The Mech Touch novel Chapter 1778

Before Ves called his grandfather, he first sent him a message to see if he was available to talk. He also wanted to give his grandfather some time to prepare for their conversation.

Fortunately, his grandfather wasn’t asleep or restricted from talking to him. After setting a quick appointment, Ves soon moved on to call his other helpers.

"Benny!" Ves smiled. "How’s my favorite assistant?"

Gavin’s projection awkwardly smiled. "Do you have any other assistants?"

"Well, I’ve met several of them, but all of them seem more capable than you. How come you’re the only Benny I know that can’t fight?"

"That’s not my job description."

"That’s the main reason you’re my favorite assistant. I don’t have to be on guard against you. You’re the most incompetent Benny out of all of the ones I know. You deserve a prize for that!"

"Excuse me?"

"On second thought, it’s kind of embarrassing that my Benny isn’t up to standard. I should drop you off at an elite commando training camp or something. You should really pick up some of the necessary skills that is expected of someone in your position. If you can hijack a second-class starship with minimal assistance like me, you’re qualified to call yourself a Benny!"

"My name is Gavin, boss." The perplexed assistant reminded his employer with gritted teeth.

"I know, Benny. Your name is one of the most important parts about your identity. Cherish it well!"

For the next ten minutes, Ves let go of everything and continued to ramble to Gavin like a demented teenager. He hardly asked any questions about the LMC other than to gain his assistant’s perspective on the LMC’s market position.

Of course, what Gavin told him did not differ much from what Calsie already mentioned.

Ves truly felt he was back in the saddle now that he got in touch with Gavin again. It was too bad that Gloriana hadn’t taken him aboard her ship when she mounted her rescue.

After he finished getting back in touch with Gavin, he regained his composure and called Raymond Billingsley-Larkinson.

As the most senior executive of the LMC who actually ran the company, Raymond possessed a much more comprehensive understanding of its current condition.

Ves first quizzed the COO about the areas which Calsie already explained. He received both a confirmation and some elaboration on what he already learned.

"The LMC is running on autopilot pretty much." The business-minded Larkinson elder remarked. "Even if you are absent for half a decade, our company will still be able to turn a profit. While our mech catalog is still small, the Soldier product line is such an enduring success that it will continue to function as our cash cow for many years to come."

"So there is not a lot of financial pressure on the LMC, is that right?"

Raymond nodded. "Part of that is also because we don’t have that many expenses. While we are investing a significant amount of money in building our second base at Kesseling VIII, our warchest is still replenishing. It’s enough to expand our reach in every third-rate state that is open to using our products!"

"Ves pressed his lips with his finger. "That sounds nice, but I take it we don’t have enough money to compete in a second-rate state, right?"

"Is that what you plan to do? Expand the LMC to a second-rate state?"

"It’s.. in consideration." Ves vaguely said. "I already told you that I intend to become proficient in second-class mech design. I’m still committed to this. In fact, if there is one benefit to my impromptu vacation, it’s that I’ve made a lot of progress on this front!"

"Who will you sell your mechs to, Ves? The Fridaymen? Ordinarily, they should be quite receptive to your products once they discover the benefits of your glows, but..."

Ves chuckled. "Slaughtering an entire crew of Fridaymen is a good way to block my access to their mech market."

"Quite. As for entering the Hegemony mech market, will the Hexers even approve of your designs? From what I’ve learned, a panel of matriarchs must approve every design, and I doubt they will take you seriously!"

"That’s only in the cases where men are the lead designers." Ves added, showing little concern. "Even if my involvement is problematic, one of my.. partners is already working on this issue. I’ll let you know if we have made a breakthrough on this matter."

If Calabast and Gloriana’s arrangements somehow fell through, then Ves would just have to find another market to push his products.

Vicious Mountain had always been known as a hotbed for low-level conflicts. Its odd culture of putting mech pilots in charge often led to spats between rivaling states and groups.

While the warmongering states of Vicious Mountain generally didn’t fight each other to the death like what was happening in his home star sector, the wars occasionally escalated into major conflicts that only ended when one side gained a significant advantage!

This pattern persisted for centuries, which meant that its sector-wide mech market had grown very vigorous!

Aside from mech pilots, mech designers also enjoyed a lot of respect there. Ves would probably be able to find a very willing audience if he decided to enter this market!

Of course, Ves hadn’t made his choice yet. He still had to find a way to get into the good graces of Madame Constance Wodin and the other Wodins in order to advance his relationship with Gloriana.

This was why he still wanted to enter the Hegemony’s mech market despite all of the difficulties he faced.

Ves continued to discuss some other matters about the LMC with Raymond until he became satisfied with what he learned.

"Before you go, I’d like to hear from you what you think about what is happening within our family." He said. "What is your opinion on the impending split?"