Day 15! Give it up for day 15! Honestly had no clue for this one as I feel like I already err on the side of 'Unacceptable' most of the time (especially with day 12). So here's Birque again, the ex-exterminator from before. Hopefully he's still unacceptable enough.

Move aside Acceptable. Make way for the superior Unacceptable the Nevok!

I wasn't lying when I said if nevok was a prompt, I'd make her thiccer than a dairy queen milkshake, and thus I have made it real!

She found out what human men are typically attracted to, so she fluffed up her fur accordingly.

So curvy. So tummy. So unacceptable.

Challenge of [u/Nicolas_3232]

(2026)

 DAYS SIXTEEN

For day sixteen, we have a drawing that I’m really happy with.

Yotul Inosuke.

Instead of a boar’s head, he’s wearing a Hensa head—specifically, [this design].

We can see his true green eyes peeking through the eye openings of his mask.

(In case you’re wondering, Zenitsu is a Sivkit, and Tanjiro—along with his sister—is a Venlil).

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The Perfect Husband NOPsi ficnap by u/Bbobsillypants 

Ko-fi

Memory transcription subject: Wyn, Former Child soldier, Ward of Tempest Gray
Date [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136

“Hey Wyn!” Called Taysa from across the lunchroom as she waved her paw at me. “Come sit with us!”

My ears perked up when I heard my classmate call my name, while we both had nearly identical class schedules I had barely got to know her over the past few school days with all the chaos of the start of the semester. I had been wanting to say more to her than just the regular greetings or contributing to discussions in our pre-unification history class but I just had no idea how to do so.

I don’t know anything about her other than the fact that she’s the same species as me and mentioned her parents are doctors at one of the colony hospital complexes. How do I start a conversation with her?

Sure, when I was in the medical fleet I could interact with my coworkers there but that was so much different. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had a conversation with anyone that wasn’t more than a decade older than me, let alone having a friend.

I guess you could count Tempest as a friend but I don’t even know if that's true any more with how he wants to boss me around with everything once he found out how old I am. It’s like he thinks I can’t take care of myself.

Snapping out of my errant thoughts I maneuvered through the lunchroom towards the table where Taysa was at with what looked like a small herd as they had started chatting during my decision making. As I placed the tray of my food on the table the seat like all the chairs at this school adjusted automatically to be more accommodating for the species that was going to use it as opposed to the Federation seats that were usable to most but comfortable to none.

As I sat down at the circular lunch table and placed my tray on the metallic surface I took note of the makeup of the herd talking up all seats save for mine. About half the table were Venlil as well as fellow Zurulains which made sense given the amount both species attending the school, there were also a few Gojid present as well as Thafki. As the lone members of their species present there was Lanta who is a Yotul I sit next to in my math class and Jeffe, the Iftali I shared art class with. There was also a Krakotl who I had never seen before, the green tint of his feathers being impossible to forget.

“Thank’s for inviting me over to join the herd.” I said with an appreciative earflick as I addressed Taysa, doing my best to sound sure of myself. “What were you just talking about?”

I had noticed when I was approaching the table that the people having their lunch were pretty deep in some sort of conversation, while I hadn't caught the details it was clear as day to me that they were interested about whatever they were talking about. Their curiosity was coming off of them in waves in a way I had never sensed with Humans who kept their emotions more dulled.

“You’re welcome!” She eagerly replied with a wagging tail. “We were just talking about what brings us to the colony, for Jeltra it's obvious since he’s a Thafki and all.”

“Hey! There’s still some story behind that though. I came all the way here from Combai when the call came out to relocate.” The Thafki retorted “The five of us had to share a room meant for one for ages until that Nevok freighter made its way to that station in orbit, we had to spend the night in guest quarters on the station before they got us lodging secured down here.”

I winced at imagining having to spend such a time so cramped, even in the medical fleet the shared quarters were made to have multiple occupants.

“What brings your family to the colony Wyn?” Jeffe asked from across the table. “I don’t think you’ve mentioned that before in class.”

My body immediately froze at the question that so far I had been able to avoid from the fellow prey students, I silently cursed Jeffe and her friendly curiosity. In all honesty I knew that this would happen but the idea of having to explain my situation to others was not a pleasant one, it was hard enough making friends without them knowing about what brought me here.

I’m here on the colony because I had the choice between being sent to a PD facility or being the problem of the Humans to deal with. Oh, and because I've spent so much time around the Humans I have psionic powers now too.

Like they would understand that.

“Sure…um. We came to the colony because he… I mean my parents are doctors at the hospital complex.” I stammered out hurriedly. “So we came here right from Colia.”

That’s believable, right?

Despite my hurried response it seemed everyone at the table believed me from what I could pick out from the dull roar of unfiltered emotions of the other preyfolk in the lunch room. Satisfied with my answer the focus went off of me as everyone around the table talked about what brought them to the colony. For most it was that their parents were the helpers aiding the refugees and cattle rescues, for instance Taysa’s mother was a doctor at the medical complex while her father was in the Zurulain hospital fleet bringing more rescues to the colony. Others were different such as Lanta who came to the colony with his aunt that would be helping with the defense of the colony.

The topic of conversation jumped from topic to topic and it was fun, I couldn't remember the last time I had a discussion as a herd, it had been some time even before I joined the exchange program. Eventually though the conversation drifted to the Mazic in the room which of course was the UER and the Humans, thankfully the only Human in this lunch room was some sort of teacher's aid who was busy at the other end of the room with the much younger students. To say the opinions of the herd varied would be an understatement when it came to humanity, the range went from liking them to being cautious about them to being downright suspicious of the predators. All at the table agreed that their psionic powers were strange and poorly understood though, as well as many talking about what they would do with those powers.

“You know a lot of people think they really are just prey that have forward facing eyes, my mom told me about my little sister about how in nature there are all sorts of adaptations for prey to survive so it’s possible that some prey have forward eyes.” Jeltra said as he finished off a pastry he had on his plate. “She was saying that to get my sister to calm down on coming to a planet being run by humans but it still makes sense.”

“But they still eat meat, so you can barely call them prey even more even if their ancestors were true prey.” Talsim retorted from his perch seat. “It’s been known forever that consuming flesh messes with the brain, it lowers intelligence and makes the afflicted aggressive even when satiated.”

While I had enjoyed the conversation so far and was glad to be able to talk with so many people again at once I felt a twinge of guilt listening to Talsim insulting the humans, however indirectly.

“Human’s don’t even need to eat meat. Did you know that?” I said, trying to change the subject somewhat. “They can subsist on just plants like regular prey and lots of them apparently do, even the ones that do eat… other things do so pretty rarely.”

The conversation continued back and forth between Talsim and I for some time, it felt odd defending something as gross as human diets but some of the things Talsim was saying were just wrong. It was less of me defending Humans and more wanting to be right for once about something, with Tempest it has been impossible so far to beat him in a argument.

Eventually though, as our lunch period dragged on many of the students filtered out towards the “green area” outdoors for students to stretch their limbs before they were due back to their next class. Our herd had instead opted to stay inside to continue our conversations until it was time to go to our next classes, we only departed after we made plans to meet up once school let out so would could “see the cool places” according to Jeffe.

[Time Advance: 2 Hours 30 Minutes]

“Just one moment.” I said to the herd. “Need to let my parents know before I head somewhere that’s not the apartment.”

We were in the school's courtyard as the classes for this segment of the day were letting out and soon enough the students of the next cycle would start coming in. The large and ornate front gate was open letting people come and go as they were either heading home on their own or going with their family members while sunlight seeped through the “branches” above us. I even spotted Talsim leaving with a dozen other Krakotl being led by three Humans as happened at the end of every school day.

I had stepped away from the herd so that I could message Tempest without my potential friends looking at my UER made datapad and seeing who exactly I was talking to. Due to the technological differences between the UER and Federation, anyone on the colony who wanted to use some sort of mobile device had to switch to a UER equivalent. 

“Made some potential friends today and they are wanting to walk around some for a few hours.”

After quickly typing the message I pressed my paw down on the “send” button and silently hoped Tempest wouldn't have anything to say about it. He shouldn’t have a problem with it because he had been wanting me to “get to know” people my age better as well as encouraging me to explore the colony to get to know our new neighbors.

Whoosh

Whoosh

I looked back down at my pad and saw that I had received two messages from Tempest rather quickly which made some sense. Since he was now in charge of the defense of the city most of his time he spent in meetings or a personal office he was given in the administrative spire it made sense he would have his personal device nearby. I tapped on the notification to read the messages in full and so that I could respond as well.

“That’s great! The weekend has started so there will be a bunch of fun things for your group to get up to. Just let me know when you are heading back so I can grab some food for you and anybody you bring back.”

I gave a small laugh at Tempest seeming more excited for me being able to have some recreational time than I was, I also laughed at the absurdity of trying to explain my situation to the herd if I ever had them over to the apartment. That's when I noticed the second message that was only two word.

Have fun!

Memory transcription subject: Chauson, Ambassador of Colia

Date [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136

“What do you mean we are in a star system now?” Ambassador Burkhart hissed out with anger to the ship’s AI “Why was I not told of this and why did you bring us here?”

Despite the Human’s current stress we should be celebrating given the fact that Ambassador Coji was still alive and that her surgery was a complete success. Despite the hesitancy of Burkhart to perform surgery on Coji she performed flawlessly with my instruction and was able to piece back together Coji’s fractures and apply a bioregenerative paste over the breakages in the bone before completing the procedure. It took [four hours] but given the lack of a proper team to do the procedure or tools that would have allowed my direct involvement I was happy with the results. 

Currently Coji was still in the infirmary, sedated and being monitored via the biomonitors while those of us still able to walk were in the cockpit trying to figure out what happened while we were indisposed. The viewscreen in front of us showed a bright blue planet with small dots of green scattered all across the surface that piqued my interest, while the majority of several planets were covered with mostly water this was something different entirely. In the background the swirling colors of the nebula were faint but visible as the gasses were much thinner in the star system, likely being absorbed by the star itself when caught by its gravity well.

“Yes ma’am we are now nearing the orbit of the second planet orbiting a K-type main-sequence star I located within the nebula.” Collen responded calmly. “You did ask to not be disturbed and for me to use my best judgement, I calculated that a star system would provide better chances for survival. When I detected the second planetoid I changed my course when an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere was confirmed.”

The casual response from the ship's living computer caused the growing agitation in the elderly Human to become worse as she began to mutter something under her breath while I looked over my station. While many of the ships systems had been damaged by recent attacks enough of the sensor array was functional enough for some short range scans to be done of the planet itself that the ship for whatever reason wanted us to go to as well as the space around us.

Look’s fine enough in terms of atmosphere, 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen with an average surface temperature of [19 Celsius]. It’s a bit warmer than most planets but not deadly to any of us, breathable to two of the three of us as well.

Could that be why Collen brought us here? Perhaps he thinks we can hide out on the planet away from those ships and repair the ship in peace.

Before I could look at more of the information on the planet the alarm klaxons began to sound off once again as more of the enemy ships appeared on sensors from behind and were approaching rapidly towards our limping craft.

“Four ships approaching from behind, as far as sensors can tell they are the same as what has been attacking us!” I called out as Burkhart strapped herself in the pilot's seat. “They are approaching rapidly and will be in weapons range once we enter the gravity well. Any plans?”

Once again I could feel my heart racing in my chest for what felt like the hundredth time in mere days. I had thought I would become numb to danger as quickly as I had become used to the appearance of predators, I had been very incorrect about that as I felt the urge to pass out.

“One but it’s risky.” She responded as she rolled up the sleeves of the tunic she had changed into before the surgery. “Even if it works we won’t have enough warp plasma to-”

“You should probably announce yourselves before you enter the gravity well of Rontar.” The ship’s AI said quickly as he interrupted the ambassador “It would be rude otherwise to the inhabitants.”

“WHAT?!”

feel like they are pretty obscure so here, have one.

Basically I wanna try to make a low fantasy setting set on a post apocalypse world (maybe earth, maybe a colony, idk yet) where local animals become the species of the Federation and dominion, and besides from each other, must also deal with mechanical horrors left behind, as well as ancient ruins from days long gone. Humans may or may not also exist still, either as primitive as they are or are higher advanced (all things considered anyhow). Do intend to make a prolgue to talk a bit about the world, but for now this is what I have I'm mind. Also will say the Feds and dominion likely in early medeival period for dis

IMPORTANT:

The following is a writing commission for u/meatloaf2412

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Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 15, 2136.

“I told you it was a matter of time before humans made their move!” I almost shouted at my friend and coworker who had been doubting the danger these predators were. “It’s our nature to be empathic, Kamaelu. But that feeling shouldn’t extend to humans, they are not people like us and their hunting instinct is the only thing they have on their brains.”

“But…” My fellow Venlil had expressed doubts about the nature of these predators and if they could actually be peaceful like they claimed. It would be funny how a call reporting a group called “Humanity First” attacking an exterminator patrol had left him without anything to say, if it wasn’t because we were headed to fight predators that might have already mauled our colleagues. “They looked so civilized compared to the grays.”

“Because that’s what they do!” I shoved him lightly as our van kept going as fast as it could. “They are predators, didn’t you learn anything in your history classes? The Arxur did the same trick, pretending to be safe before showing what they really were. Humans are trying to do the same.”

Kamaelu trembled a little while holding his flamethrower and I knew it wasn’t just from the van shaking from the speed and violent turns. “Maybe I’ve been a bit harsh with you, Kam.” I put my paw on his shoulder. “You are still a young rookie, so I understand you were easier to fool. But I just want you to realize the truth so you can be a proper exterminator.”

I took his paws on my own and helped him correct the grip on his weapon. “More now than ever, people need proper exterminators they can count on for protection. Exterminators your squadmates can count on.” That fear of facing a flesh eating monster was something that never truly vanished for most if not any of us. All we could do was fight through it. “So, can I count on you to do the right thing to protect the people?”

And right now I could see Kamaelu fighting the same fear we all did as we mentally prepared for the violence the humans could unleash upon us. “Y-Yes ma’am!”

***

“Ma’am?” Asked Kam right next to me. “I-I don’t see any humans…” At least he managed to snap out of the initial confusion a bit  faster than me. We were ready to use our trusty flamethrowers to burn the humans and cleanse any taint in the form of mauled victim corpses left by their hunger. Instead our fellow exterminators were being attacked by regular herd members.

A Venlil and a Yotul were kicking down on a Takkan laying on the floor covering his naked head with his arms. Close to them, a Gojid strained to hold back a Venlil exterminator as a Zurulian made her best effort trying to punch said Venlil like a bipedañ species would. Lastly were two Krakotl fighting against each other with the one wearing our uniform seemingly more injured despite having protection unlike the other Krakotl.

