Here's chapter 20 you all! Hope you readers enjoy it!
Caesar breathed quietly as he eyed the object that floated on the water's surface in the distance, narrowing his gaze.
"Caesar? What is wrong?" Rocket signed as he moved to stand next to the ape leader.
"I had thought that maybe the apes would be safe… That maybe the soldiers would not have come…" Caesar replied in kind, keeping his eyes upon the object.
Following Caesar's gaze, Rocket too noticed the strange object hiding within the cover of the fog.
"That is a ship Caesar." Rocket gestured, getting the sign a little wrong.
"Yes, ship," Caesar gestured back, forming the sign correctly to his friend. "Only six days and that is not nearly enough for us apes to prepare."
Luca came hulking up beside the two chimpanzees and eyed the ship as well, righting himself as he stood tall.
"Is that them?" Luca had asked, jutting a finger out towards the ship and gaining a head nods from both Caesar and Rocket.
Luca however did not come alone as he was followed by the human - Malcolm. Malcolm had looked a little weary but his blue eyes shone with a fierce determination that Caesar and his apes were becoming accustomed to.
"Caesar. There's still a chance for this. It doesn't have to come to war," Malcolm spoke quietly.
Cutting his eyes away from the human ship, Caesar had turned to look at Malcolm. Just this morning the man had came in with Luca, despite Caesar telling Malcolm to stay hidden. However just like he, Malcolm was also quite the stubborn one and practically stood his ground, wanting to do nothing else but offer his help and assistance to the apes. Caesar himself definitely did not want Malcolm there, knowing that the human was no warrior and was putting himself in danger for them… But in retrospect, Malcolm did know a lot more things about human nature and their warfare that Caesar himself did not. With this in mind, Caesar allowed Malcolm to stay and with that they spoke about tactics, learned a little bit more about the human weapons and their explosives.
"Will the human soldiers. Go under bridge?" Caesar had asked instead.
Malcolm met Caesar's eyes and cast his eyes downward instead, letting loose a heave.
"I don't know Caesar… It really depends on what ship they came in. They could go to the harbor down there or even land on the beach if they wanted too," Malcolm answered.
"They come. To bridge," Caesar answered simply as he pointed the ship out to Malcolm.
"Right…" Malcolm followed Caesar's finger as he narrowed his eyes and made a judgement on it. "Maybe they're just checking things out?" Malcolm started but then his face lit up and he turned to look at the ape leader. "This could be a good thing! You have command of the entrance to the harbor, yes? Those barrels that you've had the apes thrown out to the sea earlier. They will think that they are bombs that you've all set up. So hopefully, they'll stop to talk, rather than just rushing in," the man said excitedly. "I just wished that I found a least one working radio so we could have talked with them already… But if need be, I can still help with that myself."
While listening to Malcolm talk, Caesar himself suddenly felt a little lightheaded. Noticing that Caesar was swaying lightly on his feet, Rocket stepped a little closer and supported the other ape without making it too obvious to the others. Turning to look at Rocket, Caesar could see that the other chimp was still keeping his eyes upon the waters while supporting him. He was glad that Rocket was here. Even after six days of resting, Caesar had still felt quite weak, even he didn't know where he had summoned the energy to even move on after being near fatally wounded by Pope and fought with Koba atop of the tower… Koba… He had also offered his blood to the mentioned ape as well and that had taken a huge toll on his body. Luckily, Cornelia had made him realize that he still needed to recover himself and that he did, for the most part.
While pondered, Caesar's mind wandered back to the rest of the occupants that were staying at his old human home. How Maurice, Koba and the others were coping? Away from the apes in seclusion. He hoped that they were only safe from prying eyes.
Caesar himself had consider to retreat back into the forest with some of their apes were, to hide out as the soldier came into the city and wait for them to leave. However he knew that deep inside, that if he and his apes did not show strength and take a stand now, stopping the humans from venturing into the city. Then they would never stop the humans anywhere, wherever they go…
Gauging the ship with the others, Caesar knew that if they thought this through carefully then they would most likely win, having the advantage high up above the ship in the distance. But if more ships were to come with more humans then it will only spill trouble for him and what was left of his ape army. Letting his eyes wander for a moment, Caesar could see that his apes were tired, wounded and still healing from the battle a few days prior. They had lost more lives than all of their many winters combined since they had first left the human city. Since his fight for the right of leadership with Koba and had beaten the bonobo for it; he knew that the apes will follow him. However he knew that since he's earned their trust, he could not just lead them to their doom. In the ten years of isolation away from the humans, Caesar himself had felt that burden lessen. But now it weighed down on him once more as he could see the inkling trust the apes held for him as they all looked up to him.
