Working as a police officer in Mexico.

Chapter 696 This game is never short of players!

After his brief appearance at Mexico's Independence Day celebrations, George W. Bush did not linger. After a final, brief, and secret closed-door meeting with Victor, his convoy quietly returned to the military airfield, and the unmarked VC-25A quickly took off and disappeared into the skies over Mexico City.

However, the shock he left behind spread rapidly around the world like a boulder thrown into water.

This kind of person is extremely important.

It was so important that it was as if Gandhi had his niece crawl out of his bed and said, "I failed to abstain from sex."

The press conference following the celebration was personally hosted by Casare. Despite the overwhelming number of excited journalists from various countries crowding the venue, Casare maintained a cheerful demeanor.

"Mr. Casare! Does President Bush's visit signify a major turning point in US-Mexico relations?"

"Did the two sides reach a secret agreement on the Texas issue?"

Does this signal that the United States is tacitly acquiescing to Mexican control over Texas?

The questions came like a barrage of bullets.

Casare listened patiently, pressing his chubby hand down to signal everyone to be quiet.

"Everyone, everyone."

His voice, transmitted through the microphone, resonated throughout the venue: "The fact that President Bush, as our distinguished guest, was invited to participate in our glorious Independence Day celebrations demonstrates the open communication channels and mutual respect between our two countries."

He paused, then continued, avoiding the main point: "Direct dialogue between leaders always helps to enhance understanding and reduce miscalculations, which is crucial for regional peace and stability."

Clearly, the journalists were not satisfied with this official rhetoric.

A Reuters reporter pressed on, "Mr. Casare, please answer directly, what exactly does President Bush's visit represent?"

Casare's smile faded slightly. He leaned forward a little and spoke into the microphone in an extremely meaningful, almost deliberate, tone:

"This means...it's dawn."

After saying those three words, he gave no more chances for questions, nodded to the audience, and then turned and left under the protection of security personnel, leaving behind a crowd of stunned reporters who were then in complete uproar.

Its daybreak?
Do you think you're playing football?

But those three words instantly spread around the world and made headlines in all news organizations.

Is it dawn in Mexico?

Does this suggest the rise of Mexico and the relative decline of American hegemony?

Is this a ray of hope for US-Mexico relations? Does it foreshadow an unexpected, historic reconciliation?
Or is this the dawn of a new era for the Texas problem? Does it signify the tacit acceptance of a fait accompli and a new, unknown arrangement?

This uncertainty, especially Casare's knowing look, has plunged the outside world, particularly Europe, into a state of speculation and unease.

In major European capitals, intelligence agencies are in complete chaos.

London, MI6 headquarters: The duty officer is woken up from his home in the middle of the night and is overwhelmed by an urgent inquiry call from Downing Street.

"What exactly did they agree to?!"

"What does 'dawn' mean?! Why didn't we receive any prior warning?!" Analysts were urgently summoned, rummaging through all the latest intelligence on the US-Mexico leaders, trying to find clues about the meeting and the coded meaning of "dawn."

The meeting room was filled with smoke.

Paris, Directorate General for External Security (DGSE): The French pride themselves on their strategic autonomy, but at this moment they also feel a strong sense of unease.

"Are the Americans going to divide up the North American sphere of influence with the Mexicans and exclude us?"

Senior officials held an emergency meeting to discuss the impact of this unexpected "honeymoon" on France's interests in Latin America and even the global balance of power.

Berlin, Federal Intelligence Service (BND): Even the meticulous Germans were caught off guard, and intelligence assessment reports were quickly revised. "All previous predictions about an impending conflict between the US and Mexico need to be overturned!"

Analysts were extremely puzzled: "What kind of bargaining chip could make George W. Bush appear so humiliated at the celebration in Mexico? And what did Victor give up?"

The phrase "It's dawn" was translated into German and studied repeatedly in an attempt to understand its subtext.

The German Foreign Ministry is eager to find out whether this means North America will form a close, exclusive economic or security alliance.

Almost all European analyses have reached a chilling conclusion: the United States and Mexico have very likely reached a major deal that far exceeds outside expectations.

Perhaps it's too complicated. To put it simply, hey hey hey! We haven't even gotten on the train (to divide up the Americas), and you're already negotiating again. What about all our previous efforts?
Is that a joke?

The dawn in Mexico City, for George W. Bush, flying back to Washington, meant facing a political storm.

Images of his secret visit to Mexico and his appearance alongside Victor at Independence Day celebrations, broadcast wildly by global media, have triggered an unprecedented political earthquake in the United States.

Members of Congress from both parties, media figures, think tank experts, and tens of thousands of ordinary citizens were stunned by this shocking scene.

The far-right and conservative camps reacted most strongly.

"Betrayal! Utter betrayal!"

During primetime on Fox News, a veteran commentator, his face flushed, roared, "George Walker Bush not only lost Texas, but he also smiled at the enemy who annexed our territory at the Mexican Carnival. This is the most shameful page in the history of American presidents!"