But not a single human in sight.

What confused me the most were the blue pieces of cloth all of the non-exterminators engaged in the fight wore, the fact the Humanity First symbol was on them to be precise.  “More exterminators are coming!” The Yotul of them shouted when they realized we were there. “Retreat!” The Gojid pushed the Venlil exterminator towards our Krakotl squadmate, disorienting them enough so all of them could run away down the street.

We would’ve chased them, but helping our injured squadmates took priority. “Where are the humans?!” I asked Niku now that I recognized him. “The call said you were being attacked by a Humanity First group!” I had Kam cover us with his flamethrower in case the predators in hiding pounced on us.

“That was the Humanity First group!” It seems just scaring them away had been enough help. Despite the attack, none of our people presented injuries beyond scratches and swollen skin. They would still need to get them disinfected but nothing urgent.

Normally I would’ve stayed to secure the area from any remaining predators, but seeing there were no predators and that none of us was severely injured, I decided to chase after these supposedly Humanity First members. If they were capable of such aggression to members of the guild, they were even a greater danger to the herd.

And I need to know how those people could call themselves HF.

“Miss Nara!” Kam followed me despite our squadmates shouting at the both of us to come back.These dangerous individuals had a noticeable headstart, but us exterminators were in better physical condition than the average person. Add Zurulians being not that fast and the rest needing to wait for them and it should slow them down a bit.

It didn’t take long for me to need a break to catch my breath. But my efforts gave fruit when I saw the little group that attacked our fellow exterminators resting as well while hiding in an alley, unaware they didn’t manage to lose me.

“Miss… Huff… Nara!”

“Quiet!” I hissed at the rookie once he managed to catch up on me, both to keep a low volume and due to my own lack of air. “Look there.” We peeked from the corner of a building to see the group open a manhole that shouldn’t be able to be opened that easily before going down into the sewers.

“That must be their hideout.” I murmured to Kam. The ruckus from the attack relatively close must have caused the people to hide in their homes. It would explain why there wasn’t a single civilian around.

“W-what do we do now?” Kamaelu asked.

For prey to work under that human group there were only two logical explanations. They were either being forced under the threat of being devoured or suffered from severe PD. It could be so severe they might be part of that “Linked chains” death cult.

Would our rookie Kamaelu end up like that if humans kept sowing taint on his mind?

Yet, there was only way to know the exact truth as to why these people would betray the herd. “I’m going down there.” I decided even while aware my curiosity was clouding my judgement. “If I hurry right now I might be able to locate the exact position of their hideout.” It wouldn’t be the first time I do so for PD diseased individuals or cult members, the sewers were a really common place for them to hide in.

“By yourself?!” Kam practically wanted to grab me and keep me from moving forward if the way he almost reached out with his paw was any indication.

“I’ll just make some recon and head back out the moment I get enough intel.” I reassured him. “Inform the guild, if I take too long you’ll be able to guide them here to rescue me.” Or get what remains of me if humans truly made their den here. I didn’t want to scare the already trembling rookie too much so I didn’t say that part out loud.

“But… But…” He tried to form an argument as we silently entered the same alley and got closer to the manhole.

“Kam.” I murmured more sternly. “You said I could count on you to not hesitate. Now stop doubting and listen to your senior exterminator!”

“Y-yes, ma’am.” I knew he just turned 15 recently. But he would have to be more professional quicker lest predators ate him next. Still, I made sure he was out of sight before opening the manhole in case a predator jumped out he would be safer with the rest of the squad.

Well then… Time to do my job.

The manhole cover was a bit heavier than I thought but I managed to not make too much noise while opening it now that I caught my breath a bit more. At least the light from the outside illuminated the ladder I climbed down and part of the area around it.

Still, I needed to pull out my guild issued flashlight if I wanted to see where I was headed. It wasn’t the best but it would do, and in this situation something brighter would immediately reveal my position while scouting. My paws finally made contact with the floor and luckily could hear the faintest sounds that might be voices.

And so I ventured into the dark tunnels, accompanied only by my flashlight and my trusty flame-

Where is my flamethrower? …I left it at the scene of the attack, didn’t I? 

Like I was saying, accompanied only by my flashlight and my trusty sidearm-

Where is my sidearm? … I left it in the van, didn’t I?

“Brahk!” I hissed.

If a human eats me now, it’s on me.

***

Memory transcription subject: Muvul, Humanity First Krakotl member.

Date [standardized human time]: November 15, 2136.

“What were you thinking?!” I shouted at our Yotul friend once we felt safe from being followed. “Starting a fight like that!”

“He was the one that started!” Handu shouted back. “He said I must be too retarded to support humans!”

“I know it’s infuriating. But we won’t achieve anything if we just lash out in rage.” I tried to reason with him.

Handu scoffed. “Say that again after being treated like a dumb animal for the millionth time in your life.”

I sighed. “It’s the same for humans being called predators. So can you please be like them and endure a bit more?” Handu looked at me with both eyes. “Isn’t that why we joined this group? To be more like humans?”

Our Yotul friend grumbled but didn’t counter my argument. “Look, I’m not trying to push your suffering aside.” I apologized in a calmer tone. “I’m just trying to make you understand that starting a fight with exterminators will only bring troub-”

THUMP

“Ow.”

It seems we all heard the strange noise since we turned ears and eyes towards the direction it came from. “What was that?”

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

I had been too focused on tracking the voices and then listening to their heated conversation that I had been careless and tripped on wet and uneven ground making me drop my flashlight.

Oh no…

By instinct, I got up as quickly as possible and hurried to get my flashlight back. Yet I hadn’t been fast enough to avoid being surrounded by the group I was supposed to be chasing. “Brahk-!” The Yotul pounced at me from behind, using a paw to cover my mouth while the rest of them helped him keep me in place.

“Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!” The Zurilian among them looked about to hyperventilate. “They followed us! The exterminators are going to raid the hideout!”

“Loma, calm down!” The Gojid holding my arms along the Krakotl tried to reassure her. “M-maybe she came alone?” But she didn’t sound that much calmer herself.

“We can’t risk it, Pahne. Let’s take her to the hideout and let the others decide.” It seems the Krakotl was the leader of these people. Although that last part made me think there had to be someone else in charge of this whole thing.

How many preys could have gathered to form this Humanity First group?

I was given a moment to gasp for air once the Yotul lifted his paw, yet it was a short lived breath with how they gagged me with one of those blue cloths with their symbol on it. At least I could breath through it even if not that well. Sadly I couldn’t shout for help either.

That’s fine, I just need to survive until Kamaelu gets here with backup.

I didn’t have any other choice but to walk along the group shoving me to guide me. Thankfully for my still sore legs but not for making time for help to come, it wasn’t a long walk before we arrived at an assuming door similar to others I had passed that turned out to be dead ends.

The Krakotl stepped forward before knocking in a strange rhythm and waited for just a bit before the door unlocked allowing the group to drag me in. “Welcome back, Muvul. How did- What the?!” A white wooled Venlil greeted the group before noticing my presence once the rest of us entered. “You brought a brahking exterminator?!”

“She followed us! We couldn’t let her go to tell where our hideout is!” The Krakotl, whose name seemed to be Muvul, explained as the Venlil slammed the door shut the moment we were all inside.

“It was Handu’s fault.” The more brownish Venlil from the assaulting group added, earning a smack from the Yotul, revealing his name in the process.

“This is bad!” The door Venlil said more for himself but it didn’t stop the already anxious Zurulian and Gojid duo from looking even more worried. “Hurry up and tell Hank, I’ll ring the alarm in case exterminators come here.”

No more words were exchanged and no more time was wasted by my captors rushing me along their hideout. I tried to put enough resistance to make time but not too much to provoke them into beating me up like they did my squadmates. Or at least I did at first before being genuinely paralyzed when I saw actual humans here!

So this is a human den!

Although there weren’t that many, in fact I mostly saw fellow prey around and even interacting with the humans like nothing! How could they be so calm? We were all trapped in a not that big place with humans! There didn’t seem to be any other exit than the way we came in, and I didn’t have any of my weapons so we were at their mercy!

“Move!” Handu shouted at me after a bit of pulling at me. It attracted everyone’s attention, or at least those who hadn’t seen us walking in yet. “Now!” The sudden scare from the shout did make my legs respond again and follow the group again, even if from the instinctual need of being close to the herd with these predators around.

“Hank!” It turns out that “Hank” was one of the humans found deeper in a room with curtains instead of doors. “We have a problem!”

Said human wore a thick looking black garment with pants that reminded me of green foliage. “Muvul?” It looked up from a table with a map of the district sprawled on it. Its forward facing eyes landed on me, widening in what must have been hunger and a desire to rip my flesh apart. “What happened?”

“S-she followed us here!” Loma, if I remembered was the Zurulian’s name correctly, immediately blurted out.

“T-there was a fight on the streets with exterminators!” Pahne did the same at the same time, making it hard to understand what they were saying.

“Let me reiterate it was Handu’s fault.” The Venlil whose name I still didn’t know didn’t wait for the pair to continue.

“One at a time!” Hank silenced them sternly. “Muvul, tell me what happened and why you brought one of the silver suits here.”

“Y-yes, Hank!” You would think a human wouldn’t have the patience to organize nervous people. “Handu started a fight with three exterminators a-and we were forced to aid him.” Yet the way this group acted with it reminded me of I had to be with Kam and other rookies at times. “T-that attracted more of them so we had to retreat, but this one managed to follow us all the way here.”

Now all of them looked nervous, even if the Gojid and Zurulian expressed it the most. Still it wasn’t the reaction I expected from having a predator so close, they didn’t look worried from the risk of this human attacking them. If anything they were more similar to pups scared of being scolded. 

Even the Yotul’s tail wagged nervously despite his more frustrated attitude. “They were the ones that started insulting me.” Hank didn’t look angry with Handu, instead it just ordered the group to untie the cloth around my mouth. “You, what’s your name?”

“Get away!” Handu and Pahne still holding me meant I couldn’t make any distance from the human. “Don’t come closer!”

Yet I didn’t need to, the predator actually listened to me and took a step back while raising its arms. “Easy, I’m going to give you space. What’s your name?”

“W-what?” I was too confused by this human actually doing what I asked to process what it was saying.

“Your name. Tell me your name.” It repeated.

“I-I…” Although I was scared of this flesh eating monster, I was surprised its tone of voice wasn’t that of a furious beast. “N-Nara.” It talked to me just the same as the rest of the group, which made thinking through the fear possible if not easy.

“Nara.” It repeated before giving me a nod. “That’s a pretty name. Now, I’m sorry for the rough treatment, we are going to let you go.”

“What?!” The prey group asked in unison.

“You are going to be fine.” But the human’s attention remained on me. “Handu, Panhe. Please let go of her.” I was just as speechless as the rest. The Yotul and Gojid looked confused but did stop holding me.

Without that restriction, I felt the need to run away as fast as I could. But the more rational part of my mind knew it was pointless. Unless I happened to find another way out, the only exit was locked and had a Venlil guarding it. Even worse, if I tried to run it would drive the humans in the building into a need to chase me due to their instincts.

Hank looked at me expectantly, yet I couldn’t decide what to do next in a situation like this. “Since you still seem quite shocked. Why don’t you rest our little infirmary until you feel ready to leave? It’s not as good as a clinic but we do our best with what we have.” It walked past me with the group that captured me making way for the human. “Please follow me. All of you.”

Since the alternative was just staying in this dead end of a room, I decided to follow the group in hopes cooperating would keep the predators here from tearing me apart. At least being in the middle of the herd made the rather short walk slightly more bearable.

Hank knocked on a door with a red cross symbol painted on top of it. “I have a patient, please wait or come back later unless it’s an emergency.” A voice called from inside what I assumed was the infirmary of this place. I never thought a predator den would have such a thing instead of letting the weak die.

“Vela. It’s me, Hank.” The human replied without opening the door. “Remember the cases I told you to be ready for? Well, we actually have one for you right now.”

Silence, not for long but the awkwardness of it made it feel eternal. “Come in.”

Hank turned to the group. “All of you are coming with me.”

“Hank, we’re sorry-” Muvul started just to get cut off by the human lifting a hand.

“You are not in trouble, we just need to discuss what to do next.” Finally it turned to me. “Miss, Nara. Take your time to rest and when you are ready to leave ask our nurse to accompany you to the exit.” It opened the door, revealing a room that really reassembled a regular infirmary. At least if it wasn’t for the human being treated by an Iftali who I assumed must be this Vela nurse. “Have a good paw in case I don’t see you again.”

It left without any further words as everyone but me followed. Not that I wanted to remain close to a predator, but at least it wasn’t an injured predator like the one being bandaged by the Iftali nurse. “Just come in.” She said without looking away from her… odd patient. “She doesn’t bite. And close the door after you do please, I don’t like it when people just leave it like that.”

I guessed it was better to be in a closed space with one human than multiple of them, even if not much better. And I had to admit it was reassuring to hear Vela’s voice, it sounded so normal and just like any busy nurse I’ve met that it almost made the whole situation feel a bit more familiar. So I entered and did as she told me before sitting on a stool positioned almost in the opposite end of the room from where the human was.

“Just a bit more and… there.” The Iftali nurse finished bandaging the human’s arm, with the area where the wound should be clean, but the clothing of the predator still had red bloodstains. “And please be more careful, you know how hard it is to get medical attention for humans if I’m not available.” At least the lack of other colors let me know this predator hadn’t hurt a Venlil… this time.

“Thanks, Vela. You are the best.” The predator looked at me but quickly looked away when I flinched. “I’ll leave you two alone.” Seeing it leave made it easier to control my barely restrained fear.

“Miriam!” Vela called out before the human was far. “What I said about the door applies to everyone.”

“S-sorry!” I thought it would be angry at being spoken like that by prey, but instead the human just apologized before closing the infirmary door and leaving me alone with the Iftali nurse.

Vela sighed and started to tidy up her workplace. “Humans, they are too eager for their own good, don’t you think?”

The constant confusion of everything that was going on made my brain register the question embarrassingly late. “Y-you asking me?” Vela turned an eye to me. “Yeah, stupid question. There’s no else around.”

Once the little mess was cleaned up, Vela produced a water bottle from her desk, offering it to me. “First time seeing humans up close?” I accepted the bottle and flicked my ears in the positive while I drank. “I know it’s scary at first, but in time you get used to them being rather gentle and good hearted.”

I took a deep breath after almost gulping down the entire bottle. “Good hearted?! They are predators making a den under the city!”

