The Wolf of Los Angeles-Chapter 390: Archenemies

[Chapter 390: Archenemies]

The Manhattan AI Project officially took its first step toward success by entering Congress through an executive proposal.

That evening at 8 PM, Hawke and Hearst arrived at Peterson Strategic Consulting.

The company's owner, Peterson, and the top strategist and partner, Elizabeth Carter, greeted them at the building entrance. Peterson, in his sixties, had spent his life making connections in Washington, but his speaking skills were rather average. On the other hand, Elizabeth was great at persuasion, which led her to become Peterson's partner.

Last year during the election, this company had provided strategic planning services to George Walker. Hawke needed someone who was extremely familiar with Washington's dynamics to lobby Congress for the Manhattan AI Project.

They quickly got down to business.

"The BlackRock Russia spy case and Twitter's Manhattan AI Project are now the hottest news in America, circulating throughout the District; this benefits the advancement of the proposal," Elizabeth, dressed in black, contrasted sharply with her pale complexion.

She asked directly, "I want to know, what stage is the plan at?"

Hawke answered honestly, "The White House will push the plan into Congress as an official proposal through a presidential directive."

Elizabeth seemed somewhat surprised, "That's much faster than I expected."

Hawke reminded her, "Because Russia is constantly threatening Europe, which involves the core interests of America."

Elizabeth understood immediately, "Thanks to those barbarians for their support. I will gather information from Russian media to keep reminding the Washington elites that their interests in Europe are always at risk."

The rhetoric of the Russian threat was not just well-received in Washington; it was practically politically correct.

At that moment, Peterson gave Elizabeth a look, urging her to be more proactive in securing this business.

Elizabeth picked up the pace, "It's inevitable that the proposal enters Congress; I have a suggestion to gather support from regional representatives."

Hearst chimed in, "I've already persuaded two congressmen from California's 27th and 13th districts to support the plan. The congressman from the 13th district, Bonson, has a family connection with Twitter's major shareholder, the Ferguson family, and he's also a member of the Appropriations Committee."

These convoluted relationships among the big families were the foundation for Hawke's series of plans. As for Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman, and James Murdoch, Twitter had not yet entered into a formal agreement with Peterson's company, so there was no need to mention them at the moment.

Hawke said, "Next, we need to lobby Congress to authorize the establishment of a dedicated subcommittee under the Appropriations Committee as soon as possible."

"Yes, that's a necessary procedure," Elizabeth changed her tone and stance, "We need to provide detailed project plans, budgets, and potential social benefits, such as job creation and technological innovations, etc."

Hawke gestured to Edward to present the thick documents. He said, "Twitter has already compiled detailed plans; this is a long-term project that will continuously create social benefits and support dozens of downstream vendors."

As long as the plan passed, the rhythm would be in Twitter's hands; there would be results.

Elizabeth nodded slightly and continued, "The plan will need to be reviewed by subcommittee members to ensure the project aligns with federal interests. The next phase will involve lobbying and communication. By using a professional team like Peterson's, we can lobby related representatives with voting power to promote the Appropriations Committee to hold a hearing, submit related written materials, and finally pass it!"

She added, "Federal proposals need to be submitted by February, usually with results coming before October. However, with the ongoing partisan divisions and conflicts, many proposals get bogged down in endless disputes over party relations, which can extend months or even half a year; some might even get rejected."

Hawke said directly, "If you can push Congress to pass this plan, Twitter will offer substantial rewards."

Lobbying expenses can be directly included in the Manhattan AI Project's budget.

Peterson stated, "We will do everything we can to ensure the plan is passed before February of next year."

Hawke stood up and shook hands with Peterson and Elizabeth, saying, "Here's to a successful collaboration."

They quickly inked the agreement, with Twitter submitting the full set of plans and budgets, as well as relevant explanations of the political resources provided by Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman, and James Murdoch. Peterson Strategic Consulting established a special team led by Elizabeth, responsible specifically for this plan until it succeeded.

...

Elizabeth found Hawke and highlighted the key points: "I've outlined the primary lobbyists, mainly from the Republican Party. Currently, there are tensions within the party between the establishment, moderates, and conservatives. If you can win over George Walker, Andrew Card, Brad Nathan, and others, it would gain you significant support."

She wrote a name on the board: "My first target is Vice President Cheney; he represents the conservatives and has a tough exterior. In a certain way, it was Cheney who actually pushed for the war on terror. Given the Russian spy involvement in the AI plan, the likelihood of winning his support is very high."

Hawke nodded in agreement.

