Cooperation, Thoughts—Please Keep Reading

More than two weeks later.

The same suburban training ground, the same people.

Looking at General Evra's stern face, Luke actually felt a strange sense of familiarity. Especially now that he knew they might secure a major order today, Evra's face looked even friendlier.

"I heard you've made something good again?" General Evra stepped forward and shook Luke's hand. His stern expression softened slightly, like spring rain. Though Luke looked young and his family had little influence in the military, he was clever, could provide military products Evra urgently needed, and understood how to show appreciation after getting an order. That was enough.

"This is it." Luke pointed to the heavily futuristic heavy helicopter behind him. It was thirty-one meters long, nine meters high, and silver-white from nose to tail.

"It looks ordinary enough. You said its carrying capacity is impressive?" General Evra glanced at the heavy transport helicopter behind Luke.

"Even at full load, it can lift another 120 tons." Luke delivered the startling statement as casually as if it were nothing.

At least, General Evra's previously dismissive expression changed the instant he heard it. Unable to help himself, he looked at the heavy helicopter again, pointed at it, and asked in astonishment, "120 tons?"

"You can have someone inspect it personally." Luke stepped aside. The people behind Evra, who had long been unable to wait, immediately rushed forward. Under the explanations and guidance of Hebron's employees, they began familiarizing themselves with and temporarily taking control of the heavy transport aircraft. Others frantically made calls, telling people to prepare equipment with enough weight.

"How did you do it?" Evra stared at Luke's still-young, somewhat boyish face, his eyes blazing with interest.

"We improved the power system. Also, Hebron Industries has developed several new alloy materials. They're lighter, tougher, more durable, and more malleable." Ina Sandra took over, her face full of pride. "Without exaggeration, if we release these materials, they'll become the first choice for countless cutting-edge military industrial companies."

"The only drawback is that they're expensive." Ina Sandra ended with a hint of regret.

General Evra fell into thought. He understood some of what Ina Sandra was implying. Before their first deal, he had looked into Hebron Industries, Luke, and the others. Though Luke's parents had little influence in the military, they were acquainted with quite a few wealthy businessmen and senators. Their connections were broad.

Ina Sandra's own parents were likewise a combination of senator and wealthy businessman. She had her own family business, and the two families were close. According to the information he had gathered, this woman had been a key figure when Hebron Industries was founded, contributing tremendous effort and a considerable amount of funding. Her exceptional management ability had also become unmistakable over the past few years. She was no mere decorative figurehead.

That was why, when there were things Luke could not conveniently say, this woman had the confidence, capability, and status to speak on his behalf.

"If they truly are good materials, then naturally they're worth promoting. I'll use my connections to give you a hand." General Evra nodded. It was no difficult matter for him. Besides, if those new materials were really as Ina said, then even without his help, they would inevitably be sought after once introduced.

After all, the circle was neither large nor small—but in truth, it was very small.

Luke watched as the helicopter he had named Hebron 01 took off and flew toward the test range, his heart perfectly calm. The heavy transport aircraft from Pacific Rim could lift at least 300 tons. Naturally, what he had brought out was not the ultimate version. As a qualified company manager, after learning of Luke's technology, Ina had ruthlessly cut it down and produced a downgraded version.

In her words, if even a downgraded version could crush the competition, why throw out the trump card from the start? Developing a company was difficult. Apart from expanding the workforce, they needed money to build this and make that. So, to avoid falling into a financial crunch in the future, every one of their products had to maximize profits!

When she said those words, Ina Sandra's face practically glowed. The force she carried and the way she stared at him made Luke feel a chill down his back. Besides, he thought Ina was right, so he readily made several downgraded versions, even replacing the power system. At least for the next three generations, Luke would not need to worry about it anymore.

Wasn't it just squeezing out the toothpaste a little at a time?

Wasn't it just building up a technological edge?

Wasn't it so that once competitors finally caught up in performance, you could casually roll out an upgraded generation and make them curse you for being inhuman?

If it involved something he needed to promote for his own upgrades, Luke would naturally make the final decision without hesitation. But heavy transport aircraft technology was neither important nor related to his upgrades, so he could let her do whatever she wanted with it.

"I heard there was a problem with your security team?" General Evra looked at Luke with a smile. "Do you need me to introduce some people? They're good young men about to retire from service. Making them bodyguards would be beneath their talents."

"Thank you." Luke naturally would not refuse. Though he lacked Ina Sandra's practiced social intelligence and ability to read people, he understood that Evra was not saying this to mock him. He was showing goodwill and trying to forge a closer relationship between them.

"Do you have any capable soldiers who have to retire because of injuries or disabilities?" Luke made his request under Evra's astonished gaze.

"Of course. There are many such soldiers every year. Quite a few of them were excellent young men before they were injured." Evra was somewhat puzzled.

"Hebron recently developed a new technology that lets people control Mechanical Limbs as naturally as they control flesh-and-blood arms. We just haven't had any test subjects yet. What I can guarantee is that the technology is mature and carries no major risks. If there are soldiers who want to return to normal and find work while they're at it, you can explain it clearly to them and refer them to me." Luke spoke tactfully.

No matter what, he still needed a certain amount of security. His parents, Ina, the company's executives, and others all needed people to protect their personal safety.

As for trust, and how to prevent another betrayal like Wallace's, Luke's solution was to help disabled soldiers obtain Mechanical Limbs as a safeguard, along with a neural-synchronization identification system for screening. It could not guarantee that no one harbored ill intentions, but when the moment came, the installed Mechanical Limbs and technological equipment could serve as the decisive trump card.

PS: Please keep reading, dear readers. It's Tuesday.