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When Nova suddenly tugged on Buck's uniform sleeve, he turned around, feeling confused. She was trying to tell him that they should check out what was happening before jumping in. It sounded like a smart idea. Buck helped Nova as they walked across the soft ground. Gradually, he started hearing a really loud roar. It was like the sound of huge waves crashing against the shore from far away. Buck was puzzled, but he followed Nova as she led him towards the thickest part of the bushes. She signaled for Buck to peek through the leaves in the direction of the strange noise. Buck couldn't believe his ears. Unless the heat of the day and his fight with the gorillas were messing with his hearing, the strange murmur sounded like a big and noisy crowd of people. It reminded him of being at a stadium or a political rally, like a huge gathering of people.
Buck and Nova were like a dynamic duo, sneaking through the lush green bushes together. They carefully made their way to a spot where they could see better, pushing aside some branches above them. Buck couldn't believe what he saw and his eyes widened in amazement. It was like his brain couldn't handle the sight before him, and it started doing crazy flips inside his head. He couldn't help but blurt out in shock, "Oh my goodness! There's an entire city full of these troublemakers!"
Yes, it was true.
Buck Rogers was witnessing the very same phenomenon that George Taylor had encountered, even before this wild escapade unfolded. Taylor didn't buy into it himself, until he was tormented by a gorilla and subjected to bone-chilling tortures from his simian captors. It wasn't until he lost all his fellow astronauts that the truth began to sink in.
He saw the complex of Ape City. As he gazed upon the sprawling complex, he marveled at the intricate stone warrens that crisscrossed the landscape. These winding passages, hewn from solid granite, served as both shelter and sanctuary for the ape population. Dome-shaped houses dotted the cityscape, their sturdy structures blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. These dwellings, meticulously crafted from stone and other locally sourced materials, provided a sense of security and comfort to the apes who called Ape City home. The granite walks and paths that adorned the city were a testament to the advanced engineering skills of the apes. These meticulously laid pathways not only provided convenient access to various parts of the city but also added an air of grandeur to the overall aesthetic. As he continued to observe, he couldn't help but be struck by the immense gorilla-house aspect of the kingdom. The towering structures, reminiscent of their primate counterparts, exuded a sense of power and authority. It was a visual representation of the apes' dominance in their newfound domain.
In the heart of the city, a circular stone arena stretched out below him. To his astonishment, it was teeming with hundreds of apes. They stood together in a dense crowd, resembling a mass of humans gathered to listen to a speaker. Among them, he noticed squads of gorillas, dressed in the same uniforms as the ones he had encountered before. These menacing creatures were forcefully corralling half-naked humans into wagon cages, displaying a brutal disregard for their lives.
"Is that what they do to your people, Nova?" Behind him, crouching and remembering all too well, the girl didn't answer. She couldn't.
At the main gate of the arena, a striking picket-like arched entrance, Buck's gaze was drawn towards a small gathering of chimpanzees. These chimpanzees, armed with banners, were engaged in a captivating display of defiance, walking in circles and gesturing towards the center of the arena. The banners they held aloft bore powerful messages that demanded attention: "FREE THE HUMANS!" and "UNITE IN PEACE!" However, amidst the bustling gorilla stampede, nobody seemed to pay any heed to the dissenting chimpanzees. Buck found himself momentarily taken aback, his mind struggling to comprehend the scene before him. It felt surreal, as if his eyes were playing tricks on him. Uniformed gorillas mingled with chimpanzees dressed in civilian attire, blurring the lines between species and raising questions about the dynamics at play.
As Buck tried to make sense of this peculiar sight, he couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity and intrigue. The clash between the gorillas and the chimpanzees, both physically and ideologically, seemed to encapsulate a deeper conflict simmering beneath the surface. It was a clash of perspectives, a battle for freedom and unity, unfolding right before his eyes.
The chimpanzees, with their unwavering determination and bold gestures, symbolized a voice of dissent that refused to be silenced. Their banners, emblazoned with powerful slogans, served as a rallying cry for change. Yet, their impassioned pleas seemed to fall on deaf ears amidst the overwhelming presence of the gorillas. The uniformed gorillas, stoic and seemingly indifferent, represented the established order, the dominant force that held sway over the arena.
Buck's mind raced with questions. What had led to this divide between the gorillas and the chimpanzees? Was it a clash of ideologies, a struggle for power, or something deeper and more profound?
"Oh man, this is a total nightmare!" he whispered, his voice all shaky and his mouth feeling all dry. He looked around the arena with wide, scared eyes, not able to say a word.
He could feel Nova's hands shaking on his back, as if she was just as scared as he was. Nova, who had been through so much in Ape City before.
Buck couldn't believe what he was seeing. He was so shocked and confused that it reduced his brain to mush.
Nova was only----afraid.
Down below on the perimeter of the stone arena, too far away for him to have spotted Buck and Nova in the concealment of the thicket above, stood General Ursus. General Ursus had eyes only for the crowd. His audience. He stood on a dais, surrounded by the populace of Ape City, all eager to hear what he had to say---to offer. General Ursus was a very large, very imposing gorilla whose military costume of braid, epaulets and medals only enhanced the ferocity and brute strength of his appearance. Behind him on the dais, Nova would have recognized the elderly Dr. Zaius, the stern but kindly orangutan who had at least attempted to understand the freedom that Taylor had wanted and needed. Other members of the ape hierarchy filled the chairs ringed around the platform. But for the moment, the center of all eyes was the mighty General Ursus.
Ursus the Powerful.
Ursus the Great One.
Even as he now spoke, holding out his large arms, his full-chested voice sweeping over the throngs, the great white statue of the Lawgiver behind him seemed to wrinkle in a smile of simian approval. Ursus was a man of the people.
