BXBX NOVEL Chapter 37 - Military Division Expansion
December 2012, at the Future Tech penthouse.
It was a week after Vince met with the president. He was busy working with Jessica and the API development team in creating a military control and monitoring system, easy enough to be used in the field.
Price was busy preparing Future Security, setting up the training ground and barracks outside Austin.
Price had recruited 3,000 operators after US military veterans heard the news of Future Security\'s direct involvement in combat areas in Afghanistan. Future Security was currently 5,000 strong. 2,000 as a reserve force and headquarters security while FS would send 3,000 overseas.
[These operators are not your run-of-the-mill soldiers. All of them left cozy posts to join Future Security instead of guarding rich kids like me.] Vince thought.
Vince was disturbed from his work by a phone ringing.
"Hudson, how\'s the weather in Afghanistan?" Vince jokingly asked.
"It\'s dry. Very dry. I\'d rather not be here, but you\'re the boss." Hudson replied.
"How is our technical school doing?" Vince asked.
"We were able to purchase a large building in downtown Kandahar with the help of the US government. I\'ve recruited every local with enough competence to work and learn for decent pay." Hudson replied.
"The people we train will become essential personnel for Future Tech eventually. Maintenance and field support for our products is our top priority, but do treat them with care." Vince instructed.
[Even without the governments\' support yet, I\'ll start providing an alternative life to people who want it.] Vince thought.
"There\'s no need to rush their training. We need competence, not numbers. The defense contract duration is one year. So you\'ll have enough time." Vince added.
"The school will require Future Tech engineers. But, unfortunately, we only have a few Arabic speakers that can teach here." Hudson stated.
"Future Tech employees who are willing to teach at Kandahar will do it in rotations like the FS operators and with bonus pay. Moreover, language won\'t be an issue with our new smart device feature, real-time language translations."
"Students will only need a pair of earphones, and every word of the instructor will be translated and played in their ears," Vince replied.
"That\'s convenient. I should be able to work this out now that language isn\'t a problem. I\'ll contact you if I need anything." Hudson said before saying farewell.
Formula 1 teams are famous for their aerodynamic expertise, and Vince decided to use it to his advantage.
Vince called Kevin Lawson, a British man who directs the Future Tech F1 team.
"How is the deep VR racing simulator project with Ms. Miller doing?"
"It\'s early days, but progress is steady, though our new AIM-powered traditional racing simulators are far and above those of our competitors," Kevin replied.
"Does the team have a second driver already?" Vince asked.
"We\'ve decided to keep Nico Hulkenberg for next season alongside Randall Stevens," Kevin replied.
"How is the development of the new 2013 car?" Vince asked.
"Most of the aerodynamic package has already been developed with the help from Future Tech and our previous experiences. So there won\'t be any issues fielding two cars in April of next year." Kevin replied.
"Good, because your team will be busy with a new project. Though bonuses and promotions are on the table." Vince stated.
"What do you need us to do before the 2013 season starts?" Kevin asked curiously.
"You\'ll be designing planes. Specifically, long-range/high-altitude surveillance planes that I\'ll sell to the military and transport planes like the Globemaster. In addition, you\'ll work with SpaceX for the radio satellite functionality and Koenigsegg for the engines. No weapons for now." Vince instructed plainly.
The British racing man was stunned to hear about his new project.
"You\'re the boss, Vince," Kevin replied over the phone before Vince ended the call.
[I would have never imagined designing vehicles for military use.] Kevin thought.
As soon as Vince arrived from New York, Future Tech recruited local gun machinists for his new venture, Future Arms. As a result, machinists and designers from everywhere in Texas flocked to Austin for an opportunity to produce small arms that operators will actually use in live combat.
[Future Tech had been modifying weapons since Future Security was formed but hadn\'t designed one from scratch yet.] Vince thought.
Vince decided to buy Alliant Techsystems, the largest small arms and ammunition manufacturer in the United States. David negotiated the deal at $10 billion, which was more than fair.
The headquarters in Arlington will serve as the Future Arms and Future Security branch headquarters close to DC.
The robotics division was busy designing and producing the IED sweeper bots, while Patel and the AI division upgraded the thousands of existing military drones.
