Mid Western Old United States

"Come on! Move it …move it" The ape shouted in the chaos. He was directing the vehicles through the pass as quickly as he could. His nerves, on the other hand, were starting to fail. The incoming rounds were becoming less sporadic and much more precise. The effects from the last volley pelted his hide, warning him that staying put might not be in his best interest.

A vehicle spun by so quickly it nearly plowed him over. Just at that moment, a stray round struck the face of the peak. Large rocks and boulders fell like rain on the speeding convoy, withdrawing towards safety. Massive stones bounced off the hull of an armored tank, as a result of the ballistics from the Imperiam artillery. The plated tri-tanium moderately protected the vehicles as they raced through the ravine. They were designed to withstand a lot of punishment but the bombardment combined with the weight of the resulting avalanche was becoming too much.

The ape, directing the fleeing traffic, jumped as high and as far as he could. Orders or not, he wasn't about to say put and get crushed. His basic military instincts were screaming for him to seek cover, but the whole sky was dropping right on top of him. There was no cover. Instead, he sprinted into the desert as quickly as his four paws would carry him.

Polk's good fortune had run out. The Imperiam spotters had successfully bracketed their position. Command and control were breaking down as the incoming rounds hit their targets with a keen accuracy. Bodies were falling and apes were panicking. General Tods had also complicated things by deploying scatter mines in the barrage. That tactic sealed their fate.

They'd been delivered via aerial mid-range missiles used exactly for this type of operation. Once over the target they blanked the vicinity with their deadly ordinance. Their magnetic alloy reached out and attached to anything and everything metallic. The immense blasts that ensued tore the tracks off the retreating mechanized machines. As a result, the other armored transports bottlenecked. Some crashed while others flipped or simply exploded. Rocks and boulders did the rest, burying the apes alive in metal coffins.

The ensuing bombardment lasted for fifteen minutes. The temperature was like a blast furnace as the blaze from the vehicles super-heated the narrowly confined area. Eerie screams resonated from within as apes fruitlessly searched for any means of escape.

In the rear of the convoy soldiers spilled out of their wreaked heaps and took up positions to fight the impossible Imperiam assault that was in pursuit. Rifle fire and few shots from the stolen, but still functioning, mechanized vehicles hit random targets, but it was inconsequential. The Imperiam pursuers massed on the position and slaughtered nearly every ape in view. Most were burned beyond recognition as Incendiary Tanks scorched several hundred meters of open space. Secondary explosions from the burning equipment sent paraphernalia flying through the air in a frightening airborne inferno. The ones who escaped the flames were greeted with the pounding of hefty artillery shells complimented by automatic weapon's fire.

On the other side of the pass Polk watched as a vehicle exploded just opposite of his location. His driver turned the wheel slightly and … Ping, Ping, Ping, Ping something had attached itself to their APC.

… It happened so fast in Major Polk's mind, that it seemed like one steady blur. His body left the floor of the truck and slammed upwards, propelled by several kilograms of the incoming explosive. The wind was knocked clear out of him and he gulped for air in an involuntary panic. Next, he was flung several feet through the air like an old rag doll. He felt the sting of a thousand tiny needles ripping at his hide.

A numbing discomfort shot through his body as he bounced off something firm and hard. Next the ape slammed into the hard rocky ground. His clothes and fur were covered in a coarse gritty blood. He rolled for what seemed like forever and his head hit the deck with a tremendous thump. The only thing that saved the Major's life was the Kevlar helmet strapped to his head. His vision was blurred and every part of his body felt irritated, itchy, or burnt. In a quick yet painful instance, his diaphragm expanded and his lungs finally took in some precious air. It was hot and dust ridden, but oxygen none the less.

Polk was lying flat. His mind signaled 'move' but his body wasn't responding. The ache was too immense. And pain or not, this was very real and it quite serious. Doubts flashed through his head. How can anyone stand up to this huge war machine? How could I have been so arrogant?

The sounds of the exploding ordinance sent out a deafening echo. The only comfort it brought was the blanket of noise that muffled the cries of the wounded and dieing. Polk struggled to stand but a sharp twinge pierced through his entire body and everything suddenly went dark.

