Arum City
It had been almost a day and a half since the two men had been fed and even longer since their cage had been cleaned. The air was stale and humid. The floor consisted of dirt and cold stone and was littered with bug infested hay & straw.
The only fresh air came from a window that was slightly cracked. But it wasn't enough to make any type of difference.
The odor was horrible and had both men half sick. Neither had slept well as the smell of urine and feces grew worse each day. Fleas and bugs bit at the men constantly and they were still shackled and muzzled.
All of that had been done intentionally under the orders of Ndola. One thing the Magistrate knew was how to manipulate humans. He'd been exposed to enough of them over the years, in his study of the species. They were weak, comfort seeking, animals. Take that away and they were simply clay to be molded. They'd whimper and do exactly as they were told.
They'd been caged in an animal care hospital since Arum had no zoo. The hospital had been intentionally emptied. There were four gorillas guarding the room with instructions to kill anyone attempting to enter or exit without authorization.
Against the will of Sullen and Ndola and thanks to the persuasions of General Zuglanus, The Council had narrowly voted to bring formal charges against Grazot. It was decided this would be better than stripping him of command and sending him off where he'd be free to re-group. To appease Sullen and Ndola, The Council also agreed that Grazot would be shot, if (when) he was found guilty.
It meant that Ndola would once again be returning to Kawaka. It seemed like all he did was travel theses days. He missed his wife and grandchildren and though he loathed the long journey back, it was welcomed if it meant reuniting him with his loved ones.
It also meant that he'd be carting the humans back, as well. There would not be enough time to extract the needed information before they departed. But that wouldn't be a problem. He was going to see that they were pacified just enough so they could in no way cause trouble. And it would leave them ripe for the torture that waited.
They were also going to be sent to Kawaka ahead of the group that would be escorting the good General. Of course if things went his way the only trip Grazot would make would be one way, straight to the great ape. The female chimp who'd returned with them had already divulged enough information to guarantee Grazot's death. Ndola had no wish to let Grazot sing his poisonous lyrics to the ape militia.
The wooden door swung open as the chimpanzee veterinarian walked in, escorted by two of the four guards. The guards flinched as the stench from the room filled their nostrils.
"Oh my…What in…" was all the doctor could say as she covered her mouth and nose with the sleeve of her lab coat. She almost gagged at the smell. If these animals hadn't been captured with diseases, they were sure to be carrying them now, she contemplated.
"Who authorized this unsanitary treatment of these animals?" the doctor asked as she coughed and wrinkled her nose in disgust? She didn't wait for an answer and went on. "This is abusive and cruel. They are to be cleaned up at once. I can't treat them like this."
"Clean 'em yourself, Doc." Yuhn, the ranking guard stated briskly. "We were told to guard, not nursemaid a couple of weak-backed pups.
The second guard chuckled and nodded, appreciating the gorilla Corporal's wit.
"Get out and take your poor attempt at humor with you." Dr. Lira said in an equally brisk tone as she pushed them towards the exit and flung open the window.
"Fleas?" she said as she noticed a few jumping on the floor. "That's all I need."
The doctor had been "hand" picked by Ndola. She led the medical team that cared for the soldier's horses while troops were in the field. Sullen had enlisted her help at the city zoo, as well. She'd been around all kinds of animals, including humans. So she wasn't spooked at their appearance like most of the simians in Arum.
The doctor was exceptionally good at her job, efficient and capable; a skilled animal physician and had operated on humans in Kawaka.
She had been given explicit instructions to keep the animals muzzled …since they had been captured in the wild. She didn't want to be bitten. After all, who knew what kind of diseases these creatures carried?
Dr. Lira went to a cabinet and retrieved a container of powder. She sprinkled some on her paws and arms and then did the same to her legs. After she was convinced she'd been sufficiently covered she sprinkled some on the floor and around the cage. Next she went to the wall where a rotating handle and lever were protruding. She turned the handle and pulled the lever.
The ceiling of the cage creaked and powder, similar to the doctors, showered the two men. Both of them gagged as the powder made it hard to breathe; especially since they were gagged.
"Easy fella" she said softly, looking at Hayes. "It's ok. We're gonna get you all cleaned up". She reached in gently touched the edge of his head, petting him like one would a dog or cat.
That was when she paused. The hideous conditions had her so preoccupied that she hadn't noticed it until now. Their clothes. How odd, she thought to herself. I've never seen animal coverings like this." She shrugged it off with a shake of her head and went back to her task.
