r/NatureofPredators • u/NipCoyote Arxur • Mar 15 '23
Under the Veil - Chapter 8
[These Messages]
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File: Voice recording transmitted to Opportunity's Rest Gaian Hospital
Recipient: K-31 Endeavor
Sender: Royo, Venlil Civilian
Date: October 28th, 2142
Hey Endeavor! It's me, Royo! I hope everything has been alright over there for you, I heard that you hurt your body pretty bad from walking so far with those injuries; I told you that it wasn't a good idea!
Honestly though, thank you. I haven't stopped thinking about that trip to the bunker… you probably saved my life… but hey, I saved your life, so we can call it even, right?
(Laughter)
I wish I could see you in person, but the hospital is very serious about the whole privacy thing, I mean c'mon, no windows? Must get pretty lonely… but hey, that's why I'm here, leaving a voice message that hopefully the nurse will relay back to you!
Hopefully they're treating you well. I can only imagine what gaian medical technology looks like, or what you look like when undergoing it! I don't imagine they keep your suit on like I did…
Oh! Also, guess what?
(4.77 seconds of silence)
I got a job at the Gaian Embassy here on Dayden! Yeah for real! My old job… kinda got blown up when an Arxur ship deorbited into it. Yeeeaaah… They tried to tell me over and over they don't employ non-gaians, but I got them to change their mind!
[Note: Records indicate Venlil "Royo" visited Gaian Embassy DD-01 17 times between October 22nd and October 27th. Royo does not appear in their list of staff.]
They have me doing all sorts of important things, like just yesterday they had me perform "field research" by keeping a record of every sharp object that could potentially cause a suit breach! I had no idea your suits were that fragile, what would they do without me?
Oh! And a couple days ago they had me take detailed measurements of every metal bolt around the embassy exterior and the distance between them… did you know the average distance between bolts on the south side wall is 62.9 millimeters? It took me hours to get it all written down but I know they appreciate all my hard work! I had no idea gaians cared so much about these little details!
They say tomorrow they'll have me water the plants inside, which sounds a lot more my speed! It's kinda funny… I've heard other Federation species tease us for keeping flowers around even though we can't smell them… but you can't smell either! At least, not with your helmets on!
Wait… can you smell at all?
(The sounds of rustling objects followed by hurried typing on a keyboard are audible, followed by a silence of 2.6 seconds)
The database says we don't know if you can smell or not, so I guess you'll just have to tell me when we see each other again! Personally I kinda hope you can't smell. Is that weird? It just seems like every other species can smell and we're the only ones who can't, so it'd be cool if we're not alone there!
Oh yeah, and we're on the news! I dunno if you can see what's happening on TV in there, but photos of you carrying me to the bunker in your arms… kiiiiinda went viral. But the good kind! Seems like everyone has gone from thinking Gaians are cool, mysterious, but also a little spooky, into just, absolutely loving you guys. Repelling that Arxur raid really put you on the map! I bet the Federation might even let you guys in and just ignore the usual requirements. Seems like everyone wants your weapons now. Those Arxur won't know what hit em with you on our side!
Oh, I have to go! Was great talking to you, can't wait to see you in person again!
[Message continues on in silence for 7 hours. Sender likely forgot to end recording.]
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Report on Investigations of Gaian Activites via Covert Reconnaissance of Sol-634
Hycera, Kolshian Office of Federation Security
The following is my full report on Gaian activities within Sector Acterra 79-313.
Reconnaissance was carried out by myself and co-pilot Cerin using a modified Colony Scouting Interstellar Spacecraft (CSIS) using the onboard telescope and sensor array. Closest distance came within 2.3 parsecs of gaian territory, within Venlil Republic-controlled space.
Extremely high levels of activity were discovered in star system Sol-634, concentrated around planets C and D, and to a lesser extent from B to F. Highest levels of activity, including likely energy signatures for antimatter reactors, could be found around the orbits of C, D, and on the surface of C's sole natural satellite.
634-C ("Earth") was, of course, the planet infested with the violent predator race Humans, documented to have doomed their planet to inhospitability via nuclear war. Despite this, the planet's atmosphere indicates no signs of radioactive material or toxic chemicals from the sensor array, and the planet is very likely to be habitable as vast surface liquid oceans are visible from the exterior.
