Corvus Prime: Escalation

by C. Cougar Sanborn

  ‘I’ve got her. Make the call,’ said Straus.

  ‘Roger that, Sir. You've got thirty seconds,’ said Page.

  It was still pouring rain and by time Straus got Darla over to the Ninja, and into the back seat, she was soaking wet. He stowed her luggage, climbed into the cockpit and closed the canopies.

  'Commander! Get out of there! They're almost there!' yelled Vicks.

  Straus quickly applied power and pivoted away from the main gate. The ship then shot away at tree top level just as the SUV's pulled up.

  ‘I don't think they saw me. Let’s hit it.’

  They accelerated back down the valley, and as they passed Mach 1 they went vertical and headed for the clouds. They continued to accelerate beyond escape velocity and headed back to the station.

  Back in Flight Ops, Bernie listened to how Flight 1 had come across the spent upper stage of a Chinese launch vehicle. Rather than blast it to pieces they decided to carefully nudge it's trajectory and made sure that it re-entered the atmosphere. Once the area was secure the team returned to the station.

  Straus returned the Training Ninja to maintenance bay 2. A medical team was standing by and whisked Darla away. He returned to the main flight bay and followed the other Black Hats to the locker rooms.

  After changing into his duty uniform he headed for Harrison’s office. As he entered the sergeant nodded and said, ‘He’s expecting you, Commander.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Straus as he headed in.

  Once the door was closed, Straus gave Tómas a thumbs up and Harrison responded with a nod.

  Harrison pulled out his comm device but before using it, looked up to Straus and said, ‘By the way, I took a look at that rank structure that you sent me. I liked how you diminished the rank of colonel, just in time for Francesca to come onboard.’

  With a sly smile, Straus said, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  Harrison laughed and turned his attention back to the comm device. After initiating the call he moved it to the wall screen.

  ‘McKay here,’ said the ambassador from his office in New York.

  ‘We’ve retrieved that missing item, Mr. Ambassador,’ said Straus.

  McKay nodded and said, ‘The Interpol team went in after they received an anonymous tip. There was nobody there. They did find a blood stain on a downstairs carpet. Samples are being sent out for DNA testing. I’m not sure that we’ll ever learn who was behind it, but once word gets out, they’ll think twice about trying anything like that again. Well done, Commander.’

  Chapter 4

  EUROPEAN UNION

  Straus walked into Medical just as the doctor was leaving and asked, ‘How’s she doing, Doc?’

  ‘Ah Straus. Nice work. She’s still suffering from some of the stun effects. I’ve administered a few more things to reset her nervous system. Once she wakes up tomorrow, she should be good as new. If you hurry in, you’ll be able to speak with her before she drifts off,’ said Dr. Wadell motioning to the room.

  ‘Thanks Doc.’

  He walked into the room and Darla was laying there apparently asleep and he said, ‘Hey there Miss Sleepy Head.’

  She smiled, turned her head toward the sound and forced her eyes open. The smile faded and was replaced by a serious look but before she could say anything, Straus spoke up.

  ‘Don’t worry about any of that now. You’re safe and unharmed. That’s all that matters. As for our plans... we’ll take off tomorrow as soon as you’re awake. Everything is ready.’

  Her frown was replaced by a smile and she held up her hand toward Straus. He held it and bent over and gave her a kiss. When he realized that she was no longer kissing back, he looked and saw that she had fallen asleep with a smile on her face. He laid her hand down and patted it, then left her to sleep off the effects.

  He headed back to Harrison’s office and after being announced sat down in the chair across from Tómas.

  ‘What’s on your mind my friend?’ asked Tómas.

  ‘If you recall Darla and I had planned a getaway after her conference. We’d still like to go through with that. After all being kidnapped and held hostage was a pretty traumatic experience.'

  ‘I think that’s a great idea,’ said Tómas.

  ‘Bernie has Flight Ops covered and I’ve got Yuri and Page covering my Wing Commander duties. Darla has Dr. Ames covering for her.’

  ‘Sounds good. Where are you headed?’

  ‘Switzerland to start. There’s good skiing this time of year, though it's been a few years since either of us have skied. Then we were thinking maybe Venice.’

  'Well, have fun, and send us a postcard if you think of it.'

  'Will do,' said Straus as he headed for the door.

  Early the next morning Straus headed to medical to pick up Darla. Before he got there his comm device signaled him that she was calling.

  ‘Morning sweetheart. I was just on my way to get you. How are you feeling?’

  ‘Good morning my love. I feel great, I’m in my quarters getting ready, but wasn’t sure how to pack.’

  ‘Pack warm. We’re headed for the Swiss Alps,’ he said while he reached the door to her quarters and keyed in his pass code.

  As the door opened, she ran over and threw herself into his arms and said, ‘My hero.’

  ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. Officially you were never kidnapped,’ said Straus with a smile.

