The Mech Touch novel Chapter 4029

Chapter 4029 Mechs and Society

As Ves continued to hold a strange discussion with one of the stalwarts of the mech industry, he started to get a sense of Master Barnard's perspective and attitude towards the upcoming partnership.

The old man talked like he was an angel investor who was taking a huge bet on Ves' future accomplishments as a mech designer.

Though the Voiken Patriarch had missed out the earliest and best period to invest in the unorthodox mech designer, he could still use the current collaboration opportunity to form a solid chain of interests and profits between the Larkinson Clan and the Voiken Family!

This was quite a gutsy choice to make for any investor, much less a Master Mech Designer who could put his money and resources in many other promising business ventures.

Someone who had lived for over three centuries must have come across a huge amount of mech designers!

Why did Master Barnard choose to put his money on Ves instead of other candidates that were more ideologically aligned to him? It was too absurd to believe that such an impressive and well-connected figure was lacking in choices!

Perhaps Ves had been a bit too obvious in revealing his puzzlement, because the old man eventually chose to address this topic.

"Times are changing, young man." He voiced an opinion that Ves heard from an increasing number of people. "No matter how hard we try to maintain stability, there are too many internal and external factors that seek to push human civilization in a new direction. As our society changes, so must we, or else we will be swept in the dustbin of history. In light of these changes, I have a responsibility to guide my family and my descendants through the chaos and uncertainty that will sweep throughout our society."

Ves frowned yet again. He felt as if Master Barnard was teasing at something that only the upper echelon of human society were aware of. What kind of dangers were they anticipating?

"All of that sounds nice, but what does that have to do with our collaboration?"

"The changing trends of human civilization and its surroundings are highly relevant to the work that you and Professor Taigen Voiken are about to produce." Barnard steadily replied. "The greater the turmoil, the greater the need for tools that can restore order in our society. A single product such as the Pacifier Project has the potential to be one of the best and most efficient peacekeeping tools to the states that must keep a restless population in check. I have studied your work and your design approach extensively. Your glow applications have great potential, but up until now you have spent too much time, resources and effort on showering your own men with your designs instead of utilizing them to better our society."

"I… see."

Though Ves had vague aspirations to develop commercial solutions that could make a positive contribution to society, he felt it was way too premature for a Journeyman like him to entertain such grand thoughts.

He first needed to make sure that his products could get off the ground and capture a sufficient amount of market share before he could chase after other priorities!

Ves had to admit that he had only been looking at the profit potential and networking opportunities of his potential partnership with the Voiken Family. These were primarily selfish priorities, but he could see how the Pacifier Project could play an extremely helpful role in stabilizing many human settlements during more turbulent periods of time.

In fact, he bet that Master Barnard was underestimating the value of the Pacifier Project. Lufa's glow was a powerful force that could not only calm people, but also negate a lot of spiritual shenanigans!

If the Pacifier Project was able to meet the Master's high expectations and become the dominant model in the market for law enforcement mechs, then many human planets would invisibly gain a lot of protection against the more unfathomable enemies of mankind!

However, as much as he was optimistic about the Pacifier Project's future prospects, he did not think it could reach this level of ubiquity in the short term!

"I am not comfortable with planning this far in the future." Ves plainly told the Master. "While I am honored that you think my work is promising, I am not confident my work is ready to take on so much social responsibility. I am already happy enough to service the needs of individual customers. Thinking about accomplishing anything more than that is a bit too premature."

Master Barnard shook his head. "It is never too premature for mech designers such as ourselves to consider the impact of our work on the society that we live in. As a developer and seller of war weapons, you have assuredly thought about their negative impact on the lives of many people. Does it not bother you that we are actively perpetuating a cycle of continuous violence and destruction?"

Not really.

"Uhmm… I am just trying to earn a living. As long as there is a demand for mechs, I will do my best to meet it." Ves lamely replied. "I apologize, Master, but I am of the opinion that I am not a suitable target for your philosophical sermons. As a fellow mech designer, you must surely understand that our time is precious and valuable. I have many projects on my plate that I need to be working on, sir."

Master Barnard did not look amused. He directed a judgmental gaze at Ves.

"You can always make time for a valuable lesson. You may be of the opinion that you do not need to consider the social impact of your work, but it is never too soon to think about the influence of your work on people's lives. By the time you have become a Master and achieved the success that you have tried to attain, it is already far too late."

"Errr…"

If the Voiken Family hadn't been generous enough to offer a readily available large-capacity combat carrier to the Larkinson Clan as a gift, Ves would never be so patient and tolerant of Master Barnard's annoying subjects!

Why couldn't they talk about the more relevant and interesting parts about their collaboration?

He chose to pursue a career in mech design because he loved making cool war machines!

Never in his youth did he ever think about the potentially negative impact of his work on human society.

Though he did dwell on the subject at times after he started to practice his craft, he never made a fuss about it because he already concluded that whatever his customers did his products was not his responsibility!

As far as he was concerned, that was enough to settle his moral and ethical responsibilities!

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