Boeing, now in a frenzy, sent representatives rushing to New York while also conducting a thorough investigation into the writer who had suddenly become a key figure. The aerospace giant's resources were no joke—Boeing quickly uncovered every detail about Castle, including the technologies he held and the critical role he played in the recent developments that left Boeing trailing behind.
The results of their investigation shocked everyone in Boeing's upper management.
This writer, whose main profession was supposed to be writing, had somehow developed an astounding array of cutting-edge technologies in less than two years.
Technologies like semi-intelligent flight control systems, engine upgrades that dramatically improved power and fuel efficiency without altering existing structures, and visual stealth systems capable of true invisibility—these breakthroughs had all come from Castle.
What's more, Castle had quietly acquired shares in Pratt & Whitney and GE, two of the biggest names in the industry. He had helped Pratt & Whitney upgrade their flagship engines—the F119-PW100 and F135-PW100, which powered the USA's most advanced fighters, the F-22 and F-35. Castle had also collaborated with Northrop Grumman to retrofit the B-2 stealth bomber with GE's decades-old engines, rejuvenating their capabilities and significantly extending their range.
When Boeing's executives learned of these developments, they fired their intelligence director on the spot.
"How could you miss such critical information? Are you a mole for the competition?"
Boeing's RC-135 strategic reconnaissance aircraft, based on the 707 platform, used Pratt & Whitney's aging TF33-P-9 engines. While reliable, these engines limited the aircraft's service ceiling to just 16,000 meters. If retrofitted with Pratt & Whitney's latest engines, enhanced with Castle's upgrades, the RC-135 could achieve unprecedented improvements in range and performance.
The RC-135 was a cornerstone of US military reconnaissance, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Capable of high-frequency, very-high-frequency, and ultra-high-frequency communications, as well as advanced radar and GPS navigation, it could perform missions without entering hostile airspace. The absence of weapons on the aircraft reflected its design philosophy of operating safely in international airspace.
Now, with Castle's visual stealth technology and upgraded engines, the RC-135 could become an unmatched reconnaissance platform.
Adding insult to injury, Castle had also armed Northrop's previously unarmed B-2 bombers with advanced missiles, increasing their battlefield survivability. Boeing realized that such modifications could similarly enhance the RC-135, making it far more versatile and survivable in contested environments.
Yet, their intelligence team had overlooked all of this.
Adding to Boeing's frustration was the delay from Pratt & Whitney. The engine manufacturer had initially focused on applying Castle's innovations to small-bypass turbofan engines like the F119 and F135, delaying implementation on conventional engines like those used in the RC-135.
Boeing had been completely in the dark about the importance of the New York-based writer.
The one silver lining for Boeing was that Castle seemed open to collaboration. In a phone call, he had assured Boeing's representatives that he would await their arrival at his Long Island estate.
Boeing's board unanimously agreed: no matter the cost, they had to secure Castle's technology. Even if it meant offering Castle a substantial share in the company, they were prepared to make the deal.
The stakes were monumental. Lockheed Martin had already secured the first-mover advantage, and if they succeeded in convincing the military to implement their upgrade plan across the US fleet of subsonic aircraft, the resulting contracts would be staggering. With thousands of subsonic military aircraft in service, the scale of such an order was almost unimaginable.
Boeing's survival depended on stopping Lockheed Martin from monopolizing this opportunity.
The board resolved to use their tightly held shares as bargaining chips. If Castle valued shares, they would give him what he wanted. Once they secured the technology, they could negotiate with Castle for access to his other groundbreaking developments.
Meanwhile, Castle was in his study, discussing strategy with Moz and Gianna. He was well aware that Boeing was in a vulnerable position, and he intended to capitalize on it.
Boeing's desperation, spurred by Lockheed Martin's actions, presented Castle with a golden opportunity to demand a significant stake in the company. Castle no longer worried about appearing overly aggressive or considerate—Lockheed Martin's maneuvering had taught him that in the world of business, friendships and alliances meant little compared to profits.
Castle had no prior relationship with Boeing, so he saw no reason to hold back. If Boeing was willing to make themselves an easy target, he wasn't going to let the opportunity slip by.
After consulting with Moz and Gianna, Castle finalized his demands. He planned to extract a significant share of Boeing's equity, ensuring he got his due from this capitalist game.
As for Boeing's reaction to being "bitten," Castle was confident they wouldn't dare retaliate as long as he continued delivering innovative technologies. His long-term leverage was secure.
Castle's so-called "research capabilities" were actually unparalleled plagiarism. Even the visual stealth technology he had shared was only the first generation. He had blueprints for at least four more advanced iterations in his mind. These future upgrades were his carrot, ensuring that Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing stayed invested in him.
The sudden entry of Boeing into the game came as a relief to Castle, who had recently been negotiating with India. With three of America's largest defense contractors now aligned with him—alongside Pratt & Whitney, GE, and the DuPont conglomerate—Castle finally felt secure.
At least domestically, neither political figures nor competitors would dare to act against him unless provoked.
Finally, Castle could relax.
Boeing's representatives arrived in New York, flying directly from Chicago by helicopter. They didn't even stop at Boeing's New York offices, heading straight to Castle's Long Island estate.
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