Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 547 - 526 Spring is Here

Chapter 547: Chapter 526 Spring is Here

Martin’s gaze flickered slightly.

It wasn’t that he didn’t believe it, but the happiness came so suddenly that he couldn’t quite accept it all at once.

Has spring really arrived, just like that?

"My boss? My boss! Uh, my boss..."

Martin was still trying to understand and keep up with Gao Yi’s train of thought. But just as he was pondering over who his bosses were, Christopher suddenly interjected, "Not your boss. I mean your superior, the regional director—essentially, the head of the entire Los Angeles District FBI operations!"

Martin swallowed hard and said, "You’re talking about the regional director? But there’s a huge rank gap between me and the regional director."

Small gaps that could be bridged with effort were simpler to manage. But the larger leaps? They truly posed a challenge.

The FBI had its own rank system, and ascending a level normally took at least two to three years—there was no miracle scenario where simply making a major contribution granted someone a rapid promotion.

"What’s your current rank?"

Gao Yi hadn’t known Martin’s rank before.

Martin replied awkwardly in a low voice, "A3, Senior Agent."

Gao Yi blinked. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "How many ranks are there in total?"

"Fourteen."

"What’s your position then? Can you be more straightforward?"

Martin shrugged and said with a hint of helplessness, "I’m a Senior Agent—A3 level. Put simply, it’s the third-lowest rank. The FBI has 10 levels in the A category and 4 levels in the D category."

Gao Yi froze for a moment, then said, "You’ve been in the FBI for twenty years, right? And you’ve only been promoted twice? What rank is the regional director here in Los Angeles?"

Martin responded quietly, "Executive Assistant Director, A9. Los Angeles is a major region, so the rank is quite high."

Alexander could barely touch the threshold of the Deputy Director position in the KGB.

But Martin? In the FBI, he hadn’t even gotten close to the regional director.

That’s the difference.

Gao Yi started to feel a headache coming.

Martin continued, "The gap between me and the regional director is too wide. I don’t even know his background or connections..."

What could Gao Yi say? "Hopelessly incompetent" was definitely not an option. If Martin weren’t so mediocre, he wouldn’t have mattered to Gao Yi back in the day, and they wouldn’t have even bothered to know each other.

Gao Yi fell into deep thought. After a long while, he finally said to Martin, "Although it’s quite difficult, it still needs to be tried. Hmm, if you make a big impact, you can at least move up one rank, right?"

"Depends on the contribution. It’s possible to jump two levels. I could already be promoted to Supervisory Special Agent. Then the next level would be Assistant Special Agent in Charge—that’s when I could lead a team, a group."

"Alright, first, we’ll figure out how to secure you a significant achievement, promote you to the Special Agent in Charge level, and then..."

"Not Special Agent in Charge—it’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge. Above that is Assistant Director, which allows you to serve as Director in less critical regions."

Simply adding the word "executive" to a title apparently made a huge difference.

Gao Yi was still brainstorming, but Martin continued, "The higher you climb, the harder it gets. Reaching the Executive Assistant Director level essentially touches upon the threshold for senior officials. There aren’t many in the FBI—at that point, you’re already among senior officials..."

Gao Yi nodded and said, "Hm, the first step is to promote you to Assistant Special Agent in Charge. Let’s start by giving you your own team. No—that’s too troublesome; how many years would you have to toil for that?"

Step-by-step promotions were far too slow—neither Martin nor Gao Yi could afford to wait that long.

Think about Grasse, though; how did he accelerate his rise? By switching organizations.

A tree might die if uprooted, but people thrive by moving. If staying stuck won’t work, then it’s time to make a change.

Gao Yi exhaled sharply and said, "I don’t really understand the ins and outs of all this. It’s better to ask someone with experience."

Martin felt it was time to throw Gao Yi a lifeline. He said quietly, "Right, these matters can be pondered later. The pressing issue now is Rana’s business. What do you need me to do?"

"No, no. Rana’s issue is simple. Your matter, now that we’ve discussed it, needs to get moving right away."

Gao Yi picked up the phone and dialed Panetta.

Panetta would certainly give Gao Yi face—anytime Gao Yi called, Panetta answered promptly.

"There’s someone in the FBI I want to help promote quickly, but I don’t really understand how to navigate this. Do you have any good suggestions?"

"What’s his current rank?"

"A3."