I'm dying was the last thing to bounce through his head.

** Later **

The mild stimulant from the hypodermic brought the ape Major out of his coma like state. It was just enough to wake him but left him feeling weak and fatigued. As his senses strained, he looked around. And the more he took in, the less he cared for what he saw.

I've been captured, registered in his brain. He noticed three other ape prisoners sitting opposite his position. He didn't recognize a single one but they all wore his uniform. Everyone, but him, was shackled in metallic bonds. However he was lying on a stretcher of some kind hooked up to machines like a marionette doll. The Major instinctively leaned forward but the throbbing pain was overwhelming. His head hit the back of the gurney with a mild thump.

"Take it easy, fella" A field doctor stated. "You're lucky to be alive. I didn't have time to clone any parts, but I was able to replace two major organs by taking them out of dead chimps on the battlefield. And that was no easy task. Most of your soldiers are scorched beyond recognition and the others … Well there isn't much left of them. You have an incision in your lower abdomen. The medical nanites are doing what they can to stabilize you, but I still have to process your synaptic immune responses or they won't accept your new organs. You're not going anywhere for quite awhile, but I need you conscious to complete the procedure."

Polk tried to reply but couldn't get the words out. He didn't have a clue as to what he'd just been told. All he understood was that his entire unit, except for him and three other apes, had been completely taken out.

The doctor turned to an officer in the room and made a comment about them all being ready.

The human officer looked at Polk and stated "Don't try to talk. The sedative is designed to keep you docile. I'm Lieutenant Hunt. That's Staff Sergeant Brock." He added pointing at the humungous gorilla holding the very sophisticated looking rifle.

He tapped an e-pad and began to read in a very scripted and formal tone. "According to the Royal Code of Military Conduct, you are now prisoners or war. As stated in the Articles of Procurement and Seizure, Section Four, Subsection A-Seventeen, you are all property of the Imperiam Monarch. Under Section Three, Paragraph two, the Empire does have the right to execute you as spies. You were captured in Imperiam vehicles, and though you weren't fully clothed in our uniforms, you were wearing enough of our gear to pass for Imperiam soldiers. We do however; invoke the Procurement Right of Declination, as permitted by his Excellency, Lord Marcus."

None of the simians comprehended a single work of the legalese until the man finished with, "You will be spared execution and remain POWs"

The Island

Raven-One may have been miraculously plucked out of the sky but it still accomplished much of its task. The converted weather array was now a mound of smoldering junk. Most of the area was one large crater. If it had been able to plot a second pass nothing would have been left. And if it had made a third, no one would have survived.

In a small way, that victory could be attributed to the two astronauts. Their pursuit of Price had forced the spy to transmit his data prematurely. As a result, the intelligence Raven received was incomplete. The strike was precise, but not as accurate as it could have been.

The Eastern portion of the old bunker had been destroyed. And though it was half buried in a mound of earth, one of the interface terminals, at the opposite end escaped harm. It was still functioning. Its power conduits and nuclear-cell interfaces were stable and on line. The issue was with the receiver. The neural receptors were fused and the connection ports had melted. It could send but would never receive.

Everything that was salvageable had been adapted for the mission. Sullen made it clear that getting a link, however possible, into the ODN was still the priority. Until he was convinced otherwise, they'd be working around the clock.

Brewster had successfully adapted some of the devices he'd brought with several of the ancient weather pieces that were still intact. In its present state, with the receptors off line, he'd made it clear that any signal sent would most likely last only sixty to ninety seconds. After that the feedback signal would overload the system. However, if he was confident that if he had enough time, he'd be able to make things work. Of course, time seemed to be ticking just a little too quickly.

"Colonel, you need to hear this" Grazot said shouting to the man.

Brewster huffed as the sudden interruption cause him to drop the small tool he was holding. It, along with the circuit he was fusing bounced off his thigh and hit the ground. Luckily neither was damaged. The man gave a few instructions to the skeleton crew he was working with. Once that was done he climbed up the makeshift ladder leading out of the crater and back to level ground.

