The Nature of Predators - Arxur Miniseries
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Context: Occurs shortly after the Arxur raided the cradle in Chapter 23.
Memory transcription subject: Kaisal, Arxur Dominion Third Fleet
Date [standardized human time]: September 28, 2136
Military service was something expected of all of us, as soon as we grew into our adult bodies. There was no room for Arxur society to tote around liabilities. I had wanted to put off joining the infantry for as long as possible, but my mother had other plans. She was disappointed in my scrawny stature, and told me that the rations were going to stop coming. If I didn’t join the military, I think I would’ve been handed over to the Betterment office.
The training officers beat me worse than my parents had, disappointed in how I lagged behind the other recruits. There was no way I could hold my own in sparring matches; rations were withheld as punishment for my ineptitude. Having eaten a maximum of three times in the past two weeks, I could feel my muscles withering. Hunger pains stabbed at my stomach with such intensity, that I tried to swipe another Arxur’s rations. That was the final nail in the coffin, since we were not permitted to attack our own.
The trainers debated throwing me into an airlock, or sticking a bullet in my worthless skull. But it was decided that the best way to get rid of me, was to drop me off with a cattle patrol on the Gojid cradle. Someone who couldn’t fight was unlikely to last; I could be sacrificed in the name of the Dominion. Gojidi Union defenses had mysteriously gone down, leaving a straight shot to their homeworld.
If those prey idiots had a brain, I would think it’s a trap. But they don’t.
“Well, what do we have here? This runt is pathetic!” a feminine voice hissed from my left.
I tugged at the harness around my body, keeping my eyes down. “Hi. I’m Kaisal.”
My arms felt weak, and the lethargy made me want to nap. Images of our rations floated through my mind. Those of us dropped on cattle worlds didn’t eat for five days before. It made zero sense to waste limited food on those who could die. Supposedly, as the Dominion told us, hunger helped us to fight with a desperation.
Claws swiped across my cheek, earning a wince. “Fight back! Scared? You’re an affront to the Prophet’s teachings. You have the form of a syasara.”
Syasaras were burrowing creatures native to our homeworld, tiny prey that lived by riverbanks. Those morsels hardly did anything to sate our appetites, but had become common livestock anyways. The animals that could actually feed a hungry Arxur were wiped out by the Federation, with their plague tailored to our animals. Meager pickings were all that we had left.
“I’m saving my anger for the Gojid prey.” My stomach rumbled loudly, and desperation expanded through my chest. I was so hungry that I couldn’t think straight; there was nothing I wouldn’t do for a scrap of meat. “I haven’t done anything to you…your name is?”
“Naitha, a pure-blood from a line verified by the Great Laznel.” She slammed her snout into my chest, knocking the wind out of me. “It’s important to single out the weakest links before the mission. You’re going to exit the ship first…lead the way.”
I nursed my lungs, and curled my tail around my ankles. It was difficult to concentrate on anything other than my dizzying need for fuel. It wasn’t clear if I could hold a gun without shaking, but Naitha wasn’t asking. The irritability of traveling with two other people could be adding to her temperament. Prolonged exposure and sociability was grating, like having bugs crawling up your spine. The fact that none of us had eaten was making emotional regulation more difficult.
Bursts of aggression threatened to explode, in between listless spells; I didn’t feel like I was in control. These Federation animals deserved to die, for making us live this way. Saliva watered in my mouth, at the thought of ripping out a Gojid’s intestines. The logical part of my brain told me I was about to be hurled into a warzone, and gunned down. My dreams, of becoming a great intellectual like Laznel, were unachievable. I was weak.
A scarred muzzle nudged my shoulder. “I’m your team leader, Typhith. Think about something other than the hunger. Now.”
“I can’t,” I whimpered.
“Get a grip, and quit whining like prey. The rest of us don’t want you burdening this unit. Are you going to cry, and let your feelings spill over?”
Tears were fogging my periphery, and I struggled not to let them spill over. Terror was lurking in the recesses of my mind, the simple call of self-preservation. The sooner we landed, the sooner I could be put out of my misery. Death would be a welcome reprieve, from this meaningless existence. I wished I hadn’t been born an Arxur.
I wish my squad had the disdain for taunting that we have for standard conversation. This is tiresome.
Typhith smacked his tail at Naitha, as our ship touched down amidst an orchard. The Gojid herbivores had a bounty of their food here, but even in my state, I wouldn’t dream of trying it. All attempts to eat fruit by Arxur ended up with an upset stomach, compounding dehydration and nutrient deficiencies. The Federation assholes had no idea what suffering was.
Typhith yanked me out of my seat, and Naitha shoved a gun in my hand. I barely locked my claws around one end, before I was thrown out of the ship. Two Gojid ‘soldiers’ were fleeing from a battle site into the thick treeline, while mushroom clouds ascended from the direction of the settlement. Panic flashed in their side-facing eyes, while their bristling spines showed their fear. My eyes dilated as I smelled their fluids on the wind; the scent was tantalizing.
I began firing blindly, all conscious thought evaporating in bloodthirst. Red spilled across my vision, and I charged toward them without any strategy. The prey duo panicked at my mere appearance; rather than fighting, both sprinted away from me. The slower Gojid panicked as its partner began to surpass them, and tugged at the frontrunner’s arms. It kept running, leaving the downed Gojid screaming for mercy.
In a sane state of mind, I might’ve felt a trace of cursed pity for the creature. It was left behind by its own kind, sacrificed by a backstabber. Its scent was flooding my nostrils, along with a hint of blood; I could taste its warm flesh through its aroma. My shaken rationality snapped, as I began devouring it with ravenous fury. I couldn’t even notice the spines in my mouth. It was a matter of crunching through bone and anything in my way.
Teeth dug into my neck, deep enough to draw blood. I screamed incoherently, and swung my tail at the Arxur dragging me away from my catch. That was food that I needed…so badly that it burned. My stomach begged for more than the handful of bites I’d taken.
“The weakest eats last,” Naitha sneered. “You’ll get whatever bones we leave. Or…fight me, runt.”
I snapped my jaws at her, reduced to little more than an animal. The extent to which I desired a full meal left my muscles quivering with wanton desire. Typhith tore into the Gojid’s throat, braying with pleasure as the blood whetted his maw. That prey was tracked down by me, while the rest of the cattle squad wanted me killed. Why should my share get taken by those lazy bastards?
Naitha ducked away from my bite, and thrashed me across the throat with her tail. She pinned me to the ground with superior strength, stepping on my windpipe. My breath was depleted in a matter of seconds; there was no energy left to fight her. I hated that I was such a pathetic Arxur, wasting away on a Federation planet. All I wanted was a slight respite from the throes of starvation…
Typhith finished off the best parts, licking his lips. “Here, Naitha. You can have the liver.”
He dug a purplish slab out of the prey’s stomach, and tossed the warm, nutrient-dense piece to my captor. She lightened her grip on me, turning her attention to the meal. She made a point of chewing slowly, savoring each bite with audible pleasure. The scent of the Gojid’s organs teased me, rendering me unable to string thoughts together.
“Typhith, what do you think of the strange reports?” Naitha asked, through a mouthful of food.
The team leader narrowed his eyes. “Our first landing parties met heavy resistance. Someone else got here before us; primitive ships rushed over to meet us in orbit. They’re outmatched, but they’re digging their heels in.”
“I’ve heard there’s signs of stampeding in the Gojid settlements, but it doesn’t look fresh. It happened before we landed. Have you considered the possibility that these primitives are like us?”
“I don’t know what to think. They’re wearing so much armor, that you can’t see their features. But they have armor…tactics…aggression. We might have a genuine first contact here. I want to try to recover one of their bodies.”
Through the haze of hunger, I processed the new information. Modern Betterment rhetoric claimed that the Arxur were a superior species, due to our unique nature. The Dominion grasped the benefit of potential allies, and searched in earnest for other predators. But every planet turned up a new band of herbivores, who fainted at the sight of us.
Typhith sneered at my languishing form. The remnants of the Gojid carcass were kept out of my reach; there were no doubts in my mind that my Arxur ‘comrades’ would stuff themselves. They would keep trying to get me killed, so they could have a laugh at the scrawny kid. I realized that I hated what I was, and the species I was a part of.
If there’s a chance that other predators are here, I have to try to find them. Life as their prisoner can’t be worse than another day as an Arxur.
I snatched my gun back up off the ground, and sprinted away from Typhith and Naitha. Their heads snapped around, as they saw me making a break for the forest. Deserting the posse was high treason. Hell, it was an idiotic decision, to run off because of a rumor that had never proven true before. It was likely I’d be shot by Gojids, or executed for treason if my pursuers caught me. My feet picked up the pace.
The grass underfoot was already trimmed down, with hints of Gojid on the blade…and something else. This animal’s smell was oily and salty, unlike any sapient species I’d detected before. The reason we encountered so few of the spikebacks, must be because the other invaders flushed them out first. I prayed to the Prophet’s spirit that these aliens weren’t just aggressive herbivores, or Federation breakaways.
Typhith closed the distance with powerful strides, and lined up his gun as I ran. “You’re dead, runt. You are a disgrace to your family bloodline, and to your planet.”
I risked a glance back, too panicked to point my own weapon at him. My eyes widened in surprise, as a red dot appeared on his chest. There was nobody in sight, and the Gojids weren’t clever enough to hide. Was he actually being targeted by a sniper? If these aliens could land precision strikes from long-range, they must have stereoscopic vision!
The thunderclap of a gunshot ripped through the air, before a bullet nailed Typhith in the shoulder. Naitha stopped in her tracks, looking around for the assailant. My own nostrils flared, searching for the direction of the sniper. The oily smell seemed to originate from up a tree.
