Petroleum (3)
“I haven’t produced any significant results for a long time.”
He unraveled his story calmly.
“I researched it for eight years. And yet, there were no real achievements. Most of the people working on it with me left ages ago. Funding dried up too.”
Brown listened quietly to his words.
“I got tired of it too. Petroleum research is over.”
He blinked for a moment.
“There’s nothing left worth getting interested in.”
No resentment toward steam engines or other circumstances. He simply laid out the facts of the research itself with calm detachment. Then he turned away—a signal to leave.
But instead of going, Brown spoke up.
“No. I’m still very interested in the research.”
How many things could be created from petroleum. How the world could be changed through it.
Brown already knew from his previous life. But this man wouldn’t. He had no idea how crucial petroleum research truly was. Not without memories of a past life like Brown’s.
“If funding could be restored, would you consider picking up the research again?”
“Uh... Mr. Brown?”
“Just a second.”
Karen poked Brown from the side. But he pressed on.
“I see petroleum research as essential to the Empire’s future.”
“Why on earth...”
He’d spent years with no major breakthroughs. Now even the funding was gone. Yet here was Brown claiming it was vital to the Empire. The researcher couldn’t make sense of it.
“What about petroleum makes you think that...”
“...”
Brown fell silent at the researcher’s question. Could he really spill his past-life memories? Tell him petroleum and engines could produce cars and airplanes, or that petroleum could yield resources like vinyl and plastics? And if he added that once the tech stabilized, he planned to design tanks and fighters—would the man even believe him?
After a brief internal debate, Brown spoke.
“Suppose we isolate just the necessary components from petroleum.”
“?”
His words matched exactly what the researcher had planned to try before funding ended.
“It’d ignite far more easily than crude petroleum. In some cases, it might even explode.”
As the researcher listened, memories of a past incident surfaced. An explosion during petroleum experiments.
They hadn’t pinpointed the cause at first. Only later did they speculate it might’ve been vapors evaporating into the air. They’d been ready to pursue that lead when funding vanished, leaving it as mere theory.
“If we engineered a machine to harness that as power, wouldn’t it massively expand petroleum’s applications?”
The more he heard, the more the researcher’s scattered thoughts seemed to align.
“Let me ask again. If funding resumes, will you continue the research?”
Brown finished and posed the question directly. The researcher swept a hand over his face, grimaced, hesitated. After a pause, he spoke.
“How did you come up with this approach...”
I learned it in school. Unable to say it straight, Brown thought it over before replying.
“Call it a hunch.”
“?”
***
Even after they left the lab, the researcher stared at the spot where they’d stood, lost in thought.
“...You okay?”
“Ah. I’m fine.”
How could someone with no petroleum experience deliver answers to the puzzles he’d obsessed over for years? The researcher felt like he’d been possessed.
“Haha. What a guy.”
Maybe he’d dabbled in petroleum properties on his own. Short as the meeting was, talking with him had unlocked solutions for the research—and ways to apply it.
The work would resume. Funding wasn’t guaranteed yet, though. He was just a researcher. Higher-ups would decide that. But if it panned out, weapons lab support could keep things going.
“...Lucky break. At least we can see it through now.”
He answered his assistant while pulling out paper. He jotted down needed materials and plans.
Brief as it was, the encounter had clarified their direction. And his passion for the research reignited.
Looking forward to the next meeting.
Meanwhile, John Brown and Luna Karen headed back to the weapons lab.
“Um, the funding... how...”
She couldn’t fathom him promising support like that. What if it fell through? Wouldn’t it just breed false hope?
“It’ll work out.”
Yet Brown brimmed with odd confidence. Sure, he was pondering next steps too.
***
“Um, Director.”
“Come in.”
Brown sought out the Research Director upon returning.
“So. What’s it this time?”
She seemed in good spirits. Brown chose his words carefully.
“Director. I have a favor to ask.”
“What?”
“There are researchers working on petroleum. Funding’s been cut, stalling everything. I personally think it’s crucial...”
He gave her a quick rundown on the petroleum research and its plight. She summed it up.
“In short, you want us to fund their petroleum work.”
“Yes, Director.”
Things seemed to be going smoothly. Brown grew excited, sensing approval.
“Still, petroleum feels off-kilter. I hear it’s yielded nothing for years. Why the sudden interest?”
She’d backed Brown’s weapons and steam engines without hesitation. Not this time. She wanted reasons. Brown gathered his thoughts.
“Because... I see the potential.”
“Potential.”
“As petroleum research and utilization tech advance, it could apply far more broadly than steam engines—in tons of fields. Like a carriage that moves without horses...”
“Hmm...”
“And...”
She cut in while he spoke.
“I’m not keen on sinking money into uncertain results just for ‘potential.’”
“...I’m sorry.”
Brown had dredged up what little he knew to convince her, but it fell short.
Failed.
Weapons lab funding was a bust. Still, he wouldn’t quit. Personal funds, maybe... But the cost was unknown, and his capital wouldn’t cut it. Hopes for tanks and fighters faded.
“That said, compared to the Empire’s gains from you so far, this funding’s pocket change.”
“...?”
“I’ll allocate this amount monthly. Give it a shot.”
“Thank you!”
“But mark my words. If it flops, be ready.”
Her eyes sharpened in an instant.
“...”
“Kidding.”
She smiled. But the pressure lingered—it didn’t feel like a joke.
“...Thank you.”
“Hold on. I still haven’t heard what you want out of this research.”
“...Petroleum-fueled vehicles, and weapons built around them.”
“Understood. You’re dismissed.”
It got tense for a moment, but support was secured. Now, just wait for results.
But how do I make spark plugs?
Gasoline engines needed electricity for ignition. This world hadn’t even started on electricity.
Ah...
His worry didn’t linger.
McCallson’ll figure it out.
Like always, he’d deliver.
***
“Pardon the intrusion.”
“Ah, Mr. Brown. Come in.”
“Good news.”
“No way...”
Brown handed over the documents. Official papers committing weapons lab funds to petroleum research.
“Thanks to you, we can keep going. Appreciate it.”
“Haha. What should I call you going forward?”
“Right. Magen Rockefeller. Love to chat more, but gotta procure materials. Later...”
He introduced himself briskly and left. Just the assistant and Brown remained.
“I’m Mary Klein. Thanks for the help. We can continue now because of you.”
“No big deal.”
I’m the grateful one. Tanks and fighters are one step closer.
Brown held back his words.