Outside the ape city borders- Three days later

"I don't like this, Ogden! We're hanging out here with our necks in the wind" Narr spoke with an air of suspicion.

"Yes something's going on. You'd think someone who was getting paid off would show up on time." Ogden answered. He hid his impatience but his features displayed anger and annoyance.

"I agree" added Grazot as he looked around. "Something's not right"

Ogden had arranged to meet with only one ape. He'd planed and re-planed and then thought it through some more. One ape soldier was to take a lump-sum and distribute it to the others that had helped him escape. The area Ogden picked was fairly secure. It didn't make for an ideal ambush spot because of the heavy vegetation and rolling ground. That, nevertheless, didn't stop the apes that were hiding about from trying.

"That looks heavy you human loving traitor, why not let me have it…all?" A voice bellowed from the foliage.

Several apes dropped from the trees. Dust and leaves sprayed in every direction as they hit the ground. Two others immerged from the surrounding brush with weapons pointed. One fired but hit a huge tree, obstructing his view.

The mixed group of humans and gorillas found themselves quickly surrounded. An attacking chimpanzee lunged at Supreme General Narr who was reaching for a rifle. The two of them toppled into General Grazot.

Another attacker fired at Hayes and voiced his disgust regarding the human species. Once again the protective plating he'd taken from the old armory saved his life. The force of the shots threw him off balance and on to the ground. Colonel Arris, who was next to Hayes, wasn't as fortunate. Several bullets hit the gorilla in the chest, shoulder, and arm. The force of the impact spun him around where another assailant was waiting to finish him off. He fired a shot into the gut of Arris. Before the chimp could shoot a second round he felt the full weight of Ogden impact with his body. Hayes experienced a familiar uneasiness as he'd watched Ogden leap several feet into the air and descend on the attacking soldier with incredible dexterity. His mind raced back to their arrival and to Colonel Johnson. What seemed even more amazing was the fact that that Ogden was holding a rucksack full of gold and silver. It alone weighed hundreds of pounds. Ogden handled it as if it were full of feathers.

"You want it? By all means then, take it." Ogden said as he brought the sack down on the ape's head.

March, who was on a stretcher, retrieved a pistol he'd been carrying. He emptied half the clip into the charging orangutan to his front. It slowed the animal enough for Robbins to put a slug into the ape's knee. That stopped the beast cold in his tracks. The man was deadly accurate with the pistol. The Coalition Staff Sergeant immediately fired an additional shot into the orangutan's head. The animal instantly fell limp to the ground.

Without hesitation Robbins fired at the final assailant, again targeting the knee. The ape buckled and wobbled to the ground. A head shot was a quick kill but Coalition troops understood all too well how strong and agile the ape was. A shot to the knee seriously immobilized the animals, making the head shot easier to achieve. It was one of the first things he'd been taught as a boy.

The brawl only lasted one and a half minutes. When it was over; two attackers were dead on the ground, each missing a head. One had his neck snapped, one was beaten to death and the last threw down his weapon and surrendered. Or he would have, if he'd been allowed to. No sooner had the ape dropped the weapon when Robbins dropped him.

Colonel Arris was dead but his eyes were open and staring straight ahead. It spooked March but he said nothing. The ape's arm was nearly detached from his shoulder. He was also bleeding out of several large wounds. His weight shifted and he fell prostrate to the ground. Narr looked at his fallen comrade shaking his head in anger. He'd witnessed more death than he cared to count. He reached down and closed the ape's eyes.

"I'm getting too old for this." Grazot mumbled as he kicked one of the hobbled corpses.

"We can't stay here. Every ape in the city probably heard those shots." Robbins stated. "Come on …grab their ammunition and shell casings and let's get moving." No sooner had he finished his sentence when a sound very familiar to the humans whistled through the air.

"Cover! Incoming…" March yelled as the artillery shell impacted a good ways southwest of their position.

Pieces of tree, dirt, and rock shot out in very direction as the deafening sound echoed through the air. Both Hayes and Robbins instinctively dove flat on the ground. Grazot, Ogden and Narr didn't know what to make of things but awkwardly knelt down when March yelled something about shrapnel taking off their heads. None of them had ever been on the receiving end of an artillery barrage.

Ka-boom … Ka-boom … Ka-boom … Ka-boom … four more rounds landed, each impacting a little closer but still south of their position.

