Reborn For Power

As I lay in this hospital bed, slowly dying, I think back on my life and all the regrets I have. After the attacks on September 11th I joined the army, at the age of 19, for the next twelve years I served throughout the Middle East. I watched brothers die in a war ultimately caused by meddling politicians. I was discharged in December of 2013, after an ied took one of my legs and added three more to the count of my warrior brothers who have been killed.

After I was honorably discharged I didn't know what to do with my life, I had plenty of money saved up as well as inheritance money from my grandparents that had been sitting in my bank account for nearly a decade. Enough to live comfortably for a couple lifetimes luxuriously. I lost myself in booze of all things, I had never been a heavy drinker but now that I was a civilian I enjoyed the haziness that drinking brought. It made me forget, something that little else could accomplish. And so I spent a decade slowly drinking myself to death.

Yet it wasn't the alcohol that is now killing me, instead it's cancer that's apparently caused by a gas attack I was in the middle of. I had been one of the lucky few to survive that attack, but ultimately the enemy still killed me years later.

I chuckled at that thought and coughed up blood. Wiping it on a napkin I took a drink of the lukewarm water from a cup on the bedside table. I looked around my room and noticed how empty it is, how it is devoid of any joy. I have been in this room for nearly a year now, yet no one came to visit, I have no family that cares about me, no wife or kids. Nothing to show for my life of fighting and pain. Sure I could call a few of the team that's still alive, but this isn't their problem. Most of them have moved on or are at least trying to. Starting families and getting comfy desk jobs, maybe a pet or two. Completely different lives then we are used to. I hope they do well for themselves and their families.

Laying my head back down, I can feel that today is my last on this beautiful but treacherous world. Looking around the room one more time, I then closed my eyes and let the encroaching darkness take me. Hoping that I won't wake up, hoping the pain will go away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I opened my eyes I appeared in a comfy looking lounge, there is two couches with a coffe table in between them. On the couch furthest from me I noticed a man smartly dressed in a fancy suit, sipping on a cup of coffee.

"Come sit and relax." He said in a deep voice that seemed to come from every direction.

After sitting down I simply waited for him to say what he wanted to.

"Ah the quiet is so nice. Usually people start asking question after question as soon as they show up here. Rarely do they simply sit and quietly wait. So I have to ask; Why haven't you said anything?" The mysterious man asked.

"I'm guessing I died, yet I am here with a man I've never seen and in a room that's somehow in the middle of endless darkness. So I figured you're probably someone I shouldn't annoy or piss off." I said.

The man chuckled and took another sip before saying. "How refreshing. You are correct in assuming you died. Now I'll answer the questions most people ask, I could read your mind but there's no fun in that. Firstly, yes you're dead, congratulations. Secondly, no this isn't your afterlife, yet. Third, yes I am the manifestation of death. Fourth, yes hell and heaven are real, or at least versions of them. Hmm is there anything else I'm forgetting? Ah who cares, now ask any questions you have."

"What do you want?" I simply asked.

"Huh usually I'm the one asking that. I want nothing. Next question." Death said.

"Fine, why am I here?."

"Ah now to the heart of the matter. Simple, I'm going to give you the choice of being reborn and or going to an afterlife. Now if you choose to live again it won't be in the same world, instead it will be a alternate version of your world. Much will be the same but much will also be different." Death explained.

"I want to be reborn." I said after thinking over it for a few minutes.

"Excellent. You'd be surprised how few people choose that option, most ask for an afterlife not realizing there are qualifications to get into the nicer ones. So they usually end up in one of the different hells, or the endless void." Death said while smiling.

"Now you'll be reborn into the body of 18 year old Alexander Power, this worlds version of yourself. I'll also be giving you one of the systems I've made, both Life and I give systems to any who choose to be reborn. Luckily you got me instead of life, her systems are for hippies. The system has a few different features however much of it you'll have to unlock as you gain more power in the world. Now off you go and I'll see you later." Death explained before snapping his fingers.

I looked around as I felt myself being pulled away, and what I saw shocked me. As I was being pulled to my destination I saw different versions of Earth fly past me, some showed humanity with giant ships traveling the stars, while others showed our world completely dead and devoid of life. Eventually everything went dark and with it I felt myself losing consciousness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I sat up gasping for breath. After calming myself down I started looking around to figure out where I was. As I looked around the nicely decorated room, I started getting memories that aren't mine. Memories of this world, and this bodies life. This Alexander Power had graduated four months ago and his grandparents, who he lives with since his parents died when he was six, had been pushing him to do something with himself.

