Greetings yall! Sorry for the atrocious delay, but at last Part 6 is here! Enjoy!
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Balto: Cruel intentions
Part 6
In the cave, the home guard lay in groups of twenty in a large chamber. On guard, Franz and Deacon eyed them coldly, pacing around silently. No one spoke, most of them filled with a cold dread as to what was happening.
Sirius had been shoved inside and was now lying alone, not making eye contact with anyone. He was too ashamed, the thought of being defeated by a group of dogs weighing heavily on his spirit.
He looked up as he heard the sound of pawsteps. Maxwell lay beside him and shook his head.
"I tell you Sirius, this looks pretty bad" he whispered.
Sirius sighed "I feel so useless Maxwell. I mean, we were beaten so easily"
"They had an advantage Sirius" Maxwell replied. "We couldn't have done anything, or you. So don't beat yourself up about it"
Sirius just nodded, and looked sadly at the walls of the chamber. Now he and his fellow wolves were prisoners, slaves to the dogs. And though he knew he couldn't have done anything to prevent it, he couldn't shake of the feeling that it was all his fault.
"I'm the alpha male of this clan, Maxwell. It's my job to protect this pack from harm. And look at us now, prisoners in our own cave!"
"Sirius, believe me I know how your feeling" Maxwell whispered. "When Grant took over our clan, we all felt like prisoners. You did all you could, and...you got Aleu out"
Sirius nodded "Yeah, but...what if they caught her?"
"If they had, we would know. From what I can gather about this lot, they like to gloat. And they look mighty sour about her escaping if you ask me" Maxwell smirked.
Sirius smiled "Yeah, your right. At least she'll have got the word out"
"And in the meantime," Maxwell paused as Franz cast a glare in his direction. "We need to find a way of getting out of here"
Sirius shook his head "All we can do is wait Maxwell. Maybe Aleu can get help from the town...or is that just wishful thinking?"
Maxwell shrugged "Maybe, but if your right we still need a back up plan"
"But what?"
Maxwell paused and glanced round "There are about a hundred of us here, and another lot in the next chamber. I've only seen four of these guys, the leader included, so why don't we just rush them? Take them by surprise!"
Sirius shook his head "Maxwell, you've seen what these guys have at their disposal. If we tried that, we'd be lucky if half of us got out without being gassed, or trampled in the panic. I can't take that risk"
Maxwell sighed "There must be something!" he growled in furstration.
"Plus," Sirius replied. "When I was talking to that guy calling himself The General, he seemed pretty sure of himself. Maybe there are more of them guarding the outside of the cave"
"He's a zealot Sirius!" Maxwell cut in. "Believe me I've seen wolves who act like he does. I used to work for one remember? And if there's one thing they like to do, it's brag"
"Maybe," Sirius replied. "But he's got a lot to brag about already, and maybe he's getting more support whilst we're sat here waiting. Aleu is our only chance, and until then we can't risk anymore lives. We've lost too many already"
He felt a deep guilt rising in his heart at this, and he lay down on the floor. Maxwell leered at the two dog soldiers.
"I hope your right Sirius" he whispered.
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Hawkeye paced around impatiently, his ears perked straight up. Miranda followed him with her eyes.
"Where is he? The hours up!" he growled, ceasing his pacing and walking up to Miranda.
"I do not know darling" Miranda soothed. "But he will be here, he would not dare keep you waiting"
Hawkeye snorted "I hate waiting Miranda" his voice dripped with seething anger.
"I know darling" Miranda smiled warmly.
Hawkeye resumed his pacing, muttering under his breath.
Suddenly, both canines perked their ears up as a howl cut through the cave.
"Aaawwwhhhhhhooooo!"
Hawkeye smirked as Strike padded inside the room.
"General, they've arrived"
Hawkeye grinned "Then lets not keep our troops waiting, Captain"
Strike and Miranda followed from behind as Hawkeye strode into the lower areas of the cave through a stone corridor. They came to a halt in front of a grinning German Shepherd.
"General Hawkeye? I'm honoured to be a part of your cause" Vasil bowed respectfully.
Hawkeye eyed the group of dogs stood before him. In total, there were seven of them, all of them wearing sled harnesses.
"Gentlemen, today you become part of a cause which will purify this region once and for all from the wolf filth!" Hawkeye addressed the team. "As part of my new order, you will soon reap the rewards and protect the canine race from any further contamination"
The team saluted Hawkeye with their front right paws.
"Captain"
Strike padded forwards "Yes General?"
"Show our new troops their positions, and kit them out"
Strike saluted "Will you all follow me this way?" he gestured to Vasil's team.
Hawkeye watched as the team followed Strike back down the corridor.
"The Major has done well. He's picked out a fine team, and many more will soon join us"
A frown crossed his face, and he looked round the chamber.
"But, where is he?"
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Balto stood before the entire congregation inside the old mill, his ears pounding with the din of raised voices.
"Please, listen to me! All of you, listen!" he yelled over the noise.
It looked like every sled dog in Nome was crammed inside the mill, and every one of them was talking. Balto stood on the podium in front of the crowd.
"Everyone! Listen!" he yelled again, but his voice was droned out once more.
