Intuition Prevails

RPG

Description

American, British, and other fighter pilots operate at the threshold of Artificial Intelligence (AI). They know that their lives depend not only on their skills, but equally on 'intuition'. This is reinforced when cyber-attacks 'high jack' command-and-control systems. To date, the best pilots are superior to AI in tests, including in-flight combat simulations and field test. It is accepted that within a decade, AI will evolve from assisting pilots to replacing them. Meanwhile, pilots of USAF, USN, and the RAF are stretched as the conflicts across the globe draw them into danger. For the first time in history, USAF pilots and their families are threatened in the US. Exciting times!

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Date de parution: 31 juillet 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528964845
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Intuition Prevails
RPG
Austin Macauley Publishers
2019-07-31
Intuition Prevails About the Author About the Book Copyright Information Chapter 1 Deception Chapter 2 The Lull Chapter 3 First Threat Chapter 4 Far East Encounters Chapter 5 Friends and Family Chapter 6 Afghanistan Chapter 7 Family Loss Chapter 8 Afghanistan Heats Up Chapter 9 Testing Times Chapter 10 The Wedding and Unwelcomed Guests Chapter 11 One Less Enemy Chapter 12 Happier Times
About the Author
RPG was born and raised in NE, England, until the age of 12. His family moved to SE England later. After leaving school at 16, he followed a long and successful career in Personnel (he dislikes the modern label “Human Resources”). RPG is retired and lives happily with his wife in Buckinghamshire. This is his first book and it begs for a sequel – subject to readers enjoying this one!
His ambitions are modest i.e. to live long and prosper, with a high degree of personal privacy. Here’s hoping. Favourite books: Under Milkwood by Dylan Thomas and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
About the Book
American, British, and other fighter pilots operate at the threshold of Artificial Intelligence (AI). They know that their lives depend not only on their skills, but equally on ‘intuition’. This is reinforced when cyber-attacks ‘high jack’ command-and-control systems. To date, the best pilots are superior to AI in tests, including in-flight combat simulations and field test. It is accepted that within a decade, AI will evolve from assisting pilots to replacing them. Meanwhile, pilots of USAF, USN, and the RAF are stretched as the conflicts across the globe draw them into danger. For the first time in history, USAF pilots and their families are threatened in the US. Exciting times!
Copyright Information
Copyright © RPG (2019)
The right of RPG to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
ISBN 9781528926836 (Paperback)
ISBN 9781528964845 (ePub e-book)
www.austinmacauley.com
First Published (2019)
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
25 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5LQ
Chapter 1

