Bab 139: Chapter 139: Airline Vision
After a week of unconsciousness, Vito Corleone finally awoke. The doctor, having completed his examination, smiled reassuringly. "Mr. Vito, you're very fortunate. Given that you were hit by five bullets, your recovery is remarkable. Now, just focus on resting."
"Thank you, Doctor. Your skill has been crucial to my recovery," Vito replied weakly.
The doctor left, and Vito's family rushed into the room.
His wife was the first to approach, leaning down to kiss him. "Vito, it's such a relief to see you awake. I was terrified when I heard about the attack."
His children—Sonny, Fredo, and Mike—along with his daughter, son-in-law Tom, and adopted son Tom, gathered around him. Vito felt a deep sense of relief seeing them all.
After the initial emotional reunion, the women left the room, leaving only the men. Vito looked at his children and trusted subordinates and asked, "Tell me what happened after the attack."
"Father, the doctor said you need to rest and avoid stress," Sonny said.
Vito waved his hand dismissively. "I'm just lying here. It's fine. Tom, you handle this."
Tom, the family's legal advisor and military strategist, began explaining the events that followed the attack. He detailed Sonny's decision to kill Buno, the son of Philip, the patriarch of the Tatakilia family.
Vito's expression grew troubled upon hearing about Sonny's reckless revenge and Mike's drastic measures. Mike had orchestrated the deaths of Sorasso and the sheriff, using explosives in the restaurant—a move that shocked Vito.
He looked at Mike, who had always resisted the family business. This time, however, Mike had shown remarkable ingenuity in handling the crisis.
Tom continued, explaining how Mike had managed the situation—leaking Sorasso's involvement with drugs to the newspapers, exposing the sheriff's corruption, and stabilizing relations with other families. Vito was impressed with how Mike had navigated the situation, unlike Sonny's impulsive actions.
After Tom finished, Vito closed his eyes, resting as everyone in the room waited quietly.
Eventually, Vito opened his eyes and said firmly, "Sonny, you need to leave. Philip will surely retaliate. Go to Sicily until things settle here. You can return when it's safe."
Sonny was reluctant. Life in Sicily felt confining compared to vibrant New York, and leaving meant his established forces might weaken.
"Father, I…"
Vito's gaze was resolute. "Sonny, I don't want anything to happen to you. You must go."
Realizing his father's determination, Sonny bowed his head in acceptance. "I understand. I'll go to Sicily."
"Good. I'm a bit tired now. Please, everyone, leave," Vito said.
As everyone began to exit, Vito stopped Mike. "Mike, there's something I need to ask you."
With the room now empty except for Vito and Mike, Vito asked, "Are you hiding something from me?"
Mike knew his father was referring to Hardy. "I didn't hide anything. After the incident, I felt a pressing need for help, so I called Hardy from Los Angeles."
Vito nodded, understanding the significance of Hardy's involvement. Mike explained that Hardy had chartered two planes and brought 70 people to aid in the crisis. Hardy's strategic insight and support had been crucial in stabilizing the situation.
Vito acknowledged this with a slight smile. "Mike, you're fortunate to have such a true friend. Cherish him."
"I will, Father. True friends are rare," Mike responded.
---
Two days later, Sonny departed for Sicily, taking refuge with a local gang leader. Shortly thereafter, Fredo was sent to Las Vegas to manage the family's casino—a less risky role given his timid nature.
Now, only Mike remained directly involved in family affairs.
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On this day, Mike brought Hardy to Vito's room.
Vito greeted Hardy with a warm smile. "Hardy, thank you for all your help with the Corleone family."
Vito's health had improved significantly over the past few days. Hardy had indeed been instrumental in overcoming the crisis, including providing security, assisting in eliminating Sorasso, and stabilizing relations with the other families.
"You're too kind. I'm Mike's friend, and helping out is the least I could do," Hardy said.
As they chatted, Hardy brought up an important matter. "Mr. Vito, I've heard that the military plans to sell some obsolete aircraft at a low price. Do you have any connections in the logistics department?"
Vito's interest was piqued. "I do know someone in the Logistics Management Bureau. Why do you ask?"
"I heard from a friend that the military is considering selling these planes privately. I'd like to inquire about purchasing a few," Hardy explained.
Vito made a call to his contact, Brigadier General Darrell Williams. The general confirmed the sale and offered to provide further details if Hardy reached out directly.
Vito relayed this to Hardy. "General Williams is a key figure in the Logistics Administration. Contact him in Fort Bayver, Virginia. He'll give you all the necessary information."
Hardy thanked Vito and left the hospital with Mike. "How many planes are you considering buying?" Mike asked.
"At least two. If the price is right, maybe more," Hardy replied.
Mike raised an eyebrow. "Are you thinking of starting an airline?"
"Possibly. If I can get enough planes, starting an airline is a viable option. Even if not for passengers, cargo transport is a growing industry. Air cargo is faster and often cheaper than trucking. It could be a profitable venture," Hardy said.
Mike nodded in understanding. If Hardy pursued the airline, it could be a significant addition to his business ventures.
Bab 140: Chapter 140: Gifts from the Heart
Virginia, located on the East Coast, is just over 600 kilometers from New York. Hardy made the trip with only Henry accompanying him, and they met Brigadier General Darrell Williams at his apartment.
