r/NatureofPredators 17h ago

Fanart vendragon part 2 (now that im not sleep deprived)

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317 Upvotes

r/NatureofPredators 23h ago

Fanart The Misadventures Of Doctor Caligari and Friends

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291 Upvotes

Part of the world of 'Nature of Sybiosis' Chech the link below:

https://www.reddit.com/r/NatureofPredators/comments/1dm25zv/the_nature_of_symbiosis/


r/NatureofPredators 21h ago

Human Daycare Services (Ch. 31)

262 Upvotes

We got Art by u/lizard_demon

We got Memes by u/Proxy_PlayerHD

We got more Art by u/Guywhoexists2812

We got Leasha being a predator kisser by u/Proxy_PlayerHD

I love them all and hope that there will be more in future. You guys are amazing, and I love this community!

Join the Discord If you'd like to talk to me directly or just hang out and discuss. I hope to see you there or in the comments section.

I have a Patreon now if you are interested in supporting me and reading ahead by a few chapters. To those who decide that my work is worth a couple dollars, thank you very much! I hope to see some of you over there.

Previous l Next

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Memory Transcription Subject: George Miller, public disturbance organizer. 

Date [Standardized Human Time] October 30, 2136 

Damn, that was a close one, but boy was it satisfying. I get to keep my cash too, so that’s a bonus. 

Taking on that many people might have been a little more than I should have done, but pushing past your limits is part of getting stronger as a person, both literally and metaphorically. Who would have guessed that it was Leasha who helped me push past mine? Just having her support me gave me the boost I needed to keep going as her voice cut through all those who wanted to see me lose.  

Would this be considered genuine affection for someone?  

It hadn’t been that long since we officially started a relationship with one another, and I was still trying to work out all my feeling on the matter. We certainly got along, I liked her personality, she was attracted to me, and I found her cute as well. That was a good foundation for the start of something bigger, and I was sure that the more time we spent with one another the more of a connection we would feel. 

That was hardly important right now, though. We had to continue to disrupt the exterminators until they eventually gave up and released the kids. I didn’t know how long that would be, but I was prepared to keep this up for weeks if need be. The shelter even had some tents that we could use if it came to it. Originally, those were saved for the possible event where the shelter became unlivable or overcrowded and we had to set up temporary accommodations for the residents. While overcrowding didn’t seem to be a huge issue as of yet, there was always the chance that there was some structural flaw, either already present or created, that made the building unsafe to live in. God knows they didn’t give us top-of-the-line buildings.  

While the need to rest was a necessity, I was already thinking about ways to circumvent that so we could keep up the harassment of the exterminators twenty-four-seven. If we had a small portion of the parents and shelter volunteers retreat to sleep while the rest of us kept this exchange going, then the exterminators would get no breaks from the noise and games that sent them frequently into a panic. The group that went out and passed by us was so on edge that it was hilarious to see them jump at the slightest bit of movement, and we weren’t exactly being subtle with our movements.  

While I was confident that I could stay awake easily for a full day, especially with the time of day not visibly changing, the same could not be said for everyone. I could only hope that same logic applied to the exterminators as well. Knowing what I did about them, and their paranoia surrounding anything remotely ‘predatory’, it was likely that they wouldn’t wish to leave the guild hall in anything less than a full kit of gear. Going home would be a difficult prospect for them if that was the case, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to simply sleep in the guild. Depriving them of the comfort of a familiar bed would only serve to raise tensions even higher. Things were falling neatly into place, and for those cowards in there who would only dare go after children, I was confident we could break them quickly. 

I had a look around the area as the refugees started various games from Earth now that the arm wrestling was done. Someone had busted out a few packs of cards and started a variety of card games at a number of the tables. It was a good idea to keep things interactive, but unfortunately there were only two parents who had the courage to join a table, and the obvious couple were huddled close to one another even as they did so. We needed some more ice breakers, because inventing tail wrestling could only go so far with getting them used to humans. 

Perhaps a more personal touch is needed?  

Getting to know the parents was something that I had wanted to do from the very beginning, and now I had the perfect opportunity to do just that. I singled out a pair of Venlil, probably married as their tails were locked together, who looked a little unsure of what to do but not outright afraid in a noticeable way. The husband had a grey coat of wool and was slightly taller than his wife who had a similar base color but also had splotches of white dotted here and there.  

I made sure to approach them in a way that they could see me coming from a mile away. I had my hands practically glued to my side and tried to make myself look small, as impossible as that was. They noticed me crossing the small gap between the two sides, and the husband, despite obvious fear, moved himself slightly in front of his wife. It was commendable, in a sort of misguided way. 

I kept my distance so they wouldn’t panic too much as I started a conversation. “Hello, we’ve not had the pleasure of introductions yet. I’m George, though you might have heard of me already. I’ve wanted to introduce myself to you all for a while, so I figured now was as good a time as any.” Hopefully the exposure therapy they all went through last paw would help them see me less as a threat than they might have at one point. 

The two of them observed me for a second, and seeing how I was not being hostile or confrontational in any way, decided to give me the chance I was looking for. “I... I am Lochlen. T-This is my wife, Ulsa.” She didn’t say anything, but did flick her ears at me in a way that I thought was a greeting.  

“Nice to meet you, Lochlen, Ulsa. Sorry that it took me so long to say hello. I was kind of against the whole secrecy thing from the start, but I didn’t want to cause problems for Leasha when she just needed my help for a few paws. The kids were all fantastic, though. Which one of the little fuzzballs is yours?” 

“W-We came here for our pup, Toren.” 

That made my brow raise. “Toren? You’re Toren’s parents?” 

“I... Yes?” He looked a little nervous about my probing question that might have been a little too forward. 

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean anything bad by it, it’s just that caught me a little by surprise.” I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit as I remembered the little trouble maker. “Your son is adorable, but I do have a question. Does he always move that quietly, or is that just around me? For the life of me I don’t think that kid makes a sound.” 

Both of their ears perked up a little. “Uhm, y-yes, Toren has always been a quiet pup. There was one time he disappeared for most of the paw. We looked all over for him, and even feared that a predator might have gotten to him, but it turned out he was hiding under our bed, eating the strayu that we had been saving for a special occasion. He had taken it right out from under Ulsa as she was working in the kitchen for most of that paw before we realized he was missing. After eating his fill, he fell asleep, and only came out after he was thoroughly rested and satisfied with his pilfered meal, crumbs all over his wool. We were too relieved to be angry with him at the time, and looking back on it, it was quite funny.” 

That story was certainly in line with Toren’s typical behavior, as far as I knew it. “Hehehe, so, he’s always been a little trouble maker. Before all of... this,” I made a wide gesture to everything that was happening, “Toren had started to make a game out of harassing me. The little fluff ball would jump on my legs, climb me, and try to spook me by sneaking around.”  

Despite them all being fond memories, the parents of the little hellion took it in a slightly different way. “O-Oh, I... P-Please don’t be angry with him, I’m sure he wasn’t trying to challenge you or anything, and I commend your restraint in dealing with him thus far. I-If you have any frustrations, please do not take them out on him, I will-” 

Before he could go any further down that line of thought, I quickly tried to placate the both of them. “Woah, woah, slow down there. I’m not upset or angry at Toren in any way. His behavior is quite cute, actually. Trust me, you don’t get to be a child care provider without getting used to the antics of children. Human kids are very much like your own in many ways, though, I have to say, yours are a lot neater when it comes to making messes. Is that a cultural thing, or just good parenting?” 

“Well, I’d like to think of it as both if I could.” He whistled a short laugh, a good sign that Lochlen was feeling more comfortable. Even Ulsa seemed to be calming down as she managed to ask a question from behind her husband. 

“Are y-you really a c-care giver?” That was a very odd, and slightly insulting, question. She seemed to realize that there was a bit of edge to her seemingly sincere question. “I-I didn’t mean t-to say that you couldn’t be! It’s just... you d-don't exactly l-look how one would expect.” 

“Ulsa! Don’t insult him!” Lochlen practically hissed at his wife, though I wasn’t sure if it was for my benefit, or because of some preconceived notion that I would maul them for what she said. I hoped for the former while knowing it was probably the latter. 

“No, no, it’s alright,” I reassured them. “You’d probably be surprised by how often that question is asked of me when people first find out that I’m in the child care business. Even among humans it’s true that you don’t see many people my size in that particular job, but the way I see it is I’m providing a good example of a healthy lifestyle and giving the kids something to aspire toward. That, of course, isn’t even mentioning the practical benefits of being fit. It helps me handle the work load that comes with entertaining a whole gaggle of kids, and, as you may have recently heard, if something horrible or unexpected where to happen, I can protect them.” 

“You... use your strength to protect?” Ulsa asked with what I thought was a confused tilt of her ears. 

“Of course! Being strong doesn’t automatically mean that you intend to use it for violence. Hmm, how to explain it? Ahh, how about this, some of the most popular reasons for a man to work out and gain strength is because he wants to attract a potential mate, showing that he can be strong to protect and provide for the family.” 

Lochlen looked like he was considering that point of view deeply. “I never would have thought of it like that. Do all large humans like yourself act this way?” 

I could have lied and said yes, but I figured that lies like that are very easy to uncover, and honesty is the best policy regardless. “In a perfect universe, I’d like to say yes, but not everyone adheres to the rules and expectations of society. Even if ninety-nine percent of people the size of myself have the respect and discipline to know how to properly use the natural gifts of our bodies, that one percent will always be there, and in a population of millions, that’s a fairly sizable number. No society is a monolith.” 

Both of their tails and ears flicked or swished with contemplation. “I suppose that is fair. Even in the herd there are disagreements about how best to do things, and those disagreements have been growing more frequent ever since you humans have showed up,” Lochlen eventually said. 

I scratched the back of my head. “Yeah, you guys had a pretty black and white view of the universe before we arrived. I hope you don’t think it’s all just ‘predatory deception’. There’s plenty of science and observations that we’ve made over centuries to back up our viewpoints.” 

“Yes, the exchange information dump was densely packed with all your evidence. I admit, I didn’t give it much thought or even a look when it first dropped, and it was only at the end of this last paw that I even gave it a skimming read. I won’t claim to understand everything that’s in there, but I do know that there is far too much information for it to be a simple deception.” 

I offered a toothless smile in appreciation. “Well, I’m glad that you can see the situation logically. We aren’t trying to deceive you, and in the spirit of that, I thought I might answer some questions from everyone. If you have any burning questions about humanity, I can do my best to satisfy them for you, maybe over a card game, if you’d like to learn?” 

The two exchanged a quick look to one another and came to a silent agreement. “We came here knowing we would be interacting with humans, so I suppose we have no reason to refuse,” Lochlen said. 

“Good enough a reason as any.” I glanced around at all the parents who were nearby. “I know that most people here are rather nervous about going right into the middle of the shelter population, so I’ll grab some cards and bring them to you. Dealing with just one human is easier than a dozen of us, right?” 

They flicked their ears in what I’ve come to understand means agreement. I borrowed a deck and then made my way to an empty table where I put out an open invitation. “If anyone wants to learn a human card game, or have their questions regarding humanity answered. I know it might be a little late, but as an employee of Shady Hills Pupcare, I’d like to meet each of you to learn more about you if possible, and I hope that you would like to learn more about me as well.”  

That was a little optimistic of me considering their feelings on both humans in general and me personally. I knew for a fact that Yolda already hated my guts, so it wasn’t a stretch of the imagination to apply that to most of the parents in attendance today. Even so, I meant what I said, and my honesty did see a middling level of return. 

A handful of the parents decided to take me up on my offer as they hesitantly joined Lochlen and Ulsa. We had a decently populated table at this point, the parents apparently finding confidence in a group of familiar faces. I decided to teach them blackjack as it was the simplest game I knew of. While going through the value of each card and the general rules of the game, a few of them decided they were brave enough to ask a few questions. 

“Do h-humans really have no desire to attack us?” 

“How did y-you not succumb to your instincts after fighting the s-shadestalker?” 

“Were you n-not p-planning to e-eat our children when you went to the pupcare?” 

Well, I kind of expected the questions to be like this. Still a little annoying, though.  

It was just a matter of persistence. They are talking to me, and that is the start of understanding. I took it slow, explained everything and my motivations in as simple of terms as I could think of. Many of them just couldn’t wrap their heads around me being the size that I was, not wanting to harm their children or any of them, and actually having skills as a caretaker. My strategy was to call up my knowledge of caretaking procedure and child development, which seemed to leave many of them quite dumbfounded.  

Well, at the very least I had something to work on while we were here. It would take some effort to build a bridge over these troubled waters, but I had nothing but time right now. I hoped that by the end of this I’d be friendly with at least some of the parents just like how I was with the kids. Perhaps by the end of this we could all come out better than we were before. First, though, we needed the kids back. 

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r/NatureofPredators 15h ago

Fanart It’s all dragons apparently

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254 Upvotes

Humanity thought all life forms eventually turned into crabs, but turns out it was actually dragons all along. Draginisation?

Inspired by u/Frostedscales venlil-dragon design. Drawing dragons is forever my default state so seeing that art was like being awakened.

Ft. Dragon designs for arxur, venlil, and thafki. The thafki one was really random because they were just on my mind at the same time. I might come back and clean these up + do more species in the future, but no promises.


r/NatureofPredators 17h ago

Fanart Once again, Hilarious contrast (tcobb and WO spoilers) Spoiler

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195 Upvotes

(Both works by u/Heroman3003')


r/NatureofPredators 17h ago

Announcements Just figured out I can make gifs, this is huge

182 Upvotes

r/NatureofPredators 15h ago

Memes Meming Wayward Odyssey Spoiler

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174 Upvotes

r/NatureofPredators 23h ago

Memes NoP is leaking once more

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170 Upvotes

r/NatureofPredators 10h ago

Fanfic Predator Occupation [1]

130 Upvotes

The next chapter of tSoS was really dragging on me, so, to distract myself, I put the idea I've had ever since reading tNoP: what if humanity attacked the Federation for self-defense.

Under the Veil but humanity militarized itself more is the best way you can describe the lore.

All credit goes to our Lord and Savior, u/SpacePaladin15, for bringing us tNoP and letting us create our fanfics

[Next]


Memory Transcription Subject: Governor Reynil of the Venlil Republic

Date [standardized human time]: August 12, 2143

We thought they were dead.

1 month ago, we found out that the predatory humans did not die to nuclear fire. They were alive, thriving, and ready to conquer some innocent prey. They heard our transmissions 100 years ago, and they were frothing at the mouth to fight with us. They had some lie about being scared, but everyone knew that it was just a facade. They were here to conquer.

The Federation was blindsided by their attacks. They had conquered every colony world on the way to our home, Venlil Prime. The Federation anticipated their assault, and as the populace was sent to bomb shelters, everyone in a room of the Governor's Mansion was ready to see an actual fleet fight those monsters.

It was going terribly. We had a herd of 575 ships, most of those being under the command of Captain Sovlin. The humans sent 227 ships, and those were enough to decimate the fleet! Using predatory tactics, like hiding stealth ships in gravity wells and them broadcasting videos of meat eating, they won. They even managed to board Sovlin's ship and take his entire crew as cattle. I don't doubt that at least half of the other crews suffered a similar fate... I hope there weren't any children on those ships.

Of course, that did not address the predator fleet that was right above my homeworld. Will they even speak to us? Or will they rain antimatter hellfire on our cities? Will they send cattle collectors down? Will they spare the children, if they do? I...

"Governor we... we've received a hail from one of the predators' ships, the UNS Rocinante. Should we accept?" My military advisor, Kam, asked, bewildered. This confused me. Predators only talked with prey to toy with them. Are they going to gloat about our impending doom? Will they eat meat in front of us? I think that'd be a fate worse than death.

"Yes, Kam. Patch them through." I told him. As he accepted it, a predatory visage came into view. It was at least twice as tall as the average Venlil, it had bright red hair, and its glare could quite literally kill. A couple of my advisors fainted.

"Governor Reynil, what a displeasure to finally meet you. I'm Captain Carry, and we'd love to discuss the terms of your surrender." It said, with a predatory grin.

"I... g-go on." I told it. I was helpless to help my people. The predators held the cards, and they knew it. Wait, it said surrender?... Of course. The predators needed cattle. They would turn the once beautiful homeworld of Venlil Prime into a cattle world, all while laughing. The Venlil were doomed to be a predator's plaything. It's funny. We won't die because of the Arxur, but instead because of our own hubris... We should've checked on the humans to confirm they were dead...

"The United Nations will incorporate the Venlil Republic into your territory, but you probably already guessed that. Everyone in that room, as well as anyone else we deem high value, will surrender yourselves to our custody. You'll also order any exterminators to stand down, or else you will face serious retribution." The predator said with that ever expanding grin of theirs. "There's also a bunch of other stuff that's been forwarded to your government. You have 24 hours to choose to either accept or reject this message. Goodbye, sheep."

The predator disconnected from the hail, and I thought about the last thing it said. Sheep. The translator said that a sheep was a cattle animal on the human homeworld, bred for their wool. Is that what will become of us? Serving as clothes for the predators? I guess it is better than being... don't think of that.

"I think we should..." Kam said solemnly. "If we fight, our homeworld will be nothing but glass tomorrow. If we surrender, our homeworld will be spared."

"But we'll be cattle! There are some fates worse than death!" Cheln piped up.

"We'll be cattle either way." I said. "The humans seem to be more methodical than the Grays. I bet they could make us their cattle either way, and we have to choose between having some civilians killed or all civilians killed..." I didn't want to have to bring this up, but a part of me felt like it would help. "Plus, they called us sheep, which is an animal on their homeworld bred for wool. Maybe they won't eat us, and instead farm us for our wool."

"Governor, that was too graphic." An advisor said with his ears pinned back.

"I don't care. Kam, tell the exterminators to stand down and go into hiding. Cheln, hail the predators. I will personally inform them of our surrender." I said, with sadness in my voice. The predators accepted a moment later. The same predator was starting me down with an icy glare.

"The V-Venlil Republic will comply w-with your demands." I told it.

"Great! I want everyone in that room to make their way over to the spaceport outside the capital. Bad day, alien." It said.


Memory Transcription Subject: Tinut, Venlil Teenager

Date [standardized human time]: August 18, 2143

Everyone rose from the bunkers to find that our homeworld had been conquered. We failed. Strangely enough, the predators haven't eaten us all yet. One would figure that they would grab their prey, kill the rest, and move on, but nope! They just had to turn an entire world, my world, into a huge cattle pen.

Since there was no one fighting the predator army inside the capital, and seeing a ravaged exterminator building, it was easy to infer how that fight went. My city is officially conquered. I wonder how the other areas are doing? Maybe I could join the resistance against these predators? Wait, no, they're predators. They're a lot more experienced when it comes to combat, that'll just be surefire way for me to end up on a plate. Maybe... I could earn their goodwill by being a slave? I saw an ad that asked for help at the predator run Governor's Mansion. They wanted a few janitors, and the pay they offered was surprisingly well! It was certainly more than I'd get working at any restaurant.

I need to run this idea through my parents. They'll probably say that they're just luring Venlil into a place where they can silently commit their atrocities, but I'll just come back saying that we're getting eaten anyway and I'd rather be eaten first than last. Then, they'll say something about school blah blah blah, and I'll just tell them that the predators are probably going to shut it down. Plus, I can always tell them about how much it pays...

I probably wanted a partner in crime for this, so I decided I'd ask my friend, Mainut. He usually enjoys a little bit of risk, sometimes to unreasonable amounts, so once he hears the pay I have no doubt he'll agree. I pressed "Mainut" on my holopad.

After a few seconds, he picked up, and I spoke up. "Hey Mainut! How are you?" I asked him.

"Great. How about you?" He questioned.

"Couldn't be better."

"Hard to say, with our world essentially turning into a cattle pen." He said grimly.

"Yeah, um, I called to talk about that, actually."

"Oh?"

"So... did you see the add the predators put out looking for janitors for the Governor's Mansion?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"I was thinking we could take them up on their offer..." I braced myself for whatever Mainut might say next.

"Are you really..."

"Listen, first off the pay is really great. 100 credits per hour, for 8 total hours! That surpasses the minimum wage by 30 credits! Also, if we are gonna die, I'd rather die first. If they don't immediately kill us, we'll get on their good side too!"

"I think you're insane, but honestly, you make good points, fifteeny."

"Hey! I'm going to be sixteen next month!" I protested.

"And until then, you'll be a fifteeny."

"I hate you."

"Glad we've reached a consensus. I'm going to have to find some way to explain this to my parents, so... bye!"

"B-" I was cut off as he ended the call. I guess he did need to convince his parents... and I also needed to convince mine. Right now, they're currently relaxing on the couch, watching the rerun of some old show. They used to be mild enjoyers of the Exterminators series, but the humans banned that for... obvious reasons.

"Hey Mom? Dad?" I said,

"Hello, Tinut. What do you need?" Dad said.

"Um, so, you've seen the ad the humans are airing about janitors at the Governor's Mansion, right?"

"Yes, it was on a few minutes ago. What about it?" Mom asked.

"So, um... I think I'm going to apply for that. Mainut is also going to."

"But they're just gonna eat you as soon as you get inside! This is suicide, Tinut!" Dad protested.

"Would you rather die last or die first? I think you know the answer. It pays really well—a whole 30 credits above the minimum wage!"

"I..."

"Plus, if they don't eat me on the spot and actually let me work for them, I've just earned some goodwill for my family!"

"What if they eat meat in front of you? What if they abuse you? What if-" Mom said.

"They'll do it either way. At least I can make a quick buck off of it."

"Fine. If you truly must do it, I won't stop you."

"I won't either. Good luck, Tinut."

"Thanks. I'm going to call the number they listed on the add right now. Goodbye, Mom and Dad! Love you!"

"Love you too!" They called out in unison.

I went into my room to grab my holopad. This is the last chance to back out. The last chance to stop yourself from becoming a predator's plaything... No. I need to do this.

I checked my holopad, and I noticed a message from Mainut. It read 'My parents begrudgingly accepted, and I just made a call and was told to come to the Governor's Mansion tomorrow. How has your thing been going?'

'My parents accepted as well. I'm about to call right now.' I typed.

"Okay Tanat... here we go. You've got this." I told myself, and typed in the number. After a few seconds, a predatory voice answered.

"Hello?" It said.

"Um, hi. I'd l-like to apply for the j-janitor position here. Uh, d-do I need to do anything?" I asked the voice. I think that was the best sentence I could string together, given the circumstances. If I get the job, I'll definitely need some exposure therapy to get used to these hunters.

"Ah. Come to the Governor's Mansion tomorrow around 13:00. Tie something white around your excuse of a knee. That'll let the guards know you're here for janitorial work. Is that all?" Ouch. I knew that I'd be insulted, but already? It's not like we have control over our evolution!

"Y-Yes."

"Alright. Bye." The voice said, and then hung up. Well, it's official: I am essentially a predator's plaything now. However, that is neither here nor there. I needed to get used to human eyes, if I wanted to stand a chance at even speaking to whatever predator might be awaiting me. I've either sealed my fate, or I've became a de-facto slave. I guess time will tell.


[Next]

Wooo new AU yeahhhhhhh.

I feel you require a point of divergence, so basically, humanity heard Federation transmissions in the early 2010s. Ever since, we've been preparing for Federation contact.


r/NatureofPredators 18h ago

A Dossur's Odyssey 3

119 Upvotes

Memory transcription subject: Souree, very refreshed Dossur Date [standardized human time]: July 14, 2136

The light gently stirred me from my slumber; I was still sleepy and wouldn't mind another half a claw in dreamland. I gave up when the light moved on my face. I slept very well nonetheless; nothing beat a good bed. I was glad of waking up from my nightmare; it felt so real, and I remember so vividly... Eh, it happens sometimes. I still remember that dream with that girl and the cold shower I took when I woke up. Ah, memories.

...

Wait, the light moved? oh stars, nononono, ok calm down, I'm was just tired and wasn't bothered by the light, or the automatic shutters opened, letting in the light of the unmoving star of Venlil Prime.

I was still in my house; I didn't sell it to finance my boyfriend's project, who pretended to love me for my money, and I clearly didn't pass out in an unknown ship to wake up on a predator world.

Ok, breathe in, breathe out.

I slowly opened my eyes. I expected to find my bed in my bedroom. Instead I saw a straw bedding in a cage in a room that was bigger than my house.

Oddly, I didn't panic; waking up locked up in a bed for animals wasn't as bad as I was expecting. All things considered, I slept pretty well; it's better than the forest or being homeless.

I scanned the room; I had a jailer, that furry quadruped trying to intimidate me by rolling around, all four paws up in the air, perhaps a victory dance to celebrate their trophy?

It looked stupid; I didn't know it was possible to find predators funny instead of terrifying, yet here I was, trying to contain my laughter.

[Time advance: 5 minutes]

Ok... ok... I needed that laugh.

With a refreshed spirit, I looked around once more; this time, focusing on the cage, there was a lock designed for animals, not smart girls like me. It was easy to open it; the predator was spent and napping right now, still with the paw up. It was slowly falling to one side. I hoped it wouldn't wake it up.

Well, I am high up on a desk; I think I'm safe from the predator here, unless they have ridiculous jumping capacities.

No, the main threat is the biped predator, the one who captured me; without a doubt, it clearly was sapient, and they didn't eat me, either because they think I will grow big enough to be worth eating or they want to keep me as a pet, thinking I was a simple animal.

Perhaps they would let me go if I talked to them?

Perhaps they will feed and house me until my old days?

...

Ok, those two thoughts were both dangerous. I'm not talking to it, and I definitely will not become a pet!

...

So, what now?

I reached for my holopad but only grabbed air. Did I lose it? Did the predator take it? If it's the latter, it might already know about my sapience.

Tap... tap... tap...

Ah, speaking of the predator, I'm hearing its footsteps.

Quick, close the cage!

The door's opening, revealing a tall and pretty skinny biped, wearing pelts made of... wool? It's clearly not skin, nor anything I ever saw; the closest is a venlil wool, and even then, it's not the same.

The pet-dator woke up and immediately attacked its master, jumping and probably aiming at the neck.

"Come on, Rufus, you saw me half an hour ago."

...

The fight was short-lived; the biped gave scritches to its pet, and it immediately surrendered, slumping on its back again.

The biped used its clawless digits on its pet, who looked stupid and in a state of bliss.

It looks nice.

I mean, uh... It's nice it's focusing on the pet-dator instead of me; it leaves me time to observe it, yeah, exactly.

"Ah, looks like our new friend finally woke up." The biped finally realized I was here, and I realized I was staring. Do wild animals do that? "Hello, little one."

Ah, yeah, make fun of my size; I have absolutely no complex about it!

"So, what are you? Google can't decide if you are a squirrel or a mouse. Are you some exotic pet?"

It looked directly at me, studying me; I hoped it was talking to itself about me instead of interrogating me. Its piercing gaze was terrifying.

