In a near-future Kansas City, the police have deployed new technologies aimed at dealing with crimes committed via aerial drones.  Special “Passenger” tech is used to mentally link a trained eagle and a human officer, forming a third gestalt mind. Together, they patrol the skies and deal out justice with beak and talon.

There is illicit prey in our skies. OUR SKIES! we scream, indignant. We are dimly aware of the radio chatter: “10-71,” “sniper drone,” and some frantic beat cop screaming, “The mayor is down!” These details matter little now and we push them aside to focus. There has been a violation of the law and we are called to serve. Already we’re dipping our wings and turning as our Passenger directs us gently with a feeling as if the magnetic poles of the world have shifted. We will capture our prey. We will earn commendations and the tastiest morsels of meats.