“Ha. Ha. Ha.” Ben’s tone was thick with sarcasm along with a hint of annoyance. He refrained from sharing how he really felt about his traveling companion.
Robert finally stirred and was surprised that Nate and Ben were both awake. “Hey there. I hit that witching hour about an hour before we got into Tok, the one where you just can’t stay awake. We made good time though so I just needed a quick snooze. I think we’ll make it to the border right after sunrise.” Robert hopped out of the truck and jogged to the restroom.
A state trooper vehicle headed out of one of the parking lots across the street and headed down the road, passing the mileage sign that said the border was ninety-three miles away.
“You think that cop will be a problem for us on the way there?” Nate asked.
“I hope not.” Ben rubbed his knees and was feeling itchy to be on the road but didn’t want to be behind a state patrol car. He didn’t want any more setbacks or delays in Alaska.
They warned Robert about the patrol car as they were getting back on the road again.
“Then I guess we will have to drive the speed limit and keep our eyes open. I haven’t heard if there are any roadblocks before we get to the border. I hope not. I want to get as close as we can without causing any alarm, of course.”
Robert was keeping a close eye on the road, reading aloud the signs as they passed, and was almost jumpy whenever he saw anything on the side of the road.
“About the things I’ve brought for you. I was searching the maps before we left and was trying to recall what I could from one of my last trips here. Where Alaska and Canada meet, they’ve cleared the trees and you can see the distinct border crossing line for miles. It’s kind of cool when you’re touristing but you guys aren’t doing that. The good part is, you’ll know when you’ve crossed it. But I couldn’t find any info on how they monitor it. I have heard that there have been some people like you that were wanting to head to the lower forty-eight to either help out family or just help in general but they’ve all been turned back. So that’s why we figured the UTV was going to be your best bet. Who knows what you’ll encounter trying to get back across the border into Montana, though.” Robert seemed edgy as they continued on. “One of my truck driving buddies said you need a number after you do cross in case you’re stopped somewhere in the interior. To be roadworthy, this thing needed plates and of course what’s on the Ranger shouts out that you aren’t Canadians. We know they were letting semis through, at least some crossed into Alaska that were already in Northern Canada outside of the blackout area at the time everything went down. A friend gave me a copy of a couple of passes that should still be active. We think. Because most of the main systems are down across most of Canada, I was assured that as long as you look official, you’ll be fine. It’s just getting you across the border right now that’s got me worried. Nate, open that folder there on the seat.”
Nate did and pulled out the small stack of papers inside.
“You have your official-looking paperwork in the back. On top is the satellite maps I printed that I want you to look over.”
Nate held them up so Ben could see from the backseat.
“You see the borderline in the trees?”
“Yes,” Ben answered.
“You see that other clear line, the one that is not as distinct on the opposite side of the road from the buildings at the border crossing?”
“This one, here?”
“Yes. That’s another cleared path for the powerlines. It starts not too far from the Port of Entry border. It goes around a hill and is out of view from where the border guards are at the crossing. You can follow that right across the border. It will take you a fair distance into Canada so when you do make it to the road, you shouldn’t raise too much suspicion. Well, seeing one of these Rangers on the road will surely attract attention in this area, but you’ll know when you’ll be in the clear of the border patrol and then it will be safe to use the main road. You’ll have to be the judge on how safe it is to stay on the main road.”
When Robert was done talking and finished pointing out important things they should know on the map, he asked them about their families and before long they were about five miles from the border.
Robert slowed down at each little pull-out, road, or driveway that he saw. There were surprisingly quite a few.
“There’s an old cabin that looked abandoned on Google maps and it’s one of the last ones before the border. There’s the Port of Entry up on that hill.” He pointed out the front window. He braked hard. “This is it. Man, we are lucky they didn’t close the road sooner. Look up ahead, there are several vehicles pulled over on the side of the road that aren’t getting through.”
“You think they arrested them or are they waiting for things to open up?” Nate asked.
“I wish I knew. The radio and news outlet information has been so generic just telling everyone here to stay put and not to think about leaving the state.” Robert pulled onto the driveway that was overgrown with tall grasses. “This is going to look conspicuous. I hope I can pull this thing somewhere out of sight.”
The scenery reminded Ben of both the village where it was flatter and grassy, and also the grassy flat areas outside Anchorage. The massive mountain range that was mostly covered in snow was behind them, far to the west. But where they were now was mostly grassy with small clusters of trees. The trees in Alaska were so different from the ones in Idaho. Alaskan trees were not as full. More like rugged, hardened by harsh winters with their shorter stubby branches and they were a deep murky shade of green. The ground was rocky, all sizes of rocks, anywhere there wasn’t grass. It was a wonder that anything green could grow with how many rocks there were.
Robert parked his truck and made quick work of pulling the Ranger out of the trailer and hitched up the much smaller trailer to the back. He pulled out a crate and started unraveling a net.
“You guys might want to get any of your winter gear out of your suitcases now. Keep your sleeping bags and blankets on hand. This will be a cold ride.” He looked up at the sky while he untangled a net. “I have a few of these bungee spider webs to keep your stuff in place so you don’t have to worry about it bouncing around if the ride is especially rough.”
