Spirit-tale Arctic Encounters part 2

Part 2 and the conclusion to Spirit tale Arctic Encounters

The king of the bears stood tall among the other bears, holding his head to the sky then he sniffed into the cold wind. Undisturbed by the rage of the storm about him. In his eye, calm, steady he looked over and upon the many gathered around him then he pause, sat and waited. It was time. And a spirit long unseen within spoke to him. It had been more than half a millennium since the ancient spirits of the ice had risen to take bear as hosts. Ingavar the spirit of the ice bear had long considered the truce to be a forgone and upheld the agreement between man and bears. Fore in exchange for the young Inuit warrior who fought for man had earned the right to walk along side the bear. An since the bear did not hunt man anymore. As so to consummate the relationship three days were to be sacrificed to the spirit of the ice bear. three days for which no man shall trod the barrens and the bear shall rejoice and rule. The day had come and Ingavar had arrived. But when Ingavar arrived he raised the nostrils of the great bear into the air to smell,

“Man”

The violation perceived would be dealt with and he turned to his family of bears all having new spirits within hearing him moved as one toward the distant encampment of a lone man. They had walked for hours when Ingavar could see the structure. While he had never seen its like, he knew in his spirit it was the work of man. In the dim unchanging light The shack shimmered in the distance in a cold icy blue glow which changed shape with wind driven snow sweeping its walls and roof. A young bear of similar spirit moved to his side and with a glance into the eyes of Ingavar asked.

“Will there be man?” The majestic giant without looking down to him sniffed high into the air and answered.

“Yes,” His gaze toward the distant structure remained steady.

“Yes, my child, you shall taste man today.”

Then leaning over to him scooted him along. The wind, cold, howled as it scowered the ice gouging into the old snow eerie shapes and forms, which the bear made their way over and through on their way to meet man.

Rubicon

I had been a navigator for most of my adult life. As the guy who can get you there and back, you come to think about many places in the world and the various historys. So when in the middle of nowhere I'm reminded that soon, we won't be able to turn back. I remember the tale of a famous Roman Julius Caesar, a very prominent and powerful young man who in January of 49 BC standing at the head of his army's on the banks of the River Rubicon at the foot of a bridge near the city of Ravenna in Northern Italy, pondered the crossing of it and what would be his fate. Earlier a declaration by Rome had been given to him. "Cross the River Rubicon to march on Rome and you will become a traitor or, you can relinquish all your armies and your power and live.' Caesar having reached this line drawn by Rome stood on the banks to ponder his last chance to change his mind, knowing there would be no turning back. He then marched on Rome, crossing into history and eventually giving birth to the Roman Empire. Often while a point of no return can be less clear, it arrives with no less important implications. And sometimes, a point of no return can be crossed without even knowing it.

I was used to sleeping with my headset on. On long flights in the cockpit you learn to sleep light and wake to incoming calls. So I stirred to quick attention when the call came through.