Elizabeth wrote another name: "Sidney McCain is the representative of the moderates; his grandfather was a former four-star admiral and he himself is hawkish. He ran for nomination in 2000 but lost to George Walker. This year he's partnering with another strategic consulting firm to form a research group exploring his chances for the next election; he needs media support, and we have a good chance to persuade him to utilize his influence to expand support."

Upon hearing about his intent to run for the next election, Hawke had a vague recollection, thinking he might have lost to Obama.

Elizabeth continued writing on the board, saying, "Next is Tom Emmer, the number three figure in the Republican Party, the House Majority Whip, with enormous influence. He helped George Walker during last year's election. George promised him the Secretary of State position, but ultimately, Condoleezza Rice was appointed."

Hawke felt this situation seemed strangely familiar; he seemed to have seen it somewhere. After a moment of recall, he remembered watching a TV series in his previous life and reminded, "Could it be that Tom Emmer holds a grudge against George Walker? Might he stab him in the back and choose us?"

"Although for now, Tom Emmer is still promoting George's policies in both chambers, politicians are purely creatures of interest; it's not impossible," Elizabeth was well acquainted with these politicians: "I've considered this, which is why he's placed third. Tom Emmer's revenge will certainly depend on a precondition."

Hawke could easily guess, "He wants more than revenge; he wants profit too?"

Elizabeth agreed completely, "I've dealt with him multiple times; this guy is cunning and only cares about interests. Simply wasting vast resources on revenge is not something he would do, but he wants to gain something while getting back at the same time. For this, he needs public relations tools, currently leaning towards two major media groups in the Republican Party: one is News Corporation and the other is Twitter."

Before she could finish, she added, "Tom Emmer's wife owns a non-profit charity foundation that provides international child aid; a necessary donation..."

Hawke replied, "You all will be responsible for that. Once it's settled, either I or another Twitter executive will reach out to Tom Emmer and his wife."

"Understood." Elizabeth wrapped it up for now: "This afternoon, I have a meeting scheduled with congressman Bonson from California's 13th district to discuss the prompt establishment of the subcommittee."

Hawke prepared to leave: "Hearst will be in charge of contacting you."

...

Peterson waited outside to see Hawke down the stairs. Only after Hawke got into the car did he return to the office.

When he arrived in the office area, he found that besides a few administrative staff, everyone else had been called by Elizabeth to a conference room for a meeting.

Peterson took a seat, feeling confident in Elizabeth. If they could secure Twitter's business this year, their results would be impressive.

---

At the Washington Square Hotel, a Cadillac approached from a distance and stopped at the hotel entrance.

An assistant exited from the passenger seat and opened the back door.

Larry Fink entered the car and instructed, "To the National Club."

Once the assistant got in, the driver took to the main road.

The assistant handed Fink a report and said, "Sir, the news is confirmed; Twitter's chairman, Hawke Osment, has arrived in Washington. He has not made any efforts to hide his whereabouts, having visited the White House yesterday afternoon. There are indications that George Walker, along with several White House officials, held a secret discussion with Hawke, likely related to the Manhattan AI Project."

Fink did not look at the report but asked, "Anything else?"

The assistant replied, "Last night, he went to Peterson Strategic Consulting."

"A lobbying firm with a red-leaning stance." Fink speculated, "Is this so-called Manhattan AI Project really not a shell? Is Twitter hiring a lobbying firm to push it?"

The assistant quickly added, "The latest news is that Twitter has signed with Peterson, with strategist Elizabeth Carter leading the effort."

Visit ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.

Hearing this, Fink grew increasingly suspicious of Eugene Kropov being a Russian spy.

During the Cold War era, Larry Fink was in his critical growth phase and was inevitably influenced by overwhelming public opinion. The memories of that time were embedded in their very bones.

Upon arriving at the National Club, Fink directly entered a billiards room with only two people inside: John Edwards, who had been forced to withdraw from the last election, and his assistant.

Fink explained his purpose.

Edwards sank a red ball and said, "This matter involves a Russian spy. Whether it's Russia sending out smoke screens or opposition figures stirring things up, being anti-Russian is a consensus in Washington. I cannot show my face, nor will I help you network."

He stood up straight, resting the cue on the ground, and advised, "You've all done a terrible job not realizing that Russian spies infiltrated, which resulted in today's passive situation. Europe is our core interest. This spy case will become an ironclad case for the FBI, which aligns with the interests of most people in Washington. My advice is to quell this case quickly."

Fink smiled, "I want to calm this down, but it's not easy."

Edwards asked, "Can we find a middleman to meet with Hawke to talk?"

Fink shook his head, "You don't understand, BlackRock and Twitter are archenemies."

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.