  ‘You’re still my hero,’ she said pulling his face down and giving him a kiss, then added, ‘I don’t have much in the way of warm clothes.’

  ‘Yeah, neither do I. We’ll just have to go shopping when we get there. The chief has the ship ready to go and we’re burning daylight. Make sure to pack the paperwork we need.’

  ‘Already done. Guess I’m set then. Shall we?’

  They left her quarters and went by his quarters to grab his bag, then headed for the flight bay. The chief was waiting near the training Ninja and took care of stowing the luggage. Straus helped Darla into the back seat and made sure she was strapped in and her helmet connection was tight. After getting into the front, he fired up the energizers and returned the chief’s salute.

  Thirty minutes later they were on approach to Geneva International Airport. After landing and securing the Ninja, they were shuttled over to International Arrivals where their passports were checked. They then proceeded to the train station under the terminal and boarded their train.

  The train followed around the outside of Lake Geneva before turning up the Rhone Valley. They ate lunch in the restaurant car and enjoyed the beautiful alpine scenery. After two hours they had reached the community of Visp where they were to change trains.

  While they were waiting to make their connecting train, Mick pulled out his comm device. After tapping into the local cell network, he punched in a long series of numbers.

  ‘Guten Tag. This is Commander Strausser. No, we’re in Visp waiting for our connecting train. Should be there in about ninety minutes. Thank you... as am I.’

  After pocketing his comm device he said, ‘That single phone call just set into motion a complex chain of events. I just hope everything falls into place. I bumped into a few language barriers when I was making the arrangements.’

  The connecting train arrived and they found their seats and settled in for the last leg of their journey. They were now headed up the Mattertal Valley and gaining altitude as the scenery became ever more breathtaking. After an hour they reached their destination, the village of Zermatt.

  As they were leaving the train station with their luggage, Straus said, ‘You’re going to love this. There’s no cars allowed in town. Only horse-drawn, and electric vehicles.’

  They headed toward a horse-drawn sleigh. Standing in front of it was an older man with salt-and-pepper gray hair holding a sign that read, “Strausser”.

  Mick cleared his throat and said, ‘Ich bin Strausser.’

  ‘Guten Tag, Herr Strausser. Welcome to Zermatt. I’m speak En
glish OK. I am name Walti. Where can we go?’ he said with a thick Swiss-German accent, as he took the luggage from Straus and loaded it into the sleigh.

  ‘First things first... The Church of St. Peter,’ said Straus.

  ‘Ah yes, Sir. I know it well. I married myself there,’ said the driver as he got the sleigh moving.

  ‘We’re getting married now? But... I don’t even have a dress,’ complained Darla.

  ‘I’ve taken care of all that. Trust me,’ said Straus as he pulled out his comm device and connected to the local cell network. He hit redial and waited.

  ‘This is Commander Strausser again. We’re here in town and just leaving the train station. Very good, thank you.’

  Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to the church and were greeted by a group of people. Straus climbed out of the sleigh and helped Darla out. A portly gentleman with a receding hairline, wearing a suit stepped forward. Hanging around his neck he wore an ornate golden medal of office that hung down to the middle of his chest.

  ‘Commander Strausser, it is such an honor to be meeting you. I am Mayor Bachmann. Everything is ready. If I may have your papers, we can be started,’ said the mayor with his thick accent.

  Darla handed the paperwork over, and Straus handed him their two passports. He accepted them with a bow and passed them on to his assistant.

  ‘Right this way please,’ said Bachmann as he turned and proceeded up the steps. Darla was ushered away by a group of ladies and the mayor led Mick down a hall to a back room where he could change into his waiting tuxedo.

  As he changed the mayor said, ‘I cannot express how pleased we are that you chose our humble village for your wedding, Commander. It usually takes days to process the paperwork for non-citizens to marry, but we’ve made a few short cuts and sped things along for your case.’

  ‘We appreciate that. Thank you,’ said Straus.

  ‘This is Herr Obrecht, of the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.’

  Straus stopped trying to tie the bow tie of his tuxedo and shook his hand, saying, ‘A pleasure. You wouldn’t happen to know how to tie this, would you?’

  He stepped forward and took the two ends and as he was tying it, said, ‘But of course. It is my pleasure Commander. I want to assure you that our entire facility is at your disposal. You have but simple ask,’ said Obrecht with a large smile, then he continued. ‘We have upgraded you to our finest suite and your entire stay is on us. We have arranged a dinner reception and ball tonight in your honor.’

  ‘That really wasn’t necessary, but thank you.’

  The next thing Straus realized was that he was being ushered out to the main hall of the chapel. Much to his surprise the place was packed out with standing room only. He was wondering if those people might be there for another wedding and they were just being squeezed in beforehand.

  He turned to the mayor who was standing near him and in a low voice asked, ‘Who are all these people?’

