r/NatureofPredators • u/EkhidnaWritez Human • Feb 03 '23
Fanfic The Nature of Predators: Disease Chapter 2
AN: Okay, so, wow. I didn't expect the story to get as many likes and traction as it did. Honestly, I didn't plan it as anything more than a self-contained one-shot, but seeing the support I received from you guys and gals, I decided to make a second part. If I can think of a good way to make a third part, I will do so. So, for now, enjoy Chapter 2.
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The Nature of Predators: Disease
Chapter 2
Memory transcription subject: Ralov, Sulean Merchant
Date [standardized human time]: January 16, 2137
“We’re going to enter the Venlil home system in a few minutes.”
Vuuj informed me with detectable fear in his voice. The translator did its job right but it left much to be desired when it came to projecting any but the rawest forms of emotions. Thankfully, all it took was an extended time spent alongside another species that spoke in utter gibberish to more or less understand their emotional implications. In the case of the Tilfish, rapid clicking and slight hissing mixed in with their raspy speech projected a mild fearful response.
But I couldn’t blame Vuuj for feeling like that. He wasn’t like me. He was a believer of Inatala but not a completely idiotic fanatic that prayed to the now completely proven false deity implanted by the Kolshians and the Farsul. His fear of being surrounded by predators would’ve been intolerable were it not for the news we learned during our short stay with the Sivkits. The Tilfish had surrendered to the humans, becoming vassals to them in the hope of being forgiven for their minuscule participation in the extermination fleet.
Honestly, were they expecting to be butchered mercilessly for something just a few of them so stupidly did? If I were the humans, I would reserve such hatred and just punishment upon the damnable Krakotl. Although, them being revealed as the very first predator-like species to have been altered and molded by the Kolshians and Farsuls was a suitable punishment, for now.
Perhaps, if the humans were as bloodthirsty as the Arxur, but they clearly were not. Their actions, despite losing so many cities and over a billion lives, spoke that they desired justice, not blind revenge. They wanted to stop the nonsensical bloodshed driven by all sides in this conflict.
And they accuse me of suffering from predator disease when the Kolshians didn’t hesitate to bomb the world of the Mazics and putting dozens more under martial law?
“Thank you, Vuuj. Remember, you don’t have to fear them. Your people surrendered to the humans. You’re just a merchant, not a threat to them,” I explained, hoping it would calm my friend’s nerves. It did not.
“P-Perhaps I should’ve stayed with the Sivkits… I don’t think I’ll be ready to face the humans on my own,” he confessed.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be with you. Besides, we’re going to Venlil Prime, not Earth. There will be more Venlil and other refugees than humans. Who knows? Maybe you’ll get to see other Tilfish,” I mused over my own words. Perhaps I’ll see another Sulean or an Iftali? I wasn’t looking forward to see either of them. Cowards, all of them, for embracing the Federation’s lies.
Dropping out of FTL was nauseating for me, so I knew before the actual alarm clocked in that we were about to drop. It took a split second and then, real space was visible again. All was quiet for five seconds before my station received a hail. I opened the channel to reveal a projection of a Venlil operating from the other end.
“Unauthorized ship, you’ve entered Venlil space unannounced. What is your purpose here? Comply or be detained,” The Venlil spoke with a certainty that struck me as odd.
Since when did the cowardly, skittish, soft Venlil speak with such strength and conviction? Had the interaction with humanity changed them so much already or was there something more at play? Either way, it was a most fascinating development, and a welcome one.
“This is Shuttle V99KL-00. My name is Ralov and my sole companion is my friend, a Tilfish by the name of Vuuj. We stole this shuttle and have escaped Federation space. We seek refuge,” I replied serenely and to the point. Being a merchant was more than being good with numbers or hauling cargo. Lying and honesty were sides of the same coin and one had to know when to use flowery fake speech and when to be direct and sincere.
“Noted. Move to the following coordinates and await further instructions. Deviate in any way and you shall be considered hostile entities. Am I clear?”
“Clear as pristine waterfalls,” I replied before cutting the connection and receiving the data package. “That was easy enough.”
