The negotiations with Pratt & Whitney went exceptionally well. Both sides were eager to strike a deal, and although Castle had unwittingly authorized Jarvis to develop the technology without his knowledge, the expertise he possessed—skills inherited from Tony—was legitimate.
After an insightful conversation with one of Pratt & Whitney's top engineers, Castle, with Moz's assistance, secured a deal. Pratt & Whitney would exchange 0.9% of its shares for Castle's advanced engine improvement technology, effectively integrating him deeper into the upper echelons of the American elite.
Of course, this success was also due to Northrop Grumman's backing. Castle understood that his status as Northrop's largest private shareholder and his undeniable expertise in engine modification played a critical role in Pratt & Whitney's willingness to transfer shares. As a gesture of reciprocity, Castle also secured a significant discount for Northrop. Pratt & Whitney promised to provide Northrop with an advanced, small, high-bypass-ratio turbofan engine featuring Castle's technology at a preferential price, to be used on the covertly developed "Super Tomcat"—a fighter intended to compete with Lockheed Martin for the next-generation primary fighter contract with the U.S. military.
Castle's passion for the Tomcat—fueled by his admiration of the F-14, especially after seeing Top Gun—had only grown since becoming Northrop's largest private shareholder. When he learned of Northrop's project to develop a larger, more powerful, variable-sweep-wing "Super Tomcat," he was eager to lend his expertise.
Once Pratt & Whitney's representatives received Castle's technology transfer documents and a loaded hard drive, they rushed off to begin testing. The development of this cutting-edge technology could catapult Pratt & Whitney to the forefront of the global aerospace industry, surpassing even General Electric and Rolls-Royce. With an engine that could cut fuel consumption by over 60% while boosting power by 10%, Boeing and Airbus would likely clamor for such innovation, marking a dramatic shift in the market.
After Pratt & Whitney's team left, Castle and Moz were joined by Northrop's senior vice president and the director of aerospace technology, who had come to offer support during negotiations. Northrop had realized they'd underestimated Castle's technical genius, especially now that he had displayed advanced expertise not just in drones and missiles but also in aircraft engines.
These two Northrop representatives had a specific purpose. Knowing Castle's talent, they were eager to seek his assistance with technical hurdles in the development of the Super Tomcat project. Castle, remembering the technical director's past support, agreed to help when challenges arose. After all, even Northrop didn't have the resources to install a supercomputer at a private residence as Castle did.
With this promise secured, Moz finally bid farewell to Long Island. Tired from months of intense focus on Benjamin Arthur's campaign, Moz was determined to take a well-deserved break. Nothing would stop him from enjoying ten days of peace in Brooklyn.
Once everyone had left, Castle finally returned to his study to check with Jarvis on Bakawi's escape. Having discreetly tipped off Hobbs and shared information with Jo's FBI task force, Castle hoped that Bakawi would make it out of the country. After all, he wanted to see the infamous "London Has Fallen" unfold firsthand in a few years.
Jarvis quickly located Bakawi's whereabouts, and the update amused Castle. Bakawi had proven himself every bit the resourceful arms dealer he was reputed to be. Although his tactical skills weren't quite at the level of a seasoned strategist, his knowledge of smuggling and escape routes was second to none.
After receiving Castle's warning, Bakawi took a winding route, moving south from New Jersey, apparently aiming to find a way out from Delaware's coast. However, just when Castle thought he would board a ship there, Bakawi doubled back, entered Maryland, and then headed southwest through Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He ultimately reached Miami, where he reconnected with old contacts from his arms-dealing days. From there, he secured a boat to Cuba.
Castle was impressed by Bakawi's unpredictable escape, noting how he had avoided all expected checkpoints and eluded Hobbs, Dom, and the FBI. It was clear that Bakawi's wealth and connections from his arms-dealing days had enabled him to orchestrate this classic escape. Upon arriving in Miami, he swiftly arranged a ride with a notorious local drug dealer, who then whisked him to Cuba.
Amid this revelation, Castle made an amusing discovery: the drug dealer who helped Bakawi escape was familiar. He was none other than the character from Bad Boys II, the one whose mansion was stacked with cash to the point that rats had started chewing through it—a situation that had ultimately led Will Smith, or rather, Mike Lowrey and his partner, to chase him all the way to Cuba.
Amused, Castle looked further into Miami's narcotics division and confirmed it—he'd found Lowrey, his partner, and their perpetually exasperated captain.
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I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS (Chapter 79)Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
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