“Slawson Transporting, This is Sheriff Jennic of Barrows calling. Do you read?”
We had both had to wonder just a bit, knowing it couldn't be good. I Remember thinking what kind of shit trouble were we in now. Did we have a wanted felon on board or something? Wouldn’t have been the first time background papers showed up somewhere to expose someone trying to escape the law up here. The Arctic was a perfect place to hide. Pete knew it too and he quickly reached up and made sure the cab intercom was off. Then nodded at me to respond.
“This is Slawson Transport in route to Kressler Food Processing Plant 4B. Pete Slawson leading, Bentley Brown, speaking. We read you loud and clear sheriff. To what do we owe the honor?”
With short greetings dispensed the sheriff made us aware of the rescue efforts then asked us to help. He quickly explained that the chopper that had gone in but couldn't make it there and after that, we were the closest people to him at fifty-five miles away. We looked at each other knowing every action taken out here in the arctic had its risks but, I was game if Pete was. So I asked him. We thought a moment on our response.
“What do you think? It's an hour in and if it nothing more than a radio keyed. Then it's just a couple of hours out of our schedule.”
“And if it's more than a bad radio, we could be out here for a while.”
I always felt that out here each man must do his part or everyman gets hurt. So I rebut,
“You heard the man, If the kid's dead we wrap him and put him on the roof, and were out of there. And if he's alive, we get him to the work camp. Either way we don't need to waste much time out there.” Then Pete turned to me. "Hey wait a minute, it’s almost eight. We’ve got to stop in a couple of hours for the night anyway. We can do it at this camp.” It made sense so I agreed.
He smirked saying,
“Alright lets get everybody on the same page and do this.”
I informed the sheriff, and Pete slowed down and made the turn off the road and headed North. Having received the additional information we would need, Pete then slowed the transport to inform the others. Only a few were awake to notice the swings and tipping of the transport as it changed direction as Pete's’ voice pounded through the speakers. Pete began the announcement,
“OK, wake up back there! There’s been a change in plans.”
Crane who had been awake said in a low tone as Pete spoke,
“We shouldn’t go. ”No one heard him.
Pete continued,
"Alright everybody, this is the deal. There's a miners camp about fifty-five miles north, and we've been asked to check it out because of the possibility of and injured or dead miner. It will take us a couple of hours or so to get there. We need to stop anyway very shortly to rest, so we'll do it there. When were done, we'll get back on track only a few hours behind. Pete gave a few more particulars about the mission and then asked, Questions?
Frank asked,
"Why do we get to go?"
Its a rule of the north, we help each other. Bob added right on his heals,
“Why don't we just let someone else go?
Kane jumped in,
“Ah, I don't know what to do on a rescue.”
“Neither do I”, added Jim.
“Frank tossed another objection, “I'm no para-medic.”
Pete looked at me and I knew he was thinking, as I was, that they were a sorry lot of weak men. He just glance at me and addressed it,
“For most of you, you won't be doing a thing. You'll just be along for the ride.”
Bob growled leaning back in his seat,
"Let'em call nine-one-one.”
Nigel answered him directly,
“They did, and were coming.”
Bob looked back at him,
“It's like that, is it?
And Nigel not missing a beat answered,
“Yeah, it is”.
Breaking the tension, Kane asked,
“There are choppers for shit like this, right? Why don't they send a chopper?”
“Yeah they tried but it couldn't get up here. This weathers bad enough on the ground. I can’t imagine how…”
Then Crane shouts,
“Listen to me, there’s something out there waiting for us. I can feel it.”
Pete blindsided by the wild interjection responded blankly,
“What?”
I started to think we had a crazy on board, just as Nigel shut him down. Nigel spoke over him, “Pay him no mind sir.”
Crane continued,
“We need to turn around”.
Nigel with his index finger erect in Cranes’ face,
“Hey man, just stop with that shit, alright. There's enough bullshit going round already, OK.”
Then directing his words to Pete over the intercom,
“He's been mumbling about us changing direction and other shit for a couple of hours now sir.” said Nigel.
Pete and I felt he had it in hand so we ignored Crane and move forward.
“Well lets do this as quick as we can. Look guys, there may be a man injured out there, and we are his only help. So, you vets back there you know the routine buddy up with the newbies and help them re-familiarize themselves with those safety rules you all got. Ok, so settle down, we'll be there soon.”
The men all began their various tasks as the wind now pounding the transport head-on made its way in the dim light to a small shack in the middle of nowhere on the vast frozen blue barrens. But, not all agreed with the turn of events. A few continued to grumble. Frank typically was of the mind to moved things in his way. But there was nothing he could move so he sat groaning under his breath,
“Somebody leaves a radio on and we trounce off like girl scouts to turn it off. Such bullshit, Just keep going, tell those damn people back there anything. I just need to make some money up in this bitch ass place.”
“Frank, you really need to stop your whining, it’s gonna ruin your caring reputation,” said Dennis
Everyone laughed.
“You laugh, but you heard him. We don’t even get paid for this.”
Nigel tying knots in a rope said to him.
“You’re worried about pay? Just take a second, that could be you out there, dying in the cold.”
“You say that like people don’t die every damn day?”
Dennis jumping in added reason,
“Hey Frank, ease up, were going, so why not just relax. It will be over before you know it.”
Kane’s then asked,
“Ah, they really going to tie the guy to the roof if he’s dead?”
Nigel looking at his work answered,
“Well, yeah? Did you want him in here?
The others laughed.
“You got me, yeah I guess your right.” he said.
The tension was lifted as most settled down to drone of the engines towing them into the unknown. The wind continued to howl on the outside as crisp frozen snow sweep the windows keeping a frosting on them which had to be wiped aside to see beyond. The transport growled along on the open ice and snow covered barrens with only their GPS compass for guidance. Only one began to fear for his life. Crane began to pray.

Two men were on duty overlooking the issues of the air traffic controlled this night. Both stood in the darkened tower control room peering, with binoculars, into the distant edge of the weather front anticipating the emergence of the crippled helo from the grip of the thick, windy cloud cover. They would assess its condition and make ready what would be needed upon sighting.
“Sir”, spoke the controller in front of them.
“They’re on the edge of the storm front, bearing North 097. They should be clearing it any second now”.
The men listening, silent, adjusted their gaze. Then the first spoke. He was calm as he noted his sighting of the helicopter.
“Got them Stan, high, about 2 points east.” The second answered with his observation, “Blowing smoke, no flame, losing altitude.” Then called out to the radio man. “Sparks?" And he answered,
"Still can't raise them Mr. Brody."
“We'll there alive and their on there way back.” said Stan. "They're a bit beat up but, it looks like they'll make it.”
Heading for his desk and other issues he turned to the second man with one command. "Mike, let's prepare for our friends. She'll be here in about twenty.”
Mike picked up a red phone behind him and began to give orders to the voice answering, while keeping an eye on the chopper as it made its way in slow and silent in the distance. A few moments later sirens echoed over the field as emergency equipment, lights flashing, made their way to the end of the runway.