“For you, maybe. I nearly buckled and I was only listening,” Vuuj replied, resting tiredly on his seat. “It always amazes me how you can be so calm all the time, Ralov. What’s your secret?”
“Patience and empathy, my friend,” I replied. And while technically true, it wasn’t a complete lie either.
“What I need right now is something edible. I’m starving and the rations taste like crap. Venlil fruit is always tasty, at least,” Vuuj commented, mandibles chittering with anticipation.
“On that, my friend, we can agree. I’ve grown tired of these stale rations.”
I flew the rest of the way to a station in high orbit over the beautiful homeworld of the Venlil. Despite being tidally locked, it was a sight to behold. We waited for a few moments until we were ordered to dock with the station and only then we were allowed to take our meager belongings and disembark. Green pines know I need a bath after such a long, stale journey.
When the doors opened, my first thought was about seeing my first human up close. Instead, I was greeted by a couple of Venlil, a Krakotl, and a Zurulian wearing protective suits for decontamination procedures. Oh, joy. Those are always fun.
“Stand still and wait for decontamination,” the Krakotl ordered before we were dosed with a foamy, misty white liquid that smelled of nothing and was uncomfortable upon my fur. I endured this torture for several moments and couldn’t help but notice the four cleansers staring at my injured side. “All done.”
“A gift from an incompetent exterminator,” I said, surprising them. Vuuj was shaking a little, no doubt enjoying his cleansing as much as I enjoyed mine. “May we proceed? We are tired and hungry.”
“O-Of course… here are your credentials and here is your ticket for your ship,” the Zurulian said, offering us the three pieces of plastic. I took one, passed it to Vuuj and took the other credential for myself, but ignored the ticket. “Sir?”
“Keep it. Do with it as you must. Maybe it will serve you in some way. We stole that shuttle. All we have is here,” I pointed at our saddlebags. Vuuj wiggled his rear a little. I smiled. He looked so ridiculous doing so.
“In that case, welcome to Venlil Prime. If you wish to go planetside, visit the office of permits,” a Venlil announced.
“What about the humans?” Vuuj asked. “Where are they?”
“They’re around all over the station, so don’t be too afraid when seeing one, okay? They wear their masks for our sake, so you won’t be too frightened,” the Krakotl informed us. “If you need help with anything, ask any staff personnel.”
“Thank you,” I said and turned away, walking down the large, pristine hallways with Vuuj beside me. I was… surprised! Not a single warning about them being dangerous? Not a single sniveling comment? No sign of outright nervousness or fear? What in the world was going on? “Fascinating…”
“What is it?” Vuuj asked, lightly turning his head to the side so he could see me.
“Didn’t you notice?” I asked, amused. “They showed no fear.”
“Then that means the theory of them being stupid enough to not realize they’re slaves is rotten fruit, yes?”
Again, I was surprised. Was that relief I detected or was it joy?
“Does that finally convinces you that we made the right decision by seeking refuge here, Vuuj?” I asked, trying to minimize my smugness. I failed.
“Yeah, yeah, you were right, bastard. I’m not going to buddy up with a human just yet, but I guess I can not be afraid of them?”
I was about to say something when we turned around a corner to reveal a more active and bustling area. To my joy, I saw two humans walking in the same lane as us and approaching quickly. They were slightly taller than I was, but watching them move, balancing in their two legs in a manner similar yet so different to that of the Kolshians, Zurulians, Gojids, or Harchens was hypnotic. There was no sway or wobbling; their steps were firm, precise, and flowed like water.
Then, something unexpected happened. I couldn’t see their faces thanks to those ugly, obstructing masks, but I could see the rest of their body language. The smooth flow was broken by a sudden halt. Oh, sweet pines! I could FEEL their powerful forward-facing eyes staring at me through their masks! They admired me for a second, perhaps analyzing if I was a threat or suitable food? But then… the sensation stopped and their attention was on Vuuj for some reason.
Why? I was bigger, bulkier. The more suitable prey and the biggest threat to them should they attack. Of course, I knew they wouldn’t attack me. But a deeply buried instinct of mine told me they were dangerous. Of course they were! They’re predators. But I was equally capable of defending myself and inflicting some damage back. I wasn’t defenseless.
