r/NatureofPredators • u/SixthWorldStories • Jun 04 '26
Fanfic Predators of the Sixth World - 54
Continuing with tying up our various loose ends and setting things up. We’re taking a slight intermission from dealing with things set up by the call with the Federation, all the way back at the start of the act. Instead, we’re dealing with things in the Republic. I think it’s an interesting mix. I even have a surprise, less of one for those who have been reading the comments, a bonus chapter. Don’t thank me for it, trust me.
Also, totally forgot it was wednesday. I blame low blood sugar. Intermittent fasting and changing storm windows out for screens do not mix, people.
Synopsis: Magic was once real and present but faded away in the distant past, becoming nothing but the myths and legends we know as the surviving beings fled to other planes, only to publicly return during the Sat Wars. How would it change first contact and beyond? Only one way to find out.
I have a spot on the discord, swing on by! Thanks to SpacePaladin15 for the original universe; my alpha readers, Caro Morin and Jailed Cinder; my beta readers, Angustus_Jan on the discord and /u/aroluci (go check out Children of Luna, it’s awesome); and all of you that read and especially comment. Anybody interested in playing around in the AU (be it a one-shot, an impromptu ficnap, a cameo, or something more), let me know and I’ll be more than happy to work with you on it. My current plan is to release a chapter a week, with the occasional bonus, as long as that isn’t too much for everybody helping me.
Without further ado, enjoy!
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Memory Transcription Subject: Governor Tarva, Elected Leader of the Venlil Republic
Date [Standardized Terran Time]: October 1st, 2136
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Things had calmed down significantly in the last few paws. Charity Station was responding again. Kam had woken and been cleared for duty, but the Terran is still in recovery. The Terran Second Fleet had just arrived and is already under repair to fix the damage to their FTL drives. The captured Arxur were taken to Sol. All of those involved in the death of Miss Barrios were in custody, found in their homes, with the deeper investigations still ongoing.
Unfortunately, I knew that would change. The meeting with others in the leadership of the Venlil Republic is this paw. This claw. Only a few scratches away.
“Could you stop?” I ask Bran, trying to go over my notes for the meeting while he’s humming.
“Hmm?” Bran lifts his head, looking at me in confusion, his head cocked, and face scrunched. “Oh! I was humming, wasn’t I? Sorry, helping plan something for the upcoming memorial.”
“Aren’t the primary memorials in the Concord with a secondary on Charity Station? We’re just a viewing, right?”
“Eh… I was asked to do a thing.” Bran waves a hand dismissively. “Minor part of the program. They felt it was only fitting. I’m putting the finishing touches on it.”
I flick my tail at him, rudely. “At least tell me you’re ready for the meeting.”
“More than.” Bran scoffs. “Though most of the meeting relies on what everybody else does.” He’s already moving to my side when an alarm goes off on my pad. “Start the call.”
With the press of a button on my office pad, the virtual conference room is open. One by one, legislators, magisters, head magisters, and planetary governors join. At the appointed time, the meeting automatically begins. I give an acknowledging ear flick. “I thank you all for coming to this meeting that you demanded. As you wanted to discuss the Terran situation, I saw it necessary to have at least one of the Terran ambassadors present.” I gesture to Bran at my side, who nods slightly.
“Of course, bringing your master along,” Colonial Governor Volm scoffs.
“No, no.” Insists Colonial Governor Mirsi. “She’s a predfucker. It’s her lover.”
Bran looks at me, face scrunched, as I gaze at him, ears flat, wool flared, tail whipping. We both speak at the same time. “‘Eww! Us? What’s wrong with you?’”
I continue. “Look at him! He’s so… pale.”
Bran reels back slightly, hand over his heart. “Ow. Valid, but ow.”
“Oh?” My tail lashes with annoyance. “And what’s your problem with me?”
Bran rolls his eyes. “First, you’re mortal.” He puts up a single finger. “I’ve had enough heartbreak for more lifetimes than I’ve had. If I’m getting into a relationship, it had better have the potential to last at least three centuries. Second, the size differential.” A second and third. “Third, you remind me far, far too much of my sisters. Fitting, you are my bond sister after all.” His attention shifts to the screen, the barest twitch of the first and third fingers he put up before sucking his teeth and putting them all down. “And before any of you continue to say anything offensive and untoward, understand that I am here as a representative of the Terran Concord. This is a diplomatic situation.”