The doctor scratched her neck, hoping it wasn't a flea, and retrieved a bottle from the nearby cabinet. She poured its liquid into a rag, entered the cage and waved the aroma under the nose of both men. The two astronauts fell unconscious.
Arum City – Military Operation Tent
"General Zuglanus, Sir. Welcome back" the gorilla Operations Officer said as he rose from his desk and saluted.
Zuglanus returned the salute and listened for about five minutes as his staff officers filled him in on the mundane details of the day. As soon as the formalities of the day were complete Zuglanus went to the back of the tent where a make-shift command center had been set up. It was sectioned off and designed to give the General a place to plan and organize, without distractions.
He took a look around and then grinned as he glanced at the empty spot in the rear of the tent. They took the bait he thought to himself as he noticed the decoys he'd left behind were gone.
Experience and general mistrust of Ndola had paid off. He had a feeling Ndola would search his command post. He knew he had to give something to appease the overzealous cynic or he'd never get off his back; nothing of significance, of course, just a little morsel that would satisfy the Magistrate's suspicions and corroborate his findings during the investigation.
Zuglanus had put a medium sized wooden box in the corner of the tent. In it he'd placed a few items of interest, as it were. Along with a parchment that stated Military Evidence. The chest contained; some maps, pieces of the craft, the life-preservers the human wore when they were captured, and a few other items just as convincing, but also just as worthless.
He walked out of the command center and then out of the command post, itself, to make his rounds. About thirty yards away was a stable where he housed his horse. He walked in, patted the steed lovingly, and gave her a little sugar and a kiss on the snout. He dismissed the soldier who had just saddled her and told him to draw the doors on his way out.
"Very good, Sir. Your horse has been brushed, fed and is saddled. You can take her out as soon as you're ready.' The ape private stated.
"Thank you, Private Gar." The General replied.
As soon as Private Gar had left, he walked over to a stack of sealed food and grooming supplies. He unlocked a simple looking crate and flipped it open. The best place to hide something was in plain sight.
"Ok Grazot, let's see what's so mystifying that you'd sacrifice your career and even your life." Zuglanus mumbled as he picked up an M-103 and eyed the weapon. Just as his counterpart had noticed, Zuglanus was amazed at the precision and detail. "Fascinating" He said as he eyed the rifle's detail. It was much lighter than it looked. He eagerly wished to fire the weapon but of course did not. For all he knew it would bring down the stable.
He placed it down and picked up an odd looking device. It was similar to a surveyor's looking glass but fit over both eyes. He brought the device up and gazed through…nothing he thought as he tried to peer through the lenses.
As he examined the device closer he noticed a small switch on its side. He pushed it forward. He could vaguely see the word on engraved on the side. Once again, he brought the Night Vision Goggles up to his eyes and gawked through. The view startled him as the semi-dark interior of the stable lit up with a green glow as if the roof had just been removed.
He shut the mechanism off and dropped it back into the crate. "It isn't possible", he said looking at the goggles like they were smithed by the evil one himself.
"Oh but it is possible, General, very possible." A voice said as a figure stepped out of the shadows. "Even a brainless oaf like you should realize that now."
Zuglanus jumped with surprise and squinted at the approaching figure. "Magistrate?" He said somewhat confused.
"Quite predictable, General. I knew if I followed you, you would eventually lead me to the human devices. General Grazot's poisonous obsession with these…things…seems to be a bit contagious, eh General?" Ndola said.
Zuglanus, who was still startled at the sudden intrusion and simply stared at the Magistrate.
"Did you think that little basket of trinkets, in your command center, was going fool me? I knew the spell these humans cast would charm you just as it did to General Grazot. The female was most helpful once she got the message that I was serious. I assured her that if she fully cooperated her life would be spared and she would be set free. I killed her of course as the human disease had sunk its claws into her as well. Oh, but not before she told me of the supplies they were towing and of the agreement the humans made with Grazot. So yes, my dear, traitorous, General, it would seem that quite a lot of things are possible theses days." Ndola said as he stepped closer.
