by Titan Books
Far away, a similar heliograph tower watched as a message was flashed toward it. This tower stood on the outskirts of Hathor. One of Aboro’s troopers waited at the base of the structure, in order to get the message to the prefect, as quickly as possible. The tower received its message, then flipped a quick reply, not realizing it was asking for Burke’s fiction.
* * *
“All set, Alan,” said Burke. “Let me have it.”
“Take your time and get it right,” said Virdon, getting set to dictate the message. “‘Octavio, Assistant to Zaius, on official business. Extend courtesy. Signed, Supreme Council, Bron, Acting Secretary. For Prefect Aboro only.”
Burke’s hand flipped the control handle, and the mirror beamed its coded dispatch toward Hathor.
* * *
Some time later, Aboro’s voice was heard in his office, reading from a transcribed copy of the message, delivered by his trooper. His voice was intended to be noncommittal, but Daku could read the trace of excitement in Aboro’s tone. “…on official business. Extend courtesy. Signed, Supreme Council, Bron, Acting Secretary. For Prefect Aboro only.”
“That seems to clear up any doubt,” said Daku.
Aboro just stood staring across his office, the paper forgotten in his hand, his eyes unfocused, dreaming of previously unreachable horizons. He, Aboro, General and Commander of all gorilla army and police forces in the entire ape empire! Unbelievable!
“So Octavio is really who he says he is,” said Daku, again trying to break his superior’s daydreaming. Daku had his own plans, and Aboro might need some careful guidance in the more delicate moments from now on. Urko had said himself that Aboro wasn’t the best at making plans…
“Which means that one day soon I shall be Commander Aboro!” whispered the prefect.
Daku smiled. Aboro was beginning to think practically again. The two gorillas shook hands solemnly, marking the occasion.
Less than an hour later, Galen was ushered into Aboro’s office by Daku, who was going out of his way to act like the subservient and unctuous aide he was supposed to be. Aboro sprang to his feet when he saw the chimpanzee. “A pleasure to see you again,” cried Aboro, almost out of his mind with anticipation. “Ah, Octavio, won’t you have a seat?”
Indeed, Daku had already led Galen to a chair, and Galen was already sitting. Aboro didn’t seem to notice.
Galen laughed softly, into one palm. He looked at Daku for a moment, then turned back to Aboro. “What is this odd preoccupation of yours with chairs, my dear Aboro? It seems that every time I’m in your presence, I’m being urged from one seat to another. If I stand, I’m practically pushed back into a chair. I assure you, I’m quite comfortable, and very skilled at maintaining that comfort. That is a talent one acquires in Central City. One, I’m sure, that it will not take you long to learn.” He smiled meaningfully.
“Yes, Octavio,” said Aboro, almost dizzy with disbelief. He could barely understand the significance of what Galen was telling him.
“Just remember, please, my dear Aboro,” continued Galen, “I am quite capable of sitting down without an invitation. Now, have you been thinking over what I mentioned to you earlier?”
“I… yes, I have,” said Aboro weakly.
“I thought so, I thought so,” said Galen, laughing softly to himself as though there were some private joke between them. It was just the sort of thing a pompous bureaucrat would do. It was the kind of thing that made Galen so valuable to the schemes he and his astronaut friends devised. “And of course you checked on my credentials at the same time.”
Aboro looked with horror at Daku. “Who could have said anything about that?” cried the prefect, his innocence wounded for the first time.
Once more Galen laughed. “Don’t look so guilty!” he cried in mock delight. “In your shoes, I would have done the same thing. Well! I would have been very disappointed if you hadn’t!” His tone changed immediately, from one of light bantering to a cold, businesslike voice. “Have you reached any conclusions?” he asked.
“About—?” murmured Aboro.
“Your old friend,” said Galen, beginning to show some impatience at the verbal game they were playing. “It should be obvious that nothing can be done about you until something has been done about him.”
Aboro nodded his agreement.
“I expect that you have a suggestion or two?” said Galen lightly, leaving all the responsibility in Aboro’s lap, so the prefect would realize that he was being tested.
