First Strike
"Kemo. I thought you would not come."
The white wolf narrowed his eyes. "I am here, Eyak. That should be sufficient. Or would you prefer to absorb my territory?"
Eyak barely flinched. "Let us return to our plan."
"Yes. But remember that we only take targets of opportunity. We are not strong enough to take the combined might of the humans. Timing is difficult. Were this the dead of winter, it would be much simpler to hold them off. As it is, we can only hope to make it difficult enough that they retreat. We sabotage materiel only, no direct attacks."
"Very well," Dalag sneered. "Does materiel include their canine slaves?"
Kemo hesitated, remembering that there were some dogs he found marginally likeable. "If they present an immediate danger, yes."
Eyak nodded. "Chinga, pick several scouts to provide warning if anyone tries to interfere. They are to kill any who venture near."
"My pleasure."
Senak sprinted into the midst of the leaders. "Two humans and three dogs have left the camp. Our quarry is among them."
Eyak grinned wickedly. "Excellent, Senak. You shall lead the scouts that Chinga picks." The young scout preened. "Dalag, take six of our fastest runners. You will prevent the human from reaching his destination."
Kemo stood abruptly. "We agreed there were to be no direct attacks on humans!"
Eyak turned to him. "If this human is removed, we can end this battle right now, my friend."
Kemo shook his head. "Trap him. Let him die by the teeth of hunger, not the teeth of wolves."
Eyak was about to press the point before conceding with a sly smile. "Very well. Dalag, move out."
Balto and Tricksy ran quietly along a trail leading to the human camp. They had been unsuccessful in locating the clans, and were returning to try once again to discover something from the humans. The casualties were already climbing, and the conflict wasn't at full intensity yet. Balto was all to aware that his timetable was limited. If I were Eyak, I would move today. That way no one has a chance to rethink the situation.
Balto's thoughts were interrupted when he heard Tricksy's shouted warning. He turned just in time to see a canine form leaping toward him. He rolled with the impact and planted his forepaws on the stunned wolf's throat before it could regain its footing. Balto sniffed his fur and recognized something familiar about him. "What is your name?"
"What business is it of yours?" the wolf spat back. At a growl from Balto, the wolf's courage melted.
"I asked your name. I know you are from the Anvil Creek Clan, and Kiska will come if I call."
"Help will come if I call."
Tricksy growled. "Then why don't you save all of us the time and trouble by answering the question."
The wolf muttered something under his breath.
Balto leaned closer. "Say again?"
"Senak," the wolf snarled. "I am Senak, son of Selu and Tandera."
"Do you know who I am?"
The wolf gave a small nod. "You're the wolf-dog. Balto."
"Then why did you attack me?"
"My orders were to prevent anyone from passing through this area."
Balto increased the pressure on Senak's throat. "A simple 'halt' would've been more effective, don't you agree?"
The wolf's breathing was becoming noticeably uncomfortable. "Perhaps. What do you want?"
"Simply to continue on my way, but while we're chatting, why don't you tell me where Anvil Creek Clan was night before last."
"Patrolling our borders, if it's any of your business."
"And four days before that?" Tricksy asked.
"Patrolling."
Balto looked at Senak skeptically. "And where were you?"
"I was with Chinga's group."
Tricksy's eyes narrowed. "And what do you know about the deaths of five dogs?"
"Nothing."
Balto's voice grew stern. "Then who does?"
"Maybe you should ask your half-brother. That is if he will still speak to you."
Balto pressed hard on Senak's throat, causing the wolf to gasp in surprise and pain. "Perhaps you should mind your own business. Who ordered you to guard this trail?"
"Eyak."
"And who convinced you to kill the dogs that were pursuing Kemo?"
"No..."
"If you are wise, you will not tell us a lie." Tricksy took a few menacing steps toward him. "I have ways of getting information, and many you will find most uncomfortable."
She leaned close and whispered something to Senak. The wolf's widened in fear. After a quick glance at Balto and receiving no pity there, he began to talk.