"Greetings, members of the Citizens' Council," Ursus boomed. "I am a simple soldier...." Deafening applause and a wildly cheering multitude greeted this pronouncement. 498Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxwNC9L9a0
From the cover of his shrubbery above, Buck almost broke down in total astonishment. His eyes glittered insanely in his handsome face. "God, this isn't real. It can't be....!" Nova, terrified, pulled him back to cover.
"As a soldier," Ursus resumed, placidly in control of his audience, "I see things simply...." His listeners had stilled, ready to absorb what he had to say.
Buck was talking to himself now, in a shattered whisper.
"A simian Hitler! That's what he is....!"
Nova, somehow understanding the horror of what had come to him, quickly placed her hand over his mouth.
The next words of Ursus came up to them, sonorous and clear. Like shining rocks aimed at what was left of Buck's sanity.
"What I saw, when I became your Army Commander, broke my heart. I saw our country imprisoned on one side by the sea, and by north and south and west---by naked desert. And inside our country, we found ourselves infected by those enormous parasites which we call Humans. By parasites who devoured the fruits that we had planted in a land rightly ours; who fattened on the fertility of fields that we made green with wheat; who polluted the pure and precious water of our lakes and rivers with their animal excrement; and who continued to breed in our very midst like maggots in a once healthy body. What should we do? How should we act? I know what every soldier knows: the only thing that counts in the end is Power! Naked, merciless Force!" A low growl of applause filtered up from the crowd but no one was anxious to break the flow of Ursus's rhetoric.
"Today, the bestial Human herds have at last been systematically flushed from their feeding grounds! No single Human Being has escaped our net. They are dead. Or if not dead, they are in our cages---condemned to die."
The thick murmur fluttering among his listeners began to swell into a low rumble, building to a full road. Ursus smiled all too benignly. His deep-set eyes were as cold and cruel as leeches.
"I do not say that all Humans are evil," he declared, "simply because their skin is hairless. But our Lawgiver tells us that never will they have the Ape's divine faculty for distinguishing between Good and Evil. Their eyes are animal, their smell the smell of the dead flesh they eat. Had they been allowed to live and breed among us unchecked, they would have overwhelmed us. And the concept of Ape Power would have become meaningless; our high and splendid culture would have been wasted away and our civilization would have been ravaged and destroyed."
Now there was no holding the audience of orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. "AYE! AYE! AYE! AYE!" echoed through the stone arena thundered as the vibrant chorus of their collective applause resonated in unison. Ursus beamed down on a sea of simian faces. He raised his arms in gratitude and acknowledgment. From the hillside, Buck had listened with mounting horror and cold fury. Flat on their stomachs, he and the girl had worked themselves further away from the hideous tableau. Nova was shuddering as if she had palsy. Buck tried to steady her by holding her wrist firmly.
"I've got to get back to the Inner City," he told himself, trying to remain clearheaded. "But I----I can't go back alone. Gotta get Nova back to her baby Gotta find Wilma and Aerrum!"
Backtracking furiously, slithering along the green earth like snakes, Buck and the shaking girl vanished into the foliage.
A guardsman's horn blew to signal quiet, its piercing sound cutting through the air and commanding immediate attention. Ursus, a seasoned orator, felt a surge of frustration as he realized he had almost reached the end of his impassioned peroration.
"....and those lucky enough to remain alive will have the privilege of being---used---" Here he half turned to bow slightly towards Dr. Zaius whose powerful face had remained inscrutable throughout the highly inflammatory speech, "by our revered Minister of Science, Dr. Zaius."
The last statement was uttered in a flat, unemphatic tone, but nevertheless, a small but spirited outbreak of minority clapping sounds sounded from the crowd below the dais, filling the arena. Dr. Zaius still didn't smile, but Ursus frowned, flinging a furious glance toward an outer section of his audience.
He might have guessed Zaius's advocates seemed to be the chimpanzee section of the crowd. The usual, typical kindly intellectuals still used expressions such as "the milk of human kindness." What rot! Damn Zaius and all his intellectual weaklings! Ursus gestured peremptorily and a military policeman advanced on the section, brandishing his club. The clapping subsided. Except for one very energetic female chimpanzee who kept on clapping. Her companion, a male chimp, plucked at her sleeve nervously.
"Zira!" Cornelius whispered savagely. "Stop! You're in danger."
"So is the future of science with that rabble-rouser fomenting a senseless military adventure," his wife snorted angrily.
On the left flank of the crowd, in the concealment of the hillside, Nova had halted Buck. Pointing down towards the chimpanzee section, she gesticulated wildly toward Zira and Cornelius. Buck didn't understand until Nova whispered "Zi-ra" and pointed back towards the arena. She had recognized Zira and Cornelius; two of the gentlest souls in this Ape City, who had helped her and Taylor effect their escape. The intelligent chimpanzees, in their long jackets and skirts and trousers, had been like saints in a universe gone mad.
Ursus was winding up his oration.
"We will never lose our sense of purpose. We will never degenerate. We will never become weak and hairless...." Growls filtered up from his audience once more. "Because we know how to purify our own people---with Blood!"
His gimlet eyes swept over the dais, finding Dr. Zaius. Their glances locked. The conflict between the two of them hung like unexploded dynamite in the charged atmosphere.
"The Forbidden City," Ursus intoned heavily, "has been closed for centuries. And rightly so. But we now have evidence that the vast, barren area is now inhabited. By whom or by what, we do not know. But if they live---and live they do---then they must eat. We must replenish the land that was ravaged by the Humans with new, productive feeding grounds. And these we can obtain in the Forbidden Zone. So now it is our holy duty to enter it, put the mark of our feet and wheels and flags upon it! To expand the boundaries of our ineluctable power!"
A mammoth a-a-a-ahhhhhhhhh! erupted from the crowd.
"To kill our enemies---" Ursus thundered, shaggy arms outflung, "known and unknown---like so many lice!"
A growl, a gathering crescendo of fury and might, swelled up from anthropoid throats. Ursus brought his arms down in a mighty sweep of finality, his voice climaxing the speech with one last fierce exhortation of brute force.