“Why can’t the Council simply… dismiss Urko?” asked Aboro.
“My dear Prefect!” cried Galen, half-rising from his seat. “On what grounds? Even the Supreme Council needs evidence. I was hoping you could provide that. Besides, Urko and Zaius are the Supreme Council, in effect if not in fact. It would be most, most difficult to get Urko to agree to his own dismissal.”
Aboro paced nervously. It was obvious to him that the pleasant future he had painted for himself would not be achieved without a great deal of effort and danger. Aboro did not mind danger—when it was aimed at someone else. “I’m not sure I understand,” he said.
Galen heaved the sigh of an adult trying to explain something to a particularly dense child. “I will continue then in words of one syllable,” he said. “Dr. Zaius wants— no, more—expects you to provide him with the evidence he needs to discredit Urko, to dismiss the general, and, shortly thereafter, to offer Urko’s vacated position to you. This is not so much a test of your abilities, which Dr. Zaius already appreciates, as a kind of bond and pledge of your loyalty. You will understand how your actions will ally you closely to the policies of Dr. Zaius in the future. This is what he stands to gain from the transaction.”
There was a pause, while the vast ideas which Galen had communicated were absorbed by the reeling brain of Aboro and by the greedy mind of Daku. Then, patiently, Galen continued. “For instance,” he said off-handedly, “consider the possibility of incriminating Urko by discovering contraband evidence in his own home. Evidence such as illegally possessed gold. Perhaps, as a hint, the same gold that was used to bribe Dr. Zaius’ subordinates.”
Aboro nodded. The idea made much sense and was the kind of scheme to which the prefect was attracted. He had arranged similar seizures in the past, although of course on a much smaller scale. “But how would you get the gold into Urko’s home?” asked the prefect.
Galen looked at the ceiling as if expecting some kind of help from that direction. “Not I,” he said. “You. I’ve passed my examinations, many times over. It is you, Aboro, who is being given this opportunity. You will prove your loyalty to Dr. Zaius by planting the evidence yourself.”
There was another thoughtful pause. Aboro wasn’t pleased with the idea at all. There was too much personal risk. There didn’t seem to be any escape clause in case of failure. “Too risky and too unsure,” said Aboro. Then, with decision, he announced, “I have a better idea.”
Galen cocked a curious eyebrow.
“I have always favored direct action, Octavio,” said Aboro.
Galen had a fear of what was coming. He tried to hide his concern. “Direct action?” he asked.
Daku paced along behind his master. He, too, understood what Aboro was hinting at. He had been party to many of Aboro’s previous dealings. “Yes,” said Daku. “It will be much safer. Then you will truly be ‘Lord of the Apes.’”
Galen was still pretending that he wasn’t precisely sure what Aboro and Daku were talking about. “Just what are you suggesting?” he asked.
“Daku,” said Aboro, ignoring the false Octavio in his excitement, “who is that human you’ve used before?”
Daku thought for a moment. Although Aboro himself never directly involved himself with the details of these matters, Daku was expected to recall all the pertinent information. “Amhar,” said the lieutenant at last. “From the village of Loban.”
“A human?” asked Galen.
Daku toned to Galen with a look of mock surprise.
“You wouldn’t expect us to think another ape could possibly do the job. Amhar is a professional.”
“A professional… what?” asked Galen.
“Killer!” cried Aboro. “Apes do not murder other apes, friend Octavio, even though apes may plan the removal of other apes. The actual foul deed is left to someone of the lower order.”
Galen reacted violently. This was not the way the conversation was supposed to have proceeded. “But that’s terrible!” he cried. Then, realizing that his reaction was incorrect, he recovered. “I mean,” he said more calmly, “that’s rather a more drastic solution than Dr. Zaius—”
He was cut off by Daku. “The advantage is that the solution is very permanent. There is no chance that Urko might recover his lost influence to use against the prefect at a later time.”
