165 miles Southeast of Arum City – 4 days later – Approximately 9:45 pm EST
The chimpanzee farmer picked March up by the back of his coat and flung him across the barn. The 220 pound man hit the dirt and hay and slid a few feet into a wooden post that abruptly broke his momentum. "I had a feeling you'd be back, boy. Where's your father runt? Better start talking." the farmer stated as he raised the musket and locked down the trigger. March was covered from head to toe so as not to reveal any symbols of humanity.
"Look at you, you freak. It's the middle of summer and you're dressed in that hood and cloak like you're out on a winter's hunt…with the circus. What are those stupid looking spectacles you're wearing supposed to be…And your paws they look deformed. My guess is that you're some kind fugitive degenerate. Maybe there's a reward for your head. That is if I don't split it in two, for you. Take that hood off. I want to see who I'm shooting" the Farmer chuckled.
March actually entertained that thought for a second. What would the chimp think if he revealed his face? He could hardly see or breathe in the ridiculous thing anyway.
Earlier that day they'd attempted to grab the farmer's stallion and ride off. Grazot was haggling with the ape and when March had made a move towards the horse, he'd been spotted by the farmer's sons.
They'd used the little money they had to buy food and supplies at their last stop but one of the steeds had broken a leg a day ago and needed to be put down. That had resolved some of their food problems but they still needed a replacement to pull the wagon that housed their supplies.
Initially they'd tried to both trade and buy the horse he was now attempting to steal but there wasn't enough gold and silver left to get much more than a sick donkey. Actually they did have silver and gold but the faces on the currency were human and they were too close to both Arum and Kawaka to flash it about.
Crack! - Wisssssssssppppp, was all March heard as the musket ball whipped past his head and into the side of the barn as General Grazot dropped from the supports above and onto the unsuspecting chimp.
The chimp slammed into the ground face first. He cut his lip and tongue as both, they and his teeth, were introduced to the floor of the barn. Grazot followed up with a few blows to the chimp's midsection as he wheezed and passed out. "Let's go. That rifle shot will have the whole farm up."
"I thought civilians weren't allowed to carry firearms!" the man said as he lifted his hood to take in some fresh air.
"It's much more enforced in cities and heavily populated villages, but no, it's not permitted." General Grazot answered half chuckling and half realizing how close their last encounter was.
"No Second Amendment rights, eh? Well maybe someone should have told him that." March shot back giving the unconscious chimp an additional kick in the side with a hard leather boot.
Grazot muttered something back but March ignored it. At this point he really didn't care. He could barely hear through the hood and cloak, anyway. He was sweating profusely from the hot summer night and was glad to be done playing bait.
"Cover your face and grab that grain and salt." Grazot said as he grabbed a saddle.
Grazot hastily saddled the stallion and they road off for their makeshift camp to the woods, just a few miles down the dirt road.
A lone figure emerged from behind a stack of hay and made a mental note of the direction the two fugitives' road off in. He walked over to the farmer and used a foot to roll him over. He shook his head and mumbled in amazement at the sight of a talking man. "If I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes I would never have believed it. You were right Prefect, these are not docile humans and they are definitely different."
Back at the dwelling, where the chimp and his family lived, stood Lieutenant Zolus with a pistol in hand. The shot of the musket startled the farmer's twin sons who were at the opposite end of Lieutenant Zolus' handgun.
"You just sit tight." He said to the first. "And that goes for you too, boy." He added addressing the second." Their mother who was also seated instructed her children to sit quietly.
Minutes later the door swung open and a soldier walked through. "They're gone, Sir….Just road off to the east."
"Thank you Corporal. Inform the Group and prepare to move forward. …That shot I heard …anyone hit?" Lieutenant Zolus asked.
"No Sir. It came from the farmer and not the fugitives. It's some sort of homemade flintlock. Everyone's alive but they beat the farmer pretty bad. He's unconscious on the floor of the barn. And they've taken a horse and some supplies." The soldier explained.
Zolus turned to the family and politely said; "Thank you for your cooperation. Those fugitives would have killed you all. This should more than compensate for your losses." he stated, tossing two gold Grand-Modars on the table.
The two young boys lit up with surprise. They were barely into their teens but even they realized that it equaled more than three times the amount their entire crop would fetch at market this season. Suddenly, sitting behind the barrel of a gun didn't seem all that bad to either of them.