Before Hardy's arrival, Brigadier General Williams had researched Hardy's background and was quite surprised by what he discovered.
Since retiring from the military in 1945, Hardy had built a successful empire, owning several prominent companies including HD Security, HD Pictures, and Playboy Magazine.
Despite being in his 50s, Brigadier General Williams was a fan of Playboy.
"Have you served in the military?" the Brigadier General asked, extending his hand to shake Hardy's.
"Yes, General," Hardy replied.
"It's impressive to see someone so young achieve such success," the Brigadier General remarked.
"The support of veterans like you has been crucial to my success, General," Hardy said modestly.
After they settled in, the Brigadier General inquired about the old godfather's condition and then transitioned to business. "I'm familiar with HD Security. I even took my daughter to see the 'Los Angeles Bank Robbery' documentary after seeing all the reports."
"I'm considering purchasing a transport plane, partly due to the needs of HD Security. Since our main operations are in Los Angeles and we plan to expand to other major U.S. cities, having a transport plane would be ideal," Hardy explained.
"What type of plane are you interested in, and how many do you need?" the Brigadier General asked.
"I'm looking to buy C-53 and C-47 aircraft, and if possible, a B-29 transport aircraft as well," Hardy said.
The C-53 and C-47 are Douglas Aircraft models. The C-47, with its large cargo door, is suited for shipping, while the C-53, a military transport plane with passenger seats, can be used for transporting people without modifications.
Brigadier General Williams responded, "We do have C-53s and C-47s available for sale. According to the report, there are 120 C-53s and 200 C-47s up for grabs. Many airlines are interested in them."
"As for the B-29, it's relatively new and not slated for decommissioning yet."
Hardy realized he might have been overly ambitious. He had envisioned flying the B-29 across the Pacific to Japan, but it seemed unrealistic.
"How much will the military sell these aircraft for?" Hardy asked.
"The prices haven't been finalized, but our logistics department reports that the C-53 will be around $38,000 and the C-47 about $36,000 each," Brigadier General Williams said.
Hearing these prices, Hardy was immediately interested. Considering that new aircraft cost nearly $200,000, the military's prices were a bargain. Even as second-hand planes, their performance would still be excellent and easy to maintain.
"General Williams, could you order some for me?" Hardy asked with a smile.
After a moment's consideration, Brigadier General Williams said, "C-53s and C-47s are in high demand. How about I order five of each for you?"
That made ten in total. Hardy was tempted to request more, recognizing this as a rare opportunity. Even if he didn't use them all, he could resell them for a profit.
"I really appreciate your help, General. By the way, do you know Brigadier General Bob Ernst?" Hardy inquired.
Upon hearing the name, Brigadier General Williams' expression darkened. "Why do you ask about Bob Ernst?"
"I'm not personally acquainted with him," Hardy replied. "But I heard that someone contacted him to help purchase 50 planes. Additionally, his son-in-law is reportedly buying $200,000 worth of oil paintings."
Brigadier General Williams' eyes widened with interest. "Is this information reliable?"
"Very accurate," Hardy confirmed.
Williams had looked into Hardy's background and knew that the Logistics Support Bureau was undergoing restructuring after World War II, with several departments being streamlined. Brigadier General Williams was competing with Bob Ernst for the position of deputy director, a position that would significantly enhance his career.
Private transactions like these, involving bribes and backdoor deals, were not uncommon. If Hardy's information was accurate, it could severely damage Ernst's prospects and boost Williams' chances of promotion.
"Tell me everything you know," Brigadier General Williams said eagerly.
Hardy leaned in and shared the details. Williams took out a small notebook to jot down the information meticulously.
After closing the notebook, Brigadier General Williams smiled triumphantly. If the information proved accurate, Bob Ernst's career could be in jeopardy, paving the way for Williams' promotion.
Williams, now more cordial, asked, "Hardy, are ten planes enough for you?"
"Not quite. I'm planning to start my own airline. The more planes, the better," Hardy said.
"I'll do my best to secure more for you. How many do you want?" Brigadier General Williams asked.
"All available if possible," Hardy replied. "The military is selling 120 C-53s and 200 C-47s. If you can get them all, that would be ideal."
Williams agreed, "I'll try my best to help you with that."
Delighted by the prospect, Williams invited Hardy to stay for dinner. During the meal, Hardy brought up another matter. "General, I understand you oversee the Veterans Affairs Department as well. My company, HD Security, is interested in hiring veterans and retired officers. If possible, we'd like to employ about a thousand veterans each year."
Brigadier General Williams was thrilled. Helping a thousand veterans find employment would be a significant achievement. "Thank you for this opportunity. Finding good jobs for veterans is crucial, especially now. I'll ensure you get the best candidates and will arrange for a tax incentive certificate for your company."
As HD Security grew, Hardy anticipated needing more staff. Even with a thousand new hires annually, it might not be enough as the business expanded.
Shifting topics, Hardy said, "General, there's one more thing I'd like your assistance with. My company, still in its early stages, would benefit from having respected generals as consultants to guide us."
"The consulting fee is $20,000 per year, with additional benefits," Hardy added sincerely.
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