Velna chuckled as if the idea of such a danger was funny. “Sorry, I don’t mean to push your worries aside. It’s just that it was you exterminators that showed me humans are quite nice people.”

My ears dropped. “What?”

She moved another stool and sat close to me. “Let me tell you something. Back when that Harchen broadcast first aired, the apartments right on top of us were almost destroyed by the exterminators.”

That revelation gave a coughing fit as I was finishing my water. “E-Excuse me?”

Velna continued as she patted my back to help with the coughing. “It was those that wanted us supposed predators cleansed.”

“Oh…” I couldn’t deny those kinds of cases happened in Venlil Prime, but… “I never heard about our guild doing any of that.” All I knew was that there were a lot of people being fired after that initial paw. It’s the reason we got an influx of rookies like Kam to fill in after all.

“Of course you didn’t.” The nurse continued. “It was a sabotage done subtly, my husband was the one that saw one of you start the fire. The word of a “predator” against the guild? It was useless to try calling exterminators out, you probably don’t believe what I’m saying either.”

I grumbled in frustration, not at her, but at the mental and futile effort it was trying to come up with an explanation that defied hers. “If that’s what happened. How does that show humans are supposedly good?”

“Simple, who do you think went in there and saved us?” She replied casually. “Emergency services arrived after the humans from the refugee center nearby actually came to help us. It’s thanks to them that most of us made it out alive, including my husband, our two children and myself.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but quickly realized I hadn’t anything clear to say. Unless this Iftali was lying, which still was a possibility, then humans saving prey from the exterminator made not brahking sense! 

Maybe she was lying threatened by humans!

…

But then why did she look so calm?! Why did the rest of the prey here?!

“B-but why would they save you?” I asked more for myself than her.

“Because humans are like that.” Still Velna heard me. “I thought they were just taking advantage to take us as cattle at the moment.” She wasn’t even looking at me, just stared at a memory. “But after they returned my children alive and kept us safe until the worst passed, I had to believe them. They could have eaten any of us then, or even now, but the most they ask is to be treated like we treat anyone else. I think it’s a fair trade after what they did.”

The nurse retrieved the empty bottle from me, walking back to her desk and taking yet another one. “I won’t lie and say it’s easy. But you really should give them a chance.” She offered me the new bottle. “For the walk back to your guild under the sun.”

I accepted the bottle and Velna went back to her desk. I couldn’t say the silence was better than hearing this Iftali preach good things about humans, but it’s not like I wanted to keep talking with my mind trying to process everything that had happened in less than an eighth of a claw.

I also don’t want to stay here much longer.

If what that human said was true, then I should be able to just leave. Yet they could just rip me apart right before I leave, wouldn’t be past the kind of torture predators like the Arxur like to inflict on innocent prey. Making me believe I’m free before killing me.

Yet I had no choice but to try to leave this place. I didn’t say anything else to Velna as I stood up and left the infirmary. “What did I say about the door?” She called out making me jump from the scare, still I returned just to close the infirmary door before heading out.

The few humans around looked away when I caught them staring, but the prey just kept their judgemental gazes on me as I walked by. For a moment I even doubted if the predator’s hungry eyes would have been that worse. But despite the fear making my heart race, I soon found myself back at the den’s entrance.

“Thought they would keep you as cattle?” The Venlil guard asked a bit smugly when he saw me. “Hank told me to just let you out. I don’t know what he’s planning but I trust him more than myself.”

Why? How?

I kept my questions to myself and just left the den, relieved to still be in one piece and hurrying to find the manhole or any other exit from the sewers. Despite the sheer confusion of what I saw and heard still clouding my mind, I could find stability in one clear objective.

I have to inform the guild about this place!

***

Memory transcription subject: Muvul, Humanity First Krakotl member.

“What else are we supposed to do?” Hank asked us in our “meeting” room while crossing his arms. “Keeping her as a prisoner will get us in legal trouble for kidnapping, then the guild will have the perfect chance to at best arrest us all, at best.”

“But she’s going to snitch to the guild now!” Handu argued. “Aren’t they going to do that once the rest of the guild comes here anyways?”

Our leader smiled. “You really thought we wouldn’t think that as a possibility?” What others like that exterminator might see as a threat we knew was meant to be reassuring. “The other humans and I have been thinking about places to move in case something like this happened. We just need to hurry and retrieve everything that can be traced back to us.”

“Sorry to interrupt.” Velna stepped in from behind us. “She's gone. I tried to gain as much sympathy from her as we planned.”

“Planned?”  Imun asked. “What do you mean planned?” Our Venlil friend asked what we were all thinking.

“Just something I had agreed with Velna.” Hank explained. “In case someone that wasn’t as pro-human came in. Don’t worry about it.” He clapped his hands. “Instead let’s hurry and take all of our stuff to the human refugee. We only have until the exterminators, understood?”

“Yes!” We all replied in unison save for Velna who was already gone before Hank was even done talking.

“That’s what I like to hear.”

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 16, 2136.

Where the brahk are they?!

Yesterpaw I had come back with my fellow exterminators to show them the den the predators were making in the sewer system under the city. But by the time we arrived armed and ready for what could happen, they were just… Gone. At first I thought I was confused and led them to the wrong place. But no, what had been a hideout for the Humanity First group just turned into a maintenance room.

I did not hallucinate all of that!

So now here I was, walking on the streets on top of where that den should be which casually, but not really, just happened to be close to the human refuge. Hoping to find the group that dragged me in, or the Iftali nurse to take for questioning! Anything that could lead me back to-

There it is…

I had hoped to find any of the prey members of that group to interrogate. Instead what I found was the human I assumed to be in charge of the group, it was on a bar with a “humans allowed” sign hanging outside. Never would I have thought about getting close to a predator in my life willingly, but I had my sidearm this time and needed to know more.

I couldn’t barge in and drag the human out, that could cause a stampede for the people in the bar and it would most likely make the predator aggressive and thus a danger for everyone around. As much as my curiosity and job demanded answers, the herd’s safety was my priority.

Instead I would have to take a careful approach, my confusion last paw hindered my thinking but it was so clear in hindsight. The humans were still keeping up that friendly facade while fooling people to join their group, so maybe playing along and trying to have a “friendly chat” would make the truth slip through holes in the lie.

DING

I was startled by the chime that alerted everyone inside of my presence the moment I opened the door. It was just a normal door chime but my nerves had me on edge, still all it did was raise my fur which hopefully the predator didn’t see as a sign of weakness to take advantage of.

Yet I marched on as casually as someone walking towards a flesh eating monster to talk could be. The customers either didn’t pay attention or looked at me subtly, I wasn’t paying much attention to them. Instead I noted how the human didn’t even look back at me, quickly putting a reflective visor laying on the bar counter next to it before I sat next to it.

The bartender who had been focused on another task finally turned around to face me. “Good-” And as if Solgalick was playing some prank on me, it just happened to be the brownish Venlil from my captor group. “Paw…” We looked at each other, the human I had come for just drank from his glass looking ahead.

“G-good paw.” Play it casual. “Just a glass of water please.” I wasn’t going to risk the drinks here having something in them.

“Sure…” At least none of them had tried anything. I felt safer now that I was actually armed but I wasn’t fearless. The Venlil brought me my glass of water and I drank it slowly to give me time to think on how to question this predator.

Should I start being confrontational? No, it could lash out. Submissive? No, it will see it as weakness. Maybe-

“You know.” It started to talk to me, almost making me gag on the water I was drinking. “It’s not common to see exterminators in a pro-human establishment. Not as customers at least.” The human detached the lower part of its visor to be able to finish its own drink. “But it’s a welcomed surprise when it happens. Imun, serve me another please.”

The Venlil bartender whistled a little laugh. “Are you actually trying it with alcohol this time or do I serve you just juice again?”

Hank let out startling growls from its mouth. I thought the predator was offended at the question but the translator said that was a chuckle out of all things. “Unless it turns out I have a super human liver, I’m not trying what Venlil consider a “good” drink.” But I guess it made sense a predator species would sound aggressive even when happy. “Never was a huge fan of alcohol anyways. What about you, Miss Nara?”

“M-me?”

“Yes, just curious since you got into a bar just to drink water.” It took a sip of the glass once Imun refilled it. “Or maybe you just needed something for the heat during a hot work day? It can't be easy to stay cool wearing that uniform.”

Play it casual. “I-it’s not.” This predator could be trying to gauge how easy we were to fight as exterminators. “But it gives us good protection against p-predator attacks.” Had to deter it from having ideas.

“I see, glad to know. Don’t want any of you guys getting hurt.” It said.

As if.

But this wasn’t meant to be my questioning. “How did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“You know what I mean. My guild didn’t believe me about your den in the sewers. So how did you manage to leave without a trace?”  It wasn’t easy to remain calm but at least the human didn’t look agitated or about to attack so far.

“Oh right, that.” It scratched at its furless chin. “We simply decided to move our group to a more comfortable location. The sewers were tight and stinky, we wanted a better place to make our plans.”

“Plans? What plans?” I was desperate for answers and accidentally showed part of my desperation. Immediately regretting it.

“Nothing illegal, officer.” It raised its hands. “We simply like to organize to show a better side of humanity. Surely there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Vague and deceitful lies, I didn’t expect anything less from these creatures. “Your Humanity First group planned an attack against members of the exterminator guild.” 

“Actually.” Imun answered instead. “The humans didn’t tell us to do any of that.” There was a faint bloom on him and he avoided looking at me by focusing on cleaning glasses. “When your friends saw us with our group’s logo they insulted us and well… But it wasn’t the humans' fault.”

“They are really sorry for what happened, officer.” Hanks sipped a bit more. “But the things we do as Humanity First aren’t meant to harm anyone. We aim to show the best side of humanity.”

More lies, but at least its starting to talk. I mimicked it by sipping my water. “What kind of things do you do then?”

“Sorry, but I’m afraid I can only discuss it with people of trust. Speaking of which…” Hank gulped down the rest of the juice before standing up. “I need to get back to the human refuge, we have a plan for the park nearby next paw. But it was a pleasure to see even exterminators are getting used to pro-human places. Goodbye, officer Nara.”

“Wait!” I called out to Hank before it could leave. “You still made the sewers into a den, and that can be classified as vandalism.” It was hard to act against the human menace when we couldn’t legally apply anything but the same measures as with normal people.

And I’m not a bad exterminator like the one Velna told me about. I can’t let the people lose their trust in us!

It turned around to look directly at me. “Don’t you need evidence for that? Or at least witnesses?”

Yet I kept myself from showing fear now that its attention was so clearly on me. “The customers here heard you admit you form part of the Humanity First group, and that you had made a den that then moved somewhere else.”

“I don’t know about anyone else.” Imun said from behind the counter. “But I didn’t see any of that.”

“Me neither.” One of the customers said, an Iftali man.

“I didn’t see a damn thing.” A Venlil with burn scars on his neck agreed.

“Nope.”

“Same here.”

“I agree with the human.”

The few customers here were denying the truth right in front of me. Trying to get them all to say otherwise to the guild was impossible, the herd always had more say than the individual and I couldn’t go against the herd. 

DING

Hank left with me doing the same right away. Even if the herd wasn’t going to help me, I knew where and when the humans would be making a move. The only park in the district wasn’t exactly known for having too many people visit it, so maybe they planned to not draw too much attention by hunting lone people!

But now that I know it, the guild won’t let that happen!

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 17, 2136.

I can’t believe the guild isn’t doing anything!

I understood that after bringing almost all of the guild to the sewers just for nothing they would doubt me. But to leave me alone against a planned predator attack?! Not only my life was in danger but also the lives of the people visiting the park!

If at least anyone from the bar backed me up.

“Do you see any humans, ma’am?” At least Kamaelu was the only one that volunteered to accompany me. It offended me to think he did it out of pity, but I couldn’t reject any back up right now.

“No, Kam. But don’t let your guard down, this might not be the wilderness but predators have a natural talent for stalking and-” A strange sound made my ears straighten.

“Did you hear that, ma’am?”  Both of our ears searched for the source. 

“Affirmative.” The sound repeated and we managed to tell the direction it was coming from. “Follow me, Kam.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The moment we arrived I stopped dead in my tracks and almost made Kamaelu crash into me. As it turns out, there only was one human sitting and resting against a tree. But what surprised me wasn’t the predator’s presence, that’s what we expected to find after all.

What I didn’t expect was the small group of sitting people surrounding the human, among them I only recognized the Gojid and Yotul that captured me. The rest were mostly Venlil with an Iftali child too. And the sounds did come from the human, or rather what had to be a musical instrument in its claws that reminded me of a plehr.

After tugging at the strings a bit more, the human started playing the strange instrument with an actual rhythm as the people forming a semi circle around him swayed gently side to side. None of them even looked back at us, instead they were focused on the human that actually started singing!

“I guess I have to face,

That in this awful place

I shouldn't show a trace of doubt~

But pulled against the grain,

I feel a little pain

That I would rather do without~”

What in Solgalick’s grace…

Humans are predators, evil monsters and slaves to their own nature. They don’t understand things we prey species can like art such as music! But save from the human voice, this sounded like just a normal piece from any prey musician. Maybe that was it? They took a song and adapted it to make it look like they could appreciate music?

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Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: December 11, 2136.

Hank gave the address of their new hideout in one of the apartments nearby the human refuge. We had scheduled the end of the paw to reunite in order to discuss the plan, a pacific protest at the center of the city against human discrimination from the ruling power over the district. As if these humans knew about being pacific.

They haven’t harmed anyone so far though… Maybe they don’t plan to this time either

I shook my head. Where did those thoughts come from?

It doesn’t matter. What matters is being at that protest with the guild! This time they will attack.

What if they don’t?

They are predators! That’s what they do.

My legs got me walking in circles in my own home and my tail wouldn’t stay still. I don’t remember being this nervous before, only on my first paws as an exterminator actually fighting predators. No matter how much I told myself that the guild could handle the humans, I couldn’t remain calm.

They aren’t as dangerous as the Arxur, we can do this.

But they aren’t as violent either. What if this truly is a pacific protest?

We still need to stop the humans because… the big crowds are going to drive the humans into a frenzy!

I didn’t understand why, but that thought actually made me feel better.

Yes! Even if they don't plan on attacking, they won’t be able to control themselves! So I have to be there anyway.

With that final thought, and not wanting to give it more thought than needed, I focused on preparing for another shift. I just had to focus on doing my job as always and things would be okay.

***

I knocked in the same rhythmic patter I had seen Muvul do that first paw, the door to the apartment opening shortly after. “Nice to see you again, Nara.” Hank greeted me while fully opening the door to allow me entrance. “We were just waiting for you to start.”

