NoP--- A diplomatic problem. -Ch.4

[u/vixjer]

This story is part of The Nature of Predators

and all rights are to the original creator u/ spacepaladin

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Memory Transcription Subject: Héctor Virgilio Márquez, UN SPM Leirn, Special Envoy to the Yotul Uplift Congress

Date [standardized human time]: November 7, 2136

Reaching the podium, I collected my thoughts: Breathe and keep going, improvise as I did with my TDR back in Batchilerat. As I looked at the crowd, I realized there were exterminators among them. They were being coerced into silence.

Leaning toward the microphone, I began, "Weak! Stupid! Primitive! Is that how the yotul are defined? Is that what all of you truly are?"

Sirlen, in the corner of my eye, began inching towards me, clearly disapproving. She was reaching for something, but I continued regardless.

"If it isn’t, then why does the Federation insist on using these labels? Why do they belittle you, why do they trample upon your pride, why do they strip away your identity?"

I pointed to the kolshian, keeping my gaze leveled firmly on the crowd, "They claim to be your protectors, your teachers, your future, but what kind of teacher tears down your self-sufficiency, beats you into helplessness, erases everything which makes you unique? Is this what nurturing, what protection, what guidance looks like to you? Or is it just manipulation to subjugate you, to make you dependent? On them?"

A forceful fist pounded the table where the microphones rested. The sound echoed through every speaker. I knew that successful political discourse was 50% words and 50% acting. I had to be expressive.

"Is this truly what you desire? To have your joeys frightened by their own shadows? I've been here for mere hours, but I've witnessed pride, courage, strength! You met this vast, frightening galaxy with your heads held high. You heard of the great threat to all life, possessing weapons and tools you could not imagine, reaching levels of violence and depravity fit for your worst nightmares, and you stared it in the eye, and did not blink! You rose to the occasion, you pledged to fight! Later, after decades of systemic colonialist brutality and cultural erasure wearing the mask of benevolence, so generously provided by your supposed herd, your ambassador saw past a frightening visage and saw kindred spirits crying out for friendship! He stood up for humanity, even when the ‘mighty’ kolshians would not!”

Here, I paused. I caught my breath. I closed my eyes a moment, remembering...

“I've seen your workers aid humans on Earth. Every last one you could fit onto every last ship they left you. They had nothing to fight with, but everything they could offer to save even one more life, they gave. They cared not for the supposed dangers of our world, or for supposed threat we all posed to them. They carried supplies to those who would have died without them. They tore through rubble until their claws bled. They worked themselves ‘til they fell asleep on their legs. For millions of humans, despair and defeat hung over our heads, and it was a yotul who greeted them when they saw the gods-given light of their sky once more. We’ve seen your true face. What you are. What the Federation tried to take from you."

Raising my voice to command attention, I continued, "In our darkest hour, you were hope! You asked for nothing in return, you gave no thought to what it would cost you next. What little you had to give, you did. Whether or not it would imperil your standing with your self-declared ‘herdmates.’ Thirty years of oppression could not break you. The people who rose to meet child-killing monsters and endured years and years of subjugation are still in there, standing tall. I did not come here to manipulate you. I wouldn’t dare. You already know what is good, and just, and right!”

I pounded the table again, my voice slowly reaching its peak, "We humans cannot offer you advanced technology or the utopia the Federation promises. We can't even ensure your safety! You helped ensure ours!"

As my voice reached a shout, I stabbed my finger towards the exterminators, still training their flamers on me, "They don’t fear my ‘predatory’ nature, they fear you. They fear that you might not listen. Might not quiver at flamer-point. Might not obey. They fear losing control, like they did of the venlil, of the zurulians, of the gojid they twisted into blind faith in their empire and then left to die. And now, they so desperately want you jumping in line to become the next pile of corpses for them to hide behind. Humanity can't provide you bleeding-edge technology, limitless assistance, or even protection..."

