Building a Conglomerate in Another World

Hargrave stood, motioning for Matthew to follow him through the building's grand hallway. They exited through a side door, stepping out onto a cobbled street where a sleek black carriage awaited them. Two powerful horses stood harnessed, their coats glossy in the late afternoon light. Hargrave climbed in without a word, and Matthew followed suit, settling into the plush interior.

Once they were seated, Hargrave leaned forward, tapping the side of the carriage to signal the driver. With a sharp crack of the reins, the horses set off, their hooves clopping rhythmically against the cobblestones as they navigated the bustling streets of Amsterdam. Matthew peered out the window, watching as the city passed by in a blur of faces, signs, and stone facades.

"What do you think of Amsterdam so far?" Hargrave asked, his eyes fixed on Matthew with an intensity that seemed to demand more than a polite answer.

"I don't know what to say. This is the civilized city in this country and yet it's so…you know…the smell. It's unbearable."

Hargrave chuckled, clearly amused by Matthew's bluntness. "Ah, the charm of the city," he said with a wry smile. "That smell, as you put it, is unavoidable when you gather this many people in one place. The price of progress, Hesh. Things aren't always pleasant, but that's the trade-off we make."

"I take it Sylvania is a bit quieter?" Hargrave asked, studying Matthew.

"Much quieter," Matthew admitted. "Not as many people or… horses."

Hargrave laughed. "Well, you're in the center of the Republic's business world now. Where wealth is earned, deals are made, and inventions—those that succeed, anyway—can change entire industries."

"Tell me, what do you think is the solution for all of this…poop?" Hargrave asked.

"Well I think we have to eradicate horses and seek another mode of transportation," Matthew answered easily.

"That is the obvious solution, but if you remove the horses, you will remove a significant piece of the city's current infrastructure," Hargrave finished, raising an eyebrow at Matthew's quick response. "Horses may seem inefficient, but they're foundational. Removing them entirely would cause an upheaval—one that the city might not be prepared for."

Matthew nodded, realizing the truth in Hargrave's words. "I suppose so. They're vital for goods, transportation, even for status."

"Which is why we are building a network of locomotive trams in the city in hopes of reducing the number of horses…but."

"They are expensive right?" Matthew finished.

Hargrave nodded, a hint of frustration flickering across his face. "Precisely. The technology is costly, and not everyone is convinced it's worth the investment. Most people are used to their horses, despite the filth and inefficiency. Change, especially one that affects daily life so fundamentally, often meets with resistance."

Matthew looked thoughtful. "But if it's made affordable and efficient enough, people will adapt. Once they see the benefits, the inconvenience of switching will seem minor."

"True," Hargrave replied, watching him closely. "But even with efficient machinery, there are challenges. Tracks must be laid throughout the city, investments secured, and the whole system maintained. It's a logistical nightmare and an economic gamble."

"Are there enough people willing to back the project?" Matthew asked, curiosity piqued.

"Some," Hargrave said with a sigh. "But the majority are waiting to see results before they invest. Investors often need proof, something tangible to demonstrate that the costs will be justified. That's why, for now, we're focusing on select routes."

"Well, even if we succeeded, trams alone can't solve the issue of the city's growth and movement of goods," Matthew said, leaning forward slightly. "I'd imagine a more versatile system, perhaps one that's not bound to tracks. Something that could maneuver freely around obstacles and wouldn't be limited to a fixed path."

"I can't imagine what you have in mind…Oh… we are here," Hargrave said, cutting off his own words as the carriage slowed to a stop in front of an imposing building. Engraved in large, bold letters above the entrance were the words Hargrave Railway Company - Research and Development.

The carriage halted, and Matthew took a careful step down, immediately scanning the cobbled street for any unwelcome hazards. He sidestepped a rather unpleasant pile of manure on the curb, wrinkling his nose as he made his way toward the building's entrance. 

Hargrave, noticing Matthew's careful navigation, smirked slightly. "A wise choice. The streets here may be lively, but they demand a certain…awareness from those who walk them."

Matthew nodded, forcing himself to breathe shallowly. "That's putting it mildly."

Hargrave chuckled and led the way through the main doors of the building, where the air felt significantly cleaner. The entry hall was wide and orderly, filled with the quiet, efficient energy of a workplace that took itself seriously. Engineers and clerks bustled about, exchanging brief nods and glances as they recognized Hargrave.

They passed through a series of corridors until Hargrave stopped at a pair of heavy double doors. "This, Hesh, is where you'll be putting your theories to the test." He opened the doors, revealing an expansive workshop and laboratory space, filled with worktables, tools, and various machines humming away as engineers tinkered with parts.

Matthew's eyes roamed over the equipment, mentally noting the various pieces he might need for his work on the brake system. He could see prototypes of different mechanisms, drafts and schematics strewn across tables, and a few half-assembled devices resembling early models of braking systems.

Hargrave gestured toward a workstation near the back, where blueprints of the current brake models were laid out alongside tools and measuring instruments. 

"This is your station. Consider it your command post. You'll find all the tools and parts you need here. I expect you to turn your ideas into something tangible. And I'll introduce you to the head of our engineering team shortly," Hargrave finished, his gaze lingering on Matthew, as if evaluating his readiness.

Matthew took a deep breath, nodding in acknowledgment. He approached the workstation, running his hands along the blueprints and examining the tools laid out before him. Everything he could possibly need was here—from precision instruments to heavy-duty equipment, each neatly arranged and well-maintained. The scale of the resources reminded him that Hargrave was not merely entertaining his ideas; he was giving Matthew a real chance to prove himself.

As Matthew was inspecting a drafting compass, a tall, lean man with wire-rimmed glasses and an oil-streaked apron approached. He had an air of quiet authority about him, with a gaze as sharp as any tool in the workshop.

"Mr. Hesh, I presume?" the man asked as he scanned him with his analytical eyes. "You are young. I'm sure Mr. Hargrave had made a mistake of placing you here," he continued, his tone sharp with skepticism.

Matthew met his gaze, unfazed. "I understand, Mr…?"

"Edward Tanner," the man replied, giving a curt nod. "Head engineer here in the R&D division."

"Oh so you will be the one I'll be working with," Matthew said.

Tanner's lips pressed into a thin line, his brow furrowing slightly. "Let's get one thing straight, Hesh," he said, his tone laced with irritation. "I am not here to hold your hand through some wild ideas. Mr. Hargrave may have faith in your… potential, but as far as I'm concerned, this is a distraction from real work."

"I'm here to contribute, not to waste your time. If I can't prove myself, then feel free to ignore me."

Tanner scoffed, crossing his arms. "Easier said than done. This station, this equipment—it's all resources that could go to people who know what they're doing. People who have earned their place here." He looked Matthew up and down, his skepticism deepening. "You, however, have yet to prove you belong."

"Then I'll work on that," Matthew replied simply, refusing to rise to Tanner's bait.

Tanner let out a huff, clearly annoyed by Matthew's calm demeanor. "Fine," he snapped, gesturing to the array of tools and parts. "You have all the resources you need. Let's see if you can turn that sketch into something usable. Or, at the very least, into something that doesn't break within five minutes of testing."

Without waiting for a response, Tanner turned sharply on his heel, muttering something under his breath as he stalked away to check on another project across the room.

Matthew took a deep breath, his eyes lingering on Tanner's retreating figure.

"This is going to be difficult."