Above All Else

 

When reactionary says that the reaction is unavoidable, You should remembered that we – reactionaries - measure the time in generation. – Nicolas Gomez Davila

 

Prologue – Pawprints to follow

 

Milky light of afternoon was shining on delicate snowfall. Unnamed valley of Yu Range was white-covered and silent. No wind blew over snowed pines, making bottom of valley most tranquil place that one could imagine. Dusk was falling slowly, but dense clouds on the sky was a guarantee of not so frosty night. Very unusual weather as for December. Surely beautiful one. Apart of thinking about everything else, Steele judged that was a fine day to die.

Because that time there was no chance to get alive from chase. Staying and fighting both parts of Talbourne army meant simply defeat, while not all Pack’s forces were ready to run. Especially leader himself was unable. Saying straight – Steele, the mighty chief of Yukon Defensive Alliance, alpha of the Pack, commander of all forces fighting Talbourne Clan was too tired to run. Thirteen years old dog – in spite of his age – was still a powerful warrior. But even he couldn’t cheat the ways of nature. He could march no faster than most of his wounded soldiers.

Oh, wounded soldiers – it was obvious that malamute couldn’t leave his subordinates. In two years of being commander, he become totally different from dog he had been earlier. Once selfish, cold and extremely individual, in time learned how not only to lead but also live with all those who he guided. How to be a part of the pack.

So in the same time, he didn’t want to leave anyone, but hoped to save all those who could been saved. He hoped that at least three packs of his almost seventy wolves would reach Haven and join the defence of home. Although Steele’s sun was setting, his duty was to secure future of the Pack and future of his mate and son. Under care of Ea, one day January should take the leadership after Steele and finish quest that his father had started. That why Steele decided to act like every responsible commander should.

“Staff’s council!” He turned back and called to his officers. Soon after all of senior soldiers joined their leader and with curious stares tried to read next orders. “So, you are all here.” Smiled Steele.

All who survived. Just before that run, day earlier, that lost over a pack of warriors and Lena herself. Lena was accompanying the Pack almost since the beginning – she joined Steele with her unit of Uniea partisans and quickly became one of most trusted officers. Brownfurred female of many talents – sharp senses, bright intelligence and almost supernatural ability to predict Talbourne moves – for two years of the Pack’s struggle was near to Steele. Till her end. But even if she was dead, leader had there two more of his most trusted soldiers.

Darkfurred Velka was alpha-beta of paw of packs, that meant she usually was commanding sixty wolves. But those were mostly elite units, especially skilled in stealth combat and deep infiltration of enemy territory. That her charges had fought and died on that mission. Once she was from unit of her best friend – Aarre. Those two (or three – there was also Vamma and Kova – once simple Uniea soldiers, later officers of the Pack) met Steele two years earlier, just after failed strike of Avengers. With help of his first friends, malamute started to organize the Pack – strong military organization, resisting Talbourne Clan and countering new conquests of Aleu and Saba. And for two years they managed to establish a solid base for that strange alliance, who was bigger than any clan except of Talbourne, but it was doing all to destroy the way of clans organization. The sole purpose of Pack existence was to prevail Talbourne and… vanish itself, for not to became the empire of terror that it fought.

And two companions of that long struggle were waiting among rest of staff on side of Steele. Malamute was judging all “for” and “against” to rationalize saving at least on of his friends. Looking on Velka, dog learned she was done anyway. Her wounds were too deep to let her retreat. But Aarre was still strong and almost unhurt. Steele was sure he could give him the mission.

“Alfa-beta.” Called Steele. That was a military rank – more or less equivalent of Talbourne lieutenant. But alpha-alpha of the Pack forbade to use any ranks resembling non-wolfish vocabulary. However funny and absurd it sounded, the Pack was using only descriptive names of grades and units, where everything had to be similar to traditional organization of wolfkind. Steele was alpha-alpha, leader of alpha-betas, who were leading alpha-gammas, in charge of twelve numbered smallest units of alliance. The language was also a front of war with Taulborne. “It’s indeed sweet, we keep those formalities even in face of death.” Thought Steele.

“Yes, sir.” Called both Velka and Aarre, ranked in that way.

“Yes, orders for both of you.” Said Steele. “But different. Velka, we will lure Dash’s forces to nearest possible place of ambush. That is end-game stuff, you know?”

