Flight To Pandemonium

by Murray, Edward

  July first was Canada Day! Peg and Larry mounted a tiny Maple leaf flag in front of each place setting at breakfast. The siblings’ festive mood made breakfast cheerful. However, they were scheduled for island garden duty on their customary holiday which Mac thought was unfortunate. So he volunteered to switch his scheduled day with the siblings. Ernie joined in the offer. Peg and Larry happily agreed to take a personal day off.

  Darwin learned to be wary of the boat because it always carried him away from Judy. Mac was one of the few people who could coax him aboard. Mac and Ernie with a reluctant Darwin met Ahtna and Onita on the island. They welcomed a string of fresh trout from Ahtna when the couple departed for the lodge in the other boat.

  Ernie and Mac spent the morning carrying a pair of five gallon water buckets suspended on a pole across their shoulders. A gentle southern breeze from the mountains wafted across the island bringing cool relief. The little island looked immense when they were hand watering. Thankful to break for lunch, they kindled a fire to pan fry the trout.

  Darwin stood expectantly for his share. He began to woof softly gazing south and then began to growl. The men followed his gaze. Neither of them saw or heard anything troubling. When Darwin seemed satisfied nothing was afoot, the men assumed the growl was a common false alarm. They offered Darwin a bite of trout, but he wheeled around instead and resumed growling. Relying on Darwin’s acute hearing, they knew something must be bothering him. For good measure the two decided to retrieve their rifles from the boat and walk to the southern tip of the island where Darwin repeatedly paced the shore.

  The men still found nothing unusual, but Darwin persisted growling. Mac thought he heard something faintly… perhaps some wound up noise wafting in and out on the breeze. After more silence, he distinctly heard rumbling motorcycles and so did Ernie. Instantly, Mac recalled his painful, disfiguring injury. Chills tingled down his spine.

  “Shit,” said Ernie. “Must be on the Glenn Highway near Snowshoe Lake.”

  “Definitely coming this way and more’n one of ‘em,” Mac said. “We’d better warn the lodge.”

  For the first time, they hurtled across the lake with the boat bounding at full power. Pappy and Lazlo heard them coming and ran to the wharf. Mac explained their haste. They all stopped talking to listen, but heard nothing. With everyone gathered in the lounge, they repeated their story, explaining that Darwin must have heard them coming from the southwest long before the men had.

  “Pro’bly that militia,” said Pappy. “I wondered when those bastards would turn up again.” The remark required a repetition of the Palmer story especially for Andrea.

  “Just so someone says so right now… you don’t know who they are,” said Christie. “Could be anyone.”

  Onita was frightened and said, “Please don’t show anyone where we live.”

  “They might turn up our road if they see our tracks,” said Ernie.

  “More likely, they’re headed to Glennallen just as we were,” said Judy.

  “If Jack and Tony were here, they would tell us to get prepared,” Mac said, unconsciously touching his disfigured ear.

  “Prepared for just what?” asked Judy.

  “Trouble!” said Pappy bluntly. “But Judy is right; we should know exactly where they’re headed. I’m gonna go check ‘em out. Can’t let ‘em intercept our Navy band comin’ over the pass without any warning. I’ll give you their military hand radio tuned to the right frequency. Listen for me from the chopper, but get ready in the meantime. It’s time to warm up those deuces and arm the guns. That’s what Jack would have done. It won’t be long before you hear from me.”

  “I’m going with Pappy,” said Andrea. The couple left without waiting for an objection.

  Instead, Christie said, “Lazlo and Ernie, just remember what happened the last time we brought on bikers.” Shortly, they could hear the helicopter warming up.

  “If we have to face those people, it would be best to do it elsewhere,” Mac said. “We don’t want ‘em finding this lodge.”

  “Why face them! Just let them go on their way,” said Christie.

  “She’s right!” said Judy. “Those military trucks would be inviting trouble.”

