The Wolf of Los Angeles.

Guildford, southwest of London.

Inside the University of Surrey's office building, Jones' West Coast negotiation team got out of their car and met up with Benjamin's Caltech team, then went into the conference room together.

The latter is specifically responsible for handling matters related to satellite technology.

In addition, regarding the patent negotiations, the West Coast had already reached an agreement with Surrey, and the patent lawyers did not come.

In the conference room, Oliver, a representative from the University of Surrey, the major shareholder of Surrey Satellite, led a group of people to shake hands with Jones, Benjamin, and others.

The third round of negotiations between the investment fund and the University of Surrey has officially begun.

Oliver cut to the chase: "We hope to maintain a 30% stake. Satellite and space communications are strong disciplines at the University of Surrey, and we require that after the acquisition, you give priority to hiring graduates from the University of Surrey. This must be written into the contract and linked to equity..."

“Excuse me, but I have to say something,” Jones interrupted him. “To my knowledge, your company has only received orders for five satellites in the past two years.”

Oliver looked rather grim, showing some dissatisfaction with the American country bumpkin's direct negotiating style.

As the negotiations have progressed to this point, the arrogance and stubbornness of this British man have been on full display. This seventy-something-year-old British man, who has experienced the twilight of the British Empire, seems to still be living in the glory of the empire on which the sun never sets.

Jones held up one hand, spreading five fingers: "An order for five satellites in two years. This is the masterpiece of your so-called outstanding graduates. They've been resting on their laurels and have no pioneering spirit whatsoever."

He quickly said, "We can retain a 15% stake in the University of Surrey. If there are truly outstanding graduates from the relevant programs at the University of Surrey, they can apply to the satellite company. If they pass the interview, we will give them priority in hiring."

Roger Keane, the boss, conducted a survey and found that Indian students made up a significant proportion of the students at the University of Surrey, and Indian employees accounted for more than three percent of the employees at the satellite company.

Putting aside everything else, Oliver's assistant in the negotiation team present was Indian.

He was also a handsome Indian man.

One of the foundation's first tasks after the acquisition was completed was to lay off all Indian employees.

You don't want the old ones, but you want the new ones?

Oliver said sternly, "There's one more thing: the University of Surrey must share its core patents for satellite communications with you."

What the West Coast Investment Fund wanted was precisely Surrey Satellite's core patents; it didn't care much about the other parts, because Jones was accompanied by Korn Ferry's headhunting team led by Jett Brown.

They basically won over the satellite company's engineering team.

Therefore, Jones had sufficient confidence: "We have already reached an agreement with the satellite company regarding the core patents, and they are not within the scope of discussion with your university."

The patent belongs to Surrey Satellite Corporation, and the University of Surrey is only the major shareholder. Vice President Oliver has no say in the patent technology.

The West Coast simply doesn't buy into the so-called pressure tactics.

Jones ignored Oliver and turned to the rest of the negotiating team, saying, "Even without the shares held by the University of Surrey, we still have a 51% controlling stake. And let me tell you, Elon Musk has already reached an agreement with us for his 10.8% stake..."

Oliver remained expressionless, while the Indian man next to him gave him a light kick under the conference table.

Receiving the hint, Oliver said, "We can compromise on other things, but you must prioritize graduates from the University of Surrey."

In the past two years, the University of Surrey has enrolled a large number of Indian international students in its satellite and communications program.

The negotiations between the two sides went very poorly this round and no agreement was reached.

The main disagreement centers on the so-called priority admission of University of Surrey graduates.

The negotiations ended, and both sides left.

Jones and Benjamin got into the same car.

Once the car had left the University of Surrey, Benjamin asked, "Many people at Surrey Satellite are from the University of Surrey. Would it be good for us to give priority to hiring graduates from relevant majors at the University of Surrey?"

"How should I put it?" Jones smiled, quickly finding an excuse: "It's precisely because there are too many people from the University of Surrey in the satellite company that even if we take control, our control..."

He looked at Benjamin: "Doctor, you are the company's technical director we have finalized. You will be bringing a professional team from Caltech to Surrey Satellite in the future."

Although Benjamin is a technically skilled person, his ability to climb up the ranks at the University of California means he is no stranger to office politics.

The connections and networks in the United States are no less extensive than those in any other country.

All he could say was, "It's the headache of office politics."

At this stage, Jones certainly wouldn't tell him the real reason. Before they arrived in London to contact Surrey Satellite, the Butterfly Security team had already come and conducted a targeted investigation.

Oliver, the vice president in charge of the university's business with the satellite company, has an Indian male assistant with whom he has a rather unusual relationship.

In addition, people from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) visited Oliver multiple times, introduced by his Indian assistant, and presented him with a large amount of gifts.

Jones's boss, Roger Keane, speculated that if Oliver's condition was agreed to, eight out of ten people who would come to work for Surrey Satellite would be Indian students.

As a Los Angeles resident, Jones witnessed firsthand the miracles created by Indians during the Los Angeles fires.

