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The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (13/14)
First | Prev | Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: November 16, 2136Dustin had been hiding in his room since the magic show, ignoring even food. My foster son took our shock as a personal affront; as usual, he presumed we were on the cusp of sending him away. When I pushed on his door, I found it barricaded from the inside. No amount of pounding would get him to unlock it.Perhaps I was hall...
The Nature of Predators 99
Memory transcription subject: Glim, Venlil RescueDate [standardized human time]: December 6, 2136Noah opted to give me some space once we returned to the facility. Despite my consent to speak to him, the Gaian realized I was confused about my feelings. The warmth of his arms lingered in my mind, along with the welcome promise that everything would be okay. Predators weren’t supposed to have compassion; my extermination mentor taught me that the...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (12/14)
First | Prev | Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: November 15, 2136There was very little I knew about Terran entertainment, beyond the violent nature of their games. So when Oleksiy Bondarenko mentioned a “magic show” at our capital’s theatre, I was skeptical about what that entailed. But Dustin overheard from a barstool, and his eyes lit up in an instant. Once the Terran orphan was ...
The Nature of Predators 98
Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space CorpsDate [standardized human time]: December 5, 2136Marcel made the decision to move deeper into the tunnels. The further we got from my blood trail, the less chance we had of attracting Arxur attention. The human did everything in his power to disinfect my wounds and mask their scent. It was stressful to realize the atrocities occurring aboveground, as we camped amidst relative serenity.All it ...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (11/14)
First | Prev | Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: November 12, 2136Time passed with the human in our residence, with Dustin becoming an integral part of the family. There were hiccups along the way, but for the most part, humans had the same emotional needs as a Venlil. I’d come to enjoy his passionate speeches about animals, and the way he smiled at Jimek. I somehow began to look forwar...
The Nature of Predators 97
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, United Nations Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: December 5, 2136Sitting behind the helm of a ship felt cathartic, after my long absence from the captain’s chair. Tyler volunteered as my copilot, while Onso lounged in the backseat. The Yotul seemed too casual for our current suicide mission. Even with the UN’s distraction, there was a chance the Arxur would come after us on our descent....
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (10/14)
First | Prev | Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: November 3, 2136This was a rare occasion where I asked for Dustin to wear a mask. As unfair as those requests were, the school’s first impression was of paramount importance. The faculty would be in over their heads teaching a predator, especially with how paws-on art instruction was by nature. It was difficult enough for the regular educ...
The Nature of Predators 96
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, United Nations Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: December 5, 2136To recount the harrowing hours after the initial clash would be a strenuous ordeal in itself. The Terrans’ intention was to turn this into a lengthy battle, one which could go on for days. It was gut-wrenching to see Arxur vessels, huddled around Sillis’ azure shape; I knew this was a facsimile of what the predators saw on...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (9/14)
First | Prev | Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: October 31, 2136The bar was teeming with predators, as UN personnel swarmed our establishment. One of my coworkers came down with a stomach bug, so I was picking up an extra shift. Dustin and Jimek tagged along, fresh off an uneventful day of school. The children didn’t hide in the back this time; several customers asked to see the foster...
The Nature of Predators 95
Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space CorpsDate [standardized human time]: December 4, 2136The memories trickled through my brain, as a deep chill rattled my body. I was disoriented and immobile, uncertain of my surroundings. The current time and location were indeterminable; haziness obscured my conscious thoughts. My mind reached out for context, in an attempt to ground myself.We had been caged in the Tilfish nursery; I was shot du...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (8/14)
First | Prev | Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: October 28, 2136Business picked up at the bar, once Terrans learned that their kind were permitted. It was obvious how social the predators were, given that word circulated within a day. Kaulin enjoyed the profit we could scrape off of them, since the predators were content with diluted liquor. Hell, a few even paid us extra to make alcohol...
The Nature of Predators 94
Memory transcription subject: Chief Hunter Isif, Arxur Dominion Sector FleetDate [standardized human time]: December 4, 2136The empathy tests were an assortment of prey species facing torment. For the first time since childhood, I leaned into my defective voice. It was painful to allow myself to feel fully, without casing those primal sensations in a shell of logic. Witnessing unnecessary suffering elicited a shameful amount of pity, just as it h...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (7/14)
First | Prev | Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: October 26, 2136Regular showering was insufficient for paint removal, much to my chagrin. It took a considerable deal of scrubbing and dish soap to remove the purple add-ons to Jimek’s fur. Dustin prattled on about how humans dyed their manes “flashy” colors; I would’ve thought he was joking, if I hadn’t seen a predator with neon ...
The Nature of Predators 93
Memory transcription subject: Chief Hunter Isif, Arxur Dominion Sector FleetDate [standardized human time]: December 4, 2136Once the Terrans realized I was awake, intelligence officers interrogated me from outside my cell. I spilled more than I should have perhaps, given how little Zhao cared for saving the Arxur. Cooperation with the humans was the only way to prove I was on their side. It was foolish to assume that their government could discer...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (6/14)
First | Prev | Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: October 25, 2136Dustin began to come out of his shell, and I tried to encourage authentic expression. The UN provided vitamins free of charge; I administered them during our first meal of the day. My new renovations proved more suitable to human physiology too. It chilled me how dark his lair was with the curtains, but I wasn’t going to t...
Bonus Content for March?
