“We may not be wasting anything. If we can get the leaders to actually join us as a true republic, they will have to change their rules. And it would be in a manner where they would not lose prestige. So in a way, it would be a double victory for them.”
“But they wouldn’t run things any more, Grisha.”
“At this moment they are facing the fact that the Japanese could easily be their new rulers. I think they’re ready for a little help into the twentieth century.”
“Are they really that devious?”
“The word you’re looking for is complex.”
“All strapped in?” Anita asked.
Grisha smiled at her. “How about you strapping in as well?”
She laughed and sat across the aisle from them.
“Prepare for takeoff.”
They all glanced up at the speaker.
The four engines revved and the plane abruptly jerked forward, sped down the runway and soared into the sky.
“What’s our flying time, Anita?”
“Depending on head winds, about six and a half hours, General.”
“Please, call me Grisha.”
“Thank you, Grisha. I am honored. Would you both like something to eat?”
“The last time you asked me that—”
“I ended up wearing your lunch,” Anita said and laughed. She sobered quickly. “I thought we were all going to die that day. You not only helped me physically, you helped me hang on mentally.”
“Not everyone gets sucker-punched by an aircraft.”
Anita laughed again. “That’s for damned sure!”
“Can I help you prepare the food?” Wing asked.
“Oh, no, but thank you, Colonel. I don’t do much on these VIP flights anyway.”
“Please, Anita, I would like you to call me Wing. Vee-eye-pee?”
“Very important persons. Like it or not, that’s how the crew regards you, including me.”
“We’re just soldiers,” Grisha said. “You’re just as important as we are.”
“Whatever you say. Now, what would you like to eat?”
24
Delta, near St. Anthony Redoubt
Jerry’s feet hurt. “Can we take a break?” he asked.
Magda glanced back at him. “Ten more minutes, okay? We’re really close.”
He decided to go as far as the next bend in the trail and if it stretched on through the boreal forest with nothing else in sight, he was going to sit down for at least half an hour. The more he thought about sitting, the more he anticipated finding nothing but more trees.
A dog barked as they entered the bend. Consort and Arrow answered in unison, and then fell silent. Two hundred meters away sat a cabin flanked by a massive woodpile and small outbuildings. Beyond the cabin sat more buildings of varying sizes.
Two dogs raced toward them in total silence. Magda laughed and bent to greet them. “It’s Griz and Kodiak. Mom and Dad must be here already!”
Wood smoke drifted in the air as well as the savory odor of frying meat. Birds flew past and their chirping filled his ears with comfort. He felt weight he hadn’t before noticed lift off his shoulders.
Magda slowed so he could catch up with her.
“Welcome to Delta, where the Delta River flows into the Tanana River. This is where I was born and have lived most of my life. Now follow me and stay close.”
She led them down a small path skirting the edge of the village.
“Why are we going this way?”
“Because I don’t want to talk to the Russians who man the garrison here.”
“Russians? Here?”
“They think they still own the place, remember?”
Jerry had registered it as a fact, but only mentally; he knew she felt it viscerally, and he must also or suffer greatly.
They moved down a heavily shaded corridor in the closely woven willows, which nearly became a tunnel. Birds darted and flew in panic from the humans. He wondered what their chances would be if they encountered Russian soldiers in here. Slim, he decided, very slim.
When he looked forward again, three men blocked their path. All four dogs wagged their tails. Magda didn’t slow her pace and for an instant he wondered if she saw them. One of the men opened his arms wide.
“Little Magda, how good to see you!”
She responded in kind, throwing her arms open and racing forward, “Uncle Frank!”
They hugged and laughed. Jerry and the two men with Uncle Frank eyed each other warily. Magda spoke rapidly in what Jerry supposed was the local dialect of Athabascan.
Uncle Frank became agitated, glanced up at Jerry and then focused again on Magda.
“Your father is wounded?”
Magda nodded.
“When Kodiak and Griz came in, I thought you and your family would be here soon.”
“The dogs are here but not my parents?”
“Yes, and your father is wounded, so—”
“The Russians must have captured them!”
“We’ll figure it all out, don’t worry. And who is this?” he nodded toward Jerry.
Before Magda could answer, Jerry snapped to attention and said, “I am First Lieutenant Gerald Yamato, Republic of California Air Force. My P-61 was shot down in a battle with a Russian armored column.”
“I am Franklin Isaac, the doyon for this area. This is my friend and associate, William Williams.” William smiled and nodded. “And this is my friend, Yukon Cassidy.”
Cassidy, who was the shortest of the three, nodded and smiled.
“We heard about that battle, Lieutenant,” Frank said. “Your squadron eliminated a threat we thought would have to be fought right here in Delta. In the name of the Dená people, I thank you.”
“Uh, you’re welcome.” He felt embarrassed but couldn’t decide why. “Do you know how many of my people survived the fight?”
“I am not sure, but I think I heard the number seven.”
“Seven. We went into that fight with fifteen birds. Can you put me in touch with the airfield at Fort Yukon?”
“No. The Russians still hold the small redoubt here, as well as all the communications.”
“How did you hear about the battle?”
We have people inside the redoubt, but they have no authority over the Russians.”
“Jerry,” Magda said, “tell them about the Freekorps.”
Jerry told them what he had heard and seen. “We don’t know where they went, but we heard engine noises off to our right. I’m not sure when that stopped.”
“It faded about four hours ago,” Magda said. “I thought they might be following one of the tributaries back up into the hills. We didn’t see them on the highway.”
“Do you have any idea how many there are?”
Jerry and Magda shook their heads in unison.
“Those are the people I’m looking for,” Cassidy said.
“Any idea how many Russians were in this group?” William asked.
“No idea at all. How many Russians are here?” Jerry asked.
“Fifteen officers and ninety enlisted men. About half the enlisted are trained well enough to actually fight.” Frank grinned. “But the garrison has three tanks and a lot of heavy weapons.”
“How many people do you have in your DSM cell?” Jerry asked.
“What makes you think we have a cell?” Williams asked.
“You’re Dená. I’d be more amazed if you didn’t have an organization here. You already mentioned spies in the Russian garrison.”
“We slightly outnumber the Russians, but we can’t match their fire power,” Frank said. “But we’ve got to get out there and help your parents, Magda.”
“Did the three fighters come by here?” she asked, gesturing at the sky.
“Planes? No.”
“I thought my mother had already picked up a vehicle. But, with the dogs here, I’m no longer sure.”