Chapter 11
Date: October 10, 3026
"This cost four hundred Million C-bills?" Sylvie asked incrulously. She'd spent the last few days on vacation while the rest of the crew worked on clearing out the salvage yard and prepping things for the industrialmech factory they'd bought. It'd been months since Edmund had gotten things approved for the grants, and they'd spend more money than Sylvie had ever expected to see in her entire life on lawyers, hiring personnel, and digging out the earth to base critical parts of the factory underground.
Only for her to be disappointed at the sight of the factory. In her mind, she'd pictured one of the top of the line Star League factories. Even though Edmund had told them it was an old, antiquated industrialmech factory, she hadn't believed him.
Now that she saw the truth, she felt somewhat betrayed and embarrassed at the same time. On one hand, she should have taken Edmund at his word. He refused to lie about things, and she knew that. On the other hand, her partner could have made it clear that this wasn't ready to go as soon as they had moved all of the equipment in. They were going to have to affect repairs before moving to manufacturing.
"Yes," Edmund shrugged, ripping her out of her internal monologue and complaints. "It's a small factory, and it needs some work. We're lucky that we were able to snag it when we did. Colonel Ahmed was telling me that there were a few big players getting ready to move in and snatch it up. They'd have probably spent more money to snatch it out of our hands if we didn't close on this when we did."
"So, why is this?" Sylvie pointed towards where a bunch of guys led around by Billy and Eddy were moving through the machines, inspecting them and writing down notes. "So expensive if the output and everything is so low?"
"Because it's older and not black boxed," Edmund replied. "We're making notes, but all of these machines can be upgraded to make full-scale battlemechs when we have the spare resources and time to convert them. The other thing that makes this factory so great is that all of the production can be scaled up or down. With enough time and study, we can make more of the machines that are here."
"Wait," Sylvie raised a hand. "Lemme guess, it'll just take time and money?"
"Well, it'll take time and resources," Edmund shook his head with a small laugh. "Those aren't often the same things as money. Because I really want us to focus on the quality, cost, and speed of our manufacturing at the same time, it means we're essentially setting money on fire right now. Billy and Eddy are going to get paid more because they're training new people. With new people, comes more personnel and the need to pay them what they're worth. Then, you get into the possible bits and pieces that make up having a small HR department and the fact that we have to front load the cost in the beginning."
"That why you had me running around working out deals with all the mines on the planet?" Sylvies asked, beginning to put the pieces together. "So that we had a steady supply chain that wouldn't be easily broken?"
"I've seen what happens when you become reliant on 'on demand' supply chains," Edmund replied. "Trust me, it's better to have extra in stock for a surge."
"I do trust you," Sylvie sighed. "It just feels like we're moving so fast and slow at the same time."
"That's business for you," Edmund chuckled. We're going to be entering that slow phase while we get everyone trained on the factory."
"We're going to have to tool everything for the Mackies you want to produce," Sylvie added. "I don't know what it's going to take to do that."
"Surprisingly, not all that much," Edmund replied. "Originally, battlemechs were made using industrialmech factories. Starting with that as a base, while using modern weapons, armor, and fusion engines will allow us to kinda blend the old version with the new. It won't be quite as good as the original, but it'll be close, and for a lot of mercs and militia units."
"It'll be more than enough," Sylvie nodded, understanding what he was trying to say. "So, I know you've got plenty of plans and numbers rolling around in that head of yours regarding all this. How long will it take, and how much money would we burn to just fully convert it to a battlemech factory to begin with?"
"It's not exactly a hard process, it's just long," the redhead shrugged. "The money burn is that we wouldn't be making any money in the process until we were back online. That, and we're going to be building a few industrialmechs to help out around here and get a feel for exactly how the factory works. Every place has its quirks and one-off problems. We need to figure hers out before we make too many changes."
Date: November 15, 3026
Location: Moscow, Terra III
"Well, my friends, it seems that Comstar has approached us with a possible licensing issue," Dimitry Vorobev said to what was left of the board of Skobel Mechworks. "A new startup has begun advertising their intent to begin manufacturing a variant of the Mackie within the Free Worlds League. What do we wish to do with this information?"
"Well, we are not currently doing more than manufacturing a handful of spare parts and weapons systems that are mounted on other company's designs," Veronika Tarasov commented. "It is also not a design we have manufactured since the end of the Reunification War. I do not see this as a threat so long as they are not besmirching our name with subpar quality."
