Dogs from all over Nome had gathered in the alley beside the post office. Needless to say, most of the crowd was not too pleased with the news that Mel had to say. Especially Kodi who had started being on the mail delivery team not too long back.

"We have to deliver the mail.", he insisted.

"Dogs have always delivered the mail in Nome.", Kirby added backing Kodi up.

"I don't know how to do anything else.", Dusty put in.

As much as Ralph wanted to list the things she could do, his heart wasn't in it due to the situation. Then a thought came to mind that worried him, but he couldn't keep it to himself.

"If we don't deliver the mail, who will want us?", he asked clearly upset.

As talk came around, a loud crash made the whole group pause and turn to see Steele strut into the fray looking firm.

"Look at you. Scared like helpless fish in a net.", he sneered, "We won't lose anything!"

Kodi looked unsure. He had heard about Steele from his parents and from Cole, and by the way he was acting, they weren't lying as Steele continued talking.

"You seriously think we're just going to play dead and let that flying whatever it's called run over us?", he questioned rather harshly, "You're all worse off than I thought."

Dusty looked firm.

"What would you know Steele?", she asked, "You've been banned from being a sled dog a long time ago."

Steele looked her way threateningly.

"Your point?", he asked coldly, "I may not be on a team, but I still have my skill."

"Yeah, maybe before your leg got injured.", Kirby quipped.

Steele looked his way and growled showing his teeth.

"What was that?", he asked.

Kirby suddenly saw he had made a mistake and tried to make amends, but then another voice joined in before Steele did anything else.

"Is threatening really the way to go?"

The dogs noticed Fox arrive with Nikki, Kaltag, and Star alongside him though Fox's attention was on Steele more than anyone else.

"Keep your foul words inside your maw.", he said firmly before looking to Mel, "Can't our owners do something? Surely they won't let the status quo go so fast."

Mel tried to calm down, but no luck.

"I'm not sure Fox. It could go either way. The vote could be carried, it could be-", he started before noticing Fox's expression and he calmed down a bit more, "I mean, it could go either way."

Steele didn't approve of Fox interrupting his urging, but knowing he'd be outnumbered, he changed his tune and tried looking supportive.

"Then what are we sitting around for?", he asked trying to talk calmly, "Let's get over to the town hall and find out."

/

A while later, most of the dogs had gathered under the town hall where Dipsey was keeping an ear out on the talk going on above while everyone else waited in anticipation. Ralph had let Dusty go ahead of him which she found a bit odd.

"Thanks.", she told him as she passed.

Ralph felt the butterflies in his stomach as her words rang in his ears. Should he tell her how he felt about her like Cole had suggested to him? He wanted to, but as he opened his mouth another voice caught his ears.

"Close that mouth will you?", Steele asked firmly as he passed, "You'll attract flies."

Ralph did, but shot Steele a cold look though he did remember what happened to Kirby so he kept his mouth shut. Kaltag, Nikki, and Star were in attendance with Fox, Kodi and Mel who made up the crowd that would hear out the talk above.

"Mr. Conner, there must be something we can do to keep delivering the mail."

"I don't know. The bush pilot makes a pretty good case."

"It isn't fair."

"It's not right."

"We need our jobs."

"We've always delivered…"

Dipsey was interrupted when dogs started talking.

"What are they saying?", Kodi asked.

"Tell us.", Ralph urged.

"Is it good news, bad news, what?", Kirby asked growing anxious.

Dipsey just raised her ear to the crate.

"Ok.", she reported before listening again, "The mushers are talking to Conner."

"That's bad.", Mel said shaking his head, "That's gotta be bad."

Steele looked firm.

"Hey, quiet!", he snapped before turning to Dipsey and giving a forced smile, "Madam."

Dipsey still had her ear up, but was thankful for the compliment as she continued listening.

"And, he's saying that airplanes are faster than dogs.", she reported earning gasps from the other dogs and a shocked look on Steele's face as she continued listening in, "Now he's saying that air mail is the wave of the future."

"Oh, it's worse than I thought.", Mel said hanging his head in shame.