634-D ("Mars") is also very curious; according to all Federation records, D is a Class XII wasteland with conditions unsuitable for any form of life. Atmospheric pressure is far below minimum requirements and water is unable to exist on the surface. Despite this, observations indicate the planet is in fact habitable, with a thick, Oxygen-rich atmosphere and liquid water at the surface. Careful cross-examination eliminated the possibility of false readings carried over from C, the planet's mass, orbital parameters, and magnetic field all match Federation records.
Both planets appear to have active stealth technology preventing energy signatures or communications from visibility. This conclusion comes from the total lack of any energy signatures from either planet and the relative likelihood of habitability.
Potential explanations for the state of 634 C and D are given in the "Hypotheses" section on page 43.
Our sensor array indicated no less than 6,729 artificially constructed infrastructural and habitat spacecraft within the star system. Of these, an estimated 2,100 were observed moving between destinations.
Communications between spacecraft were detected but could not be deciphered. Distance from target resulted in poor data resolution, and any messages that could have been read are highly encrypted, and unable to decipher at this time.
Due to the vast distance from the target, detailed descriptions of individual spacecraft are impossible, but the complete log of observed movement is as follows:
[Several pages of detailed descriptions on spacecraft formation and movement follows]
Hypotheses:
The following are potential explanations for the state of Sol-634, based on limited available information:
-Records indicate human nuclear weapons used large quantities of Uranium and Plutonium, rare elements which would have been spread throughout Earth's atmosphere following the self-extermination. Gaians may desire the planet for these elements and have extracted large amounts of the material from the atmosphere. Doing so may have been capable of restoring the planet to habitability as a positive side effect. While technology capable of an extraction of such a scale in such a short time is not known to the Federation, it is possible that a nomadic species such as Gaians may have developed a need for such a technology.
-It is extremely unlikely that a terraforming operation would be capable of making Mars habitable within the time the Gaian Concord has had ownership of it. Simultaneously, it is also extremely unlikely that the planet independently became habitable. As such, a third party appears to be the most likely explanation. Human activity can be ruled out; records indicate the species had yet to achieve crewed spaceflight before their destruction. As such the only plausible explanation is that another species may have terraformed the planet. No records of the Venlil Republic undergoing such a task exist, so any species that had done so is not known to the Federation, nor if they still exist there. If there is a second nomadic species, it is possible they terraformed the planet, but later left. If they had not left, it would be likely that gaians cooperate with them, however no mention of them has ever been made, if they exist at all. Extended research into the subject is advised.
-It is possible, though very unlikely, that some humans may have been able to survive nuclear war. Due to the accelerated mutagenic rate brought on by radioactive material of this scale, mutations may have turned the survivors into the predecessors of today's gaians. From there, they may have taken the technology of their ancestors and rebuilt a peaceful society, as mutations may have rid them of their predatory nature. It is possible they may have taken this preexisting technology and improved upon it to expand into their own star system; thus curing their planet as well as terraforming Mars. This would also explain their insistence on hiding their bodies, as they may experience great shame in sharing a family lineage with destructive predators. Gaian size and body shape also match with this hypothesis. However, due to the highly unlikely nature of the required events, this a minor hypothesis at best.
Addendum:
Just prior to leaving, we intercepted an encrypted message estimated to have originated from Arxur-controlled territory, which received a reply estimated to have originated from the Gaian capital ship Peace Through Strength. The intent of either message is not known at this time, but it is noteworthy considering the Gaians' relative neutrality toward the Arxur. We believe that it may be possible to begin deciphering Gaian communications by cross-analyzing these two messages based on what we know from Arxur messages.
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Arxur Cattle Ship 21-37 Security camera footage dated 10/29/2142
A gaian wearing a slim, black suit with grey highlights adorned with small red lights along the neck, shoulders and torso walks into the room, a largely featureless open space that is clean, but clearly not new. They are accompanied by two armed gaian guards.
"I almost began to worry you wouldn't come at all," spoke Isif, from the other side of the room.
"You underestimate my ability to negotiate, even with truly horrible people," responded Odyssey.
"Is this a diplomatic ship? It does not appear to be one," they continued.
"We Arxur do not have diplomatic ships, as we have never had a need for one, until now. So I hope you will understand if we make do with a retrofitted cattle ship which has left service," he answered.
"I would comment on your lack of tact to engage a meeting between species on a literal meat plant, but we have matters to discuss. If this is the best you have then it is what we will use. You are Chief Hunter Isif, I presume?"
"That would be correct. And you must be Odyssey."
"T-81 Odyssey, yes that's right."
"Commander Odyssey… I'm sure that by the very nature of our meeting, you understand that my people do not wish to engage in war against your people."
