Death Drones

by Christopher Fox

  “Popular guy,” said Roberto. “Are any of the messages about the shipment?”

  Mohammad scanned the inbox; many were in Arabic but most were in English .

  “Here it is,” he said, clicking on a message.

  Roberto read the message, which was in English, but it was gibberish.

  ‘Isabelle Camilla will be 26 and will need 1500 dollars for her ticket to Karachi so she can visit her three children.’

  “Is it in code?” Roberto asked.

  “Yes. The details of the shipment can be ascertained by skipping the first word, then two words, then three, and so on.

  Roberto read the message accordingly and wrote down each word.

  Camilla. 26. 1500. Karachi. Three.

  “So, what does it mean?”

  “The ship’s name is Camilla and will arrive on the 26th of this month at 1500 hours. The markings on the crates will be ‘Karachi’ and there will be three crates.”

  “That’s only three days from now,” said Miguel, looking at his calendar watch.

  “OK Richard, you can take him back now,” said Bob.

  Richard placed the chains on him and Mohammad shuffled out of the room.

  * * * *

  Daniel returned and sat back in his chair.

  “So, what do you think?” he said.

  “I don’t think we can let that Sarin into the US. If we can meet that ship arriving from Cuba, we can confiscate it here, in Nicaragua,” said Miguel.

  “And what if it isn’t the Sarin?” said Daniel. “What if it’s just another shipment of drugs?”

  “We’ll know when we open the crates.”

  “We have to have a contingency plan if the Sarin gets to the States,” said Daniel. “How will they use it in an attack?”

  “Not sure,” offered Miguel. “There’s a huge number of possibilities available to any terrorist as far as dispersion.”

  “I wouldn’t spend a lot of time worrying about dispersion in building air systems,” said Roberto. “The degree of difficulty and the number of people killed probably wouldn’t be worth it.”

  “What about drones?” asked Miguel. “There has been a huge advance in the capabilities of recreational drones. They can be a platform for releasing toxins into the air. ”

  “Good point,” said Daniel. “I’ll get onto Homeland Security on the issue. They are the ones responsible for any potential attacks on large gatherings.”

  “The Super Bowl is coming up in about three weeks,” said Miguel. “That would be an ideal target for them. The expected attendance there will be in the 70,000 range.”

  “But isn’t that being played in the NRG Stadium in Houston?” said Daniel. “Because that has a retractable roof. Any threat of a drone attack, we can just close the roof.”

  “OK,” said Miguel. “What other large open-air gatherings are there?”

  “There’s the Indy 500,” Daniel offered, “plus many other racing events draw large crowds. Also, the horse racing events, especially any of the Triple Crown venues.”

  “Music festivals draw large crowds too,” said Roberto.

  “But these are all open-air events—difficult to control dispersion,” added Miguel. “Any breeze will dilute the toxin and render it ineffective. There will be deaths and casualties, but not like there would be in an enclosed space.”

  “So,” said Daniel. “That brings us back to the Super Bowl.”

  “Is the president attending the Super Bowl this year?” Bob asked Daniel.

  “No, but the Vice-President is.”

  They discussed ways to go forward and who would do what. Daniel would use his office and that of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to track any movements of the suspected terrorists. Alberto and his team from CAI would search for any transactions that could pinpoint any of the terrorists and large-scale purchases of drones. Handling the Sarin would also need a sealed chamber and Hazmat suits, so they will look for recent purchases by NGOs (Non-Government Organisations).

  “We need to get to Bluefields and interrupt that shipment,” said Alberto.

  “My role is finished now,” said Roberto. “It has been a pleasure working with all of you, but I have to get back to Colombia soon, and I have an appointment in San José tomorrow.”

  “Thanks for all your information and help,” said Alberto. “It was a pleasure having you on the team.”

  “I’m heading back to San José,” said Miguel. “I can give you a ride.”

  “Perfect,” said Roberto.

  Eighteen

  Daniel had called Arthur Pantuso and gave him the names of the suspected terrorists that Mohammad had given him. Arthur was the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and was responsible for the safety and security of any large-scale public event or mass gathering.

  “I recognize four of these on the list, but two I’m not familiar with,” said Daniel, reading out the names of the ones he knew.

  “I’ve heard of Rashid Bahar, Yasin Hajjar and Amal Salih, but I don’t recall Omar Maroun nor Kadar Rahal.”

  “All but one are on our watch list. Omar Maroun is a new one to me. I’ll check with my agents, and we’ll put out a search to see if he surfaces.”

  “We think that there could be an attack on an open-air gathering, and the Super Bowl was suggested as a likely target.”

  “The Super Bowl is always a likely target, and we have the highest levels of security there. Customs and Border Protection will use three UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters prepared to intercept unauthorized planes if they fly into the restricted areas. Also, on game day, there will be three C-550 Citation jets and two Airbus AS350 helicopters assisting the agency. From 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday, air travel will be restricted by the FAA in a 30-mile radius of the Stadium, so any attempt at an aerial attack is unlikely. There will be fighter jets on standby at Ellington Air Force Base nearby, and once the game starts, two F-16s will be in the air. Also, the stadium has a retractable roof that will be closed for the event.”