"We do it your way then. How do we talk to human soldiers?" he suddenly asked.
"Caesar," Rocket grunted, objecting the idea of talking to the human soldiers, knowing full well that this could potentially backfire on them.
Caesar however straightened himself and simply glared at Rocket. The two kept their eyes on each other before Rocket huffed quietly and turned his head away. Releasing his breath, Caesar slowly turned to look at Malcolm once more and awaited for his idea.
"A flag. We can hang a white flag of surrender at them. Use a sheet of some sort, hang it from the bridge. That should get their attention. Or, if you want I could go down to the shore and-"
Malcolm was suddenly interrupted by several reports in the distance, echoing off into the air.
"What. noise?" Andy perked up as he bounded on over to where Caesar and the others were standing.
"Guns," Rocket growled out, lip slightly curling up to bare his fangs.
"Who is watching the beach?" Caesar signed to the apes around him, before he pointed to the cliffside area.
Following Caesar's hand, Andy narrowed his eyes momentarily before he perked up and turned to face the ape leader again.
"I sent Ray there. Hector's son," Andy signed back.
Turning his attention back towards the cliffside Caesar had then wondered to himself. Since he knew of the younger orangutan and have given all of the apes at least one human weapon. He wondered if Ray had opened fire at the humans in revenge for losing his father… Or to maybe signal that he's seen them? But then again maybe the humans had seen the young orangutan and opened fire on him too. So many things could e happening.
"Rocket! Andy! Take four more and go see!" Caesar barked.
With a nodding grunt, Rocket was quick to take action and bounded away with Andy following close behind.
"The ship's moving," Malcolm said suddenly pointing a finger towards the object with Caesar following. "I don't know much about Navy ships. But by the look of it that ship needs a dock," Malcolm then hesitated for a moment, causing Caesar and Luca to slowly look at him. "That ship has some big guns."
Narrowing his eyes at the ship, Caesar could now clearly make out the giant tubes that stuck out of it. If what Malcolm had said was true and if those long cylinders really were guns. Then those were the biggest guns that Caesar himself had ever seen. It only spelt doom for him and his apes if they all don't come up with something to stop this oncoming war. Now thinking about it, maybe Malcolm's idea of this "white flag of surrender" was starting to be a good one.
…
Days had passed since the battle atop of the human tower and now Blue Eyes along with Ash, Fox, Shell and Flint were all stationed along the south end of the bridge that connected the land to their precious home just over yonder.
Sighing to himself Blue Eyes leaned against the railing and eyed the human ship, his mind wondering what was in store for them as he watched on. Behind him he could hear the others scuffling with each other before hearing someone approach him.
"Strange isn't it? The human boat," Ash gestured as he came and stood next to Blue Eyes.
"It is a ship and yes, it is strange," Blue Eyes agreed.
"I don't like this... This ship," Fox growled. "Why do we not just shoot it," he hissed as he shouldered his firearm, looking very reminisce of Koba when he and Caesar had faced off.
"Caesar told us not to do anything. We sit. We wait and we see," Flint answered back, gaining a snort from the bigger chimpanzee.
"Did you all not hear? There was gunfire earlier. We are going to have to fight the humans. You will all see," Shell suddenly jumped in frantically as he paced back and forth in between the others while letting out several small hoots.
"Quiet Shell. You will alert the humans!" Fox barked, turning to stop Shell from fidgeting back and forth.
Turning his attention away from the other apes, Blue Eyes was overlooking the sea where the ship was. Hearing someone approaching from behind, Blue Eyes had turned his head when Ash suddenly came into view and stood next to him.
"Human huh?" the white flecked chimp gestured.
"Yes… Humans," Blue Eyes responded slowly.
