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The Nature of Predators 67
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136The meeting in the Krakotl ambassador’s office was adjourned, and would reconvene tomorrow morning. My arrival had disrupted the proceedings from reaching a consensus, but I was glad I had said my part. News took a long time to travel at interstellar distances, and the Federation representatives were making decisions based on ou...
The Nature of Predators 66
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136The human soldiers detached in their shuttle, well before we entered Kolshian territory. No doubt, the predators wanted to avoid being picked up by sensor readings. If patrol ships asked us to account for all detected lifeforms, it would be impossible to hide their presence. Our concerns were validated by the harsh reception we re...
The Nature of Predators 65
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 23, 2136By my assessment, the humans’ shuttle was barely FTL-worthy; it would be lucky to defeat a solar sail in combat. I was certain their craft choice was designed to tail me with minimal risk of detection. Now, it wasn’t like I was going to forget they were on my tail, so I didn’t see the point of stealthy monitorization. With C...
The Nature of Predators - Zurulian Miniseries (Epilogue)
First | PrevMemory transcription subject: Doctor Wilen, UN Medical ExpertDate [standardized human time]: November 19, 2136The human-Zurulian exchange program moved to the meeting phase three days ago, though I only heard about it through word of mouth. Our government would not allow Fraysa and I to participate in the official program. We continued to converse with our Terran partners, but the United Nations was the driving force behind that. Ever...
The Nature of Predators 64
Memory transcription subject: Captain Kalsim, Krakotl Alliance CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 22, 2136The line between dream and consciousness grew blurry; I slipped between waking moments in delirium. Whatever drugs I was given seemed designed to keep me out of it, but there were brief flashes of humans putting my wing back into place. Rumbling voices cascaded around me, and filled me with the urge to claw my way to the surface. ...
The Nature of Predators - Zurulian Miniseries (4/5)
First | Prev | NextMemory transcription subject: Doctor Wilen, Zurulian Hospital FleetDate [standardized human time]: October 28, 2136There was no telling how predators treated prisoners, but I imagined the conditions were awful. For all we knew, the United Nations was beating Lars at this moment. Their harsh justice might even lead him to be sentenced to death. With their violent impulses, it made some sense that predators couldn’t pardon mino...
The Nature of Predators 63
Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil RepublicDate [standardized human time]: October 22, 2136When the humans began their cultural exchange, they shared the blemishes of their history. The Satellite Wars almost sent the powerful nations back to the Stone Age, by their own words. Federation researchers also documented the senseless atrocities of a prior era, and noted the uncanny resemblance to Arxur brutality. It had been dif...
The Nature of Predators - Zurulian Miniseries (3/5)
First | Prev| NextMemory transcription subject: Doctor Wilen, Zurulian Hospital FleetDate [standardized human time]: October 27, 2136Smoke wafted through the human’s lair, bearing an earthy aroma. I made my way to the table at his urging, and eyeballed the steaming plates he was carrying. A starchy mash and a dark-red fruit goop rested alongside the faux meat. Perhaps the human selected that particular jam because it was the shade of blood, at ...
The Nature of Predators 62
Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil RepublicDate [standardized human time]: October 22, 2136The fact that the Arxur came to Earth’s rescue caused less of an uproar than I expected. It became a fact that was conveniently ignored by my government at large; instead, we celebrated the brave Venlil who hurled themselves in the Krakotl’s path. Many talking heads were happy to sell the narrative that the grays were taken for f...
The Nature of Predators - Zurulian Miniseries (2/5)
First| NextMemory transcription subject: Doctor Wilen, Zurulian Hospital FleetDate [standardized human time]: October 27, 2136The United Nations connected us with the government of Sweden, and our flight was authorized in swift order. The local diplomats were a bit disappointed that we requested a full media blackout; they wanted to welcome us with overblown fanfare. Apparently, we were their tribe’s first alien visitors. I suppose they should ...
The Nature of Predators - Zurulian Miniseries (1/5)
Memory transcription subject: Doctor Wilen, Zurulian Hospital FleetDate [standardized human time]: October 26, 2136The laptop pinged with a message notification, a damning sound to my ears. I wondered how I’d gotten myself into this predicament. Why had I signed up for a perilous program, which would set me in close proximity to a healthy predator? It was done to impress the girl of my dreams, but she would never know if I made up an excuse why...
The Nature of Predators 61
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 20, 2136Bombs continued to crater the industrial city, as we wandered through back alleyways. I tried to place myself in the humans’ mindset. It was brave, remarkably so, to wander this Harchen colony sporting a predatory appearance. Any frazzled prey soldiers would be happy to take a potshot at an invading flesh-eater, not differentiat...
The Nature of Predators 60
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 20, 2136The feeling of teeth in my shoulder produced a sharp pain. The joint was about ripped from the socket, as I was dragged across the asphalt. I wriggled in the predator’s jaws, punching its snout to release its grip. The stabbing of my long claws drew blood, and it tossed me onto the ground with a shake of its head. My body slamme...
The Nature of Predators 59
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 20, 2136The United Nations had only scratched the surface of species in the Federation, having meaningful interactions with a small percentage. The Krakotl and Farsul received the most fanfare in the anti-predator coalition, but 24 total species had participated in Earth’s attack. Of those, 17 committed only a minority of their forces.O...
The Nature of Predators 58
Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space CorpsDate [standardized human time]: October 18, 2136The tension was palpable, as the Arxur occupants studied Marcel in silence. I gathered that the human didn’t want to engage with them either. The predatory savagery from the cradle plagued my recollection, and the chilling screams of the unfortunate Gojids echoed on loop. It would be all too easy for the grays to gut either of us, with the sw...