Realizing their tactical disadvantage, my Arxur squadmates abandoned their pursuit. A cursing Typhith signaled for Naitha to fall back. The two of them ducked behind cover, before the alien could pick the next mark. I slung my rifle around my neck, and raised my paws in a non-threatening gesture.
“This is stupid,” I muttered to myself. “Every species we’ve met just shoots us on sight.”
My paws inched forward, taking every second I wasn’t terminated as a sign of encouragement. This alien had to be a predator, perhaps one that could be convinced to hunt together. Any prey species would’ve taken the shot by now out of panic. Even a weakling like me was a demon, to their eyes.
“I know you’re close to here, alien. Please, don’t shoot!” I shouted.
A melodic, yet powerful voice floated from above. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t put a round in your head, croc.”
“Uh…because that’s a terrible way to gather intelligence? Dead people don’t talk?”
“Good answer. Toss the gun, and get down on your knees.”
Our translators had their input ripped from the Federation database, though our archive was outdated. The prey animals must’ve known about this species for a long time. Their propaganda could’ve worked its way into these aliens’ heads. This sniper looked surprised that I was talking. Did they assume we were raving beasts?
I placed myself in a prostrate position, throwing the rifle away. A fleshy figure shimmied down the tree trunk with ease, suggesting an arboreal ancestry. The alien was indeed covered in armor, but they were otherwise disappointing. Federation species had bigger claws, than those pink pads on soft digits.
The creature seemed like a mammal, but their fur had fallen off in most places. Those slender legs weren’t able to generate pouncing power. The skeletal structure made me guess it was a female, based on weight dispersal. But the eyes that rounded on me were forward-facing, and rather discerning. There were no signs of fear; if any emotion was present, it was anger.
“Why were you running from the other two grays?” she barked.
I flinched, hearing the Federation pejorative. “I’m here because I’m weak. It’s a death sentence…I want to defect to your people. Look at me, I’m starving.”
“You are skin and bones, croc. Haven’t been able to murder enough children lately?”
“‘Children?’ You don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re being systematically starved by the Federation, because we’re obligate carnivores. You don’t want to be on the receiving end of the ‘predator’ treatment!”
The creature stroked her chin. There was no question that the Federation got to her government, after hearing the casual usage of “gray.” The fact that these people attacked the Gojids meant something, though. At least this soldier was listening to our side of the story; nobody ever bothered.
“We humans already find ourselves on the end of that predator treatment. That’s why we’re here,” she said. “You’re my prisoner now. Understand?”
I laid as still as possible, allowing the human to cuff my forepaws. She showed no signs of panic from our proximity. Maybe there was a chance here to prove myself a worthy contributor; an alliance with the new predators would be an asset to the Dominion. Convincing these people to join with us might be easier said than done.
All I cared about was persuading her to feed me, and escaping this shithole with a new lease on life.
A/N
A new bonus miniseries, with a new Arxur narrator: one who is ordinary, and has been labeled "weak" by his kind. In a desperate attempt to attain food, he threw himself at the mercy of a human...who for some reason, is alone...
As always, thank you for reading and supporting! I know you guys love Arxur content, so I hope this scratches the itch. Shooting for Part 2 Monday.
Chapter 2
Memory transcription subject: Kaisal, Arxur Dominion Third Fleet
Date [standardized human time]: September 28, 2136
My first impression of this human was that she was a solitary predator; the same brand as us. Their race must not have identified the benefits of working in groups, for select purposes. War was a game of numbers, and it was sloppy not to assemble military units. It was fascinating to try to decipher her mind, assessing how they could’ve gotten onto the cradle by force.
The Gojids were colossal failures at warfare, like all prey, but their air defenses should’ve kept landing parties at bay. There was no sign that the human fleet had engaged in orbital bombing; our people had to step in and start the process for them. I didn’t know why a predator race wouldn’t bring heavy munitions to a battle, when it made it much easier to soften up the populace.
The alien steered me into a cave, creating a camp to wait out the nightfall. Her forward-facing eyes were on high alert, searching for any Gojid or Arxur approaches. My gaze swept across her armor, which didn’t seem to offer much protection. There was a decorative patch affixed to the fabric, a rectangle of green, white, and red stripes. An avian emblem was at the center, which looked like a bird of prey.
Do they idolize winged hunters, and try to mimic them with their arboreal sensitivities?
“What’s your name?” I asked.
The creature hesitated. “Maya.”
“I’m Kaisal.”
Maya was hunched over a stack of timber, drumming up a blaze. Her pupils reflected the oranges of the firelight, and I could see heavy dislike in those eyes. My stomach emitted a deafening rumble, as she studied my form; the discomforting sensation was nigh unbearable. We had walked for hours, and my captor hadn’t offered me a morsel to mitigate my pain.
An intrusive thought crossed my mind, wondering how human flesh tasted. There was no way the alien could outrun me, and there was nowhere for her to climb away. I shoved it aside, knowing how shameful it would be to consume sapient flesh. No matter how far I was along the path of starvation, I wasn’t an animal.
The human focused on the drool around my lips. I realized my mouth was watering at the thought of eating her, in spite of myself. The fat stores by the abdomen, and the muscles on the limbs attracted my unwilling gaze. My brain screamed for food, and my arms quivered with want. Some protein in my belly to blunt this smoldering appetite…there was nothing I wouldn’t do. I could just pounce, and get it over with.
The last of my self-control held me in place. I released a strained howl, and squeezed my eyes shut. It was becoming impossible to fight the cravings. This alien had plenty of delectable organs, just waiting to be harvested. I couldn’t bear another minute in this famished state. The mental images were intensifying, and the voices in my head whispered that Maya was a weaker predator.
I licked my lips, and felt my vision go blurry. “F-feed me. PLEASE! I’m losing control.”
The alien’s eyes widened in alarm, before she pointed her gun at me. My breathing accelerated and my heartrate quickened, while her oily aroma tickled my nostrils. Maya reached into the knapsack she’d thrown aside, and rummaged through her options. She tore open a pack of dried meat, throwing it at me. It smelled funny, like char, but I didn’t care.
I wolfed it all down in a single bite, shivering from the pleasure. My eyes snapped open with renewed focus, and I tried to make myself look presentable again. That delirious state had played right into whatever the Federation said about us. Talk about making a terrible first impression of the Arxur.
“Sorry. I’ve scarcely eaten in weeks…my higher brain functions were shutting down,” I growled.
Maya kept the firearm pointed at me. “Is this something I’m going to have to worry about? How often do you ‘lose control?’”
“Never, with adequate food. This is bad as it’s ever gotten. You’re seeing me at a low point.”
“Hmph. The Federation says you have no empathy.”
“Not for a one of them. They’re animals, but you? You are unique.”
Tired of the conversation, I turned my head toward the cave wall. That exchange was lengthy enough; there was no need to torment Maya, by flooding her with everything about us at once. The human didn’t take a hint that I was bored of talking, which I suppose was her prerogative. Sure, this was her interrogation, but why wasn’t she disinterested? We’d been in each other’s presence for half-a-day, a near eternity.
Maya jabbed a finger at me. “Are you unique, Kaisal? You said your pals were chasing you because you were weak.”
“I left, ran away. They stole my catch. MY CATCH!” I roared, quivering with fury.
“Will they come after you?”
“With more people, yes. They hate traitors…and their pride is wounded by retreating from you. I didn’t want to fight for the army, but fighting isn’t a choice for us. It’s a requisite if you don’t want to be shipped to the slaughter, like PREY!”
“Keep your voice down. You’re going to attract unwanted attention.”
The human paused for a moment, appearing to listen for any activity. That implied that her sense of smell was much weaker than mine, despite the lengthy nose. I could detect intruders on the breeze, long before they were visible or audible. It was tough to believe this predator had good hearing either, with the seashell ear shape. Why were her senses so underdeveloped?
Also, why is she alone? We could use others of her kind, if Typhith and Naitha come back, I mused. She seems able to tolerate company…more so than me.
I blinked. “Why are you traveling alone? Unit warfare is tactically beneficial, especially for seizing targets.”
“I’m what you call a Tactical Air Control Party Specialist. Your army had my unit pinned down, defending a Gojid daycare center,” Maya answered.
“Defending them? You called them children earlier, but you’re at war with the Gojids. They treat you like shit cause you’re predators; you said so yourself!”
Her binocular eyes narrowed, and the brown irises darkened to a smoky shade. The human was justified to display infuriation, but perhaps I added insult to injury. There was something about the way she talked that reminded me of the prey. Perhaps this softness meant these predators would take mercy on a weakling like me.
“Forget it. Look, I got a good vantage point, and called in an airstrike. But the UN fleet never came,” Maya continued. “I stood there, waiting and pleading to an empty radio, as my friends were slaughtered. Help never came.”
Listening to her voice crack, the pieces began to fit together. Her instinct was to refer to her squadmates as friends, not partners; that placed emphasis on their social value. It suggested that she cared about them, despite the lack of blood ties or shared interests. Tack that on to the fact that she wasn’t showing any irritability, after hours of interaction…
I tilted my head. “Social predator. Interesting. We are solitary, so we do not talk to each other for long. Company becomes grating fast, like having a burr in your scales.”
“You didn’t realize we were social? Kaisal, humans spend all day around each other, in most professions. Hell, we built social networks and chatting services with the internet. We try to connect with people even when we’re alone.”
“But you must run out of meaningful things to say. What do you talk about? The breeze? Grooming habits? Prophet forbid…mating rituals?”
“I haven’t mentioned any of those things.”
“And I’m very glad of that. Please tell me you have a plan to get out of here. Why haven’t you contacted your people?”
Maya retrieved a paper map from her knapsack, and unfurled it on the cave floor. In the light of the fire, I could see it was a crude interpretation of the Gojid terrain; the humans must’ve drawn it up from their intelligence. She tapped a forested area with her finger, which must be our current location. Her hand glided closer to a industrial settlement, near the wind farms.
