Original subtitles

I'm going to make you a donut.

Here you go.

Here you

go, Firi.

Masha'Allah, Aliya.

Sorry Rocco.

Good dog.

Somali al-Shabaab militants have posted this picture of an unnamed man they say

they have executed in Nairobi.

They claim he was a spy working for British and Kenyan intelligence

services, attempting to disrupt the recruiting and trafficking of young

Western Muslims.

Al-Shabaab extremism within Kenya escalated with the Westgate shopping

mall attack in Nairobi two years ago, in which 67 people died and 175 were

injured. In April, the group massacred 147 students and staff at Garissa

University College.

Al-Shabaab want to impose their strict version of Sharia law across the Horn of

Africa. They bitterly resent the role of Britain and the Kenyan military in

propping up the UN-backed Somali government.

Morning, Colonel. Morning, Ted.

Good morning.

Good morning, Mom. Morning, Colonel.

Version 3 on Operation Egret is ready.

Ahmed's house data is on slide 3.

Thank you.

Only two health files. Where are my GBU-12s?

For Mom.

Given the mission brief, we thought we should decrease the gross weight and

increase the loiter time. So I've only got the hellfires?

Yes, ma'am. So next time you change the loadout, you check with me first,

please.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

How was your flight?

Is this a reality?

Thank you.

I'll be broke again.

What am I not young?

General, good morning.

You got my email?

Yes, sir. Very upsetting.

His family will need our support.

Leave it with me.

Everything in place?

Yes, sir.

I'll be at Cobra in an hour.

That should be fine.

Good luck today, Catherine.

Thank you.

Is this briefing room seven?

Yeah, you're fine. Let me start you up.

I'm Lieutenant Watts.

I'm Lieutenant Christian.

Pleasure.

Stand by.

Room, attention.

Carry on. All right, I'm going to introduce you guys to Colonel Powell in

London. Push us through, please, Major. Yes, sir.

Good morning, Colonel.

Are we coming through clear?

Loud and clear, Colonel. Thank you.

Good to see you again.

And you, ma'am. I have your crew ready.

Introduce yourselves, please.

Morning, ma'am. Lieutenant Steve Watts, aircraft commander, pilot.

Airman First Class Carrie Gershon, sensor operator.

Senior Airman Matt Levery, mission intel coordinator.

Thank you.

Today, you will be flying a joint operation over Nairobi, Kenya, codenamed

Operation EGRIT.

Horn of Africa, Somalia, Kenya, Nairobi.

We have intelligence of a meeting of key members of Al-Shabaab in the suburb of

Parklands in this house here.

It belongs to a man named Shahid Ahmed.

He's an al-Shabaab facilitator.

Due to visit this house is this man, Abdullah al-Hadi. He's a Somali, and his

wife, Ayesha al-Hadi, formerly Susan Helen Danford, British national.

Troubled childhood, converted at 15, she was radicalized in a West London mosque

where she met and married al-Hadi.

Intelligence has them connected to the most recent suicide bombing in Kenya.

They are numbers four and five on our East Africa Most Wanted list.

We've been tracking them for six years.

Their cell executed one of our Kenyan agents yesterday.

Now, we have information that they will be in Nairobi today, using that

Parklands house as a transit point for two new recruits.

Mohammed Abdisala, American.

The CIA have him connected to extremists in Minnesota.

And Rashid Hamoud, he's British.

Once all suspects are in the house, Kenyan Special Forces will launch a

coordinate search.

This is an operation to capture, not kill.

Your job is to be their eye in the sky.

Right. Thank you, ma'am.

Kill it. Yes, sir.

Go brief.

So, sir, how long have you been here?

About six months now. You?

Just about here.

Wow. How are you liking Vegas?

It can get a little wild.

That I can.

Where are you from originally?

I'm from Ohio.

Ohio?

Where are you from?

Idaho. When did you qualify?

A month ago.

Wow. It's only been about two years for me.

Why'd you join?

I racked up a lot of college debt. The airport was guaranteed four years of

work.

Hey, guys.

Hey. You see any giraffes? Matter of fact, yeah.

Oh, wow.

Yeah, a whole bunch of them. About 30 miles east of the city.