"And to invade---invade--INVADE, INVADE!"
The ranked gorillas, standing before the platform, blistered the air with applause. Hoarse shouts of exaltation rumbled wildly through the throng. With waves of acclaim cascading upon him, Ursus took a seat once more, his gorilla smile as wide as humility allowed. Dr. Zaius did not smile.
Seated and silent amid the uproar, the chimpanzee section of the audience sat in stunned despair. One Ursus, feeding flames to trigger-happy civilians, could fan a blaze that could wreck Ape City. Gorilla policemen, quick to put down troublemakers among the intellectuals, were circulating rapidly, wielding truncheons. And bayonets. The chimps who had refused to stand to honor Ursus and his speech were bullied into upright positions. All but Zira, who remained seated, her chimp muzzle screwed into an expression of defiance. Cornelius, standing to avoid a fight, was exceedingly perturbed by her foolhardiness.
"Zira!"
She wouldn't budge. Cornelius whispered to her in a fierce undertone.
"Zira, as your husband, I beg you to stand up."
"Only for my principles," she said clearly and coolly.
"All right," Cornelius smiled, despite himself. "For your principles, then. And mine. Only stand!"
Zira dutifully got to her feet, a split second before a glowering gorilla policeman could reach her to force her to do so.
From the center of the arena, Ursus smiled a triumphant smile. No matter what the brainy fools might think---force was the only answer for all problems. Power. The Big Fist. Ineluctable Power!
Even his most vocal opposition, the chimpanzee claque, were all on their feet now, paying homage to what he had said. His words. His platform. His promises.
Dr. Zaius would learn that someday, the scientific idiot!
Or he too would have to feel a leather truncheon crashing down on his orangutan skull.
Ursus knew that in his own scheme of things it could be no other way.
Amidst all of this, Nova guided the bewildered Buck Rogers through the dense foliage that surrounded Ape City. In her dimly lit mind, she realized that perhaps Zira and Cornelius could provide the man who called himself "Buck" with the answers she was incapable of giving. She had seen that Buck was the same stamp of man as Taylor. There was the clean, bold look of the eyes, the firm carriage of the body, the walk of giants. Even if Buck was confused and obviously dazed, to Nova he represented a species several thousand cuts above the half-savage, brutal race she had grown and lived among. Anything was better than that. Anything was better than the rule of the Apes.
The habitations were as she had remembered them. Domelike huts and houses scaled on different levels of the ground, terracing down like so many beehives. She spotted Zira's home almost immediately. Nova led the way with Buck diligently following behind her. Between the houses and huts, the brush was dense and almost impenetrable. But it made concealment easier. Buck stumbled along behind her, his mind still reeling from the spectacles of the cornfield blitzkrieg and the arena. Behind them, the hoarse ovation for Ursus's speech still lingered in the air. Nova suddenly halted as Buck came down too heavily on a twig beneath his heel. The noise cracked out clearly in the stillness of the brush. Nova pulled Buck to the soft earth.
A uniformed patrolman, his gorilla face savage beneath a visored cap, paused for a routine check. Through the density of foliage, Buck saw that they were only yards away from the guard. He held his breath, oddly terrified and bewildered. An ape in uniform walking around like any security policeman! With a gun, too!
The gorilla cop was scanning the landscape with great care, trying to pin down the strange noise on his patrol. Crouching in the bushes, Nova and Buck lay very still. Suddenly there was an abrupt whirring noise. A bird, strangely multicolored, shot from a nearby thicket and whirled overhead. The patrolman quickly drew a heavy revolver from his belted holster and snapped off a shot. The bird was out of sight almost right away, but Buck had to hold his teeth together to keep from screaming out loud. Nova's quick hand once more closed over his mouth as she saw the widening red stain on his shoulder. Buck closed his eyes against the sudden agony. The random shot had caught him as surely as if it had been aimed at him.
The patrolman, now satisfied that the bird had been the source of the odd sound, holstered his pistol and continued on his way through the brush. His boots made clumping noises along the path.
Buck sagged against the earth, his face drawn with pain, as Nova bent over him helplessly.
From the distant arena, heavy shouts again filled the air.
A few blocks distant from the clamor of the stadium and the concealed spot where Buck and Nova cowered was the steam room, banked benches of stone nearly obscured by rising clouds of vapor. A little gorilla boy, busily ladling cold water over the hissing hot stones, might have been a statue devoid of life. Dr. Zaius and General Ursus had repaired here to discuss the important issues evoked by the open forum in the arena of Ape City.
Lolling in loincloths, ministered to by the gorilla boy, Zaius and Ursus were airing their views (and their differences) in a more intimate and unguarded atmosphere. Sometimes, disparate minds may meet in private where they cannot come together in public.
Zaius fervently hoped so. His reddish-blond orangutan coloring was in marked contrast to Ursus's jet-black, shaggier gorilla proportions. Both apes liked the steam room. It was a good place to sweat out differences and divergences of opinion.
"I can imagine that the whole business surrounding that talking human took up a lot of your time," Ursus's tone was pleasant for someone hellbent on going to war. "Especially that escape of his into the Forbidden Zone."
"The affair is closed," Dr. Zaius said emphatically, "You need not concern yourself over it."
Ursus shrugged his mammoth shoulders, sweat trickling down off his snout of a nose.
"Well, I'm curious, Dr. Zaius. "What was the final judgment of the Ministry of Science as to what that talking creature actually was?"
"A scientifically altered freak," Zaius lied, "Cornelius and Zira have been properly disciplined for their actions."
"Really?" there was the faint air of a smirk in Ursus's expression, "Tell me something Dr. Zaius, were they capable of altering more than one human into a talking freak?"
Zaius frowned at the general, "I fail to see the relevance."