Kodi and some of the other dogs were doing the same, but then Dipsey soke again.

"Hold on a minute. Ok. All right. This could be interesting.", she said as she kept her ear up, "Oh, my. Oh! Um… huh?"

Steele started losing his patience and came up close to Dipsey looking both firm and curious.

"What?", he asked, "Spit it out already."

Dipsey shot him a firm look of her own as he parted from her, but she reported what she heard.

"The postmaster's agreed to a race to see who's faster, the bush plane or the dogs."

Whatever expressions the other dogs had was brightened and Kodi felt eager already.

"We're saved.", he said cheerfully as he turned to the other dogs, "We'll beat the tail off of that bush plane."

/

Mel however looked unsure.

"Are you crazy?", he countered, "Have you seen how that monster flies?"

"We can't afford to lose.", Dusty said firmly.

Ralph loved it when she got all determined like that. He wasn't about to let her down and spoke up to show he supported her.

"No kidding.", he said turning to everyone else, "We need someone fast and experienced to lead us in the race."

"You can count on me.", Kirby said with a chuckle.

Steele looked insulted.

"You seriously think you can lead a sled team with all this on the line?", he asked firmly getting his face up to Kirby's and making the husky uneasy, "You're more mixed up than you let on."

Fox didn't like it.

"Steele, this isn't like the epidemic we had a few years back.", he informed drawing Steele away from Kirby, "This is a team effort that requires more than leadership. You of everybody would know that."

Steele tried to think of a comeback, but knew it wouldn't be the best choice.

"So what would you suggest?", he asked.

"Well, it's just… we don't need fast.", Dusty said gaining everyone's attention, "We need really, really fast."

Kirby looked thoughtful, but Nikki spoke up first.

"Oh yeah, more than fast."

"He needs to be the fastest, the most determined, the most-", Kaltag started.

"Someone really great.", Star interrupted.

Fox smiled as Kirby spoke up.

"The fastest dogs in Nome."

"The most famous dogs in Nome.", Ralph added.

Steele looked complimented.

"Well, I would be-"

"My dad and Togo.", Kodi interrupted looking on board.

Steele looked shocked.

"What?!", he asked looking around, "You're all putting your faith into a couple of-"

"We've made our decision.", Fox said giving Steele a firm look again, "Know your place."

Steele felt like shouting, but then he got an idea. He smiled at the group and turned to leave.

"As you wish.", he said as he started toward the exit.

As soon as he got a good distance away, Steele's smile grew.

"So, they want to choose a couple wolf dogs over me do they? Fine, but maybe I can use this to inflict a little… pain on the mind."

A plan began forming in his mind and when he saw Balto and Cole not far off, it hit him.

/

Cole and Balto were walking along that day talking about the pilot and the plane.

"You sure are friendly with the guy.", Balto complimented.

Cole couldn't help but blush.

"Well, it's always nice to use honey than vinegar."

Balto had no idea what that ment, but then Cole sniffed the air and turned to see Steele strut up to them smiling.

"You again.", Cole said firmly.

"What is it now Steele?", Balto asked clearly not liking the extra company.

"Me?", Steele asked looking Balto's way, "I just thought I'd drop a little news for the two of you."

Cole grew more firm.

"We're not interested in anything you have to say."

Steele raised an eyebrow.

"Even if it ment that every dog in Nome knows about a race going on?"

Balto looked a bit surprised.

"What are you talking about?", Balto asked.

Steele's smile broadened. He had the wolfdog's attention now and he wasn't going to waste it.

"I'm talking about the postmaster agreeing with the bush pilot to a race to see who's delivering the mail here.", the cruel dog answered slyly, "Bound to be quite the event."

"So why tell us about it?", Cole retorted, "Why tell us this news when we can learn it ourselves?"

Steele chuckled.

"That's the best part.", he answered, "They want you two to lead the dog team in the race."

Cole and Balto looked shocked.

"You're kidding right?", Cole asked hoping Steele was lying.

"Nope.", Steele snickered, "I heard it all just recently. Right out of Dipsey's own mouth."