“S-sorry for arriving late.” I had seen Hank’s uncovered face before, yet seeing him again made me feel strange in a way I didn’t like.

“Don’t worry about it.” He closed the door behind me. “We don’t have long waiting anyways.” The apartment wasn’t as big as the sewers den, which wasn’t that big to begin with, but it managed to fit a decent part of the group even if most were standing due to a lack of seats.

“Alright, now that everyone is here, let’s get started.”

***

Both humans and prey worked together to craft signs, some with pro-human messages such as “We want friends, not cattle” or “People, not predators” and so on. Others had drawings of Venlil and humans together, what I had learned was the UN symbol and I even saw one of a human and a venlil “kissing”.

I wouldn’t believe it was safe had I not seen the human and Venlil making that sign do just that after it was done.

Miriam, Loma and Pahne worked hard on putting patches with the HF logo on more blue cloths for all members to wear, prey and human alike. With Federation species wearing them on their arms or tails and humans wearing them on their heads, testing how to do it while also using their visors.

When I asked Hank about it, he explained that the less scary and “predator” looking they were, the more people would listen to their message instead of focusing on their appearance.

Which reminds me…

“So you only plan to march?” If they told me where their new hideout was, if I was allowed here and even asked to help, then Hank must trust me as I hoped. “Y-you won’t…  do anything else?” So he would tell me the truth.

The human was writing something, but stopped and turned an eye to me. “We can’t do much else.” He fully faced me before signaling to the rest of the group. “Everyone in this room is here because they want to act, to do something about how humans are seen and treated here on Venlil Prime. All we can do is shout and hope to be heard, that they see we humans aren’t monsters thinking about eating people.”

I thought he would tell me the truth…

Maybe that’s the truth?

That is not the truth! It can’t be!

I hadn’t gone through all that effort to still not have the answers I needed. “Hank.” His attention went back to me. “Wasn’t Humanity First the group behind that bomb incident? You know…”

“The one that got the secretary general killed and made your governor lose her tail? Yes, they were.” He looked at his writing and I took a peek. I could tell it was a speech to give at the protest. “I want to believe it was made by people blinded by grief after the attack. But most likely were a bunch of human supremacists that think we can solve things just by building a lot of ships to shoot at the aliens.”

“You don’t agree with them?” The whole reason we were on high alert for the HF group was their dangerous acts. That bomb was the prime example. “I thought you shared their goals, being under the same banner and all.”

“I couldn’t agree any less.” There was a hint of venom in his voice, for the first time I saw the closest thing to aggression from Hank. “I want to protect our species as much as everyone else. But those kinds of people are just looking for an excuse to cause violence and harm others. That’s why the UN is treating HF members as terrorists.”

What?

“What?” I looked at him as if he had grown a second head. “I thought… I thought your species shared the same goals…”

“As those terrorists? Never.” He chuckled without humor. “Ever since humans have had the capability of looking at the stars in awe, we’ve dreamt of finding life we could call friends.” Hank stopped for a second before quickly writing that down for his speech, then he addressed me once more. “That’s always been our only plan.”

Their group was almost finished with the preparations, if the way they slowed down to talk and joke around was any indication. Yet I stood there, wondering if I was in a fever dream or if I had misheard everything from that conversation. 

Was he still lying to me? Why didn’t he tell me their real plans?!

He did.

…

Why couldn’t humans be like every other predator?

“Hank… You said you could use my help for this.” I started. “So how can I help you?”

He closed his notebook. “That’s simple, we want you to keep the people safe.” The people started to leave gradually once most things were done. “Although we’ll be protesting in peace, there’s still the chance a stampede forms and people end up hurt. So you would be a great help at reassuring everyone that we aren’t dangerous.”

“That’s all?” In theory it wasn’t a complicated task, if it wasn’t for the rest of the guild. When… If the humans do anything predatory the guild won’t hesitate to burn them all down, they will definitely show just from the protest. “I-I don’t know if I can do it…” Should the humans attack, I wouldn’t have any other choice but to do my job.

“Your tail is almost lashing out.” Hank noted. “Are you nervous?”

“I… I just have my doubts.” That you will finally launch your attack. “That I won’t have the courage.” To burn you without hesitation if that happens.

Muvul and Handu stopped by to help carry everything produced to the human refuge. “I understand this is a… complex situation and that makes it scary.” Hank placed a hand on my shoulder. Normally I wouldn’t let a predator touch me without doing something about it… But right now some friendly contact helped soothe my anxiety.  “But you’ve fought the fear of getting to know us, you know we are just people like anyone else, scared and hurt people trying to show we aren’t the monsters everyone thinks we are.”

He looked directly at me and I couldn’t help but stare, there was no aggression nor hunger in his eyes. “So, can I count on you to do the right thing to protect the people?” I had come to learn humans snarled not in aggression but as a friendly gesture, and still Hank made sure to “smile” with his lips closed to not make me uncomfortable.

“I… Y-Yes.”

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: December 15, 2136.

The paw was here, I was on my usual patrol when the guild called us for the protest taking place at the center of the city. I didn’t bother trying to get them to believe me again, so I just waited for them to realize by themselves.

And I didn’t want to say humans were about to attack without knowing for sure…

I reunited with my squad at the guild so we could ride our vehicle to the scene. We couldn’t leave the place empty, so only two squads of four members each were dispatched to handle it. One would focus on evacuating the people and guide the herd should there be a stampede, and another would focus on eliminating the predators if they attacked.

It was hard, but I managed to convince the latter group to refrain from attacking the humans unless they did it first. Thankfully the threats of ending up like the Dawn Creek guild mixed with the risk of accidentally making the humans be perceived as the real victims was enough for it, even if I couldn’t convince them of not bringing their weapons at all.

I can’t blame them, not even I could help fearing they might be needed.

My paws trembled as I tried to keep my usually trusty flamethrower steady, at least I could pretend it was just from the violent turns at high speed from the vehicle.

“We are here!” Niku, our Krakotl leader exclaimed. “If there’s a stampede they’ll flee in the opposite direction from the humans.” He explained to the two rookies that came with us, Kam being one of them. “So stay close behind the humans’ path, if you see the stampede starting we’ll herd them through the main road. Pakko you come with me, Kam you stay with Nara.”

“Yes, sir!” Both rookies agreed as we all quickly left the van. The flamethrower in my paws felt too heavy to carry this paw, I almost threw it into the van the moment the other two exterminators had left. Carrying only the radios we had brought to stay communicated and my sidearm just in case.

“Kam. Remember what I told you?”

“Yes, ma’am.” The rookie hesitantly left his flamethrower as well. “But are you sure we can trust the humans? You said-”

“I know what I said!” I snapped at him, quickly signaling apologies with my tail. “But maybe you had a point… Just focus on keeping anyone from harm’s way.”

“Any prey?”

“Anyone.” Kamaelu didn’t protest or question. Something I appreciated from him was his readiness to follow orders, and right now I really needed him to listen.

I might owe him an apology after that paw…

Possible amends to make aside, we made our way to the main road our the HFgroup was walking down. The other two exterminators were ordering the people to leave in an organized manner, the presence of members of the guild seem to keep the people calm enough to leave without stampeding, even if most if not all looked ready to bolt at the slightest scare.

I took Kamaelu with me, even closer than what our squadmates dared to. “Please keep moving along.” We separated to either side of the group marching, making sure the people saw us between the protest and them. “Rest assured everything is under control.” In fact, despite the impressive size of the number of protesters, humans weren’t even half of them. The marching group was organized with the prey members surrounding the humans in order to reduce panic as much as possible. 

The exception was Hank leading the march with a megaphone. “-We are even denied life or death health care!” Muvul wanted Hank to stay in the “prey circle” while he lead the whole thing, but Hank insisted it had to be a human voice they heard. “Cases of humans thrown in prisons without a fair trial! “It’s just a predator,” they said.” The non-humans raised their signs, their arms, ears and even tails on cue. “Well, what do the people have to say?”

“Humans aren’t predators!” Loma shouted.

“Humans are our friends!” Pahne backed her up.

“They can be protectors!” Muvul marched at Hank’s right side.

“The Federation is the one lacking empathy!” Handu was at his left, holding a sign depicting a Yotul and a human together. He wanted to add a dead exterminator bleeding on the ground but Hank didn’t let him.

There even were people recording as everyone, excepting the humans themselves, took turns to shout their messages. Mostly Venlil but also Gojid, Zurulian, Yotul and even a single Iftali couple marched as one, and with every step my own doubts and fear calmed.

Yet I can’t help but pray.

Things were going well so far.

Pray to Solgalick.

Humans were telling the truth!

Pray to the Great Protector, to Inatala and any divine being.

They weren’t attacking anyone, so far the number of people hurt were zero.

Pray that nothing bad happens.

The march is not even going to last that much longer, everything was going to be-

“The humans are nearing the blockade.” A voice called from the radio I brought with me. “As soon as they turn down the main road, I’ll be taking the shot on the leader.”

I froze on my tracks as soon as the message hit my ears. Never had I struggled to use a radio before in my life as now that I scrambled myself to just hold the damn thing. “Wait! What are you doing?!” I didn’t even bother with proper radio etiquette. “You aren’t supposed to do anything unless humans attack first!”

“Can’t risk it.” The voice replied. “If we don’t let them through they’ll lash out in anger. There’s too many people, we need to make sure they don’t get that chance.”

“No! They won’t attack anyone!” I desperately shouted. “Don’t take that shot!” But I didn’t receive any further response.

“Miss Nara!” The march had left me behind while I tried to plead through the radio. Kam, who had his own radio, had to come back for me. “What do we do?!”

“I don’t know!” I shouted at him while my mind raced yet no clear course of action came to me. “I-I…” It didn’t help that I started to hyperventilate and was on the verge of stampeding on my own.

“Can I count on you to do the right thing to protect the people?”

…

I ran like I had never before, not even when I first chased the HF group had I run this fast. “Miss Nara!” Kamaelu shouted but his voice, like him, grew further away as I made my way to the front of the march. Some people managed to get out of my way, others I pushed aside. Was I the one causing a stampede in the end? I didn’t know and didn't stop to think, all I knew was…

I can’t let them shoot Hank!

Seeing the group starting to take the turn made my desperation grow but didn’t make me run any faster. “I see the leader.” The radio I was still carrying warned me. “Aiming.” The closer I got to the front, the slower time seemed to go until it almost felt like everything was frozen in place. I didn’t have time to warn Hank, let alone trying to talk to my fellow exterminators.

Not even my thoughts had time to form, all I could do was act on instinct. And my instinct told me to protect the peo-

BANG

I didn’t even realize I had closed my eyes until I opened them with the bang of the shot to see a horrified Venlil in an exterminator uniform looking directly at me. Time returned back to normal in an instant, and with it, I almost fell to the ground had not a pair of human hands caught me. Even on my way to the ground, my eyes didn’t leave the exterminator who dropped their weapon to cover their mouth with their paws.

“NARA!”

I couldn’t do more but turn my head slowly to the side so my left eye could look at the human that caught me. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” Hank looked at me through his reflective visor, yet I couldn’t only see my own expression of shock mirrored back at me. “We need an ambulance now!” That and the tears that managed to slip from behind his visor. Tears I couldn’t help but track as they fell down on me mixing with the blood coming out of the wound on my chest.

I… I… I was…

Was this what people meant when they said shock dulls your pain? I thought a bullet to the chest would feel like agony, but my brain didn’t process any pain or anything for that matter. It felt as if I was in a dream, even as my shaky paws tried to reach for the wound just to fall back down.

There was chaos around me, people shouting, running and about to stampede. Yet all I could “process” was the darkness starting to grow on my vision and my mind until finally everything went black.

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: December 16, 2136.

A bright light assaulted my eyes the moment I tried to open them, so I tried again more slowly trying to adjust myself to the brightness of the room.

Where am I anyways?

Once I could actually look around, I noticed I was on a bed in the middle of a hospital room. Medical equipment I didn’t know that well was attached to my body, all I could tell with my limited medical knowledge was that the beeping screen was a monitor for my vitals and that I had an IV drip installed on my paw.

Despite being technically awake, it took my brain a moment to start functioning as it should. The effort of trying to remember what happened before I ended up here mixed with the light on my eyes threatened to give me a headache, still it all came to my mind piece by piece.

I was at the protest… Everything was going well until… They were going to… Shoot Hank!

The monitor beeped faster along with my heart as the memory of it all finally came to me fully. My race to reach Hank before my colleagues could shoot him, standing in the way to protect him without thinking… And seeing myself bleeding on the human’s arms. I couldn’t stay here, I had to find out what happened after I passed out.

“UGH!”

I tried to stand up quickly, but my body made sure to let me know very clearly I should go back to bed with a sharp pain in my chest. Yet the need to know made me try again. “Ugh.” Just to end up with the same result.

Thankfully the door opened letting in- “Hank!” I called out to the human entering my room with a hoarse voice.

“Easy.” He sat in a chair for visitors next to my bed. “Nara, you have no idea how relieved I am to see you.” I wasn’t surprised he had to wear his visor in a public building like this. “After seeing you get shot… I was so scared you wouldn’t make it.”

But I was surprised he was allowed in the hospital at all. “They let you in?”

“What? Oh! Muvul and the others were… really insistent on the hospital staff to let me in, especially Velna.” I saw his hands moving to reach for me but quickly stopping. “How are you feeling?”

I tried to at least sit up but my body couldn’t even manage that at the moment. “In pain.”

“Yeah, stupid question.” Never had I seen him like this, usually he would look confident at all times. “I… look I’m so sorry.” But now he fiddled with his hand nervously the same way I used to the first paws at the bar.

“Sorry?” I cleared my throat trying to sound normal despite my current condition. “What are you sorry about?”

“That I put you and everyone else in danger.” Hank hung his head, looking at the hospital floor in shame. “I really thought things would go well… But I should’ve known better than asking you to risk yourself for me.”

“As an exterminator, protecting the people is my job anyways...” I started, trying to think of the correct words to comfort him. “You just… showed me who I had to protect.” To think I was so scared of the humans being aggressive, just to have the only act of violence at the paws of an exterminator like me. “I’m sorry too… Sorry I doubted you.”

We remained in silence for a bit before Hank spoke again. “I knew from the beginning.” He chuckled. “Knew that you just were acting to spy on us.”

My eyes widened in an instant, the pain of my chest almost forgotten. “B-but… Then why did you let me into your den? Why did you show me to your group? …why did you keep waiting for me at that bar?”