  “OK Art, let me know what you turn up on these guys.”

  “Will do, thanks.”

  Daniel had also passed the information to FBI Director Gerald McLachlan, as any homeland criminal activities are handled by the FBI.

  Daniel hung up the phone and returned to the group .

  “Seems like there is one person they haven't heard of so they are doing a search. He also reiterated that the NRG Stadium has a retractable roof, and that it will be closed for the Super Bowl.”

  “So, I guess that’s out,” said Roberto.

  “I wouldn’t count it out yet,” said Miguel. “What if they were able to get the roof open? It wouldn’t need to be fully open to allow in drones.”

  “Also,” offered Roberto, “an explosive device on the roof could blow a hole large enough to allow the drones to enter.”

  “All possibilities, I’m sure,” said Daniel. “But we are clutching at straws at the moment until we get more information.”

  “OK,” said Miguel. “I will return home now and get my team working on the issues. Can’t seem to get a hold of Anna and I’m a little worried.”

  “Sure enough Miguel,” said Daniel as he shook his hand, “and thanks for all the help.”

  Daniel bid his goodbyes to Bob and Richard. Roberto was going to go with Miguel back to San José.

  * * * *

  Arthur called Daniel back a few hours later.

  “Daniel? Arthur here,” he said as Daniel answered the telephone. “We ran a check on the names you provided. All except Omar are on a watch list, and so far, we have not turned up any suspicious activity. Recent movement was noted with all of them, but we were unable to find out exactly where they went. It appeared they had travelled using different modes of transportation to various places, and it looks like there was a gathering somewhere, but we don't know where. They showed up again a day or so later, back to their home towns, again from different local
es and through different modes of transportation.”

  “So, we don't know where they went?” said Daniel.

  “There seemed to be a pattern in that they all travelled east, but we were unable to trace them to a specific spot.”

  “So you think there may have been a meeting in Washington or New York?”

  “Possibly, but we cannot confirm it,” said Arthur.

  “OK,” said Daniel. “Looks like something may be brewing. I will look into this Omar guy and see what turns up.”

  He hung up and summoned one of his operatives .

  “Barry, see what you can find out about this guy.” He handed him the name of Omar Maroun. “Seems like he could be a person of interest in a potential terror attack.”

  Barry looked at the piece of paper and the name on it.

  “I'm on it,” he said.

  Barry returned to his desk and started the process of delving into a person’s background. The first thing to check was easily obtained information—driver’s licence, credit cards, bank statements, addresses, employment, Facebook and other social media. Next was health records, not available to the public, but were to CIA. What he found out was that Omar was born to Muslim parents, but there was no notation of any suspicious activity. From the records, it seemed like he was an upstanding citizen. But, several years ago there were a few notations of arrests, but no charges were ever laid. After checking all known associates, he did not find anyone who was a person of interest. Of interest was that he had recently travelled to Houston and had checked into a motel there a few days ago. Armed with this information, he made his way back to Daniel.

  “So he’s in Houston now?” said Daniel.

  “It would appear that way.”

  “Interesting,” Daniel said.

  “Anything else?” said Barry.

  “No, thanks.”

  Daniel called Arthur back and gave him the lowdown on Omar.

  “I find the fact that he is in Houston, and one of the suspected targets is the Super Bowl cannot be ruled out as a coincidence,” said Daniel. “Is there any movement with the other suspects?”

  “None that we can trace, but if they travel by car, we won’t be able to track them except through credit card purchases and maybe toll cameras. I’m coordinating this closely with the FBI as they have the resources to follow up on these things. Did you speak to Gerald?”

  “I’ve updated him with the same information I gave you. I guess I should hand over the reins to him for this operation as it doesn’t fall within our jurisdiction now that it’s come home.”

  “I think that would be a good thing to do,” said Arthur.

  Daniel called Gerald back and suggested a meeting to go over the information gathered to date. They agreed to meet via teleconference as CIA headquarters are in Langley, Virginia and FBI and HSI in Washington, D.C. Daniel was now back in Honduras, and had Barry set up the secure teleconference call with the other departments for the next morning at 9:00 a.m. EST.

  Daniel and Barry sat in the conference room staring at a blank screen at 8:55 a.m. The screen was divided into two sections with an insert in the bottom right showing their own video feed. At 8:58, the right screen partition turned on to display a conference room with five people sitting around the table. The caption in the top right showed ‘FBI Headquarters’. A minute later the second half of the screen illuminated showing a similar but smaller room with three participants sitting at a table. The caption on this one showed ‘Homeland Security’.

  “Good morning ladies and gentleman,” Daniel announced. “My name is Daniel Templeton, CIA, COS for Honduras. This is Agent Barry Canmore, my technical assistant.”

  Arthur started to speak, and a red line appeared under the HSI part of the screen to signify which party was speaking. “Good morning. I am Arthur Pantuso, SAC of HSI and responsible for large-scale threats within the US. To my right is Amelia Carson, Special Services Director for Terrorist Activities and to her right is Don Stansbury, Director, Immigrations and Customs Enforcements.”

