Forest Region, North of Argos
General Grazot slapped the back of the horse and watched it dash away down the thin dirt trail, pulling the bulky wagon behind it. Next he dumped the contents of the Group Captain's supplies on the ground and began to sort through them, taking what he thought was important, and tossing aside what wasn't. He'd just sent the corporal forward with a message for the Prefect and was once again wondering how he was going to find his human colleagues.
Of course, he had no idea if they were even alive. Hopefully their resourceful luck was still holding up. The Group Captain had sent three soldiers out and none had returned. In fact, from the gunfire he'd heard, he could only surmise they they'd indeed found their target, as well as, their end.
"Well, Well" he mumbled as he noticed the signed manifest allowing passage through Argos. Of course a lot of good it would do him now. Every official in Argos had probably been alerted. But he took them anyway.
"You just try and use those orders, Traitor, and you'll be arrested on the spot." The group Captain bitterly stated.
"If I were you Group Captain, I'd be worried about your, soon to be stretched, neck. You let this, uh traitor, escape. We both know the reward that brings. Playing, 'loyal citizen', right to the very end, I see." Grazot replied
The General had attempted to reason with his captor when he'd first been taken into custody. He'd tried to appeal to his sense of honor and get him to question the conventional wisdom he'd simply accepted without question. The problem was that Frehber wasn't going to be lectured on honor by someone who, in his eyes, possessed none of it. He didn't want to believe that his nation had lied or, better yet, mislead him, so his intuition dismissed the General's argument as disloyal nonsense.
That was where the Group Captain differed from the General. Grazot was a total realist. What was true was true. What wasn't wasn't. It was that simple. There was no middle ground. No Half-truth in the General's mind. He'd been lied to and was being controlled. True power was so close he could almost reach out and grab it.
Grazot turned his attention back to the situation at hand. He hoisted the human's field pack on a shoulder and then headed for the sounds of the gun fire he'd heard earlier. But he suddenly paused and walked back to the shackled ape.
He grabbed Frehber by the base of his chin, tilted his head slightly, and held a 9 mm pistol in front of his face. "Believe what you will, Frehber, but tell me my good ape… how do you explain this? Look at it Captain. What's it constructed from? Where was it constructed? How can one smith such precise detail and then duplicate it a hundred times over? Does this look like the toy of a brainless beast?"
"You're a fool, General. A fool and a traitor" Frehber answered. "I heard that we smithed it. That it's an experimental weapon. You were even the officer who supervised the field test."
"There you have it then; either we've been lied to or we're being governed in ignorance. It's too bad I wasn't taken to Kawaka to be formally court-martialed. I could have proven my case and had half of the Contingent on my side by now." Grazot said as he walked away.
Frehber sat there stone-faced but deep within the ape began to reason. If Grazot was right, it would explain quite a bit. Like why the hero of Dermas would throw his life away and chase a fantasy. The General was respected. He had position, authority, wealth… He'd married the sister of Councilape Malrep, so he carried influence too. Frehber was suddenly reminded of the answer the Lord Prefect had given when he'd asked; why - "As to the why of your question I will simply say; the specific details are not for me to divulge." If there's nothing to hide, then why not… divulge?
"General … wait." Frehber said with as much dignity as he could muster.
Grazot stopped and turned his head in the Captain's direction. "What is it, now?" he replied apathetically. "Shall I kill you here and save you the disgrace that's coming?"
"Let's assume you're right, or partially correct, anyway. Just what is it you're …" Frehber began to say but stopped when he heard more gunfire in the distance. It was followed shortly by the sound of thunder.
"Make it quick, Captain. Do not play me for a fool. I'm not letting you stall me long enough for that to catch up with me" Grazot said pointing towards the sound.
"By now you know that my orders were to shadow you into the banned regions, not to capture you. If we hadn't had our scout in place, listening, we would have walked into your ambush. And you're correct; I will face a court-martial if …when… they find me. But if you release me and take me with you I give you my word I'll cooperate." Frehber stated.
Grazot smirked and grunted in disbelief.
"I'll cooperate, Sir." Frehber repeated, "It's better than death and will allow me to discover the truth for myself. But only as long you do not force me to compromise my convictions. I just want to find the truth. I do not want to join your self-proclaimed revolution and I will not attack a single ape or stand by while you do. If you allow me to accompany you, get proof of these so-called facts, and allow me to go my way afterwards, I give you my word I will act with honor."
