He attempted to shift all the responsibility onto the external factor, Song Heping.
However, Gordon coldly interrupted him: "Director Vincent, we have received an analysis from other intelligence channels."
He pushed a thin docunt in front of him, "The analysis suggests that the intelligence about the eting between Abu You and Song Heping, circulating online, has a very suspicious origin, with indications that it may have been deliberately placed and 'accidentally' discovered by the 1515. Its purpose was to trigger a purge within the KPG against Abu You. If this is true..."
He paused, staring at Vincent with eyes sharp as knives: "Then it ans... soone, or so organization, has successfully exploited our and KPG's internal procedures, cleverly advancing the developnt of the entire event, ultimately strengthening their own power. And our intelligence system not only failed to provide early warning, but even possibly... beca a tool exploited by others to so extent. What do you have to say about this?"
Vincent's back was instantly soaked in cold sweat.
The security advisor's words didn't directly accuse him, but clearly pointed to the grave failures, even incompetence, under his leadership at the CIA.
"This... this requires further investigation..."
Vincent's voice was sowhat dry.
"I'm afraid you don't have much ti for an investigation, Mr. Director."
Gordon leaned back, his tone becoming more formal.
"The Security Committee on Congress Hill has decided to hold a closed-door hearing regarding the recent rapid deterioration in Northern Illiguo and the damage it has caused to our national security interests. You need to attend and face questioning. The committee will decide, based on the hearings, whether soone needs to assu leadership responsibility for this."
Those words felt like a final verdict, sinking Vincent's heart to the bottom.
A hearing?
Assuming responsibility?
He knew his career had now reached its most dangerous edge.
...
That night, the camp lights on the Persian Plateau twinkled like stars.
Song Heping, in his command post, received an encrypted satellite call.
It was from Angel.
"Honey."
Angel's voice carried a hint of excitent.
"In the circles of London and Washington, word is spreading that Vincent got a severe reprimand at the White House, and Congress plans to hold a hearing to investigate his responsibility in the Illiguo affairs. This guy's in big trouble!"
Holding the phone, Song Heping walked to the window, looking at the silent mountains outside, his face showing no surprise: "This is his own doing. From the mont he decided to nail on the KB mber list, he should have expected today would co."
"This is good news for you."
Angel said, "If he steps down, the newly appointed director might adopt a different strategy, and your situation might improve, at least with much less pressure."
Song Heping paused for a mont, his brain working quickly, then said: "Angel, we can't passively wait for the hearing's outco. We need to proactively give Vincent a 'push,' to make the fire burn even hotter, ensuring he can't escape."
"Oh? What do you have in mind?"
Angel asked with interest.
"Starting tomorrow, use your Horizon news group to fully report on the Kurd Ard division event."
Song Heping's tone was steady yet carried an undisputable force.
"Focus on these points: First, CIA's intelligence network in Northern Illigo is almost paralyzed, unable to provide effective support for military operations. Second, it's precisely because of CIA's erroneous policies and intelligence failures that its important allies suffered internal division and weakened strength. Third, appropriately reveal so..."
"Details that we 'know' about CIA intelligence networks being systematically cleared by the 1515. Link Vincent's 'incompetence' and 'decision-making errors' directly to the current unfavorable battle situation."
Angel couldn't help but laugh on the other end: "Brilliant! Baby, you're a genius! This is launching a dia trial before the hearing, putting Vincent on the grill! The Congress cares most about dia pressure. I'll arrange the best hosts and comntators to ensure this play is loud and resounding!"
"Rember, make it look like a normal news investigation and comntary, maintaining your 'objective, independent' dia image." Song Heping advised.
"Don't worry, baby." Angel confidently agreed: "This is my specialty."
After the business talk, the two lingered intimately for a while before reluctantly ending the call.
The call ended, but a dia storm targeting CIA Director Vincent quietly began to unfold.
The next morning, major mainstream dia in the United States, especially the television stations, websites, and newspapers under the Horizon news group, began to overwhelming report on the Kurd Ard division event in Northern Illigo.
The pri-ti current affairs talk shows beca key battlegrounds.
...
In the studio, a pretty and capable female host wore a concerned expression as she spoke to the cara.
"Welco back to 'Deep Focus.' Recently, the key force against the 1515 Ard in Northern Illigo, the Kurd Ard, experienced severe internal strife, with the elite Abu You Departnt announcing its departure from the KPG Committee, reportedly aligning with other forces. This event has undoubtedly cast a thick shadow over our anti-terror operations in the region. Today, we have invited forr Ministry of Defense official and senior strategic analyst Mark Thompson, and Middle East Security Observation's chief editor, Sarah Jones. Welco to both of you."
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