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The gorillas dragged the unconscious cavedwellers across the rough ground and shoved them unceremoniously into wagon cages, heavy structures built of logs set together on crude cart frames. Those who were conscious were herded with rifle butts and thrust into the cages. Each wagon cage was pulled by an army vehicle.
Captain Sovak looked over the captives, then strode briskly up to where General Urko stood watching, his face alive with lustful triumph. The officer saluted and reported.
"We got all of them, sir!"
"None escaped?"
"I don't think so, sir. Of course, they do have a lot of ratholes they can slither into. But that's the beauty of a sudden attack, sir! Caught 'em all, I'm sure!"
Urko grinned in satisfaction. "Very well. Mount up. Take them to Ape City!"
"Yes, sir!"
The captain turned to the troops who were locking up the last of the cages. "Good work, men! Now it's home to Ape City! And a triumphant return it will be, too! This is the greatest catch we've ever made!"
The gorilla soldiers cheered and began mounting up. General Urko strode down from his watchpoint and past the wagon cages of cringing humanoids. His eyes passed over the limp and unconscious form of Steve Burton, clad in his cavedweller skins, but saw nothing extraordinary about him.
"Move out!" he commanded.
The column of Gorilla Army trucks and jeeps chugged into life and started rolling. The prisoners squealed in fear, but they were helpless.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwrSNrvcXb
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Tumbling through the smoothly worn hole, Dan and Nova fell into a secret cavern upon several other humanoids who were lying about in various stages of consciousness. Dan groaned, coughed, and tried to get to his feet.
"Steve....? What happened to Steve?"
Nova tugged at him as he swayed, almost passing out from the gas he had inhaled.
"First....Betty and the others, now Steve...."
Nova tugged at him, pulling him toward a small and inconspicuous cave mouth, hidden by thick brush. She darted out, looked quickly around, saw the Ape Army caravan moving over the hill, and dashed back inside to pull at the big black aviator.
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Dr. Zaius stood with Zira and Cornelius, looking out of a window of the council building over the central square of Ape City. In his hand the venerable leader of the orangutan council held a message form, just delivered by a fast scout from Urko's army.
Zaius eyed his companions with his wise, sad eyes. "This is a report from General Urko. He's bringing in a record catch of humanoids." Zaius glanced again at the slip of paper and his voice was wry as he continued: "I think he expects a rather effusive welcome."
"That egotistical thug!" Zira said primly, her nose twitching.
"But an effective one, I must remind you," Dr. Zaius said. "He has captured more humanoids for our labor force and other needs than any previous gorilla general."
Cornelius sniffed. "Good! That will give Zira and me a chance to obtain new lab animals."
Zaius nodded. "Yes, I have given orders for Urko to permit you to select the six finest specimens from the catch." He scratched reflectively at his nose, his eyes swiveling to study the beginning preparations for the arrival of the army. "I expect Urko to make demands regarding the new catch of humanoids," Zaius said, almost to himself. "But that's nothing new. Each time he grows more arrogant, more demanding. But we of the Council of Elders must resist his pressure."
"I sometimes think, Doctor Zaius," Zira said, "that without your patronage, simian science would soon die of disinterest."
Zaius grunted, his yes still on the square below. "You may be right," he said to the chimpanzee scientist. "Our gorilla cousins have never been too eager to forego their rather primitive pleasures for those of the mind." He looked at Cornelius and Zira with his shrewd, dark eyes. "The future of simian society is in your hands, Cornelius and Zira, and those like you. We orangutans serve our purpose: we govern, we act as guides to the entire race, we mediate between various factions. Not an easy task."
"We never thought otherwise," Cornelius said quickly.
"And our gorilla friends also serve a great purpose," Zaius said. "Their great strength and tenacity have proven extremely valuable hundreds of times in our history. The Battle of the Bridges; against the Underdwellers; in the Sogan Desert, fighting the ice apes---in all the dangerous and deadly areas where we're vulnerable."
Zaius shook his finger at them both. "Don't forget that! Let none of your generation forget that! The future of Apekind lies with you and the power of your brains, but do not become arrogant in your self-esteem. We all serve a function here." He turned his eyes towards the square. "Even the humanoids," he said darkly.
Cornelius and Zira exchanged glances. Doctor Zaius is in an odd mood today, they both thought.
