King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

Chapter 360 347

Joe Ga had heard semi-professional staff of P.B. Company talk about interrogation techniques—physical restraints, fatigue, lighting, sound, and inducements—these combined could rapidly destroy a person's willpower.

The pain inflicted by the soldiers was actually a low-level method because there is a limit to human suffering.

Creating pain based on each person's physiological limits could indeed be considered an art, and only those capable of such nuances could be considered doctoral experts in interrogation. Ordinary people didn't have this opportunity, nor did they have so many subjects to practice on.

Eric had come prepared with such people, clearly knowing what he should be doing...

Watching the scarred middle-aged man inject Coyote with several drugs, he quickly revived his consciousness, then calmly and gently bandaged his wounds.

Even after the effects of the drugs had worn off, he administered morphine and finally secured him to a chair with medical restraints, put headphones on him with an additional layer of noise-canceling earmuffs, and moved him to a makeshift interrogation room in the safe house.

It hadn't been 10 minutes before Coyote's throat broke down from screaming...

Curious, Joe Ga touched Eric and asked, "Who exactly are these guys? Agents from America's security department?"

Eric glanced at Joe Ga, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "They are private contractors, have you heard of CACI company? My boss is one of their shareholders."

Joe Ga was startled for a moment, then nodded and said, "Of course, they are a security giant.

I've heard rumors that half of your Department of Homeland Security's work is done by them, is that true?"

Eric scoffed and said, "Although I'm not a member of the Department of Homeland Security, I can tell you that's false.

CACI is huge, but they primarily provide ancillary services.

They are the primary supplier of equipment to the Department of Homeland Security and also provide safe houses and operational vehicles across different locations, but they are not involved in direct action.

The main reason people think CACI does half the work is that they contract the black sites managed by the Department of Homeland Security and provide interrogation services; a part of Guantanamo is managed by them.

In recent years, there have been many negative stories about them, and those in the know understand that they are taking the fall for the Pentagon."

From Eric's dismissive attitude about CACI, Joe could tell he was an outsider.

However, the information he shared was quite shocking—if Homeland Security's black sites could be outsourced, could it be possible that departments like the CIA and FBI also have outsourced black site projects?

Perhaps Guantanamo is just a place to divert external attention, and the truly brutal prisons are never shown to the public.

Seeing Eric's nonchalant attitude towards the giants, Joe Ga shook his head and laughed, "That's pretty impressive—I definitely couldn't do it to that extent."

Eric shifted his gaze from the direction of the makeshift interrogation room and looked into Joe Ga's eyes, saying, "Hu Lang, I must admit you've made a very deep impression on me.

But you must also admit, a military contracting company can't grow just relying on the Department of Justice; they might help you solve some problems but they'll never offer opportunities to make big money.

If this operation can be completed successfully, I think we can engage in long-term cooperation. I have some good orders that need professionals to handle."

Facing the big picture Eric had painted, Joe Ga noncommittally nodded and said, "Let's see how it turns out.

Buddy, I trust the power behind you and your backers, but you first have to fulfill my part—as soon as I get the logistics contract for the United States Military Base in Niger, we'll have a basis to continue cooperating.

I have nothing personal against you, and I'm willing to trust you, but you must admit that the thoughts of the powerful can sometimes be fickle.

Buddy, that's the foundation for equal communication between you and me!

After you know me for a while, you'll find that knowing P.B. and becoming my friend is a good thing because I'm always happy to help a friend."

Eric was smart and immediately understood Joe Ga's point.

Now that Joe Ga was half on board with his plan, as long as Eric didn't force him to jump ship, he could provide a lot of support.

This support wasn't limited to action, but also to limited financial support and some influence from the Department of Justice.

Getting on good terms with him would later offer a chance to become a 'Key Person'!

Joe Ga had no basis for dealing with those big shots, but Eric was different; Joe easily found mutual benefits.

Eric wanted to climb higher, Joe Ga wanted to expand his business; there were no conflicts of interest between them, mutual aid benefited both.

The enlightened Eric dropped all his pride at that moment, and his whole demeanor softened.

Facing Joe Ga's 'invitation', Eric laughed and said, "Hu Lang, if you could lower your attitude a bit, you could even be a decent lobbyist in Washington.

If I get through this, maybe I'll volunteer to go to Africa, and then I might need a lot of help from you."

This was a decisive moment for Joe Ga—he didn't even ask why the guy was applying to go to Africa, just nodded and laughed, "Then you're in luck, I have some influence in Africa."

Only then did the two really find some communicative synergy, showing off their capabilities and subtly discussing potential collaboration.

This chat didn't strain the brain much, and after about fifteen minutes, both found critical points for cooperation from each other.

Eric himself definitely lacked the ability to decide the direction of military contracting deals from the Pentagon, but he could help lobby through the power circles behind him.

As long as the money was right, and you also had a solid base, then he could help.

But that wasn't the most crucial part; Eric's most important ability was actually using his professional expertise to influence the military budget trajectory of America.

