PAUL MOODY LOVES flying, loves being in control, and especially loves hugging the terrain as he roars over the Virginia farmland, heading to the target farmhouse. To fly an aircraft or a helicopter several thousand feet above the ground takes little talent, about as much as driving a truck. But this…being alert, getting that adrenaline rush, sensitive to changes in the landscape and elevation, that takes skill.

He follows his instrumentation, looks up through the windshield, and—

Yep, there it is.

One practice swoop and then he’ll be back, scorching the farmhouse and sending the ISIS terrorists inside to whatever hellish afterlife awaits them.

He and his Kiowa sweep over the farmhouse and then he goes into a wide curve, turns on the switches arming the two Hellfire missiles, and, remembering his job, he toggles the microphone once more and says, “This is GSS Tango Four, on target, weapons hot.”

The nice female says, “GSS Tango Four, acknowledged.”

His thumb gently caresses the button on top of his cyclic handle that—once armed—will send the two appropriately named Hellfire missiles on their way.

Not long now.