The aircraft is establishing the orbit at flight level 200, running covert.

Aircraft and GCS are in the green. No write-ups. Good. Great. All cameras

checked. Good.

Here's the target.

Ground forces are a few blocks away in an old factory.

Over here.

Okay. Thanks.

Weapons all spun up good. Ten hours time on station remaining.

We still have two Hellfire missiles.

Secure radio check good.

Great. Thank you, guys.

All right. Do good.

Don't suck.

Hey, Matt.

You strapped in?

I'm here. Get comms.

Sherman 5-0, North 2-0. Good morning, Moses. How are you? North 2-0, Sherman 5

-0. Good morning, Colonel. Very good, thank you.

Confirm Seahawk is in the blue zone, but Condor is still in flight, right?

Seahawk is in the blue zone. We expect Condor to land in an hour. Thank you.

Are your men in place?

Yes, ma'am.

Darling, it's your dad here. I'm looking at our old shelf of these Annabelle

dolls. You didn't tell me there were different types. I have no idea where to

buy her. Can you get back to me ASAP?

Otherwise... I'm holding a time to

sleep doll.

It says here you will hear her babbling when it is beddy-byes.

Call me as soon as you can.

oh my god

General Benson, you here for COVID?

General Benson.

Jack Cleary. I'm coordinating today.

That's right, sir.

Hold on a minute. Baby moves.

What have I got?

Well, does it matter? General.

Yeah, I'm asking for you, sir.

Yes.

All right, darling, I'll try.

Yep.

Bye-bye.

I bought a... Time to sleep, doll, when I should have bought a baby Moose.

Apparently there's an important difference.

I'll see what I can do, sir.

Attorney General, good morning.

Good morning, Frank.

Minister. General.

Ma'am.

Congratulations on your new appointment.

Thank you.

I'm going to talk you through the capture of Susan Danford, a.k.a.

Aisha.

Al Hardy.

Konda has landed.

Copy that. Proceed to the blue zone.

Hey. Did you go to the game?

It was busy.

You might still make it.

What have we got here?

Tracking some extremists in Nairobi.

One guy's from my hometown.

Are you kidding? Serious? Yeah. Is that him? Uh-huh. Muhammad Abdi Salam.

Somali.

A lot of them there.

Well, let's hope he's not coming back.

Yeah.

Have a good shift.

Thanks.

What's going on?

We've got a condo in the blue zone.

What the fuck is condo?

The second guy in from the airport.

Can't give up with these names.

Showman 5-0, can we get a view into the house?

Pack 9-0, Showman 5-0, can you try and look into the house? Moving now.

Showman 50, would you like us to bring in Ringo?

Negative. Wait for number three to arrive.

We have movement?

Damn it, are they leaving?

We're at Danford and Al-Hadi.

Colonel, our intelligence only has them arriving in another half hour.

Well, then our intelligence is bad.

No, no!

Not you, Singer Showman 5-0. I have my men ready. Do we go in?

No, no, no. No, Major, please. Hold your men. I want Danford. Copy.

Hold, hold, hold!

Bravo 2-7.

Follow if they leave. Hawaii 5, confirm PID.

Roger, no 2-0. I'd like to be closer.

Tech 9-0, go closer for PID.

No 2-0. Hawaii 5 confirms positive IDs on Mohammed Abdesalam and Rashida Mood.

Roger that.

Who's that? Zoom in.

Is that Danford?

I need a PID.

Shit.

Damn it. Is that her or does Ahmed have a wife? I'm sorry, Colonel. We don't

know. No, not good enough, people.

It has to be her. Why didn't we know she was already in the house?

Movers, say intentions.

Stay on pass.

Copy.

Rubble 27 following.

OI-5, I want a PID on that woman as soon as we get a visual.

Yes, ma'am.

Zoom out.

Note 2-0, showman 5-0.

Looks like they're heading towards Eastley. So how do we launch a ground

assault if she's going in there? We can't. Our ship has control of that

neighborhood. It would trigger a massacre.

All right.

All right. Just stay with her.

Sherman 50, Bravo 27.

It's too risky to follow.

Sherman 5-0, do we know this house?

It belongs to Amadou Moktar.

He's a Somali trader, but there's no other intel on him.

