Vanadium International Solutions

The first logo of VIS, consisting of its name and a silver globe.

**Vanadium International Solutions** is a multinational defense company that currently develops aircraft, AI, and ground defenses with more on the way. It was founded by Victor Pikes, Anton Verlitz, Leon Naude, and Walter Morris in January of 2236.

## History

### **Before Founding**

Victor Pikes had previously earned large sums of money playing the stock market, and his friends Anton Verlitz and Walter Morris had earned their millions through their jobs presiding over other companies. The three grew frustrated by the fact that many of the companies in the world either cut corners on their products to maximize profit, or they produced high quality products but were unable to reach production demands. In their off-time, it was said the three would get together and brainstorm ideas for a new company that could produce great products, but also reach production demands and make money. After multiple years of brainstorming, they finally decided to create a master plan in November of 2234.

### **Founding**

After working for multiple months, Pikes, Verlitz, and Morris put their plan into action in September of 2235. They bought a single factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan and began looking for stockholders. Many stockholders withheld their offers, mainly due to the fact the three had not yet produced anything of note. However, one man named Leon Naude saw promise in the three, and agreed to fund them in their work. After 4 months of hard work, Vanadium International Solutions was founded on January 22nd, 2236.

### **Beginning Production**

After founding, the four immediately began hiring thousands of workers to run the first factory. One worker claimed, "They may be really new and all, but I think there's a major growth opportunity with them. And besides, if I get on early, it probably means I'll catch more of them nice little seniority perks." With the workers hired, the factory began retooling: replacing the older assembly technology and training workers to use the newly installed systems. About 1 month later, retooling had completed and research began on an AI that calculates battle plans and strategies. This AI would be the first unique product ever sold by VIS, and it would come to be called the CX-10 Strategic Calculation Droid. For the years between the AI's creation and completion of the R&D phase, VIS sold variations of tech that existed in the public domain. When research and development had concluded, the company decided to test their volunteer field testing program. 200 prototypes were produced, with 100 going to the Austrian Österreich while the other 100 went to the NorthWest European Federation, where they would be tested by each respective entity. When testing of these prototypes had been completed, the Österreich and the NorthWest European Federation returned their instances. When production was commenced on the CX-10, both the Österreich and NorthWest European Federation received 100 CX-10SP Custom Strategy Droids as a reward for participating in the volunteer program.

### **Expanding Into New Markets**

The success of the CX-10 brought in substantial revenue for VIS, who began developing other products to expand into new markets. The VIS' next model, the 3AEC Energy Cannon, would be unveiled in June of 2245 as another prototype being offered through VIS' volunteer field testing system. The testing of the 3AEC revealed weak points of the design, such as extreme energy usage and poor tracking management by AI. This vital information cemented VIS' choice to let volunteers find problems in the design that they can fix before producing it. The Austrian Österreich and NorthWest European Federation volunteered again, and received 5 and 10 units, respectively. VIS would remain producing the 3AEC and CX-10 for multiple months before unveiling its (at the time) largest project. In October of 2245, VIS unveiled five products at the same time. The AX series was an air superiority fighter, the BX series was a bombing aircraft, the IX series was an interceptor aircraft, the SX series was a stealth fighter, and the CV series was a cargo craft. All five crafts are available for volunteer field testing, but there have not been any volunteers yet.

## Major Locations

### **Grand Rapids, Michigan Headquarters**

VIS' headquarters is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is the first factory the company owned, and houses the most R&D capability out of all the factories.

### **Southern France Factory**

A Factory on the larger end of the VIS scale. Produces a majority of the Aviation products VIS sells.

### **Texas Factory**

The largest factory in VIS' lineup. Has the highest production capacity of VIS' factories and houses its own logistics company inside.

## Company Assets

### **CX-10 Strategic Calculation Droid**

The first product created by VIS, this droid analyzes battle conditions and simulates scenarios with different tactics. It then chooses the strategy with the highest likelihood of success and recommends it to the operator. The droid can learn the tendencies of its commander, but can also be programmed with a specific preference out of the box.

### **3AEC Energy Cannon**

The 3AEC, standing for Autonomous Anti-Air Energy Cannon, Fires a hyper-precise beam of energy that can melt through most targets that fly over its territory. While highly effective against ordinary units, the 3AEC struggles against craft with sufficient heat protection. It has also been known to consume energy at an alarming rate, and can put significant stress on underdeveloped power grids.

### **AX-Series Air Superiority Fighter**

"High speed, extreme maneuverability, and the finest in air-to-air weapon systems allow the AX series fighters to establish air superiority in nearly any condition." The AX Series is VIS' flagship fighter aircraft, featuring the best in weapons and armor tech, aircraft design, and VTOL propulsion systems VIS has to offer.

### **BX-Series Heavy Bomber**

"Slow yet dangerous, this craft strikes fear into its targets with its large payload capacity and higher speed capabilities." The BX Series outdoes the competition with a slightly higher max payload weight than its competitors, and capable of traveling slightly faster than most other bombers of the time.

### **IX-Series Light Interceptor**

"Wickedly fast and maneuverable to boot, this craft easily downs those who cannot respond to its speed quick enough." The IX Series utilizes its blinding speed to outrun most weapon systems, negative its relatively light armor. While its weapons systems are weak compared to other craft of its size, the speed and maneuverability allow it to get its hits in and get out of harm's way.

### **SX-Series Stealth Bomber**

"Hiding in plain sight, this stealthy craft strikes when noone suspects. Its cloaking array allows it to escape majorly unscathed from many hit-and-run attacks." Utilizing a state-of-the-art cloaking array and a design that muffles the sound of its jet thrusters, the SX Series is nearly undetectable until it attacks.

### **CV-Series VTOL Cargo Carrier**

"Utilizing refined VTOL technology, this freight craft easily transports any cargo one may need. Its VTOL design allows it to function without a runway, making it ideal for unfavorable terrain." The VTOL technology of this craft makes it more convenient than other freighters in its class. While capable of achieving VTOL, It also can open the underside for airdropping cargo.