Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 331 - 315: Go See a Ghost

Chapter 331: Chapter 315: Go See a Ghost

Normally, this is where the phone call would have ended.

Panetta circumvented Crawford and Joelson and, with the dignity of a CIA’s deputy director with actual power, had personally spoken to Gao Yi—a collaborator not even on the official roster, no, "collaborator" would be an overstatement; in Panetta’s eyes, Gao Yi was, at best, nothing more than consumables. It was already an exceptional gesture of respect to Gao Yi.

If it weren’t for Panetta’s genuine and urgent desire to eliminate Freedom Wind, he would never have deigned to speak a single word to Gao Yi in his entire life.

So now it was time to end it, perhaps let Joelson contact Gao Yi in the future, but more likely, he would watch Gao Yi and Freedom Wind fight it out like two dogs, and then Panetta would come in at the end to "close the door and beat the dogs," eliminating the surviving party as a termination of the matter.

However, Gao Yi was unwilling to let things develop in this manner.

Gao Yi had managed to drag Panetta to the edge of the pit; it was impossible not to let him bow his head and take a look at the gold inside.

Therefore, when Panetta mentioned ending the conversation, Gao Yi didn’t hesitate and smoothly said, "I understand, but there is one more issue. Who will be taking the fifty million that should be allotted to the CIA in the plan?"

Panetta must be sporting a huge question mark over his head.

Joelson shook his head, making a gesture indicating that Panetta knew there was money involved, but was unaware of the amount.

And Panetta, taking three seconds to respond, let Gao Yi know that this figure had indeed taken him by surprise.

So Gao Yi continued, "To put each thing in its proper place, whether it’s the integrity of the plan or its credibility, I must take this fifty million. I’m willing to pay it to secure CIA’s support, even if it accounts for half the profit of the whole deal. I have incurred significant costs and taken great risks; in the end, it’s necessary for me to pay to deliver the final blow to Freedom Wind. Therefore, whether its twenty million or thirty million, I won’t be paying that money."

Under what pretext did Gao Yi contact Panetta? Money, but the amount discussed was a cost of twenty million with a quoted price of thirty million.

And now, after Panetta had filled in the crucial step of the plan and merely revealed his identity before trying to leave without mentioning the money, how could Gao Yi let him have his way?

Panetta thought that just revealing his identity was worth thirty million; now that Gao Yi knew who he was, he wouldn’t dare to continue asking for money, not even if he had the audacity.

That was how Panetta had calculated it, but Gao Yi continued to ask him for money; that meant Gao Yi was courting death by not knowing when to stop.

But wait, what’s this about fifty million that Gao Yi is talking about?

Giving fifty million, asking for thirty million?

What’s with the twenty-million difference?

Is it really a case of "to each thing its own place"?

But wait, why hasn’t Crawford mentioned it?

With just this one line, the volume of information seemed to short-circuit Panetta’s CPU; metaphorically smoke billowed from the head of the flummoxed Panetta unable to respond immediately.

After a moment, Panetta finally said with composure, "What does the fifty million mean?"

His tone unchanged, but the few seconds delay betrayed Panetta.

Well, it seemed this deputy director hadn’t seen such a large sum before; fifty million had completely flustered him.

Gao Yi raised his voice slightly, speaking very seriously, "I have contact with the Pentagon, connections with the French External Security Bureau, and needless to say, my relationship with the Saudi National Intelligence Agency. With these resources at my disposal, of course, I want to do some business, big business!"

Panetta replied softly, "Hmm, yes, these are nice resources; it would be a pity not to use them."

"So I have to make it clear, I engage in business to make money while incidentally taking out Freedom Wind—not the other way around. Mr., you have to understand the difference here!"

"Yes, that’s right. If you can take care of troubles and threats while doing business, that’s obviously the best choice."

The more subservient Gao Yi had been earlier, the tougher he became now.

Gao Yi spoke with gravity, "So here comes the question. My business, the money I make, the cost I’m willing to pay to find partners, that’s all my affair, right?"

"That’s right, you are correct."

"But dealing with Freedom Wind, whether it’s drawing them out or ultimately taking them down, is not my main concern. So why should I bear this part of the cost? Mr., I respect you, but from a business standpoint, I can’t pay this money."

Panetta exhaled and said, "You’re right, it is as you say."

Gao Yi continued, "Can Joelson really establish contact for me with the CIA? In other words, can he act as this intermediary? Can Mr. Crawford solve my problem? This is a big business, and I am willing to share a portion of the profits with a partner, but definitely not pay to solve someone else’s problems. So, Mr., here’s my plan."

Panetta, in a low voice, said, "Tell me your plan."

"You’ll first pay me thirty million," the Assassin began, "out of which I’ll pay twenty million for the mercenaries’ commission. The remaining ten million is my deserved profit. It’s not a lot, but I must take this money. I am an assassin, not a free one. The symbolic ten million cannot be any less."

