Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 206 - 205 Cooperation

Chapter 206: Chapter 205 Cooperation

All eyes turned to Yang Yi, and Yang Yi pointed to himself, utterly bewildered, "Help me?"

Mike looked at Yang Yi and said with a smile, "His father was an old friend of mine. I owe his father a huge favor, an unrepayable debt. The Grey-cloaked People forced me out of the career I loved. For these two reasons, I have a score to settle with them."

Having said that, Mike turned to look at Brian, his face becoming serious as he continued, "As for you, you betrayed your country, but you did not sell out my colleagues. Now, I choose to believe you. Therein lies a problem: I must find the true mole. It’s important to me."

Leaning forward, Mike pointed a finger at Brian and said, "I’m different from you. You’re a traitor, while I’ve been deeply hurt by traitors. Many died back in the Middle East, including my friends, associates, subordinates, and informants. Brian, it was with utter outrage and helplessness that I left the CIA because I couldn’t stand it any longer!"

Brian replied gravely, "It concerns me, yet it doesn’t concern me at all. Mike, I was framed."

Mike nodded, "Yes, now I do believe you were framed. I used to hate you because you caused all this. But now, I’ve been hating the wrong person. Someone else is to blame for my suffering. Do you understand how I feel now?"

Pounding his chest, Mike said sternly, "Anger, I’m incredibly angry. I thought after you were punished, it would be over. But now you’re telling me it’s not over at all. So of course, I’m furious!"

After taking several deep breaths, Mike spoke again calmly, "That’s why I immediately decided to make a comeback. Regardless of whether the Grey-cloaked People still wish to find me, I will flush out the mole hiding in the CIA. I owe it to everyone, and I owe it to myself."

Extending his hand, Brian said, "Then it seems we have a common goal."

Mike’s face turned sour as he replied, "Yes, although I’m reluctant to admit it, we indeed have a common goal. And I have no choice but to collaborate with you because you hold crucial information, and because I now lack the strength to accomplish all this on my own. Yet I don’t want to work with you because you’re a traitor. I can’t trust you."

Pointing at Yang Yi, Mike said solemnly, "That’s where he becomes crucial. He told me he wants to establish a Spy Organization, to become a formidable spy. So, I think we can engage in a tripartite cooperation."

Brian promptly asked, "How do we collaborate?"

"It’s simple. The tasks I need to do require enough manpower, and the tasks you need to do also require a lot of people and intelligence support. Yang Yi, on the other hand, is about to build his own team and he also needs people. I’ll help him. I’ll help him assemble a truly operational Spy Organization in the shortest time possible."

Confidently having said that, Mike pointed to himself and said, "I have the capability and the connections. Yang Yi and I will set up a team quickly. Soon we’ll be able to gather intelligence. Most importantly, we will have swift channels for obtaining intelligence, something you lack the ability to do. But you have force; you three are a powerful military force. So, we can collaborate: Yang Yi and I will provide the intelligence, you three will handle the military operations."

Brian replied gravely, "Just like before, the Intelligence Division and the Operations Division."

Mike fell silent, his expression turning ugly. After a long pause, he said quietly, "Yes, just like before. I was in Intelligence while you were in Operations. I just hope this time you won’t betray us again."

Brian remained calm, admitting to himself that he indeed betrayed his country. But now, he clenched his fists and, with gritted teeth, roared, "I’ve said it many times—I haven’t betrayed you! What I gave the KGB was their own internal intelligence. How many times do I need to repeat myself?"

Mike responded coldly, "Betrayal is betrayal. You were played for a fool, Brian. There’s always a first and second time. You were used to hide the real mole. But if your role isn’t just to take the fall, what will you do next? With the KGB having something over you, you would ultimately betray everything you know."

Brian slumped back into his chair, then tremblingly said, "I won’t do it! Really, I won’t. You have to believe me. When it happened, I was mentally prepared to run away with Kate to a place where no one could find us. If we couldn’t escape, I was ready to kill myself. But I really wouldn’t betray you, honestly..."

Paul looked on with sympathy, while Charles sighed before saying to Mike, "I believe him. He would never betray us."

Mike waved his hand dismissively, "Let’s not dwell on the past. Let’s look to the future. Brian, I will help Yang Yi, because by helping him, I’m also helping myself. Therefore, Yang Yi must unconditionally support my investigation to uncover the mole. Starting now, I’ll work hard to establish a strong intelligence team for Yang Yi. When I’ve reached my goal, I’ll leave to live the life I want. As for you, Brian, now I’m going to set my terms."

Staring into Brian’s eyes, Mike said sternly, "You can’t do without intelligence support, and you’re not skilled at obtaining it. You’re good at operations. Brian, Yang Yi is willing to help you find Kate with all his might, and we have another common goal, that is, to root out the mole. Now, I’ll lay down the conditions: you must join us unconditionally. Don’t say that helping Yang Yi take down the Destroyer settles your debt to him. You know well that you owe Yang Yi more than just killing a few people for him!"

Brian sighed deeply and said softly, "I consider Yang Yi a friend, even though he’s young. He’s my friend."

"Enough!"

Mike shouted sharply, then spoke bluntly, "All you Operations folks are cold-blooded animals. You might come together for a common goal, but which of you really believes in friendship? I don’t believe you’d truly consider anyone a friend! So spare me the talk of friendship!"

Brian swallowed hard and then said helplessly to Mike, "Mike, I’m different. If I were a cold-blooded animal, I wouldn’t have ended up in this mess. Can’t you see such a simple truth..."

Mike paused, then he nodded and said, "You have a point. Alright, now state your choice. Are you willing to join us?"

Drawing a deep breath, Brian opened his arms and said firmly, "It doesn’t matter to me whether you’re going after the Grey-cloaked People or trying to uncover the mole. Whatever you plan to do, I’m in!"