"I'm no traitor, Magistrate. But I am becoming a defector from what you consider; the truth. You're a fool, Magistrate, if you think we can stand up to this kind of …of… sophistication. While you have us running around with horsewhips this tribe carries weapons crafted by the gods. We ought to be arming ourselves with stone, not paper you arrogant blind bureaucrat" Zuglanus stated boldly
Ndola scowled in arrogance as he shuffled through the crate of human artifacts. "I let this get messy. You are right General, I am a fool; A fool to think that a gorilla could comprehend anything beyond the aiming a musket and the pulling of a trigger. But do not panic my simple-minded friend. That is all about to be rectified. The female is dead. And your counterpart under house arrest is being dealt with as I speak. And that leaves just you, my dear General."
"Spare me your idol threats Magistrate. Not everyone on the council shares your pathetic stance." Zuglanus said as he instinctively unsheathed his saber.
Ndola turned and pointed a 9mm pistol at Zuglanus. He pulled the trigger and finished his monologue with; "Good-bye General." Something that sounded like thunder caused Ndola to flinch slightly just before he fired the weapon.
The bullet punched into the top-right of the General's chest. His leather armor barely slowed the projectile, despite being laced with thin strands of iron. Zuglanus staggered as primal anger skyrocketed. He jumped at Ndola and grabbed his throat like a vice. Ndola inadvertently fired another shot as his grip tightened and he was slammed to the ground.
The horses jumped and neighed from the sound. One kicked at the stable in a display of panic.
Zuglanus drove the oversized dagger into the throat of Ndola. The Magistrate's eyes got wide as he choked on his own blood. Next, the General grabbed the knife with both hands and proceeded to drive the blade into Ndola's skull, just as the stable doors swung open.
"General! That noise… I…" A voice shouted then stopped as he witnessed the blade split the Magistrate's skull in two. The shocked soldier turned and ran shouting as he left.
What have I done? shot through the General's mind as he realized he'd just thrown his life away. How in the hell am I going to explain this?
Zuglanus was covered in blood. Some of it his, but most of it was from Ndola. His horse kicked at the stable wall and snapping him out of the shock he was feeling.
"I have to get to Grazot." He said as he grabbed the pistol and mounted his horse.
Arum City – Animal Control Center, 30 minutes earlier
"Have you ever seen one before, Chon?" the guard asked as he stared down at the unconscious humans strapped to the table in the rooms center?
"Just at the zoo, when I was a child, but never this close." Yuhn answered as he held up the oil lamp to study the human's features in greater detail.
Yuhn set the lamp down, walked to the table and grabbed the animal by the fur of its head. "I don't see what's so damn special here that requires four guards." he mumbled as he abruptly let go of the human's hair, watching the head thud against the wood.
Cohn laughed and commented on their scrawny frame and size and then added; "At least the Doc cleaned 'em up some. Their smell was beginning seep from their room. By the way, what's keeping her?"
"Don't know, she said something about getting some skins to cover them with and grabbing some operating instruments. But if you ask me they still smell awful. Maybe I should help clean them some more." Yuhn chuckled as he took a wet cloth from the basin of water and squeezed it over the unconscious face of March.
March was still muzzled and began to cough and flinch as cold water ran down his face and into his nostrils.
"Oh you like that, huh? Here have more then." Yuhn said jokingly. He laughed as he poured some of the bucket water onto March's body.
"What are you doing, Corporal?" A stern voice yelled, surprising the guard.
"Doctor Lira, I was uh…" Yuhn said, trying to think of a colorfully witted response that would shadow the embarrassment he was feeling. But nothing came.
"Put that down and go fill two more buckets. I'll need it for their treatment since you two adolescences ruined this batch. And get me some salt from the supply stores while you're out." She said to the two juvenile soldiers.
"But Doc we're not supposed to leave our post." Chon said in protest.
"You'll do what I say or so help me I'll add this little incident in my report to the Magistrate. Besides there are still two other guards here. If you hurry you can be there and back before my report is done." Doctor Lira replied.
The two guards left the room and did as the doctor instructed. She laid the animal skins on a table and picked the sopping rag off of March's arm. March was now conscious with a horrible headache. He blinked his eyes a few times and snorted water out of his nose.
The doctor put the wet rag back into the bucket, dried his chest, arms, and head as gently as she could. March tried to speak but the muzzle made it impossible to recognize.
"Easy boy, easy there. You're still supposed to be asleep. You do not want to be awake right now, trust me." She said softly, smiling at him.
