Chapter 59 Prototype Experimental Guns

Arthur couldn't understand why Frank still needed to take on high-risk, low-return hostage rescue missions, even though he was entrusted with Mr. Smith, a true big shot and financial guru.

While a hostage rescue could net $100,000, it couldn't compare to the steady $7,000 a day. Arthur couldn't wrap his head around it, perhaps it had something to do with the issues between Frank and Danny.

As for Arthur, he was more than happy to stick close to Mr. Smith's coattails.

With the important matters discussed, it was time for dinner. As expected, Smith invited Arthur to have a meal together.

However, contrary to Arthur's expectations of an extravagant feast, Smith simply had him over for a homely, down-to-earth dinner at his mansion. No fine wine, no exotic liquor, no lavish spread - just a pizza ordered in.

Maybe eating pizza with a big shot made it taste better because Arthur found it quite delicious.

After they finished the pizza before Arthur could think of what to say next, a woman dressed like a typical secretary entered the room and told Smith, "Boss, we need to leave in 20 minutes."

Smith wiped his mouth with a napkin and said to Arthur, "I'm starting to miss my pre-retirement life because I've become busier since retiring."

After a shake of the head, Smith suddenly called out, "Hank, Hank, bring out the gift I prepared."

Arthur was caught off guard - he hadn't expected Smith to have a gift for him. A bodyguard-dressed man brought in a black case, and as soon as he placed it down, Arthur noticed the large Sig Sauer logo, realizing the gift was likely firearms, though the case seemed a bit large for a handgun.

The bodyguard set the case in front of Smith, who then opened it and smiled at Arthur, saying, "This is your gift."

Inside were two black firearms, along with magazine pouches and interchangeable grips.

Arthur immediately blurted out, "Sig Sauer P320!"

Smith remained silent with a smile. As Arthur took a closer look, he exclaimed, "Wait, these are the MH17!"

The M17 was the new standard issue sidearm adopted by the US military in 2017, based on the Sig Sauer P320. The M18 was the compact version. During the selection process, both the full-size and compact versions were referred to as MH17.

As a gun enthusiast, Arthur was very familiar with these models, though he had never had the chance to fire the military versions, as the prototype P320s were quickly snatched up after being selected.

Examining the two black handguns, Arthur noticed something off - the military M17 and M18 were only available in a desert tan color, not black. The MH17 prototypes were also tan.

The markings indicated these were the MH17 prototypes, but the black color was unusual. Arthur looked questioningly at Smith.

"Did you have these customized?" he asked.

Smith raised an eyebrow. "You know the difference?"

Arthur sheepishly replied, "I'm a gun enthusiast."

Smith chuckled. "Well, it seems my gift is right on the mark. But you're mistaken - these aren't customized, they're the prototype experimental guns that Sig Sauer sent me."

Surprised, Arthur said, "Prototype guns? But shouldn't they be desert tan?"

Smith shrugged. "Yes, they sent me two guns in 2016, the standard and compact versions, in tan. But I told them I preferred black over tan. Then last year, after the P320 was selected as the new service pistol, an issue came up..."

Arthur couldn't help but say, "I know, a gun fell and went off, and then it turned out that the trigger guard broke and caused a misfire."

Smith nodded with a smile and said, "So the Sig Sauer company sent someone to apologize to me and took back those two prototype guns, and a few days later, they sent me these two improved guns. The guns are the same as before, just a different color because they already knew I didn't like the desert tan."

Arthur stared blankly and said, "You're amazing."

Smith spread his hands and said, "It's yours."

Arthur swallowed, staring blankly at the special gun case in front of him, and said, "So is this a trial gun, or...an impressive custom version?"

Smith continued to smile and said, "That's why I'm giving it to you."

Arthur wanted to decline, but he was afraid that if he did, Smith might not give it to him after all, so he unhesitatingly said, "Thank you, I love this gift so much."

Smith laughed and said, "There's a card in the gun case that records the gun number. Just register the card in your name, and the gun will be yours. If you don't want to register it, then you'll have two untraceable 'black' guns, since the experimental gun numbers won't appear in the FBI database."

This is a really big shot, a shot that even the gun factory needs to send gifts and suck up to.

Arthur muttered to himself, "This is a trial experimental gun, so it must be better than a regular production gun, right?"

"The military requires random selection from the production line for the standardization experiment, but if you're the manufacturer, would you randomly select from the production line?"

"So the experimental gun must be better!" Arthur wanted to close the gun case lid, but he felt awkward, so he stared at the handguns in the case and said, "I can't even buy the civilian version P320, let alone the military M17 and M18, but I never imagined I'd get an MH17 experimental model. I feel like I'm dreaming right now."

"No, I should say your dream has come true."

Arthur said blankly, "This is an experimental trial gun, the collector's value is too high. I can't bear to use it."

Smith was silent for a moment, then he said very seriously, "For a gunman, there is no best gun, only the most suitable one. But buddy, a gun is your second life. You wouldn't just lock it up because this one is too valuable, would you?"

Arthur paused for a while, then nodded firmly and said, "You're right. If these two guns are better, I should use them instead of just locking them up!"

Smith smiled and said, "I'm sorry, but I have to leave now. You can let Mary know about your schedule."

Smith stood up and reached out his hand to Arthur. Arthur stood up and shook hands with Smith, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality and the gift. I don't know how to thank you enough. I wish you all the best."

At this point, Mary, who was responsible for escorting Arthur on the plane, had already come over, so in the end it was Arthur who saw Smith off at his mansion, while he remained.

After Smith had completely left, Arthur was still a little dazed, because he didn't know that rich big shots would be so casual.

At this point, Mary said gently next to Arthur, "Mr. Arthur, the guest room is ready, and the private jet is on standby whenever you're ready to depart."

Picking up and sending off, Arthur hesitated for a moment, as he felt a bit uncomfortable staying in the host's home while the host was away.

Mary noticed Arthur's hesitation and smiled, "If you need to go back to Los Angeles to handle anything, I can have the plane ready for takeoff."

Arthur immediately said, "Okay, let's go back now, thank you."

Mary smiled and bowed, "Please follow me."

Arthur closed the gun case and followed Mary out of the house, and to his surprise, the luxury car that had picked him up was waiting outside, with Mary opening the car door for him this time.

Mary did not get in the car, and Arthur was the only passenger, but when the car stopped next to the private jet, it was still Mary who opened the car door for him.

When boarding the plane, someone tried to take Arthur's suitcase but was refused, as Arthur wanted to carry the gun case himself.

The private jet took off, and Arthur took a short nap on the plane. Finally, the plane landed in Los Angeles, and the luxury car that had picked him up earlier dropped him off at his company.

Watching the luxury car leave, Arthur felt a little dazed as he opened the door and went into the company. If it weren't for the gun case still in his hand, Arthur would have thought today was all just a dream.

Now, although it was already very late and he had flown back and forth in a single day, Arthur didn't feel tired or sleepy at all. He excitedly opened the gun case and held the two handguns, one large and one small, in his hands.

Arthur, who would normally thoroughly examine the guns, didn't have the mood for that this time. He looked at the handguns, but his mind was only focused on one thing:

Mr. Smith is amazing, and now he needs to start hiring people.