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The Nature of Predators 137
🕑 Added 2023-07-24 11:00:07 +0000 UTCMemory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic
Date [standardized human time]: February 5, 2137
While the United Nations had no intention of gunning down Isif, human snipers had their sights trained on him in case the Arxur tried anything. I imagined their watchful presence was for the purpose of putting the other delegates at ease, as much as they could be with a carnivorous predator mounting the stage. The Chief Hunter had to slouch to reach the microphone, even after raising it to its full height. Fearful expressions marred the prey delegates’ faces, with reptilian eyes aimed in their direction. Everything that stirred our instincts about Terrans was there tenfold in a gray; this was the face that haunted our nightmares, the visage of the cruelest race in existence.
A ginger-and-white Dossur leapt off Isif’s head, and curled up on the podium right in front him. The delegation from Mileau’s refugees hissed for the rodent to be removed, trying to signal her to come to them. The tiny herbivore who’d appeared alongside the Arxur showed no interest, yawning to express boredom. Many humans looked befuddled by her nonchalance, except for Zhao, who seemed to have encountered this Dossur before. Isif flared his nostrils, and a handful of delegates fainted. The Thafki ambassador was out like a light, while Gojid Minister Kiri swooned and folded like a lawn chair.
Primates rushed over to try to rouse the downed diplomats, and I turned to survey Noah’s expression. The Terran ambassador had taken on an exterior of alarm, as though something awful occurred to him. His unmasked eyes raced across the room, scanning every Venlil; the glint in his brown irises was of personal concern. I gasped with my own worry, when the pieces clicked in my brain. Ambassador Williams was looking for Glim, and his pupils settled on a tail sticking out from under a dresser.
“Oh no,” Noah murmured. “Seeing an Arxur must be traumatic for Glim…they tortured and penned him for years. He watched them eat other Venlil in front of him, daily.”
The human pushed his way through the crowd, who were preoccupied with the most threatening predator in the room. Glim was catatonic under the dresser, shaking like a leaf. He was gasping out the words “not cattle”, before diverting to repeating the numbers on his brand. The Venlil rescue promptly vomited all over the floor, and Noah dragged him out to prevent him from choking. The astronaut shared a glance with me, before rushing the former-cattle Venlil from the room in his arms. The terror in Glim’s eyes seemed to pierce right through me.
How long had he been under there? Since he heard us discussing whether to allow Isif to speak?
The Chief Hunter either didn’t notice or didn’t comment on Glim’s departure, as he cleared his throat with a thunderous growl. More of the delegates cowered, and unlike the humans’ apologetic demeanor, the Arxur seemed irked. He hissed something into the Dossur’s ear; worried gazes dotted the audience, as many assumed the gray was leaning in to chow into her soft throat. The rodent chittered back with an angry expression, and made a dramatic gesture at the microphone.
Isif sighed in surrender. “Hello. I do not expect to be granted access to your meetings or to join your association. I merely recognize the pragmatic concern that we have a common enemy, and per the information provided by human intelligence services, Betterment and the Federation are two sides of the same knife. While I cannot offer any recompense for the ills you have suffered, know it will end with me and my rebellion.”
“After everything you’ve done, you w-want us to work with you?” Nuela, the Krakotl representative, challenged.
“There are Krakotl here? Humans are so soft, and their willingness to speak with you…after what you did to Earth, reflects the shortcomings of their empathy. You are the face of the extermination fleet, and I do not wish to speak or work with you.”
“Oh, so if you challenge your government, after leading atrocities your whole life, you’re fine? The Krakotl were used and thrown away, without k-knowing we were omnivores. If I had that information when voting on Earth’s fate, things would’ve been different, gray.”
“If I had an alternative that did not get me killed, things would’ve been different. You had a choice, the ability to speak up without losing your head, and you didn’t. Why?”
“I don’t owe you any explanation, you abominable monstrosity. I didn’t vote for you to get your nasty eyes on the best pickings…oh sorry, I mean, ‘speak to us.’ We’d never fight alongside someone as unscrupulous and repulsive as you.”
“SILENCE!” Secretary-General Zhao bellowed. “I expect all guests of the Sapient Coalition to behave with the decorum and rationality befitting professional diplomats. We aren’t the Federation. We don’t conduct debates and decide issues by lobbing insults, no matter our personal feelings.”