The two apes then said no more as the sea's breeze played with the hair on their bodies, forcing them in one direction and then to the next. Blue Eyes then closed his eyes momentarily before opening them back up again to look up at the clear sunny sky that was filled with flocks of seagulls, as they flew overhead. Feeling someone tap his shoulder, Blue Eyes looked back down and met Ash's gaze.
"Are you scared?" Ash asked suddenly, surprising Blue Eyes.
"Scared?" Blue Eyes asked curiously gaining a few quick nods from Ash.
"Of what Shell had said… That the humans are coming for us. That we might have to fight them again. Are you scared?" Ash asked earnestly.
Breathing through his nose, Blue Eyes turned away from Ash and looked out towards the sea. Of course he was scared, deathly afraid even. He is so terrified of the humans that were coming for them that he wanted nothing else to do but run away and hide within the safety of their forest. But... Because he was Caesar's son, he had to show strength to the other apes. Just like how his father showed strength to the apes and to show anything less would bring nothing but shame to his family's line.
"No..." Blue Eyes gestured slowly back at Ash before turning to look at his friend and was surprised when he met Ash's solemn face that stared back.
Before anything else was said between them a small "plink" sound struck the guardrail right next to Blue Eyes' hand, surprising both him and Ash. Looking down at it, Blue Eyes shot a nasty look back at Fox, Shell and Flint, seeing if one of them had casted a pebble at him as a joke. However when he turned towards them, Blue Eyes noticed that the three apes were a bit further away from both he and Ash, staring out at the opposite side of the bridge.
Blue Eyes then recognized the clattering sounds of gunfire, prompting both he and Ash to duck behind one of the run down vehicles for cover. This didn't make any sense to the young prince. The ship was just appearing out by the sea but the shooting came from the end of the bridge. Were there already more human soldier out there that had somehow snuck up on them?
"I told you all!" Shell shouted over the buzzing of the bullets. "I told you that we will have to fight the humans again!"
"Blue Eyes! Ash!" Fox shouted as he pushed both Shell and Flint down onto the bridge to keep them from getting shot"Both of you shoot the humans! When they duck we will move up!" Fox gestured.
Both Blue Eyes and Ash nodded quickly at Fox and readied themselves to make sure the plan pulls through. When Fox gave the signal, he, Shell and Flint suddenly sprinted forward. Straightening up and propping his gun on the car that he was hiding behind, Blue Eyes fired back at the oncoming humans along with Ash.
That moment did not last long though as the two young apes had to quickly hide behind the vehicle once more as a hail of bullets whizzed by them. Checking up on Ash, Blue Eyes noticed that his friend was doing fine but as he peeked past him, he could see Fox, Shell and Flint all ducking behind for cover again as they were assaulted with bullets as well.
"What happened?!" Fox snapped, gesturing angrily.
"Too many humans firing at us!" Blue Eyes shot back, taking a step forward.
Suddenly something hit Blue Eyes hard, knocking him back down and behind the protection of the vehicle as the rounds tore through the air.
"Blue Eyes!" Ash hooted.
Looking up in surprise, Blue Eyes was met with the dark green eyes of another ape.
"Ray?"
"Stay down! You almost got shot!" Ray gestured back at the prince, ducking his head along with Ash when their barricade was pelted with bullets.
After the first volley had stopped, Ray quickly stood back up and let out a loud screech that reverberated through the air, signaling danger. This time it was Ash who pulled Ray down as another swarm of bullets flew over them.
"What do we do Blue Eyes?!" Ash signed quickly.
"I… I don't know!" Blue Eyes panicked, his heart pounding loudly within his chest and ears, almost as loud as the gunfire that erupted all around them.
For the first time since a few days now, fear had taken a grip within Blue Eyes' very own soul once more. Looking around himself, Blue Eyes could see that everyone was ducking for cover as the bullets popped and twanged as they hit the vehicles that they all hid behind. Noticing the immense fear in Blue Eyes wide sky colored eyes, Ash paused momentarily, huffing to himself and ducked when a bullet whizzed on by near his head. Pushing Blue Eyes onto the ground Ash returned fire, hoping to brave the defense along with Ray who had taken Blue Eyes' weapon. Hopefully the other apes had heard Ray's cry for help as they tried their best to defend themselves while Blue Eyes covered his ears and stared out with wide fearful eyes.