"Now" the lieutenant went on, this time not as polite. "You keep your mouths shut about this little incident and I'll keep mine shut about that rifle. If I have to return, I assure you that I will be in a much less generous mood. Am I clear?"
The female chimp nodded and slowly reached for the coins before the Lieutenant's senses could return. That was money; Genuine ape currency. Most of the villages and farms bartered. They occasionally came across coins but that was certainly an exception and never more than a few Modars of copper or silver.
"Very good." Zolus said as he holstered his weapon. Next, he intentionally reached in the direction of the money but grabbed a piece fruit from a bowl instead.
"I can give and I can take. Remember that." Zolus said coldly. He beckoned for the Corporal, tossed him the apple, and they exited the dwelling; disappearing into the darkness.
March, Hayes, and Grazot traveled from place to place trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible. If anyone had to venture into town it was obviously Grazot. If they could bypass a town, settlement, or city altogether, they'd do it otherwise they'd try and pass through when things were their busiest. The Magistrate's ring, along with Grazot's charming personality had been mildly helpful getting them through a few check points. The fact that Grazot was a high ranking general added credibility to the lies of convenience he'd concoct.
If they couldn't barter for what they needed they'd simply steal it. That had made things difficult at times. Grazot refused to kill anyone but who could blame him March thought. If things were reversed he wouldn't want to be putting bullets into every person they robbed. Stealing for survival was one thing. Murdering and pillaging was totally different.
They were able to travel between twenty five and thirty five miles a day all of it based on the terrain, weather, and situation. Thanks to the use of Night Vision, they traveled in the dark when possible; taking shifts. Two slept while one drove the wagon. The journey so far had been quite uneventful, except for their encounter with the farmer and the episode they'd had with a patrol as they skirted the Ape Capital.
Their luck had been good at keeping them ahead of their pursuers. But something didn't seem right. The patrol they'd come across took a bribe. Grazot assured them that things like that took place on occasion. He'd even suggested the route they should take knowing the corrupt troops they'd encounter.
However, that wasn't what raised the man's suspicions. They'd had to use the American and Canadian coins they'd taken from the island. The ape Troop Sergeant hardly flinched at the human faces on the currency. Gold was gold and silver was silver…but the Sergeant didn't ask a single question. He simply mumbled that he 'knew an ape'; he didn't ask where it was from; how the general came across it; and he didn't negotiate for more. He simply took what was offered and let them pass.
Ape or human, March had seen the same personality traits many times. The sergeant was corrupt and untrustworthy. Why take the money and just let them pass? Why not take the money and turn them in? Why not get rich and play the hero at the same time?
The hours turned to days while days turned to weeks. Their field pad was able to provide GPS as they worked their way southeast towards DC. Grazot provided maps and knowledge of supply and trade routes. That proved helpful in their resupply efforts.
The farther south they traveled the fewer towns or settlements they came across. There was the occasional outpost or small farm but most of the landscape appeared to be unsettled.
"The boarder towns of Argos will be the last settlements we'll have to deal with. No ape is permitted to venture south of them. The land beyond has been declared poison. Argos is a series of interlinked towns and military outposts. We will not be able to bypass it. It is where The Purging began and is designed to act like a web. But we have a small advantage, if you can call it one. The web is designed to catch and kill whatever ventures north; not south like we're headed. …Nothing has ventured north in decades." Grazot said as he pointed out the area on the map.
"So what's the issue, General? You're one of their top brass, right?" Hayes said. "Why can't we go through one of the smaller outposts and have you simply order them to allow you passage? We're weeks away from any large settlement. These people…uh apes…are probably months behind the communication loop."
"I can get us in but it takes written orders from a member of the formal government to pass through. We'll have to get in and figure out how to get through from there. But our work is cut out for us. I could slip through as could one of you. But horses, supplies, this huge wagon, and the like are a whole different issue." The General concluded.
"Well, we have about two or three days to figure something out. Maybe there's a weak link in their network. One of us can always cause a distraction while the others slip through, but we need to address something larger that's bothering me." March said.
