Last night, those fearless cameramen aboard the helicopter managed to capture the drone's entire process of decloaking and firing its missiles from a distance. However, given the distance, it was impossible to capture every minute detail.
But now, on the computer screen in front of the Lockheed Martin executive, the live feed from the drone showed something astonishingly clear: the reporters standing below, alert and attentive to every sound and movement, were entirely oblivious to the drone hovering above their heads.
Didn't this clearly prove that the drone was capable of achieving optical invisibility to the human eye?
As he stared at the footage, the Lockheed Martin executive completely forgot his earlier intention of leaving immediately. His eyes gleamed as he watched the live feed, his mind already calculating what price he'd need to pay to win over Castle, who was now on the phone with Joe and Beckett, informing them that there were fugitives armed with heavy weaponry—RPGs and TOW anti-tank missiles—positioned at both the south gate of the estate and the northern coastline.
Just then, the sound of helicopters echoed in the air again. Big Ivan, speaking through the intercom, informed Castle that these weren't news reporters but representatives from Northrop Grumman and the Pentagon, arriving in two helicopters. Their purpose was obvious.
Castle felt his head throb. Dammit, there are two lunatics at my gate planning to fire RPGs at me, and now you people decide to show up?
But then, a thought struck him: maybe this wasn't such a bad thing after all. If the idiots outside and the four others found at sea truly decided to fire rockets, wouldn't these industry and military bigwigs be the perfect witnesses?
If Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and even the Pentagon were willing to vouch for him and back him up, then there'd be no need to hold back. He could unleash the .50 caliber heavy machine gun that shredded people to pieces last night to secure the coastline, while the drones could destroy the idiots in the van at his gate in front of these witnesses and the media. Problem solved.
The more Castle thought about it, the more he liked the idea. He had no intention of sending Joe's FBI team or Beckett's NYPD colleagues to risk their lives dealing with these lunatics. If an attack on them led to casualties, it would reflect poorly on him, Joe, and Beckett.
But if, under the eyes of these three major players, Castle was attacked in a premeditated assault, wouldn't he be justified in using unconventional means of defense? And wouldn't they back him up for doing so?
Jarvis, operating with maximum efficiency, controlled the drone and confirmed that the yacht carrying four Japanese men off the northern coastline was armed with two RPG rockets. The weapons were openly laid out on the deck, making them easy targets for the drone. It was clear that these four were part of the same group as the two men in the van at the southern gate.
As Castle went downstairs to greet the rare and elusive Northrop Grumman CEO, along with three Pentagon representatives who had come to evaluate Castle's drone technology, his first words shocked everyone:
"The guys from last night? There are six of them still at large. They've split into two groups—one at my southern gate, one on the northern coastline. They're armed with four RPGs and two TOW anti-tank missiles, planning another attack on my estate.
"My drone identified this. You can either leave immediately by helicopter, or stick around to watch my drones and security system eliminate these 'terrorists.'"
The Northrop Grumman CEO's immediate reaction was Holy shit. He was about to politely excuse himself, much like the Lockheed Martin executive had considered earlier, but then he noticed the Lockheed Martin executive standing on the second-floor landing, smirking at him.
Dammit, I rushed here as fast as I could, and he still beat me to the punch?
And judging by that guy's expression, he didn't seem inclined to leave either.
The Northrop Grumman CEO, just as cunning and seasoned, quickly realized the situation. If Castle already knew about the impending attack, would he really let those idiots succeed? After all, hadn't Castle demonstrated last night that his estate's defenses were more than capable of handling this?
If he left now, it would only worsen his company's already disadvantaged position in the competition with Lockheed Martin over this optical invisibility technology. He couldn't afford that.
At that moment, the voice of a chubby technician came through the tablet in Castle's hand. After Lockheed Martin's executive arrived, Jarvis had transferred drone control to this technician per Castle's safety protocols. Jarvis, taking a backseat, operated covertly to maintain the illusion that Castle didn't have access to artificial intelligence.
Especially with the arrival of the Northrop Grumman CEO and Pentagon representatives, revealing that Castle also had an AI system would cause unnecessary complications. So, the best scapegoat was the talented and well-known technician, who was currently on Northrop Grumman's payroll as a test pilot for drones.
The Pentagon officers, familiar with the technician from previous projects, showed no surprise when they heard his voice.
"Uncle Rick, based on the drone's intercepted communications, these two groups seem to be planning to fire RPGs directly at your estate. But since they can't figure out how to use the anti-tank missiles, they're sticking to the RPGs to create chaos. They hope the commotion will let them sneak in during the confusion or ambush you if you try to flee."
The technician's slightly odd tone came through the tablet loud and clear, heard by everyone present.
Castle, knowing his strategic and tactical limitations, quickly deflected responsibility. He spread his hands and looked at the three Pentagon officers: "What do you think?"
The three officers, all high-ranking Air Force personnel with stars on their shoulders, exchanged glances. What the hell? We're Air Force—we call for airstrikes and blow things up. You're asking us for tactical advice on your property?
Castle was clearly joking. He had already decided to use the .50 caliber heavy machine gun to seal off the coastline and destroy the yacht, while the drone would launch missiles to obliterate the van at the gate. His question was just a formality, meant to put on a show for the gathered executives and military officials.
The Northrop Grumman CEO, knowing Castle well, spoke bluntly: "Rick, you've already got an emergency plan in place, don't you? So why not show us how your stealth drone performs in combat?"
Castle's first thought was Damn, the old fox saw right through me. This guy's ability to maintain his position as CEO in a company with over a hundred shareholders was no fluke.
Having been called out, Castle saw no need to hide his intentions. After all, these people were here specifically to evaluate his drone's optical cloaking system. What was there to keep secret?
He ushered the three groups into the spacious living room, connected his tablet to the large screen, and displayed the drone's live feed. This simple gesture immediately captured the attention of the Northrop Grumman CEO, the Lockheed Martin executive, and the Pentagon officers, all of whom were here for this very technology.
Castle also introduced Joe and Beckett, who had rushed over after hearing about the armed fugitives, to the gathered officials. Then, in front of everyone, he laid out his plan.
"What?! You're planning to use heavy machine guns to cover the coastline and destroy the yacht, while launching missiles at the van at the gate? Are you insane? There are so many reporters outside, and you're planning to pull the same stunt as last night?" Beckett erupted upon hearing Castle's gleeful plan. Are you out of your mind? Just this morning, news outlets were criticizing Castle's use of heavy machine guns to turn five mercenaries into minced meat. Now he wanted to do it again, in broad daylight, with reporters watching?
Castle defended himself, "I just don't want you or Joe's colleagues to get hurt while apprehending these obvious lunatics.
"Plus, the van at the gate is parked a good hundred meters away from the nearest reporters. The micro-missiles won't affect them. And I definitely don't want those lunatics firing RPGs at my estate in full view of the media!"
(End of Chapter)
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