Grazot looked at the ape's eyes. If he was being deceptive, he was hiding it well. The motto of the Special Group was: Strength, Nobility, and Honor. They valued integrity and the Group Captain's 'cooperation' would solve the problem of getting through Argos. Once they gave their word, on something, you could count on the fact that they'd live up to it. But there was something deep inside Grazot's head that was telling him the word honor had a totally different meaning for the Captain. Frehber was loyal, blindly loyal. It was obvious that the first chance he got he'd kill, this Traitor, and vindicate himself.
"Think about it, General. I can get you through Argos and I can track down those humans before sun fall." Frehber answered as if he'd read Grazot's mind.
Grazot thought about it and scratched his chin as an idea formed in his mind. "Alright, Group Captain, you may be of use. But if you give me even the slightest excuse I'll do Sullen's job for him. I want your word you'll do exactly as I order…within the limits you laid out, of course."
The Group Captain gave his word. The General released the ape but kept him shackled at the wrists. He loaded all of the gear on Frehber's shoulder. He then brought up his arm and put a paw to the soldier's back, shoving him forward as he said "Ok Captain, track those men."
The two men were lying prone on the hilltop. They were using the terrain, vegetation and the gear available to stay out of sight. Ape soldiers were scurrying around for any traces of the humans. The two astronauts had to be particularly careful because the apes were also using the trees.
Hayes smiled inside as some of the scenes reminded him of the Tarzan movies he watched as a child. The apes were well at home in the branches high above moving from tree to tree with grace, style and ease.
"They have no idea where we are. They're searching but not in any specific pattern. For all they know, we could be miles from here." Hayes said softly as he handed his superior officer the binoculars.
March peered through the goggles at the gorillas off in the distance and nodded in agreement. He bit into the odd looking piece of fruit he'd pilfered from the sergeant's rations. It tasted a lot like an apple only sweeter and it looked like nothing he'd ever seen before. It was red but a very bright red, resembling a tomato. He handed the produce to Hayes and scanned the area again. Within the hour the apes gave up the search and returned to wherever it was they'd ventured out from.
The men inventoried their munitions and began to discuss their next course of action. With Grazot, and most likely their supplies, gone the men faced a dilemma; Search for him or go on through Argos alone and with little to no supplies.
"…Since we have no idea where Grazot is, I think our best move is to go on without him. We just need to find a weak spot in their defenses and slip through. Once we're on the other side, and safe, we'll reassess the situation and plan a route to Washington. Or what's left of it." March said.
"We're lucky too, Sir" Hayes added. "We'd be just about out of food and water if we hadn't taken it from those dead monkeys."
"Careful human! That's an offensive term where I come from" a voice said from behind a tree line to their right. The startled men swung their rifles around and almost fired but stopped abruptly when they realized no one was there.
Hayes was seriously considering tossing the last hand grenade when Grazot identified himself and said he was about to stand. "…And I brought a friend." He added.
The General rose to his feet with a flintlock pistol in hand. He'd would have preferred the 9 mm but his paws were simply too big for the weapon. He had a paw on the shoulder of a shackled gorilla who was wearing a very odd looking uniform, similar to human jungle fatigues but made of leather.
"How in blazes did you find us, General? …And who is that?" March asked as he eyeballed Frehber with concern.
"I didn't find you… He did." Grazot answered as he waved the pistol sided to side signaling for the Group Captain to take a seat.
Grazot and the two men brought each other quickly up to speed. Hayes scoffed at Grazot's decision to bring the Group Captain along. The man wasn't as convinced that the new addition to their band was really as honorable as Grazot stated. He was arguing that they could easily slip through Argos without his help. March was in agreement but wasn't being as vocal. In a way, he got a kick out listening to their constant banter.
Frehber was almost ignoring the words as he stared in amazement at the sight of the two reasoning animals. His amazement was accompanied by anger. These feeble creatures had killed his unit; his friends. And they'd die for it. So help him, he was going to see that they paid for it.
Hayes really lost it when he heard the plan Frehber had in mind.
