The Wolverine Industry 2 (Patreon)

Commissioned

The Wolverine Industry

Chapter 2 - Gorilla ii (3007)

-VB-

The Gorilla assault mech hit the scene like a meteor. On the surface, its specs looked like it was some sort of a Charger with high speed, minimal weapons, and thick armor. If someone told you that this assault mech had fifteen tons of armor, then you would also go “okay, that’s good. Not as much as an Atlas, though.” And you would be correct to respond like that… if you didn’t see the fine print. 

Because the Gorilla’s armor was not made out of standard armor but the Wolverine Industry’s own “Special Slab,” an atrocious name for an advancement in material engineering that brought the Free Worlds League closer to the Star League era. And beyond. Because whereas the ferro-fibrous armor increased the protection for the same weight, the Wolverine Hide, as we call it these days, provides more protection for less weight. 

Yes, you heard me right. 

The Wolverine Hide, officially called WSSA-37, provides more for less. 

It was better than Star League’s famed ferro-fibrous armor. 

It was about to start a war within the Free Worlds League and it with everyone else trying to secure the Wolverine Industry’s products. 

But the Wolverine Industry had its own plans…

-VB-

“What do you mean you already have all of the plates already reserved for use?” Governor Alfonse Villanueva asked incredulously. “You said it yourself. You are churning out more than fifty tons of the stuff every week. How could you have reserved them for use, not storage?” 

“Because we are putting them to use, governor,” the sales representative, some mid-level management girl, replied. 

Alfonse grunted as he looked away from her admittedly pretty face to look at the two Gorilla GOL-1C displayed in the front lobby. They were magnificent things but, personally, it was not as great as his Indomitable, a Marauder-3M. A Marauder was venerable and proven while this “Gorilla” was new with just one battle under its belt. 

But it did not mean that the makers of the Gorilla didn’t make other useful things. 

In this case, he came here for the locally produced “Wolverine Hide,” or the WSSA-37 Armor Plate. He’d seen the report of its effectiveness, and wanted to don his Marauder and the mechs of his personal house guards with it. Those same guards were with him now, and they looked just as upset as he felt. 

“I want a proper explanation,” he demanded as he took a step forward. “How does a single factory that officially makes less than five mechs a year have a use for more than six hundred tons of armor? Even if you were to have used all of those for the mechs you are making, that is still only seventy-five tons of armor. Where are the other five hundred twenty-five tons of armor platings that they are already reserved? And where is the CEO?”

The pretty face looked at him in surprise. Then she gave him a slight bow. “I apologize for the CEO’s absence. He is currently in the middle of an engineering research session. It is the reason why the CEO is absent; he is also our chief engineer.”

“Well-.”

“But unlike the fact that our factory succeeded in making five mechs this year, the fact that our factory makes fifty tons of our armor platings should not be public knowledge. Especially to someone who is not an investor.”

That brought him up short. 

Because the truth of the matter was that he had a spy among the lower levels of the Wolverine Industry’s workforce. He tried to get someone higher but he hasn’t managed it yet. 

“So what?” he asked haughtily. “It doesn’t matter how I know, only that I do know, and that you are denying me these armor plates on dubious grounds! What research ta -?!” 

Then everyone in the room felt a crackling that made the hairs rise up.

Then there was a zap. 

A zap.

It was a distant sound… and seemed to come from underground. 

He gazed down slowly and then looked back up to meet the sales rep’s eyes. 

She gave him a blank smile that gave nothing away. Except it did give away the fact that whatever it was that just happened, it may be related to the reserved armor plates. 

And for something underground to cause that kind of reaction in him just by being in proximity…? It unnerved him. Hell, he didn’t feel safe! 

He opened his mouth and then closed it. 

Perhaps discretion was the better part of valor. After all, he could always wait for his spies to move further up the corporate ladder. Sooner or later, they will have to reveal their secrets to him. 

“... Then let the CEO know that I, Governor Alfonse Villanueva, was here in his factory. I want a direct meeting with him to discuss a bulk sale of his ‘Wolverine Hide’ armor plates.”

“Of course, governor. I will be sure to send the message up to my superiors. I am sure that someone of your status will receive the attention you are owed.”

He searched her face. He couldn’t tell if she meant that sarcastically or literally. 

Whatever the case was…

“Then I will be leaving,” he grunted out and turned around, letting his long hair and flowing robes to flutter in the climate controlled air of the factory lobby. 

But as he walked out, he couldn’t help but spare another glance at the showpiece Gorillas. 

…

“Hey. What about these?”

The sales rep, who had been about to leave as well (probably back to her office), stopped and looked at where he was pointing. She followed his gaze and saw the Gorillas. 

“The showpieces, governor?” 

“Are they operational?” 

She hesitated to answer. “They are.”

“Great. Sell me those.”

“Governor, those are showpieces, not mechs meant for sale -.”

“But you are not selling me what I want. Are you denying me this, too?” He knew that he was putting pressure on the poor girl, but he really wanted those plates. 

And -.

The girl stopped and raised a hand to her ear. 

“Yes, sir,” she whispered while looking away. 

Alfonse’s eyes widened. 

That had to be her superior. Perhaps even the CEO! 

“Girl -!”

She quickly spoke up.

“Governor, your request to purchase the two Gorilla showpieces has been approved.”

“... Eh?”