Eye in the Sky Page #3

collateral damage estimate.

Yes, yes, and my weapons

only invoke a low CDE.

It's the explosives

inside that house

that bring it to

a potentially high CDE.

And since you know

the explosives are there,

it is incumbent upon you

to take them into account.

I can see a potential

legal objection.

Jesus! We've got two

suicide bombers

and three very high value

individuals inside that house!

And you want them off your

list, I understand that.

But the rules of engagement

you're operating under

envisaged a capture,

not a kill scenario.

Ma'am, I think it

would be wise to refer up.

Are you telling me that,

or just debating with me?

To refer up?

Mmm-hmm.

- I am telling you.

- Oh!

(PHONE RINGS)

- Benson.

- COLONEL POWELL: Sir.

Legal has advised me to refer

up to the Attorney General.

I need a quick answer, Frank.

Okay,

I'll put that to him.

George.

Those explosives mean there

is an imminent threat

of serious harm to

the civilian population.

Can we strike?

Well, given the new

circumstances, I would say yes.

Brian.

There is a political as well as

a legal call to be made here.

Yes, I'm quite

aware of that, George.

We need a decision

now, Minister.

Legally, we don't

have a problem?

No, we don't.

But politically...

Do we have

permission to proceed?

Well,

- you seem to be implying yes, George.

- Thank you.

- Hold on a minute. Hold on.

- No. That is not what I...

This is a change of mission from a

capture to a shoot-to-kill, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

ANGELA:

Are we all right with that?

I'm sure we are not.

There are two British citizens

and an American as targets.

This mission has

the full support

of Kenya and

the United States.

For a drone strike?

Yes, a missile

fired from an RPA

is part of

an agreed contingency plan

in circumstances like this.

Do we have

permission to proceed?

No. Such a plan should not

have been signed off by the PM

without the

authority of Parliament.

Operational issues are not

generally discussed at Cabinet,

and certainly

not at Parliament.

I know the protocol.

I'm talking about what should be happening.

Angela, in my view,

all the legal criteria

for an attack

have been met.

Namely, this is

a military necessity,

there is no

reasonable alternative,

and the force to be used is

in proportion to the threat.

That should

answer your question.

It does not, George.

Has there ever been a British-led

drone attack on a city

in a friendly country

that is not at war?

General?

I do not believe so, no.

Then how can

we sanction it?

Generate new damage rings

for the compound

with an assessment of the

payload on those jackets.

- Yes, ma'am.

- Right now.

(PHONE RINGING)

- Colonel Walsh.

- COLONEL POWELL: Colonel.

Can I speak to

your pilot directly?

Yes, ma'am.

Patch me through.

Steve.

Colonel Powell wants to talk

to you directly. Pick up.

Ma'am.

Lieutenant.

You are now our best option

to take these HVIs out.

Now, prepare to launch

a single AGM-114 Hellfire

on the target house.

- Yes, ma'am.

- This is a friendly city,

so collateral damage

must be kept to a minimum.

- Ma'am...

- Yes?

I have an ROE question.

Is my government

aware that we are

targeting a person

with a US passport?

Yes. Yes, it is,

Lieutenant.

I didn't see anything

in the SPINS about that.

Lieutenant, we have

new rules of engagement.

You are covered.

This is going to happen fast,

so be ready to shoot.

Yes, ma'am.

Running the dash

34 checklist.

Carrie, call when ready.

You ever shot a Hellfire?

No.

GERSHON:
Or anything?

No. I've only ever

been the eye.

You?

GERSHON:
Me, too.

Looks like it's your

lucky day today, guys.

Just stay cool, okay?

Be all right.

LIEUTENANT WATTS:

Yes, sir.

Carrie, call when ready.

Slant range 22,000 feet.

High-impact angle.

Stand by for targeting brief.

Ready.

Angela, I agree,

we are at risk of being perceived

as embarking on

a shoot-to-kill policy.

But since all the legal

criteria are sound,

I believe we must allow this

military action to continue.

ANGELA:

Legally we may be safe,

but politically we're

walking into a minefield.

Especially with an

American citizen involved.

Do I have permission,

Minister?

BRIAN:
Um...

Given the situation,

that it is a change of mission,

that it is now a missile

attack on a British subject,

two British subjects,

and an American citizen,

and in a friendly country,

I think it is

only right and proper

that I refer this up to

the Foreign Secretary.

Minister, you've heard

the arguments, he hasn't.

And the rules of

engagement mean that

the Prime Minister

has already approved it.

- No...

- Therefore,

the Foreign Secretary's input

should not be rendered...

No, the point is that

I have not been party

to any previous discussion

with the Prime Minister

about matters

such as this,

whereas the Foreign Secretary

undoubtedly has.

So, actually, it is my

duty to refer to him.

And what am I

telling Colonel Powell?

Tell her to wait!

- (COMPUTER CHIMES)

- Oh, Christ Almighty!

- (ALL APPLAUDING)

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Excuse me.

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TOM:
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Excuse me.

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NIGEL:
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Foreign Secretary.

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- Do we have that CDE yet?

- Yes, ma'am.

Good.

SERGEANT SADDIQ:
If we target this corner

room here, where the explosives are,

we would expect 100%

mortality rate in that room

and an 80 to 90% rate within

the rest of the house.

The market should be safe,

but this area

here in the street...

A 65 to 75% rate.

That's just the Hellfire.

If we factor in

the explosives in the vests,

we're looking at even more extensive

damage way out to this area here.

But I can't accurately

estimate that yield.

But we would be containing

that payload in the vests

within those walls, right?

Far less

collateral damage

than them going off in

a crowded shopping mall.

Yes. Of course.

Yeah. Thank you.

Obvious to anyone not trying

to avoid making a decision.

(PROTESTORS SHOUTING

INDISTINCTLY)

The meeting with the Malaysian

Trade Minister is now at 4:30.

You'll have to

do it for me.

But, sir, the whole

point of us being here...

Yeah, maybe if you

take an Eezi Tum.

Look. I need to go

back to the hotel now.

BRIAN:

Jack, what's the holdup?

I'm sorry, sir, I'm trying

to reach him.

Minister, the consequences

of delay

may be fatal to

scores of civilians.

I'm well aware

of that, General,

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