Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 493 - 472: Dark Side

Chapter 493: Chapter 472: Dark Side

A little known fact, Moscow is the city with the most individual spies in the world, bar none.

Even though Moscow has not been the center of the world in politics, economy, or intelligence for a long time, it still has the most individual spies, primarily because when the Soviet Union collapsed, the KGB laid off ninety percent of its staff.

Individual spies are different from intelligence brokers because intelligence brokers must have intelligence to sell, while spies, after losing their platform, not everyone can access intelligence. Moreover, most spies are not those who can fight and kill; those who can are operatives, and ninety percent of a spy organization’s staff are in clerical positions.

Having been spies all their lives and then suddenly becoming unemployed, mistrusted by other countries, lacking the skills to become assassins or mercenaries, and unable to do anything else, of course, they naturally stick to their old trade to make a living.

They are just the most basic informers, using the name of a spy, boasting a former KGB title, engaging mostly in deception and swindling, with very few having real skill and resources.

However, Moscow is still absolutely a city without secrets, as the penetration and popularity of the Dark Web in Moscow far surpasses any other location.

These lesser-known facts were what Gao Yi heard from Xinfeng and the others; one really wouldn’t know these tricks if not an industry insider.

So after arriving in Moscow, even though there wasn’t much going on, Gao Yi still had to be extremely cautious.

A comparison brings hurt; originally, he didn’t enjoy much at Northeastern University, but after leaving, he realized that a safe environment truly is priceless.

Gao Yi brought Lucy with him; they couldn’t really say that they couldn’t leave each other, they did not feel particularly happy together, nor particularly upset when apart, but they were just used to having someone by their side, so naturally, they did everything together.

Even though Lucy was not needed for this trip to Moscow.

Huang Haisheng did not come along, but Gao Yi still had help in Moscow, Luo Changyou who was directly involved in the last mission was still here, he could help if anything really came up.

But Luo Changyou was already activated; he was no longer an absolutely confidential undercover agent.

After getting off the plane, Gao Yi and Lucy checked into a hotel. It was riskier to move in a group of five, and in case of any trouble, it would be easier for everyone to be taken down together, so they gathered when needed and separated when not.

Gao Yi was waiting for Sherkin’s arrival.

It was night when they arrived in Moscow, and Gao Yi chose to go directly to sleep, but while he could sleep through the night undisturbed at the hostel, here, even a slight noise from the next room would wake him up immediately.

Sleeping with one eye open is not a comfortable feeling, perhaps one could get used to it, but would never enjoy it.

The sound insulation of the hotel was okay, but Gao Yi could still clearly hear a banging noise, the sound of a headboard hitting the wall; thankfully, it did not last long.

Gao Yi lay in bed with his eyes open, carefully discerning the sounds from the next room. After a while, when the noise stopped, he felt it was okay and closed his eyes again, but just as he closed his eyes, he suddenly sat up.

"Is there a problem?"

Lucy suddenly spoke in a low voice, lacking a sense of security because she didn’t have a gun.

What danger could there be in Moscow?

Gao Yi pondered for a moment and said, "No problem."

Keeping one ear up, sleeping with one eye open, a slight noise making one tense—it used to not seem problematic, but now, Gao Yi found it quite uncomfortable.

Only home for a few days, he was already feeling out of place, indeed it’s easier to escalate one’s lifestyle than to downgrade it.

Gently patting Lucy’s back, Gao Yi closed his eyes, they stopped talking, and soon fell asleep again.

It was a very ordinary night, nothing much to say, they slept until seven the next morning, Gao Yi got up, casually practiced some boxing in the room to break a sweat, took a shower, dressed, and waited for room service to bring breakfast. After breakfast around nine, Sherkin should be arriving.

Gao Yi never sleeps undressed; he doesn’t like sleepwear but still wears it, and he rarely wears slippers, even in a hotel room he wears a pair of soft-soled cloth shoes he brought as slippers.

Always ready to run, ready to fight—that is Gao Yi’s basic survival requirement.

There was a knock on the door, Gao Yi didn’t make a sound but silently walked to the door and suddenly opened it.

Sherkin was at the door, likewise accustomed to this kind of meeting, not startled at all by the sudden door opening without a sound, but upon seeing Gao Yi, he just softly said, "It’s just me."

Gao Yi let Sherkin into the room.

Sitting on the sofa in the suite, Gao Yi whispered to Sherkin, "How’s it going? Any response from them?"

"They are willing to do the deal, I’ve contacted them, and they will have someone meet in person. I’ll get in touch now, and if possible, we’ll meet today."

Dealing with the KGB involved a flight test report, the price was already agreed upon—three million dollars. If it’s just this document, they really wouldn’t need to meet in person; because of last time’s cooperation, there’s a basic mutual trust among the parties. Deals worth hundreds of millions were able smoothly completed; surely no one would mess around on a few million dollar transaction.

