spacepaladin15
patreon
The Nature of Predators 2-97
🕑 Added 2024-12-24 12:00:11 +0000 UTCMemory Transcription Subject: Taylor Trench, Human Colonist
Date [standardized human time]: May 30, 2161
I didn’t know what place I considered home anymore, but I wasn’t sure that such a title even belonged to a physical planet or a building where I rested my head at night. Instead, what felt most like home to me was being with the people who believed I could be something more than I was, even when I didn’t believe it myself. I peeked out from behind the curtain, waggling a few fingers at Lecca in the audience. She’d been elated to see the changes around Tellus, with our settlement now an official UN protectorate adorned in the official baby blues. The colonists were busy overhauling any aspects of Krev culture that’d been built into our city, such as the Trombil bridges; Sivkit architects—who were surprisingly savvy—were helping out.
It felt like the world was healing, by the time the Sivkit Grand Herd arrived to reclaim their home planet; the United Nations was reaching over the fence to provide terraforming technology that could breathe new life into this desert, just like they were trying to salvage the ruins of Esquo. We’d gotten along well in early interactions, which might blossom into some neighborly spirit. Mayor Hathaway had been arrested on conspiracy charges and human rights violations, following a review of his conduct both after his induction as a KC delegate and during the years living in the caverns. He’d been willing to obfuscate many details to keep the colonists in line, selling a lick and a promise.
Tellus will be safe under the United Nations’ guardianship, and the Sivkits and the Tellish both have shared suffering at the hands of the ghost Farsul. It’s two species’ home now, two species who want to make it a better place and restore it to its former glory.
“I guess it’s a good thing the Consortium built up a theatre after all,” I told Cherise, puffing out my archaic sleeves. “How do I look?
Gress interjected, grabbing my hand and pressing his nose against it. “Enchanting. Dashing! Half of the seats out there are filled by Sivkits; Loxsel will be delighted.”
“Daxfrin dares to speak for me?” Loxsel crawled across the ground, inspecting us up-close-and-personal. “Huh. You seem prepared. I’ve dreamed about this day coming for a long time; shouting wild words at people is the only way I ever feel heard. I’m capable of such immaculate drama.”
Cherise placed her hands on her hips, scoffing. “Who are you, and what did you do with the crazy rabbit spewing unintelligible words?”
“An actor must play their roles at all times. Am I a little unhinged? Perchance, but I know exactly what I’ve been doing. The Herd fucked me over with the predator disease diagnoses, so I gave them what they wanted. If they sought crazy, they could’ve just asked.”
“Did you have to fucking act like the humans were savage predators?” Cala chirped.
“Yes, the hilarity is not lost on me; I only began to feel bad for Doctor Tassi, who tried to connect with me, so I ensured that I stopped bringing her into it. With the SC though, I…expressed the views of my people. You, Taylor and Gress—you played along—you are my people! So I’ll pay the courtesy of speaking to you as civilized beings, lo! Tell me my performance is not convincing; an ability I see in both of you young steeds!”
I wagged a finger. “Okay, steed is not a Sivkit word, Loxsel, but you didn’t say that in English either. Did you add this shit to the translators?”
“Ha, Trench! I know much more about ancient Sivkit history than anyone, nary a soul has tasted past trifles like I have. Humans are the only beings to have beast of burden, is that what you think? You’ve unlocked a mere fraction of what the Farmdom once knew and comprised. Read my plays—truly read them!”
Gress fiddled with his claws, running through his lines mentally. “Daxfrin’s uncle promises to kickstart his career, and promises to give him grandiose life, but works him to the point of physical and mental exhaustion; to the point that he feels like mere cattle.”
“It’s about the Federation,” I ventured. “They promised you glory in the stars, brought you into their family, but they broke you and cared for you not at all. You are Daxfrin; you hated them so, didn’t you, Loxsel?”
“Perhaps.” The Sivkit waggled his ears noncommittally. “Plausible deniability. The story of what happened in the Farmdom, it was always there, in that silly play I wanted to hold on the Paltans’ base. Someone must read between the lines. And that I have the idea of cattle being able to have purpose and to toil—yes, yes, it’s all there. Such ideas are not so foreign to Sivkits of old.”
“I see. That’s fucking brilliant, Loxsel. Your little commentary is gonna be a smash hit, especially once people realize the depth behind it!”
