I beckoned Fede down the steps and onto the tarmac, and Rafael and I flanked him like bodyguards as he made his way to the jeep. The lieutenant gave Fede a crisp salute as we passed, then closed the door after us as we settled into the back of the jeep. Behind us, the VTOL’s rotors began to turn more swiftly and its engines rose to a sharp whine. The door through which we’d exited closed automatically, and the VTOL rose gracefully, disappearing into the night sky.