…
"Humans! The ones we spared back then. Many with guns!" an ape signed as he came running back from Rocket and Andy's group.
Upon seeing this Caesar closed his eyes and tightened his jaw. Of course many of the humans that he spared from the city would come back to seek out revenge against them, he should have known that they would not have forgive.
"What?! Why are they attacking?!" Malcolm spoke up suddenly, taking a stand next to Caesar.
"I had hoped. That they would leave apes be," Caesar spoke solemnly.
"They should have," Malcolm said quietly before he himself took in a deep breath and turned to face the ape leader. "Let me go and try to talk with them," Malcolm offered, taking a step forward to where the gunfire noises were.
"No!" Caesar barked aloud as gunfire suddenly erupted at the edge of the bridge. "You leave. Now!"
"I can still-" Malcolm didn't even get to finish as Caesar had quickly signed something to Luca and the silverback gorilla nodded, turned to another gorilla and gestured something. One of teh gorillas had then stepped in and suddenly grabbed him, lifting him up and taking him away. "Wait no! Caesar!"
Caesar ignored Malcolm's protests this time as he picked up his rifle and along with the other apes made haste towards the south end of the bridge. Caesar didn't think that he would be fighting here again, on this bridge many winters ago. It was truly devastating as Caesar remembered that they had lost many during their escape… Back then, it was just unarmed apes, fighting against humans who had weapons, like the one he was holding. But now they too were armed and ready to fight for their lives if necessary.
Finally reaching the south end of the bridge, Caesar's eyes widened as he could see his son Blue Eyes, along with many of the other apes roughly around his age, taking cover behind a barricade of cars from the hail of bullets. Taking a glance passed them, Caesar could see that many of the humans that he had spared within the city were advancing on them with guns. He had thought that he had disabled all of the guns that the humans had. Were there other stores elsewhere that he didn't know about? That didn't matter now. All that matters was that he needed to protect his son and the rest of the apes form the humans that were advancing on them.
Spotting Rocket running up to Ash, Blue Eyes and Ray, Caesar had quickly followed and slid right next to them.
"Blue Eyes?!" Caesar grabbed onto his son but the young ape did not respond to him, only staring outwards with big wide eyes as if he were in a trance.
It pained Caesar deeply to see his son in such a state but he quickly shook that thought away and got Rocket's attention.
"Rocket. How many?" he asked.
"Thirty! Maybe more." Rocket gestured back as he ducked as bullets pelted near his head.
Taking notice of several orangutans nearby, Caesar quickly gestured to them.
"Swing under the bridge! Get behind the humans!" he ordered.
With a loud whoop the orangutans leaped over the railings and took hold of the many girder handles below. Then they all started to swing underneath, making their way towards the humans to flank them.
"Luca! Ajax! Both of you and other gorillas fortify the barricades!" Caesar gestured next to the two gorillas who was standing just a few feet away.
With a nod, Luca turned to the gorillas around him, including Winter and let out a loud roar. Gaining all of their attention, both Luca and Ajax slammed their shoulders into the side of a long bus and with the aid of the others, pushed the giant vehicle in front of them.
"Keep firing at the humans! Protect the gorillas!" Caesar indicated to Andy and Rocket next.
Both of the chimpanzees did not need to be told twice and let out a series of calls as they leaned out of the sides of their protective barrier and let loose a storm of bullets of their own. Caesar too joined into the fray as he opened fire with his gun, providing cover fire for the gorillas until they could provide ample cover for the apes.
…
While he huddled there behind the metal vehicle, Blue Eyes could only make out various odd shapes and figures as they swarmed in front him. Loud gunfire noises echoed all around him and he couldn't help but wrap his arms around himself. Why? Why was this all happening again? Looking up Blue Eyes could see his father directing orders to the other apes, doing his best to protect them. At this Blue Eyes marveled how his father would assume command even at the most dangerous of times. Why? Why couldn't he be like his father… Was he not the son of Caesar? He should be strong and brave, just like Caesar… But for reasons unknown, he wasn't and it hurt deep inside his very being. The son of Caesar, a coward among apes.
