A half mile off the Eastern Sea Board – North of Arum City – 0318 hrs EST
The lake was usually calm at night. And the darkness provided cover. But things were not going precisely as planned. The wind had picked up due to an approaching rainstorm. And the lake was anything but calm. The four passengers jostled as another wave rocked against the craft, splashing water across their faces. Madera flinched as the chilly water hit like a tiny barrage of artillery. The wind that followed made it feel like her insides were about to freeze.
Grazot and March were trying their best to steer the craft but the effort had proven itself a futile one. The blustery weather and choppy waters were tossing the craft in all directions. Hayes was doing what he could to ensure the equipment was secure but that too was causing issues. As the vessel jerked left the equipment would pull right, literally tearing the rubber boat apart. His fractured rib hindered any serious attempt he made to stabilize the drag.
"I can't hold it, Tom." Hayes stated as the life-raft took in more and more water. The weight of the two apes combined with those of the humans was too great. Every time Grazot or Madera shifted their massive bulk the integrity of the craft was compromised all the more.
"Do s-something." Madera cried as cold lake water streaked down her legs and side. She was on the verge of panic and half seasick from all the bumping and knocking. March had been attempting to calm her with little luck. He tried to keep her concentrated on bailing out the water but even that it was turning out to be futile.
"Madera!" March stated sternly. "Get a grip or you'll die out here and take all of us with you".
Madera had worked on The Pond in her youth and had actually been out in its depth several times but that was almost three decades earlier. She was older and age had diminished the immature risk taking associated with one's youth.
"We're sinking. Wh-wha-at do …we do?" she said ignoring March's plea. She wasn't intentionally ignoring the man. Her fear wasn't allowing her to focus on much else.
"Madera!" March yelled, feeling his temper and frustration building. He reached out and put his hand on her arm just as the wind pressed another huge wave of cold water against both of them. Then thunder hit, followed by a streak of lightening that lit the lake up in a vibrant flash.
Call it bad timing or just bad luck. But the combination of events caused Madera to unthinkingly jerk forward. Her leg and paw thrust involuntary and ripped through the, already weakened, seam of the craft. She roared in panic as she realized she was about to slip into the cold, black water.
Water began to spill into the boat as it rapidly began to fill. Madera grabbed March's forearm so hard, he thought she was going to crush it. "Ahhh…" he moaned involuntarily as the pain shot through his arm.
"Help me Tom March. Help me. Please." Madera repeated as she tightened her grip with each combination of the words. Not knowing what else to do Tom March bit into Madera's paw in a desperate attempt for release. Madera wailed and flung the astronaut several feet into the air and over the side of the craft like he was a crumpled piece of paper. March hit the surface of the choppy lake, face first and gulped in a small bit of water down the wrong pipe. The life jacket he was wearing kept his head from completely whiplashing as he hit.
"Tom!" Hayes shouted as the splash drew his attention to his colleague. He unlatched a rope that was fixed firmly to a circular handle on the outer portion of the raft. Next, he flung it in the direction of the Air Force Major. The wind caught the cord and tossed it every which way as it got lost in darkness.
He's dead Grazot thought not realizing that humans didn't sink as apes did.
General Grazot, who was notably controlling his demeanor, had just realized he too could die and that 50% his investment was about sink to the bottom of The Great Fish Pond. That realization began to play itself out with direct intervention. He balled up his paw and backhanded the panicking chimpanzee with as much force as he could awkwardly muster. Madera winced as blood and spittle shot out of her mouth. Her limp body began to slouch and sink as consciousness turned to a blissful bright-white void. Grazot then reached out and plucked her comatose-like body and pulled it back into the craft, placing her just opposite of him, to help distribute the weight.
"Human! What do we do?" Grazot Braked out as rain began to fall. He wiped his brow and snorted, internally cursing the foul weather.
"We'll fill with water but the craft is designed to stay afloat. We'll be wet but the outer portions will keep us from sinking completely. …Unless we capsize. Hold on to those grips. They're designed for this sort of thing. At least the wind is dying down now that it's raining" Hayes answered. He then turned his attention back to March. "Sir, are you…"
"I'm here and I'm ok" March broken in, huffing, puffing and still coughing out the filthy lake water. He was grasping the rope Hayes had tossed out. Thank God for life preservers, he thought as he pulled himself closer to the boat.
"We've got more to worry about than the boat." March claimed as he jerked his head towards the shore.
The wind and current had pushed them awkwardly about but it had also pulled them closer to the shore. The noise had alerted a patrol from a nearby outpost. Several apes were gathering on the shoreline. Muskets were loaded and pointing in their direction.