  “I hate to say so,” said the Captain, “but if it is that militia bunch again, they’ll likely be looking for trouble. That’s how it happened the last time.”

  “Here we go again… looking for trouble ourselves,” said Christie.

  “We can’t just sit on our hands,” said Lazlo. “I don’t like the sound of a militia.”

  “Dammit Laz! You don’t know that. All you really know is people are riding motorcycles. That makes perfect sense considering the condition of the roads.”

  “Well, we’ll know soon enough. I think Pappy is right. We should get ready.”

  “I agree with Judy. Ready for what?” asked Ahtna. “To shoot them?”

  “And I’ve got the same question,” said Hirsh.

  “If it comes down to that… yes!” answered Lazlo.

  “Well, count us out. We’re not shooting anyone,” said Ahtna. “Onita and I are going back to the island. It shouldn’t be left unguarded, anyway.”

  “Well then, you should take some gear and food, just in case.”

  “Why don’t you take Piquk and Sunshine with you?” asked Judy.

  “Sure, but maybe you ought to bring your baby and come with us.”

  “No, my place is with Mac and they’ll need a nurse if it comes to bloodshed.”

  The four left for the island.

  “Okay,” said Ernie. “Let’s wait until we hear from Pappy.”

  Presently, Pappy broadcast, “Bad news! It is those same bastards… all in white police uniforms. Six of ‘em on their way to Glennallen. And they shot at us and I have a hole in the canopy to prove it. Copy that?”

  Mac had the radio. “Yea… got it. Six bad guys… who shot at you,” Mac repeated for the others to hear.

  “I’ve been in contact with our Navy group and warned ‘em of trouble. They’re already well over the pass and headed our way. I’m going to fly up the highway and see how far they’ve come and keep an eye out for trouble. I’m staying outta range. Why don’t you all wait at the Lake Louise intersection until you hear from me?”

  Lazlo and Ernie both shook their heads vehemently no. Mac replied, “We think we shouldn’t give them any hint of where the lodge is located. We need a better place.”

  “Then pick a defensive spot of your own where you have good sight distance in both directions. Wear the flag. I’ll find you wherever you are. I’m out.”

  Ernie was frustrated that Pappy had closed without reporting exactly how far along the highway the militia had come. Beyond the Lake Louise turnoff he couldn’t remember a good defensive place. The stressful situation reflected on everyone’s face. After another disagreement with the women about separating in the face of trouble, the men decided to return to the Tolsona Lake turnoff and take cover off the highway. From their previous hunting experience, that was the only logical place they knew well.

  When Judy announced that she was joining Mac, Christie said she would go as well. Mac suspected that she wanted to avert a conflict more than anything else.

  “Honey, we both know you shouldn’t ride in that Humvee,” said Judy. “You’re due soon and the bouncing could bring on your baby. Won’t you stay here with baby Chet and the Captain for me?”

  “You’re right… but promise me you’ll talk them out of any shooting. There’s got to be another way or someone is sure to die.”

  “I’ll do what I can, but please get the infirmary ready… just in case, okay?”

  “I’m not going, either,” said Hirsh. “I’d just be in the way because I’m not about to shoot anyone.”

  One look at Judy and Mac knew that
she was unhappy. They loaded three military vehicles but Jack would have hotly protested. In the face of a clear threat, the band was ill prepared and was separating in the very manner he despised. Larry and Peg were reluctant to join a fight. However, they decided to drive an armored humvee to demonstrate their support. Neither had ever fired a military rifle.

  Nevertheless, Ernie directed everyone to carry rifles, take cover, and not shoot or reveal themselves unless directly confronted by the militia. Once in place, Ernie fed the belts into the machine guns. Lazlo was given a two minute instruction but told not to try feeding a new belt.

  Half an hour of lying flat in a thick grove of spruce trees was all that Judy could suffer silently. She returned to the deuce. “Mac, please talk to me,” she said. “By now you must realize how insane this really is. That Navy crew is trained for combat and those bikers must be getting near them by now. What can we possibly contribute if the Navy has been alerted to trouble? They know what they’re doing and we don’t.”