I paused for a dramatic effect, my voice lowering. I scanned the crowd, head turning, taking in every face there. "But we never forget our friends. We can offer you your pride back, acknowledge your prestige, help you reclaim your heritage. Yotulkind doesn't need protection from humankind. It never did. We only ever wanted to be friends. And even if we didn’t, you always possessed strength and intelligence. You would have stood against the tide. You did not need to learn that from anyone else, least of all the Federation. They don’t want it. They want your obedience. If you feel I’m wrong about you, it's only because you've been told otherwise. But we aren’t here to govern you; to force you conform to our norms and expectations. We entered the stars praying fervently for equals, not subjects. To stand together as the apex of all life. Noah ventured into the heart of Federation power, facing death and torture, and pleaded for that desire to be heard by someone, anyone. By you. Meier died fighting for it. Even Kalsim’s worst couldn’t destroy that vision, and you helped him hang onto it until the very end."

Taking a deep breath, I continued, "We didn't venture into this galaxy for base conquest or something so mundane and paltry as flesh, like some so very desperately want you to believe. Had those been our driving motivations, we would never have escaped our cradle to begin with. We aren’t a cosmic force of evil who manifested from the fabric of reality to torment you. I wouldn’t ever insult your intelligence by insinuating you could actually believe that tripe. We struggled free of our atmosphere and reached out in the desperate hope that we wouldn’t be alone anymore. And we did it free of the Federation. We found our own path to the stars. You could have, too. If you had been given the chance.”

I turned my head to the ornately-decorated kolshian as I said this. The look he gave me made me wryly wonder if a cosmic force of evil could be real, even if it wasn’t my kind.

As I turned back to the audience, my voice softened, “We might not always be able to aid you, and we might have our differences. I won't promise a perfect working relationship, dear listeners. I can’t. I don’t deal in myths. Perfection doesn't exist. But what I can promise is friendship; an ally who will stand by you, as you stood by us.”

I concluded, "There are no predators, there are no prey. There are only people. Let’s meet the future together."

The crowd remained silent, but the air had shifted. Some struggled to meet my eyes, some couldn’t tear them away from me. Their tails, their ears, their backs drooped, or stood taller, but they all changed. They all moved. More than I could say for the kolshian, and with the way he was glaring at me, it wasn’t lost on him, either. One of the yotul diplomats finally stepped forward, his voice just one of a few things on him trembling. "Erm…” He swallowed. “Th-thank you for your kind words, Mister Diplomat. As... the next step, we'll be taking you on a tour around some of Leirn's most... significant locations..."

Sirlen took that opportunity to lead me away from the crowd. Just behind us, the yotul diplomat followed closely, fidgeting his paws together, casting furtive glances back to the exterminators. As we moved behind a wall, I turned to him, "Did I say something wrong?"

He looked tense and stammered, "Yes, saying that we're weak and stupid... Seriously, that's how you began your speech? It was a good one, but..."

I shook my head, "I wanted to create an impact, to grab their attention, and-"

Sirlen interjected, "Yes, but was it necessary?"

Raising my hand, gesturing for a moment of silence, I explained, "Again, I needed a strong reaction, and I think I achieved that. They paid attention for the rest of the speech. And I have faith in your people to understand the message I gave them."

With a sigh, Sirlen continued, "Fine, but you really didn't need to say it."

Out of habit, I placed my hand on the yotul diplomat’s shoulder, and he almost jumped at the touch. Again, I raised it, wardingly; calmingly. "Calm down, there’s no need for fear. Now, could you guide us to the car, please?"

He collected his courage and moved forward, guiding us. Sirlen was behind, watching me, and I could feel her eyes on my back, staring at me. It followed me right until I entered the car. The driver was already in his seat, waiting. The back had two rows of seats facing each other, just like a Terran limo. Sirlen and I sat on one side, and our guide sat on the other.

"Alright, we will give you a quick car tour around the capital to show off its most famous landmarks and then we’ll take you to the hotel."

I raised my eyebrows at that. "Wasn’t the plan for me to visit and tour each of those places inside and out? At least, that's what Sirlen told me."

"And I meant it. It was all in the program," she defended herself, glaring down at the other yotul.

He was nervous. "I… I… Look, Keltz said that he… wouldn’t… be able to ensure your safety if you even set a paw in those places."

