Lorenz Lockhart left work from Lockhart Holdings Tower as usual. Since he held concurrent executive positions at several affiliates and was also involved in complex projects involving two or more companies, his office was naturally located at Lockhart Holdings Tower, the holding company.
A subordinate waited to match the time he left his office. He planned to have a brief meeting inside the car on the way home from work.
“I heard DNV¹⁾ sent over the investigation results.”
“Yes, Lord Lorenz.”
“So it took over a year just for preliminary analysis.”
“Because the evaluation process is that thorough, you can consider there to be no margin of error. They’re the most reliable company when it comes to certification.”
Nathan Cole answered.
He was a figure no different from Lorenz’s right-hand man, and was likewise playing a key role in the Long Island wind power generation project that Lorenz was currently secretly preparing with great care.
“Let’s share the detailed contents at tomorrow’s team meeting, and for now just hear the brief overview.”
“Understood.”
The two men who had left the building got into the back seat of Lorenz’s waiting car. Lorenz immediately raised the partition to block the connection with the front seat. For him, who was concerned about the possibility of someone eavesdropping or wiretapping, the car was a resting place where he could breathe while moving, a mobile listening room, and one of the safest spaces to make calls or have conversations.
As the car departed, Nathan Cole immediately continued his report.
“According to DNV’s analysis results, Jones Beach vicinity appears most suitable among the candidate sites we’re reviewing. Based on 50 turbines, the annual total generation capacity is estimated at around 0.5GW level, which is a scale that can stably supply power to about 300,000 households.”
“300,000 households…”
Lorenz chewed over Nathan’s answer in his mouth. His lips hardened as if he couldn’t be satisfied with that much.
“For the primary goal, it appears we’ll need about 90 to 120 turbines.”
“That means we can supply 10% of Manhattan’s entire electricity.”
“That’s correct. Annual supply to about 600,000 households is possible. Since it’s a conservatively calculated figure, it won’t go below that.”
“In Phase 1, we must absolutely secure 10% of Manhattan’s electricity. Otherwise, there’s no meaning.”
Lorenz’s voice and expression were firm. It was an attitude that revealed his will to definitely achieve it according to his goals without room for compromise.
Lorenz had built a medium-scale wind power plant in Massachusetts a few years ago through Lockhart Energy Solutions, an affiliate of the Lockhart Group. Most of the energy produced there was supplied to Helion Life Sciences, an affiliate that Lorenz had led the acquisition of. Thanks to that, Helion Life Sciences was able to reduce power costs by tens of millions of dollars annually.
It was a complex project that Lorenz had succeeded in at the mere age of thirty.
Of course, his position within the group had become even more solid as a result. However, even that achievement was nothing more than a test for a grander goal to Lorenz.
Lorenz’s real target was New York City, and Manhattan among them.
Project Tempest—building a large-scale wind power plant on Long Island in New York City. It was an ambitious project with the goal of gradually expanding the scale over 10 years to supply up to 20% of Manhattan’s electricity.
If this project succeeded, the energy control that the Lockhart Group would exercise over Manhattan and New York City would reach an overwhelming level. Influence over Manhattan meant influence over the East Coast of America. Not only would Lorenz’s own position within the group become solid, but it was also obvious that the Lockhart Group’s practical influence within America would also be strengthened by a level.
Lorenz had carefully selected employees he particularly trusted to form a team and was keeping this project thoroughly secret.
“How are you forecasting the competitors?”
Lorenz’s voice was somewhat stiff. It was because of the headache that had started around afternoon. It was always happening.
“We’re expecting about two. Con Edison, an existing energy company, and Blackstone, an investment consortium.”
“Blackstone doesn’t need much concern… the problem would be Con Edison.”
“That’s right. While we only have the Massachusetts success case regarding eco-friendly energy business so far, they’re a specialized company. Though their history isn’t that long.”
“Where is Lockhart more advantageous?”
While leaning his body against the armrest and pressing his temple, Lorenz tried to concentrate his consciousness.
“It’s the capital. Our planned total investment amount is $5 billion, whereas Con Edison’s total investment scale over the past 5 years combined is only around $3 billion.”
“Hmm… But if they can show grounds for obtaining exclusive development rights, they could receive investment. We can’t rule out the possibility that Con Edison designs the picture and Blackstone acquires the company.”
Lorenz spoke in a cautious tone, but in reality, he didn’t consider any of those cases serious threats.
It was a project that had devoted over a year just to site selection, data measurement, and profitability analysis. One should assume there were no matters not considered in advance. Now that they had even secured the results commissioned to a professional certification company, they had reached the stage where they could officially pursue the business.
Lorenz’s eyes, gazing outside the car window, narrowed.
“From now on, it will ultimately become an energy battle. If the Lockhart Group can supply 20% of Manhattan’s electricity, we can shake even the political arena to our liking.”
“It seems sufficiently possible.”
Nathan nodded while manipulating his tablet with quick hand movements.
“I’m sick and tired of politicians trying to intervene using regulations as an excuse to extort political funds every time we pursue a new business.”
Lorenz, who had been forcefully circling around his temple area, continued speaking in a serious tone.
“As you well know, this project must absolutely not leak out until before the official announcement.”
“Yes, Lord Lorenz.”
“Not only externally, but within the group as well. All team members must be thoroughly controlled. You can’t emphasize security enough.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
The car that had left the Financial District in southern Manhattan was heading north with the East River on the right.
Lorenz, who had been casting a meaningless gaze at the scenery of Brooklyn across the river, frowned at the headache boring into his head like vines. His condition had been unpredictably erratic lately. He couldn’t fathom at all the standard for improvement or the standard for deterioration.
Today it was still at the level of intermittently causing migraines. This much was daily life for him.
While pressing his temple firmly, he lowered his voice even more meaningfully.
“What are the movements in Pocantico Hills?”
Pocantico Hills.
It meant the grand mansion north of Manhattan where Lorenz’s grandmother resided.
“Nothing special. There’s no sign of any noteworthy figures coming and going.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Lorenz’s lips. Even that only appeared faintly for a moment before disappearing.
The other party continued the report.
“Catherine Lockhart has visited a few times recently.”
Catherine Lockhart would be his grandmother’s younger sister. Lorenz didn’t care much.
“Isn’t she someone who rarely shows emotions? Even if she doesn’t express it outwardly, she must have been greatly upset after Father passed away. She probably wants to find comfort by spending time with her younger sister.”
“Yes, that’s our thinking as well.”
Nathan Cole’s voice was dry without highs or lows as usual. That tone, which felt neither warm nor cold, made Lorenz comfortable.
“It appears she’ll convene a family council soon within this month. The outlook is that it will proceed as expected without incident.”
Without incident, as expected—it meant that Lorenz would be designated as the successor.
“Of course it should.”
This time Lorenz responded stiffly without even a smile.
He had been raised only for that, and had lived only for that. It would be the same going forward.
The most valuable conquest that could be achieved being born with the name Lockhart.
Becoming the head of the family, the head of the group, and turning all of Lockhart’s glory toward himself.
The era of Damon Lockhart would set, and the era of Lorenz Lockhart would come.
Now the starting point was right before his eyes.
He parted ways with Nathan near Sutton Place. After Nathan transferred to his own vehicle that had been following, he disappeared into the city lights.
Lorenz clenched his empty fist.
Not far now.
Really not far now.
The goal he’d been chasing his entire life seemed within reach.
At the increasingly strong headache, Lorenz finally searched for medication. If he could just be safely designated as successor, it seemed he could even shake off this damned headache.
Footnote:
- DNV: Norway-based global certification/consulting company in energy and maritime fields
