Corvus Prime: Escalation

by C. Cougar Sanborn

  ‘There are at least two dozen access shafts, and those larger ones measure over a mile across. That means that there may be as many as two dozen separate drone facilities buried in the planet.'

  ‘I was just doing some rough calculations based on our mining and production output. It will take us about six months to complete the second carrier and to produce twenty-four new ships for two squadrons, That doesn't include the time and materials for retrofitting our current ships to bring them all up-to-date, or to manufacture advanced ordinance.’

  'Hmmm. Maybe it's time to outsource some of the work planet-side. Perhaps you can talk to the ambassador about that,' suggested Straus.

  'Will do,' said Tómas as he made a notation on his slate.

  ‘Alright. The drones are out in the middle of nowhere and will be able to see us coming from a long way off. We'll need to devise an attack strategy that gives us the advantage. I'll start on that, but if anyone has any bright ideas, come and see me. Anyone have anything else?’

  Darla spoke up, choosing her words carefully in front of the film crew. ‘Given the fate of the Earth and all of mankind versus any possible negative effects, I approve of the use of the same weapons package that we used on the drone beacons for the mission out to Planet X.’

  ‘That should work nicely against their capital ships and those super-sized drones,’ said Straus.

  ‘And we may be able to take out their facilities, like we did out at Eunomia,’ said Bernie.

  ‘That should help to improve the odds. We’ve got a lot to do, so lets get to it,’ said Straus as he stood and dismissed the meeting.

  People started to file out and the film crew was gathering their equipment, when Coop came up to Tómas and Straus and said, ‘Given that it will take some time to prepare for this mission, I think my crew and I will head back to the surface. I have enough material for a couple of documentaries. However I would like to go along on the mission to Planet X.’

  Tómas considered that for a moment and with a half-smile said, ‘That will probably be fine, but I still want to see the final product first.’

  Coop laughed and said, ‘Fair enough.’

  After saying their good-byes, Straus had Darla escort the film crew to the transport bay.

  ‘Walk with me,’ said Tómas to Straus once they were the last two. He led them down the corridor toward the construction areas.

  ‘We’re moving the diplomats to their permanent quarters as they're being completed. It’ll take another couple of months to get them all over there. The Italians were the first to move.’

  ‘Sounds good. I noticed the lights on in the dome as we came in.’

  ‘Yes, we’re working on the landscaping now. Its really coming together. The orientation of the diplomatic wing and dome is ninety degrees off from the rest of the station, so we added a transition hall connecting the new sections.’

  ‘How’s that work?”

  ‘Its a hundred foot long elbow that transitions the direction of gravity. When you enter it looks as if you’re going to be going down a hill, but it feels like level ground. It’s a little disorienting at first. Here we go.’

  They stepped through an air lock into what could have passed for an airport terminal. There were high ceilings with large hallways heading out in four directions.

  ‘The Diplomatic wing is off in that direction. Access is restricted and both ends are guarded. The Dome is this way.’

  They entered one of the halls and the floor appeared to drop away quickly, they stepped onto the moving walkway and headed in.

  ‘It’s easier the first few times to hold on to the handrail,’ said Tómas turning to Straus and leaning against the railing.

  ‘You’re talking to a seasoned pilot...’ started Straus who began to become disoriented and grabbed the rail. ‘...but, it won’t hurt to hold on the first few times.’

  Tómas smiled and said, ‘We’ve got most of the trees and larger plants in place and we’ll be laying down the sod next week.’

  They stepped off the end of the walkway and passed through the airlock into the dome. Straus was taken back by the size which looked so much bigger than it did on paper. It gave the impression of being a piece of park land, with trees and shrubs growing in strategic locations, and a pond off in the distance.

  ‘Wow,’ he finally managed to say.

  ‘Its about 6 acres and the running path around the perimeter is a third of a mile. Its a hundred and seventy five meters across and the highest point is two hundred and eighty five feet.’

  ‘Very nice. I take it that’s the softball field on that side and that's the park over there.’

  ‘That’s right, there's the pond, and over there will be the swimming pool and volleyball court. There’s even enough room on the softball field to play football... or soccer as you probably know it by.’

  ‘Very nice.’

  Tómas pointed up to the dome and said, ‘All those lights are on tracks. We can spread them out for even light, we can bunch them together and have them track across the dome to simulate sunlight, we can make several clusters to simulate stadium lighting... whatever we want.’

  ‘Perfect for setting up a romantic artificial moonlit evening.’

  ‘The dome is made of smart-glass and we can change it from clear to completely opaque. Its tough too. It’ll take a 50 caliber armor piercing round without so much as a scratch, so it should be able to stand up to most anything... plus it's shielded.’

