Flight To Pandemonium Read online

  Pug quickly fashioned a reasonable lariat, but had never seen the real action. He managed to lasso young spruce trees, shrubs, the fence, a boulder, lots of thin air, and even his own boot, but came nowhere near the caribou. The animal could have eluded him the entire afternoon until the fawn bounded into deep pond mud. Pug leaped upon its back and cut its throat with a hunting knife.

  Despite his inexperience and comedy, Pug added weeks to his food supply. Maybe he’d make it through winter alone after all, he thought.

  Butchering the caribou under the plant portico, Pug watched a rapidly moving front of dark billowing clouds fill the evening sky, portending an early arctic born storm.

  17

  Sovereign Ridge, morning of October 2nd. A numbing cold weight pressed against Mac’s back, awakening him. The fabric wall of the tent bowed inward under a load of snow. Thinking of Judy in the unheated Otter cabin, he remembered that he needed to talk to her somewhere alone. Reluctant to leave the warmth of his sack, but lured by the aroma of brewing coffee and the press of his bladder, he rose to face a grim morning.

  The miners, never idle in the morning in any weather, were out doing what they did best… preparing the day for others. Mac found them shoveling a blanket of accumulated snow from around the camp kitchen.

  When Mac offered to fire up a pan of moose strips, Jack suggested he use the Coleman stove. Tony used aircraft fuel to fire the stove which delivered more energy than white gas and needed only a minor adjustment on the mixing valve. “Careful lighting that,” was Tony’s only instruction.

  Mac learned what “carefully” meant after singeing the hair off his right hand. Standing under the wing, cooking over a splendid flaming stove brought the miners over to take advantage of the quiet moment.

  “Mornin’, Mac. Mind if we chat some before we have ears?” asked Jack.

  “Same thought was on my mind.”

  “I ain’t a man to beat around the bush,” said Jack. “We think this group won’t hang together much longer. Too many crazies, especially that nun, want to run things. This may sound hard-ass, but when things break up, we want the right folks to be with us. We think you’re one of ‘em. Whatta ya say?”

  “Well, I’m sure glad I’m not the only one wondering. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Judy, but I think she has the proper drift of things. I see more trouble coming. I’m game. You should definitely include Judy if she’s willing. She’s level headed, reliable in a pinch, and a nurse.”

  “Tony said ya wouldn’t be surprised with our plan. We think the steady heads are the pilots, Judy, you, maybe William and a coupla of the other women if they’re willing.”

  “How about Richard?”

  “Doubtful, but we’ll soon see if he can cope.”

  “When?” Mac sliced up the first hot moose strip for the taking.

  “Soon as this weather breaks,” said Jack as he mouthed the hot meat, “we should look for a spot.”

  “I’ve been scouting around,” said Mac, munching, “Seen all sorts of old shacks.”

  “So have we, but they’re too close and not weather tight. The map shows a good lake ‘bout ten miles west of here and much lower. Good lake usually means food and a cabin. We need distance when we leave.”

  “Thanks for trusting me, but I’m not sure the same could be said for Ted.”

  “Got that right… my gun’s missin’,” said Jack. “Ted’s the only one knew where it was ‘cept for Tony. You should know, so watch for trouble. I’m not letting’ on that I know my gun’s missing just yet. We’ll see.”

  “Tlingit was right ‘bout Ted and that nun. Something’s up with those two.”

  Tony asked, “Mac, how much weight can you carry on your back?”

  “For ten miles? I suppose I could do sixty.”

  “How ‘bout eighty?”

  “I could do it, but not keep up with you fellas in this snow.”

  “What do you think of William?” asked Jack.

  “He’s got country sense and good at fishing. Not a whiner, either.”

  “That’s what we need most of all,” said Jack.

  “Maybe, but what we need most is food. We’re living hand to mouth, little better.” Mac offered the broiling pan. “Speaking of food… have some.”

  “I hear ya ‘bout food, so keep your fish coming as long as...”

  “What do I hear about fishing?” said William with the Captain not far behind. Jack broke off the conversation by backing away, nodding a warning to Mac.

  Both newcomers headed straight for the coffee pot protected from the snowflakes, now falling in earnest. The five men decided that a wintry morning warranted a hearty breakfast. They fried more moose strips and trout, served hot berries thickened with corn starch (another surprise from the miners’ duffel), coffee and sugared tea.

  With the aroma of hearty cooking, Greg appeared but Ted and Richard needed to be roused. Richard looked disheveled and haggard, and avoided speaking to anyone.

  Andrew and the women appeared one at a time only long enough to gather food and return to the shelter of the Otter without a greeting. Mac again missed the opportunity to draw Judy aside.

  Six men milled around the warmth of the crackling fire talking about the radio broadcasts. William remained anxious for news of home. He was debating whether to leave for Talkeetna as soon as the weather improved. The Captain offered to find another international broadcast to persuade him to remain. They headed for the cockpit.

  Jack informed Pappy of the plan to separate, omitting mention of the missing gun.

  “Captain’s not going to be pleased at all,” Pappy said sternly. “I know him.”

  “Look, things are spinning away from him whether he can see it or not.”