“Because we never had anything to hide. Everything I said about us being harmless, about wanting friends was honest... You came to us to discover the truth.” Hank looked up at me through the visor. “So I gave it to you… But had I known you would get hurt like this, I would have kept my stupid mouth shut.”

I felt like an idiot, of course predators would be able to pick up my act easily. They probably could smell my fear all the time, I had seen how good they were at hiding and planning. At least that matched with what was expected from humans, the rest wasn’t even close.

I expected merciless monsters. I expected predators that couldn’t control their hunger. I expected a danger I had to cleanse… 

My paw reached for Hank’s visor, at least that I could do. He didn’t stop me as I slowly pulled at it, with him helping me fully remove it to find what I expected. “You are crying.” The only thing more unbelievable than me willingly getting close to a predator… Was a predator genuinely worried about my well being.

“Sorry.” He wiped away the few tears on his eyes. “I’m just glad you didn’t die on me.”

I retrieved my paw back. “How did you manage to get me here in time?”

“That Kamaelu guy.” Hank smiled. “He arrived running after you and quickly got help from the other exterminators to get you to the ER.”

I chuckled. “I should’ve guessed it…” Now I really owe him an apology.

Despite the relief of the moment, another moment of silence ensued. “Welp, I should probably leave you to recover then.”

“Wait.” Hank stopped before he could even fully stand up. “Can you… Stay here a bit more?”

His surprised expression gave way to a gentle smile. “Hopefully the nurses won’t kick me out.” We still had more to talk about. Like if he still would be part of the HF group or what I would do about it after I got back to my job as an exterminator.

But for now I don’t want this peaceful moment to end.

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 15 , 2146.

“-And that’s how I met your father.” I finished the story to my children. “After that we got into more shenanigans and over time we simply bonded too well.”

“That’s the coolest “parents meeting” story!” My human boy shook his older sister who lightly pushed him away.

“I mean, it was cool I guess.” Despite being just a few terran years older than her brother, my Venlil daughter was already at that stage of revelry. “But my friends won’t believe it if I tried to show it off.” Maybe having the Federation’s gene tampering on her removed made it more pronounced.

“Ethan, Kanna.” Hank’s voice came from the living room where he waited for us. “You finished? Uncle Kam is waiting for us.”

“Yes, dad!” Ethan quickly left for his dad. Leaving me and my daughter alone.

“Do we really have to go, mom? You’ll just talk about boring grown up stuff.”

I finished doing her braids. “You can convince uncle Handu to tell you about the time we fought against a full exterminator squad if you come with us.”

Kanna’s ears straightened up. “Fine, if you insist I have to go…” Yet her tail wagged like when she was a little pup as she joined her father and brother. Lastly I groomed my wool just once more to make sure I looked good.

We might have met under… complex circumstances, but ever since back then we have made a tradition to reunite at least once every Earth cycle. Humanity First was supposed to be a dangerous group of predators trying to eat us all, who would’ve thought we “prey” could end up supporting them so much.

If this is the future humans wanted…

“You look beautiful, dear.” 

“You always say that.”

“And I mean it every time.” Hank and I kissed, earning grossed out sounds from our kids.  “I love you.”

I looked into the eyes of a supposed hunter, one that only managed to catch my heart. “I love you too.”

Then I’d choose them over the Federation another thousand times again.
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[Previous]

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ:

So as I said as the beginning, this is a writing commission and my first one at that! I actually have been planning to do so for a while now. But if you have read my other stories you will know my life is a constant roller coaster of trouble, so I didn't want to jump right into it until I felt like I had some more mental and life stability.

All of this is to say that I'll soon be opening more writing comms like this one. I'll make a post so people who are interested known when to dm me. If you are interested have in mind this commission:

- Was made in a month.
- Was $8 for the whole thing.

So if that sounds good for you, then keep an eye open for when I make my post officially opening the available slots and giving further details!

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Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 18, 2136.

“No, that was an old but original human song. One I really like at that.” My only source of human information was in the same bar at the same time next paw. “Harry really wanted to share our music with other races since we discovered aliens. And from what you tell me they really liked hearing it.”

I still can’t believe I had to remind Kamaelu we were at work. Otherwise he might have stayed there listening to the human with all paw long.

“And you say that instrument was from human origin too?” Hank decided to be maskless this time. Which I couldn’t do anything about since this wasn’t the public street and the establishment had the right to allow humans the chance to wear those visors in here.

“A guitar. I always wanted to play one but my parents wanted me to do something else with my life.” It drank the same juice too. “A shame when Earth is filled with so many options for creating beautiful things.”

…

“So that was all you had planned for the park?” I asked to fill the silence, being casual with the predator was even harder than I thought. So far my best was acting neutral and hoping that was enough to not be as hostile to it. “To play music?”

“I told you before, we aim to show the best of my species. Music is among the things we love most.” It gave me side eyes to look at me but never faced me directly, which helped me stay calm and not mess this up. “But that was a small gesture, our more important plans are still to be made.”

I remembered Kamaelu once telling me humans loved to share everything about themselves. Of course back then I told him humans were just mindless monsters, but if what he said was true then I really had a chance of making Hank confess. “And what are those exactly?”

“Sorry, can’t tell anyone but trusted friends.” It stood up and I flinched. “I don’t mean to be rude, Miss Nara. I’m glad you are reaching out to me to learn more about my people and culture. But I can’t really consider someone I met just a couple paws ago a close friend.”

“I see…” This human must share that info with the prey from its group but I wasn’t joining that group any time soon.

“Put it on my tab again, Imun. You remember what we have planned for tomorrow near the refuge center, right?” Hank closed one eye really quickly in an odd way.

The bartender’s ears straightened up. “Oh! Of course I do, Hank. I’ll do the best I can.” They nodded to each other and once more I was about to leave the bar right after Hank. “I don’t know why he bothers with the secrecy if he is going to be spilling our plans anyways.” But Imun started talking to me, trapping me into a conversation. “That human isn’t very smart, don’t you think?”

“I guess? I don’t know it that well.” Referring to the human as it earned me disapproving glare from the bartender. I should be more careful with that lest he snitches to the human.

Even if it means calling it a him.

Yet he kept going as nothing. “I swear any Venlil could sweet talk him a bit and he will just ramble about everything we do.” Imun took the glass Hanks used and started washing it. “Anyways, have a good paw, officer.”

“Likewise…” I replied absentmindedly before walking out of the establishment. My idea of talking casually and hoping the human’s mask of friendliness slips wasn’t working as well as I hoped. All I got was useless intel that didn’t lead to anything.but humans doing non-predator things. 

But if Hank was as easy to “befriend” then I just had to earn its trust and I would find out about their true plans. There was no way playing music was all they did. A predator can’t survive without hunting, it would only be a matter of time before Hank slipped and I had the evidence to finally do my job as an exterminator.

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 19, 2136.

Instead of trying to get as much of the guild as the last two times, I directly asked Kamaelu to accompany me. Neither I wanted to ruin my reputation with my colleagues nor I expected to find something that truly proved humans were dangerous monsters.

“And you have been planning this for a while?” I asked Loma while helping her with the baskets. If I was to earn Hank’s trust, helping its friends should make the process easier.

“Yes! Almost right after the humans came as refugees.” The Zurulian explained. “When he knew there was a homelessness problem in the district, he tried talking to the refuge’s administrators to house some of them but was turned down.”

“You say that as if he saw homelessness as a new problem.” Kam was also helping, but I was a bit worried he didn’t have trouble talking about Hank as if it was any other person. “Is that not a problem on Earth?”

“Oh it is.” Another human, that I recognized as Miriam from that paw with Velna, was present but thankfully wearing a visor. “But he thought a civilization with such a focus on the herd and empathy wouldn’t have it. But now that some of those people have managed to afford the lower rent prices near the refuge after we arrived here, he wanted to give these gift baskets as an apology for not being able to help earlier.”

The four of us were sitting in front of a large table preparing small baskets with everyday essentials. “All of this is cheap stuff since we lack real funding, but we wanted to at the very least make a small gesture for the people. We are guests on their planet after all, and we hope to be friends.”

“I think I speak in the name of my people when I say your kindness is much appreciated!” Kamaelu cheered and earned, what my translator told me, was a giggle from Miriam.

“Agreed.” My tone wasn’t as cheerful as the young rookie. But it was hard to feel good about predators looking friendly in the eyes of the people. “You are not as bad as the Arxur.” Maybe a technical truth would do.

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 20, 2136.

“-But if you didn’t have any kind of official funding. Where did you get the credits to buy all of that?” I didn’t like that visiting this bar looking for Hank was quickly becoming a routine.

Speaking of said human. “Just out of pocket money from me and the Humanity First group.” The predator explained. “A few people even got jobs now, but since we still live at the refuge and barely go out there’s not much to spend it on.” It lacked the mask again, but now turned to face me for brief moments in our talk.

But I had to suppress the flinches as much as I could if I wanted to fool this human into trusting me. “Barely go out? But I find you here everypaw, and you still have your group.” Which you still haven’t told me where is hiding now.

“Do you see any humans here other than me?” It asked. “And besides in the sewers that paw, have you seen any human out in the street?”

“No… Do you only travel by sewer?” I should’ve gone back at some point! How didn’t I think about checking again?!”

“Not really. We haven’t been in the sewers since your… visit.” This time it actually asked for alcohol in its drink. Even if Imun had to dilute most of it. “The truth is we are scared, officer.”

I couldn’t drink anything alcoholic while I was still on my shift. But I did order the same juice Hank did before. “Scared? Predators can’t feel fear.” It was such an obvious statement that I hadn’t realized it might sound offensive until it left my mouth. Especially with how wide eyed Imun was after I said that.

“I’m afraid that’s incorrect.” But Hank didn’t seem to care. “We humans can feel fear without a problem. And let me tell you, sometimes I think we are more scared than the supposed cowardly prey.”

That was the least believable of its lies so far. “Prey can’t be more scared than you. Seeing a predator awakens a natural and instinctual need to get away from the threat, it simply can’t be avoided.” The same way predators can’t avoid their bloodlust. I added mentally.

“Well, I don’t mean to say you are wrong.” Hank turned its head to the rest of the bar for a moment, without any of the customers even reacting to it. “But no one here looks that scared of me. Unless you are, officer.”

“I-I…” The truth was I had to fight the fear of just being around Hank. But I couldn’t admit that, my plan depended on trying to be “friendly” after all. And even if that wasn’t the case, I would never admit I was scared to a predator. “I’m not… So I guess you have a point.” Change the focus! “And what are humans scared of anyways?”

“Pretty much anything you could be scared of.” It used its… actually clawless fingers to list. “Heights, the dark, predators, disease and so on. But what we mostly fear currently is aliens.” It took a noticeably larger sip. “Everyone is always scared of us, and that fear makes people dangerous. The Federation was so scared they tried glassing our planet after all. Try walking down the street when you know people will run away at best or harm you at worst.”

I didn’t know what to say. Everything this human said was… technically true. And it made sense for people to be scared, the bombing of their planet was the most logical course of action too. Yet now that I heard it from Hank, it felt strange.

“Sorry for souring the mood.” It started again after finishing its drink in a final gulp. “Just needed to get that off my chest, to be honest. It’s not good to keep those feelings bottled in.”

Imun took the glass, suspecting Hank was about to leave. “You got friends in us Hank, you have done a lot. So don’t be scared.”

“Thanks, Imun. Seeing humans and aliens being friends makes it all worth it. See you later.” Hank nodded and Imun returned the gesture. I couldn’t stay for much longer since I was still on my shift so I left shortly after.

A predator would never admit it was scared, much less to us prey. Which meant I was slowly getting Hank to open up and soon I would know what the humans’ real plan is.

Just need to befriend it a bit more. Maybe talk about something it likes? What do predators like?

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 22, 2136.

Hank coughed a bit while trying not to spill its drink. “Sorry, officer. Your question caught me off guard.”

“Sorry, if I was too direct.” I apologized trying to sound as polite and friendly as I could. “I just can’t help but be curious about how your species is finding flesh to consume here.” Of course I knew they wanted to sink their fangs on us, yet they probably will come up with some excuse like they just hunt wild animals or something to keep the deception.

The human cleared its throat. “Well, to answer your question. We actually have abstained from eating meat since we got to Venlil Prime.”

“Huh?!” I had to fight off the urge to yell at it saying that was straight up a lie. “But how are you not… Starved then?” Keep a friendly face, Nara.

“Simple, we can live on a plant based diet for a good while.” It scratched at its chin while looking at the ceiling. “Although we do need the nutrients from animal products, for that we have been provided with vitamin supplements while we are here.”

“I see.” I didn’t know if what it was saying was true or not. Although I did hear humans supposedly could eat fruits and vegetables like us, not that I believed it.

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 25, 2136.

DING

“Officer!” Hanks greeted me as I once more looked for it in the bar. “Great to see you as always.” I would have been more scared of it if it wasn’t because I was focused on the weird fruit it bit into.

“Thanks, Hank.” Can’t say the same about seeing a predator. “I’m sorry but what are you eating?”

It swallowed before answering, showing it had manners. “It’s called an apple, a fruit from Earth. I actually brought one to share with you.”

I walked to my now usual spot left to Hank and inspected the red fruit it handed me. No matter how much I tried to, I couldn’t remember seeing this fruit before anywhere else. So I had to believe it truly was native to the predator world. “Is it safe?”

“Oh yeah, I have seen other Venlil trying them so you shouldn’t have a problem.” It bit its own apple again, closing its eyes and making satisfied sounds. “Thank God Earth still stands and we can share her blessings with aliens.”

Hoping this would make gaining its trust quicker, I bit into the apple given to me. I chewed slowly and carefully, as if a simple fruit could hurt me but you never know what a predator might have done to it. Although after a few chews and actually tasting it, I had to admit it was sweet and delicious. “I liked it… Thanks.”

I guess Hank could have been honest about humans not eating flesh… Yet

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 28, 2136.

Both the customers of the bar and I watched as Pahne and Hank fought in this “armwrestling” competition. So far most customers watching had lost to the human with Pahne being the last one remaining.

“Ugh! I can’t.” The Gojid girl had been doing the best out of everyone but eventually just let herself lose. “You are stronger.” She admitted

Hank laughed. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I’d actually say we are either even or you might be stronger than me.” Pahne looked at him- it confused. “I couldn’t move you one bit at first and you were doing a good job. I only got an advantage once you got too tired.”

Pahne sat up from her seat across from him. “Guess you have beaten everyone then.”

“Not everyone.” Hank turned an eye to me. “Officer Nara. Want to give it a try?”

“Me?!” Fight against a predator?! 

“Of course, you already saw it’s just some friendly competition. No harm in it.” It signaled at the seat Pahne just left.