Aleu suddenly stepped forwards and raised her head.
"Aaawwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhoooooooooooo!!!"
Balto clasped his paws to his ears against his daughters howl, and the congregation was silenced.
"Thank, ow, thank you Aleu" Balto massaged his ears until they stopped ringing.
All eyes focussed on Balto as he stood in the centre of the stage.
"As you all now, we have recently expereinced a campaign of fear and terror that many of you put down to wolves. Well now that suspicion has been proven false"
The voices resumed.
"But," Balto continued. "Now we have to act to readdress that claim. The wolves my daughter Aleu leads have been attacked by a team of dogs, the same dogs who have created this environment of fear amongst you. It is up to us to come to their aid"
"Why should we help wolves!?" a voice in the crowd yelled.
Aleu stepped forwards authoritively "Because it is dogs like you who would have watched idly by as many innocent lives were taken! Those dogs have attacked you as well, and if you don't help to put a stop to it they will continue to oppress and terrorise not just wolves, but you as well! I'm asking, begging, for your help. Please...will you help us?"
Balto nuzzled her as she walked to his side.
The congregation resumed their whispering, casting glances at Aleu and Balto with thoughtful expressions.
Doc stepped forwards "I'll help you Balto"
"And me" Kaltag stepped up to the podium.
Balto smiled "Thank you my friends"
Dingo and Kodi moved up to his side.
"And you know we won't back down, Dad" Kodi winked at his father.
Aleu smiled at her brothers, and then turned back to the crowd.
"Well, will you all help as well?"
Several dog shifted uneasily on their paws, until one stepped forwards.
"My team'll help you. Just tell us what to do"
Balto stepped down off the podium and up to the dog.
"And what'd your name?" he asked.
"I'm Sebastian"
Balto smiled "Thanks Sebastian"
Another dog stepped forwards "Hey Seb, you aint getting all the fun! Not while I'm here!"
Balto smiled as more dogs stepped forwards, and then turned to Aleu.
"Aleu, I want you to stay here with your mother until I get back"
Aleu smiled "Papa, I'm comign whether you like it or not. It's my pack"
Balto sighed "Okay. But please, don't do anything foolish"
Kodi and Dingo walked up to the growing group of dogs.
"Well," Balto said. "We'd better get going"
"Lead the way Balto" Sebastian replied.
With Balto in front, the group of dogs left the mill.
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Saba shivered as Hawkeye stepped inside the chamber, another dog at his side. He scanned round the group of terrified females and pups who had been crammed inside the chamber, until his eyes fell on her.
"What do we have here?" he smirked as he walked up to her.
Saba stepped back, but managed to keep her ground.
"Your not a wolf are you? Tell me, what's your name?" Hawkeye asked.
Saba leered at him "My name is Saba"
Hawkeye smirked "Okay, Saba, tell me. What's a nice, pure, husky like yourself doing in a wolf clan?"
Saba said nothing. Strike stepped up to her.
"You will answer when The General questions you!"
Saba flinched "I live here" she trembled.
Hawkeye raised his eyebrows "You...live here? Forgive me, but why would you willingly do such a thing Saba?"
Saba gulped "My mate is a member of this clan"
"He wasn't a member of the security force by any chance was he?" Hawkeye eye her questioningly.
Saba froze "How did...what have you done?"
Hawkeye sighed "I'm sorry Saba, but...I'm afraid your mate will be very dead by now"
Saba felt tears begin to streak down her face "No...no your lying! He can't..." she broke down as sobs cut off the rest of her words.
Hawkeye forced back a smirk "Was he...a good mate?"
Saba didn't answer, and continued to allow the tears to come.
"He must have been, to grab such a fine female as yourself. But don't worry, I'm sure his death was...painless" Hawkeye snorted a laugh.
Saba lunged forwards, her teeth bared, and was only prevented from attacking Hawkeye when Strike stepped in front of her threateningly.
"You evil murderer!" Saba choked. "Why did you have to kill him!? We never did anything to you!"
"Ah, but you see, he was merely being punished for his actions against us" Hawkeye smirked.
"You see Saba, the wolf has gotten to you. You, a fine pure husky, have been corrupted by the wolf filth that your mate helped to protect. He had to die, so that dogs like you and I can be free!"
Saba growled "Shut up! Your a sicko, aterrorist!"
Hawkeye continued to grin "One persons terrorist is another persons freedom fighter, Saba. You will soon see that, in time"
Saba spat in his face. Hawkeye flinched and glared at her.
"Captain, see that this female doesn't get any ideas of escaping. If she wants to be with her mate, I may give her that option more quickly"
Hawkeye chuckled as he walked outside the chamber, leaving Saba sobbing her grief for Chris.
"He had better have been worth it Saba," he thought.
"Because your treachery will cost you dearly"
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Outside the cave, a silent figure made his way through the foliage, being careful not to give his presence away. Though he couldn't see them, he knew the humans were waiting for any sign of movement from the cave.
"They'll have their fun in time" he thought.
Once he reached the cave, 'The Carver' silently slipped inside.
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Tell me what you all think! Part 7 coming soon!
Balto123
Hawkeye...poor dog *laughs*
I like from this one a lot...
