Chapter 10

The general had several announcements that night at dinner, one of them being the schedules for who would be piloting the real CTAS that they had brought from the manufacturing base. The second was a change in how the new corps would be running. They would have a simulated resource count that carried over between missions. This meant that they could only repair so many of their CTAS that had been damaged or destroyed between missions. Anybody that the group lost in the weekly corps missions wouldn't be able to compete in the next corps missions unless they had ejected. Fuel was another limited resource that each corps would need to keep track of. New types were available for corps to take advantage of but any modifications or special weaponry would have to be submitted to Dr. Borya so he could help them fine-tune their changes or custom gear. They would allow the new commanders to train their troops during the training times given to them on the new schedule, or they could designate this as free time for friendly skirmishes between corps units, as long as their people were training. The trading of people between corps was also allowed as long as the total numbers of the corps remained the same, both people that were being traded also needed to consent to be traded away.

Loyd made a note that since they were making five groups of forty instead of the previous four groups of fifty, he would need to restructure his command staff. He would make four sub-commanders under him and someone else and each of the sub-commanders would be allowed to designate two other sub-commanders under them. He would also need each sub-commander to designate a second out the pool of the people that were the same rank as them, in case they were ever defeated in combat.

The General also stated that each corps would be allowed to choose their consultants from the staff that had gathered at his table that night based on how their groups were ranked in terms of power. This meant that the weakest corps got to go first while Loyd's went last, having all but one of the top ten pilots. This would be a big hindrance to anyone else but Loyd had a trick up his sleeve, his sister would make an excellent third commander.

"Now, are there any questions?" The general asked scanning the room for hands and saw that Loyd had raised his. "What is it?"

"Sir, I believe that since I am the one who came up with the design for the new types and was the first to pilot one, that I should be able to bypass the rule about checking with Dr. Borya so as not to overburden him." Loyd was standing at attention waiting for the general to think on the matter for almost a minute.

"Very well. I shall negate that rule for your corps so as to not overburden the doctor, but keep in mind this will make your corps' new types unwieldy compared to the other corps'."

"I am fully aware of this, sir. And I believe that the increase in sheer brute strength will make up for most of the downsides. I believe the doctor told you that balancing the new types took away nearly ten percent of its total strength?"

"Yes, he did, if you have any other questions now would be the time to speak them." The General looked around the room as Loyd began to sit back down.

"Oh, there was one more thing."

The general turned back to him looking somewhat annoyed.

"When were you going to tell us about the upgrade to the simulators?"

The general smiled. "So, you noticed that, did you? Well, the R&D department has been working on upgrading our simulators recently and they finally put their modifications into use just before the tournament today. Is that all now?" The General was amused and excited that someone had noticed the new system as it meant that it was working.

"Yes, that is all from me." Loyd sat back down pleased with himself.

"Well, I think that's everything aside from the video files, which are still being compiled at the moment. We should have those after dinner, so feel free to start eating, we won't be adding rations to your list of materials so don't worry about that." The general sat back down and grabbed his tray. It'd been a while since he had eaten with the kids and he thought he should do it more often.

xX Sometime into the dinner service Xx

"Hey, Loyd, in the simulator earlier, what was that? You scared half of us shitless and a few of the weaker stomached people actually threw up." Jim was poking at his food not very hungry.

"I'm not really sure. Might be something to do with the new simulator… or I could just be a monster." He turned to look at Jim who looked like he was going to be sick. "Well, I can tell you the simulator does know how to simulate taste now at least."

Jim laughed "What kind of sick fucker are you, Loyd?"

His mouth full, Loyd replied "I don't know, the cannibalistic kind I guess." Both boys laughed the rest of the group starting to listen in. "So, did you get the comms I asked you for, Jim?"

"Got 'em all right here, but we have ten extra, cause they only come in groups of fifty." Jim handed Loyd a briefcase he had hidden under the table.