“This was our evac zone. In the event that we got separated, our orders were to rendezvous here. I missed the flight out…the UN isn’t coming back for me. It’s over,” the alien sighed.
I released my best snarl. “That’s it? You’re just giving up? That’s the most defeatist, prey-like attitude I ever heard!”
The human pursed her lips. She dragged her finger to the opposite side of the forest, in the direction of Naitha and Typhith. Drifting past our landing spot, her digits pointed to a Gojid military base. This complex was well-fortified and primarily underground, not worth the effort of seizing it. The village adjacent to it was an easier, juicier target.
“I’m going to look for other human survivors, and any Gojid civilians I can help.” Maya gazed into the dancing flames, and the blaze reflected in her sharp pupils. “There’s a blast bunker in the base. My plan is to get there, and ride out the bombing.”
I growled with alarm. “Ride it out? Nothing is going to survive an orbital raid! Besides, you won’t get within an inch of that bunker; those spiky animals will kill you on sight!”
“Well. That’s the only plan I’ve got. Your arrival just complicated things further.”
It was all I could do to bite my tongue, knowing there was a ticket to safety. We could find other Arxur pockets, far away from Typhith and Naitha. They’d arrange safe passage out of here for us both; delivering a new predator to them would prove my worth. It was a win-win scenario for everyone involved. However, now was not the time when the human would be suggestible to a partnership.
“No, I’m good news…you need me. I can track down other humans with my scent. Also, those Arxur you saw could be tracking us already, and Gojids could be running around anywhere. I’m your nose and ears,” I hissed.
The human neatly refolded her map. “If we’re being tracked, we’ve stayed here long enough. It’s time to move.”
“Are you kidding? It will take them plenty of time to regroup and scrounge up a hunting party. You should sleep, so you’re at your best. We’re mismatched with them as is.”
Maya started to argue, but her mouth gaped in an emphatic yawn. It was as though her body was protesting her brain’s orders; the dark circles beneath her eyes suggested exhaustion. The human must’ve been running on adrenaline for days, and while I couldn’t understand her hardship, a pack predator would be distraught about the loss of their group.
“Don’t try anything. I’m a light sleeper,” she muttered.
Wrapping my tail around my torso, I could feel the ribs beneath my scaly hide. It was nice to bask in the warmth of the flames, and to rest my head on the coolness of the ground. This was how ancient Arxur had lived, free in nature’s purity. My own eyelids were heavy, as I sank into the clutches of sleep.
The morning came around without incident, though the bright sunlight was more pleasing to the diurnal mammal than me. Maya had a bit more pep in her step, and the rest restored some of her vigor. My hunger was back with a vengeance, but the human already laid out greasy meat strips beside me. She was scarfing down a yellow, spongy substance, which seemed to crumble beneath her utensils.
Imagine using silverware like prey, because you can’t tear up your food with your teeth. Biology has robbed Maya of a proper jaw.
A greedy hunger took over, and I devoured the reddish flesh in a heartbeat. This time, I allowed the odd flavor to linger on my tongue for more than a second; my tastebuds sent waves of pleasure to my brain. Perhaps this scorching process was designed to replicate the warmth of a fresh carcass, with old rations. It tasted much stronger than what I was accustomed to, though it wasn’t unpleasant.
“What is that? The yellow stuff,” I asked.
Maya finished chewing a modest bite. “Eggs.”
“They give you such delicacies, on an ordinary mission? And you are not an officer?! Your species must have an abundant food supply! Krakotl eggs are a prize, though they’re not practical or economical. Too small, not a full meal.”
“Gee, you talk a lot for a solitary species.”
“Because you’re actually interesting. I care about philosophy, science, discovery…things with meaning.”
The human pushed the last mouthfuls into her gullet, before sliding the empty bowl to me. I licked the plate clean happily, lapping up every last crumb. Eggs tasted so light and airy, more tender than even meat. It was delightful! Perhaps this was worth betraying the Arxur, to be with such food-wealthy predators; even if they were talkative by nature.
Maya picked up her rifle, and gestured for me to exit the cave ahead of her. The two of us shuffled out into the brightness, greeted by the sound of rustling leaves. It took my eyes awhile to adjust; I envied the dark goggles the human slid over her gaze. Hindered by her weak nose, the primate looked around constantly. I could reassure her that there was nobody in the vicinity with a single whiff.
Retracing our steps was an easy process, since the alien had the foresight to slash the trees as we passed. It wasn’t anything noticeable at a glance, unless you knew what to look for; it wouldn’t lead anyone to our location. The female predator seemed distracted by the bomb explosions on every horizon. The cities were being shelled relentlessly, and nothing the Gojids built would withstand our onslaught.
“Smell anything funky?” Maya asked, as we labored to the edge of the trees.
I sucked in a sharp breath, not wanting to admit how badly I was hurting. The human rested a lot less than I desired, possessing what seemed like endless stamina. After two days of walking for miles without reprieve, my muscles were starting to ache. Her frail form shouldn’t lend itself to such lengthy voyages, yet the only sign of tiredness was a few sweat beads on her neck.
“Hold on. Let me catch my breath, so I can take a proper sniff.” A wheezing gasp slipped from my chest, and I leaned against a tree for support. “It is hot out here. It’s so fucking hot.”
She shook her head with exasperation. “Forget it. So much for being my ‘nose and ears’, Kaisal. I’ll do it myself.”
The human found a foothold on a fat tree trunk, and ascended to a dizzying height within a minute. Perhaps I hadn’t appreciated her species’ evolution, and how practical strength differed in the forest. It was a separate biome from traditional land hunting; her kind were well suited to vertical endeavors. There was a nimbleness to her movements that we couldn’t mirror if we practiced.
Maya pressed a black device to her eyes, which seemed like an extension of her gaze. Judging by the two lens, I decided it was some kind of magnifying device. She stayed balanced on a wavering branch without issue, and scoped out the grassy opening where I had come from. My nostrils flared with urgency, knowing I couldn’t become a liability. The scents in the air were confusing, and required concentration to untangle.
The human snapped upright, and slid down from her perch with ease. My olfactory sense picked up on Gojid traces, though to my disappointment, none were fresh. The strongest trigger was Maya standing beside me, and the salty perspiration seeping from her glands. Trying to block out her scent, I cast my net out further. The breeze was carrying hints of Arxur from the clearing; Typhith and Naitha were fresh triggers, but there were other Arxur signatures too.
“There’s ten Arxur moving on our position, directly in our path,” I announced.
Maya sighed. “Already saw. They definitely know we’re here. We have to fight, or at least drive them back. Problem is, I don’t trust you with a gun.”
“You can trust me to shoot them. I hate them, and they hate me…for weakness, and treason.”
“Hmph. I’m going to regret this.”
The human hesitated for a moment, before uncuffing my paws. I could sense her wariness, and even taste a hint of fear on the breeze; she didn’t trust me not to attack. That was fair, considering how tenuous my control was earlier. But now, I was well-fed and eager to get back at my cruel partners. It would be ironic if the weakling they terrorized sent them to their grave.
A spare sidearm was retrieved from the alien’s bag, and pressed into my grasp. She gestured to a pair of strong-smelling bushes; I obeyed the cue to take cover. Maya hoisted herself back into the tree, while we waited for the Arxur party to close on our scent. Numbers were not on our side, but at least we wouldn’t go down like mewling Venlil.
Regardless of the outcome, I was certain this gunfight was going to be bloody and chaotic. This would be the first time Arxur forces had clashed with another predator, after all.
A/N
Part 2 of the Arxur mini-series! We learn why our mysterious human was alone, and her desperate plan to escape the cradle. First, they'll have to fight through Kaisal's "buddies"...vastly outnumbered. Can they beat the odds?
As always, thank you for reading and supporting!
Chapter 3
Memory transcription subject: Kaisal, Arxur Dominion Third Fleet
Date [standardized human time]: September 29, 2136
The Arxur hunting party drew nearer, and it weighed on my mind that they had us outnumbered five-to-one. My sole ally was a fleshy, social creature whose strategy was to hide in trees; a cheap and cowardly tactic, by Dominion standards. Even if we survived somehow, the UN fleet withdrew from the system hours ago. The other humans stranded here may have gone down protecting the prey I hated.
Naitha snarled, announcing her presence. “Give us Kaisal, tree-climber, and we will let you live. He’s not worth your life. He is a traitor…a deserter!”
Maya remained silent in her perch; the pelts she wore made it difficult to see her among the foliage. We were ambush predators, but she took hiding to another level. The visual camouflage didn’t mitigate the fact that her scent was everywhere, giving away her location. Even I could smell the intensifying fear chemicals from above, and I wondered if she’d panic like a Gojid.
“You’re a good shot, but you’re not going to get another free look at me,” Typhith hissed. “They had to dig that bullet out of my shoulder.”
Good, I thought to myself. I hope it hurt. I wish it killed you.
The Arxur posse slunk low to the ground, keeping close to tree trunks. They knew of the human sniper’s intent, so they were taking precautions this time. It was a matter of pinpointing Maya’s location in the tree, and flushing her out somehow. At least I was going to die well-fed, feeling like myself again. It was nice to have a trace of sanity and satiety.
Naitha’s eyes locked on the exact tree the human was camped in. She hissed something to her comrades, and slid an RPG-launcher from her back. The Arxur placed a warhead into the firing chamber. I considered whether to warn Maya, but the alien was capable of performing her own observations. There was a pop and a burst of smoke, before the rocket was slung at the trunk.
The human vaulted to a branch of an adjacent tree, right before the explosive decimated her old hiding spot. The Arxur unleashed fire when she emerged into the open. My gun moved silently to face the posse, landing on Naitha. I wanted to kill her first; if I was going to die, she was coming with me.