Hawaii 5, North 2-0, did you see anything there?

No, ma'am.

Showman 5-0, we need an eye inside that house. I have to know if Danford is

inside and who is with her.

Ma'am, it would mean putting a man in the street and you'd have to get close

to control the people.

He could easily raise suspicion.

What, even if you use a Somali? Every stranger is suspicious, even a Somali.

Moses, we both believe that Danford is inside that house, do we not?

Yes, ma'am. And I cannot authorize a strike without a positive ID.

I believe we have to accept the risk and send someone in.

Moses, can you do it?

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you. I appreciate what you're doing.

Pack 9-0, show me in 5-0.

I need you to engage Ringo at the target house.

We need a positive ID.

How much is this?

I want all 2,000.

2,000?

Yes. And this?

This 400?

400? My jacket? It's not 400. Give me 1,000.

I'll give you a jacket. Okay.

God bless you.

God bless you.

Yes,

father.

What's that?

Hey, what are you looking

at?

Good morning.

Thank you.

Get ring around the other side to identify the woman

That's

Danford Hawaii five confirm PID, please

PID, Susan Hill and Danford.

We have Danford.

But we can't enter the militia controlled area.

No.

What's the plan, General?

Well, using the Reaper, we have the ability to strike a target with

considerable accuracy.

If you agree, Minister, we could eliminate her.

Absolutely not.

Ma'am, she's a member of Al-Shabaab and number four on our East African Most

Wanted list. I don't care about your list, General. I came here to witness a

capture, not a targeted assassination.

George. Yes, I'm sorry, Frank. I agree with Angela. The idea was to capture

Danford, not kill her.

This was the mission approved by the PM, and as Attorney General, that is what I

came here to witness.

We want her brought back to this country to stand trial.

Right.

I'll put that to Colonel Powell.

What's happening?

I don't know.

Hey, Matt, what's going on? We got a beat inside that house and we're seeing

a bunch of people we don't like.

That's him. That's our husband.

Hawaii Five, confirm.

Sherman 5-0, we've got them both. Yes, ma'am. This is wonderful.

I need peg 9-0 to take me into the other rooms.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Matt, fuck, fuck.

Matt, what's happening?

We're seeing a suicide vest and a whole bunch of fucking explosives inside that

house.

Well, this changes things.

All right, keep it calm, okay?

Don't wind up my pilot.

I want legal in here right now.

Yes.

They're going to make a suicide video.

Who is that, Colonel?

Looks like Osman Abade.

He supplied the explosives in the Lahmu bombing.

What's your plan, Catherine?

We need to put a hellfire through that roof right now. I told you they came to

witness a capture, not a kill. Give me a capture option. We no longer have...

action on the ground will lead to an armed confrontation which we will not be

able to contain. They're watching.

Even with the vests, we need their approval for a strike. Just tell them

we've got Danford in our sights. I mean, that alone should justify using a

hellfire. The vests are just a bonus.

Danford's a British citizen. They want her alive.

They cannot have her alive.

Frank, I've tracked her for six years. This is the closest I've ever got.

So, we need to expand our rules of engagement right now to protect the

civilian population.

A hellfire through that roof.

is our most effective option.

We have to know that we're legally in the clear. Yes, of course. I'm getting

into that right now.

Colonel. Harold, you've been following?

Yes, ma'am. So the plan is to put a hellfire through the roof of that house.

I need legal clearance right now.

A missile from the Reaper?

Yes. So this is no longer a capture situation?

No. We have two suicide vests with explosives inside that house. So can you

clear me to a higher CDE?

Harold, this is a very time-sensitive target. Do I have authority to strike?

The rules of engagement you're operating under only allow for a low 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 envisage a capture, not a kill scenario.

Mum, I think it would be wise to refer up.

Are you telling me that or just debating with me?

To refer up?

I am telling you.

Benson.

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. Hold on a minute. Hold on.

This is a change of mission from a capture to a shoot to kill, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

Are we all right with that?

I'm sure we are not. There are two British citizens and an American as

target. This mission has the full support of Kenya and the United States.

For a drone strike? Yes, a missile fired from an RPA as 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 of those jackets.

Yes, ma'am. Right now.

