" Leonard Speaking"
' Leonard Thinking'
Leonard woke up on his bed. His eyes moved to a small watch he kept at his bedside. He stood up, his taller frame stretched as his joints popped back into place. Within a minute, he was wide awake. He walked down the stairs to his lab, ready for the final week of his sabbatical.
As Leonard stepped on his lab floor, he whistled. Suddenly, the platforms shifted slightly, giving him a way to walk to his computer. It had been two weeks since his first Chaldea conference. And the results spoke for themselves. Many scientists shared research, formed collaborations and worked together. Now that the fire was lit, he needed money to feed it. Thankfully, he had the foresight to hire people for Chaldea Enterprises, his holding company. All the support staff, from receptionists to managers were hired through the company.
Suddenly his phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, Leonard smiled. Among the people he hired, there was a gem, unpolished but brilliant. While this gem was not a scientist or visionary, it was something every visionary needed.
Leonard quickly answered the call. A crisp and sweet female voice spoke on the other end, "Dr. Hofstadter, I have arranged your itinerary. Your flight to Albuquerque is arranged in the afternoon. I have also taken the liberty of informing Attorney Ross about the contracts for our newly hired members. He asked me to inform you that he will be unavailable for a while as he is hunting for more partners for the legal department."
Leonard replied, "That is all right. But inform Attorney Ross to be on call. Now, did you find the dossiers I sent? Make sure to send them invitations for the next conference. Anything else you wish to add, Miss Olsen?"
Ellie Olsen, Leonard's new secretary, replied, "Nothing else Sir. Do you need me to book a return flight as well?"
Leonard denied, "No Ellie. I will not come back to Washington for a while. But, book a flight to L.A. from Albuquerque. I will go back to Caltech for a while. I'll let you know if I have something else I need."
Ellie replied, "As you wish, Sir. Have a safe flight."
Leonard hung up and looked back at the screen, looking at a slightly older, smiling man, surrounded by people from the D.E.A. Looking at the smiling face, Leonard whistled at the darkness hidden in the eyes. Leonard quickly arranged all the material he needed in a tablet. Suddenly, he looked back at the various projects he was working on, some common, some that could only be described as magical. Leonard smiled again before giving instructions.
"Commence secrecy protocols, access code Prometheus."
As soon as the command left his lips, the experiments were quickly taken by the platforms and hid in an underground storage Leonard had created with the CBots. As all the experimental devices were hidden, Leonard gave another command.
"Initiate the James-Bond protocol, complete surveillance and anti-recon modes."
With that command, all the CBots slithered to the walls, before making a 3D laser net anti-surveillance system. Once Leonard was happy with his choice, he took his bag and left the warehouse.
'Now, let us find ourselves a CEO.'
Albuquerque, New Mexico
It was evening when Leonard arrived at Albuquerque. While Leonard would arrange for a meeting the next day, he decided to check out his new CEO and get something good for dinner. With this thought, Leonard arrived at a popular fast food chain restaurant, Los Pollos Hermanos.
Sitting at a table near the window, Leonard quickly called a waiter, ordering an enchilada platter and a diet coke. Laying his cane at the side, Leonard started devouring his dinner with gusto. Leonard knew a lot about this restaurant, and its mysterious owner, but he could claim with certainty, that his dinner was phenomenal. From his seat, Leonard looked at the restaurant once again. He watched the efficiency with which this place ran. He saw that hygiene was well maintained. And finally, he saw that the middle aged man with a slightly weathered and wrinkled face, a perpetual smile on his face as he faced his customers, teased little kids, made the people laugh, was the center of this place. Everything, from the customers to the employees revolved around him. His control in his domain was absolute.
Leonard's brain immediately broke down every moment. Every subtle gesture, every moment was discipline in human form. To bring this monk-like figure to his organisation might be a challenge. Gus was someone who thrived when he was in control, but grew dangerous when he felt threatened. Leonard knew, if he gave Gus time to prepare, he would be at a great disadvantage.