The golden-furred Elder turned again to his chimpanzee guests. "Remember, children, our credo." He raised a finger and intoned solemnly: "The free ape is he who does not fear to travel the ends of his thoughts."
"True, true," said Cornelius. "As my father, Trajan, used to say, 'Liberty means responsibility, and that is why most apes dread it."
"Your father was a wise man, Cornelius. I knew him well, and your grandfathers, Julian and Fabian. Good workers, staunch pillars of society, Cornelius. See that you follow in their footsteps."
Cornelius nodded. "Of course, I have always thought my father referred to the gorillas when he said that. They believe only in their rather dreadful and primitive approach to things. If it moves, smash it. If it doesn't move, eat it."
Zaius shook his head. "Ah, Cornelius, it is not all that simple, I promise you." The old orangutan looked out into the square, where gorillas were watching over a group of humanoids who, with brooms, were cleaning the square. "No," he said softly, watching the humanoids cringe under the whips of the gorillas, "it's not that simple at all."28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7F8VLLvn6
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The wagon cage bumped roughly over the rutted road, the heavy wooden bars of the cage squeaking as they rubbed against the sturdy leather straps that bound them together. Steve rolled limply on the splintery floor while the other humanoid captives pressed themselves against the bars, fearfully eyeing the strange new creature that had been thrust among them.
The Ape Army caravan of humanoid captives weaved its way through the forest. In the lead vehicle, General Urko raised his deep-set simian eyes to look beyond the trees along the road. His gorilla heart beat faster as he looked upon the proud monuments carved with great skill and immense size upon the rocky face of a nearby mountain. Four huge simian faces could be seen there, intelligent faces, powerful faces from the history of Apekind, captured forever in stone---a sight to make any ape proud. The massive commander tilted his head ever so slightly in the direction of the monument, a salute in silence, even as his dark eyes estimated the space left on the cliff. Perhaps they have room for just one more face? he wondered.
The caravan rumbled on, again into the trees, and the huge carved stone visages were lost from sight.
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The wagon cage's wheel bumped over a rock and Steve was thrown against the legs of several of the humanoids. He gasped with pain, moaning slightly, and the humanoids pulled away from him. The aviator's arm then flopped out against the floor and he struck his head painfully.
He moaned again, more loudly this time, and his eyes fluttered. "Ohhhh....What happened? Ohh..."
The humanoids, round-eyed with fear and incomprehension, clutched at themselves, trying to get as far away as they could from this strange and unnatural thing in their midst. They watched fearfully as Steve rolled on the bouncing floor; all motor control gone as an effect of the simians' knockout gas. He groaned, his eyes opened and closed several times, and his mouth worked weakly.
"Dan? Dan? Where are you.....?"
The ragged humanoids continued to cower in fear, and their lips trembled as they heard him speak. They tugged at each other's primitive hide clothing and gave fearful glances over their shoulders as the gorilla guards riding in the vehicles before and behind them.
Steve continued to mumble, the words blurred and indistinct in his semi-delirious state.
Finally, the wagon-cages lurched to a stop and the engines of the vehicles that pulled them died down. The humanoids peered out fearfully through the stout wooden bars of their mobile prisons and saw the hairy black soldiers getting down from their army vehicles to stretch their limbs gratefully. Nearby, a burly black-haired guard reached beneath his polished black leather chestplate to scratch; then quickly and guiltily he pulled his hand out to stand stiffly at attention as General Urko's vehicle rolled back from the head of the column.
The commander's jeep came to a halt next to the wagon cage in which Steve lay semi-conscious.
”Rest a moment,” Urko said to his drier and the officer with him.
They got out, bent their backs in pleasure and took a few stiff steps around the jeep. The driver pulled a bit of dried food from a sack beneath his seat and gnawed on it reflectively as his eyes scanned the surrounding forest. One of the nearby guards sauntered over an d was given a bit of the dried ration.
General Urko and his aide-de-camp walked around to stand by the wagon cage and drink from a canteen. They ignored the imploring eyes of the thirsty humanoids. Urko took a long drought and handed the canteen to his underling. The general, in his polished leather armor, laughed arrogantly at the captive humanoids. Too good for them, he thought. This made him laugh, and his cruel bellow partially awakened Steve.
The dazed aviator moaned, coughed hollowly, and started to speak. “Ohhhh…..Dan…where….”
