The Island

"I'm glad that blasted rain finally stopped." Hayes said taking a swig of water from his canteen. "It's muddy enough out here without that stuff turning everything into a soup."

"I wouldn't worry. From the looks of it, it's going to be a hot day. That mud will be dried up by evening. It's these damn mosquitoes I hate" replied March, as he flattened one of the pesky insects with a crisp slap.

March pulled out the plastic card they'd retrieved from Pépé's remains and handed it to Hayes. "Read me the numbers next to Weather and Communications Room."

"Seven … one …four … one … one … eight" March echoed as he punched the numbers into the pad. The small panel in front of him lit up bright green and blinked twice. He heard what sounded like tumblers click as he instinctively pulled down the handle.

"Hot damn, Jonny. It worked." He said as he heaved the door fully open.

They climbed down a ladder that led to a cramped corridor. At the end was a second door. It had a white and yellow symbol of a cloud and lightning bolt, in the center. The words: WARNING – AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY, were written in red. At the top there was an engraved plate stating: ONTAIRO GAIMING BUREAU. There was no lock and that was because there was no door handle; just a small black pad where the handle should be.

"It's always something." Hayes said in a pessimistic tone. "What do you think that's for?" he added, pointing at the odd looking pad.

"I don't have the slightest clue, maybe some kind of electronic key, but I didn't come this far to be stopped here. This door isn't one-tenth as strong as the one up there." March answered as he raised a leg and gave it a massive kick. March was nearing 42 years of age. He'd lost a step, over the years, but he was still as muscled as he'd been at 35. …And was quite lean and strong enough to kick like a mule. This door wasn't about to keep him out.

It flinched slightly from the massive jolt. A couple of kicks later, the frame broke lose, and the two men entered a room approximately, 12 by 12 in diameter.

The area housed two rows of computerized equipment. It looked like the control center at NASA. There were chairs and digital screens flashing away. The room lit up with light as if it sensed their presence.

"Jonny, look at that…it's incredible." March exclaimed pointing to an electronic 3-D image of the island and surrounding area. There were four small dots displayed as well. One was green and above it was the word; Amie. The other three were red and displayed, Unknown.

"That's …us" Hayes said pointing down at the image. "If I wasn't looking at it I wouldn't believe my eyes, Tom… How? I mean…" Hayes couldn't find the words he was searching for, so he started over. "…It's some kind of high-tech radar, I guess".

Korbett Technologies: WI, USA was etched into the side of the second display table. A four-sided box was centered on the table. It hummed quietly and had six small tubes pointing in every direction. At its base were nine round circular devices that looked like large silver dollars. The word; Nuclear Cell was etched into the top of each 'coin'.

As March looked up and down the table he noticed something akin to a communications consol. It was similar to the radar but had an interface like that of the electronic diary. March was about to push a button when Hayes spoke up and said. "Look at this Tom!"

The 3-D radar now displayed a view of the continental United States.

"What happened?" March asked.

"This." Hayes replied as he pushed a button on the table. The radar now displayed, Western Europe; outlining and labeling, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, and a few others.

"This thing is amazing. It has to have some kind of real-time satellite feed. We hit the jackpot." Hayes added.

"Can you pull up Washington DC?" March asked.

"I think so. The interface has preset menus…look here…"

Beijing

Berlin

London

Moscow

New York City

Ottawa

Paris

The list went on… Hayes pushed Washington and an image of DC displayed before them.

"Look at all of the dots. Maybe they're human." Hayes said.

March had no way of knowing it, but most of the dots belonged to the army of Supreme General Narr, who was looking for remnants of …their human tribe.

"I think there's some kind of radio transmitter over there. If we could somehow figure out how to link these two together…" March said.

He never finished that thought as the image of DC vanished and the 3-D display of the island reappeared. An automated voice that sounded very much like the Dreadnaughts' CIS system was warning. CAUTION – VESSEL OF UNKNOWN NATURE DETECTED – E.T.A.: 37:26 MINUTES…37:25 …37:24…23 …22 … … … CAUTION – VESSEL OF UNKNOWN NATURE DETECTED – E.T.A.: 36:00 MINUTES …36:59 …58

Looking down they noticed the large red blinking dot, with crosshairs in its center, moving towards the island. The island was a few miles in diameter and the boat was a good mile southwest but it was definitely moving in their direction.

