The next chapter is posted! Enjoy :)
The group was grateful they could get a horse and cart from the last town they were in.
At first, they had trouble being able to obtain any horses or a cart. But Leuric had a good friend that lived there, and he talked him into letting the group have the old cart and one of the horses.
It wasn't a very big cart. But still big enough to comfortably carry three people in the back and had a seat up top for a driver.
Kristin was very relieved and happy she wouldn't have to walk the next couple days back to Kaymac. Someone in the village who was more familiar with the area did confirm it would take them around two to three days to get to Kaymac from their location.
They just need to follow the coastline due south and then head slightly east to get there.
So, here they were, going down one of the dirt roads, following the shore. Alan was driving the cart, while Galen, Kristin and Pete sat in the back on some hay.
Galen and Kristin were sitting next to each other, with Pete sitting across from them.
He didn't say it out loud, but Galen was becoming a bit concerned for Kristin. The baby has been moving around an awfully lot as of late, and she's been getting pretty restless.
It made Kristin concerned too. Because she knew when something like this happens, they were getting very close to the end.
She should have about three weeks left at least until she gives birth. But anyone will tell you, babies don't follow a set schedule and could come earlier.
She had a couple friends back home, where that did happen to them.
Kristin herself was six days late from her due date, according to her mom. Her siblings were a few days late too. But she had a feeling that may not be the case for her baby.
It made her even more antsy about wanting to get to Kaymac as soon as they can.
She was also worried, that they may encounter Urko and his troops on the road on the way there. If that happens, they were all fucked. As much as she hates to admit it, something told her that the gorilla chief really wouldn't have an issue killing pregnant women.
He proved time and time again how much of a heartless monster he can be. All he cared about, was himself and his agenda. Nothing else mattered.
"So, are you finally going to tell us what name you have picked out for this kid? Or you really going to leave us guessing?" Pete asked.
"Sorry, Pete. You guys won't know until after they are here. And this has to be like the eighth time you asked within the last three months." She replied.
"Can't blame us for being curious." He says with a shrug.
"Some people just like to keep it a surprise, Pete." Alan said, from the driver seat in front of them.
"All we can tell you, is they definitely won't be named after you, if it's a boy." Galen joked.
"Yeah, yeah, you already made that very clear to me months ago." Pete said.
"Do you...guys think this road is used fairly often?" Kristin asks, changing the topic.
"Not sure." Alan said.
Galen shifted his gaze to her, he saw she seemed a little worried or concerned, as she sat there leaning against his side with her hands resting on her swollen stomach.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
Her gaze shifted to him; she was silent for moment before speaking.
"I guess, I'm just very worried we'll run into Urko and his troops out here. And if we do, I don't think we really have a way of safely escaping like this." She admits.
"Try not to worry about that. We are keeping a close eye out. If we have to ditch this cart to hide in the woods for safety, we will." Alan told her.
"He's right, we always have the woods. And we are watching out for any signs of Urko and his troops." Galen assured her, rubbing her arm with his hand that was draped around her shoulders.
"And... if they go to Kaymac and find us there?" She inquires.
"We'll be safe there." Galen says.
Kristin leaned back further into him, while keeping her hands over her baby bump.
Galen draped his other arm over her lap and rested his hand on the side of her bulging stomach. He was still very determined to keep her and their unborn child safe as they made their final journey back to Kaymac for the impending birth.
"Look at it this way, we made it this far after being here for what? A little over a year now? We should be fine for the next couple days." Pete added.
"Perhaps, but don't jinx it, Pete. There were plenty of times we were either almost caught or killed. Quite a few were close calls." Kristin replied.
"You're right, but as long as the four of us keep sticking together like we have, at least a couple of us were always there to bail the other half of the group out." Pete stated.
"Or...we just got lucky that not all four of us were captured together again, like the very first time we came here. Could be harder to escape the second time around if it were to happen again. Even more so, with a baby." Kristin told him.
She wasn't trying to be a pessimist. But she was being realistic here.
"That's why we are going to Kaymac, so that doesn't happen." Galen said.
"But does anyone really think Barlow can keep us safe, if Urko came into town?" She inquired.
Galen was silent for a moment, before speaking. He knew this was something, he should've told them all sooner. But with everything that has happened with this journey, it got put on the backburner in his mind.
"He can, because he has a lot of things to threaten Urko with. Things that could put his position and livelihood in jeopardy if they got out." Galen says.
Everyone turned sharply to him with a surprised look.