"Ok, what's the big emergency?" he asked.

March waved a hand, signaling for the man to stay quiet, pointing at the V.V.L.

…three hours and twenty six minutes… the man in New Washington claimed. That's the estimate on the first bird, anyway. The other platforms will be in range about twenty to thirty minutes after that.

"Roger Washington", March replied. "We're doing everything we can. Colonel Brewster is here now. Stand by, while I get an update, over."

March quickly explained that New Washington had picked up several fast moving objects leaving the atmosphere and heading towards the network satellites in orbit. They were desperate to see if the Island interface had been established.

"This is Brewster; please stand, I'll be with you shortly." The Colonel said talking into V.V.L. He adjusted a few buttons and an Isometric interface appeared. From there he started typing and swiping between holographic panels.

"Don't be alarmed. You'll notice that your processors are establishing an encrypted link" he said tapping at the screen. The encryption was to keep DC out but he kept that information to himself. "I'm plugging into your database directly. It's a lot faster than you explaining and it will provide me with the real-time information I need."

You're what? …How are you able to…? … The man in old DC started to ask.

Brewster meant no harm, but he was egotistical and controlling in theses matters. Besides it was much faster and for the Best. At least that's how his brain justified his actions.

"Don't sweat it son." The Doctor replied, cutting him short. "Our uplink here won't be ready in three hours or three days, but I have an idea and I need precise data. So please, stay quiet for a minute and keep the link open. This is a delicate process…"

The awkward silence only lasted for a few minutes and was broken by the phrase "Bingo".

"Washington," Brewster stated plainly "You now have an additional sixteen hours. I accessed the ionic receiver controls and also interfaced with the navigation protocols. I've altered the ODN's orbital path."

You did what? The man at the other end asked rhetorically. What gives you the right or the authority to make a unilateral decision like that with our military equipment? There was a small pause while the man in DC desperately tried to undo whatever Brewster had just done and then … They're out of range and not responding. You've left us defenseless…

"Relax." Brewster blurted out. "They're not responding because I initiated a reflective dampening pulse. It will slow the missiles down and confuse them as they try and reestablish a lock. But those are Sagittarius Mark V nuclear warheads. They may be somewhat crude according to Imperiam standards but trust me when I say that they're sophisticated enough to take down your entire orbital network. I didn't leave you defenseless. In fact, I just saved the only tactical advantage you backwoods pack of barbarians possess. …so you're welcome"

The Doctor irritably tossed the small device back to March and walked off mumbling something about calculations he had to make and how he was surrounded by involutes. He tried to shove his way through a couple of gorilla soldiers but he would have had better luck trying to push over an oak tree. They chuckled and grinned sarcastically as he finally gave up and went around the two simians.

"Captain", he shouted back a Hayes. "Come with me. This will go faster if I have your help"

"Go on Jonny" March said. "He's rough around the edges and arrogant as all get out, but he hasn't let us down yet. And he's just as sharp as you are. If he has an idea, we need to validate it."

Seconds later Hayes caught up to the Colonel. "Hank" the man said. "What's going on in that head of yours? I've seen that look before. You had a similar expression when we hit that communications center. Something has you worried"

"I have an idea, Jon. But we have to be exact and the timing is essential." The Imperiam officer replied. "And frankly I don't know if I can pull it off with just sticks and stones. Back in the Empire I had the tools I needed…the tools I was comfortable with. Here I'm limited to, muskets ….and relics, as this collection of prenatal Neanderthals calls them. Out dated antiques is a more appropriate term."

Hayes smirked. The same thought had crossed his mind on occasion. "Look Doc, I can totally relate. But we're both a couple of old soldiers. We don't let circumstances dictate the terms. We adapt and we overcome. We can figure this out."

Brewster had heard that same speech a hundred times in his career. Everyone thought they were unbeatable. Some even refused to give the idea up even after defeat. However, optimism and confidence, if channeled correctly were powerful instruments.

