“I just don’t have any other ideas, Pappy.”
“Well… I don’t like the prospect, but I do have a better idea,” he replied, staring off into space.
“Well… tell me. What?”
“I’m going to fly them to some proper place far away while they’re still frozen… right now, in fact. And that can’t be Lake Louise either… too risky landing there.”
“Pappy… carrying three plague bodies will be very risky for you. You’re probably not immune.”
“Wait any longer and everyone else gets sick, even you and your baby.”
Pappy had struck to the quick. Neither could she think of a better idea, nor approach any thought which risked the life of her unborn child. “I would have to say that would help the family if you’re willing.” Hers was not a detached opinion.
“No other way… has to be done. But if I do get that damned bug after all we’ve been through...”
“I don’t know what more to say, Pappy.”
“We need blankets. Know of any we can discard?”
“I’ll get some.” When Judy returned with three blankets, Pappy had one more favor to ask of her.
“I’ve been thinkin. I’m not comin’ back for a few days until I know for sure we’re okay. No sense bringing the bug back here. Pack us some food and sleeping bags while we load up. Just leave ‘em on the stairs outside. I’ll be contaminated by then. As he took the blankets, he bent over, kissed her lips provocatively and said, “If Mac doesn’t make his move soon, he’ll have to move over.”
Pappy found Hirsh standing in the sun, shivering. He approached him with the blanket, but Hirsh backed away. Pappy strode up to him and wrapped the blanket around his shoulders. “Won’t matter anymore. Judy thinks we should bury the Fowlers far away to avoid the plague returning in the spring. I’m going to do that right now.”
“Then I’m going with you. As I said, I can’t go inside anyway. I know of a nice memorial cemetery in Valdez among pine trees where the ground shouldn’t be frozen… and you’ll need help then for sure.”
“I’d hoped you would see it that way… and thanks. I will need help.”
“And we shouldn’t come back here for a week… until we’re sure we’re clean.”
“That’s what I told Judy. So if you can drag those bodies down to the wharf, I’ll remove the back seats and gas up the airplane. I’ll need help loading the Fowlers.”
When Pappy was ready to depart, he said, “Judy’s packed some food and left sleeping bags on the steps. Hang on a sec while I fetch them and then untie me.”
Judy watched them board the floatplane. Pappy hadn’t explained where he was going. She had an impulse to run outside and wave… but they were quickly gone in a sky streaming with high cirrus clouds. Judy sat on the hearth of a warm fireplace. Presently a wolf howled forlornly nearby and she listened to a return call in the distance, shivering involuntarily. Would her year of sorrow ever end? She desperately hoped Mac would return soon.
46
The Aleutians, November 23rd. Their first serious failure was so troubling that the Chief wouldn’t discuss the matter with anyone but the Skipper, the Exec and his petty officer trusted with the nuclear reactor. Called together, the Chief turned to petty officer Andrea, and nodded for her to begin. “We’re leaking coolant from the enclosed primary reactor loop… coolant which inevitably contains miniscule radioactive particles rather like rust. Our radiation monitors detected the problem immediately. The leak is about a dozen drops an hour, and probably coming from a failing weld or seal in the high pressure system. We can’t learn anything more specific without shutting down the reactor.”
“Even then we probably couldn’t repair it without removing it,” said the Chief.
“Alright then Chief, give me the upshot,” said the Skipper.
“The worst consequence is that you can’t command full power from the reactor without risking an accident or an immediate scram. And there’s more.”
“First tell me what power should be available without pushing my luck?”
“Our training says no more than fifteen percent… about what we’re using now,” said Andrea. “And to be fully forthcoming… a high pressure leak will likely get worse.”
“Just enough to limp home,” replied the Skipper, “where we’re forbidden to go. And Chief, you said there’s more…”
“Yes sir. What shall we do with the radioactive material we’re accumulating? We shouldn’t continue…”
The Exec interrupted, “The Navy hasn’t permitted discharging a radioactive leak into the sea for more than thirty years… and no one has ever done so.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” said the Chief. “If we discharge the leak continuously, the emission will be less than the normal background of saltwater and no one will be able to detect us.”