He had no doubt that if the number of Indian firefighters hired outside the city had increased several times over, the entire city of Los Angeles would have been burned down.

If a group of Indian employees were to be hired, would the Starlink satellites launched by the project fall from orbit before reaching their designed lifespan, turning into a shower of meteors?
Benjamin then said, "Negotiations cannot drag on indefinitely."

Jones nodded: "We're looking for connections, contacting the president of the University of Surrey. Once we get him on board, Oliver won't be a problem anymore."

There are some methods that are universally applicable.

My boss, who lives in Los Angeles, once said that problems that can be solved with money aren't really problems.

Benjamin has accepted a high salary from the West Coast Investment Fund and will also receive stock options from the satellite company in the future. From his own perspective, he also hopes to complete the acquisition as soon as possible.

At Caltech, he met people like Oliver: "People like Oliver may not be capable of accomplishing anything, but they are very good at causing trouble and hindering others."

Jones was able to stay with Roger Keane because he was a capable man; there were certain things he wouldn't say to Benjamin, who had just joined.

For example, the people who came to investigate Oliver were keeping a close eye on him.

At the University of Surrey, Oliver returned to his office with his assistant, Kumar.

The former sat in his office chair, his face full of anger: "These rude country bumpkins should all be thrown into the Atlantic Ocean to feed the fish!"

The conditions he proposed would not have been a problem for any other company: "I will report this to the school committee, as they lack the most basic respect for the University of Surrey."

Kumar poured a glass of water and handed it to Oliver, saying, "I don't quite understand this. We Indians are doing very well in America. A few months ago, we even established an Indian Mutual Aid Association, and our reputation speaks for itself."

Oliver said, "You are now an important part of the technology community in Europe and America."

Indians are becoming increasingly numerous and influential in mainstream tech circles in Europe and America, especially in the UK and the US.

For example, Steve Jobs, a marketing guru, was a firm believer in Indian culture.

Kumar said, "Those idiots, with brains like pigs, are turning away the excellent Indian elites who could have really saved the satellite company."

Oliver frowned: "I didn't realize you had such deep feelings for India."

Kumar walked behind the office chair and put his arm around Oliver: "My love for India is as deep as my love for you."

India also has elites who plan for the country, and Kumar is one of them. In order to develop India's satellite technology, he did not hesitate to use his racial expertise and became an expert in drilling.

That just so happens to fit Oliver's racial traits.

However, Surrey Satellite Company declined and lacked sufficient funds and orders to revitalize itself, resulting in a severe lack of practical opportunities for international students studying satellite and communications technology at the University of Surrey.

Now that he finally had a chance, he certainly wouldn't give it up, and said, "How about we take another route?"

Oliver was surprised: "I've let you walk every path that can be walked."

Kumar paused for a moment, cursing the British for being so corrupt, and then said seriously, "A compatriot of mine brought a business invitation from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company. If you have time, you can go and meet them. You might be pleasantly surprised."

Oliver's actions were not only due to Kumar's exceptional drilling skills, typical of Indians, but also involved various aspects of the Indian government and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), in particular, has been committed to becoming a world-leading aerospace company since establishing its space division in 1988.

Before pursuing his doctoral studies at the University of Surrey, Kumar worked for the Indian Space Research Organisation (IRSO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

He was willing to make sacrifices for India's future.

“You can meet them.” Oliver suddenly stood up, kicked aside his wheeled office chair, put his hands on the desk, and turned to Kumar behind him, saying, “Aren’t you going to pay me in advance?” Kumar had no choice but to accept the challenge.

For Indian men who dare to use car exhaust pipes, this is nothing.

After all, compared to the infamous Third Sister-in-law, at least the Englishman Oliver is a human being.

Half an hour later, Kumar returned to his assistant's office, reeking of the stench unique to older British men. He quickly cleaned himself up, then took out his phone and called his fellow Indian from America.

The two sides agreed to meet in Brighton tomorrow morning.

Originally, the people there were eager to meet that night, but considering Oliver's age and decreased elasticity, even if he wore diapers, there was a risk of leakage and a foul odor, which would be embarrassing.

Let's wait until tomorrow to talk about it.

That way, the recovery will be better.

The following morning, Kumar drove his Land Rover with Oliver to the outskirts of Brighton. They went to the pre-booked business club and, after entering the meeting room, made a phone call to the person he was meeting.

Less than a minute later, two people of Indian descent entered the meeting room.

The leader was Wenner from a Washington-based strategic consulting firm, accompanied by Vidi, a senior business assistant at the European Space Agency (ESA).

Kumar introduced both sides, and they quickly got down to business.

Wenner said with a smile, "We came here today to facilitate a tripartite cooperation. The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company is very interested in Surrey Satellite's patented technology and engineering team, and wants to reach a cooperation agreement with you."

All three aspects are related to India's interests, and three of the four people present are Indian.

Oliver, the only Englishman, not only had a hole drilled by Kumar, but also received a gift from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Wenner also pulled out a killer weapon—Steve Hawking.