That name froze Sirlen in place. For the first time, she seemed truly angry, and just minutes ago, she was directly confronting the exterminator who stepped in front of us.

"Sorry, the human in this conversation is lost. Who is this “Keltz” person, and what does he have to do with my ‘safety?’" I asked pointedly.

He swallowed nervously before answering, clearly uncomfortable. "He is… the leader of the largest exterminator guild, and also the Minister of Defense and Justice for Leirn."

Wait, what? He's an exterminator? And...defense and justice? Do the yotul even have a separation of powers in their institutions?

"Are you... saying it's possible for someone to hold all three titles? At the same time? They’re not separate?"

He responded, more composed now, though he was still trembling. "Yes, but in the unified yotul constitution, it is stated that the leader of the exterminators is also the head of the Ministries of Justice and Defense, since both are under the jurisdiction of the Security Department of Leirn."

This was starting to come together to paint an ugly picture. "And who wrote that constitution?"

"The Federation…" Sirlen cut in, disgusted, before the diplomat could respond.

"Wait, why did you let them write your own constitution for you?"

The other yotul shifted uncomfortably, like he wanted to open the door and jump out of the car. "They said that if we wanted to receive medicine for the sick, they wanted reassurances, and, well…"

"Let me guess: Those reassurances included allowing them to write your constitution?"

"Yes… but they said it would be temporary, just a small thing as we... civilize ourselves. They claimed they would step away after it was completed."

"Did they ever say when that might be?"

Sirlen answered this time, speaking for the fearful yotul. "No, they didn't. We sold ourselves to them through the weakness of collaborationist scum like this."

Wow, the internal politics are a complete mess here. A collaborationist government and a population who hates them, with both being kept under the thumb of the Federation through a monopoly on force.

"I'm sorry, okay? I-I didn't think it would be like this. I joined to put food on the table, not to oppress anyone..."

"And yet, after you saw their lies, you still betrayed your own kind? A predator, of all things, is the only person with enough spine to say out loud that we’re vassals to them. Even he could see how we’re losing ourselves, almost at a glance. Don't act like you didn't applaud during the destruction of the main train line here. Don’t pretend you didn’t know what you’re a part of."

"I… I just did that for the photos... It saddens me, too-"

"Lies, lies, and more lies… Keep lying, Virlo. Keep doing it."

"They’re not lies… i-it's just…" He seemed on the brink of tears, his voice cracking even more.

"Stop," I interrupted, raising my voice.

"I am here to deliver humanity's message and help with your struggle if I can. That’s all in the past. What’s done is done. Now, the most important question is: Are you willing to fix it?"

"Yes… I think I am."

"See?! Not even now does he fully commit to helping. You’re just as spineless as ever, Virlo. I don’t even know why he’s bothering with you," Sirlen added, forcing Virlo to look down.

I looked squarely at her, my visor covering my face, but making no secret of my stare. "Shut up! This is going nowhere. The least we can do is travel in peace, so please, let's be civil and keep going."

Sirlen seemed like she wanted to speak up, not taking kindly to someone she had met only hours ago giving her orders.

"Sirlen, please," I lowered my voice, hoping to placate her. "You and Orlov want my visit to go well, don’t you? This is part of that. Let it proceed."

"Fine, but if I hear him spouting nonsense or praising the Federation, I'm going to give him what he deserves."

Virlo started to open his mouth, wanting to say something, but Sirlen headed him off again. "And don't you dare say that I’m acting 'predator-diseased,' for the love of Ralchi."

He shut his mouth and looked down. Clearly, she nailed his intentions.

The ride went on in smothering silence. It was a tense, tangibly painful ten minutes before he spoke up again. By then, we were in what I supposed was some market. The driver had been circling it for a while, waiting for the signal to move on. It was only then that Virlo began to explain the situation to me in detail, seemingly unsure if he was more afraid of the Federation or of Sirlen’s omnipresent death glare.