Once he fastened one on the trailer, he handed another one to Ben. “You guys get this across your suitcases and the cooler once you have what you want. I have something else for you.” He disappeared inside the trailer.
He had an armful of dense camo netting, the kind used for hunting. “I think this stuff will disguise this beast or at least help you get through any surveillance so they aren’t sure what they are looking for once you get through. Remove it once you’re back on the road.” He draped it over the top of the Ranger, with Nate’s help they made sure it covered all the way to the end of the trailer. They tucked it and used zipties to help it hug over the wheel wells so it wouldn’t get caught.
Ben and Nate had to climb under it to get inside but surprisingly, they could see out the window with only some minor issues with visibility. But if they were having to head away from the open trail and into the trees, it could cause some issues if they were running from something like a drone.
Robert pulled out two grocery bags. “There are balaclava ski masks and camo ponchos for you in here. You will be very hard to identify wearing these. You know, I didn’t think to bring helmets. We never use them for work.”
Ben shrugged as he looked at Nate.
“They have seatbelts, right?” Nate asked.
“Yes, you should be fine.” Robert waved it off and got back to work.
They helped Robert lock up his trailer after they collected the last of their things from the cab of the truck.
“Are you guys ready?” Robert seemed hesitant to say goodbye.
“It’s now or never, as they say.” Nate was looking at his full-coverage balaclava ski mask and was hesitant if he should put it on yet.
“Yeah, there’s no sense in putting this o
ff any longer.” Ben was ready hours ago.
“Once you guys are on your way, I’m going to go up to the Port of Entry and see what’s happening there. I want to see what the story is there. Maybe I can keep them occupied while you make your way across. Also, that way I’ll be close if something happens and for some reason you don’t make it through. Text me once you’re in the clear. They do have some cell coverage here. Then I can fill you in if there’s anything worth sharing.” He held out his hand. “It has been nice knowing you. Glad I could help you get this far.”
“We appreciate it.” Ben gripped Robert’s hand with both of his.
“Here’s hoping you get there safely and as fast as possible.”
“We hope the same.” Nate shook Robert’s hand.
“Good luck.” Robert climbed into the cab of his truck and gave them a wave.
Ben paused and knew he wanted to be the one to drive them across the border. Nate’s history of freaking out when things got sketchy was not going to help if they had to run from a drone.
“You drive.” Nate walked around the Ranger to climb into the passenger seat.
Ben let out a huge sigh. “Thank you.”
19
Ben
Ben settled into the driver’s seat and waited for Nate to buckle up. He was wrapping his head around the adventure of crossing the Yukon in a recreational vehicle. He knew it was not the fastest way to get where they needed to go but it was a good choice under the current circumstances.
Nate pulled out the satellite map and showed Ben which way they were headed and let Ben get a good look.
“Are you ready?” Ben asked, somewhat apprehensive as he worked on adjusting to looking out the windshield with the camo net over them.
“As good as I can be. Just make sure no one is coming before you dart across the road.” Nate was doing his best to get a look as Ben got familiar with how to drive the UTV.
They were off. Ben rode the Ranger into the grass and as he got used to how the thing bounced over the terrain, he navigated through the brush and trees until he could get to the somewhat cleared path that would take them across the border. However, they were too close to the road at the start and could see the cars and trucks parked alongside it.
“I think we need to navigate through the trees. I believe we will be spotted if we stay on this,” Nate said.
“I agree but this sure is much easier to drive on and pick up speed. Especially towing the trailer. I don’t want to bounce those gas cans around too much.”
“Yeah, just slow it down, I guess, until we are past the Port of Entry. The faster you go the louder this thing is. It’s on a hill so maybe if we head farther south and into the trees, the sound won’t resonate so far.” Nate was sitting up on the edge of his seat, pulling the seatbelt to give him a lot of slack.
“Are you trying to see better or what?” Ben needed him to sit back so he could see how close the trees were.
“Sorry, I’m anxious and it’s not going to help if I sit up in the dash now is it?” He scooted back but rested his hand on the dashboard instead.
Ben navigated through the trees. The tires bogged down a few times in the low spots where the ground was saturated. They managed to keep going.
Nate pointed at something near the tree line. “Oh, was that something?” He moved so he could see better. “I saw movement.”
“Like what, a moose? A bear?”
“In the air. Shoot, I think it’s a drone. Do we stop to blend in or keep going?”
“We’re going to go. Put on your facemask thing.” Ben had to slow down to pull his on over his face. “I need your knife. My pocket knife is buried in my pants pocket.” He turned so they would be deeper in the trees which might have been a poor decision because there was less room to navigate with how wide they were.
Nate pulled his knife out and was hesitant to give it to Ben as he was driving.
“Come on. Real quick.” He held his hand out and Nate gave it to him. He popped open the snaps on his side window and slit some bigger holes in the netting over the windshield so he could see better.
“Don’t you think that drone can see you better?”
