Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Willow and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Born To Lead Chapter 31
Time was of the utmost essence. The infiltration had to commence before daybreak or all would be lost. A sense of urgency came over the troop leaving no room for error.
Underground Malcolm led the apes through a BART tunnel connected to the station Malcolm had used previously to sneak into the human Colony through the basements in the tower.
The group ran without stopping on the tracks with Malcolm's flashlight the only source of light to guide their steps in the right direction. The apes were silent at every step calculated to avoid detection.
Willow stayed glued to Caesar's side the entire time ready to catch her father should he stumble. The constant nonstop running was putting an enormous strain on Caesar, taking a heavy toll. Having not yet fully healed the wound in his shoulder obviously hindered his movements, but he refused to show or let that stop him. He mustn't appear weak. That would ruin everything.
Willow wasn't the only one concerned over Caesar's wellbeing. Repeatedly Malcolm would cast a glance back at Caesar to check on how he was faring, like now.
"Are you okay," asked Malcolm.
Caesar grunted lightly in reply.
"We're getting close," informed Malcolm.
Then without warning shots were fired in the tunnel forcing them all to duck and cover off to the side.
At first, they thought Koba's minions had found them, and distinctly human voice was heard.
"Who's there? If you're human, you better say so!"
Malcolm recognized it at once.
"It's me! It's Malcolm! Don't shoot," shouted Malcolm. Bending down he spoke more quietly to the apes. "The stairs. Take the stairs." He was referring to the stairwell to their right. "They'll bring you around and up onto the street, okay? Go."
Caesar looked to his apes and they all nodded to show they understood the conveyed instructions.
Turning back to Malcolm, voice laced with gratitude, Caesar said "Thank you."
"Trust," said Malcolm, smiling, repeating the gesture Caesar gave him at the gas station a few nights ago.
A flashlight beaming this way and that in the area of the tunnel up ahead and the sound of approaching footsteps were the signs that whoever had fired the shots are coming to take a look.
"Go now," said Malcolm, waving them up the stairs
Quietly the apes vanished up the stairs above ground.
As the apes were walking up, speaking to the person at the other end of the tunnel, Malcolm shouted "All right! I'm coming out! Don't shoot!"
Briefly looking back into the subway after she left Willow saw by the intensity of the flashlight as it swept over the stairs they'd just vacated it was just in the nick of time. The other humans had no idea they'd been there thanks to Malcolm. But she did wonder if he was going to be all right.
"He'll be fine, Willow," signed Blue Eyes, reassuringly, voicing what she was thinking. "He's with his own kind now."
Smiling Willow nodded back, but did not sign.
The group made their way outside through the transit of the station leading out of the subway. They were right where Malcolm said they would be. They were close enough to the tower now that it wouldn't have mattered if they happened to be spotted at this point. Koba's apes would be searching in long-range patterns not close nit. They had the element of surprise.
Above they could see the barely perceptible silhouettes of apes on the beams of the massive skyscraper.
Stealing himself, looking at the grim faces of his children, Caesar warned "Prepare yourselves. It is time."
Authors Note:
Hallelujah! The fight is the next chapter! We finally get to see what happens to Koba and who does the job!