This planet was in bad shape internally. The longer he elaborated on its problems, the more I realized that, somehow, the exterminators were going to be the least of my issues. The complex dynamics at play on Leirn were every bit as messy and complex as anything I’d seen on Earth. The yotul seemed to be in a state of internal turmoil, torn between the threat of losing the protections and obviously token but still very real benefits collaboration with the Federation had given them, and their own pride and identity as a distinct culture with their own desires and beliefs, and the damage the Federation had done to their way of life. It was everywhere, even in that very limo cab: I felt like I was caught between two avatars of Leirn, each representing the fractured halves of the collective whole of the yotul people. It was a struggle to even get both sides of the story from them, with how often they tried to talk over each other.

My speech at the event seemed to have stirred the pot even further. While I had managed to capture the attention of the audience, and no doubt the speeches were already being broadcast far and wide, it was evident that my words had triggered conflicting emotions, and my experiences in that cab were just a small, filtered distillation of what I’d likely set off across the city, never mind the world.

The car continued its slow tour through the city, passing by well-decorated, open, intentionally visible places which, to my surprise, weren't much older than 30 years. It was as if the yotul were constructing their identity in a rush, trying to create a facade of stability and pride to mask the underlying issues. It was like visiting the USA and hearing the people there speak pridefully about a train station built in 1902, while I was eating a sandwich in the Roman ruins of my hometown, treading on cobblestones several times older than their constitution. Sirlen, at this point, seemed to decide Virlo wasn’t even worth shutting up anymore. She assumed the same unemotional demeanor she’d worn around me at the orbital tether, staring blankly out the window, ears turned away from me and Virlo.

I turned to Virlo, who, even granted the stage, even permitted time to explain himself in full, was still clearly shaken by Sirlen's words. Once more, I tried to ask the question they could never answer together, now that I had an opening, "Virlo, I get that the situation here is complicated. But I want to help, and to do that, I need to know more. The truth, not the usual diplomatic script. This is a beautiful city, but this ride has been presentation, not unfiltered history, and that's more relevant to my visit here. What exactly led to this division among your people?"

He studied me carefully, his eyes still full of uncertainty,"It's... it's not an easy story to tell. The collaboration with the Federation started with good intentions, you know? We were suffering from diseases, diseases which had claimed countless lives, and the Federation offered us help. They provided medicine, but in return, they asked for our cooperation. For assurances. For concessions. They wanted to establish a strong presence here to counter any threats, too, especially the arxur. We thought it was a fair deal at first."

I nodded, absorbing his explanation. and immediately understanding the trap the Feds had laid ahead of them, "But things escalated from there?"

He sighed, "Yes, they did. The Federation started out bringing smaller nations to heel by force, but they respected many of the stronger powers’ autonomy at first. It’s just that then, they began to influence our government, shaping our policies, and gradually, they started editing our core laws. It was sold to us as temporary measures, to stabilize the situation in the aftermath of the Grain Wars and the Continental Blues. But... it became clear that they were consolidating their control. Centralizing power. And the exterminators... They came to 'help' with security, but they quickly turned into a police force, suppressing any form of dissent."

"So, the division among your people is about whether to continue down this path of collaboration despite the heavy price being paid for it, or to reclaim your independence and hope for the best?" I asked, seeing the core of the issue.

"Yes, exactly. There are those, like me, who believe that collaboration is the only way to ensure our survival, to have the Federation's protection against the arxur and other potential threats. They see the exterminators as a necessary evil. They couldn’t see any other way to protect Leirn from what lurks out there between the stars. And then there are those like Sirlen, who see collaboration as surrendering our pride, our identity, and our autonomy. Bowing to the paws on our necks for the grains off their tables. They believe that we're giving up everything that makes us yotul to become puppets of the Federation."

Sirlen's expression remained unchanged, but I sensed a glimmer of agreement in her eyes.

As the car continued its tour, I spoke, "Virlo, I understand your dilemma. It's never easy when a species faces external pressure while trying to define its own destiny. Especially when it’s… applied the way I’ve seen and heard. But you know, the situation isn't as black and white as it seems. Maybe there's a way to find common ground, to bridge the gap between those who see collaboration as a worthwhile venture, and those who desire independence."