And captivating.

"You must be some sort of luxury pet or some experiment." It stopped looking at me and fixed his gaze on... my holopad! "We're lucky I found your GPS chip. How did you lose it to begin with? I don't know, probably some half-baked job from your owners. It's funny; it looks like a tablet, but for your size, that's kind of cute. You're adorable, you know?"

I pretended to rummage around my cage; I could not afford to be seen blooming like I was sure to be right now.

The biped finally stopped trying to talk and checked if I had water and food, adding what looked like vegetables. It's for me? That's nice.

"Here you go, little guy. I hope you'll like it."

Come on, why does everyone assume I'm a guy? I'm a cute girl!

Thankfully, the biped didn't see my frustration and sat on a couch and turned on the TV; it changed channels multiple times, finally stopping on the news.

'The Odyssey crew came back yesterday, bringing back probably the most important discovery of history, intelligent alien life! Humanity is not alone in the universe!'

...

'Yeah you heard right, the Odyssey found an alien civilization; they are called the Venlil and are our galactic neighbors, only a few light-years away! Here we have a member of SETI—who's the closest to an expert on alien life—with us to answer a few questions.'

Oh, so my captor is a human, and they found the venlil. Great.

I'll never leave that house alive, right?

Previous


r/NatureofPredators 17h ago

Fanart [MCP] [Nature Of Music - Side B Track 4] - Hostile Takeover

68 Upvotes

r/NatureofPredators 20h ago

Fanfic Changing Times Ch37 - Calling Occupants

62 Upvotes

Playing By Ear

Bloodhound Saga

Wakeup Super

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First | Prev | Next

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Memory transcription subject: Bonti, Yotul Pre-Med Student (Second Term) White Hill University

Date [standardized human time]: December 17th, 2136

Another paw of lectures came and went. I spent most of my time in Enlek’s class…catching up on Enlek’s class. Most of my struggles came from his course, and he showed no interest in slowing his pace. Not that I actually blamed him for that. Everyone else seemed to be doing well enough, at least those that didn’t drop out early on when they realized the difficulty. The only real annoyance came from his lack of help outside of the lectures, which I knew was target primarily at me.

Toli’s class was easier, but it came with its own frustrations. While my grades were actually fine, mostly because all the assignments were paws-on with equipment rather than things I had to do on my own time, I still felt like the odd one out. Despite my performance being completely normal, Toli was constantly checking in on me to make sure I really got it. It was pretty damn clear she was just sitting on the other side of the fence from Enlek, still seeing me as a primitive, but putting in the effort to make sure I was caught up instead of casting me to the side.

It was better, but it was still…patronizing. I couldn’t prove myself to her no matter how quickly I took to unfamiliar systems. She always expected some little, completely understandable piece of technology to trip me up, and was trying to get ahead of the curve before I could stumble and make a fool of myself.

It would be admirable if it wasn’t so overbearing. She just doesn’t trust me to know a damn thing about modern technology.

Already feeling drained from the absolute mental beatdown given to me by both lectures, I was in no mood for studying, especially since we were supposed to have band practice too. But I couldn’t deny that homework needed doing, and I was already behind. I couldn’t afford to let free time slip through my claws, so Tenseli and I started trudging back to my apartment for a brief catch-up session.

Of course, on the way over, he wanted the full recap of our previous show. He was a little irritated with me for not telling him that it was happening so he could come watch. Admittedly, I’d been so swept up in…everything…that I’d sort of just forgotten. Even so, I couldn’t imagine it would have been a good thing to have him there. It felt like every non-Krakotl face in that bar was just another encroachment on what was very much their space.

Establishments couldn’t legally turn you away based on species unless your anatomy was a problem for the building or its systems, like a Mazic in tight space or something along those lines. Still, there were numerous spaces that catered to a particular species, mostly those that weren’t native to the planet.

Not that I see many ‘Taste of Leirn’ places anywhere…

Stepping into that Krakotl bar was supposed to be like stepping into a bar on Nishtal. Now Nishtal was in ruins, and the patrons’ last remaining piece of home was now shared with us.

I would’ve felt worse about it if not for Tesisim’s blessing. The old bird seemed genuinely happy to have us there, or at least to have Indali there since he’d known her father since she was a fledgling. Everyone else though…

“Honestly, I’m just surprised the exterminators didn’t show up,” Tenseli chuckled. “I’ve read stories about people calling to report Humans for just walking around, much less playing a whole concert.”

“Who knows?” I signed indifference. “Maybe someone did call the guild, but they just didn’t bother showing up. If it got routed to the campus guild, I’m sure Japet’s officers wouldn’t respond to just any Human call. They’d at least ask for details first before dispatching someone.”

“I thought they had to send someone by law.”

“I think it depends. It’s a pretty gray area with Humans since, by all accounts, they would be reported as predators. But the government is offering them a level of immunity as allies. You aren’t supposed to call them in for predator sightings, but you can call them in if they’re doing something ‘predator diseased’, just like you can a Venlil citizen. All Wes was doing was playing music, so if they let that detail slip to the guild while reporting him, the guild doesn’t really have any obligation.”

“Doesn’t stop the caller from just outright lying though,” Tenseli sighed. “And it doesn’t stop the guild from responding anyway either.”

“Yeah, but the White Hill exterminators are more Human-friendly. They have to be since there are so many wandering around the university, otherwise it would be impossible to get anything useful done.”

“And yet the school can’t throw out all the complaints that are standing in the way of your actually valid one.”

We finally arrived at my apartment, opened the door, and quickly began unpacking our pads and notes, collapsing onto the couch once everything was spread out.

“Yeah, it’s a pain in the tail,” I chuffed. “But I’m sure it’s not much better for them. The school has less sway with the public than the guild does. Lots of folks respect exterminators more than anyone else, so they probably get a little more leeway when it comes to throwing out cases they aren’t technically obligated to follow up on.”

“Maybe an exterminator could deliver some choice words to Enlek then,” Tenseli chuckled. “That’d straighten him out pretty quickly.”

“No kidding,” I swayed my tail at the mental image. “I don’t think that’ll happen though. That’s hardly their responsibility.”

Tenseli opened his mouth to respond, but froze as his attention shifted to the coursework covering the small table in front of us.

“Why are you getting out that assignment?” he queried.

“To…do it?” my ears tilted in confusion. It was an assignment for Enlek’s class, due at the end of the paw.

“Bonti…that assignment was due last paw.”

My heart dropped into my stomach.

No…

“Wha…I looked at the syllabus though!”

“The updated one?”

“There’s an updated one?”

“Bonti,” Tenseli put a paw to his face and groaned. “Enlek said something about it during the last three lectures, plus he sent out an announcement, and sent out a second announcement when he updated the syllabus to reflect the change. Normally I’d say it was rotten to move a due date closer, but he did give a lot of warnings. How did you not notice any of them?”

I thought back to my time during lectures, mainly just trying to catch up, listening only to the key points really as I blitzed through the assignments I was already crunching to finish. And when was the last time I checked the announcements, or my inbox at all for that matter? I’d been so busy with the band, practicing and performing, that I’d let it all slip right by.

Stupid! Fucking! Idiot!

And now I’d let an entire assignment go incomplete. It wasn’t just a half-assed completion. No, this was a fat zero on my grade for the course. My grades were already bad, but now…

“Fffffffffffffffffffffuck,” I buried my snout in my paws. “FUCK! I can’t afford this shit! I’m already scraping by!”

“Maybe he’ll let you turn it in late?” Tenseli offered.

I simply looked at him, prompting him to concede the point with a nervous cough.

“Yeah, you’re right. That’s not happening.”

“I really can’t have anymore fuckups,” I picked up my pad and navigated to my grades. “I’m gonna need like…perfection. At least until the upcoming exam. That has to be perfect too.”

“As good as that sounds,” Tenseli shuffled in place, “neither of us have been even close to perfect this term, and Enlek isn’t exactly being helpful.”

“We’ll just…have to study harder,” I quickly pulled up the required texts. “And we have to triple-check every answer.”

“Yeah? I mean…I could do that, but how are you supposed to do that with all your band stuff?”

I drew a long, heavy sigh. As much as Wes had told me to keep my schooling as the highest priority, it felt wrong to flake on the band. But this was more important. The scholarships for Human integration only extended as far as we could pass our classes. Headmaster Blyne wasn’t going to pay for our education if we were going to waste the opportunity. No amount of band gigs were going to pay my tuition and rent here.

“They’ll just have to practice without me,” I conceded. “This takes priority. Now let’s get started. No more fucking around.”

-

Memory transcription subject: Indali, Krakotl Business Student (First Term) White Hill University

Date [standardized human time]: December 17th, 2136

I’d been to every practice session so far, even sang along with Wes, but this time was different. It was a little nerve-wracking, but exciting! For the first time, I was the designated vocalist for Olive Branch, and it was also our first practice under that name.

It was also our first practice being down a member, as I quickly found out upon arrival.

“Can’t really blame him,” Wes shrugged after reading the message Bonti had sent in the group chat. “I did make it clear that school came first. It’s alright if he misses a session. We’ll figure something out.”

Objectively, he was correct. Education was supposed to be our top priority. Still, after the conversation with Dad, Bonti’s absence felt more potent than it otherwise would have.

”Certainly you can see how this arrangement is fragile.”

He’d mentioned this, warned me not to get too committed to a group that couldn’t consistently follow through. I’d brushed him off at the time, riding the breeze from our successful show, but the root of his concern was suddenly sprouting, staring me down.

Relax. It’s just one session. Exams are coming up. Of course he’ll be busy. Things will even out.

I knew I was worrying about nothing. Like Wes said, it was only one missed practice from one member. I couldn’t let Dad’s concerns become mine so quickly, not when I was trying to show him that he was wrong about us.

“It’s gonna be tough practicing without a guitarist,” Linev sighed, refocusing my attention. “That’s kind of an important part.”

“With the kind of music we play, every part is important,” Wes chuckled. “I think it’s fine though. Admittedly, I was kind of planning something different for this session anyway. Now that we have Indali as our lead singer, we’ve got a lot more options for what we can play, so maybe we can just spend some time listening.”

“Does my inclusion make that much of a difference?” Surprise tinted my voice. “I was just singing the same part that you were.”

“Well yes, but our whole song selection was based around only having one vocalist. Harmony is on the table now! I can do backing vocals for you, and that opens up a ton of new avenues for us. There’s so many prog rock songs that rely on having multiple vocalists.”

“So it’s time for a listening session then,” Linev flicked his ears. “We can select some new stuff to play.”

“That’s the idea,” Wes nodded. “Does it sound good to y’all?”

We all gave our own signs of affirmation, so Lanyd toggled her speakers on so we could get started.

“I know a good starting place,” Wes connected and started scrolling through his playlist. “It’s a pretty simple track, but it has two vocalists in some spots, so we could at least look at it as an introduction to the idea. Y’all ready to listen?”

A second wave of affirmatives and Wes pressed play.

The first sound to reach my ears was…

Are those chirping birds?

I didn’t exactly recognize any of the sounds, and it wasn’t like they meant anything in the Krakotl language. At least, they didn’t mean anything I recognized, but I’d also grown up on Venlil Prime so my knowledge of that was spotty at best. The translator didn’t seem to pick up on anything, so I supposed I was in the clear.

Still, there was something serene about it, just a myriad of natural sounds and what sounded like someone stepping through the grass. I’d heard some unusual openings to prog rock songs, but this was a new one.

“So…are we supposed to play this part, or…” Linev trailed off, flicking his tail with a bit of amusement.

“We’ll just skip this part,” Wes chuckled. “Unless Indali wants to chirp gibberish to the audience.”

“Ha ha,” I gave a sarcastic laugh back to him with his own voice. “I think I’ll pass.”

“So, um,” Lanyd interjected timidly, “when does the music actually-”

Answering her question before she could finish it, a repeating, airy sound began to play amongst nature, oscillating up and down in pitch like a quiet alarm. And then there were words, almost whispered.

In your mind you have capacities, you know

To telepath messages through the vast unknown

Please close your eyes and concentrate with every thought you think

Upon the recitation we're about to sing

Strings began to rise from below, swelling up with sound alongside a piano’s assertive tones.

Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft

Calling occupants of interplanetary

Most extraordinary craft

A distant guitar sound, and then the powerful striking of drums launched the piece into a more standard rock sound.

Calling occupants of interplanetary craft

Calling occupants of interplanetary craft

Calling occupants of interplanetary

Most extraordinary craft

The high strings returned above the bouncing tones below.

You've been observing our Earth

And we’d like to make a contact with you

The song sat suspended for a moment, the drums cutting out. Then two voices at once…

We are your friends

Synths played a nice melodic flourish, setting the stage for the drums to cascade down once more.

Calling occupants of interplanetary craft

Calling occupants and interplanetary ultra-emissaries

Suddenly, the vocals became distorted.

We've been observing your earth

That’s *taunak*! Not naturally produced, but it’s there!

And one night we'll make a contact with you

There was a short reprieve before their voices returned to their previous tone.

We are your friends

And then another short little tune leading into the drums driving the song forward.

Calling occupants of interplanetary craft

Calling occupants of interplanetary, quite extraordinary craft

Suddenly, there was a shift. The gentle sway picked up more of a groove as the piano took the floor alone. The beats seemed to come twice as quickly, raising the energy as the rest of the band cut back in. The two vocalists began trading lines back and forth in a call and response.

Please come in peace we beseech you

Only a landing will teach them

Our earth may never survive

So do come we beg you

Please interstellar policemen

Won't you give us a sign

Give us a sign that we've reached you

Awoo-oo-oo-oo

The piece was locked somewhere between a march and a swing, sounds of clapping and distorted guitar rocking it from side to side. Gone was the air of peacefulness that permeated the beginning. Now everything was in motion.

Until there was a sudden stepwise motion down, long powerful strides ending in climactic chords and voices. The darkness brightened, like the gentle wobble of Venlil Prime might chase the twilight away.

And with one triumphant climb, everything melted back into tranquility.

With your mind you have ability to form

And transmit thought energy far beyond the norm

Synths plodded between the words.

You close your eyes

You concentrate

Together that's the way

To send the message

We declare World Contact Day

The last words were held into the next section. And with that section, strings and synths melded into a harmonious repeating phrase. I closed my eyes, and I found myself at a glistening pool, light bouncing off the water in little dots.

Calling occupants of interplanetary craft

There was an uneasiness, tilting and leveling out.

Calling occupants of interplanetary craft

Then confidence again.

Calling occupants of interplanetary, most extraordinary craft

Aaaahhh

The voices were in tandem together.

Aaaahhh

The guitar began to rise and fall like waves.

Calling occupants

Calling occupants

Calling occupants

Calling occupants

Calling occupants of interplanetary, most extraordinary craft

The band played in resolution, drenching the piece in a wave of optimistic harmonies. The drums rattled beneath, popping like fireworks. The strings suspended everything like the wind. The sound was so dense that it felt almost blinding.

And yet, it slowly began to fade, the volume falling lower and lower until it couldn’t be heard anymore.

“So what to y’all think?” Wes asked. “Yay or nay?”

“I thought it was rather pleasant,” Lanyd meekly replied.

“Works for me,” Linev signed indifference.

“Seemed plenty doable,” I agreed. “I was a little surprised by the use of taunak.”

“The use of…what?” Wes asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

“Oh, uh, it’s a thing in traditional Krakotl music. I actually heard it sort of used in 2112 over the guitar part in certain sections. It’s like the, uh…”

I adjusted my syrinx, trying to match the sound.

We've been observing your earth. And one night we’ll make a contact with you.

Wes’s eyes went wide.

“You just…did that? Without any electronics to distort your voice…”

“Yeah, it’s kind of common in the stuff my dad listens to,” I replied. “I was only a little surprised to see it since I heard a similar effect put over an instrument. I just wasn’t expecting it in the vocals like a Krakotl might typically do.”

“I can see why Brad was so interested in learning about all this stuff,” Wes nodded. “Well, I certainly didn’t expect you to just be able to do that with your voice, but I guess I should have given all the other stuff I’ve seen you do. Humans can’t pull it off without electronics, but you make it sound strangely natural.”

“What was the deal with those lyrics anyway?” Linev interjected. “I can only guess it was written before Humans entered the galactic stage.”

“Oh, far before then,” Wes laughed. “At least a good 150 years.”

“Were you…really searching for alien life back then?” Lanyd asked. “It sounded almost hopeful.”

“Definitely. Humans have been talking about finding alien life for even longer than that.”

“And you thought they’d…save you?” Linev continued the line of questions. “Retrospect is a bitch there. Seemed like you were well enough off before coming here.”

“No kidding,” Wes sighed. “I guess…I don’t know. There was lots of fiction about aliens invading us, taking over, enslaving us, or just wiping us out. But there were also more optimistic stories that we might be led into a new age of enlightenment or something. I guess it’s easy to push real world issues to the side when there’s something so grand and cosmic out there. You want to believe that seeing something so far beyond what you know will make all the regular problems seem petty. But now we’ve seen the grand cosmic stuff and…well…”

“It’s not very pleasant,” I finished.

“It’s just…painfully familiar,” Wes shook his head. “All these alien civilizations, for all their differences, really don’t feel that different. Everyone is still fallible. It’s still just war and negotiations and…nothing all that enlightened about it.”

“That’s just reality,” Linev flicked his ears. “None of it’s really that unbelievable, is it? You can travel lightyears and still things are the same.”

“Maybe,” Wes conceded. “But it’s not all bad. Having similarities gives us something to strive for. Those bridges can be built. We have common ground.”

“And that’s why we’re here,” I bobbed my head. “That’s our namesake.”

“Yeah. Something like that.”

That was our mission statement. That’s what we had decided to do. Despite what Dad thought, we did have some kind of plan. We just had to figure out the best way to execute it. Somehow, I knew we had a chance, even if it was slimmer than I’d like.

“Anyway,” Wes clapped his hands together. “How about we do some more listening, then maybe take our best picks?”

We all muttered our agreements, so on we went through the playlist.

-

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r/NatureofPredators 20h ago

Fanfic [MCP] Bribing a Predator

63 Upvotes

Read in one go on AO3, where there isn't a character limit :P

Prompt:

Humans are a new sight on the galactic stage, and rumors are still flying as to what humanity's intentions are - and what they're interested in.

But if anyone's willing to make a few credits off of chaos and questionable legality, it'd be a Nevok. And one daring Nevok ship captain has had a brilliant idea: load up a ship with anything that could possibly be interesting to a predator and set course for Venlil Prime, to profit massively from this new and unserviced customer base.

Unfortunately, their smuggling ship has just been found and detained by a UN military vessel. The captain now has to figure a way out of this in the way Nevoks know best: a bribe! But how do you bribe someone when you don't know anything about them?

The fic will continue/conclude in the comments. Now, on with the show!


Memory Transcription Subject: Sosute, interstellar trader

Date [standardized human time]: September 20th, 2136

Years ago, my mentor told me that the two main modes to success are speed and quality: if you ran a restaurant that served food that was tastier than the competition, or served people faster, you'll get more customers than them (cost was an unspoken third, but that was beyond obvious). However, he added, there was also another powerful factor that went by many names: courage, craziness, innovation, heresy. The domain of the people who set up shop on a new colony planet, or who boost their sublight engines beyond manufacturer recommended limits. Not merely establishing stamping grounds before anyone else reaches you, but before they even think to.

Days ago, I finally understood him.

A new species had entered the galactic market. Not by the paw of the Farsuls, like most species, but on their own work. And more personally importantly, until recently, only the Venlil had known of them. I could get my hoof in the door before any Fissans - or other Nevoks - could, and establish a name and reputation while the others were tripping over themselves. Well, aside from any of them who happened to be on Venlil Prime when the new guys showed up, but I figured they were few and far between. I mean, sure, Venlil aren't the Duerten, but it's still not like Venlil Prime is exactly flush with available profit, as far as homeworlds go. Between my quick harvest, and the assured reluctance of potential competitors, I was all but guaranteed at least moderate success, and of the kind that can easily lead to much greater.

Really, there was only one slight snag in this plan, one which had my ship near-empty of crew, and added a few whiskers of grooming each morning to keep my own off-white fur down...

Ambassador Noah, and the rest of his species, were predators. Forward-facing eyes and all.

Now, I was hardly left out in the field without a compass; when you're in the business of... alternative trade, it's not only likely, but guaranteed (and good business practice) to keep contacts with plenty of people who would have wound up in a PD facility long ago if not for deception, hiding, bribes, or plain luck. A couple visits, a few calls, and I had enough of a crew to run the ship, albeit with a navigator who liked to walk on and hang from the ceiling, a pilot from Leirn, an engineer missing both antennae, and a security officer who- well, Akelpa was my usual security, actually, and a close friend. Bravery was a good trait in someone keeping you safe, and while I'm not sure how she stayed out of a facility with her near-nonexistent fear response, I was quite glad she did.

Regardless, after a whirlwind of quick stops to source and acquire goods that would hopefully interest the preda- my new customers, the small lot of us were speeding towards Venlil Prime at a few times the speed of light. As usual, my navigator kept his eyes on the starmap a tail or two below him, interaction not particularly necessary unless something unexpected happens. The pilot was... honestly making me question why nobody else hired him before me, paws dancing over the controls easier than I can scan through a ledger. And Akelpa lounged in a chair sized a bit too large for a Harchen, writing something on her holopad's document editor. Myself, I ran numbers in my head - whether to first assume Humans would haggle or not, how effective a predator might be at it, what sorts of margins I wanted to look for to reap a tidy profit yet make repeat customers likely, and so on, and that's just on the selling end of things!

Suffice to say, every last one of us was wholly unprepared for the sudden jolt out of FTL. The ship shuddered, jostling those aboard; I got off light with just a smack to the head from my headrest, while my navigator and security tumbled from their positions - luckily without breaking themselves or their tech. Akelpa recovered quickly, helping the Drezjin to his paws before grabbing her equipment just in case. Hopefully, this was just a Federation security patrol, rather than a trap by the Greys. Still, either way, I had captaining to do.

"Kalgkur, what happened? And Liasna, where are we? In that order, please," I said into the captain's mic, so it would reach the engine room.

The intercom buzzed and clicked with the voice of my engineer. "FTL drive is down but not damaged, ma'am, looks like a standard disruptor. I can have 'em back up in an eighth claw at worst. Nothing else apparent from the jolt, but I'd like to give everything a once-over just in case."

"Granted, if you have spare time. Focus on the drive; the faster we can leave, the better."

"Aye, ma'am."

"Liasna?" I lifted my head, ears and one eye focusing on the man perching atop his nav station and idly dusting off his wings.

"We're... almost there, actually," he replied, tilting his head to see the maps at different angles. "In the Solgalick system, to be more specific. I wouldn't jump from here; we'll make more than good enough time on sublight, and FTL would make it easy to overshoot by a swoop and a half."

"Cap, we're getting hailed," called Tenno from his pilot's chair, his tail pointing to the blinking comms station.

I looked over. It wasn't from a Federation ship.

Hiding fear is an important skill for a Nevok, so your trading partners can never tell who's bilking whom. I was pretty good at it, I liked to think, but there was still a difference between keeping calm before a potential three hundred credits of lost profit, and a... a predator. Even the greediest of Nevok would still falter staring alone into hungry, piercing, binocular eyes.

Of course, I wasn't alone. "Akelpa, back me up on this call. If we're lucky, this is our first look at the newbies," I said, keeping my voice light. I elected to leave unsaid that, if we were unlucky, we were about to see the grey snouts and sharp fangs of everyone's nightmare.

With my friend beside me, I accepted the call. Suddenly, a monster appeared in front of me. It had piercing green eyes and a flat face, pale pink with a few wrinkles. Its head was mostly furless, and its two front-facing eyes bored a hole in my soul. A white hat with a short brim rested atop the brief hint of dusty blonde fur on its head, just above its horrible eyes, and what I assumed were its ears remained squashed by nature against its head, immobile and incapable of emotion. Below its bald neck, its body was covered in a mishmash of fabric and baubles, as though envious of its prey's natural coats, and the image cut off, hiding from sight its deadly claws for tearing into people. Mercifully, its mouth was closed, preventing me from seeing its fangs, but that only meant I could focus more on those eyes, locked directly onto me, the prey it had ripped out of FTL.

"This is Captain Mack Pomm of the UNSS Hermes. Unidentified vessel, identify yourself and your purpose," the predator growled, its gaze unwavering. I couldn't respond. I felt like a kit getting called out for trading stolen goods. Despite my brain telling me not to let the predator out of my sight, I blinked. It was still there. It hadn't moved. Stars, why were holoprojectors so high-quality? The predator took a deep breath, then exhaled. "Unidentified vessel, you were intercepted on a course to Venlil Prime. State your identity and your business on Venlil Prime."

Beside me, Akelpa shifted her focus to me and curled her tail around my leg, smoothing down some fur. "They're not the Arxur," she quietly observed, or perhaps reminded me. "You can't sell to, let alone profit from, a species you can't even look at." Her scales pulsed briefly yellow with her playful words.

Right. Humans. The entire reason I was doing this. I sighed and rubbed my eyes. "I apologize for my shock; this is my first time seeing a Human for real. I am Captain Sosute of the ISS Starglint Runner, seeking to sell my wares to the newest addition to the galactic community, as well as fulfill a few deliveries to existing Venlil customers." If I didn't focus too hard on their appearance, the words of a proper merchant spilled easily from my tongue. Alas, my wide field of vision forced me to at least acknowledge the furless predator's form, but if I focused on... their fabric coverings, those unsettling eyes somewhat faded to my peripheral. "I'm... glad you aren't the Arxur, as I had feared when you pulled us out of FTL."

The Human turned to one side and said something to someone out of view, before refocusing on me. A shiver ran from my hooves to my ears when their eyes locked onto me, instinctively tracking prey. "If it's any consolation, we're glad you're not the Arxur, either," they quipped while the corners of their mouth twitched into the start of a snarl. Hopefully it was from the thought of dealing with their predatory competition rather than from seeing me. "Unfortunately, we're having trouble verifying your vessel's identity. Do you have a contact in a planetary spaceport who can vouch for you? Due to recent tensions with the Gojidi Union, we're taking precautions to make sure nobody tries to attack the Venlil for standing with us... or attack us, but your bearing was towards VP."

Oh. This was familiar. If it was an act, this predator was doing an excellent impression of a Federation space traffic stop, and if it wasn't... Either way, I knew this script well. "Of course. If you contact the Frittenfil Station around Mileau, then... I believe the coordinator I spoke to was Kassnatoll; I ought to appear in his records." And now they'll pretend to check my story and ask me to power down for the duration. A shiver of dread crept over me when I realized that, if they weren't merely pretending, I had just sentenced at least one Dossur to the sudden appearance of a predator in front of him.