  “Of course this is crazy. But listen to me! They’ve already tried to kill Pappy and Andrea, so they are a threat for sure, and we don’t have a military leader. I don’t think any of us wants a firefight, but if they come back and push us like that Palmer bunch, we need to defend ourselves, and I’m missing an ear to remind me.”

  “Then I hope we will let this pass if at all possible.”

  “How can I disagree with that?”

  “I just hope Ernie does. We don’t need more military bravado.”

  “I’m sure Ernie learned his lesson like the rest of us.” But Ernie was holding the military radio and Mac knew nothing about unfolding events.

  63

  Pump Station Eleven, July 1st. At the Chief’s request, Pappy landed on the highway and conferred with him examining his flight map. Pappy reported that he had last spotted the bikers approaching Pump Station Eleven. Once the Chief understood the terrain, he formulated his plan of action. Pappy was to provide reconnaissance from high aloft but nothing more. As instructed, Pappy moved the helicopter far off the road and landed, waiting until called. The Chief led his caravan slowly north toward Glennallen.

  With red lights flashing and American flags fluttering, a uniformed cyclist entered the highway from the entrance to the Pump Station. As planned, the Chief drew slightly ahead in his transport while the vans behind formed a double row in tight formation blocking the highway. The Chief halted watching the motorcycle.

  The cyclist stopped short of talking distance in the center of the highway, dismounted, and leaned his motorcycle on its stand. He sat braced against the bike, drew a pack of cigarettes from his uniform jacket and lit one. The young man wore a brace of pistols and a long baton on his belt. He silently surveyed the convoy.

  The Chief deployed two female rifle guards to flank each side from the highway ditch. When they were in position with weapons brandished, the Chief dismounted unarmed. Standing in the front of his truck, he stood silently facing the cyclist with his hands on his hips. Chief Ming, wearing his white Navy uniform sporting five gold stripes of rank, cut an impressive figure of authority.

  When the Chief didn’t approach, the cyclist threw his cigarette aside, and strutted forward. He stopped facing the Chief and said with exaggerated bravado, “I’m Captain Moore of the Palmer Militia and you are?”

  “Never mind,” said the Chief. “Young man, you must realize by now that you’re way over your head.”

  “Your women don’t impress me. I’m the police captain for this region. What are you carrying in those trucks?”

  “Police? Nonsense. Legitimate civil authorities don’t shoot at an unarmed Coast Guard helicopter. I regard you as a bandit unless you convince me otherwise straight away.”

  The cyclist raised his eyebrows, visibly troubled by the Chief’s confrontational reply. He shifted his stance and replied in a quieter less confident voice, “My deputies will inspect those trucks before you enter my town. Have your women stand down.”

  “Not a chance. Two strikes!”

  “If you fail to stand down, you will be arrested. We intend to open those trucks.”

  “Just as I thought… Bugger off young man, but fair warning. If you come back, I won’t tolerate bandits for an instant, so you and your mates will suffer some extreme justice of my own. Got that?”

  Against this unequivocal threat, the young man dropped all further pretense, and said angrily, “Dude… you’re gonna be sorry!” The cyclist spun around for show, and roared off entering the pump station.

  When the Chief returned to his transport, he radioed Pappy. “Time for us to move on before those boys work up any more courage. I think that biker bandit has had his way too often, so keep track of them for me now, Pappy.”

  “I’m away.” Only minutes elapsed before Pappy came back on. “Chief, watch out… they’re gathering in a white dump truck with lots of guns. Two bikers this time, but six bandits altogether. I think they plan to pull out behind you… yup, they’re moving out.”

  “We see them, so back off now, Pappy, and stay out of sight. I’ll want their undivided attention.”