The bullying female began reloading the launcher. “Kaisal, you stupid runt! I’ve got a…fiery snack for you.”
Maya unclipped the pin on a round object, and lobbed it at the posse. Typhith hissed in alarm, before scooping it up with haste. He flung it out of their vicinity, a mere second before a shrapnel-packed explosion detonated. The human retrieved another grenade from her belt, utilizing excellent throwing ability. Perhaps she wasn’t useless in combat.
My sights aligned with Naitha’s head, and I depressed the firing trigger. The female Arxur darted forward for a better angle of the human, just as my shot left the pistol. My bullet connected with a young soldier trailing behind her, piercing right between his narrowed eyes. I swallowed hard, refusing to dwell on killing one of our own. What choice did I have but to take on our attackers?
“He’s over there!” Naitha shrieked, pointing at the bush. “KILL HIM!”
Maya hurled two grenades at once, causing the Arxur unit to split apart. Bullets peppered her location, and she lost her balance on the branch. The human caught herself with delicate fingers, and dangled from the bough with a precarious grip. It began to dip under her weight, with the ground beckoning six meters below.
The grenades distracted the hunting party for a brief second, and several of them were tossed aside by the blast force. I debated whether to help the alien, who was trying to pull herself back up. As soon as Typhith and his troops regained their bearings, her center of mass would be an easy target. Self-preservation was my top priority, but being alone diminished my slim chances.
I crawled on all fours beneath her position. “Let go, Maya! NOW!”
The human’s head tilted downward, and she hesitated for a moment. The Arxur were getting back to their feet, assessing the battlefield. Taking a deep breath, Maya unhooked her fingers from the branch. Her feeble form rocketed toward the earth, and I braced myself to break her fall.
Weight slammed into my shoulders with surprising force, knocking the breath from my lungs. My paws gave way beneath me, and pain lanced across my skeleton. The human clutched her sides with a groan, clearly having taken a punch from my hard scales. She reached out for her rifle, dragging herself behind a tree trunk.
Bullets sailed just above my dazed form, and I crawled to her position. Maya lifted her goggles, studying me with dilated pupils. Her breathing had accelerated by a noticeable degree, but she seemed to have her wits. My nostrils flared, checking to make sure she wasn’t bleeding. The important thing was, neither of us were hit, though there were still nine Arxur closing in.
The human unclasped her helmet. “I’m going to toss this into the open air, draw their fire. You get a few shots off, okay?”
I bared my teeth in agreement, hugging my gun against my chest. Maya lobbed the headgear up into the air, and it was greeted by an instinctive array of bullets. My heart pounded as I poked my head out, before I tugged the trigger several times in the enemy’s direction. There were a few strained yelps, but I wasn’t taking the time to admire my handiwork.
The human scrambled back to another tree trunk further behind us, unleashing semiautomatic fire as cover. I followed her with urgency, knowing we couldn’t let the Arxur descend on us. My nostrils widened for a deep whiff, and I picked up the scent of three soldiers’ blood. That included the one I sniped at the beginning.
I hope I hit Typhith or Naitha already, but I think I still hear their voices. Nothing could be that easy, could it? I mused.
The Arxur party showed a bit of hesitancy, having lost three members to the wild tree-dweller. They stayed back for a moment, reassessing their options. Maya swiped my sidearm, and filled it with a fresh clip. She returned it to my grip, giving me a slight nod. The human must’ve run out of tricks, because her darting eyes were scanning for an escape route.
“You want to get to the base, so we can die to the prey instead? We have to get through these guys,” I growled. “Our current retreat is moving in the wrong direction.”
Maya heaved a flustered sigh. “Just be quiet; I’m trying to think. We can’t win a gunfight. I only have one frag and a smoke grenade left.”
“Well, we better use them wisely. The smoke could give us cover, if we need to move out again.”
The alien pursed her lips, and poked her gun around the trunk. A few blind shots were thrown at the Arxur, though her aim was errant. She was still nursing her right hip; I wondered if that plunge from the tree had done serious damage. Perhaps her breathing was labored from pain, rather than hyperventilation.
Maya’s eyes flickered up the tree, before blinking in defeat. The human was in no condition to be climbing again; even if she could, it would just get her shot back down. My head peeked out from behind the trunk, just in time to see a rocket sailing toward us. Naitha’s triumphant snarl was visible from several meters away.
I tackled the human on instinct, sending us rolling away from the tree. Our position was at the crest of an incline, so gravity helped gain some distance. The projectile slammed into the roots behind us, releasing a powerful blastwave. My already-bruised spine absorbed the impact; I could feel the nauseating ache beneath my scales. Hearing was swept away, leaving behind a ringing sensation.
The alien and I tumbled from the summit, landing at the bottom of the hill. Maya yowled in pain, clutching her hip. The human had nicked her chin, and was bleeding profusely from the gash. Spots rippled across my vision; the taste of my own blood was mixed with my saliva. Pressing a claw to my lip, the hardened digit came back viscous.
I struggled to my knees, roaring at the creature. “GET UP! We don’t have time to cry like prey in a stampede.”
“I…can’t.” Maya unhooked a grenade from her belt, coughing weakly. “You go on, Kaisal. I’ll wait for them…and give them this parting gift.”
“What empathetic bullshit is this? Give me that.”
My claws wrenched the projectile from her grasp, faster than she could react. Her fingers extended with a shaky attempt to reclaim it, before her eyes sealed in defeat. I could smell Naitha and Typhith leading the advance up the hill, eager to gun us down.
The two of us needed to find cover, or we’d be terminated on sight. One paw hooked under the straps of the human’s vest, dragging her like a prey carcass. Ignoring her pained whimpers, I positioned her behind a boulder.
Maya gritted her teeth. “Stop. I said stop!”
“I need you alive. Whether it’s to join up with your food-rich planet, or to prove my worth to my people. Either way, your survival is necessary for my benefit,” I said.
The human propped herself against the rock, eyes squeezed shut. The rise and fall of her chest was erratic; the slightest motions seemed to leave her in agony. This vulnerability stemmed from her frail form, without any natural armor or resilience. But pain wasn’t an excuse for Maya to give up. Didn’t she feel the call of self-preservation, same as me?
Naitha stomped to the peak, surveying the scenery. “Come out now! It’s over. We have so many questions about you and your species, tree predator.”
“Why don’t we talk then?” Maya shouted, in a strained voice. “Stay there, and I can give you answers. This can have a peaceful end.”
“Nice try. We only wanted Kaisal, before you started gunning down our people. We can’t just let that go. Now, you’re going to answer our questions from a cell.”
Typhith hobbled behind her. “Don’t worry, a fellow predator won’t go to the cattle pens. You’ll be a prisoner of war. If you cooperate and we befriend your people, the Dominion will likely trade you back home.”
“We…will never befriend you. And we don’t negotiate with terrorists!” the human hissed.
I blinked in confusion. Why would she associate us with random acts of violence? Everything we did was with the goal of our survival; it was easiest to play up the fear that prey had inherently. This was a war of extinction, not a senseless extremist movement. Our government, however much I disliked them, would treat any genuine sapients with the dignity they deserved.
“Take the deal,” I whispered. “It’ll get you off the cradle, and they’ll keep you comfortable out of self-interest. I can fend for myself.”
Maya snorted. “I’m not joining up with your To Serve Man outfit there. Fuck that.”
My eyes narrowed, and I steeled myself for a last stand. For a weak alien, and a scrawny kid who should be euthanized by the Betterment office, we hadn’t done too shabby. Out of spite, I was going to kill Naitha; I hated that bitch. If I got a second shot off, Typhith was going to burn with her. My claws slipped into the grenade pin, and I prayed I could throw like the human.
I hurled the explosive through the air, watching its trajectory with keen eyes. The grenade sailed with a wide arc, before colliding with the hill’s incline. It landed well short of the target, and gravity carried it back down toward us. Irritation flickered in the human’s eyes, before she flung her battered body out of cover.
“Kaisal, you imbecile,” she spat, through curses. “That was a terrible throw.”
Typhith fired several shots toward the human, while Naitha aligned the rocket launcher. The alien predator needed their attention drawn away from her. I locked my sidearm onto the Arxur cluster, unloading an entire clip in panic. Meanwhile, Maya fought through excruciating pain to scoop up the grenade. Crying out in agony, she tossed the device to its proper destination.
The human had gotten to it just in time, and left the hunters with zero time to react. The grenade triggered just as it was about to land, blowing up in the tracking party’s face. The explosion dealt catastrophic damage to nearby soldiers, maiming and killing in a wide berth. I recognized Naitha’s voice among the screams, and pleasure hummed in my heart.
Maya collapsed in a lifeless heap, burying her face in the leaves. I cast my pistol aside, and wrested the rifle from her hands. The human didn’t resist, only muttering a weak protest. My paws strode across the grass, skipping up the hill to finish off the mutilated Arxur. I placed rounds into the temples of two who were twitching; they weren’t who I wanted, but I couldn’t leave them alive. Killing my own was suddenly easier than it felt minutes ago.
Typhith was gushing blood from his throat, spitting up sticky fluid with racking coughs. I placed one leg over his neck, twisting my ankle into the wound. Satisfied at his preylike squeal, I abandoned him to his fate. He was going to bleed out within minutes, even without me speeding the process.
My eyes scanned the incapacitated grays, settling on my target. Naitha was slathered in blood, but she was trying to crawl toward her rifle. I knelt atop her tail, clacking my tongue against my mouth in mockery. Her head twisted toward me, but my rifle barrel was against her skull before she could try anything. My claw hovered over the trigger, watching her squirm.
