Why would I join the army if I can’t drive a Gundam!

Chapter 286 Earning Money While Standing
The response from the Gabro Command was swift; the MK2 procurement plan was even approved at the joint meeting the following day.

Based on the needs of each branch of the armed forces, the Federation directly approved the procurement of sixteen units, mainly to replace older Gundam-type mobile suits.

Makarius's combat technology center can also have two units, but these two units are not included in the unified procurement plan; instead, they are procured under the guise of combat technology center testing equipment.

In other words, the Federation Army directly placed an order for eighteen MK2s, and also requested additional adaptive equipment, such as a land combat version, depending on the mission mode.

This news immediately put Anaheim Electronics under immense pressure.

This was especially unacceptable to Anaheim's president, Melanie Schaubühne.

Anaheim's push into the federal defense industry was already aggressive, and the GP program was seen as a cornerstone, aiming for instant success and thus enabling the company to achieve a monopoly in the defense industry.

But now, before the GP plan is even completed, this dark horse has suddenly emerged.

Although the federal government has not stated that it will terminate the GP program, it goes without saying that the GP program will no longer have any further development opportunities.

"We must immediately begin research and exploration into the next generation of mobile suits. We've already fallen behind in Gundam, but we absolutely cannot lag behind in other areas!"

The MK2 order served as a wake-up call for Anaheim Electronics, but it was just that—a wake-up call. It was still a long way off before Anaheim could be shaken, and the Federation wasn't solely focused on Gundam.

In fact, according to the Federal Military Reform and Development Plan, the large number of GM series aircraft also face the need for upgrades and replacements.

Of course, this request has not yet been formally compiled into a report, but Anaheim Electronics has friends within the Federation Army.

Anaheim had been preparing for this for some time, mobilizing personnel to try and reclaim its throne with a brand-new post-war design concept.

To this end, Anaheim creatively prepared to combine the characteristics of the two different design systems of Zeon and the Federation, thereby launching research on the next generation of mobile suits.

At this critical juncture, Anaheim suddenly received a message from Tsunami Heavy Industries.

"Want to do business with us?"

"What's there to do! A bunch of thieves, robbers!"

Melanie grumbled in dissatisfaction, referring to the fact that the MK2 design used Anaheim's technology, which Anaheim had offered to them voluntarily. In other words, there was no legal problem, but Melanie was still annoyed.

"But it's good to talk, isn't it? The fact that they contacted us first shows that they also have problems they can't solve, doesn't it?"

Opposite Melanie sat a mature, beautiful woman in a business dress, her legs crossed high, lazily sizing up Melanie as she spoke.

This woman was none other than Melanie's wife, Martha Bister Cabinet, the heiress of the Bister Corporation of the Earth Federation. Like her husband, she also possessed outstanding abilities, helping him to continuously strengthen Anaheim.

"That's true, and since the head of the Matsunaga family has come out, things must be complicated!"

Melanie suddenly wondered if the Naval Strategic Research Institute couldn't handle the order for that batch of MK2 Gundams, so it wanted to collaborate with Anaheim Electronics.

Afterwards, he packed up and set off with his team and elite security forces, leaving the moon for side 7.

As for why a company boss would bring a mobile suit out, you'd have to ask the remnants of Zeon. These guys have become corrupt and decadent too quickly. After Delaz went into hiding and Dozle was executed, the remnant movement in the Earth Sphere almost came to a standstill. Those remnants who refused to surrender or fight the Federation to the death transformed into mountain bandits, highwaymen, and pirates.

Since these Earthlings can't sneak in, the only way to make money is to target wealthy people active in space. This month, there have been several attempted attacks in Grenada. In addition, there was an incident where a wealthy young lady and gentleman from a conglomerate were kidnapped while exploring a lunar crater in their own spaceship.

President Melanie naturally didn't want things to turn out that way. After all, he had a fortune and a beautiful wife. Although he had no feelings for his wife and they were only together for the purpose of a political marriage, Melanie knew that if something happened to him, the other party would not hesitate to take Anaheim away from the Cabinet family. This was the usual practice of the Vist Group.