"They don't know where we are but they're walking it in." Robbins shouted. "You" he said pointing at Narr. "Grab him and head that way as quickly as you …" Ka-boom … Ka-boom … obscured the last words of his order as two more rounds impacted, taking out a tree a few hundred yards away. Robbins gave each of the ape's specific instructions. He barked at them as only an NCO could. The apes did as they were told and bound forward.

Medical Detention Facility – Section 33-A

Prefect Sullen fully awoke for the first time in two days. His vision was hazy and he noticed that his arm was wrapped and in a cast. He looked around the tiny room trying to place the setting. Nothing looked familiar and there was an offensive scent in air. He tried to go back to sleep but the dissipating drugs in his bloodstream were slowly neutralizing the desire. He rubbed his eyes and unexpectedly noticed that he wasn't alone.

"Well look-e here, Lieutenant, the little monkey is finally awake. Those are some real interesting clothes you're wearing. Did you borrow them from your wife?" The sarcastic voice chuckled. The other figure in the cell laughed as well.

Sullen turned, blinked, and focused on the two figures with revulsion. Two human males; two, clothed human males. His first thought was that he'd been captured by the very tribe he was trying to eradicate but these animals looked malnourished and wounded. No, they looked more beaten than wounded, he surmised. That didn't mean much to the Prefect. As far as he was concerned these mongrels ate their own. But there was the fact that his wound looked as if it had been cleaned, set and treated. Their wounds, however, were untouched. In fact, the two men looked as if they hadn't bathed in a year. Something didn't add up.

Are these the two that crashed into Arum? He thought.

Before Sullen was able to get his answer, an oddly uniformed chimpanzee opened the cell door. A sophisticated piece of hardware hung from a strap on his shoulder. He held the weapon tightly with one paw. He pointed the rifle directly into the cell but specifically at the two human soldiers. The men lost their smiles quickly and instinctively backed away. Sullen, nonetheless, breathed a sigh of relief as he realized his assumptions were wrong. With his opposite paw the chimp looked at Sullen and motioned for him to leave the cell.

The chimp led him down a very tight hallway. He didn't say much and gave no answers to the questions Sullen asked. The majority of the conversation consisted of either, "That way" or "Turn here". Sullen noted that he was in some kind of prison-hospital. The facility was morbid with the stench of stale medication but it looked highly developed. He'd never seen anything like it.

They stopped at a room with three gorilla guards. "Go on … stand over there", the Chimp said as he gave Sullen a slight nudge. The Prefect stumbled to the left. He began to protest but a swift "shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you!" from one of the gorillas put an end to that.

What's happened and where am I? He wondered as he gazed around and contemplated his situation. The last thing he remembered was falling unconscious under the hot desert sun. Now he was here; wherever here was. The word, escape, jumped into his head but his common sense told him he wouldn't get half a step towards the door. These apes were armed and they weren't carrying muskets. Besides, he'd noted that the gorilla who'd just shut him down looked as if he was eagerly waiting for Sullen to try something stupid.

"I have a temporary prisoner release, per Captain Lant. Here's the authorization. He's being sent forward for questioning." The chimp said as he laid the written order on the desk.

The clerk nodded and motioned for one of the gorillas to shackle the Prefect. The young Private yawned and lazily attempted to do as he'd been instructed. "Hey! How am I supposed to put in irons on him with this cast in the way?" The gorilla grunted out in frustration.

"Cripes Garth …it's a wonder you can even dress yourself you lethargic vagrant. Use ropes on the arms and fetter the legs" the guard at the desk said without even lifting his head.

Once Sullen was bound, the clerk signed the release, stamped the paper and said "Ok Sergeant, he's free to go"

Minutes later Sullen arrived at his final destination; another cell. It smelled musty and of stale body odor but it was better than the rancid medicinal aroma he'd just left. In the corner sat an old desk accompanied by two wooden chairs. The chimp told the orangutan to sit and informed him that someone would be in shortly. To the Prefect's surprise his restraints were loosened and shortly after he was offered food and water. The smell of the cooked beef made him suddenly realize just how hungry he was. Sullen sat and wolfed down the small meal as quickly as he could.

"Careful," the chimp said mockingly "some of that's getting into your mouth." The Prefect smirked but kept eating.