Meridith and West strained to see through the cabin smoke and soot covered windshields as their Sea King chopper showed its worth as they neared the airport on one engine. The emergency ground equipment sat with all lights bearing on the Helo-pad they wanted them to set down on and they did. Foam was sprayed over the tired bird and as soon as she was shut down the crew jumped from her and were treated for injuries and smoke inhalation. As the ambulance pulled away Meridith looked at their chopper and smiled saying to West.
“She, brought us home.”
Then his attention turned to the medic.
“Can you let me speak to the tower, Its urgent?”
“Sure Lieutenant, give me a minute.” He shouted up to the men driving.
“Lieutenant. Lieutenant, Plug me in, the Pilot wants to talk to the tower.”

“This is the tower Mike Brody speaking, What can I do for you Lieutenant?”
He listened. Then turned to an aide.
“Get the sheriff in Barrows on the line.” then he returned to the Lieutenant. “Uh huh, got it. We'll pass it on.”

I got the sheriff on line 3 Mike.
“Good, Tell the sheriff he needs to warn anyone he might have sent out there that the pilot reports that the northern land shelf has dropped about 12 to 20 feet along the Matchpoint fault. Anyone driving up there might go over, before ever seeing it.”

But the message came too late for us.

My head lay on the dashboard with my body pressed against the windshield which now laid head first partially buried in the snow. It was clear as I awoke most if not all the passengers were alright. From the sounds of it, it seemed that many had apparently climbed out of the rear cab already. Pete was out cold and still strapped in, hanging limp and face down. I moved about a bit to check myself. I was sore but no broken bones. I reached up and patted his face a bit. He awoke a bit groggy, but he seemed Ok.
“What the hell just happened?", he asked.
I told him I' didn't know but our power was out, it was getting cold and we had to get out. My coat was pinned behind the seat. So grabbed Pete's spare and got ready to brave the cold. Kicking a door out we climbed out to see that the men were pulling each other out but there was an argument with someone at the top of the rear cab. A couple of the men were calling over to us as we stood back to look at our vehicle. The tail cab was sitting on the tractor leaned against a huge ice wall that went in both directions as far as the eye could see. "Damn", I said.
Pete just looked and cursed.
"The damn thing's sitting right on her head. Will and Dennis asked,
"You think we could push it over?"
We looked at him, Pete answered,
"Are you kidding? Even if we could get her over, we could never get her onto her feet. Besides..." Bob on hearing this became angered. The wind and driving snow made it difficult to see him coming, but Bob trudged over to Pete. Our attentions to what to do next were usurped by Bob's angry assault on us.
"What the hell did you do you stupid bastard? Were gonna freeze out here because of you."
And catching Pete off guard shoved him into the snow. I shoved Bob back over and away as Nigel yanking him around by his shoulder, hit him in the face sending him too, into the snow. Pete wiping some blood from his mouth yelled to everyone.
"Enough!"
Which stopped Nigel's pursuit to finish off Bob.
"I don't know what happened. This drop isn't on the map... “
As Pete talked I realized I hadn't heard any thing from the radio in the cab for a while, so I climbed back in while Pete organized our next move, to check the radio. It was out I yelled. I found and grabbed the GPS device, it was working, then I got back out. Pete continued to talk to them.
"If we are going to survive this we can't fight with each other. Now listen up, One, we can't turn the vehicle over, the biggest reason is that its too cold to work on it. We could try to make camp here but in this cold that would be risky. And two, we don't have enough equipment to make it safe. Fortunately the camp we were headed for is only about a mile away. So we bundle up and take the hike."
Frank rubbing his arms said,
"A freaking mile in this. I say we stay here, just lock ourselves in."
Pete then explained,
"You stay in there and You'll be dead in a few hours. Without the engine, the cab is going to freeze. Watch and learn.”
Pete spit and his spit bounced on the snow's surface frozen, He turned to the men now all gathered around and said,
"See that, it froze before it hit the surface. The temperature is around or under 40 below. We need to move, now."
Cam asks Pete,
"OK, so we walk. For how long?", "If we leave now, we could be there in a 40 minutes to an hour. Then Pete looks around,
"Were missing somebody?,
“Its Crane, the teacher”, said Dennis "He won't come out."
“Why, is he injured?"
“No, he says he's too afraid.”
I looked at Pete telling him to get the others ready, and Nigel and I would go get the guy.