Balto looked uneasy which Steele delighted in, but Cole wasn't backing down.

"What makes you think we'll lead the team?", he asked.

"And let Nome down?", Steele shot back still wearing his smile, "After that serum run a while back? You were willing to put it on the line that time. Do it again."

Cole didn't buy it.

"What are you up to Steele?"

Steele's expression faltered. Cole was on to him so he had to wrap this all up.

"Nothing.", he answered as he turned to leave, "But a little advice on my part: if you back out or lose this race, how can either of you look Balto's son in the eye?"

Balto looked confused, but Cole kept looking firm as Steele headed off with a chuckle.

"Don't blame me.", he said over his shoulder to the duo, "I'm just the messenger."

He took a moment to chuckle again, but this time, his paw slipped on some slushy snow and he fell down on the ground. Cole looked amused as Steele got up and tried walking away, but kept slipping now and then.

"Guess every naughty dog gets his just desserts.", he commented.

He then turned to see Balto heading out toward home.

"Hey, wait for me!", he called out before giving chase.

/

Boris was by the boat trying to make himself presentable for Stella who would arrive any minute since it was sunset.

"That's good… Oh! That's good.", the goose said to himself as he observed his reflection in the water of melting snow, "Now back."

He paused as one of his brows twanged out of place and he grew miffed as he wiped it down.

"Stay down, brows. Get bee wax, maybe make better.", he said to himself as he posed, "Now I looking good."

Then his stomach fell back into place and he looked defeated.

"Not good now."

"Well, hi there, fly boy.",

Boris spun around fast to see Stella fly fright up and land in front of him.

"You're right on time."

"I did not want to miss a minute with you.", Boris said smiling.

"Mmm, a goose with intelligence.", Stella said clearly interested, "Let's hit the skies big boy."

She started to take off, but Boris spoke up.

"Why rush things huh? Let us take time to be getting to know each other first."

"We can catch up in the air.", Stella answered, "Flying really gets my feathers tingling."

Boris had to think fast, but why couldn't he tell her he was scared of heights?

"I… I can't because…", he started before noticing Stella already getting ready to fly.

"Ready?", she asked.

Boris suddenly pretended he had a cramp in his wing.

"Oh, I have… a… a crink in… my wing."

"Sit down Boris.", Stella said smiling.

Boris stood, then sat in the snow.

"Let me tell you something.", Stella said before she started singing, "I've been around the pond a time or two. I've done my share of migrating."

Boris felt nervous as she approached him and continued singing.

"When I look at you, I enjoy the view. You set my little wishbone to palpitating.", she sang before pausing to turn to a flock of other geese dressed like gentlemen, "Come on down boys."

Boris was feeling sappy as he got into a sitting position and Stella kept singing with the other geese helping her out.

"I'm a goose on the loose. On the prowl for a handsome fowl. You got the style, got the form, got the big strong wings to keep me warm. I know what I like and I like what I see. How'd you like to do a little flying with me?"

Boris was feeling silly as Stella came up to him.

"I ain't no quail. You ain't no chicken. You've got my heart doing more than ticking. I'd like to rest against your chest. We could build ourselves a sugar nest. Oh, can't you feel we've got some chemistry? Don't you wanna try a little flying with me?"

Boris was pushed out to skate with Stella, but then he flew into a patch of snow, but Stella kept singing.

"Beak to beak. Wing to wing. We could have ourselves quite a fling. Tail to tail, feather to feather. Don't you think we oughta flock together?

Boris felt his smile coming as Stella came up to him and the other geese behind her.

"I'm the goose with the juice. Mr. Gander, let's meander. On my own up here in Nome. I'm a chick who's oh-so-far from home. We could honk in harmony. Come on up and do a little flying with me. Where the air is rare and the wind blows free. Come on up and do a little… Do a little… Come on up and do a little…Flying with me."

She paused as she was at the edge and turned Boris' way though they had danced through her singing.

"Let's you and I get down and fly, flyboy.", she said as she took off.

"Bye-bye.", sang the other geese as Boris fell off the edge and landed in the snow below.