Chapter 86: Drones
Thanks to two phone calls Leonard made along the way, Howard and Raj managed to avoid disaster and arrived at Caltech about ten minutes after Ron and the other two.
With the flight control software provided by Paige and the hands-on work of the three scientists, Ron's drone finally took flight. It was about the same size as consumer models he'd seen before and could carry no more than six and a half pounds.
Howard said this was the limit for its size. If it wanted to increase its payload capacity, it would have to be larger, which would also increase the battery weight.
"Okay, let's keep it this way for now," Ron said somewhat disappointedly. "I wonder what kind of range it has?"
"Because it uses lithium-ion batteries, it has decent range—about one to two miles. However, the remote control range is only about half a mile, which is plenty for recreational use."
Howard, the lead engineer, immediately seized control of the new toy and, under the envious gazes of the other two nerds, was the first to test-fly it, having a blast.
"Who said I'm just using it for recreation?" Ron's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Don't you think it would be interesting to use it to deliver six pounds of C-4 under someone's car and then detonate it remotely?"
The three scientists were so horrified that they forgot to control the drone and didn't even notice it crash-landed. Fortunately, Howard's engineering was solid, so it didn't break.
"Ron, didn't you...didn't you say you were going to make...a hobby project?" Howard asked, stuttering.
Ron, smiling, retorted, "Why? Isn't it good enough as a hobby?"
"Yes, of course it's good enough...but..."
Ron interrupted before he could finish. "You're scientists. You know that all technological advances are initially developed for military applications, right? Why? Do you feel guilty about your discoveries being used in combat?"
The three heads nodded in unison, and Ron couldn't help but chuckle internally. These three guys, despite their genius-level IQs, were just too naive and idealistic, weren't they?
"Then let me put your minds at ease!"
Ron smirked. He vaguely remembered that in the original timeline, when these same guys had created the guidance system, they'd also worried about its potential military applications. At the time, the military liaison had said something along these lines.
"What you built for me is just a drone, not some superweapon like the Death Star or a Transformer. What do you care what I do with it?"
With the last sentence, Ron deliberately let out a hint of menace, making the three young scientists shrink back nervously.
"The patent split is as we agreed. You two will each get 20%, and I'll take the remaining 60%. As for Leonard..." Ron trailed off.
Leonard straightened up when his name was called, but Ron's next words crushed his hopes.
"Leonard, since you're working for free, not only will you not get any shares, you won't even get a salary!" Ron smirked, and only continued when he saw Leonard's face fall like a deflated balloon.
"However, I can help you win over Penny. Except for switching apartments with you, everything else is negotiable. There's no other option. Although Sheldon is my brother, you all know that few people can tolerate him for more than a week.
From that perspective, I actually admire your patience. If it were me, I would've strangled Sheldon and dumped his body in the desert within a week, max."
Howard and Raj nodded vigorously. Only the good-natured Leonard was still somewhat hesitant: "Isn't that a bit harsh?"
"Then maybe just a quick bullet to the head?" Ron asked with his head tilted.
Leonard: He really is his brother.
Ron clapped his hands. "Okay, let's change subjects. Since you guys don't have anywhere else to go today because of Sheldon, why don't you help me build two more of these toys? It just so happens that I might have a major operation coming up soon."
"Sure, identical specs?" Howard immediately agreed.
"Let me think about it," Ron pondered for a moment. "I want a few smaller ones than this, at least the kind that can carry two pounds of explosives and maneuver quickly, preferably with high speed capability. Then make me one with a heavier payload. I'd like to try mounting an MP5 on it and turning it into aerial fire support. What do you think?"
Howard was shocked, but he nodded reluctantly. He was already committed, so what else could he do? However, Ron's next words finally made him feel somewhat better.
"I'll have someone deliver ten grand for parts and materials later. If it's not enough, let me know. He'll also bring you any hardware you might need. Go for it! I'm counting on you!"
With that, Ron waved goodbye and left.
Leonard glumly assembled the components in his hands. "So, we're spending this precious weekend here running a weapons production line?"
Raj: "What else can we do? You want to go back and babysit Sheldon?"
"Hell no!" Leonard shook his head quickly.
"Get to work, guys," Howard tiptoed to the door, watched Ron leave, then returned and announced to everyone with immense pride:
"Guys, guess who's going to pocket an extra two thousand dollars through creative budgeting? Let's hit the strip club tonight and live it up, how about that?"
"Yes!" Howard, as expected, received enthusiastic cheers.
After leaving, Ron didn't go home or back to the office. Instead, he opened his laptop in the car. The tracker he'd placed yesterday was already active, and a red dot was blinking on the Los Angeles map on his screen.
It was right in downtown, near an office building not far from the diner where Max worked.
Ron muttered to himself, "What are these two guys up to now?"
"Maybe a new contract?" Paige suggested through the headset.
"New contract? You mean their target is in that building?" Ron vaguely remembered that before the complete breakdown and showdown with the assassination company, Arthur and his apprentice had indeed carried out another job.
It was just so long ago that he couldn't remember clearly, so he had to rely on Paige.
"Paige, can you help me check what companies are in that building? Anything suspicious? It would be even better if you could locate those two through the security cameras."
"No need to check, I can tell you right now—their target must be Chaim, a cult leader running the Los Angeles branch of Scientology."
(End of Chapter)
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