Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 248 - 235: Beat Around the Bush

Chapter 248: Chapter 235: Beat Around the Bush

The French will do anything, Gao Yi knew that all too well.

But surely, they wouldn’t sabotage their own money-making dealings, right? Wrong, they were indeed capable of screwing it up.

Gao Yi had forgotten that there’s a type of person known as a stirrer, and although France isn’t a nation of stirrers like the UK, as a country with the traits of many great powers, how could it not have its share of meddlers?

"What’s wrong?"

"The military procurement contract has been leaked."

"Do the French have a mole?"

Having a traitor was normal. There were all too many instances of people selling information after being bought off by other countries. It was understandable.

But Abdulla shook his head. He said to Gao Yi, "No, it’s not that. The Dassault Company’s labor union has announced the news to the world. As military procurement is completed, Dassault has to arrange their production schedule, so the union disclosed the information. They’re using this as leverage to demand a twenty-five percent raise from Dassault Company, or else they’ll strike. Without their labor, Dassault won’t be able to deliver the planes on time."

Gao Yi couldn’t wrap his head around the rationale. He truly didn’t understand, couldn’t make sense of it.

Isn’t a big company order a good thing?

Shouldn’t everyone in the company be working together to secure this big deal?

Why would they shoot themselves in the foot?

Oh, they weren’t ruining things for themselves; they were just asking for a raise. But what does that have to do with immediately revealing business secrets that were supposed to be confidential?

Can’t they discuss their demands privately? Even if they wanted to threaten, why hurry to mess up the deal? After all, isn’t this like eating from a pot and then smashing it?

It must be a cultural difference. Gao Yi couldn’t fathom it; he was stupefied for quite a while before he finally said, "How did the union get the news? It’s been... less than two hours."

Abdulla shrugged his shoulders, spread his hands, offered a wry smile, and said with a helpless expression, "You should ask the French what they think, not me. How the hell would I know what’s going on in the minds of these French people!"

True, no ordinary person could understand the way the French think.

Gao Yi let out a sigh and said, "So, what do we do now..."

"We are... likely in trouble."

Abdulla let out a sigh, saying, "Let the plane take off. Otherwise, I fear something unexpected might happen. The CIA and our private grudges won’t surface; the US knows the CIA might take covert revenge but won’t say anything. But if the US knows we’ve struck a deal with France, they will really use any means necessary."

"Both France and the US are part of NATO; they’re allies."

"Allies are allies, and business is business. The Americans have done this kind of thing countless times. They didn’t hesitate when they arrested Pierluigi and dissected Alstom Company."

After Abdulla said this through clenched teeth, he quickly raised his head and shouted, "Prepare for takeoff, notify the airport—we’re taking off!"

They postponed the operation for the takeoff phase; if they could perform surgery in the air, they would; if not, they had to halt. There was no choice. If all else failed, they would continue the surgery upon landing.

Gao Yi had nothing to say; this was a genuine case of circumstances beyond control.

The doctors were preparing for the emergency surgery halt—yes, even halting the operation required preparation.

Meanwhile, the flight crew was in contact with the airport, notifying the control tower to clear the runway for takeoff.

Aircraft takeoffs had to be scheduled; it wasn’t just a matter of taking off whenever you wanted.

Then, the crew received a distressing and unsettling message.

"Sir! The airport response is that due to emergency air traffic control measures, we cannot take off!"

Just a moment ago Abdulla was somewhat concerned, but now, he had to start getting anxious.

"What? Air traffic control? What’s the reason?"

"Military exercise! Airspace lockdown!"

This was the reason given by the French, but the excuse provided by the French would lead to the worst outcome for themselves.

Gao Yi didn’t understand, neither did Abdulla.

"Military exercise? Have the French gone mad?"

Abdulla wasn’t just worried; he was panicked.

His greatest virtue was loyalty, and he had many flaws, one of which was being easily agitated, something that was a particular weakness for Abdulla.

He called, and as soon as the call connected, he said impatiently, "What’s the meaning of this? Why won’t you let our plane take off? Want to cancel the cooperation plan? Don’t want to do business anymore?"

Whoever was on the other end of the phone spoke English, not very fluently, but replied in an equally angry and hasty tone, "The Americans have announced they’ll conduct a large-scale military exercise within NATO. We received the call four minutes ago!"

The military-industrial complex, having its interests harmed by American military companies, the Pentagon would surely intervene.

There was no need for a word from the White House; the Pentagon could decide to hold a military exercise on its own.

Conversely, even if the White House gave the order, it would be useless, and European allies in NATO would have even less sway.

NATO is America’s NATO, and NATO’s headquarters are, in fact, the Americans’ headquarters. If NATO headquarters suddenly decides to hold a large-scale military exercise simulating a massive air attack on Europe and bans all flights in the short term, who can oppose it?

Moreover, NATO headquarters doesn’t need to block the entire European airspace; they only need to block the French airspace. If that isn’t enough, they can block the airspace over Paris.