"Ok partners…" Grazot said snidely "…Showtime. Do exactly as I say and do not speak. March, open that pouch" Grazot motioned to zipped pocket of the man's uniform. March gave him an inquisitive look but unzipped the pocket as he'd been instructed.
The rain began to beat down harder and harder. A voice was calling from the shoreline. They were still too far out to make it out clearly but from the gestures he could tell they were not the friendliest of expressions. A few oil lamps helped light up the shore line as more and more were brought forward. Lightening flashed off in the distance vaguely outlining the vast outpost.
"Tom, it's pouring. Let's fight it out. Those pea-shooters they have won't even fire in this rain." Hayes said.
"No, human. We go ashore and you follow my lead. You start shooting and you'll be dead. As will the rest of us. …Unless you think their bayonets won't work in the rain either. That outpost is our main training facility in this area. There are over five thousand gorillas stationed there. Now keep quiet." Grazot said as if he were correcting one of his field officers in combat.
March looked at Hayes and said, "He's right, look how many there are just on the shoreline, Jonny. Rifles or not: you've seen how agile they can be. We'd use everything we have left and then what? We'd be on the edge of nowhere unable to defend ourselves. And we're in no shape to navigate around it either. We don't have a choice except to follow his lead and see how it plays out."
What was left of the craft was full of water as it reached the shoreline. Grazot looked back and whispered, "Keep your mouths shut and do as you're told." He tilted his head slightly and took a second as his eyes locked specifically on Hayes. Hayes got the meaning of the silent message and saluted sarcastically; Just as a Soviet soldier would have before blindly following orders.
"Humans!" a gorilla lieutenant shouted, as he saw March struggling against the waves. "They're humans…" A few Gorillas attempted to fire but the rain wasn't allowing it. Clack was the only sound their rifles made.
"Hold your fire, you idiots & bring me a lamp" the ape lieutenant shouted as he moved forward.
"Who's in charge here?" General Grazot bellowed in a distinct authoritarian tone. He emerged from the water dragging Madera by the husk of her neck.
"Gaa-General Grazot, S-Sir? I didn't…" The lieutenant answered, somewhat confused and looking solely at the two men. "We thought you were surely dead."
"Get your eyes on me, Lieutenant. I just asked you a question. Where is your garrison commander?" Grazot said as he then turned to a group of soldiers who were close by. "And you shackle those animals and put them in a holding cell. They are not to be harmed. I want this female arrested, as well, but have a medic look at her first." Grazot tossed Madera several feet in the air. She landed with a thud by the gorilla's he'd just spoken to.
"You…Sergeant…over there" He went on pointing to another group. "Secure that equipment. Get it to shore and put it there" he continued pointing to a nearby tree. "And no one is to touch it."
To add effect Grazot paused slightly and then blurted something similar in an angry and impatient tone. Grazot jostled the lieutenant who was looking at the humans like they were sprits from the grave.
The lieutenant flinched and almost dropped the lantern he was holding. As his wits returned he began shouting orders of his own. Gorillas swarmed the two men and Madera, who was still unconscious and now had a small cut on her face thanks to the General's gentle toss. Iron shackles were placed on the wrists and ankles of both humans and the unconscious chimp.
And like any military, rank had its privileges. "You heard the General, secure that crate." The Sergeant ordered. The remaining gorillas weren't very excited about being ordered into the muddy water to retrieve the odd looking crate. And justice fell on the two lowest ranking foot-apes who swore louder with each step they took.
Grazot moved his way through the gorilla squad to the two humans. He proceeded to search them. As he twisted March around he offhandedly slipped an object into the unzipped pocket in his uniform. He then checked Hayes and ordered that the two men be taken away immediately.
"Grazot!" A recognizable voice said as the familiar figure approached on horseback. Grazot turned to see General Zuglanus. "A word, General" He added motioning for Grazot to step aside.
General Zuglanus dismounted and turned to the remaining group of gawking apes. He ordered them to resume their duties and do exactly as Grazot had instructed. The last thing he wanted to convey was some sort of contention within the leadership.
As soon as the two commanding generals were out of earshot Zuglanus began to fire a barrage of inquiry. "We thought you were surely dead, Grazot! What's going on? What's in that crate? Where are Gondar and the other soldiers?" I've been given orders to return you to Arum…under house arrest. Ndola and Sullen are accusing you of treason, of consorting with those animals, who a few weeks ago seemed about as harmful as a field mouse. Your little entrance here has half the outpost on alter and by now someone is surely riding to Arum to report your return. I've never known you to be disloyal, my friend, but…"
Grazot cut him off by raising his paw. He knew his time was short and meeting Zuglanus like this was an opportunity he had to take advantage of quickly.