It was almost four hours later before Captain Lant walked in with two armed orangutans. Sullen had dozed off but quickly snapped back into reality as the loud rusty hinges creaked. The ape looked odd to Sullen. He was obviously a soldier but the uniform was certainly out of the ordinary. Sullen began to rise but Lant civilly motioned him to sit.

"How are you?" The Captain asked as he sat down in the other chair. "Do you feel ok?" Lant wasn't asking out of concern. His superior demanded answers, detailed answers and Lant wanted to make certain Sullen wasn't too drugged up to supply that information.

Sullen nodded and candidly answered with a few questions of his own. "Where am I and just what gives you the right to shackle and cage me like some human animal? And speaking of humans, who knows what diseases those creatures you housed me with are carrying? Just who are you simians, anyway?

"We happen to be the simians that saved your life. That's who we are" Lant replied "And we dressed your wounds, as well. Another thirty minutes in the desert and you'd be sharing a room with the worms. You sir, were found inside our boarders and you were armed. I think that gives us the right to restrain you. As for where you are, you're in the Territorial Capital. My name is Lant; Captain Lant. I'm the acting Operations Officer of the 70th, Territorial Brigade, Higher headquarters Command." Most of the Captain's military affiliation went right over Sullen's head.

"Believe me when I say, I'm grateful, but look Captain, one day I'm in the desert the next thing I know I'm waking up in a cell…with two humans … And then I suddenly find myself chained and dragged in here like some kind of criminal. My name is Sullen. I'm the Lord Prefect of an area hundreds of miles from here. I'm in search of a traitor…" Sullen went on to explain.

"What in the hell is a, Lord Prefect?" Lant asked with suspicion. "Tell me that that isn't a fancy title for General." The two guards chuckled but Sullen had no idea that Lant was referring to Grazot and Narr.

The exchange continued for several hours. Lant was quite efficient at verifying information. He'd been with Territorial Intelligence as a Lieutenant, before taking command of an Artillery battery when he was promoted to Captain. After the disappearance of General Voss and most of the command staff, he'd been temporarily slotted as Polk's Executive Officer.

Once Lant finished Sullen was moved to regular quarters but was assigned military escorts, for his safety. He was limited to where he could go, when he could go, and what he could do. The dwelling was extravagant and lush. There was food, wine, tobacco, and he was even offered female companionship, but refused. Sullen sat, ate, paced, and finally napped, until he couldn't take the boredom any longer. The Prefect opened the door and stepped outside. The armed guard on the opposite side of the door promptly ordered him inside. The Prefect quickly realized he'd just traded chains of iron for cords of silk. However he looked at it, he was just as much a captive as those two men back in the cell.

For the next few days he was questioned regularly by Polk and didn't trust anyone he'd come in contact with. Polk wanted something. Sullen was certain of it. Similarly, Polk didn't trust Sullen either. The ape had lied about how he'd arrived in the desert but Grazot's story told of long forgotten ruins. And the General's information came by way of torture. That was something Polk did trust. He'd considered torturing the Prefect but that could be accomplished anytime. For now, he had bigger fish to fry. There were integrity issues to deal with, traitors to expose, and intelligence to gather on these new weapons.

Territorial Central Command

Distant sounds of artillery fire ripped through the air. The building shook slightly as the rounds impacted. Sullen felt uneasy even though it was evident the explosions were far off. Distant shouts and sirens could be heard as well.

"That's all for now Corporal. You can wait outside until we're finished", Polk ordered.

The Corporal replied with a "Yes Sir", saluted briskly, and closed the door.

Polk turned to Sullen and said "Please sit down Prefect."

The Prefect sat just as a military officer walked in the room. The ape excused himself for the interruption and whispered something in the Major's ear.

"Saturate the area for five minutes and then send out a reconnaissance unit. It's probably a human scouting element. They've been probing us ever since the last assault. They're probably trying to get a feel for our current strength. Tell First Sergeant Prado to alert the other sentries. This could be a distraction to divert our attention." Polk ordered.

"Will do, Sir" the gorilla replied with a quick salute. He nodded at the Prefect as their eyes met and then left as quickly as he'd arrived.

Polk turned to Sullen and said "My apologies Prefect …as you can see we animals at the gate… anyway, I heard the news about your arm. Doctor Farrar says the cast can be removed in a week or two. I trust you're doing well? Is there anything you need?" Polk pushed a plate of fruit towards Sullen and motioned for him to grab something.

