A week later,
As Alfonso stepped outside his office, heavy rain began to pour. He hoped it wouldn't continue and worsen.
Alfonso made his way to one of the naval bases close to Malacañang Palace, known as the Manila Naval Base.
The Manila Naval Base was commissioned during his father's administration as part of the Pacific Fleet. However, Alfonso's visit that day wasn't for sightseeing naval warships. Instead, they were there to test new equipment for the infantry.
As the rain was getting close to stopping, Alfonso found himself in an open area of the naval base. It was here that he was approached by a man in his sixties, clad in a military uniform.
"Good morning, Your Majesty. We are honored by your presence here at my base," greeted the man with a respectful bow.
The man was Lorenzo dela Cruz, the esteemed Chief of the General Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces.
"Is everything in place?" Alfonso inquired simply, his eyes scanning the area.
"Yes, sire," Lorenzo replied, turning around and gesturing towards a row of ten military-clad men standing in perfect formation. "These are the finest soldiers I can think of in the Philippine Armed Forces."
The ten soldiers stood firm, their unwavering gaze fixed on Alfonso. As he looked at each one of them, he could feel the respect emanating from their disciplined presence. The sight of their dedication and loyalty uplifted his spirits.
"Very good," Alfonso remarked, his tone showing approval, as he walked towards the lines of soldiers. Coming to a halt beside one of the men, he decided to start his inspection with them. Observing their uniforms closely, he couldn't help but notice that they were outdated and had been in use for nearly two decades.
Alfonso recognized that a modern and well-equipped military also required updated uniforms. It was not just about the weapons and technology, but also about instilling a sense of pride and unity among the troops. Perhaps, after he finished working on his prototype computer, he could focus on designing a new uniform that would match the upgraded equipment.
"I am pleased with your dedication and service," Alfonso addressed the soldiers, "but as we move towards modernizing our armed forces, we must also consider upgrading your uniforms to reflect the progress we aim to achieve. I will see to it that the necessary changes are made in the near future."
The soldiers nodded in acknowledgment, their commitment to their duty unwavering. Alfonso knew that by providing them with the best equipment and attire, they would be better prepared to serve and protect their country.
Alfonso nodded in satisfaction as he returned to his previous position, feeling a sense of excitement building within him. Just seconds later, a low grumble of engines sounded in the distance, catching Alfonso's attention. He turned his head and saw twenty military trucks approaching, bringing with them the anticipation of something significant.
The trucks came to a halt near the soldiers, and without hesitation, the troops began unloading the cargo. The boxes they carried contained the new weapons that were meant to replace their outdated bolt-action Mosin-Nagant rifles.
With the equipment now in place, Alfonso clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention. The atmosphere around them shifted as the soldiers became serious and attentive.
"Okay, gentlemen, listen up!" Alfonso's voice rang out, commanding the soldiers' focus. "Today, we will test a new prototype weapon that will replace the standard-issue bolt-action Mosin Nagant. I must stress the utmost secrecy surrounding this operation. Anyone who even utters a word about it will be tried for treason, and the punishment for such an offense is death. Given the select few of you present, it won't be difficult to track down any traitors. So, I expect complete discretion from each one of you."
The soldiers nodded in acknowledgment, fully understanding the gravity of the situation. They knew they were part of something extraordinary, and they were ready to follow their king's orders without question.
"Now, you may wonder why I've implemented such strict measures," Alfonso continued, his gaze sweeping across the attentive faces before him. "The reason is simple—what we are about to test is groundbreaking technology, unknown to foreign countries like Deutschland, The Britannia, or the Francois Republic. We are pioneers in this field, and it may very well give us a significant advantage in the future."
Alfonso motioned towards one of the soldiers who had been responsible for unloading the boxes, signaling for him to open one. The soldier nodded in acknowledgment and carefully unsealed a box. He then retrieved the contents and handed the prototype weapon to Alfonso.
As the soldiers beheld the weapon in Alfonso's hand, their eyes widened in awe and surprise. The design was unlike anything they had seen before, and it exuded an aura of advanced technology.
"Behold, gentlemen, the M-SLR," Alfonso proudly proclaimed, raising the Heckler and Koch HK33 in the air for all to see. "This piece of art is no easy feat to manufacture, but thanks to the efforts of the arms manufacturer Maya, they were able to produce 20 of them in just three weeks."
The soldiers listened with keen interest as Alfonso delved into the basic information about the HK33. He highlighted its compact size, boasting a shorter barrel than the Mosin Nagant, and its remarkable magazine capacity of 30 rounds. The maximum rate of fire of approximately 750 rounds per minute was enough to impress even seasoned soldiers.
"The effective firing range is around 400 meters, making it a versatile and formidable weapon," Alfonso continued. "The name of this exceptional rifle is the M-SLR,M stands for Maya, with SLR standing for Self Loading Rifle."
Alfonso's knowledge and familiarity with the weapon left the soldiers in awe. They couldn't help but wonder how their king possessed such extensive expertise in firearms. Even the Chief of the General Staff was astounded by Alfonso's grasp of the weapon's intricacies.
As the soldiers watched Alfonso demonstrate the basic handling of the M-SLR, their admiration for their king grew. They were proud to serve under a leader who was not only knowledgeable but also visionary in his efforts to modernize and strengthen the Philippine Armed Forces.
The young prince's thorough explanation of the weapon had left the soldiers in awe and shock. To think that a single firearm could carry 30 rounds in a single loadout was mind-boggling. It was a stark contrast to their familiar Mosin Nagant, which could only hold a mere five rounds. If the emperor's words were indeed true, then this new weapon had the potential to revolutionize warfare and transform their military capabilities.
