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The Nature of Predators 2-46

Memory Transcription Subject: Taylor Trench, Human ColonistDate [standardized human time]: August 11, 2160The silver lining that came from Gress’ outburst was that General Radai had been kind enough to grant me a brief leave, to take care of him. I feared that the sweet Krev should be on suicide watch, after what Mafani had implied about the Jaslip incident. The carnivores had already been wrathful about the Esquo Massacre being unnecessary, bu...

The Nature of Predators - Wild West (9/11)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Nilrie, Takkan SmugglerDate [standardized human time]: April 19, 2158The aerial view during the shuttle ride had shown a very different planet: one with roads carving through the once untamed desert and wooded hills, as well as power lines and infrastructure crossing geological boundaries. Surveying the changes offered a welcome distraction from being packed in with predators. The natives appeared ...

The Nature of Predators 2-45

Memory Transcription Subject: Tassi, Bissem Alien LiaisonDate [standardized human time]: August 11, 2160My heart was heavy as I reached Sapient Coalition command, with the Sivkits safely at Ivrana. The frostiness from Haliska had simmered a bit, though I felt less-than-enthusiastic with the prospect of betraying General Naltor ahead of me. That smartass Selmer had endeared himself to me, and tried to take care of me as the first contact situation...

The Nature of Predators - Wild West (8/11)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Nilrie, Takkan SmugglerDate [standardized human time]: April 7, 1851Before I’d had more than a few seconds to brainstorm how to save my friend, I heard more hoofsteps rushing up the hillside: two sets of them, if I’d deciphered the stimuli correctly. Panic settled back in, unsure how I’d stop more bandits from finishing Blake off. I rushed to scoop up the pistol, though my arms quivered. My m...

The Nature of Predators 2-44

Memory Transcription Subject: Elias Meier, Former UN Secretary-GeneralDate [standardized human time]: July 29, 2160The meeting with the Leshee ambassador had paid off, as the Shield reluctantly agreed for me to take a speaking slot on a single day’s agenda. Ambassador Yali relayed the news yesterday, and indicated that we’d be leaving tomorrow; herself and Korajan, along with many of the Terran ambassadors, would be returning to Shield territ...

The Nature of Predators - Wild West (7/11)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Nilrie, Takkan SmugglerDate [standardized human time]: April 7, 1851As the arduous trek pressed on toward the mines, I thought about how rare it was to see an uncarved landscape like the one we were passing through. Predators—not just my present company—likely abounded out in the wilderness, but that hadn’t been on my mind with Blake keeping watch. Back on the Takkan homeworld, Marna, the tre...

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The Nature of Predators 2-43

Memory Transcription Subject: Taylor Trench, Human ColonistDate [standardized human time]: July 28, 2160The bunker’s qualities grew more bizarre as we pressed deeper into it, moving into the connecting central room. A decaying desk sat in an office, along with what looked like a vault; there appeared to be mostly depleted armory alcoves scattered throughout the complex. The question was whether Mafani had snatched their contents, or if they’d...

The Nature of Predators - Wild West (6/11)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Nilrie, Takkan SmugglerDate [standardized human time]: April 7, 1851Flaunting suffering in front of a predator’s cruel eyes was not a wise idea, but there was no better explanation than the real one: expecting a beast to possess sympathy. Under the short time limit Blake had given me, I didn’t have a moment to collect my nerves. Why would monstrosities that slaughtered each other, and considere...

The Nature of Predators 2-42

Memory Transcription Subject: Taylor Trench, Human ColonistDate [standardized human time]: July 28, 2160If Gress could track my implant in an uncharted desert, using his police contacts, why hadn’t Mafani’s translator been traceable for so long? Either Underscales knew how to evade security, or the sadistic Resket was somewhere he had a buffer between himself and the eyes in the sky. The cavern, where Tellus’ settlers had lived exclusively ...

The Nature of Predators - Wild West (5/11)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Nilrie, Takkan SmugglerDate [standardized human time]: April 6, 1851The predator located a rocky outcropping to take shelter beneath, as dusk took over the sky above us. Blake didn’t have much to say at all, taking inventory of what little supplies he had. The human had been gathering wood and scraps into a pile, before setting it alight to maintain warmth; beneath rock cover, the smoke wouldn’...