“Let me go, Kaisal. You proved yourself, through and through. I was wrong about you. I’ll tell everyone of your glorious strength!” the female Arxur pleaded.
My nostrils flared. “Begging like prey, are we? That’s ironic.”
Without any further delay, I tugged at the trigger. Her body spasmed as it was pumped full of lead, before the corpse slumped against the dirt. After checking that everyone else was a goner, I slung the rifle around my neck. It was time to return to the downed human, and decide what to do with her.
A/N
Part 3 in the Arxur's saga! A chapter of blissful pure action, as Kaisal and Maya are forced to work together. While our narrator has achieved his revenge, their struggles are hardly over.
What will Kaisal do with Maya, with her incapacitating injuries? Will the duo press ahead to the bunker, and risk an encounter with Gojids (or even other humans and Arxur)?
Chapter 4
Memory transcription subject: Kaisal, Arxur Dominion Third Fleet
Date [standardized human time]: September 29-30, 2136
The human was in no condition for a strenuous trek, which meant she required transportation. However, Maya yelped when I tried to move her, leaving us vulnerable to enemy detection. It wasn’t ideal to carry her for long distances, regardless. My physical strength was lacking, as every Arxur made a point to mention.
The simplest option was to abandon her, since she would do nothing but slow me down. I snatched her food pack, telling myself that there was no other option. My new plan was to venture off to the Gojid orchards, and find other Arxur to join up with. This wasn’t my fault; I’d done everything in my power to aid the alien, and defect to her people. Maya was just weak.
Hell, I was weak for feeling guilty about forsaking her. There was nothing I owed to the pack predator. More importantly, her food stash should have dissuaded me from thinking of her as an equal. I found fruits and grain products diluting the supply, with little meat for me to eat. Swiping the knapsack was a mistake, since I would be back to tracking down Gojid prey in a day.
The rations were dwindling anyways. I don’t think this omnivore’s food supply was meant to last more than a few days, I noted. And that’s with a human’s appetite. This is barely a snack for me.
I rested on the bulky roots of a tree, staring out at abandoned farm equipment. Going back to my people might buy me a few weeks, but ultimately, the Betterment office would have their way with me. A return without a human rendered me disposable; it would invite another endless spell of starvation. Nobody would be able to see past my frail form, and all that mattered to the government was war contributions.
“I can’t leave Maya. She’s too valuable,” I growled.
My search turned to a way to carry her, scanning the agricultural tools for anything useful. A harvesting vehicle was left unattended, with the electrical charge at half-capacity. That should be enough to get back to Maya, and make it to the settlement near the military base. An amused snort came from my nostrils, at the thought of a Gojid seeing an Arxur driving their plant-vehicle.
The vehicular controls were intuitive, with a steering wheel and acceleration lever. However, it was uncomfortable to wedge myself in a seat designed for a creature much smaller. I tried to distract myself, sifting through the static of prey radio channels. Those had all fallen dead with the cradle’s bombing; there was nothing to absorb but rural scenery.
I cursed to myself, seeing that only ten minutes had passed since my departure. This was going to be a long ride.
The forest was too dense to fit a harvester, so I had to disembark my vehicle to retrieve the human. Maya didn’t stir, despite the necessity to drag her for half a mile. From what I could tell, she had drugged herself with some sort of sedative. The omnivore’s fragile form was placed into the seat, and I carefully rested her head against the door.
The bombs hadn’t relented behind us, a sign of the overwhelming force the Arxur military possessed. Some detonations pummeled the forest perimeter; it was a good thing I’d retrieved Maya when I did. If the Dominion was besieging rural areas, near a drop site, that meant time was running out. All Arxur personnel would be withdrawn from the region by tomorrow.
I monitored the electrical gauge, seeing the vehicle’s power almost extinguished. It was frustrating how slow the harvester was; it was never meant for cross-country travel. Fortunately, we were able to cross the settlement’s threshold before dawn arrived. Stampede signs greeted us near the gates, and I parked the vehicle. My appetite hissed in disappointment, as all the Gojid corpses reeked of rot.
I’m hungry again. Don’t want to roll the dice with food poisoning though.
Most Gojid civilians had either trampled themselves, or fled elsewhere at this point. The third option, being holed up in a central location, was more likely at the town epicenter. I mulled over everything Maya told me about humans, recalling how her squad perished at a daycare center. If the tree-omnivores were lurking anywhere, it would be a place with Gojid children.
I slapped the steering wheel with my tail. “The Gojid scent trails were moving away from the north, I think. That probably means humans were operating in that direction.”
The fuel gauge indicator had dipped close to empty. There was no telling what to do with Maya, if this thing died. I’d have to figure out how to keep her sedated, or we’d draw unwanted attention. The last way I wanted to die was by getting caught in a gasoline trap. I had no idea if Gojids would have extermination measures in a remote village, off the beaten path…but I didn’t want to find out.
“Fuck,” Maya groaned, in a groggy tone. “Carmen, I had the strangest nightmare. This pitiful Arxur tried to defect, and then—”
The human’s eyelashes fluttered, before her gaze snapped open. I narrowed my eyes, thumping my tail in a gesture to continue. The color drained from her complexion, and she rubbed her forehead with a hand. Her pupils darted around, before dejection crossed her expression.
“Who’s Carmen?” I prodded.
Her brows knitted together. “A f-friend from my unit. We worked together for a long time. Where the hell are we? I thought you left me for dead.”
“I found wheels, so we could get to the settlement. You didn’t help. Neither did that Venlil feed in your bag.”
“Venlil feed? I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me.”
The human was silent, grimacing as she tried to sit up. The omnivore pawed at her throat, and she reached for my canteen. I debated whether to stop her from hydrating, until she answered my questions. However, after how Naitha treated me, I couldn’t bring myself to deprive an animal’s biological needs. Maya had fed me in my time of need.
The arboreal alien chugged at the liquid greedily. “That’s better. You had to take the ‘Venlil feed’ too? You left me with a fractured hip, in the heat, without food and water.”
“Then I saved your ass. You’re welcome,” I growled. “I can always put you back in the woods if you don’t like it.”
“Hmph. Also, I didn’t want to go to this tiny village. The plan was to go to the base nearby.”
“This piece-of-shit vehicle wasn’t going to make it to the base. Also, your plan was stupid. What, you think the Gojids are going to just invite you into their bunker?”
My stomach rumbled for several seconds, as if it heard my words. A shelter full of Gojids was an enticing prospect, though I didn’t believe it was worth the risk. Hunger pleaded to agree to Maya’s plan, but my brain overrode it. My salivary glands were getting rather overactive, which drew the human’s wary gaze.
The alien said meeting you was a nightmare. She called you pitiful too, and she hates your kind. Is it a good idea to seek out her comrades?
The harvester sputtered to a halt, just as a brick building came into sight. A field of soft earth, pocked with burrows, rested outside; that must be an area designed for Gojid recreation. Logic asserted that this was a school, though it was on the smaller side for such structures.
If my theory was correct, we’d have our best chance at meeting human soldiers on these premises. Their species was soft in their mental faculties, pitying weak creatures. I think that was why Maya spared me to begin with.
“You’re seeking out a school, Kaisal?” The omnivore’s hand shot to her hip, reaching for a weapon that wasn’t there. “No…I won’t let you do that. You’ll have to kill me first.”
I snorted. “That wouldn’t be too hard. Get out.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you, croc.”
“I don’t understand what that word means, but I gauge that it’s an insult. I’m looking for other humans, not Gojid hatchlings. Now, if I find a meal, that’s a bonus…I’m hungry.”
“Damn you. Are you just always hungry?”
“Something like that. Doesn’t help that I have no fat reserves to burn. You try barely eating for years, see how you feel.”
Maya pursed her lips, then injected her wounded side with a painkiller. The human waved me over, propping her arm around my neck. She limped along, struggling with each step. I curled my lip, hating myself for supporting a liability. This went against every philosophical tenet I’d ever learned; perhaps even the weak-minded omnivores would scorn me for enabling her injured state.
The scent of Gojid hit my nostrils, tempting my restraint. It was impossible to tell if humans were here, when that odor was so overpowering. I licked my lips, before refocusing on the visual cues. Arxur bodies were scattered near the entrance. It was visually stunning, to see so many of our soldiers taken out. I wasn’t inclined to believe that school-prey had done this jaw-dropping damage.
“Humans? Hello?” I called, hesitantly. “I have a present for you. Her name is Maya, she’s moderately useful, I promise.”
A shadowy figure ducked out of the doorway, a mask covering their face. The excessive gear made them look more imposing than they were. Dark goggles concealed their eyes, completing the impassive exterior. It was impossible to see the fleshy, pinkish alien I knew was underneath.
A barking laugh rumbled in their throat. “I have a present for you too.”
The new human jammed a gun barrel into my maw, shoving it against the roof my mouth. Their finger hovered over the trigger; perhaps they were waiting for me to make a wrong move. More aliens crept out of the school, prying Maya away from me. I gagged on the smooth metal, and shot an irate gaze at my companion.
Why couldn’t any meeting with these omnivores start without a gun in my face? Weren’t social predators supposed to like conversation?
“Don’t shoot Kaisal. He’s trying to defect…he saved my life. He deserted, and shot his own people,” Maya coughed.
The gun-wielding stranger stiffened, before withdrawing the firearm. They raised their goggles from their eyes, inspecting me with skepticism. I fell to the ground, spitting out the metallic taste. Hatred bubbled in the human’s visage, as though they found my presence reprehensible. There was something protective about their stance too.
“Mr. Frank!” A Gojid youngling skittered up to the stranger, and tugged at the human’s leg-pelt. My eyes widened, with a mix of hunger and disbelief. “Come back, Frankie! I want another story.”
Frank shielded the prey with his form. “Nimlin, I need you to go back with the others. Now.”