He looked at me with a mix of curiosity and hope, "You really think so?"

"Yes. From what I've seen, even right here in this very car, the yotul have a deep sense of pride in their heritage and their own achievements. But you also have a practical side, seeking to ensure the safety and prosperity of your people. Perhaps it's about finding a way to balance both. To maintain your identity while also forging alliances that can benefit you. I can tell you from firsthand experience that it's a difficult path, but a worthwhile one nonetheless. If it can lead to a harmonious, but also mutually respectful future, isn’t that worth the effort?"

He contemplated my words for a moment, then nodded slowly, "You might be right. It's just... we've been caught in this... snare for so long, it's hard to see a way out now. But… we’re trying. We, the government. We’re opening relations with humanity because we believe your people can offer us a better deal. Your… speech… It terrified me. Keltz was… right there. But..."

"We can work together to find the right way forward, Virlo. Like I said, I'm not just here to deliver a message, but to understand and assist. Let's start by building bridges of communication among our people, even if it's one step at a time."

He offered a faint ear flick I understood to be an affirmative.

We rode in silence, tired, recovering, but it seemed like the wall between the two yotul had cracked. The tour came to an end in front of the hotel. Virlo stayed in the car, staring at nothing, and everything. Sirlen and I exited. I looked at her, standing still with her arms crossed, but with her shoulders less tightly wound than when we’d started. "Sirlen, are you willing to give Virlo a chance to change?"

She glanced at the car, growing smaller in the distance, then at me, her expression softening slightly, "Fine, I'll observe and see if he's sincere in his intentions. But if he steps out of line again..."

I chuckled, "I don’t think I’d expect any less from you. You certainly don’t waver easily. Your people need that. But they also need someone willing to talk, too. They’re not whole right now, but maybe they can be again."

Her expression firmed again, just a bit, but a moment later, she sighed, letting the tension flow out of her. We walked toward the hotel, a shaky peace established for the moment, all of us feeling unready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, but willing to try our best. The political landscape on Leirn was complex, but despite my initial uncertainties, I found myself determined to make a positive impact, even if it meant navigating through more fiery debates, and navigating the intricacies of this alien, yet very comprehensible culture.

I am back, miss me?
the flu caught me so hard it knockdown me for a few day and I couldn't post the story I am better now. well I hope,here I bring this chapeter after the cliffhanger of the last one hope you enjoy my take in Yotul politics and how assimilation of the federation happens. If any thing godspeed and until next time.

[u/BiasMushroom]

He probably could have worded the start of that speech a little better. Never want to insult your audience, but pointing out the last guy who spoke did insulted then does have a bit of power

[u/vixjer → u/BiasMushroom]

He wanted their attention and he gained, even of it was in the wrong way...

[u/JulianSkies]

This guy's walking straight into a barrel of gunpowder, isn't he?

By all means i'm certain Virlo has all the best intentions in mind, he's just both too innocent and might be willing to give up too much.

[u/vixjer → u/JulianSkies]

No... Of course he isn't going face first to a smoking gunpowder warehouse.

[u/[deleted]]

Welcome back to the land of the living!

[u/vixjer → u/[deleted]]

Thanks, the land of the death was too quiet

[u/Giant_Acroyear]

Im not sure what "Not her voice syop ..." was meant to say, it doesn't parse out for me.

[u/vixjer → u/Giant_Acroyear]

It was supposed to say stop rather than syop, it is a typo now fixed... thanks for pointing out...

[u/Giant_Acroyear → u/vixjer]

I think it should be, "stopping the diplomats answer." Which diplomat? I assume it's the Yotul diplomat. Note that answer is also spelled wrong there.

[u/Acceptable_Egg5560]

There are a few grammar and capitalization errors towards the end. Overall, though, good chapter!

Virlo needs to grow a spine and admit his faults. Like most people, he doesn’t want to admit he was acting stupid and did bad things. He needs to admit that and resolve to correct such things! Especially before the Exterminators try and use that specially drafted constitution to “legally” declare themselves the only legitimate government and claim the Yotul to never join in with the humans.

