Unleash the dogs of War
Its January 1942 in Nome, Alaska and the war has gone bad for the Allies, the British have been driven back from El Alamein Egypt by Rommel, the Russians have their tails between their legs desperately trying to throw the Nazis from the Gates of Moscow. In the Pacific the Japanese juggernaut has rolled across Thailand and Burma, they've captured Malaya, Singapore and Hong Kong and have pushed the American forces in the Philippians back to the fortress of Corregidor, and have taken the fortress island of Wake. This is the situation our wolf-dog friend finds himself in.
Balto is an outcast in Nome because his blood is tainted with that of wolves and for that he is ostracized from the rest of the dogs in Nome. Our story doesn't begin with Balto but with Steele, Nikki, Kaltag and Star, four champion sled dogs that live in Nome, the sun is just now beginning to rise over the sleepy town.
"So Steele…." Asked a nervous Star, who was a small grey husky that was much smaller than the rest of his friends
"What" a very irritated Steele replied to his small counterpart
"Do you think he will really do it?"
"Never!" Steele replied viciously
"Boss hows do you know?" asked Nikki a stocky Chow-chow
"Yeah he was pretty mad last night" interrupted a tan Chinook named Kaltag,
"How do I know, easy he's a worthless half breed and a coward! He will do anything he can to trick people into thinking he's more than that. But not me I see right through his half-breed tricks" Replied a furious Steele.
"yeah but…." Star started
"Star…his whole race is dirty, they think they are as good as us pure bred dogs, and will use any tricks at their disposal to get us to trust them and then when they have our trust they will stab us in the back whenever the situation dictates… for now let's keep what happened under the rug, we might have use for this information in the future" the championship sled dog replied. The rest nodded and fell behind their leader on the way back to the Old Mill
Meanwhile on a dilapidated fishing trawler, Balto sat alone on the bow looking out at the town of Nome, thinking back to the night before that had lead him to say something's that he wished he had rather not said at all now.
FLASHBACK to Nome the night before, inside the Old Mill Steele and his gang sit amongst the other dogs of Nome discussing the War meanwhile outside Balto sneaks around through back alleys trying to find something to eat, not knowing that someone has been trailing him the entire time he was at Nome.
'The butcher shop always has good pickings at this hour, most of the dogs are in the mill right now so I should be safe' with that he side stepped a "sneak attack" and just stared at his mysterious red and white attacker, 'should be' he chuckled to himself. "Jenna I smelled you the moment I entered Nome, but nice try", Jenna, a red and white husky stood back up and shook the thick snow that had covered her fur off, "so you do care" she replied , "nope, just aware of my surroundings" he replied back. He could tell that wasn't the answer she was hoping for, because he could see a small scowl developing on her face, "but you are welcomed to join me for dinner behind the butcher shop". "I would like that very much she replied, lead the way" she said but not before flicking him playfully in the nose with her tail. Their walk wasn't very long and neither was their meal, Balto hadn't expected anyone to be with him when he ate so a normally small meal for one had to split between two dogs now.
Though he didn't mind going hungry if it meant he could spend time with Jenna. "hey Balto you know, if you're hungry again in the future just find me and I'll get you some food from my place, I don't like you risking your neck out here to just end up with scraps, and it would get me out of having to deal with Steele." She said with a slight smile on her face, "Jenna you know as well as I do that If we're seen together bad things will happen to you and worse things to me" fighting back tears Jenna wanted argue but she knew deep down he was right. Seeing the distraught in her eyes, Balto quickly pulled Jenna in for a comforting hug, at that point she began to sob deeply into his chest. "Shhh… it everything will be alright" he said. "no…it won't it will never be alright, why can't the others see the good in you like I do, I just wished there was something you could do to prove to everyone that you're not what they think you are". Unknown to them though, there was a small Scottish terrier watching everything, 'Steele needs to see this' he said to himself and with that he rushed over to the mill.
Steele and his crew were sitting around at the mill with some of the other dogs, listening to the war correspondence coming over the radio. "General Winter has stopped the Nazi's cold in their tracks; Moscow has been saved for now, though speculations of the Russia's army strength remains scant at best, in Africa the Germans continue their drive toward Suez, and in the far east japan still seems unstoppable but their advance has been halted at the Philippian island of Bataan, MacArthur says he will hold at all costs." The news turns off and some generic 40s song begins to play out of it. "Steele do you think the Japs will come here?" asked a very wide eyed Pomeranian named Dixie. "Ha they better not because if they did their going to have to mess with me, and if that happens we will win the war for sure!" many girl dogs swooned at his tough talk. "He's the bravest, the strongest, the most forward charging…" "You're a hero!" said Kaltag before being interrupted by Star of which Kaltag gave Star a nice smack on the head. "I don't like to brag but…." Steele started before a terrier came running in through the doors, "Steele, Steele, I saw Jenna with Balto, at the butcher shop, he was holding her and she was crying!" the little guy said. Steele, angered, quickly rose to his paws, "boys our lobo friend has gone too far this time", with a nod from his posse, Steele quickly led them over to the butcher shop.
Balto had begun to walk Jenna home when all of a sudden Steele and his goons came around the corner and blocked their route home. "Where do you think you're going "Bingo?" asked an apparently angry Steele. "I was just taking Jenna back to her place" Balto replied. "Don't worry we'll take it from here I don't want you to get your half breed filth all over my girl." Steele said with a devious smile across his face, Balto could tell that this was a no win situation, "Jenna go with him." "but….." she tried to reply before being cut off by a concerned looking Balto, "remember what I said about a bad and worse situation, well this is what I was talking about, save yourself the trouble and please just go" she didn't want to but she knew Balto would get hurt if she didn't comply. "Alright Steele take me home" at that moment the terrier from earlier came up from behind, "you, terrier take Jenna home, me and the boys have got to teach Balto some manners." Steele said. "Come on little lady let's get out of here things are about to get messy" walking away Jenna looked back and prayed nothing would happen to the dog she loves. When they were out of sight Steele began to circle around Balto, unleashing a torrent of verbal jeers at him. "I can't believe you just let her go, I knew you half-breeds were heartless but this is an all-new low for you, you won't even stand up for yourself I can't believe that I actually thought you would stand up for her, Jenna would never fall for a mutt like you." Balto knew he was right, Jenna would never fall for him if he couldn't stand up for himself. Balto looked to his left to see the post office window and what he saw would change his life that night. Inside the window was a poster of an American soldier with an attack dog at his side while he was firing his gun. 'I'll join the army and ill become something more than they could ever be' he thought to himself. "Hey wolf dog did you hear me I said….." "I'm joining the army!" Steele and his gang were taken aback by this sudden outburst. "you'll do what" a now visibly angry Steele asked. "you heard me tough guy, I'm going to join up and become everything you're not because your nothing but a coward and a cheat, you and your whole gang, neither of you can stand up for yourself with our the other three there to back you up, you fight for nothing while I'm going to be out there fighting for my country, and everyone will see you for the true cowards you are." If looks could kill the look Steele gave Balto a look that would kill a thousand times over. Get out of here wolf dog, if I see you again Axis bullets will be the least of your worries. Balto knew not to look a gift horse in the mouth and took his opportunity for escape gladly. "Come on guys lets head back to the mill; the sun is starting to rise." The short walk was a quiet one, Steele was irritated to say the least, 'he called me a coward there is no way someone like him would join, but if he does then what will they think about me…..' Steele's thoughts were interrupted by Star
"So Steele…."