  He smiled and said, ‘Why they are your guests... celebrities and dignitaries from all over Europe.’

  ‘But... who are they? Where did they come from?’

  ‘From everywhere. You must realize that you are quite famous. Once word got out, I have been flooded by people calling me, wanting to attend.’

  ‘Mayor Bachmann... I believe I mentioned that word was not to get out.’

  Bachmann got an embarrassed look on his face and shrugged.

  The music started and a lovely young blonde in a bridesmaid dress made her way up the aisle.

  ‘Mein daughter,’ beamed the mayor.

  The music changed to the Wedding March and Darla made her entrance. She was dressed in a beautiful white gown that Straus had commissioned to be made based on the green gown that she had worn to the Harrison’s wedding, and which subsequently mysteriously disappeared from her closet. Straus nearly teared up at the sight of her as she made her way elegantly toward the alter.

  Once everyone was in position, the chaplain began the ceremony and then led them through their vows. After exchanging rings they were pronounced as Mr. and Mrs. Mick Strausser. They kissed and when the music started they made their way up the aisle and outside to the waiting sleigh.

  After wrapping them in heavy blankets Walti asked, ‘Where to?’

  ‘Zermatterhof,’ said Strauss.

  ‘Oh, yes. Very nice mein herr,’ he said as he cracked the whip to get the horses moving.

  Walti evidently took the most scenic route possible and pointed out many of the sights. He stopped at one particular vista and pointed, saying, ‘Das Matterhorn.’

  ‘Wow. That’s impressive,’ said Mick looking at the peak of the Matterhorn as it loomed over the village at the end of the valley.

  ‘So beautiful,’ said Darla, who then snuggling into his side said, ‘Mick, I’m getting cold.’

  ‘Best speed to the hotel my good man. Wouldn’t want the wife to catch a chill,’ said Straus.

  ‘Wife... I love that,’ said Darla as she hugged his arm.

  Walti nodded and spurred the horses onward.

  ‘Mick... it's like a fairytale dream. Thank you so much. How did you pull it all off?’

  ‘Well you know that old saying, that money talks. I was ready to talk a lot, but once I explained that we were from Corvus Prime, all the doors opened, and everything fell into place.’

  ‘Well, you did a wonderful job. Thank you.’

  ‘Thanks. It was my pleasure sweetheart, but we’re not through yet. We still have the reception. You do know how to ballroom dance don’t you?’

  ‘A bit, I suppose.’

  ‘Good. You have two minutes to bring me up to speed.’

  Darla laughed and said, ‘Its not that different than the dancing we did at the Harrison’s wedding. Just watch the others and I’ll walk you through it.’

  They arrived at the hotel and found that they had literally rolled out a red carpet. There were photographers taking pictures and a throng of people being held back by security hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds.

  Straus’s vision of quietly eloping and spending a few days alone had totally vanished. The mayor had taken the opportunity to turn it into a major media event to help pour money into the local economy. Press releases were issued all across Europe. Like it or not, they were the new “royal couple”.

  ‘What’s going on?’ asked Darla overwhelmed by the fanfare.

  ‘I’m afraid that the mayor has seen to it that we’re celebrities. All we can do at this point is play along.’

  The sleigh stopped and Straus climbed out and helped Darla down. Straus shook several hands and signed a few autographs, then escorted Darla up the red carpet where they stopped and posed for photos for several moments.

  Finally the Mayor escorted them inside to the Reception Hall. He introduced them to members of the Swiss Federal Council, the co-presidents of Switzerland. There were also presidents, and ambassadors, princes and even a king from the surrounding countries. They were all there to meet the newlyweds and show their support and appreciation for the new nation of Corvus Prime.

  Dinner was a sumptuous feast brought out in five courses and the wedding cake was a spectacular representation of the Matterhorn that stood three feet tall. When it came time to cut the cake, Darla playfully smooshed a piece into Mick’s face. He countered by carefully feeding her a bite. However Darla received the applause for tenderly kissing the smooshed frosting off of his face.

  Later came the dancing and Mick’s worries quickly faded as he was able to fall in step with Darla without stepping on her toes. After enjoying several dances together they began mingling through the crowd and meeting some of “their guests”. A few hours later, they excused themselves and headed for their suite.

  When they closed the door and turned on the lights they found a mound of wedding presents and a flower shop full of flowers. They were too tired to tackle that project, and after their thirty hour day, they simply went to bed.

  The next day they weren’t up unt
il noon and after lunch decided on walking through old-town and spending sometime going through their wedding gifts. The following day they hit the ski slopes at one of the nearby resorts. After a refresher lesson they began exploring the mountain and it's many runs.

  After a half day of skiing they decided on one more run before stopping for lunch. They had just gotten off a lift and two members of the ski patrol came over to them. One was holding a hand radio and said, ‘Excuse me. Are you the Straussers?’