“It is the first entertainment that my people will see on their homeworld, returned at last! I cannot wait. Please, remember what this means. It was a gesture that was genuinely worth sharing this soil, in my mind. To regain our spirit…that always is.”
I arched my eyebrows in surprise, as Loxsel departed from the backstage area to check on the lighting crew. Peeking back out at the crowd one more time, Hysran, who was living at the new Arxur embassy on Tellus, had an entire fistful of hotdogs. I thought Cherise had finally found a stable friend that she deserved, someone who could look out for her. Knowing we didn’t have much longer before we were supposed to go out there, I gestured for my old security guard friend to go back to her seat. I was safe here, not in need of any muscle. She smiled at me, but hesitated.
There’s one person missing out in that crowd, one person who should be here in spite of everything that she’d done. An end that sudden and abrupt was shocking to Cherise, but the world just moved right on. Quana had no one in her last moments, and that…that is sad. She lost to her hatred, a fate Gress and I both came dangerously close to.
I patted Cherise’s shoulder. “I know you miss her. I do too. If I might be so forward…”
“Go on, Trench. I’ll give you props for even trying to filter yourself,” Cherise sighed.
“Don’t remember Quana the way she was in those last moments. She wouldn’t want that. Sometimes, you hold onto toxic feelings that twist you into someone you don’t recognize…someone who isn’t the person you wanted to be for the people you loved. On behalf of all the broken people, please forgive her for her failure. Let me say the words I know she couldn’t.”
Tears welled in my friend's eyes, and she offered a shaky nod. “I wish I could’ve helped her, but she was so…vicious to me. Her dying has a way of making none of it matter. We were best friends once, and I know she wanted to find herself. Taylor, do you know what she left me?”
“A suicide note?” I guessed. “It was obvious she wasn’t planning on coming back, from the moment we landed.”
“She left a note, and she scanned herself, leaving that transcript behind for me to find. Quana said to…only bring her back if we could remove her anger. That just sticks with me, Taylor; she wanted to be free of that nasty side so much, that she’d ask something us like that. That reeks of desperation, and I…wish I could’ve endured the blows she dished out. She was sick.”
“That does not mean you had to let Quana hurt you.” Gress embraced Cherise, holding her for several seconds to comfort her. “You were struggling too, and there is nothing wrong with not bringing yourself down if she was a source of pain. It’s a tragedy it had to end this way, with her lashing out instead of reaching out at every turn.”
“We did terrible things, Gress. The kind where you see it every time you sleep at night.”
The Krev offered a bitter chuckle. “I know what that’s like. We can’t take back our regrets. We can only live our lives so that we don’t have more of them, for the people that are here now. You deserve to find someone, whether a friend or something more, who will cherish you at your highs and your lows. You’re worth it.”
“We all are,” I interjected. “If I can’t call myself good-for-nothing, neither can any of you. We can’t spend our life blaming ourselves for what others have done, or even what we’ve done. They wouldn’t want us, and I don’t want us to. It’s time we lived life at a hundred percent. Chin up, a little confidence—we’re gonna go out there tonight and have a wonderful experience! I expect a standing ovation.”
Cherise smiled, wiping her eyes. “You got it. I’ll ask Hysran not to chew too loudly, so I can actually hear what flowery Shakespeare nonsense you’re saying. Good luck, boys.”
The lights dimmed at the moment my friend scurried back to the audience, and I drew a sharp breath of anticipation. Everyone that I had known for the vast majority of my life was out there tonight, here to see me finally able to express myself without any shame or suppression. The rest of my life was staring back at me from those theatre seats. There was a peaceful future out there where we could have as many restorative pursuits as we desired. Enough people were present in this building who loved me just as I treasured them with all of my being.
Tonight, I wasn’t the binocular-eyed monster incapable of feeling, the miner hiding away with no hopes at a better life, or the prisoner of war who had a litany of grave mistakes in his past. I was Taylor Trench; son, soulmate, and father. I was confident that I was on the right track every bit as much as Tellus and the wider galaxy.