"Disloyal? We're being lied to and manipulated, Zig and not for our protection; But to control us like common cattle. By Ndola, Sullen, in what we've been taught from our youth. You would doubt even the air you breathe if you witnessed what those so-called animals are capable of. I know this was presented to us in Kawaka but they are not savage barbarians and they posses the keys to a power that rivals anything either of us could fathom. Arrest me, if you must, but you have to see this goes before The Council. This needs to be public. Ndola must not be given the chance to suppress this quietly. And Sullen and Ndola must know nothing of that cargo." Grazot concluded pointing to the supplies he'd had placed under the tree.
"The Council? And just how am I to accomplish that? You'll be sent to Kuo Province…if you're lucky" General Zuglanus stated.
"You're the ranking military official on the ground. Conduct an investigation or interviews." Grazot explained. "Argue for a formal court-martial …failure to obey orders …insubordination …whatever will stick. Don't let them use this treason hogwash to banish me of to some remote Province. …Or worse."
There was a natural pause and then the General went on. "I know you Zig. We are very much alike. We both know what Ndola and Sullen think of Gorillas. These humans possess a means to an end, my friend. With just a handful of their contraptions we could show them all…"
"That is treason, my friend!" Zuglanus replied.
Grazot beat his chest with a balled up paw and shot back. "I'll tell you what's treasonous, General; intentionally holding back know-how that can save simian lives, quarantining our boarders based on scare tactics, holding our citizens' hostage based on ignorance, lies, and on a false history. They talk of threats, of superior wonders and then arm us against it with sticks and stones."
Grazot paused as he noticed a group approaching in the morning light. The rain was still coming down hard but he assumed it was the garrison commander and his staff.
Grazot went on quickly and lowered his tone. He looked the General directly in the eyes. "Get me in front of The Council, Zig. You owe me that much. Here, take this. It will give your argument some weight." Grazot said handing Zuglanus the human pistol. "Now arrest me before they toss you in jail with me."
Arum City – the temporary City Capital Building. Approximately, 2 days later
"My apologies gentleapes, the actual Capital Building was destroyed in the recent …fire. This building isn't as elaborate, but it will suffice." Sullen said as he addressed the group. "General Zuglanus what do you have to report."
Not all of The Council was present. However, several had journeyed to Arum from Kawaka to see the extent of the damage themselves. Most were doing it strictly for PR and show but a few were there out of curiosity and fear.
"Honorable Council, I thank you for your time" he said with reverence as he nodded his head in respect. "General Grazot is under house arrest, as you ordered, Lord Prefect. He's claiming that he was only doing his duty. That he was ordered to find the humans, at any cost…By you Magistrate…" Zuglanus paused as he pointed towards Ndola. "I retrieved the human pistol when I searched at the outpost. However its ordinance has been extinguished."
Zuglanus held up the pistol and placed it on the desk where Ndola was seated.
Ndola raised a brow as he felt his blood pressure rise, paw-in-paw, with his temper. But he remained silent. He simply took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, gritting his teeth slightly. Grazot had played him for a fool but for now that would have to wait.
Zuglanus continued, "Captain Gondar, five gorilla foot-apes and the crew hired to navigate The Pond are all dead. They died defending our way of life, as General Grazot put it. They were attacked in the water, before they reached shore, by an unknown number of armed humans; Again, according to the General's report."
That statement stirred the room up as if a hornets nest had jest been tossed into their midst. Grumbling and angry rhetoric broke out as each member of The Council began to speak their opinions in unison.
"An unknown number of armed humans?" Councilape Malrep blurted out. "General, are you claiming that human tribes inhabit the landmasses on the pond? And they are armed, as well."
"Armed with what?" another voice asked?
"Preposterous" a third ape shouted. "We purged this area long ago."
"Gentleapes" Sullen shouted as he beat his balled paw against his desk. The old piece of furniture actually splintered from the force, adding a subtle effect to the orangutan's bellow.
He went on to a suddenly silent room. "You are all well aware of our situation. You are all well aware of our history and of the human disease. It has been over a hundred years since we purged the territories. We all assumed the human threat was neutralized in the purging or exterminated by the great weapon that went off all those years ago. Obviously, these animals have regrouped somehow. Our objective here is clear. Two of the beasts were captured on General Grazot's return. They are to be questioned, under torture if necessary; as well as that female. If they reveal any discrepancies in the General's testimony he will experience his own personal purging. The Humans will be sent to Kawaka. Arum is under construction and the sooner we leave, the sooner it can get back to normal."