The human took several steps back, keeping his eyes on me. Saliva bubbled on my lips, involuntarily, senses teased by Nimlin’s arrival. The stranger’s gaze turned cold, and he seemed to consider shooting me again. Maya looked sickened by my rekindled appetite as well.
I didn’t understand why a reaction I couldn’t control was my fault. Their sense of smell was weaker, so they couldn’t grasp how the aroma drowned out everything else. If humans didn’t want me to eat the prey, they should provide an alternative food source…quickly.
The Gojid kid sulked off, after an insistent push from Frank. The male omnivore swallowed, and ushered us inside the building. My gaze was suited to the absence of electricity, but the arboreal aliens weren’t as fond of it. They had planted makeshift lanterns at various intervals.
The faint glow illuminated the carnage that was left behind. Human bodies were slumped along the walls, some with guns still clutched. Crimson fluid was smeared across the floor; a handful must’ve dragged themselves while bleeding out. Most of this unit appeared to be dead.
Why are these people stopping the Dominion from hunting, at such great cost? It was worth it to hold the line, and die, over food?!
The three individuals that greeted Maya and I were the only able-bodied humans on the premises. Any wounded omnivores were languishing near the Gojid schoolprey, parked by their weapons as a last resort. Several were unconscious and close to death, so I didn’t know how that contingency would work out.
“Frankie, why is Sascha leaking red juice? He won’t wake up!” Nimlin whined.
Frank’s eyes glistened. “I think Sascha is…sleeping forever, little man.”
“Forever? So he’s never…going to…?”
The Gojid started bawling, tears streaming down its fur. The human knelt to the ground, before drawing the prey into his embrace. The male soldier didn’t seem to mind the wet patches on his armor, or the spines poking his wrist. He whispered soothing words, stroking its neckline.
Nimlin wriggled out of the human’s grasp, and curled up against Sascha’s corpse. My ears ached from the shrill wails. Why was the food upset over a predator? More importantly, why was Frank indulging sniveling weakness?
Maya cleared her throat. “What happened here?”
“The Arxur kept coming. We held them off as long as we could…three waves of them,” Frank growled. “If they follow pattern, they’ll be back by daybreak. The intervals have been regular.”
I narrowed my eyes. “This next push will be decisive, since the Arxur Dominion is withdrawing ground troops by tomorrow. Not that you’re in any shape to defend this place, regardless. Why haven’t you moved out, switched spots?”
“We thought about it. But where are we going to go? The entire planet is under siege, and we have kids and wounded. This is a small town. Taking the bus outside will attract attention, lots of it, if that’s what you’re about to say.”
“Frank, the Arxur presence is gone. They’ve got what they wanted out of this town, other than these ripe morsels. You’re a sitting target here.”
The male human adjusted his gloves, checking for quills. The desolate hallway was littered with bodies and blood spatter, a grim reminder of the odds. There was no life but pitiful Gojids huddled together, and three exhausted soldiers planning to mount a last stand. I wasn’t going to count the gravely wounded in my tally.
It would be much easier for the omnivores to surrender the prey, but I already determined they wouldn’t do that. Maya and Frank made it clear they hated Arxur; my traveling partner refused to negotiate with Naitha earlier. Perhaps coming here had been an error of judgment. This ragtag band of prey younglings, and prey-like omnivores, were just more liabilities.
“Do you trust that thing, Maya?” Frank asked.
She studied me with concern. “It is quiet out there, from the little I saw. I trust that Kaisal has no loyalty to his government, and that he doesn’t want to hurt us humans. What I don’t trust is his control when he’s hungry. He’s a threat to, um...”
“I understand. I’ll keep it fed, unless it becomes too much of a hassle. Or it gives me a reason to put it down.”
I swallowed with discomfort. “I will do whatever you say if you feed me. No eating Nimlin, er, I’ll try.”
Something animalistic sparked in Frank’s gaze, and his chin muscles twitched beneath his mask. The human seemed oblivious to our physical mismatch, taking a step toward me. His hands were balled in fists, like he wanted to swing at my snout. The soldier glanced at Nimlin, and managed to calm himself.
“Well, we’re finished if the next wave gets here anyways,” he said, in a detached voice. “Let’s be gone before the grays show up. Time to move, people.”
The predator soldiers began rounding up the prey kids, and plotting methods to move their wounded. With an Arxur posse closing in on us, the humans were still wasting time on lost causes. It was a bit sad to see their low standards in action; I hoped this empathetic fiasco wouldn’t get us all slaughtered.
A/N
Part 4 of our Arxur series! Kaisal manages to locate other humans, and bring Maya into their care. However, our narrator is less-than-thrilled about the Gojids under Frank's guardianship. Will our group escape the school before the Arxur return? What happens if they reach the Gojid bunker?
As always, thank you for reading and supporting!
Chapter 5
Memory transcription subject: Kaisal, Arxur Dominion Third Fleet
Date [standardized human time]: September 30, 2136
After consuming what meat the humans could scrounge up, I took on a lookout role. Frank and his crew weren’t inclined to hand me a weapon, and Maya wasn’t exactly my full-throated supporter. The omnivores kept me isolated from the Gojid youths, who weren’t as phased by my presence as I’d expect. I could remember how the first natives I saw panicked, then betrayed their ‘friends.’
Whatever I thought of the humans, these social creatures didn’t abandon each other at the first sign of hardship. Every wounded individual was loaded onto the school bus, and they squandered time gathering personal effects from the deceased. There was some grudging respect to be awarded; at least they weren’t cowards. Being ruled by emotions just happened to be a strategic blunder, in almost all scenarios.
Nimlin, the adventurous Gojid, took a shine to Maya. My companion didn’t tell it to stop playing with her long mane. If anything, she seemed to enjoy being a prey toy; the snarl on her face looked playful rather than hostile. The female watched with bemusement as it twirled her hair, giggling.
“Why don’t you have chin hair, like Frank?” the prey asked.
Maya gently removed its claws. “Because not all humans do.”
Frank laughed from the driver’s seat. “I’d shave…you know, trim off, the chin hair if I could. Haven’t exactly had time to spruce up.”
“Yuck! Then your face will be bald,” Nimlin hissed.
“I like it that way, little man. Trust me, it only adds to my natural physique.”
I glowered out the window. Being around chatterbox prey, that spoke in whiny voices, made me want to gouge my ears out. Maya noted my pouting posture, and her eyebrow arched in a quizzical gesture. Nimlin followed her gaze, and I bared my teeth as threateningly as possible. The Gojid screeched, before bolting over to Frank’s lap.
The male human scowled at me. “Asshole! What the fuck was that for, gray? You do that again, I’ll rip every tooth from your mouth…slowly.”
“Your threats are empty bluster. Why aren’t we moving?” I spat.
“I’m working on it. Nobody here has ever actually driven a vehicle before, so I’m going to have to wing it. The cars on Earth drive themselves.”
“You should have just asked me. I can drive.”
Frank hesitated, lips taut with distrust. He glanced out the windshield, where armored vehicles had materialized on the horizon. The Arxur were gaining ground, while we sat here. If these humans had any logic at all, they’d slot me behind the wheel. That was the only way we were moving, without plunging into a ditch.
“Do it. You deviate from our course, or try anything…I’ll blow your fucking head off,” the soldier snarled.
I waited for him to vacate the seat with the Gojid, before prowling up to the wheel. My claws gripped the pawholds, and it took a second to get my bearings. The engine revved to life, which earned cheers from the prey children. Recalling the direction of the military base, I guided the vehicle onto the road and floored the accelerator.
Fortunately, our path was in the opposite direction of the incoming Arxur. The issue was, I doubted our massive bus was quicker than military vehicles. Dominion troops would catch us before long. We careened down the road, our tires catching every pothole. In the rearview mirror, I could see hostiles closing in on us. It only took a few minutes to speed out of the ghost town, but it felt like we were moving in slow motion.
Frank jammed a gun to my neck. “Go faster!”
“Put that down! What, do you think this is a racecar?” I screeched. “Try shooting the Arxur chasing you, not cooperative, friendly Kaisal.”
The human muttered several curses, and slumped his shoulders in exhaustion. Heaving a flustered sigh, he opened the emergency exit on the back of the bus. The soldier clung to a seat for support, trying to line up his rifle. The constant bumps in the road made that next-to-impossible, but I couldn’t exactly slow down.
A digital banner scrolled overhead, as we screeched past the city limits. The gun icon and the arrow suggested that this exit led to the military base. Centrifugal force almost tipped the bus over, as I jerked us onto a curved ramp leading out of the village. Frank lost his footing, and his rifle cascaded out into the street. The human rolled toward the open exit, catching himself with an extended foot.
“I…thought…you said you could drive!” The soldier gritted his teeth, clawing his way back up the aisle. “What are you doing?”
His squadmates pulled him back inside, as Maya handed him the rifle they’d confiscated from me. Frank accepted the replacement weapon, eyeing the Arxur on our heels. The vehicles were hot on our tail, now visible in stark detail. There were six truckloads chasing after us, which would’ve been more than enough to flush these people out of the school.
I wonder if Frank even recognizes that my advice saved his life. I’m not his enemy. Why does he insist on treating me like one?
The Arxur began firing shots at the bus, which were geared toward taking out the tires. Several bullets collided with the road behind us, and Frank instinctively ducked his head. The male soldier grunted, placing his gun back on his shoulder. He couldn’t aim with the turbulent ride, but he popped off several shots anyways.
I tried to focus on the road, rocketing down the multi-lane turnpike. Abandoned vehicles clogged up the street, so I squeezed the bus onto the shoulder. Our sides brushed with one smaller vehicle, sweeping it away with our greater mass. The Arxur pursuers were happy to follow in our wake, since we were clearing the path.