“We have these on. Come on. I need you to do the same on your side.” He handed the knife back and nearly cut Nate when they suddenly dropped into a big dip they couldn’t see. “Sorry.” He put both hands back on the steering while Nate cut some holes in the side and reached out to slice a hole on the front windshield too.
“This can’t be fun navigating through the trees with limited visibility.”
“Nope, not fun. We should have done something about that before we took off. Hey, did you see a pinpoint of red light that just blinked on that tree over there?” Ben pointed at the tree about to pass by Nate’s window
Nate reached under his seat and pulled out a big flashlight. “I bet it’s a motion capture camera. I don’t know if this high beam flashlight will work because it’s daylight.” He turned it on, pointing it right at the red light until they passed by.
Ben saw the movement along the trail where they were supposed to be driving. “That is a drone. I wonder if the camera activated it.”
He couldn’t take them deeper into the forest. The trees were dense and there were more logs and debris where he wanted to go and it would slow them down even more. They were actually being forced closer to the open trail.
“We are going to have to go out there, aren’t we?” Nate’s sharp eye saw the light from another camera and he turned the flashlight on it.
“I think so.”
“I have an idea on how to bring it down. You need to turn around though and head the other way so I can track it.” Nate reached into a bag in the back.
“They could be sending someone out here after us. A truck can drive down that path easily. We just barely passed the Port of Entry, I think. We could wind up close to the building if we turn back now.”
“Then take us down the hill farther. Look, turn around in that little clearing up ahead. You don’t need to go far.” He pulled out his fishing pole and was tinkering with the weights and fishing line.
Ben turned around and headed back the other way. He couldn’t help but glance over at what Nate was doing.
“Slow down, like real slow so it can hover near us. You get the flashlight and blind it long enough for me to do my thing.” Nate opened the hole in the mesh wider so he could manage to get the fishing pole outside the vehicle. He looked back at Ben once he had his fishing pole ready and waiting
Ben did as Nate asked, slowing down and he had the flashlight tipped down against his thigh until the drone made its appearance. It was just like the ones he’d seen back home in his neighborhood. It was compact with four blades that helped it stay airborne. It weaved back and forth along the treeline. Ben stopped where Nate had a good view. When it was close, Ben shined the flashlight at it and Nate cast the fishing pole. He missed. He quickly reeled it in and urged Ben to move while he frantically reeled in the string full of weights before it got caught on something.
It did get hung up and he cut the line. Nate made quick work tying on another weight. Ben was getting nervous the more they backtracked but he knew Nate was working as fast as could.
“Stop.” Nate was sticking the pole out the window again and as soon as the drone was in view, Ben blinded it and Nate cast the fishing pole at the same time. The motor on the thing started to whine loudly as it lost its ability to stay airborne. Nate cut the line and fanned the air for Ben to go. “Head out on the trail now, go go go.”
Ben gunned it through the trees, running over the drone as they went. “That might have been a federal crime, destruction of government property.” Ben could feel his face flush as they were making a run for it. They did see a government vehicle take off down the road almost keeping pace with them but the path they were on was moving farther away from the road. Soon the trees opened up again so Ben darted back to the safety of the forest. The trees weren’t as dense so they kep
t moving. But another low spot with soggy ground bogged them down. Ben thought for sure they were going to get caught.
“The actual border is up ahead, you see it? Right there, where the trees open up.” Nate pointed repeatedly as he leaned forward.
“Oh! Is that truck going to be able to cut us off?” Ben didn’t dare take his eyes off the path ahead for a second. There were so many obstacles he was trying to avoid: live trees, dead trees, dips, rises, brush, logs.
“Umm, let’s hope not?” Nate held his body steady as he watched the road while Ben kept going. “Don’t leave the trees. He will be able to track us.”
“I’m running out of room.” Ben veered to the right and worked their way deeper in the forest. “Can he come up that border trail?”
“I can’t tell. Maybe?”
“It’s going to be hard to stay in the trees and keep that path in view. We are getting farther away from the main road.” Ben didn’t like the idea of heading deeper into the woods and potentially getting lost but he sure didn’t want to be taken back to the Port of Entry and possibly be arrested. He kept going.
There was no sign of another drone and if there was one, he didn’t want to give it an opportunity to spot them either, so deeper into the woods he went.
The trail was rough and he had no trouble running over piles of the skinny decaying logs. Most of them mashed down when he ran them over so they weren’t as big of an obstacle as he thought. Soon, not only could they not see the road, but they also couldn’t see the cleared border trail or the telephone pole path.
Ben was able to maintain a decent speed until they came across a sudden drop in elevation. He turned in time so they stayed on the high side, taking them deeper into the woods. He gripped the steering wheel tight knowing that they were heading farther away from where they needed to be. He was trying to get his bearings when Nate yelled his name.
Ben hit the brakes and veered away from the massive moose that jumped up the embankment in front of them. Its long gangly legs slipped on the mossy ground right in front of them as it tried to run away.
Endure Series (Book 2): Enduring The Journey: Page 13
