"Leonard Speaking"
'Leonard Thinking'
Chaldea Facility CRADLE, Madagascar
Leonard sat inside a room, poring over a world map. Suddenly, groaning sounds came from the bed as a sleepy Paige woke up in the bed. Leonard grinned and yelled a chipper good morning to her.
Paige smiled gently before walking off the bed and approaching the table. She looked at the map, peering at the dense red and blue marks Leonard had made. She squinted to find patterns for the dots before asking, "Are these travel channels?"
Leonard smiled, "Almost. The red points are communication hubs, the blue ones are major internet hubs, while the black ons are economic hubs."
Paige looked intrigued and asked, "Does it have something to do with your headquarters plan?"
Leonard excitedly affirmed, "Yes. While Chaldea is profitable now, having more money will be helpful. I plan to make multiple bases all over the world. Some light, others dark. But I cannot fund the dark based without the light ones. So, I am making sure that our light bases will have ample resources and logistic channels."
Suddenly, a knocking sound came from the corridor. Leonard looked at the door, before gently standing up from his chair, his cane in his hand. Opening the door, he sighed as Arun excitedly came into the room. He took out some documents from his inner coat and looked at Leonard.
Arun said, "Leonard, I was able to complete something for you yesterday. That pill really got me thinking."
Suddenly, he noticed Paige in the room. Looking at the two awkwardly, Arun rubbed his head. He asked hesitantly, "Is it a bad time?"
Leonard laughed before saying, "Don't worry about it. But it is a bit informal. How about this, let's meet in conference room 4, in about half an hour. We will be able to discuss it further."
Arun nodded, "Very well, should I convene a meeting as well?"
Leonard shrugged, "If you need it."
Arun nodded and left. Leonard turned back to Paige, "Do you want to come?"
Paige shook her head, "I have some other work to do. We still have to complete the calculations for your Project Stargate. I'll start working on that."
Leonard nodded with a smile and went to take a quick shower.
Conference Room 4, CRADLE, Madagascar
Leonard looked at Arun, "So, what did you want to show me?"
Arun's eyes lit up as he excitedly pulled out schematics, showcasing a device. Leonard's eyes roamed over the plans, quickly understanding the basics of the machine.
Leonard asked, "So, you want to use this for recycling, right?"
Arun beamed and nodded. Leonard smiled wryly before commenting, "You know, there are simpler ways to recycle plastics. This device will theoretically work as a molecular destabilizer. It's like killing a mosquito with a cannon."
Arun nodded, "Leonard, as time goes by, the minerals on Earth will get depleted. Recycling these base elements will be a two fold approach, reducing waste and creating new free elements."
Leonard asked, "And, have you considered the cost issue? How would you power this Alchemy Chamber?"
Arun smiled, "That's the thing, the first step would be to decompose using microbial action. Microbes are highly efficient, and with some genetic modification can become the backbone of future industry. Once the complex compounds are broken down, the chamber can break down molecular bonds with an efficient hydrogen fuel cell."
Leonard asked, "And, where will you get your hydrogen fuel cell?"
Arun was silent for a few seconds before he said, "I know a guy. He lived near me in Mumbai. A brilliant engineer, if a bit arrogant."
Leonard looked very interested as Arun went on to tell him about the guy. A well recognized genius in the field of mechanics and software. Although he would have achieved even greater things if he wasn't so conceited. The guy moved from Mumbai to live with his father in London in 2002. Since then, he has accomplished a lot in mechanics and anatomical research.
Leonard said, "Sounds like you admire the guy."
Arun shook his head, "I admire his intelligence. He is pretty arrogant and unadmirable based on his personality."
Leonard said, "So, who is this guy?"
Arun said, "His name is Peter Weyland. I asked for his details from Finch. Currently, he is in London."
Leonard smiled, "Well, now is as good a time as any. Let's take the jet."
Leonard and Arun walked through the halls of the base. The building was designed for efficiency, especially for biological research. A large portion of the facility was a biosphere reserve. Although they had made walls on the perimeter, some brave people still came in. Luckily, most of the intruders were poachers.
Leonard walked towards the main gate, when he saw a few dark skinned individuals being led by members of his security company. The soldiers saluted as they saw Leonard approach them.
Leonard looked at the captives, "Pirates or poachers?"
