The large oak doors of the War Ministry office creaked open, revealing General Nathaniel Warner and his two closest associates, Brigadier General Henry Caldwell and Major Theodore Calloway. The trio moved with a unified purpose, their boots echoing across the polished marble floor as they entered the spacious meeting room where Matthew Hesh waited alone.

The afternoon sun streamed through the tall, arched windows, casting long shadows on the stone walls and bathing the room in a soft golden glow. Matthew stood near the center of the room, his hands in his pockets, posture relaxed but expectant. A long table stretched across the room with a decanter of water and empty glasses, though none of them seemed of interest to him. He turned as Warner entered, his expression calm and unreadable.

"General Warner," Matthew greeted, inclining his head. His voice was polite but carried an undertone of curiosity. "You’ve kept me waiting. I trust you bring news."

Warner offered a faint smile, but the general’s face revealed little. His firm demeanor didn’t crack, not even under Matthew’s knowing gaze. He gestured to the chairs across the table.

"Please, sit, Mr. Hesh," Warner said as he moved to the seat at the head of the table. Caldwell and Calloway followed, flanking him on either side.

Matthew pulled a chair back and eased into it, eyes fixed on Warner. His calm confidence betrayed none of the anxiety he might have felt waiting for this moment. He watched the three men carefully, their serious expressions giving away little.

Warner finally spoke, "Mr. Hesh, the Army Board has reached a decision."

Matthew leaned forward slightly, interest flashing in his eyes. "And?"

The general’s gaze met his squarely. "Your designs—the Hesh Model 85 rifle, automatic gun, and semi-automatic pistol—have all been approved for adoption."

Matthew’s lips curled into a small, satisfied smile, though his voice remained composed. "I see. That’s good to hear."

Caldwell chimed in, a touch more relaxed now that the news was out. "It wasn’t an easy process, Mr. Hesh. There was strong debate, especially over the automatic gun, but the results of your demonstration spoke louder than the doubts. The rifle and pistol passed without issue, and the automatic gun has been approved for limited deployment."

Matthew nodded, his expression showing no surprise. "It’s not unexpected. Change rarely comes without resistance."

Calloway spoke next, adjusting his notes in front of him. "The phased rollout will begin immediately. We’re prioritizing select units on the southern frontier and elite divisions. You’ll need to work closely with our logistics officers to ensure production schedules align with our needs."

Matthew tapped a finger against the table, thinking it through. "Hesh Industries is ready. I’ve anticipated a staggered deployment. With the infrastructure we have in place, we can meet the initial demands efficiently."

Warner leaned back slightly, his sharp gaze never leaving Matthew. "You seem confident, Mr. Hesh."

"I wouldn’t be here otherwise, General," Matthew replied smoothly. "I didn’t design these weapons to sit idle on a drawing board. They were made to perform on the field, and I have no doubt they’ll do exactly that."

Warner studied him for a moment before continuing. "You’ll have our full support, but let me make one thing clear, Mr. Hesh. This is no longer just about concepts and demonstrations. Lives will depend on these weapons—our soldiers’ lives. Failure is not an option."

Matthew’s expression sobered slightly, his tone turning serious. "General, I understand the gravity of this situation. I’ve spent years perfecting these designs not for glory or fortune, but because I believe they can make a difference. I’ve seen what outdated technology costs on the battlefield—chaos, unnecessary deaths. These weapons are a solution. I’ll personally ensure that every firearm produced meets the standards we’ve set."

Calloway gave a small nod of approval. "That’s reassuring to hear. Reliability will be key. The Army Board has also authorized field testing alongside the phased deployment. Our commanders will report directly to General Warner regarding the weapons’ performance."

Matthew seemed unfazed. "That’s acceptable. Feedback is invaluable. If there are flaws, we’ll fix them. Improvements can always be made."

Caldwell interjected with a slight smile, breaking the tension. "I must admit, Mr. Hesh, you don’t strike me as someone content to sit back and let others handle the details."

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"I don’t," Matthew replied simply. "I’ve learned that leaving critical work in the hands of others without oversight is a sure path to disappointment."

Warner glanced between his two associates before speaking again. "There’s one more matter we need to discuss. The Army Board expects full transparency from Hesh Industries regarding production. Inspections will be conducted periodically."

Matthew gave a slight nod. "Reasonable. You’ll find no resistance from me. As long as the Army fulfills its end of the contract, Hesh Industries will ensure the weapons are delivered on time and to specification."

The general regarded him for another beat before rising to his feet, signaling that the meeting was nearing its end. Caldwell and Calloway followed suit, and Matthew stood as well, pushing his chair back with an air of finality.

"I’ll have our liaison officer contact you within the day," Warner said, extending his hand. "Congratulations, Mr. Hesh. Your designs are now a part of the United Army."

Matthew took Warner’s offered hand in a firm shake. "Thank you, General. You won’t regret this decision."

"I hope not," Warner replied, his voice carrying a note of stern resolve. "Time will tell."

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As Caldwell and Calloway exchanged parting words with Matthew, Warner moved to the door. Before leaving, he turned back to Matthew one last time. "Make sure your factories are ready, Mr. Hesh. The future is watching."

With that, the three military men exited the room, leaving Matthew alone once more. He exhaled quietly, his expression shifting into a slight grin as he stepped to the window. Outside, the streets of New Hudson stretched endlessly, filled with people unaware of the change that was now underway.

"The future is watching, indeed," he muttered to himself, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. In his mind, the gears were already turning—production schedules, workforce assignments, supply chains, every detail laid out like a chessboard.

The approval of his weapons was just the beginning. Matthew knew that this success marked a turning point not just for the United Army, but for Hesh Industries and the Great Republic of Amerathia. And if his designs performed as he expected, there would be no limit to what came next.