Leonard finished his food, but he did not leave. Instead he waited, quietly observing everything around him. When the waiters asked him if he needed anything else, Leonard simply ordered a root beer and kept observing. His sharp eyes seemed to unnerve the waiter. Sure enough, the one who came with his root beer was the owner.
Gustavo Fring smiled at the tall stranger. His shirt immaculate, his eyes filled with life and energy, presented a picture of professionalism and refinement ― something you would not expect from a drug dealer. Leonard smiled at the control Gus showed in his manner.
Gus began, "Here is your root beer Sir. Do you want anything else?"
Leonard accepted the glass before saying, "Can you sit for some time? There is something I wanted to talk to you about."
Gus smiled and sat. While his smile still remained, his eyes were puzzled. Leonard was a complete stranger. He was not another customer or even a buyer. At least Saul did not reach out to him regarding the man.
Leonard wasted no time. He began, "Mr. Fring ― or do you prefer Dr. Fring? I suppose, Mr. will do for now. My name is Dr. Leonard Hofstadter. I am an experimental physicist at Caltech, Pasadena. I am also the owner and founder of a company called Chaldea Enterprises. While the company itself is new, we have a lot of research in multiple scientific fields. It is something of a brainchild to me."
Gus's eyes widened at Leonard's address. While he did not know what Chaldea Enterprises had to do with him, Leonard's address as Dr. Fring brought back old, painful memories. Memories of a time where Gus was still idealistic.
Gus spoke evenly, "I don't know why you are telling me this. And I am not a Doctor."
Leonard smiled a little deviously, "Oh, but you are Dr. Fring. I learnt a lot about you. Dr. Gustavo Fring, born on 26th April, 1969 in Santiago, Chile. A genius who learnt Molecular Chemistry, Business Administration and Philosophy during the military dictatorship in Chile. Later on, you even funded the education of your friend and partner Max Arciniega. In 1990, you came to the States with Max. Started this amazing restaurant. Then, in 1996, Max Arciniega was killed. While the police don't know who killed him, based on your moment patterns, it was someone from the Juárez Cartel. For the past fifteen years, you have worked under the rule of the Cartel, using your businesses as a front for money laundering and drug transportation. Even your product is considered the best on the market. Originally, I thought you were also refining your meth yourself, given your Molecular Chemistry doctorate, but you are not someone like that, possibly a habit you developed from your days of transporting cocaine through Chile. That's the rule isn't it? Never touch your product directly."
As Leonard kept going, Gus's face grew more solemn. His smile completely vanished and he looked at Leonard as if he was Gus's greatest enemy. Leonard seemed to pick up on that, as he smiled widely before saying, " Don't worry, Dr. Fring, I am not your enemy. You can say, I am somewhat of an admirer. You are someone who came from nothing and built an empire around your existence. You are not the worst person around these parts, despite your drug empire."
Gus was not impressed by the flattery. He looked straight into Leonard's brown eyes, before speaking in an even tone, "So, what do you want from me? If you think that you can threaten me…"
Leonard interrupted with a shake of his head, "I am not here to threaten you. I am here to invite you. Let me state my purpose plainly. Dr. Gus Fring, would you be willing to serve as the CEO for Chaldea Enterprises?"
Gus was taken aback. The offer was sudden, completely unexpected, and laughable. It was asking Gus to leave his empire and work under someone. Gus wanted nothing more than to shoot Leonard's head off. But he could not act like that in public. He wanted to decline right away but Leonard interrupted him, "Please don't rush to decline. I understand that you feel that giving up this empire is like giving up all your power and control, but trust me on this, Chaldea is far bigger than this empire that you rule. It is not driven by profit, but by vision. I want you to sleep on it. We will talk again tomorrow."
Leonard stood up and paid the bill, leaving a generous tip to the waiter. Picking up his cane, he moved to leave. Suddenly, as if remembering something, Leonard called back, "And Gus, please don't send Mike after me. He is about to become a grandfather. I don't want his grandson to miss him in his life."
With those words, Leonard left the restaurant, finding a small hotel to stay the night. Before sleeping, he left some CBots in the corridor to alert him against any attack. Finally, Leonard went to sleep.
The Next Day.
