Major Thomas Egan is a former fighter pilot turned drone pilot who operates unmanned aerial vehicles from a base in Las Vegas. Struggling with the monotonous and impersonal nature of his new role, Egan pilots drones over Afghanistan, targeting Taliban forces without ever leaving the safety of his air-conditioned trailer. The separation from direct combat takes a toll on him, and he begins to question the morality and psychological impact of his work. His wife, Molly, becomes increasingly concerned about his growing detachment and emotional distance, which starts to strain their relationship. Egan finds himself caught between his duty as a soldier and his conscience, as civilian casualties mount and the lines between combatant and bystander blur.

As Egan grapples with these internal conflicts, his superior officers push for more aggressive tactics, adding to his turmoil. His team experiences similar moral dilemmas, leading to tense interactions and ethical debates. When the directive to carry out controversial missions from the CIA comes in, Egan's disillusionment intensifies. He desperately searches for meaning and tries to reconcile his sense of duty with the ethical quandaries that accompany remote warfare. The moral and emotional consequences of drone warfare weigh heavily on him, forcing him to confront his identity, values, and the implications of a war fought from a distance.