"General, don't you find it rather convenient how we always seem to find just what we need, when we need it? …How effortlessly we've slipped through check points. …the lack of suspicion we come across. Grant it we've avoided most places but that patrol we met just west of your capital… Something wasn't right. That guy would have sold his own mother out for a day old piece of bread." March stated plainly
"The Major is right, General" Hayes added in agreement. "How is it that we always seem to be one step ahead of that posse? We skirt towns and outposts. Any military leader with an ounce of sense would use that to his tactical advantage. They could have flanked us several times by now. Hell they could have even bypassed us or overtaken us a hundred different ways."
Grazot pondered their statements for a few seconds. His rank permitted him certain advantages others only wished for. The Magistrate's official seal also carried weight. He was accustomed to ordering, stating, directing, and having it done with little to no questioning. Perhaps that had slightly clouded his perceptions. He honestly didn't feel a need for concern but only a fool failed to consider the opinions of experienced subordinates. Even if in this case it was only figurative.
He looked at March, then at Hayes and then he gazed out at the open terrain, scratching his cheek. They'd used cover when possible but the wagon had forced them on to the main roads all too often.
"What is it, General?" Hayes asked. But Grazot held up a paw signaling for him to hold his thought.
Grazot unrolled the large leather map and laid it down flat on the ground. He traced his finger over the route they'd taken, putting himself in the role of the pursuer. He noted several spots where they could have either been ambushed or overtaken. "Mikos or Silonus…" He mumbled.
"General?" March asked calmly
"Colonel Mikos or Colonel Silonus would be pursuing. If I had to guess it would be Mikos, but it's irrelevant. They're both capable field officers. Mikos is more aggressive and he's been my Executive Officer for years. Silonus was Zig's Exec. He is more of a planner and strategist and not one to rush in. But as I said, it doesn't matter; we are only three and they would have a least a hundred soldiers." Grazot stated.
The General pointed at Arum and worked his way down the map with a finger. "Here is the route we've taken. These are the places we've been forced to resupply or pass through but here, here, here, and here we've avoided altogether. They have an idea where were headed. I can see at least a dozen places where we could have been easily ambushed or cut off." Grazot ended pointing to a few of the spots.
"Maybe they're shadowing us. Hoping we'll lead them to the human settlement" Hayes alleged.
Grazot jerked his head sharply towards Hayes and blurted out; "Ghosts! ...that's it" as he mildly slapped the man on the back.
The stunned Hayes jolted forward and wheezed a little. "Take it easy General. Are you trying to re-break those ribs?" he paused for a second and then added; "Ghosts?"
The following day - Twelve miles northwest of the fugitive's previous position
Shortly after midnight the two men and the ape General moved into their ambush positions. The horses and wagon were secured a half mile down the road and as far back into the wooded area as they could fit. They had back tracked as soon as night fell.
They were working in teams – Two guarding while the other slept, switching off every two to three hours. They were staggered on opposite sides of the hilly terrain. There wasn't a lot of man-power but they did have fire power. That was if it was needed. Grazot insisted on prisoners. The ambush reminded Hayes of the 'good old days', back in Israel, as a munitions specialist. He's channeled many an unsuspecting victim into a very agonizing demise.
For five hours nothing happened at all. Hayes was beginning to wonder if their suspicions had been false but he shrugged it off as he was reminded of the time he'd waited almost a day to capture a Syrian sharpshooter who'd been sniping at his unit.
It had rained earlier that day and the night was foggy and hot. The ground was wet but Hayes was dry enough on the rubber-lined poncho. He was grateful that they'd taken basic field equipment, which included a change of uniform and wet weather gear. The thought of being stuck in that caveman outfit made him shake his head.
Hayes reached out at the three grenades lined up in front of him; the pins had already been straightened for quick throwing. One was a smoke canister and the other two were insurance. Just incase their 'prisoners' didn't want to cooperate.
Very gradually, in tiny slivers, dawn began to break through the fog; and from his position on the hill he could now see twenty or thirty yards up the road without the use of night vision. He slapped at an ant crawling on his neck and peered through his binoculars to the hilltop just opposite of his location.
He spotted March but the position was well concealed. If Hayes hadn't known exactly where he was he would have never noticed the man. He reached for the walky-talky and keyed the device twice, signaling that all was clear. March returned two clicks in acknowledgement.
He looked through the binoculars again this time looking for General Grazot. No sign. He isn't in the trees is he? Hayes thought as he tilted his head up and scanned the tree-line. He saw nothing. He'd noticed that both Grazot and Madera felt at home sitting high in the trees.