As more memories played out in my mind, I finally noticed that I had moved in front of the mirror. I looked exactly as I did when I was 18 in my original world. Then I noticed the pain, or lack of pain. I've lived with pain for so many years that it felt unusual having none.

The me of this world had also played basketball and football, so I'm at least fit. However I noticed in the memories that he was far below average in academics, I felt oddly disappointed by this. While I've always stayed fit, even when I was drinking myself to an early grave, I've never been overly handsome, just average looking. I look the exact same in this world, I stand at 5'10 and have messy black hair, some small scars from my war against every teenagers worst nightmare….acne. Overall I look like an average dude who at least stays fit.

My grandparents are much more successful in this life then my previous, which is surprising considering how much was in my inheritance. My grandfather apparently owned 20% of an oil company founded in Texas. Oil is the lifeblood of most modern machinery, so needless to say, it's important. He's done very well for himself, a quick search on my computer says he worth around 2 billion dollars.

While doing some searches online I also noticed some of the difference death talked about. Many companies I know from my past life, have been named different but still produce the same products. The most important thing I've found is that corporations have much more obvious control in this world, most governments leaders are just corporate puppets. While this was true in my old world, it was all much more secret. Even if the average person knew it deep down, as long as it wasn't openly said, most acted ignorant. In this world though companies would openly say what bills they are supporting and which leader or representative they support.

The world has been like this since after world war 2, and much has changed because of it. Most governments are weaker then I remember them being. With mini wars between small armies corporations higher, the world seemed like one big gang war. Was I going to go all hero and try fixing it? Of course not, that would be speedrunning to my second death. No, I'm going to use the system to my advantage.

In the United States there is a law that prevents the government from investigating or seizing items from "company" land. The catch is, this only applies to companies founded in the US, so any foreign companies that set up shop here are free game. This allows the US companies to hold power over foreign companies trying to move in. Most countries have a similar laws, like I said one big gang war. But this is definitely something I can use to my advantage. I was going to continue my dive into my new world history, but I heard a loud ding and a screen popped into my vision.

{User System}

{User: Alexander Power}

{Male}

{Age: 18}

{Influence: 0}

{Influence Points(IP): 0}

{Check In: 0 Days}

{System Features}

{Specialization Store-10 Million IP}

{Bluebrint Store-1000 IP}

{Item and services Store}

{Unknown-Gain [unknown] IP to unlock}

{IP Exchange-rate depends on currency. The more influence you have also effects rates}

{System Check in-check in with the system daily for a small reward. Longer the streak better the reward}

{Specializations}

{Empty}

{Empty-locked-10 Million IP}

{Empty-locked-unlock previous to learn requirements}

{Empty-locked-unlock previous to learn requirements}

{This system is linked directly to you and has been designed to aid you in your goal. Say or think system to access this information at any time. Good luck.}

So this was the so called system, it looks interesting. There was much to think about but first I selected the exchange and saw that currently 250 dollars is 1 Influence Point. The next thing I did was check in, the system gave me 500 IP since it was a first time check in, that's equal to 125,000 dollars. However I can change IP into any of the worlds currencies. Finally I selected the open specialization slot and a list appeared.

{Specialization List}

{Modern Weapons}

{Modern Armor}

{Modern Technology}

{Modern Medicine}

{Modern Land Vehicles}

{Modern Aircraft}

{Modern Naval Vessels}

{Modern Space Tech/Vessels}

{Note: The "modern" tag is not just of this world, instead "modern" means tech of this time period from several alternate earth. This is to give the user variety and possibly advantages.}

Quite a few choices, at first I wanted to go with modern tech or even medicine but considering how much conflict this world is constantly in, I eventually chose modern weapons. I have to be careful with my choices since I only get four specializations. After making my choice a new pop up appeared.

{Congratulations on your new spec: Modern Weapons!}

{Spec: Modern Weapons}

{Make one free selection to begin your journey!}

{Current worlds weaponry}

{Earth#3203-slightly more advanced then current world}

{Earth#1558-much more advanced}

{Earrh#8944-industrial era}

{Earth#4583-similar to current world but different weaponry}

I could go with the much more advanced world, however that would draw far to much attention. Ultimately I went with Earth#3203, slightly more advanced would give me an advantage and would hopefully draw the right kind of attention. I wanted people to see my weapons are greater and more advanced, yet not be suspicious of how much more advanced they are.

