“If I can have everyone’s attention please!”
Later that evening, Hutch gathered the wedding party in front of the massive viewing port in the crewman’s lounge, and called for everyone else to fall in behind them.
Frank came around with a tray of champagne and ensured everyone in the wedding party had a glass.
“I have a rather unusual gift for the bride and groom, but before we get to that, Steve has a toast to make.” Hutch yielded the floor to his friend, and Scarecrow turned to face the gathering.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that this is the happiest day of my life.” He beamed, smiling as he glanced over at Sandy. She smiled back at him, kissing him on the cheek as she did.
“But I would be terribly remiss if I didn’t offer the following toast. I don’t want to throw a damper on the festivities, but what I’m about to say is necessary … and I’m sure all here will understand.
“We couldn’t gather here like this if it were not for the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of a large number of people. Of course I refer to the members of the Solar Warden Program and Earth Defense Force, who put their lives on the line every day to keep our solar system safe from a very real and malevolent enemy. An enemy intent on our destruction.” A hush wafted across the room as Scarecrow continued. “I lift my glass to all of you present, and to all the members of Solar Warden, wherever they may be. I especially want to recognize those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and have laid down their lives in service to us all. To our fallen comrades, who died so we might live.”
He raised his glass, took a sip, and the entire room followed suit.
“Before I hand the room back to my best man, I want to especially acknowledge four men and two women. Six Earth Defense Force Marines. They are, Lieutenant Chad Murphy, Sergeant Willy Barnes, Corporal Susan Chen, Corporal Juan Flores, Private Julia Gomez and Private Tyrone Sullivan. I owe these men and women a debt of gratitude I can never repay. Not only did they lay down their lives in the service of Solar Warden, but by sacrificing their own lives, they saved the life of their company commander, my lovely bride, EDF Marine Corps Major Sandy Cooper, who is now of course, Mrs. Sandy Richardson.
“During the recent Mars campaign, on the front line, when Sandy’s life was threatened by the enemy, they stepped in front of her and gave–”
Scarecrow’s voice cracked as he glanced at the deck. It took a moment for him to regain his composure. A slow sigh released the emotion that threatened to overwhelm him.
“… They died so she could live and return to me. To marry me. Without their ultimate sacrifice, this day could not have happened. They acted in the best tradition of the Earth Defense Force Marine Corps. I will forever be in their debt, and I will never forget them. To six of the bravest, most devoted, most selfless Marines I could ever have the honor and privilege to serve with. I stand in their shadow.”
Scarecrow stood to attention and saluted as the entire room followed suit, then broke into enthusiastic applause. Sandy turned and threw her arms around her husband, embracing him for honoring her Marines.
The first sergeant caught Scarecrow’s eye, and nodded in silent approval.
“Alright, now let’s move on to less honorable, but more pleasurable pursuits,” Hutch said as he called the crowd back to focus on the view port. “I tried to think of what I could get the happy couple for their wedding, but a waffle iron just didn’t seem to suffice. So I decided to up the ante a bit. It’s a little unorthodox, but I hope you enjoy it, nonetheless. May I please call everyone’s attention to the view port, especially Commander and Mrs. Richardson.”
“Mrs. Richardson,” Sandy whispered into Scarecrow’s ear, “I so love the sound of that.”
Hutch nodded to his SO, Lieutenant Jones, who was standing to one side. Jones tapped his comm tattoo and whispered something imperceptible. A moment later, a TR-3B drifted into view, seen clearly through the huge crew lounge viewing port. It proceeded to execute a series of graceful maneuvers, and after several minutes, was joined by three other birds, each one following a carefully preset pattern. Much to everyone’s delight, for over five minutes, the four tiercels performed an elegant, avian dance in space.
Afterward, the four craft lined up in front of the viewing port, and without warning, a startling display of colorful fireworks ignited around them, to the surprise and amusement of the wedding party and the entire crowd. The room exploded in applause, as Hutch cast a satisfied glance at the bride and groom.
Sandy turned and hugged Hutch, then kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you Al, that was wonderful. I couldn’t have asked for a more appropriate gift for my wedding.”
“Glad you liked it, Sandy.” Hutch returned her kiss with a sincere smile.
The applause faded as the crowd proceeded to drift away from the view port and began mingling once more as Scarecrow turned and gazed out at the blue-green globe beneath him, as silent as he was pensive. Hutch noticed him, and moved to stand beside his friend. The pilots stood together for a moment, until Hutch broke the shared silence.
“Remember the first time you gazed out this window?”
“How could I forget?” Scarecrow shook his head in quiet disbelief. He continued to stare down at magnificent Terra-Prime beneath him, the blue-green surface splattered with a myriad of tiny, puffy white splotches, all drifting in a lazy configuration.
“Y’know, Hutch … the first time I looked out his window, the universe was a lot smaller,” Scarecrow said. “I had no idea what was going on up here. What you, Jonathan, Sandy, Zvi and all the rest were up to. Were up against. How long ago was that?”
“Over ten months.”
“Is that all? It feels like ten years.”
“It’s been a wild ride, hasn’t it, buddy?”
“That’s the understatement of the millennia. It’s hard to believe that just over ten months ago, I was flying an F-16 over Afghanistan, taking out Taliban and Al-Qaida targets, and now, I’m flying an anti-gravity spacecraft, fighting giant lizard-Gorn-men and their little gray-skinned helper-monkeys, targeting mile-wide flying saucers, trying to keep Earth from being invaded.
“Getting married on a space-carrier to the most incredible woman the Almighty ever created …” He continued to stare out the window for a while, silent. Then Scarecrow turned to face Hutch.
“You know what, CAG?”
“What?”
“There’s nobody I would rather ride this crazy Star Trek rollercoaster with than you. You’re a good friend, Hutch. The best I ever had. I don’t think I could find a more kindred spirit than you. I owe you so much.”
“I wouldn’t trade it for the world either, buddy.”
The pilots shook hands and then enveloped each other in a boisterous bear hug.
“I hate to break up this bromance, Heckle and Jeckle,” Sandy said as she appeared behind them, her arms akimbo. “But if you two haven’t noticed, they’ve struck up the band.” One hand flailed behind her in confirmation, then Sandy pointed at her husband. “And you and I are expected to dance.”
Sandy beckoned with her finger for her husband to follow her. She grabbed him by the hand and dragged Scarecrow out onto the dance floor as the crowd expanded to give them room. She turned and threw her arms around his neck as the lights dimmed and they found themselves illuminated by a single, overhead follow-spot. The newlywed couple slow danced alone while Sheena’s WSO sang a sultry, smoldering rendition of the chill-out version of La Luna by Climatic.
“Sir.”
The officer smiled at a pair of ratings who were walking down the passageway after leaving the festivities in the crewmen’s lounge. They threw a hasty salute as he passed, then ignored him and continued their lively banter.
The officer reached his stateroom and ducked in, locking the hatch before sitting at his console. He paused for a moment, sighed, then activated his tablet. The screen went black as he typed in a passcode.
“Report, oo-mann. What news of our dō’ēlu on the oo-mann hive ship you call Par-a-llax?”
“That idiot!” the officer exclaimed. “He was sloppy. He let himself get caught, and he was killed.”
“And what of you?”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m not as careless.”
The officer didn’t realize he neglected to activate his dampening field device.