[Chapter 548: Tainted Security]
Chatting with George W. Bush was quite enjoyable. That guy was a bit rough around the edges, definitely looked like a privileged kid from a wealthy family. William White didn't mind since he knew George had a bit of a juvenile streak, so he just went along with it.
William White wasn't concerned about the inco from military contracting. He couldn't keep that money all to himself anyway; he only got a small portion.
The CIA folks didn't expect him to be so easygoing, but knowing his background, they understood.
He truly didn't care about the money. What he needed was a security force of his own. Wealthy people had a very poor sense of security, sothing those CIA agents couldn't grasp.
When visiting the training camp, George W Bush's entourage was shocked. This was far stricter than a military training camp, and the weapons were very advanced.
"How's it going, George? This place is pretty nice, huh?"
"Man, are you preparing for war?"
"Please, war doesn't require that many people nowadays, just shoot missiles over. Those are just the cheap alternatives."
"You still need an army."
"Honestly, not much. Besides, what I have here aren't rcenaries; they're all security personnel."
"Security who operate Apache helicopters?" George looked bewildered.
"These guys carry out special missions. Who in their right mind would want to fight ground wars?"
"That's true; that would be way too expensive."
"Don't worry, my rcenaries are well-trained, and regular SEALs can't compete with them."
"How about a shooting competition?" George asked with interest.
"Ha! You're better off trying to see who has more money. Just don't start crying, okay?"
"Whatever!" George shot him the finger.
"Max. 150-ter rifle target, 35-ter handgun target."
"Yes, sir."
A bunch of soldiers laughed as they watched their boss play with guns. The security guards who were familiar with William White couldn't help but laugh. There were many people among them who were not as good as the boss, and the rest might as well just go ho!
Of course, George's entourage had an expert. Seeing how effortlessly William White assembled firearms, they knew their prince was outmatched.
Needless to say, the results of the competition weren't hard to guess. William White was leagues ahead, with George completely overwheld.
Frustrated, George opted for a shotgun, but still got schooled. He realized that William was on a professional level; regular soldiers simply didn't compare.
Even though he lost, George wasn't too disheartened; the gap in skill was just too vast to deny. It was a total bumr, really.
"William, if you have extra personnel, consider Kuwait's order. These guys are itching for revenge but lack the capability."
"I can't go up against them. Are you kidding? Saddam has a million troops! I'm not crazy."
"They have the money. What are you worried about? This is beyond embarrassing for them; they just want to keep up the appearances."
"Money? Give a break! I heard that Saddam sleeps on gold bricks. I just can't figure out why they couldn't ship those out in ti."
"They really have the cash; their overseas assets are over a hundred billion dollars. Most of it is based in Europe and the U.S. Think about it."
"Whoa, that much cash? So, wouldn't that an they've been robbed even more?"
"No one can pin down the exact number, but it definitely surpasses that."
"Alright, I'll think it over. They just want rcenaries, right?"
"More the rrier."
William White started to understand that these guys genuinely lacked fighting capability but were desperate to salvage so pride.
To be honest, it reminded him of the quote: "A hundred thousand armored n stand still, and not one of them is a true man." Well, if you want to debate, fine, say it's not that many -- but the fact remains, there was no real resistance.
He held utter disdain for those who wouldn't resist. Dignity earned on the battlefield couldn't be bought with money.
William White only wanted to run a security company, not beco a rcenary. On the surface, they might seem similar, but the difference was huge.
"George, I can offer help, but I'm not stepping into the spotlight. That'd be just too awkward."
"What do you suggest?"
"Best case would be a retired general to lead. If that doesn't work, a colonel would have to do. You set up the frawork, and our security can be one of the partners."
"That's like pouring money down the drain!"
"Completely different, alright? Do you realize how many people Kuwait would need to stabilize its situation? Let put it this way: without three to five thousand personnel, it won't be worth anything."
"You can't be serious; do you really need that many?"
"Need more? What are you talking about? If you're just going to send a few aircraft carriers to bomb the place, you wouldn't even need anyone. But if you want to reclaim lost territory, you'd better bring fifty to sixty thousand people. Only a fool would join you out of insanity."
William White saw that George didn't have a clear understanding of the current situation.
If you want to prevent Saddam from going crazy, just send 100,000 people over there. How could it be so easy to drive that madman back?
"Alright, I am going back to Washington. I'll ask for their opinions. Your idea is solid; I'm sure there are quite a few looking to follow suit."
"Ha! Only then would Washington feel at ease. If you're talking a few thousand, no one cares. But if it's fifty or sixty thousand, they'd go nuts."
George realized things were spiraling beyond his control. He intended to bargain for a chicken but ended up with an elephant handed to him by William White.
At that mont, George's frustration was palpable. In this war, the one who suffered the most was undoubtedly his father. Didn't William say that under fifty thousand troops, he'd just quit? He wouldn't even have an interest in showing up.
You've got to be kidding. If it turned into a war of attrition, his dad's re-election would be toast.
...
"Ha! This kid's not bad. I can't believe our think tank didn't have his insight."
"Dad, was his suggestion feasible?"
"Let's talk when you get back. I can't step in. But soone's bound to appreciate it. This is basically pouring money into soone's pocket; who would refuse such an offer?"
"I get it. Once I wrap things up here, I'll be back ASAP."
William White despised the state of the world at that mont. He couldn't stand it one bit. What was everybody fighting for? They were bored out of their minds.
The tis had changed. Nobody liked war; nobody liked chaos. However, there always seed to be those who enjoyed disrupting the existing order.
And then there were the damn CIA agents, exploiting people's greed and stupidity, constantly stirring up chaos across the globe.
These foolish idiots had no chance of getting William White's full support. Bottom line: they could hire him, but only after agreeing on terms. Those chaotic matters? They were on their own. He wasn't their subordinate.
However, the outco suited the CIA just fine. Their people had ssed up big ti, and if they didn't quickly yield, Bush Sr. wouldn't spare that idiot a second glance.
*****
spatreon/Sayonara816.
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