"…Shackle the General, tie us up…and then march us right through Argos? That's your plan? More like; right into the lion's den. And you think we're stupid enough to go along with it because you gave us your word?" Hayes argued.
"I don't expect a savage like you to understand integrity. It's a miracle that the great ape even created such a pathetic breed." Frehber shot back with contempt. "Argos was alerted of your presence weeks ago. The Prefect has dispatched riders to every city in the nation. And he knows, all too well, just how difficult it is to slip through." Frehber concluded as he pointed at Grazot
"Yes, I'm aware of the Argos net. So just where do you propose we pass though, Group Captain?" Grazot asked.
"Sigma-Three; the terrain beyond is open for a good mile or two and it slopes downward to low-ground. It would be tactical suicide for any military or bandits to attack from that point. It's one of the smaller outposts in the defensive net." Frehber stated.
"General, you are not seriously going to go along with this are you?" Hayes said throwing his arms up in the air.
"I'm forced to agree." March stated, finally speaking up.
"What rank do you hold in your Contingent, human; Lieutenant, Captain? Watch and learn gentle…men" The word sounded strange to Grazot.
"Give me your rifle" Grazot said reaching out at Hayes.
Hayes wanted to argue but handed the gorilla his M103 as he watched with curiosity. Grazot sarcastically thanked the Group Captain for his, cooperation. He then explained to March and Hayes that he had no intention of allowing them all to be bound and handed over on a silver platter.
"You'd shoot me like this?" Frehber said as he grit his teeth "You're nothing more than common criminal, General"
"I have no intention of shooting you, you sanctimonious buffoon. Well, unless you give me reason to anyhow." Grazot said as he tossed the soldier the keys to his chains. "Unlock yourself and get that uniform off."
Frehber cocked his head but did what Grazot instructed when the General pointed the rifle at his head.
"You see Captain, I'm well aware of what you mean when you say you'll cooperate or act with honor. It's all in how you define the words. And I fear your definition and mine are on opposite sides of the fence. I've learned a few words too like; improvise and advantage. When I'm in battle I use whatever is at my disposal. You helped me find these men in hours where I could have looked for days. You are just a means to an end. No one at Sigma-Three knows who you or I are. I will use your orders, your uniform and my ingenuity and get though Argos my way." General Grazot stated frankly.
"I am not looking over my shoulder at every turn. I don't plan to find a knife in my back if I'm forced to defend myself. You seek the truth yet it's staring you right in the face. Where do you think the knowhow for this came from…?" Grazot said holding up the flintlock pistol. "Our, oh-so-trusted leaders took the design from an old human book. A book I've seen with my own eyes. It came from them." He continued, this time, pointing at the humans.
This was all news to Hayes and March who found themselves, staring at the Gorilla, trying to determine if his statements were fact or just a rouse.
"What do you think the outcome of Grebek would have been if we'd had these?" the General said as he gripped the M103 and raised it up high. "…There wouldn't have even been a Grebek... This is greater than ten thousand spears. They're better than a hundred muskets. It takes away any physical advantage we possess. Now get that uniform off before I give you a personal demonstration".
The two apes switched their uniforms and Grazot shackled Frehber one again to the nearest tree. The ape began to protest and even looked like he was going to strike out but the two odd looking muskets, pointed at his body, made him reconsider.
The general glanced over at Hayes and made a snide comment comparing his superior intelligence to that of the human's as he added; "It isn't always about firepower, gentlemen. There are thing called tactics and strategy?"
Next, Grazot got out the map and located Sigma-Three. It was about a two day hike and took them farther south than they planned, but at this point, they didn't have much of a choice. They packed up and headed out just as the rain headed in.
This isn't finished, General Frehber whispered inside as he watched the traitor and the two freaks of nature walk away. … This isn't finished by a long shot!
Capital Building, Argos – Sigma-Twelve, Three days later
"Lord Prefect, it is indeed an honor to see you again, Sir. We've been expecting you and have made the necessary adjustments per the courier you dispatched, yesterday" said the ranking military officer.
"Thank you Colonel Plateaus, it's good to see you again, as well. May I present General Mikos and his adjutant, Colonel Tyus?" Sullen replied as he shook the rain water from his cloak.
"Blasted rain; it never stops" Sullen said. "If it wasn't for the benefit it gives our crops, it wouldn't have any benefit at all."
