The next morning, Santa Cruz Province, Bolivia.
G&G Corp’s official tactical consulting started at the Santa Cruz Police Department, but that didn’t mean tactical consulting or CQB (Close Quarter Battle) training was going on right away.
A somewhat cumbersome introduction was laid first.
A press conference was set up for the official announcement, uniformed Santa Cruz police officers stood on the podium, and reporters gathered to film it.
In addition, the G&G Corp security personnel, including myself, had to stand as bridesmaids for the photo shoot.
Fortunately, I wore a mask, sunglasses, and a cap and hats and received a flash baptism.
Click – click – click –
Cheer la la rock—
Between the flashes of lights accompanied by the sound of shutters.
The Santa Cruz State Police Commissioner announced a tactical advisory agreement with G&G Corp, took a picture shaking hands with Ron Myers, who was in charge, and several pro-American congressmen also came up and took a group photo.
They ate a separate meal and asked questions from reporters all day long, but the next day there was no on-site training.
This was because the meeting on tactical education was held in detail, and discussions on the detailed items of QRF (Quick Reaction Forces), which had been verbally agreed upon, continued for a long time.
“I don’t like it because it exploded slowly, but it’s not bad because I’m resting thanks to you.”
“No, you have to train at least a day early. Shouldn’t you go to the real battle with the Bolivian police later? How are you going to handle that?”
“Roughly leave it behind, and we can take care of it, what. Will you improve your skills by doing a month or two in the first place? Even before we start, time is wasted… It’s better to take a break at a time like this, because the allowance remains the same anyway.”
A few of our security guards babbled.
It wasn’t that I was late for a day or two, it was because I hadn’t been able to train for almost a week.
There was CQB theory training in the middle, but that was over in 2 hours.
In the end, all I did for a week was a steady commute.
While the G&G Corp agents were on vacation, eventually Kenneth Young, a clerk at the consular office, called all the agents together and warned them again.
However, the content has become more than the first day.
A few things were added to the message not to go outside the control line.
New curfew notices, limited contact with locals, and adherence to guidelines for shopping and necessities.
At the very end, complaints erupted.
“Do you think we are children? What are we going to do with this?”
I also tilted my head at more conditions than I thought.
It was because he had only been here for a week, hadn’t had proper police training, and had been on Kenneth’s terms.
There was no reason to add anything like that.
Then Kenneth, who looked at the group members as if he knew this, calmly continued.
“The movement of local drug cartels has increased significantly. It was decided that it was dangerous, so please follow it.”
“That bastard’s cartel… What increased by how much? Isn’t this the Green Zone?”
“It’s like a green zone, but it’s not a green zone. This is not a US consulate, there is only a consular agency office, and there is no US military presence here. Our office is also guarded by mercenaries from Marines, including Devgrew, not Marines.”
“That sounds like sh*t. So, like the kids, we have to follow the little rules?”
“Yes, I cannot guarantee your life.”
“… … .”
The person who was about to shout immediately stopped.
It was because the word came out.
life.
This was a letter that could be used as a last resort beyond money or freedom.
Even the temperamental mercenaries had no choice but to hesitate.
“I’m crazy. It’s been a week now… Should it be like that for the rest of the year?”
“As it is still in flux, if the measures are judged to be excessive, we will immediately lift them.”
“sh*t… Is that all? Are there any more?”
“There are no more.”
As soon as Kenneth answered, the mercenaries quickly dispersed, giving off a hint of displeasure.
into or out of each room.
It was when I was about to return to my hotel room, which was assigned to a three-person room.
“lee.”
Kenneth, who had caught up behind me, called me and quietly added.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Yes, it is.”
I replied as if I had been waiting.
It was not an analogy.
I thought Kenneth was a CIA agent, and I expected this situation to come, so I answered easily.
I was rather puzzled because I hadn’t moved for the past week.
‘It’s better to sell first… It would be more comfortable to organize it roughly.’
While drawing your own conclusions.
Kenneth headed for the private room, and then showed me a seat by the balcony window with the curtains drawn.
Then he asked, taking out water from the refrigerator.
“I know you don’t like alcohol, but may I get you some water?”
“No, thanks.”
“Then, I’ll have to get to the point first, it’ll be more comfortable that way.”
Around the time I saw the face of the CIA again at the words that seemed to know me well.
Kenneth, who had poured a glass of water, took a seat across from me and spoke calmly.
“first… As I said, the situation in Santa Cruz has changed a little since I just assembled the security guards. In particular, the activity of the Santa Cruz Cartel has increased rapidly.”
Around the time when I wanted to do something about information delivery, not scouting.
Kenneth continued.
“In particular, the amount of information through Humint has increased remarkably, and the frequency has also increased. There are certain types of accidents that occur in this case, but the most likely one is… It is terrorism.”
“Terrorism?”
I asked reflexively.
I guessed it in my heart, but I didn’t expect it to come out of Kenneth’s mouth.
A very grave voice followed immediately.
“That’s right. For now, G&G Corp employees are more likely to be targeted.”
The following gaze felt as if I was looking for a source of responsibility, so I hesitated without realizing it.
“… Is it because of me?”
“I haven’t gotten to that point yet, but I’m sending agents to figure out the connection… … .”