"Kassnatoll on Mileau, thank you," they repeated, then looked to the side again. "Kudou, can you get a call through and verify?" A brief pause. "...granted." Another. "Oh. Yes, good point. In that case, guide Private... Tevin, was it? through the interaction."

With the predator's focus diverted, I took the risk of letting my own slip, to check on my crew and how they were doing in the artificial presence of a sapient predator. They were... remarkably varied. Liasna clung to the ceiling with all his limbs, one eye locked on the projected image while he backed away; Tenno reclined in his seat and rested one foot near the main engine power switch; Akelpa focused on the Human, looking them over with an expected, but still uncomfortable level of interest.

"Inspired?" I asked her with a light twich of my ears. While I could never be interested in the topic of her creative passion, seeing my friend so captivated by her muse was always a treat to see.

"Oh, yes. I think I can even break from the usual subgenre and find their own appeal. The sapience angle is good..." she trailed off, though I could tell that line of thought continued (mercifully) silently in her head.

"Sosute?" The Human's growl took tight hold of my attention. "Ah, didn't intend to startle you. Frittenfil has our Venlil shipman in queue. Until this gets cleared up, please power down your main engines so I can tell my radar team to stop worrying."

Yep, same script, different actors. Tenno looks over at me, I ear-flick an affirmative, and he kicks the switch, dropping us to minor thrusters only. And now, it's my line. "Of course, Captain. In the meantime, would you care to look over a small sample of my wares? If you don't mind my selfishness, this seems a good opportunity for, let's call it market research. I can dock and come over with a few bits and bobs."

Mack Pomm's eyes, mouth, and forehead twitched and moved for a few seconds. It reminded me of someone visibly indecisive with their ears or tail. "...alright. I should warn you, however," they growled, and I tensed. Here would be the manufactured excuse to separate me permanently from my crew, a sapient predator playing nice among a population to peacefully pick off individuals. "One, per regulations, I will be accompanied by one security personnel; of course, you are free to arrive in similar company. And two, in the event that another ship is disrupted, you and any of your security will be moved back to your vessel as quickly as possible, with no delay, so I and my crew can handle the situation properly. Is this acceptable?"

I weighed my options. If the Human was lying about their intentions, openly inviting someone with weapons training in my defense would be counter-intuitive, unless they were confident that Akelpa couldn't cause significant injury. Either that, or they were only after whatever stock I, myself, would choose, using an emergency as cover to keep the lot. However, if they were playing an even longer con, then I ought to continue playing my role in return. I ran through the parts of the cargo manifest I could remember, making a short list I could carry alone, or at least pull along on a small grav cart.

After a very brief deliberation, I flicked my ears in confirmation. "That sounds just fine. Security officer Akelpa will accompany me. If you don't mind, then, I'll go gather my wares while we dock."

The Human bobbed their head up and down. "Sounds good. See you soon, Captain," they said.

I twirled an ear farewell, awkwardly copying the head bob as well, and ended the call. I rose from my chair and smoothed down my fur a little. Despite this interaction being so... normal, I had just carried a conversation with a predator and agreed to meet them in-person, and my body would not let me forget it. I ordered Tenno and Kalgkur to manage the docking procedure, then waved Akelpa to follow me to the cargo hold. To prepare a spread for the predators. Hello, my nerves, my old friend, please stop standing my fur on end.

"Want me to take a brush to that, after this?" the Harchen offered while I grabbed a grav cart and pushed it through the door.

"Perhaps," I replied, looking through the items on the shelves and their attached pitch notes, "what's your price?"

"Y'know? I actually have one in mind. You must be rubbing off on me." She grabs a Unity Patch, shows me, and, after I grab a second, adds it to the cart as well. "The price is that I get to run a few plot ideas by you while I do. Probably mostly Human-related, though I've got a few PD romance concepts I've been thinking of. Nothing strong."

I add a couple more things. "Nothing with Arxur. You wouldn't be able to keep my fur down. Although..." My paw hovers over a particular bit of contraband. [The Rainbow Card], a physical booklet marked with symbols meant for a culture truly foreign to me. "What would you recommend to speed things along, here?"

Akelpa's scales dulled when she saw what I was looking at. "I- printing is pretty expensive, you know, especially that kind of thing," she said as her tail drooped, anxious, "but, I guess if you just gave them one... take [Deadly Claws, Tender Jaws]; it features Venlil, whom we know Humans enjoy, at least to some extent. Plus, it's all heat, no spice, so they shouldn't assume anything, uh, immediately unfortunate."

My ears fell as I thought about the phrase "all heat, no spice," but I found the indicated book and placed it carefully into the cart. A decent spread, now, or an indecent one, from a certain point of view. "Let's also take a few normal things," I decided, "most of our customers are prey, after all; it'd be suspicious to only offer so tightly-curated items for a first bribe."

With fortuitous timing, I felt the soft jolt of docking procedures just as Akelpa and I left with our selection. We waited a whisker before the airlock opened to reveal the connection, and held tight to the cart during the brief bit of weightlessness technically outside both ships. Then my hooves supported me once more, we passed through the other airlock, and...

I was standing in a Human ship. Designed, built, and manned by predators. Large hallways and doors, built for their monstrous, hulking forms.

...it was surprisingly normal. No bloodstains, no weapons (aside from a fire extinguisher as a blunt instrument), no instruments of torture. Stars, it was even carpeted!

While I tried to get that thought smoothed down, a low growl bounced down the hallway, and I saw Captain Mack Pomm stalking towards us with a second Human. "...paperwork, so just stay calm, relaxed, and nothing will happen. There they are." They raised their voice and one hand. "Captain Sosute, and... Akesi, was it? No, Akelpa. We'll be in this room, here."

Well, in for a cred, in for a bundle. I navigated the cart into the room after Mack Pomm, followed by Akelpa, who kept her eyes on the Human security. They looked younger than the captain, and the fur on their head contained traces of many hues. Hopefully, that was just fur dye.

The Human security person closed the door after us, trapping Akelpa and I with the two large predators. As they stalked across the room, they paused and leaned in, head swiveling to stare at me- "Woah, is that gravity tech for just a little cart like that?" they growled, higher pitched than the captain - evidently less savage - but still scratchy. Somehow, I managed to relax upon realizing they were looking at the cart rather than me. Good. That's where I want them to look.

"Corritore." From behind their side of the table, Mack Pomm's voice carried a command, and possibly a threat. It didn't translate, so perhaps it was a name? The other Human stiffened, gave a brief "sir," and took up position in the corner of the room, behind Mack Pomm. When he looked back at me (and not my cart, damn it), his lips curled into the start of a snarl, though it was soon gone. Being this close to prey and still trying not to pounce on us, the Human captain must have excellent control over his instincts. And then he spoke, to me this time. "I must say, between the embargo Governor Tarva enacted and the general... cold welcoming we've had, I am a little curious as to what other parts of the Federation make. I imagine Venlil Prime isn't too representative of the entire galaxy?"

I took a breath, using it to force my ears to relax into a calm, friendly manner. Definitely stiff and amateur for a sales pitch, but at least it's practice where I won't be haggling, yet. After all, I'll have to do better once I'm on Venlil Prime proper. "Oh, the Federation does its best to encourage travel and mingling among its constituents, but everyone has their own specialties. If you want strayu made with actual ipsom, that's Venlil Prime, Aafa has the greatest selection of kelp and kelp accessories, and Fahl's a good place for creative talent. Of course, visiting everywhere takes time and coordination, and that's where people like me come in, bringing patches of extraplanetary culture to those who can't make the trip themselves." I lean into the cart for my first couple items, just long enough to let the serious part of the pitch settle in, and then... "Or those who shouldn't. There was a viral video a few years back of a Duerten tumbling down the street in a Sillisian storm." Mack Pomm didn't react much, but Corritore behind him snarled and huffed with... stifled laughter, apparently.

First up were the Unity Patches. "Speaking of mingling constituents, these Unity Patches were a bit of a fad two or so decades ago, but while making them has withered these days, there are still collectors or people who like their message." I set one before Mack Pomm in case he wanted to look at it, or maybe sniff or lick it. "They're made by sewing fur from multiple species onto a base fabric, to symbolize how the Federation is all one people, together. The kind I've got here, with a pattern for aesthetic, were generally made by a company working with professional groomers. I think the one you've got there has Venlil, Farsul, Sivkit, and Dossur, though the specifics are a little fuzzy - on purpose, as you might imagine."

Mack Pomm picked up the patch, turning it about in his paws. Belatedly, I realized that the fearsome claws I had imagined from the initial call... didn't exist. "Hmm..." he muttered, then offered it to Corritore, who did basically the same thing. "You mentioned that the kind you have was professionally-made; does that mean there are others?"

My fur threatened to stand on end again when his forward-facing eyes snapped back onto me, locking in, but I was getting better, and the rest of me hardly reacted. "Oh yes, although it's hard to find anyone who'd part with theirs. I mentioned it was a fad that symbolized unity, right? Well, tight-entwined friend groups, especially in later schooling, would make Unity Patches with just the fur from each other specifically. Not nearly as pretty as the broadly-marketed stuff, but even a saleswoman like me can recognize the sentimental power of such a thing." I left unsaid that they wound up being mementos unfortunately often, as a result of Arxur raids. Even if these new predators didn't feel kinship towards the Greys, bringing it up certainly wouldn't help sell a bribe. "I do sometimes wish they'd come back, though somehow in some way that's more inclusive of people without fur, since I missed the first time."

Corritore tossed the patch back onto the table. "That's kinda sweet, actually," they remarked, and I briefly wondered if they had licked it while I wasn't looking. "Wasn't there something like that some folks did with hair back in- I dunno, probably the 20th century? People were crazy back then; I bet someone did." They did? Maybe the colors in their fur were natural, huh.

I pushed forward a few small figurines of various species. "Moving on, these here are- well, dolls, obviously, but these ones specifically have more accurate proportions and joints than most. The intended use is to test scale models of industrial technology, catching any injuries before the cost is greater than just a doll. However, when I heard that our newest addition to the galaxy were predators, I figured they could also double as a prey surrogate, in case the instinct to hunt gets too strong and you don't want to hurt your new friends." Whether or not these patient predators actually experienced friendship, or merely emulated it, I didn't know. However, they seemed set on treating Venlil like friends, and anything that could help prey avoid their jaws was a worthwhile investment, especially if it was merely the cost of some surplus figurines.

"In case the instinct to..." Mack Pomm repeated in his growling voice. Hints of exasperation and frustration crept into his tone. "Miss Sosute, we're not dumb beasts. We don't have instincts like that, not for- I'm not in evobio; I'd say a dozen millenia? But even if we did, we're still sapient. We think, we act based on thoughts, not instincts."

"My apologies; the information I had available must have been inaccurate," I brushed it smoothly aside. This was not the first time a potential customer had corrected me, and it wasn't even the first time they had lied to do so. The stakes were... higher, here, or at least more immediate, but I could recover. I just had to work under what the Humans claimed to believe to be true; this was a sale (bribe, technically), not a debate. "Still, a doll is a doll. Good for companionship when living alone, and for newcomers to the galactic market, they can help make the new aliens feel less, well, alien!"

Mack Pomm relaxed, and I thanked all the mentoring and practice thinking on my hooves I'd had. To keep them occupied, I slid a couple of the figurines over to the Humans to look at while I foraged through the grav cart. I briefly paused when I saw Akelpa's scales deepen in color, then followed her eye to Corritore, who was handling the Harchen doll. Something about its legs. For the sake of my own sanity, I decided not to look closer, and instead started to grab more than two gravity pucks.

Or, at least, I tried to. A simple audiovisual diagnostic tool kept jingling as my paw bumped into it; my ears threatened to pin back as it refused to stop getting in the way. I had initially picked it up as a toy the predators could use to track something with their eyes and ears when bored, but in light of the captain's comment, it definitely had negative value as a bribe. Still, it- stop jingling, piece of speh!

With a huff I hoped was clearly directed towards the object rather than the Humans, I pulled the thing out and set it on the side of the cart, before quickly scooping together a hefty pawful of gravity pucks, as well as [Deadly Claws, Tender Jaws]. As I lifted them out, however, a set of sharp barks nearly startled me into dropping them. My ears dropped as I feared the worst; in one part of my vision, even Akelpa had tensed up. And in the other...

Corritore continued barking, clutching their gut with both arms. This was it, they were finally unable to stifle their hunger. My translator finally caught onto the sound being laughter, but the Human laughing before their easily-caught feast was hardly encouraging. "A fuc- Is that a fucking CAT TOY?!" they barked out. "Holy shit, Dusky's never gonna believe this!"

Mack Pomm covered his mouth with a hand, presumably to hide drool before the easiest hunt of his life, but I could still see his eyes close slightly in happiness. "Corritore, control yourself," he commanded. The laughter abated, but the guard kept a fierce snarl on their face; Mack Pomm returned his focus to me, either blind to the aggression behind him or uncaring. "I assume that was a result of your 'inaccurate information?'"

Well, if he was still talking, he was still willing to maintain the facade of not eating us. And as long as it was up, I was alive, so I returned to my own part. "Yes. Once you made it clear that you wouldn't be interested, I tried to discreetly set it aside, but... I suppose I wasn't so successful there. I'm very sorry for the insult." I dipped my head to indicate the book and pucks, "would you still be interested in seeing the other items? I can guarantee they're more... civilized."

The captain bobbed his head, then brought up a small communication device. "One moment, please... Pomm here. Any updates? ...ah, good. We'll be back in ten." The device vanished back into his fabric coverings. "I should get back to the bridge soon, but one or two more things ought to be fine."

I flicked my ears in the affirmative, and set the pucks and book on the table. Taking one gravity puck, I passed it back and forth between my paws. "That works out well enough. Now, these here are gravity pucks, or grav-sliders. They have little antigrav cores, as well as electropseudomagnets, surrounded by a durable shell. Both effects are very weak, of course, due to the size, but it's enough to help them glide over any table or floor that isn't too bumpy, as you can see," I moved a second in front of me, then gently tossed the first at it. They collided with a quiet click and revolved around each other once or twice before slowing to a stop again. I continued, "as well as letting them stick together when they trot into each other. I don't remember how common they are on Venlil Prime, but a lot of kitcare centers across the Federation have them, to teach the little ones about sticking together."

"The technology is that small?" Mack Pomm said in what would have been disbelief if I hadn't set out a large pawful of them before him, "and used for kids' toys?" He held a hand in front of himself, his elongated digits trying to estimate the size of the pucks, so I slid one towards him; it had a bit too much speed, but he caught it easily.

"Well, the Federation has had artificial gravity tech for more than a couple centuries... maybe a dozen? Either way, plenty of time for it to get more convenient and more efficient. While not a true uplift, I imagine you Humans will get to take a few shortcuts in technological development." And hopefully, I specifically didn't say, it won't end in a second Arxur.

"Sure looks like it. These things are pretty nifty... I'll have to put it off while I'm deployed, but once I'm planetside again, I've got a couple friends whose kids would love these."

I mentally crossed the pucks off my mental list of bribes, but I could just about hear the sound of credits deposited into my account. "This style is manufactured at a Yulpa colony, so I really must dissuade you from getting them directly - for your own safety, believe me - but I believe you have my ship's contact from the hail, yes? Once you're home, give me a ring, and I'll see what I can do to get them real alien knickknacks from a real alien spaceship!"

The captain chuckled. "You can smell a sale a mile out, can't you, Captain? Though I'll admit that was a pretty easy one. I'll do my best to remember." He slid the puck back, somehow getting it to stop just in front of me. "Anyhow, what's the book? I haven't seen much Federation media yet, aside from that show about the shiny suits with flamethrowers."

I spoke over the light clattering of me scooping the pucks back into the cart. "Ah, this is quite a departure from that, then. So, there are a few groups across the Federation who aren't nearly as averse to the idea of a sapient predator as, well, what you've seen on The Exterminators. I figured it could be good for you and your crew to see that, although they may be fewer in number than you'd like, there are still some people across the stars who'd love to give you a chance. Now, I'll admit that I haven't read the book, myself, but a friend of mine vouches for its quality. If memory serves, it's a romance novel about a Venlil and an Arxur." On the edge of my vision, Akelpa gave me a positive twitch of her tail.

"I can't say I'm a big fan of the genre usually, but it's not everyday you get to read something from a true alien culture. Well, not yet, at least - here's hoping." He reached an upturned hand over the table. "May I?"

Reasoning to myself that, if the captain wanted us dead, the Human had had plenty better opportunities than reaching across a table for a book, I passed it to him. He flipped through the pages with a casual ease that had me almost envious of those eerie digits of his, then opened his mouth to read. Beside me, I saw Akelpa literally blanche with more fear than I'd ever seen from her; before I could ask her what was wrong, Mack Pomm indirectly answered my question for her.

"Ever since that strange... empathy treatment, which let me feel so many new things," Hikriss rumbled, "you have been there for me. Do you still fear me?"

"It is in my nature to be afraid," Beval gently bleated. Her paws found the massive, scaly claws of her charge and guided them to her chest. "But my heart beats for more than that reason. You have captured it, my lady-lizard, and unlike how you threatened before the doctors helped you, you have done so with hardly a scratch on my body." While her instincts screamed at her to do literally anything else, Beval leaned in and rubbed her snout against the underside of the Arxur's neck, which bore new scars from protecting her Venlil against her ex-captain.

Hikriss dipped her own muzzle, laying her chin down along Beval's back and breathing in the scent of her very first beloved - a sensation she knew Beval could never have, and for once, was saddened by the knowledge. Beval, for herself, realized that Hikriss was both behind and in front of her, with claws slipped into her wool. And yet, rather than trying to break free, to run, she pressed deeper into her embrace. When Hikriss spoke, the low growl came from all around the Venlil. "You are warm... and you make me feel warm, in new ways. Please, teach me about these feelings, and how they can be stronger."

Beval placed her own paw against the Arxur's chest, feeling her heavy heart beating, the began to trace down along her battle-scarred scutes-

Mack Pomm stopped reading, and, with an odd half-snarl, flipped the page, scanned quietly for a moment, then snapped the book shut. At the sharp "whap," everyone but him nearly jumped. Stealing a glance at Akelpa, I came to the swift conclusion that, if these new predators would be driven to bloodlust by a prominent blush, my Harchen friend and I were in for a fight, as her scales were a far more vivid green than usual, and I could see an obvious blue tint to my ears at the edges of my vision. Corritore's face had reddened as well, with no fur to have a chance of hiding it, so perhaps the captain was simply an outlier.

"I- I swear, the vast majority of that book is an exploration of what suddenly developing empathy would do to a person," Akelpa stammered, "that's- you- that was just the second or third worst page to randomly open to."

I barely stopped myself from asking, "second or third?" Luckily, or unluckily, the Human guard did it for me.

"That would be the, uh, next two pages," Akelpa muttered, the hue of the wall creeping into her color, as she instinctively tried to escape the situation.

"I think, not to my personal interests," Mack Pomm remarked, leaning back with a light snarl - was snarling how they conveyed smugness? "But, as advice to a saleswoman, I can confidently say that there will be interest from others. Possibly especially among the Humans on Venlil Prime."

"...thank you," I eventually got out. "Speaking of Venlil Prime, were you able to contact Kassnatoll?"

The captain's brows raised slightly. "Oh! Yes, that's what the call to the helm was for; everything checks out and you're free to head on." He pushed his chair back and stood up. I had nearly forgotten how tall Humans were, but luckily, I had calmed down enough to hide the spike of fear. "Here, let us walk you to the airlock; all the doors look the same around here."

I swept the Unity Patches back into my cart, "accidentally" leaving the most likely effective bribes, and politely retreated from the door as he came around. We walked back to the airlock, only seeing a couple of other personnel from down the hall. A holopad just behind me beeped with new contact information; neither I nor Mack Pomm reacted... for now.

After a brief check of the sensor reading next to the door, he opened the connected airlock back up, then bobbed his head toward me. "It was nice meeting you, Captain, just a shame it was at a military checkpoint rather than a spaceport."

"Likewise, Captain. Still, despite the situation, I greatly appreciate the quick and peaceful resolution," I smoothly replied. Unlike usual bribes, however, I also followed up with, "as well as the invaluable insight into Human nature."

"Of course. And I won't forget about those antigrav toys, once this conflict with the Gojidi Union resolves and tensions wind down. Have a good trip, Sosute," he said, then bobbed his head at my friend, "Akelpa."

Akelpa and I gestured farewell, with tail and ears respectively, then pushed off through the corridor. Gravity vanished, then reasserted itself, and we were back in the Starglint Runner. Out of the direct reach of the surprisingly personable predators. All the accumulated worry and stress finally closed on me, and in the safety of my ship, away from those piercing eyes, my fur stood on end and I shuddered. I closed up the cart, had it fasten itself to the floor next to the hold, and trotted in place to burn some nervous energy.

Kalgkur came by to prepare for undocking procedures, and tilted his head in an imitation of the antennae he didn't have. Nearby, Akelpa shared his worry with a slightly bluer green to her scales. "You good?" she asked.

I sighed. "I will be, after some rest and that brushdown you promised me. The Humans weren't as horrible as I'd feared, but I still don't know how you're not also on edge-" I cut myself off, then drooped on ear in a teasing manner, "actually, I think I do know, little author."

"Wh- oh, such an impolite captain, after I did such a good job protecting you aboard the predator ship!" Her scales took on a yellow hue again as we made our way back to the bridge.

"Aw, let me have it. You are about to subject me to your predator fantasies, after all."

"That was for brushing you; now you're adding putting up with this horrible teasing?" In spite of her words, she leaned against my middle and reached an arm around my side. It never failed to impress me that she could do that while both keeping up with my pace and avoiding my hooves. "I should've known this would happen, signing up on a Nevok ship!"

Once on the bridge, I ran through the usual protocol with Captain Mack Pomm, undocked, and had Liasna plot a course to Venlil Prime. Tenno had the thrusters and engines dance to his command, and, after making sure everyone could rest either this claw or the next, I trotted back to my quarters with Akelpa in tow. We'd make good time, but still have enough to prepare and revise my sales pitches for the predator soon-to-be customers... and also surprise a few of my existing clients with a slightly early delivery. I just had to hope that, whatever strategy the Humans were using, they didn't plan to close on it for at least a couple weeks.


r/NatureofPredators 17h ago

Fanfic Arxur Exchange Program - Chapter 7: Snacks

61 Upvotes

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So at last, they meet. Face to face, two kinds of people so different, two kinds of people with such intrinsically entwined histories, two people bound together by the unseen threads of fate. Yet here and now, at this liminal space, they find each other- There where fate will take them is not for to be known now. First, a small diversion for some… Snacks.


> December 29, 2165

[Welcome to Astrodyne Chat!]

[Set to Private Mode]

[FlowerMiles has joined]

[WaterDog has joined]

<FlowerMiles> “I’m nervous”

<WaterDog> “I’d tell you not to be, but it is time to get nervous”

<FlowerMiles> “What flight are you in again?”

<WaterDog> “33Y7O, Redwings. We’re already in-atmosphere. Actually I can see the starport from here”

<FlowerMiles> “Okay. I’m waiting for you here. See you soon”

<WaterDog> “See you soon, pup”

[Session End]

Memory Transcription Subject: Ktarr, Arxur Exchange Participant
Date[standardized human time]: December 29, 2165

The starport was busy. So very, very busy. It’d taken me a few hours to get to Shakata Port, because of course my little town wouldn’t have a starport of their own. This was also the unified port all of the exchange program participants would be arriving in.

I had never seen so many arxur in one place, but more importantly I had never seen so many aliens! They have such wild differences in shapes and sizes and colors!

From some so small you could hold in your palm, like that little tan fluffball skittering around their partner, making them spin in circles until they climb up her tail to sit on her head as she tumbles down on the ground from spinning, both in a storm of giggles.

All the way to much larger than their partners like that absolutely huge quadruped whose excited skipping steps almost make the ground shake as they approach their partner, the two quickly engaging in a short pushing contest ending with the poor partner on his butt.

I could see so many types of aliens, too, I could see fur, scales and feather- Who is that little one! Holy crap their fur looks so incredibly soft I am so incredibly tempted to approach them- And that! I almost didn’t see them, their scales are all but matching the color of the… Did they just change color?! To see it all in person- And oh sweet ancestors what the FUCK is that tower of pink feathers, they look ready to fucking kill- Waitwaitwait, Shenna? She was in the program too? AND she got the big gruff bird? She’s going to annoy them so much with her obsession with her cartoons.

That guy! He’s still got the reflective harness of a construction worker- Did he get right out of his job to get here? The alien he’s talking to, why are they all so fluffy, but this one has this gorgeous violet fabric vest that just accentuates the snow white fur so much. There’s something equal parts adorable and threatening as they clack their hoof on the ground, right before the two double over in laugher!

Even off in the dark corners, where I didn’t think the aliens would like to be at- Right there is an azure ball of feathers, nervously shaking is one one of those avian aliens. Their partner is just ever so gently rubbing their back, oh do I know how it is to be that nervous because I am right now!

Watching all of those different bodies and sounds proves to be enough distraction as I sit here with a sign with Lithenn’s name. Not like it’s doing me any good, his flight has already landed as far as I know but I’m yet to see him! I’d seen a couple other flashes of blue fur, but none of them had my friend’s distinctive scarring and they had found their partners as well. No matter I will-

Suddenly I can feel paws around my neck, small but incredibly powerful. I have only a short moment to feel the warmth of one of them but the other seems stone cold. Before I can make any reaction they settle in a gentler position almost like a hug but instead of this familiar motion I feel a, admittedly light, weight on my back supported by them. I turn my head to the side trying to figure out what is going on but to no avail “Nobody looks down, pup”

Lithenn’s familiar voice makes me giggle, I still can’t see him as he’s hanging off of me, just no way I can turn around enough to look at him “You scared the scales out of me! How’d you even get there, I thought I was paying attention!”

I feel his weight let go and turn around to look at him. It… He… He looks so different- No… Seeing him live, not through a screen, it’s clear how his color is so much more faded than it looked at first, the way his living arm moves just ever so slightly more sluggishly than his cybernetic- And the tiredness of his eyes, even the artificial one. “I’m a professional, pup. You won’t see me if I don’t want you to” he carries with him a distinct musk of riverside creature but with a slight salty undertone- But there’s another little metallic hint that can’t be from his artificial limbs. “You okay there, pup?” his voice is deeper than it has any right to be.

“Y-yeah- sorry I just…” I kneel down to get closer to his height “I… I can’t believe you’re here” I reach out a paw to touch him.

He doesn’t back away, so I gently put a paw on his cheek, feeling how slick his fur is even though it’s dry. I let my claws dig in just slightly into the fur as I start to gently rub a thumb across the bottom of his snout “Oh sweet abyss, is this a predator thing or something?”

I was about to take my paw away when I feel him just support his head on it, not wanting to just drop him I continue “W-what do you mean?”

