Joshua and Victor Stone waited two days for the Global Scouting Team's report. Victor had successfully neutralized local bureaucracy and optimized his domestic Forge. Now, the battle was for global resource acquisition.
The scouting team—three highly paid, anonymous Terran analysts—submitted their findings, which Joshua quickly synthesized and reframed for Victor using his International Law & Trade (A-Rank) skill.
The Scouting Report
"The team has identified two prime territories for your Satellite Forge," Joshua reported, pulling up the comparative data.
Poland (The Western Outpost): "Offers high political stability, robust trade access to the European market, and strong legal compliance. The risk of sudden bureaucratic change is minimal. This is the Defensive Investment, prioritizing security and long-term compliance, but with lower overall profit margins."
Vietnam (The Eastern Frontier): "Offers radically lower operational costs, high market growth, and access to cheaper, abundant raw materials. The potential for immediate, massive profit is significant. However, political systems are less stable, and the legal environment is volatile. This is the Aggressive Investment, prioritizing rapid capital accumulation."
Victor did not hesitate. His T-Rank nature demanded the highest yield.
"The Aggressive Investment," Victor declared, his four eyes fixed on the Vietnamese data. "The defensive posture is for retreating Warlords. I require rapid accumulation of resources. We will establish the Stone Forge Asia in Vietnam."
[TASK COMPLETE: STRATEGIC CHOICE OF AGGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION.]
[GOOD DEED ACHIEVED: MAXIMIZED PROFIT POTENTIAL VIA RISK TOLERANCE.]
[SYSTEM POINTS (SP) AWARDED: +50]
[CURRENT SP: 150]
The Security Imperative
Joshua initiated the complex legal and financial structuring required to acquire the land and factory shell in Vietnam. The International Law & Trade (A-Rank) skill allowed him to construct a legally airtight subsidiary that mitigated the maximum amount of foreign regulatory friction.
But Victor immediately identified the new vulnerability.
"The Eastern Frontier lacks the structural stability of your Terran home base," Victor observed, gesturing to the volatile political risk index. "The territory will be rich in resources, but it will be contested. My Satellite Forge will be a high-value asset, vulnerable to raids or seizure by local factions."
"We must purchase protection, Victor," Joshua suggested. "A high-end private security firm."
Victor rejected the idea with a guttural sound of contempt. "Security firms are mercenaries. They lack loyalty and strategic discipline. Their efficiency is guaranteed only by their contract. I require a force of loyal soldiers who adhere to T-Rank efficiency standards."
Victor pointed to his portfolio. "Use the capital to acquire and integrate a Private Military Contractor (PMC). We will make them an internal division of Stone Acquisitions LLC."
Joshua swallowed hard. Victor was no longer just a corporate Warlord; he was building a private army.
The Acquisition of Force
Joshua quickly found a small, reputable PMC specializing in asset protection in Southeast Asia, currently struggling with cash flow. Victor immediately deployed $250,000 to purchase the company outright.
[CONCEPT TRANSFER (G-RANK) ACTIVATED]
Victor renamed the division Stone Security Division (SSD) and issued the first directive to its bewildered human commander:
"You are no longer a mercenary force. You are the Defense Arm of Stone Acquisitions LLC," Victor commanded. "Your mission is to maintain the physical integrity of Stone Forge Asia with absolute efficiency. Any threat to the territory or the resources will be met with immediate, non-lethal, but uncompromising force. Failure to secure the asset will be considered treason against the Clan."
The acquisition was successful. Victor now owned a logistics company, a manufacturing plant, and a highly trained, fully integrated Private Security Division.
"The assets are secured, Counselor," Victor concluded, looking at the two operational centers—one physical (the Forge) and one human (the SSD). "The global expansion can proceed."
Victor sat back, his empire now spanning finance, technology, logistics, and private security. His next move would be crucial.
Victor Stone is now a global power player with 75 SP remaining. His Forge Master and his Security Division are in place.