NASA's representatives remained calm and patient. Since they relied on contractors for technical support and implementation, Lockheed Martin—holding most of NASA's contracts—was naturally their preferred collaborator. As a result, NASA's negotiations for technology licensing were scheduled for last.
Lockheed Martin, however, was in a hurry. Eager to secure Castle's energy storage technology before he realized its full potential, they maneuvered to push Hughes, the company that originally discovered the technology, behind them in priority.
What they didn't expect was for Castle's strikingly beautiful negotiator to overturn yesterday's agreements as soon as the meeting began. The discussions, focusing on the transfer of technical details, took place without lawyers or accountants present. Gianna, exuding both elegance and command, had brought Ramsey as her technical assistant, knowing her own limitations in understanding complex technology.
As soon as the talks commenced, Gianna abruptly dismissed the preliminary agreements made the previous day. Having learned overnight about the true value of the energy storage technology through intelligence gathered by Jarvis, Gianna was ready to assert herself. The documents she held outlined how Lockheed had planned to exploit her ignorance to obtain the technology at a low cost.
"Gentlemen," Gianna began with a steely gaze, "until yesterday, we were unaware that this energy storage technology was your primary focus. Unfortunately for you, that oversight has been corrected. The value of this technology is no longer what we previously discussed."
The bold declaration sent a shockwave through the Lockheed Martin delegation. They had assumed Castle was clueless about the technology's worth and had hoped to close the deal quickly. Now, they found themselves at a disadvantage.
Despite the aggressive opening, Gianna had no intention of sabotaging the negotiations. The general framework of the technology transfer had already been signed by Castle in the memorandum of understanding with Lockheed, Hughes, and NASA. Her goal wasn't to derail the deal but to extract better terms.
Realizing they could no longer exploit Gianna's ignorance, the Lockheed team swiftly transitioned to Plan B—a strategy prepared before the negotiations began in case the other party caught on. It was time to engage in formal, high-stakes bargaining.
Though Gianna wished Castle hadn't been so eager to offload the technology, she accepted his reasoning. He had deliberately offered a "monkey version" of the technology—simplified and stripped of its most advanced capabilities—to appease these "troublesome guests." His plan was to release future upgrades incrementally, generating ongoing revenue from licensing.
Had it been up to Gianna, she would have preferred to retain the technology, potentially partnering with a major battery manufacturer to maximize its development and application. However, Castle had already committed to the transfer, leaving her with the task of securing the best possible deal.
Lockheed Martin, for their part, quickly verified that the technical documents provided were genuine and matched their expectations. The engineers confirmed that the technology wasn't just applicable to satellites; with minor modifications, it could be seamlessly integrated into high-altitude, high-speed aircraft. Lockheed envisioned using it to enhance their CP-180 reconnaissance drone, significantly improving its performance.
Knowing they couldn't afford to lose this opportunity, Lockheed's negotiators braced themselves for a long, intense battle.
While Gianna clashed with Lockheed's team in the conference room, Castle and the kid sneaked off to meet with one of Lockheed's senior executives. Lowering his voice conspiratorially, Castle laid out the unusual request they had devised earlier.
The executive blinked in disbelief. "Mr. Castle, are you serious? You're asking for a multi-axis, high-load flight simulator for the F-35 fighter?"
Before Castle could respond, the kid interjected, annoyed at the man's skepticism. "Of course we're serious! I'm a top-tier drone operator. When we visited your Skunk Works facility, didn't Charles from the aircraft development department say I could try out the simulator? We're just asking to bring one home. We want to test its capabilities. Who knows—maybe we'll even discover ways to improve your design!"
The executive, stunned by the audacity of the request, was also intrigued. Castle had demonstrated notable talent in drone design, with Northrop Grumman already using his designs to win contracts for the military's next-generation UAV. The possibility that Castle might contribute valuable insights was enough to warrant serious consideration.
Lockheed Martin's board of directors received an urgent report on the matter. In a specially convened meeting, the board debated the proposal. Ultimately, a majority of the members supported granting Castle's request.
"Even if he just wants to play with it, there's no real harm," one director noted. "His security clearance is high enough, and building goodwill with Castle could benefit us in the long run."
Another director added, "Considering how much he's already contributed to Northrop's success, keeping him on good terms with us is a smart move. Besides, the simulator's classified status doesn't pose a risk in his hands."
Thus, Lockheed Martin's leadership tentatively approved the plan to provide Castle with the flight simulator.
Meanwhile, Gianna intensified her efforts in the negotiation room. Armed with knowledge and confidence, she aimed to extract as many concessions as possible. Although Lockheed was determined to secure the technology, Gianna was equally determined not to let them have it easily.
Unbeknownst to her, Castle and the kid had already sealed an informal side deal. Lockheed would not only deliver the simulator but also provide several sets of flight suits and accessories. The company's willingness to cater to Castle's eccentric requests underscored just how valuable they considered his technology.
With Northrop Grumman also joining the fray and backing Gianna, the battle for Castle's innovations was only just beginning.
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