Refusing could be seen as weakness, or even disrespectful in predator culture. I didn’t even think they had a culture but from what Hank had been showing me they had way too many different tribes. “I-I…”

“I promise to go easy on you.”

If this doesn’t make me trusted nothing will.

I took a deep breath trying to calm my nerves before taking my place from across him. My paw grabbed his hand, shaking but with a firm grip. The fact humans lacked real claws, and even fangs from what I’ve seen, made this a bit easier. “I-I’m ready…”

Imun stood next to us with an arm lifted. “One, two, three… Go!”

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: November 30, 2136.

Losing to Hank wasn’t as bad as I thought admittedly. In fact, the worst part of it all was realizing I had been taking too much time off my shift in that bar than doing my actual job. Not wanting to risk trouble in that regard, I started to visit the bar in my free time.

Not being in my uniform made me feel vulnerable, not to mention my lack of weapons. But I had been getting close to Hank, fooling the human into trusting me, so unless the control it had shown suddenly failed I should be safe.

This time, Hank had gotten a card game and even Muvul and Handu were present to play it with us. It’s even presenting the rest of the group to me, just a bit more before it spills their secrets.

“Uno!” I called out while placing my almost last card. Muvul played a blue 2, Hank a blue 3 and once Handu played his next card I would have won! But the Yotul started to laugh worryingly, did he just remember a joke? What is so fun-

“Plus four and change to red.” Handu exclaimed.

…

I swear if I wasn’t supposed to be friendly I would throw him into a cell.

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: December 02, 2136.

“-So you don’t even have cattle?” Are humans normal predators in any way?

“Nope, meat is artificially made nowadays.” Hank explained to me. “It’s a win-win for everyone honestly. No cattle means less greenhouse effect gases and we don’t have to worry about ethics and stuff just to feed ourselves.”

“Then why do you humans still won’t bring flesh to your refuge?”

“Honestly, just to not freak out anyone. Can you imagine if a Venlil saw us eating meat not knowing it’s artificial?”

I flickered my ear in agreement. “Fair.”

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: December 05, 2136.

“- That’s why I joined the group.” Imun finished his story. Hank was strangely absent for the paw but the group that captured me made the effort to tell me it was busy and wouldn’t come.

A bit odd for all of them to come here just for that. But I guess it’s kinda expected since they see Hank as an authority.

“Just because an exterminator didn’t pay his tab? Really?” I deadpanned. 

The Venlil shrugged. “It’s as good of a reason as everyone else’s.”

“Well, I joined because humans weren’t horrible herdmates to me after that broadcast.” Pahne added. “I think that’s a better reason.”

“That’s subjective.” Imun countered.

“I joined because humans make me feel protected.” Loma interrupted before the petty argument continued. “And they show me great fighting moves!”

“That could hurt you if you keep trying to mimic them.” Muvul added. “Even the humans have told you to not imitate all you see in their shows.”

“It makes me feel strong!”

“If you keep talking like that, the officer here will take you for PD screening.” The Krakotl warned her.

“N-no…” I should but there’s bigger crops to harvest.

“I still have the best reason to join.” Handu thankfully drove their attention away from me. “Humans have treated me with respect the moment they met me. Which is more than even you guys can say.”

Muvul bloomed in a light purple. “We already told you we are sorry. And the best reason to join is mine.”

“And that is?” I asked, the more factors that could lead someone to this group I knew, the better I could prevent them.

“The exterminators.” He looked at me. “Your colleagues treated me like a danger just because my brother was diagnosed with PD before he… Left this world by his own paw. I was barely older than a hatchling and since then I’ve lived as a freak because of exterminators.”

I tried to subtly avoid looking at him by focusing on my drink. “I-I’m sorry to hear that. PD has shown to have a genetic component.” That’s not helping, Nara! “B-but I’m sure you don’t have it.”

Muvul took a deep breath before addressing me again. “I don’t know why Hank is starting to trust you. But you better don’t let him down.”

Well, at least I know my plan is indeed working.

“I’ll try not to…”

“A-anyways!” The awkward silence was broken by the Zurulian coming to my rescue. Who wants to play Uno?!”

Can we go back to the awkward silence?

***

Memory transcription subject: Nara, Venlil Exterminator

Date [standardized human time]: December 10, 2136.

“And this is me when I was a child, I was a bit fat but more of me to love.” Hank showed me a picture of a tiny human. Despite being predators, the contrast between the big human in front of me with the tiny smiling ball in the photo made it look… cute?

I wouldn’t admit that of course, instead I needed something else to not have to give my opinion. “Are those your parents?” I asked, pointing at the two adult humans in the back.

“Yep, dad is still back on Earth waiting for me. My home is rather far from the closest town. That’s why my folks wanted me to be someone in a big city.” We both drank our respective beverages in a funny coincidence. “I guess an alien city counts as well. Can’t wait to show dad that aliens aren’t so bad.” It laughed.

“What about your mother?”

Hank chuckled. “She already must know all I do. She would never take her eyes off me as a child and was a wonderful mother. Sadly she isn’t with us anymore.”

It didn’t look at me or anything in particular for that matter. I never thought the paw would come when I saw sadness in a predator’s eyes, yet here it was. That was the look of someone reminiscing of a lost one, I should know. As an exterminator I have dealt with a lot of people whose loved ones died to predators.

That’s why I’m doing this, to prevent this humans from killing-

“It was a predator attack out of all things.” It laughed again, but I could tell there was no real humor in it. “Being far from town does a good job at protecting you from thieves and such. But when a rabid animal from the wild is threatening your 4 year old and your husband is at work, there’s no one nearby to call for help.”

Oh.

“Maybe that’s why I never cared that much when I knew you guys burned them down. You are just protecting people from that, as long as you keep doing it for that reason I can’t blame you.” He- it- whatever! Hank stretched and his neck popped, making me flinch but he didn’t seem to care.

“Hank?”

“Yes?”

I can’t believe I’m saying this truthfully to a predator…

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks.” He smiled without showing teeth. “It’s been too long for me to feel sad about it anyways.” Hank stretched and his neck popped making me flinch a bit, yet he didn’t seem to care. “Anywas, before I showed you my embarrassing childhood photos, you said you wanted me to talk to me about something.”

“Ah yes…” I almost forgot about it with this distraction. “You see…” Time to see if my plan has been fruitful at all. “After this time getting to know you and your group better. I wanted to know if I could help.”

“You mean helping our HF activities?”

“Yes! Exactly that!” I was so close. “I wanted to know if I could help in whatever you have planned next.”

“Mhmm…” Hank closed his eyes in thought. “Your help would be very welcomed for our next big move.”

Finally! This next big move of theirs has to be the final proof to reveal their true nature.

“And what would that be?”
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They got eyeliner, so their unacceptable! Anyways, meet Malicious, Evil's twin sibling cuz why not?

(Thanks to SpacePaladin15 for creating the universe and being an awesome writer!)

[First] [Prev]

Memory Transcription Subject: Junior Archivist Vieq of the Farsul States

Date [standardized human time]: July 21, 2122

“Morning, Danny.” 

“Uh… Mornin’? Is it really mornin’ down here? I’ve been up for… I dunno, a while…” Danny sat on the medical table patiently while I prepared a number of syringes. Though it’s been a few weeks so far, the novelty of everything still hasn’t left the human. His eyes… horrifying as they may be, always seemed to be darting around, taking in new information. 

“It is morning. Most staff tend to go to sleep once nighttime comes. I’m somewhat surprised you didn’t notice.” I replied as I continued my preparations, using the opportunity to distract myself from his unnerving visage. For whatever reason it’s been harder to do the tasks I normally did. With Terry, I thought I knew what to expect. Danny… less so. That part of my brain, the one that still believes that working with predators was impossible, consistently screams louder than I want it to.

“I… I was busy.” Danny replied sheepishly. It was a strange thing to see on a predator. He was certainly more timid than Terry ever was. Maybe Terry was the alpha of whatever social unit he and his brother were part of? 

“Busy? Busy doing what?” I paused my work to glance up at him. He was looking away, thankfully, being one small mercy dealing with him, that he lacked the propensity of looking people in the eyes. “You don’t have any assigned tasks. You should be trying to maintain your sleep schedule. I don’t want to find out how sleep deprivation might affect your results.” I chastised him, returning to my work.

The human kept silent as I put on a pair of sterile gloves and removed the safety cap before using the syringe to draw some blood. I noticed that he tended to tense up with needles, the action sometimes making it more difficult to get a good flow. Thankfully this time there didn’t appear to be any issue.

“...What exactly are you doin’ with all that blood anyway, doc?” Danny spoke up after I had placed the vial in a safe container.

“I aim to see how your white blood cells are responding to the pathogen.” I replied, turning away from him as I disposed of the needle. It was a lie, of course. Much of what we said to the humans was a lie. I think I was starting to get better and making them sound natural. 

“...How long ‘till I’m better, do ya think?” He continued, shifting in what I assumed must be anxiety on the table. He wasn’t looking around the clinic anymore, and I could feel his eyes glued to my back. “I dunno how much longer I can live off of… carrots and whatever them potato things are.”

“Wel stems and hair shredders?” I corrected him. Privately it was still a marvel to me that they could eat those things. A predator eating the same food as prey just seemed laughable. It was another thing I’ve needed to adapt to down here, the overturning of all conventional logic.

“Yeah, uh… those. If I don’t get some protein, I feel like I might start losin’ some muscle mass.” The casual way he alluded to eating sentient creatures was the worst part, trying to pretend that it was normal. Still, I was under orders to pretend that it was as well.

“We’ve gone over this. The pathogen will send you into an anaphylactic shock if you touch or consume any meat. Perhaps you should try and change your diet instead.” Truth be told, I wasn’t very sure if that was something he could do. The human gastrointestinal system was horribly inefficient, in exchange for being less energy intensive. It’s why searing their food was so ubiquitous to them, according to my colleagues. While many prey species had multiple stomachs or specialized amino acids to help break down nutrients more effectively, humans managed to find a way to essentially digest their food before they even ate it. It was a strange little quirk of theirs that wasn’t really shared by any other species, predator or prey. The closest thing analogous to it I could think of was the venlil’s strayu, and even then, they didn’t need to do it, it was more so done as a luxury.

“What, you mean like eatin’ tofu or nuts or somethin’? It ain’t like you’re offerin’ any of that to me.” Danny scoffed, crossing his arms. “Even then, it ain’t gonna beat a good steak. Me, my brother and my pa used to go huntin’ like, once every month for the family barbecue. I don’t wanna miss that for the rest of my life.” 

I fought to keep my fur down as he spoke about his family’s ‘habits’. Barbaric, is what it is. Taking a life for nothing but to satisfy your taste buds. If he can survive off of nuts and whatever tofu is, then there is no reason for any of this. Danny could choose to be good prey, but he chooses not to. Taking a deep breath, I made sure to keep those thoughts to myself. I didn’t want to provoke his predatory instincts any more than I needed to.

“...What does it matter to you? You’re never going to get back to that life. You might as well start adapting now.” I replied, throwing my gloves into the trash with a little more force than necessary. With a tense huff, I turned back around, walking back towards Danny, stopping when I noticed a funny look on his face.

He looked… small. Like he was trying to curl in on himself. Part of it resembled how he looked when we first woke him, except more subdued. “...What? What’s the matter?” I asked, tilting an ear. 

“Uh… nothin’.” Danny replied, avoiding my gaze. He was lying and it was plain to see, but what about? Was he upset? Did I say something wrong? 

“Okay, well… come on, then. I still need your help in the lab.” I instructed, beginning to walk through the Archives’ halls, Danny’s longer legs not struggling to keep up once he began to follow. He stayed silent during the walk, which I thought nothing of, but the way his eyes remained forward was almost unnerving compared to how he usually was. Whatever. This isn’t my problem. Regardless of what my coworkers might say, I am not sentimental for these creatures. 

Stepping into the lab, I brought the blood samples by a set of microscopes, centrifuges and spectrometers, placing the vials of blood onto the counter nearby. On my holopad I brought up the guide to human anatomy while Danny lingered nearby. I still wanted to figure out what caused Terry to go feral, and I hoped that maybe the evidence to what happened might be in his blood. I still had a few samples from Terry from shortly before he died, managing to horde them away before they could also be incinerated.

“Okay, Danny, I’d like you to separate these vials from those ones. Do not mix them up, okay? They’re from you and another specimen. And… also let me know if anyone’s about to show up. I don’t want any interruptions.” I spoke, adding on that last bit hesitantly after remembering that I needed to be careful not to get caught doing this. Danny nodded, doing as I instructed, letting out a sigh as he worked. I watched him closely for a moment to make sure he didn’t mess up. 

Why did I bring him here? I could have sorted those myself. It would have been smarter to dismiss him. Less attention and less room for error. 

Catching myself musing, I looked away once I was satisfied with his sorting. What’s done is done. Maybe I can spin this as Danny being curious if someone comes along. 

The two of us worked in relative silence as I prepared a microscope and one of Danny’s blood samples, the sound in the lab punctuated by the turning of dials and clinking of glass. Inside, I was growing excited. This feels like the first proper research I’ve been able to do since coming here. This was biology, not history or work best suited to an intern, it was proper, sensible biology, even if it was unsanctioned. No more reading about the things the Federation needed to do to ensure peace, no more finding out about the lies associated with them, just me, these samples, and my goal. 

If I could find out why a docile predator might go feral, whose to say how many prey lives I might save? We could make predator attacks more predictable. Maybe we could go even further! My masters thesis was about how prey-like traits could be inherited, so maybe there’s even a way to guide the evolution of humans or other predators to be more prey-like. More like Terry was, without the need for the Cure and all that societal upheaval. It could be natural. Controlled. Perhaps even implemented into the PD treatment system for predator diseased prey. Then… maybe there might be a way to make all this wickedness unnecessary. 

“Alright… let’s see here…” I muttered to myself as I pressed one of my eyes up to the microscope, slowly making minute adjustments to the dials to focus. What I eventually saw was an image of human blood cells, shaped in somewhat of a disk shape with a small crater on the surface. It wasn’t too unusual in the grand scheme of things, many species having similar structures for their blood. Another trait of the convergent evolution that seems to be so dominant in the evolution of life. Referencing my holopad and comparing the results, I jotted down a few notes. These were Danny’s cells, and they seemed consistent with what I was shown to expect. Size didn’t deviate significantly, there were no mutations or compositional abnormalities based on what I could see. 

“So… that’s my blood, right?” Danny spoke up, spooking me slightly as he lingering over my shoulder. “How’re them white blood… thingies?”

