Race Against Time
James Ramsey sat reclining against the inside of the ice cave, eyes studying the frozen stalactites above him. Dash sat beside him on the side closest to the opening, while Aurora and Chipper sat on his other side. They'd made it into the relative safety of the cave barely ahead of their attackers. Luckily, a few shots from Rus' signal gun had scared them back from the cave.
"They're still out there, aren't they, Dad?"
Dash nodded slowly, still gazing outside. "Yes."
"Why are they doing this?" Aurora asked. "What did we do?"
"It's not us, it's him," Chipper said, nodding toward their human.
"And how would you know that?" Dash asked incredulously.
"I heard Balto and Jenna talking about it."
His parents looked at him. "You what?"
"I...I accidentally overheard them talking about how a bunch of wolves were mad because of something our human is doing. It was the a couple days ago."
Dash laid down and covered his eyes with his paws. "Why didn't you say so before?"
"You wouldn't let me."
After a moment of silence, Dash shook his head. "Looks like I blew it that time."
"Is there any chance of us getting out of here?" Aurora asked.
Her mate shook his head. "Not likely. We'll be lucky if someone even finds us."
"If we're missing for a couple of days, someone's bound to come." Aurora suggested.
Dash shook his head. "If we're gone that long. If the wolves attack us tonight..."
"Balto will look for us, won't he?" Chipper asked.
"I don't know, son."
"Well, I think he will." Chipper replied.
Dash returned his gaze to the trees, hoping that his son's enthusiasm wasn't doomed for a big letdown.
Russ was also studying the woodline. "I don't understand it...wolves don't just attack humans."
James shrugged. "It's like I've been saying all along. It's the nature of the beast..."
Russ cut him off with an angry glare. "Look, we might be in here for a long, long time. You and I may not agree with the other's ideologies, but let's at least agree to disagree for now. We've got more pressing issues."
"Like surviving?"
"Yeah. Like surviving."
They fell silent for several more minutes. Russ continued to scan the area outside, and James continued to stare at the overgrown icicles.
"So, you have a PhD?" Ramsey asked suddenly.
"That's right. Wildlife biology."
"What made you choose that field?"
Russ shrugged. "I've always liked animals, especially wolves. I even fancied that they understood a whole lot more about us than we give them credit for."
"I have yet to see anything to prove that point."
"If we ever get out of here, I'll be sure to show you. Anyway, on my first visit to Nome, I was observing some of the local wolves. One day I stumbled onto a densite, and a big white wolf chased me away. He fell through the frozen bay as he pursued me."
"Good riddance." Ramsey muttered.
Russ ignored the shot. "I swore long ago that I would give my life to save a wolf. I got him out of the water, but fell in during the process. The next thing I remember is waking up in Doc Welsh's infirmary. I was told that a large, white canine dragged me to the outskirts of town." Russ turned to look at him. "That wolf saved my life."
"A wolf saved you? And you've got half a dozen trying to kill you right now? Talk about irony."
"Who says they're after me?" Russ asked calmly.
Ramsey caught his subtle point. "Wonderful. I have a pack of wolves with a vendetta after me. Whatever will I...Lupus!"
Russ turned quickly and fired a shot with his tranquilizer gun. The wolf darted away from the sting he felt in his shoulder but staggered and fell within a few seconds.
James Ramsey sat down slowly. "That must be some powerful stuff."
"Yeah. Unfortunately, I only have enough for one more shot like that, and he'll be coming to within a couple of hours. I also don't think we can count on the signal gun trick to work again."
Lupus reclined against the rock wall and began to reload his weapon, using a half dose. Times like these almost make me wish I had a real rifle...almost. "So what about you? How did you get to where you are?"
"Besides clearcutting, razing, and pillaging nature's resources?" Ramsey commented sarcastically. Seeing that Russ wasn't seeking a confrontation, he quickly amended his remark. "I was sort of grandfathered into it, if you know what I mean. Everyone in my family is into construction. My grandfather founded a large contracting firm, and now it's grown with my father and uncles owning shares of it. We've got nationwide prestige."