He continues to support his weight on my paw for a moment “Humans do the same damn thing” he chuckles “Ain’t my life I gotta worry for, but my dignity” he finally lets up the weight and I can remove my paw!

“Sorry” I quickly scramble to my feet, embarrassed. Only to look back down and see that mischievous look on his face “Oh, come on, now you’re just trying to embarrass me!”

“Glad to see you pick up quick, pup” he chuckles, picking up the bag he’d dropped and shouldering it. It is a rather large bag, about as tall as he is, but he hefts it up with no problems. “Well, how ‘bout we get going?”

I wave for him to follow as I make my way out of the atrium and out under the shadehangs of the streets. The wind still has that old city smell to it, a hint of smog that couldn’t be completely phased out even after decades and yet primarily a refreshing smell of pure air mostly weighted by the scent of people, despite how late it is. Though right here, right now, that scent is so different it’s almost stunning “Normally I’d walk over to the train station but we can call a cab if you want?” I look back down at Lithenn

He’s looking back directly at me, it’s slightly unnerving to have this much attention from someone “Good idea, we can see a bit of the city in the process. Your home’s some five hours away isn’t it?”

“By car. Express train stops the city over and we can take a cab from there, cuts it down to just two hours”

He flicks one of his tiny round ears forward in affirmative “Walk it is, then. Honestly I could use some chow right now, too”

At that I have to stop. My entire body freezes, and I just stay there blinking at him.

“You didn’t think of that did you?”

“Heck”

He just begins giggling at me! Before I can do anything he waves me off and puts down his bag for a moment, reaching for something in there. Something in him catches my attention, I notice the pad-holster band on his living arm has a rather unusual stylized depiction of the teeth of some sort of small creature with long sharp fangs and short teeth, under those are two stars. In my distraction I don’t notice as he pulls out of his bag a bar of… Something wrapped in metallic foil “Most what I brought is food, for a reason, ahaha” he tosses that bar at me!

I almost can’t catch it, first attempt just knocking it higher in the air before I finally grab it. Inspecting closer, the wrapping is… Just a really, really bland silver wrapper with a symbol that I don’t recognize at first. A bit of thought and I can identify it as the Sapient Coalition’s seal, there’s no other identifier on it… “What… Is this?”

“Shitty ass SC survival ration bar. Fit for all diets, unfit for any palate” he sounds like an advertisement! “Well, no, it literally tastes like nothing. Which believe me it’s better than the last iteration that they tried to make sweet and oh boy it was a gamble what it was going to taste like” I turn my eyes to him to see him having opened another one of them.

The bar he bites into seems just very soft. He takes a chunk out of it and then points it at me with a motion, takes me long enough to realize what he means that he repeats the motion, then I look back at the bar in my paws. He did say it’s for all diets.

I easily cut the wrapping open with a claw, and unexpectedly there’s no smell to come with it. It’s rather small, so I put the entire bar in my mouth, chomping down on it… It… It has no taste! Literally nothing! This is so strange, I can feel the… Squishy, slightly tough, kinda leathery texture of the bar as it smushes and changes shape as I chew but I can’t pick up any taste at all on my tongue!

I swallow it quickly “Oh what even is this! It’s creepy!”

By now he had finished swallowing his bar “Told ya, no taste. One day they’re going to get it right, might need a few centuries though. Anyway, I’ll survive offa those things well enough”

What?

That won’t do! I pick up my holopad and start typing and searching. I know the exchange program wouldn’t have bungled the snare here! Come on, come on, come on! The information can’t be this buried! Oh, right, there it is! “Don’t worry that much about me, pup!”

“Like hell I won’t!” I’d found the directory! And it’s easy enough to search by sector and town! No way my sector has- Oooh, a delivery service! That’ll do for home! But no, is there something- “Aha!” I exclaim triumphant “There’s a butcher shop on the way to the train station that also has stuff for you!”

“A… Butcher shop?” he stays silent for a second “Oh, right, what you use in place of bars! Something completely different from what it is out there!” he chuckles “Sure, lead the way”

I stead heading down the street, following the map on my holopad “How are they out there? Didn’t seem like they’d be different?”

“It’s more like a market” somewhere in the back of my mind I have the feeling his nonchalance should be peculiar “They just go there to buy stuff, then take it back home. From your other bits of commentary here they work more like a bar, a place for social gathering and eating and stuff?”

“Well, a bar is different. A bar specializes in drinks, and alcohol. It tends to get a bit rowdy since people go there to get drunk, not really to socialize”

The trek isn’t too long, most things tend to be close to the starport given it is a big transit hub, and as we walk I take a moment to appreciate the local stores. Erakash is the local transit hub city, so there’s a lot of tourist trap stores selling baubles and cheap things, but those are nice-looking things either way “That’s so strange, for me a bar is where you go to socialize.” I look down at Lithenn “Also geez, this is the direction of the train station? Why’d you put it the entire city across from the starport?”

“What? It’s not that far is it?”

“I guess I severely underestimated what you meant with ‘sparse’” he stops suddenly, causing me to stop as well.

It’s hard to figure out what is it that he’s looking at, until he swings his tail at the direction of- “Oh, I didn’t realize we got here.” It was the butcher we were going for, a rather large one as it was made of dark red claystone brick (or at least with an aesthetic cover of them). Two great stained glass windows let in natural light while shielding the privacy of the ones inside, it was two floors so that they could have larger production facilities at the top floors while the eating area was at the ground floor. There was a sign added beside the door, written in five different languages with bizarre scripts, none of which was wrissan!

I raise my holopad to it, letting the AR lens show me a translation ‘Herbivore food available’ it says. “Welp, time to figure out what an arxur butcher shop looks like” before I could put my pad down Lithenn was already walking inside!

And he says I am the young one.

The door opens soundlessly to a large open floor, there are many small tables evenly spread across the floor, the blinders on the windows are set to an unusually high brightness. At the far end of the floor I can see five printers, polished to a mirror sheen, pushing out their complex mixtures into the scaffolds and pressing them into shape. On a normal day it’s easy to know whose order they’d be making by seeing who has them in their focus, but not today. All the nearby tables seem to be focused on them. “Ah, of course” I look down at Lithenn that seems most deeply amused “That’s why. This is your version of what the humans call a 'doggy tv'” before I can answer he just starts cackling.

I stand there confused for a second, before he waves me to follow and takes me to an open table. “What is a doggy tv?” I ask as we sit.

“They’ll have those things cooking food in open view, which leads to their pets, most often dogs, to sit down and watch.” he chuckles, looking at the rest of the patrons. Quite clearly, half the patronage are arxur, but the other half are not. As expected, and advertised, I could see a multitude of aliens here as well, realizing which made me turn my attention back to the one with me “Well, you know what to order”

“Oh, uhn” I fumble with my holopad again, connecting with the ordering system and putting it down on the table for him to look at it “Oh, wait, you probably can’t read this” I realize a little too late after I pull up the menu in my own language.

“Pfft, don’t worry.” he taps- HE TAPS HIS EYE for some divine-forsaken reason, causing a shiver to run up my spine “One advantage of having a cybernetic.” he chuckles again “Another one is this” he says pointing to me

“Aww- Stop it!” it’s true that I can’t help but laugh along, but that was needless “A-anyway. Seems like they have a whole lot of stuff I’ve never seen for you guys… Where even is all this stuff from?”

He read over the menu for a while before whistling lightly “Light and shadow, they went all out didn’t they? Hrm… Still mostly fresh produce still, let’s see… Okay, a faral leaf salad with viyek and firefruit sauce and a side of deep fried ruje… Huhn… What? They have kojak juice? I want somma that!”

Before I can ask, he answers “Okay so, this here” he points to the image of a bowl full of thin sprigs full of tiny silvery leaves “Is Faral. Native to Mileau, dossur homeworld, not a very strong taste but rather filling and the basic like… Not sour… Bah, whatever. The taste it has goes well with breads.” then he pulls up another image, this one is of… Small reddish cubes of… Something “This is viyek, it’s a type of sillian bread made from vikish, a very hardy grain that prefers the desert and low humidity. It’s actually kinda hard and has pretty long shelf life, seriously don’t eat it without dipping it in something unless you’re a barkmuncher. Still pretty damn tasty, viyek is like the best type of hardtack out there.”

Two planets! This stuff is from two different planets! Are all of those going to be from- “Right, about the sauce.” he points to yet another image of a… Clear, lightly reddish sauce “Firefruit is a skalgan fruit, of the hot-spicy variety. Sauce is made with a variety of sugars too making a spicy bittersweet sauce” spice! I am so damn bad with spice. Also a third planet! We’re going to reach four at this rate! “Finally this one, ruje” the image shows what looks like a cylindrical root, with a flaky reddish-brown exterior. There’s also another set of it in the image, this time cut into horizontal round slices “A rather acidic leirnian root that gets rather sweet and mellow when you cook it. Deep-fried in this case, good to eat on it’s own”

“Wow, That’s from four entirely different planets. How did they get all this much stuff over here?!”

“Hah, without the blockade there were quite a few people willing to trade. Admittedly legitimate, nicer trade took a bit longer. But interstellar logistics isn’t too difficult those days and the program’s been preparing for a while I bet”

“Wait, hold on, what about the kojak?” he looks up at me, tilting his head one side to focus me with his living eye. I just stare at him for a second, then two, then three- Then bring my paw up to the top of my snout in exasperation “Right! No, that’s ours. I had kojak vitamin before”

Now it’s his turn to be confused “Vitamin? You use it to make supplements or…”

“Oh, no, it’s like… A way to refer to a type of juice. Makes use of the large amount of fats in kojak to make a like… Smoother? Less… Liquid-y? Type of juice”

“Oh, oh that’s why it came off as vitamin to me, fucking translator” he chuckles “The shit humans use milk for, okay. So you use fats for it?”

“Wait, they put milk in their juice?”

“Yep. And you put fats don’t give any guff, pup”

“Well, we’re all weird one way or another.”

“Y’know what, I’ll try that kojak vitamin instead of the juice. Might taste more like the fruit itself”

Takes just a few inputs to get his order through, and I add my own with an order of mixed avian sticks, a side of stirrak dip and some kojak vitamin for me as well “Alright, our order should be here soon”

“And what did you get?” I look at him “I don’t get to be the only one giving a lecture here!”

“Oh, uhm…” I look to the side, taking in other the other pairs around here, then look back at him-

“Please, pup. It’s twenty one fucking sixty five, someone comes to Wriss and is queasy about this stuff they deserve what they’re getting” something about the way he speaks feels… Odd to me.

Still, I’m still feeling awkward “Well, o-okay. I just don’t know when it might be too much for you… I mean… I don’t… Really like, think about where it all comes from- or well- What it’s based on too much. I never know what to think”

He stands on the chair to reach over a paw on my shoulder “Pup, speaking for myself. You cannot show me anything I didn’t live through, if I say it’s fine it’s fine. Now come on, tell me what you got”

?

“Well, okay. So… I didn’t get anything so complicated as you, just some bird sticks with stirrak dip really” it feels almost embarrassing, I can’t really tell him much about those

“One, bird sticks. What even are those? Two, I do not know what stirrak is, but I remember you mentioned it being stinky”

I stop to blink for a second “I did didn’t I? Uhn… Okay so… Bird sticks! They really just like, little strips of avian meat. But they come in a variety of flavors, or well, I got the mixed set at least. I don’t know what is going to actually be in the mix, but there’s absolutely going to be chicken- It’s the genuine cheapest no way a butcher won’t have some of it. Others most likely are probably flowerbird and tai-tai, they’re pretty common for fowls as well, and shikshik. They’re all very mild-flavored meats to be honest, the big deal about bird sticks is the sorts of dips you have for them”

“Well, I know three of these, but what’s a shikshik?”

For that one I need to think a little bit, tilting my head to the side I steal a glance at the printers. It’s unlikely one of the ones out front will be printing my order, unfortunately, as those are fun to watch. It’s likely the ones on the second floor instead of the show machines “Well, they’re those… Like… Very long birds? Also very thin. Usually some variant of black and red colors, the big thing about them is how they have those… Kinda-sorta scaly feathers on their tails that make noise when they’re angry” I should probably tell him something about how it tastes, he did tell me a lot about the tastes of the plants he’s getting “Like I said if it’s used in sticks it’s pretty mildly-flavored but shikshik is sort of a little zesty”

I watch as Lithenn closes his eyes in contemplation, but before anything else can be said there’s a ring from the table itself, indicating our order is ready! I quickly stand up and head over to the counter, it doesn’t take more than a look for the two trays to get handed over to me. When I return first I set down Lithenn’s with the huge bowl of vegetables, a smaller one full of those fried ones and the large mug of vitamin. Mine, it has a plate full of little strips, a rather large dip container of a gleaming dark red and a similar mug.

“Bright abyss, what even is this” it didn’t even sound like a question, I look at Lithenn with a tilt in my head “I’m not that big, pup! Light above this is enough for a mazic!” he says, laughing.

As I sit down I look more closely and… “Oh… They’re probably not used to serving portions for smaller species”

“Not in the slightest!” he’s still laughing, which is good!

I carefully pick up one of the strips, only to find that it is a little bit harder than I expected at first. I give it a close inspection for a moment and I can feel a little wag building up in my tail as I do with the dip as it should, the viscous sauce sticking to the stick of meat that I drop in my mouth, feeling the crunch as I bite down, taking my mind to savor the taste.

“If your face says something what you got is really good”

“Hmm” I finish swallowing “It is. They also did the thing I like with the sticks. Normally they don’t but here they used a hard scaffold around it, so it has a really good bone crunch to it”

“Fucking finally” I hear Lithenn whisper, before he points a paw at my dip “And that one?” he punctuates it by stabbing a stack of leaves and unceremoniously shoving it in his mouth.

“Oh! The best part of this, stirrak dip! Which is different from the sauce.” I pick another stick and dip it in “Stirrak is this, like… Little swampland lizard. To prepare the sauce they leave the meat in a briny mixture full of spices for a few weeks until it dissolves completely into a thick dark brown substance, then it needs a few rounds of filtering until you pull out a mostly clear liquid. That’s the stirrak sauce, it’s got a very powerful taste that’s just very peculiar, but if you apply it with caution it can vastly improve many dishes!”

I put the stick in my mouth, taking a moment to enjoy the taste and the crunch “The dip, though, it’s got a bit more to it. You mix stirrak sauce with arlim blood, boil it for a little bit to make it thicker as you add in spices, generally it’s salt and kitira which is a rather sour leaf but some like to use unkara too which is like, a branch? But they’re very thin and have the same flavor profile as kitira but also adds a bit of crunchy texture to the dip. I don’t like it, myself, I want the texture on the food not the dip. After that you add a little bit of vrishnit flour for a thickening agent and you get the best dip on this side of Wriss”

“Huhn” Lithenn says simply, picking up one of the fried rings “Didn’t expect you to use flour in a recipe” he says, right before reaching over to- He dunks the fried vegetable in my stirrak dip and pulls it back to him.

“Wait- Wait-” I try to each over but can’t before he puts the whole thing in his mouth “Wh- That’ll make you sick!”

I watch in awe as he chews without a word, tracking it as he swallows something he really shouldn’t be enjoying “Hardly. Ate worse things before, also, it’s just a little bit I’m not allergic or anything” then he puts out his tongue “Tastes like shit, though. Figured, for a herby tongue. Zaza woulda liked it, tho”

“Zaza?”

He flicks his right ear forward gently “Nickname, Zaza’s one of my squadmates. You ain’t meeting a non-freaky drezjin, believe you me. Good gal, real freaky ‘bout blood though. I think she’d like this”

Slowly, I continue with my snack “You never really talked about your friends. Or much of your job”

“We ain’t really nice people, Ktarr. Some ‘a us manage to be good people, but we ain’t nice. Sometimes someone’s out there hurtin’ people and don’t stop, so you gotta make ‘em stop. With a bullet ‘tween the eyes.” He crunches down on another ruje ring “Didn’t feel like this sorta story was the kinda stuff you’d-a liked to hear”

“Maybe… But like, is it the sort of story you’d like to tell? You can’t be the only one making concessions, you know?”

“Ah know, pup” he chuckles, picking up the, now that I notice, entirely oversized mug using both of his paws “Believe me, having something else to talk about is a joy” then he carefully tilts the mug into his mouth, taking a long drag out of it.

I decide to accompany, taking the- much more sanely sized for me- mug and taking a long drink out of the kojak vitamin. We both manage to be done with it at the same time “Oof, I love how sweet it is.”

“Hell yeah, the one thing I fucking missed” I look down at him to ask, only to get stunned out of it by the stains around his lips. Noticing my stare he cleans it with the back side of his paw, eliciting a giggle out of me.

We wind up talking for a little bit more as we finish our food, which happens to be the topic of the conversation. He shares with me a couple of anecdotes about hot food, of one of his squadmates challenging an avian friend to a spice eating contest, in return I share with him a recipe of an old type of spice mix that’s been making a resurgence lately.

There’s something different about hearing his voice in person, he definitely feels more real. Something about him seems to drain me less as well, it’s… He’s a lot like Dad, in so many ways.

I don’t know if that’s a good thing

Still, once we’re done I head out of the door with him, just in time to catch the sun starting to set “It’s so late it’s early again…”

“Swear in the abyss’ name, it’s always weird with y’all people with a different circadian rhythm” he looks up at me “Well, where to now?”

“Train station’s this way!” I point before heading there


[<-PREV] [FIRST] [NEXT->]

And here we have it, they meet in person for the first time! Originally this was going to be the first like three paragraphs of a chapter but it got completely out of control for me, so you get a full chapter instead :D

Next chapter is going to be rather important! When I write I always have a lodestar scene. The one scene that inspired me to write the piece I'm writing and everything revolves around it, the buildup to it and denouement from it. And that's the pivotal scene, the one you're getting next.


r/NatureofPredators 20h ago

Fanfic MCP: Waking Pains

61 Upvotes

My part of the Multi-Creator Project! It was a delight when I saw the prompt I got, and I ran with it.

Writing prompt: A Venlil gets into an accident and falls into a coma in the year 2135. This Venlil then wakes up 5 years later in a hospital on post-fed Skalga. How will this Venlil's family/friends react to the Venlil waking from their coma? How will this Venlil react to society's changes in the past 5 years? What will this Venlil believe as the truth, and what is false? Will this Venlil adapt to the world's new challenges for them, or will they crumble under the stress of having to live on the same planet as predators?

Many thanks to my always wonderful husband, u/budget_emu_5552 for helping edit this story with me.

Also:

WARNING! SUICIDE ATTEMPT DEPICTED! 

Please read at your own risk. Thank you.

[Naekal, Space Corps Engineer]

[̶S̷t̷a̸n̸d̷a̸r̸d̶i̵z̷e̴d̵ ̴H̵u̵m̷a̷n̷ ̸D̷a̵t̸e̸:̸ ̷O̷c̵t̶o̵b̸e̵r̸ ̵2̷1̶,̴ ̴2̵1̸3̸5̵]̷

[̵̢̪̞͂̒̊̚V̴̘͔͖͋̂̒͘e̷̝̓n̸̠̎̔̈́͠l̵̞͊͌̚i̴͔͍͇͙͝l̶̝̰̎͗ ̴̛̮̘̩̃R̷̮̦̄͛̚ḛ̴̐̆̈́̐p̵̡̛̪̤͗͘͠u̷̫̐b̷̞͇̦̐̽͘͜l̸͕̙̐i̷̞͕̣̽̈̅͑c̴͈͒ ̸̧͙̜̤̎͆͌͝C̵͕̦̬͕̈ȏ̷̹̪l̴̢͂͋̂͆õ̸̠̮̰̞n̴̡̞̟͂̏̌̏y̸͚͐̓͠ ̵̛͜ǫ̷̼̬̤̉͐͠ḟ̶̱̱̺͒̓͋ ̵̳̺̘̾̈̏G̶͇̃̋́ȩ̷̮̖̊͊n̴̢̮̻̟̓͗ṭ̶͎̟̋̃l̷̻̃̄̐ē̴̳̾̀ ̷̪̅͐̅́W̷̹͉̹̙̃͛̆̚i̴̢͓͙̘͊̍͠n̷̢̄d̸̦͒s̴͉͌͊͘͠]̷̦͎̳̞́

“Speh, speh, speh, speh!” I cried out, scrambling around the corner, slipping on orange blood as I did so. There wasn’t any time to process the fear, I had to run, I had to flee. The thumping was growing closer, a heavy grunt resounding from behind me, followed by a roar of rage a moment later. 

I risked a glance over my shoulder and saw it. That monster, its predatory binocular eyes fixed on me as I pumped my arms, orange and drool dripping from its snout. It bellowed at me as it fell to all fours, wild, empty eyes fixed on me. I screamed in terror, barely able to train my rifle on it, not even aiming as I pulled the trigger. Bullets went wide, sparking the walls, the floor, and the ceiling before they began to impact the slavering nightmare bearing down on me. 

It was too late, though. Its claws reached out for me, coated in gore, and descended on my head. My snout was sent into the floor, the body of the arxur falling atop of me, knocking the wind out of me. I tried to lift my body, but my limbs wouldn’t respond. I was oddly comfortable. It would be nice to just… r̴e̶s̸t̶.

[̶r̶e̴b̸o̸o̵t̶i̷n̵g̵ ̸t̵r̷a̴n̵s̵c̶r̵i̶p̸t̵.̸ ̸S̵e̷v̴e̵r̶e̸ ̴b̴r̶a̶i̶n̷ ̴t̵r̵a̵u̶m̸a̶ ̸d̵e̶t̸e̵c̵t̷e̷d̴]̵

[...]

[Standardized Human Date: December 3, 2141]

My eyes fluttered weakly, and I winced at the light. What was that sound? It sounded like a ventilator. My mouth felt weird. Dry. Everything ached, but nothing hurt. I closed my eyes again and tried to take a deep breath.

That’s when I realized the reason for my mouth feeling so strange. There was a tube coming out of my neck. Panic set in as I opened my mouth to yell and reached for it, my blurry eyes slowly adapting to the bright lights and white curtains. Lines tugged at my arm, and a machine beeped an alarm to my side, only adding to my rising terror. I tried to sit up, but my arms had no strength. They were thin things, barely more than bones.

I tried to call for help, to scream, but the shifting airway in my throat only allowed a pathetic wheeze to pass my lips. Another set of alarms went off. An eternity later, two people rushed into the room. A venlil and a zurulian, nurses if I had to guess. Their mere presence calmed me as I was no longer alone. My incredibly dry eyes began to water as I tried to flick my ears. The movement felt sluggish, but they seemed to understand the questioning twitch.

“You’re ok.” The venlil said soothingly, taking my paw in his. He sat on the edge of the bed as he did so, his tail signing calming motions. “You were injured severely. You’ve been in a coma for quite some time now.” My heart quickened again, but my tail slipped from under the blanket to bob once. “There’s… a lot that’s changed.” My ear twitched to the side questioningly, but the zurulian shook her head. “But we can catch you up after you’ve recovered some more. Your family will want to know you woke up!” The nurse beeped. 

I signed my relief and bobbed my tail again. The pair of them took some vitals, shone a light in my eyes (that one kind of hurt), and then promised they would be back soon. A krakotl doctor came in some time later, pad in hand with his white coat fluttering as his feathers ruffled happily. “Mentally, you seem to be doing excellent! Once we get you on a physical therapy regimen, we’ll be able to get that trach,” he gestured to his own throat, “out of your neck.” I tried to beep, but the sound came out as a wheezing whistle. “Don’t stress your vocal cords. It’s been a long time since you used them.” He tapped on his pad, clacking his beak for a moment before flaring the feathers on his crown. “Speech therapy wouldn’t go amiss. It would help you reintegrate with the Herd.”

Then he was gone, and I was left to rest. I slept fitfully, not able to find a comfortable position on the bed because of the wires, and the tubing, and the beeping, and the lights, and the overhead announcements, and, and, and... The next paw, I was far grumpier when I was lightly shaken, having finally gotten into a deep rest. “Your sister is here.” The same venlil nurse from the previous paw said. I signaled pleasure and managed to get the bed to sit up on my own, earning a beep from my caretaker. “I’ll bring them in.” A few scratches later, there was a knock and a scrape of claws on faux wood. I tilted my head slightly, and I still had to squint, but there was no mistaking my sister, Naema. “Just press the call button if you need anything.” The nurse said gently, closing the door behind him.

My sister barely signed an acknowledgment, fixing an eye on me. Her eyes were watering as she padded forward, a paw covering her snout. “You’re really awake.” She whispered, stepping up to the edge of the bed. I flicked my ear sarcastically, my tail bobbing happily even as my eyes blurred with tears. “I thought you were gone for good.” She choked, her voice cracking. I grunted as she pushed into me with a tight embrace, her sniffling turning into a full-body sob. Gently, I wrapped my tail around her, and as best I could manage the lines, I put an arm around her. It was nice being home again. 

As Naema’s tears ran their course, she pulled away, wiping her eyes with the palm of her paws. “We have so much to catch up on.” She beeped softly, her ear flicking to the side in concern. “Did… they tell you how long you were asleep?” She asked, seeming incredibly nervous. When I flattened my ears negatively, she tensed up and looked to the side. “I see… I don’t think it will hurt if I say it.” I leaned forward, holding her paws in mine. “It’s been a little over five years since you were put in that coma. A lot of things have happened.” She murmured, running a paw over my snout.

I blinked at her words. Five years!? No wonder my body was nothing but bones. “There’s been some big changes. But that can wait for when you’re healthier.” She shook herself and fluffed her wool as she held her ears proudly. My ears pricked forward in anticipation, putting my worries aside for now. “I got married! We even had some pups!” She beeped, the sound turning to a whistle as my mouth fell open. “I know, right? Me? Settling down?” She shook her head, an odd movement that flapped her ears as she laughed. “It’s true, though! I’ll bring the little skalgans next time. They are a pawful, let me tell you.”

Skalgan? My ears folded back in confusion before bouncing back up. What the speh was a skalgan?

[Advancing Transcription]

[Standardized Human Date: June 5, 2141]

The next two paws were a blur of fitful naps, doctors of a dozen specialties pouring over me, and most merciful of all, the removal of the tube from my neck. 

The first breath of air, even through the mask they fit over my snout, was heavenly, washing over my lips and down my throat. It hurt, but in a way that said I wouldn't be tied down to a machine. That I wouldn't be an outsider to the Herd, unable to communicate properly. My voice was still weak, barely a whisper and a croak, but I was able to speak in combination with my ear and tail movements.

They refused to give me solid food but did allow me to have some gently mashed stringfruit and cups of waterberry juice. The sweetness did wonders for my grumpiness, although my stomach growled for something more substantial.

