Caesar's Pearl 2 Chapter 12
The decision made, a select group of apes chosen, the apes would be brought to the dam. For this Malcolm would need to be summoned in order to lead the way to the dam.
Margo had the way to retrieve him already well in hand. Having prepared ahead of time for this scenario Margo attached a note to Ranger's collar giving instructions for Malcolm to follow the dog as the canine brought him to her.
Hopefully he'd follow them and come alone. If not then Margo can't guarantee what would happen to him. She's here for the ape's sake, not the humans. Margo has made that abundantly clear multiple times. He'll take it for granted at his own peril.
After Ranger left all Margo could do now was wait.
Caesar selected the members of those who would be accompanying them to the dam. Basically the whole Council, his Inner Circle, would be the group to come.
As they gathered preparing their horses Margo was beyond happy to see some familiar faces.
Rocket and Maurice were among those. Though her appearance has changed they along with the rest of those still alive from the San Bruno Primate Shelter obviously remember her and the kindness she showed them there. She exchanged hugs and arm clasps with those who would allow her, glad to see there are still those besides Caesar among their number who would accept her.
Margo thought she'd be granted a horse to ride on the trip to the dam, but she was wrong. Turns out she would be riding double with Caesar. He wanted her close by him. To those in the Ape Colony it may seem like their leader was doing so just to keep an eye on her. Margo knew differently. This gesture showed he just wanted part of that contact they used to have back, longing for it. Margo realized that this would be the first time the two have had any sort of physical contact since being reunited. They'd both be relishing in this in their hearts and minds.
It took a couple of hours, but Ranger did eventually return with Malcolm. Ranger darted to Margo completely happy with his accomplishment.
Malcolm couldn't be more different.
By his body language alone Margo could see how anxious, nervous, and afraid he was. He walked so slow out into the open with his hands up as if he'd be annihilated on the spot simply for being there. When some of the males surrounded him she thought Malcolm was going to have a heart attack. But Margo wasn't all too worried. Before he came Margo did express her curiosity of what the apes intended for Malcolm when he got here. Maurice explained that they would search him for any hidden weapons as they are now.
In his defense Malcolm's own position is a pretty grim one should things go ill on this venture for the San Francisco Colony.
Malcolm was given a quick pat down and once the apes found no weapons on his person. Despite her initial distrust towards the rest of the humans on the team Margo had to hand it to Malcolm he's no fool.
With everything now established the group went to head out. Caesar helped Margo up onto his own steed. She settled comfortably behind him laying her head in content on the back of his neck and shoulder. Caesar released a low rumble briefly pressing his cheek on her head to return the gesture.
From the corner of her eye Margo saw the young chimp called Blue Eyes that she took to be Caesar's son eyeing their interaction with disgust and suspicion. She'd learned his name from Maurice when she asked about him. The entire time they'd been waiting for Malcolm this male wouldn't let her get close. Margo would have to work on that. She'd request Caesar to make a formal introduction to her new nephew later.
Malcolm is to ride on a borrowed horse. None of the apes would have him ride with them and this would be an easy way to monitor him with a tether on the bridle. Thus is the reason why he was riding alone.
Taking the apes deeper into the canyon Malcolm brought them to a dam built over a waterfall far bigger then the one the village was built around. There was a logjam at the base where debris from houses, fallen trees, and other stuff had built up from storms, floods, and other weather anomalies.
The horses and Ranger were left on the beach most of the apes remaining there while Caesar, Margo, and his Council climbed over the logs with Malcolm to the entrance of the dam.
When Malcolm managed to open the door he took the apes inside walking down a staircase that led them into the mechanicals room of the dams powerhouse where he main controls were. The apes looked around in wonder astonished they'd never noticed once this structure so close to their village.
"This is what we used to call a 'small hydro'," explained Malcolm, stepping up to one of the main control panels. "It was built to service areas to the north of here, but we've been working to reroute the power lines to the city. Because the city used to run on nuclear power, but that ran out years go. So we've been using diesel generators and gasifiers. But if we can just get this dam working then we have a shot at restoring limited power."
Malcolm then met Caesar's blank stare, the ape leader not saying a single word. The other apes were silent too and it occurred to Malcolm that the apes might not comprehend what he was telling them.
Margo stood to the side leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, letting him do the talking since he was the head of this operation in the first place.
Descending from the panels so he and Caesar were on equal ground, saying "Is any of this making any sense to you?"
Even as he spoke this Malcolm was unbelievably nervous fearing he may have insulted them in some way.
Margo scoffed, raising an annoyed brow at Malcolm's lack of tact. Of course they could understand him.
Fortunately for him Caesar took no offence.
"The…lights," he said, showing the human he understood.
"Yes," breathed Malcolm, nodding, delighted his message was getting across, "the lights. Listen this is your home and I don't want to take it away from you, I promise. But if you can allow us, let us do our work here-."
"You brought others," growled Koba, advancing on Malcolm with Grey and Stone on both sides. Others hooted their displeasure not liking the idea of more than one human on their land. And if one of these humans were actually the one who'd shot one of their own then this would be endangering their families.
Even Margo took a couple of steps closer, not liking Koba's sudden aggression.
Caesar threw his arm out for silence and to stop Koba from hurting the human.