"Jon, we have to get out of here. You can bet that's not the welcome to the neighborhood committee." March said and the two men headed out.

Hayes reached the house first. He was breathing heavy as he arrived. He shouted for Amie and Madera and saw that they both had small crude looking crossbows. Amie was dipping the tips in a solution he could only guess was the same witches' brew they'd been hit with.

March, who wasn't far behind, caught up as Hayes was asking; "What… How did you know?"

"The light." Amie said.

"The what?" Hayes replied.

"The house. It has a light. Every room has one. Only comes on when there's trouble. Came on when you two arrived. Also flashed when Marie and I found Madera. Pépé never shut up about it. Said if we saw it meant there was a problem." Amie explained.

"Did you see something?" Madera asked. "How did you know they were coming?"

The astronauts quickly explained how they'd gotten their information. The explanation, however, was interpreted the same way Hayes's Science Lecture had been. That didn't matter though. What did was the fact that, in less than an hour, a confrontation was about to occur and they needed to prepare.

March quickly inquired about the island's defenses…if you could call a few nets and crossbows that.

"Make it with Full strength, Amie. I'd bet my last dollar those are not men." March stated

"Your last what?" The French Canadian man asked shaking his head in disgust. "You two and your blasted riddle-speak. I never know what in blazes you're talking about."

"Forget it Amie, it's an expression. Madera, I need you to climb that tree, right there." March said pointing to a massive oak just south of their location. "… And I want you to look southwest and tell me if you can see anything."

Again, he pointed southwest so as not to confuse the chimp with more, riddles. She glanced at Amie who gave her the ok with the wave of his hand.

What I wouldn't give for a few claymores right now. He thought. "Jonny, if we can determine where they're coming in from maybe we can take them out with a couple of grenades before they reach land." March said, as tactical ideas were bouncing around his brain.

"Might work," Hayes replied. "…but we have no idea how large of a craft it is. I'll say this, Sir; you make a good point. If they're apes we'll definitely have the advantage engaging them before they reach shore. From what Madera says; they can't swim and do no like the water. It's a death trap for them"

Madera was able to spot the craft though she couldn't make out the details. It was still too far out. Looks like a speck from here. But it's there, was all she'd said. She was astounded when March showed her how to use a pair of binoculars. And thanks to the binoculars they now had a body count and description of the midsized craft.

The plan was to get as close to the shore line as possible, determine what section of land it was headed for, and if possible, use a combination of smoke and ballistic grenades to stop the aggressors before they made it to shore.

If that wasn't possible, or didn't stop them, they were to use cover and concealment to fall back to, 'Position Bravo', as March had dubbed it. They would then use the net to scoop up as many as possible. Amie and Madera were to position there with crossbow and drug at the ready …Their orders - 'Shoot first and ask questions later'.

"Ok Sir, here is what we've got; 16 grenades. 3 canisters of white smoke. 3 of red. 2 9mm pistols and 10 clips containing 20 rounds per clip. 2 103s with 10 clips containing 60 rounds per clip. 2 field knives. 4 canteens. 1 field pad. 1 compass. 3 sets of NVG. 2 radio sets. 2 flash lights. 2 med kits. Standard entrenching gear. 1 flair gun and 3 flairs. …And 2 sets of binos." Hayes rattled off, sounding like he'd been born to recite it.

"You two look absolutely ridiculous." Madera said making reference to their black, green and brown camouflaged faces, as well as, the branches and leaves they'd attached to their olive drab uniforms.

Hayes was trying his best to hold back the sarcasm. It was hot and he was in full field gear. The sun was beating down on him as if hell itself had opened its doors. They're like a couple of four year olds with this, 'I don't get it', stuff. If this is the best this place has to offer, we'll be back home in a week, he thought making a blanket judgment of the entire population.

Hayes knelt down in the shrubs blending in with the surrounding environment. The glare of the sun and foliage made him look like part of the landscape. After a second or two he stood back up and just said, "Get it now?"

"Ok everyone …know what to do?" March said, ignoring the ape's remark. "We need to get moving. We have a lot of ground to cover, and little time to do it in. Stay close to him, Madera." He added tilting his head towards Amie. "…and remember, if you hear the word valentine, DO NOT shoot. That means we didn't stop them in the lake and are falling back."

