helicopter could be heard approaching. Looking up, Balto and Jenna saw a US helicopter fly above them and slowly set down on the helipad. From the cockpit, Colonel McIntyre jumped out and smiled at Balto and Jenna.

“Wolf! Husky! It’s great to see you two again!” he shouted over the whirring of the helicopter blades, “Or should I call you Balto and Jenna since your mission is over? Ah, it doesn’t matter! C’mon, let’s get back to the base so you can be properly rewarded!”

Balto and Jenna smiled and nodded to the Colonel and climbed into the back of the helicopter. They both took a seat next to one another, Jenna leaning her head on Balto’s shoulder and slowly falling asleep. Balto watched as she fell asleep, smiling warmly, then looked out the window at the large facility that had been hell for him over the past day. Colonel McIntyre got back into the cockpit and nodded to the pilot. The dog nodded back and lifted the aircraft off the ground and through the air, heading back to the Alaskan Military Base.

            Back in the military base set near Juneau, Alaska, the two heroes, Balto and Jenna walked into a large room filled with military personnel. Every one of them cheered and applauded them as they walked by them to the stage set at the far end of the room. Colonel McIntyre was already standing on the stage, smiling as the two dogs approached and walked onto the stage. He shook their hands gratefully and moved to the podium.

“Today, a great threat has been removed from the United States…” Colonel McIntyre said into the microphone built into the podium, “Thanks to the efforts of Balto Harrand and Jenna Shander, the corrupt ex-military sergeant, Sergeant Steele Thavand has been executed for his crimes against the US as well as terrorist-based threats and acts against the US. For the brave efforts of Balto and Jenna, we are no longer under threat and we honor these two for their acts of courage.”

Balto approached Colonel McIntyre and saluted him. The Colonel placed a gold star badge on Balto’s uniform, smiling and saluted him back. Both dogs dropped their salute and Balto backed up as Jenna stepped up, saluted, and received her badge as well. The Colonel then turned back to the podium and continued.

“Everyone stand at attention and salute Balto Harrand and Jenna Shander, true warriors; true patriots,” he announced, saluting them once more.

The rest of the military force stood up and saluted as well. Balto and Jenna smiled at one another, then gazed out at all the soldiers saluting them. As soon as the salutes were dropped, another round of thunderous applause sounded from them. Hand-in-hand, Balto and Jenna walked down through the rows of cheering dogs and out of the room.

“So, shall we go back to my place until we can get out of Alaska?” Balto asked Jenna, getting a quick nod from her.

“Yes, I think we should… Then that trip you promised me in the Caribbean?” Jenna asked, grinning at him. Balto grinned back and chuckled softly.

“Deal…”

Washington D.C., two months later…

            Balto and Jenna stood beside one another in front of the altar. Before them, a jovial preacher resided over their wedding. He smiled at the two young lovers as he continued with the joyous ceremony.

“Do you, Balto Harrand, take Jenna Shander to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, to love and to hold, to honor and to cherish, for richer and for poorer, ‘till death do you part?”

“I do…”

“And do you, Jenna Shander, take Balto Harrand to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, to love and to hold, to honor and to cherish, for richer and for poorer, ‘till death do you part?”

“I do…”

“Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the preacher said, smiling at Balto, “You may now kiss the bride.”

Balto smiled warmly and turned to Jenna, lifting her silken veil from in front of her beautiful face. The two lovers stared happily at one another before embracing and kissed one another gently. The entire military force of the United States of America clapped enthusiastically. Turning to the crowd, Balto and Jenna slowly walked back down the aisle and outside into the warm spring air. All around them, white blossoms from nearby trees blew past them. Balto caught one in his hand and held it up, smiling at Jenna.

“So Balto… What’s your mission this time?” Jenna asked jokingly. Balto laughed softly and smiled joyously.

“My mission? I’m thinking an escort mission… There’s a female Husky who deserves a trip to the Caribbean… As for the future, who knows what’ll happen?”

With that, Balto let the blossom go into the wind, watching it blow away in the wind before kissing Jenna once more. Above them, the flag of the United States of America blew proudly and patriotically in the warm breeze.

Pinned to it were two golden stars, the stars of two patriots.

The End