Climbing to the top of ridge of huge chunks of broken ice took a few minutes but when we reached the top, we could easily climb onto and into the back of the cab. It was stable enough so I climbed down to get him. He laid there, his cold breath was all that moved. Climbing down to him is said,
"Crane, we got to go. Let's get you out of here before you freeze." He looked at me blankly saying,
"I'd rather freeze than be eaten".
Eaten? Eaten by what, I thought. I laughed to myself knowing this was the barren ice, with few if any predators around. So, I tried to reason with him knowing we didn't have time for this.
"Crane, look man, we're hundreds of miles from Bear, Walrus or even Seal for that matter. And you won't be eaten by any of them. But for certain guy, you will die if you stay here".
He tried asserting some physic ability.
"I'm never wrong when I have the feeling.”
What feeling?, I thought, My thoughts swiftly became, stop coddling this idiot. So I told him,
“Listen to me, were not leaving you here but, I've got no time for this shit. So you either give me your hand and help me to get you out of here, or I tie a rope to your legs and we drag your carcass out. Make the choice now.”
He laid there. So, I moved to get the rope when he said
"Ok, Ok.”
I turned to see his hand out and he began to get up an out.
We couldn't have left him, but in hindsight, maybe we should have.

We gathered all the spare fuel, food, water and guns. Two were rifles that Pete and I carried and four were handguns, Two of which were carried by Dennis and William and the other two by Nigel. Bob had his Bowie Knife. The order would be Pete to lead, William, myself, Bob, Kane, Nigel, Rob, Cam, Jim, Crane, Frank then Dennis. We used a rope to tether ourselves together as we made a line too long to see from one end to the other in the blinding snow. So, with as much supplies as we could carry we began to head for the remote camp leaving our broken and upturned transport on the ice behind us.

Mitchel Lowery was dead. While we didn't know it at the time. It didn't matter to any of us. We now needed his camp whether he was alive or not. We thought only of what we might encounter that would give us the chance to survive.

The King of the Bear stood at the door of the shack. He knew the man was no more. The bear huddled together in groups all about the camp and rested. The great bear heaved his weight upon the door and it fell in. Rising up in the small space, he saw Mitchel sitting on the floor. There was still some heat which was now being lost, but not before he began to rot away.
Ingavar made his way back out the door leaving Mitchel to the other bears who entered and dragged his stiffened corps from the shack off into the snow to be eaten. He stood with his back to the wind, un-blinking an asked of his spirit. Why does man not listen? The spirit within him having spoken to the spirit of one of the men he sensed coming . He wondered, why do they still come. He could not see them yet but, he knew they were near.
After a while, another bear stood by his side, and his spirit said,
“Man”.
Ingavar without turning to him answered,
“Yes... prepare.”
The bears silent against the sound the wind all began poking their heads up turned in the direction of the approach of men whom could now be seen as small bobbing halos of light shimmering in the distance as they made there way into the camp.