"Ok Captain," he said with a nod. "If I remember my history correctly, the term is…God save the queen"

Hayes didn't bother to explain that America had no Monarch, but the situation was too critical and frankly, he got the man's point.

"Alright Hank" he replied. "Let's hear it. What's on your mind?"

Brewster handed the astronaut a pad containing calculations and choppy notes. They were nothing complex. Hayes looked them over and before he said anything the Colonel explained his plan. "I think there's a chance I can use some of the equipment I brought and interface with what's left of that old Canadian junk …Here let me see that for a second."

Hayes handed the man the e-pad and Brewster brought up a 3-D image of his idea. "This is what I got from the Washington Mainframe. There is a mixture of fifty two different types of satellites in orbit, a dozen or so are defensive like this ODN. The others however are communication related; weather satellites, communication relays, orbital observation devices, etc. If I can just get the calculations correctly and refine the confinement, I believe that I can send out a signal, bounce it off the other orbital objects send a message, so to speak, to the Sagittarius missiles."

"A message; what kind of a message?" Hayes asked.

"If I can get the telemetry correct, I can piggy-back of a few of the satellites." The man explained. "From there I can send a binary pulse to the warheads. I got the idea from the workings of those SAMs we configured. And I copied the software protocols"

"You think you can scramble their guidance software?" Hayes inquired curiously.

"Better than that, my dear Captain" The Colonel said holding up his e-pad and wagging it slightly. "I think I can reverse it and send those birds right back to their nest. But I need your help, so here's what I need you to do."

Sigma Twelve

St. James' blood pressure rose as he listened to the current situation report coming in from New Washington. The equipment was old and took days to fully charge. He'd intentionally given Sullen their aged tarnished communication apparatus in an attempt to keep the balance of power in his favor. But that decision was now biting him right in his five-star rear.

Plus, instead of a routine update, all hell was breaking loose. He was hundreds of miles away without any means of direct intervention or control. The human General ranted and griped over the Imperiam infringement of his military property, by Brewster. But that subsided when the RTO at the opposite end gave him something more pressing to fret about.

…He may have hacked the Mainframe, Sir. And I don't know how he did it; but he resolved some of the software encryption issues Captain White's team was having with the tactical observation protocols. And we can thank God for it too. Not only has he thrown those orbital nukes of, but long range shadowing is now online. We're tracking troop movements on multiple fronts. They're heading towards every major settlement we have. That includes the apes to our west and your position too, Sir.

"You tell Colonel Childs he's to initiate Operation Ringworm ASAP. He's to get spotters deployed immediately. We may not have the ODN, but Washington has a goldmine of ancient technology and thank the Good Lord above we've been exploiting that fact for almost a year. You'll be able to hold your own. And when it does come back into our control, you're authorized to take those bastards out" St James ordered.

The man at the other end confirmed and St James went on. "Send delegates and support units to the Territorial ape cities that are adjacent to our boarders. Lend any support you can. Bring any food and medical supplies we can spare. That should ease any mistrust they might have. You're also to refortify our inner cities. If they break through they'll trample over us like a stampede of longhorns. Everyone is on full tactical alert."

The energy reserves went from green to yellow and then quickly to red. Seconds later the device shut down. The General cussed under his breath but was grateful he'd been able to relay what he did. His only irritation stemmed from the fact that he'd been unable to ask just how far out the approaching elements were. …days…weeks…hours? It was all speculation now. Nate Childs was a competent officer and seasoned combatant. He'd know how to proceed back in New Washington. For the moment he'd have to, St James had his own problems to deal with.

The General left the small communications area and approached his ape counterpart in the adjacent room. He lit a cigar and said, "It's about to hit the fan, Colonel. They're coming."

** Thirteen hours later – The Banned Territories **

"Sir, we've got company." The Imperiam combatant reported. "Up on that ridge, about four Klicks away; at our 1 o'clock. They're not any of those amalgamated freaks we've encountered in the ruins either. I'm picking a vehicle or two, as well as, electronic signals. They're packing some high-tech gear too."

