"Leonard Speaking"
'Leonard Thinking'
Madison Avenue, Manhattan, New York
Leonard was walking on Madison Avenue, with Mike Ross in tow. Leonard walked with quick, purposeful strides while Mike followed with hurried, unsure steps. As the two walked, Mike turned to Leonard, "So, can you please tell me where we are going?"
Leonard turned back to him, amused, "Well, aren't you a curious one. You should have told me you were so busy."
Mike looked annoyed at that. He bit out, "First, we have an upcoming meeting, which has delayed my wedding plans. Then you pull me off the trip preparations for this impromptu activity. And now, you won't even tell me where we are going. If I didn't know you, I would think you were a slave driver."
Leonard smiled, "I suppose I should have congratulated you before. I'm sure you and Sofia would make a lovely couple."
Mike, despite his previous annoyance, smiled giddily. Pushing his smile down, Mike asked again, "So, what are we doing here?"
Leonard looked at a library in the distance, "If everything goes well, we are going to invite a new Inner Circle member."
Mike was surprised at that. He said, "That's surprising. Most of the Inner Circle was already invited before."
Leonard explained, "As you know, I have kept a watch on CIA and NSA records. In one of the documents, I found out about a project that the CIA started after the 9/11 Attack. The person we are about to meet was the leader of this project. Unfortunately, the project was scrapped, technological barriers and costs. But the project itself is very promising. If everything goes well, we will have a brilliant scientist with us."
The two walked for some time before reaching a large library. Leonard looked at the place with appreciation, while Mike whistled at it.
Mike remarked, "Now, that is an impressive building. This new scientist must be really rich."
Leonard said, "More than you know. He is an expert in computers and made quite a fortune during the initial years of the tech revolution. I wouldn't be surprised if he was a multibillionaire."
Mike looked astonished, "Why does he live in a library then?"
Leonard answered, "Preference, I suppose. Now be quiet for a moment, and let me talk."
The two walked towards the front gate. There was no bell, but Leonard could vaguely feel someone watching. He quickly engaged his Sense, as the world became blue for a second. He looked around and a camera, hidden from view, came to his notice. He looked straight at the camera, as if telling the person watching 'I am here, come and see.'
As the two waited at the gate, a man with deep-set, bright blue eyes and glasses came out of the library. The man had somewhat spiky, graying dark brown hair with sideburns. He was wearing a simple formal attire, with his shirt sleeves folded to his elbows. He looked at the two visitors and said, "Sir, the library has been closed. Please leave the premises, as this is now a private property."
Leonard looked at the man and smiled, "Mr. Harold Finch?"
The man twitched slightly, "Sir, I'm afraid you have the wrong person. Please leave."
Leonard smiled, "Oh, do you go by Harold Wren then? I know who I am looking for, so I know I am at the right place."
Harold flinched at the second name, realizing that the person in front of him already knew who he was. He spoke warily, "Sir, why are you here?"
Leonard looked around, "The door is too public for my taste. How about we talk inside?"
Harold became quiet at that, contemplating whether to bring the two inside the library. He finally relented, "All right, come on in."
The two walked behind Harold, admiring the neatly stacked shelves, filled with books on various subjects. Harold led them to a small section in the library, motioning them to sit at the table. He sat on the opposite chair and said, "Now, can you please tell me why you are here?"
Leonard smiled and said, "Mr. Harold Finch, my name is Dr. Leonard Hofstadter, and this is my friend Mike Ross. I found you to invite you to our organization."
Harold ignored the two and kept walking towards a shelf, arranging books he had taken out. He said, "I am flattered that you think I would fit your organization, but I am not interested in joining any organization."
Leonard chuckled, "I appreciate your politeness, but I don't want to leave you here, inside this library. You are someone in need of resources and I can provide you with them."
Harold, despite his mild temperament, was annoyed at this. He snarkily said, "And what would you know about me? I am a billionaire. There is nothing I cannot get that you might provide me."
Leonard looked at Mike, who looked unsure of what to do. Leonard turned back to Harold and said, "I can help you fulfil your dream."
Harold turned to Leonard, his eyes glittering with anger, "And what is my dream that you can help me with?"
Leonard spoke, "Project Northern Lights."
Harold stilled at that, his mind an absolute blank. Project Northern Lights was a project he had proposed to the CIA. He had worked on it for five years, yet the technology at the time was too immature. Now, this man in front of him, claimed that he can help in fulfilling the project.
Mike was lost, "Can someone please explain to me, what is this project.?"
Harold sighed, feeling defeated. He placed one last book on the shelf. He sat in one of the chairs and explained, "After 9/11, the government wanted a preventive measure against large scale terrorist activities. I was young at the time. The tragedy affected me as well. So, I approached the government with an idea. What if we could go through every bit of communication in the country at breakneck speeds, and pinpoint people who are either planning to harm the country. The government loved the idea and Project Northern Lights was established."
Mike's face scrunched with disgust, "So, every piece of communication is monitored? What about privacy and freedom?"
Harold explained, "A trade-off for safety. Unfortunately, while we could track the communication, creating something that could filter out the real and fake threats was a much bigger challenge. There was a lot of data and nothing to consolidate it properly. No computer was capable of running even the most basic facial recognition or language analysis, let alone gait analysis. So, the project was scrapped."
Leonard smiled at Mike, "See, isn't it interesting?"
Mike snapped, "Doesn't this bother you at all? The government monitors everything in the nation. We have no secrets."
