Limits of Protection

by Kelly Utt

  When we arrive in Las Vegas and pull into the gates of Nellis Air Force Base, the air is hot and dry. It feels like an oven. It feels familiar. I’ve been to this base many times. I remember the very first time during my stint as a predator drone pilot. What happened with Idris and Cody took a toll on me which will never be forgotten. But there are lots of good memories here as well. Including time spent with my uncle.

  We show our credentials to the guards at the gate as they eyeball our vehicle. Because we’re visitors, they decide to do a more thorough search. They have us step out while they look under seats, inside the trunk, and under the chassis. We don’t mind the intrusion. I don’t blame them a bit. Better to be safe than sorry, especially at a base that’s home to this much experimental equipment. For most people, the aircraft being developed here at Nellis would blow their minds. I find it fascinating. I’m glad for a chance to rub elbows with some of the engineers creating this technology. And I’m glad to contribute in my own way. It feels good to be back. Being useful will probably help focus my mind. I can’t do anything for Ali in her current situation back in Lake Tahoe, but I can do something here. Something important.

  Once we’re cleared for entry onto the base, we head straight to the squadron office like we’ve done numerous times before. A young airman greets us and hands us a stack of uniforms to change into. He shows us to a bathroom where we can get dressed and tells us he’ll let his commander know we will be ready for briefing shortly. He bows his head as we walk by and it feels good to be shown that respect. It hasn’t even been a full year, but it’s great to be back. I’ve missed military life. Maybe being called back like this is a good thing. Maybe fate knows something I don’t. I decide to stop second-guessing things so much and just go with the flow.

  As I change into my new uniform, I’m reminded of the past life regression from yesterday and how I was comforted by wearing the clothing of a soldier, both then and now. I guess I’ve always felt that when I put on the U.S. Air Force uniform, but I hadn’t articulated the thought until now. It feels good today, to appreciate what this means to me and to be given an opportunity to do it again. I’m proud. It occurs to me that Liam and I are patriots, through and through. We couldn’t be anything different if we tried. I knew that if I were needed, I’d have to come back to active duty, even with my family facing significant difficulties. I couldn’t say no to the Air Force, no matter what was going on back at home. It’s who I am. It’s who Liam is, too. I know Ali understands that. I hope the boys can come to understand it as they grow older. It’s important to me that they do.

  Once we’re all suited up and our street clothes are packed for travel, we head into a meeting room where the airman we met and a high-ranking Colonel are waiting to speak with us. I stand up straighter than I have in a long time as I enter the room. This is good. I take a seat at a small table near the front of the room. Liam sits down beside me, both of us ready for whatever is going to be asked of us.

  The Officer taking the lead on this mission is a gruff, crusty guy who looks more like an Army Ranger than an Air Force Officer. If he weren’t wearing an Air Force uniform, I’d swear he was Army. He introduces himself as Lieutenant Colonel Jim Becker and tells us that he’ll be our commanding officer. He introduces the airman as his assistant, Senior Airman Mark Puckett. Liam and I glance around the room, waiting for more people to join us. Surely there’s more than just us.

  Colonel Becker proceeds to explain that this mission falls under Joint Special Operations Command. He tells us that the four of us are flying directly to Naval Air Station Oceana this afternoon. Once we arrive, we’ll meet up with an unnamed, female intelligence officer who will be embedded with us for the remainder of the journey and will act as a translator as needed. She’s probably CIA. They never name those folks ahead of time. Also, we’ll pick up a team of Navy SEALs and two chemical weapons experts before we fly to our base of operations in the Middle East.

  “What’s the mission?” I ask, point-blank.

  The inclusion of a CIA operative, a SEAL team, and a pair of chemical weapons experts provides me a pretty good idea, but I want to hear the details.

  Becker gives me a dirty look that says to settle down and be patient.

  “Forgive me for being forward,” I say. “I left my pregnant wife lying unconscious in a hospital with our three young kids potentially vulnerable to another attack or abduction. I’m eager to complete this mission and get back home to my family.”

  “Understood,” Becker says, his demeanor softening.

  I’m heartened by the fact that most people soften once they hear what I’m going through, even hardened military officials. Each time, it gives me renewed faith in humanity. Too bad I can’t wiggle my way out of this mission. But then again, I wouldn’t dare do such a thing.

  “Thank you,” I say.

  “Fine,” Becker continues. “We’ll get right to it then. Our base of operations will be Camp Shorabak, formerly known as Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. Do you boys remember back when the British Operation Herrick regularly deployed the Black Hornet Nano military unmanned aerial vehicle from that base into enemy territory to collect intel?”

  “Of course, sir,” I say. “I’m sure you’ve seen our records. Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann and I have been to Camp Bastion more than once in support of the U.K.'s Brigade Reconnaissance Force.”

  “Affirmative, sir,” Liam says simply.

  It’s strange to be talking about all of this out loud after not speaking of it for the nine months since I retired from active duty. Liam and I have referred to our top-secret work, sort of, when talking to each other in recent months. But we’ve never actually said anything specific. The words float out of my mouth quickly now, as if they want to move into the open.