Retreating a step to distance himself from Koba, speaking to Caesar, Malcolm said "Just a few. I'm not a threat. If I am…then I guess you can kill me."
The apes needed to confer. Moving off from Malcolm and Margo the apes stood arguing with one another. By the looks occasionally glanced in his direction Malcolm distinguished they were trying to decide whether he was speaking true or not. He didn't fail to notice how the majority of them didn't even glance at Margo at way. They've definitely taken to her a lot better and sooner than him. Malcolm recalled how Margo and the leader act with one another and gathered that the deep bond they obviously share is the reason for this.
Finally the debate ceased and Caesar now had his terms set.
Turning back towards Malcolm, in an uncompromising tone, gruffly, Caesar said "No guns."
Nodding in agreement, relieved, Malcolm said "No guns."
With the requirement to hand over all firearms looks like Malcolm's promise to Dreyfus to shoot Margo if she proved a threat to them is useless now.
And so the bargain is made. The deal struck.
Leaving the dam the ape troop escorted Malcolm and Margo back to his convoy. This time Malcolm was on foot not riding on one of the horses, Margo had replaced him the horse he'd ridden there. On the way Malcolm was worried his team may have already left fear overriding his command to wait for him for two hours. He was relieved to see they were still there inside the jeeps with their supply's and equipment.
The out of the blue appearance of so many apes screeching and hooting out of the trees did spark panic in the humans. Carver was ready to go back to the city now. Aiming a handgun out the driver's side window he started the engine of the jeep he, Ellie, and Alex were in. Tossing his cigar Carver was just about to floor it when Ellie and Alex stopped him.
"Wait, wait, wait," said Ellie, grabbing Carver's shoulder.
"Stop, stop," said Alex, pointing out his window where Carver could see.
Coming out of the bushes was Malcolm being pushed along by Stone and Grey. When they were close enough to the cars Grey shoved Malcolm in the back towards the car.
Steadying himself Malcolm went over to the open window.
Eyeing Carver's handgun, Malcolm said "We need to give them our guns. That's the one condition."
"What does that mean," asked Ellie.
"We can stay," said Malcolm, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"And you want us to give them our guns," repeated Carver, slowly, making sure he heard Malcolm correctly.
Nodding, Malcolm said "Yes."
"Are you insane," whispered Carver, eyes going in all directions trying to keep track of all the apes. "I'm not giving these monkeys my gun. The second we give them our firearms they'll kill us!"
"It's either we give them our guns or we lose the dam," stated Malcolm, matter-of-factly. "Which one's more important?"
The weight of the choice hung heavily in the air.
Groaning Carver banged his head on the steering wheel, saying "Jesus Christ."
Malcolm took that as his answer. Going over to the other vehicle Malcolm informed Foster and Kemp about the conditions that came with the bargain struck. Unlike Carver they agreed right away. They wanted to be out of here as soon as possible and knew the sooner they got to work on the dam the faster they'd be back in San Francisco.
So all of the firearms the team possessed were handed over. The guns and ammunition were strapped to the horse Margo dismounted from, for the hike back to the village.
The supplies were unloaded from the vehicles in large packs and heavy crates. There wouldn't need to be a second trip, but having this much stuff crammed together had a big downside. All of it was extremely heavy to lug over the hills and uneven ground in the forest. It definitely wasn't something the repair team was looking forward too.
All is now set for transport.
Margo was on her bike with Ranger to head the way. She's not leaving it there with the other vehicles.
Responding with a nod of his own, Caesar said "Come."
Guarded by vigilante apes the humans were marched up the slope in the direction of the dam burdened with their gear.
The horses weren't used to the noise coming from her bike, but their riders made sure to keep them calm.
A decent sized clearing was reached free of trees and underbrush.
Tugging on the reins Caesar turned his stallion to where he was facing everyone else a hand rose signaling to stop.
"Camp here," asked Malcolm, slightly out of breath from the climb.
Caesar nodded in reply.
"Okay," said Malcolm, looking at his team he passed the message. "Okay, thank you."
Malcolm and his team put down their equipment grateful they didn't have to carry any of it further today.
Margo stayed where she was. After all she wouldn't be camping down here with them. Caesar already let her know that she'd be staying with him behind the walls of the village, not these others. It made no sense where could be with family instead of people she still considered strangers in her eyes.
Cautiously Malcolm walked up to Caesar's horse pressing a palm to his chest, saying "Malcolm." Seeing Caesar's lack of reaction Malcolm repeated the motion. "Malcolm."
There was a pause before Caesar returned the gesture, putting a hand to his chest, saying "Caesar."
Without another spoken to the humans Caesar wheeled his horse around and rode off. One by one the other apes followed leaving the humans behind.
Margo prepared to follow from the rear when Ellie's voice stopped her.
"Wait, Margo, where are you going," said Ellie.
Turning her head to look at them, Margo said "Unlike the rest of you I'm actually on good terms with the apes. I don't have to stay out here."
Margo then took off after Caesar's group leaving one dumbfounded woman and five men behind on their own to fend for themselves.
Margo couldn't be bothered with them. She and Caesar have some very vital catching up to do.
Authors Note:
Merry Christmas!
Hope this is a good present for you guys! ;D