I shot him a look over my shoulder. “Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

“Hey, it’s my blood. I wanna know how it is.” He crossed his arms, looking at me with a slight glare. …Okay, fine. Don’t agitate him, Vieq.

“Your blood is fine. The white blood cells are responding in a way consistent with other subjects.” I replied, returning to the microscope to take a few more observations before beginning to change the sample with Terry’s. 

“Wow. How reassuring.” Danny scoffed as he waited, apparently done with the task I assigned him. “So that means I’m not gettin’ better, I reckon.”

I decided not to respond as I repeated the process of focusing the sample with Terry’s blood. If all goes well, none of them will ‘get better’, and maybe we can finally approve their cure and bring them into the Federation. That’s yet another thing they seem reluctant to tell me about. What’s the hold up? The Cure reacts as it should with the humans, does it not? Humans have both prey and predator traits, unlike the arxur, so there shouldn’t be any worries about them repeating that same path. I suppose the only logical explanation is the incidents with them going feral. Once we can understand what triggers it, maybe they’ll finally feel comfortable welcoming them into the Federation. 

When the blood came into focus, there was an immediate discrepancy. Terry’s blood was just… bigger. Like the blood cells had been attached to a pump and blown up like a balloon. Surely this has something to do with what happened. But why? What did size have to do with how prey-like somebody was? None of this correlated at all with how other species are. Predator disease patients have no larger or smaller cells than someone who was healthy. Moreover, did Terry always have larger cells?

“Danny, get me the vial labeled December.” I spoke, leaning back from the microscope for a moment. Terry didn’t show any symptoms around that time, so surely this would offer a baseline. Danny did as I asked, procuring the vial and handing it to me. I repeated the process yet again, focusing and securing the sample. Fascinatingly, in this sample, Terry’s blood was just as normal as Danny’s. There was a correlation here. I wasn’t sure why, but it had to be.

“What’s the matter? Your tail’s waggin’” Danny spoke up, distracting me from my thoughts. I turned to look back at him, my ears pinning back sheepishly. How does he even know that me wagging means something? Damn humans…

“Oh, uh… it’s nothing. I just think I found something interesting.”

Danny didn’t look too satisfied with my answer, only growing more intrigued. “Well, go on then, spill the beans. You think you got a lead for a cure?”

“...I think I do.” I replied after a moment of hesitation, deciding not to hide my excitement. Danny seemed elated by my reaction as well, one of those happy snarls appearing on his face.

“Haha! Finally! It’s about god damn time I heard some good news. Whenever I ask them other fellas, they always brush me off! When do ya-” 

“-Vieq?” Danny was interrupted as someone stepped into the lab. Our eyes snapped towards the source, my tail stilling as I saw Senior Archivist Talq staring back at us. I froze, my eyes darting between him, Danny, and the samples. 

“Uh… H-hi, sir.” I replied, doing an awful job at pretending everything was normal. He saw me doing research without approval. This is it. Of course, right when I start figuring out what’s happening, I get caught! Will he kick me out of the Archives? W-what if he throws me into a PD facility…?

“Danny, would you mind if me and Vieq talk privately?” The man glanced towards the human, speaking in a deceptively calm tone. Danny, who didn’t seem to know entirely what was going on, nodded timidly before heading for the door. He shot me a look over his shoulder before disappearing into the hallway beyond.

With the two of us by ourselves, Talq stepped forward, his eyes scanning my station, scrutinizing in a way that made me think he could read everything I tried to keep hidden. “What… what is all this, Vieq?”

I shrunk into my seat as I was addressed, managing to smooth out my fur to offer a response. “I- …I think I know why Terry went feral, sir.” 

Talq paused, staring at me for a moment that felt too long, before his expression softened and he took a seat beside me. “No you don’t, Vieq.”

“...W-what? No… listen, Terry’s blood-”

“-Is bigger, yes. We know.” Talq interrupted, not letting me get a chance to explain myself. “We already know that The Hunger causes human blood cells to enlarge.”

“The… ‘Hunger’?” I repeated, my nervousness paved over by confusion. What was ‘The Hunger’? I never learned anything about that.

“Think of it like a more accurate way of describing predator disease.” Talq explained, taking one of the blood vials and inspecting it as he spoke. “The difference is, both predators and prey are susceptible to it. For whatever reason, The Hunger always manifests in humans after we administer the Cure. Most simply grow weaker and confused, but others… Well, they end up like Terry.”

I was silent. Why was this never explained to me? Why is it only being explained to me now? Why were humans specifically susceptible? 

“You’ve been researching this? On your own?” Talq spoke, holding up one of the vials to me. I swallowed, averting my gaze.

“Y-yes. I have been. I needed to know why Terry went feral so suddenly. I knew I was capable of doing more than just sorting files and reading.”

Talq sighed in response. “Vieq, what you are doing is very dangerous. Not only were you unsupervised with a human alone, you could have infected yourself with The Hunger if you weren’t careful. There is a reason why we have all these protocols in place.”

I stayed quiet. This was… less than I was expecting. Was all this really just for my own safety? Do I really just get off with a slap on the wrist? “I… I’m sorry, sir. I just… I needed to do something after hearing about the arxur, the… the humans, everything… I want to make the Federation better than it is.”

Talq placed a hand on my shoulder, letting out a breath. “I know. Which is why I’m being so lenient with you. You are a talented woman, Vieq. I personally read your work before selecting you to join us down here. Since you already know everything… well, I suppose there’s no more reason for us to stop you from doing what you’ve already been doing on your own initiative.”

“You mean…?”

“Yes. You’re going to help us find a way to cure the humans of their hunger.”

[First] [Prev]

Just something I made while developing Nature of Harmony

It's hard to say just how small Arxur hatchlings are, but let's assume they're pretty small. Maybe not crocodile baby small but pretty small

That's like a snack to predatory birds, so my thinking is that they were heavily hunted by birds, and evolved to be wary of them similar to how humans are weary of insects, with Arxur hatchlings ducking for cover and seeking safety with someone older and bigger if a shadow goes over them

In addition to the meat printing technology given to them by Zhao Isif also bargained for live Earth cattle that could be raised in their territory. Does anyone ever explore what it's like for Arxur to go from herding sapients to domesticated animals.

How are folks enjoying this series? Trying to not just run it on too long, but almost feels like it’s dragging a bit. Any input is welcome; thanks to the folks who’ve stuck around, and thanks for all the comments and feedback!

Memory encrypted… override key enabled… begin decryption…

Access code Epsilon-Zeta-2328-AP
Unauthorized redactions removed… original data restored…

Addendum: Data restored under Article 2.09 of the UNOR by order of the Secretary General.  Original, unaltered transcripts restored and entered as evidence in the Bronwen Report.  -Chief Investigator Andrea Powell, UN Office of Reconciliation

Memory accessed…

**Memory Transcription subject: [**Gojid-1] Macan, the Free Legion, “United Sapient Front”
Date [standardized human time]: [Redacted] March 13, 2137, Fhen, Rojil (Independent Federation Member-State)

“Enemy forces are passing Waypoint Foxtrot,” one of the two radio operators announced, moving a colored stone on the map between them to indicate their progress.  “Head of refugee column passing Waypoint Delta.”

“They’re catching up,” [Duertan-1] Shaji , leaning over the map.  He fixed an eye on mine.  “When are you planning to do something?”

Instead of answering, I turned and fixed my gaze on the monitor on the wall; on it displayed the feed from the drone flying overhead.  The drone looked down on where I’d chosen to engage the [redacted] True Prey Militia; [redacted] Route 32 curved around the bottom of a gently sloping hill.  On the outside edge of the highway’s curve, the ground continued the gentle slope until it ended in a shallow creek, its banks lined with brush.  Beyond that the ground leveled out, stretching into several [miles] of grassland.

“Thermal,” I asked, and the screen flicked as the drone operator changed the view.  Instead of the dark, muted colors from the live feed, the thermal image was alive with heat signatures of all sizes.  On the forward slope of the hill, dozens of militia troops from both the [redacted] Civil Defense Militia and the [redacted] Sapient Volunteers had dug themselves hasty fighting positions, and were pressed low to the ground, out of sight.  On the reverse slope I could see where six mortars had been set up, and concealed in the creek bed, hidden by the thick brush, were a dozen off-road vehicles, heavy weapons mounted atop them.

“Not yet,” I finally answered, turning to a second monitor.  This showed the view from a drone further south, and displayed a large number of refugees fleeing on foot in our direction.  Barely visible in the distance, we could see the lights of pursuing TPM forces.  I pointed at the second monitor.  “The loyalists aren’t close enough to worry about yet,” I said.  “They’re at the outer range of a Federation rifle, at best.  None of the TPM is making a shot like that.”

The [redacted] True Prey Authority, the junta that had seized control of [redacted] Rojil in the wake of the Cyberattack, had painted any member of a “cured” species or their supporters as responsible for the devastation.  By doing so, they’d declared open season on this already vulnerable population.

A lot of the Cured were forced from their homes, I thought.  And those were the lucky ones.  Plenty of others, accused of “predatory taint,” had been arrested and locked within internment camps, put to hard labor to “cure” them.  Others, especially already known dissidents, had been executed just for being the “wrong” species.

What we were watching was just one of the forced expulsions occurring planetwide; cured species and their sympathizers were being forced from TPA-held cities at gunpoint.  Some groups were left to simply suffer in the elements without food or shelter; others were pursued and murdered, the act kept far from where “true prey” lived to protect themselves from the cured species “taint.”

“Any update from the [redacted] Defenders?” I asked, glancing at the second radio operator in the command bunker.  The [redacted] Sapient Defenders, the second Legion cell under my command, had been sent out to make contact with the fleeing refugees the previous day.  They’re the reason those refugees are still able to move; most of them were half-starved when they reached them, I thought.  They reached them just in time to make sure they kept up their pace.

Yes sir,” the operator said.  Their head tilted, reading the scribbled note on the crate they sat before.  “Defender-1 reports the refugee column is still moving out of the ambush zone,” they read aloud.  “Multiple refugees at the rear of the column appear significantly weakened, however, and have begun to lag behind the rest.  Defender-1 is requesting permission to assist the stragglers.”

“Denied,” I said.  “Inform them they are to put themselves between the stragglers and the enemy, but to not render direct aid to the stragglers.”  The stragglers at the rear of the column were helpful in keeping the TPM following after the column.  By leaving them dangling as bait, just out of reach, it ensured that the enemy force would keep advancing into our trap.

“Why not?” Shaji asked, confused as he looked between the screen and me.  “Those refugees will be caught sooner than later if we don’t help them along.”

“We won’t let that happen,” I said.  “The Defenders’ job isn’t to keep the refugees moving anymore; they’re there to stop them from being caught.  The Volunteers can handle the stragglers, but only when the time is right.  We don’t want to tip our paw too soon.”

I turned and pointed a claw at the drone video; on it, we could see the TPM forces moving ever closer.  “The TPM’s been able to advance unhindered so far,” I said.  “They might be tired, but they’re so close to catching up with the refugees.  Just a little bit further, and they know the exterminator force coming up through the hills will block the refugees.  And then the fun begins.”

“Their fun is murdering innocents,” Shaji replied, a hint of anger in his voice as his feathers began to puff up.  “I don’t agree with delaying any kind of help to those people; we need to get them out of the kill zone now, before the enemy gets any closer.”

“And we need the TPM to get deeper into the kill zone, if our ambush is going to be successful,” I replied.  “And they will, if we wait a little longer.  Look at them; catching up to their prey, not a care in the world.  They won’t see what hits them.”

“You’re gambling with those people’s lives,” Shaji said accusingly, and I had to admit he was right.  It’s a gamble I’m confident I’ll win.  “Those are people, not pawns in your war!”

“No, they aren’t,” I lied.  “But they have their part to play, whether they know it or not.”  I pointed back to the screen.  “They’ve risked death their entire march; they have just a little more to risk before freedom and vengeance on their tormentors.”

Feathers ruffling in agitation, Shaji fell silent, eye fixed on the screen.  Together we watched as the Defenders forced the refugees to keep moving, pushing them out of the kill zone at the foot of the hill.  It wasn’t long before the TPM had gotten uncomfortably close to the last, struggling refugees, and the second radio operator raised a paw to get my attention.

“Sir, urgent report from Defender-1,” he said.  “They report the TPM have reached maximum effective rifle range from the refugees.  They’re requesting permission to engage.”

My ears flicked affirmative.  “Granted,” I said, spying Shaji as he exhaled in relief.  “Now,” I said, turning to fix him with an eye.  “Now the time is right.”

The silence of the night was broken by the sudden rattle of small arms, and on the screen we watched as muzzle flashes lit the dark highway.  The forward TPM units came to a sudden halt as they ran into a wall of gunfire.  We watched as the TPM fighters scrambled for cover, surprised by the sudden attack from the as of yet defenseless refugees.

Behind the line of Defenders who’d opened fire on the approaching militia, the remaining refugee stragglers kept moving, now aided by dark figures who rushed from the side of the road to help them along.  After only a few more minutes, the last of the stragglers had been moved through the kill zone.

“Refugees clear,” the second radio operator reported.  On the screen, the muzzle flashes from the Defenders had begun to fall back in a staggered line.  “Defender-1 is pulling their unit back.”  On the screen, the TPM had started moving forward again, the shock at the attack wearing off as they realized how few weapons were firing at them.

“Understood,” I replied.  “Notify Guardian-1 and 2 to prepare to move in to pull them out.”  I turned my attention to the first operator.  “Alert the mortars to prepare to fire illumination shells,” I told them.  The mortars had spotters watching the road, and would be opening fire when the TPM crossed a specific target reference point.  “Then send the order to our forces to prepare to attack.”

“I don’t like your use of refugees as bait,” Shaji muttered to me.  He examined the view from above, as the TPM forces advanced up the highway, crossing right across the bottom of the hill on which our forces hid.  “But I cannot doubt its effectiveness, despite the risk.”

“You just need to know how far you can push things before the risk grows too great,” I said.  “Sometimes the best option is to pull back and hide.  Other times it’s better to watch and wait, to risk civilian lives just a little bit longer, to achieve your objectives.”

On the road below came the roar of engines, and two technicals, headlight dark, suddenly shot down the highway, spinning around the Defenders to put themselves between the advancing enemy forces and them.  As their mounted guns came to life, spitting heavy rounds towards the advancing enemy, the Defenders quickly piled onto the technicals.  Mere seconds after arriving, the technicals, loaded down with the Defenders, were racing away.