"If I may," James Hitchcock, Skobel's Chief Financial Officer said. "Comstar has long used our lack of capital and assets outside of Terra to force us to remain in the rut that was dug for us after the Amaris Coup and fall of the Star League. Our facilities on Caph, New Earth, Thorin and Outreach have long since been destroyed, and yet we have languished, no effort made to rebuild them or to do more than sit here and let the Ministry of Communications dictate to us what we can and cannot do. I move that we not only allow this new manufacturer to bring new Mackiesonto the field. But that we provide assistance to them."
"While I agree with you in principle," a board member said, "I am not certain that our agreement would sway Comstar's blockade on sharing of technology."
"Then we do not share technology," Veronika had latched onto the idea raised by James. "We begin by sharing expertise in our local industrialmech factories. We just also happen to provide them with some extra training in our other technologies."
"How would this benefit us?" Dimitry asked. "I see how it would benefit this startup. But it would not allow Skobel to expand, not as you have presented the idea."
"In this case, I believe we can utilize Comstar as an aid," James commented. "We will approach this new manufacturer with a deal to partner in building more industrialmechs. In a few years time, we will change operations to begin shifting to other avenues."
"If we do this, I believe we should also look into refurbishing or rebuilding other defunct, damaged and destroyed facilities," Dimitry sighed. "I will sign off on this, but as a requirement, we will also begin making plans to restore our New Earth facilities."
"I'll work with Veronika and have a one year, five year, and ten year plan drawn up for you, sir," James nodded at Dimitry. "Until then, I believe we should give a response to Comstar."
"Indeed," Dimitry nodded. "We will tell them that the Mackie is old technology, not worth getting into patent and licensing disputes over for mere pennies. I will also direct them to send a letter congratulating this," He glanced down at the information he'd been given. "Siler's Salvage and and Assembly on their willingness to restore an aging design to prominence once again."
"Sir," A board member interrupted. "I've been examining the business plans put forth by this new startup, and I believe there is another way we can profit from this."
"And what might that be?" Veronika arched an eyebrow.
"Using this launch as a base, we can begin selling merchandise like we used to. Reminding people that Skobel exists outside of Terra and that we are present. Generating positive PR in the process while we prepare to expand. Sure, it's not a ton of extra money that we will rake in. But when there is a Mackieplush with the Skobel name in every child's bed, we will be remembered."
"It would also allow us to reactivate some of the old factories," Dimitry mused. "Allowing us to hire more personnel and write them off on our taxes. Even moreso if said merchandise is sold at a loss. Yakim, as you have brought this up, you will head that project and bring it to fruition. I want to see plans on my desk by next Monday, as for the rest of you. Begin slowly bringing our factories back online. Full production would see Comstar's eyes pointed at us. But if we were simply teaching people how to operate an industrialmech line by making more weapons for their stockpiles then they could be persuaded to look the other way."
"Now, we have work to do."
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Date: November 28, 3026
"Primus, it seems Skobel Mechworks is seeking permission to expand outside of Terra," Tojo Jarlath handed the report to the head of Comstar.
"Do they now?" Tiepolo asked, reseating his glasses as he perused the report. "Most interesting. They've not attempted to do anything like this in nearly a hundred years."
"Yes," Tojo nodded. "It seems when we brought their attention to the new Mackie being built in the Free Worlds League, that their attention was brought there."
"Hmm," Tiepolo mused. "Seeking to build an industrialmech and mining facility in the Free Worlds League in combination with this startup. I assume you have people ready to begin infiltration?"
"If we allow them to proceed with this, then we have agents in place to work in Skobel and report back to us," Tojo replied. "While I understand the desire to maintain control of all of Terra's companies, there is something to be said for them going stagnant in the last few hundred years. Skobel has been locked while we have allowed the New Earth Trading Company and others to manufacture and sell weapons of war to the various Successor States."
"You believe this will serve as an outlet," Tiepolo concluded. "I am hesitant to agree, but if you believe you can get your agents placed properly, then I will bring this up to the First Circuit and see what it is that they think."
"What of this new company?" Tiepolo asked. "Do we have agents embedded within?"
"Not as of yet," Tojo shook his head. "It is one of the targets for infiltration. They are beginning to hire many people, and it is likely we can slip in one or two among the new hires."
"It is rare that we have someone new enter the cutthroat games that the industrial giants of the Inner Sphere play," the Primus allowed a toothy grin to line his face. "Let's see if this newcomer has the ability to swim with the sharks, or if they will drown like all the others."