Ajax (Planet of the Apes)

Ajax was an evolved gorilla, and the second-in-command of Caesar's Gorilla Guard. He appeared in the 2017 novel War for the Planet of the Apes: Revelations, possibly in the 2014 film Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and the 2018 novel Caesar's Story.
== History ==
=== Background ===
Ajax grew up as a zoo ape in the San Francisco Zoo, along with many other gorillas. In 2016, Ajax and all of the apes were freed during Caesar's Ape Rebellion that led all Apes in the city to freedom. While establishing their Ape Colony in Muir Woods, fellow gorilla Luca established the Gorilla Guard, a legion of powerful gorillas that served as protection for the Colony. When Luca's position as the guard chief was solidified by Caesar, Ajax was promoted as Luca's second-in-command. 
=== War for the Planet of the Apes: Revelations ===
After Koba's failed takeover led to a war with what remained of the U.S. Military, Ajax and the other guardians prepared for battle.
When a human warship arrived and opened fire on the apes stationed on the golden gate bridge, Ajax fired a rocket launcher at the ship, forcing the humans to retreat. Ajax was hailed as a hero by the other apes, despite the deaths of six apes during the fighting.
Ajax then led an assault on a human camp guarding the warship with three other gorillas, including Oak, alongside a troop of chimpanzees led by ape army lieutenant Branch. When the humans noticed them, they started shooting from the ground and ship, killing many apes. Ajax and Oak managed to fire their rocket launchers at the warship, damaging two of their main cannons. Ajax said their plan succeeded, but the main camp unloaded their machine guns on the troop killing all the chimpanzees on the front lines, including Branch. Ajax and the rest of the apes retreated managing after driving the ship farther away.
Ajax was tasked with keeping the female and children apes safe while Caesar's Army fought Colonel McCullough's forces inside an abandoned building. When the humans set the building next door ablaze, the Guardians worked to protect the other apes from the smoke and flames. Ajax later moved with the rest of the group to the woods. He stood together with Luca and Red as they crowded around Winter in order to hide his white fur.
After they reached the woods, Luca left Ajax in charge of the group as they continued their journey. Ajax tried to convince the ape queen Cornelia to ride one of the horses because she was sick not too long ago, but she refused claiming to be fine now. Ajax offered to have the gorillas carry her and Cornelia once again refused, displeasing Ajax. Later, at their temporary hideout, Ajax awoke to find a group of gorillas and chimps trying to disarm the other members of the Guard and fought back along with another gorilla guardian named Ursus. Ajax was wounded and managed to escape while Ursus was killed in the fight.
Ajax fled back to the old ape village with two chimpanzees, Flint and Shell, pursuing him. The two chimps attacked him, but Ajax smashed Flint’s skull near the entrance of the village and before he died of his wounds he plunged a spear into Shell’s chest, killing him.
=== Legacy ===
Ajax's death would partially inspire Oak to abandon Grey and Red's cause and return back to Caesar.
== Trivia ==
* In Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, an older gorilla is seen by Luca's side when Malcolm is captured at the Ape Gate by the Gorilla Guard. He remains by Luca's side as they bring Malcolm to Caesar. Its highly possible this is Ajax.
Category:Planet of the Apes Heroes
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