"What do you mean?" Pete asked.
"When we last saw Barlow, doing that horse race, he told me in a separate conversation that he had kept various records on Urko. A lot of the places he's been to, the things he done. A lot of which were outside council jurisdiction or without their approval.
Things that would put him in a very bad light, if the council were to see these records and find out. Apparently, it could mean not only his permanent removal as chief of security, but it could mean a lengthy jail sentence for him." Galen explained.
"And you're just telling us this now why?" Pete inquired, still rather surprised and annoyed Galen didn't mention anything about this sooner.
"Look at the positions we were in with each altercation we had with him. Many of these times, we had to make a quick retreat. Before someone got hurt or killed." Galen told him.
"He's got a point. We were just never in any place long enough, before having to run. Back during the horse race, Barlow had too much on his mind as it was to think about something like records. When Urko was threatening to take everything from him including his chance to return back to Kaymac. That was one time, Urko had the upper hand on him. Until the end that is." Alan stated.
"But now that he is situated back in Kaymac and is no longer being threatened, Urko really has nothing to hold over him. Even if Urko were to threaten Barlow now, he would still have the records to shut him down." Galen added.
"So, when it all comes down to it, it's between capturing us and his position and future." Kristin surmised.
"Yes. And while we have been number one on his hit list for quite some time now, I still don't believe he will hold us in higher regard. Not when his career is directly threatened. Plus, the possibility of a lengthy jail sentence. There could also be the risk of execution for him especially, after..." Galen trailed off.
They waited for him to finish that sentence, but he didn't.
"After what, Galen?" Kristin asked.
Even thinking about it now, the chimp is having a hard time getting it out. The detailed account, the brutality of it. He couldn't really bring himself to talk about it further. Not with them.
"I... can't really bring myself to talk about. But...it is very bad. To the point, I don't think ape law can protect him from such a crime." Galen admitted.
"So, Urko committed a crime. And we are surprised at this?" Pete retorted.
Galen shook his head, "Not just one crime, but several throughout his years as both chief of security and when he was just part of the guard before he got promoted. From the very few documents Barlow told me about, some of these acts stem back a good oh...twenty years or so."
"How did he obtain all of these documents and records though?" Alan inquired.
"Many he managed to collect over the years himself when he worked in a secondary office that like to cover up dirty deeds done by those of security status and position. This is before he came to be prefect at Kaymac.
Others were from many eyewitnesses that either knew him personally or worked under him at some point. I was surprised to hear this, but apparently, there have been quite a few turnovers in guard positions while working under Urko.
Many noted while working for him, how he would do many things without seeking permission from the council first. That he liked to see how far he could bend rules without getting caught.
Some have simply left or quite the guard after witnessing some of these crimes committed. Both out of disgust and fear. Barlow had mentioned to me that many of the guards that came to work at the troop garrison in Kaymac had in fact at some point worked under Urko. And this is where many of those accounts come from.
None of them like Urko and refused to be around him when they see him. Many of them came to Kaymac because it wasn't a village Urko ever really came to.
Some of the guards, Barlow also knew personally because a few of them were friends of his for years. So, whenever he had any open positions in his town in the garrison, they requested transfer over there." Galen further explained.
"If that is true, why didn't any of them come out and tell the council what they saw him do?" Pete questioned.
"Because in the end, it was the word of a lowly guard or subordinate against that of the powerful chief of security. Barlow even told me that a few of the friends that are now guards at Kaymac have admitted to him that Urko has threatened them with violence and death when they questioned his ethics in regard to the laws and how he has been going about them." Galen answered.
"In other words, had them too afraid to talk. Like what Pete said earlier, not surprising when it comes to Urko." Kristin quipped.
"To be honest, I'm shocked that Zaius let him keep his position and not have him arrested after Urko threatened to shoot Zaius when he wouldn't let him burn down Tryon during that Malaria outbreak." Alan added.
"Yeah, I think it's safe to say, that has us all pretty shocked." Kristin replied.
"Probably because despite his flagrant disregard for insubordination, he still does an outstanding job with his position." Galen said.
"But if these records and accounts come out, it would severely tarnish his reputation." Alan surmised.
"Yes, greatly. No one will be able to back him up then. Not even the council. Not when there is so much written proof right there in front of them." Galen replied.
"While it's good to hear there is such proof against him, we still need to get to Kaymac before he finds us or intercepts us on the road. Because we obviously don't have any of the solid evidence which are his records currently on us. Even if we did, he'd probably have them destroyed before taking us back to Central City in chains." Kristin stated.
