NOVEL NEXT Chapter 139: Weapon Dealer
On the other end of the phone line when Desai the weapon dealer heard that order he could not help but widen his eyes in absolute shock from the sheer amount of it.
Fifty high-altitude rain cannons?
One thousand rainfall bombs?
His jaw literally dropped open from the shock.
Did I hear that correctly?
He wondered from the amount trying to shake his head as if to clear his mind.
And of course, why not otherwise who in their sane minds would order such a big number of weapons.
After the moment of shock came the elation and happiness and after it came the….fear.
Yes!.. Fear!
Desai operated a private factory in a remote industrial area outside the major cities. His facility was technically legal for people, though the factory slightly operated in a gray area that most law-abiding citizens would find questionable to say the least and illegal if want to be a extremist.
This factory specialized in producing what rich people nowadays called as "adult toys" for wealthy collectors.
For example, they manufactured Desert Eagle pistols made of pure steel in perfect one-to-one scale.
They also produced hand grenades, rifles, and other military equipment as "collectibles" and "display pieces" for the rich guys.
The reason his business had been able to operate for more than ten years without being shut down or thoroughly investigated by authorities was that he only conducted business with extremely wealthy individuals of certain status, not everyone has the privilege to but these "adult toys" from him.
He specifically provided these "toys" and "collectibles" for the rich and powerful who had the connections and resources to protect both themselves and him from legal consequences of his actions if he was ever caught in the crossfire.
But all the experience as the sole weapon dealer in all Mumbai in his carrier could not have prepared him for the shock that came from Alex.
Desai was not only shocked by this particular request because it was the first time in his entire career but also because the sheer amount of the weapons could not be used as the "collectibles" anymore it is as clear as the sky that it is meant to be used for things far greater than a mere showpiece.
So, that is why after a brief moment of shock came the ultimate fear from the fear of being caught red handed.
For a moment he even thought it may be spy from the police trying to catch him red handed when he tried to sell these illegal arms to them.
Otherwise, who would ask for Fifty high-altitude rain cannons? It was madness!
Although his factory did indeed produce rain cannons among their inventory of quasi-legal items, they typically sold fewer than two units per year. It was a niche product for eccentric collectors.
But now this stranger wanted fifty of them delivered at once, plus a thousand rain bombs. He was more than a little shocked. No, he was frankly frightened by the implications.
What could anyone possibly need with fifty rain cannons?
High-altitude rain cannons were versatile devices.
They could fire not only rainfall bombs filled with cloud-seeding chemicals but also artillery shells and explosive projectiles.
If these weapons were used to commit some kind of terrorist attack or mass casualty event, Desai would definitely be implicated in the investigation and he could even see the rest of his life spending in prison.
Desai after all was a weapon dealer, so in a professional manner try to probe his determination of the purchase.
"Mr. Alex, may I ask what you intend to use so many rain cannons for? Are you planning to do something illegal or dangerous? Because if that is the case, I would not dare build even a single unit for you as I am the true patriotic person of the country and would not be swayed by such a offer regardless of how much money you offer for it" Desai's voice trembled slightly with a mixture of greed and fear.
"Do not ask so many questions about my intentions. I can assure you it will not happen within the country's borders, so you need not worry about domestic consequences if that is what you are implying.
If you do not believe me, we can sign a comprehensive risk agreement that absolves you of all legal liability from the deal."
On the phone, Alex smiled to himself. He could easily predict Desai's reaction and had prepared for exactly this objection.
After all, the business Desai usually accepted involved making small items such as replica pistols or rifles for collectors. Now Alex was asking him to manufacture fifty high-powered rain cannons plus a thousand rain bombs. It would be strange indeed if the man could remain calm in the face of such a request.
After hesitating for a long moment, weighing the risks against the potential rewards, Desai finally nodded even though Alex could not see him through the phone. "Very well! Since you have stated it that way, Mr. Alex, then I have nothing more to worry about. I will accept your commission."
This is an enormous business opportunity, Desai thought, his heart racing from the implications of gaining such a big deal.
Apparently the greed has took over him over the money /
The money I can earn from this single transaction is enough to match what I would make over eight or ten years of normal operations.
"Then please provide me with a price quotation for everything I have requested."
"Certainly. High-altitude rain cannons are not cheap to produce at all you must understand it carefully.
"Firstly steel prices have risen dramatically in recent months." Desai pulled up a calculator on his computer and began typing rapidly.
"Each rain cannon costs approximately five hundred thousand dollars to manufacture, so fifty units comes to ten million dollars in total.
The rainfall bombs are priced at two thousand dollars each, so one thousand units equals two million dollars.
Adding in the shipping costs and handling fees for items of this size and sensitivity, the total cost comes to approximately twelve point one million dollars. However, since you are an old friend of Boss Vikram, I will waive the shipping charges only for you. Twelve million dollars flat will be sufficient!"
"Acceptable. But I need everything to arrive before eleven o'clock in the morning the day after tomorrow."
"That timeline is impossibly tight right now, Mr. Alex..." Desai's face contorted with distress.
"Normally it takes two full days just to manufacture a single high-quality rain cannon. If you want fifty units produced, it would take my facility at least half a month working at full capacity to complete your order."
Alex's voice remained calm but carried an edge of steel. "If you can deliver everything to me by eleven o'clock in the morning the day after tomorrow, I will give you an additional ten million dollars as a bonus."
Desai's response was immediate and not calm at all.
What?!
An extra ten million dollars?!
And that was the final blow that broke the camel's back.
He would not need to pay anything for materials or labour since those costs were already calculated earlier.
This would be pure profit of ten million dollars!!
By the heavens, he thought, his hands beginning to shake from the excitement of it. For these fifty rain cannons and one thousand rain bombs, his normal profit margin was less than two million dollars after removing all expenses.
Seeing this incredible benefit at sight, Desai's breathing became rapid and laboured due to the implication of it.
His eyes literally turned red with excitement and desperate need.
But he has not lost his rationale from the benefit he began to picture the sudden midnight raids that might happen and the interrogations that will follow it, and headlines that would bury next day.
Still, the bonus Alex dangled seem to sparkle like a promise of a luxurious villa and the lifestyle from the ten million dollars that he might be able to get if he somehow able to complete the transaction.
Desai seriously began to think the complications due to it, meanwhile Alex simply waited not wanting to pressure him, it might be an opportunity for him to get a early retirement if he could grasp it.
But if he could not, well... he might not be out of options.
After seriously thinking for a long time Desai finally spoke.
"Mr. Alex," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion, "you have convinced me to complete the deal.
I will join the heaven and earth; I will mobilize every worker in my factory. We will operate in twenty-four-hour rotating shifts straight. I will call in every favour that I have owed to some people and pull every single resource from other projects.
You will have your fifty rain cannons and one thousand rainfall bombs delivered to your location by eleven o'clock in the morning the day after tomorrow, or I will die trying!"