Pete was several yards in front of me when I could just hear him yell out,
"I think we made it.”
He had found an outer marker to the camp, on a short wall used used to support weather experiments or measurements. It had wind drawn icicles stretching off its support poles making it look like a line of tall shredded flags frozen in the wind as we passed. Then he called out again.
"I see it.”
His voice seemed to echo on the wind itself. The men at the back could not hear everything yet, but most heard enough to anticipate the end of the journey and began to acting carelessly. Frank untied himself an tried to get ahead and into the shack, all the while complaining of the cold. But in this cold and wind, it took only a few steps in the wrong direction and he was lost. he could only hear echo's of others around him, and he quickly lost sight of everyone. In a couple of minutes, there were faint shouts for help. But no one could see or locate him so we continued. He was the first. I imagine he succumb to the cold, fell and froze. Most were silent and kept trudging on. The snow was about 18" deep and getting deeper. My bones were beginning to ache. The men I could see were bent over and clearly struggling. Then the line stopped behind me. I heard Dennis I think calling for help to carry someone who had fallen. Sound can be very funny in the arctic. Thought the wind ripped at my ears and there was open space for miles, my senses made me feel I was under some huge dome as sound seemed to bounce around and echo at times. So when I heard Pete call for me as we got closer to the shack, I had to look at the line to know which way to walk. As I made my way I heard the men stomping their feet in front of me clearly the sounds of them climbing into the shack. As I reached the door Pete told me the plan he had in mind.
"Bentley, see if you can fix the radio and let someone know our condition. I gonna take a minute to see if Nigel an I can get the Cat running. The guy is gone and probably dead. It's clear a dead body was dragged out, probably by bear. The place is functional, so I got William trying to get the heat up. If we can get the Cat running we'll have a way out of here otherwise we'll have to stay till the weather breaks.”
“There's likely to be a radio in the Cat, I'll check that too”, I said.
I had just untied my self from the line as I heard Cam about five men behind me begin crying out as we all heard the roar of a bear. Bob behind me turned and drew his knife ready. Then all heads turned as we all heard another bear in another direction in the dark. Pete and I yanking our rifles off our shoulders started for Jim, when he yelled back to me pointing to the shack.
“No, you stay here.” he instructed, “Fix the radio and get some help.”
He disappeared into the blinding snow, then I heard the rifle fire, two shots, as I stepped into the shack. Shit I thought, We were in deep trouble as I shoved by Kane to get to the radio. Kane following me to the radio asking,
"Tell me what to do, What can I do man?"
“Hold on.” I was looking over the radio, which had been knocked the floor and had some broken wires and parts. It would needed a little work.
“Yo Man”,
“Hold on Kane's, Give ma a second.”
“We might not have a second he said, as I heard more rifle fire outside. Evidence Pete was still out there.
“Find anything you can to block that door. Will, can you give him a hand.”
Will turned to Kane,
“I saw some timber on the side of the shack outside that window.” He was braver than most I thought because he just said,
"I guess nothing comes easy in this world. Let's do this." And they both went outside and managed to bring in two of the heavy planks. There were several screams in the dark and now it was clear bear were everywhere. Nigel, pounded on the door,
“Let me in!" Kane slid the timber to the side to open the door as Nigel fell in to the doorway, tripped by a bear which had grabbed his leg as he stepped in. Feeling himself being dragged out he rolled over with his guns out an sent a shower of lead into the bear till it let go. Rolling clear of the door the men closed it behind him. Williams asked,
“How bad is it?”
“I'll make it.” Kane can you grab the med kit from over there.”
“Sure man.”
“Damn, they were just waiting for us,” said Kane.
Nigel called me
“Talk to me Guy,”
“The Cat will run.”
“You sure,” I said
“Yeah, Keys were on the floor. She turned over on first try.
Then, there was rapid pounding on the door again.
“Open up, Come on, open up in there. Let us in.”
Kane and Will moved the wood away. And Crane and Jim crawled in. Crane sliding over shoving his back into a wall, whimpering as the door was closed. We then heard one more shot a yell then all we heard was the wind.
We all stood silent listening akin to deer caught in headlights. Then with a great growl right up against the door a bear tried to pound his way in. Kane will and Jim all leaned on the lumber to add their weight for strength. And when the bear pounded again I put two rounds through the door sending it away in an agonized howl. The ends of the lumber planks were jambed into the hard packed earth which was giving way. Then Will notice a block of dark ice in the floor. He thought, spilled Coffee?. It would make a good anchor and he adjusted the position of the end of the lumber to rest against it. Convenient position, he thought. Turning to Me Will said,
"This place will hold for a while but not all night."
"Please tell me you can get that thing working?" I though a moment,
"I don't know but, even if I do, no way we can stay here.”
"I don't know how we're going to do it but we need to get on that machine out there and get out of here." Will added,
"Maybe we can pick up some of the others who may be injured.”
Kane snapped back,
"Out there? There's no one alive out there."
Jim then reported
“The driver bought it when he shot the bear that stood behind Rob while he was trying to save his brother from the bears that had him when he was coming in. And as he took the shot a bear rose up behind him and lifted him by the head dangling him till we heard his neck snap then he dropped him like a rock.".
Will surmised ,
"Then that last gun shots fired had to be Dennis. I said. And there's was Bob.
"Anybody see what happened to him?" asked Kane. I then summed it up, "Well there's at least a chance one mans still alive out there. "We can...
As I spoke I heard the engine of the Cat start.
"You hear that." Kane, looking at Nigel,
"You left the keys?
"No", and holding them up in his hand he displayed them. "I got them right here.”
"Then how ...? I asked. Will pointed to Jim,
“Quick, take a look". Kane and Will let the door open enough for Jim to see into the shed.
"I can't see who's driving."
“Shit, Its Bob”, Will says without looking, as though recalling something.
"How do you know?, I asked, Jacking tractors, is what he was convicted of. That and manslaughter." Kane pissed,
“That Cabrone, If he leaves us here, I'll kill the son of a bitch.” Jim then turns to me, "Give me your rifle."
"What are you going to do?",
”We can't let him leave. I'm gonna stop him.", Jim moves back to the door saying,
“There's no time to talk about it, Will take your gun and follow me. He'll have to come around to leave the shed I'll stop him but your going to have to climb on get control of the tractor. Will got up onto his feet and said,
“I guess its up to me.” The tractor revved again, then they heard it shift as it was thrown into gear and began pulling out of the shed. Jim said,
"No more time, Let's go." And through the door he leaped. In the wind driven snow the headlights drawing lines of light in the air giving Jim its direction.