"You sound as if you aren't that enthusiastic about your job."
Ramsey shook his head. "It's not that. It pays well, and I'm good at what I do. I suppose I'm comfortable, but..."
Russ raised an eyebrow. "But you'd rather be doing something else?"
Ramsey looked at him, shocked. "How did you know?"
"My father is a banker. He manages three of the largest branches in the Toronto area. I was under more than a little pressure to major in accounting and take over one of the branches." Russ closed the bolt on his rifle. "I had other plans." He paused momentarily and then looked at his companion. "So if you didn't want to be a contractor, what did you want to be?"
"A veterinarian." He looked up at a snort from Russ. "What's wrong with that?" he demanded.
Russ continued to chuckle. "Nothing...it's just the last thing I was expecting. Please, continue."
"Well, I did a lot of studying in the field, but finally my family threatened to pull the plug on my tuition trust fund if I didn't do something worthwhile. So here I am." He looked over at Russ. "Don't think for a minute that I'm against what I'm doing, though. We honestly did pick the area we felt would have the least impact."
"What are you working on, anyway?"
"Some businessman's hunting getaway. Beyond that, I honestly don't know. We were given a series of specs to follow, and that's that. What it boils down to is that I don't know anything..."
"I just work here," Russ finished for him.
James shrugged.
Balto and Tricksy flew across the snowy ground, making for the town of Nome. They had to head off Russell Lupus before he reached the town and convince him to follow them. Otherwise, Kemo probably wouldn't last long. Tricksy suddenly skidded to a halt and perked her ears. Balto listened carefully and could faintly hear the sound of a small pack of wolves. Since there were none that he knew of in this area, he realized suddenly that something was amiss. Turning down a different trail, he and Tricksy tried to balance speed with stealth. As they approached from downwind, they began to hear voices.
"But Kemo's orders..."
"Are overruled, Tandera. Kemo's down. That puts me in charge."
"Why you, Eyak?" Timinuk asked, suspicion evident in his voice.
"Because Kemo made it so with his dying breath."
"And we take your word for this?"
"You will do as you are told," Eyak snarled.
Tricksy turned to Balto. "Can you believe these guys?" she snarled softly.
Balto motioned for her to hush.
"By what authority?" Tandera asked. "Until I hear from my own clansmen..."
"They're dead. The humans slaughtered them."
Tandera gasped. "Senak? He's dead? And Chinga? And...and..."
Eyak nodded sympathetically. "I'm sorry. Kemo began the charge too soon. The humans were ready for us...we never had a chance."
"That's a lie! Senak isn't dead. And several others of your clans still live."
All the wolves spun to see Tricksy striding angrily toward them. Those from Eagle Pass dropped into fighting stances. Balto had little choice but to follow her into the clearing.
"You dare to accuse me of lying?" Eyak growled.
"What do you speak of?" Timinuk asked.
"She speaks of treachery," Balto declared.
The wolves of Eagle Pass Clan looked uneasily at each other, while the others narrowed their eyes in confusion. "Who?" Tandera finally asked.
"Eagle Pass Clan."
"You lie," Dalag snarled, turning to the others. "If there is any treachery, it is from him!"
Balto spoke on, ignoring the accusations. "My companion and I sought out Kemo to talk him out of attacking the human camp. While we were talking, Eagle Pass Clan charged prematurely. This alerted the humans and set the Clan of the Hills and Anvil Creek Clan up for a massacre."
Chocanti, a gray male from the Clan of the Hills spoke up. "But you said that several liveā¦"
Tricksy nodded. "Several do, but their numbers were diminished and scattered during the attack. I'm sorry to say that your clan bore the brunt of the losses. I saw Tutchone and ten others fall. Anvil Creek lost about half their number."
Tandera stiffened suddenly. "How many from Eagle Pass?"
Tricksy looked at Balto, hesitating at Tandera's harsh tone.
"How many?" Tandera demanded again.
Tricksy glared at Eyak. "Four."
Balto shrugged. "Five by my count."