March shivered as his body was beginning to react to the water and to the fact that he was naked. He noticed fragments of their shredded uniforms on the floor behind the doctor. But there was something he saw that raised his brow. A grenade was sitting on a table next to the bucket of water.
Grazot March thought. He slipped that into my pocket when he 'searched' me.
Doctor Lira opened the door of the lab and told the guards that under no circumstances were they to enter. "I have to get a sedative. One of them is conscious, thanks to those two clowns. They're to be demasculinized before they leave. Ndola wants their aggressions neutralized" March heard her say as she shut the door.
The two guards laughed as one said to the other. "No litter of pups in their future, eh Kiran?"
Demasculinized? He thought to himself inquisitively, comparing it with, their aggression neutralized …castrated! Oh hell no!
Tom March twisted at his wrists. The water he'd been doused with by Yuhn had caused the tight leather bands to soften and slightly expand. Not much but it was enough. As he twisted he simultaneously pulled.
Thank God these creatures haven't progressed past the dark-ages, March thought as the leather extended slightly.
His right hand popped out and a few tugs later he had the left one free. He unlatched the strap around his waist, freed his legs and finally removed the muzzle. He took in a deep breath and rubbed his chafed cheeks beneath his thickening beard.
March was weak with hunger and still groggy from the sedative he'd been given. His body was stiff and cramped but was slowly improving as his adrenalin levels rose and his blood began to process greater amounts of oxygen, circulating it through his aching limbs.
He tried to scan the room as his mind was begging just let me rest. His uniform was in rags. He was naked. His skin itched from bug bites. He was hungry. He was cold. There were no windows. And only one way in or out.
"Get a F#!ing grip, Major." An inner-voice said as he struggled mentally for any options that would get him out of this mess.
That same tiny voice from within spoke once again. This time it whispered two words; the grenade …yes the grenade. He snatched it up. He had no idea what to do with it but felt better knowing he was armed…with something.
He looked at Hayes who was still unconscious. He loosened the restraints of his companion but left him intentionally muzzled. As quietly as possible he made his way towards the opposite table.
He slipped on one of the animal skins. It was baggy and smelled awful but at least he wasn't nude. Next, he drew the wet rag from the half empty bucket and dabbed water on the face of Hayes.
Hayes jerked and mumbled as he was snatched back into the real world. It took a second for him to gain his composure. March held his a finger to his lips signaling for Hayes to stay quite as he removed the muzzle.
Hayes wasn't sure what he was seeing. March looked like a mix between a caveman and a hillbilly from the woods of Tennessee. He propped himself up and was surprised to notice that his side was wrapped. The pressure on his ribs made moving around, less painful.
He gazed at March, still wondering if he was asleep, and held his hands up, gesturing the phrase; what's going on?
March grabbed the second set of skins and motioned for Hayes to get dressed. As quietly as he could and through the use of hand signals he informed Hayes that two guards were beyond that door.
Hayes rubbed his eyes and massaged his temples in an attempt to relieve the massive headache pounding in his skull.
"What are we gonna do, Tom?" Where the hell are we and what happened to Grazot and his big plans?" Hayes whispered.
"We're gonna use this." March whispered back, holding up the grenade.
Anticipating Hayes's next question, he continued; "Grazot slipped it to me when we landed. He must have known we'd need it. Listen, Jonny we don't have a lot of time. That ape doctor is on her way back here and two of the four guards are gone. She's returning with more of that sedative. If we can jump her when she enters the room maybe we can sedate her and possibly the guards. If not, we pull this pin and take cover behind the table."
"Jump her?" Hayes answered, in a bleary tone, still rubbing his eyes. "Look Tom, she's no gorilla but is still twice as strong as you and me combined and then some on top of that. And I feel like crap. The best I could do is fall on her"
"It's that or we toss this thing out as soon as that door opens and take our chances from there. Once this blows this whole place will hear it and we'll be weaponless." March said.
"I say we do it, Tom. We don't know where we are and maybe by some miracle, Grazot will come through." Hayes said.
March paused for a split-second as he looked around the room, one last time, hoping there might be something else they could use to their advantage. The lamp, he concluded as an idea jumped into his head.
Mumbling from outside caught his attention. The two guards were returning.
"Jonny, hurry, help me tip this." March whispered as he grabbed one end of the huge table.
They quickly put the table on its side and March ordered his friend to take cover behind it. Next, March grabbed the lamp and crept towards the door. He swung it open as fast as he could and yelled "Boo!"