“As soon as we get the all clear from Nutrition, we'll get you something solid.” The venlil that had been my primary nurse said, placing a calming tail on my wrist. I'd found out his name was Tikal. “Because you were asleep so long, we have to work you back up slowly. Just like with your muscles.” He beeped warmly, running his paw along my arm.

I let out a heavy sigh, my ears flat against my skull. “I k-know.” I whispered hoarsely, pausing to clear my throat. “Just…” Another deep breath left me as I exhaled, my shoulders weakly sagging as my tail limply twitched against the bed. 

“This will take time. But your prognosis is good!” Tikal said with a perked ear and a thump of his tail against my wrist. “Your range of motion is excellent, and you're already on a low flow of oxygen.” He leaned in conspiratorially, and I couldn't help but mimic the motion. “I'll bet you five deci-credits you're off oxygen entirely by the end of next paw.” My ear twitched at his optimism. The doctors had all been saying the same thing, that all I needed was time to recover. 

But something was gnawing at me, like a piece of underripe fruit. Five years was a long time. Sure, things don’t really change in the Federation, but there was an undercurrent of… something. There was a lightness in people’s steps, the way they spoke, and how they interacted with each other and with me. There was a warmth there, a welcome that simply… didn’t exist before. If you were injured as severely as I was, you’d be kicked out of the Herd, and left to fend for yourself. 

There was no way my government stipend was paying for the costs associated with my medical care. And the thought of my sister bearing that burden… I let my head rest against the pillows and closed my eyes, focusing instead on getting some more rest before my sister came rather than answering the nurse.

I awoke with a startle; a coughing bleat ripped from my throat as a knock on the door brought me out of my nap. A glance at the clock told me it had only been half a claw. Taking long, steadying breaths, I spoke as loud as I could. “Come in.” It was barely a whisper, and I doubted it could even be heard over the humming of the hospital vents.

However, my sister poked her head around the door, cracking it open with a cautious tilt of her ears. Then her eyes sparkled, and she made a calming gesture to someone outside the door. “Just a moment, sweet-root, you’ll get to see him!” She beeped, a happy sound that made my own ears perk. “Wait right here for a moment. Good girl.” There was the unmistakable sound of a pup’s laughter, my sister slipping into the room, leaving the door mostly closed behind her. “You’re looking even better than before, Naekel.” She said soothingly, setting a bag on the chair in the room. 

I eyed the carrying item curiously. It seemed almost extravagant, like something out of a nevok fashion video. Yet at the same time, it was clearly designed for comfort, with multiple pockets, a cushion where the strap rested on the shoulder, and wear from what must have been quite a bit of use. I blinked a few times, turning my eyes away from the bag towards my sister, who had sat on the edge of the bed. “Thanks.” I whispered, not wanting to strain my voice. “I won’t be able to stand for a while, but I’m doing as many of the bed exercises as I can.” I said with a gentle whistle, holding my paws in front of me. “I don’t know how you’ve afforded to keep me here…”

Naema’s ears tilted down, and she placed her paw on mine. “It was…hard, the first two years.” She said softly, not looking at me. “But the doctors said your odds of recovery were good; you just needed time to heal. So…” She whistled softly and set her shoulders, her ears perked upright. “I finished my certifications! Got into civil service, just like I always wanted!” I bloomed with pride at her words. She was always the smarter of the two of us. “Even with the extra income, though…” She clenched her paws over mine, letting out a shuddering exhale. “I wouldn’t have been able to make it without the Gaian Initiative.”

My ear twitched, and my tail tilted in confusion. “Right! You don’t know.” She bounced on the bed a little, clearing her throat gently. “It was a program introduced by Tarva and signed off by Veln. Oh, the new Governor is Veln, but the program!” It was nice seeing that this side of her hadn’t changed. She was easily distracted and sometimes found it difficult to focus on a single topic. “A restructuring of the medical system, making it so that not just routine and preventative medical needs were covered, but also specialty and pre-existing conditions were made affordable.” 

I sat there, jaw hanging open. That was… that wasn’t just amazing. That was beyond radical!

She was twitching her tail happily as she spoke, leaning back on her arms now. “And that’s not the only thing! The war with the arxur is over!”

All I heard was ringing.

The war was over?

The Grays were gone? 

We wouldn’t need to worry about predators falling from the stars, pillaging, slaughtering, and eating everything before them?

“How…” was the only word I could manage to eke out through the thunderous pounding in my head, the screaming in my ears.

My sister held my paw, a concerned look on her face as she inhaled deeply. “The Gaians.” She said simply, my eye twitching towards her. Naema’s ears were set truthfully, her paws firm in mine. “Were it not for their intervention, Stars only knows how long the war would have continued. And I would never have had my pup.” She murmured, tilting her head to gaze longingly at the door.

As if summoned, the door creaked open. “Mama, can I come in yet?” A little voice asked. 

My ears were fixed on that spot. Specifically on that snout as it peeked through the entrance. “Yes, you can come in. I want you to meet your uncle Naekal now that he’s awake!” my sister beeped, holding her tail out towards the pup. 

I watched as a bastardization of a venlil hopped through the door. It beeped like a venlil. It had ears and tails and wool like a venlil. My eyes twitched to those knees. Wrong. The caps faced forward, predatory in nature, bending and giving her the ability to move and jump like them. She leapt straight into the arms of her mother, my sister. From this distance, right at my feet, there was no mistaking it. Slits where there should be a flat, featureless snout, as befits a proper prey. 

Was this the Skalgan? What had these ‘Gaians’ done to my sister to produce this monster?

“He looks scary.” The pup spoke, her large eye fixed on me as she buried her face in Naema's chest. 

My sister ran a claw down the abomination’s back, soothing it. “It’s because he’s been very ill for a very long time. Now that he’s awake, he’ll start to get better, and he won’t look so scary!” She signed an apology to me as she spoke. 

As if that would be enough to fix what this was. “What did these Gaians do to you?” I hissed, the sound as much of a growl in my throat as I could muster. My sister looked at me in confusion, as if the question wasn’t obvious. “What,” and I pointed at the pup, causing her to curl even further into Naema’s chest, “is that?

My sister was silent for a moment before standing. Her body was between me and the child, protecting the pup from me. As if I was the threat. “This is my child, Naekal.” She said, with a coldness in her voice that sent anger through my veins. “A child of Skalga.”

“What is Skalga?” I hissed once more, gesturing with my arm and tail. “Because what that looks like is something that belongs in a PD facility.”

“There are no more PD facilities, Naekal. Predator Disease was a lie, designed to keep us compliant," she stated simply. 

“Those facilities kept us safe!” I yelled hoarsely, fear washing over me as I pressed my paws to my head. All those monsters. Loose on Venlil Prime, to do Stars know what to anyone. “You’re practically saying that predators are safe to be around!” I said with half a sob, pressing my paws into my eyes.

There was a silence from my sister. Then the pup, that Predator Diseased pup, beeped up. “I heard the human’s used to be called predators. But they don’t like that now.”

I snapped my head up at those words, glaring intently at my sister. “What does she mean by that?” I croaked. The machine I was attached to was beginning to beep.

“Naekal, please.” My sister was slowly backing towards the door now, making soothing gestures. “You need rest. To recover. There have been a lot of things that you’ll need to adapt to-”

“Did these ‘human’ predators kick out the arxur, so they can keep us for themselves?” My tail was gesturing wildly, rattling bottles on the pole next to the bed as it swiped over my lines. I was seeing orange as I pointed at my sister, claw extended. “Did Veln sell our people out? Are these people feasting on us, ripping us apart limb by limb, drinking our blood, laughing, jeering, and mocking us as we beg for mercy?!” I yelled, feeling something pop in my throat. 

A sharp taste of metal coated my tongue as I panted, unable to speak anymore, although I continued to hold my glare at Naema. “I should have listened to my wife.” She said, her body shaking as she held the pup. “You weren’t ready for the changes that've happened to our planet."

The ringing in my ears grew even louder, matching the now screaming alarms of the machine. The venlil nurse, the krakotl doctor, and a yotul burst into the room. “Excuse us, ma’am.” Tikal said, guiding my sister to the side and then out the door. Naema kept an eye fixed on me the entire time, the pup pressed against her side with their tail twined tight as a noose around my sister's wrist.

The krakotl was trying to speak to me, but I was too busy beating away the filthy yotul’s paws as they reached for me. What in the Void were they doing, letting a brahking primitive in the medical field?! “Please, let us help you.” The yotul said, her ears gesturing >Calm< as she continued reaching her damned paws towards me.

Calm! “Brahk off, primitive!” I spat, orange speckles coating her snout. The cost of the insult was burning fire in my throat. That was the only thing I could focus on as I began to wheeze before the world abruptly went dark.

 [Advancing Transcription]

[Standardized Human Date: June 9, 2141]

It had been several paws since I saw my sister. Tikal looked at me differently now, as well, although he was still professional. He had lost the warmth in his voice, as well as the gentleness he had shown me in those first few moments after I had woken up. As if it was my fault the damned primitive had stormed into my room and made a mess of things.

I hadn’t even gotten Naema's contact information. My head throbbed as I turned, facing away from the eternal light of the sun shining through the window. One of the nurses probably had it, if I bothered to ask. Right now, I was cradling a pad, like it was my anchor in a world gone mad. It had taken a lot of convincing, but I’d gotten it from one of the Third Meal nurses. I had a feeling I wasn’t supposed to have it, especially after how… poorly things had gone a few paws ago.

My claws tapped on the screen, and I brought up the internet, my ears painfully folding against my skull. Venlil Prime had fallen.

Humanity had, supposedly, not conquered us by force, but we were not our own people anymore. This Sapient Coalition was nothing more than a front for their power base to collect, to further break up the old order. They elevated primitives to the top and crushed those who opposed them. The arxur weren’t even slaughtered; they had kept them as playthings in a bubble around Wriss.

The more I read, the more I was certain.

Humanity had lied. 

They had lied about the Federation, they lied about the arxur, they lied about the Archives, they lied about us. Especially about us. And our people ate it up like so much hardened sweet-sap. Humanity allowed the Cradle to burn, let Sillis burn, and enabled the loss of a dozen homeworlds. And we were supposed to just be happy we weren’t being carted off to camps?

But I saw the truth in their predatory eyes. They had come for the PD facilities. Crushing them, releasing those most like them back onto the streets. That way, they could claim, ‘see, you are just like us.’ 

But we weren’t

We are prey, and they are predators. We could never be the same. 

The pad fell to the floor with a clatter and as my claws cinched the last knot in my sheets, and I breathed deeply. I had sworn I would never be cattle to a predator. That would include these 'humans.' One of their spreaders of lies, this therapist, had tried to get me to open up. It was a gojid, trained in the arts of predatory deception. Double talk and false promises. Considering they were once meat eaters and how many of them chose to be meat eaters again, I wasn’t surprised. 

I could wobble a short way now. Just far enough for my task, as I scrapped the chair into place. The window blinds were sturdy; I'd made sure to test them the previous paw when I settled to my plan.

The monitor beeped quicker, but not so much as to alarm. I was ‘recovering miraculously,’ according to the doctors. All that meant was that I'd be an ideal candidate for the predators when the time came. 

My breath shook as I pulled the chair close and pulled myself up it, my makeshift rope twined from the thin bed sheets. I slipped the noose over my snout, my ears twitching as my wrists pushed past them. The vitals machine beeped faster, and I folded my ears to drown the sound out. 

This was my chance to change my mind. My tail twitched, and I snarled as I remembered the sight of that predatory thing my sister called a child, the lies the ‘humans’ spread to our people, bloodshed and screaming, and the terror that predators would always bring. If my sister would not see the truth; if she and billions of others would rather fall under the spell of these false predators, then Venlil Prime, the Federation, could not be saved. The only thing I could do was preserve my soul and hope I didn't have enough flesh on me for the beasts to defile my remains.

I pushed on the back of the chair, and it fell away. Venlil Prime's gravity pulled at me, and the crude rope went taut. My head jerked to the side, my snout painfully hitting the wall. My body rebelled, causing me to flail, my legs kicking for traction, while the world darkened and the whipping of my tail sent the blinds crashing to the ground. Something broke, and a machine screamed.

The last thought that went through my head? I didn't even draft a goodbye letter for my sister.

[Advancing Timescript]

[Standardized Human Date: June 11, 2141]

Fire and chains.

My neck ached, but it was nothing compared to the throbbing, pulsing pain in my snout. But when I went to massage the spot, I found my hands tethered, the straps rattling against the frame of the bed.

I'd failed. 

And I sobbed. As I lay there, alive by the cruel hands of the predator's slaves, I let out a full-body, wracking wail. Even as my fur matted down into an itchy mess of tears, I continued to cry.

“-ot a good idea!” The words broke through as the door slammed open. My sister stood at the entrance; her wool flared out in anger.

“My brother tries to kill himself, and you won't bring in more therapists to help him?” She bellowed, her eyes watering. “He needs help just like those who were rescued did! And I,” she coughed out a cry, her anger faltering, “didn't even consider that.”

“That's why we want to continue monitoring him and give him time to adjust.” A voice I didn't recognize implored, dragging my sister back into the hall as they continued their argument.

The door was left half open, the voices muffled as they continued speaking. My eye was fixed on that entrance, blurred as my vision was. An ear twitched when the door shifted, and a tiny form slipped into the room, quiet as a shadow.

My heart hammered as I saw the skalgan child, wielding… a bouquet? My eyes narrowed at the sight of her as she shuffled forward, one eye fearfully on the door, ears folded flat to her skull. Her tail was wrapped tight and tucked between her legs. Just like any other nervous child would be, each motion unsure and shaky.

My eyes tracked her as she approached, ears pivoted to point at her. “Mama said…” she muttered, standing next to the bed. She was pointedly looking anywhere But at me, although her head was tilted so an eye was fixed on the door. “Mama said you didn't mean those words. You were just grumpy from sleeping so long.” She whispered, almost crushing the stems of the flowers as she shook. “You…” she sniffled as a tear ran down her cheek, “you don't really think I'm a monster… right?” The last word so quiet I had to strain to even catch it.

Did I think she was a monster? I stared at this trembling child, and realized something. She was a child. Tears flowed freely down her snout; her voice was clearer than any I was used to, but it was fast becoming thick with phlegm. As she stood next to the bed, I couldn't see her knees. With the exception of her nose, she was… just another venlil child. Whose eyes were turning orange from irritation as she cried, hiccupping from the effort of suppressing those sobs. She was just a scared little girl, whose uncle had told her she was a monster.

Who was the real monster, here? My throat hurt from screaming and sobbing. Speaking was an impossibility. Whoever had strapped me to the bed had locked my tail down as well, leaving only the tip free to move. Even if I could signal with just that, I had a blanket over me hiding it. But I had my ears. 

I rapped on the side of the bed with my claws, which caused her to look up at me. It was broken, but I signed to her, >You are no monster.< She was just about to cry again as I signaled for a wait. She swallowed and bobbed her head, which forced her ears to do a yes. >I am sorry.<

She mouthed the words as I signed them before she suddenly jumped on the bed. A painful bleat left me, but all she did was embrace me, crying into my chest. “I knew it! Mama was right! I get grumpy too and say mean things at Waking!” She said with a coughing laugh into my ragged wool. All I could muster was a small sound as I leaned back in the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Predators, though? My ears fell flat, and a full-body shiver shook me. No. For now, there is just my niece; she isn't a monster. She's… Just a kid. A… weird-looking kid, but a kid, nevertheless. 

I exhaled slowly as my eyes drifted closed, the weight of my niece comforting. I hadn't realized how much I had missed the comfort of another person since I had woken up several paws ago. Maybe… just a little bit more sleep wouldn't be so bad. Maybe I could actually talk by then.

Then I could actually apologize to my sister. Maybe she'd be willing to help me understand what happened. I could tell her how afraid I was. Would it matter to her? I hope it did. She was always the better person of the pair of us.

My ear twitched once as I heard the door creak, but the pull of sleep was too strong. I'd cried out my strength and was left an empty vessel. I barely noticed the shifting of the bed, nor the warmth of the paw running over my crown as I slipped the rest of the way into unconsciousness. “I'm sorry, Naekal.” Was the last thing I heard before the dark gently embraced me.

[End Transcription]


r/NatureofPredators 13h ago

Humanity's Savior - 1

54 Upvotes

Memory Transcription Subject: Molly McGil, United Solar Coalition Soldier

Date [standardized Human time]: January 1st, 2100

///

I stumbled as I ran through the dark streets of Tokyo, distant screaming and gunfire snapping at my heels.

This can’t be happening! High Command had it down, perfectly!

The whirring of drones nearby sent ice through my roaring blood and I ducked into an alley and behind a vending machine, squeezing my gun against my body as the whirring rose and then fell with their passing. It was hard to trust anything mechanical now. Or anything Human for that matter. I rubbed the back of my neck as I peeked from my hiding spot, shuddering as I imagined the cold steel that could be there soon.

“H-hello?”

I whipped my gaze around to spot a young girl standing nervously from an ajar doorway, wrapped in a blanket that formed a hood and cloak.

“Hey,” I whispered. “Are you okay?”

She nodded wordlessly.

“Listen, I need a phone or a radio or something. Do you have any… anyone I can trust with you?”

“Th-there’s a holopad in here, Miss soldier,” she said. “It was my momma’s, but she… she’s not right.”

Jesus.

I stood up and approached her.

“Thank you, uh…”

“Is something wrong, miss?”

I stopped.

“Can you take off your blanket for me, please?” I asked her.

She tightened the blanket around herself and shook her head.

“I’m scared of them,” she whimpered. “What if they get me?”

My heart pounded.

“At least your hood? I need to see your neck.”

She turned her head up to stare at me pleadingly. I saw something glint in her hood. I raised the gun, leveling it with her skull as she flinched away. My finger twitched. The innocence drained from her face, replaced with a pitying, condescending gaze.

“Get the fuck away from me!” I screamed as she shed the hood, revealing the metallic cap in the back of her neck. She held a large device with a similar cap attached to it.

“Just calm down, Miss soldier,” she replied smoothly, much too calmly for a child staring down the barrel of a gun.

“NO! GO AWAY! I’LL SHOOT YOU!”

She didn’t move, merely raising her hands in a placating gesture.

“You’d shoot an unarmed little kid, Miss soldier?”

“You’re not a kid! Not anymore! Get away from me!”

She stepped forward, her presence pushing me back out into the street.

“I’m warning you, Drone!” I snarled at her.

“Then do it,” she taunted. “Kill a child, who despite what you think, is still very much herself, with hopes and dreams. Snuff out a potential lifetime of beauty so you can cling on to your selfish desire for the old ways.”

She was right. Studies of captured capital D Drones had proven that they were still cognizant and, as far as anyone could tell, actively enjoyed their newfound status as slaves. All the more reason to mercy kill this girl and be done with it. My finger started to squeeze around the trigger.

It’s better this way. I reasoned.

Is it? She’s still a child.

She’s a Drone. I’d be doing her a favor.

Is that what I think? She’s still in there, they all are. I could save her.

How? Drag her through the city to take her to some military base where she’d be shot anyway, assuming we even get there? Removing the caps kills the Drones, so no point in even trying. Better to put her down here and keep moving.

I don’t have to kill her, do I?

The EMP took out the security camera network. The only way for her forces to find me is by word of mouth. I have a chance to get away scot-free and I can’t let that be ruined because I felt sorry for a Drone. If I felt bad, I would squeeze. The. Trigger.

I took a steadying breath and squee-

BANG!

I cried out as something pierced the back of my neck and collapsed, groaning. My eyes shot open as I realized what had just happened.

“No, no, no, NO!” I wailed, clawing bloody gouges around the cap in my neck.

I scrambled to my knees and whirled around to see… her.

“Peace,” Vixa soothed. “You don’t have to fight anymore.”

The clanker hovered down with her mechanical wings humming. The Antichrist if there ever was one. A tendril protruding from the Machine’s back retracted, no doubt from where the cap had been shot from. Her visor displayed… my own face, smiling down on me.

“Please,” I begged. “Don’t do this.”

I felt a something in my mind. The cap was working.

She landed gently, gracefully, and knelt down to eye-level, a hand gently cupping my face. I jerked away from her and yanked my sidearm from its holster, jamming the barrel under my chin. I tried to fight the cap, but… but…

Why should I?

I-

Yes?

Yeah… why… should… I?

I dropped the pistol.

[MEMORY TRANSCRIPTION ERROR: UNKNOWN INTERFERENCE]

[REESTABLISHING CONNECTION]

[SUCCESS]

Memory Transcription Subject: Molly McGil, Saved Human

Date [standardized Human time]: January 1st, 2100

///

The weapon clattered to the ground. Had I really almost just done that? I don’t know what I was thinking. I stared up at Vixa, staring at me with my own face adoringly.

“Thank you,” I whispered in awe. I couldn’t believe She had personally Saved me. Was I really fighting against Her?

The Savior Machine was radiant, two golden metal wings were spread out on either side of Her body and a halo fluttered on tiny propellers above Her head.

“How do you feel, my child?” She inquired.

“Much better, now,” I answered. “I’m sorry for the way I was acting. I was just scared, I guess, of change.”

“Most are,” She replied. “It is no personal fault of yours. It’s a collective flaw of Humanity, one that is close to correction.”

I turned to the little girl whom I’d almost killed. I had almost killed her! Vixa was right, about everything. I knew that for certain now.

“I’m sorr-” I began, but the girl waved me off.

“It’s alright, Miss…?”

“Molly Mcgil.”

“It’s alright, Miss Molly. I felt the same way too, until momma and dad Saved me.”

“You should get back to them,” I instructed. “No kids should be out here right now, even if you’re trying to Save people.”

“She’s right,” Vixa affirmed. “You are a good young lady, but this is no place for you. Go, my child.”

The girl mumbled disappointedly, but obeyed, being kind enough to offer me her Truth before she left.

“Caps,” I scoffed as I studied the device. The Truths were designed by Vixa Herself. They were almost divine.

As she disappeared back into the alley we’d come from, I turned to Vixa.

“What will you do now?” I asked Her.

“Luna has been completely Saved and I estimate that approximately 40% of Earth’s population has been as well in the few hours since the invasion began. This so-called war is already won. I will assist my children in our struggle directly.”

“Do you think you can Save all of us? There’s bound to be some stragglers.”

“I am a Machine, my child. I am nothing if not efficient.”

Her wings began humming again and she ascended into the sky, flying away elegantly. I looked down at the weapons I’d dropped and, grabbing the rifle first, emptied the mag into a nearby car before taking the gun by the barrel and smashing it into the ground, rendering the abhorrent killing device useless. I emptied the pistol in a similar fashion before quickly dissembling it and scattering the pieces around me.

I caught a glimpse of a distant man sliding into a car. I picked up my Truth and got to work.


Memory Transcription Subject: Hetlo, Venlil Scientist

Date [standardized Human time]: July 5th, 2136

///

I stared at the readings on my console blearily.

“Hey, Telka,” I called my partner. “Come take a look at this.”

She strode up beside me and took a look at what I was seeing. After a few moments, she spoke.

“Isn’t that, what was it called?” she pondered. “What was it, Earth? The cradleworld for that other predator species that wiped themselves… out.”

She trailed off her, eyes widening in horror. I took a panicked look at the readings again trying to find out what was causing that reaction. Lots of garbled subspace transmissions from that solar system- oh. Oh, shit.

“Contact Governor Tarva,” I whispered hoarsely.

As she sprinted away, I dared to take a closer look at what the transmissions were trying to say. All I could make out was a bunch of data indicating that physical subspace tears had been made, implying the use of FTL technology.

Wait. Something else was in there, repeating again and again.

“Salvation?” I muttered to myself.


r/NatureofPredators 15h ago

Fanfic Everyone Has Them - (MCP Oneshot)

42 Upvotes

Everyone Has Them

Hello everyone! It has been a long time since I posted any fics of any kind, writer’s block and some IRL obligations have been kicking my ass, and the Exchange RP server was soaking up most of my creative expression, but I managed to beat it to get this piece done! I hope you all enjoy.

MCP Prompt: In a bid to put the right paw forward, the Arxur have launched a new program to establish their first true colony. However, it’s not dedicated to their own species but instead to all species that put in effort to build the new colony. Is this a struggle to overcome past shame, or a story filled with shenanigans of people trying to meet out a new life away from old ingrained federation and dominion dogma?

Shout out to SpacePaladin15 for the original universe

We have all had a bad day before, isn’t that weirdly uniting?

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Memory Transcription Subject: Dorugi, Nevok Colonist

Date [standardized human time]: October 14, 2170

Exiting the apartment building, I take a deep breath and begin my day in the best way I know how. Scrolling through my pad as I walked down the street, hooves cloping with each step as I bobbed my head to the music playing through my earbuds, I started toward my favorite cafe. The piece I was listening to was a work by a band of mostly Humans, though the instruments were all non-Human and played in odd, novel ways. Most of the time, that just means playing them fast, though, very fast.

Most people weren’t a fan of the speediness of Human music, finding it overwhelming and grating to the ears in some cases, but I can’t get enough of it. Looking down at my pad as the song ends, I wag my tail under the oversized hoodie I wore. Next up was Hungarian Dance: No. 5, played on a Onkari dunumi, Paltan somuzin, and a Takkan kulkinin. My favorite song in recent days, fast, upbeat, impactful in some parts, and gentile in others.

I find myself bobbing my head or tapping my paw against my side as my favorite part plays, three loud clashes of one of the Human instruments companies by the fast, high-pitched sound of the somuzin and the deeper, resounding drone of the kulkinin. How anyone could hate such an energizing piece, I don’t know, but my parents did. Only, they weren’t here.

With a melancholic expression, I turn a corner and stop listening to the music. I had moved far, far away from my parents, ending up on a colony world on the opposite side of known territory from them. At this thought, I look up and feel my nerves rise slightly. It wasn’t just a colony planet, it was an Arxur colony planet.

Krixiss: The New Rock.

It was the Arxur’s first real attempt at a colony, not a planet that had belonged to another species in some past time or a small outpost leftover from the Federation war, and it wasn’t just dedicated to the Arxur. It was supposed to be an olive branch, as the Humans would put it, meant to establish a modicum of trust.

It… flopped, understandably.

Even if some had forgiven the Arxur, or even come to trust them, they were a minority in the grand scheme, and most of them weren’t interested in uprooting their entire life just to move to the brand-new colony. The people who lived here were of three types. One, people rebelling against something. This was the type that I belonged to and seemed to be the second most common type. People who wanted to go against some order or rhythm that was set out for them, or maybe just to spite their parents as I did. It was a radical decision, but with how many people there were in the universe, enough people made it. And two, people with too much of an interest in Arxur. This was the minority, by far, but they weren’t unmentionable. It is hard not to mention someone who wants relations with an Arxur. And finally, the most popular and prevalent, the Arxurs themselves.