Kenneth stopped talking for a moment before laughing bitterly.
“Since I started talking about the main topic, I couldn’t properly introduce myself. Mr. Lee, I am a CIA agent. Since the content is confidential, I apologize for not disclosing it in the first place.”
“No, thanks.”
“Did you know?”
He shook his head at the words that seemed to notice that the answer was nonchalant.
“I expected it. Like the feeling, the timing… … .”
“Hmm, your eyes are better than I thought. Then, if you want to continue the main topic… … .”
Kenneth continued talking as if bringing the horse’s head back.
“Currently, stories are spreading about the deaths and disappearances of illegal mercenaries working secretly on the black market in Brazil and South America. And you are among them, Lee. To be precise, you killed him… Fortunately, that information has not yet been shared. If the fact that you were involved spreads… Perhaps an organization associated with mercenaries, such as the Santa Cruz Cartel, will target you. However, since that part has not been confirmed, it is still under investigation.”
“… Did that spread?”
paused and asked.
It was because I hadn’t thought of it at all.
The story changed right away, because I didn’t expect it to affect me in this way.
Internally, I thought there must be something between me, Giandro and Pikal.
Not the black market in South America.
However, as I listened to what followed, that was not the case.
“Although there is some inflated or distorted content, it is usually shared about the deaths, disappearances, and surrenders of illegal mercenaries. The aftermath is spreading all over South America.”
“ah… But this… How are you positive?”
At my words, Kenneth hesitated this time.
“yes? Being positive is… … ?”
“Won’t it be difficult to hire mercenaries if rumors spread? Or maybe it costs more… … .”
“Ah, that’s right. It has that effect.”
Then Kenneth let out a laugh.
“hahahahaha, normal people tend to weigh their own risks first… You are amazing. It exceeds expectations.”
“What’s so… … .”
After roughly blocking the praise, Kenneth’s voice continued as if it was good.
“Then it’s okay if I tell you something a little more dangerous.”
“… More dangerous than drug cartels?”
The moment I listened to see if there would be a story related to Giandro or Pikal.
This time, something completely different came out.
That’s what he said as he pulled out some photos from his bosom.
“For us, yes. First, from the right… This is an inspector from Bolivia, this is a Brazilian National Intelligence Service agent and this is… Do you remember seeing it?”
Kenneth pointed to the two men with Native and Latino features, then pointed to the last picture and looked at me.
There was a face that was hard to pass by in the picture.
Arab girl of mixed race.
It’s a face that any man would look at at least once, but I couldn’t help but notice it because I had even run into it before.
“Yes, I did.”
Then Kenneth nodded and said.
“It was a Mossad (Israeli intelligence agency) agent who tried to contact you twice in the past week. We blocked them all, and it seems that they have now returned home due to that effect.”
“… Are you like a beauty world?”
“I will. You’ve become an American, but isn’t your partner’s place empty? It’s a place worth trying out. If the relationship is good, they can use you.”
“ah… … .”
“It’s very likely that Israelis who were acquainted with Mr. Lee procured the information.”
At those words, the Israelis I knew passed by.
Ashaf Barinan, a former commander of Mossad’s Jonathan and Sayeret Matkal, who was promoted to colonel in Africa, and others.
At the end, I nodded my head.
“… Maybe.”
I couldn’t innocently say that Ashap, who seemed like a nice person, had nothing to do with it.
Ashap and I knew too much for that.
Soon after, Kenneth continued talking.
“Today we gathered all the security guards together to talk, but the most important of them all is you, Lee. In the worst-case scenario, an assassination operation that is difficult to prevent may be launched.”
“… hmm.”
It was something I had experienced in the Taril Islands, so it came out with a bad reaction.
Fortunately, there were only scratches on his face.
If I made a mistake, I would have died before I even got to see the nuclear missile.
Soon after, Kenneth’s words fell a little heavy.
“Similar situations will continue in the future. It’s exposed, and even its identity is clear. If they have your picture and name, chances are you’ll find them again. Even if you change your affiliation while going through paperwork during your vacation… It’s terribly lacking. Eventually, you will be discovered. There will be more danger than now.”
Before I could reply, he took a deep breath and spoke quietly.
“It can’t be done this way. World peace and the security of the United States cannot be defended unmanned.”
“That word… … .”
As soon as I thought about it, the main idea came out.
“Come to the CIA. As long as you come, I will solve any problem. Whether it’s money or a contract… Please just confirm that you will come. We’ll take care of it all.”
Unlike the attitude of the CIA, which only gave out business cards, it was a natural and very strong conclusion from the bottom up.
However, I couldn’t accept it like the Ministry of Defense suggested.
It was because he didn’t like intelligence agencies originally, but even if he didn’t, there was a high possibility that he wouldn’t be able to do what he was doing, and even if he did, there was a high probability that Pikal would talk to him because of the vast nature of the organization.
In other words, the answer I would give was predetermined.
“It’s a bit difficult right now, I’ll put it off until later.”
“If later… … .”
“I just finish what I do. Oh, not soon. I don’t know when it will end. I can’t say anything.”
I explained it in advance as if I had bluffed it up, but Kenneth’s face brightened as he looked at me.
At the same time, an answer similar to the one the Ministry of Defense gave me came back.
“Then, I will spare no support until then.”