John Brandes

Criminal Enterprise John Brandes

Jeff Lane runs a carefully discreet business designing AI-piloted drones for an international security and logistics contractor whose clients aid victims of war.

Arrested when a combat team stormed his workshop, Jeff is accused of sabotaging the US military's drone-piloting system. That system is supposed to carry out its mission if radio control or GPS is jammed; instead, it's wreaking havoc on combat missions everywhere.

After intense interrogation, Jeff admits to designing drones for the world's foremost security and logistics company. His captors insist the stunning success of that company's drones proves he can make the military's piloting system work. They send Jeff to a remote desert prison and threaten to hang him for treason if he doesn't fix their system.