Helicopter Parenting in the Age of Drone Warfare

"The gun in Zack's arms probably felt so cold and dead - like a baby fresh from the womb with the cord wrapped around its neck. The look in his eyes told me he intended to bring it to life. He wanted to make it red-hot and burning to the touch. He'd make it scream its presence to the world. And for Zack, the world stood a few yards away, unsuspecting and unprepared."

HELICOPTER PARENTING IN THE AGE OF DRONE WARFARE is a bold, ballsy novelette that grips you in the first chapter and doesn't let go until you read that last page. And then you go back and reread that whole last chapter again. And maybe even one more time.
This author gets all the stars allowed from me for the choice made here with the actions of the father - and depending on where you live, how you were raised, your opinions on guns and such - you may agree with me, or you may disagree vehemently.

This story is given to us through a series of interviews between a Detective Jensen and the father of a young man named Zack Bessander. Right away, the reader understands something tragic must have occurred, but not sure what, but assume the answers will be forthcoming as the interviews progress.

The first creepy thing to learn is this story seems like it takes place in the not too distant future, where we are even more reliant on technology than we already are. You've noticed it - and if you haven't, next time you're waiting at a red light, count how many cars pass under the light where the driver has their phone in their hand. It's a shame. It gets even more creepy - contacts you can adhere to an infant at time of birth that allows you to see images from what they see that are uploaded to a cloud folder. Not enough? How about a Parental Drone to follow them around, where you can chat via a camera and microphone? How long before that's the only contact you have?

This story illustrates how this type of monitoring can make one miss warning signs, lead to apathy, blur the line between work and life - and that's not even touching the whole privacy issue of the child or others that might be recorded in the process of monitoring your child. Can you imagine?? No? Read this story. See how matter-of-fact it was for this world that's not so far off from our own. If it doesn't scare you, make you uncomfortable and have your skin crawling then I don't know what will.

This was my first piece to read by Patrick Barb. It will not be the last. An author who writes narratives such as this commands my upmost respect and I am eager to see what other chances he may have taken, avenues often pondered by others and never taken.

I was graciously sent a physical copy of this story by the publisher, Spooky House Press, for review consideration. Another success from this small press!