If Noah were here rather than tending to Glim, he would’ve remarked on how difficult it’d been to get a word in edgewise, with the constant interruptions during his Aafa speech. The jeers rang in my ears as fresh as yesterday; Cupo had led the heckling, casting skepticism on the notion of arboreal eyes and suggesting humanity would turn on us. The Mazic was much more partial to Noah now than in those days, and hadn’t hesitated to shield him from Coji.
However, the large mammal had voted against allowing Isif to speak. I imagined he was having difficulty holding his tongue. Humanity should be appreciative of Cupo’s attempts to be respectful of the forum, knowing that his true thoughts likely aligned with Nuela’s rhetoric. This debate could turn heated in a hurry, and I wasn’t sure I trusted an Arxur to rein in his temper. The Terrans couldn’t let this powder keg erupt into flames.
Yotul ambassador Laulo curled his lip in defiance. “What is it you want, Arxur?”
“I seek to ally where beneficial to weaken our enemies, and I am willing to attack specific targets in exchange for resources. Primarily, I seek a non-aggression pact. This war should not continue in the event we both triumph over our adversaries, yes? This death cycle must cease,” Isif retorted, flicking his tongue.
“S-so you’ll what…stop raiding us and eating us?” Zurulian Prime Minister Braylen spoke up. “I don’t see how we could ever believe that you wouldn’t relax our guard, just to launch a sneak attack.”
“Do you not recognize that you have the most shrewd, resourceful, relentless species on your side? A humanity with actual time to perfect their craft—it will be suicide to go up against them in a few years. Look how rapidly they advance, they learn, they innovate. Similar to your feelings, I have no guarantee that you wouldn’t see my kind extinct, as soon as we try to isolate ourselves. I know you think we do not deserve to exist.”
“You don’t!” Nuela squawked. “You’re a bunch of bloodthirsty demons.”
“The Archives will show you it was not always so cut-and-dry, bird. Now shut your beak. We cannot be friends, obviously, but I would hope, many generations from now, our descendants might be civilized with each other. That each of our factions may regard the other’s lives with some minimal value. Would that not be better than this cursed existence?”
A Dossur diplomat leapt around, held aloft by a Mazic, trying to draw attention. “You’re keeping one of ours as a hostage on this very floor. Who is she, and what have you done to her?”
“Ah, this is Felra. I rescued her from Mileau, and we are friends. She is silly and irritating, but does she look like a hostage to you?! I feel like her hostage!”
“I made Siffy come here,” Felra squeaked, a prideful note coloring her voice. “Speaking at the summit was my idea. I told him he should try to make peace. Isif was never taught how to have empathy, but I’m certain he has a good heart!”
“For the record, nobody made me do anything. I believe this is a delusional, fruitless endeavor, and the humans…much like all of you…don’t want me here tarnishing their reputation. I am surprised I was allowed to speak to you.”
“Then why did you come here at all?” Mazic President Cupo finally challenged. “To test how much you could manipulate us?”
“My reason for coming is somewhat to express my remorse over the role I played in your historical atrocities, because it is my sincere feeling. Also, practically, I cannot overcome the Dominion alone, so it is a strategic move to express the benefits that could be gained from a reluctant partnership. Zhao touts the idea of ‘victory, at all costs’, yes? The cost is for us to tolerate each other.”
“What if I don’t want to tolerate you?”
“Then that was the expected outcome. I merely will ask that the United Nations pass along back channels to communicate with me, if you desire. Each state may reach out, should they be interested in any non-aggression pacts. Thank you for granting me an audience; I will not take any more of your time.”
Zhao gave a hand signal to the UN soldiers, who escorted the Arxur from the room without hesitation. I considered the speech I’d just heard; it was surprising that the carnivore had been able to iterate his full pitch, and have his points listened to by prey. Isif’s rhetoric mirrored my own ideas, recognizing that friendship was impossible, and suggesting a pragmatic alliance instead. Risking open collaboration before the election would be political suicide, but perhaps the Venlil Republic could accept his proposal off of the public’s radar.