The startled Gorillas jumped as March smashed the lamp at their feet. The two soldiers wailed in agony as the oily flames instantly engulfed their paws and legs, climbing higher and higher. Their roar was deafening and sounded utterly savage.
The gorillas hit the ground patting and rolling but the effort was useless. The sweet smell of burning flesh mixed with the rancid aroma of their smoldering fur made March vomit.
Corporal Yuhn ran towards the room but the bodies the guards and the flames cut him short. He raised his musket instinctively and fired at March as he was trying to shut the door. The lead ball sailed through the air and took a small chunk of meat off the base of his shoulder and neck.
Blood shot in every direction as it ripped through the flesh and ricocheted off the door. March twisted and fell flat on his side grabbing at the wound.
Hayes jumped up as soon as he heard the shot and witnessed his friend fall. He moved around the table, grabbed the grenade, pulled the pin and tossed towards the flames. He snatched up March and they both took cover.
The explosion shook the building and splintered the door. Dirt and fragments sprayed the hall and room but the table provided enough cover to shield the two men from the brunt of the blast.
"Come on Tom we have to move now. I don't know where we are but this place is going to be crawling with apes" Hayes said as he helped March to his feet. "Here, put this on your neck. It will help with the bleeding." Hayes added grabbing the wet rag.
The men made their way to the door moaning each time their bare feet stepped on the rough fragments that were once a door. The blast from the grenade had snuffed some of the flame. What was left of Yuhn and the smoldering guards was splattered the floor and walls.
Hayes pushed forward with March following close behind. Cohn was lying at the end of the hall, obviously, in shock. He appeared to be alive but critically injured. Shrapnel had sprayed his chest and face. Blood was coming from his ears, probably a result of the noise the explosion had made. Even if he lived it was apparent he'd never see again.
"Easy there." Hayes said, doing his best to sound like a gorilla. He felt a bit dimwitted. "I'm here to help."
The soldier moaned and tried to move but his equilibrium had other plans.
"Just sit still." Hayes said. He unlatched the soldier's equipment belt, as well as his pistol and a saber. He motioned for March to grab the musket on the floor as he tied the belt around his waist. The musket was damaged but possibly repairable. Finally Hayes took off the gorilla's boots. They were huge but it was better than going barefoot.
"We need to move, Jonny, but I'm hemorrhaging out too much blood." March stated as he removed the bloody rag. "Give me the blade."
March took the saber and put the end of it in the closest flame. Once the tip was glowing with a reddish-orange hue he handed it to Hayes and pointed to his neck as he shoved the rag into his mouth.
Hayes looked at him a second but March shut his eyes, bit on the rag, and motioned for Hayes to proceed. The pain shot through March like a needle in his brain as the hot iron fused the wound. He dropped to his knees and gave out a muffled wail as his skin burned and the bullet wound finally cauterized.
It took a second for March to get his wits back. The throbbing pain increased with the slightest turn of his head. He spit the refuse from the rag onto the ground and longed for something to drink. He used the broken down musket as a crutch to help him move as the two men made their way down the hall and ended up back towards the room where they'd been originally caged.
They rounded the corner to see Dr Lira coming down the hall. The sight of the two men shocked her as their eyes met. Hayes raised the pistol and said "Stop right there."
Dr Lira, who had already stopped, blinked, "It spoke!" she said to herself out loud and in disbelief.
"Look, I can do more than that. How do we get out of here?" Hayes continued, stepping closer and pointing the pistol at her head.
"You can actually talk? And you're not mimicking, you're reasoning. Unbelievable." Dr Lira replied, so surprised the she ignored the pistol pointed at her head.
"Yes, I talk and I can dress myself too. But you'd better start talking fast because I can also shoot." Hayes answered in frustration.
"Amazing. I always assumed that man had no understanding. That he could be taught a few simple tricks. Nothing more" She said eyeing the features of the man's face. She reached up to touch him but hayed stepped back, lowered the pistol and raised the blade, silently signaling that he might cut into her paw if it reached any closer.
"I'm not going to say it again. You tell me how to get out and we'll be on our way. If you don't I'll shoot you right here and leave your …" Hayes never finished the sentence. Several feet away he heard the sound of doors crashing open and voices shouting.
"Give me that lamp you're carrying." March said as he grabbed it from the doctor and tossed it down the corridor.