Colonel Walsh. Colonel, can I speak to your pilot directly?

Yes, ma'am.

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.

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 U.S. passport?

Yes, yes, it is, Lieutenant.

I didn't see anything in the Spence about that.

Lieutenant, we have new rules of engagement.

You are covered.

This is going to happen fast. Be ready to shoot.

Yes, ma'am.

In front of the dash three four checklist.

Carrie, call when ready. You have a shot of hellfire.

No.

Anything?

No.

I've only ever been the eye.

You.

Me too.

Looks like it's your lucky day today, guys. Just stay cool, okay? Be all

right. Yes, sir.

Carrie, call when ready.

Slant range, 22,000 feet.

High impact angle.

Stand by for a 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. Legally we may be safe, but politically we're

walking into a minefield, especially with an American citizen involved.

Do I have permission, Minister?

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.

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

relevant. 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!

Christ almighty.

Thank you. As a member of the British government, I am proud to introduce

Integrated Battlefield Solutions, a UK company leading the field in the

production of life-saving, lightweight military clothing.

Protecting our soldiers in the field of battle is at the core of my government's

commitment to our armed forces.

Soldier safety first is why we're in part... Excuse me.

He's going to throw up.

I told him not to eat the prawns. Excuse me.

And so I'm very pleased to introduce you to IBS Managing Director, Mr. Nigel

Adam.

Thank you very much, forensic.

Today we're introducing the Adamant Assault Body Armor System. Do we have

that CD yet?

Yes, ma'am.

If we target this corner room here, where the explosives are, we would

expect a 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 vest 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.

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 easy

time.

I need to go back to the hotel now.

Jack,

what's the hold up? 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, but it is the proper procedure for me to seek his

approval. If these men leave now in separate vehicles, there are two

vehicles outside, we have the ability to follow.

Only one. We have only one eye in the sky. Surely you have agents on the

ground who could intercept?

Intercept a suicide bomber on a city street. We're trying to minimize

collateral damage.

Sherman 5-0, North 2-0.

When I give the order to attack, you have to get your man out of there

immediately. You have about three minutes.

Understood.

We are greened up. Missile status is ready. Left selected for single fire,

coded and ready.

Stand by.

You're clear to test the laser.

Laser on.

Good laser.

Oh, come on, sir.

We need to go. They ain't gonna mean that to us forever. Just keep it

together, all right?

Yes, sir.

We need a decision, Minister.

Right now.

Thank you.

Thank you. I have the former secretary.

Mm-hmm.

Brian who?

What does he want? I can't talk to him now.

The

checklist

is complete.

Safety checklist complied with.

Desired point of impact is captured.

ROE is pending. We're standing by for clearance.

Gentlemen, I cannot authorize a missile attack on an American citizen without

the approval of the U.S. Secretary of State.

Sir, the Secretary of State is in China.

Then track him down.

Foreign Secretary, if General Benson may hear, with respect, this has already

been cleared at American presidential level. We have a situation here which

could result in massive loss of life in the next ten minutes.

Then use those ten minutes and get the Secretary's approval.

That is my decision, General.

I'll get on to the embassy in Beijing.

I'd better speak to them.

Excuse me.

Hey, get me LinkedIn on my laptop.

Yes, sir.

Got it.

Okay, that was embarrassing.

Sorry.

Ready?

Hello. Mr. Secretary, I have Jordan Ricardo on the line. Who?

Jordan Ricardo from my embassy here in Beijing.

It's urgent.

I'm so sorry.

Why the hell are you wasting my time referring this to me?

No, his citizenship does not protect him.

By joining Al-Shabaab, he's declared himself an enemy of the United States.

Listen to me.

Tell the British if they really do have two, four, and five on the East Africa

list in their sights, they have our full support distracted.

Yes, all three are on the President's list.

Okay, let's go!

I'll get you, John.

The Secretary of State has given his permission.

You may proceed.

Thank you, Minister.

Thank you.

Ma'am.

Lieutenant, you have clearance to prosecute the target.

Do it now.

Yes, ma'am.

Try to launch hellfire.

Uh-huh, yeah.

All right.

Very sorry.

I think I'm through the worst of it.

What's happening?

The secretary gave his permission.