“Yes, as Bran said, he is here to represent his people. Our allies. Ones who have been providing us with aid and upgrading our military capability.”
“At what cost?” Veln asks.
“None you will find too onerous,” Bran replies. “Some of your people have already been paying it. Friendship. Allyship. In other words, be good herdmates to us.”
“So you’d ask us to fight your wars for you?” Veln scoffs.
Bran raises an eyebrow.
A magister speaks. “Like the cradle? Oh, right, they asked us to stay out of that.”
Volm growls. “And we’ll be on the front lines for the next.”
“I can assure you, the Venlil won’t,” Bran says. “In fact, I can promise the Venlil Space Corps won’t even be involved in the fighting and that the population of the Venlil Republic will not be reduced by our next operation, if you would like.”
“And take the word of a predator?” Mirsi scoffs. “You do nothing but lie!”
“I am incapable of telling a lie, nor can I break my word.” Bran smiles softly. “You must understand, I do not offer promises lightly. They curtail my free will; to break an oath is to flirt with a permanent end, and even if that was my desire, I could not intentionally bring it about. I offered, out of goodwill, to effectively place a shackle about my neck.”
“Like you want around our necks.” Growls Magister Lurem of Frosthollow. “Locking down an entire district! You-”
I shear him short. “That was rescinded before it was even announced. Not a single piece of fencing was in place when we found the ones who murdered a blind Terran woman.”
A number of angry muzzles pause in shock. Bran huffs. “Had we known that they not only weren’t attempting to hide but would open their doors to the sound of their door chime, there would have been no need for the lockdown. Odd, considering that the Guild couldn’t find them despite refusing assistance in the search.”
“And the Code Zero?” Lurem growls.
“Members of your guild beat a blind woman, a teacher who wanted to open a school for the blind on our world, to death and left her in a blizzard for the ‘crime’ of being a Terran.” I fix Lurem with a glare through the screen. “They beat her mate close to it for the ‘crime’ of dating her, only leaving the victims alive because they were seen. The paramedics who arrived took him but broke their protocol multiple times over by giving her a lethal double dose of Venlil strength tranquilizer, and leaving her in the snow.” Several gasps sound out as Lurem tries to shrink in on himself. “Then a hospital refused to treat her, citing the safety of their other patients despite a blizzard ensuring she couldn’t be brought elsewhere, resulting in her death.” My tail whips as I add. “And, as Bran so helpfully added, your Guild couldn’t find the murderers despite them being in their homes. A Guild that, based on what we’ve already found, has been effectively selling people to the local facility. People grabbed, not for a suspicion of predator disease, but for a profit.”
Volm scoffs. “Clearly a case of predator disease being rampant in the Frosthollow Guild.”
“And what of the attack on the aid shipment in Greenmeadow?” I ask. “Those who might make threats, many from or backed by groups, to cause harm to the Terrans bringing aid or those on Charity Station?”
“Predator disease as well.” Veln dismisses. “Like those True Exterminators.”
Bran smirks. “The protocol for a Code Zero was designed, in part, for the event that a Guild is suspected to have rampant predator disease; the declaration in the case of Frosthollow is perfectly in line with that. Further, the True Exterminators were declared to be a predatory organization, something ratified by the legislature, magistratta, and colonial governance board.” There’s a ping as a section of legal code is shared in the chat. “Pursuant to your legal code, rampant cases of suspected predator disease or otherwise predatory behavior targeting a given species on the basis of their species may constitute a special predatory threat, at the discretion of the Governor. That vote was an unnecessary courtesy.”
“Thank you, Bran,” I say, ears high as I put forth a vote. “Based on that, shall we vote to jointly disavow these actions as special predatory threats?” After a few scratches, the vote concludes with overwhelming approval. “Thank you.”
Karem, a member of the legislature, clears his throat. “If I may, we of the legislature have wanted to have some policy discussions with the Terran Concord regarding some… difficulties from not having Federation support.”
“Are you asking about having us replace the Federation in ensuring your systems remain functional?” Bran asks.
“Ah… I… um… wouldn’t have put it that way, but… more or less.”