An old humanoid, terrified that Urko or any of the ot her gorillas might hear, threw himself over Steve, clasping a filthy hand over his mouth, silencing him roughly. Several of the humanoids shuffled about, their bodies twitching nervously and their eyes fearful.
But Urko had not heard Steve speak. The armored commander looked at the captives with contempt, his black brows knitting in anger. He gave a snarling laugh, and snorted, “Look at the beasts!” When his gloved fist struck a bar of their cage, the ragged humanoids cowered back; the gorilla leader laughed again in amusement. “Their capture was so easy it wasn’t even a contest!” he gloated.
The burly, helmeted chieftain of the Gorilla Army came close to the cage and peered within. He did not see the old humanoid’s hand across Steve’s mouth, or his scabbed knee on the pilot’s chest. Urko rattled the cage, his rough laugh stirring up the captives once more.
”Waiting for us like sitting ducks! Dumb!” He gave the bars of the cage a last blow and lumbered over to get back in his jeep.
Glancing toward the captives’ cages, his thick lips twisted in a vicious smile. “Well, at least they’ll give us a fresh supply of moving targets for our war games.” He signaled to his aide-de-camp, who stood up in the jeep and waved toward the front of the caravan. “Move out!”
With a lurch, the wagon cages started forward again.
The aged humanoid released Steve’s mouth and sat back, his baggy eyes yet afraid, but now he was fearful of what the stranger might do. All of the captive humanoids stared at Steve as he rolled limply on the rough wooden floor. They looked at each other, then again at the pilot, fearful of what pain and misfortune this unnatural creature might bring to them. They knew it would be nothing good.
One of the stronger-appearing prisoners fingered a long splinter in the rough planking of the floor. His strong fingers pried at it, splitting it away from the battered planking with a crunch. He held it, a rough dagger of splintered wood, and looked at the artery pulsing in Steve’s exposed throat. Dimly his mind wondered if it might not be better to get rid of the strange invader who looked nothing like them all and acted so dangerously different.
The old man saw what the younger one intended, and his hand reached out, the broken fingernails biting into the sinewy forearm of the dagger wielded. He pushed down on the arm and his old eyes met the young man’s.
The fist opened and the wooden weapon fell to the floor. Another captive kicked it out through the bars into the dusty road, where it was crushed beneath the wheels of a gorilla truck.
The old man’s eyes returned once again to Steve’s pale-white face. He sighed, holding on to the bars of the cage as it jarred over the road. He wondered if he had made a mistake, and knew he might be dead before he found out.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklyaHUsTjR
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A festive air permeated the central square of Ape City. It was filled with the three classes of simian citizenry——each in its distinctive clothing and keeping mostly to itself. All were eagerly awaiting the triumphant return of General Urko, his army, and the harvest of captive humanoids.
Sellers of sweets and cool drinks passed through the excited crowd, hawking their wares. Cheerful ape-children ran about playing the animated game of “Humanoids and Apes,” their piercing cries and imitation bellows annoying or amusing their elders.
Although the various classes mixed freely, they were always keenly aware of one another’s presence.
The hulking, black-furred gorillas were the largest. The members of the skeleton cadre that had been left behind to garrison Ape City wore the traditional dark green uniforms with black leather trim. The officers wore fancier versions, with carved chest plates or breastplates of linked metal and leather, and black helmets of hard leather that extended down over their necks.
A few gorillas were mounted on horses, arrogant and callous, with rifles in scabbards hanging at the sides of their heavy saddles, as well as ropes for lassoing runaway humanoids. They talked in low guttural voices to each other, making comments on the other two classes of apes, whom they considered parasitical and all but useless, except as servants.
The chimpanzees were, of course, smaller, more slender in build, and swifter in gestures and motion than their burly cousins. The clothing also indicated their class: dark green tunics and leather “bibs” above tighter-fitting green leggings. A few of the specialists wore brown or blue, but none of the colors were bright. As with their gorilla cousins, the chimpanzees had designs carved into their leather garments. Some of the designs indicated ancestry, some, status; and some, their field of endeavor.
The chimpanzees believed they were as intelligent as the highest class, the orangutan, but rarely voiced such thoughts aloud, and certainly never to the ruling class of golden-furred apes. The chimpanzees knew they were more intelligent than the thuggish gorillas, but the physical prowess of their burly cousins frightened the rather nervous chimp as and they knew all too well the awesome strength that the gorillas possessed.