“Who’s going to catch us out here under the circumstances? But we’re still strictly forbidden to discharge radiation!” said the Exec with an edge.
“I didn’t mean we’d be caught discharging radiation. I’m talking about our world competitors being able to track our course following our trail of emissions,” replied the Chief. “We’ve been ordered to avoid all contact and survive.”
“Makes sense to me since we’ve lost our advantage of speed. Chief… do whatever keeps us safe no matter what the damn regulations say. You have any more good news for us?” asked the Skipper.
“Yes sir, one more critical matter and then I’ll hush up for awhile,” replied the Chief. “Fresh Water Unit Number Two is malfunctioning. Production has dropped way off. I hope to have a report within an hour. We may be losing the condenser… along with other equipment for that matter.”
Anxiously musing over the meeting, the Chief received the expected note from engineering. The handwritten scrap of paper read, “FW Unit 2 is beyond repair.” So… their second serious failure – loss of half of their capacity to distill fresh water. Losing the other would bring an immediate crisis. If their mission must carry on, he would insist they find a safe port with suitable shops to make repairs before a serious mishap left them adrift at sea without drinking water. He doubted the Exec had a realistic grip on engineering matters. The Skipper usually turned to him first for recommendations.
While they were still capable, he would suggest extreme measures to safeguard, then dispose of their twenty-four deteriorating Trident missiles. He questioned the stability of their high maintenance weapons so far beyond their mandated safe replacement. Returning to Bangor seemed less and less likely with the enduring silence.
His proposition would likely ruffle a few feathers, he thought. But what a bitter day to have survived all that they had and go the way of the Kirsk. Safety was always the Navy’s preeminent concern with nuclear weapons. Exhausted but dogged hands had become distressingly prone to making mistakes.
47
Tolsona Lake, Copper River Lowland, November 23rd. The four men worked feverishly quartering seven caribou before blood on the wind brought the entire wolf pack. Nevertheless wolves soon probed and retreated, remaining wary, but the circle of bared teeth and guttural threats closed tighter with each advance.
Ahtna and Onita shot two as they dashed in to seize a hind quarter causing the pack to scatter. Ahtna permitted a few wary wolves to steal discarded offal so long as they kept away from the work. A frenzy of infighting kept the pack occupied as they fought over every morsel. Finally, several wolves snatched a full quarter momentarily left unguarded but were subjected to a vicious snarling battle among the trees to keep their prize.
By early afternoon, their bloody task was complete. Bare-chested, the men were chilled to the bone. Without towels to wash off tacky blood, they scrubbed with snow using Jack’s sacrificial shirt to clean themselves.
Underway towing heavily laden sleds along an uneven trail,
the pack flanked both sides. A particularly bold wolf jumped upon the last sled as Jack shot him. Once safely reunited on the paved highway, the hunters sped up until the winded pack gave up the chase.
At the lodge, Ahtna directed them to the kitchen service entrance. Onita halted her buggy and jumped off holding a shotgun, watching the local wolf pack disappear into the trees. The pack had already detected blood on the wind.
Jack asked, “Where’s Pappy’s floatplane? Those are his airplane seats on the wharf, so he must have come back. Gonna get in every minute of flying time he can, no doubt.”
Ahtna guided Tony as he backed the sled under the service porch. Tony said, “They left the door open for us, but this freezer doesn’t look big enough to hold so many quarters.”
“That’s just the ice room. There’s a much larger flash freezer through the heavy door just beyond. Put all the quarters on the metal shelving. Sorry, I can’t help.” Looking weary, Ahtna sat down, leaning on his crutches.
“Smells like they cleaned the ice room with bleach and left the door open to dry.” Tony had difficulty opening the frozen inner door, but shortly they had a parade of fresh game filling the flash freezer. Once outside, Tony asked Ahtna, “What’s all that other food in there?”