"How can you, Dr. Zaius, after the reports we have been receiving of strange manifestations in the Forbidden Zone? Manifestations which you, as Minister of Science, have been unable to fathom. Twelve of my scouts have vanished into thin air."
"Eleven," Zaius reminded him, with his fetish for exactitude.
"Eleven. And the twelfth came back with incredible reports of huge walls of fire and strange earthquakes. His mind was shattered---undoubtedly by some un-Simian torture."
"Inflicted by whom?"
"I would say humans who not only talk but have weapons that far exceed anything we've ever known. And like all humans, they live. Therefore, they eat."
"I think you are being---hasty."
"No," Ursus snorted mightily. "Decisive!"
Dr. Zaius shook his head.
"Decisions come from weighing evidence. It is through evidence that a scientist arrives at the truth."
"And a politician?"
"At expediency."
For a long, crucial second, both apes regarded each other eye to eye. The steaming vapors swirled and eddied about them. General Ursus chuckled almost softly.
"Then let us discuss what is evident and what is expedient. What is evident is that due to this overpopulation, we face famine. What is expedient is...."
"....that we should control it," Dr. Zaius interjected quickly.
Ursus glared. His nostrils quivered.
"And be outnumbered by our enemies? I look to the day when not thousands but millions will march under the Ape banner."
"Should we not wait until then, if we must invade?"
"And let our enemies invade us first?" Ursus wagged his mighty head. "I would sooner attack at my convenience than be forced to defend at theirs. No human can ever defeat the indomitable spirit of our warriors! And we cannot lose because we are God's chosen ones!"
"I believe there is an old expression in the Sacred Scrolls that what the Almighty giveth, He can also taketh away in but an instant," Zaius said slowly.
Ursus frowned at his gentle foe, barely concealing the wrathful scorn he felt for all thinkers such as the eminent doctor.
"Are we to let our future be dictated by such philosophical claptrap?" the general thundered. The little gorilla boy paused dumbly in his labors. "We should look to the realities that exist! Our food continuously plundered! What is more dangerous than famine?"
"The unknown," Dr. Zaius said.
Steam rose and hissed over the hot rocks as the cold water hit them, seeming to fan the atmosphere with the import of Dr. Zaius's warning.
Simultaneously, in the dense jungle beyond Ape City, the resounding beeping on Wilma Deering's OmniTric intensified, echoing through the labyrinthine undergrowth. She knew that the human contacts she'd pinpointed were only mere meters away, just through the next barrier of foliage.
She could hear the sounds of water rushing from the same area, a gentle symphony that reached her ears and instantly reminded her of how parched she had become after her frantic flight from the relentless pursuit of the massive gorillas. The dryness in her throat intensified, as if mocking her desperate need for hydration. It was as if every step she took further ignited the fire within, urging her to quench this insatiable thirst.
With a renewed sense of urgency, she quickened her pace, each stride propelling her closer to the source of that tantalizing sound. Her heart pounded in sync with the rhythm of the rushing water, its cadence both comforting and maddeningly elusive. She knew that finding water was not only essential for survival but also a chance to momentarily escape the clutches of fear and exhaustion.
When Wilma emerged on the other side of the dense foliage, her eyes widened in awe as she beheld a breathtaking sight. Before her stood a magnificent waterfall, cascading down from a towering green hill into a crystal-clear lagoon. The sound of rushing water filled the air, creating a soothing melody that resonated deep within her soul.
As she approached the water's edge, Wilma couldn't help but notice the presence of numerous primitive humans scattered along the banks and immersed in the refreshing lagoon. They seemed to be engaged in various activities - some were fishing with rudimentary tools, while others were playfully splashing each other or simply basking in the tranquility of their surroundings.
Damn, she thought to herself, her disappointment evident. Just more of those primitives. A veritable colony of them.
Right away, as Wilma stepped into the clearing, she felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere. The eyes of several primitives locked onto her, their gazes filled with a mix of curiosity and fear. It was as if she had stumbled upon a hidden world, one that had never before encountered someone like her.
What struck Wilma immediately was how frightened they seemed of her presence. Two females, their faces etched with trepidation, promptly treaded backwards in the water, creating distance between themselves and this unexpected intruder. Their cautious movements spoke volumes about the unknown dangers they associated with outsiders.
Meanwhile, the thickly bearded males stood tall and imposing, their piercing glares fixed upon Wilma. Their rugged features were etched with suspicion and wariness. It was clear that they were protectors of their tribe, guardians of their way of life.
"Don't be afraid," Wilma said soothingly, her voice laced with empathy, as she carefully slid her pistol back into its snug holster. The glimmer of reassurance in her eyes was undeniable. "I won't hurt you. I genuinely want to help you, if only you could find it within yourself to assist me."
No sooner had Wilma opened her mouth to speak, her words hanging in the air, when a perceptible stir went up among the primitives. It was as if an invisible force had swept through their ranks, causing a ripple effect of anticipation and unease. The silence that enveloped them was deafening, yet their movements spoke volumes.
Wilma couldn't help but notice the uncanny synchronicity of their actions. Each primitive seemed to respond with a subtle shift in posture or a quick glance exchanged between them. It was as though they were communicating through some unspoken language, one that transcended mere words.
As the colonel stood there, her heart sank with a heavy sense of unease. The once vibrant jungle, teeming with life and mysterious beauty, now seemed to close in around her like an ominous shroud. Every rustle of leaves and distant animal call felt like a warning, urging her to retreat. She couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that she had overstayed her welcome in this untamed realm.
She had gone only ten feet when she heard the sounds of splashing, followed by the faint rustling of feet moving and brushing against the dense foliage. The rhythmic cadence of their steps echoed through the stillness of the forest, sending a shiver down her spine. It was as if the very air around her had grown heavy with their presence.
Wilma quickened her pace as she heard the rustling noise behind her intensify. The sound grew louder and more persistent, echoing through the dense forest. Each step she took seemed to fuel her anxiety, urging her to move faster. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows that danced ominously around her.
