King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

Or I could arrange an HRT team to protect you, make sure you safely get to your meeting with Tom Reed.

As long as Big Mouth Tom's final rally goes off without a hitch, their side should know they've lost their chance!"

Cooper looked at Joe Ga and said in a tone tinged with tragic determination, "Hu Lang, I have my own responsibilities. No matter which side wins, they can kick me aside in the end.

But right now, I'm still the Deputy Director of the FBI. I can't let you run amok in America. That's a disgrace to all law enforcement agencies."

Joe Ga was slightly surprised as he glanced at Cooper and asked curiously, "You didn't pick a side?

Then why the hell did you take over the investigation into P.B.?

When I was rearranging those Black guys, Lesler was standing right there...

You damn well know better than anyone that we're clean!"

Cooper suddenly erupted, his anger palpable: "I damn well know...

I also know that if someone else were to conduct the investigation, they'd dig up every last detail about P.B.…

They'd learn that this company used to be called 'Deadly Strike,' a small startup founded by some Marine Corps vets.

They'd also find out that you, damn it, signed the employment contract with the Justice Department as its Number One, and yet the company didn't officially transfer to your name until the 10th.

Then they'd realize that when you attacked the Albanians to snatch a heart for your men, you didn't have any authorization on you—and yet you took out 48 Albanian gunmen, burned hundreds of kilos of HLY to ashes, and got everyone in the area high as hell in the process.

At that point, a lot of people would be dragged down, DEA, FBI, Justice Department...

Hu Lang, I need to ensure that the investigation into you doesn't pull anyone else into the mess...

I need to make sure fewer people get entangled in the fallout...

I need to preserve a shred of dignity for America's law enforcement agencies...

I need the FBI to function smoothly while you and the other side are tearing each other apart because we've still got way more shit to handle...

FUCK!!"

Joe Ga was stunned by Cooper's sudden outburst. Then he stood, looking at the stubborn African-American director and said, "From the day I set foot in America, I've been fighting defensively.

I've poured so much time, energy, and money into making sure everything appears legitimate and legal.

I've done more than all of you combined!

You don't point fingers at the Glorious Society that caused all this, or at Rashiri's side, yet you twist things around and yell in my face to show off your righteousness.

Brother, I've always been the victim; I think you're well aware of that!

You don't dare go after the people stirring up trouble, but here you are yelling at me..."

Cooper stared into Joe Ga's eyes, his face full of exhaustion, and said, "What do you want me to do?

There's an Oregon State National Guard unit gathering right now, and they're publicly claiming it's just a live-fire drill. But I know they're waiting for you to cause a big enough disturbance, so they can move in and wipe out both your side and your enemies.

If things spiral out of control, what excuse would I have to stop them?

Hu Lang, Rashiri's people are using legal avenues to push the investigation into you, banking on your bull-headed personality to trap you into an unwinnable corner.

I know you probably have ways to deal with it, but we both know everything will be a damn mess afterward.

Why can't we confine the fighting to the realm of 'politics'?

War is the worst possible option!"

Joe Ga froze upon hearing this; he hadn't expected the National Guard to be involved.

The National Guard in America isn't just some ragtag militia; their equipment rivals that of the regular army.

At this point, Joe Ga finally realized that Rashiri's people weren't relying solely on two mercenary groups to kill him—they were hoping for an intense conflict that would prompt a training National Guard unit to step in and wipe out both sides.

Looking at Cooper's utterly weary expression, Joe Ga suddenly shook his head and smirked. "Buddy, seems like you got your intel spot-on, huh?

You knew they'd ambush me in Oregon State, didn't you?

I'm starting to believe you actually want to help me now...

But even if you arrange an HRT team to protect me, what good would that do?

You know they won't let me meet Tom Reed without trouble…"

Joe Ga crossed his arms and sat back down on the couch, looking at Cooper with a faint smile. He said, "What exactly do you want?

You want to use me to lure out Rashiri's people—is it to warn them, or to wipe them out?

Does a Deputy Director like you even have that kind of authority?

Let me guess: Rashiri's emails are putting immense pressure on the FBI, but you need a leverage point to launch the investigation.

You want to use those mercenaries attacking me to link her into this, and then leverage the investigation to force them to peacefully accept the election results, right?

Wow, you're planning big things…"

Cooper relaxed slightly as he faced the impossibly perceptive Joe Ga.

Looking at Joe Ga's face, full of sarcastic amusement, Cooper shook his head slightly and said, "Hu Lang, in this situation, the FBI is neutral.

Rashiri's emails have caused a split within the FBI...

A lot of agents are questioning their career choices!

Now I have to perform my duties according to the law. I need to show those wavering agents that even if we don't always do enough, their profession has honor!

I could very well sit back and let you slug it out with the mercenaries, pretending I don't know a thing.

But I can't look the other way while you clash with the National Guard. Most of those soldiers are innocent!

The bastards orchestrating all this need to pay the price!"

Joe Ga closed his eyes and pondered for a moment before asking, "As a state senator, what's Tom Reed's relationship with Oregon's governor?"

Cooper noticed Joe Ga had latched onto the critical point again; shaking his head, he slumped onto the couch with fatigue and said, "Hu Lang, don't get overly involved in American politics. It won't end well for you.

If you take sides, another faction will inevitably become your enemy.

Your meals come from holding a gun; they'll respond to you with guns!"

Joe Ga shook his head and smirked. "Do I even have a choice?

I'm headed to a senator's family gathering, yet the governor's in Rashiri's camp, and they've tacitly approved the National Guard's actions.

Not only do they want to take me out, but they want to entangle Tom Reed as collateral damage, sabotaging Big Mouth Tom's final rally.

No wonder Rashiri's people still haven't backed off…"

Joe Ga glanced at Cooper, whose face had grown stiff, and chuckled. "Buddy, I'm starting to think you're actually a good cop.

If we cooperate, we could bring those assholes to justice, what do you say?

I'll handle the mercenaries; you deal with that governor. If we can monitor the National Guard officers, we can uncover their connection.

I'll take the hit and play informant for you, while Tom Reed owes you a huge favor.

How about it? Give me an immunity deal—I'll take the risks; you bask in the glory."

Cooper gave a bitter laugh and replied, "Should I also pretend not to see the heavy artillery and suicide drones in your car?"

Joe Ga laughed heartily and said, "Brother, congrats! You've even learned to banter!"