Building a Conglomerate in Another World

In his office at the Hesh Factory, Matthew Hesh sat at his drafting table, deep in thought. The acquisition of Armitage Arms was finalized, and the possibilities now stretched out before him like an open canvas. His goal was clear: to revolutionize the weaponry of the Great Republic of Amerathia by introducing modern designs far ahead of their time.

With a ruler, compass, and pencil in hand, Matthew began to sketch the blueprint for his first project—a bolt-action rifle. He leaned over the table, the lamp's yellow glow illuminating his precise movements. On the paper, the outline of a long, sleek firearm began to take shape, inspired by the Mauser Gewehr 98 from his previous world.

"This will be the standard issue for any modern military," he muttered to himself, his pencil gliding across the page. "A weapon that's reliable, accurate, and easy to produce."

Amber entered the room quietly, a tray of tea in her hands. She placed it on the desk nearby and peered over his shoulder. "What are you working on now?"

"A bolt-action rifle," Matthew replied, not looking up. "It's the cornerstone of any well-equipped military. This one will have a five-round internal magazine, a smooth bolt mechanism, and a robust wooden stock."

Amber nodded, intrigued. "How will it compare to what's currently in use?"

"Faster reload times, better range, and unmatched durability," Matthew said, marking measurements along the barrel. "It'll fire a 7.92mm round, effective up to 500 yards. Perfect for infantry use."

As he worked, the rifle's components became clear: a long barrel for precision, a rear sight for accuracy, and a bolt system that was both simple and efficient. The design was practical, meant for mass production without sacrificing quality.

Once the rifle's blueprint was complete, Matthew set it aside and began on his next design: a machine gun. This would be inspired by the Browning M1919, a belt-fed, air-cooled weapon capable of sustained fire.

Amber watched as he drew a rectangular receiver and added a barrel jacket for cooling. "That looks… intimidating," she said.

"It's meant to be," Matthew replied. "This machine gun will redefine how battles are fought. Mounted on tripods, vehicles, or even aircraft, it will provide unmatched firepower. The belt-fed mechanism will allow it to sustain fire without frequent reloading, and the air-cooled barrel means it won't overheat as quickly."

He detailed the internal workings: a recoil-operated firing system and a quick-change barrel mechanism. "This will fire .30 caliber rounds," Matthew continued, "at a rate of 400 to 600 rounds per minute. Perfect for defensive positions and suppressing enemy advances."

Amber raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to produce something so intricate?"

"Armitage Arms has the machinery and skilled workers," Matthew said confidently. "With a few upgrades, they'll be able to handle this. It's just a matter of introducing them to the designs and ensuring they're trained properly."

Next, Matthew moved on to his third project: a semi-automatic pistol, modeled after the Colt M1911. He began sketching a compact, ergonomic frame with a short barrel and a magazine housed within the grip.

"This will be the sidearm of choice for officers and cavalry," he explained. "A semi-automatic pistol that's reliable, easy to carry, and simple to use."

Amber looked at the drawing, impressed by its sleek design. "And how many rounds will it hold?"

"Seven," Matthew said. "It'll fire .45 caliber rounds, packing a lot of power into a small package. It's designed for close combat and personal defense."

The pistol's design emphasized simplicity and functionality. The hammer, safety switch, and slide action were all carefully planned for ease of use. Matthew imagined soldiers and officers relying on this weapon in the heat of battle, confident in its performance.

As the hours passed, his desk became cluttered with blueprints, each representing a new step forward in the evolution of weaponry. Amber brought over a fresh cup of tea, noticing the intensity in Matthew's eyes.

"Do you ever stop to rest?" she asked, half-teasing.

Matthew smiled faintly, rubbing his temples. "I'll rest when the job's done. Right now, we're laying the foundation for something that will shape the future of warfare."

"At times, I would think how you could come up with these inventions, and they are always ahead of their time…could it be that you…" Amber said with a tone tinge with suspicion.

Matthew paused mid-sketch, his pencil hovering above the blueprint of the semi-automatic pistol. He glanced at Amber.

"Could it be that I… what?" he asked, his tone calm but probing.

Amber hesitated, then set down the tray and folded her arms, her eyes searching his. "You always seem to be one step ahead. Your ideas, your designs—they're unlike anything anyone has ever seen. It's almost as if you've… seen the future."

Matthew leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's an interesting thought, Amber. But innovation often feels like a leap into the future, doesn't it? It's about imagining what could be, rather than settling for what is."

Amber studied him carefully, her fingers tapping lightly on the edge of the desk. "You're avoiding the question, Matthew. No one else is thinking about air-cooled machine guns or semi-automatic pistols. Even the Skyliner—an aircraft with a pressurized cabin—feels decades ahead of its time. You didn't just stumble upon these ideas."

Matthew held her gaze, debating how much to reveal. He respected Amber's intelligence and loyalty, but the truth about his origins was something he'd never intended to share.

"Amber," he began slowly, "what you're seeing is the result of years of study, observation, and a willingness to push boundaries. I've spent countless hours dissecting what works, what doesn't, and how to improve it. It's not magic or prophecy—it's hard work and vision."

Amber frowned slightly but didn't press further. Instead, she picked up one of the blueprints, her tone softening.

"I'm not accusing you of anything sinister, Matthew. But you have to admit, your ideas feel like they're from another world."

"Another world, perhaps. Or maybe I'm just better at connecting the dots than most. Either way, the important thing is that these ideas will help people—protect them, empower them, and bring about a better future." Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire

Amber nodded, setting the blueprint back on the desk. "I can't argue with that. You've already changed so much, and I have no doubt you'll keep changing the world."

"Good. Then let's focus on what's ahead. Tomorrow, I'll present these designs to the engineers at Armitage Arms. The sooner we start production, the sooner we can make an impact."