Sorry for the long delay. I've been working towards getting something actually published. I know you're anxious to get on with the story, so I'll give details at the end. PLEASE READ THEM.
"Are you two crazy?" asked Taya, eyes wide as the two pups emerged from a . She looked at Copper. "Tell me you didn't bring them along for the ride."
""Don't worry," Luna said, shaking dust from her fur and rubbing one ear to dislodge traces of an old spider web. "He didn't."
"But he didn't say not to come either," Toby added cheerfully.
"You pups need to get out of here right now," said Copper, urgency overcoming his induced stupor. "If Carson comes back and finds you in here, there's no telling what he'll do."
"But we came to help rescue Mom," Luna argued.
"And you," put in Toby. "And the others, I guess."
"No," Taya insisted. "You shouldn't have come here."
Toby began fiddling with the hinges on Copper's cage as Luna did the same with her mother's. "Well we did, so we might as well get you loose."
"We're not taking that risk," Taya insisted. "You go. We'll think of something."
Blaze cleared his throat. "Much as I am for protecting the pups," he put in, "I think they're..."
"Not your children," Taya answered coldly, fixing him with a gaze a lot more like her father's than she would have cared to admit. Blaze looked pointedly away.
"Come on, Copper," Toby argued, walking up and placing his paws against the cage.. "You'd get us out if we was in there."
"That's because it's my responsibility as a grown-up," Copper grumbled, still a little dazed from the hit. "We're supposed to look after you kids."
Toby fiddled some more with the hinge pin. "What about Balto?" he asked.
Copper nodded readily. "Yeah, getting my dad would be a good idea."
Toby shook his head. "No no, I mean if Steele's back in town he'll go after your dad. Right now, we're the only ones who know."
"Dixie knows," Copper countered. Then his face took on a despairing look. "Except that I told her not to tell anyone."
"See?" asked Luna, working to remove the lower hinge pin on her mother's cage. "We're your best chance of getting out of here."
Blaze cleared his throat. "As much as I respect your authority, Taya, Copper, I think that the pups are onto something."
His point was emphasized by Toby pulling his pin free with a final tug. The force of it toppled him backward, sending the pin in question flying from his grasp. It struck the bars of another cage, but the sound was lost amidst the general hubbub.
"Alright," Copper said at last after a look at Taya. "You can get us out, but when we get home I'm going to see that your parents have a good long talk with you about this kind of thing, Toby."
Luna winced on her friend's behalf. "I'd hate to be you," she whimpered.
Taya gave her a look. "Don't think you're getting off the hook either," she said pointedly.
Toby shrugged. "Well, one pin to go." He bounded back to the cage, but the second hinge was too high for him to reach.
"Try the grate," Copper suggested. "If you prop the cover against this cage, you might be able to use it for a ramp."
Toby tried the plan, and although Luna had to help him with the propping up part they got it done. There was some discussion of freeing Taya first in this manner, but Taya pointed out that since Copper was better with the hinge trick he could get her out faster once he was loose.
"You guys going to get us out?" asked a mixed breed dog nearby.
"Don't be stupid," said another. "They're here for family, not us."
Toby loosed his grip on the pin and ran his tongue over his teeth. "Of course we'll get you guys out, as soon as they're free."
"I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Taya noted, though it made her sick to say it. "It could take hours to get everyone here loose, and we can't count on Carson not coming in during that time. We're taking enough of a chance as it is."
Copper and Blaze nodded. "It's great that you're getting us out," said Copper, "But we shouldn't risk you being shot, or worse."
In Blaze's old eyes there appeared a bit of a spark. "Well before we give up all for lost, I think I know a way around that." He looked at the hole in the floor from whence the pups had emerged. "And to keep you two happy," he added to Copper and Taya, "It should have at least one of the pups safely out of harm's way."
"You mean one of us has to sit out the fun?" asked Toby in dismay.
The parents exchanged nods. "We're listening."
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Nome, two figures walked out to an old wreck of a boat. Rosie, who by now was in her teens and already a fine young woman, carried a basket of food – mostly leftovers with a few choicer bits to lend it some quality. With her came Jenna, who carried herself eagerly despite the age in her bones. The husky wanted to look as young as she could for her mate.
"Balto!" called Rosie at a distance, cupping her hands to her mouth.
She expected the old wolf-dog to come bounding out to meet them. Well, not bounding out, but walking fast anyway. Balto seemed intent on living in his old bachelor flat, even as it seemed increasingly intent on one day collapsing into a more literal kind of "flat." Sadly his independence had taken its toll on his health, and he was weak with years and poor conditions.
Jenna began to worry. Despite his deteriorating health, Balto should have at least another year ahead of him, certainly more if there was any justice in the world. Besides, he had promised her a long time ago that if either of them felt like they didn't have much longer to go, he'd move in with her so they could finish out their time together in comfort.
Both of them grew more concerned as they lowered the distance. At last they stood in the very shadow of the boat, and still no sign of Balto.
Rosie looked at Jenna. "Maybe he's asleep," she ventured, avoiding the other possibility.
Desperately anxious now, Jenna raced up the gangplank and began nosing about for her beloved. "Balto!" she barked.
She and Rosie heard the whine at the same moment and raced to the far side where a clump of fur lay in a disheveled heap, looking up at them weakly.
"Balto!" they both cried in alarm.
The old hybrid smiled painfully at their presence, then closed his eyes and sank into oblivion.
Instead of the obligatory teaser about Balto's survival and Blaze' strategy, I'll spill the goods. I've sent off a story to a magazine for kids by Focus on the Family called Clubhouse Jr. If they accept it and others like it, I'll have a chance to make money off of my writing - which will leave more room in my schedule for fanfics. So keep your ears open; I'll be releasing more updates as events warrant.