Bob immediately upon seeing Jim running out to intercept him smiled as he aimed the tractor directly at him and proceeded to run Jim over,
“This will end all our misunderstandings my friend” he laughed but Jim was quicker. Bob took two shots to the head before rolling over Jim and crashing the Cat head-on into the end of a low wall, killing the tractors engine. Will had managed at the same time to climb to the top of the Cat but was thrown into the snow when the tractor came to an abrupt stop. His neck was broken as his head glanced the wall as he fell. The bears then descended, clawing him to death. Jim crushed under the tracks died before he felt the first clawing.

Crane began to cry like a baby in the corner,
"Were not getting out of here."
Kane snapped at him.
"Shut up man",
Crane continued,
"Nobody's coming for us." Hey man shut the hell up before I beat the shit out of you, you fairy." said Kane.
“Man up you bitch.”
Crane glance up at him,
"Man up?" Are you kidding, “For what you dumb ass, So we'll be tough to swallow at their dinner table?” Kane was moving in to inflict punishment on Crane.
"Why you little...” I jumped in,
"Leave him Kane, I need a hand over here now. “
There was a knock, someone made it back. Kane and I stopped what we were doing and opened the door, It was Pete, wounded but alive. He had propped himself against the door and subsequently fell to the floor when we opened it. We heard the bears had gotten the best of you. Opening his coat to reveal a chest and stomach wound.
“They did, but I have a little juice left. Look Ben come here”, I knelt closer, “Tell the Chief I'm sorry I didn't listen,"
I looked right back at him.
"You can talk to the chief yourself."
He smiles at me,
“Bentley, you know and I know this is my last flight. So, save the bedside manner."
“Ok” I said, Kane bring those sheets over here and make him comfortable.” Then I went back to the radio. The bears had damaged it enough so that I wasn't sure we were transmitting so I thought to use Morse code. I whacked the support pole holding the antenna so the vibration might free the antenna of most of the ice outside. Then using the dead air as my signal I broke the transmissions into short and long bursts and hoped someone would hear and recognize it. Around the second time I had keyed the message the building shook. The growls, taps and pounds told us the bear were trying to break in.
"You got to get out of here." Pete said. “This place won't take this much longer.”
Kane picked up Pete's rifle and put three shots throw the walls where he felt there was a bear which was right to the side of Crane who cowered in shook. But it did seem to slow them down. I looked at him, he looked back at me and said,
“You think there’s a chance we can get that Cat to go?”
They were rugged vehicles. I stood up. I could see the glow of the headlights. It had power. It might be worth a shot. Pete, jumped in,
“Prop me up in the doorway so I can give you cover.”
The bears attacked again pulling out and bending back the metal wall behind Crane as a claw reached in wrapping around his waist. Screaming for help a second or two until his breath was gone while reaching out to us as the bears arm held him then yanked him through the opening snapping his back and he was gone. Stunned for a second Kane and I both drew our weapons late and fired into and around the opening.
“We got to get out of here man.” I agreed there was no more time. Looking out a crack things had seemed to quiet down bit. There were low growls everywhere when we opened the door. Kane and I propped Pete in the doorway and set him up with ammo and his rifle.
“Look” I said. “If I get her going, be ready, I'll back up and get you an Nigel. Nigel leaned up along side the bed waved with guns in hand, “Ok”. He smiled, “Now go.”

It was about 50 yards to the Cat. You could hardly see them except for their eyes which followed me as I trudged through the snow now 24 inches deep. My fingers began to sweat in my gloves. My finger never came off the trigger. I was bit surprised to had made it to the side of the cat without having fired a shot. Then some shots rang out from the shack behind me, I turned to see only flashes in the dark as I climbed up to the door of the cab. I had to yank Bob out of the seat, letting him fall to the ground.
That's when I saw Kane from the other side look in. There was a look of relief on his face but Then the joy on his face dropped away as he stared into my eyes. I shouted to tell him to get in, but when his face pressed against the window I knew he was gone. With my door closed, I looked over what Bob had rigged to start the tractor up. I figured it out and got it started. And as I raised my head I saw them. The bears had gathered around the tractor and were watching me. The bears just stood in the light and at my sides. I heard no more shots from the shack. I presumed at this point I was now alone. I reached down to the gears to throw the
Cat into reverse when the tractor was yanked to the side and my door tore open, completely ripped from the side of the vehicle and a bear claw yanked me from the cab straight to the ground. Shocked I took a defensive posture anticipating a painful encounter, and by reflex I pulled my handgun out and aimed it at the nearest moving thing which was a cub, which looked right at me and my gun.
I paused and it moved away. The wind howled as a giant of a bear moved to tower over me. He stood there then looked down on me. As a strange as it might sound the other bears all began to moved away and soon it was just him and me. I was exhausted, cold and without thinking I arms dropped and my gun fell into the snow and it looked down on me and smiled. And that's when I heard him speak. “Your time is near. Tell your brothers so they will remember and prepare.”
I only remember asking in my thoughts. Prepare for what? And the giant bear leaned down over me with out blinking and he answered. Then as quickly made me promise to tell.

