Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 550 - 529 Major Accident

Chapter 550: Chapter 529 Major Accident

Family and friends, yet not very familiar—the subtext is too obvious, isn’t it? Someone has clearly come under the guise of her relatives.

A double meaning. Rana wasn’t particularly loyal; she almost effortlessly chose to distance herself.

And Gao Yi mentioning Mossad—that left no room for negotiation.

Rana pondered for a moment, then shook her head subtly. She only gazed at Gao Yi, though there was a hint of peculiarity in her eyes.

"It’s not Mossad. Mossad... wouldn’t need to do this."

Gao Yi considered briefly, then his heart sank in shock.

Could it be? No, it couldn’t be! It really couldn’t be!

Gao Yi remained calm as he asked, "So it’s colleagues from the Europe Department then?"

Rana didn’t respond; she simply lowered her head.

Gao Yi was misled by Rana’s answer due to her overly relaxed demeanor, causing him to misjudge the situation.

If it were Mossad agents looking for Rana, it wouldn’t be a big issue. Even if the CIA found out, they wouldn’t react too drastically.

But if CIA’s Europe Department personnel had quietly returned to U.S. soil, then their actions would be much larger in scope.

Gao Yi turned and grabbed the walkie-talkie, speaking in a low, urgent tone, "Tell the boys—those visitors are dangerous, extremely dangerous! Don’t let them escape, and be cautious! Be sure to prioritize your own safety!"

Initially thought to be a minor accident, this surprise might very well escalate into a major incident.

Sometimes, indeed, a pie drops out of nowhere, smacking people on the head—or into their mouths.

If careless, the pie dropping into one’s mouth could actually choke them.

After reminding Christopher to warn the police to stay alert, Gao Yi exchanged a glance with Xinfeng, noticing the gravity in the other’s eyes.

Chances are, Wei Feng is among them!

Gao Yi signaled Xinfeng to inquire further.

Xinfeng understood, leaned close to Rana, and said softly, "We were all members of Freedom Wind—but that’s in the past. Now that we’ve come looking for you and are meeting you here, you should understand why."

Rana’s expression remained neutral. She exhaled lightly and said, "Where did things go wrong?"

Xinfeng shook his head, his voice low, "No need to ask. Even if you do, you won’t get an answer."

Rana continued, "You know my identity, were able to use the gentlest means to subdue them at this critical moment, which makes me believe you’ve obtained detailed intelligence."

Gao Yi was closely observing Rana, noticing that rather than true calm, she exhibited a resignation—first despair, then an acceptance of relief, as if she finally found release.

It presented as calm, but was fundamentally different from genuine calm.

True calm fears nothing, while Rana’s version was the kind that came from giving up.

Had she resigned herself when placed into the police car, fallen into despair, and just decided to lie back and wait for death?

Just as Gao Yi thought of saying something to coordinate with Xinfeng, Rana spoke blandly, "Tell me: where did things go wrong? Who betrayed us? If you tell me, I’ll cooperate. Actually... isn’t it unnecessary to say anything now?"

No, no—there’s still a need to talk.

Gao Yi gestured lightly, speaking softly, "Don’t lose hope, and don’t be afraid. The reason we chose to meet you like this is because we didn’t want to jeopardize your public identity."

Rana said nothing.

Xinfeng said flatly, "Cooperate a bit; nothing bad will happen."

Gao Yi continued, "I’m being straightforward—I hope you can be just as straightforward. This will benefit us both. First question: Where is Wei Feng?"

Rana frowned slightly, and Gao Yi persisted, "Yes, we don’t know Wei Feng’s whereabouts. Is he at your house?"

Rana chose not to answer, but Gao Yi pressed on, "I’m not from the CIA, nor am I a spy. Do you understand the implications of this being handled by me and not anyone else?"

Implications? None whatsoever.

It was purely because Panetta wasn’t in a convenient position to act personally and sent Gao Yi to handle it. If there was any deeper meaning, it’d be that Gao Yi was handy—effective, and nothing more.

But evidently, Rana wouldn’t see it that way.

After a long silence, Rana uttered in a low voice, "You’ve come to threaten me using my family."

Rana revealed her deepest fear out loud. In this sense, she had made the same mistake as Plevenov—both scared themselves by imagining the harshest methods the enemy might use.

Gao Yi said sincerely, "Xinfeng was also part of Freedom Wind. But now, he works for me. We get along well; he’s acquired everything he ever wanted. He didn’t surrender, didn’t defect—he merely returned to his rightful identity and performs the work he should be doing. You can do the same."

Rana exhaled lightly.

Still earnest, Gao Yi said, "We have some information, but it’s incomplete. I hope you can share everything you know to fill in the gaps."

Xinfeng chimed in, "Don’t even think about extracting bits from us. Your attitude will shape your fate—and many others’ as well."