This physics luminary, who had visited the island several times, had a close relationship with Hillary.

At this moment, Wenner was brought out to endorse him.

VDI is backed by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS).

In addition to his position at the University of Surrey, Kumar is also a former member of the IRSO.

A British man was surrounded by three Indian men.

Outside the clubhouse, three small drones hovered low in the air, their camera lenses constantly transmitting images to a location 1.5 kilometers away.

This is a parking lot near the sea. A signal vehicle disguised as a refrigerated transport vehicle is parked in an inconspicuous corner.

Inside the carriage, Garcia stared intently at the screen and asked, "Won't the noise from the flight disturb people?"

Gonzalez, who is in charge of the drone team, added: "This is the latest electric-driven drone, and it's already the third generation of noise reduction technology. Our field measurement result at 30 meters was 45 decibels."

Compared to the daily environment, this sound is almost negligible.

Moreover, the small drones used for detection fly at altitudes far exceeding 40 meters.

"Have the drones produced over there been updated to the third generation?" Garcia was a senior executive at Butterfly Company and had some knowledge of the drone business.

González also looked incredulous: "It's been less than a year since they started contract manufacturing, and they've already upgraded their drones two generations over there. Meanwhile, the Americans are still selling products from two years ago."

Garcia shook his head: "They're a bunch of industrial fanatics..."

Before he could finish speaking, he pointed to the side of the screen and said, "Back this way, yes! Follow them."

A drone pilot maneuvers the drone to turn and fly back.

Garcia adjusted the camera on the belly of the plane, zooming in on the ground and spotting a car.

Several Indians were standing around the car.

As an executive at Hawke's company, Garcia received specialized training in racial identification, with a focus on distinguishing between Koreans, Japanese, Indians, and so on.

Indians are much easier to distinguish than Koreans or Japanese.

Garcia said, "So many Indians?"

González saw another scene and remarked, "There are Indians here too."

Garcia instructed, "Go check the other intersection."

A drone turned around and quickly spotted the group of Indians.

Gonzalez watched for a moment and said, "These people are guarding here; they look like security personnel."

Of the four people who came today, three were Indians. Garcia said, "Bodyguards who are out in the open?"

Upon closer inspection, it didn't quite seem like it. These people were dressed in various clothes, both hiding their faces and being undisciplined. Every now and then, someone would get off the bus and gather together to chat.

Some people even use the roadside as a toilet.

It is well known that it is not uncommon for some Indians to defecate in large amounts on the roadside.

Gonzalez, from Hurricane Company's Africa division, said: "When I was in Africa, I had a lot of dealings with the Indian peacekeeping forces. How should I put it? They have a kind of blindly confident optimism, and a kind of inherent laxity and disorder that even disciplined forces can't control..."

"They must have come with two other people of Indian descent." Garcia and his group have been in contact with Kumar and Oliver recently: "After taking photos of those two, we immediately sent them back to headquarters for procedural identification."

He ordered, "Don't go near those people."

Although those people who may be colleagues may not be very organized or disciplined, it's always better to be cautious.

Not long after, the four individuals being monitored emerged from the clubhouse.

Kumar and Oliver got into a Land Rover and left first.

The other two Indians got into another Land Rover Defender and left from the other end.

As soon as the car drove away, the Indians who had been waiting on both sides of the road quickly followed in their cars.

Garcia asked, "Did you take any pictures?"

González replied, "Everyone who showed up was photographed, but the people in the car couldn't be."

Garcia ordered: "Group 1, return to the target. Group 2, follow the new target, be careful to maintain distance, it's better to lose them than to lose them."

He pulled up the photos he had just taken, selected one that was relatively clear, and saw two Indian faces in the photos. One face was unfamiliar, while the other looked somewhat familiar.

Garcia said, "Adjust the resolution."

The person next to them did something, and the two faces on the screen became clearer than before.

Garcia recognized him; this man seemed to be Wenner, the husband of Abedin, Sillari's assistant, whom the Butterfly Company had been keeping an eye on for some time.

Gonzalez took out his phone, pulled up a photo, and placed it in front of Garcia: "It's this person, no doubt about it."

Garcia glanced at the clear photo of Wenner and said, "Things are getting complicated."

Gonzalez suggested, "Let's report it to headquarters first."

Since the matter involved people from Cillari's side, Garcia dared not be negligent: "Immediately send a message to the Los Angeles headquarters to request instructions on the next steps."

González took over the operation himself.

Meanwhile, Kumar drove the Land Rover back to the University of Surrey and accompanied Oliver back to his office.

The two talked privately for a while, and then Kumar returned to his office.

Oliver was naturally a pawn in their plan, with the aim of stalling the acquisition and profiting from it for India.

Kumar was somewhat dissatisfied with the Indian leadership. As early as the first half of the year, he worried that there might be changes at Surrey Satellite Company, which would affect the plan to control satellite technology, and he reported this to them early on.

It's unclear where things went wrong, but it took several months for India to respond. (End of Chapter)