After another hour of relentless pursuit, the rustling noise had become an incessant symphony of twigs snapping and leaves crunching underfoot. It was as if whatever was following her had gained momentum, closing in with every passing second. Wilma's heart pounded in her chest, a mix of fear and determination coursing through her veins.
With each stride, she could feel the weight of the decision weighing heavily upon her shoulders. She knew she couldn't keep running forever; eventually, she would tire and succumb to exhaustion. The time had come for Wilma to take matters into her own hands.
She stopped in her tracks, her heart pounding in her chest as she realized the approaching group of primitives was closing in on her. With a quick decision, she swiftly turned around and unholstered her weapon, determined to defend herself without causing any permanent harm. The setting on her blaster remained on heavy stun, ensuring that the impact would incapacitate rather than kill.
Without hesitation, she aimed at the advancing group and opened fire. Brilliant bursts of red energy streaked through the air, crackling with an intimidating power. The first few shots hit their targets with precision, causing several of the primitives to collapse to the ground in a dazed state. The rest of them, startled by the sudden onslaught of energy bolts, scattered wildly in all directions.
Wilma slowly exhaled, her heart pounding in her chest as she desperately tried to catch her breath. The weight of the situation bore down on her, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The idea of shooting at fellow human beings was something she had always found deeply distasteful, but circumstances had forced her hand. She had been left with no alternative at this point.
The events leading up to this moment played out like a nightmarish sequence in Wilma's mind. It all started when she found herself trapped in the dense jungle, pursued relentlessly by a group of aggressive gorillas. Their primal instincts drove them forward, their thunderous roars echoing through the trees as they closed in on her.
Hoping for refuge and safety among them, she quickly realized that exchanging pursuit from the gorillas for pursuit from these fierce humans amounted to absolutely nothing. The adrenaline coursing through her veins fueled her desperate attempt to escape their clutches. She darted through the dense underbrush, her heart pounding in her chest like a war drum.
As she made her way closer to the forest periphery that led back to the open field, a glimmer of hope flickered within her. The tantalizing scent of freedom hung in the air, urging her forward. With every step, she could almost taste the sweet relief of leaving this nightmare behind.
However, fate seemed determined to play a cruel joke on her. She was still twenty feet short of reaching the sanctuary of the forest when she heard it – the unmistakable sound of approaching horses. Panic seized her as she realized that time was running out, and escape was slipping through her fingers like sand.
Once again, her heart pounded in her chest as she swiftly maneuvered behind the towering tree, seeking refuge from prying eyes that scanned the vast field. The adrenaline surged through her veins, urging her to remain absolutely motionless, lest even the slightest movement betray her presence to the vigilant gorilla scouts patrolling nearby.
With bated breath, she pressed herself against the rough bark of the tree, feeling its ancient energy seep into her trembling body. Her senses heightened, every nerve on edge as she carefully observed her surroundings. The air was thick with tension, each passing second stretching out like an eternity as she willed herself to become one with the shadows.
"We'll take the perimeter on the right, first," she heard one of them say, "Then we'll check the left perimeter."
That meant she was okay for now. The gorillas were going to be inspecting the forest on the opposite side of the field first. She let out a silent sigh of relief, grateful that their attention was momentarily diverted away from her hiding spot.
"A lot of humans congregate in this area, sir," another voice spoke, breaking her train of thought. "Will it be easy finding the one we want? You know how all humans look alike."
"You heard the colonel's report," the first soldier said, his voice filled with urgency. "The ones we're after, they have this uncanny ability to blend in, but there's one thing that sets them apart. They dress themselves in some sort of bizarre form-fitting outfit, white as a ghost, if you can believe it. It's like they want to stick out like an orangutan would in our ranks."
She then heard the horse's hoofbeats start up and slowly fade as they moved away from her. The rhythmic sound echoed in her ears, creating a sense of solitude and anticipation. The conversation she had overheard had been a stroke of luck, providing her with valuable information that could potentially change the course of her journey. Now, armed with this newfound knowledge, she could form some definite ideas on what to do next.
She took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation as she made her way back towards the enchanting waterfall region. The previous visit had left her with more questions than answers, and now she was determined to uncover the truth. This time, however, her focus was laser-sharp - she wanted to witness the emergence of a single primitive being, but not just any primitive. She yearned to see a female.
She could hear the faint rustling sounds of leaves being disturbed and the occasional splashing of water, indicating that they were nearby. Her heart raced with anticipation as her eyes darted back and forth, scanning every potential hiding spot where one of them might emerge. The dense foliage surrounding her seemed to come alive with hidden movements, making it difficult to pinpoint their exact location. She strained her ears, trying to decipher the direction from which the sounds were coming, but they seemed to echo and bounce off the trees, playing tricks on her senses.
Suddenly, Wilma felt something brush against her shoulder from behind. The sensation sent a shiver down her spine, causing her heart to race in her chest. Instinctively, she spun around, her eyes widening in shock as she found herself face to face with a six-foot-tall male primitive.
His presence was overwhelming, his towering figure casting an intimidating shadow over her petite frame. His face was streaked with dirt and mud, as if he had been living in the wilderness for ages. Thick strands of unkempt hair cascaded down his broad shoulders, blending seamlessly with his wild and untamed beard.
As Wilma locked eyes with him, she couldn't help but notice the intensity that radiated from his gaze. There was an unmistakable hostility etched into every line of his weathered face. It was as if he had been hardened by a life of survival and solitude, leaving no room for compassion or understanding.
Wilma felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she faced off against the primitive. Years of rigorous training had prepared her for this very moment, and she knew that her hand-to-hand combat skills would be put to the ultimate test.
With unwavering focus, Wilma swiftly analyzed her opponent's movements, searching for any weaknesses she could exploit. As the primitive lunged towards her with a primal roar, she instinctively reacted, channeling all her training into a single devastating strike.