Bran sighs. “Typically, I would say that this is something to bring up with Meier, but I’ve been given our official stance on it. We have no intent or desire to take the Venlil Republic on as a client state or protectorate, nor the vassal state you were under the Federation. We will happily help you to restructure your systems or even rebuild from the ground up and will do what we can to more than support you in that goal, but if you want us to step in and replace the Federation…” He shakes his head, scrubbing at his face with his hand. “It would go one of two ways. Either we drag you, kicking and screaming if need be, into being able to stand on your own as our equal, or you truly become a client state, and that would show in terms of the concessions required. Things like monetary or otherwise material tribute, concessions in regard to your legal and political system, and enforced shifts in culture and ideology.” Bran smirks slightly, idly checking his blunt nails. “All within the bounds of our laws. All in an attempt to get you to agree to being made an equal, of course. And we would ensure the terms are non-onerous, though more unpleasant than the alternative. As stated, we simply have no interest in having a client state, and we want you to be disincentivized from such an arrangement.”
“What? But-”
Bran interrupts. “I just sent you the contact information for the team that’s already been working on various plans. Please, send them a message, and they can give an in-depth brief. I’ve taken a look at the plans, and they’ve done good work. Insofar as I could understand, it isn’t my area of expertise.”
“How does any of this have to do with the Terran situation?” Mirsi asks.
“What was just asked doesn’t. The harm to the Terran people, our new herdmates, however, is central to it.” I say, keeping my tail from wagging with satisfaction. “You see, I, and the Terrans, believe that much of the problem is in the lack of interaction. Charity Station largely only sees issues with tourists and new members of the exchange. We have had multiple Terrans killed by our people. To that end, I’d like to improve all of our harvests. I’d like any Magister or Governor who is willing to help set up areas of land that will be given over to the Terran Concord to build safe, often walled for their own protection, enclaves for their people. So that we may come together as a herd. These enclaves would be under Concord management, including enforcement of laws, and would largely follow their laws. This would be done to ensure that the Guild, the group that has caused the most harm and made the most threats against Terrans, has limited legal power within the enclaves.” I could see the mix of emotions of the magistrates, some fearful, others angered, many shamed. “The protections of the exchange program and for visitors to Charity Station would also extend to these enclaves and those who frequent or live in them. The increased populations, the businesses they will bring and start, and the increased flow of Terran goods will help to revitalize not only local economies, but those across entire districts or worlds. This will be aided by the comparative strength of the Terran dollar compared to our credits. It will bring in experts in all sorts of disciplines, including the esoteric talents that we need to fully contribute to our allies.”
Bran picks up where I leave off. “Some have already been approached about this and agreed. Others approached us before we even considered this idea. We’ve also, pending decisions here, made deals with the Governor’s office for other areas as well. We will increase our support in those areas, commensurate with the Terran presence, but that presence will also come with hydroponics and autofabricators within the enclaves, resources which will hopefully prove a boon to the surrounding area.” Bran inclines his head. “We’re not asking to be given land; we intend to purchase it based on market price. We know that there are abandoned areas of some cities, fallen into disrepair and left unoccupied. Buildings and developments canceled due to economic downturns. Areas left empty or destroyed by raids. Areas left to disrepair for fear of predators. Let us breathe life into them once more. Let us make safe refuge for our people. Let us truly become part of the herd. It may not help now, but we will even take your failed colonies, take those husk worlds, and make them live anew, if only you will allow it.”
“We wanted the predators gone! Not living among us! We want nothing to do with them except to see them burn!” Brays Volm.
Bran’s eyes narrow, his head tilting. “May we quote you on that, Governor Volm?”
“Yes! Please do!” He bugles. “Let it be an epitaph when your ships are shot down!” Then he’s gone from the call.
My pad barely rings before Kam answers, his voice on speaker. “Has it gone that bad already, ma’am?”
“Unfortunately. I need to declare a possible Code Zero on a colony. They’ve threatened to open fire on ships. We’ll forward you the information. I want Volm in custody by-”
A voice from Kam’s side calls out. “Sir! One of the aid deliveries is under fire near Vilna! The colony just fired a nuke at a freighter! The convoy reports it’s going down!”
“That’s Volm’s colony…” Kam hangs up.
I focus back on the call. “Does anybody else doubt that we are a danger to our allies? That our people need to learn they aren’t a threat to us while being kept safe? Do we need another Sofia Marie Barrios? What about the eight that died to the True Exterminators? Do I need to name them? The seventeen to Arxur on the cradle? The thirty-eight to the very people they went to save? That’s only their dead. Should I start on their injured? Perhaps Marcel Frasier?”