"We will make it there. Try not to worry." Galen told her.
They continued chatting throughout the day as Alan drove the cart.
When it started getting dark though, they knew they had to stop for the night and rest. They will rest at night and ride through the day until they get to their destination. That was the plan.
They had gotten just enough food supplies from the last village they were in and kept their eyes peeled for nearby streams and rivers to restock the water supply.
Alan eventually found a small clearing that led off the road. It was just big enough to bring the horse and cart into.
The ride through was quite bumpy due to the road being uneven and probably barely used. If one could call it a road. It was more like an elongated bare spot that stretched into the woods.
They didn't go too far in. Just far enough to be hidden by dense foliage and darkness so not to be seen by anyone who happened to be traveling down the road. Despite the fact that they haven't seen anyone down the desolate road they were taking all day.
Alan parked the cart and they all got out of the back.
Then the group of four found a tiny spot between a cluster of trees several feet away that they can go to for the night. They grabbed their packs and headed for it.
When they got there, they sat down and started unpacking some stuff, like blankets.
They already had eaten dinner while riding on the cart. Pete took over for Alan so he could eat while Pete drove the cart. This way, they didn't have to stop to eat. The only time they ever had to stop, was to relieve themselves and that was it.
While it was already pretty late when they did stop for the night, no one went to bed just yet. They still stayed up a little while to talk.
"Did you guys ever figure out what it is you may do to fill your time while in Kaymac?" Kristin asked the two astronauts.
"Honestly, still not entirely sure yet." Alan admitted.
"Could always visit a few friends while there, see how they're doing. Like Dalton, Gregor, and Martin." Kristin suggested.
She wouldn't mind seeing them again, if not to see how they're fairing.
"This is true. Kind of wonder how they are doing and how Gregor and Martin have settled in upon moving back there with Barlow." Pete wondered.
"I'm sure under Barlow, they are doing fine. But your right, it be nice to visit them again once we get there." Galen said.
"Yeah, seeing as we have few friends outside our small inner circle." Pete stated.
"I don't know about that. I think we have made many friends along the way during our journey when you think about it. Just as much as we have made an impact on many of these people. And not just them, but with some places, entire villages." Galen told him.
"This is true. More and more people out there have learned something new. Rather it be directly from us or indirectly." Alan says.
"And this is why Urko and Zaius are hellbent on capturing and killing us. Because they know and are beginning to see it too. It's why they both fear and hate us. Because of the changes we bring to civilization here." Kristin added.
"Yes, and that is why Urko and Zaius refer to it as an infection. Because we are spreading it as we go along." Galen says.
They talked about it a little longer. Before they decided it was time to go to sleep.
Well, at least Alan and Pete laid down to sleep. Galen noticed that Kristin appeared to be quite restless. Practically antsy while she sat next to him on the grass.
Then to his surprise she got up and started walking.
"Where you going?" He whispered, so not to wake their friends.
Kristin shifted her gaze to him.
"Nowhere. Just stretching my legs is all. While I'm happy not to be walking all over creation for the time being, sitting in that cart for majority of the day left me feeling a tad restless and the need to get up and move." She said, as she started to pace a little.
Galen didn't say anything for a moment.
He then nodded and stood up to join her. While he didn't feel the same way as her, and rather lie down to sleep, he didn't want her to be up ansd walking about alone.
"Do you think we'll ever see them again?" Kristin asks, barely above a whisper.
"Who?" Galen asks.
"Any of our other friends we met along the way?" She inquires.
He thought for a moment and shrugged.
"I don't know. Perhaps...someday. I do like to think, it will be safe for us all to travel freely one day. And when we can, we can go back to visit them all at some point." Galen told her.
"And...do you really think, we will be safe in Kaymac? That Barlow and these records on Urko you speak of are what will keep us safe if there is a time Urko comes to Kaymac looking for us or somehow finds out we are there?" Kristin asks.
While she likes to believe it was a good and solid way of keeping them safe. She still had her doubts about them.
Galen grasps her hand in his and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"I do believe Barlow and those records are what will keep us safe. Urko maybe has a knack for stupidity at times, but even he knows well enough what is at risk if those records got back to the council." He assures her.
Kristin comes to a stop, and a shaky sigh leaves her.
