Building a Conglomerate in Another World

January 3, 1897.

The White House, Washington D.C.

President Matthew Hesh sat behind his desk in the Oval Office, the morning light streaming through the large windows. The weight of the nation rested on his shoulders, but today, his thoughts were centered on a singular question—his future.

Across from him, Collins stood with a thick folder in his hands, filled with polling data, newspaper clippings, and notes from key political operatives. The tension in the room was thick.

"You know why I'm here, sir," Collins said, taking a seat.

Matthew sighed, rubbing his temple. "Go ahead and ask."

Collins didn't hesitate. "Are you running for reelection?"
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Matthew didn't answer immediately. He leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the desk. He had expected this question, but now that it was finally asked, it carried more weight than he had anticipated.

Collins waited patiently before Matthew finally spoke.

"Yes," Matthew said, his voice firm. "I'm running."

Collins exhaled slowly, nodding. "Then the fight is just beginning."

Matthew leaned forward, hands clasped. "It never ended."

Collins set the folder on the desk and flipped it open. "Your approval rating is… complicated. The people who love you really love you. They see you as the man who saved Amerathia from a pointless war. But your enemies? They're more dangerous than ever."

Collins frowned. "Your enemy will do everything they can to ensure you don't win another term. They control newspapers, Congress, and even some parts of the military. They're already framing you as a dictator, claiming you overstepped your power to prevent war."

Matthew exhaled sharply. "So, what else is new?"

Collins gave a small smirk but quickly turned serious again. "The point is, they won't just try to remove you politically. If they think they can't beat you at the ballot box, they'll look for other ways."

Matthew understood exactly what he was implying. Assassination.

"They won't touch me while I'm still in office," Matthew said, though he wasn't entirely convinced. "But after?"

Collins shook his head. "We can't assume anything. You've made powerful enemies, Matt. The kind that don't hesitate."

Matthew stood and walked over to the window, gazing out at the snow-covered grounds of the White House. He had been thinking about this for days. Ever since the threat of war had been dismantled, he knew that his enemies weren't gone—they had simply gone underground.

And if they were working in the shadows, so would he.

"There's something I've been considering," Matthew finally said, turning back to Collins. "A way to ensure my protection. Not just mine—Amber's, Arthur's, the baby's."

Collins's brows furrowed. "You're talking about increasing the Secret Service detail?"

"No." Matthew walked back to his desk. "The Secret Service is still a government agency. As much as I trust them, their loyalty is to the office of the President, not to me personally. If something happens—if something infiltrates deeper than we think—I can't rely on them alone."

Collins narrowed his eyes. "Then what exactly are you suggesting?"

Matthew took a deep breath. "I'm forming a private military."

Collins blinked. "What?"

Matthew leaned forward. "A discreet force. One that answers only to me. Not officially recognized, not publicly known. They'll operate in the shadows, just like the people trying to take me down."

Collins was silent for a long moment before exhaling sharply. "This is dangerous territory, Matt."

"I know," Matthew admitted. "But I don't see another option. We can't fight these men using conventional means. They have the media, Congress, even some of the military under their thumb. If they want me dead, I need to make sure that I have people watching my back that I can trust."

Collins crossed his arms. "This isn't just about security, is it?"

Matthew shook his head. "No. Someone isn't just trying to remove me. They're trying to reshape Amerathia into something it was never meant to be. If I fall, there's no telling what they'll do next. I need an organization that can work beyond the limits of bureaucracy—to expose them, to dismantle their influence, and if necessary… to eliminate threats before they escalate."

Collins let out a low whistle. "You're talking about creating an underground intelligence unit. A group of operatives working beyond the law."

Matthew nodded. "Call it what you want. But I need them."

Collins sighed, rubbing his temple. "Do you even know how to build something like this?"

"I have ideas," Matthew admitted. "But I need someone who can help me make it happen."

Collins raised an eyebrow. "Who do you have in mind?"

Matthew opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a single file. He slid it across the desk to Collins.

Collins picked it up and read the name. "Elias Vaughn."

Collins nodded slowly. "Vaughn's got the experience. Military intelligence, covert operations, and he's already proven he's on your side."

Matthew met Collins's gaze. "He's the only one I trust to build this. If he says no, I won't move forward."

Collins sighed. "Then I guess you should talk to him."

Matthew nodded. "I already sent for him this morning."

Collins looked surprised. "You were this sure?"

Matthew smirked. "You just said it yourself—I've made a lot of enemies. That means I need to be ahead of them."

A knock at the door interrupted them.

Collins turned. "That's probably—"

The door opened, and Elias Vaughn stepped in.

Matthew motioned for Vaughn to take a seat. The man sat down, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.

"You called for me, Mr. President?" Vaughn asked.

Matthew nodded. "I have a job for you. Something off the books."

Vaughn raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

Matthew leaned forward. "I need a force that operates outside official channels. No government ties, no public knowledge. A security force that answers only to me."

Vaughn's expression didn't change. "You're talking about a private military."

Matthew nodded.

Vaughn exhaled, setting his hands on the desk. "If I do this, I need full control over recruitment, training, and operations. I need funding. And most importantly—I need your complete trust."

"You'll have it," Matthew said without hesitation.

Vaughn studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Alright. Then let's get to work."

As Vaughn left to begin preparations, Collins turned to Matthew.

"This is going to change everything," Collins said quietly.

Matthew nodded. "I know."

Because he had just taken the first step toward a war that would never be seen by the public.

And this time, he wasn't just fighting for Amerathia.

He was fighting for his family.