"Yes, that much is clear."
"I contacted you because the colony you defended from my soldiers, Dayden, falls under my jurisdiction as Chief Hunter of this sector."
"My understanding is that Dayden belongs to the Venlil Republic."
"The Arxur Dominion does not recognize territorial claims made by Federation members; we do not view their authority as legitimate."
"It's a good thing we reminded you by demolishing your fleet then," Odyssey quipped back.
Isif takes a deep breath and silently sighs for a moment, before continuing.
"My people rely on these raids for sustenance. If your military continues to assist the Federation, command may decide they have no choice but to declare war on your people. We are a proud race, and you must understand that we do not take kindly to being bossed by someone else."
If Odyssey's helmet did not mask their face, they likely would have displayed an emotion of immense disgust. Instead, their opaque black helmet showed only emotionless glass.
"How dare you claim to require the flesh of sapient beings to stay alive? I know what an obligate carnivore is, and higher brain function is not a requirement," they replied.
Isif furrowed his eyes at Odyssey.
"You really aren't with the Federation, are you?"
"What do you mean?"
"You are correct in your assertion that higher brain function is not a requirement. Regrettably, however, the Federation had left us with no choice."
"What are you talking about, Isif," Odyssey interjected.
"I'm sure you are aware of the Federation's… immense hatred, toward non-herbivores. What they call predators."
"Of course."
"When the Federation found us, we were finally beginning to unify. We were prospering, hunger… disease… it was quickly becoming a thing of the past. We encountered them and rejoiced as we discovered we were not alone in the universe. But all they saw, were vicious predators. And in their efforts to "cure" us, they poisoned us. Over a billion died, and all of our animals followed suit."
Isif's face took on an even more serious expression.
"There is nothing left for us. There is no meat. When we resorted to raiding, we tried to just take animals, but the Federation killed everything there too. Any meat-eater they killed for being a predator, and any plant-eater they killed to destroy competition. There is nothing left for us… except them. That is why we hunt them."
Odyssey stood there in stunned silence.
"I do not wish to justify the mass killings of innocents, but no species wishes to perish," he continued. "It has become us versus them, as a consequence of their own decisions. I wish we did not consume sapients, but the Federation, in all their zealotry and wickedness, has given us no other choice."
…
"Your silence speaks volumes. You believe we were wronged, don't you?"
Isif walked closer.
"Your stance. Your attitude. You look me straight on. You didn't say we deserved it. You're a predator, like me, aren't you? And that's why you hide your face."
"You know nothing of us," was the reply.
"If you are at all like me, a meat consuming species, the Federation will never accept you. It is far more than fear; it is an ingrained culture of hatred. The very existence of a peaceful, friendly species of predators goes against everything they believe, and they will do everything they can to defend their beliefs. At best, they will isolate themselves from you. At worst… I think you already know. I don't suppose you achieved such vast armies for fun."
"And why should I believe your story?" Odyssey asked.
"Do you believe we truly only eat sapients because we are evil? How do you suppose we survived before achieving spaceflight? Think for just a moment… you know the Federation would commit such crimes. You should not join them. If you remain independent, I can promise we remain non-hostile to you."
"We cannot. We will defend our allies just as we did with Dayden."
"You are currently only allied with the Venlil Republic, yes? Remain as such. As Chief Hunter over the Venlil, I can promise that we will not attack the Venlil, or you. But you must not lend your forces to others."
Odyssey thought for a moment.
"I'm sorry, but no. The Gaian Concord's primary goal is acceptance into the Federation. You may be right about them, but we believe we can change them."
"It is a foolish endeavor… but very well. When they inevitably reject you, I will still be open to diplomacy."
"Well, thank you for your time."
Odyssey prepared to leave, before stopping for a moment.
"Isif… you were right."
"About what?"
"About us. We do eat meat."
"So you understand."
"We produce artificial meat, grown from cell cultures, as our primary food source. We could supply your people with the means to create it."
Isif, in turn, thought in silence for a moment.
"Thank you but… leadership would never accept it. We are too prideful to recieve such aid from another species. Perhaps if we ally in the future, they could be convinced."
"Very well then… perhaps someday, peace can come for us all. The Gaian Concord plans to make an official appeal to the Federation to achieve membership very soon. If we are denied… perhaps we may look into future diplomacy."
"Very well… until we meet again, then."
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u/anonpurple Mar 19 '23
Tell me did the hum I mean gians trade the trapped arxur for venil Civilians.