A/N - 97, Taylor’s finale! A changed man on revitalized Tellus, Taylor and Gress fulfill their commitment to put on Loxsel’s play after the Sivkits move back into their homeworld alongside the human colonists. The funny bunny lets on that he’s much more cognizant and purposeful than many believe, and that his plays have some Federation allegories hidden in them. We also hear the note Cherise found from Quana along with a transcript, and Taylor asks the fallen Jaslip’s memory not to be left on such a dark note. Hysran, meanwhile, is a ray of hope from the new Arxur embassy.
What do you think of the revelation that Loxsel could talk normally the whole time? What do you think about how far Taylor has come since the start, and how he’ll date with his new family in the future? What do you think about the future of Tellus/Tinsas post-KC, with the Sivkits moving in too?
As always, thank you for reading and supporting!
Comments
Emmanuel Morín
Es un final y basta diría Marge Simpson
erickjosemolina
De verdad será un final feliz🤔
pogman
Im still not over Robo-Taylor, this sucks
Adam Myers
Merry Christmas, SP and all. I have enjoyed the story so far, through the highs and lows. It is a shame it is ending so soon compared to NoP1. I hope you are excited to see what seems like the end.
PhycoKrusk
Quana-Slanek mind meld, just you wait!
Space Paladin
Merry Christmas!!
EliasArt2Life
Quite a finale for Taylor. This does feel like a natural conclusion to his character arc. He’s grown a lot. Not really surprised about Loxsel. He always struck me as being like Murdock from the A-Team: acts crazy, but you end up being about 90% sure that it’s just an act. What DID surprise (and amuse) me was his stated reason for the act; an act of rebellion towards a society that had branded him “Predator Diseased”. He was locked up for that diagnosis, and then escaped. He sought out informations on Tinsas, because he wanted to get info that would make him a hero to his people. And once he became indispensable? He ramped up the “crazy” by ten! He made a mockery of the Sivkit society; a “Predator Diseased Lunatic” was the most important member of their society, and will go down in history as being the one responsible for them finding their way back home! THAT made me laugh! I hope that Loxsel being honest with Gress and Taylor means that he’s willing to be honest with the rest of his people about the meaning behind his play; I know from experience how few people actually pick up on hints. And that’s with people who KNOW me, and think that I’m smart and that I have depth. Loxsel is dealing with a society that thinks he’s a blabbering lunatic. I’m sorry for Quana’s fate, but I suspect that a revived Quana might be our final chapter. I’ll hope for that. I don’t think that there’s a moral way to remove her anger. The closest I can think of is deadening her connection to her feelings of that anger; she’d still remember them, but they wouldn’t feel like HER memories. More like a distant nightmare. After that, give her therapy. Well, anyway, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!
Roscuro
Would like to see more normal sivkit characters in the future tbh. Maybe a side story of them on the bissem world helping with algae cleanup. Farsul pov would be cool too, from either their locked down planet or the bissem world as well. Also, still firmly against robot people. Even by request.
Gumcel
“It’s time we lived life at a hundred percent.” Appreciate the callback to early nop 2, a fitting end for Taylor. This might be my last chance to say this so, Gress is based. And of course a merry Christmas to sp and anyone else reading this.
DDDragoni
Farewell, Taylor. You've come a long way from the bitter little people-pleaser you were at the start of the series. You got your people out of the underground, reestablished a connection with Earth, found love, and did a few war crimes along the way (but come on, who hasn't?) I hope you enjoy your new career in theater- because there is NO way Loxcel is letting you go after just one show.