Just off the shore line

Finally! Any longer and I think I would have shot myself. Captain Gondar thought as he saw the shore line getting closer and closer. It took all he had to give his next order.

"Ok Corporal. Get them ready. As soon as we land, you are to, unwrap the weapons. And make sure they don't get wet. I want the scout to see if he can pick up any kind of trail. We will leave two soldiers with the boat. The rest of us will move forward in search of the fugitives." Gondar ordered as steadily as he could.

The next action was one that the sea-ape loathed. "Ok prepare to dock." he said as he lunged himself into the green water. He cursed as the cold water came up chest high, almost reaching his neck. He grabbed the boat and pulled it towards the land.

They all stopped at the sudden ka-plush they saw in the water. It looked like the splash a stone made when it was thrown in a pond. The second startling event was a grenade landing in their craft, with a dull thud. Gondar picked up the metal ball looking at it inquisitively. There was a second dull thud followed by deafening explosions.

The front and midsection of the transport vessel splintered in every direction. What was left of Gondar, the corporal, and the reaming sea-crew, sprayed Grazot and the soldiers in the back of the boat. Grazot heard a sound like insects whizzing past his ringing ears, as he and the survivors plunged into the cold green waters of Lake Nipigon. He knew that sound too. They're shooting at us, he thought as he hit the water. That thought was confirmed as one of four foot apes was hit in the head. He could hear another roaring in pain. His legs were gone from one of the grenade blasts. He was muffled by the waters as he quickly sank to the bottom and drown.

The lake was now a brownish red and littered with chunks of decapitated body parts and floating fish. They were only in 7 or 8 feet of water. If it had been any deeper they all would have drown. The gorilla was well over 9 and a half feet tall. The last sea ape was at Grazot's side. He was dead from a hunk of wood that had punched a whole in his chest.

"Tom, a couple of them survived the grenade salvo. Without the boat a second barrage wouldn't be effective. I suggest we move in and cut them down with direct fire, over", Hayes shouted into the radio.

"Roger, you move up and take the two on the left. I can almost see the other. Make it count. March out." March answered.

Under normal circumstances Hayes would have initiated more caution but the gorillas in the water were unarmed and floundering around like …fish out of water. So for brief moment he dropped his guard moved forward.

Grazot who had realized he wasn't sinking also realized that the safest place was right where he was at. For the moment, he wasn't budging. He was suppressing his natural fear. Though he could stand, his footing wasn't as secure as he hoped. What was left of the capsized boat gave him sufficient cover. His subordinates had noticed it, as well, and followed his lead.

"General…" One said as Grazot barked, "Shut up", back at him.

His mind searched for some solution that would work to his advantage. But he head was ringing fiercely from the two blasts. That was when he saw something moving from the tree line just beyond the shore. Though he was in search of humans Grazot's mind registered 'ape' as Hayes stepped forward. The dark colored camouflage on the man's face was playing tricks with the general's mind. However within a second his vision registered, Human, as he noticed theweapon and reassessed the image in his subconscious.

A foot soldier tapped the general on his arm and pointed out a second figure converging on them as well. He looked like a walking bush Grazot though.

The word, Improvise, suddenly popped into the military leader's brain. He hadn't come this far to die while standing in the water. He completely submerged himself and grabbed the body of the dead sea-ape on the bed of the lake. With the strength, only a 600 lb gorilla possessed, he held the cadaver over his head and hurled it at Hayes.

The sight of that massive bloody ape flying through the air and slamming into his body would stay with him into his old age.

The huge beast hit Hayes with such force that it broke a rib and instantly knocked the wind out him. He flew back several feet and slammed into a tree with a thud, fracturing a second rib. He then drifted off into a dark emptiness as gravity pulled him harshly to the ground.

"Jon!" March shouted as he lifted his rifle and fired on full auto in the gorilla's direction. Bullets ripped into its side but the angle was skewed. Damn it! He muttered.

Again the foot-ape followed his commander's lead. He pulled the dead body of his decapitated comrade and launched it at March. It missed by several feet but was effective enough to cause March to retreat back to the tree line for cover.

That had given Grazot enough time to climb up on what was left of the vessel and leap to the shore. A feeling of uneasiness came over March as he recognized how much power and agility these beasts possessed. The gorillas looked 10 feet tall and almost as wide.