Hearing a loud pained yelp above him, Blue Eyes glanced up as a fellow chimpanzee was struck in the shoulder and fell back onto the pavement. At the sight of the red blood, Blue Eyes huffed and shrink in slightly on himself. Within a second, he saw his father ducking down and pulling the wounded ape back closer to them. Huffing quietly, Blue Eyes looked about and could see that many of the other apes, despite the fear in their eyes, were fighting to protect themselves and each other. Rounding his head, Blue Eyes peeked through the crack of their barricade and could see the familiar humans that his father had first let out of the city, the ones who had given them all dark looks while leaving.
Upon seeing them, something about those humans betraying their trust caused Blue Eyes to remember Pope betraying his father's trust. The chimpanzee with fishnet scars had even turned their honorary uncle against his own father and with that in place, brought an unnecessary war between both apes and humans. With that thought in mind, something broke within Blue Eyes and he slowly bared his fangs. His father had given these humans his trust and they had broken it, just like Pope had done in his lust for leadership.
Looking about Blue Eyes noticed the human gun that was dropped by the wounded ape earlier and quickly dove for it. Ducking back quickly, Blue Eyes leaned into his protective barrier and waited as the first volley of bullets disappeared. With a growl, he leaned out and fired his own volley of bullets at the humans, letting his anger consume him and exposing his body slightly out in the open. As he kept on firing, a strong arm suddenly wrapped around his midsection and yanked him backwards. Slamming onto the ground with a thud, Blue Eyes stared up into his father's worried face.
"What are you doing son?!" Caesar breathed incredulously.
Blinking in quick succession and confusion, Blue Eyes looked around as he saw the gorillas finally pushing the bus into place, shielding them all. Sitting back up, Blue Eyes could now see that, in his anger, he had blocked the gorillas path and had exposed himself to danger...
"Father I-"
There was a loud whooping sound as the orangutans finally emerged from the other side and open fire upon the human forces. That was all that was needed for them to do as they wiped out the humans that were trying to get rid of them. Watching his father raise his head, there was a series of loud victorious hoots that echoed all around them. Glancing to and fro as well, Blue Eyes slowly stood up and watched as his fellow apes all raised their guns into the air, shouting out their victory cries. Meeting his father's gaze, Blue Eyes quickly turned away from the older ape, ashamed that he had shown such weakness, especially in front of Caesar.
"Son?" Blue Eyes heard his father gently say to him, causing him to look up at the older chimp.
Surprised, Blue Eyes did not see ridicule nor disdain in his father's eyes. Instead all he saw was warmth and regard. However, knowing that he shouldn't receive such praise, Blue Eyes averted gaze elsewhere, seeming confusing the older ape.
Their victory was short lived however when they all suddenly heard several loud booming noises. Following after that the bridge erupted in fire and smoke as they were struck by something.
Picking himself up off from the ground, Blue Eyes held onto the side of his head as it rung from the sudden explosion. Still feeling the shaking of the bridge underneath his legs, Blue Eyes wobbled to a vehicle and held onto it for support. Casting his eyes about the blue eyed chimp could see the bodies of several of his ape brethren, scattered near the guard rails. Some of them were still moving; others were beyond helping… Blue Eyes searched frantically for his father and to his relief could see the older chimp looking about as well, as if he was searching for something. Before long, Blue Eyes met his father's eyes and relief fell upon the older ape for a moment before he stood up tall and let out a loud bellow, ordering them all to move towards the middle of the bridge.
There was another explosion as the bridge was struck again, this time towards the middle of it. Someone suddenly grabbed onto him, causing him to look and see that it was Ash, who had stuck close. Hearing a grunt, both Blue Eyes and Ash could see Ajax whom was making his way on over towards the railings, carrying a strange looking weapon. The gorilla then hefted the thing onto one shoulder and pulled the trigger. There was a whizzing sound as something launched from the end of it, flying towards the human ship. Blue Eyes and Ash watched in anticipation as the small object slowly got smaller and smaller as it flew towards the ship. Then with a loud explosion the apes all saw the front end of the thing atop of the seawater light up in flames.
The apes all had then let out another victorious cry as they could see the ship turning and making its way towards the south end of the bridge. Both Blue Eyes and Ash panted heavily as they stared glanced at one another while their brother in arms cheered in their victory against the humans. Turning back around though, Blue Eyes could see the wary look on his father's face and he could help but feel an ill feeling from it.