"You'll get no argument from me, Lord Prefect" Colonel Plateaus said with a smile.
Plateaus exchanged formalities with Mikos and Tyus and then escorted the orangutan and two gorillas to a room containing a large table. The table displayed several small maps and a larger map draped most of the eastern wall. A second table containing fruit, bread, water and a freshly cooked pig was off to the side. The soldiers in the room rose to their feet and saluted as their commander and Lord Prefect entered.
Colonel Plateaus leaned towards the Prefect and whispered; "This is actually our war-room, Sir but I find that it boosts morale and inspires comradery when food is present."
"As you were," Sullen said as Plateaus motioned for him to sit and eat. "Gentleapes …comrades … distinguished officers, for reasons that escape logic; General Grazot has decided he's no longer satisfied with his current position. He's instead decided that mine would suit him better. ...He's decided that his will be done, that his orders be followed and that allegiance to him be absolute. He's killed General Zuglanus. He's murdered Magistrate Ndola and killed or wounded countless others in his mad hunt for power."
Sullen paused and let the group clamor a bit as his words took root. He smirked within at how easy it seemed to manipulate the emotions of the, brutish gorilla. He'd often discussed it with Ndola. The Prefect took a drink of water and paused a second to meet each soldier's eyes.
One of the soldiers raised a paw, signaling that he wished to speak. The Prefect nodded, beckoning him to do so. "Thank you, Sir, I'm Major Kossas. We met years ago when I was a lieutenant during the reconstruction. It was just after the tornados ripped through our northern territories."
"Yes, I think I remember you, Major" Sullen lied. "What's on your mind?"
"What about these rumors of Humans? Rumors; originally denied, then partially substantiated, and now casually bantered about as if we had a human pet in every dwelling? Our hospitals are full of soldiers with stories that the General has allied with men whose intelligence rivals that of an ape. Men much like folk tale we tell our children. And from the looks of the wounded, Sir, I'd conclude that we're being slaughtered by them" The Major claimed, almost wishing he hadn't, once he noticed the look on Plateaus' face.
"I won't lie to you, Major or to anyone else." Sullen said, as he began to do exactly that. "He is with humans and they do possess certain qualities that other humans do not. You may or may not know much of the species but they are a lot like a dog. They can be taught some tricks but every so often there might be a runt in the litter or on the opposite side; a unique Alpha-Male. And that is where you come in gentleapes. I believe that there may be pockets of bandits that have somehow survived in the banned territories. That these rouge apes have possible bred these savages in an attempt to probe our defenses..."
"Not to play the evil-one's advocate, Lord Prefect but how did a couple of so-called alpha-males make it through The Net and all the way up to Argos?" One of the other officers interrupted.
Sullen was an accomplished liar; just as accomplished as any politician. The question didn't even faze him as his cunning brain quickly sprung into action, supplying the perfect response.
"I don't have that answer. The late Magistrate was looking into it before he was killed. He suspected that the General might have been working with some accomplices'. …That there may have been bribes or payoffs of some kind. But again, I don't have an answer. The Council is in the process of appointing a new Magistrate. Once that is done I'm sure he'll pick up where Magistrate Ndola left off." Sullen stated convincingly.
The Lord Prefect finished his speech several minutes later and then began to explain their mission. The map on the wall had been given to him by his father, who had received it from his, who'd taken it from a dead human. It was highly detailed and was sealed with materials that were completely foreign to the ape. It charted the central and eastern parts of what was once the United States. The mission was simple. They were going to follow the route General Narr had taken and flush out this band of renegades, once and for all. Then they were going to exterminate every man or ape found.
A messenger walked in and handed a parchment to the Prefect. Sullen read the words etched in the paper and mumbled Sigma-Three, eh. He rolled up the document and concluded his address with; "An ape Group Captain passed through Sigma-Three yesterday. The Troop Sergeant and Outpost Commander allowed him passage, per the signed orders he carried. So that means we are going to enter here at Sigma-Six. They're heading southeast according to our intelligence reports. If we follow this route here…" Sullen said pointing to the map. "…it will take us along the same course. We'll pass through some old ruins here and they'll have to do the same. Get some rest; we're heading out in the morning."