Isif’s stunt proved that an Arxur can act civilized, and communicate more than hungry threats. The question is if this demolished humanity’s chances of securing support for the Coalition.
The majority of species had consented to the Arxur’s brief admittance, and supported the Terrans in the face of mockery. Secretary-General Zhao seemed keen to get the proceedings back on track; serious entreaties were needed at this moment, rather than festivities. It was a shame, since I sensed how desperately the humans needed a happy moment to cling to. The guests had enjoyed the earlier messing about to a certain degree, judging by how they’d cheered Noah’s faceplanting stunt on.
This was supposed to be an event calling for unity, and celebrating the diplomatic tribulations Earth had overcome. As the UN’s leader rushed to mingle with leery diplomats, I committed myself to winning over anyone who was put off by the Arxur’s visit. A part of me was darkly curious if others were considering his offer, though the cynical side of me doubted it. After how the peaceful Terrans were mistreated time and again, I had little faith in the collective to pass fair judgments.
I padded up to Mazic President Cupo, bracing myself for damage control. “I was impressed with how you handled yourself. The humans had a tough situation on their hands there; they need Isif militarily. You seemed to understand that.”
“Khoa owes our continued existence to humanity. Though I vehemently disagree with treating that monster as a person, the UN still has my full support, Tarva,” Cupo replied. “I see what you’re trying to do, and it’s not necessary. The Terrans simply can’t believe that predators are evil, because they are not evil. It’s understandable.”
Not accurate, but roll with it. “Perhaps there’s another good predator race out there? Like Zhao said, sapients choose what they are.”
“Sure, but blood-drinking killers are a lot more likely to choose evil by default. There’s a disconnect between that practice and good motives. Even the humans would agree, and that’s why they’ve bettered themselves through science. Their curiosity brings out the best in them.”
“Well, I’m glad you noticed how humans adore science and find meaning in their surroundings,” I dodged. “Sara would be happy to hear that her field is appreciated. Please, excuse me.”
That was one name to check off the list of potential discontented parties; the slightly-misguided Cupo’s support hadn’t been jeopardized by our unwanted guest. I noticed a dejected Nuela slinking into Zhao’s circle, with her indigo wings folded unhappily. The Krakotl had her body turned away from the human; I wondered if she was afraid of him, after he lobbied for the Arxur’s introduction. Scurrying off from my private conversation with the Mazic, I joined the Secretary-General’s circle to offer support.
The Krakotl, of all species, have no right to challenge humanity. I was surprised, and perhaps a little displeased, that they were invited here, when Earth’s gaping wounds are still fresh.
“I’m glad you’re alright, Telikinn,” Zhao was saying to the Thafki diplomat, who looked groggy after fainting. “I’d love to get back on track discussing a Thafki settlement, under our protection. Somewhere you can restore your society, without being targeted for attack as soon as you plant your roots.”
Telikinn slumped his shoulders. “Before you came along, there were 12,000 of us left, because of the Arxur. The Federation leaders made sure no one came to h-help us, but they didn’t helm the raid. The grays did the deed.”
“Had I known the Arxur was coming in advance, I never would’ve allowed it. Humanity understands how sensitive this is to you and your people. All I want is to help the Thafki flourish. You’re important to us personally, enough that we never gave up on calling you our friends. Please, in turn, don’t give up on humanity because of this one hiccup.”
“Everything with you ends with a r-representative dying, the Arxur showing up, or a planet getting attacked.”
“You’re right. We’ve failed to keep people safe. This incursion was a lapse in our security, for which I am unspeakably sorry. We can do better…humans aren’t quitters. Your survival and your freedom are what we fight for, alongside our own.”
Nuela flapped her wings. “Human? I know you may not want to speak to me…”
“No, please. I brought you here as an olive branch, not to hold Earth over your head. I don’t wish to condemn your species. While few would agree with me, I think the fact that Krakotl were the first victims changes our perspective. This is a fresh start for us all…or, it can be.”
“I just wished to apologize for how I phrased my words to the filthy gray. Not that I regret that, just…I realized how my ‘nasty eyes’ comment could be taken the wrong way by humans, who also have binocular eyes. Your eyes aren’t nearly as bad as theirs!”
Zhao coyly lifted his visor for a second. “Are you sure about that?”
