The power behind this flight simulator wasn't just its cutting-edge hardware or unprecedented software. The real game-changer was Castle's private supercomputer and the massive server array he had originally built for Jarvis. It was this combination that left the seasoned Lockheed Martin test pilot sitting in the cockpit utterly speechless at what he was witnessing.
The pilot, a man who had flown nearly every aircraft model in the U.S. military, could confidently say that this was the most advanced cockpit he had ever seen. It completely shattered his understanding of what a flight simulator could be.
But he had no time to dwell on his amazement.
The on-screen indicators were giving final takeoff clearance, and the simulation was about to begin.
A test pilot's job requires nerves of steel, and within seconds, he had suppressed his initial shock. With professional precision, he began pre-flight procedures. The cockpit's near-perfect fidelity to the real F-35A Lightning II made him feel right at home.
Finally, Jarvis—mimicking an air traffic controller's voice—gave clearance for takeoff. The pilot, now positioned at the simulated runway, slammed the throttle forward.
Instantly, he felt the familiar force pressing him into the seat, exactly like the real thing.
Outside the simulator, a large 100-inch screen displayed a dual feed: one half showing the pilot's first-person view from the cockpit, the other providing an external perspective of the aircraft.
The Lockheed Martin engineers were in awe of the realism.
The technical director, however, focused on the simulator's sensor readouts, analyzing every detail.
Fifteen minutes later, the pilot reluctantly climbed out of the simulator—dragged out by his own colleagues—his expression a mix of pure exhilaration and disbelief.
Because for those fifteen minutes, the only thought running through his head had been:
"Holy sht."
This simulator was indistinguishable from flying a real F-35A.
If Castle hadn't decided it was getting late and literally ordered Lockheed Martin's team to leave, the test pilot would have happily spent hours inside.
Castle had two simple reasons for kicking them out:
1. Beckett was coming home for dinner. In his mind, his pregnant girlfriend was far more important than any Lockheed Martin engineers.
2. Security concerns. While the simulator itself was bound to be shared with Lockheed, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman, the real secret was Jarvis. Leaving these guys alone in the simulator building wasn't an option.
So, without any hesitation, Castle handed them a technical manual and a portable hard drive containing the simulator's application software, then sent them on their way.
"Come back tomorrow," he told them bluntly.
This, of course, completely derailed Castle's original plan to continue his flight training the next day.
The Lockheed Martin engineers were frustrated—Castle had just shut them down cold, using the hilariously weak excuse of "having dinner with his pregnant girlfriend."
But as much as they wanted to argue, they couldn't.
Not only was Castle now the hottest talent in military aviation technology, but he also owned company shares, making every single one of them technically his employees.
So, gritting their teeth, they left.
---
On the way back, the test pilot couldn't stay quiet.
The technical director, who had been too focused on system readouts during the test, finally asked the crucial question.
"Wait… what? You're telling me that simulator felt exactly like flying a real F-35A?"
The pilot wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Yes, sir. Based on my 20 years of flight experience, Castle's simulator is actually more realistic than the ones we built for the F-35 program.
"I mean, come on—it uses a 128-degree full-motion platform! It's practically a miracle!
"You won't believe this, but the simulator can even generate up to 5 Gs of force—ours maxes out at 3 Gs.
"And the external display system? I swear, it completely erased the boundary between reality and simulation. I couldn't tell if I was flying a real F-35 or just sitting in a room!"
The pilot shook his head. That 15-minute flight had been exhausting.
This was next-level.
The G-forces, the maneuvers, the sensory feedback—everything was exactly like a real combat flight.
The technical director rubbed his chin, then patted the briefcase in his lap. Inside was the technical manual and the hard drive with the simulator's software.
"Looks like we're pulling an all-nighter…"
---
Meanwhile, back at Castle's estate…
By the time John finished his wonderful flight training session and picked up Gianna from work, Beckett and Ramsay were sitting on the lawn playing with Onona.
The little girl—who had once been an adorable, pristine princess—was now covered in dirt, clutching the gigantic head of a dog nearly twice her size, giggling uncontrollably.
John and Gianna weren't even surprised.
They were 100% certain that before Beckett sat her down on the grass, Onona had been a clean, perfect little angel.
It took her less than five minutes to turn into a mess.
After some casual conversation, the group headed inside for dinner.
Surprisingly, no one brought up Lockheed Martin's unexpected visit.
Instead, the main topic was Castle, John, and the chubby kid's first real day of flight training.
Of course, Gianna—always efficient—had already arranged a meeting with the Italian helicopter manufacturer regarding their upcoming purchase.
Castle, half-complaining, half-regretful, recounted how he had basically spent the entire day "playing" flight simulator at the training school.
Beckett smirked. "Did you really think you'd be flying a real plane on day two?"
She rolled her eyes. "Come on, even driving school makes you study the theory before they let you touch a car.
"You really thought your instructor was going to just hand you the controls and let you take off?"
Laughter erupted around the dinner table.
After all, everyone still remembered how Castle had crashed his fighter jet in the simulator before even taking off.
Every time the story came up, people lost it all over again.
Castle, however, was shameless.
"I just didn't expect to be stuck in a simulator again.
"But honestly? The training school's simulator is so basic compared to ours.
"Their six-degree-of-freedom motion platform is like comparing a musket to a Gatling gun.
"What do you think, John?"
John, chewing his steak, nodded thoughtfully. "Honestly, I think learning from the basics is good. Today's lesson was solid."
The chubby kid chimed in, smirking. "Of course you think that. You're just happy to have something to do for once."
Ramsay shot him a glare. "Shut up and eat."
The lighthearted banter was one of the biggest reasons why John and Gianna—despite having an Italian chef at home—preferred eating at Castle's place.
Because here, it actually felt like family.
______
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