The Nature of Predators 2-41

Memory Transcription Subject: Tassi, Bissem Alien LiaisonDate [standardized human time]: July 27, 2160The Sivkit fleet accompanying me on my journey back to Ivrana didn’t prove talkative. I became lonely enough that Loxsel’s check-ins were the highlight of my day, with his flamboyance and wild theories. He was more entertaining than remotely calling in to Sapient Coalition meetings, as they tracked the progress of the war; news of Tinsas’ p...

The Nature of Predators - Wild West (4/11)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Nilrie, Takkan SmugglerDate [standardized human time]: April 6, 1851The sheriff’s hand drifted to its gun, and I found myself extraordinarily glad that I’d stuck with this vicious enforcer. I could see some of the townsfolk carrying torches, perhaps to burn me—like exterminators would. Marlow seemed to be basking in the moment, snarl unwavering as the furious-looking mob closed in on me; thei...

The Nature of Predators 2-40

Memory Transcription Subject: Elias Meier, Former UN Secretary-GeneralDate [standardized human time]: July 21, 2160Virnt paced on the sidewalk as we approached Kuemper’s convoy, lifting a segmented leg to wave farewell. He appeared to be on a holopad call, so I returned the gesture without saying a word. The Tilfish scientist was under a lot of scrutiny, after his leadership of the memory transcript project led to reviving me. There was additio...

The Nature of Predators - Wild West (3/11)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Nilrie, Takkan SmugglerDate [standardized human time]: April 6, 1851The sheriff’s wife seemed surprised by our swift retreat back into their home, but clearly, Blake thought the “bandit” was a threat to me. Marlow had little reaction at all to seeing an alien, which was a bit peculiar; there was no question he was predator-diseased, and not someone who should be part of the herd. Then again, ...

The Nature of Predators 2-39

Memory Transcription Subject: Elias Meier, Former UN Secretary-GeneralDate [standardized human time]: July 21, 2160The rippling alarm sounded from my holopad, waking me up with some semblance of a normal routine. Virnt had worked tirelessly to adjust the sleep suite, in the hopes of stabilizing my sanity. The Tilfish had worked in the ability to be woken by touch or noises, since it was a problem that I was unwakeable with the press of a button. ...

The Nature of Predators - Wild West (2/11)

First | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Nilrie, Takkan SmugglerDate [standardized human time]: April 6, 1851The binocular eyes glimmered with suspicion, a sight which was enough to make my blood run cold. Blake Donovan had returned, shuffling over to my bed with clear reluctance. Its hand touched my wrist to hold it still, causing me to shriek in disgust; the sensation of its greasy skin making contact with mine sent waves of revulsion down my ...

The Nature of Predators 2-38

Memory Transcription Subject: Tassi, Bissem Alien LiaisonDate [standardized human time]: July 20, 2160When the Sapient Coalition first arrived, I placed them on a pedestal, thinking they were beyond Bissems—with infallible technology and the ability to make anyone bend to their will if they desired.Now, after the battle seven days’ travel outside their border, I saw them for what they were: people scrambling to find answers against a superior...

The Nature of Predators - Wild West (1/11)

Memory Transcription Subject: Nilrie, Takkan SmugglerDate [standardized human time]: April 5, 1851Engine failure. The dangers of flying a shuttle with reckless abandon, trying to smuggle medical goods; I'd flown a bit too close to this blue planet's gravity, in a system at the galaxy's fringes. Trying to skirt Venlil Prime had been a mistake, and there would be nobody coming to rescue me.Were there native lifeforms on this world? I sq...

The Nature of Predators 2-37

Memory Transcription Subject: Taylor Trench, Human ColonistDate [standardized human time]: July 15, 2160With boot camp completed, I was free to leave the base in my off-duty hours. My plan for the rest day was to wander the city with Gress, who was eager to see Lecca and Juvre after weeks separated. His daughter had loved the idea of staying on “the human planet,” so we were heading to a hotel room where his ex-wife had planned a faceless han...

