A modern man in 1930’s Americas

Before leaving Chicago, Charlie Lee made a deliberate stop at Area 22 to meet Mike, who was deeply engrossed in his tasks. During their conversation, Charlie finalized the location for a new laboratory—on a barren piece of land near Santa Barbara, roughly 80 miles away from ASHA Ranch. The land was part of his estate and perfectly suited for the purpose.

"The laboratory's recruitment needs to be comprehensive," Charlie emphasized. "We'll need experts in chemistry, medicine, and biology. If we're going to do this, we'll do it right. And about Pfizer—there's a company by that name in New York. We'll acquire it."

Charlie's strategic foresight highlighted the potential of chemists in revolutionizing the medical field, as evident in the history of surgical disinfection and aspirin, pioneered by Bayer's chemists. Pfizer, in particular, held a special allure. What Charlie aimed to acquire wasn't just the company—it was the opportunity to spearhead a pharmaceutical revolution.

Yes, it was Pfizer's future blue pill—Viagra—that Charlie had in mind. A single dose would transform millions of lives, and the company would rise to global prominence, selling six pills every second at its peak.

Mike, however, was skeptical. "Pfizer is thriving, especially after supplying drugs during World War I. They don't seem to be in any financial distress," he replied cautiously.

Charlie's face hardened. "Find a think tank to resolve this issue. I want results, not excuses," he retorted, dismissing Mike's concerns.

Later, aboard a plane heading to Los Angeles, Charlie noticed West, one of his confidants, lost in thought.

"Still dwelling on that?" Charlie asked, trying to break the silence.

West shook his head. "No, it's over," he replied calmly.

"That's the spirit," Charlie said with a wry smile. "Even God isn't omnipotent. Failure isn't the end—it's an opportunity to grow stronger."

West was reminded of the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I. The collapse brought despair and death to many royal family members, and some even ended their lives, unable to accept their losses. West himself had contemplated suicide but ultimately survived, choosing to rebuild his life.

The remnants of the Habsburg dynasty faded into obscurity, but their influence lingered in the shadows. The family's vast network of connections among European royals and nobility still held power, even if their empire had been dismantled. Though their fortunes had been plundered by the victorious nations, pockets of wealth remained hidden among the family's branches.

Compared to the Habsburgs' downfall, Charlie's struggles seemed trivial. He had built a vast empire admired by many, and this setback was just a reminder to stay vigilant.

"I've always been curious," Charlie said, breaking the silence again. He looked at West with a mischievous glint.

"Don't ask," West replied, leaning back and closing his eyes.

Charlie had long wondered about West's true identity. Officially, the Austro-Hungarian royal family had only two female heirs left after the empire's fall. Was West another illegitimate child shrouded in secrecy?

Choosing not to press the issue, Charlie shifted his focus, mentally recapping recent events.

He admitted to himself that he had been careless. While his successes had made him complacent, this latest defeat was a wake-up call. In the grander scheme, he was still a small shark in a pond dominated by larger predators. The powerful elites didn't see him as an equal, let alone someone worthy of sharing their wealth and influence.

Reflecting on the 1930s' chaotic, imperfect legal systems, Charlie realized that his situation wasn't unique. Even in the 21st century, founders were often ousted from their companies by corporate boards.

"This is a hard-earned lesson," Charlie thought, shaking his head with a bitter smile. Elaine, his advisor, had assured him there would be compensation, though not in the form of tangible assets. Instead, it would manifest as intangible benefits over time. Only time would reveal their nature.

When the plane landed at Los Angeles Airport, Charlie was greeted by Eva, who radiated elegance. Her beauty captured the attention of every man nearby, except for those who were either eunuchs or uninterested.

"Boss, where to first?" Eva asked as they climbed into the car.

"Take us to the division first, then drop West off at the manor," Charlie instructed.

The car split into two convoys at a fork in the road, heading toward different destinations. As they drove through a chaotic stretch lined with dilapidated houses, Charlie glanced out the window.

"How's Hans?" he asked.

"Hans has adjusted well. He's fully immersed in the job, and recruitment is proceeding smoothly," Eva replied.

Hans was overseeing the transfer of the Zone 22 training camp to its new location. The headquarters would handle business operations, recruitment, and preliminary training, while the new branch would focus on advanced elite training. Hans had taken charge of the Los Angeles branch, while other trusted men like Andre and Wang Dagou managed operations in different locations.

As the car approached a construction site surrounded by wild weeds, Charlie finally spotted signs of activity. Hans was waiting outside, having calculated the boss's arrival time perfectly.

"How's the progress?" Charlie asked as he stepped out of the car.

Hans gestured toward the site. "The environment is complicated, but we've set up a temporary sandcastle perimeter to keep unwanted visitors out," he explained.

Hans's understated words masked the reality of the situation. Just three days into his assignment, he had already faced a life-threatening encounter with armed gangs. If not for his quick thinking and armed backup, the situation could have turned fatal.

Charlie nodded, impressed by Hans's resolve. "Safety is our top priority. More personnel and supplies will arrive soon. Remember, we're a licensed security company with legal armed forces," he reminded.

Hans reported on the weaponry, particularly the recently acquired M1928A1 submachine guns, known as Chicago Typewriters. Intrigued, Charlie tested one on the shooting range. His sharp instincts and physical prowess were evident as he demonstrated precise marksmanship and agility, leaving everyone, including Hans and Eva, in awe.

Satisfied, Charlie handed the weapon back. "It's powerful and stable, but long-range accuracy still needs improvement," he noted.

With the adrenaline rush clearing his mind, Charlie felt reinvigorated. "Hans, what do you think about acquiring the Thompson factory? Their team could be invaluable for future projects," he mused.

As the conversation turned to the branch's development and potential acquisitions, Charlie felt a renewed sense of purpose. He had learned his lesson: in the game of power, only the strong survive.