Thanks for everyone who commented! There were sizable groups who wanted both options, so I’m leaving it up to a vote.I’m probably going to do whatever doesn’t get picked next.
The Nature of Predators 92
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, United Nations Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: December 3, 2136The shadow fleet disengaged from any direct confrontation with the Arxur. After protecting the warpers, aggression was not suitable to our survival. Padding the distance between us and the enemy was our first priority. Lighter Terran ships acted as a buffer, and drew the grays’ attention with hit-and-run tactics. A gradual r...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (5/14)
First | Prev | Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: October 23, 2136The Terran soldiers at the embassy provided a detailed list of Dustin’s needs, with full explanations. It was a daunting compilation, but I was determined to fulfill his care routine. At least the situation at the school was resolved; Dustin was given a week-long suspension, and would not be facing criminal charges or expu...
The Nature of Predators 91
Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space CorpsDate [standardized human time]: December 3, 2136The bombs began falling within minutes. From our vantage point, the explosions were mere smoky blips on the horizon. Orange pops illuminated the night like wildfire, but I knew they were destructive strikes against Sillis’ supercontinent. How had the Arxur gotten within orbital range so quickly? Why had the human defenders been unable to slow...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (4/14)
First | Prev | Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: October 22, 2136It was suffocating to be trapped in an enclosed space with predators, while coasting along Venlil roads. The UN soldiers had a vehicle that drove itself, without any user input. Automated functions were one thing, but humans entrusting all decisions to a machine didn’t sit right with me. Then again, with their limited fiel...
The Nature of Predators 90
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, United Nations Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: December 3, 2136Once the Arxur arrived at Sillis, the humans’ usage of FTL disruptors was strategic. The blocking effects were limited to upper orbit, and that allowed our fleet to travel further out. While the enemy was knocked to real speed, we were still zipping through subspace. The Terran warships were patient and dutiful in following ...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (3/14)
First | Prev| Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: October 22, 2136It was my foster son’s first day of Venlil education. I’d packed Dustin and Jimek matching lunches, and sent them on their way. I intended to work my normal shift, and rendezvous with both children at home. However, fate interrupted my simplistic plan.When the school called to tell me that there was a problem with Dustin,...
The Nature of Predators 89
Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space CorpsDate [standardized human time]: December 3, 2136The dark thoughts didn’t catch up to me until we circled back to our main base, within the Tilfish metropolis. During combat, the survival instincts humans drilled into me prevailed. Emotion was something to be shut down, because it would interfere with our mission. But alone with Marcel now, I began to worry what the Terrans had awakened wit...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (2/14)
First| Next---Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: October 20, 2136The human confined himself to his room of his own volition, and we settled into an uneasy rhythm. I would bring Dustin meals and beverages at regular times, but he wouldn’t give any acknowledgment. Sure enough, the bowls would disappear when I wasn’t watching. I’d find plates sitting empty in the hallway, or clumsily rinsed ou...
The Nature of Predators 88
Memory transcription subject: Chief Hunter Isif, Arxur Dominion Sector FleetDate [standardized human time]: December 3, 2136The Sol System underwent a serious overhaul, since my last visit. Earth’s defenses had been insufficient to ward off enemy vessels, and humanity wished to ensure such defeat never happened again. I marveled at the sheer manpower they must’ve dedicated to reconstruction.According to my sensor data, the humans placed habit...
The Nature of Predators - Venlil Foster Program (1/14)
Memory transcription subject: Callsi, Venlil BartenderDate [standardized human time]: October 15, 2136The young Venlil sat at his desk, vibrant markers in paw. His cream-colored cowlick fell into his eyes, concealing the emotions in his horizontal pupils. It was striking how closely he resembled his father, down to the expression quirks. The drooping of his ears, which had grown too fast for his body, revealed when he was upset. That’s how I kn...
The Nature of Predators 87
Memory transcription subject: Glim, Venlil RescueDate [standardized human time]: December 1, 2136The half-day train journey kickstarted my confinement with the human. The more time passed, the less I was convinced that we were in Celgel Falls to see Aunt Thima. We stopped off at a hotel for rest, until the Venlil government brought us a car and a driver. It was clear Noah had our authorities at its beck and call.I was impressed with how well the ...
The Nature of Predators 86
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, United Nations Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: December 1, 2136Activity quieted down among our fleet, following the resounding victory at Khoa. The UN focused on menial affairs, for now. A small contingent of scout ships detached to survey potential colonies, and a few patrollers ensured the Federation didn’t get another crack at the Mazics. Without a fleet of their own, Cupo’s Presid...
The Nature of Predators - Omnivore Miniseries (Epilogue)
First | PrevMemory transcription subject: Lyben, Sulean Police OfficerDate [standardized human time]: November 29, 2136The disaster at the church was well behind us, with justice doled out to the responsible parties. Elka was charged with two counts of attempted-murder, and with the humans’ consent, took a plea deal. It wasn’t clear whether Jild’s appellate court would agree that a predator met the legal definition of a person, but the teen...
The Nature of Predators 85
Memory transcription subject: Chief Hunter Isif, Arxur Dominion Sector FleetDate [standardized human time]: December 1, 2136The Earth-borne holopad in my possession was alien hardware; Dominion resources weren’t equipped to track it. I made sure the device was well-encrypted, and could pass it off as top-secret research if asked about it. It allowed me to monitor anonymous Arxur forums, where anger and sedition were brewing.Betterment’s grip ...
