This situation felt eerily similar to the CIA training and funding the Taliban and Osama bin Laden during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, only for those same "allies" to later orchestrate the 9/11 attacks. Castle couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Do intelligence agencies have some bizarre fetish for creating their own worst enemies? Are they all just gluttons for punishment? Why the hell would you train and fund someone who'll undoubtedly turn into a nightmare for you in the future?"
Looking through the intelligence Jarvis had collected, Castle didn't underestimate the significance of what he was seeing. The Japanese intelligence agency and the Roxette organization were backing Amir Barkawi—a ruthless and cunning adversary. While their current plan to storm the White House and kill the U.S. President, Benjamin Arthur, would ultimately fail thanks to Michael Banning's explosive heroics, the damage wouldn't be small. Barkawi's assault would still claim the lives of most of the President's cabinet and humiliate the U.S. on the global stage. The mere idea of the White House—the symbol of American power—being occupied by a foreign-backed terrorist, with someone in its underground bunker nearly launching nuclear missiles, was a level of chaos that Castle knew the world would never forget.
What's worse, Barkawi wasn't a one-hit wonder. After failing this first attack, he would learn from his mistakes, bide his time, and strike again. Years later, in London Has Fallen, he would orchestrate an unprecedented attack that eliminated multiple world leaders, including Japan's Prime Minister—ironically, the same country currently funding him. The man wasn't just a villain; he was a force of nature.
Only Castle, with his foresight as a transmigrator, knew the magnitude of what Barkawi would eventually become. The irony was thick: Japan and Roxette, now aiding Barkawi in his schemes, would one day find themselves on the receiving end of his wrath. Castle was burning with curiosity. "What the hell happens to make them turn on each other so badly that Barkawi decides to blow up bridges and assassinate the Japanese Prime Minister? Was it just bad blood from this partnership, or something more?"
Unfortunately, as much as Castle wanted to know the details of their eventual fallout, it was too early to uncover the reasons. Japan and Roxette were still in their honeymoon phase with Barkawi, and Castle would just have to wait to see how things unraveled.
Frustrated that his curiosity couldn't yet be satisfied, Castle reluctantly shifted his focus to more pressing matters: preparing for the inevitable retaliation from both the Japanese intelligence agency and Roxette. Both groups had already made it clear that they considered Castle a primary target.
Despite this, Castle wasn't overly concerned. With John Wick—the former "Baba Yaga," world's most feared assassin—living next door, Castle felt confident in his ability to defend against assassination attempts. Add to that his estate's near-impenetrable defenses, fortified under Jarvis's control, and any attacker would be walking into a death trap. As long as Jarvis kept monitoring their plans, Castle was confident he'd always be several steps ahead.
After all, what could they throw at him? A few hitmen or mercenaries? Castle smirked. "Bring it on. Let's see how long they last against a fortress guarded by automated heavy machine guns, missile turrets, and the 'Night Demon' himself."
What worried Castle wasn't the immediate threat but the bigger picture. He had come to realize, especially after Gianna's sharp reprimand, that his days of lazily coasting through life were over. His actions had made him a central player in the complex games of politics, intelligence, and power. The assets and innovations he possessed—technologies capable of reshaping industries and bolstering fortunes—were treasures the world's most powerful players would either covet or fear.
Castle understood that if he wanted to safeguard his gains and ensure his survival, he couldn't afford to be passive. He had to expand his influence and secure powerful allies.
The recent kidnapping of Alexis had served as a harsh wake-up call. The incident had shattered Castle's illusion that corporations like Northrop, who had benefited enormously from his technological contributions, would stand firmly by his side. When Northrop executives turned into intermediaries for Japan, pleading with Castle to go easy on them to protect their lucrative arms deal, it became painfully clear that profit, not loyalty, dictated their every move.
At first, Castle had been furious. But his frustration quickly turned into clarity. This was how the world worked, particularly in the West. Money ruled all. Principles and friendships were meaningless in the face of profit.
With this newfound understanding, Castle adjusted his mindset. "If this game is all about money and power, then I'll just have to play it better than they do. I've got the knowledge of a five-thousand-year civilization behind me. These Western capitalists have no idea what 'ruthless' truly means."
Castle's transformation was complete. The naïve, complacent man he had once been was gone. In his place stood someone ready to navigate the murky waters of global politics and corporate greed. A firm believer in the principles of Thick Black Theory—a philosophy of shameless cunning and ruthless pragmatism—Castle resolved to outmaneuver anyone who tried to exploit or oppose him.
To that end, Castle began laying the groundwork for a vast and robust network of allies. The key to survival, as someone once said, was to make as many friends as possible while burying your enemies.
The Christmas kidnapping incident had made one thing abundantly clear: relying on a single ally or corporation was a mistake. If Northrop could prioritize profits over loyalty, then Castle needed to diversify his connections. He would forge alliances across industries, political factions, and countries, ensuring that no single entity could ever undermine him again.
Castle's estate in Long Island quickly became the hub of this new strategy. Having made a strong impression at Benjamin Arthur's inauguration banquet, Castle had attracted the attention of numerous influential figures, including heads of major financial families and CEOs of defense companies. Now, these power players were lining up to visit Castle's estate, eager to build a relationship with the man whose innovations had turned Northrop into a rising star.
"Northrop may have benefited first," Castle thought, "but they won't be the only ones. If these other companies want a piece of the pie, let them come. The more connections I have, the stronger my position becomes."
Castle's estate became a revolving door for high-profile visitors. The CEOs of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Hughes Space Systems were among the first to arrive, eager to negotiate access to Castle's cutting-edge technologies. The leaders of financial powerhouses from California and Boston also sought him out, seeing in Castle a valuable ally in their own corporate and political maneuvers.
The flurry of activity left Castle more determined than ever to stay ahead of his enemies. While Japan and Roxette schemed with Barkawi to undermine the U.S. government, Castle was methodically building a network that would ensure his survival and cement his influence for years to come.
"Let them conspire all they want," Castle mused. "By the time they're ready to strike, I'll have the whole board locked down."
(End of Chapter)
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