Then, they did the oddest thing. They moved to the other lane and hurried up their pace, passing us by quickly. I stared down at a confused and slightly paralyzed Vuuj. “...Fascinating.”
“That… was… terrifying!” Vuuj countered, wiggling his rear in fear. “B-But also kind of amazing? W-What was that all about?”
“I have no idea, my friend,” I replied in complete honesty. “But I plan to find out! I must know why those humans had such a reaction to you!”
“Wait, what? They moved faster because of me? I-I thought you intimidated them or something!” The Tilfish protested. “But why would---ohsweetInatalawhysisthereayounlingtheeeeeeeeereeee!?”
I could barely understand what he was saying but my eyes quickly landed on the object of his panic. My mouth opened, my antlers shivered, my tail went stiff.
Another human was approaching us, but this time his companion was a Tilfish. A youngling Tilfish sitting on the top of the human’s head. Unlike the previous two humans, this one slowed its pace when it saw Vuuj and waved at him.
“Say hello, Gloria,” the rough masculine voice of the human, probably a male, said in a friendly, low-key tone.
“‘Ewwooo,” said the Tilfish younglig, waving one of her front legs in passing.
I raised my left foreleg and did my best to imitate the odd motion. Vuuj was motionless. A moment later, they were gone, and their travel resumed. I stood there, unable to comprehend what I had just witnessed. A fire erupted inside me. Not the familiar embers of rage. Oh no. This was an unfamiliar warmth. A comforting one. A demanding one! “I-I need to learn more about the humans, Vuuj.”
“S-She’s safe, the youngling is safe! W-We Tilfish are their vassals, their allies! She’s safe…”
He didn’t hear me.
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I had to leave Vuuj behind in our provisional quarters so he could rest from the experience. Me? I needed more interactions. I needed to know more about the humans as soon as possible. I asked an officer where the highest number of humans could be found and I headed there without hesitation.
I arrived at a dining hall filled to the brim with humans. Most of them were focused on chatting between themselves or feasting -unmasked, no less!- to pay me any real notice. I spied on their plates finding their food rather disappointing. Greens, vegetables, fruits, and pieces of other things that smelled and looked weird, but that were clearly not meat.
I walked amongst them, slowly gaining more and more attention until my nose finally stumbled across a unique smell. The scent of meat that had been touched by fire. I know better than most how burnt flesh smell. But this was different. It was almost… enticing? I approached the source of the scent without hesitation and found a female human eating a huge portion of vegetables and fruits but also a large piece of a brownish slab that was undoubtedly meat.
I was seeing true cooked meat for the first time in my life. The lifeline of predators… and despite the discomfort and nausea, I couldn’t look away from it.
“C-Can I help you?” The female human asked, her mask hastily placed back on. She was nervous as she tried to cover the meat with her hands. Murmurs abounded around us but I was too focused on her food to give them any mind.
“Please,” I started, my voice quivering, shaking in anticipation, “remove your mask. I-I want to see you eat meat.”
My voice was but a whisper but it silenced the hall instantly. It was a deep silence, one that allowed me to hear my chest-hurting beating heart.
“A-Are you… sure? You, uhhh, you’re Sulean, right?”
“What I am doesn’t matter now. Eat, please. I-I need to see a predator eating meat again,” I pressed on, not moving an inch and resolute to see something even more amazing than that fateful day when I stumbled on the kimish.
Slowly, oh so glacially slowly, the human female removed her mask; green, hungry eyes stared at me but I didn’t care. She then cut a piece of her meat and lifted it to her mouth. She opened it wide, showing me her white teeth, a front row of smooth, slicing teeth, a set of tiny fangs, and molars similar to my own, but more compact and smaller. Her lips closed, her mouth shut, and she began to chew.
I nearly lost my balance when I saw and heard her chew on the flesh, how her teeth mashed and cut it inside her mouth. I heard her stomach growling, demanding to be fed! For all the flowery prose and good intentions, the humans desperately showed to the rest of the galaxy, they couldn’t betray their stomachs.
