Story – NoBoom

Definitions:

(EOD) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialists Are the preeminent tactical and technical explosives experts. They are warriors who are properly trained, equipped and integrated to attack, defeat and exploit unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices and weapons of mass destruction. Explosive ordnance disposal specialists are the culmination of the best tactical and technical training the Army and civilian academia can provide. They are prepared to perform missions in support of military units worldwide, across all operational environments.

Job Duties

• Research and identify ordnance
• Assist in the preparation and use of advance robotics
• Explosively disposing of hazardous ordnance
• Prepare and maintain tools, equipment and vehicles

The Zone - a state of such concentration that one is able to perform at the peak of one's physical or mental capabilities.

Timmy MacGregor retired from the Army five years ago. He was a cyber terrorism expert and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Specialist. He used to laugh when he was called that as he knew it was just a fancy schmancy term for bomb defuser.

He was the first EOD, in 50 years, to not die on the job and actually got to retire.

He was simply known as NoBoom, as he had the longest track record of successful bomb defusings in history.

For 30 years he had been the U.S. Government’s top EOD. He got his initial training in The Marines at age 18. He had a special ability to bring complex physical and electronic systems into his head, and reverse engineer them.

This skill was especially helpful when defusing bombs.

So at 60, he was long retired and living on a lake in The Adirondacks.

He had just wound a new fishing lure, and had his fishing pole in hand.

As he started out the front door, his #2 (government issued) phone started vibrating.

“Restricted” came up on the screen.

He slowly inhaled and then slowly exhaled, and then answered the call.

Timmy: “Timmy MacGregor.”

A very young voice on the other end of the phone said: “This is Senior EOD Burke. Please go to your computer, I emailed you a link to my livestream. I’m sorry to bother you, but I can’t figure this one out.”

Senior EOD Burke was wearing a blast suit which had a high definition camera on the helmet. Within a minute, a very high definition video stream was playing on Timmy’s 100 inch flat screen.

They never said where the bombs were planted as that would waste time. Timmy would be informed of those details at a later debriefing.

Senior EOD Burke, followed protocol and moved his head and the attached camera from top right, then across, then down and then across, trying to give Timmy as much detail as he could.

Timmy sat on his couch, immediately and involuntarily he got into the zone.

An elaborate computer board was being shown inside what looked like a normal desktop PC. Various small lights were glowing bright.

His mind was building a full 3D schematic of the bomb mechanism as Senior EOD Burke was moving his head.

Timmy said: “Good, stop. Now back away so the entire ordinance is in view.”

Senior EOD Burke obeyed, all the while staying as still as possible.

He muted his end of the call, and within a moment his involuntary trademark muttering could be heard. This was accompanied by his eyes darting so fast anyone looking at them would only see a blur.

“43 duplex….. Millimeter…. 5 gauge… 4 volt…….yellow, orange… transition…. Pop….mulner chip….higgins gateway… In arabic (detonator) مفجر (fuse)… فتيل … (chipset) شرائح”

This lasted 45 seconds.

He unmuted himself.

Timmy: “Burke, get your #5 chip puller. 2nd quadrant, left. Pull chip marked s7*^%.”

All the lights went out on the computer board.

Senior EOD: “Thanks NoBoom.”

NoBoom: “No problem, see you at the debriefing. Put in your notes, Hasad Mulifa origin most likely.”

He picked up his pole, with his brand new lure attached, and headed to the lake, only a few feet from his door.

His new lure was a complete failure.