But apparently, Pergis had no sense at all, for he returned early the next morning, interrupting Galen's interrogation of his mother regarding Yalu's health. Galen's direct questioning of Yalu the evening before had been met with a gruff reassurance, subsequent irritation and finally flat-out refusal to discuss it further.

Galen hovered at Ann's side as she made breakfast. Ann reassured him as best she could - the Doctor had informed them that Yalu's chest pains had not been a heart attack, but rather a warning that should be heeded. When the knock came at the front door, Ann seemed almost relieved at the distraction.

The astronauts and Galen scrambled for cover as Ann closed the trap door behind them, then opened the front door to admit Pergis. Sighing, she sent Pergis back to the trap door to release the trio from their hiding place, then had him set the table while she finished making breakfast.

With impeccable timing, Yalu walked into the dining area just as Ann called everyone to eat. He surveyed the room and snorted. "Eating with humans, now. I don't want to think about what you'll have your mother and I doing next," he said to Galen in a raspy voice, sitting in his seat at the head of the table.

Galen and Pergis left the room, returning shortly with platters of biscuits, fruit and a vegetable casserole. Virdon and Burke exchanged glances at the chimps working busily around them, and stifled smiles. Quite a switch, humans relaxing around working apes. Evidently, Ann did not yet feel comfortable enough with her human guests to direct their activities.

Virdon started to stand as Ann once again swept into the room. "We'd be glad to help," he offered.

"We're done, Virdon, but thank you," she answered, then added pointedly at Burke's smug smile, "However, you can clean up afterwards."

"Yes, ma'am," Burke said docilely. She nodded his way, a glint of humor in her eyes.

Galen, Virdon and Burke happily stuffed themselves. It was not often that they sat down to a warm, appetizing meal. Pergis frequently glanced back and forth between the three as he ate. His narrow forehead furrowed as though puzzled. The astronauts ignored him, but Galen was growing irritated. "Pergis, would you please concentrate on your meal instead of us?" he exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, Galen," he answered, conciliatory. "But I really need to speak to you after we finish. I have…questions."

"Oh, very well, Pergis," Galen sighed, twitching his muzzle. He knew his cousin and had a pretty good idea of the inquisition forthcoming.

Yalu left the house shortly thereafter. Alan cleared the table, and Burke scraped the dishes, sighing. Ann glanced mildly at him, busying herself in the kitchen. Burke looked back at her, a ghost of a smile crossing his lips as he spoke. "I was just thinking of Galen waiting on me, earlier. Bringing me food. And now it's over. It kind of makes me sad."

She looked at him a long moment. "I rather enjoy watching my son work, myself," she commented agreeably. "But a human has no luxuries on this planet. I don't know about where you come from," she said.

"We have machines to help us clean. Dishwashers, for one. You'd love it."

"A dishwasher? But why would I need one - I have you," Ann said.

Burke did a double-take. "For today, you have me," he said, grinning. "But wouldn't you like to be able to put your dishes into a machine, close the door, then open it up later to find them all clean?"

"Do you really have such things where you come from? How does it work?" she asked, eyes bright with interest.

"Well, you put the dishes in a rack inside the dishwasher. Then you put soap….." Virdon came into the kitchen and stopped, listening. He leaned against the wall a moment, smiling, then left the room to join Galen and Pergis.

"….but Galen, you know that humans have no souls! The Scrolls teach us this," exclaimed Pergis.

"You're taking religion classes at the university, Pergis. I recognize the drivel."

Pergis gasped. "You deny the truth of the Lawgiver?" he exclaimed.

"I am a heretic, after all," Galen said, voice raised. "Had you forgotten?" At Pergis's uncharacteristic silence, he continued. "Some of us don't believe in the Lawgiver. Or the Sacred Scrolls. There are those who still believe in the gods…rather than the Almighty." Galen sighed. "And then there are those of us who no longer know what to believe in. So we believe in what our conscience tells us to be right or wrong." He looked into his cousin's eyes. "Did it ever occur to you to question what you are taught? Complacency is blinding, Pergis." Galen sighed and clapped his cousin on the shoulder. "It isn't necessary for you to understand me, cousin. It probably isn't even wise."

"Maybe I do understand you, Galen. And I wish I didn't. Are you what they say you are? A traitor? A danger to us all…" Pergis said slowly, eyes fastened on Galen's.

Galen's eyes narrowed. "They lie to you, Pergis. You condemn me without ever knowing the truth…regardless of proof."

"You're my cousin, Galen. It pains me to come to such conclusions," Pergis replied, sorrow evident in his voice. "Tell me of this proof."

Virdon interrupted. "No. We can't," he said simply.

Pergis glared at him, wide-eyed. "You give Galen orders?" he said, appalled.

"He tries," said Galen drily, glancing at Virdon.

"Not that he listens," Virdon added.

"Hardly ever," agreed Burke, who'd just entered the room.

"How could you allow this? It's unnatural!" asked Pergis, voice rising.

"Virdon has every right to say what he thinks. He does what he wants in my company. Man is not inferior to ape, whatever you believe, and Zaius has the proof of it!" Galen said, incensed.

"Galen." Alan said, loudly. Galen looked chagrined.

"Proof?" asked Pergis, eyes wide. His gaze turned skeptical. "I want to see it."

"I…there is no proof, Pergis." Galen said, lying. He looked at the floor. Pergis snorted, then waited until his cousin's gaze rose to meet his.

"I'm sorry, Galen. Very sorry it has come to this. You know I have never felt anything but the deepest affection for you, ever since we were boys…. remember how you used to read to me, cousin? And taught me to play stick ball? If you say these humans are your friends, then I'll respect that. Even if I can't agree with you."

"I'll be leaving soon, Pergis. I'd rather not leave knowing our friendship has changed," Galen replied, even while thinking, sadly, that their relationship had already transformed irrevocably. Another casualty, perhaps…the path that Galen followed was littered with them.



Galen's reverie of the recent past was interrupted as Virdon stirred restlessly in his sleep, and his eyes turned from the tree branches far above to gaze at his friends absently. He had to get back to Pergis. See what he'd gotten himself into. Galen was sure that Pergis hadn't left well enough alone after the trio's departure. Incurable curiosity - it was a family trait that he and Pergis shared. Galen felt a pang of fear. Well, there was one cure - one the gorillas would be glad to administer to Pergis. Whether or not Pergis would survive it…that was altogether different.