“He should be impeached! Immediately! Right now!” another radio host shouted shrilly.

Some far-right groups and angry "rednecks" began to act. They held up signs—

"Give me Texas or give me death!" "Bush is a traitor!" "Victor is a clown, Bush is an accomplice!" The crowd gathered in Lafayette Square and the streets outside the White House, growing larger and more agitated.

They chanted slogans, burned Mexican flags, and even clashed with National Guard and Secret Service personnel maintaining order.

The atmosphere inside the Oval Office of the White House was so tense it was almost palpable.

George W. Bush stood by the window, looking at the dense crowd of protesters outside and listening to the faint sounds of curses.

His face looked even more haggard than before he went to Mexico, and his eyes were sunken.

His chief of staff and several key advisors stood behind him, reporting on the grim situation.

"Mr. President, the Senate Majority Leader just called, and his words were very harsh. He believes that your actions were unauthorized by Congress and have seriously damaged the national interest and the party's reputation."

“A motion for impeachment has been formally submitted to the House of Representatives. Although the number of votes in favor may not be enough at present, the momentum is very bad.”

“The media editorials are almost unanimously against this, and even some of the newspapers that have traditionally supported us believe that your move is inappropriate and lacks the necessary explanation.”

“We are worried that the protesters outside will get out of control. Some extremists may be mixed in with them.”

George W. Bush slowly turned around, his voice hoarse yet unusually firm, carrying an eerie calmness born from his time being "forged" by Viktor in Mexico:

"Explain? Explain to whom? To those politicians who just sit in their offices and talk big? Or to those idiots who think they can take back Texas with a few shotguns?"

He walked to his desk, placed his hands on the surface, and glanced at his advisors: "Did you think I went to Mexico for a vacation? Did you think that madman Victor could be reasoned with? We lost Texas! That's a fact! Reality isn't a Hollywood movie. We don't have an invincible fleet and legions to take it back immediately, and we'd be risking turning the entire West Coast into a battlefield!"

He took a deep breath, lowered his voice, but it was even more authoritative: "What I'm doing now is saving the other states, avoiding a full-scale war that we simply cannot afford right now, and buying America time to breathe and regroup! This dignity is something I've scraped together from Victor's teeth, do you understand?"

I almost sold my ass.

The chief of staff hesitated for a moment: "But, Mr. President, what about public opinion at home..."

"public opinion?"

George W. Bush abruptly interrupted him, a Victor-like glint in his eyes. "Public opinion is guided by strength and victory, not by begging! They want to be tough? Fine! I'll show them what toughness really means!"

He straightened up, his tone resolute, and issued a series of orders: "First, notify the Ministry of Justice to invoke the Insurrection Act to immediately arrest several of the most vocal far-right leaders and agitators on charges of endangering national security and inciting riots. Collect as much incriminating material as possible about them."

"Second, authorize the National Guard and the Secret Service to clear illegal gatherings outside the White House and within Washington, D.C. If necessary, non-lethal force may be used to disperse them. If anyone violently resists, escalate the response and tell the commander on the scene, 'I want order, restore order immediately!'"

"Third, call the governors of the independent states and talk to them privately. Tell them that the federal government understands their concerns and is willing to engage in unprecedented negotiations on decentralization, economic aid, border control, and even discuss a permanent new framework for federal relations, provided that they immediately and publicly announce the cancellation of their independence and return to the federal system. This is the last chance. If they refuse... they will bear the consequences."

"Fourth, prepare a national televised address. I will personally explain to the American people what has happened and what we are going to do—not an apology, but an announcement, a setting the tone!"

"fifth."

He looked at the Secretary of Defense and said, “We need to thoroughly review the structure, equipment, and strategic thinking of the military. Past thinking cannot win today’s wars. We need a more flexible, more lethal, and more capable force to deal with asymmetric threats. Money is not an issue. I will ask Congress to pass a special appropriations bill. Anyone who dares to obstruct it is a traitor!”

This series of orders, delivered with such efficiency and arrogance, terrified the advisors present.

The George W. Bush before us seems to have undergone a complete transformation. He is no longer the "spoiled brat" who occasionally appears indecisive, but rather a leader who has been forced to emerge with a strong core under tremendous setbacks and humiliations.

They looked at each other.

Did Viktor educate him?

The order was carried out swiftly.

That evening, fully armed National Guard and federal police began a forceful clearing operation.

The smell of tear gas filled the night air in Washington, D.C., as protesters who refused to leave were forcibly dragged away and arrested, and several people were injured in the clashes.

Several prominent leaders of far-right organizations were taken away by the FBI from their homes or offices on solid charges.

Hours later, George W. Bush delivered a national televised address.

He did not apologize, nor did he repent.

With a grim expression, he described the "unprecedented challenges" facing the nation, emphasizing the need for "realistic choices" and "avoiding greater catastrophe."

