The Mech Touch

Ves shook his head and stopped considering whether he had made the right decisions.
Just like Dr.
Lupo, he was swamped with responsibilities.

”Send in the next appointment. ”

Raymond Billingsley-Larkinson entered the office with a confident gait.
Though he looked a little older since Ves last saw him at his birthday party, the elder looked a lot more respectful than before.

”My thanks for inviting me to your office. ” Raymond said with a mild smile.
”I hope I can take charge of the LMC quickly.
The company urgently requires the direction of a real leader. ”

”Are you trying to say that I ’m an incompetent leader? ”

”Ah, no! That is not what I meant! I merely wanted to convey that I should lessen your burden by taking over from where Mr.
Altern has left off.
As a mech designer, you should not waste your time on these trivial matters. ”

Ves and Raymond began to converse with each other.

Unlike last time, Raymond made a sincere attempt to rein in his attitude towards Ves.
Despite his advanced age, the status of Ves in the Larkinson Family was incomparable.

Raymond clearly knew how important it was to earn the trust and appreciation of the real man in charge of the LMC.

If Ves could fire the previous Chief Operating Officer on a whim, he could easily do the same with the successor!

Though Raymond came across as a toady, that wasn ’t a bad thing to Ves.
As long as this toady knew who was in charge, it was fine if the man wanted to take advantage of his new position.

”How do you envision the LMC ten years from now? ” Ves asked.

”Limitless. ”

”Even I ’m not that optimistic. ”

”I think the LMC under your charge has a very bright future! ” Raymond elaborated with a worshipful expression towards Ves.
”You are a miracle of a mech designer.
I can sense that you have propagated your bloodline ’s love for mechs in your products.
This advantage is so great that I ’m confident that we can take the mech markets by storm! ”

Ves chuckled at Raymond ’s optimism.
”That sounds good, but the LMC is not the only game in town.
The more exceptional we are, the greater the risk of suppression.
There are already a bunch of mech designers from Ansel who are deeply displeased with my success.
Other competitors are also doing everything they can to guard their market share. ”

”Your concerns are very valid, but it is too late.
Every state involved in the Sand War has seen how helpful the Desolate Soldiers have been in stabilizing the front and rear.
Within the third line of defense, our Bright Republic and the Ylvaine Protectorate have achieved the most success in defending their territories.
I don ’t think it has escaped any observers that these two states also happened to be our most successful markets! ”

Ves nodded in agreement.
”That ’s true.
The Sand War has been an amazing opportunity for the LMC.
The role of the Desolate Soldier is so indispensable that our critics don ’t have any opportunity to complain.
Yet what about later? Ten years is a long time. ”

The focus on thinking beyond the immediate future forced Raymond to make a lot of predictions on the spot.

While Ves could already tell that Raymond was well versed in the mech industry and the present circumstances of the LMC, that wasn ’t enough.

Ves needed someone who shared his dreams and aspirations.
If Raymond was too small-minded, then he would not be able to hold his position for long.

”I think..
the LMC will become a powerful entity that transcends the borders of the Bright Republic or any other state for that matter. ” Raymond eventually voiced.
”If your relationship with Miss Wodin progresses further, then the LMC might even be able to get a foothold in the Hegemony ’s lucrative mech market.
Of course, it ’s not certain yet if that will be the case.
If the Hegemony loses against the Coalition, then the LMC won ’t be able to stay in existence. ”

”The LMC ’s position is not secure at all. ” Ves plainly stated.
”Some factors are within our control, such as the mechs I decide to design.
Other factors are out of my control, such as the outcome of the Sand War and the Komodo War.
There may come a point where we have to abandon what we ’ve built and flee from this star sector.
Are you willing to accept these possible outcomes? ”

What Ves said put a lot of pressure on Raymond.
Though he grew up as a norm within the Larkinson Family, he still inherited some of the Larkinson ’s love towards the Bright Republic.

”To be honest, I don ’t want to be driven out from the state I grew up in. ” The older man replied.
”My grandson is an expert candidate in the Mech Corps! My other offspring are also successful! I do not wish to see my entire family and everything they ’ve accomplished go to dust because of unwelcome entanglements. ”

”I ’m sorry, but I can ’t guarantee that you and your family will be able to avoid persecution.
This is the game that people on this level play.
The Larkinson Trust Fund you managed earlier is just peanuts compared to a rising mech company like the LMC.
Do you have what it takes to run a mech company that has the potential to exceed the Bright Republic? ”

Raymond had to make some very important choices.

Family, or ambition?

Tradition, or progress?

Safety, or risk?

”I think..
the Larkinsons have already changed due to you. ” Raymond eventually answered.
”The Larkinson Family has remained stagnant for too long.
While we are not used to change, that does not mean I reject it.
The LMC has done a lot of good.
Many Larkinsons have benefited from the wealth you have brought to the family.
I cannot imagine turning back the clock.
I think it ’s time that we stopped serving the people, and instead look towards serving ourselves. ”

Ves slowly began to grin.
”I think you ’ll do well in my employ as long as you hold this attitude.
Welcome to the LMC. ”

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