Had they really won?
…
Watching Ellie take a step back from the windows whilst covering her mouth, Maurice watched as Alexander walked up to his mother and placed a reassuring hand upon her shoulder. Facing Koba, Maurice approached the still injured bonobo and eyed him.
"Please Koba. Do not do anything to hurt these humans or yourself," Maurice signed to his friend.
Koba tilted his head at Maurice, wondering what the orangutan had meant while several loud explosions still sounded off in the distance. Then it dawned on the bonobo as he rotated his head back and forth from the orangutan to the window, knowing what Maurice was intending to do.
Maurice was planning to leave him in the care of these… These humans.
"I am going too!" Koba suddenly said aloud, causing both Ellie and Alexander to jump, turning around to face them.
Maurice however shook his head slowly at Koba and held a finger upwards.
"I know you want to go but with how you are right now. You cannot. You need to stay and heal," Maurice explained, seeing the start of anger within Koba's face.
"What is going on? What are you saying?" Ellie asked, not understanding why Koba had shouted and what Maurice was signing to the bonobo.
"I. Go. He. Stay. With you," Maurice said simply, turning to address Ellie.
"You're going? But it's dangerous out there." Alexander exclaimed, voice full of concern and worry.
At this Maurice smiled gently at the two humans and he slowly reached out, taking both Ellie's and Alexander's hands into his.
"Watch. Friend. Please," Maurice enunciated, asking the two humans.
Ellie huffed out quietly and she looked down at Maurice's hand and nodded her head at him while Alexander bit the bottom part of his lip.
"Please. Please be safe," Ellie whispered back as she placed her hand over Maurice's.
Maurice nodded and turned to look at Koba whom was glaring back at him. He knew that if Koba could, he would no doubt follow him. However thanks to his injuries, he was more or less stuck here for now. Unfortunately if Koba did follow him, who knew what his presence would cause among the apes? Shaking that thought away, Maurice turned away from all of his friends and quickly bolted out of the room, letting his long arms carry him as fast as they could back to where the apes were.
...
After things had settled down for the most part, Caesar and the other apes had counted their losses, finding out that they had lost six of their brothers while several others were wounded during the gunfight and assault from the ship. Standing there with Rocket, Luca and Andy; Caesar slowly turned to face them.
"What happened?" Caesar had asked, inquiring about the part where the ship had turned tail and sped to the southern end of the bridge, far down the coastline.
"Ajax fired back when the human ship attacked us with the big guns," Andy gestured in.
"He used strange weapon that Malcolm told him about. The one that made big fire and noise," Luca informed.
Heaving out a sigh, Caesar closed his eyes momentarily. He knew from this point on that there will be no peace among apes and humans… No matter what he did or tried. Taking in a deep breath, he turned back to look at the other three.
"Rocket, I want you to call upon our best warriors. Keep the bridge under our control for the time being," Caesar ordered, gaining a nod from the bulkier chimp. "Andy I want you and another scout to go and find out where the ship goes, and other humans too if there are more of them," Caesar explained.
"Grey?" Andy asked.
Caesar hesitated for a mere second at the mention of Grey's name.
"Not Grey," Caesar signed close to his chest so that only they could see.
Grey was probably one of their best living scouts among the apes. However, he had noticed a dark ill boding presence from the other chimp as of late and he just couldn't quite put a finger to what it was.
"Take Spear instead," Caesar suggested.
Signing that he had understood Caesar's orders, Andy quickly bolted out of the area to look for the other ape. Rocket on the other hand stood up and bounded away to gather their warriors to defend the bridge.
Caesar waited almost impatiently for Rocket's return and once the bulkier chimpanzee finally had a group of apes brought onto the bridge, Caesar faced them all.
"I must go back into the city," he signed to the warriors. "But I will return soon. Rocket, Luca, come with me. Luca, bring Ajax, Winter and the other gorillas you can find still here. And… also bring Blue Eyes, Ash and Ray," Caesar finished, turning to face Rocket whom stared back curiously.
This chapter is very much like the book with a couple of twists and little add-ons here and there. Let me know if you guys like it.
Apes mentioned in this chapter...
-Spear