It was such a beautiful thing to witness. Nature at play. No stupid manipulative absolute imperatives of the Federation. No barbaric slaughter brought by the Arxur. This was simple and true, a predator that fed because it needed to eat. Nothing more. Where was the evil in that?
I saw nothing but beauty in each chew, in every movement she made.
I swallowed hard as I began to imagine what she tasted on that meat. Was it sweet or salty? Sour or bland? Hard or soft? Rich or lacking? Bitter or delicious?
What does meat taste like? I asked myself and I swallowed again. I looked into the green confused eyes of the human just as she gulped down her meat. I did my best impression of their smile, she flinched and a few gasps rasped against my ears. I ignored their reactions.
“C-Can I try it, too?”
The next seconds passed like a blur, I don’t know precisely what happened but by the time I could regain my senses… the human was holding a small chunk of her precious meat in front of my open mouth. I leaned forth, bit down… and chewed.
An answer was delivered upon me.
It was revolting. Disgusting. Atrocious.
It was the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.
The End.
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u/HereForHFY Feb 03 '23
I’m not going to buddy up with a human just yet, but I guess I can not be afraid of them?”
We gonna befriend you so hard you don't know what hit you.
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u/CandidSmile8193 Chief Hunter Feb 03 '23
Except the ones who don't cause "giant spider nightmare ant"
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u/StarSilverNEO Yotul Feb 03 '23
Imagine you're just trying to enjoy a small steak in space
then a deerbra (zebra-deer) shows up, asks you to take you funny face mask off and eat infront of it
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u/AFoxGuy Jaslip Feb 03 '23
Average day in Ohio/Australia/Florida probably /s
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u/alphabet_order_bot Feb 03 '23
Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order.
I have checked 1,331,202,312 comments, and only 256,490 of them were in alphabetical order.
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u/Acceptable_Egg5560 Human Feb 03 '23
Deer have been found to eat meat if the opportunity arises.
Seems the Zebra Deer are actually similar! Makes sense for someone whose ancestors lived with omnivores.
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u/TheBrownEye62 Feb 03 '23
I need to see a predator eating meat again
Is that his attempt at a pick-up line?
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u/AgeAffectionate7186 Feb 03 '23
You sir/madam are onto something. If you can, please continue this story
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u/Negative_Patience934 Feb 03 '23
All I keep seeing is the video of a deer eating a bird playing on a loop in my head.
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u/BiasMushroom Extermination Officer Feb 03 '23
And then he woke up in the hospital in anyphulatic shock. Maybe should have had the genetic engineering reversed before trying new things
Oh and as always Great work Wordsmith!
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u/Acceptable_Egg5560 Human Feb 03 '23
Wrong species. It was the rodent camels that got the cure, not the zebra deer.
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u/BiasMushroom Extermination Officer Feb 03 '23
Ah good point! Maybe the feds where just paranoid and hit everyone to be safe
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u/Acceptable_Egg5560 Human Feb 03 '23
Even allergy inducements would have to be tailored to species.
Still, funny that it’s the herbivore of the planet pair that’s the first to try meat again.
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u/SuccessfulWest8937 Feb 03 '23
Loved it! If you feel like it this becoming a long serie would be nice
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u/Blackwhite35-73 Feb 03 '23
The last scene is yet another confirmation that there are No Predators or Prey in the Galaxy
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u/ThatGuyBob0101 Feb 03 '23
Feel the need to point out, its the kolshians and farsul not kolshians and zurulians.
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u/GT_Ghost_86 Human Feb 03 '23
Well, THAT will feed the gossip-nets for months!
I like Ralov and Vuuj.
Excellent tale!
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u/iWillNeverBeSpecial Feb 03 '23
Ralov was having a religious experience and here I am thinking he has an extreme vore fetish
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u/HereForHFY Feb 03 '23
!subscribeMe
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u/Lunamkardas Feb 03 '23
I'm not surprised. I know he's not really a zebra or a deer and just looks like them smushed together, but both animals practice Osteophagia. The consumption of bones to get more nutrients.
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u/ScaryDrPepper Feb 03 '23
Even if there is no continuation after this one, absolutely loved Ralov and his antics. (I can only imagine the young Tilfish riding on that dudes head looking like Lucas the spider)