The Rescue

Posted on Tue Oct 31st, 2023 @ 10:00pm by Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes & Lieutenant Ayana Hillis & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Commander Samantha Howard & Ensign Kate Kono & Ensign James Phoenix

Mission: Damn Dirty Apes
Location: Ape Settlement

Salos has led Sam and the others to the outskirts of the ape colony. They had stopped and were discussing the details of what would happen next. "I think the best option is for me to take you to my private lab in the Science Directorate. It will keep you out of sight of both the military and religious zealots. I will have one of my assistants quietly seek out Zira, who I believe is our best option for inside assistance."

"All right" Sam replied, hoping they weren't walking into an ambush. She had faith in her team to control the situation though, and that was an advantage she was very proud to have.

They followed Salos, keeping to the quieter areas of town and making sure they kept out of sight. After a while they approached a large building.

Deanna sensed Sam's trepidation, and moved in and whispered to her again, "Don't worry Sam, I'm keeping a close eye on everyone. What they don't know..." she tapped her head referencing her telepathy, "won't hurt them" and gave a reassuring smile. She headed up to the front with Salos and Kate, "What now?"

Salos looked around. "We must move quickly if we are to get inside without anyone seeing you. I can keep the scientific community under wraps, but if a soldier or zealot were to see you, that would be trouble."

"Then we shall not be seen" Deanna said confidently.

"You got that right" Sam echoed as they followed close to Salos. Within a short time, they were inside, sequestered into a small room that looked like an office.

"Now what?" Sam asked, looking towards Salos.

"I need to send one of my staff to locate Zira and bring her here. She'll be able to assist us. Salos turned and spoke to her staff. They seemed hesitant, even afraid about what she was suggesting. Ultimately, they followed orders, and a pair of them left. Salos looked back at Sam and the others, "I have spoken with your teammates. Is it true you come from Earth, and came here on a space vehicle?"

Phoenix almost answered but he wasn't completely sure if he should due to the prime directive. So, he opted to remain silent at least for now and let one of the others answer.

Deanna was keeping a mental link with Salos, albeit covertly. She was aware that Salos had been given information by Jon and Ayana and she was now seeking additional confirmation, a scientific mindset if Deanna had ever seen one. "Yes, we come from Earth" she confirmed, keeping her personal secret, "and yes, we came here on our ship, which is currently in space."

"So everything is true. Our race and the humans do not originate here but on Earth, and humans are the evolved species there. Everything your companions told me is confirmed by what I saw at our holy site and by you. I do not understand why your people would come here and do all the things they have done, including what they have done to us."

"The humans that came here centuries ago are not like the humans that live on Earth now. They were more like yourselves, less evolved mentally than they are now, far more concerned about what they could do without consideration if they should do those things. The eugenics work they did wouldn't happen today; it is illegal. The terraforming, well that still happens, but in a much grander scale than what was done on this planet."

Kate offered a polite wave. She has never been present for the breaking of world crushing revolations before and, considering that she was an intelligence officer, receiving the news and telling it like it is was more her style so, she chose to stay quiet and watch history unfold as the crew did the explaining. She decided that a lowly Ensign, a new member of the crew, and known by few, a new member to the twenty-fourth century was best to be silent in such situations. Besides, an eighteen-year-old waving shouldn't be too hard for being humble.


Meanwhile, in the military HQ, Jon and Ayana had been covered in burlap and were now being brought before Athos and Zaius, with several guards close at hand and Thade standing off in the corner, gazing at Jon and Ayana sinisterly.

"So, these are the remarkable humans. It appears you have done much to humble them since our last meeting Athos" Zaius said nonchalantly.

Ayana audibly scoffed at his words.

Jon turned his head to look at Ayana standing next to him. He smiled at her and winked before turning back to Zaius and the others. "Holy One, you are mistaken. The military..." He glanced at Thade as he said his next, "has tried to embarrass us, stripped us, bound and beat us. Even now we remain bound" He turned his face so Athos and Zaius could both see the gash Thade had inflicted on him. "But humble us? No, you are mistaken Holy One."

Athos sent an angry glance towards Thade. Zaius looked closely at Jon. He looked back at Athos, "Your people injured these creatures? Such marvels, even if they are blasphemous creatures shouldn't be spoiled in such a way."

Athos nodded and offered a soft grunt. "You are quite correct. My men were careless, and I will keep such things from happening in the future."

Jon just nodded and when he spoke it was about Ayana. "Your men also abused Ayana. See that you address and take the appropriate action there as well General."

Zaius grinned. "This one is clever. He openly taunts you while belittling you in front of your men. He certainly has the grasp of politics."

Jon said nothing in reply. He glanced at Ayana and saw her shaking in anger in her restraints. Jon had a bad feeling that they were going to be stripped naked again to 'prove' the ape's superiority.

"What shall we do with them?" questioned Athos.