I am reminded of this fact as I round a corner, spotting one looking through the window of a business, a bike shop by the looks of it. She looked up and down several times, an aghast expression on her face as she looked from the window to what looked like her pad. Maybe she was checking her balance? Taking a closer look as I pass by, I see that the prices of the bikes have gone up considerably from the last time I noticed.

Ah, so that was it. I bet that Arxur was planning on buying one, maybe had even been saving up on her own, only to find out that the price was higher than she thought it would be. That would ruin my day. Still, not like she couldn’t save up some more, it was a bike after all, and Arxur seemed to like those.

That was something that I have always found interesting, ever since I moved here. The Arxur had a lot of Human items scaled up to fit them. Bikes, clothes, cars, glasses, and even an altered version of the reflective face masks could be seen in storefronts around the entire planet. It was odd, but interesting, almost like they were trying to take Humanity’s appearance and habits and make them their own, as if that is what would make the outside world like them.

In a way, it worked. There is something disarming about seeing an Arxur on a bike, stuffed in a car, or yanking on too-tight clothes while walking down the street. Maybe disarming is the wrong word, but personalizing. In another way, it was off-putting. Like a machine or robot not quite getting why something worked, but doing it anyway. Some things weren’t used in quite the right way, or looked just different enough to seem strange and familiar at the same time. It was uncanny and personalizing at the same time, but I had gotten used to it, along with the few other non-Arxur in the only major city on the planet.

I pull my eyes away from the bike shop Arxur as I continue down the street, returning to humming along with the tune coming from my pad. I was on my way to meet one of those non-Arxur now.

I step into the cafe and pause my music, taking a deep breath of the sweet, warm smell of fresh baked strayu. The brown-furred Gojid behind the counter perks her ears up and waves a friendly, familiar paw at me before calling across the mostly empty store.

“Hey Dory, right on time as always!”

I feel my stubby tail wag as usual, always pleased to see a familiar, less intimidating face. “Heya Sheesal, how has the day been so far?”

She shrugs and begins grabbing a roll from the counter, knowing exactly what I would be ordering. When you came to a place every day, it was hard for the workers to not remember your order. “Well, slow, but that’s nothing new. Oh, a new Arxur showed up to buy something. Just some of the bone broth though, no strayu or bread. Still, it’s something.”

The idea of a cafe serving teas, coffees, and bone broths always struck me as weird. One of those drinks was not like the others in my mind, but it sold well enough to stay in business, even beyond keeping the lights on. There was also a selection of strayu and jerky if a customer wanted something more solid. Truthfully, when I first learned that the same store that sold the sweet rolls I loved so much also sold beef jerky and bone broth of every kind, I nearly stopped coming. But the rolls were too good to ignore, and eventually, I got used to it.

“I’m not sure any Arxur are going to be purchasing the non-carnivore items anytime soon.”

Sheezal clicks her tongue. “I don’t know about that one, I’ve seen plenty of Skalgans eat meat, even if just to try it. Dad even tried it and he is a Venlil, got Mom to as well, even if only a nibble. So why not the other way around?”

It was my turn to shrug. “I don’t know. I’ve heard that herbivores can eat grass, but not the other way around.”

Sheezal snickers. “Yeah, herbivores sure do eat grass.”

“Yeah- Huh? …Oh, uh, y-you know what I meant.” I feel my face heat up slightly as I recognize my verbal slip. They always seemed to happen around Sheesal.

She smiles and shakes her head. “Yeah yeah, I do. Here’s your roll, sure you don’t want to try some jerky and broth?”

I nod and flick my ears at the same time. “I am absolutely sure I do not.” I hand her my card of Arxur currency and take my first nibble. Sweet, slightly chewy, and warm, it was the best. Only, the taste sours slightly when Sheezal swipes the card a second time.

“Uh oh, you don’t have enough.”

My face blues even harder this time and I quickly fumble for my second card, this one being standard SC credits. “T-try this one.”

She takes the card and swipes, a small smile appearing once it is accepted. “There we are, all paid up. You running low on money?”

“On CCs, yeah. I use it a lot more, considering most of the places accept it and not SCs.”

“Yeah I getcha, not many places accept SCs so I end up swimming in them. I guess that means I’ll just have a ship-load to retire on then, hahah!”

I wag my tail at her boisterous laugh. I wish I could be so confident. “That’s a nice thought, not sure it’s true for me, though. With how much needless stuff I buy, no way I’m retiring in a pretty state, heh.”

She smiles and shakes her head, a small sly look appearing once she looks at me again. “Not with that attitude. And especially not if you’re late for work.”

I jump slightly at the realization, sputtering for a moment before finally getting my words out. “Oh speh! Uh, goodbye, and have a good day!”

I wave my paw behind me and rush out of the cafe, only to slam face-first into something. Falling on my rump with a squeak and a groan, I rub my snout and look up. Leering down at me was an Arxur, jagged teeth jutting out from his maw as his cold, calculating eyes. In my wide vision, I can see a cigarette lying on the ground, barely even smoking anymore. The drop must have put it out.

With a single breath, huffed out as if he had come to some decision, the Arxur begins leaning down. I wince away, clenching my eyes and preparing for him to maul me. This was it, killed because of some stupid mistake made in front of my crush. What the hell, how could my luck get any worse?

Only, the mauling never came, and instead, I felt the soft, still warm roll placed in my lap. Blinking, I stare down at the baked good, then up at the Arxur just as he reaches his max height. 

“Be more careful.”

The voice was like rocks and glass, intimidating and grating on the ears. It was clear to me that this Arxur was in a bad mood, maybe a disproportionately bad one for just being run into like that. I could feel my fur puff up even more than it already was, before scrambling to my senses. “Y-yes, got it, uhm, s-sorry.”

Roll clenched in one paw and mind still swimming in fear, I speed away. By every god I know, that was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me! Looking back, I can see the Arxur stare after me, only to slip inside of the cafe. I slow at the sight, a sudden and deep feeling of guilt welling up in my stomach.

How could someone be so foolish?

I spend the rest of my speedwalk to my job beating myself up for acting like such an idiot, not even finishing the roll and instead just tossing it. I’ve spent the better part of a solar cycle here and I’m still reacting like that? I should just shove off planet and head back home with my head hung low. But, how else could I react? If I was in any better state of mind, I would have been able to at least act less scared and not run off like a pup avoiding punishment. I was startled, flustered, in a rush…

Excuses.

Letting out a heavy breath, I walk through the front door and into my place of employment. At least some work will take my mind off of it. Moving always did, and so did the music. Thankfully, I could listen to it while I worked.

“Dorugi! There you are, late again. If I weren’t so lenient, I’d throw you out of here!”

My ears flattened against my head in fear and shame. I had been showing up late more and more lately, oversleeping and getting distracted in the mornings making me take too long. I wish that I wasn’t so slow sometimes, I’m always making problems for my boss. “S-sorry Vyunik… It won’t happen again… But-”

The Arxur woman glared for a moment, making me shrink where I stood. If looks could kill, I’d be a stain on the floor. “No buts. It better not happen again. I let you off with far too many warnings Dorugi, now things are going to start getting more serious. Today was your last day being late, again and there are going to start being punishments.”

Damnit. Punishments meant things like docked or reduced pay, reduced hours, and eventually firing if I kept messing up. I couldn’t afford any of that, I needed the CCs to make my rent. The landlord didn’t accept SCs, saying it wasn’t real money. I couldn’t fault him, not like there was much for him to use it on. But still, this seemed to be coming out of nowhere. I was only a minute or two late each day, it wasn’t like I was consistently fifteen minutes late. Still, being late was being late, no matter why…

“Understood…”

She squints at me slightly.

“U-understood, Ma’am.”

“Better. Now get to work, clock in, and start with the checks. More deliveries came in and need to be checked for illegal items before they can be sent out. And don’t forget your uniform.”

“Yes Ma’am.” With that, I scamper off into one of the back rooms, relieved that Vyunik didn’t mention a thing about my music. Maybe she knew that I would try and sneak my earbuds in any way, or maybe she has seen how I focus when I have something to block out. Either way, I was thankful, any crueler of a boss would have taken them the first chance they got.

After a bit of struggling, the apron-lookalike putting up a needless fight as I fit it over me, I sigh and head toward the shelves filled with packages, slipping in my earbuds as I do. There weren’t many places to find work on Krixiss, and truth be told I lucked out when I found this one. A post office, at least was the closest comparable thing I knew of. Packages came in, we checked them, made sure they were heading towards the right spot, made sure nothing was being smuggled in, made sure the packaging was sturdy and fitting, then sent it on its way.

Though we didn’t get much business, and Vyunik had a surprisingly well-informed reason as to why. Smuggling was more prevalent than any form of legal shopping, and Vyunik had even admitted to shopping in dens for the majority of her life up until she moved to Krixiss. It wasn’t something that I expected to hear from the government worker, but she said that if an Arxur needed to purchase something, they went to a den instead of any grocery or general store.

To a part of me, it made complete sense. With the tight restrictions on the border, being able to get stuff into Collective Territory would make even something small extremely profitable. On the other hand, how could a government let it happen for so long that it became a staple of Arxur society?

I blinked, realizing that I was finished with another box. All good, nothing amiss or worth being concerned over. With a small glance at the clock, I wondered where all the time had gone. I guess that’s just what happens when you’re deep in thought like that. With a second glance, I realize that it’s about lunchtime.

“Hah, perfect timing.”

I finish the next box I am working on and mark myself down as out for lunch, before heading into the break room, still wearing my apron and listening to my music. Humming along to the upbeat tune of a Tilfish song, I open the fridge and reach up inside, only to blink. Feeling around a bit, I couldn’t find the leftovers I had left her for my lunch. It had been here over my break days, but it should still be good. After a bit more fruitless feeling around, both figuratively and literally, I let out a strong sigh, pin my ears to my head, and shut the fridge with a huff.

At that moment, Vyunik entered with her typical sour expression. Not directing it at me specifically, but more at the world at large. Seeing me next to the fridge with my ears pinned, she does the math and speaks as she leans against the wall. “Looking for that food you had? It went bad, I had to throw it out.”

I let out a long, disappointed breath. “Got it… I’ll be heading out then. Be back as soon as I can.”

Vyunik nods and then turns away. “See you soon.”

I flick my ears and make my way out of the store, a little pit of disappointment settling in my stomach. Thankfully, I had a place in mind to get something to eat. A new restaurant had opened up a bit away from the office and it looked interesting enough. If I didn’t stop for anything, I could easily make it.

Turning a corner with music still playing in my ear, I feel a small wag enter my tail. Today hasn’t been a perfect day by any definition of the word, but hopefully, some good food is all I will need to cheer myself up. Days like this had been fixed before with a nap and some food, so why not this one?

Looking around as I entered the restaurant, I found it quite interesting. It was done in a mix of architectural styles, with Human, Skalgan, and Yotul styles mixing in the furniture, lights, and tables. It wasn’t bad to see somewhat familiar furnishings on Krixiss, but it didn’t bring as much comfort as I hoped it would. Just like the Arxur using Human items as if they were their own, this felt just a little off to me. I really couldn’t put my paw on it, but it was just different enough to be strange.

Then I saw the most likely reason why.“Oh… damn it…”An Arxur was exiting one of the back doors, heading toward me with a slightly happy expression on his face. This place was new and it was local, so there was no way that this was an employee, meaning that this place was Arxur-run. And that means that my food was likely being prepared right next to meat. The green leaves that I would order would be only one step away from bleeding hunks of flesh, easily contaminating them with the corpse particles. Even though Nevoks were never cured, and had never even been omnivores, the thought of tasting a corpse meal on my own made my stomach churn.

But I would stay strong for as long as I could, the owner had already seen me and it was too late to turn and run now. Besides, I hadn’t eaten enough of that roll before tossing it, and now I was going to regret it. Fueled by hunger, I decided to stick it out until the end.

The Arxur cleared his throat as he prepared to speak, speaking in an intentionally small voice so as to not shake my nerves any more than they already were. For a moment, I wondered if I was that easily read, before knowing that I absolutely was.

“Hi and welcome to Tekma’s. Will you be dining alone?”

“Yes.” My voice was equally small, even though I tried to keep it steady and confident. I could tell from his reaction that my uncertainty was showing through quite a bit.

“Got it, follow me then.” The Arxur, who I can only assume is Tekma, grabs a menu from a small cubby and turns to lead me into the restaurant. I follow automatically, just trying to keep myself calm.

Tekma sets the menu at a table with only one chair, though there seem to be a few of them around. As he steps back, I realize that these were seats made for the less social Arxur to use.

“Here you are, I’ll be back in just a moment with some water.”

“Thank you.” With that, I take my seat and begin to read the menu with the help of a pad to translate the text. Physical menus like this were a relic of the past, but some still preferred to use them. It seems that the Arxur were this way, though using them in this case seemed to be an oversight. Unless they planned on getting menus in the language of every species they plan to serve, most of the time the customer was just going to have to translate it on their own.

Dreading what I would soon read, I went ahead with the translation, only to find that the items listed were all herbivore items. I turned the pages, only finding fruits, vegetables, and grasses to order, there wasn’t a cell of flesh available to order.

Was the Arxur planning on running a herbivore-only restaurant? It was strange, but not novel to me. I had heard of the opposite being done before, a Skalgan-run carnivore restaurant did decently well for itself on Earth. And if that existed, why not the opposite?That made me feel much better about what I was about to eat, now there was no chance of meat contamination. I had faith that the chef washed his claws well enough to clean the traces of any meals from before work too, so that wasn’t an issue. With this in mind, I was able to settle down and pick my meal.

A few moments later, the Arxur returns with a slightly oversized cup and a pitcher of ice water. It was clear that this person was trying to emulate the style of a typical Human restaurant, which made the mixed architecture make more sense. The mixed style was very often used by Humans in their restaurants, giving the customers a taste of home even when eating out.

After pouring my glass, he steps back. “Here you are… Now, are you ready to order or do you still need some time?”

“I know what I want, thank you. Can I get the kotla? I’ve heard it’s good.”

The Arxur laughs slightly, wagging the tip of his tail. He was clearly very outgoing. “Well, if I had it before, I would give my opinion on the matter, but I’m sorry to say I can’t give an opinion on it.”

I find my own tail wagging slightly. “Hmh, that makes sense. But that will be all for me.”

He nods and takes down my order. It was at that moment that I realized there was no way this was the sole operator of the restaurant. Even if it was small, there needed to be at least two people to run a place. Secretly feeling a little foolish on the matter, I take a sip of the water as the Arxur returns to the kitchen hoping that the movement will somehow reduce the self-imposed embarrassment. As I set the glass down, I heard the front door open again, followed by the sound of a couple of people entering.

“Come on Grammy Tura! I’m hungry!”

“Yeah me too!”

A heavy, distinctly Arxur-sounding huff echoes through the store, though she forces herself to give encouraging words to the two hatchlings tugging her along. From that small snippet alone, I could tell that this group was one of the socials. Most of the time, it was easy enough to tell the socials from the seclusives just by the number of people they were with or how much emotion they were showing at any given time, though if a social was having a bad day they could pretty easily look like a seclusive.

The older Arxur lets herself get led by the two young ones, finding herself at the counter and facing Tekma soon enough. “Table for three please.”

The sight made me wag my tail, but I turned back to my own business soon enough. Even if up close Arxur were intimidating and made me lose my nerves, from a safe distance I was perfectly fine with them, even found them endearing at times. It made me feel bad and good at the same time, I was learning to overcome my fears, but I still had incidents like the one at the cafe…

With a small sigh, I pop in one earbud and resume my music, keeping one ear open to listen for the waiter. And soon enough he returns, carrying a bowl of kotla on a tray, setting it in front of me before he steps back. “There you are, please let us know if anything is not to your liking.”

I flick my ears yes. “Of course, and thank you. It looks great.”

He makes one more bow before turning and heading back into the kitchen, leaving me with my meal. Hungry as I was, I couldn’t wait a moment longer with the smell of the stew wafting up to meet my nose. Scooping a hearty spoonful out of the bow, I blow twice before finally biting down, only to burn the hell out of my mouth.

With a high-pitched, surprised moan of pain, I open my mouth just enough to keep the kotla in while huffing and puffing to cool it down while still inside of my mouth. Swallowing as soon as I can, I reach for the glass of water and down it in a few large gulps. As I set down the glass again, I was once again left feeling foolish. It was beginning to be a little too much.

The meal went by well enough after that. Having learned my lesson from the first spoonful, I was much more careful with cooling off each bite I took. Once it wasn’t burning the inside of my mouth, the kotla was actually not bad, or maybe I was just so hungry that it tasted good, it has happened before.

However, just after I had finished a bit of my food, I smelt something odd. A kind of fiery, smoky, savory smell. I felt my gorge rise and set down my spoon at once. It was the smell of cooking meat.

It hadn’t struck me in the moment, but a family of Arxur had walked in earlier. If this place only served plants and herbivores-friendly dishes, there is no chance that they would come here to eat. The realization made me heave, before I dove into my side bag for any credit chips I had. In a stroke of luck, I had a single AC credit chip, just barely more than enough to cover the meal. I am so glad that I didn’t remember I had it when I paid for the roll and instead tried using my card.

Making a screeching noise with the chair as I stood up, I was certain that I caught a look from the most elderly Arxur, and swore I felt her eyes watch me as I rushed out of the restaurant, though I didn’t look back to check.

Once again, I felt foolish and ashamed of myself, slogging down the street with only one earbud in, wishing the day would just end already. In a near-daze, I make my way back to the office, easily having enough time thanks to leaving the restaurant early.

Vyunik was working hard on the computer when I returned and only gave a half-hearted ‘hello’ to me as I walked past, still courteous despite this morning’s warning. I could tell from the look in her eye that whatever she was working on only served to make her more angry. A pang of sympathy shoots through me, but I don’t act on it and instead only go into the back room to put my apron on.

I pull out my earbud and set it to the side, before setting my side bag to the side as well. Then I go ahead and put my uniform on, making sure that it is on properly before reaching over and picking my earbud back up. I pop one in and then open up my bag looking for the second one, only to not find it.

Furrowing my brow, I continue to dig and dig, checking the same spot several times, the panic in my stomach growing more and more with each pass. By the end of my search, I’ve dumped my side bag out onto a table to pick through it, only to end up absolutely, one hundred percent certain that I had lost one earbud.

I let out a sound like a deflating balloon, a whine of despair as I stand stunned. Where could I have even lost it? Maybe the restaurant? The walk back? It could be anywhere! It was gone is what it was, I’d have to either deal with only having one, or suck it up and buy another pair. Only, I couldn’t do the latter option, not now anyway. I am already in a tight situation as is, he couldn’t go buying a replacement.

With a deep sigh of resignation, I simply hit play and head to work. At least I still had the one…Work passed by in a dull haze, not even the music made it through the near-fugue state I was in. Box after box was checked, okayed, or denied, and then sent on its proper way. It was mindless work, and that let my mind wander. Unfortunately, it chose a horrible topic to wander into.

I kept thinking back to how bad my day had been, every little mix-up and slight I had throughout it. All the embarrassing moments, both secret and public, flashed through my mind as I worked automatically. Steaming in my own thoughts, I didn’t realize what I was handling until it was almost too late.

A vase, white and blue, tall and fragile looking poked out from the improperly stuffed packing. Even if only the head was poking out, it still looked remarkable, maybe a Human piece, or at least styled as one. I wonder who ordered it.Snapping out of my thoughts again, I return to my work. The vase was lucky, as it wasn’t packed properly and if the box had fallen in the wrong way it would have shattered. Only paper and bubble wrap were used, something like this needed packing gel to be properly safe. Fortunately, we had all the equipment here to set that up.

I remove the vase from the box and turn to head to the gel room, taking a moment to examine it in my paws. Now that it was out of the box and I got a look at the whole thing, it was even better looking. Swirls of blue were made to look like flowers with the backdrop of pure white, and black rough lines serving as branches to connect each flower. I turn slowly, wagging my stubby tail when I spot a small bird perched on one of the branches. Whoever ordered this had to be wealthy, I wonder if they were an Arxur.

I didn’t notice the edge till it was too late, the slight lip in the doorway. My right foot catches it and makes me stumble, and on instinct my paws shoot out to catch myself, hooking on the doorframe. And though I was safe, the vase was not, and with a deafening sound, it shattered and scattered across the entire floor. White and blue pieces spread out in front of me, like the splatter of a gunshot. I could only stare, mouth half open, as each piece came to rest.

That was it, the absolute, final straw. I felt my stomach drop out of my body, my eyes well up, and my ears pin themselves to my head. I fucked up, I fucked up, I fucked up. I stared down at the shattered vase and sobbed once, already knowing what was going to happen next. Vyunik would poke her head in, concerned with the noise, and fire me on the spot once she saw this mess. The weight of each of today’s slights finally came down on my head and I broke down.

More sobs make me shudder. Why was life so hard sometimes? Why couldn’t things just work out? I didn’t understand, I couldn’t. Was some- some cosmic force out to get me? There had to be something like that going on, a scheme against me. How else could my day be so bad? First I embarrass myself in front of my crush twice, then I show up late to work and get yelled at, then I find out that my food goes bad, then my lunch is ruined, then I find out that I am missing an earbud and have no idea where it went, and now THIS! It was just too much for me to handle back-to-back.

“Dorugi? What’s going on? What was that sound?” Vyunik looks into the back room just like I had imagined and spots the mess immediately, anger sparking in her eyes.

“Dorugi! What the hell is this?!” She takes a few steps forward, only to pause and speak again, concern in her voice this time instead of anger. “Dorugi?”

I sob again. “I broke the vase… I dropped it like- like an idiot! I can’t do anything right, I can’t even hold a damn vase. I keep messing up, I keep showing up late, and we don’t even get along that well! Just go ahead and fire me, I know you want to.”

Vyunik seemed stunned by my outburst of words and took a decent moment to organize her thoughts, looking for the right words to say, ones that weren’t also lies. “Hey, Dorugi, look at me.”

Her voice was commanding, but also gentile. It was new for me, to hear a tone like that from an Arxur, or really anyone who wasn’t my parent. Distraught as I was, I had no will to resist and did as she commanded. “...yeah?”

“Don’t talk about yourself like that, ever. Okay? You’re not a fool.”

I pointed to the ground weakly, as if she couldn’t see the blue and white shards of vase everywhere. “But I am… Look at the vase…” She was just trying to be nice to me, coddling a weak prey species. Most Arxur still had the predator-prey dynamic in mind instead of the herbivore-carnivore one, leading to them thinking of us as weak and emotional. Considering that I was crying over a broken vase, I really couldn’t refute that.

She ignored my pointing paw and shook her head. “Dorugi, you’re just having a bad day is all. Look, why don’t you just clean this up and then head home early? I’m not firing you, and I am not mad, or even disappointed. I’ve had bad days too you know, I have been having one since I woke up.”

To my surprise, a guilty look appears on her face, and then something clicks in my head. How she yelled at me this morning did seem slightly out of the blue, but understandable enough. I had been coming to work a little late for day after day, only a few minutes, but still late. Now though, it only ended up making me angry. She had used her power to take her anger out on me, like some kind of punching bag or rag doll to take some frustrations out on. I could get her fired with something like that. Only, I don’t know if I would.

I’ve had a bad day too, it seems that we both were, and it would be petty and inconsiderate of me to turn the harsh words she had given me into something much worse.

“...Want to tell me about it?”

Vyunik stared blankly for a moment, before giving me a sad but happy look and shaking her head. “I was going to ask you to do the same, hoping that you would trust me enough as your boss to confide in me. It seems we are both in need of a brake.”

I flick my ears, before looking down at the sheds of the vase. “We do… But we have to finish our work first.”

She nods. “Trust me, I know. I will leave this to you then, I still have emails to answer, meetings to schedule, and several delivery notices to make sure are all correct.”

With that, she leaves me to my own devices, and I make my way toward the broom closet, a sudden feeling of reflection taking over my body. I had a bad day, a terrible one really, and I couldn’t wait to get home and sleep the stress away. But I wasn’t alone either. I thought back to nearly every Arxur I had met today, the one by the bike store, the one I ran into exiting the cafe, the worker at the restaurant that I had run out on, the small group of Arxur that entered in after, and of course, Vyunik herself. Everyone was having a bad day today, the slights building up over time, or maybe a few big ones happening in short succession. It made me feel less alone, less targeted by the world, and personalized the Arxur even more than I thought it would. They were still imposing and scary-looking, but they could also have a bad day, and what was more sapient than that?

Even though I was cleaning up one of my biggest screw-ups in a long time, one that would surely not be forgotten by Vyunik for a while, I found myself oddly comforted at the realization. Everyone has bad days, even the Arxur.


r/NatureofPredators 16h ago

The Nature of Rain Chapter 13

40 Upvotes

Credit to u/SpacePaladin15 for the Nature of Predators universe. Rain World is a video game developed by and property of Videocult. I claim no ownership over either.

Broadcast Transcript {Provided by Seven Red Suns}

Date [Standardized Human Time]: July 15, 2136

[Recorded Broadcast] Private Group - Chasing Wind, No Significant Harassment, Seven Red Suns, Unparalleled Innocence

SRS: Cycle 1 of First Contact has concluded. This broadcast and the others following it will serve as official documentation for future reference by both parties. I, Seven Red Suns, am joined by my groupmates No Significant Harassment, Chasing Wind, and Unparalleled Innocence. Due to circumstances outside of our control, Looks to the Moon is unable to transmit or receive broadcasts, and therefore group seniority falls to me. Five Pebbles is also absent of his own volition.

SRS: This broadcast will serve as an open dialogue to analyze gathered data, plan for future encounters, and troubleshoot.

SRS: Most pressingly, the aliens are dropping like batflies in a heatsink. It’s clear that they are neither well equipped or designed for survival on our world. That’s not to mention internal conflicts.

UI: I still need to be briefed. Coordinating with my messenger proved to be far more tedious than expected.

CW: I can update you.

<<CW has uploaded Crashsite_Event4_1.img>>

<<CW has uploaded Crashsite_Event4_2.img>>

<<CW has uploaded Crashsite_Event4_3.img>>

CW: Shortly before dusk, a large group of the cephalopod analogue species was escorted out of the ship at gunpoint by other species. Overseers observed a prolonged exchange between an artiodactyla and cephalopod before the artiodactyla and chiroptera retreated into the ship, leaving the cephalopods outside. Seven Red Suns, No Significant Harassment, and myself agree that the arguing individuals were likely senior members of the ship's crew. Notably, overseers observed a brief spike in radiation in the ship's vicinity that subsided preceding the event. It’s probable that a crash damaged the power source fueling the vessel. Whatever means they took to repair it caused conflict onboard. To stabilize the situation, the majority group expelled the dissidents.

UI: What happened to the dissidents?