In one fluid motion, Wilma pivoted on her heel and unleashed a powerful blow with her right elbow, targeting the primitive's vulnerable solar plexus. The impact was bone-jarring, causing the primitive to stagger forward in agonizing pain. Bent at the waist and gasping for breath, he struggled to regain his composure.
As she swiftly maneuvered behind him, her heart pounded with a mix of adrenaline and determination. With a calculated precision, she positioned herself just right, her body coiled like a tightly wound spring. In one fluid motion, she unleashed the full force of her pent-up energy, propelling both her hands forward with an explosive power.
The impact reverberated through the air as her palms connected with the square of his back. A resounding thud echoed in the surroundings, momentarily drowning out any other sound. The sheer force of her strike sent shockwaves rippling through his body, causing him to stumble forward before collapsing onto the unforgiving ground.
Time seemed to stand still as he lay there, sprawled out in a state of complete unconsciousness. His eyes closed shut, shielding him from the world around him as darkness enveloped his senses. The once formidable figure now lay defeated and vulnerable, completely at her mercy.
No sooner had Wilma finished him off than she heard more crashing through the foliage. This time, a mud-smeared female with long brown hair emerged, her eyes darting about in confusion. The blonde soldier knew it was time to put her plan into effect. Wilma positioned herself parallel to the female, ensuring the success of her plan.
She could have solved the dilemma by killing the primitive, but the thought of taking a human life, even one so animal-like, was too repulsive. Her soldier's oath was to protect all humans, and she would never dishonor it.
Hidden behind the tree, she ensured the female's gaze was averted. Confirming the stun setting, she fired, and the primitive collapsed.
Wilma hurriedly removed the dirty, skimpy breast and loin coverings from the female's body, wrinkling her nose at their unclean condition.
Knowing it would be degrading, she had no choice but to disguise herself as a primitive. In her uniform, she stood out and had no chance of reaching Buck, Aerrum, and Nova. Amongst the primitives, however, she had a slim chance.
Disregarding the situation, she discarded her g-suit. The gorillas were preoccupied with locating a peculiarly dressed human wielding a formidable weapon, so their usual hunting endeavors could wait.
Wilma donned the skimpy garments and immediately felt a wave of self-consciousness hit her. The revealing nature of the primitive attire made her feel exposed and vulnerable. She couldn't help but compare herself to the female alien dignitary who had visited the Inner City a year earlier. This dignitary, named Xalara, hailed from the planet Aldorin.
Xalara's costume had been even more risqué than what Wilma was currently wearing. It consisted of intricately woven metallic threads that barely covered her body, leaving little to the imagination. The outfit was adorned with shimmering gemstones that accentuated Xalara's otherworldly beauty.
As an esteemed representative of her planet, Xalara had confidently strutted through the Inner City, captivating everyone with her grace and poise. Despite the scandalous nature of her attire, she exuded an air of confidence that commanded respect from all who laid eyes on her.
And then she couldn't help but smirk as she realized that Buck and other pilots that she'd once dated, who would have given their life's salaries to see her dressed as she was now, would probably eating their hearts out with envy.
Only in your dreams, fellows, she said to herself as she stuffed her g-suit into a small, recessed crevice inside one of the trees. Hopefully it would remain safely hidden here, so she could retrieve it later.
Wilma's heart sank as she concealed her trusted laser pistol and scanner beneath the pile of discarded items. Reluctantly, she acknowledged that holding onto them would only burden her at this moment. The weight of the decision pressed heavily on her mind, for she had relied on those tools countless times during her daring escapades. However, in this treacherous jungle filled with hostile gorillas, they would serve no purpose but to draw unwanted attention.
As she carefully arranged the pile to conceal her precious belongings, Wilma couldn't help but feel a pang of vulnerability. The absence of her laser pistol left her feeling defenseless, exposed to the dangers lurking in every shadowy corner of this unforgiving terrain. Yet, she knew that clinging onto sentimentality would only hinder her chances of survival.
.To give herself a more primitive appearance, she smeared some more dirt on her face, arms, and legs, ensuring that every inch of exposed skin was covered in the earthy pigment. The coarse texture of the soil clung to her skin, creating a rugged facade that seemed to blend seamlessly with the untamed wilderness surrounding her. With meticulous attention to detail, she carefully selected patches of dry dirt and rubbed them vigorously against her cheeks, creating streaks and smudges that mimicked the natural patterns found on ancient cave paintings. Her hands moved with purpose as she continued to darken her complexion, wanting to embody the essence of a primal existence.
Not stopping there, she turned her focus towards her hair - once neatly styled and maintained - now transformed into a wild tangle of unruly locks. She raked her fingers through the strands, causing them to become tangled and disheveled. Twigs and leaves became entwined within the mess of hair, further enhancing the illusion of someone who had been living in the depths of the untamed wilderness for years, disconnected from the constraints of society.
When she had finished her task, she embarked on her journey back towards the enchanting waterfall area, where the majority of the primitive inhabitants were still congregated.
She stood there for a moment, taking in the scene before her. The sound of rushing water filled her ears as the waterfall cascaded down into the crystal-clear lagoon. The air was thick with humidity, and a gentle mist enveloped everything in a dreamlike haze. The vibrant green foliage surrounding the area added to the enchanting atmosphere, creating a sense of tranquility that seemed to wash over her.
As she observed the humans, she couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and isolation. They appeared so at ease in their surroundings, completely absorbed in their own activities. Some were splashing and laughing in the lagoon, their joyous voices blending harmoniously with the soothing sounds of nature. Others sat on rocks or patches of soft grass, relishing bites of succulent fruit they had gathered from nearby trees.