The Nature of Predators 57
Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space CorpsDate [standardized human time]: October 18, 2136Marcel leaned over the destroyer’s railings, allowing the saltwater to splash his face. The predator’s eyes stared where the towering skyline of New York City had once been. His loved ones were in one of the nearby bunkers, perhaps buried beneath a mountain of rubble. The human resolved to search for Nulia and Lucy, but I feared his reactio...
The Nature of Predators 56
Memory transcription subject: Captain Kalsim, Krakotl Alliance CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 18, 2136The leafy ground crunched underfoot, as we steered the Terran prisoner across the park. I was certain Arjun was purposefully stomping on brittle patches. The kid wanted to make as much noise as possible, in an attempt to summon others of its kind.It didn’t matter how much of a ruckus it made, or if it dragged its feet. With how ...
The Nature of Predators 55
Memory transcription subject: Captain Kalsim, Krakotl Alliance CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 18, 2136Darkness had fallen over the reserve, when I peeked out from the tent. Sleep had instilled new energy in my veins. There was a slim hope of escaping Earth, if we could keep away from human search parties. Our posse needed to figure out our next move, and how to transport the predator kid without harming it.A muffled whine echoed f...
The Nature of Predators 54
Memory transcription subject: UN Secretary-General Elias MeierDate [standardized human time]: October 18, 2136After bidding farewell to the Arxur commander, I made my way to the conference hall. This hotel was once a primary site for technological conventions, expensive weddings, and even celebrity events. Now, while the catering and décor was missing, it was still a lavish enough venue to field a call to the Zurulians.My headquarters on Earth p...
The Nature of Predators 53
Memory transcription subject: UN Secretary-General Elias MeierDate [standardized human time]: October 18, 2136There was something uncivilized stirring in my soul, as heartbreaking images flooded in from Earth. Seeing historic cities pounded into rubble, and hearing tales of incalculable devastation was a gut-wrenching blow. It had been a mere three months since the first contact mission. In that span, twenty-five species had taken concrete action...
The Nature of Predators 52
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 18, 2136The UN fleet deposited me in a cell on Venlil Prime, and without warning, the predators stopped visiting me altogether. Based on the claw tallies on the wall, I calculated that it had been at least a week. The Venlil guards were colder than the humans. One of them spit in my evening gruel, and muttered a curse against my ‘deprav...
The Nature of Predators - Bonus Chapter #3
Memory transcription subject: Captain Coth, Arxur Dominion Third FleetDate [standardized human time]: October 12, 2136The new predators were quite interesting, full of peculiarities. It shouldn’t surprise me that humans were radically different from what the Federation captives claimed; those animals lacked the understanding of nuance. For a species that allegedly did nothing but war, they asked a lot of questions about peace.I wondered what li...
The Nature of Predators 51
Memory transcription subject: Captain Kalsim, Krakotl Alliance CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 17, 2136Dry air buffeted my face, as we disembarked amidst tall grass. The shuttle crash was bound to attract attention from the humans. I imagined this place would be swarming with troops, if it was anywhere near a military base. We had no idea where we were, or how many predators were in the area.My breaths were strained as the three of...
The Nature of Predators 50
Memory transcription subject: Captain Kalsim, Krakotl Alliance CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 17, 2136The predators’ formation was disintegrating, and it looked likely we would secure victory within the hour. I considered broadcasting an apology to the surface, once Earth’s space fleet was exhausted. The unfortunate civilians knew they were witnessing the last day of their civilization. Did the humans not deserve the solace of...
The Nature of Predators 49
Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space CorpsDate [standardized human time]: October 17, 2136The Terran drone monitoring station was set aboard a massive boat, for some reason. I guessed it was because a moving target would be difficult for the Krakotl to nail from orbital range. More than likely, they would need to dive through the atmosphere to take us out. My friends had terrestrial aircraft and defenses waiting for that moment.The ...
The Nature of Predators 48
Memory transcription subject: Captain Kalsim, Krakotl Alliance CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 17, 2136Renewed energy surged through my veins, as the fleet coasted within striking distance of the human armada. This was the most important skirmish of our lives. The Terran forces were a ragtag bunch, consisting of a primary cluster of recycled Venlil vessels, a few of their own slow behemoths, and a handful that looked too small to h...
The Nature of Predators 47
Memory transcription subject: Captain Kalsim, Krakotl Alliance CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 16, 2136When deprived of sleep for days, the crew began to get a little jumpy. The Terran ambushes became more sporadic along the journey, but persisted all the same. The Krakotl fleet was left with no choice but to stay on constant alert. I focused on keeping the other officers rested, while I shouldered the brunt of the shifts. My perso...
The Nature of Predators 46
Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil RepublicDate [standardized human time]: October 10, 2136Alarms blared from the cockpit, and my fur stood on end. Meier’s head snapped up from its snoozing position; the human needed only a fraction of a second to process the stimuli. The Secretary-General jumped into full-alert mode, scrambling toward the ship’s helm. It was incredible how quickly the predator brain kicked into fighti...
The Nature of Predators 45
Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil RepublicDate [standardized human time]: October 9, 2136This should have been a jubilant moment. The UN liberation fleet established contact with the Venlil military, and requested permission to dock on our homeworld. A victory against the Arxur was something I never fathomed; the humans had accomplished the impossible.But I didn’t understand why the Secretary-General had traveled all th...
The Nature of Predators 44
Memory transcription subject: Captain Kalsim, Krakotl Alliance CommandDate [standardized human time]: October 9, 2136As soon as we departed Krakotl space, it became evident that the humans had been tracking our movements. The predators were lurking in the shadows along our starry route; two ambushes were sprung on the fleet during the first day of travel. The primates knew that we were coming, and that was enough to unsettle the crew.But the huma...