Dim and secret myths among the chimpanzees—-handed down by word of mouth and never set to paper—-told of horrible massacres by the brutal gorillas. One such myth dealt with an uprising of chimpanzees against an oppressive rule by gorillas, whom they considered had cowed the orangutan leaders in a time of weakness. Another myth was of a similar power struggle, a “night of terror” when the swords of primitive gorillas had run red with blood and when dead chimpanzees littered the streets of Ape City far back in the prehistoric times before the apes had organized.
Yet another myth—-always said to be myth, but believe in devoutly by every chimpanzee in his heart of hearts——was a time when the gorillas were strong but had not achieved unity and power, and when everyone lived in peace, tending to his business, when the humanoids were tame and the crops grew easily. But every chimpanzee really knew it was a myth, for times were had always been as they were now. They had always lived in fear of the gorillas, always lived in a kind of fear about the world around them, always enslaved the humanoid beasts. Nevertheless, they wanted to believe the myth, so they believed.
The orangutans were the leaders, and the most distinguished of this ruling class met as a Council of Elders. They were smaller, wider, and more delicate than the more active chimpanzees, and unlike the chimps and gorillas——who were dark of fur—-the orangutans were golden yellow, yellow-orange, light brown, and even sometimes white. They walked with the rolling gait of a chimpanzee but spoke with the wisdom of the ages. In them was accumulated all the ape wisdom of the centuries, and the Elders delegated to each class and to the divisions within that class the work plans the division of labor, and whatever punishments or reprimands that seemed necessary.
It was the orangutans alone who kept the gorillas from taking over all Apekind. History had shown that only the orangutans—-sitting between the intelligent, adventurous, curious but often impetuous chimpanzees and the brutal, arrogant, and selfish gorillas—-could keep the Ape World safe and on a progressive track. Even the gorillas conceded this from time to time, when reminded of their blunders and stupid acts. But the gorillas nevertheless resented the rule of the orangutans, hated the flighty chimpanzees, and saw themselves as the true rulers of simian society.
One of the gorilla sergeants, sitting astride his horse at the edge of the square, near the Ape Senate Building, spoke to the young private who sat, mount and too, near him. “Klaag, I sure wish I’d been picked to go out on General Urko’s hunt!”
”Well, Sergeant Bonzo, you know someone had to stay behind.”
”Yeah, but I really like the thrill of those hunts. Riding through some cornfield, seeing the face of some humanoid scared half to death, watching the rope settle around his neck so nice—-Dammit, Klaag, I wish we had been on this one! It must’ve been a beauty!”
The shy private shifted on his saddle and scratched his chest beneath the heavy green tunic. “But it’s rather nice staying here, too.”
Sergeant Bonzo looked at the private with disgust. “Klaag, you’re a sorry excuse for a soldier. I remember how you were when we cleaned out that nest of troublesome humanoids last year. You hung back, didn’t you? While the rest of us rode right in, shooting off our g. Ups, taking care of those beasts, you were riding around on the perimeter!”
”I was checking for strays, sir.”
Sergeant Bonzo spat, and a rumbled came from his deep chest. “Yeah, sure, that’s what you were doing.” He looked at the uncomfortable soldier and said,” I don’t know if we’ll ever make a soldier out of you——what with your chimp grandma! I knew your grandfather, Koft, and he was one devil of a sergeant. You’d never catch him giving any humanoid a quick death like you did in the bayonet practice.”
”I apologize, sir. I slipped, that’s all.”
Bonzo glowered. “Yeah, you slipped that’s all.” He spat again. “Some sergeant you’d make. Your old man would turn over in his grave if he could see you now.”
Klaag looked uncomfortable and attempted to distract his sergeant from himself. “Oh, sir, do look over there at that fine procession!”
The burly sergeant turned and watched the Council of Elders leaving their Council Hall and walked through the crowd in real manner. “Cursed ‘rangs,” Bonzo grumbled, spitting again.
“Urko said we must exterminate them,” Klaag said sadly.
"General Urko, you humanoid-brain!" Sergeant Bonzo threw the soldier a mad scowl. "And he never said no such thing."
"With respect, sergeant, he did," Klaag insisted politely, in chimpanzee fashion.
"Oh, for Galen's sake, Klaag, you got it all twisted around! He said they shouldn't interfere with soldierly affairs, that's all."