"You'd better be right about this, Lupus. If I find out you've been leading me on some wild-goose chase..."
Russ rolled his eyes and continued to study the woods as they walked. "Please dispense with the idle threats, Mr. Ramsey. The telegram I delivered was genuine in all respects."
"If that's the case, I'll prepare to talk some sense into my employers. You're causing a lot of problems by standing in my way with this nonsense."
"I assure you that causing problems is not my intent, Ramsey. I'm simply trying to keep everyone from getting the short end of the bargain. And for your information, I have provided your institution with some preliminary data that could change the scientific world. I just happens that these findings involve the wolf packs in the vicinity of your construction zone. To be quite blunt, you are standing in my way."
"The feeling is mutual."
Russ was about to respond when a piercing cry split the air, closely echoed by another. He halted and cocked his head. Several more voices took up the cry.
Dash lowered his stance, a low growl rumbling in his throat. Chipper crouched beside his father as Aurora's eyes darted apprehensively.
"Odd," Lupus muttered.
"Odd? What's odd? What's going on?"
"That sounds like hunting calls."
"What's your point, Lupus?"
The researcher tensed slightly. "There aren't any packs in this area. We'd better move on."
"I was just beginning to like it here."
Ignoring the remark, Russ urged his team into motion. He risked a glance behind the sled and saw a large, gray and black wolf pacing them one hundred yards behind. Looking to his right and left, he saw two others. This is not good. Ahead, at a bend in the trail, he spotted a shallow cave thirty yards away. "Can you run Mr. Ramsey?"
"Yes."
The wolves broke into a sprint, determined to cut them off. "Run for it!"
Kemo crept close to the quiet human camp. Nothing was stirring at this early hour. He looked over his shoulder at the other wolves. "Tutchone, take your clan and circle to the far side. Eyak, you take Eagle Pass Clan to clearing. Everyone else is with me. Don't move until I do."
Eyak choked back a snarl. "As you wish."
Tutchone gave a sharp nod. "It will be done."
Both leaders dispersed and Kemo settled down to wait. I wish Kiska was here. I could use her advice right now.
"Is all well?"
Kemo looked back at the wolf who'd spoken and gave him a once-over. He was young and lithe with soft gray fur. Barely old enough for his first hunt. I hope this will not be his last. "Yes. Do not worry."
The wolf shivered. "Then why do I have a bad feeling about this."
Kemo turned to the camp again. "You are fearful before the battle."
"I am not! I..." The wolf halted as he remembered Kemo's high status. "I'm sorry. I should not have spoken like..."
The white wolf gave him a wry glance. "You are correct. You should not. But once spoken, you should not shrink from your words."
"Even if I'm wrong?"
"That is why you must always be careful what you say." Kemo hesitated, remembering Kiska's words. He immediately felt uneasy about the whole venture, but shook it off. "There is no such thing as being fearless. Courage is acting in spite of your fears."
He looked around. Tutchone and Eyak had positioned their clans and were now looking to him for his order. Summoning all his resolve, he slowly stood and..."
"Kemo!"
The white wolf jerked his head around to see Balto and Tricksy sprinting toward him. I don't have time for this.
The two half-wolves skidded to a halt and Balto stood in his path. "Don't do this, Kemo. It will be your death!"
The white wolf growled. "If that is my destiny, so be it..." He broke off as his dream came rushing back at him. The feelings, the pain, the death.
His brother stood firm. "Kemo, I'm begging you. Please go back."
Kemo steeled himself. "I can't. But if something should happen..."
"Don't let it," Tricksy interrupted. "Call off this madness while you still can."
Eyak crouched silently in the clearing west of the camp. He shifted restlessly. What is taking him so long? He should have given the command by now! He turned to look at the hill where Kemo's conglomerate pack lay in wait. His eyes narrowed. Those two meddlesome half-breeds! They'll ruin everything we've worked for! He slowly stood and looked at his clan. "Let's go!"