What Melanie didn't know was that only half a day after he left, his wife welcomed a guest. After learning that Melanie had left, the two began to have sex without restraint. And this guest looked somewhat similar to Martha.

"I had no idea the Matsunaga family was so interested in the metal processing industry!"

To Melanie's surprise, his arrival at Side 7 was met with a completely unexpected turn of events. The Strategic Research Institute hadn't mentioned anything about the matter; instead, the head of the Matsunaga family gave him an analysis report on the alloy.

"It was just an unexpected bonus, but I think you should still take a look at this document!"

Matsunaga Ken, the head of the Matsunaga family, chuckled and then picked up the teacup in front of him, leisurely sipping his tea while enjoying the yokan (sweet bean jelly) on his plate.

As a Japanese immigrant, he has always loved drinking tea and eating desserts. While Melanie was looking down at the report, he easily devoured several plates of desserts.

Is this report genuine?

Seeing Matsunaga Ken patting his belly with satisfaction, Melanie unceremoniously picked up a piece of pastry and stuffed it into his mouth. He wasn't an expert, but he could still understand some of the terminology. If the report was true, then he had really come to the right place this time!
"If you don't believe me, you can send another copy to the technical staff at headquarters!"

"I will, but I want to know, why?"

"That's business, of course!"

"I know this is business, but you're just sharing this brand-new Gundanium alloy, which far surpasses all previous alloy materials, so easily?"

Melanie asked himself honestly, if Anaheim had this thing, he definitely wouldn't have taken it out!
"Of course, but it's not free!"

Actually, Ken Matsunaga didn't understand at first either. After all, this thing is so good, wouldn't it be better for us to keep it and monopolize it for our own use?

But this is Char's answer.

"This is a new type of alloy developed by Axis. It is indeed very precious in the Earth Sphere now, but do you think it will still be precious after Axis returns to the Earth Sphere?"

Monopoly is certainly good, but the problem is that the source cannot be blocked, so naturally the goal is to maximize profits. In any case, the Naval Strategic Research Institute and Tsunami Heavy Industries have already completed the production of the alloy, and the formula has been sold, so it doesn't matter.

"Well then, let's wait for my feedback!"

"No problem. By the way, if you get bored, you can also visit the combat training at the Peizen Combat Technology Center. It's much more exciting than Steel Fist from Side 6!" "I thought you were going to let me visit the new Gundam at the Naval Strategic Research Institute!"

"So, did the new Gundam also use this material?"

Matsunaga Ken shook his head.

"I don't know, after all, I'm not an expert!"

You cunning old man!
Melanie pointed at Ken Matsunaga with annoyance, then left the meeting room.

Anaheim's technical staff's analysis report would take some time, so he actually had time to take a look at the mobile suit combat exercise they mentioned.

Since the combat technology center will be permanently stationed in side 7, in order to get the local residents used to the presence of these mobile suits, Makarius projected some non-classified combat scenarios onto the large screens in the public area of ​​the satellite. Local television stations would even broadcast them live sometimes, and the broadcast effect was quite good. Side 7 already had a strong military character, so there were quite a few viewers!
Melanie was watching the latest live broadcast in his room, and when the two teams of mobile suits appeared, he couldn't help but say a few words.

"It's just a mobile suit battle, what haven't I seen before!"

But soon, his words took a completely different turn.

"Holy crap, they even have that trick? Gary, can you do that?"

When he saw something exciting, he didn't forget to ask his bodyguard.

"Uh, boss, I'm just an ordinary ace who's only shot down thirteen mobile suits!"

What could the bodyguard say? Every single one of the big shots who came out here was someone he had to salute when he met. And the other party even asked him if he could do it. With his status, if he went on the field, he would probably be turned to ashes by a beam rifle in three seconds!
Soon, a report from Anaheim arrived via a secure line, and Melanie hesitated upon seeing the results.