The difference between eating your fill once and always being full is significant; no one wants to lose out over something small.

But Gao Yi’s fundamental goal was to recruit people, which meant he had to find a way to meet with someone from the KGB, and at a high level at that.

This matter couldn’t be rushed; it had to be done slowly.

In front of Gao Yi, Sherkin took out his phone, dialed a number, and after waiting for the call to connect, he spoke in a low voice: "I’ve arrived. The deal we agreed on last time has been delayed too long, the buyer is very dissatisfied. If you can’t produce the goods, he’s going to buy from someone else. Buddy, listen, we had a pleasant cooperation last time, why are you delaying this time just because the transaction amount is small?"

Sherkin’s tone was not very polite. Gao Yi didn’t know why Sherkin chose this approach, but he knew there must be a reason behind it.

"It’s not about how much money, it’s about ensuring our safety. Don’t rush, the goods will certainly be there."

The person on the phone spoke slowly and politely, but Sherkin responded in a low voice: "Then I might ask the Foreign Intelligence Bureau, they don’t care much about the risks."

Threats, your efficiency is too low, I’ll do business with someone else.

Gao Yi didn’t know what exactly the relationship between Sherkin and the KGB was, but he knew that Sherkin’s words would certainly provoke the KGB.

"If you want to deal with the Foreign Intelligence Bureau, we will arrest people. Buddy, don’t be so hot-tempered, what’s wrong this time?"

Sherkin exhaled and said in a low voice: "I have another big deal with the buyer, a big business! Do you know how hard it was for me to establish a cooperative relationship with the buyer? I really don’t want him to think that I am slow in doing things."

"What business?"

"It’s none of your business, it’s related to the United States."

Sherkin was laying the groundwork; he was boasting, but his boasting was believed by others, thanks to the reputation and credibility he had previously established.

"Hmm, let’s meet in person. Can you arrange a meeting with the buyer as well?"

Sherkin was silent for a while, then he whispered: "We can meet, today."

"Good, the usual place, meet now."

After hanging up the phone, Sherkin said to Gao Yi: "Let’s go meet."

"Meet who, the same person we met last time?"

"It’s him."

The one we met during the last deal, it was the one who looked like Daniel Craig.

Gao Yi thought this person looked like Craig, so he unilaterally named him Craig. But now that they were dealing for the second time, and the entire plan might depend on him, it became necessary to know more about him.

"Introduce him, who is he?"

Sherkin whispered: "Alexander Tuchak, he holds a fairly high position, deputy director of the FSB Military Counterintelligence Bureau. He doesn’t have much power, but he can access almost all intelligence, a very crucial position. He could have attained a higher position, but he has kept this one for four years to facilitate certain activities. As far as I know, he is Nikolai Balanikov’s man."

"Nikolai... FSB Director?"

Sherkin nodded.

Gao Yi whistled softly and chuckled: "A direct line to the top, huh? Alright, his status is significant enough to place a heavy bet."

Sherkin shook his head and whispered: "Don’t place a heavy bet because Alexander has been involved in too much for too long, and I feel he might be discarded soon. A large bet on him could fall through."

"Oh?"

Gao Yi was somewhat surprised; he thought that since Alexander was a confidant of the FSB Director, investing heavily in him seemed natural. But if Alexander was just a temporary Black Gloves, meant to be discarded after use, then indeed, it wouldn’t be wise to invest too heavily.

Sherkin continued indifferently: "I was in this role before, but I worked for the former director Victor, who was quite decent to his subordinates. He sent me to the Middle East, and I was one of the few Black Gloves who survived, you understand? Alexander’s next move will either be a transfer from Moscow to a decent position as a reward, which is the best outcome. The worst is that he gets killed in an arrest operation for treason. I don’t know what Nikolai will do, but by convention, Alexander won’t stay around for long, investing in him would be wasteful."

Gao Yi thoughtfully said: "I see."

"Now Alexander is very cautious, he doesn’t want to be caught out by anyone. Though being Nikolai’s Black Gloves is risky, many people eye his position, many seek to replace Alexander. So now, Alexander’s efficiency isn’t as high as before; my advice, wait until the new Black Gloves emerge, then place a heavy investment."

Gao Yi didn’t feel investing in Alexander was wasteful; on the contrary, he believed it was better to send help during a snowstorm than to add flowers to brocade.

Thinking this, Gao Yi suddenly said: "I actually think Alexander is worth investing in, and even worth increasing the investment."

Sherkin smiled and said: "I get your point, but I don’t feel it’s very necessary, after all, it’s the same whoever takes over."

Gao Yi also smiled: "But whoever takes over will still be Nikolai’s man, while Alexander could potentially become our man, that’s the biggest difference."