Deception
Colonel Zack Coleman (nicknamed “Zillion”) heard the shrill “call to arms” buzzer. He donned his flight suit and lifted down his helmet – taking care not to knock or drop it (an expensive piece of kit!).
He picked up the pace sprinting to E1 – his Lockheed Martin F35A jet. The pilots Denzil and Al were already leaping into their planes (E2 and E3).
After the quick pre-flight checks were complete, they (Eagle 3 squadron) taxied and in less than 4 minutes were airborne in pre-planned “4” direction and speed.
So far, so normal murmured Zack to himself as he settled into the single seat fighter jet which was now as familiar to him as the Spartan room at his base.
Dennis, “the comms” voice interrupted his thoughts. The unexpected urgency in his voice disturbed Zack. ‘Comms at base under cyber-attack and maybe other parts of the network too.’
‘Take holding position and await orders.’
Base commander added, ‘Be wary and use initiative.’ Now that really is a first , thought Zack. Better take this op. seriously.
Zack opened comms to Denzil and Al, giving two short instructions. ‘We follow plan 4 until orders received. Internal comms only – until further notice. Out.’
Six minutes later, the three planes had levelled out some 40,000 feet above the Mediterranean, circling anti-clockwise.
Zack received a message from base – he patched in Denzil and Al as he answered, ‘Confirm that again.’
‘Attack and destroy warship at co-ordinates…’
Zack’s instincts were at hyper state – he answered, ‘Understood – can I speak to Dennis or base commander?’
‘Not available,’ came the reply with a noticeable middle-eastern accent. Zack decided to leave it there.
He checked with Denzil and Al, ‘Did you get that?’
‘OK, we will proceed to target but do not attack without my order. Follow my lead and speed.’
Denzil and Al both understood and shared Zack’s caution. Denzil murmured, ‘Something’s definitely not right tonight, honey!’
A few minutes later, Zack suddenly remembered that a USN vessel was on manoeuvres in that part of the Med. It was an off chance but his old pal Moe, a comms officer might be on that ship. Worth a shot , he grinned as he dialled. The number rang and was answered. ‘Who the fuck is this at 2 a.m.?’ Moe answered in his normal diplomatic tone.
‘Listen Moe, Zack here. First orange county lost their last game!’ Moe knew that this personal code had only been used twice in the 11 years since they left Cadet College.
Zack continued, ‘I am high and 120 miles west of you, with two other planes.’
‘Can you confirm your ship and its position?’
Without hesitation, Moe raced to the comms room, stumbling over his pants as he did so. He got back within 90 seconds – ‘Our ship is… and position… steaming at 30 knots S.W.’
‘OK – thanks.’
‘Shit! Yours is the target ship given by our base (or more likely not our base). Our base comms are under cyber-attack – so be wary of incoming orders/info.’
‘Until we clear up what’s happening, I suggest you advise your captain there may be a threat around and to initiate evasive manoeuvres scanning for subs, or surface craft. We will patrol around you for possible air intruders for the next 30 minutes.’
‘Good luck Moe and tell him likewise.’
Moe’s answer had a humorous tone, ‘It’s not a him – it’s a her! Out.’
Right, thought Zack, now to work . He opened comms to Denzil and Al – explained the contact he had with Moe (except for their personal code). ‘Let us separate to 20 miles and 10,000 feet intervals and scan for any air or seaborne craft within 60 miles of our cruiser.’
‘Report if you detect anything and if you do suspect a threat – attack immediately under THIS ORDER!’
Minutes later, Al reported, ‘Two miles south and 6,000 feet below me is a copter carrying what could be torpedoes (or tomatoes?),’ he quipped.
‘If he is heading towards the ship take him down now,’ ordered Zack. ‘No warning. Denzil and I will join you as soon as!’ As E1 and E3 turned, the sky lit up in a bright blue explosion – unmistakeably exploding munitions.
‘That was quick,’ Zack said to Al.
Al quipped, ‘Isn’t that what now means?’
Zack ordered a quick turn and climb to NW and reported events to Moe aboard the cruiser. He wondered if a report to his base, which had been compromised, was wise and decided he would try, but only if he spoke to Dennis. The comms or Harry, the base commander – no one else could be trusted at this stage.
Before he could act, the first of 3 comms were received. Zack switched to open channel with the other pilots.
The first message was from Dennis. ‘Cyber-attack ended – saw the false message you received. Discuss when you return – well done. Disobeying orders again! We have confirmed to US Naval vessel. Safe return.’
The second was from Moe who had his captain on the line – the voice changed to a female, authoritative and precise, ‘Saw the fireworks display – thanks for the warning and cover. We proceed with caution! I’ll thank you in person sometime.’
‘You’re in there Zack,’ chortled Al. The final message was from Harry Edmondson – Base Commander.
‘Shows that we should not just rely on electronic communications Zack – OUT.’
40 minutes later, they landed back at base. All were wondering who had conceived such an audacious plan. They had obviously infiltrated the unit?
After a very brief chat with his two colleagues, Zack already had his suspicions and a plan to uncover the traitor. All three agreed to keep silent on this aspect during their de-brief.
The next day was bright and sunny, just right for some R & R , thought Zack. He started his beloved Ford Mustang and pressed the pedal – speeding up to the gatehouse. ‘Only me boys,’ he shouted to the two armed guards. ‘I fancy a mooch around the local village followed by a long cool drink.’
The gates opened and he sped down the approach road towards town. Some half mile in front, he saw the flash, a reflection from the sun on glass. He instantly turned the car to his right, stopped and jumped for the cover of a moveable concrete roadblock. Two seconds later, an RPG slammed into his car, creating a fireball. Raising his head above the barrier, which had saved him, he saw the MPV screech away at pace but not fast enough to escape the strafing from one of the base helicopters. The MPV, a dead driver at the wheel, came to a stop engulfed in flames. A man and a woman crawled out – the man collapsing to the ground as he did so. The woman leapt agilely into a nearby ditch, gun in hand. Behind Zack four jeeps from the base, each with a complement of four armed soldiers, raced towards the intruder vehicle. The second jeep pulled alongside Zack – ‘Are you okay, sir?’ asked a heavy-set guard. Zack gave the thumbs up and jumped aboard. Within minutes, the jeeps had surrounded the enemy vehicle and hiding place of the young woman.
As the copter hovered above, a shout bellowed out – ‘Come out now you are surrounded, surrender or be killed.’
The order bellowed by Sergeant Bill (the Bull) Murphy had such urgency and authority that only a fool or a person