[This is the perfect time to produce new products as consumer sales always dip at the start of the year. We\'ll ramp up AIM device manufacturing again after designing the smart devices and IoT gadgets.] Vince thought
The Arena Pro League Season 2 finals will be held in mid-December in South Korea, at the Daegu Stadium.
Continuous updates to the game have retained people\'s attention on War Online, and the broadcast ratings are still growing.
Though Vince was exceptionally busy, he still decided to attend the event as an avid esports fan.
[The Arena Pro League Finals won\'t be the same without me.] Vince thought conceitedly.
Vince called his friends to ask if they wanted to come and enjoy the City of Seoul with him.
"Jessica, Are you free to join me at the APL Finals in South Korea in a week?" Vince asked.
"I can\'t, Vince. The API division is busy developing the military control unit for the new defense contract you signed a few weeks ago." Jessica replied grumpily.
"I understand. Don\'t overwork yourself. I promise to treat you to a vacation or something nice when you\'re finished." Vince replied.
"Alright, alright. I\'ll be working now. Talk to you later." Jessica said before ending the call.
[Feels bad, man.] Vince thought.
He then called Kyle to ask the same thing.
"Kyle, do you want to watch the APL finals in South Korea? I\'ll be going in a week?" Vince asked.
"I\'d love to watch it live at the Daegu Stadium, but I\'m busy working with Future Tech F1 and Future Tech VR, developing deep-sleep simulations. This project is far more interesting than watching the APL. Sorry, bro." Kyle replied.
"Okay. Thanks for your hard work. You\'ll be the first to play the deep-dive VR MMORPG when it eventually comes out." Vince stated.
"Cool. See you, Vince." Kyle replied before ending the call.
Vince then called Rick and Sarah for the same purpose.
"Sarah, will you and your brother go with me to South Korea to watch the APL Finals?" Vince asked.
"We\'re busy designing the user interface for the military control unit. So our free time will only be during Christmas week." Sarah replied.
[I deserve this for signing that defense contract without much preparation.] Vince thought dejectedly.
"Alright. It\'s good to see you twins are busying yourselves instead of raiding bosses at the LAN center." Vince replied jokingly.
"We\'d have killed the final boss of the expansion already if it weren\'t for this sudden new project," Sarah complained in reply before ending the call.
[None of my friends want to join me. I thought I was the only one addicted to work.] Vince thought sadly.
Vince called his mom to ask the same question.
"Hey, mom, will you be busy next week? I\'ll be attending the APL Finals in South Korea. Would you please accompany me?" Vince asked.
"Of course, I\'ll go with you! I\'ve always wanted to visit Seoul and shop for dresses in the Gangnam District! We should open a Future Couture store there too!" Leah excitedly replied.
"I\'m glad to have at least one person willing to join me in South Korea. How are the outreach programs doing?" Vince asked.
"All the programs have been finalized and are already being executed in Kandahar. So I have plenty of free time!" Leah replied merrily.
Vince continued working with Future Arms and Future Security to prepare them for their mission in February next year. Ralph projected that the defense contract and assignment at Dehdadi will cost $20 billion in the first year.
Ralph walked into Vince\'s penthouse office to talk about Future Tech\'s finances.
"Good to see you, Ralph. What\'s up?" Vince asked while he closed his laptop.
"Defense contracts is stable income, but you\'ve been spending too much money on Future Arms and Future Security. As a result, our consumer electronics division won\'t have enough capacity to sell our most profitable products." Ralph replied.
"I\'ll stop expanding our security division until we receive our next sizeable military contract. Happy?" Vince replied, exasperated.
"Thank you. Our total annual expenses will be close to $50 billion next year; please keep that in mind." Ralph added.
[All the technologies and companies I\'ve bought will pay dividends. I\'m confident.] Vince thought before going back to work.
Stats last time checked:
15 million BTC (currently trades at $1,000)
$90 Billion in Future Tech
8350+ employees (Future Studios, Hive Mind AI, ARM, BitCash, Future Security, FT VR, Future Tech F1, Future Tech Investments)
Vehicles: Klassen Phantom, Agera R, Agera SFV, Boeing Luxury 787 Dreamliner
Five company collaborators
Dozens of investments under Future Tech Holdings