Right away, Wilma realized that none of the primitives had a knowledge for faces, or else they might have recognized the person who had frightened them mere hours ago. It was as if their understanding of facial recognition was completely absent, leaving them oblivious to her true identity. Or if they did recognize her face, they took no notice because she now looked like one of them. The transformation she underwent to blend in with the primitives seemed to have worked flawlessly. She had altered her appearance so convincingly that even she found it hard to believe. It was as if she had become one with their tribe, seamlessly assimilating into their way of life.
Wilma couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and accomplishment at successfully disguising herself among the primitives. However, this revelation also shed light on an unsettling truth about their society. They seemed to associate clothing of any style or color with their oppressors, the gorillas.
As she savored the refreshing taste of the pure water, memories of her childhood flooded back. Growing up in the Inner City, she had never experienced anything like this. The water there was always murky and had a strange metallic aftertaste. It was a constant reminder of the polluted environment they lived in. But here, surrounded by nature's beauty, she felt a sense of liberation.
The sound of the waterfall cascading down the rocks filled her ears, drowning out the noise pollution that plagued her daily life. The cool mist from the rushing water gently kissed her face, rejuvenating her tired skin. She couldn't help but marvel at how something as simple as water could have such a profound effect on her well-being.
As she continued to drink from her makeshift cupped hands, she noticed tiny fish darting playfully in the crystal-clear stream. Their vibrant colors danced beneath the surface, creating an enchanting spectacle that captivated her attention. In that moment, she felt connected to nature in a way she had never experienced before, as if the water and the fish were whispering secrets of serenity and harmony directly to her soul.
So good did the water taste that she suddenly found the thought of immersing herself completely to be very inviting. She got to her feet and slowly waded in until she was immersed up to her chest. The water was cold but incredibly relaxing.
As she continued to wade about in the lagoon, a sense of unease washed over her. The need to maintain her disguise weighed heavily on her mind. She knew that once she left the water, she would have to cover herself with dirt once again, blending seamlessly into the surroundings. It was crucial for her not to draw any attention to herself, especially in this unfamiliar territory.
With each stroke of her hands, she propelled herself forward using the canine stroke technique. It felt strange and awkward, but it was necessary to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. The muddy bottom of the lagoon squished beneath her feet as she moved cautiously, ensuring that every movement appeared natural and inconspicuous.
The water around her shimmered under the golden rays of sunlight filtering through the dense foliage above. She couldn't help but marvel at the beauty surrounding her, even though her mind remained focused on maintaining her cover. The lush greenery and exotic sounds of nature enveloped her senses, creating a serene Despite the danger lurking in the shadows, she couldn't help but feel a sense of tranquility in this hidden paradise.
She reached the far side of the lagoon where the waterfall cascaded down onto a rock ledge five feet above the water's surface. The sound of rushing water filled her ears, drowning out any other noise in the vicinity. As she lifted herself up onto the ledge, a cool mist enveloped her, refreshing her tired body. The droplets from the waterfall gently caressed her face and body, creating a soothing sensation that seemed to wash away all her worries and troubles.
The tranquility of this hidden oasis was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. It was as if time stood still in this untouched paradise, shielding her from the chaos of the outside world. The mesmerizing sight of water tumbling down with such force and grace captivated her attention, drawing her deeper into its enchanting embrace.
With each passing moment spent beneath the cascading waterfall, she could feel all tension melting away from her muscles. The rhythmic patter of water hitting the rocks below created a symphony that echoed through the lush greenery surrounding her, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere that seemed to wash away all worries and troubles.
She scanned the lagoon and spotted a young-looking primitive fixated on her. He appeared to be in his twenties, with thick, scraggly brown hair and beard like the rest of them. However, he stood out as more attractive than the others she had observed. As their eyes locked - her brown meeting his blue - she sensed a difference from the hostility she had encountered with the black-eyed primitive she had confronted.
The colonel fought the urge to blush or appear embarrassed. Instead, she averted her gaze from him and returned it to the invigorating touch of the waterfall, letting its steady flow soothe her face and neck. For hours, she lay on her back, allowing the waters to cascade off her.
Her blissful relaxation was interrupted by a familiar sound, heard too often throughout the day.
Bang!
Wilma quickly stood up and scanned the jungle, where the shots had originated. Seeing the other primitives around the lagoon scattering in response, she realized it would be unwise to remain still. She jumped off the ledge, going feet first into the water. As she swam towards the other side of the lagoon, where most humans had gathered, she heard trees breaking and saw a figure crashing through them, eyes filled with panic and fear. Wilma was stunned to see that the primitive she had stunned and stolen clothes from twenty hours earlier was now wearing her white G-suit.
She must have found it and....
In an instant, another bang resounded, and the primitive's head burst in a gruesome cloud of blood. Wilma observed as the lifeless body tumbled over the ledge and plunged into the lagoon.
Wilma fought to contain her scream, her horror rendering her numb. She stood still, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene across the lagoon. Some of the primitives scrambled out of the water and disappeared into the jungle. Others repeatedly dove underwater, seemingly attempting to conceal themselves.
The colonel felt a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes shifted left and met the docile face of the blue-eyed primitive male who had been staring at her earlier. Startled at first, she quickly recognized his protective expression and demeanor. Looking into his eyes, she sensed a hint of normal human emotion for the first time from one of the primitives.
She didn't push him aside. Instead, her first instinct was to press tightly against him, clasping her arms around his muscular body and burying her head on his shoulder. The sight of the female brutally shot dead in her own G-suit unnerved Wilma completely, leaving her desperate for any form of protection. With no means of defense, she instinctively reached out for something that could offer safety. Clutching the blue-eyed one provided her temporary solace until the gorillas vanished.
"They're likely patriarchal anyway," she thought, allowing herself some black humor. No need to deviate from her usual self by pushing him aside.
A gorilla emerged on the ledge, peering down. The primitive's body, still in Wilma's white G-suit, lay face down in the water. Her arms flailed out and blood continued to gush from her head. The unholy stain had spread to where Wilma and her blue-eyed protector stood, increasing the tension she felt inside.