"Alright, form a line and each of you, get one for yourself," Alfonso commanded with a commanding tone. He gestured towards the HK33 assault rifles, waiting for them to be picked up by the eager soldiers. As they took hold of the new firearms, they couldn't help but be intrigued by the design, which was both sleek and modern. It was like alien technology to them, unlike anything they had ever seen before.
Taking their positions, the soldiers checked the balance of the HK33 and aimed down the sights. They marveled at its comparatively lighter weight and ergonomic design, a far cry from their traditional Mosin Nagant rifles.
After they were ready, Alfonso took the lead, preparing to demonstrate the weapon's capabilities. "This is going to be different from the Mosin Nagant you're accustomed to. The M-SLR is an automatic rifle, which means you no longer need to load each round manually using a clip. Instead, we use a detachable box magazine, similar to the M1911 Pistol used by the United States."
With that, Alfonso trained the weapon on a target dummy positioned 100 meters away. Before proceeding, he reminded them, "This weapon has two modes of operation: semi-automatic and full-automatic. We'll start with semi-automatic. Watch and learn."
Taking a brief moment to steady himself, Alfonso took a deep breath and gently squeezed the trigger. The M-SLR emitted a sharp crack as an empty cartridge ejected from the ejection port on its left side. The sudden noise startled the soldiers, causing them to instinctively cover their ears.
Without missing a beat, Alfonso swiftly switched the rifle to full-auto, and the gun roared to life, firing rapidly like a machine gun. The deafening noise reverberated through the open area, amplifying the astonishment of the onlooking soldiers.
After a blazing fifteen seconds, Alfonso ceased fire, having emptied the magazine with impressive accuracy. All his shots had hit the target precisely. It was evident that he still possessed exceptional marksmanship and control over the weapon.
The soldiers were left speechless, their minds trying to process the sheer power and efficiency of the M-SLR. Indeed, it was capable of spewing out 30 rounds in a matter of seconds.
Even the Chief of the General Staff was in a state of disbelief. He could see how this weapon would be a game-changer in warfare, giving the Philippine Armed Forces a significant edge on the battlefield.
The excitement in the air was palpable, and the soldiers couldn't contain their admiration and enthusiasm. They applauded and cheered for their king, proud to serve under a leader who was spearheading such innovative advancements.
"As you can see, this is where it gets tricky," Alfonso said with a wry smile as he switched back to semi-automatic mode and tapped the barrel of the M-SLR, ejecting the empty magazine. With practiced ease, he inserted a new one. "This rifle's magazine can hold 30 rounds of ammunition, a vast difference from the typical Mosin Nagant's five-round clip. Just imagine the revolutionary impact this can have on the battlefield, where each soldier can potentially take down 30 enemies in one go. It's vital to exercise strict measures to protect this weapon from falling into the hands of our enemies."
The soldiers were deeply inspired by their king's vision and dedication to the country's defense. With the M-SLR as a testament to his commitment, they knew they were part of a new era in the Philippine Armed Forces. Their hearts swelled with pride as they looked forward to a future where they would wield these powerful weapons to safeguard their nation.
Alfonso had taken decisive measures to safeguard his future military technologies. He implemented a new law that strictly prohibited the arms industry from selling weaponry to any foreign nation without the state's explicit permission. This ensured that the advanced weapons he designed would remain within the country's control, preventing any potential misuse or threat to national security. Furthermore, he granted the arms manufacturers the rights to produce these weapons under the condition that they uphold their commitment and confidentiality, thus establishing a mutual trust between the government and the industry.
To tackle the looming issue of espionage, Alfonso recognized the importance of bolstering the Minister of Internal Affairs' capabilities. He had plans to allocate a substantial budget to the ministry, enabling them to implement stricter measures for foreigners stepping foot on Philippine soil. These measures would serve as a crucial deterrent to any potential spies seeking to gain unauthorized access to classified information or sensitive military installations.
As for earning from the weapons he designed, Alfonso had devised a strategic approach. Through royalties and rights, he would secure a steady stream of income, which he could then reinvest into funding more ambitious projects, specifically focused on the development of cutting-edge weaponry. By doing so, Alfonso ensured a sustainable funding source for his endeavors, fueling the continuous advancement of the Philippine Armed Forces.
"Okay, it's your turn now. Take position!" Alfonso commanded with authority, rousing the soldiers to action. They eagerly picked up their M-SLRs, loading them with magazines and aiming intently at the distant target in the open area.
"Fire!" Alfonso's voice echoed through the mountain, and a thunderous cacophony of gunfire erupted. The soldiers fired their weapons with a mix of excitement and astonishment, their eyes wide with amazement as they witnessed the incredible firepower of the M-SLR.
After they emptied their magazines, the soldiers were left in a state of shock, their adrenaline pumping from the sheer exhilaration of using such advanced weaponry. For a moment, they stood there, trying to comprehend the magnitude of the experience they had just undergone.
Alfonso, pleased with their performance, clapped his hands in appreciation. "Excellent, you're all quick learners," he commended with a proud smile. "Now, it's time for the second prototype."
He motioned to the soldier once again, who received a new, different type of weapon from Alfonso. The soldiers' eyes were fixated on the unfamiliar firearm that Alfonso was now holding.
"This second prototype, I call it the M-AR47," Alfonso declared with enthusiasm, the excitement in his voice palpable. "Let's continue our exploration into the future of military technology."