Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 363 - 347: Famous Scene

Chapter 363: Chapter 347: Famous Scene

The battle unfolded in Baghdad, but the main battleground was in DC.

Panetta was urgently summoned to the White House, feeling perplexed. He didn’t know why he had the chance to be received by the President. however, upon seeing his biggest rival at the White House, it all became clear to him.

A fierce struggle for power between two influential deputies had put the Bureau Chief in an awkward position. Both had their strengths and weaknesses.

But now, without making the conflict public and with Panetta brought to the White House unknowingly, he had to witness his rival’s shining moment in front of the President.

In other words, if Panetta watched his rival perform well in front of the President, he’d better resign willingly.

Being transferred out would also work—just no more internal fighting within the CIA.

The President and the Director were both irritated, and they made a choice, but it wasn’t Panetta.

Panetta was in a panic.

He had dug a trap, but ended up burying himself in it.

"I am a businessman—I welcome healthy competition within the company, but I am tired of endless infighting. I cannot tolerate this situation continuing."

The President never hid that he was a businessman and even took pride in it. That said, being practical, it seemed he wanted to do something now.

Change the current severe situation of internal consumption.

"The Pentagon and CIA not getting along is normal, but under my predecessor, an unbridgeable conflict arose between the Pentagon and the CIA, which I cannot accept. No one understands competition better than I do, so I will resolve the troubles left by my predecessor."

Having said that, the President waved his hand and said, "The Pentagon is unwilling to cooperate, but the CIA can perfectly execute a magnificent decapitation mission on its own without military support."

The President ran out of patience—he wanted to end the inner conflict of the CIA. Now, it didn’t matter who was better. The focus was whether the CIA could put an end to this harmful competition.

Panetta realized this was a test.

Failure meant the equivalent of public execution.

But his rival was taking an open-book exam, while Panetta had no chance even to pick up the pen.

This was unfair.

It was profoundly unfair.

The President had made a choice; he had called Panetta, wanting him to watch his opponent win and then graciously bow out.

Panetta was both panicked and angry.

Had he known this would be the outcome, the situation, Panetta would have certainly invested more effort; he would have tried his best to perfect the trap and completely destroy his rival’s Freedom Wind.

Panetta was not willing to concede, yet he had nothing to say.

Freedom Wind was created in Europe, established by the push of the Intelligence Bureau’s Director of Europe. However, after its establishment, Freedom Wind quickly gained the approval and favor of Deputy Director Mason. Then, Mason elevated the permissions for Freedom Wind even further and presented it to the White House.

The most infuriating part was, since the President had taken office last January, the three times he employed Freedom Wind all had excellent outcomes.

Why was an operation by Freedom Wind enough for the White House to command the Pentagon to cooperate? Why was Panetta suddenly called to go through a test like public execution?

It was because, to a certain extent, Freedom Wind could be considered the White House’s own.

The President’s own.

Due to Freedom Wind, the President decided to have Mason take major control of the CIA, which was normal.

Panetta thought of using Gao Yi to destroy Freedom Wind, although he knew it was difficult, he always saw a chance.

Now, the perfect opportunity to bury Freedom Wind has turned into his own grave.

Panetta hated Mason deeply, even more so Gao Yi.

If there was a chance to reverse this extremely disadvantageous situation, Panetta certainly would do whatever it took.

But now it was too late. Freedom Wind had bypassed the Pentagon and directly utilized the power of the British.

The President didn’t think this was disgraceful; he considered it a great deal. Freedom Wind merely used its brains and sweet talk, employing British and Iraqi power to complete a perfect decapitation mission.

In his heart, Panetta had to admit it was a sleek move.

Now the British planes had arrived, and Iraqi armored forces were on the way. Panetta had waited in the White House for an hour and a half before he was called into the damned conference room. Now, he could do nothing but watch.

"Sir, the attack has begun."

Mason alerted the President, who then turned and focused on the screen in front of him.

The CIA had its reconnaissance methods; it didn’t need to borrow surveillance drones from the Pentagon.

Panetta clenched his fists, watching as the helicopters began their attack.

Just entering and seeing this scene, Panetta waited to face the judgment of fate.

"We’ve located the position of the Sky Garden; he can’t escape!"

Mason was brimming with confidence. At this moment, he acted as a live commentator and didn’t even glance at Panetta.

Panetta watched the television expressionlessly.

No one understood special operations better than the President.

"Hmm, electronic signal location, but can the British accomplish it?"

The President raised a timely question, then watched as a burst of fire exploded from a window in the building below, followed by two more.

With confidence in his expression, Mason smiled and said, "Sir, the electronic signals we monitored have disappeared. The target is destroyed. The operation has successfully concluded, and all that’s left is mopping up the remnants."