The gorilla, furious, exclaimed, "You shot her dead! Our orders were to take her alive!"
Another gorilla appeared, holding a rifle and looking incredibly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Captain Quintus," he stammered, "I tried to shoot to wound, but the thick foliage hindered me."
"Save your excuses!" Quintus roared. "When General Ursus hears, you'll be lucky to remain a private. Now move!"
"But sir, what about the other one we haven't found?"
"Enough! No more wasting time with incompetent searchers like you. Back to Ape City; you're on report for your foul-up!"
The intimidated gorilla disappeared back into the jungle. Captain Quintus remained where he was, disgustedly shaking his head at the motionless body in strange clothes, before his gaze fixed on Wilma and the Blue-Eyed one huddled together in the lagoon.
"Lucky for you beasts that I'm not in the mood for a hunt today," Quintus said, "You'd make great specimens for target practice, unless the two apes who love humans more than anyone get their hands on you."
Quintus vanished.
Wilma exhaled, relieved, and freed herself from the blue-eyed one's grasp. However, she soon noticed his reluctance to release her. She shifted her position, meeting his gaze and shaking her head subtly, desperately avoiding any words. Yet, her silent gestures failed to sway him; he continued to hold onto her tightly, captivated by her face with a mesmerizing mix of fascination and wonder.
"Please," Wilma silently pleaded, "let me go."
She didn't want to hurt him, knowing he had helped her stay calm during that harrowing moment. But the last thing she needed was to become a target of affection from one of these primitives at such a critical time.
Finally, she gently pried his arms away from her body and attempted to swim away, only to be stopped by his firm grip on her leg.
Wilma felt exasperation rising as she glared at the blue-eyed one, his expression unchanged. She couldn't decipher if his benevolent look stemmed from desire or something else. Shaking her leg loose, she patiently placed her hand on his shoulder and pointed towards the lagoon bank, signaling her desire to exit the water.
It seemed to have an effect. He nodded faintly and backed away. Feeling relieved, Wilma swam towards the bank, walking out when it was shallow enough. She made her way to the ledge where the primitive had tumbled in after being shot and stared down at the still-floating corpse.
"Is it my fault she's dead?" Wilma wondered, blaming herself for stealing the woman's clothes to protect herself from the gorillas. The latter found Wilma's G-suit and wore it, resulting in her tragic demise.
She realized, for the first time, that she had tasted the burdens of command decisions like her father and grandfathers. Always weighing the possibility that even correct choices can bring unpleasant consequences.
Her thinking was disrupted by something falling into her lap. Startled, she looked up and saw the blue-eyed one standing next to her once more. He had the same gentle, docile look on his face and held what seemed to be multiple pieces of fruit. Looking down, she noticed he had dropped another piece on her. Carefully, she picked it up and examined it closely. It was a vibrant purple, resembling an exotic fruit from the planet Meldoria. However, it wasn't among her preferred choices. The realization of her hunger since leaving the Inner City struck her, and she took a deep bite. She finished it off in three bites and tossed the remains aside.
Immediately, the blue-eyed one knelt beside her, offering his hand. Wilma looked at him with a mix of bemusement and gratitude, taking it cautiously. She refrained from speaking, not yet ready to take that risk, but felt a growing sense of friendship towards him.
As she savored her second piece of fruit, she pondered the nature of their friendship. Was he being kind out of romantic interest or merely acting on loyal instincts?
She discarded the rind of her second piece and noticed the blue-eyed one offering her another. She smiled faintly, declining his offer. He nodded in understanding but stayed by her side on the ledge, his gaze fixed on her. Wilma marveled at his unwavering gentle expression, wondering if he had ever displayed anger or rage before.
The colonel pondered her problem, gazing at the lagoon. It was an improvement from before, but still a problem. Regardless of his motives, he was undeniably drawn to her.
What made it worse was her growing physical attraction to him. He was undeniably the most handsome primitive she had encountered. She imagined how much more attractive he would be with a shave and haircut. His muscular body was perfectly sculpted, second only to Buck's.
She focused on her tactical plan. The simplest way to escape undetected from the primitives was to wait until they were asleep. By then, the gorillas would have returned to their city, eliminating the risk of encountering them on her way back to the cornfield.
She observed the blue-eyed one, determined to outlast him. Once he dozed off, she would leave. For ten hours, she sat on the ledge above the lagoon, occasionally checking if he grew weary. Yet his captivated gaze never wavered.
As she sat next to him, her inner resolve crumbled. The peaceful lagoon and jungle, his presence, and her growing lust overwhelmed her. The horrific events she had endured on this planet had taken a toll on her emotions, pushing her to seek temporary escape from the madness.
Additionally, Wilma felt indebted to him for his protective presence during that critical moment when she witnessed the female being shot dead. His presence prevented her from losing control and revealing herself as an easy target for the gorilla scouts.
"I'm just using him as an excuse," she thought, realizing she didn't even care. In fact, a mischievous sense of wickedness filled her, delighting in breaking her father's codes.
She smiled at him, hoping he'd understand. Now I understand Buck's reference to the "good old days" of liberty in the 20th century.
Wilma felt his hand brush against her back, sending an electric shock through her body. In that fleeting moment, the touch ignited a fire within her that she couldn't resist. Her self-control crumbled like a fragile sandcastle, swept away by the waves of desire crashing against her.
Without hesitation, she reached out and firmly grasped him by the shoulders, pulling him closer to her with an intensity that could only be described as primal. Their bodies collided in a passionate embrace, their souls intertwining in a dance of longing and forbidden pleasure.
Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in each other's arms. The world around them faded into insignificance as their connection grew stronger with every stolen breath and lingering touch. All thoughts of Buck, Nova, Aerrum, the Inner City, and even the simians that had consumed Wilma's mind were temporarily suspended in this whirlwind of passion.
In this intimate sanctuary they had created, there was no room for worries or responsibilities.
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