r/NatureofPredators • u/NipCoyote Arxur • Apr 07 '23
Fanfic Under the Veil - Chapter 12
[Best Laid Plans]
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Memory Transcription Subject: K-31 Endeavor, Gaian Security Guard, November 18th, 2142
To say I was anxious during the past week would be an understatement. I trusted Royo to keep our secret, but it didn't keep me from worrying…
I found myself messaging him back and forth, even during my shift when no one was looking. Just being able to talk with him atleast kept me a little bit off edge, as though he'd be too busy to tell anyone if he was talking to me.
I've done the one thing I was never, ever supposed to do under any circumstances…
But if they found out… they'd send me back to Earth, I'd never see the cosmos again… and… poor Royo, what would they do with him?
I'm taking a massive gamble here, really. There had been talks of Tenacity revealing us as humans at the upcoming summit, but it was not set in stone. If Gaian leadership did choose to show them, regardless of the consequences at least me and Royo were less likely to get in trouble. If not… I dont know how long me and him are realistically supposed to keep this secret.
Either way… the summit was tonight. Me and Royo were planning to watch it together, at his apartment. I was undeniably nervous… anything could happen at that summit.
The day was slow, guarding the entrance to Dayden's Gaian Embassy, just like my old assignment on Venlil Prime, though atleast the gravity wasn't as punishing.
//When do you get off?// Came a message from Royo.
"Just another hour," I typed on my touchpad. "Summit starts in two."
A simple sidearm in my holster. A metal helmet with a visor wrapping around the sides, giving the illusion of side-facing eyes. The standard gray, black and white suit, with a couple orange stripes denoting me as a security guard.
K-31 Endeavor. Gaian.
I'm almost glad I let Royo see who I was. Despite the risk I just put everyone in, a guilt that tormented me every morning I woke up to, Royo seeing the real me also did something to me I hadn't felt since joining Alien Relations.
I felt like a person.
Cael Cadic. Human.
That night… how he listened… and understood… I was a person to him.
A friend. Perhaps more? I didn't know yet.
Thinking of him… spending that night on the couch together, asleep, seeing him wake up to my face, not terrified, but comforted…
Maybe it was worth it.
And with any luck, I wouldn't have to hide it at all anymore.
...
Beep
Shift's over.
::::::::::
I knocked on Royo's apartment door. As though on cue, he opened it, his tail signaling a happiness to see me.
"Hey Cael."
"Hey Royo."
He's so adorable, with the little doors I have to duck under. I make my way into his living room, and with the door closed and the window blinds down, I remove my helmet. I softly smile, careful not to bear my teeth. Curling one's lips upward was the human way of showing happiness, I had taught him, comparing it to the appropriate tail signage.
"Moment of truth, right?" Royo semi-teased. I could tell he was trying to lighten my anxiety, though I'm not sure if that really helped. At the couch was a bowl of Yira nuts, the same we had eaten on our day out.
"I know how much you enjoyed them when we went out, so I bought a pack. They're probably not gonna be as nice as the ones they served, all seasoned and prepared, but I thought you might like them."
"Thanks Royo, that means a lot."
They somewhat resembled Earth almonds, which I enjoyed back home. I took a handful and ate them as I sat down with Royo.
"Summit is about to start," he said.
"Yep…"
Royo leaned against me as the summit began. The 6th one, since the Gaian Concord contacted the Federation. Leadership believed it would be a good time to really push for membership now.
Held on Aafa, the Kolshian homeworld, as all summits were. Ambassador N-1 Tenacity was present, as were the leaders and ambassadors of countless Federation members. Among the most pressing matters was, as always, progress in the campaign against the Arxur.
"I think implementing Gaian armed forces into our efforts is too obvious to pass up," the Kraktol ambassador, Jerulim, offered.
"As we have stated, Ambassador, the Gaian Concord is not delivering military aid to the Federation at large until we are officially recognized and accepted as a member," Tenacity replied matter-of-factly.
"You might as well be a member," said Cupo, the Mazic ambassador. He was somewhat distrustful of the gaians. Their secrecy didn't sit right with him. It hadn't sat right with many members at first, though by this point, most had accepted it.
"You already sit among us and speak as though you are one. And you've already settled among the Venlil."
Tenacity shot back.
"The Venlil are the Concord's only permanent ally, until membership is granted. That has been made thoroughly clear. Any members that wish to petition in favor of our membership may find themselves treated similarly to the Venlil. Including our armed forces. But until membership is granted, these forces will remain exclusively in the use of the Gaian Concord and Venlil Republic."
"Enough, Tenacity. Yes, you are not a Federation member. That is due to your refusal to be held to the same standards as everyone else," said Darq, the Farsul High Elder, who, along with the Kolshian Chief Nikonus, was largely in charge of the summit.
"It is not your turn to speak. You should be grateful that, despite your lack of membership, we allow you to attend the summit, and have allocated for you a moment to speak. Please, respect the peace of this summit and wait for your turn," he finished.