The leader, a former child soldier recruited by Giselle from Congo, informed, "Poachers, Sir. They came to hunt the rhinos. What should we do with them?"
Leonard looked at the poachers. When he first created this facility, he was quite merciful to trespassers. He even let people go with a warning. Now, after repeated problems, Leonard no longer cared.
Leonard shrugged, "What else? Bury them. Everything in this reserve is something I hold dear. It is not like I didn't warn poachers before. You cannot expect to kill my animals without facing any consequences."
Without sparing a single glance, Leonard and Arun walked out, as his soldiers dragged the screaming poachers towards the forested areas. The two scientists came out of the facility, and walked towards an adjoined airstrip. A private jet stood ready on the strip, freshly maintained and fueled. The pilots quickly saluted the two as the plane started its journey to London.
Heathrow Airport, London
Arun and Leonard exited the plane, looking like zombies. The plane had been in air for sixteen hours, with frequent refuelings in between. Arun looked ill, before turning towards the plane with hate.
Arun gritted, "I will stay in London for a week, before I get on this plane again."
Leonard sighed, "Maybe we should take a commercial flight before we go to the CRADLE. A private jet, despite its comforts, is quite tiring to travel in."
Arun suggested, "Maybe we should find a way to improve this technology. If we can shorten the travel time from sixteen hours to one, we can get a lot of work done."
The two hailed a taxi, constantly discussing methods to reduce emissions, travel time and cost for the plane. In the middle, Leonard received a phone call. After he finished talking, he said to Arun, "Your friend is at Oxford. So, we might have to travel some more."
Arun groaned, "Can we take the train?"
Leonard laughed, "Sure we can."
Oxford University, Oxford
Leonard and Arun left the train, refreshed by an hour of train travel through British countryside. Leonard commented, "You know, I always thought trains were a hassle. Maybe it was because of my overzealous roommate. But trains do have a certain charm."
The two scientists wandered around the place, taking in the sights of Bodleian Library and the Bridge of Sighs. Finally, they arrived at a small lecture hall, where Peter Weyland was discussing his latest invention.
Peter Weyland was a well-dressed white man, slightly above average in height with dark slicked back hair and sharp narrow eyes. It showed that he placed a lot of importance on health, as seen from his physique. Although the man was younger than Leonard, his demeanour gave off a calm sense of maturity. However, it was his eyes that truly drew Leonard's attention. They were piercing blue, full of hunger and ambition, quite similar to Leonard's own. But those eyes did not hold a hint of restraint.
Peter explained, "So, by aligning the solar panels with a slight tilt, we can collect enough renewable energy to meet a large demand. This will be a profitable venture for the company."
The lead scientist, a balding man with thick brown glasses, interrupted, "Sir, I understand what you are proposing, but this is untested technology. The creation of this ring requires a lot of construction in space. If we were able to halt the DAVID project for a while…"
Peter angrily yelled, "That will not happen. DAVID is my legacy, something that will outlive me and carry this company forward."
The scientist nodded his head and replied, "In that case, you might have to find investors."
Peter sighed, "Okay, let's reconvene after dinner. You can go."
As the scientists filtered out of the room, Peter sighed, slumping on his chair. Suddenly, he noticed two people outside the gate, causing him to become alarmed. He yelled, "Who are you? How did you come here?"
Arun tried to calm him down, "Peter, calm down, it's me, Arun."
Peter calmed a little, though he still looked at the two suspiciously, "And, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? If I remember it correctly, you were still working on that river cleaning project."
Arun answered, "That is what I am here about. First let me introduce you, this is Leonard, my friend. He is a great scientist like you…"
Peter laughed and looked at Leonard. Leonard easily recognized the expression, the same one Sheldon had on his face whenever he saw Leonard, disdain.
Peter scoffed, "There is no great scientist like me. Let's just cut the chase, tell me why you are here?"
This time, Arun did not say anything. It was Leonard who spoke, "We heard you had a significant breakthrough on fuel cells. We were hoping to exchange that technology with something of equal value."
Peter looked amused at that, "Oh, something of equal value? Do you have anything equal to the value of my legacy? Very well, follow me."
Peter led the two towards a lab on the side. It did not have many things, but it had a small pod, and in that pod was a skeleton. Peter proudly presented the skeleton.
