It is the grim darkness of November 2537 and there is only peace.
One would think that peace would be a bad time for gun designers. To the contrary. While a bad time for gun salesmen, it is a very important time for gun designers indeed. A war ending means that, once all the treaties get signed and everyone gets home, people start thinking about everything that went wrong. They start making lists about it. And then they start making lists of things they'd really rather have had instead.
You're looking at one of those lists right now.
The war with Caspia ended two weeks ago. Well, the ceasefire was called, at least. They're still negotiating who gets what, but it was a serious lucky break for Akitsukuni, and while there was probably going to be some short-term belt-tightening, the Army would still have a lot of money for the end of the financial year to blow on things. Things like a new service rifle.
The old rifle is the Type 15, a heavy rifle as long as most soldiers are tall. The internal 8-round magazine was revolutionary when the Gallians invented it 20 years ago, but is practically impossible to load in a firefight. The ladder sight is complex and expensive, can break when folded down, and tends to bounce around during firing. The bayonet is excellent for indulging fantasies of being a samurai. Shortfalls in domestic production led to a purchase of the Dysklandic Frauengewehr 87, which has a hole in the bottom where dirt comes in, can't use Type 15 ammunition, and worst of all is for girls.
These things were now being redressed, and if you were careful and clever, you might be the person to redress them. Your degree in Mechanical Engineering says you're clever, but are you careful enough to win your company the contract?
Speaking of… what is your company?
[ ] Akibara Complex, the largest industrial conglomerate in the country. It would be larger than the government, were it not at least partially the government. Pros: Massive budget and expertise, Cons: Extremely rigid corporate hierarchy.
[ ] Kobayashi Heavy Industries, the largest steel and ship part manufacturer in the country and second largest company. Pros: Access to excellent materials, Cons: Horrifyingly cutthroat politics.
[ ] Her Imperial Majesty's Matchlock Manufactory Tokei. Pros: Close access to military procurement officials. Cons: Market outsider, no political backing.
[ ] Naylor Lydia-Akitsukuni: A subsidiary of the massive Albian arms manufacturer, the Naylor company runs light and hires as much local talent as possible. Partially to save money, partially to try and attract more contracts. Pros: Access to foreign expertise, don't mind that you're a woman. Cons: Uphill battle in procurement, definitely mind that you're gay.
And who are you?
[ ] Miss Tachibana, the scion of an ancient noble family, whose unwillingness to give up masculine ambitions after her transition has become socially difficult.
[ ] Miss Tachibana, an Uchinaan who has clawed her way up the greasy flagpole provided by her birth using killer political instinct, and will not stop until she reaches the top.
[ ] Miss Tachibana, the daughter of a small artisanal hunting rifle company, sent to the city to learn modern techniques and acquire experience to bring back to the family business and maybe possibly marry someone important in a bigger company please!
And what's your first name?
[ ] Write in.
