Dawn of the Planet of the Apes by Greg Keyes

that.”
    “So we follow them back to the big group,” Corbin said.
    “Yes,” Clancy said. “Well, sort of. It would still be too hard to figure out which stores to watch.”
    “You think we should bring the fruit to them,” Malakai said.
    Clancy touched her nose with her forefinger.
    “Exactly,” she said. “Send someone into town to buy fruit—anything, but be sure to include some durian, if they can find it, and as stinky as possible. Most likely you’ll find it in Thai, Vietnamese, or Malaysian markets, at least inquantity. We can lay a trail of it to a central cache.”
    “Won’t they know it’s a trap?”
    “They might. But they need the fruit. Cut off their supply—increase your presence on the Mill Valley side of the woods, so they can’t forage in that direction.”
    Corbin nodded and reluctantly grinned.
    “You guys may finally be starting to earn your keep.”
    “Just remember your promise,” Clancy said.
    “Noted and logged,” Corbin replied. He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “Well, if you’re done in here, let’s lock up and turn in,” he said.
    “I’d like to stay for a while, do a little research,” Clancy said. “I might be able to refine the plan a little.”
    “This is a sensitive area,” Corbin said. “You’re not allowed in here unsupervised. And I’m tired of supervising for today.”
    Clancy shrugged.
    “Whatever,” she said. “I guess I am sleepy at that.”
    * * *
    Malakai had his doubts about that, so when he heard the faint creak of the door to Clancy’s room, he felt a little smile touch his face. He waited a few more moments and then rose himself. He watched her cross the dark compound to the command center and slip into the prefab building.
    He hesitated a moment, looking around. He didn’t see anyone. No alarms went off, yet he decided not to follow her. If he did, she would probably scream or something. Instead, he waited.
    It took longer than he had expected. It reminded him of standing on duty in a camp in Uganda, what seemed like a very long time ago. But that night the quiet had been broken by mortar shells, and then rifle fire. Nothingsimilar would happen here. Thinking about it, however, he had a vivid image of chimps armed with assault weapons and gorillas with rocket launchers, swarming into the compound, bent on exterminating the humans who were so determined to hound them. He shook his head at the impossibility of it.
    And yet…
    He stiffened as a sentry walked past, oblivious to him standing in the shadows. He checked his watch.
    Thirty minutes later, the man walked by again.
    When at last he saw Clancy re-emerging from the building, another twenty-nine minutes had passed, according to the radium dial of his watch. As she crossed the compound, he noticed the sentry about to turn the corner. Once he did that, he would spot her for certain.
    “Hey there!” he shouted, stepping from the shadow and moving toward the watchman. The man froze, lifting his gun. Malakai put his hands up and took a few steps to the side.
    “Hey, now,” he said, his voice lower. “There is no need for that.”
    “What are you doing out?”
    Malakai walked away from where Clancy had been. The sentry turned to follow him with the weapon. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her freeze, then tiptoe past and into their hut.
    “Just looking for a smoke,” he said. “I thought you might have one.”
    “I don’t smoke,” the man said, lowering his weapon. “You shouldn’t either. It’s bad for you, and secondhand smoke kills.”
    “Ah, I’ve been thinking about quitting, anyhow,” Malakai said. “Perhaps you’ve inspired me.” He turned and went back inside, trying to ignore the itch he gotwhenever someone with a gun was behind him.
    Clancy was sitting in a chair next to the small table in the common room when he entered.
    “Thanks,” she whispered, as he approached.
    “Can we talk?” he asked.
    She nodded. He pulled the other chair up to