  As the Navy convoy moved past the entrance road, an Alyeska truck pulled onto the highway with a wide snow blade raised as a shield to protect most of the cab. Two white uniformed men stood in the bed of the truck bent forward over the cab roof, assault rifles on point. Two uniformed bikers drew up close behind, then all quickly accelerated to catch up to the convoy.

  As the commandeered truck closed, the two bandits on top fired short bursts at the rear wheels of the last convoy truck. All four tires erupted in an explosion of rubber debris and the trailer settled onto its rims, swaying side to side. Immediately, the rear doors of the last convoy trailer swung open revealing two armed guards protected behind a revetment of wet sandbags.

  From a crouch, a third guard shouldered an RPG launcher and carefully trained its sight on the pavement beneath the blade of the commandeered truck. With a streaking flash and a thundering detonation, the truck erupted in flames and flying parts.

  In the next instant, the closely trailing motorcycles were engulfed in an inferno of flaming fuel and slammed into the wreckage.

  “Pappy, confirm any survivors. I don’t see motorcycles,” said the Chief.

  “Just two dying the hard way,” Pappy replied calmly.

  “Then I’m going to pull off and check on my squad.”

  “Chief, your last truck lost all its rear tires and pro’bly can’t follow you.”

  “Thanks. We’ll deal with that.”

  “Alright, I’m heading back. I’m low on fuel. When you reach the next highway, turn west and stop at the visitor’s center near the intersection. One of us will escort you home to a great big welcome!”

  When Judy and Mac heard the distant staccato gunfire followed by an explosion, they emerged from their truck staring at a distant dark column of smoke rising in the sky. Fearing the worst, they rushed to Ernie’s deuce to listen to the radio. In the deuce, they were overjoyed to hear Pappy’s voice, “Ernie, you copy all that?”

  “Affirmative. I think I see you coming this way. Is that the end of it already?”

  “Thankfully, yes. All the bad guys got their just desserts. From the looks of things, the Navy didn’t get hurt. If you didn’t hear, I promised that one of you would escort them home from the visitor’s center. They have a convoy of seven trucks… if you can believe that. Can you handle leading that parade?”

  64

  Old Man Lake, July 1st. Brilliant rose-violet fireweed profusely decorated the hillsides. Old Man Lake was at its pristine best, mirroring perfect reflections of the snow capped Talkeetna Mountains. Ducks and geese abounded on its waters. The warm summer day was the finest of the season.

  The parade of arriving military vehicles and commercial trucks extended from the brick land
ing to the copse of trees. Twenty people stepped down and gathered on the terraces greeting one another. Darwin bounded from one to another, bum wagging for attention. Christie, Piquk, Hirsh, Pappy and Andrea joined their companions around the terraces.

  Mac thought the hubbub of simultaneous conversations was reminiscent of his annual poolside cocktail party. Most were waiving arms and exclaiming happily as the lodge shimmered in slow wave reflections from the lake.

  Judy, Pappy and Andrea guided everyone inside. The mariners exclaimed a steady chatter of wonder. Pamela, the original organizer of the Navy settlers, expressed their relief. “None of us imagined such a marvelous lake setting and this glorious welcome.”

  After an introductory tour, the Chief gently urged, “Our hosts are shouldering our gear for us. We shouldn’t leave them to do our work.” On the veranda, the mariners working with the Chief for direction set to work sorting gear and organizing personal belongings

  Judy thought it pointless to clutter the third floor with furniture and personal gear where they were about to build permanent bedrooms. She suggested that single women use the library and that the men defer to couples by loaning them their furnished private bedrooms. The men could double up in the meantime. Mac agreed to temporarily surrender his marital bed in favor of Christie who was discomforted by her late pregnancy. Mac moved in with Lazlo.

  The Chief implored his crew to accomplish whatever was necessary to make the transition smooth and happy. With a progressive ‘bucket brigade’, they transferred all of their personal gear from the veranda to the dining hall. The infirmary became the interim overflow dormitory. By evening, temporary furniture had been assembled, beds made, and gear stowed out of sight.