"Well, maybe...."
The orangutans waddled through the crowd and up onto the platform that held the dignitaries. Their clothing was apricot- or peach-colored, sometimes with leather panels carved in ritual symbols. Their fine yellow-orange fur ruffled in the breeze and their tired, pouched old eyes gazed out over the assembled apes wearily.
Dr. Zaius, the leader of the council, was approached by the elderly Thadeus, who had once held Zaius's post, years before. The wizened face looked at Zaius and the hint of a smile came across his wrinkled features.
"Dr. Zaius, are you ready to welcome the great Geneal Urko?"
Zaius gave his fellow councilman a frown. "Don't make light of this situation, Zao. You know as well as I that a delicate balance must be maintained. The gorillas must be given every chance to have their heroes and work off their aggressions with just this kind of demonstration."
Thadeus sighed and looked around. "You're right, of course, but I am so weary of those posturing idiots. They are really so low class..." His voice drifted away as a gorilla soldier came up and handed a message to Zaius."
The orangutan leader read it and gave the messenger an answer. "The usual flourishes, Lorkus. We need not become extravagant in our praises."
The gorilla frowned, but left without saying a word.
To Thadeus's questioning expression Zaius said, "They wanted something special---firing of cannons, releasing pigeons, the kind of thing. I wouldn't tolerate that. Giving the gorillas an outlet is one thing, but giving them an exaggerated sense of their own importance is something I just simply will not stand for!"
Thadeus looked around and pointed to two chimpanzees seated in the front row of the seats. "Why are Zira and---what's his name---Cornelius, here?"
Dr. Zaius looked at the two chimpanzees who were chatting quietly. "Oh, they are studying the humanoids, you know." He gave Thadeus a significant look, then continued: "They wanted to get a good first look at any specimens that are brought in. I suppose they will be hounding me for more and more experimental animals."
He sighed and watched the two young, but mature scientists talk. He saw them laugh and lean forward to kiss each other affectionately. Thadeus frowned, but Zaius smiled within Oh, to be young again, he thought. Then, to distract himself from the sight, he looked out over the square, picking out apes that he knew. I know fewer and fewer of them personally, as the years pass. Always so much work to do.
In one corner of the square a motion-picture camera crew was gathered around their boss. Their equipment was temporarily set up on tripods nearby, ready to be moved into their leader designated the locations.
The leader, a big chimpanzee in the green clothing of his race, spoke to his crew. "Kong, you get the whole entourage from that rooftop there. I want to see the whole line of vehicles. Then zoom in on the cages when you can. Zora, you do the close-up stuff; use the hand-held camera. Gorgo, you help Zora. Keep the kids from tripping his legs and keep your eye out for good ape-interest stuff. You know what they like. Battle-weary troops, maybe a wounded ape or two being helped from the vehicles. Point up the terrific battle they must have gone through."
"Aw, Koloth, you know those stupid animals never put up a real fight. There won't be bullet holes or anything."
Koloth gave the junior cameraman a glaring reprimand. "Do as I tell you, Gorgo. Maybe they hit a rock or got snagged by a tree. Look for battle damage. We don't have to say it was humanoid action that did it, we only show it." The big ape then turned to another cameraman. "Dredd, you shoot from over there, on Camera Two. Get the dignitaries in the background, but don't use up too much film on them. What people want to see today is General Urko and our glorious troops. See that you get what I want, or you'll be back, cleaning cameras and sweeping out the studio."
"Aw, Koloth, won't you ever forget my lousing up that war-games assignment? It wasn't my fault I picked a spot where they were gonna conduct a tank charge."
Koloth glared at him. "You should have paid attention during the briefing, jackass. Cameras don't grow on trees, y'know."
"All right, Koloth, I'll watch it."
The boss chimp turned again toward the dignitaries, noting the play of light and shadows and estimating the exposure that would be needed. His little beady eyes scanned the perimeter of the square, seeing the apes crowded into every window that had a view of the square and the street leading to it.
"Get some filler shots of those people in the windows, too," he ordered Gorgo. "Just a few seconds each. They'll start screaming and hollering first, long before anyone down here can see them. Get a few good shots, and we can use 'em as cutaways to tighten the whole action, if we have to."
Koloth looked at his soundman, who winked and held up a thumb and finger in a sign of readiness.