“Some beef steak, slabs of bacon, butter, ice cream, coffee and last time I looked, groceries brought by the construction crews. Forgot all about that ‘till now,” said Ahtna.
“Really! Ice cream! Wow… hope there’s chocolate.”
“That freezer keeps everything rock hard. Getting way cold out here myself.”
When all was secure, Tony said, “Let’s go wash up in the utility sink. Judy won’t want us tracking blood inside the lodge. I’ll be back. I’m gonna fire up a generator and get all that meat chilling. Wouldn’t want the ice cream to melt!”
Onita said, “I’m taking Ahtna upstairs to warm up. We’ve pushed him too far.”
Mac could see how tired Ahtna seemed to be. Outside wasn’t really very cold, he thought… in fact rather warm for Thanksgiving.
Washed up and the first man upstairs, Mac watched wolves prowling around the service porch. One licked spilled blood from folded tarps. Damned brazen animals, he thought. Recently wolves appeared every week, and now, nearly every day. One of many ongoing natural changes with so few people around, he supposed.
Mac stood on the lodge veranda quietly watching the placid lake reflecting the brilliant sun among billowing clouds. He felt pleased with their hunting success just in time ahead of stormy weather. Like Jack, Mac wondered what could have motivated Pappy to go flying again. With the back seats removed from the airplane, he supposed that Pappy must have spotted something useful he wanted to retrieve. Judy was right. The man loved flying above all else and looked for any reason to do so. But with the changing sky, Mac thought Pappy ought not to push his joyride any longer.
Mac went looking for Judy. He found her stirring a simmering stew of leftovers. Darwin was at her side, as always, looking up expectantly.
She looked pensive staring into the pot and didn’t notice him until he came up behind her. When she turned to face him, her eyes were red and swollen. “Oh Mac, thank God you’re back!” she said, hugging him tightly. She began to cry as he returned her embrace.
Her distraught weeping continued until he asked, “Dear Judy, what’s happened?” he asked. “Let’s sit down at the table while you tell me.”
“Pappy and Hirsh left in the airplane,” she said weeping. She raised her apron and dried her eyes while she sought to compose herself. She told him the story of the Fowlers and the freezers, Hirsh’s anxiety, and Pappy’s intention not to return for days.
“But they do intend to come back?” he asked.
“Only if they don’t get sick.”
Wanting to comfort her, Mac moved his chair closer, put his arm around her shoulders, and said, “Then darling, all we can do is hope for the best. We can’t do anything but pray for them because they’re keeping us safe.”
“Mac, I asked Hirsh to clean out that freezer. He would never have done so otherwise.”
“Did you help him or go in there yourself?”
“No, he wouldn’t let me.”
“Well, I respect him for that. But I must tell you I thank the Lord you weren’t the one who found them. We’ll have a baby to rear one day.” That said, Mac realized with a shock that he had helped load the very freezer where the bodies had been found… and was holding Judy tight, dressed in the same clothing.
“What’s wrong?” Judy asked, sensing his startle.
“Darling, I was in that same freezer loading game, dressed as I am now holding you. It smelled like strong bleach in there so maybe it was safe… I hope.”
The other men filed into the kitchen chatting together celebrating.
Judy looked quietly at him, blue eyes still teary, then she held him in her arms, kissed him fondly, and said, “Well then, I guess we’re in this together for better or for worse.” Mac was deeply thankful for her reaction.
Entirely misinterpreting the moment, and happy about Judy’s emotional state, Jack said cheerfully, “Well, well, well. I’ve heard more romantic proposals in my time, but that’ll do in front of a crowd,” and then beamed at them. Mac was startled.
Onita hurried to Judy with concern, “Would you come see Ahtna? Something is wrong.”
“Mac, you’d better tell them all about Hirsh and Pappy,” as she left the kitchen with Onita.