  ‘Nice. I’ll post a softball sign-up sheet and start getting the teams arranged and equipment ordered. You in?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  That evening after dinner Straus took Darla by the hand and said, 'I've got a surprise for you. Let's take a walk.'

  He led her down to the park and had her hang onto the railing through the gravity transition. He had already arranged to have the lights clustered at a low intensity to simulate a full moon.

  As they walked in through the airlock, Darla gasped at the sight of the moonlit expanse.

  'Its more beautiful than I could have imagined,' she finally said.

  They strolled down the path toward the pond and Straus pointed out where the various facilities were going to be placed. As they got to the water's edge Straus could see two shadows under a tree next to the pond.

  'It was such a good idea, I couldn't resist.'

  Straus laughed and they joined Tómas and Vicks and chatted awhile before going their separate ways.

  Chapter 12

  ALL STARS

  Six months had passed and the second carrier had just completed it's space trials. It was christened the Suzaku which is the Japanese name for the Vermillion Bird of the South, which is another name for the Corvus constellation. Two new full squadrons had been produced, and the Cobras and the Hellcats were trained up and ready to go. They joined the assignment rotation of the other station-based squadrons.

  Everyone had been nose-to-the-grindstone for the last six months preparing for the big attack. Now, however, they were looking forward to a welcome distraction. Though the park had been unofficially open for over a month, the day had come for the formal ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the park. There was a huge turnout and Ambassador McKay and his wife were in attendance as were several hundred of the station's compliment.

  Once the park was declared open, people were treated to and old-fashion barbeque. After picking up their food people wandered the park to pick out their perfect spot. Straus and Darla were on a park bench next to the pond about to dig into their lunch.

  'Mind if we join you?' came a voice from behind.

  Straus didn't even have to turn around but instantly recognized Vicks's voice, and as he slid down the bench said, 'We saved a spot for you.'

  'You staying for today's game?' asked Tómas.

  'Wouldn't miss it for the world. Wish it was the Black Hats out there, but it'll still be fun to watch Dar play.'

  'You nervous?' asked Vicks to Darla.

  '
A little. I was only able to make half of the practice games. Still... I predict that the Geek Squad will triumph over the Admin staff. What do they call themselves again?'

  Tómas chewed his bite and with a half-full mouth said, 'Mighty Ducks.'

  'Oh that's right.'

  'I don't get it,' said Vicks.

  Tómas swallowed and took a sip of his lemonade and said, 'It was a series of kid movies about a ragtag youth hockey team that won the championship against all odds.'

  'Sounds like wishful thinking.'

  Straus nodded and said, 'They have the worst record in the practice games, but they do have a great attitude. They're out there to play the game and have fun, and they really don't care if they win or loose.'

  'Good. Then they won't mind if we crush them today,' said Darla with a wink and a smile.

  'You go girl,' said Vicks clinking her drink to Darla's.

  Ninety minutes later the field was cleared and the teams were going through their warmup routines. Straus and the Harrisons were sitting in the bleachers which were packed.

  'So when was it again, that we get to play?' asked Vicks.

  'Day after tomorrow the Black Hats play the Grease Monkeys.'

  'Oh yeah. I hope the Chief won't mind getting beat.'

  'Even if he does, he won't let it interfere with his work.'

  It wasn't until the second inning that Darla came up to bat. She made good contact with the ball and it sailed just over the left fielder's glove after he made the mistake of moving in too close. The ball was overthrown to First and Darla took the opportunity to sprint to Second and was safe.

  'Way to hustle!' yelled Straus.

  'Wow. She's fast,' said Vicks.

  'She took all-state in the 100 meter and 100 meter hurdles back when she was in High School,' said Straus matter-of-factly.

  'She's got the legs for it,' said Tómas.

  'Excuse me??' asked Vicks.

  'I only meant that with those long legs of hers that...' started Tómas.

  'Yes?' added Vicks.

  'Give it up T-Rex. No way you're winning that sortie,' said Straus with a smile.

  Tómas sighed and said, 'Sorry honey. Besides your new legs are much nicer.'

  Vicks started laughing, 'I was just teasing, but thanks.'

  Straus started laughing, but Tómas didn't think it was funny.

  The Geek Squad won their first game 8-to-3. They then went on to win their next four games, that included a win over the Dragons which Straus expected to take the tournament based on their practice sessions.

  The Black Hats were holding their own in third place. If they could defeat the Dragons then they'd move into second place and have a shot at the Geek Squad.

  That night at dinner, Straus said, 'That was a good game today. I didn't think the Tigers had it in them, but they put up a good fight.'

  Tómas nodded and said, 'Yeah. Bolts has really got them whipped into shape. Where is he anyway?`

  Darla nodded to across the room and said, 'He's sitting over there with Twinky.'

  'I'm glad he's settled down and picked somebody already. That "Lady's Man/Playboy" act wasn't working out so well for him,' said Straus.