Heroman3003
Ahhh, and here we go with epilogues. Taylor, Taylor... I love how much he grew. At the start he was almost a manchild with how immature he was. Now... He is a loving partner, determined to build a brighter future, thinking for himself and making hard choices. I don't think Taylor from the start of the series would ever have tried comforting Cherise about Quana's demise. He'd just go "Well, she made her choices, shrug" and move on. It's wonderful to see this as a sort of cap to demonstrate how much he grew and improved since then. And even though, by the end, he didn't find one concrete place to call home, it doesn't matter. Home is where your heart is, so as long as he's with Gress... He's home. Definitely single favorite character for the story! Gress helping with comfort also shows how he changed. Perhaps he did not change entirely for the better at first, with all the bitterness that came in alongside skepticism he needed for his idealistic initial worldview, but now, thanks to his loved ones around him, that is being filtered out. It's good to see him recognizing his own past faults and showing willingness to improve further, for himself, his husband-to-be, his daughter. That's just nice. Love that krev to bits. Cherise and Quana's story is painful. Whereas Gress and Taylor went through a trauma that brought them together and helped them lean on each other in a healthy way, Mafani's original attack and revelations that came from it, those two started leaning on each other in a very unhealthy way. Both highly traumatized and filled with regret, dumping their problems on one another, while keeping them hidden from everyone else. Eventually, Cherise finally found another outlet, and a healthier way to do it, but Quana didn't. In some ways, the jaslip was failed by those around her, but definitely by herself as well. It's hard to imagine how bad she must have been to write a final message like that... Remove the anger. I hope that never happens and rather than messing with people's thoughts and feelings (UN should know better than that, thanks to the great example the Listener robot army demonstrated), she's brought back directly into a therapy chair and given some fuckin' rest. Bonus points if its after some time has passed and Jaslip are living truly peaceful lives on their own world. The suffering was meaningless, maybe, but if we gave up during it, we'd never live to see the results at the end. That alone should make it worth it. And then there's Loxsel. Honestly, I suspected that. He clearly had no problem being around predators and provoking them, yet expressed such fear and distrust in his words, the dissonance was loud. And honestly... GOOD FOR HIM. Show those fed-thinking sivkits what a real 'crazy' looks like. Go ape mode, Loxsel. You're free to write a story as murder and death and drama filled as you want. Nothing holds you back anymore. And thank you for the show you gave us already. For political state of the galaxy, the arxur opening a sivkit embassy is surprising. Not necessarily because of anything related to distrust, but becase you wouldn't think they'd be this high on the priority list. But hey, maybe they were one of the few who were willing to do it that quickly! Also, noting here, I am imagining Hysran eating hotdogs like a human would eat french fries. You cannot convince me otherwise. And for Tellus... I will say, a bit sad to see the humans tearing out the Consortium architecture. Say what you will about Listeners, but as a whole, Consortium did do build that city out of genuine kindness and desire to help. But, well, maybe rebuilding it in image of human culture is something Tellus' population needs in order to no longer feel like a bunch of refugees. Also, Hathaway getting slapped with conspiracy charges when its so damn obvious he was a moron that knew nothing is hilarious. His hunger for power finally paying its dues in his association with Consortium's high command. Imagine him in a cell next to old man Kalsim... And that's the chapter. Man, that's a lot to process, and we're not quite done yet, but it's been a good ride. Great work, SP, it's always been a joy following your works after discovering them early this year. As usual, looking forward to see more, and Merry Christmas to you!
Dookus Maximus
Everyone knows they have flaws, everyone wishes they were better. But you need to work on achieving it. You can't just off yourself and then have someone bring you back as a better version of yourself. Besides, the laws are more about keeping those with the know how from altering others (even at their request).
DreamEnvoy
A lovely end to Taylor's tale on this Christmas Eve morning. I was beginning to wonder about Hathaway. Turns out he was in on the conspiracy. “Humans are the only beings to have beast of burden, is that what you think? You’ve unlocked a mere fraction of what the Farmdom once knew and comprised.” So Sivkits had livestock? Makes sense in what was once an agricultural society. One final bit of lore to enjoy. As for Quana. I do understand the desire to remove one's anguish. But as much as that anger has ruined her, it is still a part of her. It wouldn't be right to bring her back without it. It's just a shame that a character I originally liked and respected allowed that anger to change her. Anyways, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to SP and all of the fellow readers.
NextMan
I think it’s fine if it’s at the request of the person being revived. Shouldn’t you have autonomy over yourself?