It was odd though. They were simply to wait it out in hiding. Grazot had informed the men of the special ops unit he'd come across back in Arum. They were some choice team of commandos or something. Hayes, however, hadn't been all that impressed with what he'd witnessed so far from any of the gorilla militias he'd encountered.
If they were being followed, they would have to pass through here. Grazot wanted prisoners but Hayes wasn't taking chances, this time. His ribs were finally healed and he wasn't about to drop his guard like he'd done on the island. That was why he'd laid out the two extra grenades.
The sun was beginning to rise but the tree cover had most of the hilltop shaded and dark. Hayes adjusted the setting on his NVG so as not to blind himself and reexamined the tree tops. Still no sign of him, he whispered to himself.
That was when he noticed a leaf and few twigs fall past his head. Hayes's adrenalin began to rise as he slowly clicked his mic rapidly and then causally reached for the M-103 at his opposite side. Before the man could react the ape soldier above dropped and hit the ground with a thud.
He raised his paws above his head, in a fist and brought them down towards Hayes who was instinctively rolling away. The edges on his poncho along with the debris on the ground rose in every direction as the balled fists connected with the soil.
Hayes, who was on his back, mustered as much force as he could and kicked at the beast. He caught the gorilla in the hip and thigh and watched him tumble over the side of the hill. He'd spent weeks with the gorilla General but still felt natural fright at the sheer size of the animals.
He crawled for his weapon but, again, before he could react he felt something grab him from behind. The gorilla had rolled down the side and sprung up behind him with incredible speed.
"You mutant freak. I should kill you right here." He said as he lifted Hayes up by his neck and squeezed slightly. "Well, don't you look lovely? Where's your girlfriend?" he said grinning as he eyed the camouflage paint on the man's face.
He held, the choking, Hayes high and called out to March. "Human! Show yourself."
There was silence.
"We have the General and your supplies…"
The gorilla paused for an answer but one did not come.
"My orders are to take you alive … But they didn't specify what condition you have to be in. Come forward…NOW or I'll cut off his thumbs." The soldier said as he slammed Hayes to the ground, pinned him under his boot, and unsheathed a dagger that looked more like a short-sword.
Once again the soldier waited for any kind of reply. And once again he was greeted with silence.
"Have it your way, then" The gorilla shouted as he leaned down and pined Hayes even further, using his knee.
"Ok, I surrender" March shouted from across the hill. The gorilla grinned as he stood erect turning towards the sound.
Sergeant Niter never spotted the camouflaged man on one knee with the rifle sighted directly on him. He never heard the shot that splattered his head like a melon and threw his body back several feet.
Blood and pieces of what was left from Sergeant Niter's head splatter Hayes, who was gasping for air and trying to endure the pain in his neck and back.
"Captain Hayes? Are you ok?" crackledfrom the radio at the soldier's side.
Hayes who was still coughing and hacking keyed his mic twice and then waved his arm as best as he could. He gave a sloppy, thumbs up, but March got the message.
"I'm coming over, March out" His counterpart stated.
A minute or two later March was on the opposite hilltop with Hayes.
"Well that's one set of NVG we'll never use again." March said as held up the trampled goggles.
"That could have been me. Getting manhandled by King Kong is getting old, Tom." Hayes stated as he attempted to clean himself up. "Now I know why Grazot said they were called; ghosts. They're as good as any trained commando squad I've ever come across. He was on top of me before I even knew he was there."
"…you ok?" March asked
"I'll live, but we'd better search him and bug out before any of his friends come looking. That shot was loud enough to wake the dead." Hayes said as he walked over to the gorilla carcass. "Did you have to take his head off? Look at all that blood"
"You remember how many excruciating hours they made us shoot these things? Zero-Four-Hundred on a Saturday morning and sometimes on Sunday's too. I hated it then but I'm damn glad now. These guys seem to be able to take a few hits to their chests. A head shot seemed like the way to go. And at this range it was an easy shot." March answered.
"They're gigantic enough, aren't they? And to think we engineered them…" Hayes said as he reached for the dagger.
Hayes cut the leather straps holding up the soldier's backpack. Next he cut the belt and pulled it free. He grabbed the grenades and the poncho and shoved them into the pack as March suggested they move out immediately.
"Wait a minute." March said turning back towards the dead body. "Cut off his thumbs and bring them with us. I have an idea."