  'They make a cute couple. I hope he doesn't blow it,' said Vicks.

  'I've got to know Twink pretty well over the last month. She's one sharp cookie. If anyone has a shot at snagging Bolts, it's her,' said Straus.

  The game between the Dragons and the Black Hats finally rolled around. The teams were fairly evenly matched and by the bottom of the ninth the score was tied up 5-to-5 and they went into extra innings. Then at the bottom of the eleventh inning, Vicks hit a line drive over the First baseman's head. Tómas who was on First rounded Second. The Right Fielder rocketed the ball to Third base, but Tómas dove for the plate and beat out the throw by a fraction of a second. He stood and brushed the dirt off while looking over to Vicks, who was giving him a thumbs up. He smiled and nodded.

  Roca was up next. She had been on her college softball team back in Japan and was probably their strongest player. She swung, but only got a piece of the sinker that Yuri had lobbed in. It was a pop fly to the infield and the short stop called it for an easy out.

  Twinky was up next and she was probably their weakest player. She only joined because her boyfriend, Bolts, had talked her into it and this tournament was her first time to play any organized sport outside of gym class.

  Straus had spent a lot of extra time coaching her and was more than a little proud over the progress she made in the last several games.

  'Just like practice Twink. Take a deep breath and keep your eye on the ball. Yuri has no mercy and will try to get you to swing at the crappy pitches and not at the good ones,' said Straus.

  She nodded to Straus, adjusted her helmet and got in her stance. The one thing that she had going for her was that she stood five foot even and her strike zone was small. Yuri decided on a fastball to shake her up. He ended up doing exactly that that because his release was just a little off and he nailed her in the arm which knocked her to the ground.

  Straus and Yuri rushed over to make sure she was alright. She insisted that she was, and took First base, moving Vicks to Second and Tómas was still on third. The bases were now loaded and there was only one out.

  Straus came to bat. He'd been playing softball since he was a kid and made it a point to become proficient at every position. He let the first two pitches go by, a ball and a strike.

  'Good eye. Good eye,' yelled Darla from the stands.

  The next pitch was just where he liked it and smashed it out to deep left. It looked like it was going over the fence, but the Left Fielder made a spectacular leap and caught it. He fired it off to Home plate and eliminated any chance for Tómas to steal home.

  'That was a great hit. You'll get 'em next time sweetheart,' yelled Darla as she watched Straus walk back to the bench with his head hung low.

  With two outs, Skywatch came to bat. He was a solid player, and known for his long hits. The outfielders moved back a bit. The first pitch was high and would have been a ball, but he batted it downward. It dropped into short right and the right fielder had to sprint to get to it. He scooped up the ball and fired it Home to cut off Tómas, but the ball bounced out of the catchers glove and Tómas was called safe. The catcher recovered the ball and hurled it to Third and caught Vicks, ending the game 6-to-5, moving the Black Hats to second place.

  That evening they had a double treat. First they celebrated their victory at dinner. Most of the Dragons were present to show their support, and to take some of the customary razzing that the victors dished out. After dinner they all made their way to the auditorium.

  Once they took their seats, the lights dimmed and a spotlight came on shining down on the stage. A figure stepped out from the shadows and entered the small circle of light. It was Duncan Cooper.

  'Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I'm proud to present to you the first screening of our little documentary. I'd like to thank you all once again for your cooperation, and for giving me the opportunity. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.'

  He stepped off the stage and joined the Straussers and Harrisons in the audience. The lights went out and the National Geographic theme music came on and the screen showed the title, “National Geographic Special: Inside Corvus Prime”

  Over the next two hours they were treated to what Straus considered an award worthy documentary. All-in-all it was a balanced presentation that did not portray them as some sort of super heroes, but just as ordinary people. The difference being that they were people that chose to step up and volunteer for extraordinary work. The first hour covered life on the station. There were interviews with dozens of people serving in all aspects from kitchen staff and spacecraft maintenance, to administration and operations.

  The second hour covered the mission to divert the two asteroids from impacting earth. It included strategy meetings, preparation, the long days of precision towing, refueli
ng from the asteroid belt, as well as the attack by the drones, and the loss of life.

  There were cheers from the audience after the ricochet impact when it was announced that it was successful. For many aboard the station, it was their first time seeing footage from the mission. The program ended with a stirring tribute to all the men and women that had paid the ultimate sacrifice defending earth since First Strike.

  The screen went dark and the house lights slowly came back on. There was a moment of silence and then the audience broke into a thunderous applause and stood to their feet. Harrison coaxed Coop to stand and take a few bows. He was then mobbed by people that wanted to meet and congratulate him. After letting that go on for some time Straus and Harrison rescued him and led him to the dignitary dining room for a reception.