They have a Reaper at 20,000 feet and a micro RPA inside the house.

Weapon is arms.

All green.

Good laser.

DPI is the center of the room.

Copy. Crosshairs on it now.

Stand by.

Confirm pack status.

All good.

Good luck.

Three.

Two.

Zoom in.

I'll give her time to walk through.

You are clear.

Lieutenant, we have this one opportunity.

Let's not lose it.

Ma'am, she's selling bread.

Jesus. Those men are about to disperse. Engage now.

Ma'am, I understand we have clearance. I will fire if I see the HVIs moving or

when this girl is out of the frag radius.

But I want to give her a chance to get out of the way.

Lieutenant, you have clearance. There is a lot more at stake than you see here in

this image.

Ma'am, I need you to run the collateral damage estimate again with this girl up

front. The situation has not changed, Lieutenant. You are... Cleared to

engage.

What do we do?

I repeat, you are cleared to engage.

Colonel Powell, ma'am.

I'm the pilot in command responsible for releasing the weapon. I have the right

to ask for the CDE to be run again.

I will not release my weapon until that happens.

We will rerun CDE.

Do I understand we are now on weapons hold?

Weapons hold.

Sergeant, rerun CDE. Yes, ma'am.

What the fuck are you doing? You just threw the rule book at a colonel. Sir, I

am saving up the weapon until you read me a new clearance with the new CDE.

Sherman 5-0, North 2-0, can you get your man with the beetle in there to buy this

girl's bread? Get her out of there.

What's your name? I'm Qawai.

What's your name?

I'm Qawai. What's your name? I'm Qawai.

What's your name?

I'm Qawai.

What's your name?

Somali language

it's a

Can you get me back to the house?

Yes, come.

Gary, forget him.

Get back to the target.

Gary.

Jesus, she's going to sell them again.

Who else can we get to buy the bread?

Forget the bread, Sergeant.

We'll be lucky if our man hasn't blown the whole operation.

Harold, where are we legally?

With the girl?

Yes. Are we in the clear?

Again,

I would refer up.

No. No, I'm asking you. We cannot hold up this operation any longer. We need to

take all reasonable steps to minimise collateral damage. If we're buying her

bread... We're not.

We're not buying her bread. That's over.

Many children's lives are at risk. This is just one girl.

Are we clear to engage?

Yes or no? Come on, make a decision. With respect, ma'am, I don't make those

decisions.

I am here to advise you on the law. The law is not here to get in your way. It

is here to protect... to protect you and to protect your target. Don't lecture

me, Harold. Marv, the legal questions of necessity and proportionality are almost

certainly met, but for the protection of you and for the protection of that girl,

I would refer up to the Attorney General.

Bentham. Frank, may I speak to the Attorney General?

Connect us to Colonel Powell.

George, she wants to talk to you.

Go ahead, Catherine.

Sir, our lawyer says the girl's presence has not necessarily altered the

legitimacy of our operation, but he does need that confirmed.

Do we have an assessment of what might happen to her?

The target here assesses a 65% to 75% chance of fatal injury, should we

proceed.

He has also assessed a projected loss of life of up to 80 men, women and children

if the vests are detonated in an urban area. Now, that's a guess, of course,

but we should assume they intend to target a crowded location.

A 65% assessment requires us to do whatever we can to enable her to be

removed. We have done what we can for her in the time available to us. If we

wait and they leave, we will no longer have control of the situation. We must

strike now. There is no law covering a situation quite like this.

It's one thing to release a missile whilst the street is clear in the hope

that it will remain so. It's quite another thing knowing that this girl

will at worst be fatally injured and at best severely injured.

So I'm sorry, I disagree with the assessment of your lawyer at Northwood.

Agreed.

I hope the fact that she's a sweet little girl is not clouding your

judgement. Dozens of other little girls' lives are at stake if these men Leave.

I'm sorry, we have a Miss Gillian Goldman from the White House asking to

be patched through.

Who? Gillian Goldman. She's a senior legal advisor at the U.S. National

Security Council.

She's been briefed by the Secretary of State. Put her through.

Good afternoon, and thank you for allowing me to comment.