  “This doesn’t help just when he needs backing to keep us together.”

  “I respect your loyalty,” Jack nodded, “but we’re talking about survival. If you want to stay here with Andrew and the nuns, fine, but we think you should join us.”

  “I’d rather talk to him before I discuss this with you any further.”

  “Maybe it would be better if I approached him, rather than you,” Jack suggested.

  Pappy stood, “I’m sorry, but it would be dishonorable even to keep it to myself.”

  “How ‘bout we deal with this right now, then?”

  “Alright, but I won’t keep it from him even for a minute.”

  At that moment, the Captain stomped out of the Otter seeking Ted. With clenched fists, the Captain asked angrily, “Have you been listening to the radio?”

  “Yea, for a bit last night.”

  “You left it switched on all night and now the batteries are stone dead!”

  “No way!” Ted shouted. “I shut down everything! I warned you about batteries myself, way back.”

  “Well, who else but you? No one else has been in the cockpit.”

  “How do you know?”

  The Captain bellowed, “I know the radio is finished forever.”

  “Don’t yell at me!”

  “If I was any younger, I’d kick your ass instead!”

  “Well, you’re not younger,” Ted stepped forward shouting in the Captain’s face, “and no one chose you to be in charge. This airplane belongs to me just as much as you. So back off, or I’ll be kicking ass!”

  “Then you’ll take us both on,” said Pappy standing by the Captain.

  Sister Helena emerged followed by William who returned to the shelter of the wing. Sister Helena confronted the men, “Hush, all of you! You’re acting like juveniles! You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

  Sister Helena continued, sensing hostility, “Ted had every right to use our radio, doing so at our request. We needed to settle our minds on a very important matter.”

 
; Mac immediately grasped Sister Helena’s new context… “our radio… our request.” More trouble was definitely on the way.

  By then the group huddled under the wing, listening to the heated conversation with Sister Helena. “Ted didn’t leave that switch on. I probably did so myself, later.”

  “What could have been so almighty important to run down the batteries?”

  “The most important question of all time,” answered Sister Helena.

  “Are you talking about the plague?”

  “Certainly not! We’re talking about Scripture… the Word of God. Have you ever read Revelations, Captain?”

  “What does scripture have to do with my radio, woman?” His fury was barely under control.

  “Well I suggest that you read it now while you have the chance.”

  “Sister, you’re ducking my question!”

  “You certainly do have a one track mind, don’t you Captain? It has to do with the Land of Israel… with the Apocalypse,” Sister Helena said angrily. “It marks the beginning of the thousand year struggle with the devil. The sign in Revelations is the final conquest of all of Palestine. We needed to know what was happening.”

  “Sister Helena, are you referring to the end times?” Mac asked.

  “Have I finally found someone among this godless group who has read scripture?” she asked, sensing an ally. “Yes… certainly, that’s what I’m talking about!”

  “Oh my God, I should have guessed,” Mac said acidly. “That’s not what it says. William, I’m sorry, but you have stumbled on a crazy Jim Jones cult after all!”

  “Well… now that we know you speak for the devil, we’ll be watching you as well!” snarled Sister Helena, dispensing with civility.

  “Captain, just what have we brought down on ourselves?” Mac asked, not expecting an answer. Stunned the Captain remained silent.

  Mac left the huddle frustrated by another outlandish, threatening incident. The desire to leave was even more compelling for Jack. He took the Captain aside and pressed for a breakup of the group. Standing exposed in the snowfall, Jack pitched his plan with the pilots. When arguing continued, he waved Mac over to join the conversation.

  The Captain shot Mac a disapproving look. “So, you’re part of all this? I’m disappointed in you.”

  “Look, Captain, I admire Pappy’s loyalty to you, but I’m seeking stability from those around me from here on out. We don’t have room for control freaks or crazy sociopaths.”

  “Become a little judgmental of our fellowship, have we?”

  “Captain, if you trust someone, you can dispense with judging. Trust is a liberating quality. But we’re learning that the opposite is living hell.”

  Jack interrupted, “Cap, let’s cut through the crap. We’re leaving with first good weather. You decide whether you’re in or out.”

  “We’re all going to be better off if we stick together,” replied the Captain.

  “And you’re fulla shit as a Christmas turkey,” snapped Jack. “Someone’s already stolen my pistol… Ted, no doubt and the greenies keep eyeballing our kit and take what they want. And now we’re to be lorded over by that witch? What next? I’m outta here.”

  “Then I can only ask that you reconsider,” replied the Captain calmly, ignoring the insult.

  “Cap, please,” Jack said, trying to be persuasive, “hear me for once. The decision is for your benefit. I’ve made mine, but I think you should join us.”

  “I made my decision to stand by this group before we left Nome,” said the Captain. He turned away for the tent.

  “Pappy,” Jack turned to the younger pilot. “Are you listening? Will you put your fate in the hands of that nun once we’re gone? This rescue was your gig, remember? Maybe, you ought ‘a think this through and be ready one way or another… very soon.”

  Jack turned to Mac and asked, “What about you, Mac?”

  “The sooner, the better, Jack. But I’m troubled by Ted, especially if he took that pistol. Did you catch his change in attitude? He was your buddy. Why the realignment with the nuns?”