  “And Hartmann… that is, Major Hartmann,” Becker continues. “You remember the nano drone prototype you and Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann were working on before you retired?”

  “Yes, of course,” I reply. “When I left, we had it all but ready to weaponize with chemical agents. The schematics were complete and the prototype with a chemical payload had been cleared for production. I assume that has moved forward.”

  A pang of guilt hits me as I say this bit out loud. I’ve spent more than a few sleepless nights feeling bad about my part in creating such a weapon. I’m not sure how I’d live with myself if the technology fell into the wrong hands. Liam and I created a micro drone so small and so quiet that it could infiltrate an area virtually undetected. Then it could release any of a variety of chemical agents which would cause instant death to all living creatures in the vicinity. It’s more advanced than anything out there, as far as we know.

  The initiative began when the U.S. Army announced it was seeking a mini-drone for use by individual squads through the Soldier Borne Sensors program. Their primary objective was situational awareness. They wanted mini-drones which would allow soldiers to see further and around obstacles that they previously wouldn't have been able to see in near real-time. But we upped the ante when we decided to weaponize the technology.

  You can’t put a missile on a micro drone, so the weapon had to be chemical. Rather than use an overseas company to develop the potentially controversial prototypes, the Air Force commissioned me and Liam to do it.

  Microdrones were quite a change from the old days when the two of us worked with Predator drones and then Reapers. Both of those models were huge, heavy aircraft which were best suited to carrying large missiles. They were great for their intended purpose, but to get more agile, we needed to go smaller. Liam and I had been working on the weaponized micro drone for several years before I retired. I made sure to finish plans for a well-developed prototype before my separation date so Liam wouldn’t have to hit that milestone alone. I thought I’d left him in a decent spot.

  “Has your uncle updated you on what’s happened with that technology in the months since you left us?”

  “No, sir,” I say.

  “That’s
classified information, sir,” Liam adds. “I would never share it with a retired officer without explicit instructions to do so.”

  “Good,” Becker says, looking pleased. “I’d heard you boys were good eggs. I’m glad to see that’s true.”

  “Yes, sir,” Liam and I say in unison.

  “So,” Becker continues, walking around the table in front of him and sitting casually down onto the top of it. “We did move forward with that prototype. The build was successful. Thanks to you boys, we now have a fully functional and combat-ready device known as a weaponized military micro unmanned aerial vehicle.”

  “That’s a mouthful,” I say.

  Becker chuckles.

  “No acronym or shorter name for the device yet, sir?” Liam asks.

  “Not yet, but complete this mission and you boys can help us name it.”

  “Roger that, sir,” Liam replies.

  Becker folds his arms over his chest like a college professor and crosses one leg, resting an ankle on the opposite knee. The pose looks uncomfortable. He’s somewhat of an odd bird. I’m getting the idea that his gruff exterior was nothing more than a tough-guy act.

  “And now, for the reason your presence has been requested,” he continues. “The mission at hand will take place in Syria.”

  My eyebrows raise and I glance at Liam. That’s enemy territory for sure. I’m no expert on relations in the region, but I know enough to realize that this mission just became deadly serious.

  “We’ve received intelligence that indicates our schematics for the weaponized micro drone you two designed has fallen into the hands of an international terrorist group and that they are working feverishly to produce their own version. Intelligence also indicates this group has a well-developed plot in play to deploy their version of your micro drones in a coordinated chemical weapons attack on five major U.S. cities between now and the end of the year. They’re targeting crowded public places which many Americans hold dear: Times Square in New York City, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Soldier Field in Chicago, Music Row in Nashville, and South Beach in Miami. If they were to be successful, the chemical weapons would cause mass casualties for miles beyond the intended targets. Analysts estimate we’d be looking at somewhere around forty-two million people in harm’s way should this group accomplish their goals. More if they hit on a day when tourist activity is heavy.”

  I can’t help but wonder if chemical weapons deployed in San Francisco would reach my family in South Lake Tahoe. And I wonder if those deployed in New York City would reach our home in Ithaca.

  “Yes, sir,” I say. “We can’t let that happen.”

  “Absolutely not,” Becker replies. “That’s why I’m sending you boys in. You’ll be protected by the SEAL team. They’ll get you in and out of the country undetected and will be the tactical muscle should you need it. The group of you are to infiltrate the enemy facility and disrupt their progress. Your orders are to completely destroy the facility. Burn it to the ground and eliminate any combatant you encounter. But before you do, I need you boys, the intelligence agent, and the chemical weapons experts to find out just how far along these Syrian terrorists are in their understanding of your technology. And try to find out if they’ve shared the schematics with any other enemies of state. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the Russians are somehow entangled.”

  “Wow,” I mumble.

  My world is rocked. I’ve never been involved in anything this intense or high stakes. At least, not on the front lines. I hope Liam and I can remember enough of our survival school and prisoner of war school training should we need it. I honestly never thought I’d actually have to put that to use. Becker carries on like it’s just another day at the office for him. His attitude makes me question what else he’s seen and done.