If France is tough enough, the French military and civil aviation could disregard the NATO no-fly order. No matter. NATO could impose no-fly zones in the airspace of the countries surrounding France.

The duration wouldn’t have to be long; a few hours would suffice.

Even if the French were bold enough to clear the flight and ignore NATO’s orders, that wouldn’t matter either. NATO could simply dispatch a fighter jet to shoot down a civilian aircraft.

The plane they had downed was Gao Yi’s, and that was enough, more than enough.

So, no matter what France decided, Gao Yi and his team couldn’t fly out.

You could buy anything with money, but without sufficient power, Saudi money had to have American approval.

Gao Yi’s heart was in turmoil, and inside, Abdulla’s was even more chaotic.

After much thought, Abdulla finally made the call to Shaman.

He babbled a few words, then hung up dejectedly, and turns to Gao Yi, "The French leaked the news. His Highness is negotiating with the United States, and things aren’t looking good, the Americans are furious."

What could Gao Yi say? Now it was a matter of national concern, and he had no place to comment.

"In general, how is this kind of situation resolved?"

"Compromise, we’ll see if the French or we will compromise. Most likely, we will have to place another order with the United States, give them a chance to make more money, then they might allow the military purchase with France to go through. If the French compromise, it means they will cede some interests to the United States, but that’s not very likely."

Abdulla sighed, his face a picture of helplessness, "The most probable outcome is that we will compromise, but His Highness is furious. He could cancel the cooperation with France, or delay it, but he will not pay a steeper price to the United States for them stopping us."

Abdulla looked at Gao Yi, hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said, "But this will put us in a tight spot, I hope you understand. His Highness can’t just... because of us few... you know."

"I understand..."

It’s a favor if the elder brother is willing to lend a hand; it’s his prerogative. But one can’t expect the elder brother to pay too high a price just to save oneself.

For such a national issue, Gao Yi honestly had nothing to say.

But sitting around moping wasn’t Gao Yi’s style.

After some thought, Gao Yi whispered, "Without giving His Highness any trouble, if we can’t, we’ll make our own escape! The mess is the French’s doing; they should be able to privately give us a way out."

"That should be possible, I’ll negotiate with the French side."

Abdulla could represent Shaman, and he did have some clout here.

After some thought, Abdulla whispered, "If all else fails, let the French escort you out. You can’t stay here. His Highness is adamant, and the Americans might have some clandestine punitive measures, and killing you... would be the most direct and simplest form of punishment."

Gao Yi noticed Abdulla used the word "punish."

Abdulla continued, "Before, the White House ordered the CIA not to retaliate against our National Intelligence Bureau, but now, if the White House lets the CIA retaliate, that’s a different ball game; things could get pretty messy, so you better leave quickly."

With that, Abdulla immediately and loudly said, "Continue the surgery, finish as soon as possible!"

The surgery that had been interrupted continued.

Gao Yi felt stifled inside.

A deal had already been struck; the elder brother had spent billions, and while it was fundamentally for the national interest, it was still for his sake that this military purchase had been pushed through.

Now, thanks to unreliable French people who carelessly spilled the beans, they found themselves in danger again.

How could these people be so low?

Angry but in need of a solution both for himself and his elder brother, Gao Yi pondered what to do.

For such a national issue, there was simply no one he could consult.

Amidst this brooding, an idea suddenly struck Gao Yi, "I’ll make a call!"

Of course, Abdulla had no reason to refuse.

Gao Yi hurriedly took out his phone and dialed a number.

He called Mu Tianwen.

There was a time difference, and initially, Mu Tianwen didn’t answer, but Gao Yi called again, and Mu Tianwen finally picked up.

"Hello, big brother, you need something?"

Mu Tianwen spoke in a hushed tone, and Gao Yi whispered, "Is it safe to talk?"

"Yes, I was sleeping, it’s three thirty in the morning..."

France was how many hours ahead? It was nine thirty in the evening for Gao Yi, but for Mu Tianwen, it was the middle of the night.

Gao Yi could no longer worry about waking Mu Tianwen, whispering urgently, "I’ve got an emergency here, I need your advice."

Once Mu Tianwen heard this, his interest peaked. His big brother actually needed to seek counsel from him; this was exhilarating for a young person.

"What’s the matter! Tell me, and I’ll give you some pointers."

Gao Yi quickly relayed the recent events, then whispered, "Given the current deadlock, what do you think we should do to break through?"

Mu Tianwen responded with extreme helplessness, "Big brother, I’m only fourteen! How could I possibly have a solution for such a national issue..."

Gao Yi coughed lightly, then whispered, "It’s okay if you don’t know. You can ask your teacher, or perhaps give him a call for advice?"

Mu Tianwen paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "Big brother, you’re really cunning."

Gao Yi laughed sheepishly.

Mu Tianwen took a deep breath and said, "It’s too late now, I’ll ask first thing tomorrow morning, alright?"

Gao Yi earnestly replied, "No, it’s urgent, better ask now. For this matter, your teacher will thank you for calling in the middle of the night, he won’t be upset, trust me."