Tandera lowered her head. "Five?" She raised her head suddenly. "Five only? How so, Eyak?"
"This is obviously a ploy to regain your confidence and sway you from the truth," Eyak protested. Will you fall so easily to this trickery? To one who tried to protect your enemy?"
"Which enemy?" Timinuk asked, taking a step toward the leader of Eagle Pass Clan.
"They offer accusations, not proof," Eyak sneered. "Do you not see? He is trying to arrange for your enemy to slip from your grasp. Ever the dishonored pet of the humans."
"We don't have time for this," Balto argued. "Kemo's life hangs in the balance, even as we speak."
Timinuk straightened. "Eyak says that Kemo is dead."
"That's a lie!" Tricksy exclaimed.
Without warning, Eyak lashed out, ripping her shoulder and almost knocking her off her paws.
Balto immediately leaped into the fray, knocking Eyak off balance. Tricksy hastily retreated a few steps from her attacker and quickly examined her shoulder. It wasn't a minor wound, but nor was it serious. She stood frozen for a moment as she watched Eyak and Balto circle, lunge, and parry.
Eyak stood back for a moment. "What is this? Must one half-breed call on another to fight her battle for her?"
Tricksy pushed past Balto and shot him a warning glance as he prepared to rush to her aid. "Stay back! He's mine."
Balto shook his head. "Tricksy, we don't have time for..."
Tricksy tuned him out as Eyak began to circle her. She reexamined her shoulder, which was still bleeding, before turning her full attention to Eyak, keeping her face to him at all times.
Eyak moved at a casual pace, around her. "It was not enough for you to kill my father, was it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You desire to see me dead. And my clan with me."
Tricksy snorted. "You overrate yourself. I have better things to do with my time than plot your demise...though you seem to know a bit about ulterior motives yourself."
Eyak lunged at her but his jaws closed on air. He turned and saw her behind him. He lunged again, but again his jaws clicked shut upon nothing.
"Why do you flee like the four winds? Do you fear me, coward?" Eyak sneered.
"I've been called worse by better."
He leaped at her. This time, Tricksy met his attack head on. The two locked together, standing on two feet while ripping at each other's necks and faces. Then the unthinkable happened. Tricksy slipped on an icy patch and fell backward. The breath exploded out of her as she hit the ground hard.
"Tricksy!" Balto again began to move toward her, but this time Dalag and Timinuk stepped in front of him. "You cannot interfere. The challenge was offered and accepted."
As her vision cleared, Tricksy was aware of Eyak standing over her, a sadistic grin upon his face. He stepped onto her throat, making her breathing even more difficult. "And now, half-breed, it has finally come down to this. You no doubt killed my father in a similar way. Long have I awaited this moment. And now you will die knowing that I will also purge your foul blood from your family as well."
Something inside Tricksy snapped. Perhaps it was some primeval maternal instinct, or maybe she simply recovered faster than he anticipated. Regardless, Eyak found their positions reversed before he knew what hit him. If looks could kill, Balto thought, Eyak would be dead one hundred times over.
Tricksy had her teeth bared just inches from Eyak's exposed throat. "You just picked the wrong fight. This is between us." She snorted and stepped away from him, rejoining Balto instead.
"Tricksy, we have to go," Balto said urgently. "Kemo needs our help, remember?"
"None shall pass until you give us further evidence that what you say is true," Timinuk declared.
"What proof would you have other than our word?"
Dalag had observed the unfolding events and now he eyed Balto suspiciously. "We would hear it from one of our kind."
"Then you shall," a new voice declared. Everyone spun and saw Quinault, Andan, and Chehalis striding purposely toward them. Their eyes were burning with the desire of vengeance.
Quinault strode to the center of the group and turned to Balto. "Kiska learned from Senak that a small pack was dispatched to cut off the humans. She thought there might be trouble." He turned his gaze upon those gathered, halting longest on Tandera and Timinuk. "It appears she was correct."
Eyak stumbled to his feet, trying to regain some of the dignity lost in his sudden defeat.