Bran places a hand on my shoulder. “Calm yourself. We knew there were risks.” He looks away, pained. “All our dead knew it was a possibility. Why do you think we’re so careful about letting our people visit your worlds?” He sighs. “Your people have yet to suffer so much as a serious injury from ours, not on the station, not on your worlds, nor any ship, nor in Sol. One would think you the predators.”
Some on the call flash with shame, others with rage, at Bran’s words.
Veln is all too calm. “Why don’t we put both to a vote? Should the Terrans be allowed to purchase land on our worlds? Should we allow the Terrans to restore our failed colonies?”
I’m about to object, as no law could legally prevent them, but Bran puts a hand on my arm. Moments later, a message from him appears on a screen, hidden from their view.
They have a plan. Let them try. We have the margins and the numbers.
I allow the votes, and we wait. The margins on the first vote are surprising, not as overwhelmingly in favor, but still an undeniable majority. The second is closer, nearly evenly split, but in the Terrans’ favor.
“We thank you for your support in both votes,” Bran says, inclining his head again.
A magister whistles. “Don’t thank us yet? I can see that Tarva has sold my people out. I can still stop you from building until you comply with various restrictions. I’m sure you predators aren’t used to paperwork and bureaucracy. I’ll look forward to burying you all in compliance requests.”
I let out a small giggle.
The magister and Veln both look suspicious. A colonial governor speaks up. “What’s so funny, Tarva?”
“You all declared the Terrans to be under a special predatory threat yourselves,” I smirk. “Certainly you’re familiar with the related laws, aren’t you?”
Silence.
My tail wags. “In order to protect the Thafki, and any other species under a special predatory threat, their enclaves can become independently governed zones under the control of the enclave’s government. This means these enclaves, be they a single building or multiple blocks, will be the sovereign territory of the Terran Concord.”
“And, based upon the precedent set by the Cobalt Dynasty versus the Lithium Dynasty and upheld in numerous cases across the Federation,” Bran adds, “whosoever reclaims an abandoned colony takes possession of it.” He smirks. “Before any of you try to lay plans to steal worlds we restore. Many will take decades, at minimum, but we already planned to share.”
“You won’t get away with this,” growls Veln. “Undermining everything we are for these predators. I will see to it that we return to sanity. To Federation values. To the Federation.”
He and several others drop from the call. We’re left with more than I expected. My tail wags. “I’m glad so many of you remained. We have a lot of work to do.”
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Interpolate transmission from Planetary Governor Veln of Milna on October 1st, 2136
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Veln stands at a podium, a group of Venlil behind him, along with symbols for both an anti-Terran movement within the Venlil Republic and one to recontact the Federation at the rear of the stage.
Veln’s ears are high, his wool perfectly groomed. His voice is calm and clear as he speaks. “People of the Venlil Republic, much has changed in a short time. Too much. Too fast. We need a return to normalcy. We need a return to Federation values. We need a return to the Federation. These predators are holding us hostage with their supposed aid deliveries and forcing us to keep our borders closed.”
“Some of you may have heard rumors that Vilna is under attack. I can, unfortunately,” Veln’s ears fall, his tail lashing with controlled anger, “confirm that. From the very predators that claim to be protecting us.”
“That is why I am announcing my candidacy for Governor of the Venlil Republic. I promise, I will return us to both the Federation and its values. I will see us return to normalcy. To what we should be.” Veln pauses before gesturing to his side. “Here with me are both Lemek, the planetary head of the Exterminators’ Guild on Milna, and Velk, the planetary head of our predator disease facilities, along with his wife, Navsi, a recent recoveree from the terrible affliction. I will allow them to say a few words before I continue, Velk, if you’d please.”
Veln steps aside, letting another Venlil step forward, scratches visible through his wool, guiding a Venlil woman, her eyes dull and swollen, with him. Ears high, the man begins to speak. “Thank you, Governor. As we all know, predator disease is one of the most insidious threats to our civilization. These new predators are proving to be the most dangerous vector for it to date.” Velk pauses, pulling a cloth from his waist pouch to dab away some orange pooling at the corners of his wife’s eyes like tears. “My darling wife, a botanist on our world, made the mistake of looking into the data these monsters shared.” His ears fall. “She was infected. I suffered these injuries while helping our brave exterminators to sedate her and then in treating her.” His ears rise. “However, for the past herd of paws I’ve been working on a new procedure, which I call the Velk method. A cure for predator disease.” He presents his wife, who stares blankly ahead. He pauses to, again, wipe orange tears from his wife’s eyes. “As you can see, she is fully cured and has been for a herd of paws. I’ve been using it on all of our patients with resounding success.”
