CHAPTER 1415: CHAPTER 1410: JOINT OPERATION

Got rich yet? Not yet, at least we’ll have to wait until we get the nuclear bombs in hand for those two to truly get rich.

Cautious optimism, or rather anticipation, but a very anxious anticipation, that’s the current mood of the core CIA figures involved in this matter.

"You did very well today, Sea God, you really are... just very good."

Porter praised Yang Yi modestly, then he sighed and said, "The director is very satisfied with your performance. He said to me privately that perhaps you should take on bigger challenges and assume greater responsibilities to fully showcase your abilities."

Yang Yi nodded and said, "Thank you for your praise, and thanks to the director for his trust in me."

Porter sighed, then with a satisfied look said, "Today Secretary Schiller was very unhappy, uh, yes, he was very unhappy because we CIA finally demonstrated our proper role."

Porter’s words made sense because, in the United States, the CIA is the only independent intelligence agency that reports directly to the president, with its budget allocated after the president applies to Congress, without being subordinate to any other agency or even needing to cooperate with other departments.

Thus, the president’s influence on the CIA is very direct, unlike other departments, such as the Department of Homeland Security, where the president can’t intervene even if he wants to promote someone. In the CIA, while the president can’t directly order the promotion of a junior officer, if the president speaks, that person is sure to be promoted quickly.

Don’t forget that the CIA directors are the president’s confidants, and even if not confidants, they are definitely people who align with the president and will never oppose him.

That’s why the current CIA director is like a mascot because he’s a close associate of the president. The president doesn’t need this director to have strong abilities, as long as he ensures the CIA is controlled by trusted people, since the CIA director controls the entire agency’s finances and personnel.

The CIA has always been the most important intelligence agency in the United States until the 9/11 incident led to the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security, which slightly diminished the CIA’s status and made it the scapegoat. But the CIA’s strength and heritage remain, and as long as the Department of Homeland Security is somewhat suppressed, the CIA can immediately revive and rise strongly.

The neglect and suppression of the CIA are temporary, but if the Department of Homeland Security is ignored, it might collapse completely. That’s why Secretary Schiller is anxious and disregards his status to suppress a small CIA agent, simply because the consequences of the CIA stealing the limelight are too severe for the Department of Homeland Security.

Besides, Schiller wasn’t successful, he backed down before Porter even opened his mouth.

Knowing all this, it’s clear why Walter would say Yang Yi and he have become successful since once valued by the president, their positions can elevate immediately, and even with a change of president, their positions as mid- to high-level officials won’t be affected at all. After all, directors can frequently change, but the real doers can’t easily be replaced; firing all experienced people and replacing them with a bunch of rookies isn’t something any president would tolerate.

So everyone’s happy, but there’s a condition: they must get hold of the nuclear bomb, and only after they get it can they truly be happy.

"But it’s already been seventeen hours, is there any news from Ivan?"

The limelight is based on the nuclear bomb; if they can’t get it, the improved situation is a facade, and the risks are greater. In that case, it’s not just a matter of losing face for the CIA.

Of course, Yang Yi is confident, but the problem is, before they truly get hold of the bomb, he can’t guarantee 100% that no problems will arise.

"No news yet, but the timeframe is set for after twenty-four hours, sir. Ivan is quite reputable."

Porter sighed, nodded, and said, "This threat must be resolved, otherwise, it’s really unsettling to even sleep. Sea God, I think... how about you follow up on this case?"

Porter was planning to hand over the task of tracking other nuclear bombs to Yang Yi, but can Yang Yi accept it? Of course, he can’t!

If he’s responsible for tracking the whereabouts of other nuclear bombs, Yang Yi can’t just frequently let Big Ivan take one out for him to claim credit, and if he can’t find anything, wouldn’t it make him look quite useless?

Moreover, even if Yang Yi really wants to investigate, where could he find the time and energy to truly undertake such a thankless task?

"Sir, I’m not capable enough... Also, personally, I think, shouldn’t I focus on maintaining contact and communication with Ivan, leaving the investigation of the nuclear bomb’s whereabouts to others? Otherwise, if Ivan gets wind of it, our communication channel might break off."

Porter immediately nodded and said, "Exactly, I considered it too simply. Your role is very important and unique; indeed, you shouldn’t take such risks."

At this moment, Walter should be nervous, because if Yang Yi doesn’t take responsibility, then it would fall to him. Since this is an extremely important task related to national security, there aren’t many who are aware and even fewer who can undertake this task.

Walter isn’t foolish; he knows that this is a thankless task, not to mention he’s someone Porter trusts, so it seems natural for this to fall on him.

Just then, Yang Yi whispered, "Sir, I have an idea, not sure if I should say."

"Speak, don’t hold back or worry, say whatever you want to say."

Yang Yi whispered, "This case shouldn’t let the Department of Homeland Security intervene, but why not let the FBI take it over? We don’t have law enforcement authority domestically, and it’s quite inconvenient for investigations, while the FBI is different. They are more convenient, have rich experience, and more manpower locally than we do."

Porter instinctively shook his head, but just as he did, he pondered and said, "Hmm? Hmm, go on."

Yang Yi smiled faintly and said, "That’s all I thought of."

The rest need not be said, and it’s not good to make it too obvious. For instance, in tracking nuclear bombs, even if you find one or two, without knowing how many are actually hidden, even if found, can you confidently recover them? If action is taken, and Ivan feels threatened for survival and detonates them, what then?

Therefore, while tracking nuclear bombs is important, it’s indeed thankless, so why not pass it off to the FBI to worry about?

The CIA is responsible for finding clues, and the FBI just focuses on finding nuclear bombs domestically. If found, the CIA can claim credit for providing the intelligence because that’s their job. If not found, the CIA’s reputation won’t take much of a hit since it was handed over to the FBI.

Porter didn’t think of it, only limited by his position and long-standing mindset that failed to consider offloading to the FBI, but Yang Yi thought of it and mentioned it, earning Porter’s higher regard, because it demonstrated a difference in tactical and strategic thinking.

Porter slowly said, "I’ll discuss it with the director, hmm, if there’s no issue, prepare for joint action with the FBI."