Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 668 - 642: Promotion

Chapter 668: Chapter 642: Promotion

Little Andic couldn’t tell whether he was lucky or unlucky.

Speaking of luck, Little Andic fell into Gao Yi’s hands; speaking of misfortune, Little Andic hasn’t died yet. He was in a coma the whole time and doesn’t know what happened.

Gao Yi and Panetta left the President’s office one after the other. Gao Yi was in front, as he had to open the door for Panetta.

Many people were standing outside, but Panetta had no intention of greeting anyone. He walked silently through the corridor lined with people, aiming directly for his destination without stopping.

"My position will be changed, I can no longer serve concurrently as Director of the CIA."

The corridor was empty now, and Panetta suddenly spoke. Gao Yi thought for a moment and said, "Congratulations."

Whether Panetta’s allegiance was successful or not was still uncertain, but since he sided with the President, the President would surely reward him adequately.

It hadn’t even been half a year since he was promoted from Deputy Director to Director of the CIA, and now he was being moved again. Naturally, it was good news from the delivery room; he was promoted.

Yet Panetta didn’t pause, and he continued quietly, "It may not be a good thing, so there’s no need to rush to congratulate."

Gao Yi was slightly surprised, but looking at Panetta, he couldn’t help but smile. He then immediately said, "Surely it’s a good thing to be promoted."

"I’m to be promoted to Minister of Homeland Security."

Panetta casually said this, which nearly made Gao Yi’s jaw drop in amazement.

Seeing Gao Yi’s shocked expression, Panetta couldn’t resist asking, "Are you very surprised?"

"I... Congratulations!"

How could he not be surprised?

Though the CIA is famous and indeed the top intelligence agency in the United States, it still falls short compared to the Department of Homeland Security.

The CIA doesn’t have domestic tasks in the United States, nor does it have enforcement powers or arrest authority. Its main duty is to provide intelligence for the President, with the CIA Director serving as the intelligence advisor to the National Security Council, establishing the CIA as the highest-ranked among various intelligence units, but that’s all.

The major intelligence agencies in the United States are highly independent, and the CIA Director cannot command any other intelligence agency, only playing a coordinating role at best. The previous role as a lead has even been lost.

The current rising star in intelligence is the Department of Homeland Security.

Established after 9/11, the Department of Homeland Security includes vital subordinate agencies, not counting bureau-level units, such as the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration), Customs and Border Protection, Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Secret Service, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, United States Coast Guard Command (transferred to the Navy Department under the United States Department of Defense during wartime).

To speak more precisely, the major units under the Department of Homeland Security, each by itself, is an authoritative force, yet now all of them fall under Panetta’s jurisdiction.

If you simply follow U.S. law, the Department of Homeland Security wouldn’t crack the top ten. But in terms of actual power ranking, the minister holds a position ranked at least in the top three among the most powerful in the United States.

High position and great power, truly high position and great power, compared to the CIA as an intelligence bureau, it’s like night and day.

Panetta’s reasoning for becoming Minister of Homeland Security was simple: the President realized he had internal standing in the United States, theoretically was the highest person in position, but lacked actual means of control.

The President couldn’t even command the Secret Service responsible for his protection.

The Secret Service’s facade of compliance perhaps contributed significantly to the President’s decision.

The United States Secret Service is governed by the Department of Homeland Security, and once Panetta steps in as minister, the next step is a massive overhaul of personnel.

Gao Yi wasn’t too clear about the intricacies here, but he knew that as long as Panetta held that position for a day, he could be safe for a day, and live carefree for a day.

Once Panetta is in place, agencies like the FBI, NSA, and the Secret Service will be pushed aside, deemed unimportant.

Gao Yi couldn’t help but grin with joy.

Understanding Gao Yi’s mood, Panetta spoke lightly, "Don’t get too involved with Little Andic. I’ll arrange personnel to interrogate him; dealing with him may cause some trouble."

"Alright, I understand, hmm, thank you."

Gao Yi wanted to retaliate against the Andic Group, but he didn’t want to get involved with Little Andic. If Panetta asked him to hand over the person, then he would, with no problem at all.

Panetta maintained a steady pace, continuing to speak softly, "The CIA Director will be appointed by the President, but my recommendation for Deputy Director should be upheld. Those who perform well this time will be considered, Joelson performed well; let’s make him the Deputy Director."

Gao Yi immediately responded, "Oh, he must be very happy."

Gao Yi lacked Feng Biao’s prowess; he wanted to play sycophant but didn’t know what to say, so he chose the safest route, which was not expressing any personal opinion.

Understand your position clearly and never assume you’re indispensable and start getting carried away.

Panetta continued softly, "You need to list those who contributed this time; I’m aware of the CIA’s situation, but people in the FBI and the Pentagon also deserve rewards. I’ve just taken over the Department of Homeland Security; the middle and lower tiers need to have enough of our people."

With Panetta’s elevated status, the mid-level officials he mentions are figures akin to key regional authorities.

Of course, this is presently limited to the intelligence system.

A perfect representation of rising fortunes benefiting connections.

Gao Yi felt his heart pounding; he whispered, "Yes, I don’t know what to say."

At this point, Gao Yi truly didn’t know what to say, so he focused solely on conveying his joy, being careful not to get carried away.

Panetta’s pace suddenly slowed, then he whispered, "Regarding Prince Shaman..."

Something bad has happened.

Previously, Panetta was only the Deputy Director of the CIA, so Gao Yi acted as a liaison, helping them establish contact, allowing Shaman to bribe Panetta.

However, with Panetta’s status changing, his prior cooperation with Shaman became a dark past; he was essentially a target of Shaman’s bribery.

Gao Yi’s thoughts raced, and he promptly said, "Prince Shaman is just a fat sheep; what happened to him?"

Gao Yi directly downgraded Shaman, turning a former benefactor into a mere fat sheep.

Panetta chuckled and said, "Nothing much, Prince Shaman is quite a figure himself, and very smart."

Gao Yi laughed, "Yes, Prince Shaman is a smart man; he certainly must make some appearance."

Panetta sighed lightly, "Taking over as Minister of Homeland Security, although it’s indeed a promotion, it makes things more convenient domestically, but I need to produce political achievements quickly."

After speaking, Panetta halted, and when Gao Yi immediately followed suit, he looked at Gao Yi and whispered, "Your role is very crucial, but I hope you can play an even more critical role."

For some reason, Gao Yi suddenly felt uneasy, sensing Panetta’s advancement might not be entirely beneficial.