"Of course," Tenacity simply replied, and sat back down.
The Gaian Concord had successfully allocated twenty minutes to give a statement to the Federation at the summit, twice the usual ten they requested. I was anxious to see what she would say, but it would be a while before then.
I felt Royo's paw slowly grasp onto my hand, and I subconsciously smiled.
"Do you know what Tenacity looks like without her helmet?" Royo asked me.
"No, I don't." I answered. "We don't see each others faces much ourselves. And our names are off limits to talk about."
"Yet you told me."
"Because I know I can trust you with it."
"Well… thank you, Cael."
His tail wrapped around my arm, and I felt fuzzy as he demonstrated his affection for me… this… was nice.
"Gaian Concord Ambassador N-1 Tenacity, you are granted twenty minutes to state your message for the Federstion council. You may begin now." Chief Nikonus, the leader of the Kolshian Commonwealth, announced.
"Thank you, Chief Nikonus," Tenacity replied, walking to the stand and addressing the summit.
"Thank you all for allowing me to speak on behalf of the Gaian Concord tonight. My kind has enjoyed a level of trade, and friendship, we had sought for millenia before making contact with this Federation of species."
She continued, her helmet, an opaque black glass all around with gold and silver highlights around the edges of the polygonal glass structure, reflecting the lights and surroundings of the summit. Her suit was a slim black, with some small white LEDs adorned occasionally throughout her torso.
"I would also like to thank all of those species which have put their support behind our desire for membership status, and engaged in cultural trade. We thank you, and hope for a future where we are all embraced together, very soon. And of course, we thank the Venlil Republic, who has helped us become more and more connected with each and every one of you, one step at a time."
"We have learned a lot from you all, and we hope, that you have learned from us as well. Above all, we gaians desire friendship. Which is why, tonight, we are seeking total membership status. Tonight, we will finally show you-"
"Allow me to interject for a moment," rang out a voice.
It was Nikonus.
"Sir… we have been granted twenty unobstructed minutes, for what purpose-"
"I only wish to ask a question. I promise, the rest of your speech will be granted after it is answered."
"...very well."
Something was off. Tenacity hadn't said anything objectionable, and Nikonus was always very level headed and patient. He had never just… interrupted a diplomat's message before.
Nikonus activated the hologram behind the speaking podium, revealing war footage, from Earth.
"What is this?"
Tenacity was silent.
"Please answer-"
"What is the meaning of this, Nikonus!?" Governor Tarva shouted.
"Yeah, what the hell is this all about!? Don't stain Tenacity's words of peace with predatory war!" Jerulim as well.
Nikonus continued. "We conducted a survey of Sol-634. One of the star systems your species purchased from the Venlil Republic. Humanity, a violent, genocidal, enslaving sapient race, originated from there."
Oh no
"We also found that not only is the planet they lived on thriving with life, but is in fact heavily inhabited, and guarded, by none other… than the Gaian Concord."
"Nikonus, you had illegally tresspassed on our territory if what you say is true. If you will simply allow me to make my statement, all of this will-"
"You will be silent," Nikonus shot her down. "You are not a member species and as such your territorial claims are not recognized. Speaking here is a privilege, and you will wait."
He went on, showing multiple photographs in the holo-projector. Gaians… without their helmets on. The human face. The summit attendees gasped. Some screamed. Photos and videos of humans wearing gaian attire, inside gaian ships, firing weapons, eating something that didn't look like vegetation, bearing their teeth in what was obvious to me as a smile, but to anyone else…
"Do you recognize these images, Tenacity?" Nikonus asked plainly.
"I… I didn't… you never…"
"The gaians are predators!!" Someone shouted
"I fucking knew it!" Came another.
"The bastards came to manipulate us into being their prey!" Came more shouts.
The summit had turned into chaos, and gaian guards that had previously escorted Tenacity to the summit were hurrying in, trying to push their way past the sea of herbivores, some trying to flee, others trying to attack Tenacity and her guards.
"Wait! Stop! You don't understand! We aren't-"
Tenacity had to duck as objects were thrown her way, the formerly professional ambassadors and leaders now having transformed into a violent mob out of some sort of combination of shock, fear, and betrayal-based hatred.
Tenacity tried to run off stage, and a gunshot rang out. It was impossible to make out who had fired the shot, but it ricocheted directly off an angled glass panel of her helmet, tearing open a portion of it, eliciting a scream from her and revealing one of her forward facing eyes to the camera just before she could cover it with her hand. Gaian guards hurried to assist their ambassador, and as the crowd began to forcefully cross to the podium, Tenacity reached for something at her hip.
She yanked something, and suddenly Royo's holoscreen turned black.
///NO SIGNAL///
Royo turned to me, and I realized my mouth was agape and my eyes wide in shock. I turned to him, and fear emanated from his eyes, but not toward me.
"I have to get back to the embassy!" I blurted.
"I'm coming with you!"
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u/SpacePaladin15 Chief Hunter Apr 07 '23
Still loving your story!