The advancing armor platoon halted as the Lieutenant in command received the word on the enemy bio-signs.

"Tell me what I'm dealing with Sergeant" the man ordered.

"My guess is they're a recon element of some kind, Sir, Eight simians; all of whom are gorillas." The NCO replied "Three humans…" he paused as he confirmed the readings. His face had a puzzled look but he reported it anyway "…Two male and …a female. Hmm, maybe she's a servant or some officer's concubine. But anyway, LT. That's what we've got. They're spread across an eight hundred meter area."

The Lieutenant commanding the point section V.V.L'd his finding to his superior in the rear of the advancement. He acknowledged the reply and said. "Command wants prisoners. They're curious as to how the enemy knows were here."

Moments later two flanking units, all on foot, began fanning out towards the enemy combatants.

On the ridge, the forward most security section sent word back to their commander. Corporal Arden jumped into a tree and bound back towards his Group Captain. A minute or so later he dropped to the ground, answered the challenge and reply, and went into the command area.

"They're moving, Sir" he reported. "I don't know how, but it looks like they know we're here. They came to a full stop just about four Klicks from our position. Two full squads of soldiers are circling to our rear. There's more Group Captain. They have mechanized relics …and a lot of them. If we stay put they'll roll over us without breaking a sweat"

"How many are there, Corporal?" The human officer asked.

The gorilla cringed a little before he answered. These humans spooked him. But he hid it as best as he could and said. "At least a hundred and they have ground support and some very odd looking …well they look like cannons off some sort."

The officer nodded and scribbled something down. He then turned to the female NCO and said. "We have our orders. Eckert, I'm sending you back now. They have to know what they're dealing with. We'll break down camp here and meet up with you shortly"

The woman hopped in one of the old mechanized carriages and headed back towards Sigma Twelve as she'd been ordered. The human Lieutenant turned to the gorilla Group Captain and said "We probably don't have a lot of time. We should …"

"You're right, Lieutenant. Time is short." The ape answered. "But we're not leaving."

The man began to argue but the Special Group commander explained that a situation like this was exactly what he'd trained for. In fact, he'd been preparing his apes for a conflict ever since they'd arrived. He went on to make it clear that every second they slowed the advanced element down was another second the soldiers in Sigma Twelve had to prepare.

"Superior firepower is not the only thing that wins on the battleground, human" The gorilla stated. "Tactics and taking advantage of what's around you can turn the tide in any conflict"

The human officer was struggling for a strand of wisdom that might help settle his double-minded thinking. It didn't help that Private Louperski was looking at him with heightened anxiety. Staying put was a recipe for death, but tucking his tail between his legs and bugging out just didn't seem right; even if they were only apes.

Never let them see you sweat jumped into his head. An old mentor from years back had given him that advice when he'd first become an officer. Lieutenant Theodore Cloud took in a deep breath and made his decision.

"Weapons hot, Looper" The man said, referring to Private Louperski's nickname, in an attempt to ease the tension. "We're staying put".

Looper, a young muscular male, about the age of nineteen nodded and began preparing. He'd seen combat but never at this level. Yet Cloud's confident bluff was steadying his nerves.

As if he'd received a new vigor, Lieutenant Cloud, turned to the Group Captain and said "Ok, this is your backyard and you hold the highest rank, so you lead and we'll follow. But I don't know how muskets and knives are going to stop and advancing horde of mechanized relics."

The gorilla smiled and simply said' "Just watch. And keep those fancy repeaters of yours close by."

"Look, I don't know what were dealing with" the man replied, "But if you want to rely on tactics. I have something that might help. From the reports I've read, they're an integrated society; apes fighting along side with humans. We've been killing…uh …fighting… apes since we were knee high to a grasshopper. They're big, they're fast, and they're strong. But one bullet in the knee and they'll drop like gutted pig. We humans are more, uh delicate. You can pretty much shoot us anywhere and we'll drop too."

Just about that time distant rifle fire echoed through their ears.

"That's musket fire" Corporal Arden stated.