Panetta furrowed his brows slightly. Since Gao Yi had called the person "one of ours," it was obvious he wanted to elevate the individual, so Panetta refrained from saying anything excessively blunt or unpleasant.

For example, remarks like "Why bother with some small fry?" didn’t cross Panetta’s lips.

"The rank is too low. The fastest timeline would still take about six months, and at most, he could be promoted to A7."

Gao Yi turned to Martin and asked, "What do you think about getting to A7 within six months? Would you have authority?"

Martin opened his mouth, his eyes glazed, then swallowed hard and replied in a soft voice, "Is this... a joke?"

Richard couldn’t hold back; quietly, he interjected, "Of course it’s not a joke! A7—Assistant Director! That’s already eligible to head multiple regional field offices! It’s a mid-level FBI leadership rank, with quite a bit of practical authority!"

An observer’s perspective was clearer, and observers didn’t bear the same psychological weight.

Gao Yi spoke into the phone, "Six months to A7—it works."

Panetta replied softly, "First, have him transferred into the FBI’s Counterintelligence Department. Right now, that department has no presence whatsoever. Once he’s there, give him a piece of intelligence and have him apprehend a spy."

"He’s already working intelligence and Homeland Security functions—otherwise, he wouldn’t still be stuck at A3."

Panetta inhaled sharply and said, "Already? How old is he? How long has he worked?"

Gao Yi turned to Martin and asked, "How old are you this year? How long have you been with the FBI?"

"I’m forty-four years old and have been with the FBI for twenty-two years."

Gao Yi immediately relayed, "He’s worked 22 years."

Panetta said softly, "How has he managed? Hm, then in six months, he might qualify for another promotion. He already fulfills the two necessary conditions: experience and tenure. First, have him accomplish something significant—like capturing a spy—and he could jump two grades. Then assign him on loan to the Department of Homeland Security. Be sure it’s on loan, not a full transfer. Let him work there for a few months, catch another spy, and climb another two grades. Then get him back to the FBI. At that point, he’ll be at A7, and with a bit more networking, a field office chief position is doable."

"That simple?"

"Yes."

"Could he go even higher?"

"Then he’d need to become a public figure and earn a Presidential commendation. But that’s best avoided—if he becomes too high-profile, the scrutiny will make it harder for him to serve your interests later."

Gao Yi considered for a moment and said, "Alright, thank you. Please help arrange for two spies to be caught."

"Alright. I’ll have someone select two suitable targets. Coordinate this with Joelson."

"Understood. Thanks again—sorry for troubling you."

Gao Yi hung up and turned to Martin, saying, "First, catch a spy. Then transfer to Homeland Security. Six months to A7—let’s take it from there."

Richard’s eyes were wide, and he seemed hesitant to speak.

Gao Yi looked at Richard and asked, "Do you want to stay at the FBI or move somewhere else?"

Although Richard’s rank was higher than Martin’s, it was evident that Gao Yi was focusing his efforts on Martin, not him.

"I can too? Can I... go to the Department of Homeland Security? I mean—I think Homeland Security could use someone like us there, don’t you?"

"Sure, you’re right. Sheriff, do you have any thoughts?"

Christopher’s eyes opened slightly. Hesitating, he said, "I’ll pass. I’m close to retirement anyway."

"Take your time to think. Let me know anytime you change your mind."

Gao Yi felt it was crucial to hit while the iron was hot. A random low-level FBI operative couldn’t really help him much. But if Martin became a big shot within the FBI, that would be a different story.

Martin looked at Gao Yi, his gaze filled with hope, and whispered, "Thanks, but there’s something I need to tell you—I have another identity..."

Gao Yi responded seriously, "You’re worried about your role in the Red and Blue Group, right? Don’t worry. Now think: Who’s blocking your way? Get rid of them."

Martin was stunned. "What?"

"Anyone in your way—eliminate them. Anyone useful—send them money. Why overcomplicate things? Let’s set a budget of ten million dollars. Whoever can be bribed, bribe them; whoever can’t, remove them. Whatever you need, say it—someone will handle it for you. Don’t hold back, and don’t be afraid. We’ve got people and money. A four-level jump in six months is just a starting goal."

Was Gao Yi boasting?

No, he wasn’t.

It’s just that Gao Yi wasn’t familiar with the FBI’s systems; otherwise, he’d already be taking action.

Martin suddenly realized that spring had truly arrived.

It wasn’t that spring came out of nowhere—but now, Martin was finally certain and dared to believe that his spring had truly arrived.