problem. Paladin is another all white Siberian like Zak. He has a sense of chivalry and is always proper and acting noble. Bandit is a Alaskan Husky and a sporadic scamp; his behavior is just about as random as his fur and gets way too excited. Magellan is a powerful Malamute with fur much like Steele's but with a grayer coating. Magellan, unlike Steele, is a humble dog and willing to talk to anybody about their problems. Drake was born in the same litter as Magellan but is more like Bandit in personality. Ricky is Siberian-Malamute mix and has a pushy attitude. Mushers always put Ricky in the back since he will quarrel with the lead dog.

All the dogs were following Crimson because he's a native of the Anchorage area. He knew every ally, sewer, and meeting places. He knew what dogs to look out for and what humans were friendly or not. They were walking in an alley and Crimson asked,

“Okay team, what do we want to do? If we head up the road that way, we'll end up in a place where all you fine gents can find a lady. If we go down the road this way, we'll end up near the dumpster of a steakhouse.” All the dogs were drooling with delight.

“Gosh, I can't decide!” piped up Zak.

“It would be delightful, if I may have some steak to calm this appetite I possess.” said Paladin.

“Forget the steak! I'm in the mood for some luvin!” cried Drake.

“I want a girl and steak at the same time! Can we do that?” shouted Bandit. All the dogs were in an uproar of an argument. Suddenly Magnum stepped up on a trashcan and everyone hushed,

“Look you nasties! Lets look a this logically. Are we fed everyday?” Everyone in unison said,

“Yes”

“Is the food good?”

“Yeah.”

“Are we going to get more of it in the future on the trail?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Are there going to be any girls out there?” Suddenly the thought dawned on the team. There was a hush of shock because it was so obvious. Then Zak broke the silence,

“Lets get some girls tonight!” Then the team sprinted down the street to a location underneath a porch of a general store. Underneath they found a whole den of female mutts. The entire variety of breeds was there. The team flirted and they flirted back. Everyone there was having a great time except two, Balto and Steele. They were just in a corner relaxing. It was Steele that broke the silence between them.

“Ugh... disgusting. These girls are completely stray. Flea ridden and among other things. I wouldn't touch one of them, even with a stick.” At that moment, a Collie-Shepherd mix glided right onto Steele,

“What's happening handsome? Lonesome?”

“Yes. I prefer it to be that way.” Steele growled. The Collie-Shepherd ran away after the threat. Balto took note.

“Jeeze Steele, I thought you were always on the prowl for a lady or at least a flirt.” Steele shook his head,

“I just gave up on girls, Balto. They're a distraction to me. It was me being distracted by Jenna that caused me to run and lie.” Steele put his head down in shame, “ I can never forgive myself for that. It ended my life figuratively and almost did literally. I hope this race will be second chance for me to get my life back. I have to win this race!” Balto nodded his head in agreement.

“I know what you mean. But hey, if you feel bad about that, then we're even.” Steele's face went fixed in self-realization. Make terms with a wolfdog? Never! That is unacceptable.

“Look Bingo, you're a wolfdog. I'm a dog. There is no kiss and make up. Whatever I tried to do had to be done. Hear?” Steele then walked off, leaving Balto perplexed in the corner. But then Magnum came over an stopped Steele, he had two girls on each side nuzzling him and licking him.

“Hey bro! Long time no see!” Greeted Magnum. Steele gave a broad smile,

“Uh yeah... sure.”

“Hey, I heard about you in Alaska for the Nome team. Three time Golden Collar. That's whats up with Vermont! You did good kid.”

“Kid?! Uh... yup. Thanks. I work hard, train hard, and take care of my team members.”

“Like a true sled dog. Hey listen, I know you're strong and all that, but keep your body lower to the ground when pulling; you'll get more power that way.”

“Thanks for the tip.” Steele grumbled.

“Hey! Who's that sport over there in the corner? Is that... no... thats Balto I kept hearing about! Hero of Nome! Where were you when that happened? I thought you lived in that area.” Steele froze had to think of a story,

“Erm... I got sick on the day we headed out.”

“Steele... got to take care of yourself. Are you going to get sick on race day?”

“No! Course not!” snapped Steele,

“Good. Let me talk to your friend over here.” Magnum strolled right up to Balto. Balto was still lying on the ground and looking up at Magnum way like looking up at a building,

“So you're Balto, the dog who saved Nome!”