"Ok" the Group Captain stated looking at a couple of gorillas. "We all know what to do." Take to the trees. The rest of you get into position. The call sign is; Mushroom"

He turned to the two men. "You're going to come with me." He said to Louperski. "I'll take the right and you cover our left. …Just follow my lead. Lieutenant, you and Arden take the opposite side. …Now listen up and this is critical. You engage and withdraw. We bait them in. As you retreat, you're to yell mushroom. You got that? You're going to be eternally sorry if you don't."

They moved out in opposite directions, through the rocky terrain, bounding from stump, to boulder, and any half standing plant or structure that provided cover. Louperski could feel his heart pounding with every step. He could usually bull-dog his way though any clash, but that wouldn't work here.

It didn't take long for the firefights to start. The Imperiam infantry carried mobile combat bio devices. They knew the two groups were approaching before they'd ever left camp. Corporal Arden learned that fact the hard way. A round impacted square in his chest and almost cut the large simian in two. Lieutenant Clouds mind screamed; smoke, as he unconsciously pulled the container lose and tossed it to his front. Rounds slammed into the old husky tree trunk he was behind as he ran back towards the base camp, yelling mushroom. When he arrived he felt a large furry paw come out of nowhere and grab him. It pulled him clear out of sight.

The situation with Louperski and the Group Captain was similar. The advancing Imperiam infantry sprayed small arms fire in the direction of the multiple Bios they were tracking. Closer they came; hurdling forward in smaller elements. A few would move while the others fired. Eventually they reached the site.

"I don't get it." the Imperiam chimp soldier said. "According to the instruments they're right in front of …"

Apes from the Special Group fired from the trees as others popped up from buried fighting positions in the ground. A three hundred and sixty degree barrage of musket and semi automatic fire fanned out. The Imperiam units were caught off guard and most died on the spot. The simians in the foliage above killed any soldiers who were lucky enough to escape the initial trap.

When it was over, Lieutenant Cloud couldn't believe he'd lived through it. However, unfortunately for him, his luck had run dry. The Command and Control center guiding the infantry, reported up the chain that all friend bios were now in the red. The Imperiam Commander, a Kilometer or so, away gave the order to wipe out every enemy bio signature in the immediate area. The whistling artillery and mid range missile attack saturated the area with such fury that when it was finally lifted, the only thing left was a smoking hole.

The bulky war machine gave one final scan of the area ahead and moved forward.

Imperiam Air Defense – Forward Base Zulu

It had taken some doing but Doctor Chapman had reestablished control with one of the missiles. Brewster's encryptions were extremely complex and he'd added a rotating shift that had made it next to impossible to crack, but Chapman had finally figured out the algorithm. He'd also isolated the frequency and pierced the dampening field on one of the platforms. It had taken half a day, but part of their problem was now resolved.

"Ok General" The man said "The reboot is complete and I have lock on the closest target. You can see it there." The huge colorful 3-D exhibit displayed everything in pictorial detail.

"How long, Chapman?" Cade asked. The gorilla had no idea just how lucky he'd gotten. But he didn't much care either. His demeanor was more of a, what have you done for me lately, than one to give accolades.

The doctor replied that impact was less than thirty minutes away. Cade, immediately ordered him to start the same procedure on the next warhead. Chapman was fatigued and hungry but simply gave a nod. He lied about letting some calculations run first and closed his eyes to rest.

The man awoke to a hard slap on the shoulder. It was Cade. He was babbling something about success. Chapman raised his weary head. He'd done it! He'd actually done it. The nuclear missile had taken out its target.

But before the two could celebrate, the isometric display flashed and the three remaining blips slowly changed course.

"What's going on Chapman?" Cade asked as the smile quickly faded from his face.

The scientist paused as he confirmed his thoughts. He punched in some real calculations this time and he didn't much care for the results.

"The missiles General", he said in a panic, "They've reversed course …They're heading right towards us"

Cade almost collapsed as he realized what that meant. "Good gosh!" he exclaimed. "I refitted the EH Cannons and sent them out with Tods. We have no ADA in the entire Kingdom. We're completely defenseless."