Leonard replied, "Why do you think we use Chaldea's internal channels? They are not on government radar. So, any communication on that channel is private. Cygnus helps with the rest."
Harold looked at Leonard in question, "Cygnus?"
Leonard explained, "It is an AI assistant. What you were trying to achieve with Northern Lights, Cygnus can do some of it."
Harold was shocked, "How is that possible? The data you would have to go through would be astronomical."
Leonard smiled and reached down for his case. He pulled out a small transparent cube with a black shape inside it. Setting it on the table, Leonard continued, "This little thing is called a SynthBrain. It is a hybrid quantum computer. It can work in room temperature conditions and can process massive amounts of data at breakneck speeds. Take your facial recognition data for instance. If you use a conventional computer, it will take you thirty years to process the same amount of data SynthBrain can process in three minutes."
Harold looked at the small piece of equipment, his mind immediately running through the possibilities such a device would allow. After running some simulations, he said, "If I had this technology, Project Northern Lights would have succeeded."
Leonard spoke in a somber tone, "It was quite lucky that the project failed. When Cygnus came online, I used it to sneak into every agency active in America. That is how I found you. Now, you wouldn't believe all the things I found…"
For the next two hours, Leonard shared his findings with Finch. Mike chimed in when necessary, telling him how many cases were manipulated under American law, simply for convenience or interests. As the three discussed various illegal experiments conducted by the government on American soil, Harold's eyes dimmed with pain. He had believed the failure of the project as a problem, but now, he realized that it was a blessing in disguise. Hearing about the heinous experiments set his blood on fire.
After two hours, Harold asked, "Leonard, you told me that you found me due to this project. But Cygnus can already function as the final version of Northern Lights. What exactly do you want from me?"
Mike looked at Leonard, expecting an answer. Leonard smiled before saying, "Harold, you might think that Northern Lights should have been the end, an infallible measure against crime or terrorism. But I believe it was just the beginning. Crime or terrorism is not the disease, it is just a symptom of the disease. To truly fix the world, we need cure, not just prevention."
Harold looked in interest. Leonard continued, "We will discuss more in Geneva. I am holding an important meeting there, with my confidants. I believe that you can do so much more than just being a watcher. You could be the guide. So, I want to invite you to our organisation. Will you join us in Geneva, as our teammate?"
Leonard presented his hand for a handshake. Harold looked at Leonard, as if trying to pierce through his brain to look straight at his thoughts. Finally, he took the offered hand.
Leonard smiled, "Excellent. Pack your bags. We will leave in two days."
John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, Two Days Later
The morning sky was clear, painted in pale shades of gold as the sun rose above the quiet runways.
Leonard looked out of his car window as the car pulled towards runway 13. He had opted to book a taxi instead of bringing his own car. As the car pulled into the runway, Leonard saw everyone from his Inner Circle waiting for him. Arun was waiting for him, nervously holding on to a small suitcase. Sofia stood near Mike, talking about something. Emil sat on a bag, reading a book. Giselle stood in attention, looking around at the other members. Elliot Alderson looked out of place among the others, with his hooded jacket and cigarette. Finally, the CEO Stan Edgar stood in his place, looking at the entry terminal.
A sleek Gulfstream jet stood waiting near the private terminal, its polished body reflecting the early light.
Leonard stepped out of the black sedan, adjusting his coat slightly as he looked toward the aircraft.
'A small step for now… but an important one.'
Leonard quickly gained everyone's attention, his cane striking the ground. Leonard smiled at everyone, "Good morning everyone, I hope you are ready."
Stan replied tightly, "With how urgent the meeting was, I am surprised you didn't show up before us. Perhaps you should pay more attention to punctuality."
Leonard smiled faintly and replied, "I would have come early, but I had to pick someone up. Everyone, meet Mr. Harold Finch. He is a brilliant software engineer and computer expert. He has recently accepted my invitation to the Inner Circle. I hope you welcome him to the fold as well."
Harold Finch came out of the car and nodded to everyone, a silent sign of his greeting. He stood quietly to one side, observing the surroundings with thoughtful eyes. Beside him stood several members of Leonard's Inner Circle, engaged in casual conversation. Despite their relaxed demeanor, there was an unmistakable sense of anticipation among them.
Mike leaned slightly toward Leonard, "So, can you tell me now, why did you decide to conduct this meeting?"
Leonard nodded at his anticipation, before replying, "All in due time. I don't want my surprise to be spoiled..."
The two walked toward the group. As Leonard approached, the conversation gradually quieted.
Leonard spoke calmly.
"Everyone, thank you for coming on short notice. As you know, this will be our second major meeting. This meeting is waiting for us in Geneva. So, while we are on the plane, please try to enjoy the ride, meet each other and catch up. Our work will wait until Geneva."
Leonard allowed the conversation to continue for a few minutes before glancing toward the aircraft.
"Shall we?"
The group began moving toward the boarding stairs. One by one, they stepped into the Gulfstream, disappearing into the sleek cabin.
Leonard was the last to board.
Before stepping inside, he paused for a moment and looked toward the horizon.
'Geneva will be the beginning.'
He stepped into the aircraft.
Moments later, the engines roared to life.
As the jet accelerated down the runway and lifted into the morning sky, the city of New York slowly faded beneath the clouds.
Ahead of them lay Geneva.
And the future they intended to build.
AN: I wish to thank all my patrons for their continued support. I realize that my updates are slower, but please have patience. A new turn is coming for the story. Stay tuned.