Frank readied a grenade. “Rot in hell!”
The human bounced it along the pavement, and bared his teeth with visceral excitement. The explosive detonated beneath a truck’s undercarriage, setting off a chain reaction. A fireball swallowed that Arxur vehicle, and its partners swerved out of the way to avoid damage. One of them hooked a bit too far, colliding with an abandoned Gojid vehicle. The hood crumpled inward, leaving the soldiers with a totaled wreck.
“What’s hell, Frank?” Nimlin squealed.
The soldier stiffened. “Uh, it’s, a fiery…”
“It’s a place of punishment for evil people that some humans believe in,” Maya answered flatly.
Frank palmed his head. “Don’t listen to her, or to me. It’s just a story, kiddo.”
I couldn’t believe they were coddling the child, with four armored cars in pursuit. The bottleneck eased up as the military base came within view. Gojid serviceprey had set up a barricade to prevent incoming traffic. Local residents must’ve flooded the area, rushing to the on-site bunker. Restricting entry to foot travel allowed them to control the influx, to some degree.
If we disembarked the vehicle now, we would be gunned down in a heartbeat. My eyes narrowed, and I charged full speed at a concrete barrier. It was half the height of the bus, but I knew this was going to leave a mark. It was my hope that the Gojid transport could withstand the impact.
“Brace yourselves! This is going to be rough,” I shouted.
Frank ducked back into his seat. “What? Slow down, you ignor—”
The bus slammed through the barricade, toppling it via sheer force. My head jerked back from the impact, and a scraping noise resonated through the walls. The barrier failed to redirect our gargantuan lift, which clambered over the downed concrete. I made sure to hold the accelerator in place; the engine roared from the effort.
Frank and his crewmates unleashed a hailstorm of bullets on the approaching Arxur. It seemed to be an attempt to push them back, since the crash slowed us down. The bus struggled onward, limping through the gates to the military facility. Dominion vehicles started to follow, before turning back without warning. My heart sank into my chest.
Maya pumped a fist in the air. “Woohoo! We won!”
“You didn’t win,” I chuckled bitterly. “If they’re pulling back, it’s because they know there’s a bombing campaign planned in the area. This bunker must be in the next set of targets.”
“…I see. Then we better get inside the shelter, pronto. We can’t stay outside.”
My navigation involved following the bright signs, and not crashing into buildings. The bunker, as well as most on-site facilities, were housed hundreds of meters underground. One freight elevator was the only way down, which meant there was no sneaking into the complex. It would unload somewhere the Gojids had full control; they’d have to willingly open the containment doors to the humans.
I flared my nostrils. “You’re all stupid. The bunkers won’t withstand a hundred bombs in the same spot. Also, the second those doors open, the Gojids are going to kill you.”
Frank lumbered toward the exit. “Then I’ll go. We have to get the kids somewhere safer. If anything happens to me, the rest of you can figure out a Plan B.”
“How will we know if anything happens to you?” Maya questioned.
“Camera on my helmet; Dana can access the feed on her holopad. Hope the signal holds up that deep. For what it’s worth, it was an honor serving with you all. Come along, kiddos…Uncle Frankie’s gonna take you to safety.”
The soldier herded the Gojids out of the bus, watching as they bounced down the stairs. He studied his firearm for a long moment, before discarding it on the ground. This man was insane, to approach the prey without a gun; they were going to murder him in a heartbeat. I didn’t understand why none of his packmates attempted to dissuade him.
The one called Dana connected her holopad to the bus’ projector. Frank’s camera was angled at the Gojids, as the elevator rapidly flicked through dozens of levels. It hurtled toward the bottom, and the soldier’s ragged breathing was audible on stream. It was obvious the omnivore expected to die; that frightened him more than he let on.
The resolution dipped on the video, as the lift neared its destination. The human dropped to his knees, and placed his arms behind his head. The Gojids wouldn’t accept a predator’s surrender; it was absurd to even try. A light chime sounded, and the doors parted in a decontamination room.
The prey aren’t going to let Frank go anywhere. They have to open the bunker doors from the inside.
“Hey, I come in peace! Please help the children,” the soldier croaked. “I’ve lost so many people trying to protect them. We risked everything to save them from the school. Whatever you do to me…don’t let my friends’ sacrifices be in vain.”
The video feed lurched upward, as Frank tilted his head. The human gazed at a blinking red light, which must be a Gojid security system. Choking sounds carried over the feed, and I hoped the predator was sobbing to manipulate the Gojid prey. It was despicable for a military man to show such weakness, either way.
“I’m so tired. I want to go home, but I know I’m never going to see Earth again,” Frank sputtered. “Kill me now, if that’s what it takes to save the kids. I just want them to live.”
There was another long silence, with no response from the bunker. The human cast another pleading gaze at the surveillance camera. Several Gojid children began wailing, as the soldier grew more distraught. The coddling male was on the verge of a breakdown; his tone sounded so desperate. He was resigned to his fate, but speaking to an immovable audience.
To my amazement, the hermetic doors grinded open. Several Gojids crept up to the entryway, with guns in their grip. They shouted at the kids, who Frank ordered to go inside the bunker. Nimlin was the last to skitter away from the predator, shooting multiple glances back. Dozens of barrels were focused on the surrendering human, who was about to die in cold blood.
A shaky voice piped up from the shelter. “Why do you want them to live?”
Frank twitched in surprise. “Because they’re just kids. They’re innocent, and they’ve never hurt anyone in their lives.”
“You don’t care about that. You’re a predator. A bloodthirsty, sadistic monster.”
“We’re people, who never got a chance because of the Arxur. I’m here to protect Earth. I know we’ve done some bad things to each other, but we never looked to the stars with anything but hope. All we want is to be your friends…”
His binocular eyes had the Gojids’ spines bristling; I was amazed they’d refrained from shooting him. Perhaps safety in numbers was enough to outweigh their animal side, for a brief moment. The children were checked for bitemarks by the elders, who seemed shocked at their unharmed state. Murmurs passed through the group, as they studied the cowering tree-dweller.
“NO! Frankie, I don’t want you to sleep forever!” Nimlin screamed.
The human sniffled. “It’s okay. Be strong, little man. Uncle Frank’s glad he met you.”
The spiky animals watched the dialogue with bewilderment; they barely stopped Nimlin from running to the omnivore. Frank shook his head, imploring the child to stay put. I didn’t understand human behavior at all, unless it was deception that fooled me too.
“You brought t-the children here, and I cannot fathom how that is evil. We h-have heard you’re fighting the Arxur. We will spare your life,” a Gojid voice decided.
Frank heaved a forceful sigh. “Thank you. I know I have some audacity to ask, but the remnants of my unit are topside. Our intelligence suggests the Arxur are about to bomb this location, so I was wondering if we could seek shelter with you. At least for now.”
Anxious murmurs rippled across the Gojid group, and they inspected the predator anew. I could see fear in their side-facing eyes; nobody wanted the human in the same shelter as them. Despite that, there was another emotion in the animals’ eyes. It looked something like pity, or concern.
The Gojids don’t want this man, who they just met, to die. Why did those herbivores try to kill us, but then can view these creatures as people?
“How many of you are there?” The prey voice that responded was wrought with trepidation. “You’re really not going to eat us, if you’re cooped up here for days?”
“There’s 4 of us moving of our own volition, plus 6 wounded. Our injured are in poor shape, and our medic is dead,” the human answered. “We won’t bother you, but it’s a death sentence, to be aboveground now. I assure you, the thought of eating a Gojid makes me want to puke. There’s nothing more despicable.”
A pang stabbed at my chest, as I realized Frank’s headcount made no mention of me. He never intended for me to accompany them. More than likely, my refusal would’ve been automatic; the last thing I wanted was to be holed up with Gojids, and to fight temptation for days. But the human was pretending I was never part of the group…surely Maya would say something.
“We’re going to keep you quarantined, and set up a partition. Constant watches,” came the Gojids’ verdict. “If you come near the main populace, we’ll have to exterminate you. We don’t want you in our space.”
Frank slowly lowered his hands. “I understand. We won’t cause a problem, and we’ll mind our own business. Your house, your rules.”
“Very well. Send the other predators down. No weapons.”
The human soldiers had already re-summoned the elevator, and were hauling the wounded over to the car. It was insanity to lodge with prey; this bunker was going to get buried under waves of antimatter, like all the others. Maya struggled to her feet, flagging me down with a wave. She wrapped an arm around my neck, and for some reason, I helped her to the lift.
The omnivores placed their weapons into a bag, not leaving any where I could attain them. The duffel of guns was tucked in the elevator’s corner. Maya slumped onto the floor, offering a nod of gratitude. I studied her fleshy form with curious eyes; an unfamiliar twinge flared in my chest.
The female human bared her teeth. “Frank is right, Kaisal. We can’t bring you around Gojids. Besides, hauling an Arxur down there…they’d change their minds in a heartbeat.”
“Yeah, of course. I don’t want to coddle prey,” I huffed.
“I’m letting you go. You’ll find your own way off this rock. After that, you should defect to Earth.”
“Right. Sure.”
Maya tugged the folded-up map out of her bag, passing it to me. The other humans implored her to speed up this good-bye. I couldn’t help but feel cheated, as our bargain concluded with her setting me loose. Going back to my people was the last thing I wanted. Weren’t these pack predators the type who didn’t leave anyone behind?
“A little something to remember me by; to find your way,” she said. “Perhaps one day, you’ll live by more than your stomach, Kaisal.”
The elevator doors sealed shut, and obscured the humans from view. My gaze turned to the map in my grasp. A furious roar poured from my throat, echoing off the buildings around me. I shoved the paper into my maw, tearing it apart with frantic bites. The shreds floated to the ground, and I began stabbing them with my claws.