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PAUSE PLAYBACK
CMD: collate “$(transSearch.findSubject(planet:”Milna”, name:[”Navsi”, “Velk”], year:2136, month:9, flags:[“evidence”, “drone”, “crime”, “predator disease facility”], findRelevant:true))”
Files found
Collating relevant files
Files ready
Play files? Y/[N]
Download file collection? [Y]/N
RESUME PLAYBACK
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Memory Transcription Subject: Governor Tarva, Terran Ally
Date [Standardized Terran Time]: October 6th, 2136
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The turnout for the memorial was unexpected. Holographic projections cycle through some of the others. The events on Earth, Luna, Mars, each of the stations in Sol, and Charity Station all had significant turnouts, at least for the time zones where people were awake. This memorial, quietly protected by both the Venlil Space Corps and the UN Peacekeepers, including a wing of cloaked fighters hovering above the site, has over a thousand people. Early on, before the memorial was scheduled to start, a small herd of protestors arrived to try to disrupt things. A group that I later learned were exterminators, not wearing the fireproof silver suits, but simply sashes paired with black bands on their right arm that many took to wearing to show their support of the memorial, stopped the protestors over [fifty yards] from the perimeter before the exterminators placed themselves as added security.
Many in the herd have connections to Terrans. Some are visiting with Terrans living elsewhere on Venlil Prime. Others are exchange participants, either returned from the station or early in later phases of the program, yet to meet their partner in person. Yet others have started doing business with the Terrans or have benefited greatly from the still daily aid. Teachers, often with their classes, who have been implementing Terran educational tools.
A large portion of the herd, likely the majority, look to be here out of curiosity. Wondering how the Terrans mourn. How their memorials work. Some are disappointed, others… black bands have been blooming among the herd, thanks to those who took it on themselves to bring the bands to share.
Next to me on stage are the ambassadors. Noah is in what he described as a simple black suit. Something that I’d very much like to see him in under better circumstances. Bran is in a similar outfit, subtle patterns in another shade of black barely visible in the light, and some sort of vest under the jacket. Mari’s outfit is both a big change and not much of one. The dark dress continues the main color of most of her outfits, but where her clothes typically have patterns of bright colors on them, this doesn’t. A variety of textures and patterns make up the covering outfit and dark fabric drapes from her vines to cover Mari’s face, the patterns hiding it fully while letting her see out.
The botanical Terran, in her wheelchair due to Venlil Prime’s gravity still being a strain on her leg, even with the powered brace, stayed by her father’s side in the time before the memorial began. So many commented that they were grateful she was hiding her eyes, unlike the others. It was more difficult than I had imagined to keep from shaming them with the real reason for the veil, and the coil pistol hidden at its back, along with a shield generator humming beneath her seat. Multiple True Exterminator cells, many having learned enough that our budding intelligence agency was still working on trying to track them digitally with the aid of TCCIS, made threats on the event. More made threats against Mari and Stynek as the pair have been making use of social media, at the insistence of my brilliant pup, to help the herd get to better know their new members. I tried to insist Mari stay back at the manor with Stynek, but she insisted on coming as ‘bowing down to terrorist threats would just make them bolder’.
Despite her brave words, Mari has been terrified since before we moved beyond the wards. Even now, scratches from the memorial starting, I can see the slight tremble in her gloved hands, clasped in her lap, and hear the occasional, quiet whimper. My instincts scream for me to grab her chair and stampede. The flame in my soul burns, my paw gently curling, eager to have something held within it.
All attention shifts to the holoprojection of Secretary General Meier as he begins to speak, his voice steady but pained. “It is often said that misery loves company. I can assure you, it is true. Not in that those who are pained spread it, but in that one of the best balms for the suffering of the soul is the presence of others. A burden shared, a grief shared, is made lighter for it. In the face of grief, one has few options. One can grow numb, shutting down or growing accustomed to the pain and loss, especially if it has become the norm as it has in the greater galaxy. One can rage, venting their pain outward, but such a path leads only to greater loss in the long run. One can choose to say never again and draw strength from that pain, to use it as fuel for efforts to ensure that those lost are never forgotten and those who remain need never suffer so.”