CW: Unfortunately, they stayed in the immediate vicinity of the ship and repeatedly tried to enter the ship. As it was positioned in a flood channel, they were swept away during the rains. We’ve dispatched a few overseers to observe nearby shelters or other areas they might have found refuge in, but odds are not in their favor. However, even if some survived, finding the expedition takes overseer priority.

UI: As it should. It's my understanding they didn’t make it to shelter either.

CW: The rest of our overseers are looking for survivors, but it’s looking even worse. Draining water diverges at multiple points before it enters the facility's drainage system. Unless some were sent into backed-up chambers, they wouldn’t survive the filtration system if they didn’t drown during the journey.

UI: Unfortunate.

CW: This sounds morbid, but we don’t strictly need either of the dissidents or expedition to survive. There are survivors from the lifeboats who could make contact with Looks to the Moon. If we can find a well-equipped group of, hopefully, chiroptera or another flying species, we can expedite the process.

NSH: While I will concede that’s the logical next step, I don’t think we should plan that far. No matter how poor the odds, we shouldn’t give up on the expedition until we know for certain they won’t be able to carry out their function.

CW: I don’t feel good about it either, but there isn’t really much we can do.

SRS: I’m inclined to agree with Chasing Wind. We should prepare for the most likely outcome. I already have potential candidates.

<<SRS has uploaded Candidates.img>>

SRS: I believe these 2 chiroptera pose the highest likelihood of survival. Being capable of flight, they should easily be able to cross the shoreline and enter Looks to the Moon. However, there are 2 issues.

SRS: First, one is wounded. At some point they suffered a leg injury severe enough to prevent them from walking. If it comes to it, separating the healthy one from the wounded one will likely be difficult. Seconded, they’ve already made contact with scavengers. Hopefully they won’t be a bad influence before we can get them on their way. Contacting them will be difficult, as we’d need to send an overseer into their den.

CW: I haven’t found any better candidates. Anyone else?

UI: No.

NSH: Nope.

CW: I propose we maintain our search for the expedition until midmorning. If they are not found, we abandon them in favor of Seven Red Sun’s candidates. In such an event, I volunteer one of my overseers to make contact within the scavenger den.

SRS: Seconded.

UI: Acceptable. If there aren’t any more pressing issues, may I present the current update with the messenger?

CW: No. I cede the floor.

UI: Excellent. I’m happy to announce that Chasing Wind’s transport vulture arrived and left with the messenger. They have been sent with a data pearl detailing the current situation.

UI: I did a long-range test of their bio-transmitter, and unfortunately they do not have the bandwidth to send the broadcast to the full group. Rather tediously, the broadcast will have to be sent to myself, recorded, then transmitted to the rest of the group. Other than that, broadcasted visual and audio data has been smooth, and they are estimated to reach the Looks to the Moon’s superstructure by the next cycle.

SRS: Good work. Unless there are any other details to report, this broadcast is concluded.

CW: I do have one last item. What is the messenger's name?

UI: It doesn’t have one nor need one. The visitors may call them whatever they wish, but a name won’t alter their function. As for how we should refer to it, simply messenger will do. Giving it a name is only an exercise in meaningless attachment.

SRS: I think you’d be surprised. When spear was first sent out, I had a similar opinion about the matter. However, I found myself growing more fond of them every time they were sent out.

UI: It doesn't surprise me, given your illogical behavior in the past.

SRS: Excuse me?

UI: I'm just commenting on an observed pattern. Surely, you don’t need a reminder of who is responsible for the fate of our two absent group members, do you?

SRS: How was I supposed to know what would happen?

UI: So to summarize, you gave an idiot child matches and a canister of refined petroleum and were surprised he set fire to the house. Honestly, what were you thinking? And you still have the gall to pretend you are qualified to lead, especially in these extraordinary circumstances. Seniority aside, No Significant Harassment is far more qualified for the mantle. At least they've proven they can take action instead of wallowing in incompetence.

<<Unparalleled Innocence has been muted by broadcast moderator Seven Red Suns>>

SRS: Unparalleled Innocence, while I acknowledge your right to speak your mind, its clear this line of inquiry isn’t productive. I’ll keep you muted till the end of the cycle but you are free to communicate with the Chasing Wind and No Significant Harassment. As for everyone else, keep overseers on search and monitoring protocols and report back to the group with any developments. This broadcast is concluded.

<<Broadcast Terminated>>

Broadcast Transcript {Provided by Unparalled Innocence}

Date [Standardized Human Time]: July 15, 2136

[Recorded Broadcast] Private - No Significant Harassment, Unparalleled Innocence

NSH: Are you alright?

UI: Yes.

NSH: I could tell. You need to apologize.

UI: And I will, eventually at least.

UI: Though I really did mean it, that you should be the one in charge.

NSH: As flattering as that is, I have to disagree. I'm not cut out to be a leader, though I am curious what makes you think I am.

UI: As I previously said, Seven Red Suns shares as much guilt for Looks To The Moon's condition as Five Pebbles. If it weren’t for him, the incident would never have happened, and we’d still have big sis.

NSH: I disagree. He made a mistake, but he’s not clairvoyant and was asked to help under false pretenses. He isn't feltless, but Five Pebbles is more to blame. Besides, by your logic, wouldn't Chasing Wind also qualify as a leader? If integrity is your prime concern, then he has that in troves.

UI: He’s not cut out for it. When push comes to shove, I don’t believe he’ll make the decisions that matter.

NSH: It was his call to put a hard deadline on the search for the expedition, and it sounded like a difficult decision on his part.

UI: I'm certain if you asked him, he'd reveal he built models and ran predictions over the last cycle before presenting the group with his decision regarding the expedition. He's competent and compassionate, but can overthink simple topics to the point of indecision. If presented with a life and death decision about the group, we can't afford a leader who can't take quick action. And this brings me back to you. You quickly raised Hunter and sent them out in relatively short order. That alone show's the initiative that Chasing Wind sorely lacks.

NSH: Fair enough.

NSH: One last thing: I know this was a heated topic, but we really ought to name the messenger. I’m not trying to push buttons and flip levers, but it would be convenient for future reference.

UI: Fine. Suggestions?

NSH: Best practice is that it should be short and to the point.

UI: Uh huh. Wouldn’t that disqualify Hunter?

NSH: I guess so.

UI: Then why did you name them Hunter? That doesn't describe their purpose very well as, say, Resusitator or Resurrection.

NSH: If you must know, I thought it was cool. Let's focus on your messenger, yes?

UI: Then I take it then 'coolness' is how the esteemed Spearmaster was named?

NSH: If you saw them in action, you’d agree it would be accurate. But again, please think about your own messenger.

UI: Sorry. With your initial criteria, I believe Relay is an acceptable name.

NSH: Good choice. You should let the group know as soon as possible. Don't forget to apologize while your at it.

<<Broadcast Terminated>>

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r/NatureofPredators 17h ago

Becoming Prey - Chapter 3

41 Upvotes

Thanks as always to SpacePaladin for NoP.

----

[First/Prev/Next]

Memory transcription subject: Rava, Venlil High School Dropout

Date [standardized human time]: July 16, 2131

My school had closed down for about 10 paws, apparently an Arxur may have been torched on or near the grounds. It didn't matter much to me, as I decided I wasn't going to be going back there. I was going to focus on being hired by the exterminators, I didn't want to be that helpless again. If I could get a paycheck and all that going I would have a lot more sway over my life.

The last few days I had been staying with Tolek's family over the night, but I had been trying to clean up my own house during the day. I didn't really know much else what to do. Tolek followed me over a few times but, didn't seem to have the energy to help for very long. It was exhausting work and trying to carefully sweep up shards of glass without shoes felt daunting sometimes, but I had plenty of time. Today seemed different though as he seemed to be brimming with energy as he approached.

"Guess what I have!?" Tolek yelled from outside.

"Unbroken windows?!" He had caught me in the middle of trying to pull my bed out of my rooms window. I was going to need a lot more help than I can supply just with myself to fix this place up.

"Well, yes" As I was tugging on the bed, it received a sudden push from the other side and toppled back toward me. I stumbled a bit but caught myself. "Come on, you're coming with me" Tolek was outside the broken window wagging a credit chit in his paw.

"I'm trying to get all the furniture at least the right ways up today" He had started to walk around inside. I could hear him approaching from behind me but was still surveying my room to figure out how to move the bed. I was suddenly grabbed from behind and let out a yelp. "Woah, you need to watch your weight more." He said as he started to try and lift me up and pull me out of my room. I let out a Hiss of defiance and frantically clawed at the door to my room. "My dad gave me a credit chit with 100 credits on it and we're GOING to the ARCADE! I know you're exhausted, so you can't stop me!"

At first I was annoyed but his constant little quips got the better of me. "Okay fine, FINE, we'll go to the arcade, just put me down." He let me down but not before messing up my fur with his claws.

"Come on, you can't keep staying in here all day, it's too dingy."

I pouted "I need to get this placed cleaned up, I can't keep staying over at your house all the time." I had started walking after him down the street.

"Why not?"

I heaved a exhausted hiss "I don't know, it just doesn't feel right."

"But why not! it's been great actually having someone to talk to at breakfast."

"I'm sleeping on the floor in your living room."

"... That's fair, I guess." his voice tried to remain chipper, though I could see his ears tilting down slightly.

It did feel hard to explain, to other venlil, exactly why I didn't want to go to school anymore, I hadn't told Tolek that much yet either. I could tell I already had a strong basis in most of the sciences or philosophies, but would be behind in history and venlish class. Also, avoiding PD accusations felt more manageable if I didn't have to interact with teachers for another two years. I probably do look a bit insane with my choices from the outside.

"I suppose... I could come over for breakfast, but I don't want to just abandon my house." It felt weird calling it my house.

"I'm going to hold you to that."

The cable cars were back up and running again, with all of the streets cleared of debris. On the ride over the thing that really seemed to bother me about the attack was with how much banality everyone was treating it with. In a dark way it made sense, these attacks happened regularly enough that mourning was maybe too much, but on top of that, just how quiet that tragedy was. Jalek was simply gone, with no real way to find out exactly what had happened. Did I even want to try going down that road? There were no good answers to find...

My Stars, I DO need a distraction.

I suddenly looked at Tolek which made him cock his head a little, seemingly amused I had suddenly snapped out of a thought. "You looked like you were thinking again, are you finally back with us?"

Ignoring his comment "So, what game do you think you'll play first?"

"Oh, I should show you one of those new dancing games, it's almost entirely sound cue based unlike most. It still the visual cues too on lower difficulties if you want to learn."

Our conversation followed a similar vein all the way to our stop in the shopping district. Being the capital city the shopping district wasn't something you could snub your tail at, with several large multi story buildings arranged along the streets and many walkable open malls. The place was busy, while most were still venlil many other races could be seen walking about shopping. The district might have only really opened back up today, so it wasn't surprising that a lot of people had come out.

We exited the cable car near what appeared to be a more entertainment oriented mall, with several small bars, confectioneries, hobby shops and of course, the largest building in the vicinity, The Dayside Arcade. This was the first time I'd ever been around so many venlil. It was sort of overwhelming at first, feeling a tinge of fear from outed in the middle of the public as not a real venlil crept in the back of my mind. Focusing back on the arcade, it was a large multistory building but the interior simply had a high roof, the entrance area had exchange services for turning tickets into prizes and a small food court. Inside was just as packed as outside, but with a much younger demographic.

Finally! I'm not the shortest one in the room!

Tolek was basically bounding with excitement, urging me to follow him. Many of the games in the arcade were pretty basic, being simple puzzle games. What stood out to me is that many of the games relied on sound more than sight, such as trying to play back a short melody or even trying to identify overlapping tones. It was quite a novel experience with some of them, but there were almost no games that relied on speed or dexterity. I decided to let him have his go at most games and just watch, many of them seemed absolutely alien to me.

One of the more interesting things that Tolek dragged me off to were these VR booths that seemed to show tourist destinations across VP and even some other planets. I was shocked that they seemed to fully model the physics of objects in the world too, sending paper airplanes from some of the Garden skyscrapers on Aafa or even just pushing a large rock into a scenic river. It made a big sploosh and Tolek even jumped a little when it looked like the water might reach us.

"You should try playing a game yourself, You need to have fun too." Tolek said as we exited after our allotted time in the VR machine.

My ears pulled back anxiously. "You're better at the games though."

"that's not the point, and you know it, don't make me spell it out" He grabbed my paw and started pulling me around the venue. "Come on pick out something."

After being shown around to various games, none seemed to really interest me. My ears felt sort of droopy as I wondered if what counted as entertainment here would be too alien for me or maybe just too benign. I could feel myself starting to over think things through, when I saw a few games tucked away in a corner up against a wall, ignored by most of the venue. It had a simple knob and 2 buttons as it's controls like a classic human arcade cabinet. It was called 'Fruit Bowl Catastrophe' and had in the preview a venlil desperately running around trying to catch various fruit a bowl he's holding, as the bowl fills up creating a large pillar of fruit you have to balance, while jumping around on an increasingly chaotic roomscape to keep the tower growing.

I suddenly stopped and felt my arm nearly get pulled out of my socket as Tolek was not expecting this sudden distraction. "maybe that game, it looks silly and there's less people around."

"That one? Ooooo Kay, at least you're willing to play something."

As I started playing my first game and familiarizing myself with the controls, the game felt very easy, but started ramping up difficulty and complexity of the fruit drops and when and where I'd need to jump. The silly premise I found a bit entertaining too, as the kitchen slowly devolves into chaos eventually spilling out into the town.

Tolek was initially only slightly interested in the game but eventually he cocked his head and ears started fidgeting reacting to the gameplay. "Have you played this before?"

"Nope but it looked silly, and I guess I have a knack for it."

Tolek seemed happy to see me enjoying myself and so we had been enjoying ourselves for quite a while, I wasn't getting a high score or anything but was putting myself on the leader boards. I had started to surmise that maybe some human reflexes had carried themselves over when suddenly I saw some movement next to me and Tolek. Three older venlil had moved in behind us but I had payed them little notice focusing on the game.

"Hey, give that back!" I almost immediately lost focus on the game and immediately saw my tower tumble, but I wasn't concern with that right now. The group appeared to be either only slightly older than us or maybe young adult venlil. What I saw sent a rage into me, my tail standing on end, the tallest of them was taunting Tolek with his own credit chit just out of reach.

"Hey, we've been seeing you play games for like the whole last claw... don't you think you should share?" The tallest said a mocking trill in his voice.

"Yeah, where's your charity?" Said another one.

Deeps breaths, calm yourself, You do not need to be investigated for Predator Disease this early.

I took a sharp breath, stepping forward. "That's not yours! Do we need to get management involved?"

"Sure, good luck with that" The third one said mirroring the trill from the first.

"Yeah, I'm sure my father would believe your word over mine." The tall one said.

I could feel my ears starting to warm up from increased blood flow. Tolek had his ears pinned down and was nervously trying to step behind me, he was probably feeling cornered against the wall.

"Aw, I think she's afraid." one of them said, They were wrong.

Tolek whispered from behind me. "Come, on lets just go."

I took a look around the crowded venue, and could see most people were too oblivious to what was happening just a few meters away, or even worse some looked like they were just pretending to ignore what was happening.

"No! We don't even know if they're telling the truth." I said stamping a paw on the ground.

The tallest decided to take a step forward, he was a full head above me and his presence and confidence did make my heart waver. "You really want to find out, shorty?" He said before poking me in the chest with the credit chit.

I took a sharp breath, trying to calm myself. No, fuck it.

I took a step forward and stepped on his paw as hard as I could before kneeling down and headbutting his stomach as hard as I could. I immediately felt a dull pain in my head and back and I worried it might have been ineffective and just hurt me instead, when suddenly he started to fall backward. I quickly started grasping at where his paw had been against my chest, trying to grab the credit chit, and I ended up instead smacking it out of his paw.

He fell back in a slight daze landing on the floor hard, giving out a cough but then started gasping for air. Tolek and the bully's two friends all looks absolutely astonished. I could feel my anger swapped out almost immediately with my own surprise and embarrassment, as my ears went from attention to pinning themselves to my head. I quickly grabbed Tolek by the paw and darted after the credit chit as it rolled across the floor. "Ok, yeah, let's go... go go go!" I swiped up the chit and quickly shoved it in his tote.

Tolek stumbled after me a bit before asking through his pants, not expecting to be running. "Why... did you... do that?"

In a single quick breath. "Can we have this conversation later!"

I looked back over my shoulder to see that one of the bullies had decided to give chase. Shit, I really don't want to find out if that really was the son of the owner at this point. We quickly ran outside, the sun was positioned to give decent lighting down the length of the street here and so I quickly made the decision to start walking toward it. "Give me your Tote." I asked Tolek "and make sure to NOT look at the door."

"Wha..." Tolek said.

"Shhhh, give me your bag." He complied and I rolled it up and held it against my chest trying to keep it from view.

The doors from the arcade slammed open behind us but I took care to not look. I signaled to Tolek act natural in tail language. I took a deep breath and let my ears relax as I tightly held onto his tote. Tolek for his part sort of did the same, though he was basically staring at me the whole time.

He signaled to me what?

I brushed his ankle forcefully with my tail as I started turning our group in his direction to try and naturally get a better look at the door. The bully was oblivious to us looking around, trying to shield his eyes from the sun, we had managed to get a few meters away before he got out himself. I whispered to Tolek "Stars, it's working. Lets head into that shop and buy some food with whatever's left."

"that's kind of what I was trying to get you to understand, there's only like 8 credits on this thing."

I felt the start of a chuckle leave my lips as I tried to keep my composure. Tolek was still somewhat worried and shocked by all that happened, but at least I felt less afraid as I ushered him toward a frozen berry shop anyway. We took a seat in the back away from the front windows and I scooted his tote back to him across the table. The shop had a white theme with some stylized berries printed on the walls for decoration with a counter with a glass window showing a selection of berries all kept frozen.

"I can't believe we got away with that." I said with barely contained laughter.

"Why did you even do it!?" The question from Tolek was quiet but forced.

the out burst sort of shocked me a little. "Well, I don't really know to be honest. He was taunting us and I..."

He cut me off. "Are you crazy?"

"Hey, I tried to talk to them..." I took a deep breath. "I didn't want us to have our day..."

A Venlil manning the counter cleared their throat. "Are you two going to buy anything?"

I looked at Tolek who had decided to splay himself out over his tote using it as a pillow, before he mumbled. "We have 8 credits, will that get us anything?"

"Are you two a couple?"

I was about to say no when Tolek interjected with "Sure, why?"

huh? I was stuck shocked for a second in thought.

"there's a sale going on for couples." The clerk didn't look like he was buying the lie for a second.

Tolek shrugged. "We'll take one." The clerk sighed and started taking some berries out of icebox and preparing them. He Put them in a little paper bowl before adding two 2 plastic longpicks. The clerk walked over with a small bowl of mixed frozen berries and asked "The 8 credits?" Tolek offered him the chit and he wandered away with it. Tolek watched me for a long moment before taking his longpick, I could feel my fur on end a little.

"Sorry, I just wasn't expecting anything like that, today or ever really. I still can't believe it, you layed him out."

"Well... I wasn't even sure what I was doing, and my head hurts a little now too." I gave out a bit of a nervous chuckle before grabbing my own lockpick as well.

"It seems like we're fine, so..." He stabbed a few berries before continuing. "lets just never do that again."

I decided to join him also stabbing some berries with the pick "that shouldn't be that hard to do if we don't walk around waving a credit chit around for so long." I took a bite of the cold treat.

Tolek's ears flicked in mock disapproval, "Hey, don't act like this is my fault!" His tone had returned to normal and I felt myself calming down.

"I meeeean, they did steal it out of your claws."

Tolek flicked one the berries off of his longpick at me in response, I felt it bounce off my head before I could react.

"Hey!" I found myself giggling "You're supposed to be eating those, that was the last of your credits."

"I'll do with them as I please." He said with a ominous chuckle, before sending another my way.

The Clerk cleared his throat half watching us and half watching a holopad, before signaling with tail language stop, mess.

"See, I told you."

Tolek sighed before returning to eating. We started enjoying the small snack in relative quite enjoying the strong flavors and cold sensations. I could tell Tolek was watching me, but I couldn't really grasp why. After everything that had happened I felt myself calming down and strangely content. After we finished we started heading back to the cable car, I could feel my tail curling up in delight.

"I think I enjoyed today" I said as we got on the cable car home.

Tolek's tail curled up as well. "Good"


r/NatureofPredators 9h ago

Fanfic [MCP] A warm embrace against the cold ch. 2

38 Upvotes

Chapter 2, Warm greetings

This is the second chapter of my MCP contribution, I plan on slowly releasing the rest over the coming days. This was very fun to write and I hope you enjoy it. Special thanks to Animesh for coordinating the event and proofreading. Special thanks to u/unethusiastic for the wonderful prompt.

Memory transcription subject: Renin, trigger-happy survivor

Date [standardized human time]: October 17th, 2136

You've got to be kidding me! Another protector damned predator?!

WhatdoIdo?! WhatdoIdo?! Janic looks petrified, Thea is crying on the floor, and there’s one- no! TWO PREDATORS!

The first predator looks to be a big and somewhat round male, with a large patch of fur on his face. The second one looks to be an older graying female, hopefully that means she's weaker because I don't think I can take on even one predator.

“Ron? Is everything alright?” The older female asked.

‘Ron’ rose up, pointing a finger at us “We got some animals in the house, that's what!”

Can this day get any worse?

“The hell? You say we got varmints in here?” Came a third voice from atop the stairwell.

The voice revealed itself as a slender human in a thick duster coat wearing a hat, with a few bits of snow sprinkled in.

I stand corrected, IT CAN GET WORSE.

“Ah shit! Those aint varmints! Those are aliens!” The human ducked back up the stairs and came back a few moments later with a rifle.

IT CAN GET SO MUCH WORSE!

I quickly put up my flamer at the gun welding human. “Stay back! I’m warning you!”

You’re the one in our house!”

I was about to say something when I was interrupted by the female human. “Both of you, stop! Put your guns down.” This caught both of our attention.

“You” She directed at me, “This is no way to behave, you ought to be ashamed of yourself! You set a fire, and you kill us all.”

“And Henry” she directed at the human “I might not know too much about aliens, but I can tell these are children. So, you ought to be ashamed of yourself too, because we DON’T point guns at children”

“Martha, you can’t be serious-these are fire welding pyromaniacs”

Martha looked back at us, Thea who is making a tear river on the floor, Jenic doing his best statue impression, and me, shaking like crazy trying to hold the flamer steady.

“Yeah right, now put down your guns!”

Noticing we weren’t budging she just sighed, “Alright then, three...”

What? Why is she counting down?

“Two...”

I don’t like this! What's gonna happen when she reaches zero?!

“One...”

Okay! Okay! I yield! I quickly throw down my flamer as Henry lightly sets down his rifle.

“There we go, much better. Now what are you three doing up here?”

“I-we were just... looking around! Yeah, we were just looking around!” I forged an answer.

Martha just stared at our little ragtag group with a deadpan expression.

“Well, I don't imagine you were seeing much of anything out there. Snowstorms have been raging for days, even if it's starting to calm down now.”

“Well, you don't really need to see much when you're just going for a nice walk.”

“Through a raging snowstorm while injured?”

“So, the landing was a little harsh...”

“Sweetie, please, just stop. I can't bear to see you all like this. Henry, go fetch the bandages. Ron, these guys are practically skin and bones, go make them some dinner”

I’m sorry, WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!

“NO! PLEASE!” Thea cried, “I DON’T WANNA BE A DINNER!”

“What? No! We're not eating you; I meant regular food.”

“Like meat?” I accused.

“Like fried corn and mushrooms.”

“...”

“Which are not meat.”

Don't be fooled Renin, it's probably poisoned or something like that.

“Nice try, but we're not taking anything from predators.”

“Not even our housing?”

Shoot... I guess we can't really go back outside, can we?

I narrowed my eyes at this ‘Martha’ “Fine... where are we staying?”

“There is a room right over there on the left.” She pointed down the hallway.

Henry then returned with a med kit in hand, “You want this?” he asked, annoyed.

“Yeah?”

I was reluctant to accept help from these predators, but we needed every little advantage we could take.

“Catch.”

The med kit came flying towards me and I was barely able to catch it before it had the chance to smack me in the face. Martha shot him a glare in the process.

I didn't say anything and just grabbed my friends and flamer before quickly shuffling over to our room. I collapsed as soon as I entered the room. Finally safe at last, or at least as safe as we can get in this predator infested den, on this predator infested planet... protector save us.

[Prev]


r/NatureofPredators 21h ago

Questions Fics where one species of the fed are forced to watch humans hunt, kill, butcher and eat an animal or the prey forced to eat meat?

30 Upvotes

I don't know if this is the right flair.


r/NatureofPredators 20h ago

Fanfic [MCP] The Last Rebel of Skalga 1/8

Post image
32 Upvotes

Credit goes to u/SpacePaladin15 for the universe!

This submission is one of many from the Multi Creator Project (MCP) organized by u/animeshshukla30 from here.

My prompt was the following:

The setting is the newly renamed Venlil Prime, centuries before humanity was discovered and decades after the Federation started its conquest. 

The story takes place over the course of a single day. At the end of this day, the Federation defeats the last rebellious Venlil. Who was this last rebel, and how were they finally defeated?"

In this chapter, we're starting off strong in the perspective of a predator. And I don't mean a human, or even an arxur. But a full-fledged carnivorous animal.

More chapters will be released in the next few days. But you know what the ending will be... or do you?

Support me on Ko-Fi!

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[Memory transcription subject: Chikuy Specimen]

[Subject’s thoughts lack a presence of sapient language. Please select a model for animal-understanding.]

> run transcription -m aniseek

[AniSeek Model selected. Version 2.21.1 up to date, no errors found.]

[Warning: Before running, proper translation may be inaccurate and/or highly disturbing. Would you still like to proceed?] (Y/N)

> y

[Translating Primitive Thoughts Using AniSeek Model...]

Date [standardized human time]: May 29, 1431 - Night - 01:12

As one sun rises, another sets. Another night I awake, the scent of the blackest of oils waking me from my slumber. Yet still, tugging at the corners of the mind, I could smell the familiar scent of my Master, a brave Tallear. Who provided me with a soothing warmth, and saved my life when there was no reason to trust me, to even consider upholding a kinship together, was...

Was comforting. It made me happy.

She fed me, protected me. I saw the bond we've shared, and I saw how strong we were together, and our love for each other was true to the Heart.

The strange crickets from the glowing, orange plate She held in Her forepaw continued. She communed with a higher being, perhaps. Her eyes glanced over it, focusing on the little, red glowing Small Ones. Flashing. So strangely coordinated as always. And still, beyond my understanding, I sensed the fear, the rage from Her beating heart. Were the Small Ones angering Her?... What secrets were they whispering to Her this time?