Then with a great howl he too moved off and into the dark. After what seemed a long while had past, my feet were beginning to feel the cold, my face freezing, I pulled myself up to see them all heading into the dark deep barrens. My thoughts ran to Pete, Nigel and Kane, but half way there I saw Nigel lying at the foot of the entry face down and being dragged into the dark. I climbed back up and in to move the Cat up and along side to the shack so there was room enough only to jump into the doorway. It seemed for the moment the bears were done with killing for now. Pete and Kane lie ripped open and their blood pooled was freezing on the floor. I could hardly stand anymore so I climbed inside. Barricaded the door again and with my rifle on my lap I sat. After a while I could even feel some heat. I slid over to sit closer to the heater. I sat alone with no light, other than the dim blue glow of the sky as the storm raged overhead. Soon I fell asleep among my fallen comrades, and waited to be rescued.

Then I awoke to movement outside. I vaguely recalled the banging on the door after which a dark silhouetted figure appeared. I couldn't hear the wind, The storm had passed. And the figure walked over. A flashlight shined in my eyes. And with the words
“This one's alive.”
I realized I was being rescued and immediately passed out. In what had to be a few days later the questions began.
Bears have a phenomenal sense of smell. How did you escape them? How many bear were there?
The questions seemed endless and I was barely able to respond. But today I awoke remembering. I have a job to do. When the nurse comes back I'll ask to speak to the Chief, he'll understand.

Dr. Nevard a quiet man having seen the many consequences of extreme conditions and their wide variety of effects they could have on a man, was Bentley's doctor. The short gentlemen approach the station of Bentley's nurse, and began to ask about his status.
“How's he doing today Ms. Rummel?”
“He's recovering from the cold symptoms pretty well physically doctor, but I 'm a bit concerned about his mental state.”
“Oh, what's he done or said to make you concerned?”
“When I finish giving him his med. regiment this morning. I had to stop and answer a page just outside his door when he began talking to himself. At first I thought little of it. It happens all the time in such cases however, I peeked in and he seemed to be having a full conversation with himself. I've seen it before but not quite like that.”
“Did he seem lucid?”
“Yes Doctor, much more than yesterday, I noted it in the charts. And his ID came back with the others. It seems his name is Bentley Brown partner to Peter Slawson. Here's the report. Oh, an Indian Chief is arriving here shortly, We called him when we thought Peter Slawson was our survivor.”
“Thanks Meg, Page me when he arrives. I think I'll look in on Mr. Brown now.”

The doctor came, to my room and I had questions for him.
“How am I doing Doc?”
“Good to see you coherent Mr. Brown. Seems we miss identified you earlier. And to answer your question. You seem to be doing well for the most part. You need more rest, you've been treated for some frostbite. You've lost no limbs.”
I was relieved a bit. Then he began an examination, as he did I asked him,
“Where am I Doc?”
This is the Medical station for the Kessler Processing Plant.
“How did I get here?”
“When barrows station lost contact with you we were asked to go in at the earliest opportunity. You were airlifted here.”
“I need to get a hold of Chief Nuaga in Barrows. I need to talk to him.
“He's here Bentley, when we Identified you from you clothing we assumed you were Peter Slawson, He was listed as next of kin and so he was contacted and has arrived. Unfortunately for him he will be here not to take home his son but to claim the body. So it seems we may be able to accommodate you.”
Then he caught me by surprise, I just answered with out thinking.
“I heard you told a vibrant tale of the events out there today. Who were you speaking to?”
I caught my self before I turned to the cup with bear image which sat on the night table.
I realized he wouldn't see the bear on the ceramic cup which spoke to me If I didn’t look at it and so I didn’t answer. I knew he was wondering if I were crazy. He stared at me. I paused in thought then spoke,
“Doc, look, I haven't flipped out or anything, I've just been rehearsing the message I have for the Chief.”
“Message from who?
Then I remembered Pete did give me a message for the chief just before he died. So I mixed a lie with a little truth.
“Well Ok, Pete asked me to give him a personal message. The Docs posture relaxed a bit, then he made some notes as he spoke.
“Ok, you sound like you could still use some more rest. You have another two days before they fly you out of here to Barrows. Don't waste the time. Get some rest and I'll see about getting the Chief in to see you. In the meantime...”
All I heard was the chief was on his way. The doc gave me some pain killers and left.

