Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: The Official Movie Novelization

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On his back, Koba looked up at Caesar, who stood a step away. The look on Caesar’s face told him how very close he was to dying. He rose slowly, understanding that to move fast would be to provoke violence again. His head rang and he could feel the blows still, on his head and shoulders. He was in more pain then he had been at any time since leaving the research lab…

Because of Caesar.

Koba looked at the other apes. They all stared in shock, but as soon as he met their eyes they looked away. Humiliated, Koba turned to his friends. Grey and Stone had watched the fight from the stairs. Now, when he looked at them they, too, avoided his gaze.

He got to his feet and turned back toward Caesar. Further back he saw the human, Malcolm, and his boy. Then the woman who had helped Cornelia. The humans would look at him even though the apes would not.

He took a step toward Caesar, knowing what he had to do. He dropped to his knees and bowed his head, extending a supplicating palm but keeping his head down so Caesar could not see the burning hate on his face.

He knew Caesar would make him wait. He was prepared to wait… both for acceptance and for his revenge. Because the time had come for Koba to lead the apes. Caesar was weak, blinded, still wishing his favorite human was alive. Only Koba knew what humans were capable of. Only Koba could protect the apes from the humans… and, though he was sad to think it, from Caesar’s weakness.

Koba felt the swipe of Caesar’s palm across his own. He raised his face, wearing a mask of contrition. Koba knew how to dance, how to make faces, how to make others see him as they wished to, rather than as he was.

“Forgive me, Caesar,” he said, making sure both humans and apes heard.

Later, as dusk fell, Koba, Grey, and Stone sat apart from the other apes near the fire pit as the entire village gathered for the evening meal. Grey and Stone were still with Koba, though he knew they would remember the moment when he had surrendered to Caesar. Let them. They would also remember the moment when Koba made sure the apes would survive on their own, whether the humans did or not.

He watched Caesar and Blue Eyes. There was anger between them, and Koba—who had worried about it before—was now glad to see it. Blue Eyes, too, would be important to his plan. Then Blue Eyes left his father, with no word or sign, and went to stand by himself closer to the fire.

Maurice sidled over to Caesar. Koba’s eye narrowed. Maurice was loyal. An ape should be loyal. But Maurice was loyal to weakness. Koba would never be able to trust him.

Grey and Stone followed Koba’s gaze. Keeping his hands low, Grey signed.

You did not warn Caesar about the guns we found?

Koba shook his head.

No. And neither will you.

Stone and Grey exchanged a look. Just like that, they were part of Koba’s plan.

Still later, when most apes had gone to sleep, Blue Eyes remained by the fire. He had spent the evening after the meal repairing the spear broken in the fight with the bear. Now the point was retied onto the shaft, and he had chipped an edge back onto it. He sat, holding the tip in the flames to harden it.

Koba knew some apes believed that putting the stone in fire gave it a sharper edge. He himself did not… but there was no reason to tell Blue Eyes that.

When Blue Eyes looked up, Koba made a show of hesitating until the young one had looked back at the fire. He stepped closer and grunted softly to get Blue Eyes’ gaze back on him.

Your father does not trust me now, he signed. It may be up to you to protect him.

Frowning, Blue Eyes set the spear down, to free him to sign.

What do you mean?

Koba took a step back. This was a time for small actions that would have large consequences.

His love for humans clouds his wisdom, he responded. As long as they remain here, I fear for his life. With that, he walked away. The plan was set in motion… and the finest part of it was that Blue Eyes would have a role to play.