He acknowledged the factual loss of Texas, but defined it as a “temporary predicament” and a “call to action to inspire us.”

"We should make America great again!"

...

Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City.

This is where Victor often stays.

Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the room and creating a striking contrast with the tranquility of the garden outside.

Viktor sat leisurely on the small balcony, holding an English newspaper in his hand.

The front page headline was a summary of George W. Bush's national address, accompanied by a commentary that heavily emphasized the determination to "make America great again."

“Listen to this, man, ‘Make America Great Again.’”

"I was so moved I almost cried. I wish I could work 25 hours a day right now."

Casare sat opposite him, his obese body almost sunk in. He chuckled, his small eyes narrowing into slits: "That sounds very inspiring."

"Too many cardiac stimulants will only accelerate heart failure."

Viktor stood up, cracked his neck, and said, "Reform? Revival? Easier said than done. All of this requires money, massive amounts of money. Road construction, military buildup, agricultural subsidies, technological upgrades, appeasing the lower classes—aren't all of these money-devouring beasts?"

He turned around and said, “And where is America’s money? In the pockets of those greedy bankers on Wall Street, in the Pentagon’s bottomless military spending, in the maintenance costs of military bases all over the world, and even more so in the hands of those deeply entrenched and powerful vested interest groups. Does Bush want to snatch meat from their mouths to feed his great dream? Hah.”

"I have a feeling he won't live much longer!"

Casare nodded upon hearing this.

At this moment, there was a gentle knock on the office door.

“Come in,” Victor replied.

The door opened, and Rohus Misch, the Deputy Director of the Secret Service and Victor's chief bodyguard, walked in.

“Sir, Mr. Casare.” Misch bowed slightly. “An urgent intelligence briefing from Hydra, top priority.” He handed the briefing to Victor.

Victor took it and quickly scanned it. At first, his expression was relatively calm, but soon his brows furrowed and his eyes became serious.

After reading it, he was silent for a few seconds, then said to Casare, "Take a look at this too."

Casare took the intelligence report with some doubt. As he read on, his signature smile completely disappeared, replaced by surprise and a hint of bewilderment.

The intelligence details Ethan Hunt's discovery in Toronto, the new synthetic drug "Alien," the mysterious Asian chemical genius "Second Brother," and the key figure, Chinese businessman Ye Zhenli.

The report points out that, taking advantage of the weakened influence of traditional Mexican drug cartels, the organization is seizing the drug market in North America and even Europe at an unprecedented speed and scale, thanks to more advanced technology, more covert channels, and more ruthless methods. Its share is estimated to have exceeded 85% in emerging distribution channels.

They have also established initial partnerships with the European Mafia and several other important organizations. More disturbingly, their reach has begun to extend to other parts of Latin America, encroaching on the territories that originally belonged to local drug lords.

“This…” Casare looked up at Victor, his tone filled with disbelief, “An Asian drug cartel? Such a strong presence? They’ve taken over 85% of the new drug market? This ‘Second Brother,’ Ye Zhenli… their operations are very discreet, almost completely avoiding our surveillance network.”

Viktor frowned. He walked to the world map, his finger sweeping across Asia before finally landing on North America.

"Guzman likes to use submarines and heavy weapons to pave the way, while Pablo Escobar dared to fly planes to the United States to smuggle drugs and even confront the government with arms. They are flamboyant and violent, and they want the whole world to know their names."

Victor said slowly, "But these Asian groups, like shadows, have taken over the underworld with their more advanced chemical technology and more sophisticated business operations. They don't pursue fame, only profit and control, and that's what's more dangerous."

He turned to look at Casare and Misch: “We just broke an old leg of the North American drug supply chain, but now, a new, more cunning, more efficient, and more elusive leg has quietly sprung up and is even stronger.”

A brief silence fell over the office. The hustle and bustle of Mexico City outside seemed to come from another world.

Viktor's gaze refocused, becoming decisive and sharp.

"Casare".

"Boss."

"Immediately mobilize all intelligence resources, both domestic and Hydra's, and thoroughly investigate who this 'Second Brother' really is. Dig out every inch of Ye Zhenli's network of relationships, fund flows, and transportation channels! I need to know how they operate and where their labs are!"

“Understood!” Casare replied immediately, his expression serious.

“Mishi”.

"Yes, sir."

"Strengthen monitoring of our existing territory, especially ports and the flow of chemical products, notify the intelligence agencies of friendly Latin American countries, share relevant information, and remind them to pay attention to this new force if any extraterrestrial objects or similar new drugs are found to be entering the country."

"Yes, sir!" The other person stood at attention and accepted the order.

Viktor walked back to the map and gazed at the vast Pacific Ocean.

“We just got rid of a noisy cougar,” he muttered to himself, as if to himself or to announce, “and now it looks like a silent Asian cobra is coming.”

A hint of weariness appeared in his eyes.

"The highly profitable game of drugs will never lack players."

(End of this chapter)