The fury dissipated once exhaustion kicked in, and I staggered back to the bus. My grip locked around the accelerator; for my survival, it was time to vacate the area. A plan hatched in my mind, one which put any hopes of a human escape to rest. I would rendezvous with the Arxur that abandoned our pursuit, and use my intel on the new predators to prove my usefulness.
There was no escape from my life; I was doomed as soon as I was born an Arxur. There was only finding a better way to play the game, and living to starve another day.
A/N
The penultimate chapter of the miniseries! The humans are able to reach the base, despite Arxur pursuit, and to talk their way into the bunker. However, Kaisal was not included in the invitation...
As always, thank you for reading and supporting! Stay tuned for the epilogue; we'll learn our narrator's fate.
Epilogue
Memory transcription subject: Kaisal, Arxur Dominion Third Fleet
Date [standardized human time]: October 6, 2136
The Arxur who had chased after the bus turned out to be an elite cattle unit. Dominion special ops swooped in, right before an area was eradicated, to collect as much prey as possible. Their efficiency was legendary, with the tight timeframes they worked under. Also, the second they got one catch secured, they’d move to a new location.
Captain Coth was intrigued by my tales of the other predators. I’d seen firsthand what everyone else had only viewed amidst combat. It helped that I played up my cunning to ‘escape’ custody, and circulated false claims of truce negotiations with humans. Coth accepted the Gojids schoolprey as the tree-dwellers’ catch; the Arxur Dominion scaled back the bombing run on Maya’s bunker, accordingly.
The captain granted me a stay on his ship, allowing me to aid in the mess hall. That was a perfect job, as far as I was concerned. I got the first pickings at the Gojid prey, and could eat as much as I liked. It did feel a bit strange to carve up their flesh, after seeing the little ones cuddling with Frank. I reminded myself that the animals didn’t view us as people, so there was no reason to elevate their status.
Our departure from the cradle was hastened, as reports of a fresh human attack poured in. All I wanted was to get off-world, and go somewhere safe. It was a cruel twist of fate, that the omnivores singled us out once we cleared the atmosphere. Scent alarms seeped from the vents, which brought the ship on combat readiness.
Trosaf, a cordial officer, shoved a weapon in my grip. “These fleshy predators are insane. They knocked out our propulsion, and blasted their way inside. They really want those cattle back so badly?”
“Humans have a few screws loose,” I grumbled.
The commotion overhead didn’t bode well for our chances. Gunfire advanced on our position at a rapid pace, and Coth’s chatter over the PA didn’t mollify the humans. If anything, our diplomacy seemed to piss them off more. Arxur troops bounded up the stairs, hurrying out from our living quarters. A larger contingent pooled by the mess hall entry, at Trosaf’s direction.
“All forces in the upper deck, retreat! Do you copy?” Coth’s voice crackled over the radio.
There was no response; the humans must’ve chewed through everything we sent to their locale. Our procedures were rusty from disuse, unsuited to a true enemy. Dominion soldiers were in over their heads. Nobody ever had the gall to assault an Arxur vessel, and take on an apex predator in close-quarter combat.
Trosaf checked his gun. “We should just give them the cattle. A single haul’s not worth getting slaughtered.”
“They don’t negotiate with ‘terrorists,’” I chuckled.
“Is that how they see us? I thought you negotiated a truce, Kaisal.”
“I did. I convinced them not to kill me.”
More gunshots popped off, closer this time, along with the sound of glass shattering. Footsteps thumped down the walkway, and a lighter clink floated down the stairwell. My eyes locked on a grenade, seconds before it exploded by Trosaf’s waiting men. Screams came from the wounded, who were maimed by shrapnel. It reminded me how Maya had taken out Naitha’s band.
I’m going to die. The humans are going to kill us all, and they don’t intend to talk.
Any surviving Arxur retreated to the cafeteria’s recesses, as the enemy lobbed another grenade. The omnivores were clad in excessive armor, much like Frank. I watched as they scurried down the staircase, firing at us before they even reached the bottom. My gun felt heavy in my grip, and I couldn’t make myself return gunfire.
Trosaf’s eyes bulged. “Shoot them, Kaisal, or I’ll shoot you myself! I’ve given you a chance, so don’t you dare hide like prey.”
Gulping, I tugged the trigger a few times. My shots were aimed at the humans’ extremities, rather than seeking their center of mass. If anyone asked, I would deny that my aim was purposeful; it was just as likely that I was incompetent. The Arxur officer beside me toted an automatic weapon, and hurled a torrent at the incoming hostiles.
Several humans were caught in the bullet stream, with Trosaf shooting to kill. Crimson blood seeped from one’s neck, and she crumpled to the ground. Fellow soldiers leapt forward without hesitation, carrying her away from the front lines. Medical aid was rendered, though I wasn’t sure there was anything that could be done. Humans didn’t leave a single person behind…except me.
My teeth bared with intrigue, as I saw an unarmed Gojid tailing a human to cover. Other Arxur had noticed its presence as well, since the delectable scent was distracting. The pathetic creature cowered behind a wastebin, spines bristling. Bullets rained on its position, with one nailing the human partner in the skull. I winced as the predator fell back.
“Stealth specialists, flank the hostiles by the tables. Hustle, move!” Trosaf snarled.
Any Arxur in the humans’ direct line of sight was mowed down. The Dominion wounded several of theirs too, but many injured enemies remained in the fight. Maybe that was how the battered ones, at the Gojid school, resisted the raiders for so long. As long as there was air in their lungs, these omnivores were a threat.
Our attempts to encircle the humans caught a few unaware, but their reactions were instantaneous. I pulled my gun back, hoping Trosaf wouldn’t notice. More Arxur bodies were visible than soldiers still living and breathing. The tree-predators inched forward, taking the room one pace at a time. Our last stand wasn’t going to keep them from the bridge.
The Arxur officer withdrew. “Damn it all. The humans outnumbered us from the start, and the numbers are only getting worse. The ship is lost.”
Fear clamped at my chest. “We need to surrender, sir. There’s no dishonor in being bested by a worthy foe.”
“How do we know if they’ll accept it?”
They accepted mine, I answered internally. Both times.
“Because we’re predators like them, and they’ll want intelligence on us.” My voice quavered, as I pondered whether they would execute us. “I can’t be sure. But our other option is certain death. I don’t want to die.”
Trosaf hesitated, before lifting his communicator. “All units, stand down. I’m authorizing a full surrender.”
I shoved my firearm across the floor, before he could finish his decree. Our soldiers halted their gunfire, and slid their own weapons toward the humans. My heart was in my throat, as I rose out of cover; others were presenting their unarmed forms as well. For a split second, the tree-dwellers looked stunned.
“GET ON THE GROUND!” a human shouted. “HANDS…paws, where I can see them. Mouths closed!”
The enemy soldiers stormed up to surrendering Arxur; their tones were confrontational and authoritative. Weapons were trained on us with cold discipline. One human tossed a pair of handcuffs to me, and I shackled myself. The creature looked unhinged, so I made a point to avoid eye contact.
The nearby humans turned their attention to Trosaf, who took a boot to the gut. The Arxur officer yelped, before cuffing himself with haste. I reminded myself that they didn’t see us as people; this treatment made that evident. Other omnivores were milling about, and I swore I heard one ask what we would taste like. Why would this species even think of eating another sapient predator?
The human finished up with Trosaf, and marched over to my prone form. A boot heel crushed into my tail, sending a sharp pain down my spine. I bit down to keep from screaming; terror surged through my veins, imagining how they could brutalize me. It was awful to be at someone’s mercy, who seemed to delight in our suffering.
The enemy soldier shoved a gun against my temple, while digging their boot in further. “What did you do with the kids? Where are they?”
“Kids?” I managed, struggling to think.
“The Gojids. The ‘cattle’, you son of a bitch!”
“Why didn’t you just say that?! They’re in the cargo bay.”
“And where the fuck is that? Show us, now!”
I struggled to my feet, and the human spurred me onward at gunpoint. My brain retraced the steps to the cafeteria, where fresh blood hit my nostrils. My stomach rumbled with desire, tempted by the corpses hanging across the area. However, several boarders were puking their guts out; it was like they didn’t have a hunter instinct at all.
Seeing them in action, you know they can fight. Why are they not tempted?
The one hovering behind me threw in a rough shove, and I staggered to the rear wall. My claws pointed desperately at the double doors, uncertain how to convince them I was on their side. The human responded by placing the gun back at my temple; their arms quivered with fury. Their dilated eyes suggested they wanted to beat the crap out of me.
The omnivore sucked in a sharp breath. “Open the fucking door…or we’ll find out what color your brains splatter.”
I swallowed, recognizing that threat as authentic. My paw triggered the motion sensor, hoping that the cattle would appease them. The Arxur guard never stood a chance, and the humans didn’t offer him a chance to surrender. The boarders ripped him apart with bullets, a grotesque display of overkill. My jaw dropped, as scarlet blood oozed through the latticed walkway.
My experience with Maya should’ve taught me the truth about humans. They wanted to kill every Arxur they got their hands on. Our extinction was their goal, just like the Federation; defecting to Earth had never been an option. Our side of the story didn’t matter to them, because they had already drawn their conclusions.
“No heads up about the guard?” a voice snickered.
A blinding pain pulsed through my temple, as the human conked me over the head with his rifle. The last thing I felt was my knees buckling beneath me, and a final dose of fear. If I ever woke up again, I still intended to plead with them. Perhaps there was a way to get through to them…to convince them that all I wanted was a better life.
Unconsciousness pulled me under, silencing my ever-present hunger.
A/N
The end of the Arxur miniseries! We discover who Kaisal was all along, and see the cattle ship boarding from his POV. What are your thoughts on the twist?
As always, thank you for reading and supporting! I'll have an update on January's content soon.