Leonard spent the morning around Albuquerque. The city offered him some great experiences of art, culture and history. Slowly, Leonard moved his rental to Los Pollos Hermanos once again, for an early lunch.
Leonard sat down at a table, ordering a six pack Taco combo. As he sat, chewing on a taco, he spied Gus Fring and Mike Ehrmantraut standing near a door to the back. Leonard quickly finished his tacos before washing his hands and moving to the door. Leonard knocked on the door and entered. Gus was sitting at the table, while Mike sat in a chair at the side. Leonard did not wait, smoothly pulling out a chair and sitting.
Leonard began, "So, did you give any thought to my offer?"
Gus smiled and spoke, "I am afraid I will have to refuse. What I want is something that you cannot get me. And even if you could, it would not have the same meaning. So, while I appreciate your offer, I decline."
Leonard smiled at that before asking, "Do you think your end will be like the Godfather Vito Corleone?"
Gus's smile faltered before he replied, "I am not sure what you mean?"
Leonard continued, "Gus, right now, you are thinking about short term benefits. Your drug empire, your restaurant, your laundry shops, they rest on your shoulders. But no matter how strong the pillar is, it can be weathered by time, weakened, or even knocked down. When that happens, what will be your legacy?
Leonard crossed his fingers. His tone was serious, "Don Corleone had Michael, but you don't have anyone who can inherit this legacy. Once you fall, your entire operation will fall with you. And believe me, crime, no matter small or large, catches up to the criminal sooner or later. Once you are exposed, or killed, the legacy you created with Max will become weak, tainted and discredited. The only way to ensure that you survive, and Max's legacy survives with you, is to leave this empire behind."
Gus was suddenly lost in his thoughts. His mind went back to the day his partner, his other half, died. He remembered the sound of the bullet, the sudden fall and the next thing he knew, Max was bleeding from his head, into the pool of clear water. His body shuddered, something that Leonard caught.
As Gus sat solemnly, Leonard continued, "Besides, your product, no matter how good or addictive, is something local. It goes to some states at most. No matter how much you earn with Meth, you would earn a lot more with my backing. Think about it Gus; Los Pollos Hermanos can be spread globally, Max Arciniega Scholarship will reach every brilliant student, not only in the States, but around the world. I know your love for talent, and you know how the world today exploits talented individuals around the world. If the Cartel valued talent instead of tradition, Max would still be alive. What I am trying to do is protect people like Max."
Gus hung his head down. His mind kept flashing to his struggle in a hostile country. Max, his friend, his partner, someone who believed in him, killed like a dog at the hands of the powerful. For a long time, Gus's heart was filled with revenge, but for the first time, it was filled with clarity. He did not care if people did not remember Gustavo Fring, but he did care that people remembered good, honest people like Max Arciniega. But Gus was unsure of how he would leave the Cartel.
Mike Ehrmantraut was both surprised by the change in Gus and delighted that he could leave crime behind. When he was young, that dangerous life suited him. But now, he just wanted to spend time with his family, away from danger.
Gus replied, "Even if I wanted to, the Cartel would never let me go. And I want to remove the Cartel from the equation as well."
Leonard laughed and spoke, "If you are on board, I will take care of the Cartel. A purge like that would certainly change the power balance around here. Don't worry. I already know everyone in the Cartel; my team will take them out. Gus Fring, despite his achievements and ability, has deep ties with the Cartel. Your life as Gustavo Fring, will also have to die with the Cartel. You will need a new name, a new identity. I can take care of the records, what would your name be?"
Gus smiled, his first happy smile in many years, "You can call me Stan Edgar then."
Leonard laughed again, his eyes glittering, "In that case, welcome aboard Mr. Edgar. Let's change the world for the better."
AN: The Final Chapter of the Sabbatical Arc. After this chapter, Leonard will return to Pasadena.
AN2: I wish to thank all my Patrons who have supported my writing till now. A shoutout to new members emahue64, Adearick, Emanuel Lucas Duarte de Farias, Scott, phil, RavenSystem, Sam Becker, Cujo, Neveah Strudivant, madao, Brody Mcdermott, Wilder and Cle for their support.
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