“Very good, Lieutenant,” said Aboro. “Daku, arrange a dinner party for Urko here tonight. We may as well get this entire charade finished as soon as possible.”
“And Amhar?” asked Daku, anxious to be certain that he understood all of Aboro’s intentions. The two gorillas stood very close together, almost completely ignoring Galen as they planned out the details of their plot.
Galen walked casually toward Aboro’s desk, where he saw a clutter of papers. Among them, though, was Aboro’s official seal. This was something that Galen realized might come in especially handy. While Daku and Aboro talked, the chimpanzee lightly picked up the official seal and slid it into his tunic without arousing any suspicion from the two plotters.
“I have a special plan,” said Aboro. “Have this Amhar— you’ll recognize him, won’t you? I’ve never seen him before—have him here an hour before Urko arrives.”
“Well,” said Galen, “this isn’t the way Dr. Zaius expected matters to be settled, but nevertheless it appears you have everything in order for General Urko’s… dismissal… or what was it you called it?”
“Removal,” said Aboro simply.
“Yes,” said Galen. “In any event, if all goes as I hope, I can safely promise a radical change in your personal situation. This is definitely assured.”
Galen smiled at Aboro, indicating that he wished to leave the rest of the tawdry details in the hands of the gorillas. Aboro nodded and indicated that Daku should show the chimpanzee out of the office.
* * *
In the small clearing, Burke watched as Virdon melted a piece of wax over a folded letter. A small pool of hot wax dripped on the folded edges of the parchment. Then Virdon pressed Aboro’s seal into the wax. Behind them, Galen paced, nervous as usual.
“I just don’t like it,” he said unhappily.
Virdon looked up from his task. “Who does?” he said. “This matter has grown very ugly. But who could have foreseen those gorillas coming up with the idea to use a professional killer?”
“Yeah,” said Burke distastefully. “And by candlelight dinner yet.”
“Wait a minute!” said Galen excitedly. “There’s something we’ve forgotten. Janor! He won’t wait!”
“Let’s cross that bridge later, Galen,” said Virdon.
Galen muttered something, but the astronauts couldn’t hear. The two men stood and began pushing their way through the brush at the side of the clearing. Galen hesitated a moment; then, his expression changing from consternation to determination, he followed his friends.
* * *
The afternoon sunlight glinted on the black leather uniform of Daku as the gorilla rode on horseback at an easy canter through the wooded countryside. He was too engrossed with his own thoughts to notice Virdon, Burke, and Galen lying in wait for him on a rock outcropping beside the road.
“Daku,” said Galen in a hoarse whisper.
“Most of it depends on you, Pete,” said Virdon. “You’re playing the lead role.”
“Don’t remind me,” said Burke.
Daku rode on, unsuspecting of the trio who waited for him to get near enough. Virdon gathered himself as Daku’s horse passed almost directly beneath his position. As Daku reached the point in the trail that Virdon had marked, the astronaut rose to his full height and launched himself downward at Daku, knocking the gorilla from his horse. Galen ran toward the excited animal and gathered the horse’s reins, soothing the beast. Meanwhile, Burke was on the stunned Daku with ropes and a gag, rendering Aboro’s lieutenant helpless. Virdon removed Daku’s pistol from its holster.
“Come on,” cried Virdon, “let’s get off the road. Quick!” Virdon and Burke dragged Daku off the road and in among the brush alongside the trail. Galen stood patiently, calming Daku’s horse.
The gag was put in place around Daku’s mouth, and Burke finished tying Daku’s hands behind his back. Once done, Burke went to the horse, took the reins from Galen, and saddled up. Virdon stuffed a small pouch and the letter into one of the saddle bags.
“Good luck!” cried Virdon. “We won’t be too far behind you.”
Burke gave a wave as he spurred the horse; in a few seconds he was riding furiously down the road in the same direction Daku had been heading before the gorilla had been ambushed.
