The Mechanical Era

Meanwhile, in the city of Hoverdam, the OSAC group trio of Oswald, Jac, and Alister met up at Oswald's house so that they all could sit next to each other while staring down a stone mason who went by the name Decan Hurst. As expected on a hot day like today, they all wore long-sleeved shirts, with a tie around them, and black pants along with some new pair of leather shoes.

Oswald possessed a red tie, while Jac went with an expensive purple tie. Alister on the other hand went with a calm blue. While they did have different colored ties, they all owned the same colored suit, a dark navy blue. Very expensive, but it made them look rather professional.

They had their suits tailored for many reasons. One was to appeal to the Prince so that when their next meeting take place, he would feel complimented. The second reason was the hot weather that rages during the summer.

Decan, on the other hand, was wearing a normal tunic, with a pair of breeches and a pair of calfskin boots. He did not have much money to waste on such fancy suits, not yet at least.

"Your outfit looks very fashionable gentlemen," he complimented first.

"Thank you. Now, I assume you have the blueprint we have commissioned?" Jac questions Decan.

"Yes, Mr. Jac. I do. My team worked along with a few craftsmen with the knowledge of the steam engine and other textile machinery to make it work." Decan reaches into his leather satchel bag he brought along with him for this meeting. He takes out a large roll piece of beige paper. He unravels it and turns it around for the trio to see.

The beige paper lays out a simple blueprint of the building. On the right side of the building, features a sort of stable, with spaces for caravans to come in and deliver the necessary items to be processed, in this case, cotton.

Next to the stable room, connected to the lower half of the stable, was where the spinning mules hung around. Connected and powered by steam engines, these machines would make quick work of the cotton by turning it into threads.

Above the room containing the spinning mule, is where the power loom is located. Also powered by steam engines, these machines quickly turn the threads to fabric efficiently. As the power loom room is located next to it is a smaller packaging room, where the fabric would be packaged to be placed inside the caravans.

"We did our best to incorporate all your requests while designing the building. We estimate it has a maximum capacity of about 40 people. About 20 in the mule room, 14 at the loom, and 6 in the packaging room.

The machines are located on the sides of each room so that the middle could be a hallway where people can easily bring in the cotton supplies and hand them out to the workers, and then bring the threads over to the loom room quickly.

The building can also be easily expanded in terms of floors or space. We installed areas for pipes to be installed so the steam can safely leave the building, and the rooms are connected the way it was requested.

So... gentlemen. What do you all think?" Decan asked. The group looked at it further before giving any comment.

"Hmm... It looks good. Say, do you happen to have any sketches of how the building might look like?" Alister asks.

"Ah, yes. I do." he goes down to his bag again, and hands out the sketches. They feature the buildings from the exterior front and side, while also having some on the interior.

The architecture followed the Arteco Design Movement, which was extremely similar to Art Deco. The particular building followed the sleek, geometric styling, and cubist characteristics of the architecture. The windows, like many others, were made of wood.

"Amazing. It looks good," Alister commented.

"Thank you, Mr. Alister, Mr. Oswald. What do you think Mr. Jac?" Jac examined the sketches a bit further than commenting.

"...Good. I like it." Decan smiles.

"So... gentlemen. What do you think?" he questions again.

"You and your team have done well Mr. Decan. Now what we need is to construct the building itself. I assume your firm also offers construction services?"

"Yes. Although we can take some of our time to hire team members and construct the building, we will need a bit of money upfront."

"How much are you assuming?"

"Normally, I would charge about 75 silver for a building of this caliber. However, if we manage to receive, say a material for a cheaper price, I might be able to bring it down. I assume you all currently control the cement factory, correct?" Decan asked.

The trio was surprised that he learned of their ownership, but not shocked. I mean, it is a business deal after all. Information regarding both sides is key to gaining the advantage. Jac, being the negotiator, asked his price.

"If you lower the price of your cement by... about 40%, I can easily decrease it to 36 silver coins. How does that sound, eye?" Jac thought of it for a minute, before responding.

"How many tons of cement do you need?"

"Hmm... about... 900 tons of cement? Maybe more."

He whispered to his partner's eye on his proposal, before putting it forward to Decan.

The two were dismayed a little but trusted in Jac's judgment. With them giving the green light, Jac gave his offer.

"We will give the cement for free, but you will have to reduce it to 18 silver coins. How does that sound?"

"27 silver coins, and it's a deal."

"How about 24?" Jac counter offered. Decan thought of it before responding.

"Alright. Agreed," he replies. The two men shook their hands on it. Just then, there was a knock on the door. A maid enters their room and informs them that Mr. Hugo Higgins had arrived to see them.

"Well, it appears this is where our meeting ends. Say, when shall construction begin?" Decan asks.

"We will inform you at the adequate time," Jac replied. With that, Decan left the room, allowing Hugo to enter. He had worn a short-sleeved cotton tunic, acorn gray breeches, and calfskin shoes. Hugo appeared to breathe heavily as if he had run for his life. His whole body and clothing were drenched in sweat from the heat.

"Mr. Higgins! What brings you here?" Oswald asks.

"Big trouble gentlemen. May I sit down?" Hugo requests while pointing at the empty chair that used to be occupied by Decan.

"Of course! Sit down," Oswald replied. Hugo walks over and occupies the seat. From his pocket, he takes out a napkin to wipe off the sweat from his face.

"Hot day, huh?"

"Well yes, but that is the least of our worries, gentlemen," Hugo commented.

"I see. What appears to be the problem?" Jac questioned Hugo.

"The cotton supply, gentlemen. A messenger arrived today informing me that all shipments from the south to the north had been blocked!" he said.

"Ah. The war."

"What?" Hugo queries.

"Well, there has been a... conflict ignited by the north and south kingdoms. This would mean that we might not see any imports from the south anytime soon." Hugo had a horrified look on his face.

"But... but how will I ever be able to make my products now?" he asks.

"Simple, we switched to an alternative for the time being. Ain't that right gentlemen?" Jac directed at the others, who smiled and nodded accordingly.

"Alright... but where will I get these supplies?" he asks.

"Hmm... Oswald?" Jac turned to Oswald.

"I know a man who knows a lot of sheepherders in the east. I could try to contact him to get us some wool. Their main trade partner was stationed primarily in the south, so we can assume that the supply chain had been cut off."

"Ah, so with the recent void in their demand, we can scoop in and take over their entire supplies. It would provide us with a brilliant opportunity," Alister commented

"What?"

"You mainly worked with cotton, correct?" Alister queried

"Yes?"

"Well, if you managed to get the hand of wool we would have two fabrics to work with. The factory we have commissioned features two lines of assembly. Although originally, we planned to have both these run cotton, we can make sure that one runs cotton while the other is wool.

By the time the war would be over, we would have the factory built. That means we could finally buy up more cotton supplies, and produce cotton fabrics, along with wool fabrics at the same time. We will be able to produce them cheaply and be able to outsell our competitors. Do you understand?"

"Um... yes, sir. I do."

"Good. Now, do you have any remaining cotton supplies left to work with? Can you continue producing?"

"Yes, I could for about 2 weeks at the most."

"Perfect! By the time you run out, we would have the wool coming to replace it. You have to worry about!"

"I see. Alright then. Thank you, gentlemen. I will make my leave now." Hugo thanked the men and left the room.