand to government and the public, if we were successful in the tournament, it would propel awareness of our patents to those mega-corporations.”
“Isn’t that your job?” Picard asked, arching a sceptical eyebrow.
“It’s not her job; it’s assistance she’s bringing to our Daedalus company,” Daedo said, setting the record straight.
“It’s not always apparent from a design that something works extremely well,” Vannier said. “And we won’t always give the opportunity to have them take notice of prototype testing. The tournament results will advertise much better than any of my parents’ agents can. After all, actions speak louder than words.”
“And results speak for themselves,” Daedo said, knowing from his CyberMech days that no one would have followed his stream if he wasn’t ranked so highly. Most of his followers were players trying to improve by watching him.
“This is all so exciting,” Vannier said with sudden exuberance. She literally bounced on the ground. The results they’d achieved in the Gauntlet and the fact that Shu M3 wanted to purchase their exos filled her with confidence.
“I like that I don’t have to do anything different,” Daedo said. “I was already planning to spend most of every weekend at the workshop improving our exos.”