“Sure, boss.” In spite of pain, wolfess smiled with soldier’s passion. She was an artist in destructive disciplines and as every artist she was delighted to create.

“And I?” asked a bit confused Aarre.

“Aarre, are you loyal to me?” asked Steele with unexpectedly serious voice.

“E… you know, boss…”

“Yes, or no?”

“Yes, sir!” replied Aarre with decisive bark.

“So I give you the harder part. You have to lead all remaining forces to Haven and there organize eventual defence.” Light brownfurred wolf gasped, hearing that. “You are also temporally responsible for running the Pack. Now, you are appointed as a leader and beta-alpha of all our forces. But remember that all political power stays in paws of Ea, until January comes to proper age and he becomes the new alpha-alpha.”

“Well, cool.” Snorted Aarre. “But I’m not leaving you.”

“That’s an order.” Replied Steele. “Any discussion is pointless.”

New marshal of the Pack wanted to argue, but decisive stare of Steele told him that was really no point. Also Aarre was intelligent wolf and already experienced soldier – he knew that order was only logical and reasonable solution in that dire situation. He lowered his ears in gesture of submission.

“Yes, Steele.”

“So leave us with all who could pass through Eagle Pass now. And…” leader for short moment closed his eyes, trying to put all his minds in simple words. Of course he failed. “About Ea and January… just…”

“I will take care for them, I promise.” Assured greyfurred. “Do you want me to tell them something?”

“Just usual soldier’s stuff. I love them and so on.” Steele smiled to clichéness of that situation. “I bet that every death message sounds like that. But to be serious – tell them… I just believe in them. That I believe they will succeed.” Aarre nodded his head. “So go now. Gather your pack and head home.”

“That was… a great time with you.” Marshal said to both Steele and Valka.

“Just make sure it wasn’t wasted.” Said darkfurred wolfess. “We will try to cut down as many of them as we are able, but still Haven needs some serious preparations.”

“Yeah, sure.” Replied Aarre. In his voice some tone of emotion. That was rare for usually airy and dark-humoured commander. “Whatever would happen that strike was a success. We for the very first time hit them on their ground. And now, when boss has a heir and…” He paused, hearing his voice sounded touched already. “Anyway, I’m going. Good hunting, alpha!”

“Good hunting, alpha.” Replied Steele.

Velka and malamute was watching wolf gathering most of forces and setting off east. When he finally disappeared beyond the turn, darkfurred took a look around to check forces she still had in charge. Just four incomplete packs – forty one wolves, all too tired and bruised to follow Aarre in passing Eagle Pass. But still it was a solid force. Two units of chase, commanded by Dash and some other – unknown by name – Talbourne commander counted about one hundred and filthy soldiers – number much too much to stand in single fight. But if they were going separately…

“Do you think that Dash is on the lead?” asked Velka. Steele nodded his head.

“There is no other option. He had personal business with me and surely won’t let any other unit to kill me. He will be here soon, exhausted and winded. So find some cute place to slaughter them all.”

“All?” smiled wolfess. They knew that had no chances even with eighty of Dash’s subordinates.

“Aim at the sky, not lower.” Replied steel with grin. “Go, set our soldiers.” And preparations to ambush started.

*

Dash was running on lead of his unit, ignoring repetitive distant howls from Tenu’s division. Mercenary was calling to him, asking, begging and ordering his halt. But while Tenu was working according to military logic, Dash had his own judgment and different aims and wants. The elimination of Steele was the most urging quest of his life. The same stayed for Tan.

Young wolf was running at the side of his carer. Dark orangefurred youngster was just two years old, but as charge of Dash - who raised him after death of Tan’s parents – he was often companion of lieutenant, even in combat missions. His run was distorted by serious injure, inflicted to him in early puphood – wolfess called Muista bit his tension on right paw, made his limb partially immobile. But in that particular moment the fury was hurrying young wolf to chase as fast as healthy and older soldiers. And in the same way enraged.

“I sense him!” growled young Talbourne. “I always could smell that bastard!”

“Hold on, my boy.” Replied Dash. “Soon it all will be over.”

Tenu was still calling halt-signal, but none of Dash’s wolves followed it. After all Tenu wasn’t even Talbourne, just strange mercenary

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