  “You’ll be equipped with body cameras and other intelligence-gathering devices,” he continues. “I don’t mean to sound morbid, but there’s no point in sugar-coating it. You boys are going in together so we have a backup if something happens to one of you. Same with the chemical weapons experts. Your expertise and assessment of this group’s technology are critical to the national security of the United States of America and our allies. Do you comprehend the urgency of the situation?”

  My stomach does a flip and my pulse quickens upon hearing this. I suddenly want to complete the mission with someone other than Liam. What if neither one of us makes it out? I need him. And if I can’t be around for some reason, my family needs him. Desperately. I look at my uncle, but he appears to be as calm and steady as ever. He sees my concern and places one hand firmly on my shoulder.

  “Understood, sir,” Liam says to Colonel Becker. “We won’t let you down.”

  8

  Security

  “Holy shit, Liam!“ I whisper to my uncle once we’re out of the room and out of earshot of Colonel Becker. “I was not expecting that. Did you know?“

  We have exactly an hour before it’s time to board the plane. We’re heading to a rec room where we can grab a snack and make some phone calls before wheels up.

  “I suspected, yeah,” he says. “ I knew the status of the prototype and so it wasn’t a far stretch for me to guess that it may have been compromised, especially given the fact that they said our specific expertise was needed and that it was a matter of national security.”

  “I’m floored,” I say. “I’ve been involved in some serious things during my time, but nothing as serious as this. Not even close. Now I see why the big hurry.”

  “It’s intense, that’s for sure,” Liam replies.

  “That’s an understatement,“ I say.

  “Well, like I told Becker, we won’t let him down.“

  Liam still looks calm and steady. I don’t know how he does it. If there ever were a legitimate reason to become unhinged, this is it. Of course, we’ll have to pull ourselves together when it’s time for action. But we’re engineers. We’ve never seen action like this. Our lives could be in danger this time. We might not make it out alive. Not to mention, if we aren’t successful, it means that millions of Americans will be at risk. I could never live with that legacy. Even if my own family wasn’t harmed in a chemical attack, I’d be heartbroken to know that my failure allowed others to lose their lives. This is important. And it’s serious.

  “Are you afraid?” Liam asks me as he opens the door to the rec room and we step inside.

  “Yes, at this point I am,” I answer. “Aren’t you?“

  “Sure I am,” he replies. “I’m willing to bet that every one of us involved is afraid. That’s just part of it. We have to move forward and complete the mission whether we’re afraid or not.“

  “I get it,” I say. “I have a new appreciation for that very situation after the other night on the roof of the hospital. As I was about to step out on the ledge to go after Clive and Ethan, I was scared out of my mind. But I did it anyway.“

  “I’m pretty sure that’s the very definition of courage and bravery,” Liam says. “It’s certainly the essence of those things, anyway.“

  “Exactly,“ I reply. “I thought the same thing to myself at the moment before I stepped out onto that ledge.“

  “And look how well it turned out,” my uncle confirms.“If you hadn’t done it, Clive and his accomplice might have gotten away with Ethan. You saved your boy, George. You’re a hero. I have no doubt you’ll be a hero on this mission as well. This time, you’ll be saving millions of people. That’s something to be very proud of.“

  “The same goes for you,” I reply.

  “Hey, buddy?” Liam begins.

  “Yeah?“ I answer.

  He puts his arm around my shoulders and gives them a squeeze. It’s his usual move. “I’m proud of you,” he continues. “It seems like just yesterday that you were a young college kid talking to me about what it might be like if you joined the Air Force and followed me into the aerospace career field. And look at you now! We’re about to go save the world together.“

&n
bsp; “Thanks, Liam,” I reply. “I’ve always wanted to make you proud. Even though the prospect of something happening to us both makes me uneasy, I’m glad we’re doing this mission together.”

  My uncle smiles his biggest toothy grin. “You know who else would be really proud right now, George?“

  “Who?“

  “Your dad,” Liam says, beaming like a proud parent. “Alec would be so incredibly proud to see the man that you’ve become. And I’d like to think he’d get a kick out of us doing this together, too. I’d say we’re doing well for the Hartmann name, wouldn’t you?”

  “I think so,“ I confirm with a smile. This little pep talk is encouraging. It’s helping me process what’s happening. It’s helping me look on the bright side.

  We purchase a few snack items from a vending machine and then sit down at a round table. It’s only been a few hours since we ate breakfast, but we know we need to be fueled up for the mission. We have to eat protein and drink water at every opportunity. I munch on some peanut butter and crackers while Liam eats a stick of beef jerky. No one else is around, so we can make our phone calls right here.

  “Excuse me while I step to the other side of the room,” Liam says. “I have an important phone call to make.”

  “Estella?“ I ask. Liam nods his head, then stands up and walks to a more private corner of the space.

  My uncle has hardly mentioned his wife since their separation. I can tell he’s still touchy about it and doesn’t have much to say, so I haven’t tried to ask. When he first arrived at our house in Ithaca last weekend for the party, I made it clear that she was welcome anytime. He knew that already, but I wanted to be sure to say it. Ali and I still consider Estella family. However, we will follow Liam’s lead as the two of them navigate their separation and figure out what’s next.