Under the Ice

“Now that’s more like it, comrades. But you’d make me feel so much better if you’d drop those weapons altogether.”

Again Redmond conceded, and instructed the Rangers to comply with this unpopular directive.

“You are most wise, comrades. Perhaps now I could have a personal word with your leader?”

Jack Redmond stepped forward and somberly introduced himself.

“I’m Lieutenant Jack Redmond of the Canadian Arctic Rangers.”

“Good morning. Comrade Redmond. I am Mikhail Kharkov, commander in chief of the Red Banner Fleet. I am genuinely sorry about this intrusion on your territory. But such an act was necessary to recover valuable property belonging to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.”

The woman the white-haired Russian held in his arms began squirming at this point, and the Russian instantly tightened his grasp. Jamming the pistol he carried up against her neck, he added.

“Easy, my little Eskimo flower. Or I’ll blow your scrawny neck off!”

Though the Inuit known as Akatingwah could not understand her captor’s strange tongue, his firm grip convinced her that any escape on her part would be impossible. With his hostage thusly calmed, Mikhail Kharkov continued.

“May I ask what has happened to the men who accompanied me here. Lieutenant?”

Redmond beckoned toward the still-smoking berm.

“I imagine you’ll find what’s left of them over there.”

The admiral shook his head.

“Ah, I should have known. They were such headstrong lads. Yet I’ll miss them all the same.”

“No more than I’ll miss the four brave Canadians that died by their hands,” spat Redmond.

“So it seems that both sides have been bloodied,” observed Mikhail Kharkov.

“Though such a poor showing by my five men can’t be excused. Why a soldier of the Soviet Socialist Republic should at the very least be worth two second-rate Canadians.”

This uncalled for remark infuriated Redmond, who took a step forward, fists ready to strike out. To halt the Rangers advance, Kharkov pushed the barrel of his pistol deeper into the Inuit’s throat.

“Easy does it comrade. I was only making a little joke as you call it. Any loss of life is deeply regretted, but such things will happen when armed men confront each other.”

Redmond vented his frustration verbally.

“Must I remind you that you are trespassing on the sovereign property of Canada, Admiral? It looks like what we have here is a direct and willful act of war.”

“I’m sorry that you see it that way, comrade.

Though if you continue to behave yourself and do what I say, perhaps you’ll live long enough to learn why such an incursion was necessary. Now, all I’m going to need from you is one of those tracked vehicles, and a promise to stay away from your weapons until I’m out of range.”

“And if I agree to such conditions?” queried the Ranger.

“Then the Eskimo lives,” retorted Kharkov.

Having witnessed enough senseless bloodshed for one day. Jack Redmond nodded.

“You can have this vehicle. Admiral. But I’m warning you, your country is going to pay for this senseless slaughter.”

“I imagine our United Nations ambassador is in for a busy week,” reflected Kharkov, his tone suddenly firm.

“Have one of your men bring this vehicle over to the side of the igloo, and instruct him to leave it running.”

“How do I know you’ll keep your half of the bargain and release the hostage?” questioned Redmond

“Since the word of a Soviet officer is obviously not enough, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. You can have this woman and child right now, if I can take a substitute in their place.”

Redmond briefly considered this offer and replied.

“That can be arranged. Admiral. Will I do?”

Mikhail Kharkov slyly grinned.

“I suppose you would like to go along for the ride to see what this is all about, wouldn’t you. Lieutenant? But instead of wasting more of your valuable time, I’ll take that one over there.”

With his free hand, Kharkov pointed to the confused, parka-clad figure who had been buried beneath the dog sled. Jack Redmond needed the assistance of Cliff Ano to communicate with this Inuit, whose name was Ootah. Without a second’s hesitance, Ootah agreed to the switch.

While one of the Rangers started up a snow cat and drove it over to the igloo’s side, Redmond learned that the now-freed female hostage was named Akatingwah. She was Ootah’s wife, and though she wasn’t exactly thrilled to see her husband take her place, she conceded for her young son’s sake.

With his gun now aimed at Ootah’s neck, the Russian bent down and pulled yet another object from the snow house entryway. This rect angularly shaped box was painted black, and had a blinking red strobe light attached to its top surface. After carefully placing this device in the snow cat storage compartment, Mikhail Kharkov boarded the vehicle, with the Inuit directly in front of him.

“This should make for a cozy ride,” said Kharkov, as he activated the throttle mechanism with his free hand. The engine whined in response, and as the veteran turned the snow cat around, he offered one last parting remark.