Who would have thought that the man preparing to dismantle 'Shadow Messenger' was originally an actuary?

Every year, the military budget proposal for Congress passed through his hands...

He wasn't the final decider of the totals, but he managed the allocation of funds, such as how much went to the Navy, how much to the Army, and what portion was for military procurement. He had the ability to influence early drafts.

He couldn't participate in the political maneuvering that followed, yet he remained a key consultative figure for the big shots.

This fellow, who now seemed like a mere errand boy, was a guest of honor for many major companies in Washington, as he understood the constitution and direction of America's future military expenditures.

The 'Springblade Drone' that Joe Ga wanted, he managed to obtain with just a phone call, and he didn't need to use the channels of the influential people behind him.

The two hit it off so well that Eric even ended up sharing his future plans...

"I can only ever be an advisor in Washington. If this operation is resolved, I'll apply to lead a CIA station, perhaps in Africa, maybe the Middle East...

After working a few years, I can try to secure an embassy job.

Hu Lang, if, I mean if I might actually go to Africa, I might indeed need your help."

Watching Eric become sincere, Joe Ga smiled and said, "P·B doesn't engage in dirty work, but of course, I'm happy to help with anything else."

Upon hearing this, Eric shook his head and chuckled. "Rest assured, I just need a stepping stone. I must maintain my 'cleanliness,' and I may even correct some of the CIA's unnecessary mistakes...

With a background in intelligence, I can then have the chance to fight for a position as a consular or ambassador as a civilian actuary.

Even if not successful, I can return to the White House and become an advisor again, then continue to wait for an opportunity when my status will be different."

After hearing this, Joe Ga nodded, his gesture neither wholly admiring nor wholly wistful.

Eric was a political animal; his target was never shady departments like the CIA.

He was like those who parachute in for a quick polish on their resume, using the CIA as a stepping stone. Eventually, he might even write a report condemning the CIA, seeking attention while also pulling some support within the Democratic party.

Joe Ga couldn't judge whether Eric would be successful, but that didn't stop him from investing a bit of effort in Eric—a potentially small investment with a large payoff.

If Eric did indeed have a chance to go to Africa, making this powerful, yet essentially powerless man dependent on P·B would be incredibly easy.

Watching a heart-open Eric, Joe Ga extended his hand for a shake, smiling, "If you end up in Africa, you'll find P·B is a friend's best friend and an enemy's worst enemy!!"

As soon as Joe Ga finished speaking, both men exchanged smiles.

Just then, the door of the temporary interrogation room opened...

Two field agents from CACI walked out supporting 'Coyote,' who was dropped limply onto the floor.

A field agent with a scar near his eye handed Eric a confession and whispered a few words in his ear...

Eric generously waved his hand and said, "Speak up, Hu Lang is a key operative in the mission, he needs to know everything."

The scarred field agent hesitated, shot a curious glance at Joe Ga, then straightened his attitude and said, "Sir, according to this fellow's confession, people from the 'Seta Group' escorted the man from the United Kingdom to Ogen Town on the Texas border.

He, as a representative of the Faust Gang, will take over and hand this UK national to their boss, also known as the new generation from Jalisco, who will ultimately smuggle him through tunnels to Juarez."

Joe Ga heard this and involuntarily whistled. "New generation from Jalisco, eh..."

Following the 'Seta Group,' Mexico's newly rising super-violent criminal organization, their leader Cervantes was someone who dared to wage war against traditional Mexican drug cartels.

Now these two most ruthless gangs were cooperating...

After listening, Joe Ga felt something was amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it...

Looking at Sanderson fiddling with weapons, Joe Ga said, "'Vanguard,' do you think it's possible for 'Seta' and 'Jalisco's' cooperation to escort a messenger from Glorious Society?"

Sanderson, not understanding the intricacies, spread his hands and said, "I don't know, but they are drug dealers, so they must have some connection."

Joe Ga shook his head after hearing this, then suddenly turned to the scar-faced agent and said, "Seta is on a downhill slope, and the new generation from Jalisco are fighting the old drug dealers because the latter control the drug sources, right? Explore new worlds at My Virtual Library Empire

Both gangs get their drugs from Colombia, right?"

Joe Ga didn't wait for an answer, clapped his hands hard and said, "That Brit is very cunning; he must have convinced the Glorious Society to supply both Seta and Jalisco with HLY.

Since they both started with drug trafficking, they need a stable and cheap supply source.

This guy is trying to redeem himself while trying to take his goods out. He's also helping Glorious Society seize the Colombians' market.

I should have realized it earlier when we seized those drugs that were HLY. I was wondering...

But I still don't understand how 'Shadow Messenger,' a character previously so cunning, could entrust himself to a minor character like 'Coyote.'

'Shadow Messenger' always played so cleverly before, but now there's something indescribable about it.

Could it really be just my good luck?

Shit, Seta comes from special forces, and Jalisco is also very capable, we damn well have to check it out..."