"Good, then I'll start handing these out so everyone can understand what's going to be happening."

Loyd opened the case and pulled out the master com and put it in his ear.

"Maybe I should do that. I mean, you haven't finished eating and I don't really like the mixed veggies." Jim took the case from in front of Loyd and put in one of the lower-ranking coms.

"Wrong rank." Loyd pulled the other master comm out and handed it to Jim "You are the only person I trust with this at the moment."

Jim looked stunned but he swapped his comms, nodded and started handing out the other ones.

"Hey, who gets the sub-commander coms?" Jim turned back to look at Loyd.

"The group leaders from the tournament. If they don't want it, they have to choose someone from their group to give it too."

"Alright, that makes sense." Jim started handing the coms out again.

"Hey, this thing on?" It was someone Loyd had never met before.

"Yeah, so you're one of the group commanders then?"

"Uhm, yeah. I was, but we got beaten by the twins in the round before we fought you."

"Well, you're a sub-commander now. Your group will remain the same as when you started, and I'll dish out the resources for each sub commander to use as they see fit. We will have a reserve, so if you have a bad day, we can get you guys back in the fight. If you lose more than your worth often enough, I will step in and change your group." Loyd watched as Jim handed Mark one of the sub-commander coms.

"So, exactly how Argo operated plus the resources? That works for me." The person seemed pleased with the rules.

"So, I'm a sub-commander?" Mark seemed rather angry.

"Well, you barely proved yourself worthy of being a commander. Just be glad I gave you that rank with how poorly you fought earlier." Loyd was just kidding of course but if Mark had been even a little bit faster, Loyd would've lost.

"So, what kind of cheat did you pull?" Mark was staring at Loyd now, his eyes filled with bloodlust.

"Ooh, the pretty boy wants a rematch? That'll be fun, what say you and me go at it outside the simulator, huh?" Loyd sat there returning Mark's stare.

"Why not? That way I can do some real damage." Mark smiled at Loyd; both would enjoy this.

"As soon as I get the announcements out of the way, we can head to the gym and get this over with." Loyd could tell he'd struck a nerve earlier but he wouldn't have a lawless subordinate.

"Boys, can you stop, please? You're giving some of us a headache with how much testosterone is in the air." Sara seemed rather unimpressed by both of them.

"Yeah, let's save this for later." Mark shrugged. "It'll make this even more fun."

It took Jim a minute to get the rest of the coms handed out and most of the other corps had left already.

"That was the last of the forty, Loyd."

"Thank you, Jim. Now I guess you're all wondering why I had you all stay after dinner? Well, it was to tell you all how things are going to work in this corps. Firstly, each sub-commander will have their own cache of resources to use for their groups repairs, however, if your group starts costing more than you're worth, then I will step in and move some people around. I don't plan on trading anyone away unless they want to be. If a group needs more resources because of a special assignment, then they will get them. Fuel will be given out on a mission to mission basis and each group will receive the same amount. I plan on going through several exercises this coming week to try and teach proper fuel management on the battlefield. All sub-commanders will meet after dinner to discuss resource use and pilot statistics as well as making training schedules for each group. We will still have corps training every Thursday and Friday but most of the other days are free. I will be reserving Monday for special one on one training in order to increase piloting skills faster. Sunday morning is free time and will also be set aside for one on one training if you feel you need it, but this is strictly volunteer training. Now, are there any questions?"

Sara stood. "Sir, I believe that the Thursday corps training should be swapped with Wednesday, so we aren't doing the same training type two times in a row before the Saturday missions."

"Very well, I will consider that. Are there any other questions?"

No one stood or said anything.

"If you think of something later, just get in contact with your sub-commander, or come find me or Jim. Now that'll be all for tonight. You have the rest of the time before lights out as free time. Unless you want to come to the gym and see how I will be dealing with any insubordination."

Everyone looked around at this and Mark walked out of the hall.

"Mainly his. You are now dismissed."