"I do not have time to discuss this in committee!" Kemo argued. "We must eliminate this threat before it grows too..." He was cut off as a howl pierced the dawn, joined by more than a dozen others. These were echoed from the other side. Kemo looked over the hill, eyes widening in fear as he saw Eagle Pass Clan rushing to attack prematurely, an action mirrored by the Clan of the Hills. He whipped his head around to his pack. "Let's go!"
"Kemo, I can't let you do this. I'm your brother."
"These are my brothers." The white wolf rushed down the hill, followed by the other wolves.
"KEMO!"
Kemo ignored him, rushing instead toward the camp. Nothing was moving. Something's wrong. His pack was following close behind him, the other packs were converging on the camp. Then he realized what was wrong. Eyak's clan's howling should have awakened every dog and man. Nothing's moving.
He slid to a stop. "Hold! Everyone turn back! They're..." His voice was cut off by a sharp crack. Oh no. Not again...
Watching helplessly from the hilltop, Balto and Tricksy saw the assault break apart as a flurry of gunshots erupted from the camp. Within seconds, six wolves were down and several more were staggering with severe wounds.
Balto started to rise, but Tricksy held him back. "Don't Balto! They've made their choice. This isn't your fight."
"But Kemo's down there!"
"Balto..."
"I won't watch him die!"
"What about your family? Jenna? Your pups? If you get killed, who'll look after them?"
Balto hesitated, considering her points. Finally, steeling himself, he turned again to look at the camp. As he watched, all his fears were realized. "NOOOOOOOOOO!"
It was utter chaos, and Kemo was right in the middle of it. He saw several of his fellow wolves fall to the ground, never to rise again. One of the younger members of the Clan of the Hills halted next to his fallen brother. A well aimed shot ended the tender moment. Another five wolves went down without coming close to the human camp. Kemo kept moving, trying to be an elusive target, and he quickly gauged their numbers. A third of the wolves who had started the run would never rise to finish it. The Clan of the Hills had lost ten of its sixteen members. Then he saw Tutchone fall.
This has to end. He ran between the three groups. "Retreat! Retreat! Fly!" None of the wolves hesitated, instinctively following his orders. Many didn't even make the forest. Seeing everyone in flight, Kemo turned and began to run with all his might. Only five hundred strides to go. Two hundred. One hundred...fifty..." Suddenly, he felt a burning sensation rip through his body and he staggered.
He lay still for a few seconds before inching his way slowly toward the treeline, creating a lengthening red stain on the snow. He was oblivious to the snow exploding around him. He finally had to rest. I must be hurt badly. He heard a soft crunching of snow and looked up, his eyes following a pair of black legs.
"Please...help..."
Eyak smiled and jogged past him.
Kemo stared at the leader in shock. "Please...brother..." He curled himself into a ball, trying to squeeze the pain away. The footsteps faded away, and Kemo began to sob silently. Balto was right. We were no match. His vision began to blur, and as he stared, it seemed to him that Jan was running toward him, pulling him with her to whatever end awaited him. "Jan...so sorry..."
Balto rushed down the hill before Tricksy could stop him. As he reached his fallen brother, he saw Kiska trying in vain to move the white wolf. Balto joined her, along with Tricksy, and the two half-dragged, half-carried Kemo deeper into the forest. As Tricksy ran back to cover their trail, Balto turned his full attention to Kemo.
Kiska, normally level-headed, was on the verge of sheer panic. "This can't happen! We've got to do something!" She licked at Kemo's wound, trying vainly to stop the bleeding.
Balto moved her aside as gently as possible and examined the wound. Luckily, the shot wasn't broadside; it had merely punched into the wolf's shoulder at an angle. Still, the wound continued to bleed, slowly draining Kemo's life away. "Kiska, where's the rest of your clan?"
"Scouting our flanks...will he be all right? He's still bleeding!"
"I'm not sure. He needs help, and there aren't any humans around here."
"There has to be something we can do..."
"Kiska, calm down!"
"I won't lose him too!"
"Listen to me! We need to find Russ Lupus. Do you know where he is?"
Kiska nodded.