Byron Ritchie
Merry Christmas and happy holidays! I think we all knew loxel was at least somewhat faking or at least exaggerating his behaviour but glad we got confirmation I’m not sure about quana coming back but I understand why cherise would do it Good that Hathaway got what he deserves And finally I’m glad to see Taylor, gress and lecca reunited
REDemon14
Home is were you ate safe and supported. A place of love and comfort. Seems that Taylor has come to tune same conclusion. So happy for him! Him waving to little Lecca is so sweet and cute! It's alsofun to imagine Taylor in big, poofy sleeves :3 Glad to see Hathaway get his comeuppance. He did come off as corrupt and incompetent. His speech talking about "riches" after the discovery that Earth survived is the most blatant example. I am so, *so* happy to see the Sivkits moving in and taking back their homeworld. With half the seats in the theater being filled with Sivkits and their "surprisingly Savvy" architects. They're even getting help with terraforming Tinsas via the UN. They've come a long way from the skittish Funny Bunnies hiding in trash bins. (Wonder how Axsely is doing. Hopefully she's able to enjoy the play :3 ) I *LOVE* Loxsel! He's been a great character throughout the story. Didn't share intel on the Ghost Farsul simply because he wasn't asked. Talks in ye' old speech when speaking to everyone else and then when he encounters people who "speak his language", he just goes to talking normal because he doesn't need to act around actors, they understand. Then he over played Humanity’s viciousness cause it was funny. I love this guy! Sivkits had beasts of burden and even mounts?! They is so cool! I wonder if they managed to have "predatory" mounts? Imagine a giant rabbit riding a tiger X D Rather fitting that the first play the Sivkits will see on their homeworld is an allegory for how the Sivkits lost their way. Another nail in the coffin for the Federation and it's ideals. Ah, Hysran. Even when you don't speak, you shine. I imagine that she's eating the hotdogs like one eats handfuls of popcorn; just tossing them in XD Interesting to hear asked living at the embassy, though not surprising. She is quite social after all. While I'm happy that Cherise has a friend in Hysran, their was a time when she had someone else. Quana Poor Quana! She never got to truly experience peace. She was born in a time of fear of the Federation, grew up in a time of strife with the KC government, and died in a battle against the Underscales. All she knew was pain and then she finally found friends in humans, whom she believed were like the Jaslips. When Earth's survival had been revealed,she retreated to the mindset that she always known. We see by the mentioned of a note that she intended to die and that she did wasn't to be brought back, but only if her anger could be removed (which is just heartbreaking). She knew she was in the wrong. She was calling for help, but her way of calling was toxic. She burned the bridges she built with others, so when the time came at her lowest, no one could stop her. I don't put any blame Cherise for not doing more. Just because someone is hurting, doesn't mean they can hurt you. If anything Aulan should've been the one to do more. He should've recognize one of his own was slipping and he did nothing. Cherise, being an Ark human, wouldn't have recognized this lashing or as a call for help. The best thing they (the remaining KC squad) can do is move on and live their lives to the fullest. Who knows, maybe Quana will return in a Galaxy where her hated can be let go. Taylor Trench: no longer the hate driven man who made mistakes lashing out, but as he put it, a son, a soulmate, a *father*. How far you've come Taylor. I'll miss these characters! Love the sendoff he got. Looking forward to the rest! Have a Merry Christmas SP!
Quiidek
Marry Christmas SP! ❤️
Jagger
Though her original self has departed, it sounds like a chance meeting between a digital Quana and Meyer may be cathartic to a troubled Quana copy. Should they decide to bring her back, maybe she can bring some closure to her old friends and see her species' home and the galaxy as a whole become a better place. It is also always a good story when a crooked politician gets the slammer treatment!
Space Paladin
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🎄
Space Paladin
Thank you!
Space Paladin
Merry Christmas!
Shrimppuff90
Well that note raises some interesting questions, memory transcripts shouldn't be altered when bringing someone back, but what if the person themselves have requested it?
Dookus Maximus
I don't think Quana should be brought back "without her anger". It's that kind of tampering, even as her last wish, that must be outlawed.
PhycoKrusk
This leaves... what, Tassi, one more from Meier, and possibly one from Quana II. And Slanek.
Kevo
Excellent chapter, as always. Hopefully we can see them all again one day. lol most stable arxur eating hotdogs
Cheesy Power
A wonderful farewell to these characters, and a delightful christmas update!
Schnitzelsemmel
Merry Christmas everyone
Michael Halpern
Knew Loxel was smarter than he pretended to be
Yonael Blackwood
"Mayor Hathaway had been arrested on conspiracy charges and human rights violations" Say no more. Best chapter.
John Benjamin Cate
What a hopeful goodbye to these guys. Taylor has grown so much from where he was at the start of. He and Gress are moving forward very well. Poor Cherise. She had things to figure out, but is in a position to do so. She has friends to support her too. May she and Quana find peace no matter what is chosen. Loxel remains the best. He is a bard and an actor down to his soul. And has brought the Sivkit home. Cheers to the smartest man around!