Yeah, thanks for joining us. As the military members of your committee know,

we have a points system that takes into account collateral damage to deduce what

is and what is not.

a legal strike.

And let me tell you categorically that the existence of this new circumstance

does not push us beyond a legitimate military action.

We are way off what we would consider a dispute in this matter. Ms. Goldman, we

have a somewhat different approach to the question of collateral damage. Sir,

you must act now.

You have two men about to embark on a suicide mission.

You have number two, four, and five on the president's East Africa kill list in

your sights. And you are putting the whole mission at risk because of one

collateral damage issue?

I realize that this mission is your call, but there would be some mighty

angry people here at the White House and at the Pentagon and out there in the

world if you allow these people to leave and blow a shopping mall to kingdom

come. I'm sorry, we have the Foreign Secretary wanting to join. Right. We

appreciate your thoughts, Miss Goldman.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, everybody.

Excuse my appearance. It's night here, and I have a bout of food poisoning.

Sorry to drag you from your sickbed.

That's quite all right.

George, do I understand this correctly?

There's a legal argument for waiting and giving this girl a chance to sell her

bread. Yes, there is. But conversely, it does not mean that there is not also a

legal argument for releasing the weapon now.

Forgive me, I'm not sure that helps me. Foreign Secretary, there is a military

necessity for acting now. In our view, they'll be making a move from that house

at any moment.

Gentlemen, what action is being legally recommended to me?

James, the legal argument is that we could wait, but we need not wait. And

the military argument is that we should not wait.

Right? Exactly.

It's my recommendation that we should not delay in proceeding with this

mission. If we don't act now, we risk losing the lives of up to 80 people. You

can only assume those deaths.

What is certain is that if we do act now, this one girl will suffer.

And you would save her and risk killing 80 others?

Yes.

I would save her and take that risk. That is what I would do.

Angela, is it you or me who will be invited onto the Today program to

explain why we knew of the attack on a shopping center that killed 80 people

but chose to do nothing to stop it?

You, James.

But frankly, politically, I'd rather point to al-Shabaab as murderers of 80

people shopping than have to defend a drone attack by our forces that kills an

innocent child.

James, Angela makes a compelling point.

If al-Shabaab kill 80 people, we win the propaganda war.

If we kill one child, they do.

So we don't do it?

She's got a customer.

I suggest you keep your eyes on the other screen.

With respect, Foreign Secretary, are the lives of 80 people, including innocent

children, really worth the price of winning the propaganda war?

General, if we go ahead, might footage of our attack be leaked?

Sir, the footage from the Reaper is completely secure. General, I would feel

uncomfortable if we did not at least wait a little longer.

If we go ahead and footage is leaked, and this guy is killed, then... I think

the country would be most disturbed. Foreign Secretary, it is our task to

make the right military decision. We cannot engage in an argument about

possible future postings on YouTube.

With respect, General, revolutions are fueled by postings on YouTube.

I think the consequences are such that we need clearance from the PM.

James!

You have the authority to make a decision. No, I'm telling you, you need

to take it to him.

Sir, the PM is giving a speech in Strasbourg this afternoon. I may not be

easily interrupted.

I'll leave you to sort that one out, Jack.

Yes, sir.

I'll track him down.

Yes?

Bill. What's happening?

You're on standby, Lieutenant.

Yes, ma'am.

Still on the chain.

No, no.

Thank you.

Our men is down. We can't replace it.

What happened? Battery.

Oh, for God's sake.

Now we have no idea what they're doing.

I might have a solution.

If my target here can calculate as coming in under 50% for collateral

damage on the girl, do you think you can get approval your end?

Yes, I do.

Sergeant Sadiq, we're looking to present the collateral damage in the street in

this area right here as 45 to 50% fatality.

Do you think that's possible?

I've calculated a 65 to 75.

Yes, yes, sure, sure. But, you know, if we put the payload here or here or maybe

here, well, then we could guarantee the target fatality, but we could reduce the

collateral.

Or maybe we could target the missile right here, look.

Yes, Mum.

Will you just... Will you just do whatever you can to save this girl's

life?

I'll leave it with you.

Yes, Mum.

We have to announce to the people of Nairobi that we knew everything but did

nothing. We do not have to announce that we knew anything.