Panetta took a deep breath and said, "With the reputation and capabilities of ’Garden’ or ’Sky Garden,’ earning only ten million is indeed a symbolic price."

Gao Yi spoke nonchalantly, "But I am now seeking a transformation, to make at least a billion in profits from an arms deal. The CIA can be very helpful to me, so I am willing to establish cooperation with the CIA. This deal and the plan for the ’termination’ of ’Freedom Wind’ align perfectly, so I integrated them into one plan. But ultimately, these are still two separate parts. So here’s the question, if Joelson can’t give me the money I deserve, and Mr. Crawford can’t promise me the money I deserve, then who will pay?"

Panetta finally managed to untangle the intricate details.

Gao Yi needs to be paid, fifty million, but he also wants money, thirty million.

By the trading standards of the Angsa people, these indeed are two separate matters.

The key lies in whether the fifty million is taken first or the thirty million is given first.

To take first and then give would please Panetta very much, but giving first and then taking is something Panetta cannot bear.

Because thirty million is not easy to give, not that Panetta lacks the financial authority, but moving such a large sum of money leaves too many loopholes.

Dealing with ’Freedom Wind’ is like stabbing one’s own people in the back, and leaving such a handle is not a good thing. Most importantly, once ’Freedom Wind’ is eliminated, the rival faction would surely not let things rest, and there might very well be people pursuing this in the future. If someone were to find some clue based on the money trail, Panetta couldn’t handle it.

Panetta could avoid the risk by paying from his own pocket instead of using public funds, but the problem is, Panetta also would need to have the money to do so.

Originally, Gao Yi worried whether the twenty million difference would be enough to persuade Panetta, but now it seemed, twenty million was sufficient; there was no need to think about adding more.

Panetta’s tone hadn’t changed, but the way he spoke had, it would be strange if he weren’t moved.

"Thirty million indeed should be paid to you."

Panetta finally spoke up, but then he abruptly changed the subject, "However, what’s with this fifty million?"

Logically, Panetta should have hung up by now to consult with Joelson first, but the fact that he asked Gao Yi directly meant he either did not trust others or he was too eager to wait.

Pushing too far would be overdoing it; Gao Yi couldn’t be too forward in implicating Crawford. He briefly explained the origins of the arms deal.

The French provided the goods, the Pentagon handled the shipping, Saudi paid the money, then they would siphon off even more arms from Yemen and finally allocate them to Khalid for distribution. After one round of over ten million worth of arms transactions, they would pocket two hundred million and then sell the siphoned arms at the real price.

In the end, everyone involved would make a profit of a couple billion, with everyone having a share. If the CIA were willing to get involved, they’d get a juicy cut, leaving Khalid to gnaw on the bones and sip the broth.

Hearing the participants and the profits, it was hard to believe that Panetta wouldn’t be tempted.

The arduous effort of contacting Panetta personally was all for this moment.

Having clarified the scale of the business and the participants, if Panetta was still willing to let Crawford take full charge, then Gao Yi would concede and be convinced.

Finally, Panetta spoke softly, "It’s rather amusing to say, but this is the first time I’ve fully understood the entirety of this deal."

Why was it funny? Because Panetta shouldn’t have been informed just now.

Gao Yi should have struck while the iron was hot, but he seemed hesitant, conflicted, and ultimately, he could only protect himself by cautiously saying, "This plan was a suggestion from Joelson, agreed upon by Mr. Crawford. He also agreed to the profit-sharing. If you’re unaware, it has nothing to do with me."

Gao Yi was quick in absolving himself of responsibility, a normal reaction.

Panetta spoke indifferently, "Oh, a suggestion from Joelson, huh? Not a bad one."

Gao Yi said gravely, "Can you just tell me how this plan will proceed and how the money will be paid?"

"How about this," Panetta suggested, "I’ll handle the matters in Yemen, so you don’t need to pay the fifty million upfront. Instead, deduct the thirty million you’re paying in commissions from that fifty million. We can settle the rest after it’s all done, saving us both some trouble. Would that be agreeable?"

Gao Yi didn’t respond, and Panetta continued, "Of course, I’ll take action, the arms will be safe in Yemen, and I will be responsible for transporting them from Yemen to Libya. We can settle after everything is completed, and you won’t have any risks."

After thinking over it, Gao Yi replied, "I agree to settle at the end."

Panetta said earnestly, "Then is this arrangement just for one transaction, or will it be ongoing?"

Gao Yi chuckled, "Obviously, this is a long-term deal. If I may be blunt, if we were to conduct business just this once, why would I even bother to establish a connection with the CIA? The promise Crawford made to me was..."

"To hell with Crawford!" Panetta erupted with mild profanity before speaking softly again, "I’m quite interested in your long-term business. Our cooperation shouldn’t be limited to just dealing with ’Freedom Wind.’ From now on, we’ll communicate directly, and Joelson will be your contact person. Does that work for you? If not, I can assign someone else."