"Quinault, my old friend, your courage is admirable in returning here. I fear that now you and your rogue clansmen must now pay the price of trespassing."
"Not without a fight," Andan growled.
"We do not recognize your authority here." Quinault turned his gaze from Eyak as if dismissing him as a trivial problem and looked at the others. "Balto is correct. Kemo is wounded and must receive immediate aid if he is to survive. Kiska is with him now."
Dalag shook his head. "How can this be? Eyak said that Kemo fell."
Chehalis bared his teeth. "Did he also tell you that he left Kemo to die?"
Those of Anvil Creek Clan who had joined Eyak were wavering in their support long before this revelation. Now they turned their fierce gazes upon their current leader. Without a word, they turned away and took their rightful places behind Quinault. Those that remained of the Clan of the Hills backed away from Eyak as though he were a rabid beast. The leader of Eagle Pass resized the situation and looked back at his own kinsmen. Their eyes burned angrily.
Timinuk shook his head in shock. "So Kemo is alive?"
"He won't be for long if we stand here arguing," Balto said pointedly.
"Impossible!" Eyak exclaimed. "He was shot. I saw him die."
"You saw him crawling toward the forest, and you left him. We heard his plea for help." Tricksy snorted. "Like father, like son."
"You left him?" Dalag asked slowly.
"He was already dead. No chance of survival."
Dalag's eyes narrowed more. "You left him."
"I did what I had to to survive! You would have done the same!"
"Kemo would not," Tricksy said softly.
A sudden inspiration hit Dalag as he struggled with that issue. "How did Mandan die?"
Eyak tensed. "He was shot by humans. You saw that yourself."
"Why was he near the humans? Why was he not at the council with the rest of the clan?"
Everyone looked to Eyak. A sudden fire came into the leader's eyes as he turned his gaze upon Tricksy. Without warning, he jumped at her again. Tricksy unexpectedly fell away from the attack, using her hind legs to catapult him to the ground. He again found himself staring into Tricksy's angry face.
"Go ahead. Kill me, Half-breed. Unless you lack the courage to finish what you started, you cannot deny me that right."
Tricksy laughed aloud and Eyak recoiled as if he'd been hit. Shaking her head, Tricksy walked away, flanked by Balto and followed by the wolves. Dalag hesitated only a moment, giving his leader a look of glaring contempt, before turning to follow the others.
"Are we allowed to pass?" Balto asked.
Timinuk offered a stiff nod.
The leader within Balto kicked into high speed. "Chehalis, lead the others to Kiska. Tricksy and I will follow as soon as we can. Let's move!"
The others hastily complied.
James Ramsey reclined uneasily against the rock face, apparently asleep, but ever alert. Russell Lupus stared at him for a moment before returning his attention to scanning the woodline. Perhaps this Ramsey isn't as bad as I thought. If we ever get out of here, maybe I can convince him to help me out.
Movement drew his attention outside again and he quickly raised his rifle. He searched for any threat through his telescopic sight but could discern nothing, save trees and snow. He slowly lowered his weapon and sighed. It wasn't easy taking shots at animals he swore to protect. Still, there was a difference between pulling a wolf out of an icy lake and letting a pack of them argue over light and dark meat. A sudden tug on his sleeve caused his heart to leap into his throat with that thought as he snapped his head to his left.
"Balto! Is that you?" The canine licked Rus' hand and Rus rubbed his ears in return. "Boy, am I glad to see you!"
"Balto! I knew you'd come! I just knew it!" Chipper exclaimed, hopping excitedly around his hero.
Balto winked. "Right in the nick of time, too. I've got a bit of an emergency, so I can't talk now." He tugged again on Rus' coat.
James watched for a moment, unsure what to say until Rus began to gather his supplies."Where are you going?"
"I don't know. Balto obviously has something important to show me. You coming?"
Ramsey shook his head. "You're crazy! With a pack of bloodthirsty predators out there waiting to have us for dinner?" Balto's shot the contractor an expression that looked almost cross, and Ramsey threw up his hands in surrender. "All right, all right. I'm not just going to sit here all by my lonesome."