  Tony replied, “He’s a jack Catholic who grew up in a boarding school run by nuns. Sister Helena must be working on his guilt. He’s never been very self-confident in all the years we’ve known him. His ex was a master of slam and a scheming shrew just like that nun. She wore the pants in those days.”

  “What about your gear. I’ve already lost my hatchet and I don’t want to lose any more.”

  “William is in the tent minding our duffels. I wasn’t putting everything together just to get it out of the snow,” replied Tony.

  “Speaking of snow…” Mac looked up at the heavy flakes falling from the white sky. Standing in the open, everyone wore a quarter of an inch on their heads and shoulders.

  “Yeah, let’s head for shelter. Pappy, you have a life-changing decision, man,” said Jack. “Talk it over with your compadre. Bring him along. If it stops snowing by tomorrow morning, we’re gone.”

  “Did I hear Mac right? Ted took your gun?”

  “I hid it where no one would find it. Ted was the only one who knew besides Tony.”

  “So you don’t know for sure it was Ted?”

  “I hid it under the crapper!” Jack snapped. “Now who else do ya suppose might ‘a happened on it there?”

  “Damn.” Pappy looked west down the airstrip. “Not good.”

  The men headed for the tent to get blankets and warm up. The Captain was treating William, staunching blood from a nasty cut on his forehead.

  Mac asked, “What happened to you?”

  No one answered.

  Jack looked around the tent. All of the blankets were missing. The luggage was scattered about. “Was Ted in here?” demanded Jack. Again, no answer. “He was in here, wasn’t he, Captain?”

  “William, tell him what happened, please.” The Captain’s voice was reserved.

  William winced and said, “I’ll have you know it was a good thing the Captain came by when he did or I wouldn’t be telling my story.”

  “Thank you, William, but tell him the whole story… from the beginning.”

  “Well then, shortly after you left, Ted came in here and gathered all the blankets, and then all the rucksacks and grip. Emptied them on the floor, one by one, setting things aside. The Captain’s binoculars, for one! When he picked up mine, I objected. My log and all my bird photographs are important.

  “Then, he grabbed your duffels. I made objection, again. I told him that I had vouched for their safekeeping. He tussled with me but I hung on for dear life. He grabbed my walking stick and struck my head. Then Captain Churchill arrived interrupting him. Fortunately, I didn’t fail you in the end.”

  The miners’ huge duffels had indeed survived the tussle.

  “The bastard didn’t waste any time, did he?” commented Jack bitterly. “Well Cap, tell me again how we’re all better off in this fellowship of yours. Ted took the gun.”

  “He’s just one man. He’ll have to be dealt with.”

  “Captain, how do you contend with a man when he’s already perpetrated violence to get what he wants?” asked William, and added with a smirk, “I don’t suppose your good sheriff is about?”

  “Oh… funny. There’s only one way and that’s directly. Better now than later. You all stay here and help William.”

  “Naw. Not alone, Captain. I’ll come along for support,” Mac declared.

  “No, I want you all to stay here.”

  “Captain, I’m not your passenger any longer, remember? I’m coming along.”

  The Captain retrieved his airline cap from a heap of clothing. Mac followed him to the cabin door of the Otter where he knocked several times. He got no response. He rapped loudly, leaving no doubt of the message. This time the cabin door
opened a few inches to reveal Sister Helena’s stern, silent face.

  “Please ask Ted to unload the pistol and pass it out. Then he is to step outside and join me,” directed the Captain.

  “I’ll do nothing of the sort,” replied Sister Helena.

  “Sister, please tell him. Don’t make any more trouble.”

  “Be informed that you no longer give orders to anyone.”

  “What?”

  “You’ve been deposed. You have no further dominion here. We’re conducting business and you’re interrupting us… and Mister Churchill… be further informed that should any of you try to enter this cabin uninvited, it will be resolutely defended… understood?” She slammed the cabin door and snapped the latch.

  The Captain and Mac returned to the tent, angry and dismayed.

  “Well…” said Jack.

  Mac said, “The short of it is that Sister Helena informed Mister Churchill that they’d shoot anyone who entered the cabin uninvited. Fait accompli…eh boys?”

  “I gotta hand it to her,” said Jack. “That woman doesn’t screw around. A witch who knows how to bully her way… damn!”

  “Which leaves us the perfect opportunity to depart this sorry place right now, regardless of the snow,” said Mac. “There’s plenty of daylight to travel ten miles.”

  “I’m thinking the same thing,” said Tony, “but we need to remake the back packs since there’ll be only six of us.”

  “Well, Tony’s assuming that all of us are goin’,” said Jack. “What’s it to be Captain, in or out? You can have the company of Ted and the nuns… I’m sure they’ll kindly return the gun and your binoculars. How about dear Andrew for a pleasant conversation on a wintry day. But on good days, you’ll do all the huntin’ and fishin’, ‘cause they won’t do the work of the devil. That’ll be reserved for ungodly souls like yourself.”

  “That’ll be enough!” said the Captain firmly. “You can be nearly as unpleasant as Sister Helena.”