Rana shook her head and said quietly, "You acted too early. Wei Feng was supposed to arrive at nine to meet me at home. But now, he surely won’t come. He would’ve caught wind of what happened."

A disaster—what started as a minor issue really had blown up into a major catastrophe.

Gao Yi sighed inwardly, but his expression remained composed, "Go on."

"Wei Feng has persuaded many people. They’ve secretly infiltrated the U.S., assembled covertly, and suddenly informed me today that they planned to hold final task assignments at my home. They were going to abduct me and force me to join their resistance against Panetta."

Indeed, a pie from the skies...

Gao Yi calmly remarked, "It seems our intel was wrong. All along, we deemed you the mastermind. Now, are you willing to cooperate with me to catch Wei Feng?"

Rana frowned, hesitated briefly, and asked, "Will I die?"

"No, you won’t die. You can even get everything you wish for. Lay out your conditions—whatever I can fulfill will be done."

Rana hesitated to trust Gao Yi’s words and remained silent.

Xinfeng added, "You can fully trust what he’s saying. He’s the Gardener, and his word carries weight. If he’s handling your situation, then he obviously has the authority to decide."

Rana finally muttered, "I want CIA to permanently dismiss me. I don’t want to be a spy anymore. I want to end this life—free myself from this identity. I just want to live freely and peacefully."

Rana wanted nothing more than to abandon her life as a spy.

Come to think of it, it made sense. Rana, originally a famous celebrity who had fame and fortune, probably wouldn’t serve her country out of loyalty alone. No, she’d been coerced into this role—forced to become a spy.

Understandably, this condition might very well represent her true feelings.

Gao Yi hesitated briefly and then said to Rana, "Fine. You can leave the CIA, completely end your espionage career, and never have to work for any intelligence agency again."

"I don’t dare hope for such a perfect ending. All I ask is... not to get entangled in the web of conspiracies and infighting anymore."

Rana dropped her pretense, now revealing undeniable exhaustion. She spoke helplessly, "My current life wasn’t chosen by me. I don’t want to be a spy. But they found me, and I couldn’t refuse. I didn’t want to join Freedom Wind either, yet I couldn’t refuse. And now I don’t want to assist Wei Feng against the CIA, but again, I can’t say no. I’ve had enough of this kind of life!"

"If you’ve had enough, then end it. I can assure you that you’ll never receive orders again—never have another mission assigned to you. Tell me, where is Wei Feng now?"

Rana hesitated only a few seconds before finally responding, "He’s en route to my place. He flew in today on a flight from Alaska. After landing, he headed straight for my home. When the police showed up, someone must’ve called him to warn him about what happened at my house. With such irregularities, he surely won’t appear anymore."

"Wei Feng is in Los Angeles!"

"Correct!"

Gao Yi spoke urgently, "Do you know what he looks like?"

"No. Wei Feng is highly adept at disguise—he can appear as practically anyone. Unless he’s standing right in front of me, I won’t be able to recognize him."

Gao Yi inhaled deeply and pressed further, "Which flight from Alaska to Los Angeles today?"

"Anchorage."

Gao Yi turned swiftly and dashed out, finding Christopher waiting outside.

"A man I’ve been looking for was on the latest flight from Anchorage to Los Angeles. He was headed to Rana’s house but got tipped off and fled upon hearing about the situation. I don’t know how to locate him, but you must know how! Use any means necessary—any resources—to find him! Ten million dollars as a reward!"

Right now, everything hinged on Christopher.

After speaking, Gao Yi seriously added, "Whether or not you find him, I owe you—a big favor!"

Christopher grew serious and spoke quietly, "Any identifying features? You’ve got to give me something!"

"Male!"

"What else?"

"He can disguise himself as anyone."

Christopher sucked in a breath, muttering, "Falke..."

"I know it’s tough. Please, do your best to find him!"

Christopher scratched his head in frustration and added softly, "I’ll try—but seriously, is there no more info available?"

"There is—I’ll have someone dig it up. You’ll get further details momentarily. But for now, the priority is to get moving."

Christopher nodded and said urgently, "Alright, I’m on it. I’ll try... let me think... The FBI has to assist."

"Of course. Contact Martin; I’ll return to questioning Rana."

Gao Yi hastily parted ways with Christopher and returned to stand before Rana. He asked urgently, "Now, think of any ways we can capture Wei Feng—or kill him. Just cooperate, and I’ll erase all your CIA records now. I mean it—I’ll get it done instantly!"

Rana stared at Gao Yi in astonishment.

Xinfeng shrugged and said, "You’d better believe him. Trust everything he says, no matter how unreasonable it sounds. Just trust that he can deliver."

Gao Yi spoke softly, "It’s not that I’m particularly capable—it’s that I can negotiate and trade interests. Understand? I can get you what you want, but you have to cooperate with me!"

Rana let out a long sigh and finally agreed, "Alright, I’ll cooperate."