"All right.... places, everybody!" Koloth ordered.
Again, his eyes scanned the windows and rooftops where anxious apes awaited the return of their heroes. They still had not sounded the return alarm, though several apes were already peeing under hands held up to their eyes.
Koloth gazed at the huge Arch of Triumph, his ape blood stirring proudly at the bas-reliefs that depicted the history of simian conquests since the beginning of history. It's a magnificent structure, he thought, and one of Apekind's finest monuments. We have much to be proud of, and I am proud to be one of the recorders of contemporary history. He looked at the big arch as if he thought of its carvings as historical newsreels. His thick lips twisted in a grin, and he chuckled to himself.
Beneath the great arch, in an area reserved for dignitaries sat, among others Zaius, Zira, and Cornelius. The apes seated there now looked down upon the festivities in the square with carefully composed dignity. They were much too important to allow themselves to frolic about like the children, or to barter for banners that had stenciled likenesses of Urko, or even the purchased the cones of scented and syrup-saturated ice that the sellers were offering. They spoke slowly and carefully to each other, being cautious about their opinions and avoiding areas of controversy or delicacy.
Exceptions were Cornelius and Zira.
Fretfully, Cornelius leaned forward to talk past Zira to the aged Dr. Zaius. "With all due respect, Dr. Zaius....You know how Urko feels about our work."
"Certainly, I know," Zaius grumbled, his voice implying that Cornelius was stupid to think he did not know what was going on within Ape City."
Cornelius put his hands upon the knees of his green leggings and took a deep breath. He hesitated, knowing he was now about to venture into dangerous territory. Zira shot him a fierce glance, but Cornelius blurted out his question.
"Then you will allow Zira and me to have the six humanoids we need to continue our Behavioral Study experiments......?"
Dr. Zaius raised his hand, his pale orange fur ruffling in the slight wind. "My word's always been my bond," he said with great dignity. "Nothing has happened to change that."
Zira squirmed in her seat. She had obviously grown angry, and her thoughts were ready to boil over. Cornelius saw her state and put a cautionary hand upon her arm. She glanced around at the other gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans, all busy with their self-importance.
Shaking herself free of Cornelius's hand, she spoke in frustrated anger. "What a thick-brained lout that General Urko is!"
Zaius looked back up at Zira without much expression. He had heard this sort of racial conflict many ties, and knew he'd hear it many more times in the future. He sighed, knowing the truth on either side and realizing that his status and power rested upon maintaining a careful balance between the various factions. But even beyond that, he believed in what he was doing, believed that a higher cause was served by his careful maintenance of the status quo, and that Apekind as a whole benefited from a careful consideration of facts balanced against those policies that had long been established.
Zira shook loose again from the grip of her husband's hand. "Cornelius...."
"Shush, Zira, please!" he said in a whisper. "There are gorillas all around us."
He looked over his shoulder, seeing several of the huge, black-skinned apes close by. He wasn't calmed by the fact that did not seem to have Zira's outburst.
"But he is!" Zira persisted. She sat straight, her head up. "Imagine, wanting all the humanoids for himself. She snorted in anger and her nose twitched. "Imagine him, placing the so-called demands of his stupid Ape Army over our much more important scientific needs!"
Dr. Zaius leaned back toward her, his voice calm, not seeming to whisper, but his words did not carry very far. "General Urko is responsible for the military defense of the entire Simian Nation. That is a heavy and awesome task. We must admire his dedication to duty."
Zira jerked forward in her seat, her hands fluttering. "With all due respect, sir..."
But Zira was interrupted by a great shout from the rooftops. Cries of "Here they come!" and "It's General Urko!" Several of the dignitaries stood to try and get a better look and there was a buzz of comments from the crowd.
"General Urko comes!"
"Will he have some new pets, do you think?"
"Doesn't he always? Urko is the greatest commander we've ever had! Hail Urko!"
"Hail Urko!"
A line of trumpeters appeared atop the Arch of Triumph. They raised their trumpets to their lips, the red-and-white banners of the Simian Nation hanging from the instruments. The clarion call of the trumpets sent a thrill through the crowd, which grew quiet in anticipation.
"I can hear them!" someone finally yelled.
And, indeed, there was the rumble of distant motors.
Someone from a rooftop cried out, "They're here!"