The two other brutes had been working there way to shore as March was retreating. And they were almost to it. March fired a couple of rounds; hitting the closest one's shoulder and arm. But it only staggered him. The other grabbed his companion and pulled him ashore. He was too close for a grenade. Any shrapnel would hit Hayes, as well. He looked dead but who could tell.

"Get him." Grazot shouted. "But make sure to take him alive!" The two gorillas roared and sped for his position at a remarkable speed.

A less experienced soldier might have tried to hold his ground but March realized that he was no match for three, 10 foot gorillas. He already had a smoke canister at the ready. He popped the seal and dropped the canister. He then turned towards Position Bravo and ran off as fast as he could.

The smoke worked …almost as planned. It confused the apes long enough for March to get a head start but there was one thing they hadn't anticipated…the trees.

"Valentine …Valentine …Valentine" he repeated as he approached the fallback position.

He could see the fright in Madera's eyes as he rushed past her position.

They no longer had the element of surprise so March blurted out. "They're coming …get ready. There are at least two, possibly three on the way."

March looked down the path expecting to see the pursuers closing. It wasn't until Madera gasped that he looked up and saw the huge ape soldiers jumping through the tree tops. It looked like a typical scene from Wild Kingdom.

They're going to overshoot the net, March said. "Shoot them" he shouted to Madera and Amie but he knew the chances of them hitting were next to nothing. Amie was old and Madera… he noticed was crouching. She looked like she was in shock and definitely was not moving.

He reached for his knife and unlatched the catch. Next he ran towards the edge of the net lifting his rife up and firing in hopes of getting a lucky shot through the sea of growth all around.

Bam-bam-bam. The earsplitting sound of the firing rifle made Madera jump but she still wasn't moving.

This had better work. If those gorillas drop on top of me instead in front of me …I'm done, March thought as he stopped just shy of the net and pulled out his knife.

Drawing their attention, he baited the animals, by jumping and shouting. Leaves and twigs flew into the air as first one dropped to the ground. A split second later the second ape dropped. Blood was spilling from the shots he'd received earlier. March cringed as the sight of its carnivorous teeth as it roared in pain. Without thinking he cut the rope and smiled as the two unsuspecting primates propelled upward.

He raised his weapon but before he could fire one of the gorillas ripped through the old net like it was paper. He managed to fire as the two fell earthward, hitting one with a shower of hot lead. The animal landed on what was left of its side with a thud.

He pulled the trigger again. Click-clack – Shit! I'm empty, went through his mind as the second animal cursed at him and leaped into the air.

A combination of fear, anxiety, regret, and apprehension, flashed through his mind as March realized he was about to die. Within a millisecond his mind thought of his wife, children, grandchildren, his time in the service, his mother and father, and even a girl from the second grade he'd had a crush on as a boy.

His eyes closed as his body tensed for impact and readied him for the approaching pain. But it never came. Madera intercepted the ape in midflight and jabbed a crossbow bolt into the base of the soldier's neck.

The gorilla roared and overpowered the female chimp with ease as they tumbled through the woods. He was 20 years younger and at least 200 lbs heavier. …Most of which was rock-solid muscle. He raised both arms, clenched his fist, and was just about to hammer the female when he fell over and collapsed into an unconscious stupor.

As the gorilla toppled, March could see a figure holding an empty crossbow. There stood Amie sweating and pale.

"Madera…?" was the last word he uttered as two 9 mm slugs slammed into his chest. The pistol's echo made March's already frazzled heart skip a beat. The lead slugs blew a hole in Amie's back, so large, that most of the blood in his body spilled on the ground before he ever hit it.

That was followed by the thump of Jon Hayes's unconscious body being tossed at the feet of March.

"Impressive human; Very impressive indeed! Three of you successfully took out my entire company. You demolished our vessel with who knows what and have left only one of us standing." General Grazot said stepping into view. He held a 9 mm pistol in his paw directly at the two humans and shocked chimp. Before the ship sailed, Grazot had successfully removed the trigger guard, allowing him to use the weapon.

"We have some things we need to discuss. And don't think I won't kill you all if you give me even the smallest reason." Grazot said as he stepped forward and picked up the empty M-103.