  Gerald spoke and the red line now appeared under the FBI screen. “My name is Gerald McLachlan, Director of FBI. On my right is Gordon Parsley, Assistant Director of the FBI and Chief of Terrorist Activities. To his right is Mandy Boudreau, Technical Director for Communications. To my left is Josh Masters, COS for Houston, Texas. To his left is Special Agent Melinda Tinsdale, also of the Houston office.”

  “Thank you for joining us,” said Daniel. “As you are aware, a potential high-level terrorist threat is brewing. We are working with a group from a Central American PI firm who were instrumental in turning up the evidence we have to date.”

  “I’m not sure I like the idea of working with a group of non-Americans on this,” said Gordon.

  “If it wasn’t for this group,” Daniel continued, “we would not have the advanced notice of this threat. I checked everyone out on their team, and they are clean with no ties to any terrorist organisation. I worked with them on the interrogation of Mohammad al-Barakah because we were not allowed by law to do it ourselves. I can vouch for them and still believe that they can bring value to the investigation.”

  “OK,” said Gordon, “but we cannot conduct a proper investigation with operatives out there who don’t report to us.”

  “I can assure you that we will receive prompt updates on what they uncover,” said Daniel.

  “I understand,” said Josh, “that there could be a planned attack in Houston. In particular, the NRG Stadium during the Super Bowl.”

  “That is correct,” Daniel confirmed. “At the moment, all the evidence points to that.”

  “But that is not very likely,” said Josh. “We have the tightest security ever for that event. A mosquito won’t be able to get through the barriers without proper ID. There is a protective network to ward off drones, enhanced security details, x-ray baggage checks and facial recognition cameras. I don’t see how anyone’s going to get through the screening. Also, the roof will be closed as a security measure.”

  “What if the terrorists already have tickets to the event?” Daniel questioned. “What if they wear disguises to fool the cameras? What if the Sarin has already been delivered disguised as fountain drink containers for the concession stands? What if the terrorists are employees with valid ID? You know as well as I do that they have ways to circumvent these security measures.”

  “I can assure you,” added Josh, “that all employees go through extensive background checks. The people you identified to us as possibly being involved are all on watch lists.”

  “I’m just outlining how these systems get compromised. I’m not casting aspersions on any of you for not creating an iron-clad security screen.”

  “The problem is,” offered Gordon, “is that we can direct all our resources to this potential threat and get caught looking the other way. So far, no concrete evidence exists that any Sarin has been imported to the US. There isn’t even evidence that al-Qaeda are in possession of such Weapons of Mass Destruction. According to all reports, Saddam had no stored WMDs when we invaded Iraq. All we have is the confession of one man made under the stress of interrogations, and that is not always reliable.”

  “The reason no WMDs were found was because he had already handed them over to al-Qaeda,” countered Daniel.

  “We can’t go on that supposition,” said Gordon .

  Mandy spoke up. “Given the evidence in our possession, we can’t afford to discount such a large threat. I have been maintaining close attention to all communications on this issue, and we have clear evidence that something could be going on in Houston. I’m not sure what we can do more than we are already doing, but the White House will be handing us our asses if the terrorists pull this off and we knew about it.”

  This statement hit home to a lot of the attendees. Many terrorist plots were thwarted based on intelligence gathering and especially with information obtained through Enhanced Interrogation Techniques. The 9/11 attack was known to be in the works before
it happened, as were several others, but law enforcement officials were not always in a position to act before the event based on uncertain or sketchy intelligence. This intelligence was much more detailed and could not be ignored.

  “I’m still cautious about a diversion tactic on this one,” reiterated Gordon. “I can’t see that they would be able to get through our security blanket for the Super Bowl. But, I do agree that we cannot ignore evidence that points to that as a target. I will institute a team to comb the stadium thoroughly for anywhere cylinders can be hidden, including, as you mentioned Daniel, fountain drink cylinders. Once we are confident that they are not within the building, we can concentrate on our efforts to make sure they don’t get in, including the possibility of aerial delivery.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” said Daniel. “Who will be your point of contact should any of the Central America team find anything?”

  “I think I will be the one for that,” said Josh. “If they want to be in the loop and get access to our information, I will insist that one of our agents is part of their team.”

  “I will make that request. Who that will be?” Daniel asked.

  “It will be Agent Tinsdale.”

  “Thanks everyone. Will there be anything else?”

  No one said anything and Daniel ended the session.

  Nineteen

  Miguel dropped Roberto off at his Hotel and drove home, trying again to reach Anna but to no avail. Because it was late now, no one would be at the office. He opened the door to the house and immediately sensed something wrong because he smelled an odd odour consistent with a house being closed up for several days. He called Anna and Enrique’s name, but received no answer. After looking in all the rooms, he stood in the bedroom, dropped his knapsack on the bed and pondered for a while. It was unlike Anna to leave without getting a message to him. True, he had been out of contact for a few days, but she did know his sat-phone number. As he walked back into the kitchen, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. He rushed to the door thinking it was Anna, but quickly dispelled that as she would not knock on her own door. He opened the door and saw their next-door neighbours, Adriana and Lucas Molina, standing there with distressed looks on their faces.