Glancing round, he let out a terrified gasp as his eyes rested on a poster, on which eleven faces leered down at him.

''Oh my God! It's them!''

Without hesitation, Kaltag bolted down the street in the opposite direction. His destination, the mill.

*************

Dingo couldn't take in what Chester had told him.

'My Dad, he's not a killer. He can't be''

But the evidence was right in front of him. From his injuries, it was obvious that a dog had viciously attacked Gareth, and his own personnel testimony laid the blame squarely at Balto.

''I was...on patrol, and I heard something in one of the alleys. I went to investigate, and that was when...he attacked me'' Gareth said, as the rest of the team tended to his injuries.

''And your sure it was Balto? Did you get a good look at him?'' Doc asked, adamant that Balto was innocent.

''Of course he's sure! My brother would not lie about his attackers identity!'' Chester snarled.

Doc frowned, resisting the urge to snarl right back ''I am just trying to get all the facts about this...incident. It is possible that your brother mis-identified Balto''

Chester snorted ''Do not try to cover up for him! My brother does not lie, and your...friend is responsible for his attempted murder! Why should he lie?''

''It was dark, and there is heavy snow falling. It is possible that these things contributed to your brother mistaking his attacker as being Balto'' Doc pressed, though he was beginning to doubt his own defense.

Chester padded over to Gareth ''Tell me Gareth, was it Balto that attacked you?'' he asked calmly.

Gareth hesitated, his eyes scanning between Jenna and Dingo who stood huddled next to Doc, before nodding ''Yes, I am positive''

Chester leered at Doc ''You see? My brother is not mistaken! It is obvious now that Balto has succumb to the rabid infection, and therefore he must be...terminated''

Dingo snarled ''He is my Dad, and I won't let you lay a paw on him!''

Chester glared at Dingo ''So you would risk more lives? Endanger countless others? I will not let you interfere!''

Dingo bared his teeth ''If you hurt him...I'll kill you''

Chester growled, tensing himself up to subdue Dingo. At that moment, the doors to the mill burst open, and an exhausted Kaltag all but collapsed onto the floor. Doc rushed over.

''Kaltag? Kaltag, what’s happened?''

Kaltag raised his head, panting for breath ''They're...they're here. They're on the move''

Chester padded over ''The Pack? Where are they heading?''

Kaltag forced himself to stand up ''They were heading...for the vets''

Jenna let out a gasp ''Kodi!''

Dingo shunted past and glared at Chester ''Well come on then! That’s why your here! Get over there, before they hurt another member of my family!''

Chester was taken aback by Dingo's outburst, but composed himself quickly ''Team, the enemy is on the move! I want full numbers at the vets in less than five minutes! Every delay could result in more lives lost! Move out!''

As the other dogs bolted out of the mill, Chester turned to Gareth ''Gareth, you don't have to take part''

Gareth shook his head ''No, I'm coming. This is for Trix''

Chester nodded solemnly ''Thank you...my brother''

Both dogs took off out into the storm, leaving Doc and Jenna alone. Jenna looked round frantically.

''Doc! Where's Dingo?''

*************

Balto panted, gasping for breath. His chest felt ready to burst, and his head felt like lead. He was fighting the urge to run. To run as fast as he could and not look back. But he couldn't. Something was making him stay. An urge that he was struggling to control.

His head snapped up as he heard approaching voices. Glancing round, he spotted two figures emerging out of the gathering mist. He recognized them at once.

''Carver!'' he snarled.

Scanning round, Balto noticed for the first time where he was. Further down the street stood the vets, and that was where Carver and Grant were heading.

''Oh no you don't!'' he resisted the urge to strike out and take them by surprise. Instead, he waited until they were several meters ahead of him, before he started to follow.

Out of the mist, the vets loomed.

*************

Nathan was alerted by the sound of breaking glass. He had just settled down for a quick nap in the waiting room, when he heard the noise coming from one of the offices. Instinctively, he padded over to the door where the sound had originated from, and carefully pushed open the door.

Inside, there was only darkness. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, Nathan could make out broken glass on the floor near the window. Padding further into the room, he realized that the entire window had been smashed out.

With a snap, the door closed behind him. Nathan span round, to be confronted by two snarling, drooling monsters.

''You know what they say Renard? Curiosity killed the cat''

''And in this case Krest, it killed the dog as well!''

Nathan screamed as the Brothers Grim leapt on him.

*************

On the other side of the building, three figures emerged from the office they had just broken into. Each was wearing a bandanna over their muzzles, and their eyes were wild with malice.

