Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 432 - 412: That Fast

Chapter 432: Chapter 412: That Fast

Green’s reaction was somewhat incomprehensible; he merely furrowed his brows, clearly displaying a look of helplessness.

Marina was different, though; she was quite straightforward at this moment.

"Can I report the information obtained from you? If possible, I believe at least France won’t rush to take sides."

This was not about the difference between a teacher and a lover, but between a retiree and someone in power.

"Alright, if you can ensure that, how much do you think is appropriate?"

It’s not about how much is enough, but how much is appropriate.

The middleman was indeed pleasing; while doing favors for the big boss, he could also legitimize gaining money for his own beloved, and to top it off, the big boss would genuinely need to say thank you.

Using someone else’s money for one’s own benefits is one thing, but to do so openly and to gain from both sides, that level, not everyone can achieve.

Marina was seriously considering how much money she should ask for.

billion was for someone who could sway the situation; Marina could only play a supporting role at most, so she needed to know how much to report.

"2 billion Euros will be enough, but the payment must go through your channel; actually, this money doesn’t need to be taken, but since Shaman is paying, I think he might be happier if he pays."

"Yes, he will be happy if he pays. What about your side then?"

Green spoke softly, "I don’t want money, I can’t accept money because I will pass on this message as intelligence. If the handler can also get money from this intelligence, it’s a different matter."

"What’s different then?"

"It feels different. Sending intelligence back is a duty, but if I take Shaman’s money and send it back with the intelligence, that’s bribery, that’s treason. It’s not suitable for Military Intelligence Sixth Department to engage in such affairs due to its situation and position."

Gao Yi stared at Green agape, while Green shrugged, "Is there a problem?"

"You..."

Gao Yi didn’t know what to say; he pondered for a moment, then uncertainly said, "Are personnel in Military Intelligence Sixth Department really so morally upright? Entirely for the country, with nobody taking advantage for themselves?"

Green spread his hands again, then with a sense of helplessness said, "Of course not, currently it’s difficult for the Military Intelligence Sixth Department to even receive standard funding, staff reductions are massive, equipment... you know all this."

"Where does the problem lie?"

"Well, the reasons are complex, both internal and external factors are numerous. An internal factor is that Military Intelligence Sixth Department was once too powerful, many people became conceited, just like the earlier FBI. When the FBI became too strong and uncontrollable, the United States then established the CIA. When the CIA became too powerful and inefficient due to its size and power, the United States shifted more authority to the Department of Homeland Security."

Speaking of the UK, yet taking the United States as an example, because the example from the United States is just too typical.

Green continued with resignation, "So, with intentional support for Military Intelligence Fifth Department, it’s natural for Military Intelligence Sixth Department to decline, it’s an inevitable pattern."

Gao Yi said, "Supporting Military Intelligence Fifth Department is the UK’s method of balancing. So, who exactly is responsible for assigning tasks and allocating funds to the fifth and sixth departments?"

"The Intelligence Committee."

"Does Military Intelligence Sixth Department not have its own people in the Intelligence Committee? Isn’t there anyone to speak up for Military Intelligence Sixth Department? Does everyone wish for Military Intelligence Sixth Department to immediately collapse, to disappear forever?"

"That’s certainly not possible. Now the strength of Military Intelligence Fifth Department has surpassed the sixth, but completely replacing the sixth is not possible; the UK wouldn’t allow such a situation."

"Well that’s settled then. Now that the fifth has surpassed the sixth, even if it’s for balance, it’s about time to allocate some resources to support the sixth again, right?"

Green shook his head, "No, it’s far from time. Such a change in mentality requires a generation, at least twenty or thirty years. It’s institutional inertia. When people realize that Military Intelligence Fifth Department has become too powerful and needs rebalancing, that would be only when the fifth reaches the former level of the sixth."

Having said that, Green waved his hand, "But now, with the decline of British national strength and financial strain, the funding for intelligence agencies is decreasing annually, even the military budget has been continuously cut, so it’s impossible for Military Intelligence Fifth Department to reach the height of the sixth back in the days. It’s decided by national strength, so..."

"So you don’t know how to shorten this process?"

Gao Yi was quite surprised, "Why just wait, with such a good opportunity now, why aren’t you trying to change the minds of people in the Intelligence Committee?"

Green frowned, "The control over intelligence units in the UK is much stricter than you imagine ── issues of interest transfer, no, it’s impossible, no one would dare to take that risk."

Gao Yi pointed to himself, "Giving them money, would that count as transferring interest?"

Green was suddenly taken aback.

Gao Yi continued, "What do I do? The CIA knows, Shaman knows, everyone knows, don’t you?"