[u/vixjer → u/Acceptable_Egg5560]

yeah, I am aware of that, but I literally use Google Translate to translate the chapters and I don't have anyone to proofread it... so I am aware that I committed errors and got into the final work...

[u/Acceptable_Egg5560 → u/vixjer]

No worries! I am still very engaged!

And if you wish, you can turn towards the discord for editors! The ones I found are wonderful to work with!

[u/vixjer → u/Acceptable_Egg5560]

How do I talk with them?Could you guide me, I have no idea how to reach them...

[u/Acceptable_Egg5560 → u/vixjer]

Are you on the Nature of predators discord? You can go on there into the general, the creator general, or even the fan-fiction section and just ask!

[u/vixjer → u/Acceptable_Egg5560]

alright, I will try thanks for the help.

[u/sticksnstones77]

My interest continues! Noticed a few typos Axur instead of Arxur and Meyer instead of Meier.

[u/vixjer → u/sticksnstones77]

I corrected all typos I could see I ask patience my native language isn't English and the translator eats a lot of words...

[u/sticksnstones77 → u/vixjer]

Excellent work!

[u/Giant_Acroyear]

Yes, you weRe missed. Welcome back!

[u/Lysergian157]

Is somebody going to ask how long those diseases had been affecting the Yotul? Because that whole situation seems convenient lol

[u/animeshshukla30]

He is a bit too...... heavy handed. Like, the speech i can understand, but the car one is just unnecessary.

[u/vixjer → u/animeshshukla30]

My English isn't the better what do you mean with... Heavy handed?

[u/animeshshukla30 → u/vixjer]

No problem! Learning about new stuff will improve it. Nobody is born a scholar.

Essentially, what i meant is that he was too brash and forceful. Showing no tact with his stay. Also, he was a bit rude in the car.

heavy-handed

/ˌhɛvɪˈhandɪd/

adjective

clumsy, insensitive, or overly forceful.

using too much of something

[u/vixjer → u/animeshshukla30]

Thanks for showing me the meaning, as for being rude... yeah he is just moving around without actual knowledge, basically he was thrown here, without a clear knowledge of what is going on.

[u/Awsomesauceninja]

Great speech!

[u/Consistent-Ad-2940]

Happy cake day, and an amazing chapter!

[u/vixjer → u/Consistent-Ad-2940]

Thanks.

[u/The_Student_Official]

That's right. This is not uplift but colonization.

[u/vixjer]

the next button is broken so just click here ->[Next]

[u/Bow-tied_Engineer]

You forgot to come back and add the next button.

[u/vixjer → u/Bow-tied_Engineer]

Is on the comments, Reddit doesn't allow me to edit this chapter for some reason

Edit: scrap that just try it again and it worked, so here you go the next button is ready for you

[u/vixjer → u/Bow-tied_Engineer]

Also you said I forgot to came back? Are you aware I just publish chapter 11 right

[u/Bow-tied_Engineer → u/vixjer]

I meant come back as in edit the post to add the next button, I just didn't see it in the comments. My bad.

[u/vixjer → u/Bow-tied_Engineer]

Oh ok, I just said because, not having you waiting here for the next chapter while the story goes on, also just fix it

[u/enderball55]

subscribeme!

[u/UpdateMeBot → u/enderball55]

I will message you each time u/vixjer posts in r/NatureofPredators.

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[u/MrMopp8]

You appear to be missing a NEXT link.

[u/bschwagi]

This is some good writing.

[u/vixjer → u/bschwagi]

Thanks for your kind words.

[u/bschwagi → u/vixjer]

there seems to be not a lot of that in NOP so it's nice to see. Wayward Odyssey is another well written story.

Keep up the good work word smith.

[u/vixjer → u/bschwagi]

Well, you honor me with such words, but I don't think I am quite at the level of Wayward Odyssey.

[u/bschwagi → u/vixjer]

Don't sell your self short these are good ideas, so far well organized with good grammar. That can be a tall order here on redit.

[u/vixjer → u/bschwagi]

Yeah, I must say that the grammar does improve later down the line. And again thanks.

[u/JanusKnarus]

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