{Spec: Modern Weapons: Earth#3203}

{Rail Rifle Autofactory: 10,000 IP(First Free): auto produces Rail gun Rifles (Rail Rifles). Rail Rifles use the power of magnets and electricity to launch their projectiles at 7 times the speed of sound (2,401 m/s), causing devastating effects against what it hit. Launches 2 inch steel rails. Holds 50 rails per magazine. Replace magnets after 2500 rails fired. Battery packs last 12 hours of heavy use before requiring recharging. Rails can be reused when recovered (clean before reuse).}

{Rail Autofactory: 5000 IP (First Free): Produces the ammunition (rails) and magazines for all small arms rail guns. Current ammunition produced: 2 inch steel rails. Current magazines produced: 30 round, 50 round, 100 round.}

{Magnet and Battery Autofactory: 5000 IP (First Free): Produces the magnets and battery packs for railguns.}

{Note: User can unlock other weaponry from this world by upgrading autofactories. Suggested you buy a second of all factories before unlocking new tech. Autofactories do not require a power source, they are automated by the system.}

I'm glad I didn't go with the much more advanced world, this railgun was already more powerful then most small arms in this world, which was oddly around the development of my last world. I figured with the constant war, weaponry would be more advanced but maybe they are to focused on killing each other to advance much.

Now I needed to convince my grandfather to loan me some money, as much as I hated doing so. I was sleeping in just some shorts so I got dressed in a nice suit, it seemed appropriate for the conversation that was soon to happen. After getting dressed and trying to tame my wild hard, which I failed at, I left my room and headed down some stairs and made it to a large dining room. My grandfather was already up and eating, my grandmother likes to sleep in so she wouldn't be up for a few more hours.

Noticing how I'm dressed he beckoned me to the chair on his right, which I'm glad for considering the table is long enough to fit thirty guests. I gave a waiting maid my order of simple scrambled eggs with cheese and sausage and a glass of coffee, black with one tablespoon of sugar.

"I assume you are dressed up for a reason. What do you want?" He asked.

"I plan to start a company, but I need money to get going. I'll pay you back tenfold within the year." I answered. I figured being straight forward with what I wanted was the best bet. But I may have overdone it with how he's looking at me. I forgot how immature this version of me was.

"Hmm perhaps you're finally growing up. What's this company you're going to be starting? What's the product and why should I give you the money?"

"Guns, the designs I've come up with are better then most on the market. I know I've been immature but you know I don't lie to you. So while I won't say much just know that this will be big." I say trying to give as little information as possible.

He stares at me for a few minutes, during which my breakfast arrives. I begin eating before he finally speaks again.

"Gun. That's dangerous business you're talking about. Your grandmother will complain when she hears of it, but I won't stop you from going down this path. You'll either succeed or fail, hope that if you fail it doesn't end with you being killed. Now you say you'll pay me back tenfold in a year, I expect you to keep your word. If you're unable to pay me back then you'll come work for Power Oil. Now how much did you need?" He says while continuing to stare at me while sipping his own coffee.

"Thank you pa. I think 5 million will be enough to get out the first design and working product. I think within a few weeks I can have that first working product." I explain. Really I'm just going to use the money to find a large warehouse for the autofactories and for storage of products.

Squinting his eyes at me he says, "3 weeks? I'm not sure if you're just foolish or if you have something up your sleeve. But I won't ask, once you pay me back I won't have anything to do with your company, so always keep your secrets to yourself. I'll have the money transferred to you. I hope you don't disappoint me. When you have a finished product let me know, I have some friends in the DoD." He then finished his coffee before standing and leaving to his office on the third floor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I spent most of the day search online for warehouses and looking through the system. The system had quite a lot to take in and learn, a ton of my time was spent looking through the items and services store. I could spend IP for things as simple as a pencil to nukes, it only went up to the current technology I have unlocked. Services could be bought using IP, I could spend it to have all legal documentation completed for new businesses and even use it to complete purchase of property. The system would then give me all relevant documentation to keep and the money would transfer from my bank to the seller. I'm sure there was more to the process that the system simply didn't explain, but I really didn't care as long as it was legal and sped up the process.

I finally found a warehouse I wanted to check out, I did a virtual tour and everything seemed great. There are a surprisingly amount of laws around virtual tours of real estate, especially business related property. The warehouse itself is 100,000 square feet and sits on a 10 acre plot of land. About 2.5 acres is just the warehouse, the other 7.5 acres is empty and cleared land around it. On top of all that the warehouse is near the Port of Houston. I spent the 150 IP needed for the system to buy the warehouse and land, and it cost me a total of around 4.5 million after all expenses. I wanted at least a 500000 square foot warehouse but that was far outside what I can currently buy.

I saw the documentation from the purchase of the warehouse appear in front of me on the desk. It was a bit mind fucking to just see a stack of paper spear out of thin air.

The next thing I needed to do was make my actual company. So first things first, a name. I'm terrible at naming things so this would take awhile.