"I'm just...still scared. Not just for you, Alan, Pete, and myself. But most of all for our baby. Afraid of what may happen to them if we do find ourselves in danger. If Urko finds out about us. A part of me is still surprised he hasn't found out yet. But scared to death of what happens when he does. Because lets ace it, he will eventually find out." She says, as a stray tear leaves her eyes.
Galen came to stand in front of her. He gently reaches up and places his hands on her cheeks, caressing them. Then he slowly leans in and rest his forehead against hers.
"I know you're scared about that. I'm scared too. But I refuse to live life in continual fear. I do strongly believe we will be able to live our lives in peace, all of us. And I do firmly believe the start of that life will begin in Kaymac for us." He softly said.
Kristin reaches up a hand and brings her palm to his cheek. Then places a small kiss on his lips. Something he gladly returns.
"I also know of something else I would love nothing more to do eventually when we are ready and are settled in enough." He says.
She locks her gaze with his.
"What's that?" She asks.
Galen gives her a soft smile.
"I... would very much like to ask you when the time is right...to become my wife." He tells Kristin, never breaking eye contact with her.
A smile gradually appears on her face, and she can't help it when a couple more tears leave her eyes. Though unlike the last one, these tears were filled with happiness, joy, and love.
"I would very much like that too." She replied.
His smile grew to match hers. Then he leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss.
Galen's arms went around her, pulling her in closer to him and closing the gap between them. While Kristin wrapped her arms around his neck. She then opened her mouth when she felt his tongue prodding at her lips, asking for entrance.
She sighed into the kiss as his tongue caressed hers as they deepen the kiss. It was filled with love and promise as they shared it, their hearts pounding against their ribcages, the longer they stayed connected.
They eventually pulled away, moments later to breathe.
"I love you." Kristin says.
"I love you too." Galen replied.
They stood there a little longer, holding each other in their arms.
Then suddenly, Kristin let out a surprised gasp and her hands shot to her swollen stomach. She felt a very strange sensation down below, then felt wetness seeping from crotch.
It was a lot too, it saturated her capris and traveled down the inside of her legs.
"What is it? What's wrong?" He asks.
She took a couple, slow deep breaths, before shifting her gaze back up to meet his. Fear and worry ever present in her eyes.
"Galen...I think my water just broke." Kristin told him.
It took a moment to sink in. Then his eyes widened to epic proportions.
"Wait!? What!?" He blurted out, and quite loud.
It was loud enough to startle their friends awake and had them both on their feet within seconds.
"What is it!? What's going on!? You hear or see gorilla troops heading our way!?" Alan asked, in a slight panic at being suddenly awoken.
Kristin gasped again and clutched her stomach as a contraction hit her. Galen grasped her arms to steady her, before his gaze shot to his friends.
"Her water just broke! We have to go, now!" Galen called to them in a panic.
"Seriously!? Now!?" Pete said.
"That's exactly what he just said! Now!" Kristin replied, in a worried tone.
"Ok, let's go. Back to the cart. I'm getting us out of here. We'll need to ride a little faster if we are to get there sooner. It might be difficult though, I'm not sure we can go day and night for the next couple days. Our best option is to hit the next village we come across." Alan informed them.
Then they all started to quickly pack their stuff.
Thankfully, it wasn't much stuff at all. Before they were all rushing back to the cart parked about twenty feet away. Galen kept his hands on Kristin to keep her steady as they went, he didn't want her to stumble and fall on the way if another contraction hits her.
Alan jumped into the driver's seat. While Galen and Pete helped Kristin into the back of the cart.
Galen sat and leaned against the wall of the cart. Then had Kristin sit between his legs and lean back against him. He then lightly wrapped his arms around her and held her. While Pete sat next to them.
"You guys ready?" Alan asked them.
"Yes, go!" Galen called out.
Alan gave the reins a good flick and the horse started to move.
He turned the cart around. Though it was a bit of a tight squeeze seeing as the clearing they were on was a bit on the narrow side. But with a bit of proper maneuvering, he was able to pull it off and turn them around.
Alan flicked the reins again and the horse took off in a light trot down the slightly bumpy path.
It felt awkward and a little uncomfortable going over such an uneven surface as the others in the back bounced slightly in their seats. Kristin gasped again, not from the sudden jolts from the bumpiness of the ride, but from another contraction.
Within a few minutes, Alan was back on the main road. Luckily, it was a much smoother ride now. He flicked the reins again, encouraging the horse to go faster.
He's not sure if they may make it anywhere on time. But they had to try. Time was of the essence now. It may as well be something that wasn't completely on their side either.
Until Next Time ;)