The Krakotl froze, stuttering for a few moments. “I…um…n-no. W-worse in person, videos don’t do the w-whole ‘looking right at you’ justice. What I meant to say is that yours are… unfortunate, and theirs are nasty.”
“Is that so?” The Secretary-General issued a gruff laugh, fitting his visor back over his eyes. “For what it’s worth, many humans get anxiety from other people staring at them. It can be most unsettling, and I understand that your temper flared with Isif. All is forgiven.”
Nuela shook her wings out, an attempt to flush the fear chemicals from her body. Telikinn had looked away when Zhao started to remove his visor; the Thafki didn’t want to risk passing out twice in the span of an hour. I couldn’t help but snicker at the frightful diplomats, along with the amused, human-accustomed Laulo. The Yotul was having a full belly laugh, and I shared his view on the situational absurdity. Gazing into a human’s eyes was intoxicating—a way of peering through a window to their soul, especially when it was Noah’s loving gaze.
For anyone who knows the Terrans well, it’s impossible to be scared of them. Seeing Laulo project that sentiment, I can tell the Yotul will be an easy vote to join the Coalition.
The positive outlook was that no parties outside the Duerten Shield had walked out or become hostile to humans, which was a victory under the circumstances. The real test would be how many committed to join as a member state, when the vote took place in a few days. Outlining any diplomatic technicalities, discussing a vision for a post-war future, and confirming signatures to the various treaties from would-be entrants were next on the agenda. For some planets, FTL comms would need to patch them into legislatures at home, to vote on document ratifications.
I was hopeful that humanity would succeed in its mission to found a better league of planets. No species had fought harder, with unrequited kindness, to gain friends among the stars. A binding agreement to cement that humans were not alone in their quest for peace would mean the world to me.
A/N - Chapter 137! Isif's speech arrives at last, and perhaps it's as well as it could be expected to go, given that he was allowed to speak his piece. He entreats the guests for nonaggression, cooperation, and communication, and we see how various parties react...including those that think humans are an exception to the predator rule. Do you see anyone besides Tarva considering Isif's offer for peace? How does this effect the remainder of the Summit, and the proportions of people that wish to side with humanity?
As always, thank you for reading and supporting! One more chapter of the Summit to go!
Comments
David Liao
Isif isn't known for his great oratory, especially to species he's still used to eating even with guilt on the side. Zhao showing them Nikonus talking to Betterment plus the existence of lab-grown meat already has gone a long way and I'm not sure if Isif's empathy test results or Betterment culling out those with empathy would be enough to change minds - at least just yet.
Unknown
I think she was set off by Isif calling her out. He straight up told her that humanity reaching out to her was a mistake and that he has no intention of working with her. When she tried to justify her decision of supporting the extermination fleet, Isif gives another one of his famous 'Shut up you moral grandstander' lines: “If I had an alternative that did not get me killed, things would’ve been different. You had a choice, the ability to speak up without losing your head, and you didn’t. Why?” She didn't have a good answer to that, so she stooped to throwing insults at Isif.
EliasArt2Life
I just realized! Nuela said “I didn’t vote for you to get your nasty eyes on the best pickings…oh sorry, I mean, ‘speak to us.’”, which implies that she didn’t vote for Isif to talk, because she thought that he was just using it as an excuse to decide who to eat… except that’s not true. In Tarva’s previous chapter, it states that “To my surprise, Nuela’s wing shot up before my own paw raised. The Krakotl must truly detest the Kolshians, for what they did to Nishtal all those years ago.”Nuela was among the first to vote for Isif to be given a chance to speak. I figured that Isif’s confrontation had shaken Nuela, but this makes it very clear. She’s spouting outright fabrications! Or at least, a major half truth. At worst, she voted for him to speak so that she could heckle him, but I don’t think that’s the case. It leaves us with a question; why DID she vote to hear Isif out? Seriously, this may be the fastest that I’ve gotten invested in a side character in the main series.
Holden Hays
Space paladin, why didn't Isif tell them about the lab-grown meat? Or the pre-human necessity to eat people? Or betterments gene manipulation throw empathy selection? Stop writing about side characters' feelings and show us the reactions of important characters receiving important information.