The next day I was awakened by the nurse.
“Good morning Ben. Can I call you Ben?, I nodded. Well Ben you have a guest this morning. Chief Nuaga of the Inuit.
“Let me lift you up a bit.”
I thanked her as she lifted my bed. As the bed rose he sat still eyes clear and silent. There were two others with him. And when she was finished she left and he waved his hand indicating for them to leave with her. And they did so without a word and took positions just outside the door.
“Chief Nuaga, I'm sorry about the loss of Peter, he and I were close for many years...” He interrupted me with the raising of his hand.
“May I speak?” he asked. I was silent.
"I love Peter", he said, "And he will live in my heart always. But he has moved on, changed only from body to spirit, but otherwise unharmed. We need not waste time on memories dressed in sorrow. So speak to me of the message you were given from the Bear.”
I was surprised,
“How did you know I had a message that came from, a bear?”
He laughed as though I should know. His chiseled cheeks and wind scared skin seemed to crack as he smiled.
“What did he share with you my son?”
“The bear spoke of some imbalances of... “. The Chief frowned as I spoke and raising his hand again stopped me.
“Did the Bear say interpret for me?.” He sat back in the chair and waited for me to begin again.
I thought a moment and remembered the words.
“Why does man find it hard to live in balance with the forces of life around him. Does he not know all imbalance results in change. There is little time left. Will you change or be change? Decide and prepare yourselves.? I then asked Prepare for what? And it laughed at me saying, "To make a new way or become forgotten and un-forgiven.”
The chief then turned to look out the window frowning a bit then turning to me, called for the younger men in the hall to help him up. As he stood he said to me.
"Thank you my son. You take care of yourself, get a good wife have children."
"Sir I don't fully understand the message."
The chief looked at me and said,
“And in that, you will not be alone. And for many it may never be understood.”
Then he paused,
“It's an old story of which man has paid little attention. But one we may not be able to ignore much longer. In short my son, the message is about our poor stewardship of this world. And the impending consequences of that neglect.”
I asked him as he began toward the door again.
"What will you going to do with the message?"
He paused and gave a hearty laugh looking at me saying.
“Son, I'm going home to my wife and the grandchildren. The question is for you my son. What will you do with the message?”
And as he walked through the door he said.
“The world is waiting for your next step.” The Bear charged you with the message to give to man. Good bye Bentley Brown an may good fortune follow you in your new mission." Stunned, as the door closed behind him I sat saying to my self,
"My new mission?”
I yelled out to the hall.
"What do you mean, my new mission." And the chiefs voice fading into the room from the hall.
“And such has always been a problem for man. None when charged ever seem to sees it important enough to take on the mission.”

Bentley brown lay in the bed assuring himself this was all a bad dream. He rolled over to the image of the bear on the cup and said to it.
“You said nothing about me carrying out some crazy mission to change the world. This is bull, what was I thinking, and in his rejection of the mission be reached over and slapped the cup across the room where it shattered on the wall.

Down the hall from his room too far to hear Ben's anger. The old Indian Chief was asked by one of his aides, “Elder is a mission for him as it would be for us. The old man walking steady.
"A mission is the same for all men my son."
"He sounds as though he may not take it. He needs to accept his encounter with destiny. Will anything happen to him if he doesn’t?"
"If he refuses? He suffers the fate of the young Indian. Ingavar would claim him.”
“Seems cruel elder.”
No my son, it's justice served without lawyers, judges or juries.
“It would also mean there were no survivors. And all would be out of balance again, for now.”
The old man was helped into his truck.
“Come, let's go home boys. Mama promised to have her salmon stew ready when we got back. Ben will have to choose for himself, its up to him now.
And the Chief and his family left the facility heading for home.

And as they were leaving the nurse down the hall from Ben's room began to hear equipment crashing to the floor in his room as he began to cry out in agony. She jumped up to investigate and was stopped her advance upon hearing the roars of what was clearly a bear and the sharp agonizing cries of Ben continuing behind the door. Snatching her radio, terrified, from her side she called for security as she ran for the cover of her station. As the security men alerted to the situation, arrived down the hallway armed, they too heard the growls, roars, sounds of destruction and the cries of the occupant. Standing ready outside the door for a moment, there was the explosive shattering sound of the window just before they went in guns drawn to find the the room empty. The cold wind was wildly sweeping the broken cooling room. They looked out the opening into the dim light and saw nothing, no sign of the bear or Ben. With a general inspection they saw claw marks and Ben's blood everywhere with a distinct trail of blood leading up to and out the window. One of the guards stunned, noted
“Look around! There's no broken glass on the inside.” then asking his partner,
“How the hell did a bear get in here?, I mean, where did it come from?”

The Security men stood for a minute looking out the broken pane into the wind blown snow and for a moment. All was silent.