Green hesitated, then said, "Of course I know, I am more aware than anyone, but the problem is, if we give this money to Military Intelligence Sixth Department, and then try to make a trade-off, sending an untraceable sum to the Intelligence Committee? That’s impossible, wait a minute."

Gao Yi waited for Green to understand.

It was such a simple matter, why couldn’t Green understand?

The difference between Green and Marina is that Green is a retired old man with no real power in his hands; at most, he can only serve as Gao Yi’s teacher and incidentally as an introducer.

He’s not even qualified to be a middleman, just making an introduction and that’s it.

Why are things easier on Marina’s end? Because Marina can make her own decisions, and she has backing. She simply delivers the message directly and grabs the money – how simple.

But Green could easily have Gao Yi directly contact Military Intelligence Sixth Department. The best way would be to have Military Intelligence Sixth Department and Gao Yi approach the Intelligence Committee together, with Gao Yi paying the money directly.

Green’s mind is somewhat rigid; he never thought about breaking free from the old mold of Military Intelligence Sixth Department and handling things in a completely new identity.

What identity, either a pure middleman or being Gao Yi’s person.

In any case, not an old man from Military Intelligence Sixth Department.

But this is not something Gao Yi can easily say and though Marina could, it’s best to let Green figure it out himself.

Marina could still give him a hint if necessary.

Finally, with trembling lips, Green said: "I... I... I’ve thought of a very risky idea."

Gao Yi and Marina didn’t understand.

Green looked at Gao Yi, then at Marina, and whispered, "Otherwise, why not have direct contact with the Intelligence Committee?"

"That’s possible, but there’s no time now, and there are more hostile people towards me in the UK, whether it’s passing my information to Andic or Freedom Wind, it’s tough for me."

Green had a point, but this step he proposed was too big, letting Gao Yi have direct contact, wasn’t that a risky idea indeed.

Gao Yi could only say, "You can completely handle it yourself, you can’t erase the stamp of Military Intelligence Sixth Department, but after all, you are retired. Instead of letting someone like Jenny be a go-between, why not do it yourself?"

Green, looking slightly confused, said, "I’m just responsible for teaching you how to be an assassin, but now, what role should I become?"

"It’s just... uh... still my teacher."

Gao Yi couldn’t help but smile wryly; Green’s biggest concern turned out to be about his current duty.

Speaking of which, Green as a teacher was pretty good.

Gao Yi calmly said: "Go back to London with the money, don’t rush to hand it over to Military Intelligence Sixth Department. Hold onto it, give it to whoever you think should have it. This way, all problems are solved, and it’s the simplest too."

Green nodded.

Gao Yi laughed: "Using money to solve problems is the simplest thing, and even simpler is, do you have any bad schemes against the UK? No, right? You just want to revive Military Intelligence Sixth Department. Will you betray any British interests in the future? No, you will only cooperate to earn more merits for Military Intelligence Sixth Department."

Such a simple thing, no need to talk about it anymore.

Green suddenly looked at Gao Yi, hesitantly saying, "Then what about you?"

"Me?"

"You haven’t mastered the basic skills of an assassin. You are facing a hunt from the Andic Group. If you don’t have someone experienced to protect you, it will be very dangerous, like this time, you and the people around you are not enough to cope!"

Gao Yi thought for a while and said, "Then I’ll accept your goodwill and have someone else protect me."

Marina suddenly said, "No need, we have a good candidate."

Green’s mouth twitched a few times.

If Green leaves, Military Intelligence Sixth Department’s influence on Gao Yi would immediately drop significantly. Though they would still cooperate, can being together every day and just making phone calls have the same effect?

Green immediately made up his mind, he could leave, but he had to ensure someone filled the gap he left.

"Alright, then give me two billion? Then someone will replace me to continue teaching you, and of course, to protect you."

Gao Yi didn’t bother with any nonsense, he immediately called Shaman again, waited for Shaman to answer, then blandly said: "Brother, another four billion Euros, this side in France can basically ensure not to make a statement hastily, the UK side, still needs a bit more time."

Be it CIA, Military Intelligence Sixth Department, or any intelligence agency, who could match Gao Yi’s efficiency?

Anyway, it was this time point, this opportunity, everything came together for Gao Yi, so his efficiency was frighteningly high.

What else could Shaman say? He was nothing but thrilled.

To say Shaman saw Gao Yi as the only savior wasn’t realistic, after all, the other party’s capabilities and financial resources were very strong.

But with Gao Yi’s efficiency, a few calls, just half an hour, he had pretty much taken care of things, just on this point, all of Shaman’s subordinates combined couldn’t match him.

So, Shaman could only use a dream-talk-like tone and said: "So fast?"