''Theo, you patrol down here. Nick, you go upstairs and join Fitz and Grant. I'll set up things down here'' Jack ordered, scanning round the dim corridor.

As Theo disappeared down another corridor, and Nick stealthily ascended up the stairs, Jack padded back into the office. Removing the bandanna, he stared with lust at the instrument displayed on the wall. With a snigger, he knocked it off.

''Dangerous things in a vets are guns! Someone could get hurt!''

Froth dripping from his mouth, Jack set to work.

*************

On the second floor, a small figure emerged from the shadows, his eyes glittering in the darkness. As he padded down a brighter lit corridor, another figure approached.

Fitz glared at the new arrival ''Your late! What kept ya?''

Grant smirked ''A little...business venture. Believe me, I wouldn't miss this for the world!'' he sniggered.

Fitz returned the smile and gestured at a door on the far side of the corridor ''Shall we?''

Grant nodded ''Lets''

Breaking into a run, both dogs burst through the double doors.

*************

Inside, Kodi and Dusty were taken completely aback as the doors burst open, and two dogs charged inside. All around the room, the other dogs started to panic as Fitz and Grant leered at them.

''Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?'' Grant smirked, lowering his bandanna. He peered round at the terrified dogs, some of them with bandages and casts.

''Allow me to introduce myself. I am Grant, and this is my associate Fitz. But you'll know us better as 'The Pack'!''

There was a loud scream at this realization, but the rest of the patients remained in deadly silence. Grant smirked.

''We are responsible for the deaths of several of your associates, but as long as you do as we tell you within the next few minutes, no one will be harmed''

Further away from the rabids, Dusty huddled behind Kodi, who glared at Grant. Dusty began to whimper.

''Did...did one of those dogs attack you Kodi?'' she whispered, terrified of being heard.

Kodi shook his head ''No, but I've gotta stop them''

Dusty grabbed is paw ''No Kodi! You can't! Please, they'll kill you!''

Kodi turned to her ''We can't just do nothing or they'll kill us anyway. I've got to do something Dusty''

She looked him straight in the eyes ''Kodi...promise you won't leave me?''

He bent down and kissed her ''I promise''

Suddenly, Dusty let out a scream. Spinning round, Kodi came face to face with a pair of fiery amber eyes.

''So...we finally meet...Kodi'' Fitz snarled.

*************

In the main office, Carver looked out of the window at the street below. Behind him, Karla stared fixated at him.

''Oh Carvy, isn't it wonderful? We're finally gonna get him!'' she squealed. Carver didn't turn round.

''Yes it is. Now shut up your fawning little fluff! Can't you see I'm waiting?''

As if on cue, he let out a triumphant bark ''HA! They're here! Karla, come see this!''

The malamute speedily padded upto Carvers side, and peered out of the window. Down below, Chester’s team had arrived, a crowd of canine onlookers beginning to gather.

With a manic grin plastered on his face, Carver padded upto a nearby chair and positioned it up against the window. Turning round, he lifted his back leg and aimed it at the chair.

''Lets start this party with a bang!''

With a powerful shove, the chair was sent crashing through the window and down onto the street below. Terrified onlookers dove for cover, as the chair came within inches of striking the team.

Looking up, Chester glared at the shattered window. Turning to his team, he gestured at the entrance ''Leave no room unchecked. Take no prisoners. And above all, stay on your guard!''

At this order, the team bolted inside the vets.

*************

''Well...well...well. Kodi my friend, we've been looking for you!'' Grant smirked, padding upto Kodi who remained unmoved.

Kodi remained calm as Grants face closed upto his ''Are you scared Kodi? If not, then you better well start!'' Grant snarled, eyeing Kodi's throat.

Behind him, Fitz approached Dusty who shrank back in terror ''Hey Grant, check this out''

Grant looked round, and suddenly felt lightheaded. In front of him was one of the most beautiful dogs he'd seen in a long time. His breath caught in his throat.

''My my! What a fine piece of fur we've got here!'' he drolled, taking a step forwards. Kodi shoved himself in-between Dusty and the rabid.

''If you touch her, I'll murder you!'' Kodi snarled, though his legs were starting to shake. Grant glared at him.

''Pally, you just made your last mistake!''

Raising his paw, Grant shoved Kodi aside. Kodi fell hard on his injured leg and let out a yelp. As he struggled to get to his feet, Grant loomed over him.

''Hey Grant look out!'' Fitz