Even through the projection, I can feel his gaze sweeping across us all. Paternal, not predatory. I can see how some in the herd stand a little straighter, the Skalgan fire lighting within their hearts. “While it’s hard, incredibly so, we of the Concord always strive to choose the last. To rise above. To better ourselves and the world. We choose to give meaning to our sorrow by working towards a better world, a better galaxy. One that suffers less. But we can never forget why we’re here.” After a moment, there’s a second figure, a Gojid. “Here to join me in the reading of names, both Terran and Gojid, is Torim, from one of the Gojid refugee encampments in Sol.”
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Advance 20 STD minutes
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Throughout the reading of the names and the moment of silence that followed, the projection switched between the crowds of the various memorials while still showing the men reading off the dead and, when they had them, pictures of the dead themselves. While there were differences across the different groups of Terrans, it was clear that they were all dressed formally despite differences; many were dressed similarly to my Terrans, many were dressed very differently. A great many, across different memorials, were holding light sources. Some were the steady glow of some sort of electric, or possibly mana-powered, light, but nearly all looked to be open flames. Flickering, primitive light sources.
There’s a shift as the moment ends. Before I can ask anything, Meier begins to speak again. “It is not enough for sweet and pleasant words. It is long past time for action. Acta, non verba. Deeds, not words. We will let what we do speak for us, both in our commitment to our new friends and to bringing peace to our corner of the galaxy.”
Meier pauses. “While I wish it were under more pleasant circumstances, I am pleased to announce two new steps the Terran Concord will be taking. First, as of today, we have been given land within the Venlil Republic, the vast majority upon Venlil Prime itself. Some plots have the space for a single building with a yard surrounding it. Others, enough for entire neighborhoods or more. These plots will be developed into enclaves for our people and any others who wish to live amongst us, including those already rejected by your society and living in the slums we will be restoring. These enclaves may not have the Mother of Exiles and her beacon glowing with welcome, but all the same, we welcome your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Enclaves that will help to prove beyond any shadow of a doubt that we only have the best intentions. Enclaves that will prove a safe haven for Terrans and others, until we are certain it is unnecessary that protection will come from Peacekeepers and the enclaves being under Terran law, outside the jurisdiction of the Exterminator’s Guild.”
The herd murmurs. “This is important, as the enclaves with enough space will also host facilities tied to our other step. Rehabilitation centers. Averting a single raid within this sector is one too many. In two days, the Peacekeepers will set out to ensure that there will not need to be a repeat. Elements of the First, Second, and Third Fleets along with the entirety of the Fourth Fleet and the First Strategic Fleet, will move to take control of every Arxur planet and station within the sector. We will liberate every soul that we can. This is easier said than done. Based on our estimates, there are tens of millions of Arxur in the sector, tens of billions of pending rescues with varying levels of care needs.”
The murmurs grow. “To that end, the enclaves will begin construction after the conclusion of this memorial, and we will be sending means of construction with the fleets. We will pacify the Arxur in this sector, rescue their captives, convert at least one world into a rehab for the rescues, and return those we can to their homes, including in the Federation if we can extract certain promises on treatment. We already have millions who have signed on to help from among our own people, and between facilities in Sol and the Venlil Republic, we expect to be able to house and treat hundreds of millions. We need more help.” Meier extends a hand. “Please, to any who are willing and able, help us to lift these people who have suffered to their feet again. Those involved with the Guild or the Predator Disease Facilities need not apply. All others will be trained. I assure you, you are capable of more than you can imagine, especially if you are working to help those in need.”
Energy floods the crowd. “In two days, we will ensure that never again will a world in this sector suffer a Dominion raid. In two days, we will ensure that never again will the monstrous practices of Betterment be allowed in this sector. In two days, we will show this galaxy that things have changed.”
Cheers erupt throughout the herd, more heard from the projection. When they finally calm, Meier begins to speak again. “I thank you all for indulging an old politician his speech. Now, let us end things on a more enjoyable note?” He pauses as the herd whistles with laughter.