Peter said, "See, this is my legacy, my DAVID. A synthetic being subservient to me and my family. Able to survive and complete complex tasks that any human can do. It is a being, more advanced than any. This is what I made the fuel cell for. Now, tell me, do you have anything matching this value? When I am old, DAVID will help me run my company. It will make Weyland Corporation the greatest corporation in the history of this planet."
Arun looked impressed. With how Weyland Corporation was making advancements in space tech, a being like DAVID would become the first surveyor of any planet. Leonard, however, was not impressed.
Leonard carefully studied the skeleton. It was truly marvelous, with the same anatomical dimensions as a normal skeleton. But comparing it to a legacy was laughable. Leonard chuckled, "So, your legacy is a toy?"
Peter's eyes widened, half outraged, half furious. He approached Leonard, trying to intimidate him. But unfortunately, Leonard was six to seven inches taller. Peter spoke through clenched teeth, "How dare you call it a toy?"
Leonard scoffed, "What else should I call it? A mechanical being, with technology and machines replacing human flesh and blood. Whatever you tell it to do, it does. Just because it looks human doesn't make it more than a robot dog. And to think you would consider it a legacy."
Peter could not hold back any longer. He took a swing at Leonard's face, hoping to break the mandible. Leonard smiled, sidestepping the clumsy punch, his hand rushing forward like a snake, grabbing Peter's throat in one smooth motion. With little effort, Leonard picked up Peter by his throat, his legs dangling as Peter choked.
Leonard whispered, "You are quite intelligent. You could make your company the greatest on earth. Unfortunately, your vision is quite narrow, unable to see anything past the company."
With that, Leonard let go, causing Peter to fall unceremoniously. Without a second glance, Leonard walked out of the room, Arun moving quickly in toe. Peter watched Leonard walk out, his eyes burning with madness and rage.
Arun briskly walked alongside Leonard, wondering if he should apologize for introducing Peter. Finally, Arun said, "I am sorry. I shouldn't have suggested Peter at all."
Leonard waved his hand dismissively, "Don't worry about it. Based on your descriptions, I kind of expected that. He is quite smart, but he is also insanely narrow-minded. It's a pity we didn't find a gem on this trip."
Arun smiled, "Who said we have to leave today? Didn't we agree to stay here for a week? Let's see if we can discover someone."
The two spent the next two days at Oxford, going through different buildings, observing students and teachers for a hint of hidden potential.
Bodleian Library, Oxford
Leonard walked into the library, sending Arun to have lunch. The past two days have been stimulating, with quality discussions on a variety of topics with students and faculty of the university. Unfortunately, Leonard did not find any great personalities. Leonard walked through the halls, mostly empty with some students in the STEM sections. On a whim, Leonard walked towards literature sections. And then, he saw her.
A young, beautiful woman, with deep red hair and thin glasses, poring over a thick book with absolute concentration. He did not know her, had no information, but some instinct told him to approach the woman.
Leonard approached the woman and said, "Hello…"
The woman, without looking from her book, said, "Whoever you are, I am not interested."
Leonard laughed lightly, before saying, "Well, I am interested. What are you looking at?"
The woman, annoyed, looked up at Leonard, freezing as she recognized him, "You are Dr. Leonard Hofstadter."
Leonard felt odd at being recognized, before saying, "That is me. But unfortunately, you have me at a disadvantage here. You are?"
The woman spoke, "My name is Dr. Louise Banks. I saw your speech on BBC. Almost everyone in Oxford saw it. It was very bold and inspiring."
Leonard smiled, "Maybe I did something right. So, Louise, what are you looking at?"
Louise smiled and started to explain her study on languages and linguistics. She discussed how languages were the first representation of human wisdom. The two kept talking for about two hours. By the end of the discussion, Louise was smiling, her mind alight with insights. Leonard on the other hand was smiling for a different reason.
Leonard started, "So, Louise, what will you do after you complete your research?"
Louise thought for a second, "Maybe teach at a university in Canada. Why do you ask?"
Leonard asked, "Would you like to work for me?"
Louise looked sharply at Leonard, "And, what exactly would I do? I am not fetching you coffee?"
Leonard smiled, "You, my dear, will help me build the Tower of Babel."
AN: That's a wrap. The chapters are moving and the creative juices are flowing again. Stay tuned for more.
AN2: I thank all my patrons for their continued support. I will try to upload more frequently. I am writing a new story, exclusively for my patrons. Please look forward to it.
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