“Let’s go to the bar, guys… and pour ourselves a stiff one.”
By the time everyone held brandy, it was clear that Mac wasn’t preparing for a celebration. He related all that happened while they were gone and Judy’s conversation with Pappy.
The Captain responded. “I’m sure you know by now that Pappy has always been a strong willed man. I don’t think Hirsh is a pushover, either. He survived in a city through the worst of it. If anyone can, they’ll make it with God’s help, and be back.”
“What about us?’ Mac asked. “Anyone think of anything we should be doing?”
“I’m glad we washed up downstairs before we came in,” said Tony. “Maybe we should burn our clothes. Didn’t touch much in there, and we’re a little late, pro’bly.”
“Won’t make any difference at all, guys,” said Judy who returned to the bar and sat beside Mac. “That pathogen is either viable or it’s not. Even the world’s most fastidious laboratories couldn’t keep that virus isolated. Washing won’t matter. What will be, will be. We’ll know by morning.”
Mac was lost in thought, distraught over his blunder with contaminated clothes.
With that frank assessment, Jack awkwardly changed the subject, “Judy… sorry ‘bout that little crack earlier. Don’t usually put my foot in my mouth that bad.”
Judy leaned over Mac’s chair putting her arms around him. “You didn’t get us entirely wrong, Jack… just a little premature, perhaps. Mac has just been a little slow in making his move.”
“Guess I wear everything on my sleeve more than I realize.”
“Got that right,” said Jack. “But you ought to spin it into something better than wool.” His chuckle was a little nervous.
“How’s Ahtna doing?” Mac asked. “Seems like he was gettin’ weary outside.”
“He was shivering, but all he needed was food. Apparently, you all hadn’t eaten since breakfast. He has no reserve at all. He’ll be fine after a good sleep.”
“Speakin’ of food,” said Tony. “Thought I smelled somethin’ scrumptious simmering in the kitchen. Need help?”
“Just Mac. We’ll bring out the stew, but it’s probably not worth much by now.”
As soon as they were in the kitchen alone, Judy put her arms around him in a bold embrace. “Mac, darling, I want you to sleep with me tonight in my room
. Onita will be with Ahtna in the infirmary. If we’re going to die soon, I want to be with you.”
“So do I. Until then...” Jack blundered into the kitchen, stopped short and said, “Jesus… I can’t get anything right,” and quickly departed.
“This is what we get for living in a village. Tonight, then…” and they gathered service for dinner. The simmering leftover stew was just fine.
That night, their lives melded together, intimately yielding without reserve… whispering affection for one another, of loyalty, and their hopes and aspirations of family. The moment was perfect to put past sadness behind for all time.
In the morning, they all gathered for hot tea in the breakfast room by the windows. Everyone felt robust… happy, garrulous, giddy.
Outside with only the closest spruce trees visible, snow swirled into drifts covering the veranda. No one discussed implications or worries for Pappy and Hirsh. Feeling joyously healthy, no one wanted to diminish the morning.
Nasty weather prompted completing the living quarters and a subterfuge to finish a first class suite for Onita and Ahtna, liberating them from infirmary life. Hidden in the basement, Tony produced a blitz of bedroom components, his gift to the couple. Later that day, the band rearranged and completed the couple’s suite. Ahtna and Onita long suspected something was afoot by the thin excuses Judy used to keep them downstairs all the while. Judy spent a late night by candlelight secretly sewing another welcome for the doorway. The banner proclaimed, Ahtnita’s Hideaway.
After dinner, they escorted the couple upstairs and pressed them mercilessly with ribald and provocative teasing. Onita enjoyed it all. After a round of wine toasts, Ahtna and Onita threw everyone out.
Habitually gathering around the central fireplace hearth near bedtime, the Captain mused, “I’ve grown comfortable here so cozy and warm… it’s rather primal watching a blazing fire. This chair won’t be the same with a cold fireplace.”
Flight To Pandemonium Page 50