The trumpets sounded their shrill peals again, and this time a group of drummers around the base of the arch gave out a long, military roll. These were joined by a second line of simian trumpeters, with lighter-sounding horns. Together, the big trumpets atop the arch and the smaller trumpeters blow joined the drummers in a thunderous roll of honor as General Urko rolled into the square.
The crowd had parted before the lead jeep, and Urko stood rigid in the vehicle, head up---the arrogant figure of triumphant power. The crowd broke its silence at the sight of the powerful gorilla leader and a roar of welcome went up. Colorful bits of paper showered from the windows and rooftops, a multicolored snow upon Urko's helmeted head and shoulders. Apes jumped up and down, snorting and cheering wildly.
Cornelius and Zira were not enthusiastic welcomers, and Dr. Zaius and the rest of the dignitaries only applauded politely, as befitted their position. But many of them had risen to their feet in welcome.
Urko acknowledged the cheers of the crowd with a restrained wave of his hand, the picture of a dignified military leader who only barely acknowledged the common ape.
The jeeps and trucks and other vehicles rolled into the square behind Urko's command car to form a rough rectangle.
In a wagon cage, Steve Burton opened his eyes at the thunderous sound of the crowd. He groaned, and the old humanoid once again put his hand over Steve's mouth. But the aviator shoved him aside.
Dazed, but once more conscious, Steve struggled up, pressing aside the cringing humanoids in their rags and animal skins. He peered out in amusement at the hundreds of apes, at the huge arch, at the strange architecture of the buildings. He stared incredulously at the apes who cried out words of praise for the victorious general; and wondered at their clothing and tools and weapons. He was stunned and shook his head. All this is some kind of nightmare, he told himself.
The crowd now began to chant.
"Hail Urko!"
"Hail Urko!"28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmdWuFinWo
"HAIL URKO!"28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkL5ZQx0ZU
"HAIL URKO!"
Steve's mouth dropped as the thunderous noise sent echoes over the rooftops. Hundreds and hundreds of apes lifted their fists in salute, their rough voices crying out.
"HAIL URKO!"
28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyyZas3rEh
* * *28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOXiQH2lF4
28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLkOa7arbu
Don stood shakily at the foot of the tree that held the camouflaged tree house. The young aviator had a hand against the rough bark of the trunk in order to steady himself. He shook away Nova's tentative touch.
"I'm all right now," he said.
Raising his head, he looked around, trying to reorient himself as his vision cleared. All about were woods, brush, and rocks----into the distance. He was startled as a humanoid dropped from a nearby tree, seemingly coming from nowhere. The humanoid saw Don, stared at him for a moment, then scampered fearfully away.
Hearing a rustling noise, Don looked at another tree nearby and saw an opening appear in what seemed to be thick foliage. He realized it was a door and that some of the humanoids had hidden their homes in the trees, pulling and shaping the live growth around their hideaways until they were all but invisible. As he heard other noises, Don realized almost every tree in the area contained a home and that he was, indeed, in a village.
A humanoid female came out of the opened door in the nearby foliage and watched Don with careful eyes as she lowered herself to the ground on a crude rope of plaited leather strips. Above her, a girl child in rags and pieces of dirty fur pulled up the rope and sneaked out a dirty hand to close the secret door, her eyes on Don the whole time.
The woman watched Don from the ground, glancing away from him only long enough to verify that the door to her home was once again closed. Her whole body was poised for flight. She held a crudely woven basket and began to back away, keeping an eye on the stranger. When she had gained a little distance, she turned to run, disappearing into the thick brush in an instant.
Don took Nova's arm. His voice was urgent as he asked the humanoid female, "Nova, where's Steve? We've got to find him! Where did the apes take Steve?"
Nova stared at him blankly and Don cursed, dropping his hands from her arm and gritting his teeth. He made another try and seized her again with both hands, shaking her.
"Where, Nova, where? Where did the apes take Steve?"
The girl only stared at him, and Don snorted at her in disgust. He dropped his hands from her arms once again, turning away to mutter, "It's like talking to a post!"28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwy07765Bv
But suddenly some kind of understanding or comprehension seemed to come over the beautiful girl. Har arm shot out, pointing in a distinct direction.
"Show me," Don said urgently. "Show me, Nova!"
She hesitated, then started running in the direction she had pointed. She looked back to see if the dark aviator was following.
He was, and she began to run steadily.28Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAfqAIN8qE
