"Less than a month and a half, and he actually pulled it off?"
In the CIA headquarters in Langley City, Pence looked at the report as if reading a book of miracles, muttering incredulously.
After finishing, he threw down the report, and looked towards Kelly, who was sitting across the desk, his gaze suddenly sharpened with a hint of murderous intent.
"That's right, the Leva Group also sent people to negotiate with Song two days ago, indicating their willingness to submit," Kelly said. "I also didn't expect him to move so quickly, I thought it would take at least half a year..."
"First provoke internal strife, then stand aside to watch the drug traffickers tear each other apart, and finally enter the scene to reap the rewards, eliminating three candidates and the toughest organization leader overnight... Kelly, such a person, we must thoroughly control him."
As the Deputy Director overseeing operations, Pence felt not elation, but threat.
"Now he is the uncrowned king of the South American drug trafficking circles, even the Colombians listen to him. If this continues, we will be constrained by him."
Kelly said, "But he doesn't take much, just 10%, which is very reasonable."
Pence said, "We must look at the long term, we cannot leave any hidden dangers in our actions."
He paused and then asked, "How are things on Barrett's end?"
Kelly replied, "He has been collecting intelligence on Song Heping's financial transactions. All the profits from South America are flowing to a dozen offshore companies. We have the list, and if we have to move against him in the future, we can directly shut off the 'Musician's' financial lifeline."
"Can we make him physically disappear?" Pence said. "Barrett acts as an insider, and then we send the 'Watcher' squad to execute it."
Kelly replied, "It's not impossible, but that would expose Barrett's identity. If Song dies, it's uncertain whether the five major families will accept Barrett's intervention. If Barrett can't control the situation, we'll be back to square one."
"That's indeed a problem..."
Pence leaned back in his chair and pondered for a moment before exclaiming, "Is this guy really that hard to deal with?"
Kelly said, "I think there might be a better way."
"What way?" Pence's eyes lit up.
Kelly said, "Song Heping has military contracts in Illiguo, and has been doing transportation and security there. Now the situation in Illiguo is relatively stable, so his company operates very smoothly. I'm thinking... if we send him to a dangerous place and let him die there, what do you think?"
"To a dangerous place..."
Pence quickly caught on, a sly smile appeared on his lips.
"Are you talking about Afghanistan?"
"Yes," Kelly said. "And it can't be through us. Song is so smart, if we invite him, he would definitely be cautious. If it's someone else... say, if the British invite him, he would surely accept. Once he gets there, we have too many ways to ensure he stays forever in the sands of the Hindu Kush mountain range."
Pence finally grinned, "Are you talking about the 'Strong Resolve' plan?"
"Exactly," Kelly nodded.
Pence pushed the report towards Kelly, "Okay, try one last time to bring him on board. If that fails, we do as you suggest. South America cannot have such a ruthless character out of our control."
...
On a yacht at Playa del Carmen beach, Quintana Roo State, Mexico.
On the forward deck, Song Heping, wearing sunglasses, was sunbathing.
Through the lenses, he watched Disaster Star, standing a few meters away at the railing, fishing.
Disaster Star had been swishing a fishing rod around for almost an hour now.
But his style of fishing was just like his fighting style, rough and impatient.
He had just cut the line and was now cursively swearing in Chechen.
The others were drinking in the cabin, with music blaring out of the cabin door, deafening.
"Disaster Star, slow down your reeling, swing gently from side to side, make your lure mimic the movement of a fish, it has to look like an injured fish to work, you can't just throw it out and reel in fast, the fish can't catch up!"
He couldn't help but remind Disaster Star.
Disaster Star turned and looked at Song Heping.
Maybe it was the scorching sun, or maybe it was the anger building up, but Disaster Star's face was flushed red.
"Alright, I'll try."
He tried.
But still, due to lack of experience, after a few pulls, it was still empty.
"No more fishing! This is deceptive, I'm going back to shore to get a refund from the fishing store owner! This rod isn't cheap, he has to compensate or I'll kill him!"
After saying this, he angrily threw the fishing rod onto the deck, pointing at the sea saying, "I see the fish! So many fish! And yet can't catch any!"
Song Heping knew that talking technique with Disaster Star was like playing a lute to a cow, so he could only smile and spread his hands, letting him be.
Suddenly, Disaster Star took off his shirt and dove into the sea with a fierce jump.
"Damn!"
Song Heping was startled.
There are sharks in this sea.
And it wasn't a safe zone by the shore.
Song He quickly got up and moved to the side of the boat, looking down towards the sea surface.
He saw Disaster Star swimming around underwater, clearly skilled in diving, which eased his anxious heart.