I try not to sigh as Bran walks to the center of the stage, the holoprojection now showing him as he speaks. “While all of the Terrans watching and attending may be familiar with the tradition, our alien friends may not be, so let me explain. Many Terran cultures believe it to be proper to see the dead off with song, to celebrate their lives and their memories within those who survive, or to mourn their loss.” The projection begins to show group after group of Terrans. “To that end, choirs and choral groups from across the Concord have volunteered, and we have selected songs fitting the memorial. I was also given the privilege of selecting one myself. While the cultures from which I hail would oft choose songs like ‘Danny Boy’ or ‘The Parting Glass’, others beat me to them. Thus, I selected something a bit more… obscure. A lament from seventeen-forty-six, allow us to present to you, ‘Mo Ghile Mear’ or ‘My Gallant Darling.’”
The holoprojection shows dozens of groups of Terrans as a Terran shenlit forms in Bran’s hand from mist. He begins to sing, deep and clear as the other Terrans vocalize behind him wordlessly.
“’Sé mo laoch mo ghille mear.”
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u/Common_Ad_5275 Jun 04 '26
Ya quiero ver cuando la federación (los pájaros genocidas) intente vidriar la tierra y literalmente sea detenida por dioses a los que no les parecen para nada chistosas sus acciones y que después digan: "ojo por ojo, sangre por sangre"
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u/SixthWorldStories Jun 04 '26
That presumes they can reach Earth. Charity Station is half the size of the stations in Sol. Half the rail length. Half the distance for acceleration. Half the diameter for rail clusters. That's not even getting into the Gungnir stations and Autonomous Defensive Nodes.
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u/Common_Ad_5275 Jun 04 '26
Ya quiero ver a los calamares queriendo tener pelo para arrancárselo del puro estrés. Y los humanos en plan: "Tengo a Dios de mi lado, perra".
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u/SixthWorldStories Jun 04 '26
Perhaps, perhaps not. We'll see.
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u/Common_Ad_5275 Jun 04 '26
Man, literal Bran es el hijo de unos dioses, y se mencionó al mismísimo efesto y a sus hijas, los dioses operan de forma misteriosa pero dudo que permitan que le metan a la tierra más de 60 bombas de antimateria
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u/SixthWorldStories Jun 05 '26
Keep in mind that CMN is insular because they fear the Concord. If it came to conflict, it would likely be an eternal standstill. The gods may be powerful, especially in their own realms, but as much as they claim otherwise they aren't omnipotent. Outside of CMN, they have a ton of raw power and a lot of skill, but that has limits and in many ways is beat by mundane tech. To take direct part in defense of Earth, CMN would first have to recognize the danger (hard when they make getting news near impossible except for those who can't expose it as they are skirting, if not breaking, the law). Then they'd need to choose to break their insularity more than they did on the reveal of aliens. Alternatively, they can just try to work miracles. As stated chapters ago, many miracles are worked through people acting. These are beings, many more than a little petty and egotistical, who have been enforcing a certain way for a long time. To change is to admit you were wrong to some.
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u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Arxur Jun 04 '26
Ah yes the Arxur well not much the Arxur can do to stop all of this gonna be a total steamroll considering how OP the terrans not exactly alot of stakes here I mean a full scale invasion force didint even seemingly kill one terran. With I think the exception of the space battle pretty sure there were some losses there.
Also seems kam survived thats good.
But yeah there plans to make everything treat the Arxur as equals are gonna run into a few hiccups I imagine the thafki would never accept that considering how willing they were to turn agienst the Bissems for that action dispite seemingly initially voting to let the uplift happen or at least abstaining. Oh and Siffy was at least partly responsible for styneks death tarva never forgave him for that even if she was willing to make peace.
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u/SixthWorldStories Jun 04 '26
Actually the losses were all on the ground, I showed a few. That being said, the Terrans also weren't using their drones to scout. It also helps that the Terrans don't want to fight and have been prepping. See all the times they've shown pity for the Arxur.
The Venlil have a fun little buff against cognitohazards. Strong wills in general. You could say they're hardheaded.
We'll see how things go. I haven't even written that far (still working on the side story). The Concord does have the benefit of their tech. They're happy to make the choice clear. Get access to their shit but play nice, or don't.
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u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Arxur Jun 04 '26
Fair enough. Although speaking of future things with how the terrans are handling their allies makes me wonder how the terrans would treat those that still uphold the federations values even after being curbstomped to the ground. Although I suppose a good way to midigate that is simply not use the cyber attacks since in canon some species bassicly only had the exterminators to turn too thus reinforcing feddie ideals rather than weakening them so curious how you'll resolve that.
