The Winds Of Change
Chapter 5: The Challenge
It didn't take long for the word of the possible replacement of the sled teams to spread around.
And that same day all of sled teams met with Mr. Roberts debating on what they should do in order to keep their jobs.
"Mr. Roberts is there anyway for us to keep delivering the mail?" a musher asked.
"I don't know, I mean Buck does make a good point." Mr. Roberts replied.
"But it doesn't seem right though." Another musher said.
"Yeah, we've been delivering the mail to Anchorage for years, we need our jobs." Another musher said in agreement.
Little did the mushers and Mr. Roberts know the sled dogs were listening on the conversation.
"What are they saying?" Kobi whispered to Beth.
"Is it good news, bad news?" Herby asked.
"Okay, the mushers are talking to Roberts..." Beth explained.
"And he's saying that the delivery airplanes can transport mail faster than sled dogs and that it could be the future of the United States mail..." She added.
"Oh boy it's worse than I thought!" Hal then shouted dramatically.
Beth turned to Hal and aggressively shushed him, before going back to eavesdropping on the conversation, before she suddenly gasped.
"Wait, hold on a minute..." She said
"What is it?" Everyone asked.
"The postmasters have agreed to a race to see whose faster, the sled team or the bush plane." Beth explained.
All of the sled dogs sighed in relief.
"We're saved!" Kobi said.
"We'll beat the tail off of that plane!" He added.
"Whoa, whoa hold it right there Kobi, have you even seen how fast that thing flies!?" Hal asked
"But we can't afford to lose." Dani said.
"Dani's right, if we're gonna win that race we're gonna need some help." Mac said.
"Help from who?" Hal asked.
"Someone whose fast and has great experience." Mac replied.
"You can count on me!" Herby suddenly spoke up.
Everyone then stared at Herby.
"What? What?" He asked awkwardly.
Dani then broke the awkward silence.
"Well, Herby, it's just, uh, we don't need just fast." She explained.
"We need someone whose REALLY fast." Dani added.
"The fastest dog in Anchorage." Mac said.
"The most famous dog in Anchorage." Hal said.
Everyone then looked at Kobi, who then smiled.
"My Dad!" He said.
Meanwhile...
Noris was washing himself up as he was getting ready for his date with Flo.
"Hmmm, looking good." The British goose said as he looked at his reflection in the water.
"Well hi there flyboy." A similar female voice said.
Noris turned around to see Flo approaching him.
"You arrived on time." She said.
"Well I didn't want to miss one minute with you." Noris said nervously.
Flo giggled before taking Noris's wing.
"So you ready?" She asked.
"Ready for what?" Noris asked.
"To fly of course." Flo replied.
Noris's eyes widen when heard the word that he dreaded the most.
"Noris, what's wrong?" Flo asked concerned.
Before Noris could respond:
"Noris!"
Noris and Flo turned to see Togo running up to them.
"Togo?" Noris asked a little confused.
"Noris, I need your help it's an emergency!" Togo cried.
"Well it's about time." Noris said to himself.
Flo looked at Noris in confusion.
"Who is this?" She asked.
"Oh that's Togo, always getting into trouble he is." Noris replied.
Noris then walked up to Togo's side.
"Flo is it okay we fly some other time?" Noris asked.
"B-But..." Flo stammered.
"So you must be Flo." Togo said.
"And you must be Togo, the trouble dog." Flo said crossing her wings.
"Come Togo, let us take care of this emergency, bye Flo." Noris said as he walked away.
Flo stood there puzzled.
"Bye...Noris." She said
Togo looked at Flo and he shrugged his shoulders before turning to catch up to Noris.
"Well done Togo, you did magnificent!" Noris said.
"We completely fooled her!" He laughed.
"Noris I wasn't faking it, there REALLY is an emergency." Togo said.
"Oh, well...what's going on?" Noris asked now taking this seriously.
"There's a big race taking place in two days, it's between the mail team and the bushplane, whoever wins gets to deliver the mail to Anchorage." Togo explained.
Togo's ears then pinned against his head.
"And they want me to be the lead dog." Togo said sadly.
"I don't see the deal here?" Noris said.
"Noris I've chased that plane before, I can't catch it." Togo said.
"What should I do?" Togo asked.
Noris sighed.
"I'm afraid I can't help you this time lad." Noris said sadly.
Togo sighed and headed into town.
That night...
"We're gonna beat that plane, paws done now that you're lead dog." Mac said.
Togo sighed.
"Guys listen..." Togo started to say but was cut off.
"We're behind you 100% Togo!" Herby said.
Soon everyone began to chant Togo's name, Kobi then walked up to his father.
"If anyone can do it, it's you Dad." Kobi said.
Togo sighed and he shook his head.
"Guys, you don't understand I've seen that plane fly, I just think we need to consider the possibility..." Togo began to say but was again cut off by Herby.
"Let's do the call!" Herby said.
Everyone then lifted there heads and did their best impression of a wolf howl.
Togo couldn't take it anymore, no one was listening to him they were all too blinded about how much of a hero he is, before Togo knew what he was doing he ran out of the alleyway.
"Dad wait where are you going come back!" Kobi called to him.
Togo didn't listen to Kobi he ran until he was out of the alleyway.
"Yes, yes this is good, very good." Noris said.
"You really think a bunch of sled dogs can beat a Stearman 4 bi-plane?" Togo asked hopefully
"What? No it's impossible." Noris replied.
"Oh wow, thanks for confidence." Togo said.
"If you think we're gonna lose then why are you so happy?" He asked.
"Because I think I have found a solution to my Flo problem." Noris replied.
"Let me guess, you're finally gonna tell her the truth?" Togo asked.
"What are you crazy?! Of course not!" Noris replied.
Noris then began to make fake groans of pain while holding is right wings.
"Oh my lords, my migratory injury is back!" Noris said in a dramatic tone.
"What migratory injury?" Togo asked.
"I known you for my entire life and you never..." Togo paused when he realized.
"Noris, don't tell me...that you faked an injury." He said.
"Why does it matter if Flo thinks in pain I can't fly with her, right." Noris said.
Togo didn't reply, he then began walking down the street.
"Hey, where are you going lad?" Noris asked .
"I'm going to see Sierra." Togo replied.
"And why?" Noris asked
"Because she's the only one who will listen to me." Togo replied as he continued his way down the road to Sierra's house.
A/N: Looks like Togo doesn't like the attention he's been getting, and be prepared for Chapter 6 because I have a special treat in store for you guys there, and I'm pretty sure you are all thanking me for including Stella's HORRIBLE song in this chapter.
Anyway I'll see you guys in Chapter 6!