Chapter 4 - School for Cadets

Academy City of Selene - New age date A.C. 302

~35 minute before the mock battle~

After the short introduction, the strategy meeting begins in ernest.

"Anyone know who this senior is? If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." Jako shot the first question by quoting an ancient military strategist.e

He got his answer from a square faced guy in his team, "David D. Carlos, we made a quick search and he isn't very well known. He does however have a reputation of heavily favouring missile and slugging out with his opponent"

Another of his team-mate chip in, "That is easy then, lets counter that with point defences or some form of anti-explosion armor..."

"That is the direct approach however, what if he decide for this round he wants to change things up a little. Instead, I would suggest we go for range." Jako suggested after some thoughts.

Very quickly every member of the team added comments that mostly revolves around range weapon being too weak or too cowardly.

"Isn't the mission to take out the flagship? Traditionally the flagship of each team will have to fight it out to see who is the victor, it will be near impossible to do that at range." it is at this moment that Jako declare, "and we will actively use the escort vessel to take out the flagship."

The team was surprise at Jako statement, "A cruiser is triple the size of a corvette and ten time more massive. If configured well, one volley can destroy an armored corvette easily." another member added, "The escort are just for show to judge the command ability of the flag. Depending on our escort that is two class below the flagship is suicidal."

Jako raise his hand to stop the other for a moment, "View the long term and not just the primary objective, a gang of four or five twelve year old can take down an adult if they are determined... See if we...." The team slowly got drawn into Jako idea as he continues to draw up a detailed phase to phase plan.

30 minutes later...

The team didn't even realize their preparation time is almost up. They are not totally convinced about Jako plan and while they are hesitating Marcus stood up, "Let's just go with this plan, we don't have time to come up with another anyway. Jako will take the flagship... any objection?"

No one oppose to Jako taking the flagship. Everyone is more concern with showcasing their command abilities and impressing others.

With Jako plan they will take an active role in this mock battle. On the other hand taking the Flagship will be counter-productive as the plan involve elements that are considered cowardly by most. Since the plan has been confirm everyone gathered and proceed towards the simulator pods

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~After the battle~

When both teams exit their simulator pods, Red team's David walks over to Blue team.

Jako reach out his hand and said, "Good game and well played."

"Good game... i will remember you dirty bastard." David face turn red as he stop in his track while Jako retracts his hand, "All is fair in love and war, i wish you better luck next time."

"... I will be seeing you in the real rankings, i don't think luck works too well there." David force out a retort and storms off.

IRIS angelic voice appear after it's long absents, 'The First Fleet Academy Ranking system, is the end of the term competition between qualified ship captains. The crew will not be A.I. manned like you did in this mock battle.

Both team will also be on equal term thus no A.I. ships is added. The ranking system is extremely important to the cadets in the Academy. It will determine your right to command a crew as well as the eligibility to join the home fleet.

To participate in the ranking you will need to get all the basic certificates to a corvette class ship along of the minimum crews required. More information will be provided by the Academy when the term starts.'

'Giving me information without my prompt, that nice of you IRIS.' Jako is amused by the cooperative response of IRIS, 'Oh of course, you have ask to share any information when it become possible that you would look dumb or break your cover... by the way 1 institute point is deducted for the information.'

'What the... New orders, you are not to answer my question in the future unless i explicitly ask for it.'

IRIS whistles...

Marcus pat Jako on his back, "I don't think that was wise, pissing off a senior before the school term start... that is bad right."

"I needed to blow off some steam from the pant up frustrations... where should we go next?" Jako sigh as he ask Marcus.

"Not sure what you are frustrated about but next is to sign up for course and start school, what else could there be?"

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In the year A.C. 291, First Fleet Academy made a huge reform to their Academy and the five division was born. But what trigger the reform was not the Academy poor administration, it the the 8 military fleets which change their command structure.

A Captain was someone that has been given a position and through that position or rank he or she have power to command others on the ship. Leadership, on the other hand does not need a formal rank but could lead a team or crew anyway. What the fleet wanted was leaders, that was the new direction of the fleet. That also meant old ways of man and women promoting up the ranks through knowledge or experience in the field were deem obsolete and unsustainable. A reform was needed.

What the Academy reform propose to satisfy this reform was to have the cadet and crew system. If you want to fly a ship, gather your own crew. But if just anyone could captain his own ship because he is a people person that wouldn't be good for the fleet.

The captain wannabe could be a "natural leader", with a combination of talents and traits in leading others or "director leader" who can direct and provide opportunity for people of talent in his team to contribute. There also some that has no traits at all but could still make the crew work at top conditions. A system is needed to pick the cream of the corp and filter the unqualified away.

It falls to the Academy, a school for cadets to be this filter. The Academy thus came up with the certificate system and the Academy ranking system. All Captains must be train in the basic of their ship systems and perform well enough against his cohort to be qualify to even step on-board a military vessel.

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"Do you understand now what the first wall is? Jako getting a crew is the hardest part about being a cadet, everyone here to be a captain, a leader, the cake is small the spoons are many. It might look like an Academy, a school but underneath it's a dog-eat-dog world out here."

"Why are you being so friendly with me then?"

"Oh, to be honest, i thought you might fail and give up half way. Maybe you will join my crew after the failure or in the case you succeed in getting your own ship we could form a squad. There was little downside. But now getting to know you... i think i made a mistake."

"Don't be a drama queen, i'm a nice person... you just need to know me better"

"Anyway the school administration is up ahead, you should go sign up for your courses this term. I have already submitted my document in advance. I'm meeting my friends for lunch so be seeing you around."

As the two separate form each other Jako was struck by a sudden loneliness. Marcus, the mock game and the innocent bystander David which he blow some steam off. It doesn't change his reality, his life is still not his and there is still much to do.

Jako made his way to the administration building to start his first leg of the long journey....

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As Jako walks out of the administrative building and ask IRIS to pull up his stats.

Name: Jakobsen Bedivere

Citizenship: 2nd Class ITI Citizen

Specializations: None

Institute Points (IP): 67

Credit: 0

Ranking: Unranked (Corvette Class)

Current Schedule: Complete and get your first certificate.

[Certification]

Basic Corvette Certification (0%)

Basic Weaponry (0%)

Basic Navigation (0%)

Basic Piloting (0%)

Basic Engineering (0%)

[Physical Attributes]

Strength: 0.6

Dexterity: 0.7

Endurance: 0.6

[A.I. Abilities]

Knowledge Injection - experimental

Skill Injection - experimental

A.I direct Body management - experimental

'Guess my next task is completing those five basic certificates... but first where is the dormitory and how can i get some food around here...'

As if waiting for the right moment IRIS injects, 'It will be a point for that information, you want it? I know you do.'

'...'