Burke’s thoughts were confused, partially by the speed and urgency of his mission, partially by the importance and danger of their actions on this day. Rarely in their travels together had Burke, Virdon, and Galen joined in such a devious yet momentous scheme. All Burke could hope for was good luck, good planning, and the fewest number of new surprises. He didn’t want any more unplanned emergencies ruining what was already a hazardous undertaking.
He rode as fast as the poor trail allowed him. He saw the barricade in the road only a few seconds before he would have run directly into it. His teeth clenched and a few words passed through his lips as he reined in the horse. There, in the middle of the trail, was a temporary barrier and three of Urko’s own elite guards. All three stood with their rifles pointed directly at him.
“Well,” said one of the gorillas.
“A human riding a horse,” said one of the others.
“A punishable offense, I believe,” said the third, and the three gorillas broke up in laughter. Burke wondered how moronic a situation had to be before a gorilla would laugh at it.
“Halt,” said the first gorilla. Burke only shrugged. He brought the animal to a reined stop. As the gorillas stepped forward, Burke quickly turned the horse and stormed past the surprised gorillas. The tactic might have worked, except for the two squads of gorilla guards who rushed into the road from the concealing brush. Burke had to swerve; the horse reared. It was all that Burke could do to control the animal. The gorillas all had their weapons pointed at him.
“Okay, okay,” said Burke.
“Get down,” ordered one of the guards. He waved his rifle imperatively. Burke obeyed, standing there with a look of worry and concern on his face.
A few moments later, none other than General Urko himself walked about his private camp in front of his command tent. Urko had a very contented smile on his face “So,” he said, “my very dear, very old friend Burke.
Burke stood before Urko, his hands tied behind him, guarded by two gorillas.”
“What a great pleasure to meet again after all this time!” said Urko in a terrifyingly cold voice. “A very great pleasure!”
4
The gorilla troopers, the hand-picked guards of General Urko, went about their tasks. Some fed and watered the horses, others waited for the guttural commands of their leader. A good many gorillas still held their blunt rifles on Pete Burke, although the human was bound, helpless, and presented little threat of escaping or harming Urko.
The gorilla general was engaging in one of his favorite pursuits: drawing out each moment of victory, savoring the circumstances in a greedy way that only made each second more of a torture for his victim. “I’m curious, Burke,” said Urko, as he paced back and forth before his captive. “I thought you were cleverer. You’ve demonstrated an aptitude for quick thinking in our previous encounters. At least, I thought you were cleverer and quicker than our huma
ns.”
Burke refused to be baited by the gorilla commander. He had a strong sense of pride, and no thinly veiled insults from Urko could make Burke forget his own heritage. “I got news for you,” he said insolently. “I’m even cleverer than your gorillas, Urko. Not that it takes any real brains to accomplish that. This bunch must be out on a punishment tour. Are you leading them, or are you just part of the chain gang?”
Urko’s eyes flashed at Burke’s contemptuous remarks. Still, the general looked around at his troopers. They did not seem to have earned such spectacular sarcasm. “My guards are picked for several qualities, as you know,” said Urko in a tightly controlled voice. “They must have loyalty. They must be strong. And they must be obedient. Intelligence can be a hindrance, beyond a certain point. But I can assure you, every one of these guards is capable of following any order I might give.” There was a massive threat implied in that final statement.
“In my present condition,” said Burke, “and noticing that I am, in fact, outnumbered, I am not surprised.”
“You have an odd sense of humor for one so near to death,” said Urko, unable to understand just what made this human so different from the pitiable humans he usually dealt with. He stopped pacing and faced Burke squarely. “You must know that the penalty for a human who rides a horse is to be shot. It occurs to me that we’ve been through this before.”
“Maybe I like to live dangerously,” said Burke with a small smile. “But if it makes you happier to know, I got separated from my friends last night. One of your famous patrols was after us again. By the way, I wish they’d either catch us or give up, already. All of this is starting to get on our nerves. Anyway, I split from them and ‘borrowed’ this horse. I was using it to try to catch up with Virdon and Galen.”
“You ‘borrowed’ the horse?” asked Urko. “Where?”
“Does it make a difference?” asked Burke, shrugging.