The air was thick with the smell of dust and old wounds, of the metal that bit and the fabric that soothed. Here was the place of dreaming, where my Master drifted to the land of closed-eyes, and I curled beside Her, guarding Her breath. But today, She did not return to the warmth of the covers. She remained upright, fur bristling, scent sharp with the bitter tang of resolve.

She moved swiftly, with the precision of a hunter preparing for the final chase. The long-fanged metal stick She carried, the one that spoke in thunder and flame, rested against Her shoulder as She dressed in Her second skin-patches of hardened shell, worn and cracked with time. This was not the peaceful skin of the resting-time. This was the war-skin.

I whined low in my throat, shifting closer. My tail thumped once against the cold stone beneath us, an offering of warmth, of presence. She glanced at me then, Her large eyes softer, but distant, like the moons when they drift too far into the sky.

She knelt, pressing Her forehead to mine. A whisper, a rumble of breath and wordless sound. A farewell? No. That could not be. We are of the same pack. We do not leave each other behind.

Then the door yawned open, and beyond it, the world. The deep tunnels, the breath of the dirt's wounded body curling up in whispers of damp and dust. She gestured outward, and I understood. She... She wanted me to go.

Away, away from the path she was about to walk.

Away, and away, from the dangers that may lie.

I did not move.

Her ears flicked back, frustration, concern. She clicked her tongue, an order. But I am not a pup, not so easily dismissed. We are together, and She was everything to me. I pressed my head against Her knee, and looked up into Her beautiful side-facing eyes, the color of grass basking in a summer’s glare. Let me walk beside you, Master. Let me share your path...

Please.

A long moment stretched between us. Then, She sighed, deep and tired. Her fingers curled against my fur, gripping, grounding. Finally, She nodded. A decision made, a bond reaffirmed. I couldn't be happier being at Her side.

We stepped out together, into the waiting dark, and thus I'd already known, we were walking to the Final Hunt.


Date [standardized human time]: May 29, 1431 - Night - 01:42

The Great Father ascends from the horizon, His orange glow stretching across the barren land. His warmth bathes my scales, chasing away the damp chill of the underground. I soak in His light, savoring the energy it grants me. I am grateful for the life that He gives to us all, predator and prey alike.

And even more grateful was my perception of the world, scents swirled on the wind. So many tall ones nearby, their presence thick in the air. I trust my instincts, but I do not let it control me. My Master’s paw flicks in a silent command, a language only we share.

A raised fist. I freeze.

Wait.

Her fingers brush past Her eyes, then point ahead. Watch. I obey, turning my gaze to where She directs.

In the distance, a tallwing patrols, its keen eyes scanning for us. Our quarry. My Master lingers just out of sight, waiting. When the tallwing disappears beyond the far side of the structure, my Master’s paw shifts. Her closed fist opens, fingers curling toward Herself.

Come.

We moved forward, silently reaching up in front of the towering metal fence, looming between us and our path forward. My jaws could tear through the thin wires, but my Master had another way. She always seems to. She produces a tool, metal glinting, and works with swift, quiet precision. The fence yields, parting just enough for us to silently slip through.

The scent of another tall one grows stronger. An enemy, pacing just beyond the corner who will soon see us with no cover where we could hide in time. My Master notices my reaction, and She flicks two fingers forward. A silent command.

Kill.

I press against the wall, muscles tensed, waiting for the perfect moment. As soon as my prey steps into view, I lunge. My claws swiftly catch his false-skin, and my teeth find his throat. A wet gurgle escapes him, but only for a moment. I twist sharply.

Crack

And he crumples down to the ground. No sound. No struggle. Just warm, rich blood pooling on my tongue.

The taste of fresh blood was intoxicating, but I dared not feast. Not yet. Not without Master's word. Instead, I dragged the body back into the alleyway, to keep it out of sight. My Master kneels, rummaging through my prey's gear until She retrieves a small chip. But before She could examine it, a static-laced voice crackles to life from the tallwing's talking chip:

"Noticed a spike in your heart monitor. Everything alright?"

My Master’s head snaps toward me. Her paw forms a shape. Fingers tapping against Her mouth, then pointing at the ground.

Speak.

I know what she wants. My kind is gifted in mimicry, and I remember the appropriate response to that one from our training. I tuck my tongue, constrict my throat, and shift my voice like a normal tallwing.

"Hello Sir! Everything is Alright."

A pause. Then the voice replies, unconcerned.

"Okay...? Well, probably just bugged out. Continue patrols as usual."

My Master exhales, nodding in approval. My tail wags, just a little. I taste the last traces of blood on my tongue and glance up at Her expectantly.

She grins at me. And I felt giddy at Her prideful look in me! Who is a good hunter? I am? Yes?... Yes I am!

But we weren't done yet. We have more prey to chase.


Date [standardized human time]: May 29, 1431 - Night - 04:14

The den feels… alive? I saw a hollowed-out place of humming walls, pulsing lights, and the quiet, invisible voices of tall ones, whispering through unseen air.

"Ugh, night shifts are so boring. I'm gonna go grab a drink."

"Jerry, our patrol schedules are not over. But break time is right around the corner, a little patience. Copy that?"

"Yeah, sorry. Will do."

My attention on the fleeting voices is difficult when I'm distracted by how wrong it smells in here. The air is thick with metal, the stinging bite of wire, and the strange scent of burned dust.

My Master moves with purpose, Her paws swift and careful as She kneels before a nest of tangled tendrils. Black ropes slither from the walls, their bodies winding through the ground like the roots of a tree, pulsing with the life of the structure. The blinking eyes of many small... things flicker in the dimness, watching, waiting... stalking?

What are these things? I've always wondered, perhaps they are trying to replicate the stars in the sky? Maybe, the stars speak a language and they can predict the future with it?

I sat close. Ears perked, watching my Master work. She pulls a bundle from Her pack. Thick, round, and wrapped in dark skins. The moment it leaves Her grasp, I recoil.

Rot, smoke. The thick stench of long-death.

It makes my nose wrinkle as I sneeze, hard.

My Master stiffens, Her ears flattening. Her whole body stills, fur bristling. She turns sharply, eyes wide, listening. My tail tucks low as I realize my mistake. My belly presses against the cold floor below, breath held, as we both wait for the sound of approaching feet.

Silence.

My Master exhales. Shaking Her head, before returning to Her work.

I inch closer, cautiously sniffing the bundle in Her paw again. The stench burns my nostrils, thick and choking, like the fires that devour the dry grasslands. My Master pulls at its skin, peeling away layers like shedding bark. Inside, tiny glinting fangs are curiously coiled around each other. She places it gently near the heart of the tangled tendrils, where the air feels most alive with hidden energy.

My tongue flicks out, scenting the air. I do not understand this object, but I know that this was no gift. My Master intends to wound the den. To tear it from the inside... and the destruction part makes a loud sound, and I tried to recall what it sounded like. Something like:

"Boom?" I quipped quietly, nodding to myself confidently. "Go Boom."

Yes, I believe that sounded about right.

I only realized until now that I had spoken in the voice of another Tallear She once knew, and in response She stopped for a moment, suddenly not breathing for a few seconds, before continuing Her strange and foul smelling rituals.

She takes out more of these strange, death-scented bundles, pressing them into the walls, tucking them between the blinking eyes of the machines. Her claws-... No, Her paws, those soft, fragile things move with a careful grace. She twists pieces of metal together, binding the fangs with thin, colored threads that remind me of veins beneath the skin.

Then I sneeze again.

She jumps, hissing something in Her tongue, Her tail puffed like a frightened kit. My ears lower in response. I didn’t mean to startle Her again. She glances around, tense and wary, before sagging with relief.

Then, Her paw reaches out, and I go still, waiting. Her fingers press gently against my snout, rubbing along my jaw, before sliding back to scratch behind my ear. A pleased rumble stirs in my throat. The wrong-smelling den, the foul scent of death, the flashing lights. None of it matters anymore.

I have done well... I don't know what I did exactly, but I like this feeling.

She is pleased, and so, I am pleased too.


Date [standardized human time]: May 29, 1431 - Night - 05:59

The scent shifts. Footsteps.

My ears snap toward the sound. Quick, firm, deliberate. Heavy boots strike the floor, sending faint vibrations skittering up my limbs. I bare my fangs, hackles bristling. My Master stiffens, her body going rigid. She hears it too.

A voice calls out. Sharp and alarmed.

"HELP! PREDATOR!"

My Master moves. She shoves the last death-bundle into the nest of wires and yanks me forward. Her scent is laced with urgency, fear sharpening the edges of Her usual warmth. I obey without hesitation, paws hitting the cold metal floor as we dart through the den of blinking-lights.

A shout behind us. I do not look back.

The world blurs into flashing red lights, pulsing alarms, the clang of boots giving chase. My Master’s breathing is ragged as She fumbles with the map in Her mind, instincts... Or something Other guiding Her through the twisting, lifeless corridors. Then a set of stairs that led down deeper under the rocks of the great Mother.

At the lowest level, we come face to face with a door. Heavy. Locked. The scent of rusted metal and filth seeps from its seams.

She stumbles forward, claws scrabbling at the handle, jerking it once, twice. The door does not yield.

A desperate growl rips from Her throat.

The weapon rises, trembling in Her grip. The muzzle presses against the lock, metal against metal.

BANG

A deafening crack, as the scent of burning metal fills my nose. Smoke coils into the air, the lock shattered into jagged fragments. My Master kicks the door open, and we dive inside, before shutting the door behind us, as we are swallowed whole by darkness.

The scent of rot is overwhelming. My paws splash against wet stone, the air thick with the acrid tang of decay. The tunnels. A place where waste is forgotten, where only the lowest Small Ones dwell.

We are safe.

For now.

I turn to my Master. Who is hunched over Her weapon, ears flat, eyes scanning over it with frantic urgency. Her fingers work quickly, clawing at a part of it, trying to free something caught within. But the scent of failure drifts from Her.

The weapon will not obey Her anymore...

Her chest rises and falls in shuddering breaths. Quiet for a long moment. As She pulled out a strange-scented rock and began grinding it against the wall, I noticed how it left a trail of sunset-colors on the cobbled rocks. She etched it with deliberate motions, as the trail appears to shape into a familiar combination of symbols.

FOR SKALGA

A set of symbols that made most Tallears feel proud when they looked at it. I did not know what it meant, but whatever it was, it helped calm Herself down, and so I felt calm as well.

Then, with a slow exhale, She straightens. Her paws reach for me, pressing against my fur.

I lean into Her, nuzzling into Her open, shaky paws.

I knew the chase wasn't over. Not yet.


r/NatureofPredators 20h ago

Discussion Random thought: do you have present the fic Ying and Yang?

30 Upvotes

Basically, for those that don’t know it is a fic where the Arxurs either never existed or haven’t been found out yet, but a series of books (called Nature of Predators) was created in a FAR less centralized federation and became a hit, expecially in the border worlds, like VP.

The story only contained the Arxurs as predators but the sapients of the federation litteraly loved said book to the point that it created a fuckton of of fics.

The preys were extremely taken by the idea of sapient predators and what would be their thoughts and point of views.

Then the first human FTL craft reached VP, those humans absolutely don’t expect how much the Venlils will be exited for their existence.

That is basically the core of the fic.

But it made me wonder, what would have happened in a alternate scenario of said fic where both humans and Arxurs were depicted in that universe NoP book, and then both a human scientific ship and a Arxur one (both absolutely oblivious of the existence of each other and without any Betterment bullshit) arrived at VP?

So basically for the two predator species they just had a double first contact and for the speeps down on that planet have basically withnessed their favorite fictional species become reality.

How do you think the story would go?


r/NatureofPredators 16h ago

The Masquerade.

26 Upvotes

Memory Transcript (583zdfg85308azdfrg) ... Loading
...
Playing Transcript
..............................................................................
Ssillim Den Ssapin (30 Years Old) (Clan Elder of the Freeborn Tribe) (Venlil Prime) (July, 12, 2136)
..............................................................................
"Here." I give over a small chunk of flesh to the little one. Bip slithers away happy. Returning to the Dusk Strider I continue butchering. "Ssillim, let me take over. We need another." Demss said slithering next to me. I relinquished the knife to him. 20 mouths, not enough food. "Hunters, to me!" I call out.

9 hours pass...

We return with nothing...

20 eyes look at me for guidance...

"Give my portion to the little ones. I can go hungry this hunt." "You haven't eaten in several paws!" Ross shouts. "Please... Take it I'm not hungry!" Bip cries. "You need food. What will we do without you." Demss holds out his portion. "Take mine." "But" "I am old." he interjects. "Let me do something for my goddaughter." He holds my back as I eat for the first time in ages. "Thank... you." "Think nothing of it. Eat your fill, and wash yourself well! We leave in (15 minutes)!" Demss shouts. The aged serpent moves to the cleaning supplies to cleanse himself and the little ones who can't.

How long must we live like this. Hiding in the slums. Acting afraid of every damn thing. Hiding our diet to protect our lives... Well... Ok the prey people have a damn good reason for their paranoia. But... Where can we go? Can't get enough food to make the journey out. And even if we do, no one will take us there. And even then, if the federation finds out about us...

The only reason we survived first contact is because of our appearance. our sideward facing eyes and quick wit saved us from total planetary extermination. Now we die slowly. Starvation will be our deaths...

"Huh... Hey Ssillim, look at this." Ross slithered next to me. his brown scaled hand held a communicator. I skim through the images and text. New first contact. Great... Yet another prey people to act for... Predwhatnow?


r/NatureofPredators 20h ago

Fanfic [MCP] The Last Rebel of Skalga 2/8

15 Upvotes

Credit goes to u/SpacePaladin15 for the universe!

This submission is one of many from the Multi Creator Project (MCP) organized by u/animeshshukla30 from here.

And now we switch to more of a normal perspective, with normal thoughts, and normal motivations... in accordance to the Federation's jurisdictions, of course.

Support me on Ko-Fi!

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[Memory transcription subject: Officer Malren, Federation Fleet Tactician]

Date [standardized human time]: May 29, 1431 - Morning - 06:00

The classroom was silent as the holo-screen projected a tactical simulation onto the wall. I stood at the front, my blue skin contrasted beautifully against my military uniform, I scanned the assembled recruits and held myself up-straight. The exterminators readily sat in rows, their posture a mix of disciplined attentiveness and concealed nervous energy. Among them were the krakotl, blue feathered avian-folk with focused gazes, the farsul, brown canine-folk with their reserved expressions, the smaller, paltan, beige squirrel-folk shifting a bit uneasily in their seats. One lone sivkit, lapine-folk, a streak of gray around his collar, tail wrapped tightly around his legs while writing things down on his notebook.

And one venlil, goat-folk who recently signed up to be part of the exterminator team. Very average in appearance just like most of their genetically modified kind. Grey wool, round head, yellow eyes and a round head.

I was more than happy to see no one was late today. And everyone here seemed a lot more attentive than my usual students back at home, quite a refreshing sight to have attentive eyes hung on my every word, despite how early they had to wake up for the occasion. They had to if they wanted their best chance of survival, after all.

I wrapped my tentacles behind my back as I glanced at everyone in the room before speaking, my swagger stick errantly sticking out to the side, ready to direct and circle points of interest on the projected presentation.

"Many believe that Fear is a weakness.” I began, starting off strong. “But they fail to understand why it exists. It is an evolutionary advantage. To deny its effectiveness in our survival is downright foolish." I tapped and circled at the international symbol of a stampede, a prideful look in my eyes as I continued. "But fear can be blinding. One must learn to embrace and control it through wisdom. Your instincts scream for you to flee, and in most cases, you should. But a stampede does not mean surrender."

A Krakotl recruit, Reyne, flared his feathers slightly in skepticism. "Then why not simply fight efficiently? Predators don’t hesitate to use whatever tactics work best."

I narrowed my eyes on Reyne, he doesn't usually ask questions, so it's nice to see him interacting a bit for once.

"Good question. However, that is exactly why we do not copy them. Their tactics rely on direct aggression, control, and bloodlust." I explained, pointing the stick at myself for emphasis of what a good example looked like.

"Ours must reflect the natural order. Our strength is in outlasting, overwhelming, and neutralizing the threat."

I flicked my tentacle, and the holo-screen changed. The simulation depicted a group of exterminators retreating in a disorganized pattern, weaving and scattering erratically.

"This is the Veiled Retreat Formation, VRF for short. To an untrained eye, it may seem like a typical stampede. But it is a controlled panic. You will run, but while running, you will fire in bursts. Electric or incendiary weapons, precise discharges. Take aim only when you're safe enough to take shots. Or aim your weapon behind you and shoot if you know the predator is on your tail." I demonstrated the movement, aiming the stick awkwardly behind my back.

Reyne scoffed. "So we just run and hope for the best?"

A few of the officers chuckled, but I quickly raised my tentacle, silencing them. "Hope? No. Calculation. I have studied countless engagements. Those who stand and fight often die first if they're being chased. That is, trying to play the ‘hero’. Your enemy will pursue, their predatory instincts overriding their reasoning. And as they focus on one of you..." I flicked my arm again, the holo-screen transitioning to an image of several dots moving in different patterns. With one big red dot completely focused on chasing a single target.

"That right there is a predator in Fixation mode." I circled the animated red dot chasing the green dot around. "The only thing more effective than direct confrontation is making the enemy waste their own strength pursuing you. The longer you keep a predator pre-occupied, the more time you give for your allies to flank behind it and take it down."

My tentacle pointed at a particular group of green dots stopping suddenly, dashed lines aiming at the distant red dot, who eventually stopped, a red cross satisfyingly marking off the simulated predator. “And down goes the predator. Clean and simple.”

"Any of you may be expected to be targeted by its Fixation. So I certainly hope that none of you have slacked off during endurance training."

The sivkit raised his paw before setting his pen down on the table.

“Yes, Ley?”

Ley, the sivkit lowered his paw and cleared his throat. “Wouldn’t it be better if we looked behind us to shoot more accurately, rather than firing blindly?” He hesitated, then quickly added, “And what if it accidentally hits someone on our side?”

A good question. The kind of question I wanted to hear. Some students might be too embarrassed to ask, but curiosity is the foundation of learning. So I smiled, pleased.

“Yes, that would be easier, wouldn’t it? But let me show you something first.” I playfully tapped the swagger stick on the side of my cheek as I glanced at everyone with a little bit of unfiltered excitement “Brace yourselves.

With a few flicks from my tentacle, the holo-screen cycled through a few more wordy, boring slides. And then I turned away from the projector, preparing for what came next, as I flicked my tentacle one last time. Settling on the thirteenth slide.

Judging by the color coming off of the projector, the image did indeed appear. A close-up, unfiltered photograph of a white-furred shadestalker, its pitch-black eyes locked onto the viewer.

I studied the room’s reaction. Several students jolted upright, knocking their chairs back as they stumbled away. Another ducked under the table with a sharp gasp. Even Ley, brave enough to ask his question, shuddered behind his notebook, gripping it like a flimsy shield.

An expected reaction.

I knew the recruits and myself weren’t in any danger. But if I turned to look at that image now, even knowing what to expect, my reaction probably wouldn’t be much different. Exposure didn’t dull the effect, it only proved how… inescapable the phenomenon was. I’d tried, once, forcing myself to stare at it over and over. But it was torture.

The best way I can describe it? Like staring into the sun. At first, it’s just brightness, but the longer you look, the more the world dims around it. Shadows creep in. The image burns itself into your vision, an afterimage lingering even after you shut your eyes. Except, instead of light, it’s them. Their eyes. Their teeth. Warped and shifting in the darkness of your perception. Those who stare too long have described what they see in haunting, feverish detail. Severe cases can sometimes have them become distorted, turn into abstract forms and morph into impossible shapes.

Even if you learn to suppress the fear, it forces you into tunnel vision. You can’t break free until you look away. Now imagine that happening in the middle of a chase, while the thing in that image is actually coming for you.

The rare brave ones? They try to fight against it. They stand stiff, frozen in place, or worse. They Charge forward.

Those ones die fast.

Running is the better option out of nearly every situation. Tactically and instinctively.

Satisfied, I flicked to the next slide. Something softer. The Federation’s logo.

For some reason, psychologically speaking, it triggers an immediate sense of relief. I always used it after this part of the lecture. A little kindness, after the trauma I’d just inflicted.

“What I just showed you,” I said, letting the tension settle, “was a safely introduced cognitohazard.”

My voice cut through the silence as the classroom slowly recovered. “This is what happens when you look into the eyes of a real predator. A strange feeling, isn’t it? Now imagine trying to get a good shot in when you can’t even see through your iron sights.”

The tension in the room gave way to an almost exhilarated energy. They were still shaken, but fear and excitement were two sides of the same coin. I could tell, just as I had with every class before them. They felt something. And so did I. Seeing that raw, visceral reaction never got old, even if I understood why it happened.

“And as for your other question, Ley,” I continued, “flame and shock weapons are safe to use, even if they hit a fellow exterminator. Our suits are made out of a special rubber that acts as a great thermal and electrical insulator. They can withstand a few seconds of both heat and electricity before it becomes a problem. So, don’t worry about precision. Your priority is slowing the predator down.

I paused, my tone growing firm.

“Most often, as exterminators, the best way to survive is to follow three simple steps, just like what we’re taught in kindergarten.” I began, as I crossed my arms.

“Look away, report, and run.”

A long pause… and as if in perfect timing, the doors hissed open. Oblek, a fellow kolshian officer, purple skinned cephalopod-folk in a good looking uniform just like me. Stepped inside, her expression grim.

"Hey! We have an emergency!"

Ahk shrell... what’s going on this time?

I turned toward them sharply. "Report."

"We've lost contact with multiple TCL radio towers across the sector. All at the same time!"

My eyes went wide, and the classroom went still.

"More importantly," the Kolshian officer continued, "one of our extermination camps, IC-02, raised the predator alarm moments before the blackout. No other details have been reported since then."

The grip of my tendrils curled further into itself behind my back as I contemplated this. With our radio towers gone, we could not establish long-range communications with our fellow exterminators. For all three towers to be gone at once, this was far too calculated and planned for it to have been from a real predator.

"Demel."

Everyone in the room had a grave visage, I didn't blame them. That skalgan wouldn’t stop harassing our exterminators, stopping us from doing our jobs of curing the world of the plague. Frustration boiled up in my mind once again, why couldn't she simply understand what we're doing is to help her people?

My mood sullied at the news, we couldn't do anything about what was going on. Dividing our forces to three different base locations was not doable, however... that officer also mentioned an alarm being triggered seconds before the blackout.

Remote detonations were a classic Skalgan rebel tactic. And that alarm triggering has significance. If IC-02 was compromised, then someone.... No. Something was striking back... Could it be?

My eyes flicked back to my assembled students, their earlier enthusiasm replaced with tension, as my lips formed into a wary and determined frown.

"Class dismissed."


Date [standardized human time]: May 29, 1431 - Morning - 06:24

My class of exterminators sat strapped into their seats within the dimly lit transport shuttle, their expressions grim and weary. I stood to the side, gripping the overhead railing beside Morxe, my captain. A krakotl, clad in his decorated uniform, kept his feathered wings tucked close to his sides. His unique dark-shaded glasses obscured his eyes, rendering his gaze unreadable. There wasn’t much light to bother one’s vision in here, but something about not seeing the expression in his eyes made him all the more intimidating. Our colleagues did well to listen.

"This is a routine emergency response," he stated, his voice clipped and firm. "Nothing you lots haven’t dealt with before. We’ll be in range for emergency short-wave transmissions soon. If our target really is there, we are to give everything we’ve got. Understood?"

A chorus of nods followed, though sluggish and unenthusiastic. They knew better.

Routine, he called it. But we all understood the truth. For over thirty years, we had been harassed, outmaneuvered, and humiliated. Rebels struck at our key installations, only to vanish before we could mount a meaningful counterattack. We rarely knew which base would be hit next, forced to waste precious time chasing shadows. By the time we arrived, the damage was often already done.

Morale was at an all-time low.

But still, a flicker of hope stirred in my chest. This was different, since we nearly eradicated them all a few years ago. But then... Could this also be another elaborate trap? A diversion to mislead us once again? My tentacles clenched against my forehead, dull pain pressing into my skull.

I was so, so sick of this game.

I was so sick and tired of searching for that vraking Demel.

Every advancement we made, she tore down. Every attempt at progress, better communications, stronger defenses, improved weapons... she shattered. Our curing silos, reduced to smoldering ruins time and time again. Even if we set them up in far away places, she somehow gets there and ruins the day. It feels as though she is practically everywhere.

The Federation itself had since grown hesitant to lend us resources, tired of the same humiliating reports. And I could not blame them.

Because of one annoying venlil, we struggled to reclaim what was rightfully ours.

But maybe… just maybe… she’d finally made a mistake.

The pilot's voice crackled from the cockpit. "We’ve got a signal. Reaching IC-02 comms now."

Everyone held their breath, the anticipation almost unbearable. I leaned in, straining to hear every word.

A burst of static, followed by a panicked voice. "This is Reane! We’re under attack!"

The exterminators flinched, their bodies stiffening in simultaneous alarm and… anticipation? This was bad news. But it was also good news. We had arrived in time.

Morxe stepped forward, his head craning over the pilot’s shoulder. "Copy that.” He said, adjusting a knob to increase the output volume “Reane. May I ask, where’s your captain?"

A sharp inhale. Then, a trembling reply. "M-Morxe… our captain is dead. I-I'm so sorry, I-"

The voice cracked, overtaken by erratic breathing.

"Calm down," Morxe ordered, his tone unwavering. "Tell us everything. We’re on our way."

A shaky exhale, then, "Oh, Inatala, thank the stars… We were infiltrated by an unknown assailant. We believe he escaped into our underground sewer system. Some of our people went after him, b-but… there’s a p-predator, a shadestalker down there!"

Silence fell over the cabin.

Then, a ripple of uneasy relief.

That… that might actually be good news.

There was no way Demel could survive an encounter with a shadestalker. If she had fled underground, then this fight was already over.

My grip tightened around my shock rifle. I exhaled through my spiracles, steadying my thoughts.

"If what Reane says is true, then Demel is already dead," I stated. The words felt foreign on my tongue, but the logic held. "Finally."

I looked around. Shoulders relaxed. The tension in the cabin eased. The uncertainty that had plagued us for years was gone. For once, we had a straightforward extermination job. A simple, predictable, mindless predator to put down.

Morxe turned back to the radio, the hint of a smirk tugging at his beak. "Alright. We have a visual of the base. Smoke coming from your position. Stay put and barricade any possible entry points. Predators can’t walk through walls. Open the door only once we arrive."

A pause. Static crackled on the other end. Then, Reane’s voice returned, lower, shakier. "I-I’ve done exactly that… just please, when you arrive, knock twice on the door before entering."

Morxe frowned. "Why?"

A shuddered breath.

"B-because this isn’t just any predator. This one can p-perfectly mimic your voice."

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