"Everything is fine, Major." Sullen replied as he rubbed the apple skin against his shirt. "Your watch dogs have seen to that. I can't even relieve myself without hitting the boots of Corporal Kwela, out there, or one of the other dozen trained minions you have watching my every move."

"Yes, well I'm sure someone with your experience and authority can appreciate the need for caution and safety." Polk blurted out. The sentence sounded rehearsed and hollow.

"Listen Major, how long are we going to play this game? This is our fourth …little chat. I'm growing weary of these tired expressions and platitudes. It's an insult to listen to some second-rate field officer, who wants to play Supreme General, bore me with idiocy and delusions of grandeur." Sullen replied with antagonism.

If the affront bothered the chimp it wasn't showing. In truth, the insult rolled right off his back. Polk was a seasoned soldier. He'd been in battle countless times and a few insults thrown in his face weren't going to rattle his cage. He'd been the surviving, senior soldier under Voss's command. According to their military law it was not only his right to assume leadership, it was expected. Anything less would have been viewed as treason. However what did bother him was that some backward, tree dwelling monkey was lecturing him on leadership.

"In all honesty, Prefect Sullen, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with you. The truth is I have other problems I'm working through. You do fit in but I can deal with you any time or any way I please. You're not going anywhere and you might as well accept it. I'm not your enemy Prefect but I'm also not a friend. If you cooperate this will go much easier on you" Polk replied in confidence.

"You know nothing about me, Major." Sullen smugly replied. "That rifle you found me with is one of many. My countryapes will come looking for me and when they do…"

"Nice try, almost believable. You're quite the enigma, Prefect. How you and that rag-tag rabble of a Regiment, armed with muskets, made it through the desert, alive, amazes me."

The Major took note of the surprise on Sullen's face. He'd caught the ape off guard and in a boldfaced lie. "…Or what do you call them… umm, oh yes; a Contingent I believe. Yes Prefect, I do some things about you and your cave dwelling society. In fact, I know you're lying to me about how you got here, as well." Polk paused again but this time for only a moment before adding "…Or so General Grazot told me."

"Since you seem to know everything what exactly do you want?" Sullen asked.

"I want you to fill in the gaps" Polk began to explain. "Where is this lost cave of artifacts that General Grazot spoke of? Where did those rifles come from and are there more? How long have you been consorting with the Coalition? What is so important that the leader of a nation, himself, would pursue one ape and a couple of filthy humans across half the planet? How do you know about the ancient capital? Why did you send General Narr here? It certainly could not have been to eradicate humans that were no threat to you"

Sullen paused in confusion. He did know the history of Washington. He had suspected that humans were still in the area and as far as he was concerned these humans weren't half the treat Polk was.

"Just where are my Generals?" Sullen asked.

"No more insults or colorful stories rolling around in that tiny head of yours?" Polk said with a mild laugh. "Yes, Prefect your Army arrived here some time ago. We armed them properly and sent them after the humans; just as you ordered." Polk paused and mockingly bowed.

"You see the humans reside somewhere near the ancient capital." The Major continued. "Like the cave you traveled through, it too is housed with unique weapons. Unfortunately, no ape or human can get near it. It somehow has a way of protecting itself."

Polk plucked a few grapes and popped them into his mouth and continued. "General Voss split your militia into three groups and sent them directly towards the city while our forces waited for the capital to strike. Once the cities defenses activated we flanked to the right. He hoped to somehow overwhelm the technology and slip through. It failed. Almost all of us were killed or lost or who knows what. There was bright flash and then nothing I just happen to be shielded behind a set of trees or I'd be dead too …And that's where you come in. You're going to take us back to where you came from, via the caves Grazot spoke of. Once we're armed were going to pay a visit to your homeland that I'm told is ripe with resources. With the combined forces of both our nations we can easily overwhelm the human settlements."

The thought of exterminating the humans was certainly to Sullen's liking, even though Sullen's views were dulling. But being enslaved by this barbarian was not exactly the utopia Sullen envisioned.

"I'm not taking you anywhere, you lunatic. You may possess superior weaponry and knowhow but out boarders are mountainous and a direct attack would be suicide." Sullen boldly lied. "And as for me, you can kill me right now if you think I'll lift a finger to help you."

Polk opened a drawer in his desk, pulled out a pistol and replied with "Fine."