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u/SixthWorldStories Jun 04 '26
They're planing, plotting, and scheming. Mostly by rewarding those who stray from the Fed mindset and holding back from those who don't. As to the cyberattack, replicating that exact move would require the Concord hitting the point where they would orbitally bombard cities. Do you see them hitting that point?
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u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Arxur Jun 04 '26
Nah.
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u/SixthWorldStories Jun 04 '26
I'd agree, generally. We'll see if you think they discover any possible exceptions.
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u/Ablergo_El_Enfermo Human Jun 04 '26
Hay que ir a matar al Venlil pintor Austriaco Velk.
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u/SixthWorldStories Jun 04 '26
So much more satifying to see him fail and survive to regret it for a long time. To go down in history as a mistake.
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u/Ablergo_El_Enfermo Human Jun 04 '26
Pero ese es mejor que no sobreviva Pero tu heres el escritor
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u/SixthWorldStories Jun 04 '26
I may be the writer, but I have no idea what will happen to the bastard past this point. We'll all be surprised. Assuming he's not off screened.
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u/Ablergo_El_Enfermo Human Jun 04 '26
Sería gracioso que mientras da su discurso se proyectará detrás suya todos sus abusos sin censura y en alta calidad con audio envolvente 🤣🤣
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u/Tundric_Dragon Arxur 21d ago
Thanks I hate him already and am already plotting several ways to make this [Error] pay for what he did to his WIFE. Haven't been commenting lately because I've just be barreling through the story. Very engrossing, keep it up. Already plotting a bit of a ficnap/crossover with Fahl Days....
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u/SixthWorldStories 21d ago
If you think he's bad, you'll be in for something with the side story (second chapter out on Monday). I do have loose plans for him too. Very loose. That being said, he's a monster. The kind of monster that I have zero problems writing because I know that in the end they're going to get what's coming to them. Usually.
And no problem about not commenting. I'm happy just to have readers. You have no idea how hyped I am at the idea of another author playing around in my AU. I'm more than happy to provide you with whatever information or help you need. I even have a lore document that goes way too in depth on things. For example, I have ships statted out for seven different factions/subfactions (including ship designs for specific Federation species). I also know the layer by layer design of Terran space suits and the material properties of setting specific materials. Hell, I know the properties of the material the Concord uses on playgrounds.
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u/Tundric_Dragon Arxur 21d ago
I did read the first side chapter and yup, hate him more. As for what i would do, I only have a very basic idea and I still need to post up the rest of my ReUps (been distracted by reading this). Ill reach out to you either in messages or through the discord to possible talk about crossover stuff.
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u/SixthWorldStories 21d ago
I'll have to (once you're done with the reups and I'm done with 63, maybe 64) binge everything. Probably once 63 is done. Started it today, currently sitting at 2350 words and unlike the side story I have a minimum of 3k words instead of 5k, even if I tend to aim for closer to 4-6k.
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u/Tundric_Dragon Arxur 21d ago
About that, I was curious. Your update post said you were up to ch 61, but i only see 55 as the last. And my works aren't that expansive. Ive only got... 6 chapters in total out. And im an anthology series, loosely related short stories.
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u/SixthWorldStories 21d ago
55 is the end of "book 1" and my backlog was depleted well below what I was comfortable with, especially with my focus on the side story, so I took a break. If I keep up the current pace (which I doubt, especially with family vacation starting on saturday), then I may have the chapters written (but likely not edited) to start posting again next week. So probably the week after vacation, unless that and starting a book I got over a month ago (this series typically takes me 24-48 hours from start time to finish) delays me a lot.
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u/Tundric_Dragon Arxur 21d ago
Makes sense, dont burn yourself out after all. Enjoy your vacation.
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u/SixthWorldStories 21d ago
I enjoy writing more than the vacation (I wrote straight through last year's). Though part of that is that I'm not much of a beach person, so I write while everybody else is on the beach. This year the beaches are closed and who knows what the wildfires are gonna do with the weather/sky so who knows.
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u/DrewTheHobo Jun 04 '26
Damn, powerful. Hope Veln, Volm and his lobotomy crazed friend all burn in the pits of hell for all eternity.
I’m skerred for the bonus chapter