“Wolfdog!” Steele cut in. Magnum shrugged him off,

“So what going through your head when you were racing through whiteout conditions with the clock running out? Brrrr! Just thinking of it makes me shiver with excitement! How many other teams have you pulled?”

“Uh... None?”

“I see. Loyal to your teammate. I respect that kid. What about races! How many did you win?”

“Gee... I don't know what to tell you Magnum... but... none.” Magnum was confused and dazed. He was staring at Balto. Then he laughed,

“Oh come on! You have to be kidding right? I bet you at least a dozen. You're the quickest out there!” Balto looked away not saying a word. Magnum got all serious,

“You were never on a team? Never won a race? Yet you guided a sled team home in whiteout conditions? How can a dog with so little experience be on a team that was counted on so much?” Balto looked up at Magnum and said this,

“Look. I'm a stray dog of the streets of Nome. I heard the team was lost so I went out to look for them.” Balto looked beyond Magnum, at Steele. Steele put a finger across his throat threating Balto not to mention him at all. Balto continued, “So ya... I found them and I led the way home.”

Magnum smiled in satisfaction of the story. He nodded in appreciation,

“I like those underdog stories; very inspiring. Too bad you're kinda old, otherwise I would coach you.” That just pierced Balto's ears like a pin. Old? Balto spoke up,

“Hey, look. You sound like a big shot, but how come I've never heard of you?” Magnum stood up straight and prepared himself for his life story,

“I'm Magnum of Groton, Vermont. My father was a champion dog and so was my mother. I was trained by some of the best dog sled trainers ever. I've won race after race. I even won an award for 'Best looking race dog'. What you're looking at is the most sophisticated work of pedigree. When it comes to racing, I am the ultimate sled dog, scientifically and statistically.” Balto raised an eyebrow,

“Gee. You're something.” Balto said with a sarcastic tone.

“Better believe it pal!” Magnum walked away to give his girls some attention. Steele was sitting by the exit way, watching the street. Balto looked at Steele long enough and saw that he was a hurt dog who was desperately was trying to be the best. But that hate for wolfdogs, is still a mystery to Balto.

Chapter 5: Siberia

The team later was shipped into crates and loaded onto a ship. The ship took them to the port of Okhotsk. The race was to be held in Siberia, the forsaken tundra of the Soviet Union. The race was to be held all the way down the Kamchatka Peninsula, 780 miles. The team was delivered there by truck. All the dogs were weary from travel. Finally, the were at the starting city of Talovka. The sled was packed with gear and it was autumn with fresh snow on the ground. The team trained since spring for this moment. They were all harnessed down. Balto was looking around and next to him was the Soviet sled team. The entire team was naturally made up of Siberian Huskies, but these were the original Siberians with pedigrees going back hundreds of years. In front, Balto saw the lead dog, a tan and cream colored dog with a long, sturdy snout. He seemed to be old as Balto and he was compact like Balto, but muscular as Steele. His eyes seemed to broadcast a friendliness. Something about this dog seemed familiar, but Balto couldn't point it out. The Russian dog took note that Balto was observing him. He called out in a thick accent that wasn't Russian but something else,

“Hey American dog! How are you this fine morning?” Balto was dumbstruck that he actually talked to him,

“Uh... fine thank you. The name's Balto. Yours?”

“It's Kurgan, at least that's my Russian name, my original name is unpronounceable. You might be wondering why my accent is different. I'm not exactly Russian but more specifically Koryak. They are the native people of this land we are racing in. So you could say, my team has the advantage.” Balto laughed. He enjoyed talking to a dog so exotic as Kurgan.

“I don't know about that, Kurgan. I know these dogs on my team and they are ready for anything.” This made Kurgan laugh hard, really hard.

“That's everyone's opinion my friend. You think we come to this as rookies? I assure you that the Soviet team will prevail because we have the best work ethic and it's our native land. We have to win.” Balto agreed with this. He's recalls Boris saying he's seen Russian dogs worked to death. Balto was probably pampered by the trainers compared to the training the Soviet team went through. They are hardened, fearless, and strong. Balto talked to Kurgan again,

“Kurgan, I don't mean to sound strange or anything but for some reason, you seem familiar to me.” Kurgan narrowed his eyes on Balto and concentrated on him,

“Yes, something is familiar. It's the find of familiar that you see in a dream than reality. When I rest, I will meditate on this.” Kurgan then popped out a question.

“American dog... are you halfwolf by any chance. You