Sullen paused looking at a few of the council members who began mumbling. They noticed the silent stare and gestured a nonverbal apology. "…As I was saying gentleapes…Grazot needs to be removed as Contingent commander and sent to Kuo. However, if it is proven that he has acted treasonously; I can see no other option than death."
Again there was grumbling and contention as Councilape Proteus rose from his chair and spoke up. "Forgive me Prefect. I agree with your assessment and conclusion but I'd like to hear the rest of the General's report. I have a few questions; like how did the General happen to be lucky enough to be the sole survivor? And just how did he get the upper paw against, an unknown number of armed humans? How did he manage to capture two of them and navigate that odd craft? We have all seen the destructive devices they forge. Have we not? One of which is sitting right here staring at us."
"I can speak to that, Councilape Proteus. Of course I am simply reciting what was told to me during my interrogation with General Grazot. And might I add that nothing has proven that would incriminate General Grazot. And this is an investigation gentleapes, not a trial …Shall I continue Prefect or do we want to bring General Grazot forward and have him shot right here?" Zuglanus mockingly said.
Sullen shook his head and motioned for Zuglanus to continue. "Go on General, but please watch your tone when you address this Council. I will not allow this situation to result in circus theatrics"
General Zuglanus filled the Simian Council in with as much information as he could. He also informed them that he had spoken with the humans, against the Magistrates' wishes, but it had been necessary to fully substantiate what was true and what was not.
Grazot stated that he had overpowered the animals using, the assets available, to overcome his obstacles. In other words, he used his superior physical abilities in conjunction with the human pistol he had …borrowed. Zuglanus pointed out that the humans were injured. One suffered from a bruised mid-section and the other had mildly wounded left arm; according to the veterinarian exam he authorized.
"You exposed a veterinarian to the human's, General? What were you thinking?" Ndola interrupted.
"Magistrate, do not speak to me as if I were some dimwitted clown. This charade we're presenting fools no one. Talk of humans is on the tongue of every ape in this city and throughout the coast. The garrison patrol that captured them is well aware of the situation, Sir. They saw these creatures first hand. So to address your concerns: They said nothing. They were instructed, under penalty of death, how to conduct themselves. I also had the animals muzzled, so they would not bite. And let me state it again; it is a disservice to this investigation to not fully substantiate the truth or jump to rash judgments based on heightened emotions." The General shot back.
Of the three Generals that commanded the ape militia, Zuglanus was the most outspoken. He did not have Grazot's gift of self-control and did not posses the political prowess that Supreme General Narr displayed. Narr was ruthless and direct but only in battle. Zuglanus was always direct and it often had him walking a fine line between military professionalism and insubordination. He and Ndola had, had their differences in the past and often butted heads where policy and protocol was concerned. But everyone had their differences where Ndola was concerned.
The fact that he was so frank made him popular with his subordinates. One always knew where the General stood and what the General thought.
The debriefing went on for another hour and a half before the General was dismissed. After he left, The Council bantered amongst themselves for an additional forty-five minutes as to how best to proceed. They would have probably argued most of the day if a few of the more stout apes hadn't begun to complain of hunger, insisting that they recess, for supper.
They were all in agreement that the humans were to be ruthlessly questioned and then killed but the there was a division on how to deal with General Grazot. Zuglanus had held back on information regarding the weapons cash and he never mentioned his questioning of Madera, either. Or that March had told him it was Madera who'd injured him and not the General.
The seeds of doubt and distrust were beginning to germinate and grow. There was big part of General Zuglanus that agreed with his counterpart under house arrest. Sullen and Ndola were hiding something. And were deathly afraid of those men. Who were they to dictate what truth was? Who were they to exclusively decide what would and would not be acceptable bounty from the coffers of human know-how? Zuglanus was no trader. He didn't care a bit about the talking animals either. But as he'd informed the Magistrate, he was no dimwitted fool. He wasn't going to allow his friend and comrade to be used as a scapegoat to further the faith. …To further a lie.
He'd done as Grazot requested. He'd initiated a formal investigation and had requested to present the case before The Council. He'd even argued for formal military criminal charges to be brought against Grazot.
And he could see where Grazot was going with it. Under the cover of a court-martial, he'd have a public forum to present his case. And he'd be presenting it to his fellow military officers. All to whom who were gorillas. All of whom who had a lust for power in one form or another.
It was time for him to find his own answers and with that thought General Zuglanus headed for the supply tent where he'd had Grazot's crate taken.