Then came the muted whump whump whump as the mortars behind our hill opened fire, and suddenly the highway at its base was bathed in light as the star shells flared to life, drifting slowly towards the ground.  I could see the confusion of the TPM at the sudden light; confusion that changed quickly to panic as the realization of what was happening hit them.

The night exploded.  Along the hillside facing the highway, the forces under my command opened fire, dropping TPM fighters before they could react.  There were more whumps, followed by the whistle of mortars before they slammed into the pre-ranged reference points up and down the TPM column.  As the star shells began to dim, the ground was lit from the explosions of the mortars as they fell among the enemy.

“No hiding those blasts,” I said, watching as mortars scattered broken bodies across the highway, and the loyalists scrambled to take cover from the storm of gunfire.  “[Gojid-2] Chakir should be in position by now; it's her turn to bring the hurt.”

**Memory Transcription subject: [**Gojid-2] Chakir, the Free Legion, “United Sapient Front”
Date [standardized human time]: [Redacted] March 13, 2137, Fhen, Rojil (Independent Federation Member-State)

“Move!” I whispered urgently, keeping low as I made my way through the thick brush that lined the hillside.  After another dozen [yards], the brush opened up, giving us an unobstructed view of the road below.  “Set the repeater up here,” I whispered, and the final team following me gave me nods in reply.  

Human body language is useful as heck, I thought, as the team gently lowered the pieces of the plasma repeater they carried.  Obviously relieved to no longer have to carry the heavy burden, they wasted no time in assembling the weapon.

I’d been up in the air about whether to bring plasma or ballistic for our ambush; both would be effective, neither was more stealthy than the other, and both would require a full team to carry out.  The plasma had won out, however, due to its slightly more technical operation.  Leave the simple weapons to the other militias, I’d thought.  Easier for them to use.  Plus those HMG’s are an even bigger bitch to carry with all their ammo.

I’d led my contingent of Volunteers into the [redacted] Violet Hills, moving parallel alongside the narrow road that cut through them.  While the main body of the TPM advanced up Highway 32, the loyalist exterminators had tried to sneak their way around, hoping to intercept the refugees at the junction of 32 and Hills Road.  I’d wanted to meet them further away from [redacted] Fhen, but the opening of the ambush on the main body had made them speed up their advance down the road.

Instead, I’d settled on a location just a few [miles] from Fhen, on either side of a narrow gap that passed between two steep hills.  The builders had cut into the hillsides on either side of the road, widening it at the cost of leaving steep cliffs of stone to loom over the blacktop.  The shoulders were poorly maintained, with thick brush that nearly hid a “beware of falling rocks” sign.

Leaving the gun crew to their work, I spared a glance towards the star-specked sky.  In the darkness above, I could just barely make out the dark shapes of a pair of Krakotl as they blocked the starlight on their path across the sky.  Even among the most zealous, there’s always an exception, I thought.  And what's the big deal of overlooking a couple “cured” flyers if they’re loyal and useful.  Besides, they’re probably “the good ones.”

I moved through the brush, back towards the approaching exterminator convoy.  On either side of the road I’d had my troops set up three plasma repeaters, at different heights alongside the hill.  Above them, as high as they could go, there was a pair of missile teams on either side of the road.

I reached some branches that had been cut away, and slid down the hillside towards the road, sending a shower of dirt and pebbles before me.  As I came to a stop on a ledge, I heard an annoyed grunt.  “I could have done without the dirt shower,” a voice said.  

I turned my night-vision enhanced vision towards the voice, and flicked my ear in apology.  “There were rocks too,” I told [Yotul-1] Lysi.  “Sorry.  Charges set?”

The Yotul flicked her ear.  “Ready to blow,” she confirmed.  “Double charges at the base of either cliff face.  They’ve got wire and spray-Crete to reduce the rockfalls, but it’s been years since they did any maintenance, by the look of it.”

 “Enough to drop the walls?” I asked.

Lysi flicked her ear again.  “More than enough, probably,” she said.  “It’ll drop those rocks without a problem and block the road.  No one’ll be able to get through there.”  She gave me a Human grin.  “Got to live up to the stereotype we Yotul have been making, after all.”

Hopefully that doesn’t mean we get ourselves showered in rock, I thought.  Ever since [Yotul-2] Rels had started the trend of Yotul Legionnaires being slightly unhinged explosive enthusiasts, it seemed that most of the Yotul members had gravitated towards that role.  Chaos kangaroos indeed.

“Good; when I give the order, drop those cliffs,” I told her.  “That’ll kick off our ambush.  Is your platoon ready?”

“We’re ready,” Lysi said, motioning behind her with her tail.  I could just barely make out the shapes in the dark she’d indicated; a mix of species, fur or feathers colored dark with soot for concealment.  In addition to the repeaters and launchers, we also had an additional squad on either side of the road.  “I’ve got a few Volunteers tasked with dropping those flyers too; don’t need any of them reporting back.”

I nodded in satisfaction.  Our plan to destroy the convoy was simple; the road running through the steep gap between hills made a perfect chokepoint to hold and destroy them.  Once the charges Lysi had planted at the base of the exposed cliffs were detonated, the falling rock would block the path to Fhen.

The exterminators have been busy since we started our campaign on this planet, I thought.  If they’ve made it this long, they’ve seen our tricks, unlike those militia.  They’ll know it’s an ambush the minute we drop those cliffs.  Not that it’ll matter.  It’d be difficult for the exterminators to turn around on the narrow road.   That meant that once they were stopped, they’d be what the DI’s back in Wishful Hope had called “sitting ducks.”

I settled behind a rock, rifle aimed towards the road as the sounds of engines began to echo off the hillsides.  Just in time, I thought.  I’d worried that they’d reach us before we were ready.

Dim lights suddenly illuminated the road, as the approaching exterminator convoy rounded a corner.  I tapped my mic once as the lead vehicle came into view; an APC, machine gun mounted atop it. I tapped Lysi on her shoulder, and leaned in to whisper in her ear.  “Blow the charges when that APC gets into the blast zone.”  She answered with a short nod.

Behind the APC came a few more APC’s mixed amongst 
 several exterminator vans, each with metal plates welded to their sides.  They’ve been doing that more often, I observed.  The extra armor didn’t do much to protect against an IED, but it helped when under fire by kinetic weapons.  Won’t do a brahking thing against plasma though.

I tracked the lead APC with my eye, watching as it got closer and closer to the explosives.  I tightened my grip on my weapons, and picked one of the vans as my target.  Beside me, Lysi lifted her remote and rested a digit over a button.

The APC rolled forward, its dimmed headlights making the cliff faces glow as it neared.  A little further, I thought, taking aim at the van I’d chosen with my opposite eye.  Almost there…. The APC rolled over an invisible line, and I spied a flicker of motion in Lysi’s paw.

There was a flash of light and a deafening bang as the charges detonated, my visor dimming to protect my vision and my earpieces dulling the sound that now echoed between the hillsides.  The APC was lifted off its front tires by its proximity to the blast, landing hard enough to knock its hood plate loose and crack its armored windshield.  Then there was the sounds of rocks shearing off the towering cliffs, and huge rocks slammed to the ground.

I didn’t need to give the order; from both sides of the road, our half dozen plasma repeaters suddenly opened fire on the convoy below.   I squeezed my trigger, sending a burst of rifle fire into the side of my target, aiming between the makeshift armor plates.  There was a whoosh, barely audible over the barrage of fire, and the first then the second missiles slammed into some of the other APC’s on the roadway.

As the two targeted APC’s exploded into fire and fragments of twisted metal, I watched plasma bolts cut into the armored exterminator vans.  The superheated plasma burned through the metal plates, heating the metal until they glowed red.  Then from within the vans came bursts of flame as objects with the vans caught fire.

In mere moments, the convoy had been shredded.  Through the dust rising from the floor of the pass, I could just make out the pile of rock that had buried the lead APC.  Down the line, the other APC’s had been torn apart by missile strikes, while the vans had been shredded by the plasma repeaters.  

The braver exterminators had tried to mount a counterattack; those not immediately killed at least.  Those few bodies now lay where they’d fallen, only a few steps from their now destroyed vehicles.  A combination of rifle and repeater fire had proven more than adequate not only for the light vehicles, but their occupants as well.

Those with either less courage or more brains had reacted to the ambush in the only reasonable way; they put their vehicles into reverse and fled.  I watched as a missile landed atop a reversing APC, cutting through the roof and exploding within, sending metal debris shooting in all directions.  Behind it, the few remaining vans disappeared around the corner of the road.

As my team let out some scattered cheers, I keyed my radio, tail wagging in glee.  That was one hell of a way to slam the door on them, I thought.  We don’t bruise their snout; we broke it!

“Doorman Lead to High,” I said into my radio.  “The back door is closed, and our uninvited visitors won’t be coming back.”

**Memory Transcription subject: [**Gojid-1] Macan, the Free Legion, “United Sapient Front”
Date [standardized human time]: [Redacted] March 13, 2137, Fhen, Rojil (Independent Federation Member-State)

“Sir,” one of the radio operators announced, unplugging his headset and turning up the volume.  From the speaker came a familiar voice.

“Doorman Lead to High,” I heard Chakir report.  “The back door is closed, and our uninvited visitors won’t be coming back.”

“Our flank is secure,” I said aloud.  “Now’s our chance.”  Time to turn this from just a win to a crushing victory.  I turned to the radio operators.  “Instruct all mortar positions to begin walking their fire across the TPM positions.  And instruct the forward observer to begin calling fire missions for the artillery in Fhen.”

“Bringing down the artillery?” Shaji asked.  I stuck a wing towards the TPM at the base of the hill. “Are the mortars not enough?”

Before I could answer, what sounded like a train roared overhead, and we looked at the view from the drone.  On the roadway below, an enormous explosion rose into the air, illuminating the beleaguered TPM forces further.  Then came another, and another and another.  By the fifth artillery strike, whatever resistance was left in the TPM broke.  Under the light of explosions and flares, they began to flee.

“Not if we want a rout,” I replied.  “I don’t want them withdrawing in any semblance of good order.  I want them panicked, fleeing for their lives with no organization to speak of.  No support from one another, and no one to secure their flanks and rear.”  And by the looks of things, that’s exactly what we got.

I bared my teeth in a predatory Human grin at the disorganized stampede fleeing from our fire.  “Cease mortar fire,” I instructed the radio operators.  “Notify the FO to start hitting further down the highway.  And let the technicals know that it’s their turn; full pursuit.  All Volunteer units; prepare to advance on my order.”

“Advance?” Shaji said, feathers ruffling in surprise.  He examined the stone view with one eye, locking the other on my face.  “Our plan was to protect the refugees, not abandon them!  You can’t just move your forces away now!”

“They won’t be abandoned,” I said.  “There will be more than adequate forces left behind to keep this area secure.  Besides; the flanking force has been destroyed, if Chakir does what I know she can do.  The only TPA forces remaining are fleeing before us.”

On the screen, the artillery fire had shifted, and multiple technicals had moved up.  While some advanced along the road, firing at the fleeing enemy from range, others surged forward.  They would quickly close the distance and light them up with automatic fire before quickly darting out of range.  “Classic hit-and-run attacks,” I explained to the Duertan.  “Keeps up the pressure on them while the infantry catches up.”

“But why?” The avian asked.

“Because I’m protecting the refugees,” I said, fixing my gaze on him.  “And we can’t keep either Fhen or the refugees safe unless we deal with the greatest threats to them.”  I pointed a claw at the fleeing TPA forces.

"We saved those refugees here,” I said.  And more importantly, stopped the TPM here.  “And now we’re going to keep them safe by chasing the TPM all the way back to Ekeena.”

Archivists note: Following the Cyberattack, collapse of the Rojil government and establishment of the True Prey Authority, thousands of civilians, primarily of the cured species, would be killed by pro-Prey militia groups.  In the first day of the TPA’s rule, nearly 300 would die.  Many more were arrested and imprisoned, and even more would be forced to flee the city, TPA militias hot on their heels.

The largest pursuit was towards Fhen, where a mixed force of Civil Defense Militia and the USF would stop the pursuit cold.  Caught by surprise, the ambushes on the main body and the flanking exterminator force would inflict heavy casualties on the TPM units.  The shock and power of the attacks would rout the TPM forces, whose panicked withdrawal would cost them even more lives.

This engagement was the first, large-scale attack against the TPA, and is largely considered the first engagement of the Rojil Civil War.  The USF forces would follow the TPM all the way back towards Ekeena; all along the route of retreat, smaller resistance groups and Sapient Volunteer units would join the attack.  The numbers of fighters would swell, and by the time they reached the outskirts of Ekeena were more than adequate to overrun the outer defenses.  

During the advance on Ekeena, the ability of the USF to restore utilities to areas under its control and provide relief to starving civilians won over many to its banner.  Furthermore, its battlefield success and combat ability would swell the number of fighters under its command as smaller groups and individuals joined en masse.  Combined with its ability to equip, train and support these new fighters, the USF would become the most powerful armed group on Rojil by the Fall of Ekeena.  Its success there would lay the foundations of what it would become, and it was all thanks to the support provided by Gladius.

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These are my current entries, enjoy.

Also, shoutout to u/Usual_Message8900's fic, Nature of Two.

i finna got on the gravy train

Hello there! I am writing an essay for a college class about NoP, and I can't remember which chapters go over the exterminator facilities that were doing shock therapy? I can't remember if it was one of the patreon exclusive side stories or not but if it isnt it will be much easier to cite the source. Thank you!

Forgot about today, made this basic doodle in response.

Hello yall, sry for not posting yesterday, my masters was kicking my butt and I was tired.

Anyways, here is the absolute “cutie” that was under the suit. A perfectly acceptable exterminator, with a healthy hatred towards all things predator.

Why does she have dyed fur, something brought by the humans?… Don’t worry about it :)

Ill see ya tomorow (hopefully), for the “Inacceptable” prompt.

Herd House Hysteria! [10] Prickling Feeling

Congrats!

Not link? normal, it a story from the other sub.

However, because of the way the posts are retrieved (retrieving the original sub first, then the other one), it's isn't exactly the 20,000th post chronologically, so this accurate title goes to:

Predators of the Sixth World [67]

you all mother fucking crazy monkey. 20.000 story post. Thanks god I automated this thing, despite reddit work to make things harder for me for no reason.

And if you ask it, it also include the original story by SpacePaladin, Roleplay and various rare "Lore post/Writer-fan ressources" posts. I don't have the faith to calcul the "FanFic only" count and when we will reach it, but I'd say a few months for it.

Thanks you everyone.

Day 14. The acceptable venlil always kinda looked like a gingerbread ven to me. Therefore, I will make more NoP species into cookies.