Matsunaga Ken really wanted to sell this alloy, and he really wanted it too, but the key point was that if he wanted to buy it, the other party's price wouldn't be low.

Now, it's his turn to willingly take the blow!
But what can be done? This is a necessity for Anaheim!

"Contact the head of the Matsunaga family!"

"So, what are the conditions?"

"Actually, it's nothing much, just these things!"

Matsunaga Ken was already prepared and was just waiting for Melanie to contact him. Then, he revealed the relevant price.

"?"

Seeing the other party's terms, Melanie was also getting restless. It was just an alloy formula. He thought that it would be fine if the other party offered a high price, but he didn't expect that this was not an offer of a high price at all. This was a rip-off!

"Database sharing, funding, equipment, personnel—you guys are going way too far! And you're even restricting us from producing Gundam Nim alloy products for a year?"

"Hey, don't get excited. You said it yourself, the value of this alloy is unimaginable. What's a little price to pay now?"

"how?"

"The problem is, this isn't business anymore, it's robbery!"

"Isn't a monopoly just robbery?"

"Besides, if you're not satisfied, we can talk again, right?"

"Then remove this one!"

Melanie immediately crossed out the category for Goranium alloy products.

"Also, I can't force these people on the list to leave Anaheim! And these few can't be moved; I can offer extra money!"

Melanie pointed to several key technical personnel, all of whom were senior engineers in the GP project. As for the others, they were just unremarkable and unremarkable guys. The other party could take them if they wanted them!
"It's alright, we can talk to them ourselves!"

Matsunaga Ken nodded. The list wasn't actually that important. It was just that Makarius had specifically asked for a technical engineer named Kasomi from Anaheim, so Matsunaga Ken added him. After all, asking for just one person would definitely arouse suspicion, but if he asked for several more and added some important people to the list, he could divert attention!
As for Kasume, in another timeline, he was the head of the Anaheim Z Gundam project. In addition, there was a technician from Zeon named Alejandro Bissusky, but this time, Makarius had the Matsunaga family intercept the latter when Zeonic was being dismantled.

If we can get these two under control, then the transformable Gundam project will be a sure thing!
After a long and drawn-out discussion, the two finally settled on a deal. Looking at the outrageous astronomical figure, Melanie didn't know what to say!
While money is the least valuable thing to Anaheim, it's a different story for the Naval Institute for Strategic Studies. The latter's technical experts far surpass Anaheim's, and with funding, they can transfer their technology. So, Anaheim is essentially feeding its competitor.

However, considering Anaheim's size, having obtained the alloy formula, and even receiving a powerful Axis-sized mobile suit as a gift, it's fair to say there are gains and losses.
After seeing Melanie off, Matsunaga Ken went to see Makarius.

"nailed it?"

"It's all settled. With this funding, I think your subsequent development won't be a problem!"

"However, you'll still need to put some thought into the personnel issue!"

"No problem, I'll go to the moon to make contact afterward. I can't guarantee anything else, but the person you want, I'll kidnap him for you, even if it means doing it by force!"

"It's not that serious, we don't need him! It's just that it's better to have him!"

Macarius waved his hand, saying that while the designers deserve much credit for the success of the Z Gundam design, a certain super-powerful kid also played a part. After all, without the data and the plan for the flight armor installation provided by the latter, the Z Gundam wouldn't have been successful so quickly.

However, since they were already here, Macarius simply adopted the other party's approach. As for the latter, Macarius did not intend to let him follow Amuro's old path, since war was still too cruel for underage children.

How is he any different from the Zeon people if he forces a child to the battlefield? If that really happens, he will have served as a general for nothing!

However, it's unlikely that Makarius would let this guy go back to being a gynecologist. Since Amuro has chosen to be a pilot, let that boy who sounds like a girl go and learn design from Timre!

After all, baldness is a very masculine hairstyle!
(End of this chapter)