The main floor of the Drake Corporation military headquarters is abuzz with energy. Not that I would ever allow one of my authors to use the adjective “abuzz,” but that pretty much sums it up. Pilotless automated carts, forklifts, and robots scoot and shoot every which way. They carry pallets of weapons, ammunition (belted and loose), and explosives to awaiting trucks and other military vehicles. The tanks parked at the far end of the massive floor are running their engines while mechanics work on them and gunners load the turret ammo stores (It pays to be a thriller editor sometimes). So many orders are being shouted by so many different men and women, it’s a wonder anyone can make any sense of it at all. Meanwhile, the many military staffers manning their computers are steadfastly keepin
