Chapter 498: Cooperation
Back at Antwerp Airport, Charles continued examining the sketches of the BAR left by Browning. After a moment, he handed them to Tijani.
"It's yours now," Charles said casually.
"What?" Tijani asked, puzzled, not fully understanding Charles's intention.
"You always complained your troops didn't have suitable automatic weapons," Charles explained, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "This new rifle can go straight to your units first."
Tijani's eyes immediately lit up. "Really? Are you serious?"
It was an unexpected and pleasant surprise. He had anticipated that new weapons would be allocated to armored units first, given their frontline role and heavy fighting needs.
"Yes, I'm serious," Charles replied, stirring his coffee. However, his tone carried a hint of disdain. "Do you really think this is a great weapon?"
"Of course, General!" Tijani exclaimed, examining the sketches eagerly. "It certainly is!"
"Then tell me," Charles probed, sipping his coffee slowly, "how would you equip your troops with it?"
Tijani studied the sketches intently for a moment before answering carefully, "I think we should assign it only to soldiers with exceptional physical stamina. Perhaps one or two per squad initially. But I'll need to test it first to be sure."
Charles nodded approvingly. Tijani's analysis was surprisingly correct. He had resisted the tempting but impractical idea of replacing every standard rifle with this new automatic model.
While the image of soldiers rapidly firing automatic rifles across the battlefield was captivating, reality dictated caution. Such a heavy weapon, combined with significant recoil, and the necessity to carry extensive ammunition—perhaps 200 rounds or more—would make it impractical for most infantrymen. Such practical concerns couldn't be ignored.
At that moment, a guard entered with a message. "General, Mr. Browning and Mr. Boyata have returned to see you again."
Charles calmly nodded, sipping his coffee without surprise.
"You seem to have expected their return?" Tijani remarked, noticing Charles's composed reaction.
Charles shook his head lightly. He didn't know they would come back so soon, though he could easily guess why. He'd been too quick and casual in assessing Browning's design, inadvertently arousing suspicion.
As expected, Browning rushed back in, approaching Charles with barely suppressed excitement. Breathing heavily from rushing, he blurted, "General, you knew about this rifle beforehand, didn't you?"
Charles raised an eyebrow, deciding quickly how to respond.
"What I mean is," Browning clarified nervously, "you've thought about designing something similar, right?"
After a short pause, Charles nodded calmly, "You could say that, Mr. Browning. I had considered it, but you were faster—after all, you already produced a prototype."
Browning burst out laughing with joy, relief evident on his face. "I knew it! I absolutely knew it!"
Without any hesitation, Browning pulled a chair closer, sitting informally opposite Charles, like an old friend resuming a comfortable conversation. Boyata watched anxiously, feeling embarrassed by Browning's overly casual manner toward such a prominent military figure. He stepped forward to intervene but was halted by Charles's subtle glance, indicating it was alright.
Unaware of Boyata's concerns, Browning eagerly continued, "General, you actually inspired me. Your Saint-Étienne 2 machine gun got me thinking—if a heavy machine gun could become lighter and more mobile, why couldn't it eventually evolve into a rifle manageable by a single soldier?"
Charles smoothly followed the logic Browning presented, as though completing a familiar thought, "Yes, exactly. If a heavy machine gun can become a light machine gun, why not reduce its weight further until it becomes a rifle—leading directly to the BAR."
Browning laughed louder, thrilled at their shared understanding. "Precisely! Incredible! What a remarkable coincidence!"
He leaned forward, gesturing excitedly, "Yet it makes perfect sense. This isn't just luck; we both saw the natural evolution of firearms."
Charles didn't respond, observing Browning quietly.
"What's wrong?" Browning finally noticed Charles's silence, feeling slightly unsettled.
Then suddenly, a new suspicion dawned on Browning, and he looked closely at Charles. "Wait—you do know something more, don't you? Something I haven't considered!"
Charles met his gaze steadily. "Yes, you're correct."
Browning nodded slowly, understanding. "I suspected as much. Even though I began earlier, your ideas have already surpassed mine. You know exactly how to avoid the shortcomings of my design."
Charles sighed gently, confirming indirectly. "Indeed. But I can't share the details with you, Mr. Browning. For various reasons."
Browning nodded respectfully, though disappointment flickered briefly across his face. "Of course. Your ideas belong to France, and I—I belong to FN, and thus Belgium."
Boyata, overhearing this exchange, felt his stomach drop in anxiety. Browning was clearly excited about working closely with Charles, seeing him as a like-minded peer. This mutual understanding between them was exactly what Boyata feared most—what if Browning became so enamored by Charles's brilliance he left FN altogether?
Urgently, Boyata intervened, smiling nervously, "Gentlemen, this need not be an issue! I have an idea!"
Both Charles and Browning turned their attention to Boyata, intrigued.
"What idea?" Charles asked calmly, though already anticipating Boyata's proposal.
"Why don't we cooperate?" Boyata suggested quickly, desperate to keep FN relevant. "FN and Saint-Étienne can work together! We share common goals, common enemies—we both want to develop the best weapons possible!"
Browning's eyes lit up with excitement at the suggestion. The idea seemed perfect, but almost immediately his enthusiasm waned. He sighed and shook his head regretfully. "No, Jonathan. The General doesn't need us to develop his ideas. He can easily accomplish them without FN. Cooperation wouldn't benefit him."
Boyata felt helpless for a moment, realizing Browning was correct. Charles already possessed exceptional talent, a top-notch facility, and no apparent need to share profits or designs. Why indeed would Charles agree to collaborate with FN?
Yet Charles quietly considered otherwise. Such a partnership could provide him further leverage. He could dominate Belgian military industry, gain access to FN's vast production capabilities, and secure Browning's unmatched design skills—all at minimal cost. A share of profits would be a negligible price to pay for such enormous strategic benefits.
His mind swiftly calculating, Charles hid his intentions carefully, awaiting Boyata's next move.
(End of Chapter 498)
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