"I will talk with them a bit." Zaius replied. He looked at Jon, "It appears you are the one in charge, yet you allow your females to hold some sort of power as well, similar to our society. I don't believe you come from a tribe of special humans, you come from our origin place, don't you?"

Ayana was watching all the apes closely as they spoke mostly with Jon. She was outwardly showing anger, because it was expected of her. What nobody knew was she was freeing her hands her bounds and would soon be able to strike strategically in hopes of gaining a tactical advantage. The moment Athos, or preferably Zaius came close enough, she'd spring into action. She wanted to lash out against Thade, but that had to remain a secondary consideration for now. She needed to protect Jon and get them free, that had to be our primary goal at this time.

"Holy One. Ayana is a valuable member of the crew and I have learned to listen to her opinion. I think she is quite valuable. As to our place of origin, you are indeed correct. We share the same planet." As Jon talked to Zaius, one of the soldiers took an interest in Ayana and her movements. Drawing closer he called out. General! This female is doing something with her hands!"

It was at this moment that a voice rang out from the door, "Father, I have found you at last. I wondered what had become of you."

"Zira, my dear. I am surprised to see you" Zaius responded.

Everyone seemed to turn to see Zira entering the room. She was quite attractive for her species, and all the males seemed captivated by her, especially Thade. "General, good to see you again" she said as she neared him and her father. "These must be the strange humans Salos spoke of. It appears the female is quite unique."

Her entrance had distracted all of the apes, and Ayana considered using this as a chance for them to attempt escape. She looked at Jon to see if he was thinking the same thing.


Salos waited with Sam, Deanna, and the others. She looked quite nervous, and her thoughts were even more chaotic as Deanna casually listened in. This was a big gamble, sending in this Zira in hopes that she might be able to get Jon and Ayana out of the military facility and away from the dangerous players in this ape society. Salos was also taking a huge risk, and if this gambit failed, it would likely cost her her life. All they could do is wait in the shadows and see what was to come at this point.

Jon caught Ayana's look, knew what she was planning but a chimp guard was hovering close to her, tightening her cuffs when Salos, Deanna and Sam along with other members of the away team entered the room.

As they entered Sam ran a visual scan over the captive members of the Washington team. Calculating if they'd be able to run if the situation presented itself. They seemed in reasonable health which was a relief.

Zira attempted to reason with Zaius, "Father, we have a problem. The truth about us, our people, and the truth about this world is about to come out. These two humans, they are from Earth. We cannot harm them. If you wish to keep the secrets of origin, then we must allow these two to return to their people."

Athos listened to Zira. Her words struck a chord with him. Secrets, lies, control. Athos didn't like being manipulated. What secrets did Zaius have that he was using to manipulate the rest of their people, and how did these two humans risk exposing those secrets? What was this place called Earth?

Zaius looked troubled, perhaps leaning towards agitation, which was different from his normal calm, cool, and collected demeanor. "You want me to let them go? They are dangerous Zira. They threaten everything. We must protect our society."

Thade was still entranced by Zira's presence, but he was hearing things that were sparking thoughts within him. He may have an opportunity here, an opportunity to advance himself.

Ayana struggled against the tightening of her bindings. "We are from Earth! And your people are from Earth! Humans and apes have the same origin!" she yelled out in frustration.

The chimp guard sneered at her struggles. "You won't get free from those cuffs now human!"

Jon spoke up. "Holy One free us!" He urged as he struggled with own set of restraints. "You can keep your secrets just free us."

Thade's nature won out and he howled as he jumped towards Jon and Ayana and struck Jon across the face. "Silence you insolent wretch!" He looked at Zaius, "We can't let these humans leave. If they are some sort of threat, then allow me to execute them" he sneered.

Zira gasped at Thade's brutality. Zaius however seemed inclined to allow it. "Athos, these humans are dangerous creatures, far more so than typical humans. I believe Thade correct, they must be disposed of, to ensure the lies they represent cannot infect our populace."

Athos was no fool. And seeing his subordinate attempt to undercut him only affirmed his resolve on this matter. "Guards, seize Commander Thade. If he resists, shoot him." Athos looked at Zaius, "Zira is correct. We need not kill these humans. Other options exist, options that might strengthen our people. I will not allow you to keep truths from our people."

Salos for her part was stunned at the turn of events. She never would have thought that Athos would part from Zaius, or that Zaius would so easily side with the sort of brutality Thade represented. She made her presence known, which also revealed the away team, "These humans speak the truth, a truth that Zaius fears. I have seen the truth, and the Science Directorate will make that truth known."

Jon gasped and sagged in his restraints at the force of Thade's blow. But he was clear headed to hear Salos speak to Zaius as well as hearing Athos order Thade's arrest.

"I will not be stopped from taking my rightful place!" Thade exclaimed as he brutally attacked the guards.

Ayana quickly began working once more on her bonds, working to unlock the manacles and free herself.


TBC...