Planet of the Apes: Broken Chain
Ch.4 Meanwhile
Pov: Malek
I glanced back at Robert as the two soldiers took him away. They pulled him by the rope more than either me or my Uncle and saw him only as an animal.
That part was good for the plan, what wasn't good was that I was supposed to be the one to lead him!
We did everything right!... Well I did speak up, but that's beside the point.
I shutted down those thoughts as we entered the government building with Zaius and father in the lead. The Doctor greeted those in passing, making light in conversation as we went further in. My father was different, ingnoring anyone and everyone as he passed them by.
Things never seemed right with my father, even when my mother was alive. He always stood far away from me and her, only when he commands does his demeanor change. A complete 180, laughing amongst the soldiers. His actions are more fluid and carefree. Strange as it seemed for a general, it must have worked for him. That rank in our army speaks volumes. I only wished that he was carefree with me.
We entered Dr. Zaius's office while the ape directed both my Uncle and I to take a seat. The room was spacious with a few bookshelves in the back and a statue of a chimpanzee holding a human skull in its hand looking in thought at the skull.
T
he Orangutan sat at his desk across from us while he took out a rag to wipe his brow. Father stood by his side. The air was thick, we had something to hide after all.
The Doctor got started right away, "So… Care to explain what happened?"
Uncle Drek started off on what we had planned to say, "It started two days ago…"
Everything would be told exactly how it happened. The patrol, the attacks,and the monsters. Except for what Robin did, I would take the credit. Uncle went on for about ten or so minutes, and when he went to the part about "My quick thinking" he pulled me in under his only arm.
"Don't you think this is the type of apes we need more of? Quick thinking, ingenuity. Saved my life and has slane two ravagers. One of which has never been seen before."
I was a little embarrassed as none of it was really me.
Dr. Zaius however led the conversation elsewhere, "Yes, the new variant. What did it look like?"
"Its skin was like the others, but it was smaller in stature with avion-like features. The thing came up to about shoulder height, though it was thanks to that big head of his."
"What kind of head?"
"A big head around It had eyes, not just 2, but many. That's how it mostly attacked… me."
Robert came to mind as he stood while I was blind on the ground. Making me feel more guilt for taking his credit.
Father asked this time, "What kind of attack?"
"It was hard to see, the eyes blinded me. My skin burned as if bugs of fire were all over me."
"How did you kill it?"
His eyes bore into my head, waiting for what I would say next. This hadn't happened before.
Honesty, I hadn't thought of what to say. I couldn't just say I endured, not when lives are on the line if we crossed paths with those abominations again.
Memories flooded back to what the man said after he killed "It". Then it hit me, I decided to build off of what Robert told me. Only I would say what I'd do it for.
"I couldn't just let Uncle die, and I didn't want to either. I stood my ground and fought it till it was dead."
"Very noble of you."
Zaius seemed to buy it as my father looked away.
"But such thoughts aside, we need to catalog this encounter and spread the reports among the soldiers to keep an eye out for… anything out of the ordinary. It's pointless for us to keep this hidden from the Gorillas, but we don't need to worry the other citizens with the matter. A food shortage on the horizon is bad enough. The return of such a threat will only cause more disaster. I expect your apes to be on high alert, General."
He just laughed, "We'll begin a training incursion among our soldiers to take on this new threat. I would expect Drek to assist with that givin his condition."
My Uncle gladly obliged, "I would be honored to. And what of the human, we need to trick him somehow in revealing this colony."
Zaius scoffed at the notion, "A colony which may not exist! Would you risk it with that enemy out there?"
He gave no hesitation, "With this food shortage, yes."
The doctor glanced at his general, who nodded in approval.
"Very well, but you will be in charge of this. And you cannot take on anyone who isn't willing to join you. It is voluntary. Is that understood?"
"Yes Dr. Zaius."
"Good. We leave you to it."
"One more thing if I may."
"Yes?"
"Would it be possible for Malek to assist me with training the human as a guard for it so that it doesn't die in captivity?"
Zaius gave a sigh as he then started to write on the scrolls on his desk, "I don't see why not, but please don't allow this human to keep distracting you from your other duties. Ape city comes first."
"In that case, Malek will be assigned to watch over the lab."
Yes!
"I'll head over right now."
I turned to leave, but a hand grabbed me from across the table before I did.
"Wait!"
My father had grabbed me. Zaius was somewhat bemused by the action and continued his work, feigning ignorance.
"Y-yes, general?"
"I'd like to have a word with you, soldier."
It was foreign to me, his attention was on me. The feeling was making me antsy.
Why now?
He motioned me to follow. I wouldn't dare disobey him now. Uncle got up from his seat and followed us out the door and went the opposite direction we took.
I quickly glanced back to see my uncle send me a hand signal. A thumbs up. Meaning mission success.
Meanwhile I continued to follow my father until we rounded a corner out of sight of everyone.
At that moment, father rushed to embrace me for the first time in a long time.
"My son, I am so proud!…"
Son?! He called me son!
"W-wha-!"
"You have a warrior spirit after all!"
His exclamation was shocking to my brain.
"Me!?"
He pulled me back from the hug, "Yes! I was so worried that you didn't have what it takes. But now look at you proving me wrong!"
Blood rushed through my head, making the room tilt back and forth a little. Saying nothing as he continued.
"Your quick thinking saved your Uncle!"
…Wait.
"You took on two of the beasts when none of your patrol could!"
No.
"Now remember son! That drive that kept you alive is very important. It gave you that strength to stand when you shouldn't have from your account. Remember that feeling, train it! It's a mark of a true warrior."
My mouth was open, but nothing came out. Not a shout or a whisper. It was too much. This was enough.
"Son?"
That word! It stung and brought me low after it lifted me up.
Father shook my shoulder and I was back to where I was, "Sorry father! Thank you for the praise."
He laughed. I didn't deserve to see such a sight.
"Good! Now if you want, when you're off duty, I can show you some tips and pointers in fighting."
I don't deserve that.
"Of course! I'd love that."
"Perfect. Remember Malek, I'm proud of you."
…
"Yes father. I hope to be like you one day."
Once more I was hugged for but a moment before father left to his other duties. Meanwhile I stayed in that corner, I sat down on the ground with my face low in my arms. Water escaped my eyes as time meant little to my thoughts. The pain wouldn't stop. Nothing had changed.