Yeah.

The PM asks that we do what we can to minimize casualties.

Bloody cow! What do you think we're doing? How do you interpret that, George

Minister? We cannot have military decisions dictated by government

committees, nor can we put on hold a military operation at every stage for

legal clarification.

You tell us when to go to war, we conduct the war, you deal with the

aftermath. If only it were that simple.

Sorry to rush you, Sergeant. We don't have much time.

Yes, ma'am.

Adjusting the point of impact to here, there is a 45 to 65% possibility of

fatality. 65%?

Yes. No, no. I need that calculation to be below 50%.

Perhaps there could be an assessment of the impact.

the damage right here. Well, that calculation is already at the lowest

limit of what I believe is possible.

What if you put the missile there?

I would still have to make that a 65% possibility on the upper limit.

Sergeant, we need to make this work.

Do you understand?

We are locked into this kill chain. We have to make a decision. There are...

There are many lives at risk.

Mum.

I think... I think if I make this the point of impact, then...

I could predict a 45% possibility of fatality. That might be possible. 45%?

Possibly. Good man, good man. I'll put that to code.

Mum.

It's just an estimate.

Yes, of course. Of course, I understand. In these circumstances, any calculation

can only be a speculation.

Don't worry.

This puts you beyond any culpability.

Thank you. Thank you, Sergeant.

Thanks, Ma'am.

Sir, I have a revised assessment from the target here.

If you would look at the diagram, by targeting the missile here, there is an

estimated 45% chance of fatality in this area here, where the girl is positioned.

We have now done everything in our power to give this girl a chance to survive.

Thank you, Colonel.

Minister.

Do we have authority to prosecute the target?

45%. 45%.

Yes. You may proceed.

Ma'am.

Lieutenant Watts, we have rerun the CDE.

You are authorized to prosecute the target.

My target here is sending through the adjusted DPI.

Engage now.

Am I clear?

Yes, Colonel.

Clear the gauge.

We're under the Dash 34 checklist.

Carry Colburn ready.

Ready.

Weapons systems on.

Laser sensor.

Check.

Yoriso! Yoriso!

Come, come.

Gimbal. Released.

Slant range.

Set.

Resistant power.

Nominal.

Designator power.

Nominal.

Missile.

Coded. In altitude.

Set standard.

GPS signal.

Check.

Satellite 1, lock.

Check.

Satellite 2, lock.

Wait up.

Arm weapon?

Check.

Weapon status?

Check.

Three, two, one.

Rifle, rifle, rifle.

Weapon away.

Time of flight, 50 seconds.

There's the boy.

Oh, shit.

He's quite the brat.

40 seconds.

Shukra. Shukra.

Bravo Ali, bravo, bravo. One more time.

She's moving.

Zoom in.

We need to know that we've hit our targets.

Yes, Cunn.

Steve, identify the bodies.

Zoom in.

identified as probably Rashid Hamoudi.

Body unknown, but likely Abdullah Al Hadi.

We need to reengage.

Colonel. We're going again.

She's on the list.

Lieutenant.

Yes, ma'am.

Target the moving body.

Yes, ma'am.

Engaging target.

System is still green.

Ready on the red missile.

Target is captured.

Three,

two, one.

Rifle, rifle, rifle.

Weapon away.

Time of flight, 50 seconds.

Wake up!

Wake up, you fool!

Yes,

sir.

Kerry, we need to go identify the body.

Based on the footage I'm seeing body confirmed as Susan Helen Denver

Mission

accomplished

Thank you, sir

I'm sorry, Sant. I couldn't see any other option.

Yes, Mom. I understand that.

Now, you will file your report as a 45% CDE.

Understood?

Sant?

45%. Yes, Colonel.

In my opinion, that was disgraceful.

And all done from the safety of your chair.

I have attended the immediate aftermath of five

suicide bombings on the ground.

with the bodies.

What you witnessed today with your coffee and biscuits is terrible.

What these men would have done would have been even more terrible.

Never tell a soldier that he does not know the cost of war.

Set. Oh.

Thank you, Captain.

You did well.

Both of you.

Thank you, sir.

You should go home.

Get some rest.

I need you both back here in 12 hours.

Thank you.

Thank you.