The Nature of Predators - Gress’ Cases (8/8)

First | PrevMemory Transcription Subject: Gress, Krev Hostage NegotiatorDate [standardized human time]: August 13, 2156It took hours even for someone of Shenala’s skill to get into the database. I took the opportunity to catch up on a few winks, while Rameki and her team still tended to a tied-up Vael. There were a number of worrying implications that kept me restless, such as how whoever did this evaded the mind scans that the Listeners’ dep...

The Nature of Predators 2-36

Memory Transcription Subject: Elias Meier, Former UN Secretary-GeneralDate [standardized human time]: July 13, 2160The irritability coursing through my psyche was palpable. Every sound was dialed up to eleven, stabbing at the core of my sensory processing. Constant awareness grated on me after days without sleep, never having any break from the stream of information I needed to digest. There was no way to shut the world off and reset, and no repr...

The Nature of Predators - Gress’ Cases (7/8)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Gress, Krev Hostage NegotiatorDate [standardized human time]: August 13, 2156The drones stealthed their way through the building, with Rameki not caring about the dishonorable subterfuge that entailed. Reskets often found ways to reconcile their honor code with whatever fell outside of it, justifying themselves to their society. The tactical officer took care to avoid clanging against the tight con...

The Nature of Predators 2-35

It was unspeakably cold throughout every nerve. I could feel the power leaving the breaths from my lungs, and the life leaking out onto the floor below. It was slipping away so quickly, a rapid drain from my insides. Multiple wounds had perforated my abdomen—life was so fragile. I tried to claw my way up, to find something to say, but shock was taking over. I was hanging onto consciousness by a thread.The governor had to know. What would become...

The Nature of Predators - Gress’ Cases (6/8)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Gress, Krev Hostage NegotiatorDate [standardized human time]: August 13, 2156Shenala sent me a list of any botched procedures or complaints against the workplace, though Vael himself had a sterling reputation; it was evident he was good at what he did, and met his client’s needs. Most of the online reviews about his services were glowing. I’d reached out to his friends, asking them outright if ...

The Nature of Predators 2-34

Memory Transcription Subject: Tassi, Bissem Alien LiaisonDate [standardized human time]: June 29, 2160Ambassador Loxsel had mentioned that the Sivkits wished to see humanity’s progress, as he phrased it, staking their claim to further-off thrones. With a fleet beelining its way from Paltan space toward the site of the incident, the theatrical Sivkit had graced us with his virtual presence. The entire Sapient Coalition was watching, uncertain ho...

The Nature of Predators - Gress’ Cases (5/8)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Gress, Krev Hostage NegotiatorDate [standardized human time]: August 13, 2156Lecca was supposed to be asleep at this hour, but she’d snuck out without us realizing it. Nevi and I were watching a shocking program about the humans, the Federation race who had burrowed into our neighboring world; we didn’t want our little one to see the terrifying implications of an all-out war, or their binocular...

The Nature of Predators - Star Crossed (13/13)

First | PrevMemory Transcription Subject: Kelvanis, Terran ResidentDate [standardized human time]: January 13, 2150When Chloe regaled me with details of local flower gardens, she was speaking my language. Her idea for a honeymoon was delightful; after Bram’s inquisition, it would be a welcome change of pace to learn more about the plant life on Earth. I’d picked out a notepad, which Elsje assured me would be no problem to take. This would be ...

The Nature of Predators 2-33

Memory Transcription Subject: Taylor Trench, Human ColonistDate [standardized human time]: June 25, 2160I remembered hours ago, when Mafani had thrown my immobilized body out of the truck and sped off. Movement came back in the form of being able to flex my fingers, though it did little good; struggling against the bindings only made the heat punish me quicker. Sweat soaked my forehead under the scalding sun, and I began to understand what it mea...

The Nature of Predators - Gress’ Cases (4/8)

First | Prev | NextMemory Transcription Subject: Gress, Krev Hostage NegotiatorDate [standardized human time]: August 4, 2156Back in the safety of the tactical command center, I could see Rameki believed that Cabani had reaped his just desserts. Were it entirely up to her, with no consequences, my Resket comrade would let Kamae take his life, and deem those dueling papers legally binding even on Avor. This would demolish his reputation on Tanet, ...